Gregarius » éléments par Alan Buckingham

éléments par Alan Buckingham

Google Calendar for web is currently down

Publié: juin 18, 2019, 5:56pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Take the day off! Seriously, at the moment you have no appointments or meetings. Well, you still do, but if you’re relying on Google Calendar then you’re out of luck at this moment because the web version is currently not available. Efforts to access calendar.google.com result in an error page being displayed. The white screen simply states "Not Found Error 404", something any half-experienced internet user will certainly be familiar with. Google is confirming the outage via its G Suite Status Dashboard. Reporting as of 10:22 am "We’re investigating reports of an issue with Google Calendar. We will provide more information shortly.… [Continue Reading]

Get a charge anywhere in the world with Twist Plus for MacBook [Review]

Publié: juin 13, 2019, 4:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

One thing we have not yet left behind as a society is charging cords. There’s "wireless" charging and a few other interesting attempts, but for now we’re all mostly tied to a USB cable with some sort of plug on the other end -- Micro USB, USB-C, Lightning, etc. That can become a serious problem in several situations. For instance, ever try to find a free plug in a busy airport? Well, we can’t help you there, but we do have a solution for another situation. That is foreign countries. It seems wherever you go the outlet is different. Recently… [Continue Reading]

TripAdvisor responds to Change.org petition on sexual assault 'cover-ups'

Publié: juin 7, 2019, 8:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

TripAdvisor is one of the top services utilized by travelers. It’s a source for everything you should know about your destination, regardless of how obscure or isolated it may be. Need to know lesser-known gems to see, or the less touristy places to visit? Check there. One of the more important services offered by TripAdvisor covers wayfarer safety, which can mean any number of things from violence to pickpockets to scams. One of the big ones, especially in today’s climate, is sexual assault. While TripAdvisor has a way of reporting all crimes, women were finding ones of a sexual nature… [Continue Reading]

The annual iHeartRadio Music Festival will be here before you know it, guess who's on...

Publié: juin 7, 2019, 2:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When, meteorologically speaking, the calendar hasn’t yet flipped to summer, it may be tough to switch your mind and consider an event that takes place in some distant future known as autumn. But, hey, music has no season, right? For the past several years internet music darling iHeartRadio has held a huge multi-day music festival in Las Vegas. 2019 will be no exception, and now the online giant is announcing some of the performers that are lined up for this go-around.. Gracing the stage will be, among others, Heart, Cage the Elephant, Alicia Keyes, Chance the Rapper, Miley Cyrus, Def Leppard and Mumford… [Continue Reading]

Your odds of a match in the Ancestry DNA online database keep increasing

Publié: juin 2, 2019, 7:46pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you’ve ever wondered about where you came from, and I mean an answer more substantial than Hoboken, then you’ve probably at least played around some with family history. We’ve all seen some old pictures, asked grandma a couple of questions, perhaps even dug in a little deeper. There are many avenues to explore, from local archives, historical societies and libraries to cemeteries and online records. A more modern way to gain a head start is with DNA testing, a procedure that has quickly gained mainstream traction. While several entities provide it, Ancestry seems to be a little ahead in the market,… [Continue Reading]

TV and gaming services you've probably never heard of are shutting down

Publié: mai 27, 2019, 10:08am CEST par Alan Buckingham

There’s a chance you might remember a gaming console startup named Ouya. Many of us bought in to it hoping for something that, while less than Xbox One and PS4, might at least be fun. We got the former, but not the latter. It lasted a few weeks in my home before being disconnected forever. Apparently at some point, after it was mostly just gathering dust, it gained a TV service named Razer Forge. There was probably an announcement, but I missed it. Now both services have announced an end in sight. In a brief email sent to customers everything is laid… [Continue Reading]

Should I build a new media PC?

Publié: mai 23, 2019, 10:17am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Eight years ago, approximately, I built my last media center computer. My family and I used it a lot, but it was in the era when set-top boxes were still mostly in their infancy. I did it fairly simply. I bought a used desktop model (a tower wouldn’t fit on a shelf in my cabinet) and began a partial remodel. I tried to do it fairly cheap. I opened up the case and replaced the RAM with more, swapped the hard drive for a higher capacity one, and replaced the video card with one that had component out and the… [Continue Reading]

Happy St Patrick's Day! Ancestry.com can help identify your Irish roots

Publié: mars 17, 2019, 6:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Are you part Irish? Do you know? I bit the bullet recently and had the DNA test done. There were no shocks, I’m of Irish, Scottish, English and Welsh descent. I knew this, but a bit more data always helps. The test I used came from Ancestry.com and was fairly simple. I recommend saving up your saliva though, you’ll be using a lot of it, and be sure to follow the instructions to a tee, you’ll need to. Today is St Patrick's Day and Ancestry.com says "Looking for your Irish ancestors can be like trying to put together a puzzle with… [Continue Reading]

Watch the Super Bowl live online

Publié: février 4, 2019, 12:25am CET par Alan Buckingham

Today is the big game. There’s a lot talk around it, most people are tired of seeing the Patriots there, and it’s possible people in New Orleans will boycott it, but most of the US will still be watching. If you have cable or satellite then you’ll have no trouble watching. But what if you have cut the cord as more and more people have? Well, you aren’t out of luck, you can still watch the Super Bowl, you just need a certain service. The game kicks off at 6:30 EST and you can watch it online. How? Well, if you’re a… [Continue Reading]

Has your Harmony remote stopped working? Let's fix it

Publié: janvier 31, 2019, 3:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Logitech Harmony remote is one of my favorite devices. It can control home theater equipment, and some can control home automation items like Nest products, lights and more. Sometimes though, the remote can experience funny problems, which can be annoying. Don’t let it scare you away, it’s generally not serious and it doesn’t happen very often. You can fix it, it's just a matter of troubleshooting. The most common problem tends to be that you accidentally screwed things up by hitting a wrong button, so that’s what we’re going to look to fix here. If the remote isn’t controlling… [Continue Reading]

My favorite tech products of 2018

Publié: janvier 1, 2019, 10:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

As another year starts, I wanted to look back on my favorite products of the previous 12 months. I’m not talking just 2018 products here, as it has to be said, some things I use most aren’t that new. In the past I’ve been called everything in the comments. My favorites have been a Microsoft fanboy and Microsoft hater. I haven’t figured out how I could be both. The reality of what I use may surprise the people who have said those things. Logitech Harmony Elite I have a lot of media devices to control so I need a solid universal remote. For that, I… [Continue Reading]

Find out where you came from with this Cyber Monday deal on Ancestry DNA

Publié: novembre 26, 2018, 10:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Forget Black Friday, Cyber Monday is now the biggest shopping day of the year. Amazon is shipping millions of packages per day and many other companies are offering deals, including some you may not expect. One you may not have thought of concerns your family history. I’m not talking about sending you to cemeteries, archives and historical societies, although I recommend that if you really want to dig into things. We’re just talking the basics here, which is where in the world your family originated from. Today only, Ancestry DNA is offering its kit for just $49.99, as opposed to the… [Continue Reading]

Cyber Monday Deal Alert: Get Hulu for less than a dollar per month!

Publié: novembre 25, 2018, 9:43pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Tomorrow is Cyber Monday, a modern addition to the holiday shopping season that originated from people returning to work after the long holiday weekend and, with access to a PC and fast internet, doing some shopping on the company’s time The day has grown into a phenomenon and is expected to outperform Black Friday in 2018, with predictions ranging in the neighborhood of $7 billion in sales. Quite a few companies, such as Amazon, have begun the deals early. Not to be outdone, Hulu has followed suit. The company is issuing new limited commercials plans for just $0.99 per month. After the 12… [Continue Reading]

Cyber Monday deal: Get Hulu for less than a dollar per month!

Publié: novembre 25, 2018, 9:43pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for cutting the cord

Publié: novembre 22, 2018, 6:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

As Thanksgiving day gets under way in the US, it’s time for reflection on what it is we are most grateful for. If your list doesn’t begin with family and friends, I urge you to rethink your priorities. Though that doesn’t mean you can’t be grateful about other things as well, from accomplishments in life to even inanimate objects. We also should not forget that today most of us celebrate in a warm home with an abundance of food to choose from and, for those interested, some good sports to watch. I was trying to think out of the box for a bit and one of… [Continue Reading]

Change.org may alter next year's Super Bowl halftime show

Publié: novembre 20, 2018, 5:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you haven’t been marooned on a desert island for the past couple of years, you’ll be aware of the Colin Kaepernick saga. As a refresher, the quarterback was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. He started for them as a rookie and had a good season, though he dropped off slightly in the following seasons. When his contract expired it was not renewed. You can have your own views of why he is no longer in the NFL. It could be his play, though he’s more than qualified to, at least, get a second string job on many teams. However, most think it was his protests… [Continue Reading]

TuneIn brings music to your commute using Waze

Publié: novembre 1, 2018, 6:07pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Regardless of whether you’re completely lost or getting your kicks on Route 66, music has always been a staple of driving. Thanks to more modern technologies, like GPS, getting lost is harder to do than it was in the days of our parents. Also, in this current generation, music has become easier than turning a dial and trying to tune in whatever radio station happens to be in the area you're passing through. Now we have our phones, SiriusXM and other options. Today, the two great driving options, GPS and music, are coming together as Waze has begun beta testing its built-in audio player, and TuneIn is an early entry in the lineup. "In… [Continue Reading]

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It’s not about cookies, but data, as the Girl Scouts gets hacked

Publié: octobre 30, 2018, 9:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It’s that time of year where we look for cookies outside of stores. The prices of those sold by Girl Scouts have gone up over the years, but we all continue to buy them. Regardless of whether you like Thin Mints, Samoas or any of the several other brands available, there’s something for you. Right now, however, the Girl Scouts have more problems to worry about beyond their fundraising campaign. The Orange County, California branch of the organization has warned 2,800 members that their personal data could have been compromised. You can view the letter here. A third party managed to gain… [Continue Reading]

Multiple ways to recover lost tabs in Chrome

Publié: octobre 28, 2018, 7:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While Firefox, Opera and even Internet Explorer and Edge have their fans, many of us stick to Chrome as our primary browser. There are good reasons for that -- features like built in translations, autofill, and syncing across computers and other devices, all work really well. One of the browser's biggest faults, however, is losing tabs. You’ve likely experienced this annoying problem. Let’s take a look at the easiest ways to get that missing site back in your browser. We’ll start with the easy -- one tab accidentally closed. To fix this, either right-click on a tab and select 'Reopen closed tab' from the context menu or press… [Continue Reading]

Ring unveils its 'next generation neighbor experience'

Publié: octobre 25, 2018, 1:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

You've no doubt heard of Ring -- there’s near constant ads for it on TV these days, some featuring Shaquille O’Neal. Ring became famous for its video doorbell that shows you who is outside, without you needing to open the door. The company has since expanded into video security cameras and full security systems, complete with camera, doorbell, sensors and all. Coverage runs you $10 per month, much cheaper than the big names that tend towards $30. The latest Ring update is for its phone app -- the one that alerts you of movement and shows who’s at your door. Camera recordings, which allow… [Continue Reading]

Amazon brings Alexa to more of Europe

Publié: octobre 24, 2018, 12:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Ciao. Hola. There are many ways to say hello around the world, even in dead and nearly dead languages. If you own a smart speaker, there's a good chance you greet it by saying 'Alexa'. Amazon's Echo products have been a huge success, bringing the retail giant's smart assistant to millions of homes around the world. Amazon isn't resting on its laurels though. As well as rolling out new versions of Echo Dot, Echo Plus, and Echo Show it has expanded the list of countries where you can buy them. From today, Amazon's smart devices are now available in both Italy and Spain, with plenty… [Continue Reading]

Mugger tip: Here's what not to do

Publié: octobre 23, 2018, 1:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The world has a number of less-than-bright criminals, from those who become stuck in their exit route (think vent pipes and the like), to those who get caught through use of a stolen device. Facebook has even led to a few arrests of people who bragged or posted the video evidence online. Although this story is courtesy of Facebook, one alleged criminal took an interesting approach to outing himself. While the whole situation is sad for the victim, the end is shocking. On August 1 a pizza delivery woman arrived at a home with a large order. A man stepped out and acted as if he was fumbling… [Continue Reading]

For those with serious charging needs, here comes the ChargeHub Powerstation 360

Publié: octobre 18, 2018, 4:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

We all have lots of different devices that need charging on a regular basis, often at the same time, placing ever increasing demand on our plug sockets, and resulting in companies attempting to deliver different solutions to the growing problem. Cheap power strips and USB hubs offer a solution of sorts, but if you're after something more advanced, there's the Chargehub Powerstation 360 Surge Protector Power Strip. Quite a mouthful, huh? It’s made by Limitless Innovations, an Illinois-based company. The hub is a circular design, so you can plug in all sorts of devices around it. Its main features are: Charges up to… [Continue Reading]

Roku resumes Mexico sales after copyright victory

Publié: octobre 17, 2018, 1:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It’s getting to be that time of the year where people look to the tropics for an upcoming vacation. While some seem born for the snow, many feel the same about warm sunshine. One excellent location is Mexico, and it has many vastly different areas to explore. However, if you have something more permanent south of the border -- a beach bungalow you invested in, or a full-time residence -- then your entertainment options just got a little better. Due to a piracy lawsuit brought about by TV company Cablevision, Roku had been forced to cease sales within Mexico. However, that ruling… [Continue Reading]

How to remove shows without a delete option in Sling Cloud DVR

Publié: octobre 17, 2018, 11:14am CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you weren’t already familiar with Sling TV then you’ve likely had an amusing introduction thanks to recent "Slingers" ads. If you’re still lost, Sling is a live TV service that provides many mainstream channels such as ESPN, CNN and an estimated 100 or so more. If there’s one you want and don’t currently get then there are addon packs you can choose from. While Sling has been around since early 2015, it still has some growing pains. None, at least so far, have been game changers, more minor annoyances than glaring mistakes. One that has been cropping up recently is certain shows… [Continue Reading]

How to watch the Paris-Roubaix bicycle race online

Publié: avril 8, 2018, 2:16am CEST par Alan Buckingham

The pro-cycling season is well underway. Things kicked off early with the Tour Down Under way back in January, but now it ramps up with the Spring Classics. The most well-known of those is Paris-Roubaix, better known as "The Hell of the North". The cobblestones that lead through the forests can be deadly, especially when wet. That race commences April 8, and if you don't get TV coverage, fear not. There's a way you can watch the action and possibly a bit of carnage, although we hope there is none of that this time. NBC Sports Gold will be carrying the race online. It does require a season pass, which… [Continue Reading]

Ask Amazon Echo who will win the Super Bowl, Alexa may surprise you

Publié: février 4, 2018, 7:49pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo is amazing. That's my personal opinion of course, but I use it for various things every day. And yes, I know that some of you who wear tin-foil hats will say Amazon is listening to everything. It may well be, but I don't really care, I've accepted that trade-off in exchange for functionality. I regularly use it to set a timer for cooking or baking, checking sports scores, game schedules, playing music and much more. Now Alexa has an interesting prediction for today's big game. We all know that the Super Bowl kicks off around 6:30 in Minnesota… [Continue Reading]

Watch the Grammys live on your Roku

Publié: janvier 28, 2018, 9:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Tonight is the annual music extravaganza known as the Grammys. It's a long-standing awards show and many prominent artists are up for receiving one of the coveted trophies, most notably Jay Z who is nominated for eight of them. Artists set to perform include Lady Gaga, Pink, Elton John, Miley Cyrus, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and Little Big Town. There will also be a tribute to the victims of the shooting in the Las Vegas nightclub last year. If you don't have cable or satellite then all hope is not lost if you care to tune in. Roku has an option for you. The CBS All-Access package is available on… [Continue Reading]

ZoomGo unveils its own media stick with extras

Publié: décembre 17, 2017, 7:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Streaming media sticks have become an in-thing these days, with big releases from major players like Amazon and Roku. They plug into an HDMI port on any TV and bring you all sorts of entertainment goodness. The one drawback is that they aren't exactly mobile. Now one company aims to change that, giving you all of your media on the go and just in time for a big travel season. ZoomGo is producing a media stick that's made for automobiles and doubles as an in-car charger for your devices. But that's not all. The ZoomGo WiFi Media Stick & Car Charger also delivers your movies… [Continue Reading]

Spotty downtime hits Facebook Messenger worldwide

Publié: décembre 5, 2017, 2:06pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There are multiple ways for people to communicate these days. Pen and paper have largely gone the way of the pony express as the world graduated to the telephone and then moved on to text messages and, these days, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. The electronic age has not necessarily alleviated problems but has simply led to new ones that can be even more frustrating. That is certainly the case with Messenger, which is currently down in seemingly random areas around the world. The northeast section of the US, eastern coast of Australia, parts of central Europe and various other locations around the globe are reportedly having issues after… [Continue Reading]

American Airlines computer glitch gives all pilots Christmas off

Publié: novembre 30, 2017, 5:16pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Christmas is quickly approaching and Santa is not the only one flying for the holiday. The yuletide season is one of the most popular travel times of the year. After all, as the song says There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays. If you've planned your trip out and already booked your flight then you may not want to start packing just yet. There may be a small problem in that well thought-out itinerary, so alert mom and dad now. American Airlines has had just one slight problem. Christmas week is a top choice for vacation for many reasons and because of that most companies are forced to ration it.… [Continue Reading]

After a brief absence, CBS returns to DISH

Publié: novembre 24, 2017, 2:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

For those who have cable or a satellite TV service, you may be used to the occasional channel, or a few of them, disappearing. This is most frequently due to contract disputes as large conglomerate networks attempt to prop up channels that aren't doing so well. It's usually worked out, though it can take some time. That scenario recently played out between CBS and DISH. The former yanked its channel package off of the satellite provider's service in an effort to extort more money. After a 3-day stand-off, the CBS package has come back to DISH, making many people happy, but perhaps permanently losing others. The… [Continue Reading]

Amazon knocks big discounts off Nest products for Black Friday, deals start now

Publié: novembre 22, 2017, 4:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Feeling cold, hot or insecure? There are many solutions provided by the Internet of Things, from lights, cameras, locks, thermostats and much more. You need to choose carefully though as not all work as claimed, and some have rather glaring security problems. But, if you're up for the challenge, then you can set up a fairly cohesive and secure system in your home. One of the top purveyors of some of these products is Nest, part of Google/Alphabet. If you have been looking for a smart thermostat or security camera then this may be a good time to pull the trigger. Amazon has begun… [Continue Reading]

CBS blocks its network from DISH subscribers

Publié: novembre 21, 2017, 2:55pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While many people opt for cable there are also a fair amount who go against that grain, subscribing to a satellite provider for various reasons -- maybe it's location, perhaps it's NFL Sunday Ticket. There are two major players in that market -- DirecTV and DISH. All sorts of problems can interrupt service, both to an entire system, or just certain provided networks. One of the biggest reasons for providers and customers alike is contract disputes. That's something we see all too often. The mess is generally sorted out, but it sometimes drags out for too long. The latest provider to suffer this problem is DISH, who has now been… [Continue Reading]

Verizon to offer discounted deal on FIOS for a limited time only

Publié: novembre 20, 2017, 7:55pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Internet, TV and phone have become, perhaps sadly, some of the most important services in our lives. The problem for many of us is getting the service we want as it's limited in most areas -- in fact, many people only have one choice thanks to monopolies by area. If you live in a location which has Verizon then you have access to one of the faster connections in the United States and now you can get a better deal on the service, although it's for a limited time only. Starting at midnight on Thanksgiving night and running through Cyber… [Continue Reading]

SmartThings introduces Lock Codes to help friends and family

Publié: novembre 18, 2017, 2:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Smart locks have become another popular product in the market commonly known as the Internet of Things, or IoT. It's designed to make a home safer, but also more accessible. It has its limitations though, and companies are constantly working to overcome those. Now SmartThings has a solution which utilizes Lock Codes. These allow the user to create temporary codes for friends and family, which will give the owner more control of comings and goings from their abode, hopefully leading to more peace of mind. "SmartThings now lets you create unique lock codes for your family members and regular visitors to access your home without sacrificing security or control. To give you… [Continue Reading]

Wal-Mart commits to the new Tesla Semi

Publié: novembre 18, 2017, 1:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You certainly know Tesla, the car brand launched by Space X's Elon Musk. It's an electric car that has had its ups and downs in its relatively short life. Musk is always looking to the future, though, so each of his current major companies continues to innovate in an effort to stay ahead of the market. This week the company announced its latest offering, simply called the Semi. The product -- as the name implies -- is an 18 wheeler which looks similar to those you see on roads every day, but perhaps a bit more sleek. So, who wants a product such as this? Apparently retail giant Wal-Mart is… [Continue Reading]

Want a Logitech Harmony Hub? Right now it comes with an Amazon Echo Dot

Publié: novembre 17, 2017, 8:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you haven't used a Harmony product and you have a home theater system then you may be missing out. The Logitech devices can control all manner of things from receivers, TVs, Blu-ray players, and so on, to many Internet of Things products in your home, such as light bulbs like LIFX and thermostats such as Nest. If you have an Amazon Echo, better known as Alexa, then you can already do a bit of that, turning your recliner into a throne from which you can oversee your kingdom. If you act now then you'll be able to take care of both needs in one shot… [Continue Reading]

Forever 21 becomes the latest retail chain to suffer a security breach

Publié: novembre 17, 2017, 1:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Over the past several years we have seen a multitude of security problems plague major retail stores around the world. Breaches have come in many forms and have frequently targeted credit card information, though in some cases personal data has been part of the haul. Now we find ourselves looking at yet another incident. Retail chain Forever 21, which is wildly popular among young people in the United States -- you can barely find a mall that doesn't have one -- has officially announced that its systems were compromised. The extent of the damage is not fully known as of yet. The company posted a… [Continue Reading]

Ecobee brings voice control to its thermostat through Google Assistant

Publié: novembre 16, 2017, 10:47am CET par Alan Buckingham

While the Internet of Things, or IoT, has been around for several years, voice control is a more recent development. It is convenient for performing all sorts of actions, such as switching lights off and on, changing the settings on a thermostat, and countless other things that you may never have thought of. Of all the IoT devices on the market, the thermostat is one of the most popular and there are several competing brands on the market. While Nest is a well known name, Ecobee is another major player and the company's thermostat is now reaching its third voice platform -- Google Assistant.… [Continue Reading]

Pandora for Sonos gets a major boost to blast your favorite music

Publié: novembre 15, 2017, 12:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You are almost certainly familiar with Pandora, the popular music app that allows you to build stations based upon your favorite artists or songs. It's available in both free and paid versions, and you can choose which one to go for based on your tolerance for commercials. You may, however, be less familiar with Sonos. For those who don't know, it is a whole house music system that allows you to connect multiple speakers, each of which can be individually controlled -- you can have them all synced to play the same thing, or different songs in different rooms. Now… [Continue Reading]

The Lord of the Rings -- Amazon plans to take you back to Middle Earth

Publié: novembre 14, 2017, 5:16pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Did you read the classic JRR Tolkien books? Perhaps you saw the award-winning series of movies that did a phenomenal job of portraying The Lord of the Rings story. There are, of course, some things left out for brevity's sake -- it's hard to put that many words on the big screen. For everyone who reminisces about the books and/or the films there will soon be a way to get transported back to that magical land of elves, dwarves, wizards, orcs and other creatures that reside in a certain part of our psyche. Amazon is bringing The Lord of the Rings to the small screen in the form of a TV… [Continue Reading]

Roku's latest remote can control more of your home

Publié: novembre 11, 2017, 1:33pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you aren't using a Roku then you may be missing out on something special. The tiny streaming device has many features such as Netflix, Hulu and hundreds of other apps, including music ones. There is, however, much more that can be done if you integrate other products into the entertainment setup, but that can get pricey when you begin bringing in other products to control different items. It could also mean you regularly having to reach for other remote controls. The latest Roku products released last month, Roku Streaming Stick, Streaming Stick+ and Roku Ultra, come with a more advanced remote that may be… [Continue Reading]

Amazon makes Fire TV Stick available in over 100 countries

Publié: novembre 7, 2017, 6:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Not long after releasing the original Amazon Fire TV as a small set-top box, Amazon shrunk its player down into stick form. It's a small dongle that plugs directly into an HDMI port on your TV or monitor, or even an HDMI switch if you'd like to easily move between sources. Now the retail giant is opening up the market for the Fire TV Stick to people around the globe, bringing entertainment to everyone. The new Basic Edition is available in over 100 countries and territories. "Last year, we made Amazon Prime Video available to customers globally, and today, we’re building on that momentum as… [Continue Reading]

Wink announces a wealth of new IoT products for its hub

Publié: septembre 25, 2017, 6:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The Internet of Things, commonly called the IoT, has become a hot topic these days for both the right and wrong reasons. It can be incredibly useful and time saving because of all the things that can be automated around the house, but there are also security risks. Since the very early days of both Amazon Echo (Alexa) and the Wink home automation hub, the two products have worked together. Now that relationship is getting stronger, with the arrival of yet more Alexa compatible Wink products. While some of these new items will integrate straight with Alexa, others require a… [Continue Reading]

Hulu and Spotify partner on student discount bundle

Publié: septembre 12, 2017, 4:55am CEST par Alan Buckingham

It's the time of year that many college students dread, although some secretly love -- back to school. Yes, the university doors are open once again; textbooks are being loaded into backpacks and alarm clocks are being set for ungodly early hours. When these students aren't studying or going to class, they need to relax. Many of them choose streaming music and video as a way to unwind. Unfortunately, college is quite expensive, so splurging on multiple services is often not possible. To cater to the needs of these cash-strapped students, Hulu and Spotify have joined forces on a new bundle deal that will save them a few dollars. "As… [Continue Reading]

How to disable a touchpad on a Chromebook

Publié: septembre 5, 2017, 10:48am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Using a Chromebook and having problems? You aren't the only one. In the middle of typing, your cursor can jump to the center of another sentence or jumble all of your words. It's not only annoying, it can get confusing to fix. What you need to do is disable the touchpad. On some Windows PCs there's a simple solution that involves pressing a key at the top. That isn't the case with Chrome OS. It can be done, it just takes a bit more work to accomplish the goal. Open a new tab and input chrome://flags/#ash-debug-shortcuts. Find "debugging keyboard shortcuts" and enable it. It's easiest to do a… [Continue Reading]

The difference in lighting today

Publié: août 31, 2017, 5:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It's been a long time since Thomas Edison gave us that little gift that slowly took candles from necessity to decoration. We've since come a long way, from gas lights through incandescent and on to compact fluorescent and now LED. Each iteration has brought improvements in terms of such things as energy use and longevity. Today's, LED bulbs have a lifespan of roughly twenty years so changing them is almost unheard of. They are also full bright when you switch them on which is a big step up from the compact fluorescents we'd just grown used to. Those were almost like watching a sunrise. Today's bulbs are… [Continue Reading]

Alexa and the Wink home automation hub team up on colors

Publié: août 30, 2017, 6:57pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Are you automating your abode? It's become the in-thing these days with more and more products hitting the market. While we can't stress enough about the insecurities that have been discovered, it still can be a fun experience, although sometimes a difficult one. There's no end, seemingly, to the things you can do, but where many people start is with lights, which, in theory, are easy. Some aren't, so be warned. Amazon's Alexa and Wink's home automation hub have been partners almost since the inception of the products. Now the partnership is moving forward with even more features. Do you have bulbs with changeable colors? Then you can now do it… [Continue Reading]

There's only a few days left to get your free Roku Premier with DirecTV NOW

Publié: août 28, 2017, 6:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Looking for a good set-top box that can do most anything? There are several on the market, including Amazon Fire TV and even Android TV, but the top one for most folks out there is the tiny Roku. With its hundreds of apps and ability to play things like Hulu, Netflix and others it's a solid choice. Models and prices vary, but the Roku Premier is currently being offered for free if you'd like to get in on the action. There is, of course, a catch. You must pre-pay for two months of DirecTV NOW service in order to get the device.… [Continue Reading]

Getting a 'charge your watch' message from Android Wear? Here's a fix

Publié: août 28, 2017, 1:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

So you have an Android Wear watch, congratulations. Regardless of which brand you got you should have some nice hardware. It doesn't, however, come without a few nuances. One of those has recently surfaced and you may be experiencing it. A message continuously pops up that says "charge your watch" -- even if it is fully charged. The good news is that there's a fix, but it's a bit of a hassle to go through. There's an update available that fixes the problem. Here's how to install it if it doesn't work like it should. First, you need to place your watch on its charger, then go to… [Continue Reading]

The pros and cons of smart light bulbs

Publié: juin 20, 2017, 5:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Home automation, "the internet of things" or IoT, has been a popular subject for the past couple of years. Unfortunately, that subject isn't always good -- some things have proven infinitely hackable, making it a bit on the worrisome side. One of the first items to make the mainstream was light bulbs, and we've played around with a few and here is what we have found. The Bad Two words -- GE Link. They work through a Wink Hub which links up just fine with the Amazon Echo so that you can control things by voice. In theory, that's perfect… [Continue Reading]

What it's like to live with the new Sling TV cloud DVR

Publié: juin 6, 2017, 9:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The digital video recorder has been around for quite a while now and it revolutionized home media. The way we watch TV completely changed when we no longer had to pop in a blank tape and manually plan our recordings. Now we just set a show to record whenever it happens to be on. Sling has been rolling out a cloud DVR over the past couple of months, and I've been using it since it arrived -- so, around two months or so. I'd like to give you a bit of the ups and downs from my experience. First, your shows… [Continue Reading]

DirecTV NOW comes to Roku

Publié: mai 31, 2017, 5:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

DirecTV is a popular satellite service for those who don't or can't get cable TV. Many people love it, especially because of its exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket experience. Roku is also a bit of a darling to people. The tiny box continues to add new "channels" that enhance the functionality of the device. Now the two are coming together as DirecTV NOW launches on Roku. The service was created by AT&T and it will be available on Roku TV 4K models, the Roku Ultra, Roku Premiere+, Roku Premiere, Roku Express, Roku Express+, Roku Streaming Stick (model 3600R), Roku 4, Roku 3… [Continue Reading]

Wink joins up with Google Home for Assistant

Publié: mars 29, 2017, 1:36pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Like Amazon Echo, Google Home is a device that can answer your questions, play music, and control home automation tasks. It's a handy thing to have around if you don't mind Google listening to you on a regular basis. Now the device is gaining a bit more operability. Thanks to its announced update of the Weave platform, it can now work with the Wink home automation hub. SEE ALSO: Google Wifi and Home to launch in the UK -- with a few hidden British treats The company announces "Starting today, we’re excited to announce Wink-compatible lighting products (light bulbs, switches,… [Continue Reading]

Sling TV gains a new Xbox One interface, now comes pre-loaded on Windows 10 devices

Publié: mars 16, 2017, 10:58am CET par Alan Buckingham

You probably know Sling TV, one of the darlings for "cord cutters", and you certainly know Xbox, a favorite of gamers. The latter is also great for media with countless apps and HDMI pass-through. Microsoft hopes that is enough to make you remain on its platform and never change systems. In conjunction with Microsoft, Sling is today introducing two big new updates -- a new interface on Xbox One, and Sling TV pre-loaded on Windows 10. Announcing the new Xbox One change, Sling states: "The new UI on Xbox One gives you the Sling TV experience you want. 'My TV'… [Continue Reading]

Don't have cable and want to watch March Madness? Here's how

Publié: mars 13, 2017, 1:32pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Now that we've had Selection Sunday, people can begin filling out their brackets and putting their money where their mouths are. From number one ranked Villanova all the way back to number 68 Mt St. Mary, and all of the schools in between. But what if you don't have cable or satellite to watch the action? You have some viewing options. Using a set-top box like Roku you need never miss a moment. You'll need a subscription to Sling TV which runs $19.99 per month. That will bring you the games on TNT and TBS. For CBS you can install… [Continue Reading]

Amazon announces new pilot season for Prime video

Publié: mars 4, 2017, 5:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you happen to have an Amazon Prime account then you're aware of the benefits that come along with your annual fee. There's the free two-day shipping, the streaming video service, the music, and more. Amazon is also producing its own original shows, several becoming big hits, like The Man in the High Castle and Transparent. Now the company is releasing a new batch of pilots for people to choose from. On March 17th these shows will debut in the US, UK, Germany, Austria, and Japan. One title, The Legend of Master Legend, comes from the producers of Transparent. Others include Budding Prospects, The New V.I.P's, The Marvelous… [Continue Reading]

Roku hit 1 billion streaming hours in December

Publié: février 28, 2017, 5:32pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you have one of the many modern and tiny streaming set-top boxes then chances are it may be a Roku. There are others on the market from Amazon, Google and Apple and plenty that have failed. Roku got in early and gained traction. So much traction, in fact, that it has been showing some pretty serious numbers regarding how it is doing in the market. Now the company is announcing a milestone -- one billion hours of streaming in December alone, and nine billion for the year 2016. That's a huge amount of viewing time. The numbers were reported by Neilsen.… [Continue Reading]

Babbel free six months ends soon

Publié: février 28, 2017, 1:17am CET par Alan Buckingham

Been looking to learn a foreign language? Depending on your skills for such things it can be easy or difficult – we're all different. Some people seem to pick them up like a magnet and others struggle. But these days it's easier to at least try. No more classes or books, you can do it right online. Babbel is one of many online services willing to help you and it has a number of languages available to choose from so you can learn to be bi-lingual. Right now the service is offering a free six months, but this offer doesn't… [Continue Reading]

Watch the Grammys show live on Roku with CBS All Access

Publié: février 12, 2017, 7:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Are you ready for one of the biggest nights in music? The Grammy awards are just hours away from kicking off and many fans are likely wondering how they can watch the festivities live. For those without cable that is a real concern. Everything kicks off tonight at 8pm ET and it will be hosted by James Corden. If you are one of those of a growing number that don't have cable TV then there are no worries, providing you do have a Roku. CBS All Access will be carrying the show live. According to the device maker you'll get to… [Continue Reading]

Hulu Profiles quietly arrives on the streaming service

Publié: janvier 11, 2017, 12:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you have used a streaming service like Netflix then you know the value of profiles. In a household of two or more people, profiles keep things sane. Especially when two people watch the same show, but not always on the same schedule -- you can each have it in your profile to keep track of which episode you're both on. It may seem like simple technology, but it's something Hulu has lacked since its inception. While the service has grown in both terms of popularity and shows available, separating things has never been possible. That is now changing as… [Continue Reading]

Netflix now supports Ultra HD 4K on Windows 10 with Intel Core processors

Publié: janvier 5, 2017, 12:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

Ultra HD and 4K are all popular words these days. It's the latest in TV and everyone is jumping on board. It costs a bit of money, as it requires a new TV, something manufacturers have been looking for a way to push since HD became common and sales slowed down. 3D didn't work out so well, but 4K seems to be more popular. Now Netflix, the popular streaming movie and TV show provider, as well as a purveyor of original content, is bringing it's 4K Ultra HD to Microsoft's latest operating system. "For the last several years, we've been working… [Continue Reading]

My favorite tech items of 2016 [Alan]

Publié: décembre 31, 2016, 1:53am CET par Alan Buckingham

2016 is drawing to a close and we're already looking forward to everything a new year will bring. It gets started quick when the Consumer Electronics Show kicks off 2017, but before we start ogling at all those products that may or may not ever see a store shelf, it's time to take a glance back at the year that was. Many products showed up on the BetaNews doorstep this year and we all worked hard to bring you an overview of them so you'd know what to buy and what to avoid. Now it's time for me to take… [Continue Reading]

Sling TV cloud DVR beta fills up, more openings promised

Publié: décembre 24, 2016, 6:21am CET par Alan Buckingham

Not long ago we told you that Sling TV was testing a cloud DVR, something that previously annoyed cable providers. At the time, and now, the service is in beta testing and you must sign up and be chosen to get in. The good news is that you can still sign up, but the bad news is that it filled up pretty quickly and you may be waiting for a while. Today Sling announces that the response was overwhelming and available slots filled up rather quickly. Sling states "Due to the high volume of sign-ups, we have reached our capacity… [Continue Reading]

Merry Christmas, Amazon runs out of Echo devices

Publié: décembre 23, 2016, 3:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

Looking for that last minute gift? You're running out of time, and some things are simply just no longer available. Many of the hottest devices this shopping season have proven tough to come by -- not really a surprise, as it's been this way every time for years. While Amazon is offering free shipping (for Prime customers) through today, some things simply are not there and you won't be getting them in time. The online retailer Amazon has officially sold out of it's Echo device, leaving last minute shoppers out in the cold. Expected shipping dates have been pushed back… [Continue Reading]

Garth Brooks' full catalog hits Amazon Music this Saturday

Publié: décembre 22, 2016, 2:13am CET par Alan Buckingham

Regardless of whether or not you're a country music fan, you almost certainly know the name Garth Brooks. The famed musician is married to another icon of that genre, Trisha Yearwood. While both still tour and remain popular performers, the latter can also be found cooking on Food Network, sometimes with her husband in the kitchen. While Brooks retired years ago, it was simply in favor of spending time with his kids, and he's since made a comeback. But getting ahold of his music has proven troublesome. That problem is now solved thanks to Seattle-based retailer Amazon. Garth's whole catalog… [Continue Reading]

South Carolina government eyes a porn block on new computers

Publié: décembre 21, 2016, 6:43pm CET par Alan Buckingham

On a day that we expect to see the repeal of North Carolina's controversial passage of House Bill 2, which cost the state millions of dollars in lost revenue thanks to performers cancelling concerts, businesses moving out and the NBA changing the venue for its All-Star game, we have one more state looking for a problem where one doesn't exist. A representative in the state of South Carolina wishes to place a porn block on all new computers sold within its boundaries. Ostensibly, this proposal is designed to "fight human trafficking". But Bill Chumley is offering an olive branch --… [Continue Reading]

BT is number one -- for broadband complaints

Publié: décembre 20, 2016, 8:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

British Telecom, more commonly known as BT, is the top UK supplier for broadband. However, "top" doesn't always mean best, and in this case the point is proven. The London headquartered company is the subject of a new report. Regulator Ofcom is announcing its findings for the third quarter of 2016 and BT is number one for customer complaints, averaging a whopping 36 per-100,000 customers, a number that is almost double the industry average. BT-owned companies Plusnet and EE finished second and third on the same list, while Vodafone was tops on the mobile list with complaints, exceeding the industry… [Continue Reading]

Sling TV becomes more user-friendly

Publié: décembre 8, 2016, 5:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Sling TV is a name familiar to many people, especially those who no longer use cable or satellite for their TV service. The alternative brings cable-like live TV to the home, it just comes in through an internet connection. It also works with most devices you have -- phones, tablets, Roku, Fire TV and more. Now Sling is rolling out an update designed to make things just a bit more user-friendly. It is rolling out now and includes several key items. Included is quick access to favorite content and resume watching from My TV, everything you like included in the… [Continue Reading]

HBO and Cinemax arrive for Amazon Prime customers

Publié: décembre 1, 2016, 6:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Waiting for the new season of Game of Thrones? Perhaps you like some other show that airs on a premium network such as HBO or Cinemax. There's no shortage of exclusives -- regardless of your tastes you're bound to find something that suits you. Well, if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber then the wait is over. Both HBO and Cinemax are arriving on the premium subscription service. "HBO has produced some of the most groundbreaking, beloved and award-winning shows in television history. Their selection of blockbuster movies is unsurpassed, including hits like Batman vs. Superman, The Revenant, and Deadpool. And, our customers have been asking… [Continue Reading]

Sling begins rolling out cloud DVR beta for Roku users

Publié: novembre 29, 2016, 1:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Cord-cutters are certainly aware of services such as Sling TV and devices like Roku, the latter also being popular even with those who still retain a cable or satellite connection. There are drawbacks to some of this since you can't record a show you'll miss, though Sling does allow you to go back and watch what has already aired -- on certain channels. Now Sling wants to change all of that, bringing a cloud DVR to its service. The new release is a slow roll out and is beta only. However, the stats on it are promising. There is no… [Continue Reading]

Amazon Alexa continues its rollout to Fire tablets

Publié: novembre 21, 2016, 4:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you happen to own the Amazon Echo and also happen to have a Fire Tablet sitting around, then you have an update for the tablet that has either arrived or soon will. Version 5.3.2 brings a very interesting feature that many users have been clamoring for. This update rolls Alexa into the mix, bringing voice control to the handheld device. This means you can access the Echo from anywhere in your home, even out of voice range. When the update is first installed it will walk you through what you can do, but it's pretty much anything you'd be able… [Continue Reading]

Facebook fake news guru Paul Horner credits himself with getting Donald Trump elected

Publié: novembre 18, 2016, 6:43pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Fake news stories are on the rise, spreading across the internet via social media. They spread at a quickening rate thanks, in large part, to well-known people sharing them. Now some services are cracking down on these stories, but is it too late? Just recently we learned that both Google and Facebook are clamping down on the spread of fake news stories, with Google withholding ads that appear on sites it deems to contain misleading content. Now, in an interview with the Washington Post, Paul Horner, a top purveyor of this 'news' is crediting himself with getting Donald Trump elected. He… [Continue Reading]

Amazon finds another way for you to spend money

Publié: novembre 18, 2016, 4:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Black Friday is still a week away, but that hasn't stopped stores from beginning the sales rush. The deals have been announced and some are already available. Now Amazon has a unique idea to make shopping simple, but it does have one requirement -- you have to be an Alexa customer to benefit. The company is announcing voice shopping via the popular device and it comes with some special deals. You can grab an Amazon Tap for $79.99, a 32 inch Samsung 1080p LED TV for $119, and a Philips Hue starter kit for $15 off. That's not all, there will many more… [Continue Reading]

Wink releases version 2 of its hub, automate your home now

Publié: novembre 18, 2016, 5:38am CET par Alan Buckingham

A while back Wink released its first hub and we put it to the test. After a few minor hiccups, everything worked fine and provided great integration with many products including voice control through Amazon Alexa, which can then control lights, Nest thermostats and more. Recently the company announced version two of the device and now Wink has officially made it available for purchase. The company claims that it set out to make this product accessible to everyone, regardless of technical knowledge, and it thinks it succeeded. In addition, it boasts feature improvements in speed, thanks to a faster processor.… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft releases new Office Hub app for Windows 10 Creators Update for Insiders

Publié: novembre 17, 2016, 3:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you are using Office on an Insider Preview of the Windows 10 Creators Update you are getting some goods today as Microsoft quietly released a new app. The Office Hub can now be found in the Taskbar. Before you get too excited, the app is currently pretty basic right now. It allows you to view your Office documents, open Office apps and get support. However, it is expected to be improved before the final release and there is some speculation about what those improvements could be. These include mobile apps to allow access to documents. This is just one… [Continue Reading]

Sonos brings a new color sub to your home

Publié: novembre 6, 2016, 3:33am CET par Alan Buckingham

Most people with a passing affinity for home media likely know the name Sonos. The company has become the go-to whole-house media system. It's a bit high-end, but those who buy in swear by the setup. Perhaps just as important as the sound and overall capability to many people is the aesthetics. After all, if a device is sitting in your home in plain view then it's nice if it looks like it belongs and isn't some alien object. Now Sonos is introducing a new addition to its lineup -- a white subwoofer. The device features one button setup so… [Continue Reading]

Evernote enables sign-in with Google

Publié: novembre 4, 2016, 12:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Have to keep track of something like a to-do list, shopping list or other items? There are multiple apps that will handle this for you and sync across platforms, allowing your lists to go on the road with you. That ability is one of the keys to choosing a good note-taking app, but things such as easy sign-in are also important for most users. You are, perhaps, used to seeing options that allow you to bypass entering a username and password and instead click a button that will log you in automatically. While Facebook is the primary thing to pop… [Continue Reading]

TP-Link unveils new Wi-Fi bulbs with 16 million colors

Publié: octobre 28, 2016, 4:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Smart lightbulbs have become an in-thing these days. Philips brought it to the mainstream with Hue, but we've reviewed others in the market such as LIFx. All do basically the same thing, working from a phone or tablet to turn on and off, or change colors. It mostly comes down to what the app can do and how easy is it to use? Can the market handle one more? Of course. Competition is great for consumers, so the more that come to market the better for everyone. Which is good news for TP-Link which is jumping in with a new… [Continue Reading]

Looking for a case for the new Google Pixel? Incipio has some choices

Publié: octobre 25, 2016, 5:58pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google recently released two new flagship Android phones -- the Pixel and Pixel XL. Designed to be serious iPhone rivals, these handsets represent a large investment and one that any buyer would certainly wish to keep safe. To that end, Incipio is releasing a lineup of cases to keep your Pixel or Pixel XL protected. The line includes some of the company's classic cases as well as new designs. This includes DualPro, Octane and Carnaby, all of which are available for both of Google's phones. "Through working closely with Google on the development of our accessories, Incipio’s solutions are expertly engineered… [Continue Reading]

US Presidential debate launches latest Twitter meme

Publié: octobre 20, 2016, 4:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The US has perhaps grown used to the political season, complete with its ugly mudslinging. The name-calling-laced tirades become something that many just tune out, sometimes in fear for their own sanity. 2016 has become an example of gutter-talk that will be held up for many years and it has fueled late night comedians like no previous campaign. If nothing else, the debates alone have kept Saturday Night Live relevant, though one candidate no longer thinks a show he once hosted is very funny anymore and has even stated that it should be taken off the air. While debate number… [Continue Reading]

Facebook Messenger gets data-saving mode in beta, test it now

Publié: octobre 17, 2016, 7:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Little more than a week ago, Hurricane Matthew rolled up the southeastern US coast, wreaking havoc from Florida to North Carolina, with the latter seemingly getting the smallest hit, though it turned out the worst in the long run. My cousin, located there, was without power for some 48 hours and was forced to place his phone in power-saving mode. This eliminated Messenger and all information we received from him afterwards came from texts. SMS, it seems, is fine in that mode, but Messenger was not -- he claimed he could see that he had messages, but he couldn't read… [Continue Reading]

HP announces refreshed line of Windows PCs for the holidays

Publié: octobre 12, 2016, 3:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It seems like it was just yesterday we were putting up the decorations, and we've only just put away the bathing suits. Now it's time to think about going through the whole cycle again. We know some of the new tech that will be hitting the store shelves this forthcoming holiday season because some was announced way back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show. On the other hand, some is only just being unveiled, hoping to capture the news cycle and be fresh in consumer minds as the wish lists begin to get written. One of those companies announcing… [Continue Reading]

iHeartRadio 2.0 brings new features to Roku customers

Publié: octobre 11, 2016, 8:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Roku has been in the news several times recently, releasing a new line of set-top boxes as well partnering up with more manufacturers of smart TVs, most recently Hitachi. But the platform is about more than just video. There's also the audio experience. One of the hot music apps these days is iHeartRadio, which pulls in a plethora of stations and genres for even the most eclectic tastes out there. Now the service is improving its features with a line of new options. Version 2.0 of the streaming app brings personalized recommendations, a genre picker, and My Favorites Radio. In addition, there's… [Continue Reading]

Hitachi 4K Ultra HD TV's powered by Roku hit the market

Publié: octobre 6, 2016, 10:46pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

HD inspired pretty much everyone to buy a new TV, but then the manufacturers faced a problem -- what next? They banked on 3D, but people balked, and the technology failed to capture interest with pretty much everyone. As you may already know, Roku has jumped into the TV market now, pumped up by the possibilities for the future of the platform. The set-top box maker hasn't jumped into the business with its own OEM, but has licensed its software to power the latest big screens in your home. Now the latest model is hitting the market, this one rolling out… [Continue Reading]

New study by Kaspersky shows computer risks to those over 55

Publié: octobre 5, 2016, 3:23pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It's probably no great secret that today's older generation has a flock of followers online that they largely do not want, who are trying to con them out of their money. Trying to take advantage of this generation is nothing new. In the past it was done door to door with scams such as "roofers" and "driveway repairmen". Security company Kaspersky has done a study of internet users aged 55 and older and the results, while unsurprising, aren't particularly good. The survey involved 12,546 older internet users from around the globe. These users tended to be no different than others… [Continue Reading]

Watch the Vice Presidential debate tonight on Roku

Publié: octobre 5, 2016, 12:19am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Tonight at 9pm ET the two vice presidential candidates square off in their one and only debate. Unlike the top of the ticket, this pair doesn't get three tries at it. Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, perhaps the most two ordinary candidates in an extraordinary year, will get the chance to give their views and defend their tickets. If you have cable or satellite then you should have no problem catching the action, depending on your package. But if you no longer have that option it doesn't mean you're out of luck. There are other ways to catch the big… [Continue Reading]

Come Home to Google's new personal assistant

Publié: octobre 4, 2016, 10:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Up until now Amazon has had a free reign of the market for home assistants thanks to the success of Alexa. It was time to get some competition, which tends to make things better all around and few companies are more capable than Google. That's exactly what the search giant is doing today. While rumored as the event to unveil the Pixel Phone, other things were also on tap for showing off, including a new Wi-Fi system and Home, Google's answer to Alexa. Google Home will handle all of the expected chores, giving you weather, traffic updates, playing music and… [Continue Reading]

Google finally launches its long-awaited Mi Box

Publié: octobre 4, 2016, 7:02am CEST par Alan Buckingham

As Google TV struggled, Roku and Amazon Fire TV were seemingly taking over the market. Google finally let its TV platform go, but announced it would be replaced with Android TV. The company also promised its own set-top player known as the Mi Box. It has taken since June, but the much-anticipated Mi Box, announced at Google I/O, is finally hitting the market. Hugo Barra, formerly of Google and now of Xiaomi, tweeted the news today and the box was soon up for same on the company website for $69 (already out of stock). The box is based on Android… [Continue Reading]

Change the color of your world with LIFX bulbs [Review]

Publié: octobre 3, 2016, 4:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

One of the fastest growing areas in home automation seems to be lighting. Every day new products come on the market and one of the most popular has been the Philips Hue, thanks to not only simple automation but also the ability to change colors. However, it is not the only one on the market with such a chameleon quality. LIFX also produces bulbs that can set the color to your mood or taste. The LIFX Color 1000 is one of the latest models from the manufacturer and it will do all that other bulbs in this market are capable of.… [Continue Reading]

You can now use Alexa to control Wink lighting shortcuts

Publié: octobre 2, 2016, 5:51am CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you have a Wink hub then it's easy to set up home automation across a number of different platforms. Throw in Alexa and do a little additional setup and you'll be able to control it all with voice commands. In the past you've been able to use groups to control multiple bulbs -- simply name each bulb and then add them to a group which you also name. Now Wink is touting shortcuts being compatible, which is actually fairly similar. Like anything in home automation, there are some steps to follow. Wink lists 3 easy steps, using a movie… [Continue Reading]

You can now get your Google Calendar Events in Google Maps

Publié: octobre 1, 2016, 8:56pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Of the multitude of properties Googles owns, Maps and Calendar are two of the more popular ones. Both products can easily be associated with one another in the case of business travelers, so why not bring them together? That's exactly what Google is doing, making your Calendar appointments available to see while using Maps. This isn't just driving either, it will work just as well if you are taking public transportation. There is one important step you have to take to make this work. When you set up an event in Calendar, you will need to enter the location address… [Continue Reading]

New York Motor Vehicle employee caught using computer to get a date

Publié: octobre 1, 2016, 2:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

You'd be hard pressed to find someone who enjoys a trip to their department of Motor Vehicle. While not everyone there is bad or unfriendly, the general reputation would have you believe so. Couple that with long wait times. One thing you don't think you need to worry about is a stalker. That appears to be sort of what happened recently in New York. The New York Motor Vehicle employee was caught using a work computer to get a date with a customer -- without the customer's knowledge. Peter Grosseto, age 29, has been charged with a felony count of Computer Trespass and… [Continue Reading]

EFF asks court to block US from prosecuting security researcher

Publié: septembre 30, 2016, 8:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

This has been a controversy for quite some time. Companies don't like their flaws exposed, and for the most part researchers have honored this, at least to a reasonable degree. Generally, a period of time is given for the company in question to fix the problem, but if it fails then the issue is made public, somewhat akin to branding the company with a scarlet A. Now, one researcher is working on a book that will point out common system flaws and how to either fix them or avoid them to begin with. Matthew Green is working on a book… [Continue Reading]

Spotify enters the market in Japan

Publié: septembre 30, 2016, 2:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Streaming services proliferate the music market these days, making CDs seem very much a thing of the past. One of the more popular options available to customers is Spotify, which sometimes seems to have pretty much taken over. The company would like to keep expanding its global footprint and is taking another step towards that. Now the company is launching its latest destination, Japan. Spotify announces that at the moment it is invitation-only however, it will be available across major platforms including mobile, tablet, desktop and PlayStation. "We’re incredibly excited to launch Spotify with a uniquely Japanese music experience", says… [Continue Reading]

Wink releases version 2 of its home automation hub

Publié: septembre 28, 2016, 8:56pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

About a year ago, Wink released its first home automation hub and it came out of the box with a great deal of compatibility, working with a good many of the products already on the market, along with Amazon Echo for voice control of the home. Since then the list of supported products has grown and Wink has added many new ones, but it seemed increasingly clear that the hub could eventually get overwhelmed. So now the company is introducing a new model known simply as Wink Hub 2. The new model features an improved Wi-Fi radio for 2.4 and 5GHz… [Continue Reading]

The CW Network is now streaming for free on Roku

Publié: septembre 28, 2016, 10:20am CEST par Alan Buckingham

When you put together all of the shows one person watches, the list can cover a staggering amount of channels. It seems like we're always flipping from one to another when we have nothing particular on. That gave rise to today's channel packages, which can provide hundreds of networks to choose from. One channel that does provide content viewed by a wide range of people is CW, and now it's coming to Roku. The tiny set-top box maker announces the network is available beginning right now and it's free -- no login or subscription needed. Roku promises "The CW channel will… [Continue Reading]

Roku introduces five new set-top boxes, features 4K and more

Publié: septembre 26, 2016, 6:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Today is a big day for Roku. The company has never before introduced this many new players to its lineup or carried some of the features now available. The new lineup should contain something for just about everyone, including those on a budget. In fact, a budget is where the lineup begins. The new Roku Express features 1080p support for only $29.99. Perfect for those looking for a second box in another room. If you're still living with an older TV then you can pay $39.99 for the Express+, which comes with a composite jack and a/v hookup -- those… [Continue Reading]

iHeartRadio introduces All Access

Publié: septembre 25, 2016, 1:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Being able to collect music as you listen to the radio isn't entirely new. Different streaming apps provide various methods of accomplishing this. Now one popular app that had not previously offered this option is getting in on the game. iHeartRadio is introducing its version, called All Access. The service claims it's the first to allow this option for listening to terrestrial radio. iHeartRadio says "you will be able to hear a song on your favorite radio station, like Z100 or Alt 98.7, and instantly save it to a playlist, replay songs, take the music from your favorite stations offline, enjoy unlimited skips… [Continue Reading]

The Dark Web isn't really as safe as criminals think

Publié: septembre 22, 2016, 8:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

You aren't really safe on the Dark Web. That runs counter-intuitive to the reason for its existence. Then again, it isn't really the kind of place you want to go anyway. It's a series of sites that exist on darknets, an overlay network designed to keep things hidden and with good reason -- it's usually used for criminal activity. But if you know how to get there then you can make some money -- selling drugs, weapons, malware and anything else that can cause harm. That's just been proven by two Harvard students who did some research there. Dealers often advertise their wares… [Continue Reading]

Google brings more of its search features to Drive

Publié: septembre 20, 2016, 11:02pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Say what you want about Google, but most people love the company for its plethora of free services, like Search, Gmail, Chrome and much more. Today, the search giant brings better integration to one of its popular services -- Drive. First up is what Google calls "search the way you talk". This means that you can simply type how you would say something and Drive will bring up the best matching result for you. You will also be getting help with spelling. "When you're trying to find a doc fast, it's easy for typos to slip into your search. Drive… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft releases full-length trailer for Gears of War 4

Publié: septembre 19, 2016, 10:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Are you into gaming and can't wait to get your hands on the latest titles? You've got a big one on the way and now you don't have to wait quite as long to at least get a look at what you're missing. Today, Microsoft is releasing the first full-length trailer for Gears of War 4. It is narrated by John DiMaggio who you may recognize as the voice of Marcus Fenix from the game. Xbox chief Major Nelson says that "it features high-intensity action orchestrated by a cover of Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters', as performed by Lissie". This trailer will debut… [Continue Reading]

More sports come to Sling TV

Publié: septembre 15, 2016, 7:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you're getting your TV service over the internet then Sling is likely on your radar as it offers live TV with a good choice of channels. Want CNN? You got it. Want sports? You have ESPN and ESPN 2 to choose from, and currently an SEC free trial. But sports is more than just those big name channels. What about the lesser watched ones? Well, now Sling is bringing two more of those to its service. Both ESPN 3 and SEC Network+ are coming to Sling. This will provide customers with thousands of more sporting options to watch, including… [Continue Reading]

NFL Network comes to Sling TV, and the game schedule is out

Publié: septembre 5, 2016, 12:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you no longer subscribe to cable or satellite then Sling TV becomes a viable alternative. It operates in the same way, with live TV coverage on multiple channels, and we've recently seen Sling add several new ones, including BBC America. There's also occasional previews. Back in May we had DIY and currently there are college sports networks on the air. Now NFL Network is on the list and it carries a number of games during the season, in addition to full-time news coverage. The station has launched, though you may need to upgrade one package to receive it, depending… [Continue Reading]

It's college football season time and you can catch the games on TuneIn

Publié: septembre 4, 2016, 4:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

While we anxiously await the start of the NFL season, we have college football getting underway. Games have begun and fans are hanging on every moment waiting to see who the next national champion will be. While there are the obvious favorites that we won't name because if you follow the sport then you know. Now TuneIn, who last season brought us radio broadcasts of NFL games, is doing the same for the collegiate level of the game. The company has partnered with a number of media outlets to carry the play-by-play call. "Each college station gives fans worldwide 24/7,… [Continue Reading]

Plex adds DVR support worldwide, including HD

Publié: septembre 1, 2016, 7:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you have never used Plex then you may be missing out on a great source of entertainment. The media server can be used on multiple devices. You'll need to install the server on a computer that's always on (and holds your media), but the required software is free. You can then access your content on a set-top box like Roku or Fire TV, or even an HTPC. You'll just need to install the relevant Plex app on your devices. A new update is promising global DVR support worldwide and you'll be able to use it from mobile devices anywhere you… [Continue Reading]

Now you can tell Alexa to find your phone

Publié: août 28, 2016, 11:29pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Lost your phone? We probably all have at one time or another and it borders between annoying and scary depending where you've been. If you didn't leave home then it's there somewhere. If you did then it can be a full panic. Now Amazon would like help via its Echo device. You're likely familiar with that by now, thanks to a TV ad campaign a while back, but it continues to do different things thanks to constant updates. The latest is the ability to locate your lost phone, providing it's within earshot of your location and that your ringer is turned… [Continue Reading]

NBC comes to Sling TV, sort of

Publié: août 26, 2016, 4:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Sling TV has received a lot of publicity lately. Getting your television fix over the internet is no longer a new thing thanks to services like YouTube and Hulu, but Sling takes things to another level, delivering live TV that mimics cable and satellite and features channels like CNN and ESPN to name just two. Now NBC is finally arriving, even though you could already get MSNBC and NBC Sports. However, there's a bit of catch with this addition. It's not live, but on-demand only. In other words, you'll be watching content previously shown on the network. The company states that… [Continue Reading]

Grab your popcorn, AMC lands on Roku

Publié: août 25, 2016, 9:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

AMC doesn't always show the latest films, but it does land some big names from Hollywood, and of course it's responsible for producing some excellent original content. It's become a go-to channel for surfers looking for something to watch. Now the entertainment network is coming to that tiny set-top box in your living room. The channel debuts just in time for the mid-season launch of Fear the Walking Dead. If you're into zombie apocalypses then that's certainly for you. Roku claims "Customers who subscribe to AMC through a participating cable, satellite or telco provider can stay current with full episodes and… [Continue Reading]

I've switched from Amazon Fire TV to Roku 3 and I like it... for now

Publié: août 23, 2016, 7:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Its been two and half years since I parted ways with DirecTV. It wasn't them, I honestly loved the service, but I was paying for countless channels I never watched. I replaced it with Hulu Plus and Sling TV and now pay much less for fewer channels I don't watch. I have the same few I flick between, but without al-a-carte this is the best I can do. Recently a system problem eliminated one of my options -- not the TV channels, but how I view them. I'd been predominantly using an Amazon Fire TV along with a Harmony remote.… [Continue Reading]

Eddie Bauer point of sale systems hit by malware, customers notified

Publié: août 19, 2016, 8:44am CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you aren't thinking twice every time you swipe your card at a retail location, be it a store or restaurant, then you haven't been paying attention lately. It should give you reason for pause, but sadly you still have to do it. Just cross your fingers on the other hand. Previous examples have included Target and Home Depot to name just two. The latest is retailer Eddie Bauer. The company is warning customers it’s point of sale system was hit by malware. This allowed the folks responsible for the attack to access the card information of those paying at the… [Continue Reading]

Missing the NFL pre-season? It's not too late to catch it

Publié: août 16, 2016, 9:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

This past weekend the NFL pre-season got underway with games over several days. The first of four weeks of action that tell you little about how your team will really be because the play calling is generic in an effort to hide real game plans. Depending on the market you live in you'll get your local team's game and a couple of others, but what if you want them all? What if you're a fan of an out-of-market team. Say you're a Cowboys fan living in Philadelphia -- aside from getting abuse, you can also get the Dallas games, and… [Continue Reading]

IFTTT gets integration with Microsoft Skype

Publié: août 5, 2016, 11:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If This Then That has become pretty popular, working with countless devices and websites. You can program it to do many things, recipes as the company calls them. There are channels where you can find what you're looking for if you'd prefer something already pre-written by another user. Now IFTTT is coming to Skype, the communications service purchased by Microsoft and one of the leaders in today's connected world. IFTTT lays out a few pretty simple instructions to take advantage of this. First, you'll need to connect your Skype account to the service. Then you can add the IFTTT Bot to… [Continue Reading]

The NFL comes to Sling TV just in time for the season

Publié: août 5, 2016, 5:12am CEST par Alan Buckingham

With training camp now underway the new NFL season is starting to feel close. That can mean different things to different people. For some it's excitement while others may think of it as a temporary loss of their significant other on Sundays. Now, just in time for kickoff, Sling TV has announced that the league is coming to its online streaming live TV service with the launch of the NFL Network and NFL RedZone. "NFL Network and NFL RedZone elevate our offering in time for the highly anticipated NFL season", says Roger Lynch, CEO of Sling TV. "This NFL season,… [Continue Reading]

Amid election chaos Melania Trump's website quietly removed

Publié: juillet 30, 2016, 8:21am CEST par Alan Buckingham

With the general election campaign now in full swing, and appearing to have potential to get ugly, things are starting to happen quickly. Many of things go on behind the scenes and, in some cases, we never know about them. That isn't the case with this latest debacle. The Republican nominee, Donald Trump's, wife Melania has another problem with potential honesty issues. A report just out shows that her website redirects to the Trump site. That may sound logical, but it's the reason behind it that is the problem. It seems her biography on the site claims a college degree, obtained… [Continue Reading]

Cybersecurity at the election has been less than spectacular

Publié: juillet 29, 2016, 10:43am CEST par Alan Buckingham

At a time when computer security has been front and center in the Election news, given the Clinton private server scandal and the DNC hack, not to mention one candidate calling on a foreign nation to hack our systems -- something he later walked back on, saying it was sarcasm -- this is a bad time to put additional questionable practices on display. Now that things are wrapped up and we have two official nominees, we also have a report of the major failures that were on display (not just politically). 2016 has been a banner year for those who… [Continue Reading]

Did Google remove presidential candidates Donald Trump and Gary Johnson from search results?

Publié: juillet 27, 2016, 6:50pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The US has four nominees for president now. The choices narrowed a bit yesterday when Bernie Sanders officially nominated Hillary Clinton upon losing a hard fought campaign. Clinton swallowed her pride and did the same thing for Barrack Obama back in 2008. Despite the common misconception, the US does have more than two parties, though most citizens seldom hear about others. There are also fringe parties that really aren't heard of. However, a search of Google as of this morning told people there were only three candidates, and one of those was no longer in the race. The ones listed… [Continue Reading]

Will Wikileaks shatter the unity of the Democratic party on the eve of the convention?

Publié: juillet 24, 2016, 1:44am CEST par Alan Buckingham

We've just wrapped up one convention and I'll leave you to decide what you thought of it, but, leanings aside, it can be assumed that unity wasn't really involved. Now the Democrats are set to descend on Philadelphia next week, an event that was expected to be much more pleasant. That may not be the case. The case in question involves a dump of some 20,000 emails by Wikileaks. Only several seem relevant to the current situation, but those involve Democratic National Chair Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, and seem to indicate a clear intent to be rid of candidate Bernie Sanders. We… [Continue Reading]

The online tools used by terrorists should come as no surprise

Publié: juillet 23, 2016, 12:15am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Terrorism has been front and center lately thanks to high profile attacks around the world and the scare tactics being used in the current US election. But how do these people communicate? What is the tool of choice for today's Jihadist – well the ones that don't fire bullets or blow up. Communications and internet are essential to any modern group. Flashpoint Security took a look into what programs are most prevalent, and results are largely unsurprising. The researchers ranked them, but there's no way of knowing if they really are in order. The top item is a secure browser,… [Continue Reading]

Republican National Convention breaks records for data usage

Publié: juillet 21, 2016, 6:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It's an eventful week with the Republican National Convention (RNC) making all sorts of news. There have been a couple of bumps in the road during the show, but mostly it has gone off fairly smoothly. It certainly has not lacked for spectacle. However behind the scenes much more is happening. Everyone attending the event is online and that leads to some major headaches for the organizers who are making an effort to ensure that the experience is as seamless as possible. "Convention attendees, visitors and residents of Cleveland have been using Verizon’s 4G LTE network at a record pace… [Continue Reading]

Roku app for Windows 10 now available in other countries

Publié: juillet 18, 2016, 8:16pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Roku has become one of the most popular streaming media platforms, leading more people to get rid of cable and satellite services. It's a mixed bag because it requires some work and a bit of paying for services, though cheaper than the alternative. Now the manufacturer is bringing its desktop app to Windows 10 in two more countries. Both Canada and the United Kingdom will be receiving the new app for Windows 10. "The Roku app for Windows 10 Laptops and Tablets offers Windows 10 users more access to their favorite streaming entertainment. Working closely with Microsoft, we’ve created a… [Continue Reading]

Amazon Prime Day about to begin, you can check now for deals

Publié: juillet 11, 2016, 6:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Prime is popular for many reasons, such as free two day shipping, streaming video and music, even a Kindle lending library. Now the company plans to once again celebrate those who cough up the $99 it costs for an annual subscription. July 12th is Prime Day where users can take advantage of extra deals and large discounts are being offered on an array of items. "Prime Day is a one-day only global shopping event exclusively for Prime members. On Tuesday, July 12, the second annual Prime Day will be the biggest global Amazon event ever. Members in the U.S. can… [Continue Reading]

Woman live-streams the police shooting of her boyfriend on Facebook

Publié: juillet 7, 2016, 12:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

We've had quite a few shooting deaths lately, some of them caught on video. Just yesterday we saw the cell phone video that was captured of an incident in Baron Rouge. That incident resulted in widespread protests, though all peaceful so far. Now, just a day later, yet another video surfaces from Minnesota depicting a man shot during a traffic stop. The gentleman died of his wounds. We have no real idea yet what may have occurred before the woman began live-streaming the incident on Facebook. At the moment, we only have what is shown in the video, which has… [Continue Reading]

AVG announces 6 new tools to free your data from ransomware

Publié: juillet 1, 2016, 8:41am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Ransomware has gone mainstream with several high-profile attacks. It essentially locks your data away and demands money to free it – essentially mob protection money. While some tools have been released to aid frantic people in these times, most versions have gone unfixed. Now AVG, the free antivirus company, has come out with six new tools designed to fight this affliction. Each is for a different form of this malware. AVG states "Our new free tools are for the decryption of six current ransomware strains: Apocalypse, BadBlock, Crypt888, Legion, SZFLocker, and TeslaCrypt". That doesn't cover all of the flavors that are… [Continue Reading]

Planning a trip to the US? The government would like your social media information

Publié: juin 27, 2016, 6:08pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

We live in a surveillance state and we all know it. We sort of knew it before the Edward Snowden revelations, but afterwards had a real sense of just how far it went. Apparently it is still, to this day, trying to reach further, and in this case it affects people who simply travel to the nation, even for simple things like vacation or business. If US Customs and Border Control has its way, people will have to hand over their Twitter handle right in the airport. While an argument can be made for such heavy-handed tactics -- looking for Jihadist tweets, etc… [Continue Reading]

Nest wants to give you a free thermostat -- if you live in Chicago

Publié: juin 27, 2016, 3:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Nest is one of the big names in the world of home automation. It brings a lot to your home, linking up with other products in the domicile, but it isn't perfect at first -- it takes a bit of time to learn your habits and what you want. The drawback is, of course, cost. The thermostat is not particularly cheap. But for the folks who have wanted one and not yet pulled the purchase trigger, there's a deal to be had. That is, providing you live in a certain location. Residents of Chicago can currently get a free Nest… [Continue Reading]

Android apps headed for two more Chromebooks

Publié: juin 19, 2016, 4:51am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Ever since Google developed and released both its Android and Chrome operating systems, there has been some confusion as to why the two platforms weren't combined. So far the company has been mum on plans to merge the two, but that process seems to be starting. Just this week Android apps were released to the Asus Flip, and now two more devices will be getting the added features soon. Both the Acer R11 and Chromebook Pixel have been announced on an official Google forum. However, Google is quick to add that "While we won't be able to bring Android apps… [Continue Reading]

Acer store hacked and customer credit card data stolen

Publié: juin 18, 2016, 8:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The internet seems to be a series of high-profile attacks stealing all sorts of data. We've seen this event carried out across websites and retail locations, Login information, passwords, credit cards, it's all fair game to those who wish to do harm. The latest is with the Acer store, which is claiming the credit card information, user names and passwords for some 34,500 users has been stolen. The company has sent out emails to customers to notify of the breach. The letter reads, in part, "We recently identified a security issue involving the information of certain customers who used our… [Continue Reading]

Chicago man gunned down while live streaming on Facebook

Publié: juin 18, 2016, 2:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have all been pushing live streaming video these days, and many people take advantage of it. Unfortunately it can sometimes end with a result that nobody wishes to see. That was the case with a Chicago man just recently. According to reports out of the Windy City, Antonio Perkins was live streaming on Facebook when he was shot and killed. He was found face-down in a vacant lot. While no clear motive has been announced as of yet, Perkins was a known affiliate of a street gang, something that city has struggled with for sometime. ABC News… [Continue Reading]

Nest expands views for Farsight on its thermostats

Publié: juin 17, 2016, 5:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When Nest first launched its thermostat it had very clear views of what people wanted to see. You can view the current temperature in your home as well as the target temperature. Clicking it can show the outside temperature and humidity, among other things. With the third generation, the company released Farsight. The thermostat lights up when it sees you, basically motion detection. It shows you all the relevant information then goes dark again, presumably to save a bit of power. Now the Alphabet-owned maker is rolling out improved views for the Farsight feature. The updates are based on customer feedback.… [Continue Reading]

Amazon killing off older Versions of Cloud Drive

Publié: juin 17, 2016, 4:53am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Cloud storage has become a prominent part of everyone's life these days, with services abounding. But what happens when one either goes out of business or sets an end-of-life date for support for one of its apps? Amazon is encountering that very situation right now, with older versions of its Cloud Drive app. The company is now sending notifications to customers explaining the situation. The company says, in part: "On August 1, 2016, your Amazon Cloud Drive sync application (version 2.4.2 or earlier) will be deactivated and will no longer work. The Cloud Drive folder on your computer will still… [Continue Reading]

iHome announces new line of outdoor speakers

Publié: juin 14, 2016, 5:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you are looking for an outdoor speaker for this summer then you want something proven to withstand the elements. iHome is a premier maker of such devices and is now announcing a new line that it claims is perfect for outdoor use. The Weather Tough line is being called "military grade" portable Bluetooth speakers. They were announced back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, but are just hitting the market now. The company claims "Each iHome Weather Tough speaker will let users take their music where no other portable Bluetooth speakers dare go. Featuring a completely waterproof design (IP67-rated), and… [Continue Reading]

YouTube star Christina Grimmie shot and killed after concert

Publié: juin 11, 2016, 4:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The world has lost many greats of late including Prince and Muhammad Ali. Now it loses one more, though perhaps a bit less known to the older generation, but that makes the story no less sad. Christina Grimmie, who amassed fame on YouTube with over three million followers, and then went on to become a finalist on The Voice working with Adam Levine, was playing a concert last night in Orlando, Florida. CNN reports "A man armed with two guns walked up to the 22-year-old singer as she was signing autographs late Friday night and opened fire, Orlando police spokeswoman… [Continue Reading]

NFL fumbles with laptop that had player data on it

Publié: juin 3, 2016, 5:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The football season hasn't begun and training camp isn't even here yet. All we've seen so far is OTAs which just give a small glimpse of what to expect. But the NFL is never far from the news cycle, and now that news involves compromised data from a laptop. The incident occurred back on April 19th, but the league is just now getting around to making this public. The laptop was stolen from a Washington Redskins trainer's car and contained personal data about players. In a story on the NFL's website the league says "In a statement, the Redskins said a laptop… [Continue Reading]

A Google search could have prevented a Somali terrorist from working security at Dulles airport

Publié: juin 1, 2016, 8:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Airport security has been a big deal since the September 11, 2001 attacks that took down the World Trade Centers and damaged the Pentagon. But it's often criticized as being a facade of security and not real protection. How bad is it? A recent investigation uncovered a Somali colonel working as a security guard at Dulles airport right outside the US capitol. Yusuf Abdi Ali was the leader of the fifth brigade during the 1980's and was accused of war crimes in countless atrocities. The airport security is run by a third-party company that claims to do extensive background checks, but… [Continue Reading]

Samsung tells users to just say no to Windows 10 upgrades

Publié: mai 31, 2016, 8:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

A lot has been said about Windows 10, Microsoft's latest operating system. That's both good and bad because, while it's an improvement over the previous 8.x offering, the company is trying hard to foist the new OS upon users. Really hard. To the point that it has led to embarrassing high-profile situations. Undaunted, the company continues with its strategy, but now one hardware maker is telling its users to say no to the nagging messages. Samsung is advising customers that its drivers just don't work with the new desktop OS and that they should avoid installing it. This is after… [Continue Reading]

Alexa gets new features for Amazon Fire TV

Publié: mai 17, 2016, 8:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon has been actively pursuing improvements to its line of products, be it Echo, Fire TV, Kindle or Fire tablet. Of all of the products, perhaps the most updated one and the one which gets the most attention, is the Echo, often referred to as Alexa. The latest improvements are to Fire TV, gaining Alexa-like features. This isn't technically an Echo update, but an update to the set-top box. However, Amazon is bringing Alexa features to the voice remote that controls the tiny device. Customers will now be able to use the controller to say things such as "open HBO Now",… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft is recycling old gamertags for Xbox customers

Publié: mai 17, 2016, 12:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Many customers of Microsoft's Xbox gaming platform utilize the company's Live service so that they can play against others from the comfort of their own home. And, like any service, when you set up an account you choose a user ID, in this case, it’s a gamertag, which is what you become known by when online. Many of these handles have been used up over the years, and some of those early ones have since become inactive for a variety of reasons. Now Microsoft is going to be opening those monikers up again to allow other customers to grab them. On… [Continue Reading]

Evernote and Google Drive are coming together

Publié: mai 16, 2016, 1:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you're a fan of keeping notes and lists then you really have two main choices -- Evernote and Microsoft's OneNote. Both can be good methods of keeping track of things. For instance, keep a tab open in your browser to add items to a grocery list as you think of them, then arrive at the store and the list is on your phone. Now Evernote is teaming up with another powerhouse in business, Google. The company is announcing that it will work with the search giant's cloud storage service, Drive. This integration is designed to better enable people to keep… [Continue Reading]

Alexa gets travel search with new Kayak integration

Publié: mai 13, 2016, 6:20pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

"Alexa, play Jeopardy". Many phrases uttered around here lately begin with "Alexa". Amazon's Echo can do an ever growing number of things from simply playing music to controlling home automation. Other tricks are always in the works from both Amazon and third-parties. The latest "skill", as these things are called, is integration with travel giant Kayak. The company is announcing integration with all Amazon Echo devices, including Dot and Tap. "We are excited to expand Alexa's skill selection in the travel category through our work with KAYAK, just in time for the summer travel season", says Rob Pulciani, Director, Amazon Alexa. … [Continue Reading]

Embark on The Grand Tour with the Top Gear gang

Publié: mai 11, 2016, 10:23pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It's been a while since the boys were together on your screen. But Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are reuniting, but this time the offering has a brand new title. And on this go-around they won't be on the BBC, they'll instead be debuting on Amazon Prime. Now the brand new show, which is currently in production, has finally got a name. It's been decided it will be called The Grand Tour, because of the way it is being made. Jeremy Clarkson says "We'll be traveling the world hosting each episode in a different country, from a giant tent.… [Continue Reading]

Amazon announces Video Direct in an effort to compete with Google's YouTube

Publié: mai 10, 2016, 6:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Despite competition from the likes of Vimeo, YouTube has remained at the top of the heap for streaming videos, mostly because of content that comes from its users. While it's hard to see it being toppled anytime soon, it will have a new rival trying to do just that. Amazon, which already runs its Prime Video service filled with TV shows and movies, is expanding its footprint, adding user content. Amazon Video Direct aims to open a new market for content creators, and it's one that comes with millions of users already there and waiting. This will be included in… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft Cortana is helping the Portland Trail Blazers with sales

Publié: mai 7, 2016, 12:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When it comes to sports teams, marketing is everything. You have to sell tickets, merchandise and get the deals for TV coverage, though the latter is usually covered by a deal with the league. Now the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers is teaming up with Microsoft in an effort to obtain the data it needs to increase its revenue. To accomplish that goal the team is turning big data and the power of the Cortana Intelligence Suite, Microsoft's digital assistant. The goal is selling more season tickets, a tough sell given that most ticket buyers tend to not change their habits from… [Continue Reading]

Samsung has a SmartThings security problem, according to UM and Microsoft Research

Publié: mai 4, 2016, 11:01am CEST par Alan Buckingham

The Internet of Things, or IoT, has been both a blessing and a bain since it came into existence. Does convenience trump security concerns? That's the question each user has to ask his or herself. It's that security part that tends to make the news. The latest to suffer a setback is Samsung SmartThings, with a new report claiming the platform has a security problem. The vulnerabilities reported are only hypothetical so far however. This report comes from the University of Michigan and Microsoft Research. Samsung says that "Over the past several weeks, we have been working with this research… [Continue Reading]

Online payment fraud set to grow over the next four years

Publié: mai 3, 2016, 6:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Fraud is nothing new on the internet. From phishing scams to ransomware, we've seen it all. However, the fastest growing part of this dark market seems to be online retail payment fraud. There's a lot of money to be made in this segment of the economy. According to a new report, online retail fraud accounted for a whopping $10.7 billion in 2015, but, even worse, it's an up and coming thing. Juniper Research claims it could grow as high as $25.6 billion by the year 2020. The reason behind this growth is the implementation of CHIP and PIN at outlets,… [Continue Reading]

Got home repairs? DIY is free this month on Sling TV

Publié: mai 2, 2016, 7:36am CEST par Alan Buckingham

When things go wrong in your home, and they seem to do so at an alarming rate sometimes, then you can hire a repairman and suffer the charges for labor, or you can learn to fix it yourself for the cost of parts and your own sweat. The question is, how do you learn these things? Well, the obvious answer is the internet, but that isn't always as hands-on as you may need. It helps to really see things being done, as opposed to following what amounts to a user manual. Now Sling TV is coming to help, at least… [Continue Reading]

Fitbit's Aria internet-connected scale can be hacked

Publié: mai 1, 2016, 1:56pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

These days more and more items around our homes are connected to the internet. In theory, this sounds like a great idea, and it can be -- providing it is implemented correctly, meaning in a secure way. In practice, however, that isn't always the case. We've seen endless stories of what can go wrong, even Barbie dolls turned bad. Scales are probably one of the last things you'd expect to be connected. Actually, though, that innovation came several years ago with a scale that tweeted your weight -- a great way of shaming you into continuing that diet and exercise… [Continue Reading]

Hacker creates reality TV with users' webcams

Publié: avril 29, 2016, 12:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The webcam debuted long ago and has become integrated into many computer systems. People use it for any number of things, and products like Skype utilize this functionality. But the innovation has a darker side. It turns out this little add-on can be hacked, allowing the perpetrator to view the user. A hacker in Russia took this to a higher level by not only accessing people's cameras, but broadcasting the video online, right on YouTube. 2ch's users were hacked and the nation and its media watched it live. As users approached their computers the hacker launched a porn site, in… [Continue Reading]

Ira Glass arrives on Pandora as This American Life is released on the streaming platform

Publié: avril 27, 2016, 8:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

You may well have heard the popular radio show This American Life. It's broadcast out of Chicago, but syndicated around the US, and perhaps has an even greater footprint thanks to its podcast. Host Ira Glass has taken his idea for a little show and turned it into a force in media. Despite the name, the shows are very much international, though they usually involve Americans, even in foreign locations. Glass also covers all sorts of incidents from the financial crisis to crimes. Now the long-running show is coming to Pandora, a platform known for its music streaming system. Pandora… [Continue Reading]

Amazon Prime Music debuts on Sonos systems in the UK

Publié: avril 26, 2016, 1:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Prime has become hugely popular, and it's easy to see why. For $99 per year, customers get free two-day shipping, streaming video, streaming music and Kindle lending library. Sonos is less adopted because of the price, but if you've invested in it then you have a great whole-house audio system. Six months ago, the two came together in the US to add to your musical enjoyment and today Amazon Prime Music will be debuting on Sonos in the UK and filling British homes with tunes. This is full access, meaning over one million songs and numerous playlists. In celebration of… [Continue Reading]

Dell teams with Microsoft and others to launch IoT Partner Solutions Program

Publié: avril 21, 2016, 4:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Yes, the Internet of Things, commonly called the IoT, has been steadily growing and increasingly hard to ignore. It's not all bad, though. In fact, it's great when it works and when it isn't being hacked. Security is obviously the number one concern. Nobody wants a hacker turning off lights, or worse. Now Dell is teaming up with a number of companies for what it calls its "IoT Partner Solutions Program". Those involved, at least initially, are GE, Microsoft, OSIsoft, PTC, SAP and Software AG. "The program builds an ecosystem of partners to help customers navigate the fragmented IoT landscape and… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft makes Skype free for Ecuador earthquake victims, Canon donates money to Japan

Publié: avril 18, 2016, 6:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

In the past week the world has suffered several earthquakes, striking firstly in Japan and then in Ecuador. Both were followed by aftershocks that still continue and each robbed the world of lives. It's a tragedy with broad repercussions, as family members from around the world seek word on their loved ones. Microsoft immediately jumped in to offer free Skype calls to Japan and now the software giant is doing the same for those with family in Ecuador. "In light of the devastating earthquake that has taken place in Ecuador -- and the subsequent impact to the local communications infrastructure… [Continue Reading]

Can you hear me now? 36,000 Verizon workers go on strike

Publié: avril 13, 2016, 5:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

shutterstock_343143350

Is your phone working? The reason I ask is this morning at 6am EDT 36,000 Verizon workers walked off the job in protest of outsourcing of work to countries such the Philippines, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The carrier is closing call centers in favor of overseas help. The union also makes accusations of sending workers out of state for extended periods of time.

"Verizon's corporate greed isn't just harming workers' families, it's hurting customers as well," the CWA (Communications Workers of America) says in a statement to CNN.

If you are using Verizon Wireless your mobile will probably be working fine, but if you have one of those old-fashioned landlines then you may experience problems. Likewise with the Fios internet service, though the company promises it's prepared and interruptions should not occur.

Like all situations, there are two sides to this story. While Verizon profits are up, that is the result of the wireless side of the business -- one not served by the CWA. Landlines are in decline and that side of the business is slipping as more and more people find them unnecessary.

While a Verizon spokesman told the New York Times there would be no problems, the union contends that landline service will be degredated and customer service will be less readily available.

Despite the possible problems there is no need to worry about your bill -- it will be unaffected even if your service is having problems.

Image Credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock

The Internet of Things in 2016 -- where is it headed and what are your plans?

Publié: avril 11, 2016, 11:16am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Home automation 1

The Internet of Things, more commonly known as IoT and sometimes referred to as a Connected Home or as Home Automation, is one of the biggest trends in technology these days and 2016 doesn't seem to be slowing down as new products continue to pour onto the market while others get updates and increasingly become compatible across platforms.

Product lines abound, from door locks to shades and from lights to crock pots. Manufacturers like Samsung, Insteon, Cree, GE, Nest, Wink, Sensi, Ecobee and many more are out there waiting for your hard earned money.

The writers here at BetaNews have personally used quite a few of these products, myself trying out Nest, GE Link, Cree, Wink and Mivatek. My colleague Brian Fagioli uses WeMo and Wayne Williams has tested Nest and various D-Link Connected Home products.

The market is expected to continue its growth, but it isn't without some pitfalls. There have been security concerns over all of this connectivity.

So where is all of this headed this year and in the longer run?

Richard Gunther, a writer at Digital Media Zone and host of the HomeOn podcast told us "IoT as a market space is growing substantially. More and more devices are connected to the cloud or to each other, in many cases enabling previously unimaginable consumer and business benefits but also introducing new challenges and complexities that we're not yet well equipped to manage. Security and privacy are some obvious issues, but even more subtle concerns arise that can be beyond the means of most consumers to comprehend. It's likely that many if not most of the objects in our daily lives -- homes, appliances, vehicles, clothing, possibly even people -- will in some way be digitally connected in the near future, but the reality is that it will likely get even more complicated and we'll encounter more 'big issues' that we need to solve at both the technical and societal levels before we can all truly benefit from IoT".

That's an optimistic, but realistic, outlook about where we are headed, but there are serious roadbumps along the way. Just last week we saw Nest announce the shutdown of Revolv, and this doesn't just mean the device won't be updated, the company will reach into your home and turn it off.

Ryan Lester of Xively states "Customers of connected products expect constant availability, real-time updates, lifecycle support and anything else that will provide them a truly great customer experience. They may not understand the bits and bytes driving the product, but their biggest concern is that the product is always-on, working and available".

That clearly won't happen in all cases -- companies go out of business and also kill products, though usually not so completely as Nest is doing with Revolv.

In fact, the trend is expected to continue. Pew Research, in a report presented to American Bar Association Section of Science and Technology law on March 30, 2016, states "The vast majority of respondents to the 2014 Future of the Internet canvassing agree that the expanding networking of everything and everyone -- the growth of the Internet of Things and embedded and wearable devices -- will have widespread and beneficial effects by 2025".

So, with that information, both the good and bad, where are you headed in 2016? Are you already connecting your home or do you plan to? Or does all of this make you want to pull out the tinfoil hat and place it squarely on your head? There are many considerations from convenience to security.

Image Credit: Black Jack / Shutterstock

Get your Indian Premier League cricket with an ESPN Pass on Roku

Publié: avril 5, 2016, 10:20am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Cricket-Roku-ESPN

It may not be big in the United States, but cricket equates to baseball in other parts of the world -- a sport with huge crowds and a somewhat similar method of play. The sport is very big in India and the Premier League is what the people want to watch.

Now Roku can bring all of the action to you with ESPN Cricket Pass. The set-top box maker brags that it is the only connected device offering this option for the 2016 season.

"Cricket fans are in luck -- the ESPN Cricket Pass channel is back and streaming all the 2016 VIVO Indian Premiere League (IPL) matches! Roku is proud to be the only connected-TV device that’s featuring this exciting tournament", the device maker states.

This doesn't come particularly cheap -- it's $29.99 for a season pass. However, compared to something such as NFL Sunday Ticket this is a real bargain and you'll get 60 matches for your hard-earned money. It runs from April 9th through May 29th and contains some 200 hours of coverage, all broadcast live.

It's lights out as Nest shuts down Revolv

Publié: avril 5, 2016, 6:46am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Not connected

There have been occasional complaints with the IoT. Things don't always work as planned – lights that fail to come on or go off, a door that won't unlock and other minor annoyances. A bigger concern has been security, as these systems continue to display vulnerability. But, what if a device just suddenly stops working, and not through mechanical error, but because the company just chose to reach into your home and kill it?

Well, that's exactly what's about to happen with Revolv, an IoT hub that was purchased by Nest, which in turn is owned by Google. Officially, Revolv is considered a Nest company, though.

A message on the company website states that the product will be shutting down in favor of other projects with its parent company. The full text can be read below.

Revolv was a great first step into the connected home. It wasn’t perfect, but we worked hard to make something we - and other smart people - could build on. And it worked. In 2014, we were bought by Nest and the technology we made became an integral part of the Works with Nest platform. Now Works with Nest is turning into something more secure, more useful and just flat-out better than anything Revolv created. So we’re pouring all our energy into Works with Nest and are incredibly excited about what we’re making. Unfortunately, that means we can’t allocate resources to Revolv anymore and we have to shut down the service. As of May 15, 2016, your Revolv hub and app will no longer work. Thank you for your support and believing in us. We’re sad for the end of Revolv, but this isn’t the end of the connected home. This is the beginning.
-- Tim & Mike

Arlo Gilbert at Medium posted a lengthy lament to this death. Revolv controls his home and on May 15th that will cease to happen. While he plans to switch to a different hub, likely SmartThings, he raises some interesting questions about what this move means.

Google has a history of killing products despite consumer outcries -- witness Google Reader. Taken to its next level, this could extend to anything -- Nexus, Chrome OS, you name it. It's a serious worry for consumers. My lights are controlled by Amazon Echo, which thankfully is still being improved and shows no signs of being on the chopping block, but my thermostat is a Nest, which is suddenly worrisome.

Image Credit: kostasgr/Shutterstock

SmartThings brings new Belkin WeMo devices to the UK family, certifies Harmony

Publié: avril 3, 2016, 1:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

wemo

There's no shortage of connected devices on the market these days and more seem to come along almost daily. The problem, to an extent, is interoperability. That's improving somewhat as devices are starting to play nice with other systems.

Now SmartThings, one of the more popular offerings on the market, is introducing new products to its UK line. Both are from Belkin, which makes the WeMo line.

There is the Belkin WeMo LED bulb and Belkin WeMo Switch Outlet. Both devices will be fully controllable through the SmartThings app. "Using SmartThings, the WeMo LED bulb can be paired directly to SmartThings without the need for a WeMo Link (available with the WeMo LED lighting starter set), and also comes with a dimming/brightening capability", the company announces.

In addition, the company has certified both the Logitech Harmony remote and the Aeotec Siren (Gen 5). The latter is also known as the Aeon Labs Siren and it works as a home security device.

You can find the full list of compatible SmartThings devices for the UK here.

Mozilla brings better security to Firefox for iOS

Publié: mars 31, 2016, 4:02am CEST par Alan Buckingham

web_security_padlock

Security has been in the news since Edward Snowden; before actually, just not as prominently. Now, in recent weeks, the headlines have focused on Apple over its iPhone dispute with the FBI, a saga that seems to have come to an end recently.

That is not, however, the only security that needs to be part of our daily lives. Web browsers represent yet another problem and most are working to add layers of protection for customers.

Today the Mozilla foundation announces "we’re adding features to Firefox for iOS to protect your security". What does this entail?

Mozilla explains that it will enable a four-digit passcode to protect the stored user names and passwords within the browser.

"With this feature, if your phone somehow ends up out of your hands, your passwords have an extra layer of protection", Mozilla states.

Combined with the fingerprint reader and Apple's built-in security, this is a welcome addition to keep your data safe and secure. Security is only as good as the user, though. You have to set it up in order to use it, and also remember to use a strong password.

Photo credit: jijomathaidesigners / Shutterstock

TCL announces 4K Roku TV models

Publié: mars 25, 2016, 10:41am CET par Alan Buckingham

TCL-4K-Roku-TV

With the release of the Roku 4, 4K arrived on the tiny set-top boxes. The company has also announced partnerships with set makers to create smart TVs using the Roku platform to power them. The new standard isn't prevalent, but it's coming around as more and more content becomes available.

This partnership was announced back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Now it is coming to fruition, six new models are set to begin shipping.

Roku states "4K TCL Roku TV models that bring together the latest in TV design and technology, advanced connectivity and available 4K content to deliver on customer demands for both the highest quality and largest selection of streaming entertainment. You can order one of the new TVs starting today on Amazon.com".

The models available include a 55-inch selling for $599 and a 65-inch that retails for $999. In addition, there is the P130 series that ranges from 43-inches up to 65-inches and you can expect to pay anywhere from $499 to $1,099 for these.

All models feature a quad-core processor and boast eight million pixels of resolution for good UHD quality viewing. There's also TCL upscaling that it claims will take HD to "near 4K resolution". Plus, the company claims "for any expert picture calibrators out there, we have a new unique feature accessible in the Roku mobile app for Android and iOS that allows you to modify your picture settings to your liking".

The content is starting to seep out, though it's still not prevalent. However, Roku has a spotlight channel that will let you know what's available. The company plans more content for the future.

Microsoft releases more details on its Edge Translator extension

Publié: mars 24, 2016, 4:43pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows-10 key

Last week Microsoft finally revealed extensions for its Edge web browser for Windows 10. It began with just a handful of add-ons, but more are on the way. We previously told you how to install them, including the translator, but now Microsoft is adding a bit more information.

The new Edge extensions are currently considered previews and are only available to Windows 10 Insiders, and you'll need Build 14291 to use them.

"Once installed, the translation icon will appear in the address bar when visiting a foreign-language webpage in Microsoft Edge. You can then click on the icon to instantly translate the webpage to your current Windows language. The extension works with all of the languages supported by Microsoft Translator", claims Microsoft. Currently that's more than 50 languages.

If you are not a current member of the Insider program then you'll have access to this and other add-ons via the Windows Store, once they are officially released. If you need help installing them then you can check out our tutorial.

Photo credit: charnsitr / Shutterstock

Your older Amazon Kindle may lose connectivity today, but there's an update

Publié: mars 23, 2016, 9:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

kindle-reader-front

The Amazon Kindle has been around since 2007, and plenty of updates have been made to both hardware software during the years since it was released. If you have an older model then it still works just fine and, while Amazon would almost certainly like to sell you a new one, the company is still content to sell you books for older models.

All models released prior to 2013 are now at risk of losing internet connectivity and the company is notifying customers still utilizing those devices.

Amazon is taking some major steps to let customers know that an update will be necessary to keep your device online and able to contact the library.

Glinda Harrison of the The eBook Evangelist reports "Today, however, Amazon took it one step further. We actually got a recorded phone call at the house from Amazon reminding us that we need to update our Kindles in order to keep accessing the Kindle libraries and Amazon’s servers. The recorded message, which was repeated twice, re-iterated the instructions on the Kindle update page and emphasized that Amazon customer service was available any time to offer assistance by calling 1-866-321-8851".

The steps are fairly simple and are the same for all affected models. You'll need to be running the latest software in order to continue normal usage of the eReader. InfoPackets has a few simple steps and it could have been done over 2G, 3G or Wi-Fi, or if you missed the deadline yesterday then there are alternative steps to take and these are also listed.

The updates are available now and installing them sooner rather than later is highly recommended.

Braven BVR-XXL hopes to bring rugged design coupled with big sound

Publié: mars 22, 2016, 5:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

brave-brv-xxl

I know what you're thinking, "another Bluetooth speaker". Yes, there is a flood of them on the market. We've had our fair share pass through the BetaNews office and most are comparable and a few even stood out for one reason or another.

Now Braven is announcing its latest offering. It's a name that's no stranger to us, we've reviewed previous models. This one is a bit different though.

This is an indoor-outdoor model that features a rugged design and a size a bit larger than you'd expect. It also features HD sound and a 15,600 mAh battery so you can charge your phone -- good for the beach or a tailgating party. The company even claims a 14 hour battery life, so you won't have to worry about making it through the day.

"The BRV-XXL is a modern boom box that not only pumps the crowd up, but keeps the party going for hours", says Andy Fathollahi, chief executive. "This is the perfect speaker for anyone who enjoys life to the fullest. From tailgates to campsites this speaker is designed to impress, it even comes with a built-in bottle opener on the strap".

This isn't a small device, it comes with a carry strap and tie downs to secure it wherever it's set up. It also features NFC technology; an on-board control to easily adjust bass, treble, volume, and skips tracks. It even boasts a "3.5 mm microphone input for impromptu toasts and announcements".

None of this comes cheap, at least by Bluetooth speaker standards. It will set you back $349. It's available now online and Braven claims it will be in Best Buy later this month.

Clinton's email continues to make news, this time with Google

Publié: mars 21, 2016, 4:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

free-syria

It's hard to turn on the news these days without seeing something about Syria and its leader Bashar Assad. The nation has been in disarray for sometime now as rebels try to overthrow the dictator, while ISIS controls some of the country.

While Russia has tried to fight back the rebels with air strikes in an effort to prop up Assad, the US has been more interested in striking Islamic Nation targets, and the one thing seemingly forgotten are the citizens of this war torn nation, who are attempting to flee in boatloads -- literally, making a treacherous journey across the sea to Turkey and Greece.

The other major thing in the news, ignoring Donald Trump, has been Hillary Clinton's email. Despite that Bernie Sanders implored that we don't want to hear about it, the media continues to make it news.

And news continues to come out of it, from the retroactive classifying of messages to what is actually contained in those emails.

One such email comes from an employee at Google, and regards the aforementioned Syria situation. The company was apparently willing to help in the fight against Assad, though in a more indirect way. It seems that what they were really trying to do was convince the oppressed citizens to flee.

In an email from Google's Jared Cohen, a plan is outlined to launch a tool that would track and map the defections of Syrian people.

"Given how hard it is to get information into Syria right now, we are partnering with Al-Jazeera who will take primary ownership over the tool we have built, track the data, verify it, and broadcast it back into Syria", Cohen writes.

The plan stated in the missive is to begin "encouraging more to defect and giving confidence to the opposition".

The message was sent August 3, 2012 to then Secretary Clinton and copied to Monica Hanley, an aid at the time.

Google wasn't trying to overthrow a government, though but "giving confidence to the rebels" can certainly be seen that way. It's a much more indirect approach, though.

Image Credit: Khairul Effendi / Shutterstock

Amazon Echo meets Automatic, attempts to make your car smarter

Publié: mars 18, 2016, 2:56am CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

It seems every product hitting the market these days is touted to be smart, with the catch-phrase Internet of Things being thrown around everywhere. While there have been security issues in this new product line, there are also some really cool things available, and it captures the imagination.

Alexa, the persona behind Amazon Echo, is one way to enter the market, though you need to add devices to pair with it. Lights, door locks, thermostats, there's no shortage of items to choose from and it's growing all the time.

One place you wouldn't expect Alexa to appear is in your car. After all, the device is plugged in back at home, right? Not so fast, that's coming now also thanks to a partnership with Automatic.

Amazon claims it is "reaching out to share some details about their integration with Automatic". What does this mean to you?

Here are a few options you can choose from in the form of questions you can ask:

"Alexa, ask Automatic where's my car?" When you need to locate your vehicle in a city or parking lot.
"Alexa, ask Automatic what my fuel level is". It will let you know if you need to leave a bit early in the morning to stop off for a fill-up.
"Alexa, ask Automatic how much I drove last week". In fact, you can check this for the month or even the year.

Amazon concludes "This integration is just one of Automatic’s growing roster of integrations with voice commands, joining IFTTT, Nest, and Concur, among others".

Fitbit comes to Amazon Echo, Alexa can now track your activity

Publié: mars 17, 2016, 9:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

It seems as though there is a constant flow of new features and capabilities arriving on Amazon's voice-enabled platform Echo. You can play Jeopardy, listen to music and podcasts, even control your lights and thermostat.

Now the system is partnering up with Fitbit to allow Alexa to tell you about your activity. There is a new series of questions that you simply ask the device and get your answers.

"Working with Amazon and Alexa to create this new skill provides a completely new and fun way for Fitbit users to stay on top of their health and fitness goals," says Tim Roberts, Executive Vice President, Interactive at Fitbit.

"Alexa recognizes a wide range of voice-enabled requests about your Fitbit activities for any day within the previous week, including how you slept last night, how many active minutes you’ve logged, or the number of calories you’ve burned -- all without needing to check your tracker or Fitbit app", Roberts explains.

Obviously, you need a Fitbit for all of this to work and that will set you back around $130. Of course, if you use it then it could actually improve your overall health.

Nest beefs up its Android Wear app with new features

Publié: mars 17, 2016, 6:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

android-wear-nest

We've talked plenty about Nest around here. The company makes a smart thermostat and other devices that hope to improve your home and your life. Whether they succeed or not is individual opinion. However, a thermostat that can detect your location and adjust the temperature accordingly can certainly be a money saver.

You can control things right from the app on your smartphone, and do so from anywhere in the world. But what about your wrist? Well, Nest has an app for that and now it's gaining some new features.

Previously you'd get notifications from Nest products on your watch. Now the company is beefing things up a bit, adding the ability to change the temperature or even switch between home and away modes.

Nest tells us "We worked closely with the Android Wear team to create the best experience possible. Just download the latest update of the Nest app and make sure your Android Wear is connected to your phone".

You may or may not want control of your thermostat from a watch, but regardless, the ability is now there. Will you use it?

Microsoft is farming your data, but it isn't what you think

Publié: mars 16, 2016, 5:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

maryland-plate

If you reside in the US state of Maryland then you can find plenty to be proud of -- the Chesapeake Bay is home to great seafood, including the famous Maryland Blue Crab. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner from a ship during a battle in Baltimore Harbor. Of course, there's the sports teams like the Ravens and Orioles.

But one thing the state tries not to neglect is its history of farming. A vast majority of the state is rural and is home to agriculture, horses and cattle. The state has instituted a Farm Preservation policy to preserve these lands for future generations and even car license plates have been dedicated to the cause.

Now Microsoft is stepping in to help out one particular county -- Montgomery, which is located west of the Chesapeake Bay. The company is using its CityNext program to test innovations on four farms within the county.

"Built on our Microsoft Azure cloud platform, the testbed will rely on the expertise of our DX team to provide the high-level architecture and software to collect and analyze data from sensors that will be installed on the four Montgomery County farms participating in the project", says Jeff Friedman of Microsoft.

The company is working with the University of Maryland on this infrastructure, which includes IoT Dev Labs, FiberTower and Link Labs to help the sensors wirelessly connect and there are several companies who are providing the hardware to make all of this work.

Microsoft developer David Makogon adds "While we have all these devices that are capable of sending their information, reporting what their readings are -- somewhere you need to store this information. I’m helping set up the data model and building interfaces to databases".

It's a major undertaking and also the reason only four farms are currently involved. The company will need to do a lot of research and work to perfect this system. However, when it's all done, the sensors should begin providing important data, such as moisture content in the soil, weather models for precipitation and much more. All things that are the lifeblood of these farms.

Google Maps tries to make it easier to get around with new feature

Publié: mars 15, 2016, 12:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

google-maps-travel

Remember the days when we went everywhere with either a printed map or none at all? That's not the case these days as we almost universally have maps at our fingertips. Leading the way in this market is Google, which powers many mobile devices, though it's far from the only option.

Now the search giant is rolling out an update that it hopes will improve getting around town. This comes in the form of a dedicated tab aimed at commuting in the fastest way possible.

Wondering how to get from point A to point B? This tweak is designed to tell you the best method, be it walking, public transit, a service such as Uber or simply calling a taxi.

"In addition to our existing global ride service partner Uber, with this update we're adding new providers across five countries: 99Taxis in Brazil, Ola Cabs in India, Hailo in the UK and Spain, mytaxi in Germany and Spain, and Gett in the UK", says Holger Flier of Google.

This means you will no longer need to access separate apps to search for options. Google claims that if you have an app installed then it will pull the data from it into the new tab and give you all of the data, including travel time, estimated pick-up time and more.

"When it makes sense, we’ll also show ride service availability when viewing the map in walking and transit directions, and multiple ride services options for each provider -- where they exist".

This will begin rolling out over the next few days for Android users. iOS folks will have to wait, but Google promises it will come to you as well.

Did Amazon have a security breach? Probably not

Publié: mars 15, 2016, 3:11am CET par Alan Buckingham

amazon_trust

We've grown accustomed to security breaches, from Target to Home Depot and pretty much everywhere in between. It seems like daily news lately, but sometimes it seems companies are so hush-mouth that we just don't know. It's obviously in their best interest to not let word get out – bad for business, and all.

Today a story surfaced about Amazon sending some customers emails requesting that they reset their passwords. The message itself is a bit cryptic, so it's hard to say what really happened. There is also the (slim) possibility it was a scam. We say slim because there are no links to click on, the message seems legit and a carbon copy of one sent by the company before.

Given the content, it seems nothing is amiss with the retail giant. The email simply explains that "As part of our routine monitoring, we discovered a list of email address and password sets posted online". Yes, that's bad enough, but given the propensity for customers to use the same password on multiple services, it becomes much worse.

The Digital Reader points out that "It's not clear whether Amazon found another security issue, the same one cropped up again, if Amazon is simply recycling the email text whenever they want you to reset your password, or if some scammer copied that earlier email for a new phishing attempt".

There are some obvious things here – don't respond to the email, visit Amazon online by entering the URL and proceeding from there, if you have concerns.

BetaNews has contacted Amazon, but so far have not received any statement. For the moment we'll consider what was said in the message and say that changing the password can't hurt, providing you do so through the actual site. If anything changes then we'll let you know.

Photo credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock

Yahoo joins the club, throws its support behind Apple against the FBI

Publié: mars 4, 2016, 3:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Secure your Apple iCloud account by enabling two-step verification

For the past couple of weeks the tech news has circled around Apple versus the FBI, after the iPhone maker refused to comply with a court order to unlock a phone used by one of the terrorists in the San Bernardino shootings. That handset may or may not hold data relevant to the case or perhaps reveal plans for future attacks.

We'll possibly never know, given the agency changed the Apple ID and there are claims that even the iPhone maker cannot now get into it. The FBI, for its part, has acknowledged that it made a mistake in changing that ID.

Since all of this began swirling a steady stream of tech companies, including the likes of Microsoft and Google have thrown their support behind a company that they would generally consider a rival in business. It's become a united front -- stand together or risk falling separately.

The latest to join this coalition is Yahoo, as the search company announces it too is standing behind the Cupertino-based company.

Ron Bell, general counsel at Yahoo, states "This case isn’t simply about letting the FBI pick the lock to a dead terrorist’s phone. It’s about whether governments can conscript private companies to disable security features built into their devices. Should the U.S. government prevail in its arguments, the All Writs Act -- statute enacted 50 years before the telegraph -- could be used to compel companies to write code to defeat their own security protocols. Once courts open that door, as FBI Director James Comey said just days ago, the case would become 'potentially precedential'. More is at stake than a single iPhone".

Most people in the industry are in agreement with that statement, including security guru Brian Krebs, who quoted Nicholas Weaver of International Computer Science Institute, saying "Almost immediately, the National Security Agency is going to secretly request the same authority through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). How many honestly believe the FISC wouldn't rule in the NSA’s favor after the FBI succeeds in getting the authority?"

Yahoo's Bell concludes "Our interest in this case is clear. More than 1 billion users entrust their personal information to Yahoo. We have built these relationships over our more than 20 years in the business, and the security of our users’ information is of paramount importance to them and to our company. This case will set critical precedents, and we’ll continue to lend our voice to the debate".

While there is consensus among the tech crowd, there also seems to be consensus on the other side, with politicians with little or no knowledge of the technical aspects of this, not to mention little interest in finding out, using this as a campaign platform, playing on the average person's fears.

A New York court recently ruled in Apple's favor on a separate similar case, but whether this will be an indicator of success in the San Bernardino case remains to be seen.

Photo credit: SynthManiac / Shutterstock

Who are the winners and losers in the current IoT market?

Publié: mars 4, 2016, 3:21am CET par Alan Buckingham

home automation

The Internet of Things, more commonly called simply the IoT, is coming into its own, with an ever-growing array of products and manufacturers. Big players are in this market, with the likes of Samsung, Apple and Google being among them.

But who is leading this push to connect your home devices to one another, the internet and, in some cases, hackers? A new study has some possible revelations and insights into this brave new world of products. Argus Insights took the time to look into this matter, and here is what it found.

After looking at 576,000 devices it seems that Amazon Echo and Amazon Homekit are at the top of the list for consumers. Work with Nest is near the bottom of the list for user interest.

"Consumers enter the Smart Home journey under the premise of creating an intelligent home that anticipates and serves their needs in a delightful, low maintenance manner. Along this journey, after users overcome the hurdles of installation and continued use through often broken app experiences, they are confronted with a mess of protocols as they approach expansion", explains John Feland, CEO, Argus Insights. "Consumers are dismissing Google’s Nest ecosystem play, and we are seeing a real battle between Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa for the voice of the Smart Home. While Apple forces users to rely on iOS devices, Alexa will chat up anyone willing to integrate into the Echo API".

However, customers want more from each product, clamoring for an Apple-connected home and wish that Homekit was compatible with more devices. The same thing was found with Amazon, though consumers raved about the increasing integration with Echo.

Where praise seemed to be heaped was that "Consumers are taking notice that Amazon is choosing a community garden strategy over a walled garden approach favored by Google and Apple", says Dr. Feland.

Rounding out the list of ecosystems were Samsung and "generic" representing all others. Surprisingly products like Insteon and Philips didn't make the list, which can be seen below.

ecosystem-funnel

Photo Credit: bergserg/ Shutterstock

The Nest thermostat arrives on Wink and Amazon Echo

Publié: mars 3, 2016, 10:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

wink-hub

It seems to be a big day for Amazon Echo, as Alexa has found two new friends to pal around with, the Tap and the Dot. No, it's not Morse Code, it's devices that compliment that previous item that may be sitting in your home. But, that wasn't all of the news.

Today Wink, who makes a home automation hub that we've talked about before and which is in contact with Alexa, announces that users can now control Nest.

Today, Wink states "that you can now use Alexa to control your Nest Thermostat (or Thermostats) through Wink".

Wink was already compatible with the Amazon Echo, quite capable of controlling your lights, using such bulbs as the GE Link and Cree products.

To set up Nest, the company outlines a few simple steps, which are listed below.

If you haven’t already, first set up your Nest account and name each thermostat you have (living room, bedroom, kitchen, etc.).
Next, connect your Nest account with your Wink app. Your Nest Thermostat will appear in the Wink app as "[location] + [name] + [the word ‘thermostat’]. "Home Living Room Thermostat", for example.
Then, link your Wink account to Echo within the Alexa mobile app (Settings > Connected Home > Device Links > Wink).
Finally, say "Alexa, discover devices". This can take up to 20 seconds. Your Nest Thermostat will then appear in the Alexa app as [name] i.e. "Living Room" or "Bedroom".

You can now begin controlling your thermostat using voice commands. If you haven't yet installed Nest then we have a tutorial here, and it's fairly simple to follow.

Can't get to Alaska? Google Maps brings the drama of the Iditarod to you

Publié: mars 3, 2016, 8:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 6.37.41 PM

In just a couple of days the Alaskan dog sled race known as the Iditarod will kick off its freezing, snowy journey from Anchorage to Nome. It's a long, brutal trip that can take anywhere from nine days to as much as two weeks to complete.

If you can't make it up north to see the historic race then Google Maps can bring it to your computer with all of the beautiful scenery and brutal conditions. A reporter once called it "The Last Great Race", and that may be true after Hillary made the top of Everest and Amundsen got to the South Pole. Both were races, albeit of a slightly different kind.

You can now check out this National Historic Trail, used primarily during the gold rush of the late 1800's and early 1900's.

You can see all the action as Google's John Bailey explains "At the traditional "ceremonial start" (held in Anchorage), a special sled #80 driven by Dean Osmar, the 1984 Iditarod Champion, towed a second sled with a Googler wearing the trekker".

You can check it all out here.

Amazon Echo gets new companions in Echo Dot and Amazon Tap

Publié: mars 3, 2016, 5:15pm CET par Alan Buckingham

PR_AlexaFamily_V01

We've covered the Amazon Echo extensively and the company has been running a series of ads as of late, featuring several amusing spots with Alec Baldwin, which began at the Super Bowl with Dan Marino featured in that particular one.

Now the company is trying to further its inroads into everyone's home with two new companion products for its popular device, even as it continues to push updates to the current offering.

First up is the Echo Dot, which is a mini version of the Echo. It can be plugged into a stereo system by wire or connect with it via Bluetooth. This brings all of the Echo music capabilities to your home theater system. Customers can also use it in the bedroom as a "smart alarm clock".

There are a couple of catches. First, this is only available to Amazon Prime customers and, second, you have to be a current Echo owner as orders are only being taken through Alexa Voice Shopping. It will set you back $89.99.

Next up is Amazon Tap, which also pairs with the device you have. This is essentially a portable version of the Echo. It doesn't always listen, though. You'll need to "tap" the button on it to alert Alexa that you have a request. It works with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The company touts that "Amazon Tap has dual stereo speakers with Dolby processing that provide crisp vocals, extended bass response, and 360 omni-directional audio". This device will retail for $129.99.

The Dot is available right now, while Tap is open for pre-order, though a shipping date was not announced.

WinRT PDF found to be a possible vulnerability in Edge for Windows 10

Publié: mars 2, 2016, 7:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

windows_10_in_frame

With the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft said goodbye to Internet Explorer, the aging Netscape killer, and hello to Edge. While the company has been increasingly vigilant about security and the nightmares of IE 6 have slowly faded away, with a new browser comes with the potential for new problems.

Security researcher Mark Yason of IBM thinks he may have found a potential path to attack. Yason plans to demonstrate the flaw at the upcoming RSA USA 2016 conference.

The vector for attack stems from EdgeHTML which utilizes WinRT PDF for these file types, something that saves customers from using a third-party program such as those from Adobe, Nitro and FoxIt.

Windows Runtime (WinRT) has been around since the introduction of Windows 8.1. It aimed to aid developers with the incorporation of PDF files into their apps.

Yason points out that "WinRT libraries such as WinRT PDF have well-documented APIs that applications can use. In the case of WinRT PDF, theWindows.Data.Pdf namespace provides the necessary classes that would allow applications to render PDFs into image files. Interestingly, in addition to using the documented WinRT PDF APIs, EdgeHTML uses additional, nondocumented WinRT PDF APIs that enable features such as PDF text searching and selection".

Thanks to Windows 10, the WinRT PDF has become prominent due to its full integration with the Edge browser. However, it also allows for direct accessibility by hackers to instigate drive-by attacks.

This is enabled by default in Edge and there is no opt-out as of now. Yason concludes "WinRT PDF opens up an additional attack surface that can be leveraged to attack the Edge browser. But for now, exploiting WinRT PDF via Edge is expensive because of the combined exploit mitigations in place. Interest in WinRT PDF and the development of new exploitation techniques will determine when an Edge drive-by exploit leveraging a WinRT PDF vulnerability will be seen in the wild".

Photo credit: tanuha2001 / Shutterstock

TomTom upgrades to real-time maps after platform switch to NDS

Publié: mars 2, 2016, 2:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

TomTom

We forget the old days when we went everywhere on our own -- it now seems that we can't leave the house without a phone and GPS, frequently the same device. Both phones and mapping technology seem to be moving forward at an ever-increasing rate, and now TomTom is making the next big leap with its maps.

The new edition of NavKit adds real-time maps that will update incrementally. Also rolling out is additional geographies.

The company is now using the Navigation Data Standard (NDS) and is introducing what it terms a "Transactional Mapmaking Platform". This, it claims, will allow car makers to push updates to their vehicles, something that can be done over-the-air no matter where in the world the car may be. It will also give manufacturers the ability to choose map suppliers.

"The challenge for today’s automotive industry is to create navigation and automated driving systems that are cost effective and future proof", states Harold Goddijn, CEO at TomTom. "Incorporating Real-Time Maps in our core navigation software firmly establishes TomTom as one of the leading technology providers. This enables car makers to shape the future of mobility together with TomTom".

TomTom began offering the NDS-based software to car makers in 2015 and it is beginning to roll out to new vehicles.

Sony details features in the upcoming PlayStation 4 beta software

Publié: mars 1, 2016, 9:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

ps4

A few weeks ago we told you that Sony planned to release a beta version of its PS4 software, taking it to build 3.5. The beta was opened up to people to sign up for and now it's approaching the roll-out date. And the company is detailing what customers should expect.

Code-named "Musashi", the iteration begins to go out to users tomorrow. Regardless if you have chosen to enter the program, you will get this software sooner or later, once the testing ends.

Included is new friend notifications that let users know the moment someone comes online. This is an option users can enable, so people can choose to leave it turned off if they prefer a less obtrusive experience. You can also choose to not show when you're online in case you decide to game alone. You can even schedule this, sort of like making a "play date".

There's also remote play, which allows users to play from either a Windows PC or a Mac, though this will not be included in the beta release.

Finally, there is live streaming to DailyMotion, which Sony claims will "support archiving live broadcasts, like we do for other streaming services".

The company promises more details on the way, as well as a final release date.

Snapchat gets compromised, but user data should be safe

Publié: février 29, 2016, 12:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

snapchat_icons

There's no small amount of controversy that swirls around Snapchat, as people swear it's used for all sorts of bad things. In truth, it probably isn't, people just send messages and images, most of which aren't the least controversial. But now the company has another problem, though this one doesn't involve anything lurid.

Instead it's actually the company's employees who were compromised and the service is attempting to apologize for this breach.

Blame has been laid, though not by name, as Snapchat only claims it to be the responsibility of "one employee" who succumbed to a phishing scam.

Snapchat explains "Here’s what happened: Last Friday, Snapchat's payroll department was targeted by an isolated email phishing scam in which a scammer impersonated our Chief Executive Officer and asked for employee payroll information".

Red flags should have gone up at this point, but the employee in question complied. That resulted in the payroll information on both current and former employees being disclosed to an external location.

Snapchat claims it responded quickly when it found out about the breach -- four hours the company says. It also states that none of its customer data was compromised. It says it notified the FBI of the potential problem.

To its credit, Snapchat says "We began sorting through which employees -- current and past -- may have been affected. And we have since contacted the affected employees and have offered them two years of free identity-theft insurance and monitoring".

The service also says it will double-down on its employee training to try and make sure these things don't happen again in the future. Finally, it states that "Our hope is that we never have to write a blog post like this again".

Photo credit: 360b / Shutterstock.com

Is your 'Open with' option missing in Windows 10? Here's a fix

Publié: février 29, 2016, 10:12am CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows 10

Windows 10 has been out for a while now and, much different from the last version of the operating system, people don't seem to dislike it. That doesn't mean there aren't problems, there's been plenty of the them, and over time fixes have been found for many of those little issues.

One that has cropped up is the disappearing "Open with" option in the right-click menu for files. There's a fairly easy fix for it though. Just follow the these steps.

First open Notepad, that little piece of software you likely never use. You're going to have to create a .REG file, but it's a simple process. Just type:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Openwith]@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

Now you'll need to save the document. Just click File and the Save As option and choose AllFiles and type Openwith.reg and OK it.

You'll now need to search out your new Openwith.reg file from wherever you saved it. Double click it to add it to the registry.

Alternatively, you can change the registry manually, but that can be a scary process for many users and these simple steps eliminate the headache and nervousness involved.

If you're having this problem with Windows 10 then let us know how it worked for you.

Photo credit: charnsitr / Shutterstock

History channel's Vault comes to Roku

Publié: février 27, 2016, 4:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

HISTORY-Vault-collections

The History channel is one of those networks that many people either love or hate. While it provides good incite into many things, it can also go a bit off the rails at times. On the whole though, it's a solid viewing choice much of the time.

History Vault promises to provide hundreds of hours of "curated" content to viewers and to do so commercial-free. Content is divided up by categories including world leaders, inside the presidency, ancient discoveries and more.

"If you’re not sure what to watch first, the experts at History Vault feature three popular collections on the home screen, followed by Editor’s Picks, Most Popular and Recently Added", the set-top box maker explains.

To get this latest offering head to the channel store and click on the "movies and TV" category. You'll get a free seven day trial. Once that's up, if you decide to keep it then it will set you back $4.99 per month, not bad providing new content continues to be added.

EFF pushes forward with new amicus brief in case against NSA spying

Publié: février 26, 2016, 2:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

justice

At this point it almost feels like we've been living with the Edward Snowden revelations all of our lives. While what was revealed scared many people, it also led to a lot of legal battles that are still raging on. At the forefront of those is the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group that tirelessly fights for people's rights.

The foundation has had an ongoing case which has been termed Jewell v NSA, as well as Wikimedia v NSA. There are many irons in the fire in this battle and now the EFF has filed a new amicus brief in the Wikimedia case.

On Wednesday the organization filed the brief, which urges the court to allow the various parties to continue their pursuit of the NSA for what the EFF terms "illegal surveillance". This has been filed with the Fourth Circuit Court, which could prove favorable as it allowed Jewell v NSA to go forward after quite a bit of stalling by the government.

This case, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents nine plaintiffs, including Wikimedia, was rejected by a federal judge in Maryland. However the EFF hopes it can move forward on more favorable grounds. The court this was filed with has just recently ruled the Jewell case can continue, authorizing the EFF to begin discovery, which will compel the government to release documents pertaining to the spying.

"We’re well past the point where the government can simply utter 'national security' and get these cases dismissed at their outset", claims EFF Staff Attorney Mark Rumold. "We battled back these arguments in Jewel, and now we are asking another appeals court to do the same thing in Wikimedia".

The foundation is simply requesting the court to recognize the damage done by the surveillance. Both cases in question make these allegations.

Rumold concludes, "The government makes litigating these cases as difficult as possible, but that difficulty doesn’t mean the courts should turn their back on violations of people's constitutional rights".

Image Credit: Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Hit the roads with Runkeeper while Spotify plays your tunes

Publié: février 26, 2016, 7:41am CET par Alan Buckingham

spotify-runkeeper

Training for that big marathon? You have a lot of work to do and plenty of long training runs in your future, but it can be done, it just takes some ambition and fortitude. But those long training runs? It's good to have some company to keep you going. Since a partner isn't always possible, music can be your next best option.

In running, the Runkeeper app comes in handy for tracking your workout and music can be supplied from a good streaming service such as Spotify. Now the two are teaming up to keep you moving out there.

"Starting today, we’re excited to bring you the ability to listen to Spotify while seamlessly tracking your running progress on Runkeeper", Spotify announces.

The latest update combines your running history with the music to help you keep the pace up as you head down the road. It attempts to match your pace with the beats of the songs.

It can be enabled within the Runkeeper app by using Spotify as your source of music within the app. This gets you started with "Spotify Running". Now head to the "Browse" section and get everything up and, well, running.

This is available now for iOS customers, but Android users will have to wait just a bit longer, though Spotify promises that it's on the way.

HP teams up with iPass to offer global Wi-Fi across select devices, including those running Windows 10

Publié: février 25, 2016, 1:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

HP EliteBook P-Series

Among the downsides of traveling, is limited access to Wi-Fi. Finding hotspots becomes a priority, leaving travelers scrambling for places like Starbucks and various other cafes, libraries and, well...any port in a storm. Wi-Fi is becoming more ubiquitous, though.

Now HP is looking to help out those using its devices, including both tablets and laptops. The company is extending its partnership with iPass Inc to bring connectivity to what it terms "select devices". Previously this was only available in the Asia-Pacific region, but it is now expanding worldwide.

"We’ve heard from our customers that as they become increasingly mobile, they need affordable, seamless connectivity no matter where they are located across the globe", says Michael Park, vice president and general manager of Mobility, HP Inc. "We are excited to continue our collaboration with iPass to bring its global Wi-Fi network to our customers, so they can keep doing amazing things and stay connected in more places".

This is available to customers purchasing certain devices and it must be activated within 12 months of the purchase date. Depending on the product, you could get one, two, or three years. When that runs out you will need to purchase an iPass plan. The network claims to offer "millions of hotspots".

Latest Amazon Fire TV update appears to break Harmony remote, but doesn't

Publié: février 25, 2016, 12:57am CET par Alan Buckingham

fire-tv-harmony

Earlier today we told you about Amazon's latest roll out of updates, bringing new software to both the first generation Fire TV and the Kindle reader. While Kindle adds a new home screen, Fire TV introduces both Amazon Echo control, though it isn't quite what you think, and a new video section to guide you along the way.

While the new software improves things quite a bit, there can be a dark side to these updates. Sometimes they just simply break things, mostly in unexpected ways.

One such problem has cropped up since we updated the Fire TV earlier today. If you are using a Harmony remote control then, first of all, you have a great remote, but second, it is going to seem broken.

After the update has installed and your set-top box has rebooted, you will get a strange message when you grab the Harmony remote. A box pops up that tells you "Fire TV remote or game controller not detected". Yes, it isn't because you aren't using it, no mystery there.

Don't worry too much about this. While annoying, you can simply click "OK" and things will work just fine. It's a bit odd that it comes up, given that the device had to recognize the remote in order to go to the app and throw the message up.

Though it's a bit of a pain, it doesn't really slow you down, aside from that extra click. For now, you will have to live with that, but likely it will be updated soon.

Alexa, find updates for Amazon Fire TV and Kindle

Publié: février 24, 2016, 7:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

fire-tv-update

We knew updates were on the way to various Amazon products, but with a gradual roll out it was hard to say when things would arrive. Today the waiting is over, as both Fire TV and Kindle picked up the latest updates from the retail giant.

So what is in the cards for these updates? Well, lots of cool things that can prove useful to the company's multitude of customers.

We'll start with Amazon's Fire TV, the set-top box that takes on other heavyweights like Roku in this increasingly competitive market.

To begin with you get a new "Your video" menu option, which consolidates the left side of the screen a bit. The option does as the name states and shows the latest offerings, a watchlist and your video library. There are also multiple Prime categories and a message at the bottom letting you know that you're subscribed to the service.

This update also introduces Alexa to Fire TV -- you can access this by holding down the speaker button on your remote control. That's already possible with the actual Echo remote, but it doesn't work with third-party controllers like Harmony. Sadly, you can't just ask Alexa to search the device for content.

fire-tv-your-videos

As for the Kindle update, a quick walk-through of what's new reveals a home screen that now claims to improve navigation, help you find books and keeps track of what you wish to read. The update will walk you through all of the features and the appearance will be slightly different when you access the device for the first time.

kindle-update

These updates may or may not have yet made it to your devices, but if you haven't received them then just sit tight, as it's all on the way.

Eat up! Google Maps 'Explore Around You' comes to 5 more countries

Publié: février 24, 2016, 12:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

google-maps-explore

One of the great things about travel is the food you get to try, authentic dishes that can sometimes only be found in certain locations. If you aren't picky about new things then you just may find something to satisfy your culinary dreams, perhaps a dish you've never heard of.

Google Maps has been guiding users to restaurants in both the US and UK for a while now, using a feature called "Explore Around You". Now the search giant is bringing this to more nations so both locals and travelers can find a location to satisfy their appetites.

Countries being added include Japan, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Google promises that "whether you’re a tourist looking for a top-rated dinner spot or a local trying to find a new neighborhood watering hole, Google Maps can help you make a delicious, timely discovery while you’re on the go".

On Google Maps you can tap the "Explore Around You" icon to find out where you can head, regardless if it's a quick bite or a five course meal.

"Options are organized by category, and once you pick the one that catches your eye (and stomach), you can easily swipe through photos and check out ratings and reviews from Google and previous diners", Google announces.

There is one catch -- you'll have to be using an Android phone to take advantage of this feature. If you meet that requirement then get started on your next trip or find something you may have missed around your own home.

Unsurprisingly, cyber criminals are using the Zika virus to their advantage

Publié: février 23, 2016, 4:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Doctor

The Zika virus has been all over the news lately and people are treating it as if it is something new. In fact, the virus named for the Zika Forest in Uganda, was first discovered way back in 1947. During the time since then, it was isolated to a narrow region near the equator, but several years ago it began to spread, jumping to south Pacific islands and finally landing in Mexico and South America.

Of course, anytime something is making news and playing to people's fears then there are at least two sectors you can count on to try and latch onto it – the media and cyber criminals. Three if you care to lump in politicians, four if you include recent statements from the Pope.

We aren't getting into religion and politics though, it's the thieves we're concerned with. We'll just stick with the disease as it applies to technology and, perhaps not shockingly, the cyber criminals are all over this outbreak, attempting to fear-monger their way into people's lives.

The result is a flood of emails with malicious attachments. According to researchers at Symantec, "The malicious spam email claims to be from Saúde Curiosa (Curious Health), a health and wellness website in Brazil. The subject of the email says, 'ZIKA VIRUS! ISSO MESMO, MATANDO COM ÁGUA!' which translates to: 'Zika Virus! That's Right, killing it with water!' The email itself uses imagery and text taken from a real article on Saúde Curiosa, but includes buttons and attachments to try to capture the recipient’s attention, such as 'Eliminating Mosquito! Click Here!' and Instructions To Follow! Download'."

The result, if you follow this, is a Bitly link that sends you off to a Dropbox location from whence the malicious file is downloaded. In the end, you have installed JS Downloader, a malware program that proceeds to welcome others to the party.

As Symantec points out, "Newsworthy events on a regional or global level often provide fertile ground for cybercriminals seeking to capitalize on the interest in these events. In this case, the Zika virus’ impact in countries like Brazil is being leveraged, while the potential impact in other countries make it a prime candidate for more malicious spam".

Now you don't just have to watch out for mosquitoes, but also emails.

Image Credit: ZouZou / Shutterstock

Avast finds Mobile World Congress visitors among the least safe

Publié: février 23, 2016, 2:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Insecure Android smartphone

One would think that those attending a big technology show would be among the more savvy tech users, but sometimes they are the ones who maybe think they are above the fray and forget about the multitude of things that can go wrong whenever you are online.

To illustrate this problem, security firm Avast took a trip to Barcelona, where the Mobile World Congress show is underway. Much of the flow of people entering the airport were there to attend the show, though likely some tourists and business travelers were in the mix as well.

The results of the test conducted by researchers found that during the course of only four hours over eight million data packets were picked up, coming from more than 2,000 users who logged into the public Wi-Fi.

More information was gleaned from the test. 50.1 percent of users were accessing the service from an iPhone, 43.4 percent used an Android device and a scant 6.5 percent sported a Windows Phone handset.

61.7 percent utilized Google in some way, either searching for information or accessing a Gmail account. Other services detected included Yahoo, Spotify, Twitter and Facebook. There was even one percent who apparently were looking for love, as they accessed a dating app.

Perhaps scariest of all is that Avast was able to identify 63.5 percent of these people by both device and user ID.

"Many individuals recognize that surfing over open Wi-Fi isn’t secure. However, some of these same people aren’t aware that their device might automatically connect to a Wi-Fi network unless they adjust their settings", says Gagan Singh, president of mobile at Avast. "With most Mobile World Congress visitors traveling from abroad, it’s not surprising to see that many opt to connect to free Wi-Fi in order to save money, instead of using data roaming services. When taking this route, people should utilize a VPN service that anonymizes their data while connecting to public hotspots to ensure that their connection is secure".

All of this means that users really need to utilize a VPN when on the move, something we already knew, but seems lost on many folks, even those who really should know better.

Photo Credit: wk1003mike/Shutterstock

T-Mobile launches pre-orders of the Samsung Galaxy S7, adds bonuses

Publié: février 23, 2016, 6:57am CET par Alan Buckingham

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and non-edge

Samsung has recently unveiled its latest smartphone, the Galaxy S7, a follow-up in the same line the company has been producing for years now. Regardless of what you think of it, it's sure to be popular, and getting widespread adoption requires carriers to be on board.

One such carrier, T-Mobile, is trying to sweeten the deal in an effort to grab more customers. This involves the handing out of bonuses and there are several to be had if you pre-order this latest handset.

Those pre-orders open today, February 23rd, and those who participate get a fairly good deal. The device comes for $0 down and $27.92 for 23 months. In addition, the company is throwing is six Samsung VR games and one year of Netflix.

"There are millions of Samsung fans who’ve been waiting for this day and only the Un-carrier will unleash the full power of Samsung’s new Galaxy S7 and S7 edge with fantastic benefits like Music Freedom, Binge On, Mobile Without Borders and more", says John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. "These new devices combined with the Samsung VR bundle and a year of Netflix on us are a win for consumers who want the hottest new Samsung superphone".

The company claims that in the past year it has more than doubled the size of its 4G LTE network, stating that it covers 305 million Americans. You can sign up here if you're interested in the S7 and the "un-carrier".

How to: Installing the Nest thermostat

Publié: février 21, 2016, 1:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

nest-gen-three

Nest debuted and became a darling of the home automation crowd, seemingly overnight. There's good reasons for that, as the company offered a unique and well-built system that is fairly simple for a homeowner to install. It also learns user habits and can adjust the temperature accordingly. The screen has a motion sensor and comes to life when you walk up to it, while remain dark the rest of the time.

The installation may seem confusing at first, but really it's fairly basic once you get past all of the technical talk and just pay attention to the parts that matter. We're going to install in on a fairly basic two wire system, as it is only going to be controlling heat. My home, for some unknown reason, has a separate air conditioning system, but given that I never use it, it really doesn't matter.

Step 0: Don't let the manual scare you, it isn't as painful as it looks.

Step 1: While the wiring for the vast majority of thermostats is low voltage it is still best to turn it off first. No, it won't knock you across the room if something happens, but you could short the system. There should be a switch either inside your basement door or near the system -- it looks like a light switch and normally has a red faceplate. If not, then use the breaker panel to kill power.

Step 2: Remove the old thermostat. The faceplate should pop right off, exposing screws which hold the base to the wall and wires which need to be disconnected. After unhooking the wires remove the screw and the base.

Step 3: (optional) If your old thermostat was rectangular then you likely will need to paint a bit as the Nest is round and will not cover the same footprint.

Step 4: Take the base ring and get it as close to level as possible (there's a built-in level you can use) and mark the screw holes for drilling.

Step 5: Once the holes are drilled and the ring is secured you will likely need to loosen the screws a bit and make some adjustments to get that bubble as perfectly centered as possible -- the holes are oval so there's room for movement. Note the image below was taken before this step and that the wires are already connected, which doesn't make a difference. In this case, it had to be removed to pound anchors into the plaster as the bottom screw missed the lathe and wasn't biting.

nest-wiring

Step 6: Now let's connect the wires. With a two wire system this is fairly simple, but yours may have more. For the most part, the ring guides you by color. The white wire here is the heat wire and it's connected to W1. The red wire is power and it can be connected to either RC or RH. In fact, in a two wire system you can even reverse this as polarity doesn't matter.

The wires simply clamp in, no screws needed. Press the button on the edge of each area and slide the wire into the hole as far as it will go. The button will stay depressed and the wire will be secure. To remove it simply press the button a bit further and pull the wire back out.

Step 7: Insure that your Nest is fully charged. A micro USB slot on the back allows it to be plugged in -- the company recommends hooking to a computer and not a wall outlet. Once it is installed, the power wire will maintain the charge.

Step 8: Install Nest. It simply pops onto the ring, just be sure to line up the ports located on the ring and thermostat, then turn the power back on.

Step 9: You may want to install the app on your phone, if you haven't already. It's not necessary to the setup, but it's part of the reason you likely purchased the device.

Step 10: The thermostat will now begin walking you through the process. You'll choose the usual things -- language, location (by zip code) and several other options. If your home network has a password (and we hope it does) you can enter it here as well. Options are chosen by turning the ring of the thermostat left or right to go up and down and pressing on the front to click your selection. Once you're finished it will make a test run of your system.

Step 11: You're done. Turn the thermostat to set the temperature -- right is up, left is down. Click the front to go to the home screen where you can set a schedule, access settings and much more.

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Congratulations, everything is out of the way now and you're all set up and running. It may take a while for the system to learn what you want, but it will.

Smile! Your DVR may email your picture to China

Publié: février 20, 2016, 5:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

PC surveillance camera

You may look at the DVR as that box that records your TV shows and perhaps even allows you to skip the commercials. But there is more to it than just that. Users can also record video from their home surveillance cameras and replay the clips if something happens. A lot of that data is stored in the cloud -- with some systems it is completely yours with a hardware DVR needed.

In use as a home recording device the DVR is also known as CCTV, closed-circuit television. There are quite a number of them in use all over the world, many in homes and some in businesses. It seems like a good idea for security, but things aren't always what they seem.

UK-based security firm Pen Test Labs has been taking a look at these devices and the results were a bit disturbing. To start out, the researchers used the Shodan search engine for IoT devices.

Many of the boxes in question use the heading JAWS/1.0 and you can do a JAWS search yourself -- our test resulted in over 45,000 results.

That only begins the problems, though. Sophos points out that results are "full of coding details on how he [researcher Andrew Tierney] got a local root shell on the DVR and used it to uncover an unauthenticated, impossible to disable, remote root shell that an attacker could use to compromise and control the device from the comfort of their own laptop".

Things go downhill from there. Pen Test Partners purchased a cheap DVR from Amazon branded under the name MVPower, a company that no details seem to exist on – yes, there is an mvpower.us, but they don't make security cameras or DVRs.

But here is the really scary part. After diving deep into the firmware, the researchers found that "images were being captured from CCTV feeds and sent to the mysterious email address lawishere@yeah.net". The emails contained a 320x180 still image, and the address was hosted in China and owned by someone named Frank Law.

The email address is still live, though it is now being flooded with the intro to Button Moon, an 80's UK children's TV show.

Pen Test Partners concludes "Putting one of these on your network leaves you open to serious risk. If you port forward to the web interface, you are allowing attackers to take full control of the device. This can then be used as a pivot and be used to attack the rest of your network from inside".

Image Credit: Maxx-Studio / Shutterstock

Acadia National Park goes digital, plan your visit now

Publié: février 19, 2016, 9:29pm CET par Alan Buckingham

acadia-national-park

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Maine then a can't-miss destination is Acadia National Park, situated along the Atlantic coast. The 47,000 acres of beauty was preserved way back in 1916 when the US government was rushing to protect huge swathes of land for future generations to enjoy.

Now the park is partnering with NIC for a new test program called "Your Pass Now". It is the first of three national parks that will trial this new approach.

Your Pass Now will allow for entrance passes to be purchased online. That's a huge departure from the traditional method of buying an entrance ticket at the gate.

"Today, many of Acadia’s potential visitors conduct business on their smartphones, tablets, and laptops,” says Acadia Superintendent Kevin Schneider. "Your Pass Now modernizes the sale of entrance passes and provides a digital alternative to purchasing the entrance pass in person".

This is the work of Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King who fought to have the National Park service offer park entrance pass sales online and to do so starting with Acadia National Park.

"With the launch of this pilot program at Acadia, the national park system is entering a new era of accessibility", Senator King states. "Electronic park passes will not only make it easier for the American people to visit and enjoy our most treasured places, but they'll also help the Park Service maximize sales and generate new revenues. I applaud the Park Service for embracing the power of this technology and am delighted that Acadia is leading the nation in piloting it".

Purchases can be made online using either a PC or mobile device. Visitors can then present the pass at the gate using either a printed copy or a digital version right on a smartphone. Customers can also choose dates, allowing advance entrance tickets to be purchased for a specified time. If you opt for digital then the ranger can scan the QR code when you arrive.

Teddy Roosevelt, though not the first to set aside land, would be proud of what became of one of his favorite projects. Now it's up to you to get away from the computer and out into nature.

Image Credit: Jon Bilous / Shutterstock

Opera claims you're using 30 percent of your mobile data on background apps

Publié: février 19, 2016, 12:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

crazyandroidamazon

Mobile data these days comes at a premium. Carriers charge what could be considered ridiculous amounts for it and many customers burn through it. Unless you're predominantly on Wi-Fi then you're likely wondering where all of that data is going.

The answer, of course, is background apps -- programs that run all the time without the user realizing it. These can eat up tremendous amounts of a monthly allotment.

In a new study, browser maker Opera has found that these hidden processes can use about 30 percent of your monthly plan.

The main culprits are likely not a surprise. Both Facebook Messenger and Gmail account for the bulk, wracking up 73 percent of your background data usage. Google Drive and WhatsApp are also running afoul of your limits, accounting for more than 50 percent.

"Most apps are made to give a great user experience, not to save data. If you fetch background data through your data plan, it's like throwing away $1 out of every $3 you spend on your mobile data plan", says Sergey Lossev, Product Manager at Opera Software.

Needless to say, the company produces Opera Max, which can detect this usage and alert users, and the company is recommending people install it.

Regardless of your inclination when it comes to installing this software, the information seems solid enough, and rather unsurprising. It's up to the users to decide what to do now.

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Photo credit: Ron Leishman/Shutterstock

Gozi Banking Trojan is now fully compatible with the Edge browser in Windows 10

Publié: février 18, 2016, 11:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Malware spy

Banking trojans, like ransomware, have become big business today. And the people behind all of these malicious products are always moving forward, innovating with the times in an effort to keep up with technology and victims.

There is a virtual smorgasbord of malware out there just looking for ripe pickings. One is the Gozi Banking Trojan, which injects its code into the operating system via the browser. With Windows 10 being offered (pushed) for free, malware makers are scrambling to cover the adoption rate by updating their products.

One is the Gozi Banking Trojan which has just received an update to make it friendly with both Windows 10 and its new Edge browser. Given that most users opt for the default browser in Microsoft's operating system, this makes perfect sense.

Researchers at the X-Lab at IBM found that "the malware’s developer has found a new way to use the same overall code injection mechanism on the Win10 Edge browser as it did on previous Windows OS versions. The code behind this new capability can now be injected into the MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe process, which is the Edge browser’s process".

Essentially this attacks explorer.exe and its child processes, each of which is altered to maintain the infection. This can result in keylogging ability among other nasty things you don't want on your PC. Now things have changed slightly.

That wasn't entirely possible with Edge so the programmers came up with a new method of attack. "Gozi needed a new workaround for Windows 10. Its developer began by going to the new parent process and leveraging another process: RuntimeBroker.exe. The latter is the parent process of the Edge browser in Windows 10 machines", states researcher Or Safran. "According to the research of Gozi’s new capability, the malware’s developer has found a new way to use the same overall code injection mechanism on the Win10 Edge browser as it did on previous Windows OS versions. The code behind this new capability can now be injected into the MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe process, which is the Edge browser’s process".

The Gozi Baking Trojan was first detected back in 2007, making it one of oldest in the business. Parts of its code have since been used in other malicious software. Security researchers will continue to monitor this latest iteration of Gozi and attempt keep users one step ahead.

Photo Credit: Balefire / Shutterstock

New research suggests alarm system SimpliSafe simply isn't safe

Publié: février 18, 2016, 3:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

sniffer

If you watch TV at all, at least in the US, you've likely seen the ads for the latest technologies being pushed to market. While many folks like to be early adopters, there's something to be said for ignoring that pie-in-the-sky pitch and waiting until something has had time on the market and been thoroughly tested.

We recently saw this with the Ring doorbell, a product that continues to run endless TV commercials, perhaps just banking on appealing to the average person who doesn't look into things too carefully. Another one taking up your screen time these days is a new alarm system calling itself SimpliSafe. The problem is, research indicates it may not be living up to its impressive moniker.

Andrew Zonenberg at IOActive reports that, from its testing of the SimpliSafe system, there are some problems, and they are not minor.

There is some background information on how the system works, but the main components are the keypad and the base unit, which communicate in the 433 MHz and 315 MHz range.

Once there was some understanding of how the system works, based on dismantling several units, Zonenberg states "Rather than waste time setting up an SDR or building custom hardware to mess with the radio protocol, I decided to 'cheat' and use the conveniently placed test points found on all of the boards. Among other things, the test points provided easy access to the raw baseband data between the MCU and RF upconverter circuit".

From there the research went on saying "To implement the actual attack I simply disconnected the MCUs from the base station and keypad, and soldered wires from the TX and RX basebands to a random microcontroller board I had sitting around the lab. A few hundred lines of C later, I had a device that would passively listen to incoming 433 MHz radio traffic until it saw a SimpliSafe 'PIN entered' packet, which it recorded in RAM. It then lit up an LED to indicate that a PIN had been recorded and was ready to play back. I could then press a button at any point and play back the same packet to disarm the targeted alarm system".

The snooping system could be created for a one-time $250 investment in the necessary hardware. It was then just a matter of hiding the device somewhere within 100 feet of the targeted home and waiting for the PIN to be transmitted. Then the bad guy is in and the device can move on to the next location.

Perhaps the worst part is that there is no fix, as Zonenberg states, "the keypad happily sends unencrypted PINs out to anyone listening". This can be fixed in future products, but current customers are out of luck as the microcontrollers are one-time programmable, so all current systems will need to be replaced. IOActive contacted the manufacturer but received no response.

Sony is inviting you to try its latest PS4 beta software

Publié: février 17, 2016, 6:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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When it comes to next-gen console gaming the community is largely segmented into two camps: Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4. A few people stay out of this fray, opting instead for the Nintendo offering.

Now, as it has done before, Sony is looking to sign up guinea pigs, or rather willing customers, to try out the latest beta version of its upcoming console software.

The beta signup opens to everyone today, giving a preview of what will soon be headed to every PS4 owner's system. "The beta program will kick off in early March, and if you’re part of the program, you’ll receive an email with instructions on downloading the system software", the manufacturer states.

Sony also promises that there is no need to worry just because this is beta software which may not yet be ready for prime time. Customers can back out and return to the current software at any time. The company also promises to monitor the forums during this period and listen to all suggestions and potential problems. There is the usual caveat to that statement -- "while we can’t always implement changes suggested by the community, it’s super valuable for us to hear your feedback to help guide the direction we take".

The new beta software will begin rolling out in March as the spring update follows the fall update which was beta tested back in September. You can sign up for version 3.5 here.

Android founder Andy Rubin wants to give you a free dashcam, there's just one catch...

Publié: février 16, 2016, 4:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

dashboard camera dashcam

Andy Rubin, best known as the founder of Android, became the head of the division after Google purchased the mobile operating system. He left the company in 2014 after briefly heading the robotics division, and founded Playground Global.

Since then his tech incubator has provided funding and help to many startups with Google being one of the sponsors of this venture.

Now the famed inventor has hatched a new plan, one that could be considered exciting by some, but is more likely to scare many others. Rubin would like to give you a free dashcam -- you know, those little devices that record what's ahead on the road and could be valuable evidence in an accident. Sounds great, doesn't it? Doesn't it?!

There's a bit more to this than the kindness of Rubin's heart. In exchange for this there's a trade-off. Rubin gets your data. That's where the tinfoil hats start being placed on heads.

To be fair, we don't expect Rubin to be selling anyone down the river for some advertising deal targeting the places you go, for example. However, that does not rule out the possibility, especially if the company were to be sold sometime.

The plan in all of this is to create what essentially would be a real-time Google Street View. In a recent profile in Wired magazine, the author writes "When pressed, he says he is in fact working on a dashcam, which he plans to give away in exchange for its data -- potentially allowing Playground to build a real-time visual map of the world".

The Verge agreed, stating "Dashcams could enable real-time traffic status, or even a real-time Street View-like service".

The question is, will people buy into this? It would need large-scale adoption to work the way it should, and that could be a hard sell in today's privacy-conscious society. The revelations of the likes of Edward Snowden, which have done a tremendous amount of good and resulted in people beginning to use encryption, may also prove a hindrance for something such as this, making it much easier for groups like the NSA to keep tabs on people. We'll see what happens when this actually becomes available.

Image Credit: supirak jaisan / Shutterstock

You can now watch Hulu on your Windows 10 device

Publié: février 16, 2016, 1:03am CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows-10-desktop

You could always watch Hulu on your PC or Mac, or for that matter, on multiple other mobile devices. Now the streaming service wants to integrate much deeper, using Windows 10 as its launchpad.

This doesn't mean it will cease to be accessible in all of the previous ways, it just adds one more option for customers of the service.

This comes with a big extra, as Stephen King's 11.22.63 appears and will be available to Xbox One customers, including non-Hulu Plus users, for a limited time, running February 15th to the 21st. Right now, it's only episode one available for viewing, but it will be an eight-part series.

There's some interesting integration in this also. Microsoft points out "Hulu's new app works beautifully with Windows 10 features like Cortana and Live Tiles and features an adaptive, responsive layout. The Hulu app on Windows 10 is the only version of Hulu available today that uses universal voice search through Cortana".

An example of the integration would be something like say "Hey, Cortana. Play Hulu Sleepy Hollow". This also supports Live Tiles and can be pinned to your Start menu.

This was created as an all new Universal App, and users can easily choose from the multitude of shows available from Hulu. No matter what your tastes are, you can likely find something to watch.

Wink home automation hub gets water sensors with leakSMART

Publié: février 15, 2016, 3:50pm CET par Alan Buckingham

leaksmart-starter

Water damage is a big deal, in fact, it's one of the most reported claims for home insurance, behind only fire and lightning, and wind and hail. Now with home automation products increasingly gaining market share and mainstream acceptability, that problem can be reigned in to a certain extent. No, it won't prevent extremes like Hurricane Katrina, but if a pipe springs a leak then you can get a jump on it.

Wink, makers of a home automation hub that is compatible with many third-party devices, is getting its first water sensors thanks to leakSMART, one of the more prominent manufacturers in the business.

Like any such product, there's a bit of work on the part of the user. You'll need to get the valve and install it at the point of your home's main water source. There's no getting around this, you'll need to cut the space out of the pipe, so measure twice. I did this a few years ago for a filter system and can attest to how nervous you can be when you're about to cut the line that supplies water to your whole home and family.

Once that's out of the way, you'll be home free, just install the sensors in obvious locations, under a sink, near a washing machine, etc.

It may be worth it, as Wink points out "once both the Valve and Sensors are paired to the Wink HUB, a Robot can be enabled within the Wink app that will automatically shut off your home’s main water source if any of the sensors detect a leak".

While the hub is reasonably priced at $50, a starter kit for leakSMART will set you back $699. Of course, in the long run, that's cheaper than water damage and less painful than dealing with insurance.

According to eHarmony, Millenials are also seeking love for Valentine's Day

Publié: février 15, 2016, 3:10am CET par Alan Buckingham

Sex preferences of millions of online daters leaked to dark web

Online dating is big business these days, though not everyone thinks it's such a great idea. Security has to be kept in mind -- if you're meeting someone in person it's best to do so in a public place. With that said, it can also be great for someone who suddenly finds themselves single later in life.

That demographic includes millenials, a group of people born in the 1980's, though there are no exact dates to define it. According to a recent report, this group of people have become rather prominent on dating sites, or at least on one.

eHarmony has released statistics on its user base. "Because eHarmony is renowned for its ability to match for long term relationships and marriage, understanding where our numbers are growing tells us something about the trends that are driving the numbers", says Dr. Neil Clark Warren, founder and CEO of eHarmony. "In this case, we can see that millennials might be a little bit misunderstood".

There are other caveats in this study. The company claims that in 2011 81 percent of users came from the desktop, but now 66 percent are using the mobile app. "The trend toward mobile is accelerating as more and more users replaced their desktop and now their laptops with the robust functionality that smartphones deliver", claims Armen Avedissian, eHarmony President.

As for location of online daters, the results show that the most popular areas are Washington DC, North Dakota, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

It's certainly some interesting information, both on demographics and location.

Photo credit: katalinks / Shutterstock

Pay for piracy? uTorrent's latest plan is banking on it

Publié: février 13, 2016, 2:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Adfree

Believe it or not, people download movies and music illegally. This may not be earth-shattering news to anyone, as it has been going on for a long time, most famously with things like Napster and The Pirate Bay. These days it has become more sophisticated and turned into a real business for the torrent sites.

Now the popular service uTorrent is instituting a new pay plan. No, you don't have to pay, but the service hopes to give those who do a better experience.

The latest selling point being used by the service is a new ad-free version that it hopes will draw in more users and also the revenue that keeps every site alive.

"This gives users the option of avoiding any and all ads in the client. It’s exciting to us because it gives users the ability to avoid advertising at 25 percent of the cost that it used to be -- about 5 dollars a year instead of 20 dollars", the company states.

To be precise, it's $4.95 per year, which isn't a bad price, but there are some considerations here. The biggest is, do you want to hand over your credit card or PayPal information to uTorrent? That's something that should be given careful thought.

Get your legs moving, Asics buys RunKeeper app

Publié: février 12, 2016, 3:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Runner

As a society we tend to put an emphasis on being physically fit. There may be more diet plans out there than there are people to follow them. But honestly, there's no substitute for a smart meal plan and exercise, nothing fancy is needed.

If you exercise then you're likely familiar with the name Asics, a popular manufacturer of running shoes and clothing. To keep it all in the family, the company has now purchased FitnessKeeper, maker of one of the top running apps available in the mobile space. The app can track more than just runs, though. It handles walking and cycling as well, using GPS to calculate distance and pace.

Asics acquired 100 percent of the shares in FitnessKeeper, a move to future-proof its business as fitness tracking, smartphones and wearable technology continue to expand in market share.

The company notes "Asics reached a decision on this Acquisition as we believe that the integration of 'Runkeeper’s' globally recognized brand and worldwide user base with Asics’ technological competence in manufacturing will lead to continued enhancement of our corporate value".

Where will this new partnership lead? Asics hopes to continue to advance the digital technology, but what role it could play in future wearable tech from the company remains unclear. Could we see something built right into a running shoe or clothing?

Photo Credits: ostill/Shutterstock

Cinemax makes its debut on Sling TV

Publié: février 12, 2016, 1:44am CET par Alan Buckingham

cinemaxannouncement

When Sling TV launched it already had a number of deals with major networks such as ESPN and CNN, bringing real-time TV viewing over an internet connection, and doing so for a reasonable price, especially compared to cable and satellite providers. There were also a number of add-on packages for such things as extra sports and news channels.

Last year, just in time for Game of Thrones, the service landed HBO, and now it has another prize in its lineup, one that may attract even more customers.

The company is announcing that Cinemax is now available, and this is a milestone. Sling notes that "What's particularly cool about this announcement is it marks the first time Cinemax is available to cord cutters on a standalone Internet TV service. Previously, it was only available to those who paid for a traditional cable package".

Cinemax premiers a new movie every Saturday night and also provides original content such as Strike Back, Hunted, The Knick, and Banshee.

All customers can now subscribe for $10 per month, which is slightly cheaper than rival HBO is going for on the service.

SourceForge pledges to clean up its downloader act

Publié: février 11, 2016, 6:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Trust

Likely just about everyone has installed software from SourceForge at some point in their computing history. In 2013, the software repository enabled a feature called DevShare which developers could opt-in to. This wrapped developer software in SourceForge’s own installer, which also, unfortunately, came with bundled junk -- something many users might breeze right past during an installation.

But last month Sourceforge, along with Slashdot, was sold to BIZX and some changes are going to take place under the new ownership, and that means no more DevShare.

SourceForge president Logan Abbott says "We want to restore our reputation as a trusted home for open source software, and this was a clear first step towards that. We’re more interested in doing the right thing than making extra short-term profit".

The company now wants to focus on developers and visitors, creating a better experience. Logan goes on to say "Eliminating the DevShare program was just the first step of many more to come. Plans for the near future include full https support for both SourceForge and Slashdot, and a lot more changes we think developers and end-users will embrace".

While it's a good start, the company may find that it will take time to regain the trust of users. One too many bad experiences can do that.

Photo Credit: Gajus/Shutterstock

Don't have TV service? You can watch the Super Bowl on Windows and other devices

Publié: février 7, 2016, 8:37pm CET par Alan Buckingham

football-field

We're now counting down the hours to the kickoff of Super Bowl 50, which begins at 6:30PM EST when the Denver Broncos meet with the Carolina Panthers in Santa Clara, California. The fact the big game is carried by network TV was a problem a few years ago for anyone who had cut the cord, but those days are changing and doing so quickly.

These days you have options that weren't available in those earlier times. In fact, it's not even just the game, but the halftime show and even the commercials, which sometimes become the real star of the game.

The network plans to carry it via its CBS Sports app, which has been rolling out on many different platforms. There's a dedicated Windows 8 and 10 app, but if you're on an older version of Windows (or you're on a Mac) then you aren't out of luck, as you can head to CBSSports.com and watch it there.

The apps from the network are also available for many other platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire tablets and Android devices.

But what about the commercials? Amazon will be airing its first Super Bowl ad, featuring Alec Baldwin, Dan Marino and Missy Elliot. You can watch that now on the retailer's YouTube channel. In addition, the company informs us it is "releasing a behind-the-scenes blooper reel from the making of the teasers and commercial, which will be live on Amazon and YouTube at 9AM PST on February 8th". There's even "Missy's Party Popping Playlist" available through Prime Music.

You can also catch all of the ads on YouTube, including ones from past games. If you visit AdBlitz then you can even vote for your favorite. In fact, many of the ones you will see later are already available there.

Image Credit: Mark Herreid / Shutterstock

Firefox OS is leaving handsets but moving on to IoT

Publié: février 6, 2016, 12:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

home automation

Have we heard enough about the Internet of Things yet, or is it only just the tip of the iceberg? There are more players in this game all the time, and the latest is Mozilla. Yes, the folks who produce the Firefox web browser, among other things.

The move isn't entirely new, the organization alluded to moving its operating system here already. To date Mozilla has been testing products to bring into the fold, and it is moving forward with its plans.

According to the organization "As of today, we have a good set of projects that have passed the first gate, including more SmartTV work (building on the success of our work with Panasonic in this space) and new opportunities such as FoxLink (a personal Web of Things) and Vaani. We’re working to open up this innovation process to non-staff participation soon".

Vanni is an Echo-like AI device that Mozilla has big plans for, as you can see in the video below. It can answer your questions and control home automation.

The Boot to Gecko platform will also continue moving forward and remain open source to allow developers to work with it and come up with innovative ideas.

It remains to be seen how much traction this gets, but it seems that Mozilla is off to a solid start.

Photo Credit: bergserg/ Shutterstock

Just in time for the big game, No Huddle brings your NFL news to TuneIn Radio

Publié: février 5, 2016, 9:52am CET par Alan Buckingham

tunein-no-huddle

Sunday is it. The big day will be here as the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers. Peyton Manning squares off against the up and coming Cam Newton in a showdown for the coveted Lombardi Trophy, first hoisted into the air by the Green Bay Packers back in 1967, three years before the legendary namesake passed away.

Fast-forward 40-plus years and we've arrived at that day again, though this time the game will be held in a more temperate climate, as that is now the way the league wants it to be. No more frozen tundra, but weather more suitable to fans and media.

This season TuneIn Radio made broadcasts of games available for the first time. It required a subscription, but it was much cheaper than NFL Sunday Ticket. Now it's adding its own NFL news with a program called No Huddle.

The show was unveiled this week as part of the big Super Bowl celebration, which includes a show at the Moscone Center.

"The show is available to all TuneIn users via NFL on TuneIn, a 24/7 NFL channel that also features audio from select NFL Media programming, including popular NFL Network shows such as NFL Total Access, Around the NFL, and NFL HQ", the service announces.

The show can be heard Monday through Friday 4pm-7pm on TuneIn's dedicated NFL channel.

The first driverless cars may soon be unleashed on the roads of the Isle of Man

Publié: février 3, 2016, 6:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google Car

You perhaps have not heard of the tiny island nestled between England and Ireland, but the Isle of Man has a long and rich history, including its now dying language of Manx. Its most prominent export these days is cyclist Mark Cavendish, a multi-stage winning sprinter in the Tour de France.

Now you just may be hearing much more about it as the island lobbies to be the test bed for driverless cars, a product that Google has made famous, but that many more manufacturers are attempting to produce as the future seems to dictate it.

If the transportation minister has his way then the tiny island will become a testing ground for new vehicles. It's a small area (572 square kilometers) and sparsely populated which makes it an ideal place for this type of thing.

"We like to be innovative on the island", Phil Gawne, transportation minister, told the Sydney Morning Herald. "We like also to be independent. This helps both those areas in terms of our international image and reputation".

This isn't entirely selfless. Isle of Man is its own nation and it's tiny, so bringing in these types of products and having big companies pay for them is a winning situation, especially if it can enhance an infrastructure that stumbles because of the slim population and revenue.

While horse-drawn carriages are still popular, The Washington Post reports "Its reliance on tourism dictates keeping the horse carriage in business. Driverless cars probably would draw visitors, too, and the government’s ability to move quickly given its small size could make it an appealing destination for companies developing such vehicles".

While Jaguar would like autonomous cars to react more like humans, I think we can all safely say that's probably a bad idea and if you've been on the roads then you know why.

This isn't yet set in stone, but the tiny independent nation is working hard to make it a reality. It would be good for its economy and good for manufacturers looking to test the latest technology.

Photo Credit: Elias Gayles

Amazon Kindle gets an update, brings improved home screen and more

Publié: février 3, 2016, 3:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

kindle-reader-front

When it comes to reading books, things have changed quite a bit since school days, well, depending on your age. Now many people read books on electronic devices and, while tablets are fine, the Amazon Kindle leads the way.

Amazon is planning to roll out a big update to its handheld devices. You're likely wondering, correctly so, "how much can a book be improved?". Well, there are enhancements, but don't expect your trusty Kindle to change massively.

It starts with the home screen, which will now display your most recent reads, samples you have downloaded, book recommendations and your Amazon Wish List. The last is another of the retailer's less-than-subtle pushes for customers to spend money.

Also being added is an enhancement to settings that allows users to find their most frequent choices like airplane mode and device sync. There's book recommendations that utilize what you've already read to help you decide what should be next on your list. And, lastly, there is a new sharing feature that allows you to send books and quotes to friends via either Facebook or Twitter.

Amazon describes that "In the next few weeks your Kindle e-reader will receive a free, over-the-air software update, designed with you in mind. We know that readers are always looking for ways to discover their next favorite book, and this update provides new ways to help you do just that. While this update will happen automatically, it won't affect your library or the e-books on your device".

The Internet of Things expected to roll out to law enforcement increasingly through 2025

Publié: février 2, 2016, 2:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Two London Police officers riding their BMW pursuit bikes/motorcycles

The Internet of Things (IoT) seems to be everywhere these days, proliferating our lives with more gadgets than anyone can possibly need. Just yesterday we saw smart refrigerators and washing machines announced by Samsung.

But what do all of these devices mean for law enforcement? No, the police won't be checking the food supply in the station's fridge, but getting technology that will better aid them while on the move.

According to Irish firm Research and Markets, "Budgetary pressures and the demand for increased operational efficiencies are driving law enforcement agencies to invest in technologies that allow greater access to information and data on the move".

The move began in 2014 and is expected to continue to trend upwards through 2025. It will include an increasing amount of connectivity with command, sharing voice, video, and text data.

This obviously means a growing number of officers with connected devices. The analysts point out "the average number of devices per law enforcement vehicle, and the number of IP-enabled video surveillance cameras, will increase".

This is also expected to lead to new solutions for IP-based communications, better inventory management solutions and cloud-based management of data. Not surprisingly it also means a need for better cybersecurity.

All of this should help agencies to better track down the bad guys and fight crime. Will it lead to safer streets? That question remains to be answered.

Photo Credit: Dutourdumonde Photography/Shutterstock

Samsung unveils 'smart living' products at its Southeast Asia Forum 2016

Publié: février 1, 2016, 5:50pm CET par Alan Buckingham

SEAForum_GearS2_Main706

Samsung has been in the Internet of Things market for some time now, with smart devices and a line of automation products aptly named SmartThings. Now the company is unveiling the latest in its line during a show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The event, known as "Samsung Southeast Asia Forum 2016", was used to unveil all sorts of products for the new year, including TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, even new watch faces for the Gear S2.

The hardware maker unveiled its 2016 SUHD TV with a curved screen which Samsung claims is designed to work well in all different light conditions. This is a smart TV running the Samsung Tizen operating system and is designed to allow customers "to discover and access all their favorite content and services, from TV and movies to games and program information, all in one place with the New Smart Hub, Smart Control remote and Smart View mobile application".

Also unveiled is a new smart Blu-ray player, the UBD-K8500, which Samsung claims will offer four times the resolution and 64 times detailed color display of other Blu-ray players.

There's also the Samsung AddWash washing machine and the Family Hub refrigerator, which can apparently provide all sorts of information including to-do lists and even entertainment.

Finally, there's two new watchfaces for the Gear S2 smartwatch. They are classified as "rose gold" and "platinum", but they really boil down to shades of blue and pink.

The show runs from now through February 3rd so there may still be other items on the way.

Adobe pushes out betas for version 21 of Flash and Air

Publié: janvier 30, 2016, 4:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Lots of things are said about Flash, and most of them aren't good. The Adobe app has proven to be a security nightmare and constant updates do little to alleviate the problems. Now a new version is on its way and hoping to fix things.

New versions of Flash 21 and Air 21 are in the works, currently these products are codenamed "Sutter". Don't expect any major changes, the company points out it's just incremental advances.

"This beta release includes new features as well as enhancements and bug fixes related to security, stability, performance, and device compatibility for Flash Player 21 and AIR 21", the software maker announces.

Both are being released by Adobe Labs, meaning they are a bit experimental, so you may experience some issues in using them. Likely you won't but that caveat needs to be pointed out, as it does with all beta software.

You can grab the updates from the following links:

Download Adobe AIR 21 beta

Download Flash Player 21 beta

Adobe concludes that "As always, we appreciate all feedback. We encourage you to post in our beta forums or create bug reports or feature requests on our public bug database".

'Alexa, turn on kitchen lights': Setting up Cree bulbs with Amazon Echo and Wink hub

Publié: janvier 30, 2016, 12:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

cree bulbs

"Alexa, turn on the lights". This is a phrase echoed, apparently, by more people than I thought. Amazon's Echo is taking hold and seems especially popular with those interested in the home automation side of technology. Voice control can be both good and bad, though. It's great when it works, but embarrassing and frustrating when it doesn't.

Let's start with the bad, though really it's just the amusing. My Amazon Echo is in my living room, as is the TV. Words emitting from my surround sound system can sometimes have hilarious results -- music suddenly beginning to play, Alexa telling me she doesn't understand the question, and if an ad for Echo comes on then things go nuts.

With all of that said, the device is very good. It makes a great speaker -- it plays music while I work, it gives me sports and weather updates as well.

But one area Amazon really seems to want to move into is home automation -- the smart home, the Internet of Things, whatever you wish to call it. Companies are increasingly coming on board to work with Alexa and allow voice control of all sorts of products. All it takes is a hub and several are already operational with it.

A while back I wrote about setting up the Wink hub with Echo and then using it to control my living room lights which I outfitted with GE Link bulbs. Now I am once again using the Wink hub but this time to control Cree bulbs in my kitchen. The process is pretty much the same, but we'll walk through it once more, as both apps have updated since the last time, so a bit is different.

So here are the steps. It's fairly simple, but not necessarily intuitive.

1: Install the bulbs and connect hub.

2: Install the Wink app on your phone or tablet -- Android or iPhone (sorry Windows Phone)

3: Open the app and click menu at the top left.

4: You need to let the app discover and add the lights and also name them -- naming is important. The app will walk you through the steps. Be sure the lights are turned off when you start.

5: Create a group and add the lights to it, then give the group a name.

6: Test this by turning off one bulb at a time and also the entire group at once. Just tap each bulb and then switch to the group view and tap its name ("Kitchen" in this case).

7: Open the Alexa app on your device.

8: Click Menu > Settings > Connected Home.

9: Click "Discover new products". The app should find your bulbs in 15-20 seconds (the Wink app can take much longer).

10: Click "Create group", name it and check the boxes next to your bulbs then save it.

11: Now test Alexa -- "Alexa, turn on/off kitchen".

Things should be all up and running for you now. If you have a problem then verify the steps. At worst you can always call Wink or Amazon, both have excellent customer service.

Xbox beta app for Windows 10 gets a fresh set of features

Publié: janvier 28, 2016, 5:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Avator-Store_Console_Xbox-app

Microsoft has been trying to beef up its store for Windows 10, and especially trying to integrate its new operating system across multiple devices from computers to phones to its gaming console.

Now the company is trying to enhance that even more with a new update to its Xbox beta app for Windows 10. This is intended to add features that users were looking for and it is asking for feedback on what the customers think and what they still would like to see added.

New additions include an Avatar store, which was already built into the Xbox but can now be accessed from PCs and phones. You can beef up your avatar with all sorts of items which Microsoft claims consists of the "entire catalog of new and oldie-but-goodie items, including free items".

There's also news items being added, including game releases and updates. There's an update to trending apps, giving more access points. There's improvements to suggested friends which Microsoft says "if you click 'see all' or double tap on the shortlist of friend suggestions in any scenario, you will be pointed to a full-screen view of all suggested friends". There's also an improved activity feed and a compact mode has been added as well.

All of this is rolling out now, but it's one of those things where users will receive it on a gradual basis, so you'll have to keep an eye out.

Wendy's investigating a possible credit card breach

Publié: janvier 28, 2016, 2:22am CET par Alan Buckingham

creditcardthief

There have numerous instances of credit card breaches recently, with many popular companies affected by the problems. News of one more seems to be expected these days, and now it is beginning to break that a fast food chain may be the latest in this growing line.

Before you panic, this is only being investigated at the moment, so everything may be fine. So far all that's known is that several banks reported a pattern of fraud charges and the common link was that each had been used at a Wendy's location.

The company has hired a security firm to investigate this behavior. Spokesperson Bob Bertini told security researcher Brian Krebs "We have received this month from our payment industry contacts reports of unusual activity involving payment cards at some of our restaurant locations. Reports indicate that fraudulent charges may have occurred elsewhere after the cards were legitimately used at some of our restaurants. We’ve hired a cybersecurity firm and launched a comprehensive and active investigation that’s underway to try to determine the facts".

At the moment very little is known. The company is unsure how many stores or cards were affected and also not even sure if the threat has yet been contained.

All customers can really do for now is hope and continue to monitor the charges on their accounts for any unusual activity. It seems 2016 is picking up where 2015 left off.

Photo Credit: dedMazay / Shutterstock

Microsoft and Box expand integration for Office platforms

Publié: janvier 27, 2016, 9:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Office 365

Cloud storage is everywhere these days, with many big players in the game. Despite that Microsoft runs its own service, OneDrive, which fully integrates with Office, that doesn't mean the company isn't open to allowing its customers to use a service of their choosing.

One of those options is Box, which has worked with Office for some time, but now the two pals are getting a bit closer by expanding the integration.

This update includes co-authoring being made available online. That means real-time edits to content which is stored in Box. This can be done with Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Box integration with iOS is also going live. Customers were previously able to view documents in the Box app on the mobile platform, but now will also have the option to edit them. Users can also now create and save documents using Box.

Finally, there is Box integration with Outlook.com, which means users will be able to attach files in Box to an email and send via the Microsoft service. That means no more saving a file to the desktop in order to accomplish this task.

"We designed the Cloud Storage Partner Program to make it easier for people, including Box customers, to work with Office documents no matter where they’re stored", says Kirk Koenigsbauer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Office. "Today we are making major enhancements to better enable our joint customers to work and collaborate fully in the cloud from any device".

Box points out that "Box for Office Online with real-time co-authoring and the Box integration with Office for iOS are available starting today to Box business customers with an Office 365 license and to all Box personal users. The Box integration with Outlook.com will be available to Box personal users in the coming weeks".

Torch browser finally ends support for Windows XP and Vista

Publié: janvier 27, 2016, 6:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

shutterstock_136658555

Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows XP on April 14th 2009 and extended support came to a halt on April 8th 2014. Windows Vista faced a similar fate, only the dates were different -- April 10th 2012 for mainstream support, while extended support has an end date set for April 11th 2017.

Most products have ended support already, though many continue to work on both operating systems. Now one program is calling it quits on the antiquated Microsoft platforms.

The Torch web browser, which is based on Google's Chrome platform, contains many useful options not included in its parent's version. Now it's abandoning updates for both XP and Vista.

"As of April 2016 we will no longer be providing updates for Torch Browser on the operating systems XP and Vista. We fully recommend upgrading your computer to a newer operating system, so that we can provide you with the best and most secure experience possible".

Obviously the browser maker plans to continue support for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, as well as working with the latest OS from the software giant -- Windows 10.

This does not mean that Torch will cease working on the older operating systems, but it does mean that it could become insecure without the benefit of updates and patches.

Image Credit: Kjetil Kolbjornsrud / Shutterstock

DriveSavers offers data recovery for victims of east coast blizzard

Publié: janvier 27, 2016, 5:32am CET par Alan Buckingham

broken hard drive

If you live somewhere between the Carolinas and New York then you likely had an interesting weekend. One of the biggest snow storms in recorded weather history swept up the coast paralyzing numerous states in its wake.

For most areas the problems simply consisted of massive snow removal, though certain areas along the coast dealt with flooding thanks to a storm surge and full moon and others had power outages. While on the whole it wasn't as bad as it could have been, there were still losses.

Some of those, especially what was involved in floods, could be bad. For a computer caught in this crossfire data recovery could be difficult. DriveSavers, one of the most popular solutions for those in desperate need, has announced aid for affected people.

"As residents along the East Coast begin to assess damage caused by the blizzard, DriveSavers would like to offer assistance by helping those affected recover lost data from damaged computer storage and mobile devices", says DriveSavers President Scott Moyer. "Whether personal or corporate, we have over 30 years of experience in securely retrieving photos, financial records, videos, tax documents, contact lists and other critical information stored on hard drives that have been damaged or destroyed due to treacherous weather conditions".

The special offer runs through February 29th and gives victims $300 off of the service. This includes standard drives, RAIDs and even smartphones -- anything damaged by water, impact or power surges. For more information visit here.

Image Credit: NatUlrich / Shutterstock

Where's my phone? A couple in Atlanta don't have it

Publié: janvier 26, 2016, 4:55pm CET par Alan Buckingham

pickpocket phone stolen steal purse woman

Smartphones are a hot commodity, meaning thieves want them, but they are also relatively small and easily lost or forgotten. There's an app for that. Well, several apps in fact. Creating ways to find misplaced or stolen phones has become a cottage industry, but these products have limitations.

Locating a device isn't an exact science. It's more just narrowing down an area and then making it a guessing game through triangulation via cell towers -- although using GPS works rather better.

This imprecise nature has caused major problems for one couple, Christina Lee and Michael Saba, of Atlanta, Georgia. They regularly have visitors knock on their door asking for the return of a handset. They don't have it, an answer that causes the conversation to go downhill quickly and has also lead to one police search of their home.

"My biggest fear is that someone dangerous or violent is going to visit our house because of this. If or when that happens, I doubt our polite explanations are gonna go very far", Saba told Fusion in an email.

Security firm Sophos points out that "That’s right -- find-my-phone features can provide the approximate location, but some quirks in how they use geolocation can make them inaccurate enough to cause some confusing and unfortunate incidents".

The couple is not the first to have this problem. Wayne Dobson of Las Vegas, Nevada also ran afoul of these errors in precision and police in Sherwood, Nottingham, England broke down a door in pursuit of a device that wasn't actually there.

For their part, Lee and Saba have filed complaints with the FCC and their senator. No real solution to the problem looms on the horizon, however. For now, "good enough" is the best you're going to get.

Photo Credit: RioPatuca/Shutterstock

Roku enhances its search, adding many more channels

Publié: janvier 26, 2016, 12:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

roku-3

Roku is always adding new channels, the store is jam-packed now. You can even watch the upcoming Super Bowl using the new CBS Sports app the device recently added. All of these options leave it more difficult for users to find the content they want.

Now the set-top box maker is trying to fix that problem, at least to some degree. To ease the pain Roku is expanding its search capability to encompass more channels.

"Today, we’re happy to share that Roku Search is even better and now searches across 25+ top streaming channels. These channels include Acorn TV, Amazon Video, CBS All access CinemaNow, Crackle, Encore Play, FOX NOW, Freeform (formerly Watch ABC Family), FX NOW, Google Play, HBO GO, Hulu, Met Opera on Demand, M-GO, NAT GEO TV, Netflix, Popcornflix, Snagfilms, Starz Play, Time Warner Cable, Tubi TV, VUDU, Watch ABC, Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney Jr. and Watch Disney XD".

You can access search from the home screen, or if you have a Roku 3 or Roku 4, simply press the voice search button on the remote. If you are typing your query then predictive results will begin to populate as you enter each letter. Once you've picked a show you will get a choice of seasons to pick from. The option is available now.

EFF files in the Federal Appeals Court against tracking phone activity

Publié: janvier 26, 2016, 1:12am CET par Alan Buckingham

stop police

We've heard endless talk about our phones being tracked by the government and law enforcement, all done without a warrant. In other words, it's a massive gathering of data "just in case it's needed". That's a very broad swath, and likely most of it is never used for any reason, though there may be scans for certain keywords -- bomb, would be a good example.

The rules for this data gathering have been challenged in court and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is at the forefront of this battle.

Today the organization announces it has filed an Amicus Brief with the federal appeals court in Chicago. This is a joint filing with the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Wisconsin. At stake is data that shows where phones are at any given time and generates a big picture of a person's movements and interactions. The EFF points out that this "data can reveal intensely personal information like when we see the doctor, attend a political meeting, or visit friends. Americans have the right to expect that this information remain private and beyond the reach of law enforcement officers unless they first obtain a search warrant".

This latest filing stems from a case known as US v Patrick, in which law enforcement used a phone to track a felon. The alleged perpetrator was located and arrested in possession of a weapon. The details of the tracking are not clear, it could have been done through the provider or using a device known as a Stingray, which tricks a phone into connecting to it.

"This is the first time this federal appeals court, whose rulings affect Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, is considering whether citizens have an expectation of privacy in real-time cell phone location records", says EFF Senior Staff Attorney Jennifer Lynch. "This case comes as we are seeing a groundswell of recognition that this information is private. Legislatures in the three states covered by the Seventh Circuit have all now prohibited warrantless real-time cell phone. California and at least eight other states also require warrants for real-time tracking".

While nobody is asking law enforcement to not do its job and get dangerous people off of the streets, many would like to see a warrant required for doing so. If evidence exists to suspect someone then such a document should not be hard to obtain. Let's just stop collecting data about when grandpa visited the doctor.

Photo credit: Tashatuvango/Shutterstock

Alexa goes to the movies, Amazon Echo adds its latest update

Publié: janvier 25, 2016, 7:33am CET par Alan Buckingham

popcorn

Amazon released its Echo device in 2014, bringing a whole new dimension to what people can do with voice control in their homes. Since then the company has been steadily adding features. Not only can it give you sports updates, play music and tell you the weather and news, but it can also control home automation and has an increasing list of skills (small add-ons).

If you are into watching movies both at home and in theaters then this update will make you happy, as it brings several new features a lover of the motion pictures will certainly want to utilize.

"Alexa can now tell you movie showtimes at theaters near you. Let Alexa help you plan your weekend, with information about films currently in theaters".

Amazon provides a sample list of questions to get you started on learning what it can do.

Alexa, when is Star Wars: The Force Awakens playing?

Alexa, tell me about the movie The Revenant

Alexa, what movies are playing

Alexa, what action movies are playing Saturday night?

All of this is available now. It comes only a week after Amazon enabled the playing of Kindle books, allowing for it to pick up where you left off on the Kindle and resume back on the Kindle at the new spot. For that, I'm afraid you do have to endure Alexa's voice reading it.

Image Credit: ktsdesign / Shutterstock

The FBI peddles child porn to catch predators at the cost of the kids

Publié: janvier 24, 2016, 9:33am CET par Alan Buckingham

porn_search

As a parent you worry excessively about your children. Are you raising them right? Do they understand the concepts of what is good and bad? And of course you want nothing evil to befall them. Criminals and predators are a constant worry, the latter being particularly scary. If something bad happens you wish to fix it as quickly as possible, though the trauma to the child may linger.

But what if the government ran a child porn site? There's the problem and it's one with multiple answers. There's the obvious knee-jerk reaction of entrapment, though those being captured deserve little sympathy. It's akin to the TV show To Catch a Predator which did little real good, but garnered ratings because it sensationalized the people involved.

Well, the FBI did exactly that. After capturing a child porn site known as Playpen, instead of following logic and immediately taking the site down, the bureau kept it online for almost two weeks, using it to track those who visited. While this may lead to some arrests it also has much darker implications.

The children featured in the images and videos remained online, free to download and be posted elsewhere, to a certain degree perpetuating the exact problem the government was aiming to fight back against.

What was the purpose of all of this and why was it sanctioned by those charged with protecting the kids? Even my 16 year old son had sense enough to say "that sounds like a bad idea".

The Telegraph points out "The ruse meant 23,000 sexually explicit images and videos -- including one of a prepubescent girl having sex with adults -- could be accessed and copied in the 13 days when it was effectively a government-run site".

The FBI's Ron Hosko tries to explain the plan to USA Today by stating "We had a window of opportunity to get into one of the darkest places on Earth, and not a lot of other options except to not do it. There was no other way we could identify as many players".

As Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr points out too, "While doing so would end the trafficking of child pornography taking place on that one website, it would do nothing to prevent those same users from disseminating child pornography through other means". Yes, just as leaving it online would do nothing to prevent the spread.

Catching real predators should be a priority, but here it was done at the expense of children, some as young as kindergarten age. The agency needs to step back and ask if this was really worth it for the perpetrators it managed to capture. There is no excuse for this site not being immediately wiped out.

Photo credit: Pavel Ignatov / Shutterstock

Live365 is set to call it quits very soon

Publié: janvier 23, 2016, 8:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

girl-music

Streaming services come and go, and some remain popular or even grow over time. Giving the users the ability to create and manage stations is a great idea, allowing anyone to become the radio DJ, perhaps a fantasy of many people, is an even bigger ambition.

The greatest option for this has been Live365, a service started back in 1999, in the early days of streaming. It brought the world of online radio to the masses and made it easy to create your own station.

However, last month we heard the service was planning to shut down. "These stations are the hard work of real human beings who use Live365 to share their vision with the world", Dean Kattari, the director of broadcasting for Live365, said in a statement. "It's a home for musical discovery because many of these stations play emerging artists that terrestrial stations are reluctant to take a chance on. It would be a great loss for this to all go away".

The problem is that late last year Copyright Royalty Board raised rates for net broadcasters and the special lower rates for smaller broadcasters were eliminated. The decison affects the segment of people Live365 caters to.

Now we know a bit more, as an email has been sent out to members of the service:

We are sad that we are closing our doors at the end of this month. There are always possibilities that we can come back in one form or another, but at this point in time, January 31, 2016 is the last day that Live365’s streaming servers and website will be maintained and supported

Let us all hope that the service can come back. This is exactly the sort of thing that the internet is built on and it leads to creativity and more innovation.

Image Credit: Serhiy Kobyakov / Shutterstock

A major snowstorm is heading up the US east coast, what should you do?

Publié: janvier 22, 2016, 11:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

snow

Unless you are living under a rock then you likely know that there is a major winter storm moving up the US eastern seaboard. There are the usual dire predictions of doom and gloom, though we've heard those before, only to have them not turn out quite true.

The worst case scenario is fairly bad, with blizzard warnings posted across several states and dire claims of possible power outages. So what do you plan to do if you live in the path of this possible super storm?

There are the obvious safety issues -- food and water are the big ones. Food is an interesting thing, as people tend to race for bread and milk and those are certainly necessities, but they also don't last long. Perhaps canned goods and pastas may be a better idea? Then again, let's face it, you aren't going to be inside for a month anyway.

Aside from the obvious necessities of food and water there are batteries. By all means check your flashlights to make sure they are operational and perhaps have backups around.

Now we get to the electronics that have become such a big part of our lives in this era. The important things to know are that you need your electronics fully charged -- tablets and phones alike. If you have backup batteries then make sure those are also charged.

So far today I have fully charged one phone, four tablets, two backup batteries (Hyperjuice and Gorilla Gadgets) and a Kindle -- with no internet or TV, books are a bigger necessity than usual. Though, you should always read. I also purchased an additional Kindle book in case I finish the one I'm on.

There are other items, though it's a bit late to purchase them. For instance, I have a Smartcharge bulb which will still be operational during a power outage.

What devices are you using to prepare for the big event?

You won't believe how many subscribers iHeartRadio has

Publié: janvier 22, 2016, 3:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

mozilla-firefox-iheartradio

iHeartRadio, a leading provider of streaming music, has numerous stations customers can listen to either on the web or through mobile apps. It's a popular service in a crowded streaming market. In fact, it even sponsors a major music festival each year in Las Vegas, the most recent taking place back in September.

What sort of follower-base does putting on a show with big name artists take? Obviously there's a lot behind it, aside from followers -- contracts with artists and radio stations, for example.

The number of subscribers is pretty big, and it's continuing to grow. The service is announcing that it now has 80 million users, which is quite a base.

"In just five years, we’ve seen continued powerful growth in our registered user base -- a testament to the power of radio and listening," says Darren Davis, President of iHeartRadio. "Our listeners have many new ways to enjoy our stations and programming, and we want to continue to deepen their listening experience and ensure we’re available everywhere they expect us to be".

This continues a big year for the service, which used the Consumer Electronics Show to announce integration with seven more products, including Apple TV, Firefox OS, Alpine and more.

Angler exploit kit celebates the new year by adding CryptoWall 4.0

Publié: janvier 22, 2016, 12:57am CET par Alan Buckingham

ransomware_keyboard_button_dollar

We're only a couple of weeks into a brand new year, and the outlook for security isn't looking particularly better. That doesn't mean you'll be hacked or malware will run wild on your computer, but it does mean you'll still need to be vigilant.

Now the popular Angler exploit kit has a brand new threat contained within it and this one could be especially scary. CryptoWall aims to lock up your files and hold them for ransom, an attack method that has been around now for sometime.

According to researchers at Sophos, "Version 4 is very similar to earlier versions, inasmuch as it scrambles all your files using a cryptographic key that is known only to the crooks, whereupon the malware offers to sell you the key for a few hundred dollars".

Version 4.0 of the software does a bit more than just scramble your data, it also scrambles the file names so it will be readily noticeable as opposed to waiting patiently for you to try and open one of them.

At the moment there is no remedy for this (aside from paying), but there are numerous precautions you can take -- keep your system updated with the latest patches, get rid of unused browser plugins, use a good anti-virus and most importantly, backup your files. In general, just be overly cautious.

Photo credit: Ton Snoei / Shutterstock

Stream the Super Bowl live on your Roku device

Publié: janvier 21, 2016, 4:15am CET par Alan Buckingham

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The big game isn't far off, though we don't yet know which two teams will square off. The field is, however, narrowed down to four contenders. Will the Broncos or Patriots win? Can the Cardinals triumph in Carolina? Those questions will be answered soon and subsequently followed by two weeks of hype.

If you've disconnected your cable or satellite service and are wondering how you will catch the big game then Roku has a solution for you.

The set-top box maker now has CBS Sports in its Channel Store and the app will be streaming the big game live to everyone, no subscription required.

"The free CBS Sports channel (no login or authentication required) will give you full access to Super Bowl 50 on February 7, including the Halftime show featuring Coldplay and Beyonce, and of course, the commercials", Roku claims.

There's more than just that, though. CBS Sports plans a week of festivities leading up to the game. This will include highlights from past Super Bowls as well as other extras and breaking news.

Amazon Echo now works with Vivint home security and automation

Publié: janvier 20, 2016, 10:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Of the countless product announcements that filled the Consumer Electronics Show it was easy to miss many things. One announcement came from Vivint, which produces home security and automation products. The company unveiled that it planned to work with Amazon Echo to allow customers to control its products by voice.

It hasn't taken long as the integration becomes available now. Products include smart door locks, an automated thermostat, cameras, smoke detectors, a tocuhscreen control panel and a doorbell camera. You'll need to get an estimate on installation, but that part is free when they put the system in. It also has 24/7 monitoring, just as any alarm system should have.

Amazon's Echo, or Alexa as it's more commonly called, is now announcing that "Echo now works with the Vivint Home Security System and the new third-party Vivint Smart Home Alexa skill, allowing you to control a wide range of devices in your home".

You can find out more by visiting the company website. For a full list of Alexa's growing number of home automation tricks check here.

Earbits music service had a data breach, but there should be no need for concern

Publié: janvier 20, 2016, 4:05pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Data breach wall writing man

Earbits, which came close to shutting down before being backed by You 42, is a popular platform for finding new artists. It's available, not only on the web, but also for Android, iOS and Chrome. The service was founded in 2010 by Joey Flores with the goal of promoting the artists and doing so without ads or premium plans.

The problem with any online service is security and there are many examples of those who got that part wrong. Often times these sites were poorly protected and user data has been stolen -- names, emails, even credit card numbers.

Fortunately that is not the case in the latest incident. Earbits detected a breach in its system and claims while this did expose usernames and passwords, the latter were encrypted.

In a statement Flores informs "we have confirmed that no data was accessed during the period of vulnerability, including no music files or other media was taken, and all password information was encrypted and not accessed. Because we do not store credit card or any other sensitive information, and all passwords are encrypted, we do not believe any action is necessary by our users. However, if it would make you feel more comfortable, you can change your password at Earbits.com".

It's worth following the advice and changing your password, even if there truly is no problem. In fact, periodic changing of passwords is also a good idea.

Photo Credit: elwynn/Shutterstock

Your appliances and devices can now spend your money, as Amazon expands Dash Replenishment

Publié: janvier 19, 2016, 8:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Home automation 1

The Internet of Things is all around us, and expanding daily. Our devices and appliances are increasingly connected, which can be both a good and a bad thing. Want to turn on the lights before you get home? You can do that. Forget to lock the door when you left? Do it from the store.

That all sounds great, and truthfully it is. However, there are problems, mostly surrounding security concerns that have plagued some products.

Another possible issue could be your device purchasing items for you. Amazon is announcing the expansion of its Dash Replenishment program, adding new products that can be set to renew whenever needed. An example Amazon gives is "a Brother printer that will order toner or ink when it’s needed".

New products added now include the Whirlpool smart dishwasher. It will automatically order replacement soap whenever it's needed.

"With Amazon Dash Replenishment, we want to make customers’ lives even easier so they won’t run out of items like laundry detergent, pet food or printer ink again -- customers simply activate Dash Replenishment when they are setting up their connected device and then rely on Amazon to automatically deliver those everyday essentials", says Daniel Rausch, Director, Amazon Devices. "It's exciting to make Dash Replenishment a reality -- customers can start taking advantage of the service today and we will continue to launch and add new devices to the program this year".

The good news in all of that is it's up to the user to set things up, so this isn't automatic. If you don't mind your devices spending your money for you then it's fine, but as my colleague Wayne Williams pointed out, he can eek out a printer cartridge way past when the printer thinks it needs a new one.

Image Credit: Black Jack / Shutterstock

France joins the Netherlands in saying no to cryptographic backdoors

Publié: janvier 18, 2016, 7:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Secure communications exist for many reasons, including free speech from behind the borders of certain nations, to business secrets being discussed. These days it's under attack from several sectors, including law enforcement agencies investigating crimes and those who claim to need info for catching terrorists -- something we've recently found can be futile in some cases.

Just the other day we heard that the state of New York is looking to legislate backdoors into mobile devices, a law that seems unlikely to pass, given the amount of opposition and evidence against it being effective to anyone but the hackers, who are likely to be quick to find these openings.

For its part, the Netherlands has already stood up against allowing this. The country is not alone now as France is saying "non" to these tactics. In fact, in a staunch answer to this perceived controversy, France described the idea as "vulnerability by design". Stating further "While the intention is commendable, it opens the door to actors whose intentions are less than commendable". France's Digital Minister stated simply "In the government’s view, this is not a good solution".

Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo, Facebook and, most notably Apple have all spoken out against such a plan, with Tim Cook being especially vocal.

These calls by government agencies and law enforcement will continue, this battle is far from being over, but minor victories, as France has provided, are greatly appreciated.

Photo credit: Maksim Kabakou / Shutterstock

What's on your wrist? Wearable market expected to continue its surge

Publié: janvier 18, 2016, 4:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Apple Watch, Android Wear, Google Glass, the list of wearable technology continues to grow longer. New products were unveiled just recently at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. We saw items like the watch from Casio, which may appeal to this year's buyers.

The trend is expected to continue, at least according to a new report from Irish firm Research and Markets. How big will this growth be?

According to the numbers, 2014 saw sales of 25.3 million devices, while in 2015 these shot up to 72.5 million. The analysts project this to continue, reaching 228.3 million in the year 2020. The firm also expects Bluetooth to remain the primary means of connectivity, although it claims cellular will have a large place in the future market.

The entry by Apple into this market caused a large response from rivals rushing to add new products to the lineups. This has even reached the more traditional manufacturers like Fossil and TAG Heuer.

As of today, fitness trackers still have the lion's share of the market, accounting for 51 million of 2015's sales. "Market pioneers such as Fitbit, Jawbone and Garmin have in the past years been joined by an abundance of companies including major players from the smartphone industry. Xiaomi has been particularly successful with its affordable trackers and the company is the only fitness tracker vendor which can compete with Fitbit in terms of sales volumes", says Johan Svanberg.

That category may increasingly suffer as a growing number of smartwatches offer the same functionality. However the dedicated devices are still expected to rise slightly in marketshare.

Will 2016 be the year you purchase wearable technology, or have you already? Or perhaps you just have no interest at all? It certainly isn't for everyone.

Watch the final Democratic debate live on YouTube

Publié: janvier 18, 2016, 3:25am CET par Alan Buckingham

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It's that time of the year. Campaign season, like the holiday shopping season, seems to begin earlier all the time. It's fascinating in some inexplicable way, but then again people slow down to look at car wrecks also. Regardless of who you are throwing your vote behind, it's good to watch the seemingly endless debates to get a feel for each candidate in the presidential election. And with Iowa right around the corner it's crunch time.

Tonight is the final Democratic debate and, unlike the plethora of folks on stage in the Republican contests, there are only three to focus on. We won't go into the good and bad of any of them, that's personal opinion and you should make up your own mind.

The good news here is that you can watch it right on your computer, via YouTube. "Not only will this be the first debate live streamed on a social media platform this election cycle, but you can expect to see some of your favorite YouTube creators involved", the service says.

The contest kicks off at 9pm ET on NBC, but the network also has a YouTube channel that will allow users to catch the action. Regardless of your allegiance or party affiliation, enjoy this tonight.

Image Credit: Andrea Izzotti / Shutterstock

The NFL playoffs continue and you can watch games on Roku

Publié: janvier 17, 2016, 5:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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The NFL playoff games continue this weekend with some big contests including some of the hot teams. Those games require viewers to have cable or satellite TV, or do they? If you have a Roku device then there is a work-around to watch at least a couple of games.

Who will win it all? You'll need to watch the games to find out. Roku's CBS Sports Channel will bring them to you. Obviously this only brings you the AFC games, but that's at least half of the weekend. Today you can catch the Steelers and Broncos at 4:40 ET.

"Football fans around the country know that this weekend is widely regarded as the best weekend of the year -- the NFL Divisional Playoffs. Whether or not your team is still in the hunt, you don’t want to miss these games. And yes, you can stream this weekend’s NFL Playoff games (AFC only) on your Roku players and Roku TVs -- for free".

No matter who your team is this is always an exciting time of the year. In a week we will know the contenders in the big game, will your team be there?

New York is trying to force backdoors into phones with legislation

Publié: janvier 16, 2016, 5:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Mobile data spy

Cryptography has become popular in the post-Edward Snowden era. Everyone seems to be worried about being spied upon and is looking for ways to avoid it. While the majority of users likely have nothing to hide, it's still a creepy feeling to know that someone can, and possibly is, checking what you say and do.

There has been a lot of talk about adding backdoors, mostly from those who want to spy and those who simply don't understand the technology. The latest of this is currently taking place in New York.

Legislation has been proposed in the state and it can be viewed here. This actively pursues phone makers like Apple and Google and would like to slap these companies with a fine for each phone sold if each do not comply. It's not cheap, either -- $2,500 per handset.

"Any smartphone that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, and sold or leased in New York, shall be capable of being decrypted and unlocked by its manufacturer or its operating system provider".

The proposed bill sounds very familiar -- it's a lot like the Investigatory Powers Bill in the UK, which has support from Prime Minister David Cameron. Worse, it's similar to a proposed law in China, though that was later dropped. The Netherlands, on the other hand, has stated that it is against such legislation.

Apple's Tim Cook has pointed out the inherent problems with the idea of backdoors:

Here’s the situation… on your smartphone today, on your iPhone. There’s likely health information, there’s financial information. There are intimate conversations with your family, or your co-workers. There’s probably business secrets and you should have the ability to protect it. And the only way we know how to do that, is to encrypt it.

Why is that? It’s because if there’s a way to get in, then somebody will find the way in. There have been people that suggest that we should have a backdoor. But the reality is if you put a backdoor in, that backdoor’s for everybody, for good guys and bad guys.

This bill has a lot of hurdles to leap before it can actually pass and become law. Let us hope one of those jumps causes it to stumble.

Image Credit: LovePHY / Shutterstock

Catch the NFL playoffs on TuneIn and enjoy the first 24 hour team channel

Publié: janvier 15, 2016, 8:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

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The wild card games are out of the way now and this weekend the NFL heads into the next round to find out which teams will square off in the respective championship matchups. Can the Patriots repeat? It's hard to say, especially since the squad limped into the playoffs, though a first week bye may have provided some recovery time.

If you aren't near a TV then you can still catch all of the action from Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and the rest. You'll be doing so via the radio broadcasts, but that's not too bad since you'll still have a play by play coverage option.

TuneIn, which added the NFL to its live sports coverage early in the season, will be streaming broadcasts of all the games and letting you know if the Chiefs have what it takes, if the defending champions can repeat, if the Seahawks are still the team they were a couple of years ago and what the rest of the contenders can pull off.

"TuneIn Premium subscribers can listen to the home and visiting teams’ feeds or the national broadcast of the games, while non-TuneIn Premium subscribers still have access to TuneIn’s 24/7 NFL channel, NFL on TuneIn, featuring news and analysis from NFL media. Select broadcasts will also be in Spanish", the streaming service announces.

In addition to the playoff excitement, the service will be launching its first 24/7 team channel, though you'll have to be a Patriots fan for this one. This will include news coverage, highlights and even game replays -- yes, that likely includes the ones they lost, you have to take the good with the bad.

All of this requires a Premium subscription, a service that will set you back $7.99 per month, which isn't a bad amount, especially when compared with cable TV or NFL Sunday Ticket.

Your smart doorbell may let in unwanted visitors

Publié: janvier 14, 2016, 3:45pm CET par Alan Buckingham

home automation

It seems everything can be put online these days -- lights, window shades, door locks, refrigerators, crock pots, you name it. One popular item being advertised vigorously in the US is the smart doorbell. It's a nice idea as it allows the user to see who's at the door without opening it. You can even talk to visitors and all of this is done from an app on the smartphone, even if you aren't actually home.

But, as we've seen with other IoT devices, this isn't always safe. These days even your daughter's Barbie doll has security concerns.

Researchers at Pen Test Partners in the UK have delved into this new fad and found alarming results. They tested a doorbell called, simply, Ring. At $199 it's not exactly cheap, but customers who purchase it expect security from possible intruders. They get that to a certain extent -- someone who is hoping to forcefully enter the building and checking to see if anyone is home, can be stopped. Hackers, on the other hand, aren't slowed down.

The security team calls Ring genuinely useful and one of few IoT products they would use, however there is a big "but" involved. "To set it up, one has to connect it to your home Wi-Fi router. That requires that you give it your Wi-Fi key. Here’s where the problem lies", Pen Test Partners says.

It then proceeds to analyze all aspects of the device. First the hardware is fixed outside the door using two screws, making it easy to steal -- so much so that the company is offering free replacements for nabbed products.

That factor adds to the bigger problem, as pointed out in the study:

The doorbell is only secured to its back plate by two standard screws. This means that it is possible for an attacker to gain access to the homeowner’s wireless network by unscrewing the Ring, pressing the setup button and accessing the configuration URL.

As it is just a simple URL this can be performed quite easily from a mobile device such as a phone and could be performed without any visible form of tampering to the unit.

Ring has fixed this problem and it did so quickly after the researchers alerted them to it. Now its up to users to make sure their doorbells are up to date, which seems like a very strange thing to say.

Photo Credit: bergserg/ Shutterstock

EFF goes after Cisco for human rights violations in China

Publié: janvier 14, 2016, 2:01am CET par Alan Buckingham

Thousands of online accounts fall victim to Chinese censorship

China can be a difficult place to do business and it's sometimes a question of conscience or pocketbook. It's a huge market and companies stand to make a lot of money there, but the government isn't shy about wanting data in return. Is it worth it? To many corporations the answer seems to be yes, but for those who suffer there because of it the answer is a resounding no.

Now the Electronic Frontier Foundation is pursuing Cisco in court. This isn't a particularly new accusation or case, but the organization isn't ready to let it die.

The EFF is demanding that a Federal Appeals Court reopen a case that accuses Cisco of wrongdoing by aiding the Chinese government in the capture and subsequent torture of members of the Falun Gong movement, a religious sect that keeps itself as secret as possible within the nation. The EFF claims that Cisco knowingly built a system for the Chinese authorities to use for purposes of human rights abuses.

"In an amicus brief filed Monday with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, EFF and the groups ARTICLE 19 and Privacy International argue that the plaintiffs sufficiently alleged that Cisco understood that the 'Golden Shield' system (also known as The Great Firewall) it custom-built for China was an essential component of the government’s program of persecution against the Falun Gong -- persecution that included online spying and tracking, detention, and torture", the organization states.

This is a follow-up to an earlier case known as Doe vs Cisco which pitted family members of the victims against the corporation.

"The facts alleged by the plaintiffs are sufficient to proceed with a lawsuit claiming Cisco knew that technologies it designed from its offices in San Jose, California, would facilitate human rights abuses, and purposefully built its products to help the Chinese government carry out its program of repressing, capturing, and abusing Falun Gong members", says EFF Staff Attorney Sophia Cope. "Company officials didn’t have to be present in China in order to assist human rights violations, and victims have a right to their day in court".

The system, known as Golden Shield, was built with a library of Falun Gong internet activity which the government was able to use to identify members, or so the suit alleges. It is also claimed that a Cisco engineer wrote about the company's commitment to China, including its practice of Douzhung, an abuse campaign against minority groups such as Falun Gong.

The EFF's Cope concludes by claiming "Cisco’s conduct is part of a growing trend of US and European technology companies helping repressive governments become highly efficient at committing human rights violations. We are asking the Ninth Circuit to recognize that victims of such abuses can seek to hold accomplices like Cisco accountable for their role in brutal persecutions".

Photo credit: karen roach / Shutterstock

Amazon may release a new Echo, but here's what I really want

Publié: janvier 12, 2016, 1:35am CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo is a great device and I've made no secret of the fact that I use it a lot and like it very much. It's capable of doing quite a bit and more features come along all the time. We've witnessed, just recently, the addition of the game Jeopardy! as well as minor updates that didn't always go in favor of the users, but still improved the overall product.

A new report, well really a rumor because Amazon hasn't confirmed it (and I tried asking), claims the company has plans for a portable version of the digital assistant.

While a portable version would certainly be handy, and I'm keen to try it out, it's not at the top of my wish list. Here's what I really want the retailer to release.

Perhaps you are familiar with whole-home audio systems like the one produced by Sonos or, as we recently saw at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas an upcoming product from audio maker Harman Kardon.

This is where I'd love to see Amazon head in the future. Releasing speakers that are compatible with the Echo. Wi-Fi connected to the central device so that the extensions can create a whole-home audio system like Sonos has.

This is absolutely possible, we're seeing more and more of these systems and the two we've mentioned are far from alone in this market.

Is this in the works for Amazon? We don't know, the company is very tight-lipped about future products. Is there a market for it? Well, there is with me, and likely with others as well, and we know Amazon would make it affordable, where rivals don't exactly do so -- it's a high-end market for now.

Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 3 dies tomorrow

Publié: janvier 11, 2016, 5:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

ATM PIN

Products, no matter how much we may like them, don't last forever. You don't want to be the person keeping a batch of Palms in the freezer for future use -- and there are people who do that. Product cycles run their course and technology moves forward.

Microsoft customers, in some cases, move forward very grudgingly. That's especially true of business, particularly ones who had to be dragged off of IE 6 -- they now need to be dragged even further from that comfort zone.

Another antiquated product facing extinction is Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 3. That may not sound like a big deal, and to most readers it's meaningless, but for certain enterprise applications it is a big deal. You'd be surprised how many systems still have XP behind the scenes.

The party officially ends tomorrow, as January 12th is the scheduled date of execution for the platform. This wasn't unknown, Microsoft gives plenty of notice about these things, trying its best to support all customers from individuals to massive companies.

In fact, the company website gave this warning quite some time ago -- "Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 3 (SP3). This is the original toolkit and componentized version of Windows XP. It was originally released in 2002, and Extended Support will end on Jan. 12, 2016".

XPe, as it's known, runs in many places -- ATMs, point-of-sale systems, thin clients, railway systems, navigation devices, even set-top boxes, though that last is likely little used by now.

As far as consumer PCs, there's little to worry about as licensing restrictions prevented it there, though exceptions existed for some Dell devices. For the average user there's nothing to see here, just move along. For businesses, wake up!

Image Credit: Tomislav Pinter / Shutterstock

Using Amazon Echo to control your home? There's a minor change you need to know about

Publié: janvier 10, 2016, 2:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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It may be a minority who use the Amazon Echo to control home automation, in fact it likely is. But there are folks who do it, and it can, and usually does, work pretty well. It's one of those features that isn't advertised, but a nice Easter egg when you find it.

You head into the menu and click settings and locate "connected home" to find all of the devices and hubs that are compatible with the retailer's version of artificial intelligence.

However, there's been a minor change in the latest version of the Alexa app, and it may not affect many of you, but if you're like me then it leaves you baffled. I use a Wink Hub linked to Alexa to control GE Link bulbs in my home. As there are multiple ones they are set into groups with names like "living room".

Previously I could say "Alexa, turn on / off living room lights". But with the latest update, which did bring me Jeopardy!, that stopped working. I initially reset the hub (three times). I flipped the switch off and on to control lights manually (the antiquated way). I disabled and re-enabled the group in the Alexa app and switched light bulbs off and on via the Wink app (which worked just fine, meaning it wasn't the hub).

Turns out you now have to say the exact name, and nothing but that. "Alexa, turn on living room". You can't affix lights to the end -- or you can, if you rename the group "living room lights". I contacted an Amazon representative about this and was told the company had several complaints and confused people. There may be a variable added in a future update to rectify this change, however, this was the way it was originally intended to work.

I'm not changing the group name, I'll just get used to the new way and leave off the word "lights". If you're using this feature then you can make your adjustments according to personal preference.

The Amazon Echo is in Jeopardy! Can you help get it out?

Publié: janvier 9, 2016, 5:35pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo can do a lot of things, from playing music to giving you the news and weather, even controlling your lights. But there are many other tricks as well, and new ones are added all the time. The latest comes with the new update to the Alexa app.

Tap the menu button at the top left and choose skills -- there's quite a few and they are listed alphabetically. Scroll far enough and you'll find this latest entry, the game Jeopardy!

It's just like the TV show except you'll be asked questions by Alexa, not to be confused with Alex. At the moment it isn't a long game, there are only six questions, but there will be new ones each day. Apparently that's only weekdays as a try last night (Friday) ended with an announcement to come back Monday for a new set of questions.

Don't forget that you'll need to phrase your answer as a question, just like the popular TV show. "Who is", "what is" and "where is" are all acceptable. If you forget then the game will remind you.

Add another cool and fun thing to the list of what this device is capable of. We'll see what comes next to Amazon's ecosystem.

Adobe preparing fixes for the Windows and OS X versions of Acrobat and Reader

Publié: janvier 8, 2016, 9:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

What the FREAK? Huge SSL security flaw stems US government backdoor

If you're an advanced user utilizing Adobe products then you likely know the inherent perils of some of the company's platforms. Adobe has gone as far as to instigate its own version of Patch Tuesday, and that will be rolling around in just a few days.

It's aimed at fixing critical flaws in Acrobat and Reader across both the Windows and Apple platforms. These aren't new offenders, as Adobe software has been plagued by problems for sometime now. However, like Windows, it's partially because it's a major target -- the majority of people use Reader for opening PDFs, despite there being very good alternatives available.

This time around doesn't seem terribly serious, as all flaws listed in the advisory APSB16-02 are rated as "2". However, Adobe still felt obligated to call them critical, stating in the security bulletin: "These updates address critical vulnerabilities in the software".

Versions affected include several flavors of Acrobat DC and Reader DC and also Acrobat and Reader XI versions. Version X is no longer supported, so if you're using that then move on now.

What the flaws are is not known -- the company is not saying until the updates are pushed. A wise move given that it would leave a window for attackers to get through. Anyone using this software should apply the patches as soon as they are available.

Photo credit: wk1003mike / Shutterstock

Australian university to hand out Surface 3 to students

Publié: janvier 8, 2016, 4:37pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Surface 3

Microsoft is doing its best to push its line of Surface products out there to businesses and students, even getting prominent placement in NFL games (though announcers still sometimes refer to them as iPads). The Surface Pro is on its 4th generation, but for those who don't need quite as much power, there's the Surface 3 which has a smaller screen and isn't as capable, but which costs a fraction of the price of its bigger siblings and still runs Windows 10.

It's perfect for education uses, which is why Western Sydney University in Australia is handing out 5,000 Surface 3 slates to its students.

"Several years ago Western Sydney University became one of the first universities to provide devices to students as part of its flexible learning program. The 2016 program takes that a step further as the University works with industry leading technology partners such as Microsoft, to determine the most suitable device for each of our courses", says vice-chancellor Professor Denise Kirkpatrick.

While this is all good, Microsoft, which is obviously touting this win, conducted a survey of students to find out which was more important -- a laptop / tablet or their significant other. The results may not be surprising but they are a bit worrisome as a statement about society today. The findings can be seen below.

The company also points out that "Nearly two thirds of students are still taking notes by hand, compared to a quarter who take notes on their laptop, and one in ten who take notes on their tablet -- so hopefully the combination of Surface 3’s ability to take typed notes and handwritten notes on the same device will make life easier for every student who’s lucky enough to be given one this academic year".

Microsoft is fighting a battle with Google over education as many schools adopt Chromebooks for use by students, so wins like this are important for the software giant.

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Harman Kardon is releasing new wireless whole-home audio system

Publié: janvier 7, 2016, 6:01pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Whole-home audio has become popular recently thanks to products like Sonos making it easy. In the old days speaker wires had to be fished through walls, but those days of cables and intense labor are gone. Now it can be done via a wireless means and almost everyone has a home network -- something else that was once the domain of geeks and experts.

Now one of the top-tier makers of home audio equipment is getting in on the act as Harman Kardon announces its newest offering at the Consumer Electronics Show taking place this week in Las Vegas.

The new OMNI+ is promising true HD audio broadcast around your home wirelessly. "The Harman Kardon Omni+ line is unique in its true HD sound quality, versatility and functionality", says Michael Mauser, president of Lifestyle Division at Harman "Customers want to stream from many different sources, control their speakers from their phone or tablet and have one system to meet all of their needs. Whether they want one speaker or five, this Harman Kardon home audio system provides the best in wireless HD sound quality and access to all the content they care about".

This brings a wealth of flexibility as far as streaming services go. It can stream media stored locally, but it also offers Pandora, Deezer, Spotify, TuneIn Radio and more.

There's also an array of speaker styles to choose from, including the Omni 10+, Omni 20+, Omni Bar+, Adapt+, and the Omni 50+, which has IPX5 splashproof and outdoor capabilities.

Customers start with a small package and can add more speakers later as they see fit. It also allows for streaming both the same music everywhere or different tunes for different rooms. It can even be configured into a 2.1 or 5.1 surround system. It has support for 802.11ac 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks.

All products will be available this summer and prices range from $199 to $999 depending on which models you want.

Nexia brings voice control through Amazon Echo, adds upgraded Windows 10 app

Publié: janvier 7, 2016, 6:26am CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo continues to add features of all sorts. There's now integration with IFTTT, sports news and a growing number of home automation capabilities. The latest company to announce its plans with the Amazon device is Nexia.

The company is unveiling its latest products and integrations this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"A lot of gadgets profess to be helpful for the smart home but instead make many people wonder when they would ever use them," said George Land, general manager of Nexia. "Our goal is to continue developing and advancing smart home solutions that fit into the rhythm of most people’s daily lives, solving everyday problems, and that work as promised month after month, year after year".

Windows 10 is a big part of this. The app is already available, only being slightly improved. The company claims that its one of platforms most popular apps. It's built on Microsoft's Universal Windows platform, meaning it can run on all devices.

The biggest feature being added is the ability to control through Amazon's Echo device. Known more popularly as Alexa, the device takes voice commands from anywhere within range. From your couch you can tell it to play music, ask for the weather or turn lights on and off, depending on the system you are using.

"Users can talk right to their smartphone to execute all their programmed automations or control individual devices, giving them greater versatility and access than through Siri or other virtual assistants. With Amazon Echo, users can ask the hugely popular device to act as another easy-to-use way to control their smart home and control major household systems with simple voice commands", the announcement reads.

Like many CES announcements, there's no word on availability so we'll just have to wait and see.

Netflix announces worldwide availability, more than 190 countries covered

Publié: janvier 6, 2016, 9:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

NetFlix keeps out foreign pirates with a VPN clamp down

Netflix, which began life as a DVD by mail service that took off, has been slowly expanding to countries not named the US. The growth speaks well for the business model and the company has long since left DVDs behind in favor of online streaming. That makes for easier expansion into new markets.

Today the company is announcing it is expanding to pretty much all markets. We'd list them here, but with more than 190 countries it would be tedious for you and us. That's 130 nations that previously did not have Netflix.

"Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network", says Reed Hastings, president of Netflix. "With this launch, consumers around the world -- from Singapore to St. Petersburg, from San Francisco to Sao Paulo -- will be able to enjoy TV shows and movies simultaneously -- no more waiting. With the help of the Internet, we are putting power in consumers' hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device".

Not only will everyone get access to the catalog of streaming movies and original shows like Grace and Frankie and Marco Polo, the service also is promising a total of 31 new and returning original shows as well as 30 shows for kids.

Netflix is available on pretty much whatever device you have from tablet to phone, PC to set-top box and even smart TVs. You'll get a month free trial for signing up.

Photo credit: Sukharevskyy Dmytro (nevodka) / Shutterstock

Firefox OS will begin powering Panasonic UHD TVs

Publié: janvier 6, 2016, 2:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Panasonic-TV-powered-by-Firefox-OS

Ultra HD is the latest technology in televisions after the failure of 3D to get traction. Different manufacturers are using varying operating systems to power the sets and make them smart TVs. Roku is getting a foothold in this market and Opera is used quite a bit. Mozilla is in the game also.

Panasonic, one of the more popular television OEMs, is announcing that Firefox OS will power its new UHD offerings. This isn't entirely new as Panasonic has previously used the platform on some of its sets available around the world.

"Mozilla and Panasonic have been collaborating since 2014 to provide consumers with intuitive, optimized user experiences and allow them to enjoy the benefits of the open Web platform. Firefox OS is the first truly open platform built entirely on Web technologies that delivers more choice and control to users, developers and hardware manufacturers", the organization states.

There are a few new things included in this latest offering. Version 2.5 includes all of the features from before, but adds new ways to discover apps and will also come with Vimeo, Atari, iHeartRadio and more.

There's a new "send to TV" feature that allows for sharing of apps across devices. The latest version also aims to integrate with connected devices, though details of that were not made available.

This will all be part of Panasonic's line of DX900 UHD TVs. This latest version is already available to Mozilla's partners and also to developers and will come to Panasonic TVs "later this year", which isn't very specific.

Casio dives into the smartwatch market with an Android Wear offering

Publié: janvier 6, 2016, 5:48am CET par Alan Buckingham

Casio-WSD-F10BK

The smartwatch, wearables in general for that matter, are big these days. The technology dates back quite some time, but popularity and mainstream acceptance are more recent. Android Wear is a big part of that, as Google created a platform for electronics makers to work with and many have responded with offerings.

The latest device you may want to grace your wrist is from Casio, known as the Smart Outdoor Watch, though the real name is the WSD-F10.

The watch claims "military standard specifications" under guidelines set by the Department of Defense (MIL-STD-810). So what does that mean? Well essentially that it's designed to be rugged. The wristwear is water resistant to 50 meters and comes with a range of sensors to measure environmental levels around you. This also includes testing for shock and vibration.

Then there are the sensors of which Casio says "The WSD-F10 comes with dedicated applications that measure and display essential information for outdoor activities and sports using a pressure sensor, compass, and accelerometer. The upper right TOOL button brings up information such as compass direction, air pressure and altitude, sunrise and sunset times, tide graphs, and activity graphs—providing real-time information about changes in the natural environment and activity levels".

It will also link to Casio Moment Setter which aims to provide optimum times for activities like hiking, cycling or even fishing.

You get all of the expected Android Wear features as well, including weather and apps like RunKeeper and even ViewRanger which tries to help you find your way on a hike.

Specs are as follows:

Water Resistance	50 meters
Environmental Durability	MIL-STD-810 (United States military standard issued by the U.S. Department of Defense)*5
Display	1.32-inch dual layer displayColor TFT LCD and monochrome LCDColor: 320×300 pixels
Touchscreen	Capacitive touchscreen
Sensors	Pressure (air pressure, altitude) sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer, compass (magnetic) sensor
Microphone	●
Vibrator	●
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth® V4.1 (Low Energy)Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n)
Buttons	TOOL button, Power button, APP button
Battery	Lithium-ion battery
Charging Method	Magnetic charging terminal
Recharging Time	Approx. 2 hours at room temperature
Battery Life	In normal use: more than 1 day, roughly (varies according to use)Timepiece Mode (timekeeping only): more than 1 month, roughly (varies according to use)
Water Resistance	50 meters
Environmental Durability	MIL-STD-810 (United States military standard issued by the U.S. Department of Defense)
Size of Case	Approx. 61.7mm×56.4mm×15.7mm (H×W×D)
Weight	Approx. 93g (including watchband)
OS	Android Wear
Operating Environment	Use of the device requires a smartphone with the following specifications Android Smartphone with Android 4.3 or later.iOSOne of the following models with iOS 8.2 or later:iPhone 5 or later

Like many things from the Consumer Electronics Show the pricing and availability date were not included in the announcement. It will ship with a choice of four colors -- black, orange, green and red.

Xbox One gets new bundles for the new year

Publié: janvier 5, 2016, 6:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

XboxOne_1TBConsole

It may be time for the Consumer Electronics Show, but Microsoft no longer maintains a presence at the big event. The days of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer keynotes are long gone now. That does not mean the company has nothing to announce, though.

Today Larry Hryb, also known as Major Nelson and the head of Xbox Live, is unveiling a set of new bundles for the gaming console.

"While the holidays are now behind us, we’re excited to ring in the New Year with even more value and choice for our fans to experience the greatest games lineup in Xbox history well into 2016", Hryb promises.

Being unveiled is a bundle that includes Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. You likely know Clancy as the popular author of such classics as The Hunt for Red October, The Sum of All Fears and many more. Plenty of his novels were turned into popular movies including the recent Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

Also being outed in this announcement is a bundle that includes a 500 GB console with a "Name Your Game" option. "We’re always looking for more ways to offer value to our fans so, for the first time ever, fans have the option to choose one of four blockbuster titles with the new Xbox One 500GB Name Your Game Bundle. The bundle comes with a 500GB hard drive and a full-game download of one title from the greatest games lineup in Xbox history -- Forza Motorsport 6, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition or Rare Replay", the Major tells us.

The Rainbow Six bundle will retail for $399, while the name your game option comes out at $349. The latter hits Germany, the UK, Australia, Ireland, Mexico and New Zealand on January 12th and will come to US stores later in the month. No date was given for the former bundle.

Roku is using CES to announce its plans for 2016

Publié: janvier 5, 2016, 12:52am CET par Alan Buckingham

4K-UHD-TCL-Roku-TV-Angle

There's already a lot of noise coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, even though the actual event hasn't yet begun. It seems almost every company will have at least some sort of representation present in Sin City.

Set-top box maker Roku will be there to unveil its plans for 2016. The company claims it has grown its smart TV market from zero to eight percent this past year.

Now the company is telling us that it plans to upgrade its TV offering to 4K. "We are working closely with Dolby to implement support for Dolby Vision HDR into the reference design, which also includes support for the HDR 10 standard. TCL will be an initial TV partner to integrate the Roku TV HDR reference design", Roku states.

In 2015 more than 40 TVs were available, but Roku expects to up that number to over 60 this year. In addition, it's heading into more markets, including Mexico. The TVs were already available in Canada.

"2015 was an incredible year for Roku TV. The success of the program and its continued momentum are bringing us closer to our ultimate goal of the Roku OS powering every TV! We’re excited to kick-off 2016 with some great CES announcements and can’t wait to see what’s in store for Roku TV this year", the company says.

It's good to see Roku moving forward with this project and 4K is important to future-proofing its products. The new Roku 4 also has this capability.

A home alarm system that could make you less safe

Publié: janvier 4, 2016, 3:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

identity thief

These days almost everything is online thanks to the internet of things. That can, of course, be good since it allows you to control and monitor devices from wherever you are. It can also be a problem as we've seen. Sometimes the security of these devices is a bit lacking. I fully expect that one day one of my colleagues here will turn off my lights just because he can.

A bigger problem arises when the security weakness is actually your home security system. That seems to be the case with Texecom as UK-based security researcher Luca Lo Castro found out when he purchased the system.

All was well until he delved into the ComIP Module and then problems reared up. According to Sophos, "Unfortunately, what Luca found in the IoT alarm system he investigated was that a well-practiced crook might very well need little more than a laptop, or even just a suitably programmed mobile phone, as his break-and-enter tool of choice".

What terrors Castro found are as follows -- opening a firewall port for access from the internet, the alarm calls home using no encryption or authentication and the mobile app communicates with the system also using no encryption or authentication.

"After purchasing the engineer app I have realized that for some reason, Texecom does not give access to the UDL code generator to not authorized engineers. Reading through the mobile user guide, on page 19 it shows an example of the Encrypt UDL Password generator and it turned out that what they called Encrypt Password is just a BASE64 Encode", Castro claims.

Yes, the IoT is good thing in theory and it's a lot of fun to play with these devices, but it isn't all ready for prime-time just yet.

Photo Credit: Elnur/Shutterstock

Windows doesn't top the vulnerability list for 2015, but Microsoft as a whole does

Publié: janvier 2, 2016, 7:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

What the FREAK? Huge SSL security flaw stems US government backdoor

Software vulnerabilities are a daily event it seems, but some systems just have more of them. When we think of this a couple of names usually spring to mind -- Flash and Java. However, according to the new list being published by CVE Details, they aren't quite at the top, nor is Microsoft's oft-maligned operating system.

Basing its numbers on "distinct" vulnerabilities, the security firm has released its top 50 naughty list of 2015. Leading the way was, in fact, Apple, which claimed the top two spots -- Mac OS X with a number of 384 vulnerabilities, closely followed by iPhone OS (or iOS as most people like to call it) with 375.

Take heart though, as Flash finished a (dis)respectful third with 314 vulnerabilities. Actually Adobe occupies places three through six, as Air didn't fare much better than Flash. Java landed much further down the list with JRE and JDK in 29th and 30th place respectively.

As for Microsoft, the company didn't do terribly. Internet Explorer was the most vulnerable browser, but Chrome and Firefox were on its heels. Windows 8.1 came in 12th with 151 vulnerabilities, while Windows 7 claimed the 14th spot with 147.

Other notable products on the list include Android, Acrobat, Safari, Windows Server, E-Business Suite, Debian Linux and more. Even Windows Vista and Server 2003 managed to crack the top 50 which is bad news for those poor souls still using them.

In many cases versions are not specified. OS X, for instance, doesn't specify a particular flavor while Windows is divided up into different versions. Overall Microsoft still holds the top spot with the most vulnerabilities in total, followed by Adobe in second. It's just a matter of division. Adobe Flash is not broken up into versions, nor are the browsers, so take all of this with a grain of salt. Remember these are only publicly reported flaws.

It's also important to understand that it's not purely the number of vulnerabilities that matter, but also the severity of them.

You can review the whole list at CVE Details, results may be surprising and scary.

Photo credit: wk1003mike / Shutterstock

Toshiba and Bill Nye take you behind the scenes for New Year's Eve in Times Square

Publié: janvier 2, 2016, 4:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

2016 cloud

It's 2016 now -- time seems to fly. On New Year's Eve many revelers around the world gathered in various locations including Sydney, London, Rio de Janeiro and New York City. Times Square gets a prominent eye in the US and, to a certain extent, the world over.

This year the sponsor of the big show was Toshiba and during the process of bringing all of the festivities together for ringing in the new year it made a short video documentary.

The video features not only the set-up of everything, but also many of the live performances by prominent artists such as Adele.

You'll also get Bill Nye "The Science Guy", famous for his popular kids TV show that teaches about...well, science. Nye is a well known figure, not only among kids, but also with the science and skeptical community in general as he tends to say what's on his mind and what he feels is accurately backed up by evidence. In this case though, he's just having fun like everyone else.

The video also includes the famous countdown and ball drop, not to mention the very large and well lit digits for 2016.

You can catch the video below and reminisce about what you may or may not remember depending on how your evening went.

Image Credit: leolintang/Shutterstock

My favorite tech items of 2015 [Alan]

Publié: décembre 31, 2015, 6:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

shutterstock_217744243

It's been another long year, with technology products appearing at a seemingly accelerated rate. It all began back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, a spectacle that is now right around the corner once again.

With 2016 looming it is a time for some introspection -- what products made your year special? For me there were a few that I really enjoyed. It was typical year filled with a few good items and some worth forgetting.

LG G4

Ilg-g4-back I reviewed this phone when it first launched. It's thin and light, but has a very large screen size, which is my preference in any phone. LG has done a decent job of keeping it fairly current. It doesn't run Android 6.0 yet (thanks Verizon), but that's OK, I honestly don't use a phone for much -- it's calls, texts and my grocery list on Evernote. If I want to play a game then I grab a tablet. The G4 also has a respectable camera which is always nice to have in one's pocket.

Amazon Echo with Wink Hub and GE Link bulbs

I think I may have written about the Amazon Echo more than any other device in 2015. Yes, I like it that much. It plays music while I work, it tells me the weather, who my favorite football team plays next, and occasionally gives some fun answers to random questions.

More importantly, it controls my lights. There are many home automation features that come with it and more are added all the time. You'll need a hub and the right bulbs -- I use a Wink Hub and GE Link bulbs. The process of setting it up isn't easy, but anyone with sufficient computer knowledge should have no problem.

Harmony Ultimate Home

Nothing is better than a good universal remote. It clears up that mess on your coffee table. One remote to rule them all. It takes some work to set up, but it isn't anything too difficult. Once it's done you have a beautiful touchscreen remote and all it takes is a tap of the finger to turn on the TV, A/V receiver and whatever device you wish -- Blu-ray, Fire TV, Roku, DVR, etc. -- all will be set to the proper positioning.

It will even control an increasing number of home automation products, including the Nest thermostat. The only thing it won't handle for me is my HDMI switch.

Logitech UE Boom 2

JPG 300 dpi (RGB)-UE BOOM2 GreenMachine While Amazon Echo is a wonderful speaker, it isn't very portable. It needs Wi-Fi and it has to be plugged into the wall. When you need portable then you'd be hard-pressed to beat the Logitech UE Boom 2, which is a slight update to the original model. It's a bit large, but not so big that it isn't portable. What's really large is the sound, the thing rocks.

Mivatek Smart Plug

In 2015 I've played around with some automation for my home. The new offerings from Mivatek are proving to be wonderful. Sadly they don't yet play nicely with Alexa, so I have to use an app for control. Fortunately it has the ability to be scheduled which means I rarely ever need the app to turn it off or on. The plug also has a manual switch in case there's a problem, but there almost never is.

mivatek-smart-plug

Not new, but I still like it

At the top of this list is the second generation Nest thermostat. It does a wonderful job of controlling my home and it learns habits so it gets better over time. It can even be controlled via the aforementioned Harmony remote.

I am also still happily using the Nexus 9 as my normal tablet. It has an occasional hiccup with unlocking the screen, but it's thin and has very good resolution. It's what I reach for when I wake up in the mornings and want to know the weather.

So that's my tech year in a nutshell. What products brought a smile to your face this year?

Image Credit: Natanael Ginting / Shutterstock

Amazon Echo brings Beatles Easter eggs to Alexa

Publié: décembre 31, 2015, 12:21am CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

A week ago the Beatles came to streaming services, bringing the massive music catalog to a whole new generation. We've already learned of the popularity of this major launch as Spotify has released some numbers and the streams and ages of listeners were surprising.

The Fab Four also landed on other services as well, and one of those was Amazon Prime. With all of the cool features people often forget and Amazon Echo is also a very good speaker.

And in honor of the Beatles launch the company added some Easter eggs that are relevant to the event. Keep in mind that the same question can offer different responses. For instance, Asking Alexa what its (hers?) favorite Beatles song is yields "Tomorrow never knows and neither do I" and "Help, I need somebody to help me choose".

"Alexa, who's your favorite Beatle?" The device responds "I can't decide. We should just let it be". "Alexa, Good Morning". Multiple responses, including "Good morning, here comes the sun. I'm so glad I can play the Beatles for you now".

Just try different questions and have a bit of fun with this. You never know what response you'll get, but it will generally be entertaining.

Samsung adds SmartThings and security to IoT TVs

Publié: décembre 30, 2015, 3:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

ST-TV_Blog_122415_R2-b

The Internet of Things is the hot buzz-phrase right now and Samsung has an iron in the fire with SmartThings. Its line of products is also compatible with those made by other manufacturers -- that's the biggest catch with all of this, as not everything is compatible with all competing products.

Now Samsung is bringing its SmartThings platform to its own line of TVs and all 2016 models will offer built-in compatibility. This allows for control of your home right from the screen in your living room, or wherever you may have the product.

The first of these TVs will be on display at this year's Consumer Electronics Show which kicks off in early January. These are devices that will be available this coming year. It does take a minor amount of work on the part of the consumer -- you'll need to plug in a dongle, but then you'll have access to a range of products across platforms such as Zigbee and Z-Wave.

"The SmartThings SUHD application will allow you to trigger different SmartThings Routines, get notifications when important events happen, see what’s happening in and around your home with compatible cameras, and control your connected devices–all from the TV", the company states.

Also being unwrapped for the new year is a security system for smart TVs that Samsung has dubbed GAIA. The company hopes that this will provide a measure of protection across services, software and hardware.

"Protecting consumers' personal information is of the utmost importance to Samsung, both in terms of the company’s values and what’s needed for the continued growth and success of the IoT ecosystem", says Hyun Suk Kim, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "GAIA is a security solution that will give Samsung customers security and peace of mind now and in the future".

Both the TVs and the new security system for them will be available in 2016.

Microsoft is backing up your encryption keys in the cloud, but you can prevent this

Publié: décembre 29, 2015, 9:01pm CET par Alan Buckingham

cloud key encryption pgp files

Microsoft, like many companies, ships some of its products with disk encryption and that's a good thing given the state of today's world. The vast majority of customers have nothing to hide, but they also don't wish to be watched by the prying eyes of governments and others.

However, it is being reported that the Windows maker is storing encryption keys in the cloud. While that doesn't necessarily mean a problem, it's also a bit scary because of the potential for what can go wrong -- a Murphy's Law scenario. This issue was first reported by The Intercept, which notes that your keys "may" be stored in the cloud -- not everyone's are.

As Business Insider points out, this isn't much of a concern for the average user, it simply means that if you get locked out of your system then you have recourse. However, some lines of work demand the utmost secrecy and that's where the problem lies. A journalist, such as Glenn Greenwald who broke the Edward Snowden story for instance, could be placed in jeopardy by something like this.

The good news is that for the security-minded there is an easy way to turn it off. Head to this website and log into your Microsoft account. You should now see a list of recovery keys and if you don't then you're safe. If you do see some keys you can choose to back them up locally and then delete the ones on Microsoft's server.

All of this is optional and people can make their own choice in the matter. Should you turn this function off? It really depends on your line of work and level of paranoia.

Photo Credit: Yabresse/Shutterstock

Goal! The NHL comes to TuneIn Radio

Publié: décembre 29, 2015, 5:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

nhl-tunein

Earlier in this NFL season TuneIn landed a deal with the league to bring listeners radio broadcasts of all the games, which likely beefed up its subscriber numbers. Other sports were already participating in the broadcasts and now you can add one more to that list.

The National Hockey League is arriving on the streaming network, bringing radio broadcasts of the games for your favorite NHL teams from the US and Canada.

"TuneIn users around the globe will have access to home, away and select foreign language feeds for every game -- from exhibitions, 1,230 regular season games, and every playoff game including the Stanley Cup Final", TuneIn announces.

This is more than just the live games though. Customers will also get on-demand content, a 24/7 dedicated hockey channel, 24/7 dedicated team channels to keep up with your favorites and TuneIn will be embedded on NHL.com beginning next month.

If you live and breathe hockey then this is your new home. It doesn't matter which team you follow, you'll be covered from beginning to end.

Spotify reveals numbers after 3 days of Beatles music availability

Publié: décembre 28, 2015, 2:56pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Christmas music

'Twas the night before Christmas and....the Beatles came to streaming services everywhere, making the rounds quicker than old Saint Nick. Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, Google Play Music and several others were the lucky recipients of this amazing catalog of tunes.

Now Spotify is revealing just how successful this launch has been, and the numbers revealed prove the band is still relevant 45 years after the members parted ways.

During the first three days more than 70 million Beatles songs were streamed and surprisingly 65 percent of the listeners were under the age of 34.

According to Spotify's Daniel Ek "We are thrilled about the arrival on Spotify of the most important catalog in rock music. In seven short years, the Beatles created a body of work that changed the world. The music business was never the same, the way records were recorded was never the same, our culture in fashion and politics was never the same".

Other services are yet to release any figures, but it can likely be expected to be similarly large. For now you'll be streaming these classic songs on planet earth, but maybe someday you may enjoy Hey Jude during a trip across the universe.

Photo Credit: Dmitri Mikitenko/Shutterstock

Electronics can be dangerous -- man falls to his death while staring at device

Publié: décembre 27, 2015, 4:44am CET par Alan Buckingham

Thief Smartphone Theft Purse

Electronics have become a major distraction in modern society and there's no shortage of stories about accidents caused by cell phones and many people have a story of, at the very least, a near miss. We've likely all been there with distracted drivers.

No question modern devices can be hazardous to one's health and worse, the health of others who have loved ones at home waiting for them.

We've seen the amusing when a woman strolling through a mall fell into a fountain, but there's a darker side to this problem. San Diego, California police are reporting today that a man walked off of the edge at Sunset Cliffs while staring at an electronic device.

While the device isn't known, it can be guessed to be a cell phone, though a tablet is a possibility. According to what NBC News is reporting, "Witnesses stated seeing someone distracted by an electronic device and he just fell over the edge", says San Diego Lifeguard Bill Bender. "(He) wasn't watching where he was walking, he was looking down at the device in his hands".

People in the area tried to rescue him and administered CPR, but it seems it was too late to save the victim. And those who tried put themselves in jeopardy by climbing down the rocks to reach the man. "They acted quickly, they found a way to get down the cliff". Bender says.

There are lessons to be learned from this incident, and hopefully people will heed them, but that's a slim hope. Still, a person has passed away and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Photo Credit: Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

In the end the Beatles finally come to streaming services

Publié: décembre 23, 2015, 2:33pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's been a long and winding road to get the Beatles on your devices and streaming services, but you've finally reached your destination and the iconic band has given in to demand. Sadly two members of the Fab Four won't be around to experience this blockbuster event, but you can still enjoy the magical mystery tour of the group's catalog of hits and more obscure songs.

At 12:01am local time on December 24th the Beatles music officially launches on streaming services Spotify, Apple Music, Slacker, Tidal, Groove, Rhapsody, Deezer, Google Play and Amazon Prime.

The band's website is even providing a globe-style tracker to let fans monitor the progress of this momentous launch event. You can follow the festivities here. The timeline will move from east to west as you await the availability. In other words, it will gradually happen here, there and everywhere, you just have to wait your turn.

The Beatles aren't entirely a stranger to having music online as they have dealt with Apple in the past, but this is a much bigger deal as it's streaming and not exclusive to one company.

In the end you can finally stroll down Penny Lane at your leisure or join a lonely heart's club band and you don't need to be a walrus or raccoon to get in on this.

GreenPeak plans to unveil Family@Home at CES 2016

Publié: décembre 23, 2015, 2:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

smart-home

While everyone is currently concerned with the holidays, companies have their own concerns with the big Consumer Electronics Show coming on the heels of New Year's. This year's event is back at its normal venue in Las Vegas and will run from January 6th through the 9th. Prepare to be amazed, or appalled, by gadgets you may or may not ever see on the market.

One thing you will see at CES 2016 comes from GreenPeak and it aims to make your home smarter. Yes, the Internet of Things is still around and growing by leaps and bounds.

GreenPeak will be unveiling its Family@Home, a system that combines the cloud, wireless and battery-powered sensors. This is, the company expects, a way to provide peace-of-mind about your house and family.

All sorts of things are included such as knowing that your children are home safely, alerting you if you left a window open and the air conditioner on, if the bath water is overflowing or the washer has sprung a leak. All of this is handled by a learning algorithm. You'll get a dashboard to monitor everything and provide you with alerts.

"The tech industry has been telling consumers that they need a Smart Home but, up until now, all they are being offered are connected devices -- creating a 'house with sensors'", says Cees Links, CEO and Founder of GreenPeak Technologies. "Consumers don’t want connected things -- they want smart applications that take care of their family and their home. That is why GreenPeak is working with the world’s leading service providers to transform a 'house with sensors' into the 'Smart Home' -- an affordable, peace of mind solution that takes care of the home and the people who live in it -- making sure that their lives are safe, comfortable and efficient. Worry less, care more".

At this point it is a reference design and the company plans to work with ISPs to make things happen. "The Family@Home reference design is a complete system that includes secure wireless connectivity, a variety of sensors and Sensara’s cloud based algorithm, analytics, and interfaces to an MSO billing and support system". There's a good chance that much of the offering will be rebranded by telecoms and cable providers. If you're interested then you can find out more here.

Image Credit: Chesky /Shutterstock

Roku announces its top searches of 2015

Publié: décembre 22, 2015, 2:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Roku-4

Set-top boxes have become increasingly popular, with Amazon, Apple and Roku all on the market and doing well. One of the great things about these devices is the ability to easily search for whatever content you want, so what did people look for in 2015?

Well, the big one is, of course, movies and Back to the Future manages to edge The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part one. Others that made the cut into the top ten include Frozen, Jurassic Park and Gone Girl.

In the category of TV shows, The Walking Dead topped Game of Thrones, followed by Downton Abbey in third place. Others that made the cut include Blacklist, Big Bang Theory and Better Call Saul.

As for actors and actresses the top searches were Amy Schumer and John Wayne, respectively. Others in the mix include Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Depp and Robin Williams.

What will 2016 bring? Well it seems likely Star Wars will be a hot topic given the latest installment has only just opened. There will be many more movies, and likely some blockbusters to come, and a new hot TV show could pop up as well.

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Rdio shuts down December 22nd, provides a way to save your music

Publié: décembre 19, 2015, 6:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

music woman tablet headphones

Recently streaming music service Rdio was purchased by Pandora which plans to merge it into its own offering. That process is about to become complete in the next few days, but there is good news for Rdio users, or at least as much as they can expect.

The streaming service will cease operations on December 22nd. The good news, if there is any in this, is that users will be able to save their music.

"We know you want to find a home for the music you’ve discovered and collected on Rdio, so we’re providing ways for you to take it with you. We've created a farewell site, allowing you to download a list of your Rdio favorites and playlists in various formats so you can import them into other services", the service claims. The site will also let you take a look back at your history with the service.

The downloading of your music can be done in multiple formats and customers can then import into another service.

You'll need to take care of your music collection before the shutdown date. There is also the expected thanking of customers as well as a cryptic "goodbye....for now".

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey/Shutterstock

Outlook online to get a better address book and flight confirmations

Publié: décembre 19, 2015, 1:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Outlook has been a popular desktop app for what seems like ages and now it's online aiming to compete with services like Gmail and Yahoo. In order to differentiate itself from rivals Microsoft needs extras that attract customers to its offering.

Now the company is announcing a couple of updates including improvements to the address book and flight notifications for busy travelers.

As for the address book improvements, Outlook will now make suggestions based on your contacts and it learns who you send messages to the most. You can place your cursor in the 'to' or 'cc' fields and you'll receive a dropdown list. It also aims to help you when you misspell a name, for instance Kathryn or Catherine.

The service also points out that "Now, Outlook has help for that too. If you frequently send emails to the same set of people -- say, Steve, Anna and Bob -- then whenever you email only Steve and Anna together, we’ll ask, 'Do you also want to include Bob?' This prompt will not get in your way and will only show when Outlook is highly confident you want to add Bob.

Finally, there is flight notifications. When an email is received confirming flight information, and providing it arrives from a valid source of such content, it will automatically be added to your calendar. This will block out the time and show information that includes time, airline, flight number and airport.

So what do you think of these updates? If you're using a different service is it compelling enough to make you switch?

SmartThings adds 8 new products to beef up your connected home

Publié: décembre 18, 2015, 8:30pm CET par Alan Buckingham

OSRAM1

The connected home, or The Internet of Things, as it's frequently called, is a growing market. New products seemingly come along on an almost daily basis and new businesses spring up around it. We recently told you about Mivetek, but it's far from the only player on the field in this game.

SmartThings, the home automation solution from Samsung, is announcing a new line of products that are compatible with its hub. Four are lights, three are locks, and one aims to help you with your gardening.

Included is Osram Lightify, which is a tunable recessed light that allows the customer to switch the glow. Temperatures range from 2,700 to 6,500 Kelvin. Also in the mix is the Osram Lightify flood light, which is less controllable, as well as the company's smart connected bulb which is dimmable.

In the way of locks there are offerings from Sengled, allowing customers to lock and unlock doors remotely from any smartphone or tablet.

Finally there is PlantLink Soil Moisture Sensor that allows the user to monitor conditions. "By combining PlantLink’s Soil Moisture Sensors (“Links”) with the SmartThings app, PlantLink lets you know when your plants need water. Simply place Links in soil indoors or outdoors, and the system will calibrate to the plant’s watering needs using PlantLink’s catalog of over 50,000 plants", the company says.

All of these products will begin working with your hub, either now or very soon.

HTML5 Video for Netflix comes to Firefox for Windows

Publié: décembre 18, 2015, 12:15pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Netflix

Yesterday we told you that Netflix for Windows 10 had received an update, but that's not all that's coming to Windows. Firefox also has plans to up the ante with HTML5 Video for Windows. This is the much-utilized format on the internet today.

Netflix is announcing that Firefox now comes with the latest HTML5 premium video extensions, such as Media Source Extensions (MSE), which the streaming service utilizes in an effort to adapt its streaming to the bandwidth of each viewer, and Encrypted Media Extensions (EME), that allows for the viewing of encrypted content.

The new video player will support Firefox users on Windows versions beginning with Vista and newer operating systems.

Netflix says it worked with both Mozilla and Adobe in an effort to do this. "We were pleased to find through our joint field testing that Adobe Primetime's CDM, Mozilla’s <video> tag, and our player all work together seamlessly to provide a high quality viewing experience in Firefox. With the new Premium Video Extensions, Firefox users will no longer need to take an extra step of installing a plug-in to watch Netflix", the streaming service claims.

Mozilla promises that it will bring this technology to other platforms such as Apple in 2016. It's using its open source CDM sandbox, which it claims will provide better security.

Amazon Fire TV adds new channels including NBC

Publié: décembre 17, 2015, 11:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Amazon continues to expand its footprint in the set-top box market, a place that has really become a three horse race. Both Amazon, Roku and Apple are all in it to win, but choice really comes down to the customer.

Now the retailer is launching a bunch of new channels to satisfy customer viewing needs. And this update isn't just video, it's also games.

New to the box are such channels as NBC, NBC Sports, Travel, Fox and many more. New games include Shovel Knight, Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode, Dark Echo, and Olli Olli 2.

"We’re thrilled to bring these popular new channels, apps, and games to Fire TV customers", says Steve Rabuchin, Vice President of Amazon Appstore. "We are excited that Fire TV has become the #1 streaming media player in the US, and customers are loving their new Fire TV devices. Because of this positive customer response, developers continue to bring great apps to the platform, with app selection increasing by more than 1,000 channels, apps, and games since September".

Right now, customers can grab the second-generation box on sale for $114.99, though it is regularly $139.99. That's a good deal, though it's a bit more than the original. The company clearly hopes you'll be placing it under the tree this season.

Amazon's Henry Ahn calls it an "incredibly fast growing platform".

Netflix updates its Windows 10 app with a new user experience

Publié: décembre 17, 2015, 3:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

netflix-windows-10

Netflix remains near the top of the video streaming ecosystem and its original programming has begun to win some big awards. However, the goal with any company is to get its product to as many customers as possible and, more importantly, to hold onto them. To do so a service needs to be available in as many places as it can be.

With this aim in mind, Netflix is updating its Windows 10 app for customers, bringing many changes to it. This includes an all-new Browse experience that provides better scrolling, both vertically for categories and horizontally for items within each category.

The Details has also been updated, providing better artwork and more information for both shows and movies, as well as suggestions for other things you may wish to watch.

Netflix points out that "Our members on Windows run across many different screen sizes, resolutions and scaling factors. The new version of the application uses a responsive layout to optimize the size and placement of items based on the window size and scaling factor".

This latest version of Netflix differs from past ones for both PC and phone as those ran on Silverlight, XAML and C#. Now the service is using the Universal Windows Platform for this implementation.

Hacker group aims to take down Xbox Live and PlayStation Network for Christmas

Publié: décembre 17, 2015, 1:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Faceless cyber criminal hacker

There will no doubt be many new games and consoles under trees this holiday season. That means a lot people joining the online gaming community and trying to get started with their new toys. The networks need to be ready for the vast influx of users. Now a hacker group is vowing to prevent all of this.

This isn't a new thing, as last Christmas Lizard Squad knocked both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network offline. This time around it's Phantom Group planning to do exactly the same thing. The group announced its intent on Twitter with such threats as "We are going to shut down Xbox live and PSN this year on Christmas. And we are going to keep them down for one-week straight #DramaAlert".

Phantom Group recently claimed responsibility for taking Reddit offline. The service did confirm that its servers were down due to an enormous load, but it did not acknowledge a DDoS attack, nor did it say where the traffic came from.

The group has already claimed responsibility for taking down Xbox Live earlier this month. A tweet stated "Xbox Live #Offline" on December 12, 2015. The hackers even posted a video to prove they had done it. You can watch that below.

The question now is if Microsoft and Sony can beef up their services to fend off this threat. The hackers claim they will keep both networks down for as long as a week. We'll find out next week who wins this battle.

Photo Credit: igor.stevanovic/Shutterstock

Microsoft is working on bridges to get your apps to Windows 10

Publié: décembre 16, 2015, 5:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Surface 2 WIndows 10

Microsoft launched Windows 10 this past summer and it has, mostly, had a good reaction from users. After Windows 8 there really was no direction to go but up. Of course any platform needs apps to survive, and Windows 10 is no exception.

In order to expedite the influx of new apps and websites, Microsoft is building bridges. That is literally the name for it. The company wants developers to move their apps into its new ecosystem and it has already launched bridges for iOS and hosted web apps.

Microsoft's Sascha Corti claims that "A Windows Bridge for Classic Windows Apps, the Mobilize.net Silverlight Bridge and a Windows Bridge for Android" are on the way.

The existing iOS Bridge is an open-source project and you can download from GitHub. You'll also need Visual Studio to get going, but it too is free and Microsoft points out that you can get it here.

This is, of course, geared towards developers, so you'll need some skills to do it. As Microsoft points out you will need to "Import your Xcode project into Visual Studio by using the vsimporter tool included with the SDK".

Google expands Android Pay with more stores and countries

Publié: décembre 15, 2015, 7:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Android-pay-apps

Google launched Android Pay to compete in an increasingly busy market that contains the likes of Apple, Samsung and now Walmart. Android Pay is already accepted at over one million locations, but Google is only just getting started. Anyone with an Android device likely has the app as Google helpfully installed it for you, or at least on some devices such as Nexus.

Now the search giant is looking to expand its footprint, branching out to new locations. First up is Android for in-app purchases. The company is trying to make this easier. Just a couple of taps and you'll be done, no wallet involved.

Google is also working with many of the apps for discounts -- for instance you could save $20 off OpenTable, or $10 on both Lyft and DoorDash. There's an Android Pay API to allow developers to more easily integrate this feature.

The service is also coming to Australia in early 2016. Customers there who use either MasterCard or Visa can utilize it at such locations as 7-Eleven, McDonald's and Telstra. Basically anywhere that accepts NFC payments.

The updates are just starting to roll out, so you'll need to be a bit patient with it.

Amazon.in becomes the most popular site in India, video discounts for all

Publié: décembre 14, 2015, 10:37pm CET par Alan Buckingham

amazon_trust

Amazon launched in the nation of India with a lot of attention and it has grown from there. The country is a vibrant market for sites, and it was a wise move by the retail giant to get in on the deal. Now Amazon is releasing bigger news.

Amazon.in has become the most popular site in the nation, or to clarify, the most visited commerce site in India. The milestone came in October of this year and was reported by Comscore, stating more than 30 million visitors, up 38 percent over the previous month.

"This is a huge milestone, and we're all raising a glass to toast our colleagues in India,” states Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. "Customer response like this is so energizing for us, and we're grateful. Customers and sellers can count on us to continue innovating and investing heavily in India -- it’s very much still Day One at Amazon.in".

To celebrate this moment Amazon has announced a deal for both its India and US sites. You can save 50 percent off of a selection of videos from the company's Bollywood collection. The deal doesn't have an expiration date, but is listed as "a limited time".

Photo credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock

Alexa app gets new alarm tones and ratings for Skills

Publié: décembre 13, 2015, 12:41am CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo continues to learn new tricks, with music, home automation and much more. Some of the most popular things are called "skills", which are written by third-party programmers. There's also alarms and timers, which can wake you up or tell you when your food is done cooking.

Skills are important, as they allow Alexa to do more all the time. You can find them by opening the app and clicking the menu and then tapping on Skills. To review you will simply need to scroll down after clicking a particular one. From there you can read existing reviews and write your own.

As for alarms sounds the retail giant had added more than ten new ones. To choose what you'd like to wake up to you will once again head into the menu, but this time tap "alarms". From here you can choose from multiple sounds that can start your day right.

According to Amazon you can "wake up to soothing sounds from Adrift or let Pulsar grab your attention when the alarm goes off".

All of these features are available right now, so head into the Alexa app if you have any interest in using them.

Sarah Koenig's podcast comes to Sonos, this time featuring the story of Bowe Bergdahl

Publié: décembre 12, 2015, 3:30am CET par Alan Buckingham

sonos

Sonos, the whole home audio system, is one the darlings of today's tech world, though it doesn't come at a cheap price. However, the device can pump out high-quality home audio throughout your dwelling and its offerings for content keep getting better.

Season two of Serial has just debuted and this season follows the story of Bowe Bergdahl, who people have mixed opinions of. If you aren't familiar with the story, Bergdahl was stationed in Afghanistan and left his post for, what he claims, was seeking help from superiors due to a lack of leadership in his platoon. There are many caveats and nuances to this tale, and listeners will form their own opinions about the events of that day.

Regardless of your feelings you can now give it a listen if you happen to have Sonos installed in your home. "You can download the podcast and listen to it via your phone through Sonos, play it via Stitcher -- or, a new medium for season two, Serial is being broadcast through Pandora. All you have to do is add Serial to your stations from within the Pandora app, and it will then appear on your Pandora account via the Sonos app", the hardware makers claims.

This particular case is a huge coup for the show as it has major ramifications. Give the show a listen and decide for yourself what to think of the story.

Ford plans to make 40 percent of its cars electric by 2020

Publié: décembre 11, 2015, 10:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

All-New Ford GT

The green revolution has hit the auto industry and it has become time to adapt or move on. The company started by Henry Ford has always been near the front in innovation, especially under Alan Mulally. We've seen Ford Sync evolve into the platform it now is and the introduction of electric vehicles.

Now the company is laying out its plans for the next few years and a lot of that involves energy savings. The environment is in trouble and fossil fuels are part to blame.

To the tune of $4.5 billion the company is jumping in feet first with "electrified vehicle solutions by 2020, including the new Focus Electric with all-new DC fast-charge capability, which delivers 80 percent charge in an estimated 30 minutes and projected 100-mile range", or at least that is the claim.

This will total 13 new electric vehicles by the end of this decade and also signify a move in design that company claims goes towards a customer-experience-based plan.

"The challenge going forward isn’t who provides the most technology in a vehicle but who best organizes that technology in a way that most excites and delights people", says Raj Nair, executive vice president of Product Development. "By observing consumers, we can better understand which features and strengths users truly use and value and create even better experiences for them going forward".

This is all based on an investment in social science research. It sounds a bit new-age, but that is the direction the company wants to head in. The company has plans to double down in this area over the next year. This is all underway already, with research having been done over the past several years, much of it studying companies in other industries.

This research is the key to everything. As founder Henry Ford said "If I asked people what they wanted, they would have asked for a faster horse".

Xbox Live certificate keys exposed according to Microsoft

Publié: décembre 11, 2015, 12:29pm CET par Alan Buckingham

XboxOne_1TBConsole

A lot of Xbox customers shill out the extra money for a Live account to improve the gaming experience. With the vast amount of Xbox consoles out there, that is quite a few customers. Now Microsoft is acknowledging that the keys for some of those faithful users have been exposed.

Before you panic, this doesn't necessarily mean you've been hacked, but the possibility is there. In a new security bulletin the company claims that the SSL/TLS digital certificate keys for xboxlive.com were exposed and that this could be used by hackers for man-in-the-middle attacks.

While the issue affects all supported versions of Windows, Microsoft claims it is unaware of any actual attacks. The software giant has taken action to ensure nothing bad happens.

"To help protect customers from potentially fraudulent use of the SSL/TLS digital certificate, the certificate has been deemed no longer valid and Microsoft is updating the Certificate Trust list (CTL) for all supported releases of Microsoft Windows to remove the trust of the certificate", the bulletin reads.

Microsoft has issued an update which covers "Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows RT, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Version 1511, and for devices running Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.1, and Windows 10 Mobile".

For now customers don't need to panic or do anything particular to protect themselves. All of the above listed systems will be protected automatically.

Listen up! Pandora arrives on the new Apple TV

Publié: décembre 11, 2015, 3:54am CET par Alan Buckingham

woman listening to music on tablet

The brand new Apple TV is now on the market, and it is receiving some attention. Capability is in the eye of the beholder, but of course, being Apple, it has its fans. This time around the platform has opened up a bit more and slipping in now is music darling Pandora.

The streaming service is announcing that it is now launching on the the new Apple TV. The service already supported many different devices, but this adds one more to the arsenal.

"We are excited to expand the devices we support with the release of the Pandora app on Apple TV. We continue to focus on an elegant and simple design for music listening and discovery to complement the Apple TV experience", states Chris Phillips, chief product officer at Pandora. "Our team worked to ensure Pandora would be ready in time for listeners to enjoy during the holiday season".

Customers will find all of the features they expect from any Pandora app. This includes creating personal stations, giving a thumbs up or down to particular tracks and discovering new music, which is perhaps the best part of Pandora.

This platform adds to the extensive list that already exists, including game consoles, set-top boxes, smart TVs, wearables, computers and much more. It even works well on Amazon Echo. If you have the new Apple TV then you can grab the app now, providing you live in the US, Australia or New Zealand.

Photo Credit: racorn/Shutterstock

Samsung's TV app Smart View hits beta

Publié: décembre 10, 2015, 3:16pm CET par Alan Buckingham

SmartView_Main_1

Do you have a Smart TV? The devices have become increasingly popular and many on the market today now come with apps built in. Even set-top box maker Roku has launched a service that manufacturers can use.

One of the top makers of big screens is Samsung and it aims to stay near the top of the market with its latest feature that it calls Smart View. Its currently a beta and only available on select TVs, but it works with the app on Android, iOS and Windows PCs.

The service was originally designed to work with Galaxy devices, so this is an attempt to expand and encompass a greater range of customers, which makes good business sense.

The range of TVs this works with is fairly broad, but you'll need one manufactured since 2011, up until present you should be fine.

"Once a device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as a Smart TV, consumers can immediately use the Smart View service simply by choosing which TV set to connect with. At the push of a button, this intuitive, newly designed app can instantly transfer content stored on mobile devices and PCs to TVs. Consumers can also use multiple functions simultaneously, and access other apps on their mobile devices without affecting the sharing function. For example, consumers can browse the internet on their smartphone, while watching a movie via Smart View on their Samsung Smart TV", the company announces.

While this is a beta version for now, Samsung expects to launch the final product in early 2016. Customers can find out more and get download links by visiting www.samsung.com/smartview.

Walmart introduces its own payment app for Android and iOS

Publié: décembre 10, 2015, 2:33pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Walmart

Android Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay -- it seems to be the latest trend in mobile devices. Each wants you to use its service and, in some cases all will work at a particular retailer. But, instead of accepting the existing ones, Walmart has decided to launch its own rival to them.

The giant retail chain is announcing Walmart Pay with the good news being that it isn't launching its own phone that you need to purchase first. It will work with both iOS and Android; Windows Phone users once again get left out. Walmart is the first retailer to launch its own payment service.

The new app will work with all credit and debit cards as well as store gift cards. "The Walmart app was built to make shopping faster and easier", says Neil Ashe, president and CEO of Walmart Global eCommerce. "Walmart Pay is the latest example -- and a powerful addition -- of how we are transforming the shopping experience by seamlessly connecting online, mobile and stores for the 140 million customers who shop with us weekly".

This is more than just pay, the feature is being built into the existing app so customers can shop with it as well as pay with it. The retailer promises an easy experience at checkout -- just open and scan. Sounds easy, we'll see how it works.

Image Credit: trekandshoot/Shutterstock

Windows Live Writer goes open source

Publié: décembre 10, 2015, 5:39am CET par Alan Buckingham

open-live-writer

Perhaps it never really caught on, or at least didn't go big, but Windows Live Writer is a solid tool for blogging. This isn't Word, which is what many writers use, but it's still a capable weapon in the arsenal of any author.

The new program is called, quite simply, Open Live Writer and it's being released now. It has also been contributed to the .NET Foundation. It allows writers to edit and publish stories directly from within it.

Rob Dolin of Microsoft comments "Windows Live Writer has been turning blogging up to 11 since 2007, but since 2012 things have been a bit quiet with the application itself. However over the past few months I have had the pleasure working with a very passionate group of engineers volunteering their time to ensure that Live Writer has a sustainable future. I'm pleased to announce that today the .NET Foundation welcomes a new project -- Open Live Writer".

This is a good thing, since apparently many use and love it, but the company has not actively been developing the program. Putting it on GitHub should ensure its future for those who are fans of the platform. Remember that this is now a volunteer team, so your help is encouraged.

Remember Hyperloop? It's getting ready for testing

Publié: décembre 9, 2015, 4:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

hyperloop

A while back Elon Musk, of Space X and Tesla Motors, as well as a founder of PayPal, drew up designs for a futuristic mode of travel that he dubbed Hyperloop. It's essentially a super-speed rail system running in a vacuum-like tube. At the time, it drew some derision as not being possible, both physically and economically.

Despite that, Hyperloop Technologies Incorporated was born and it has slowly grown. How far? Well, the company is now ready to set up a test run. The company has found space in North Las Vegas, Nevada at the Mountain View Industrial Park. The site it obtained is approximately 50 acres.

The hardware to set things up is expected to arrive this month and testing will take place in early 2016. "This decision represents another major milestone in our journey to bring Hyperloop to commercial reality", says Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop Technologies, Inc. "Hyperloop Technologies will invest first in regions where we receive government advocacy to move fast. We are grateful for the support we have received from Governor Sandoval, the Nevada Office of Economic Development and Mayor Lee and his team from the City of North Las Vegas".

Nevada governor Brian Sandoval is excited about the deployment as it brings another technology company to the state and he hopes to move state and local employees using the new system.

"As a state, we are working diligently to attract and grow innovative companies and technologies that advance industries of all kinds", states Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval.

Hyperloop itself is headquartered in Los Angeles with 72 employees. It has financial backing that is getting things moving. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess.

Amazon launches a streaming partners program, brings Showtime and more

Publié: décembre 9, 2015, 12:06pm CET par Alan Buckingham

couple-watching-tv

Just when you thought Amazon Prime couldn't offer much more, the retail giant goes and tries to do just that. The company is unveiling new streaming partners that will bring even more content and it comes from major players in the market.

The service is announcing a streaming partners program that will bring this additional content. This is a Prime only option, so you'll need to sign up for an account.

Amazon takes much responsibility for all of this -- the company will drive the subscribers, make sign-up easy, handle customer service, manage billing and compatibility across multiple devices. In addition there is free trial on all subscriptions and simultaneous broadcasts of programming when it airs.

"The way people watch TV is changing, and customers need an easier way to subscribe to and enjoy multiple streaming subscriptions", says Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video at Amazon. "With the Streaming Partners Program, we're making it easy for video providers to reach highly engaged Prime members, many of whom are already frequent streamers, and we’re making it easier for viewers to watch their favorite shows and channels".

The initial partners already signed up include Showtime, STARZ, Smithsonian and a number of others. Some require a separate subscription -- Showtime and STARZ are $8.99 per month. This is available starting now, along with a redesigned video page.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

Spotify lets you create your year in music

Publié: décembre 8, 2015, 1:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Girl listening to music

As the year winds down it becomes time for retrospective thoughts. There will be a lot to look back on 2015, some of it pleasant, some sad, some just plain scary. Moments are sometimes defined by music -- you remember what was popular when you were in high school, for instance.

Now Spotify would like to provide you with some reminders of the year that's almost gone. This is your year in music and it's tailored to each individual user.

"From the internet falling back in love with Missy Elliott at the Super Bowl, to same-sex marriage being legalized in the US and Ireland, to man buns and selfie sticks exploding on the cultural scene, 2015 was a year to remember. Explore these and many other moments from the past year -- and relive these memories through custom Spotify playlists", the streaming service announces.

Your personal list will include your first played song, your top songs, artists and genres, top artists by season, total minutes of music streamed and total number of songs and artists played.

Once your list is created you can see a snapshot of it and share it on all of your social networks. Spotify will also gift you a playlist based on your music listened to over the past year. Just hit "Play it forward" and you'll get your new list.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

TuneIn Radio lands on Windows 10 with lots of content

Publié: décembre 8, 2015, 5:06am CET par Alan Buckingham

TuneIn-image

TuneIn Radio has made some news recently, most notably with its inclusion of radio broadcasts for all NFL games. Granted, this requires the customer to pony up $7.99 per month for a premium subscription and there is no video, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than NFL Sunday Ticket and radio broadcasts are pretty descriptive about plays.

Now the service is arriving on Windows 10, the latest operating system from Microsoft. This is a Universal App and brings the full content of the service to the platform.

This gives users the ability to not only pin the app, but also pin their favorite stations. The service is also excited about Cortana which allows for launching the app by voice -- simply say "Cortana, launch TuneIn" and you're off and running.

This allows for easy sign-in as, like its web-based counterpart, you can use Facebook to log in or use your email address to get moving.

"We can’t wait to hear what you think of the new TuneIn Radio app for Windows 10! You’ll find the app available to download for free here in the Windows Store. If you have any questions, check out our FAQ page, or tweet us at @TuneInSupport", the service states.

Adele '25' blows the roof off of digital music sales

Publié: décembre 5, 2015, 2:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

roof-blown-off

Hello from Adele. The artist has had two critically acclaimed albums already in her young career, but nothing prepared anyone for the latest offering. 25 is the new album and it seems to be an incredibly hot commodity right now, at least according to new statistics released for the first week of sales.

Unsurprisingly, digital was at the top of the list with iTunes leading the way with 1.5 million sales. It was followed by Amazon at a distant 243,000 and Google Play at 55,000. In between were physical locations Target and Walmart.

Perhaps the most shocking number that comes out of all this is that the record sold at a rate of 5.6 copies per second during the first week.

The infographic below, provided by Billboard, breaks things down further, including regions in the US. It seems that the Southeast is most fond of the singer as it had the highest rate of sales.

adele-infographic

Image Credit: Slobodan Djajic / Shutterstock

Curious about the news? CNNgo is now on Roku

Publié: décembre 4, 2015, 9:33pm CET par Alan Buckingham

CNNgo-home-screen

There's always news happening somewhere in the world and recently there have been some big stories like the Paris and San Bernardino shootings and explosives. Many of us have likely been glued to the TV and watching in horror as these events unfolded.

Now the CNNgo channel is launching on Roku and will bring you all of the latest stories from around the world. Users will be able to browse hundreds of news clips, but this isn't live TV, just highlights -- unless you have a pay TV subscription.

"Roku customers with a pay TV subscription can stream live CNN U.S television and on-demand feature programs including Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown and Mike Rowe’s Somebody’s Gotta Do It as well as clips", Roku announces.

There's more than just video clips, as well. Customers can view both past and future video segments, and also delve into photo galleries.

The app is available in the channel store under News and Weather. You will need to be in the US, though. Apologies to overseas readers.

Xbox One had a big Black Friday according to Microsoft

Publié: décembre 4, 2015, 4:06pm CET par Alan Buckingham

microsoft

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are in the books as the big holiday looms ever larger on the horizon. But what gifts will be given this year? According to Microsoft a number of people will be unwrapping its products that morning.

Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson, says that Xbox One had record sales on the biggest shopping day of the year. Not only that, but he claims Windows 10 gaming continues to rise, which is hardly surprising. The operating system is only recently on the market and consumers are switching to it. Hryb claims that in November Windows 10 gaming hours exceeded Windows 8 for the first time.

Hryb attributes the record Xbox One sales to the new backwards compatibility and the number of bundles that were available on the market this year. He also points out that over the past week there was 325 million hours gaming on Xbox Live.

According to statistics Hryb cites, Microsoft Store sales were up 57 percent over both Xbox One and its older brother the Xbox 360. In addition Live Gold subscriptions rose 40 percent worldwide and Xbox One retail sales were up 22 percent over the same period last year. The best-selling bundle was the Gears of War Ultimate Edition and the Elite Wireless Controller was also popular.

However, all of these statistics added up to only the second biggest week in the 15 year history of the Xbox console.

Follow the Inca trail and make the trek to Machu Picchu with Google

Publié: décembre 3, 2015, 11:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

machu-picchu

The ruins of Machu Picchu are perhaps the most familiar and enduring reminder of the once mighty Inca empire. Thought to have been built in the 1400's, the city is a spectacular site thanks to its location high atop a peak in the Andes mountains. Reaching it is part of the adventure.

It is, no doubt, on many bucket lists, but the journey is not for everyone. Now Google has partnered with Peruvian Ministry of Culture to bring you this fantastic location that few will ever see in person.

"Gazing at the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu more than 2,400 meters above sea level, the site below is a lasting tribute to the power of the Inca Empire. It’s still unclear how the structure composed of behemoth stones was so precisely built without the use of mortar or modern day machinery, but its walls, terraces and stairways weave effortlessly into the mountainside and natural landscape", says Google's Daniel Filip, Google Maps Tech Lead.

You'll be able wonder throughout the complex from the plaza to the temple. "Whether you visit Machu Picchu via a train or hike up the Inca Trail, we'd be honored to be your virtual guide through this sacred space", Filip concludes.

Amazon takes its Fire tablets to China, adds new features

Publié: décembre 3, 2015, 7:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

amazon-image-1

Amazon recently released its latest tablets, the Fire 10 and Fire 8, as well as a smaller $50 model, all of which sold very well over the big shopping days from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. These were among several Amazon products that did well over that period.

Now the company is updating the software across the entire line, bringing several enhancements to the tablets. It's also putting a device on sale in China for the first time, so there's plenty of news out of the Washington-based company.

In the new update Amazon promises Blue Shade, which allows for easier reading at night. Once enabled users can choose the brightness level that's best for them. It's simple to enable and disable with just a click of a quick setting button.

An improved activity center brings more control to parents. This is geared towards folks with kids who have outgrown FreeTime. It allows adults to still keep an eye on the children without restricting them too much. "When Activity Center is enabled, parents can visit a customized, secure page on their smartphone, tablet, or computer to review how much time their kids spend playing games, watching videos, and reading", Amazon says. But, speaking of FreeTime, the web browser in it is becoming more kid-friendly. All sites available are curated by Amazon to ensure that they meet general parental standards.

Lastly, Amazon is launching its tablet in China. "We’ve already sold millions of Fire tablets since launch, and we’re excited to now make it available to customers in China", says Neil Lindsay, Vice President of Amazon Devices. "With millions of readers already using Kindle e-readers in China, we’re excited to now offer another incredibly affordable option, particularly for customers learning to read English. With tools and features like Word Wise and Blue Shade, plus a large selection of Chinese and English content, we think readers will love the new Fire tablet".

This is the $50 model and it will retail for RMB 499 Yuan in this Asian market. It will also give access to a tremendous amount of books and even provide English learning skills.

Google becomes the largest non-power company consumer of renewable energy

Publié: décembre 3, 2015, 1:49pm CET par Alan Buckingham

gigawatts

This week saw the big climate conference in Paris, bringing together numerous world leaders to discuss the changes occurring in our world. What we hope to get is improvement in the increasing amount of climate change, an effort to protect the environment for us and the wildlife that depend on it.

One answer is now coming from Google, which has long been a proponent of the need for change. The search giant has long backed renewable energy and now it claims to be the largest consumer of it. Well, the largest that isn't classified as a power company.

The latest purchase will add 842 megawatts of energy to power Google's massive data centers around the world. "Across three countries, we’re nearly doubling the amount of renewable energy we’ve purchased to date. We’re now up to 2 gigawatts -- the equivalent to taking nearly 1 million cars off the road", says Urs Hölzle, Google's SVP of Technical Infrastructure.

There's more to it, though. The contracts Google has signed range from 10-20 years, so they also serve as a way of backing up the companies for the future. Of course there's also financial gain, as Google will get energy at lower prices and save money for the company in the long run.

Beyond that, Google claims that its data centers are designed to be energy efficient while also driving change in the utility market. Hopefully all of this adds up to a pendulum swing for the environment. We could use it.

IFTTT gains support for Honeywell Total Connect Comfort with new channel

Publié: décembre 3, 2015, 6:31am CET par Alan Buckingham

honeywell-thermostat

If This Then That has been popular for a while, allowing users to create all sorts of new and creative functionality to make their lives simpler. In fact, recently the service became compatible with Amazon Echo and we took a look at how to set up a simple recipe that allows users to locate a lost phone -- providing it isn't muted and is within range to hear it ringing.

We're always looking for new and creative ideas to make this even better and one of those is home automation. With that in mind, IFTTT is unveiling its Honeywell Total Connect Comfort channel. Much like Nest, this is a smart thermostat that can be set from an app and done from anywhere in the world.

The new channel includes some pretty cool recipes already. For instance, there's one called "Winter is coming" which allows the user to set an indoor temperature based on that of the outside. For instance if outside drops below 65 F then you can have Honeywell set the inside to 72. You can also set up a temperature at a certain time, or when you arrive home. There's even one that lets you turn on the heat from your Android Wear watch.

IFTTT continues to grow and now customers for the Honeywell thermostat have options as well. We expect more cool recipes will be released.

Sling TV updates it Roku app, adds new UI and more

Publié: décembre 2, 2015, 9:07pm CET par Alan Buckingham

rokuuiux1

Slowly over the past couple of months, Sling TV has been rolling out an update. It has already hit Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, Android TV, Mac, PC and also mobile platforms Android and iOS. Now the reach of this release will become complete, as Roku is on tap.

This is happening now, as Sling TV is officially announcing the update for the tiny set-top boxes. The company labels this as phase one of its plan. This brings a brand new user interface which contains a revamped channel guide that Sling claims gives a quicker response and easier access to live channels and on-demand content.

The new guide also contains a filter ribbon which allows users to scan through channels by category. Sling instructs users to "just highlight the filter ribbon and your channels will automatically be filtered. If you prefer a select view, like 'HBO/Premium' channels, just click the 'OK' button on the 'HBO/Premium' option, and your mini guide will remain filtered with these channels every time you open it until you change it again".

There are also a number of changes to remote control functionality. These include moving menu access from the star button to the OK button, clicking the up button for access to the mini guide, the down button produces the full guide and left and right allow for navigation between channels.

All of this comes not long after Roku launched its newest set-top box with a remote that has a dedicated Sling button. You don't need the newest device to take advantage of these remote control changes as they will still work for you. To update your box follow the instructions here.

Cyber Monday a success? Amazon and Adobe think so

Publié: décembre 1, 2015, 4:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

delivery man

The "biggest online shopping day" is now behind us. Cyber Monday certainly brings out the deals, but do people really take advantage of them? According to a couple of announcements it would seem that the answer to that is yes.

Both Adobe and Amazon are reporting record sales, with Adobe citing a number of $3 billion. That same number was reported this morning by CNN. Obviously these are not sales to Adobe, but it tracks the data in general. The company calculates $11 billion in total was spent between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday. It also claims that "out-of-stock" rates hit an all-time high.

"Cyber Monday has pushed online spending to a new high, and is on track to hit a record $3 billion in sales, in line with our forecast", says Tamara Gaffney, principal analyst at Adobe Digital Index. "Online traffic was so astronomical that several retailers experienced temporary outages and slow checkouts, but that didn’t stall consumer spending. Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and Los Angeles were the largest metropolitan areas with the highest online sales growth between Thanksgiving and Sunday".

Meanwhile, Amazon is touting its own success on the big day. The online retailer claims that the top two selling items were both its own products, with Fire TV at number one and the Fire TV Stick in second place. It also says that Amazon Echo was the top selling $100-plus item on the site.

"We’re excited that millions of customers will be opening new Amazon devices this holiday season. This has already been the biggest holiday shopping season for Amazon devices, and we’re energized by the year over year growth for all of our product categories", states Dave Limp, Senior Vice President of Amazon Devices.

So what, if anything, did you buy over this holiday shopping period?

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

The threats of November 2015, Linux ransomware leads the way according to new report

Publié: décembre 1, 2015, 1:26am CET par Alan Buckingham

House security

November is almost in the books and we're into the holiday season. Unfortunately that means some people would like your money to shop with. November was about ransomware, not just viruses, trojans and malware, or at least that's what a new report has found.

Dr Web states that Linux was at the top of the list in terms of what could go wrong. Linux.encoder.1 ranked as the top threat of the month. This is a derivative of Trojan.encoder.737 which was found in 2014 and has since been changed into this iteration.

Dr Web also says "According to Google data, this encoder has managed to infect more than 3000 websites worldwide". The report points out that the sites targeted were created using WordPress and Magento. The first is a very commonly used CMS around the web. The compromised sites total more than 3,000.

The good news for this threat is that it has a number of flaws in the code and the data it locks up can be decrypted, so at least there's a bit of happiness among this gloom.

Meanwhile, the most common malware was a pair of trojans labeled trojan.crossrider1.42770 and trojan.crossrider1.50845. These are simply designed to display ads on your screen. Not far behind was trojan.download3.35067, which the security service describes as "A Trojan that can download other malicious programs from the Internet and install them on the infected computer".

The company is also monitoring a botnet, well probably many. This one is known as Win32.Rmnet.12. Activity in this area has receded two months in a row now, though. The most active area, by far, is China. It is very distantly followed by the US. The margin is 88 percent to six.

The security firm did add more than 670,000 sites to its "dangerous" list, which more than doubles the month of October.

All of this means that it's still a war zone out there, just not as bad as it was. Be safe shopping this holiday season.

Image Credit: Maksim Kabakou / Shutterstock

How to: Find your misplaced phone with Amazon Echo and IFTTT

Publié: novembre 29, 2015, 10:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Amazon just recently introduced support for IFTTT (If This Then That) to its Echo product. The company is pushing fairly hard to add functionality to its device. On a regular basis you will find a new addition at the top of the app when you fire it up on your phone or tablet.

With the introduction of IFTTT Triggers Alexa can now do even more. There are a number of recipes to choose from, but setting them up, in most cases, is pretty similar. Many involve your phone so be prepared to turn your number over, though neither entities have given reason for mistrust.

I'm adding the "find my phone" recipe, but first you'll need to have an IFTTT account. It's free, just visit the website and set up a username and password.

With that out of the way you can browse for your recipe from the many available, or search for one you want. In this case we're using 30541306 which is titled "Trigger find my phone".

Now you'll need to set up your Amazon account with IFTTT, it's a simple process, a dialog box will pop up so you just enter your username and password. The box is handled by Amazon so there are no worries about giving your information away.

The next step is to enter your phone number, you'll quickly get a call from Amazon that gives you a four digit PIN that you need to enter. Pay close attention because my message wasn't terribly clear and this step had to be done twice.

Now you've completed the process and to verify it's working say "Alexa, trigger find my phone". Your phone should ring within seconds. Keep in mind that if your handset is muted then this won't work.

This is only one example, there are many to choose from and likely that number will grow quickly so keep checking back.

Amazon Echo introduces IFTTT trigger phrases

Publié: novembre 28, 2015, 7:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo continues to gain functionality, utilizing music apps like Pandora, TuneIn and Last.fm, as well as, of course, Amazon Prime music. There's also a growing list of home automation integration which allows customers to control devices by voice. You can even control your second-generation Fire TV -- first-generation is coming soon, or so Amazon has told me.

Now the company is introducing trigger phrases for IFTTT events and it also works into the home integration slant, though there can be other uses.

IFTTT, if you aren't familiar, stands for "If This Then That". It can connect apps, devices and services and allow you to initiate all sorts of cool actions.

Now the two meet as Amazon introduces trigger phrases to enact IFTTT events. You can do things such as have you Philips Hue bulbs blink when a certain event occurs or, as Amazon states, have your phone ring when you can't find it. Set up a phrase such "Alexa, find my phone" to initiate the process..

All of these IFTTT setups are referred to as recipes. You can create your own or choose from an ever-growing range of existing ones. You can visit IFTTT to check out everything.

Is home automation in your future or are you using it now?

Publié: novembre 28, 2015, 2:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

home automation

Home automation gets touted by some as the future, but it's really the now. A seemingly endless list of products are on the market and they allow the user to lock doors, turn lights on and off, open and close shades, there's even a crockpot that can be turned on and off from anywhere.

For a while now I have been controlling some lights with Amazon Echo. It's mostly good, but every once in a while the hub between Alexa and the bulbs needs to be reset. I've also been using the Mivatek Smart Plug to control another light. Therein lies the problem -- a lack of these things working together. Most are trying to, but the integration isn't there yet.

Echo, for instance, works with hubs from Wink, SmartThings and Insteon. That includes quite a few products, including the Nest. Certain models of the Harmony remote will also work with a few home automation products. The integration is growing, but for now those who try these things will deal with a bit of a hodgepodge of controls. Echo controls some lights while an app on my tablet controls others.

SmartThings can control products from Belkin WeMo, GE, Philips, D-Link and a number of others. Wink can control Nest, GE and more. The real question is which hub to choose because they don't all work with everything, as my Wink hub can't control the Mivatek plug. In fairness, Mivatek is a new startup and likely will get picked up over time.

So are you using any home automation products yet? If you are then how has your experience been? If you haven't yet tested the waters do you plan to? Are you worried about the news regarding hacking of connected devices?

Photo Credit: bergserg/ Shutterstock

Act now and get a major discount on unlimited Amazon Cloud storage

Publié: novembre 27, 2015, 4:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Cloud access

I'm likely preaching to the choir when I say all data should be backed up, in fact it's best to have it in two places -- one local and one off site in case of disaster. Off-site can mean several things, but the increasingly popular choice is the cloud and there are many choices for that.

Now Amazon has an offer you may not be able to refuse. Get unlimited cloud storage space for a year. The price? A mere $5. In addition customers can also choose unlimited photo storage for a year at only $1. Those are both great deals given what they regularly retail for --$59.99 for data storage, though if you're a Prime customer then you already have the unlimited photo storage.

If you are planning to shop at Amazon today and a camera, PC video game or kitchen product is on your list then you will qualify for of these deals completely free.

You can take advantage of these deals by visiting Amazon. While the page doesn't indicate how long the deal lasts, it may only be a Black Friday special, so act soon if you choose to do this. For now Amazon only says "for a limited time".

Image Credit: Chaiyapop Bhumiwat / Shutterstock

The tech item I'm most thankful for in 2015 [Alan]

Publié: novembre 26, 2015, 5:34pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Instagram Happy Thanksgiving

The year is winding down, but the tech world is winding up with Black Friday deals already appearing and CES heading our way in early January. As always a lot came out this year, and most people will have differing opinions on their favorite product, which is fine. To each his own. I'm just throwing in my two cents.

While I tested and reviewed many products during the course of this year, there was one that stood out. One that I use every single day. What is it?

It's Amazon Echo, and you've likely seen it advertised on TV. It's even better than the ads show, as it does much more than what can be crammed into 30 seconds.

I use it daily to check sports scores, weather, inquire about movies, play Pandora and Amazon Prime music while I work, podcasts from TuneIn and much more.

More importantly the feature set is growing all the time and there's a list of home automation integration. You'll find a full list of products in the Alexa app. Hubs include Wink, SmartThings and Insteon. A message at the top of the app will tell you what the latest additions are, and that's not just home automation, but everything being added.

$179 may sound like a lot for some, but the voice control is priceless. I can tell it to turn lights on/off from my couch, I can tell it to play Pandora, I can ask for NFL scores.

Is there a downside? Well Amazon knows everything you say, so if that worries you then I suppose it's a problem. I'm unfazed by that aspect. It ranks as the product I'm most grateful for on this day.

Google unveils the hottest search topics for Thanksgiving

Publié: novembre 25, 2015, 10:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Beutler_Google_CookTurkey_TW

Thanksgiving is rolling around in the US, kicking off the holiday season. Of course this also means shopping, but at the moment minds are mostly geared towards food. To perhaps nobody's surprise cooking is a hot topic, after all it's what the holiday is all about -- well that and football.

Google has released the top search topics leading up to the big day. At the top of the list is, of course, turkey, the bird that was, at one time, nominated for the national bird though it lost out to the bald eagle.

However, the top search topic is "when was the first Thanksgiving?" A bit embarrassing but representative of the US public. Coming in second was when did Thanksgiving become a holiday? Reaching down to third place was why did the pilgrims celebrate it?

After that we move on to the food. According to Google "How to cook a turkey?" Is at the top of the list. "Related questions include 'how much turkey do you cook per person' (Answer: there’s math involved but the most important part is making enough for sandwiches for multiple days after), followed quickly by 'How long to cook a turkey?' (answer: more math)".

Also at the top is cranberry relish and mashed potatoes. Surprisingly included is peach cobbler, lasagna and beef stew. Shockingly missing is pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll, as well as stuffing.

The most searched methods for cooking a turkey are fairly predictable -- roasted, smoked and fried, in that order.

So, enjoy your holiday and if you don't know how to cook the meal then it's a search away.

Dell responds to concerns over certificate vulnerability

Publié: novembre 24, 2015, 1:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Security

Security problems are certainly nothing new, vulnerabilities seem to crop up just about everywhere. We've seen countless ones from software makers and large store chains, however shipping new computers with one built-in is less common. But, that's exactly what Dell has been doing, unintentionally of course.

A problem has been discovered in the eDellroot certificate, described as a vulnerability that allows hackers to install malware. To be fair, the problem is more than just Dell, it also lies with the makers of web browsers.

According to security researcher Brian Krebs, "Clever attackers can use this key from Dell to sign phony browser security certificates for any HTTPS-protected site".

Dell is responding in a new statement issued by Laura Thomas. It acknowledges the problem, which has existed with computers that have been shipping since August of this year. Thomas states "Customer security and privacy is a top concern and priority for Dell; we deeply regret that this has happened and are taking steps to address it".

The company points out that the certificate itself is not malware, but was intended to aid in support of the desktops and laptops by easily identifying the model and making the support process faster.

Dell has released instructions on how remove the certificate (here) and it also pledges to push a software update which will begin rolling out today. It plans to discontinue shipping computers with this certificate.

Finally the company pledges "If you ever find a potential security vulnerability in any Dell product or software, we encourage you to visit this site to contact us immediately".

Image Credit: wk1003mike/Shutterstock

Pebble Time gets more iOS integration with addition of text

Publié: novembre 23, 2015, 11:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

pebble-time

Time is the latest version of the smartwatch from Pebble and it even comes in a special round version. The wrist device works with both Android and iPhone, which covers most customers -- sorry Windows Phone users. Now Pebble is bringing more functionality to its Apple friends.

The company boasts that this is the first non-Apple smartwatch to deliver voice and text integration. There are a number of stipulations that come along with this, though.

First, you'll need to be an AT&T customer with a post-paid account. Then you'll need to update your Pebble app to version 3.4 and your Pebble Time firmware to version 3.7 -- this should be automatic, but you can force it if necessary. You can then head into the iPhone app and enable actionable notifications and you should be good to go.

Pebble points out that, for those who want more information "full details about iOS Message Replies, review the FAQ on our Support page".

One final note, the apps are not at the same version -- while Android is 3.7, iPhone is at 3.4, which is also what the watch firmware is labeled as.

Samsung lays out its IoT SmartThings devices in new infographic

Publié: novembre 21, 2015, 4:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is the latest rage with more products coming onto the market all the time. It's also become a bit of a target for hacking, though the problem is likely a bit exaggerated. We've recently looked at one of the newest offerings on the market from startup MivaTek, many other players are on the field and one of those is Samsung.

Samsung now has a line it calls SmartThings and it includes an array of products such as outlets, water sensors, security and much more.

You will, of course, need to purchase a hub which ties together all of the devices, but once you have that you'll get access to more than 200 IoT products and you'll be able to control them all from a phone or tablet.

SmartThings also works with Amazon Echo, as do two other home automation hubs. With that integration you can control products by voice command, which is handy, though sometimes a bit flaky.

Photo credit: asharkyu / Shutterstock

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Happy holidays! WebRadio launches Christmas stations

Publié: novembre 20, 2015, 10:53am CET par Alan Buckingham

santa-computer

It's that time of year with the weather turning cold, shopping lists in mind and a general feeling of...well, it depends on the person. However, many folks like a bit of spirit for the season and holiday music purveys that, frequently bringing back memories of youth with the likes of Bing Crosby and Burl Ives.

Now WebRadio, a BRS Media company, is trying to bring you the best of the holidays with a long list of channels to choose from.

This is a mix of on-air and online stations and more than 180 channels will be available. It's the 20th year the service has provided this, though it has grown quite a bit in that time. Hard to believe streaming media has been around so long.

"The Christmas section of WebRadio continues to be one of our most popular features," remarks George T. Bundy, Chairman and CEO of BRS Media Inc. "Internet Radio listeners are just one click away from hundreds of stations streaming holiday cheer. Whether at Work, at Home, in the Car, on Mobile, or even Shopping Online, listeners have a wide variety of Christmas stations to choose from, everything from Classic Standards & Smooth Jazz to Oldies and Country are all online".

Now it's just up to you to decide if you wish to say "bah humbug" or "'tis the season". Either way, enjoy your holidays no matter which you celebrate.

Image Credit: wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock

Pandora plans to make Rdio part of its music empire

Publié: novembre 17, 2015, 7:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

radio

Pandora and Rdio are two of the major forces in the streaming music industry. It's a growing market now that CDs have become part of the past. Yes, sales of them still exist, just not what they once were.

Now Pandora is planning to acquire Rdio and consolidate the two services. It's an interesting proposition and will certainly have implications. Pandora and Rdio are different in certain ways. Pandora simply lets you create stations based on taste and does an excellent job of it. Rdio allows for streaming individual songs.

"We’d like to update the entire Rdio community regarding today's announcement that Pandora plans to acquire Rdio's innovative technology and critically-acclaimed design", the service states in a brief announcement.

Rdio promises no service interruption, which is obviously good for customers. It also pledges that more updates on this process will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

The company wraps up by saying "We thank you for your continued support over the years and look forward to bringing you even better music experiences in the future as part of the Pandora team".

Photo Credit: Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Sprint and T-Mobile offer help in the wake of France terror attacks

Publié: novembre 16, 2015, 3:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Paris

The past couple of days have been an endless cycle of bad news with the terror attacks in Paris. Everyone feels bad for those caught up in the violence and we all wish we could help in some way. Some are in a position to do so and Sprint and T-Mobile fall into that category, and are planning to do their part during this crisis.

Both are offering free communication options so loved ones can check on friends and family. That's a key thing in any situation, be it a terror attack or natural disaster.

Both plans went into effect on November 13th, though folks likely didn't know as each company just got around to announcing them.

T-Mobile is offering free calling and texting to and from France to "help our customers connect with loved ones in the wake of the terrible terrorist attacks in Paris". Meanwhile, Sprint is announcing that long distance, roaming and SMS are free for those in the region.

"Amid the chaos and devastation, we want to do what we can to show our support and comfort to all Sprint, Boost Mobile, and Virgin Mobile customers", Sprint states.

It's a nice gesture and more than many are doing. Hopefully it allows the people involved in this incident to communicate. If so, then it's worth the few dollars it will cost each company.

Photo Credit: LDprod/Shutterstock

BBC World News channel available in India on YuppTV

Publié: novembre 13, 2015, 1:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

BBC Building London

For those who didn't know, the BBC has launched a 24 hour news channel to compete with such entities as CNN and Al Jazeera. Now the issue is making the network available for as many viewers as possible in this crowded market that is today's news cycle.

One of the largest markets is India and the channel is now there, announcing it has signed on to provide its network to YuppTV, the world's largest provider of OTT TV, at least for Indian content. The service provides more than 200 channels and 5,000 movies to viewers.

"With BBC World News becoming available on YuppTV, our viewers in India will now have instant access to an endless source of information, knowledge and updates of happenings around the world from a channel that is unparalleled in analysis, unbiased views and insights in news coverage. YuppTV is constantly geared to satisfy and exceed the expectations of our viewers and we have taken a giant stride in the right direction", claims YuppTV CEO Uday Reddy.

YuppTV is actually headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, but has branches around both the US and India. It was founded in 2005 and began life with a meager two channels. Customers should begin receiving this extra channel very soon.

Photo Credit: mikecphoto/Shutterstock

Box launches its official Windows 10 app

Publié: novembre 12, 2015, 4:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Box for Windows 10 app blog post image

Using Microsoft's latest operating system and looking for cloud storage? There isn't a shortage of options out there and you can use whichever appeals to you. However, if you're looking for a dedicated app for Windows 10 then Box could be the direction you want to head in.

The service is announcing its app for Windows 10. It has been a partner of Microsoft for a while and claims that it sees things headed in the right direction under the new management.

"Under Satya Nadella, Microsoft has pushed boldly into a cloud-first, mobile-first world, opening up its platforms to integrate with best-of-breed tools (like Box) and improve the experience for their customers", states Box's Aaron Levie.

Box cites the rapid adoption of Windows 10 using the numbers 110 million consumer devices and 8 million business devices, both figures provided by Microsoft. It also states the ease with which developers can build apps for computers, tablets and phones.

The company points out that "Our app integrates with the Windows file picker so users can work in an Office file such as Word, PowerPoint, or Excel and have those changes saved directly back to Box without ever leaving Office. You can work on Office files right from the app and stay up to date on changes with the newly enhanced notification center".

The service claims that this is only one aspect of how it is working with Microsoft and that the partnership will continue with more announcements on the way.

Amazon Echo price slashed for one day only

Publié: novembre 11, 2015, 3:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

A lot can be said about Amazon's Echo product. People either love it or don't trust it. After all, what you say goes through Amazon's servers to answer the questions and requests, and it works almost instantly.

Now Amazon has a deal for those who want to try it out, but you'll need to act fast because the deal is good for today only. The device normally retails for $179, but today you can get $30 knocked off that price, lowering the product to $149.

For those who have seen the ads, which seem to be all over TV these days, the device can do much more than what is shown. It doesn't just answer a few questions or give you the weather. You can get sports schedules and scores, find out about movies and much more. There's also a growing list of compatible home automation integration. Alexa now works with hubs from Wink, Insteon and SmartThings. If you have a generation two Fire TV then you can control that as well. Don't fret if you have the first iteration as Amazon promises support for that one is coming as well.

It's getting on towards the holiday shopping season so if you were thinking of grabbing the Echo then today would be a good time to do it.

Best Buy reveals its Black Friday deals and sales start now

Publié: novembre 10, 2015, 3:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

best-buy-black-friday The holiday shopping season is right around the corner or, in some cases, here now. We've already seen Amazon launch its store which contains the "Lightning Deals" it offers each year as an incentive to keep customers coming back frequently.

Not to be outdone, Best Buy is kicking off its festivities now as well. The company announces today that deals will be available immediately both in stores and online.

Included in the offerings is the iPad Air 2 for "up to $125 off", a Toshiba 55 inch LED TV for $349.99, Insignia 40 inch LED TV for $159.99 and more.

As for the actual holiday itself, the store will open at 5pm on Thanksgiving Day. "Nearly all stores will remain open until 1 a.m. local time on Friday, Nov. 27, and re-open for a second round of 'doorbuster' deals at 8am", the company states.

That offering will contain such deals as a Samsung 60 inch LED UHD TV for $799.99, effectively cutting the price in half. Also promised are Best Buy gift cards if you purchase certain products such as the Galaxy S6 or a GoPro camera.

Other deals will be available on Black Friday as well as throughout the weekend. More information will be available via the store's website.

Enhance your home automation with the Mivatek Smart Plug [Review]

Publié: novembre 10, 2015, 12:56am CET par Alan Buckingham

mivatek-smart-plug Turning lights on and off remotely may seem lazy, and honestly it is, but it's also strangely satisfying. Not moving from the couch while things in your home are turned on and off is a priceless feeling and there is an increasing number of products on the market that aim to provide that satisfaction.

The problem is the lack of cohesion in the market, as different lines are proprietary, at least to a certain extent. That's slowly changing, but we'd like to see the process sped up a bit.

Now Mivatak arrives on the market and comes along with a pretty stellar line of products. The one we're taking a look at today is the Smart Plug. As the name implies, it can control various appliances and other things remotely. It's only one of a line devices and we'll explore more as we go.

Setting it Up

The plug is not all you'll need, there's also a hub that needs to be up and running to make this work. You'll need a wired connection as there is no WiFi available for it. It's pretty straight-forward. Plug in the cable and power cord and you should be off.

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Next you'll need to download the app, which is out for both Android and iOS -- sorry Windows Phones users. This is mostly basic -- there are four tiles on the main screen. Each controls a different thing. Simply swipe right to get the menu. Click Device Management and then add a device, in this case the Smart Plug, which obviously needs to be plugged into an outlet during the process. The app should pick it up and identify it by Mac Address.

You're now ready to plug in a device. In the case of this test it was a lamp. You may initially need to click the green button on the plug to get things started. This should be the one and only time you do so.

Usage

Now that you're up and running this is pretty straightforward. Fire up the app and tap the Automation tile. This will show the Smart Plug along with a button to the right. Grey means the device is off while red indicates on.

Conclusion

Setup could not get much simpler. It's much less confusing than some of the other products on the market. That doesn't mean it's dead-simple, but we're getting there with this genre.

As for how it works, well, all that can be said is the light comes on and off each time, so there really isn't much else required.

You can find more information here. Bear in mind that you will also need to purchase the hub.

Xbox One backwards compatibility arrives with 104 games in tow

Publié: novembre 9, 2015, 5:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

xbox_one_screenshot

The one thing people have been clamoring for since the Xbox One was released is backwards compatibility to allow playing of all those collected games from the 360 era. Microsoft is granting that wish, though it will be gradual.

Today the company is publishing a list of the initial games that will be available. In all, it entails 104 titles and includes some big names. Among those in this release are Assassin's Creed II, Bejeweled 2, Gears of War versions 1, 2 and 3, Halo: Spartan Assault, Mass Effect, Plants vs Zombies and many more.

Microsoft's Larry Hryb promises "If you don’t see your favorite Xbox 360 title on the list and you want to try and get it added, visit the Xbox Feedback website and vote on the existing nominations or submit your own".

This all rolls out on November 12th and Microsoft's Mike Ybarra made the formal announcement, telling us "Today, I’m happy to unveil to you the first 104 Xbox One Backward Compatibly games. Some of my favorites are included, like the complete Gears of War catalog, Assassin’s Creed II, Fallout 3, Borderlands, and Castle Crashers. The full list of the first 104 games is below and can be found at the Backward Compatibility page at Xbox.com. And, as I said at gamescom, going forward, all Xbox 360 games available through Games With Gold after Nov. 12 will be playable on Xbox One".

This should gain an even bigger user-base for the console, given the number of Xbox 360 customers who were likely reluctant to give up their games.

Pandora makes music discovery even easier

Publié: novembre 8, 2015, 2:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

pandora-discovery

Music services are an ever increasing market, with new ones popping up all the time. There are a few that have distanced themselves from the pack, though. One of those is Pandora which takes a song and analyzes it in an effort to create a station with similar music. You can argue if this works, but it does in most cases, at least based in my experience,

Now Tim Westergren's little hobby is launch an enhanced discover service in an effort to make it even easier to find music.

"This week we are introducing a new destination to discover music and a refreshed mobile experience to a limited number of listeners. Browse can help you find the perfect station to satisfy any musical mood because everything you see is personalized. It’s also dynamic so it evolves with your musical taste. In this new experience you can easily explore all the countless stations that our musicologists have carefully curated just for you", says Chris Phillips of Pandora.

The service is also boating easier navigation which makes it easier to find your station and claims music is "always a tap away".

The company promises that more innovations are coming in the future. Pandora calls this just a small preview od what is to come.

Want a Pebble Time Round? It's heading to stores and begins shipping soon

Publié: novembre 8, 2015, 6:43am CET par Alan Buckingham

pebble-time-round

While I have made a bit of fun of the Pebble Time Round's Swatch-type look, that doesn't mean it's a bad product. Honestly Pebble is the product that opened the public's eyes to smartwatches. It wasn't the first, but it set the tone of what to expect with the future of wearable technology.

The round version of the latest watch was creatively called Time and it was a huge hit on Kickstarter when it debuted. The round version came along later and now it's here, hitting retail outlets and ready to start shipping for those who have, or wish to, get it online.

The watch is hitting both Best Buy and Target on November 8th. It will also be available on both retailers online stores, along with Amazon, as well as the manufacturer's site.

"On top of new retail and online availability, shipments for those who pre-ordered Pebble Time Round after our launch announcement in September will start on the 8th as well", Pebble states.

The company bills it as the thinnest and lightest smartwatch on the market. It also promises days long battery life, which, if it lives up to past versions, will be true. It even claims to be the first smartwatch to look good on smaller wrists, avoiding what it calls "the hockey puck look".

Customers can choose a band that fits them -- both in size and style. It retails for $249.99.

Samsung takes on Roomba with its own robotic vacuum

Publié: novembre 6, 2015, 5:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

samsung-powerbot

Don't feel like cleaning? That's where robotics take over. The "creatures", like home automation, are a growing segment of today's tech market. After all, who wants to vacuum or get up to turn lights on or off? Yes, we're an increasingly lazy species.

Samsung is rolling out, so to speak, an automated vacuum cleaner to rival the long-standing king, Roomba. The company wanted to push the product out in time for the holiday shopping season, stating that customers need to get ready for, and clean up after, the parties. It states that "In fact, a recent survey found that almost one-third of consumers said they stress about cleaning the floors and rugs when they think about holiday entertaining".

The new device is called POWERbot Essential and it isn't the company's first foray into this market. It's actually a lower priced alternative to its big brother, the POWERbot. Samsung claims it offers ten times more cleaning power than its sibling and the device also touts an enhanced digital camera that maps your home so it can find its way around.

"Consumers are looking for effective shortcuts to help keep sanity intact during the holidays, and Samsung’s new POWERbot Essential is the ideal cleaning partner for homeowners who want to find the most convenient way to keep their floors clean without taking time away from other tasks", says John Herrington, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Home Appliances at Samsung Electronics America. "With POWERbot Essential, Samsung delivers yet another practical innovation to help solve consumers’ everyday cleaning concerns. Consumers can now look forward to less cleaning-related stress this holiday season by putting Samsung’s latest robot vac to work for them".

The device is available now for $699, which isn't cheap, but it does mean you can sit on the couch and witness your house being cleaned around you.

ProtonMail suffers DDoS attack, preventing secure email correspondence

Publié: novembre 5, 2015, 6:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

GitHub hit by biggest DDoS attack ever

Given all the spying that goes on these days it's no wonder that people are looking for more private ways to get online and stay in touch with one another. Secure email -- which is what Edward Snowden chose to use for his communications with journalist Glenn Greenwald of The Guardian -- is proving more and more popular.

Unfortunately, not everyone is keen on such services. One such secure email provider, ProtonMail, has been taken down today, by a DDoS attack. Who would want to attack the service? That's the million dollar question and the list of potential attackers could be quite long. A bevvy of agencies have spoken out against encryption, going so far as asking for backdoors into data, blithely oblivious to the consequences of such action. ProtonMail was designed securely and doesn't possess records of correspondence, so law enforcement can't demand data.

ProtonMail, in a statement, says "The attackers began by flooding our IP addresses. That quickly expanded to the datacenter in Switzerland where we have our servers. In the process of attacking us, several other tech companies and even some banks were knocked offline temporarily".

The company promises that it is working hard to restore service to its users. It points out it is working with both the folks in its Switzerland-based data center as well as others around the world to get the situation under control.

Security researcher Graham Cluley asks "Who on earth would be keen to disrupt access to a secure email service, and potentially put it out of business?" Meanwhile The Register points out that "The motives, much less the perps behind the attack, remain unclear". We may never know the real answers, but the good news is that this doesn't mean messages stored in the system are vulnerable.

Photo credit: sibgat / Shutterstock

Trek the wilds of New Zealand with Google Maps

Publié: novembre 5, 2015, 3:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

google-new-zealand

You've likely seen some of the beauty of New Zealand. It's been on display in such movies as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as the Narnia movies. It truly lends itself to the Middle Earth feel with the breathtaking landscapes. But the movies only show you parts of this paradise.

Google is taking on yet another wild destination, hauling its Trekker technology down to Australia's neighbor for what it terms a walk on the wild side.

From the lush hills to waterfalls to Alpine-like peaks, the incredible beauty of this seemingly remote place comes to life.

Get started on your journey from the Enchanted Forest to Panekire Bluff and locations like Corical Hill, Sutherland Falls and more. There's a lot to see in a nation that isn't particularly large.

"New Zealand’s Great Walks have long been on the bucket list of keen outdoors people from all around the world. We hope by bringing the Milford, Kepler, Abel Tasman, Lake Waikaremoana, Heaphy, Routeburn and Rakiura / Stewart Island tracks to Street View, these images will not only help people who are about to trek them prepare, but give anyone who wants to virtually roam the beauty of the Great Walks an opportunity to do so. And you can view more Street View collections from around New Zealand here", says Google's Cynthia Wei.

Now you don't need to pay a fortune to make the trip. Then again, this may just reinforce your desire to do exactly that.

Motorola arrives in the Windy City as store opens in Chicago

Publié: novembre 5, 2015, 5:21am CET par Alan Buckingham

MotShopHero

You can tell the holiday shopping season has started. There's Christmas displays in the stores, Amazon has launched its store and perhaps, just maybe, the children are being better behaved. It's also the time when stores suddenly pop up, many of them are simple kiosks located in malls.

Motorola took that concept one step further as it announces its first full-blown store, located right in downtown Chicago.

"Looking at products online can be fun, but nothing compares to experiencing them in person, especially when it comes to your smartphone or smartwatch. But don’t expect phones on display outlining technical specs -- Moto Shop is a hands-on, interactive environment with dedicated areas that bring to life our marquee products and device feature", the device maker announces.

The retail location is pedaling both smartphones and watches in an effort to sell its devices and have them appear under the tree this season.

The company plans to cut the ribbon on November 7th. The store is located at 108 North State Street (Suite 140 at Block 37) and will be open 10am to 8pm Monday through Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.

Dropbox expands its footprint in Europe and Mexico

Publié: novembre 4, 2015, 2:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

girl in cloud

Cloud storage is expanding all the time, with new features and extra space, though Microsoft seems to be going the other way. Dropbox was one of the early players in the game and has remained strong despite being surpassed in capacity by rivals.

Now Dropbx is expanding in Europe, bringing new features to certain locations in an effort to better serve its customers and add functionality. The company states that "With over 70 percent of our users located outside the US, expanding our international footprint is a priority".

On the way is a partnership with Mexico's largest wireless provider, Telmex. This will give all customers 5 GB of space and full capability for saving and sharing files. Also being announced is a deal with Vodafone utilizing its Backup+ app. This was already in place, but Dropbox claims that popularity demanded an expansion to additional markets. Finally, the cloud service is letting customers know that A1 Telekom in Austria is also on board, "offering their mobile customers up to 100 GB of free Dropbox space for 6 or more months, making it easy to access files from anywhere".

Dropbox concludes by saying "All told, these partnerships will help people in 23 countries connect with Dropbox. Along with our partnerships with Microsoft, Dell, SoftBank, and more, they’re helping to bring Dropbox to more of the apps, devices, and services you use every day".

Image Credit: Khakimullin Aleksandr/Shutterstock

Serial, from the makers of This American Life, coming to Pandora

Publié: novembre 3, 2015, 5:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

pandora-and-serial-image

This American Life has become a bit of an icon on US radio. Few people haven't at least heard of the show or its host Ira Glass. While episodes vary from humorous to hard-hitting news and rather harrowing true stories, the show has been a success.

Now the producers have added another show, titled Serial, and it takes the approach a step further. This show carries on one story throughout the season, continued from one episode to the next. Season one covered a murder investigation in Baltimore.

Now season two is coming out and Pandora will be carrying each episode. The season has not yet launched and we don't yet know the date for that premier, and Pandora isn't saying. It does point out that "Season 1 will be available for all Pandora listeners starting Tuesday, November 24, right before the Thanksgiving holiday, so you can tune in for the first time or listen again".

That's a bit of a wait, but at least it arrives before you're cooking that turkey, so that's something. For now we can only speculate about the subject of season two.

Plex brings your media to the new Apple TV

Publié: novembre 3, 2015, 1:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

plex-apple-tv

If you have a lot of stored media, such as music, photos and DVDs, and would like to get access to it through your home theater, then you need a bridge. That means a media server and an end-solution, and there is perhaps no better choice than Plex for this. The server is free and it can run on almost any computer platform. Then all you have to do is spare a bit of money for the app, which is also platform agnostic.

Now Plex is announcing that its software is arriving on the new Apple TV. That's good news for those who have shelled out the money for the set-top box out of Cupertino. This is the first time Plex is on Apple TV, as it wasn't available on the previous versions. At least not directly -- there were tricks for getting it running on the box, though they were not easy to pull off.

Now Apple has opened up the platform and customers can finally accomplish this with rather simpler methods. The server setup couldn't be easier and the app part goes smoothly as well.

There's also more good news as the app is free in this case. There is one small caveat -- you may have some work to do as Plex points out that it "requires the latest media server (note: you may need to download and install the very latest server manually for now on certain NAS devices)".

Plex points out that "an app store on the device seemed an inevitability. Roku, Google TV, Android TV (essentially every other top streaming device) had them. How long could Apple hold out?"

Anonymous begins releasing details about Ku Klux Klan members (maybe)

Publié: novembre 2, 2015, 8:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

KKK-Ku-Klux-Klan

The hacker group Anonymous is almost synonymous with attacks and data leaks, but while they tend to strike fear into some people, the truth is, if you aren't doing anything wrong then don't be scared. The group tends to stand up against bullies and human rights infractions -- witness its attack against ISIS.

Anonymous has threatened to release details about one the most feared hate groups in the United States, the Ku Klux Klan. The organization was conceived in 1865, just after the Civil War, It was quickly suppressed but reemerged in 1915, though the current incarnation began in 1946. Thankfully, after a long reign of terror, membership numbers have dwindled in recent times.

That fall-off hasn't stopped Anonymous from going after a perceived evil. Like many such releases this one is going through Pastebin, though Anonymous itself is not yet backing up the names, phones numbers and addresses listed. The purported list contains several politicians including mayors and senators. The organization, however, is claiming that it still needs to verify this.

A more complete announcement is expected to be coming in the next few days and people can follow the Twitter account set up especially for this. Anonymous promises "We are ahead of schedule. JOIN US: 10:00am (Central) Nov. 5 2015".

Image Credit: Everett Historical /Shutterstock

Welcome to the holiday shopping season, Amazon begins its Black Friday deals

Publié: novembre 2, 2015, 3:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

delivery man

Halloween is now behind us, the ghosts and goblins have all hid for another year. And for retailers that means one thing -- holiday shopping. The season begins earlier each year and stores are already displaying decorations, in some cases before All Hallow's Eve was even past.

Amazon is no exception, today announcing it is beginning its run up to Black Friday, which is the official kickoff of the money-spending frenzy.

The Black Friday Deals store is going live and it's accompanied by a gift guide for electronics. Amazon has even sweetened things a bit for the more regular customers. "This year, Prime members can access more than 30,000 Lightning Deals 30 minutes early and all customers will find tens of thousands of deals on more of the items they want. In addition, the curated Electronics Holiday Gift Guide and Gift Finder tool take the guesswork out of shopping and make it easy to discover all of the right gifts".

The retailer is announcing a few things customers may find appealing -- a $170 savings on the Sony a6000 camera, an Optima HD37 front projector for under $800 and savings on big name Kitchen brands including Rubbermaid, KitchenAid, Paderno, and Instant Pot". Those are only a select few of the items planned, though.

Customers can also expect "more than 600 of this year’s hottest items, organized by category and gift recipient, the Electronics Holiday Gift Guide and Gift Finder tool help customers discover the right gift for everyone on their list -- from the Photographer who wants the latest gear from GoPro and Canon, to the Gadget Guru who is eyeing the latest innovations from the Amazon Launchpad program like the Electric Objects Digital Art Display and Bluesmart Smart Carry-On Luggage".

Yes, it's getting to be that time of year and many people will need to be breaking the wallet out and blowing the dust off of Abe Lincoln or any number of other luminaries from the past.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

Online threats for October 2015, botnets and encryption malware still prevalent

Publié: novembre 1, 2015, 5:11am CET par Alan Buckingham

Malware

Malware and viruses always seem to be in the news, and there isn't an end in sight. The latest threats are mostly platform agnostic, attacking the desktop. Email and mobile, as well as the dreaded encryption schemes designed to steal your money. The latter was in the news this week as the FBI claimed it recommends paying the criminals, something security firm Sophos, and just about everyone else, took exception to.

Now Dr. Web is releasing its report for the month of October, and there are few surprises. October was actually a less active month, which is good news, but threats stil lurk out there.

The threat of the month, according to Dr, Web, was a website hack that appeared in Google search results. It took users to a site for a popular Russian TV show. It did require certain conditions to operate, but when operating it opened a second browser window that could not be closed and executed a script that reported to the cybercrimminals.

"The extension detected by Dr.Web as Trojan.BPLug.1041 serves the purpose of injecting arbitrary content into webpages browsed by the user. Moreover, on all websites, the malicious program blocks third-party advertisements from any domains, except for those listed in the configuration file. If the user logs in to the Odnoklassniki (“Одноклассники”) social networking website", the security researchers report.

The most common malware ws Trojan,Siggen6.33552 which is built to install more mailicious programs on any computer it infects. This is followed by Trojan.Crossrider.42770.

As for email, users need to watch out for Trojan.Encoder.567. This encrypts files and demands money. Files included are pg, .jpeg, .doc, .docx, .xls, xlsx, .dbf, .1cd, .psd, .dwg, .xml, .zip, .rar, .db3, .pdf, .rtf, .7z, .kwm, .arj, .xlsm, .key, .cer, .accdb, .odt, .ppt, .mdb, .dt, .gsf, .ppsx, .pptx.

Overall botnet traffic remains steady, but Dr, Web reports that "cybercriminals controlling the Linux.BackDoor.Gates.5 botnet became considerably less active—in comparison with the previous month, the number of attacked IP addresses decreased by 33.29 per cent and was estimated 5,051". The most prevalent attacks took place in China, the US and France weren't far behind.

Finally we come to encryption malware, a sector that has grown more than 12 percent in October, rising to 1,471 requests received for decryption.

In other words, keep a close eye on everything you do online. Safe usage is possible, but it requires user vigilance.

Image Credit: lolloj/Shutterstock

National Geographic Channel and GE announce an early online debut of Breakthrough

Publié: octobre 30, 2015, 2:08am CET par Alan Buckingham

family-watching-tv

We're starting to see companies experiment with modern release methods for media. For instance we've seen movies debut on DVD the same day as they hit theaters and TV shows be available online before airing on networks. We can now add one more to the list.

National Geographic Channel and GE are teaming up to bring the "highly anticipated" new science show Breakthrough to viewers before it airs.

The show will not only appear on the National Geographic Channel, but also GE Reports, Android, iOS, Roku, Xbox, Facebook YouTube, Amazon and PlaySyation. It will be hard to miss, so viewers should have no problem tuning in.

"It’s no secret that the public’s TV viewing habits have changed over the past few years. Through this advance screening of Breakthrough, we have the opportunity to connect with a broader audience and hopefully inspire more awareness and dialogue among viewers,” says Brenda Freeman, chief marketing officer at National Geographic Channels.

The show will go live on all services at 12am ET on November 1st and air on the TV network at 9pm the same day. It's good to see more and more media releases coming out this way, let's hope the trend continues.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

000WebHost gets hacked, exposes 13 million emails and passwords

Publié: octobre 29, 2015, 4:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Faceless cyber criminal hacker

The high profile company attacks keep coming these days with Target, Home Depot and, most recently, TalkTalk. Now word comes out that a major web hosting service has also fallen victim, spewing a generous amount of information to anyone interested.

000WebHost is working to resolve the problems, which led to 13 million emails and passwords being made public, but in the meantime it is trying to take precautions to protect users, though it seems a bit late for that.

Visiting the site now defaults to error.000webhost.com and displays information of how to reset your login and password. A message appears at the top reading "Important: Due to security breach, we have set www.000webhost.com website on maintenance until issues are fixed. Thank you for your understanding and please come back later".

Australian security researcher Troy Hunt obtained the data and confirmed its authenticity. In a blog post he wrote "It was very apparent that if this was legitimate, it was indeed a very serious data breach and one that had the potential to impact a very large number of people". In fact, he claims the 13 million estimate is a bit on the low side.

Meanwhile 000WebHost has issued a statement on its Facebook page "We have witnessed a database breach on our main server. A hacker used an exploit in old PHP version to upload some files, gaining access to our systems. Although the whole database has been compromised, we are mostly concerned about the leaked client information".

Accusations have been made that both security researchers and a journalist from Forbes gave 000WebHost ample warning, but the company failed to follow up on these. Now 13 million-plus user names and plaintext passwords are out there.

Photo Credit: igor.stevanovic/Shutterstock

Microsoft joins forces with Pacific Control Systems for new IoT management system

Publié: octobre 29, 2015, 2:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

robot hand keyboard

You can't cast a stone these days without hitting something regarding the Internet of Things, be it a product, story or cautionary warning. That last one seems to be the primary focus lately as people worry, in some cases unnecessarily, about the security of the devices being thrust onto the market.

Now one of the big players in the tech game is getting involved as Microsoft joins forces with Pacific Control Systems for an enterprise management system based on Microsoft Azure.

The system is called Galaxy 2021 and the companies claim it is "able to activate a wide range of intelligent services bearing both on both public and private sectors, including the provision of any such things as service, dynamic security, healthcare, hospitality, education, retail, transportation, infrastructure, and financial applications".

The two entities hope that Galaxy 2021 will be used to integrate capabilities such as data management, as well as a large variety of machines and systems, all utilizing the Azure platform. The aim is to deploy massive IoT services at an enterprise level.

"By offering a complete package including the IoT platforms based on cloud computing, large data analysis, a wide range of applications of the IoT, integration capabilities of the device, monitoring capacity, effective business processes and transfer of business skills, PCS allows telecommunications operators to seize the opportunities of the IoT at an accelerated rate", says Dilip Rahulan, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of PCS.

Both Microsoft and PCS are calling this the platform of the future, though it may be a bit early for such bold statements. One thing is clear, though, IoT is here to stay.

Photo Credit: Willyam Bradberry/Shutterstock

Get in the spirit of Halloween as The Enfield Haunting arrives on Hulu

Publié: octobre 28, 2015, 4:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

silhouette smoke ghost hand

It's that time of year when the ghosts, witches and various other ghouls and monsters begin prowling our neighborhoods. We pretend to be scared, and some people genuinely are afraid around this time of year, but really it's all in good fun, which makes a good scary movie a must-see.

Hulu has you covered, announcing the availability of the three part The Enfield Haunting series. The show is based on "real" events (just suspend disbelief) that took place in Enfield, located in London, England.

"Adapted from Guy Lyon Playfair’s book 'This House is Haunted', The Enfield Haunting draws on extensive documentation, recordings and witness statements recorded at the time. To this day, the incident remains the most documented account of poltergeist activity in British history and the basis of horror films including the upcoming The Conjuring 2. Sky Living in the UK originally commissioned the series which launched in May to a record audience, making it the channel’s best-rated show. eOne also recently licensed the series to A&E in the U.S. and Shomi in Canada", Hulu Announces.

It's three episodes of approximately sixty minutes each and is available now for your ghoulish pleasure. This is normally the part where I'd tell you lots of scientific evidence that explains the events and disproves the story, but hey, it's that time of year so just enjoy it.

Photo Credit: Dmitrijs Bindemanis/Shutterstock

The Dell Experience arrives at Microsoft's Fifth Avenue store in New York City

Publié: octobre 27, 2015, 11:22am CET par Alan Buckingham

msft-store-nyc-dell_550x300.jpg-550x300

Yesterday Microsoft opened its first flagship store, using a very large space on the iconic Fifth Avenue in New York City. The company managed to fill five stories and more than 22,000 square feet with products and demos, and held a big opening day ceremony with ribbon cutting, concert and deals.

This wouldn't all be possible without the OEMs, and these are making their presence felt within the space. One of those is Dell, which is quite excited about its area within the Big Apple store.

The manufacturer refers to its spot as the Dell Experience. "Customers interested in Dell’s very latest XPS, Inspiron and Alienware technology can now see them for themselves in our special Dell Experience Center -- a dedicated space on the 3rd floor of the 5-floor flagship building", says Dell's Lisa Peterson.

The company has set up 12 Alienware gaming stations for customers to try out, complete with 34 inch curved monitors for viewing the action. Customers can also make music videos and create art using the Inspiron and XPS systems.

"In general, when shopping for new technology, consumers have a ton of choices on the market today. Dell has joined the Microsoft store to together feature the very best Windows 10 product offerings available. Via this interactive space, The Dell Experience at the Microsoft Store will allow visitors to get hands on with and explore Dell’s innovative products, especially small business offerings and Alienware gaming products, in a fun, immersive way", states Dell's Phil Bryant.

The store is open now if you happen to be in the area. It is the 110th Microsoft store with locations that span the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Microsoft arrives on Fifth Avenue, opens a new store in New York City

Publié: octobre 26, 2015, 10:10am CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft Store

There is no more iconic street than New York's Fifth Avenue -- okay, maybe there are some rivals such as the Champs Elysee -- but the Big Apple's street has its claim to fame. It's the residence of many famous locations and now one more company is calling it home.

Microsoft is opening a flagship store on the famous avenue, marking its latest location in an ever-expanding footprint.

The store, located at Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street, opens today. This isn't your typical mall store either. It's five stories and 22,369 square feet.

"Our store on Fifth Avenue -- as well as every other one of our locations across the US, Puerto Rico and Canada -- is here to showcase the best of Microsoft to the local community," says David Porter, corporate vice president of Worldwide Retail and Online Stores at Microsoft. "We exist to build relationships with our customers, one person at a time, and we are excited to do that on Fifth Avenue starting today".

This is the first "flagship" store and Microsoft is going all out with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by executive Kevin Turner. There will be discounts on Surface and Xbox One and the first 1,000 people will get tickets to see Pitbull at Rockefeller Center.

The company promises that the store "will offer a full lineup of products, devices and services. Microsoft associates will be able to help consumers no matter what device they purchased or where they purchased it from".

This brings the total number of stores to 110 with locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Other international locations are on the horizon,

EFF tells California Supreme Court no searches of controlled substance prescriptions

Publié: octobre 26, 2015, 7:31am CET par Alan Buckingham

Apple, Amazon, HP, Verizon and others back Microsoft's fight against US government

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has been busy lately, especially with all of the revelations coming from Edward Snowden. The organization has been busy taking on the NSA, but that doesn't mean it won't have time for other causes.

Now the EFF is taking on the California Supreme Court, urging an end to the gathering of personal prescription information by law enforcement and done without a warrant.

Prescriptions in question cover things such as pain, anxiety, attention disorder, insomnia and the like. Up until now, this was a treasure trove of information being gathered, though reasons for that netting of data are unclear.

The EFF states that "In an amicus brief filed today, EFF told the state’s highest court that law enforcement agencies should be required to seek a judge’s approval to access such records. Controlled substance prescription records contain highly sensitive information about patients’ medical history and should be afforded the same degree of privacy as any other medical records".

The case came to light after a lawsuit, Lewis v. Superior Court, in which the doctor alleged that records had been accessed from the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) without a warrant and without any probable cause or suspicion of the patients.

A Los Angeles court found the practice legal and an appeals court upheld the ruling referring to the practice as the monitoring of controlled substances.

"The California Supreme Court should overrule the decision to downgradepatients’ expectation of privacy over controlled substance prescription records,’’ says EFF Senior Staff Attorney Lee Tien. “The court should require law enforcement to obtain a warrant supported by probable cause to access these sensitive records".

There is no time frame for when this will all be decided, but information should be coming from the EFF regarding progress of the case.

Photo credit: Junial Enterprises / Shutterstock

Alexa, what's a good pizza restaurant? Amazon Echo gets more local

Publié: octobre 25, 2015, 1:59am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Once you possess the Amazon Echo there are two reactions. The first is a bit of fear that Amazon is listening to you, but the second is the joy of voice control to answer questions almost instantly, as well as providing news, weather, traffic and more.

Do you want more from the device? Who doesn't, right? Well now Amazon is using location information to provide recommendations for all sorts of things. Ask for a good Italian restaurant and you'll get some choices. But there's more than that. Ask Alexa the hours of your pharmacy and you will hear that information as well.

In tests the Echo provided nearby Italian restaurants. By simply asking "Alexa, what's a good Italian restaurant near me?" results came. Don't worry if you can't catch the names that quickly, you can pull up the Alexa app to see names, addresses and hours. Results are provided by Yelp.

In order to make this work, you'll need to enter your address information into the app settings. Click Menu and then Settings, followed by Device Location (you'll find it under traffic) and Edit. This is the complete address -- house number, street, city, state and zip code (stop worrying, Amazon already has it if you've bought anything -- which you did, if you have the Echo).

It's one of a number of nifty features already included, just added or on the way. Like everything, it isn't perfect, my pharmacy hours were not yet available, but the device told me it is learning new businesses in the area. There are many more things we can expect in the near future and some are very cool.

Chattanooga, Tennessee gets first 10 gigabit residential internet service courtesy of EPB

Publié: octobre 24, 2015, 8:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Internet speed fast mbps speedometer

Looking to move to a new area? You may wish to add another location to your list of possibilities. Kansas may have Google, but not to be outdone Tennessee is going one better on the search giant, specifically if you live in the area of Chattanooga, a town situated near the Great Smokey Mountains.

The first ever 10 gigabit residential internet service has now been rolled out, appropriately installed for someone who has a pressing need for such massive bandwidth.

"Dr. Jim Busch, a radiologist and entrepreneur in Chattanooga, has become the first person in the world to have a 10 gigabit-per-second (10 Gig) residential Internet connection installed in his home. Dr. Busch, who is president of Diagnostic Radiology Consultants (DRC), has a frequent need to download and upload massive diagnostic image files whether he is at home or the office", announces provider EPB.

The service utilizes Alcatel-Lucent's TWDM-PON technology and is a real residential service, unlike a point-to-point commercial installation.

"In my field, fiber optic speeds save lives,” Dr. Busch says. “Instead of waiting as much as a week or more to get results because radiologists would have to physically go to each location, our patients can get their results in hours or even minutes. When something is seriously wrong catching it as early as possible can be the difference between life and death".

The availability spans an area covering 600 square miles and costs $299 per month. Installation is free and there is no contract or cancelation fee. EPB is quite proud of this roll out, with president Harold DePrienst stating "We can’t wait to see how Dr. Busch and other enterprising individuals are going to use our new 10 Gig service to push the boundaries in ventures ranging from healthcare and 3D printing to film production and software development".

Photo Credit: Sashkin/Shutterstock

The Xbox app for Windows 10 gets additional social features

Publié: octobre 24, 2015, 1:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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The Xbox One is no longer new, but Windows 10 still has that shiny feel. The two were made to go together, along with Windows Phone, in an effort to bring a more unified feel to the platform. You may or may not think Microsoft succeeded in this, but the effort was there.

Now the company is enhancing the beta for its Xbox Windows 10 app with a nod towards social sharing features that allow the user to bring more friends to the fun and games.

The big new feature, and most requested according to Microsoft, is the ability to find and add Facebook friends. "In addition, voiceover recording functionality has been added to Game DVR, and the Store in the Xbox beta app will allow you to search for and purchase Xbox One games -- including Games with Gold and Deals with Gold promotions, and Xbox One 25-digit codes will be redeemable within the app", Microsoft states.

The beta version of this is out now for those who want to take it for a test drive. You can find the app and more information here.

Online pharmacy caught selling consumer data to a lottery company

Publié: octobre 22, 2015, 5:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

crook criminal caught

Everyone worries about online privacy to one extent or another. There's a lot of variation between the lackadaisical and the tin-foil hat brigade. The best place is usually somewhere in the middle, those who are cautious but don't go overboard. That can be difficult to balance when stories like this come along -- an online pharmacy turning over its customer info.

This happened in the United Kingdom and was investigated by the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) which is in charge of protecting consumer rights in just these types of incidents.

The company in question is named Pharmacy 2U and it was found to have handed over data from some 20,000 customers.

In the report, the organization claims "The ICO investigation found that Pharmacy 2U had not informed its customers that it intended to sell their details, and that the customers had not given their consent for their personal data to be sold on. This was in breach of the Data Protection Act".

ICO Deputy Commissioner David Smith added "Patient confidentiality is drummed into pharmacists. It is inconceivable that a business in this sector could believe these actions were acceptable. Put simply, a reputable company has made a serious error of judgment, and today faces the consequences of that. It should send out a clear message to other companies that the customer data they hold is not theirs to do with as they wish".

The pharmacy was fined £130,000, and this will be slightly reduced if the company pays early -- it has until November 13 to meet that goal. Security firm Sophos points out that "It's not an irony that openness and privacy go together: if someone collects your personal data, they jolly well ought to be clear about what they plan to do with it".

While it's good to see things like this not go unpunished, it would be better still to think it didn't happen at all. Perhaps the tin-foil hat isn't always a bad idea.

Image credit: Fer Gregory/Shutterstock

Hulu brings James Bond to your TV, adds a second season of Casual

Publié: octobre 22, 2015, 5:36am CEST par Alan Buckingham

spy

James Bond is one of the longest running movie series of all time. From Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Daulton all the way up to the present with Daniel Craig. The franchise has provided movie-goers with some of the greatest thrills to hit the big screen.

Now 007 is landing on Hulu beginning November 1st. Classics such as Live and Let Die, Goldfinger, Octopussy, A View to a Kill and number of others. The most recent in this release is 1989's A License to Kill.

In addition, the streaming service is announcing the renewal of the show Casual. The sit-com had a successful first run and will return for season two in 2016. This will be a 13 episode run.

"Casual really struck a chord,” says Craig Erwich, SVP and Head of Content at Hulu. “We couldn’t be prouder of the quality, and we’re thrilled to see it be recognized for the success that it is".

For those who haven't yet seen it, Hulu describes "Casual follows the story of a dysfunctional family with a bachelor brother and his newly divorced sister. Together, they coach each other through the crazy world of dating (on-line and off), while living under one roof again and raising a teenager".

You'll get spy thrillers soon, but have to wait a bit for the TV show. Once season two gets underway customers can expect new episodes each Wednesday -- no binge watching, sorry.

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Samsung introduces a new IoT line of SmartThings devices

Publié: octobre 21, 2015, 3:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

smartthings

The Internet of Things can be a mixed blessing. Sometimes all works as planned and sometimes things go terribly awry. Things are getting better, though. The trick is compatibility and we aren't there yet, but things keep improving and moving forward.

Now Samsung is beefing up its line of SmartThings products. This isn't new, but only improved. The company is doubling up its efforts, but others will need to adopt the standard, or any standard for that matter.

The centerpiece of this technology is the hub -- you need that for everything to work. Samsung has worked with other manufacturers to make this as compatible as possible. "It connects all your home’s smart devices. In fact, it’s compatible with over 200 of them, from light bulbs to locks to cameras", the company states.

Once you have the hub then you can begin adding devices -- power outlets, door locks, garage doors mechanisms, alarm systems and much more

The Multipurpose Sensor monitors all manner of activity -- it picks up movement, vibration and other minor disturbances. It can even sense if a valuable object is tampered with or moved.

There is also the usual array of products that includes motion, arrival, and water leak sensors, as well as the smart outlet.

To get started you can get a kit -- "Just released in the United States and online, the SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit, which includes the new SmartThings Hub, two Multipurpose Sensors, a Motion Sensor and an Outlet, makes it even easier to transform your home into a smart home", Samsung says.

The world of home automation can be a bit scary, but it is slowly being tamed as new products come along and things gradually improve. Are you ready to take the plunge?

Microsoft's green practices garner an award from the EPA

Publié: octobre 20, 2015, 1:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

tree-green-environment The environment is news these days with phrases like "climate change" and "carbon footprint" appearing regularly in the news. It's important stuff, given we don't yet have another planet to flee to -- "Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves", said Carl Sagan.

That means we have to be kind to our home. The Environmental Protection Agency hands out awards to companies who work to protect our planet, and Microsoft is a recent recipient.

"Today, we are honored to announce that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Microsoft as a Green Power Partner of the Year in its 2015 Green Power Leadership Awards. This award recognizes partners who distinguish themselves through their use of green power, leadership, overall energy strategy and impact on the green power market", says Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft.

Microsoft joins Apple and several other organizations, including the NHL, as a "Green Power Partner of the Year" winner.

"These organizations are leading the way in cutting U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, acting on climate change, and protecting public health by using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually,” says EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The Green Power Leadership Award winners demonstrate that green power is a smart and accessible business investment that reduces emissions while growing the renewable energy market and spurring innovation".

Microsoft touts that it is using wind power, solar power, hydro-electric and smart buildings in its efforts to help the environment. We aren't there yet, but it's good to see some companies getting started in this effort.

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Listening to the NFL on TuneIn Radio

Publié: octobre 19, 2015, 3:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

sports-fan

This past week, streaming service TuneIn Radio announced it had gained rights to NFL games. You can now listen to the broadcast of your favorite team's game. Granted, it's not video, but it's better than nothing and a lot cheaper than NFL Sunday Ticket.

So how does it work? First you need to sign up for a Premium plan, which will run you $7.99 per month, though you'll get a seven day free trial. This requires all the usual things -- username, password and credit card information.

Now head to the Premium section where you'll find options such as the NFL. Click on this and a list of all the games will open up for you -- actually, only three, you'll need to click "show more".

Click the team logos of any game and it will begin to play. The audio controls appear across the bottom of your screen. It's straightforward with play/pause, volume and other basic features one should expect from these types of apps.

There are a couple of caveats that need pointing out. First, you won't be getting a pre-game show, the audio comes on just before kick-off. Second, you'll likely get the radio broadcasts of the home team. That's great if it's your team, but if it isn't then you're listening to two fans of your opponent.

As for audio quality, the playing was flawless. There were no stutters or pauses. It's not video of your game, but TuneIn is doing an admirable job, at least in "week one".

tunein-nfl

Image Credit: Volt Collection / Shutterstock

Amazon Echo adds news for your favorite sports teams

Publié: octobre 18, 2015, 6:59am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

If you haven't yet tried out the Amazon Echo then you're in for a wild, and sometimes interesting, ride. There's an increasing amount of things the device can do, from telling you the weather and traffic to playing your music, even controlling home automation gear.

Out of the box Alexa can give you sports scores or tell you who your team plays next, but now it has a new feature -- actual news about your teams. You'll need to set it up first, as smart as it seems to be, it doesn't know your team.

To get started you'll need to fire up the app on your phone or tablet and then click on Menu, which is at the top left of the screen, then Settings. You may find some pre-populated teams, as they are ones it has determined are local to you. You can remove these with the X to the right of each one.

Once you've cleaned that up then you're ready to add your team(s). Begin typing the name into the search bar at the top and it will pre-populate quickly. Click your team and it will automatically be added. Click Menu and then Home to get out.

Now you can ask "Alexa what's my sports update?" Some additional information clearly needs to be added to the feature, but improvements are always arriving on the platform.

Dell talks security on its Windows 10 computers

Publié: octobre 18, 2015, 4:06am CEST par Alan Buckingham

windows_10_logo_in_hands

Everytime Microsoft releases a new operating system security comes to the forefront for regular users and especially for IT pros. There are other considerations of course -- usability is a big one after Windows 8 annoyed many customers.

Now Dell is coming out talking of its security features which work in conjunction with Windows 10, the latest and, possibly, greatest OS to come out the doors at Redmond, Washington.

Paul Walsh, CIO at Dell, sums things up -- "We live in a world today where large data breaches and security incidents are on the news every day. One major security incident could really damage a company’s reputation. Dell leads the industry by delivering the most secure PCs in the world and Dell and Microsoft partnered to make sure Windows 10 on Dell is the most secure commercial offering on the market today".

To make this happen Walsh explains that Windows 10 has a lot of built-in safeguards including software to deal with phishing, malware and viruses. In addition, Dell adds another layer by adding the Dell Data Protection suite. The software is built specifically to work with Windows 10 and is primarily designed for the enterprise.

Is all of this enough? That depends on the user, as bad habits are one of top causes of getting into trouble online.

Photo credit: rvlsoft / Shutterstock

Dell's Alienware Steam Machine is officially up for pre-order

Publié: octobre 16, 2015, 5:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

alienware-steam-550x215.jpg-550x0

Way back in early June we learned of two manufacturers for Steam Machine gaming computers. One of those was Dell who, at the time, had a very brief window open for pre-orders. Those customers are still waiting now, more than four months later.

But things are getting closer and, as of today, Dell has opened up pre-orders for everyone. So far the machine has not leaked out and no review units have been issued. Dell points out that "Up until now only a select few inside the halls of Alienware and Valve had the chance to experience the Alienware Steam Machine in all its glory".

While the brief pre-order in June was through Gamestop, the new one has a dedicated page, where once again there's a brief period of time. The company is offering the Intel Core i5 for $649 and the i7 configuration for $749. Dell claims supplies are limited. These packages include three games as well as some other perks.

"Steam Machine takes full advantage of the innovative gaming ecosystem coming to market from Valve Software; it provides an alternative to the traditional Windows environment with mouse and keyboard by delivering an easy, controller-based onscreen navigation for gaming and other media. With support for up to four controllers, the Alienware Steam Machine is ideal for local co-op gaming, playing locally, online, or even streaming from your Windows Steam account", Dell boasts.

As of now, the company is promising those who pre-order will have the system in their hands by November 10th.

Sling TV is offering customers free HBO this weekend

Publié: octobre 16, 2015, 4:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

sling-tv

If you've cut the cord on your cable or satellite TV then you have an increasing list of choices for things you can still watch. One of the newest players is Sling TV, which had a number of channels available right from the start and has since been adding more. In fact the service managed to score HBO right before Game of Thrones began its 2015 season run.

Now, as a reward for customers, this weekend Sling TV will be offering free HBO to everyone. Of course these sorts of offers are also a hope that some people will decide to keep it. In that case, you can expect to add $15 to your monthly bill.

Customers don't need to do anything, the channel will just begin working today and stop when Sunday is over with. Specific times are not given, however the channel was not active as of this writing.

"So, what does this mean? It means you’ve got access to the weekends hottest shows, like the premiere of Amy Schumer: Live at The Apollo and new episodes of The Leftovers, Project Greenlight, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Not caught up on The Leftovers? No worries! Catch up with HBO On Demand. Or, binge watch your favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) shows, like Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, Boardwalk Empire and Veep", Sling announces.

So plan for a bit of extra time on the couch this weekend. The weather is getting cooler anyway, so it's a good time to watch something.

Yahoo brings Jimmy Kimmel Live concerts to its platform

Publié: octobre 16, 2015, 2:47am CEST par Alan Buckingham

girl laptop headphones notebook music video

Music has always been a part of late night television, regardless if it's the shows own group or a special guest performing live. To catch most of these acts you need to watch live or on demand and obviously need a TV. But now you can catch some of it right on your computer.

Yahoo is announcing the addition of concerts on Jimmy Kimmel Live and it kicks off tonight. If you tune into the site you can watch Duran Duran beginning at 11:35pm CT. The band just released its 14th studio album titled "Paper Gods".

MasterCard is sponsoring these shows in exchange for charity. "As part of MasterCard’s sponsorship of the Jimmy Kimmel Live! post-show concerts on Yahoo, MasterCard cardholders will have the opportunity to gain access to exclusive Jimmy Kimmel Live! experiences by simply making a qualifying donation to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) at www.priceless.com", Yahoo announces.

Yahoo is increasingly gravitating towards more and more TV content including its first NFL game broadcast which is coming up soon. You can catch Duran Duran here

Photo Credit: olly/Shutterstock.

Microsoft partners with YouTube to launch Halo 5: Guardians for Xbox

Publié: octobre 15, 2015, 7:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Halo-5-LIVE-visID-jpg

While it isn't always reciprocated, Microsoft does its best to support other platforms, putting its apps on rival mobile operating systems and releasing its videos via Google's YouTube. Now the software giant is planning a big release celebration for the much-anticipated Xbox title Halo 5: Guardians, and will be bringing the festivities directly into the homes of fans.

Today Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, AKA Major Nelson, announces that Microsoft will utilize YouTube to show "Halo 5: Live,” a six-hour live broadcast featuring exclusive gameplay reveals, celebrity appearances, live interviews with the 343 Industries development team and much more.

Hryb will co-host the show which kicks off at 6pm EDT on October 26th. It culminates with the title going on sale at midnight.

"Millions of our fans around the world are waiting in anticipation of the launch of 'Halo 5: Guardians', so we wanted to do something special for them and launch a video game in a way that has never been done before," says Aaron Greenberg, head of games marketing for Xbox. "We are excited to stream the ‘Halo 5: Guardians’ launch exclusively through YouTube so fans can share in a New Year’s Eve-like countdown moment together".

Festivities are planned around the world including such locations as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and more. Each is designed to pay tribute to the game's biggest fans. More information is available at the Microsoft store Facebook page.

When should you expect Office 2016 for your Office 365 subscription?

Publié: octobre 15, 2015, 5:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Why Confused Question Mark Woman Wall

While Office 2016 is out, not everyone has it. Starting with the 2013 version of the software, Microsoft offered subscription plans called Office 365 -- customers could pay monthly or annualy, with the latter providing a discount. You can also install 365 on up up to five systems. The differences stop there as both provide a full Office suite on your computer.

So when will Office 365 subscribers see the new version of the suite? Like seemingly all things Microsoft, it's complicated. In a blog post, Microsoft's Todd Sweetser laid out the time frame for upgrades.

The good news for many is that if you have a home user account then you can grab it now. Microsoft provides instructions on making the upgrade. Beyond that the picture becomes a bit cloudy.

If you have the version for business then it works this way -- a new installation will come with Office 2016. Existing accounts will see a rollout later this year. Customers can manually do the update by following the same instructions provided above.

Those with ProPlus, which exists for enterprise, education and midsize businesses should not expect anything until early in 2016. Details for administrators have been posted here.

Microsoft published these details (which were likely buried somewhere on its site anyway) because "A very common question we have been hearing since Office 2016 has been released is 'when will my Office 365 ProPlus or Business customer receive the Office 2016 client'". Well, now you know the answer.

Photo Credit: xavier gallego morell/Shutterstock

What's your identity worth? McAfee report gives some indication

Publié: octobre 15, 2015, 1:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Hacker detection

The market for stolen goods is bustling, as it always has. The only difference today, as opposed to 25 years ago, is the high-tech approach to crime. Instead of buying your new speakers out of the back of a van you can go online and purchase someone's identity, or at least parts of it, such as a credit card.

A new report from Intel Security Group member McAfee delves into the prices and packaging. It's surprisingly cheap to buy many of these things. Alarming may be a better word. Your credit card may be priceless to you, but not to others.

If you reside in the United States then your card goes for between $5 and $30. Folks in the UK are apparently a bit more valuable, fetching $20 to $35 each. That's the cheap stuff, though. Prices go up from there. If you'd like a bank login then you're looking at $190 and, if you want a stealth transfer of funds made to the US then you're forking over $500 for an account with a balance of $6,000.

"Like any unregulated, efficient economy, the cybercrime ecosystem has quickly evolved to deliver many tools and services to anyone aspiring to criminal behavior", says Raj Samani, chief technology officer for Intel Security EMEA. "This ‘cybercrime-as-a-service’ marketplace has been a primary driver for the explosion in the size, frequency and severity of cyber attacks. The same can be said for the proliferation of business models established to sell stolen data and make cybercrime pay".

McAfee works with law enforcement to investigate websites, chat rooms and various other online marketplaces where these transactions are carried out. This experience enabled the security firm to create its report. Hopefully it will also afford it the chance to put at least a dent in this dark economy.

Image Credit: ra2studio / Shutterstock

Google Translate grows by two more language features

Publié: octobre 15, 2015, 5:12am CEST par Alan Buckingham

angled_google_logo

As much as you may want to know multiple languages, not everyone does. Fortunately for the rest of us there are translation tools to help out and Google is one of the more popular ones, plus it's available on multiple platforms.

Today Google rolls out new translation features, bringing English and German translations to Arabic via printed text -- conversations were already available.

"To use instant visual translation, just open the app, click on the camera, and point it at the text you need to translate. You’ll see the text transform from one language to another in real-time on your screen. And the best part? There’s no Internet connection or cell phone data needed", claims Google. You will need to download a language pack if you want to use this.

In addition, iPad customers with split-screen capability can use this new feature as well. That means that when sending a text or email you'll be able to see the translation to one side of the message. In fact, it even works with books and websites.

The new features should be available right away so try them out if you have need of this.

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Adobe Flash zero-day vulnerability surfaces one day after security updates

Publié: octobre 14, 2015, 9:50pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

opps mistake cloud security

Yesterday Adobe rolled out its monthly security patches, something all users should pay attention to given past history. Flash, Reader and Acrobat all received fixes, presumably remedying the current batch of problems plaguing the software. The problem is, nothing ever seems fixed in the world of Adobe.

To that end, a zero-day exploit has already been discovered by the folks at security firm Trend Micro. Yes, that didn't take long and Adobe didn't fix this one.

"Trend Micro researchers have discovered that the attackers behind Pawn Storm are using a new Adobe Flash zero-day exploit in their latest campaign. Pawn Storm is a long-running cyber-espionage campaign known for its high-profile targets and usage of the first Java zero-day we’ve seen in the last couple of years", Trend explains.

The latest targets were foreign affairs agencies which received email purporting to be news reports -- "Suicide car bomb targets NATO troop convoy Kabul" and the like. The web sites hosting the links are similar to those responsible for earlier attacks on NATO and the White House.

Trend Micro points out that "Foreign affairs ministries have become a particular focus of interest for Pawn Storm recently. Aside from malware attacks, fake Outlook Web Access (OWA) servers were also set up for various ministries".

The security firm has notified Adobe of the problem, but so far no fix has been announced. The best way to alleviate the problem is by uninstalling Flash from your computer -- you need it increasingly less these days.

Photo Credit: doomu/Shutterstock

Google street view goes across the US from coast to coast

Publié: octobre 14, 2015, 4:00am CEST par Alan Buckingham

google-maps-street-view

Have you ever driven across the country? It's an adventure everyone should experience, going from the big city of New York to the majesty of Yosemite and even taking an opportunity to follow the path of Jack Kerouac. You obviously can't see everything so you need to plan the journey wisely.

If you miss things along the way then Google may be able to help. The company is boasting its Street View images that take you from the East to West coast and show you what is in between.

The journey begins in northern California traipsing through the Redwoods, then Liberty Mountain in Kansas, Cane Creek in Kentucky, Ringing Rocks in Pennsylvania and Hidden River in New York.

"Many of these sights come from our partners participating in the Trekker Loan Program, who are adding imagery from their region for the world to explore. Today, we invite you to discover five new collections across the country, from California all the way to New York", Google announces.

You can check out all the imagery now right from your computer. Or you can get out there and begin traveling and exploring for yourself.

Missing your favorite football team? Now TuneIn Radio will broadcast the audio

Publié: octobre 12, 2015, 9:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

sports-fan

The National Football League season is in full swing and there have already been some surprises. Teams expected to compete have floundered, while those considered underdogs have managed to thrive. But what if you can't watch your team? Some folks live "out of market" and some have cut the cord. Well, there's radio right? No, not if you aren't in market.

Now TuneIn Radio aims to change that, bringing broadcasts of all 32 teams right online. You can listen to the play-by-play call from home, even if your favorite franchise is a thousand miles away.

"Our multiyear partnership with the National Football League (NFL) will bring live coverage of all NFL games to TuneIn Premium subscribers", the service announces.

In addition, there will be a live 24 hour per day NFL channel with news and analysis, including information from the league and podcasts as well.

You will need to subscribe to TuneIn premium which will cost you $7.99 per month, but it's a whole lot cheaper than NFL Sunday Ticket. The league is slowly finding it's way in today's market. We'll get there sooner or later.

Image Credit: Volt Collection / Shutterstock

HBO NOW arrives on Roku, catch up on your favorite shows

Publié: octobre 11, 2015, 1:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hbo-now-roku

For those in the market for a set-top box there are many options, but Roku remains one of the most popular choices. Now, just in time for the impending holiday shopping season, the tiny device becomes a bit more enticing, adding HBO NOW to its app lineup.

HBO NOW is one of two apps the premium network has out there, going along with HBO GO. The difference is that this one is stand-alone -- pay for a subscription and you'll have access to everything the channel has to offer.

"With an HBO NOW subscription, you’ll gain instant access to all of HBO on your Roku player or Roku TV model – including current hit series like Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, True Detective, and Ballers, as well as every episode of every season of HBO classics such as The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, and Sex and the City. Additionally, as a subscriber, you’ll be able to watch must-see, box office hits like American Sniper, Birdman, Unbroken, and more", Roku announces.

The app is available for the box as well as Roku TV, of which there are a couple on the market. No mention is specifically made of the streaming stick, though presumably that's included under "Roku Players". If you want to hand out $15 per month in exchange for this content then head into the Roku channel store to get started.

Pandora buys Ticketfly, plans to bring artists to the fans

Publié: octobre 7, 2015, 5:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

pandora-ticketfly

Regardless of what genre of music you like, concerts are a fun way of enjoying the sound first hand. Studio albums are great, but there's something to be said for the live experience. Pandora seems to agree and wants to begin making this connection between fans and artists.

The streaming service has announced the acquisition of Ticketfly, which is one of the leading ticket sellers online. It claims to have booked "over 16 million tickets to more than 90,000 events".

Pandora is joining forces with them in an effort to get its listeners out to see the shows they've been jamming to. "It’s the perfect solution for listeners, artists, promoters and club owners, bringing the power of scale and personalization to bear on the working musician’s most intractable problem".

Pandora founder Tim Westergren relates an anecdote to illustrate that problem, telling how he and his band drove to a show but were told they couldn't play because they hadn't sold enough tickets -- they were only a few short and had traveled 400 miles for nothing.

The service will use its listener base to combine with the ticket service to send targeted messages to people who listen to a particular artist when a show comes around in their area.

"For listeners this is going to mean a personalized flow of local shows they love, with simple ticketing and no obscene fees. And for artists, it means a huge step towards sustainability. Revenue from live music is the lifeblood of most performers, typically representing 80 percent of their earnings. We can materially increase that revenue, and just as importantly, put an end to demoralizing shows to half-empty rooms", Westergren concludes.

Logitech Harmony adds even more home automation control

Publié: octobre 7, 2015, 4:55am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Harmony-Home-Hub-Extender_Blog

Home automation is a catch phrase these days, though some of it is not quite ready for prime time. But things are improving all the time with new products being released at a rapid rate. Logitech's Harmony brand of remote controls has been at the forefront of controlling these devices.

Now, after adding things like the Nest thermostat, the company is announcing compatability with even more devices. This time around it's adding ZigBee and Z-Wave.

"Harmony Hub Extender also allows your Harmony Hub to join as another controller to existing Z-Wave networks. Popular Z-Wave networks that have been tested" include Wink, Pulse, Vera and Nexia. The hub also works with Schlage and other door locks, among other devices.

ZigBee light bulbs include GE Link, Osram Lightify and Cree. Switches and sensors work with both ZigBee and Z-Wave.

You can get a full list of devices compatible with the Harmony Home Hub by visiting here. There are quite a few of them, and the list keeps growing.

Roku 4 set to bring new OS, 4K support, and much more

Publié: octobre 6, 2015, 2:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Roku-4

Roku has long been the darling of the set-top box market with its tiny devices that bring internet TV to your big screen. Want to watch Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime? Roku will let you do that from the comfort of your sofa. But what about the next wave of devices? We just saw Amazon reveal its new offerings, and now Roku is following suit.

The company announces version 4 of its device, bringing with it lots of goodies like 4K, which is considered the wave of the next generation TV. It also comes along with version 7 of the operating system, a more powerful quad-core processor and a remote control with voice search. There's also still a headphone jack, just as the Roku 3 remote control had.

As for version 7 of the operating system, there is a 4K category in the channel store, curated 4K content and 1080p home screen and user interface.

"As with all of our current-generation devices, the Roku 4 offers access to one of the biggest streaming channel lineups -- including 300,000 movies and TV episodes -- and the industry’s most comprehensive and only unbiased universal voice search", Roku states. The last part may be a dig at Amazon whose Fire TV had voice search upon launch.

Customers can pre-order the Roku 4 now. It will set you back $129.99, which is a bit more than the previous version of the device.

Microsoft announces a string of events for new Windows 10 devices

Publié: octobre 5, 2015, 5:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

windows_10_logo_in_hands

We already knew there was a Microsoft event tomorrow in New York City and BetaNews will be there to help bring you full coverage. The event kicks off at 10am EDT and you can watch it numerous ways, including right here.

However, that's just a prelude to a couple of weeks of other events around the world. Microsoft plans to showcase new devices from a number of OEM partners -- one per day (mostly) beginning October 7th.

On that day the company will join HP in Barcelona. Then things move on to Dell in New York City, Asus in San Francisco, Acer in Taipei, Toshiba in Tokyo and wrapping up back in San Francisco with Lenovo. There's a gap of a few days for that one, as it takes place on October 19th.

Attending various events will be a bevy of Microsoft executives, including Terry Myerson, Nick Parker, Yusuf Mehdi and Joe Belfiore.

There is no word on the specifics of the devices, but the software giant plans to keep everyone informed about each item as it is announced.

The events play out over a 12 day period and more information will be coming as we learn of it.

Photo credit: rvlsoft / Shutterstock

Roku goes to Mexico, brings streaming players for everyone

Publié: octobre 3, 2015, 8:05am CEST par Alan Buckingham

roku-3

Looking for a set-top box? There's no shortage of choices with Fire TV, Apple and Roku. The latter is probably the most popular solution, though new offerings from competitors aim to change that. But the device has been a bit isolated, not being offered everywhere.

That is slowly changing as Roku is now available to our friends south of the border. Yes, the tiny device is arriving in Mexico now.

"At launch the Mexico Roku Channel Store will contain 1500 plus channels including popular services like Netflix, Google Play, YouTube, and soon Crackle and Cinépolis Klic -- the first local channel in the Mexico Roku Channel Store", the company announces.

Customers will have many options for purchase, including Amazon, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Walmart and Linio. Pricing has not been announced, though it should be in line with other locations. Availability will come over the next few weeks.

Spotify for Chromecast is music to your ears

Publié: octobre 1, 2015, 2:34pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

chromecast

Music streaming services seem to be a dime a dozen these days, with plenty of choices and new ones cropping up all the time. But how do you pipe that sound through your home entertainment system? There are a number of options, but the latest is Spotify for Chromecast.

The streaming service is arriving on Google's tiny HDMI dongle, which was just recently updated. Spotify claims this was highly requested and now users can have it.

"Simply plug in and cast music directly from your phone or tablet. Play, skip, browse and search using the Spotify app. Oh, and feel free to make calls, watch a video or play games -- the music will keep playing. Even if your battery runs out", Spotify states.

The improvements don't stop with Chromecast. The service also improving connectivity to other devices such as PlayStation 3, Smart TVs, Bluetooth speakers and more. The device choices now run into the hundreds.

"Spotify will be available on the new Chromecast, with existing devices receiving a firmware update over the next few weeks", the company says.

Amazon scores Universal Music for your listening pleasure

Publié: septembre 29, 2015, 6:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Girl listening to music

Amazon Prime added music streaming to sweeten the service, going with the free two day shipping, video streaming and more. The problem in doing this is inevitably the record labels who can be a hassle to negotiate with.

Now the online retailer is announcing one more big addition to its music streaming service. The company has managed to sign Universal Music Group to bring customers a greater variety of choice in playing their tunes.

"Prime Music has already become a top destination for streaming music in the U.S. and U.K., and we are thrilled today to make it even better by growing our selection with Universal Music artists," states Steve Boom, VP of Digital Music for Amazon. "From chart topping artists like Lady Gaga to legendary musicians such as Tom Petty and Nirvana, we know our Prime members will love listening to all the additional music that’s now available as part of their membership".

In addition, you'll get Prime playlists from the artists included, which encompasses many fine musicians, though the definition of that depends on personal taste. Start streaming Of Monsters and Men or the artist of your choosing today.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Google plans to bring one billion more Indians online

Publié: septembre 28, 2015, 2:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

While it seems odd to many people, the whole world isn't online -- though it may seem that way sometimes when you visit sites like Facebook. Not all countries have the infrastructure in place to support the deployment of broadband. Google is looking to help.

The company claims that one billion residents of India are without a connection. To remedy this the company is going to the heart of transportation in the nation, the railway stations.

"I’m very proud to announce that it’s the train stations of India that are going to help get millions of people online. In the past year, 100 million people in India started using the Internet for the first time. This means there are now more Internet users in India than in every country in the world aside from China. But what's really astounding is the fact that there are still nearly one billion people in India who aren’t online", says Google's Sundar Pichai.

In conjunction with a visit from the Indian Prime Minister to Google headquarters, the company announces the introduction of high-speed broadband in 400 train stations. The search giant is working with a pair of major Indian railway services in order to roll this out. Plans are in place to have the first 100 stations online before the end of 2016. The others will follow quickly, according Pichai.

"Even with just the first 100 stations online, this project will make Wi-Fi available for the more than 10 million people who pass through every day. This will rank it as the largest public Wi-Fi project in India, and among the largest in the world, by number of potential users", Google claims.

This goes along with the launch of Android One and better support by Google for the Hindi language. The project should commence very soon.

You can now grab Adobe Flash 19 beta from the Labs

Publié: septembre 27, 2015, 10:15am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Adobe Flash and other programs can be a security problem. There's a reason the company releases regular updates. It's advisable to install them, as it likely means you're vulnerable if you don't. Perhaps the biggest offender is Flash, which powers many things on the web.

Now Adobe is quietly testing a beta version of Flash 19. It is currently a Labs project, but anyone can grab a copy if they'd like to try it out.

"This beta release includes new features as well as enhancements and bug fixes related to security, stability, performance, and device compatibility for Flash Player 19", Adobe states in its announcement.

The company also claims it is moving to a rapid release program which will involve background updates. If you subscribe then you'll get the updates without having to do anything.

You can find out more about Flash and this release by visiting here. If you wish to try out the new beta then you can visit Adobe Labs to grab a copy.

Bills versus Jaguars: Yahoo brings you the NFL

Publié: septembre 26, 2015, 7:03am CEST par Alan Buckingham

NFL

Next month the Buffalo Bills take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they do so while both being "on the road". The game will be played in London, England, and is the one of two matches set for that destination, as the Dolphins and Jets will clash there later this season as well.

Want to see the game? You can do so multiple ways. Yahoo is bringing you all of the action from every touchdown to every sack. The search and content company announces today that it will have a "Destination" for all the information and action.

"To get NFL fans around the world revved up for October 25, we’re launching a destination dedicated to everyone who loves football. Fans can check-in daily to see the latest behind the scenes content, team stats, and videos produced by both the NFL and Yahoo Studios", the company states.

In addition, you'll actually be able to watch the game on the device of your choice, regardless if it's a PC, phone, tablet or connected TV.

Yahoo welcomes you to "Go check out the site and start getting pumped up for the game". So put on your jersey, paint your face and get moving.

Mozilla takes on the problems with web content blocking

Publié: septembre 25, 2015, 6:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

firefox_screenshot

There's been a lot of talk lately about ad-blocking thanks to iOS 9. It's a tough call, given that some users don't want to see ads, but the sites they visit wouldn't exist without those ads -- block them and the sites go away, eventually. That makes for quite a conundrum, and Mozilla is trying sort it out. The Firefox maker refers to it more benignly as "content blocking".

Mozilla hasn't quite figured this all out and it is looking for users to help with the puzzle. The organization isn't interested in what the problem is, but is focusing more on why users choose to do this by utilizing blocking agents.

This isn't a new problem and the organization has been looking into it for a while. "What we see is that the reasons differ among users and may depend on the device (e.g. on desktop users may be focused on privacy and performance may be a side benefit, whereas on mobile performance and data usage may be a main focus). We as an industry need to understand the user’s needs", Mozilla states.

To that end, Mozilla wants help testing its latest feature -- private browsing with tracking protection. This is available in the new beta release of Firefox. One would have thought that tracking protection would have been a part of private browsing in all browsers, but it apparently is not.

As he is wont to do, John Dvorak pointed out the most dire consequences in a recent column discussing "native advertising" -- ads disguised as stories. "In the future everything you read will be unreliable, except for the few marginalized nooks of real information".

Indeed, he is likely right, but hopefully his vision of the future doesn't come to fruition.

Photo credit: Evan Lorne / Shutterstock

The day the music didn't die -- Earbits is now supported by You42

Publié: septembre 24, 2015, 4:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Earbits_LogoTagline_Color_RGB_72

In June of 2014 music streaming service Earbits closed down. It seemed a shame, but the big players in the game like Spotify and Rdio are hard to compete with. However, Earbits had a niche, allowing new artists to be heard and discovered by record labels. The shutdown lasted only three days and the company emerged again.

While we knew it had found financial backing, details were not made available. Now finally, after more than a year, we learn that it was acquired by You42.

"Earbits, backed by top investors Y Combinator, Charles River Ventures, WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg and others, had grown to over 300,000 registered listeners and 13,000 artists across 600 record labels by June 2014. Less than 48 hours after the site went dark, founders Joey Flores and Yotam Rosenbaum received a letter of intent to acquire the company in full and provide the necessary capital to build a competitive streaming music service", the company announces today.

To go along with the announcement, the company plans new apps for both Android and iOS. The hope is that these will provide a better listening experience, as well as allow artists to more easily reach new fans.

This is all good news for a service that once looked doomed. It's good to have choices and see smaller names compete with the big players in the market.

Pebble's new watch goes back in Time

Publié: septembre 23, 2015, 8:34pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

pebble-time-round

Remember parachute pants, Members Only jackets, leg warmers, Swatch and other accouterments of the 80's? Well, you aren't the only one if you answered "yes", because apparently Pebble not only remembers, but wants to revive that bygone era.

The company's latest offering is a round version of the new Pebble Time and it comes in multiple colors. The company claims it's lighter and thinner than any other smartwatch. Like its cousin it still sports an E-Paper display that is always on. The display allows for excellent battery life, at least in my experience.

It does, of course, bring all of the usual features such as displaying incoming calls, texts and emails, saving you from fishing a phone out of a pocket or purse. Apps are available, allowing you to view weather, sports scores and more.

The company brags that "At 7.5mm thin and weighing just 28 grams, Pebble Time Round is the thinnest and lightest smartwatch in the world".

Buyers will be able to customize the watch based on color and band, as well as the library of available faces to choose from once they have the product.

All of this will cost you $249 and you can reserve one now from the Pebble website, providing it's working, which has been an off and on proposition in recent days. However, the company promises "We’re excited to announce today’s news and are currently troubleshooting service issues at pebble.com. Sign up here and we’ll email you when the site is back up and running".

The only question left is, "where's the Swatch Guard?"

Evernote invites Windows and Mac users to try the new beta

Publié: septembre 23, 2015, 3:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

taking-notes

Taking notes and making lists is something almost everyone does, and lists can become almost compulsive. For the task you need a good tool. Preferably one that works everywhere -- yes, paper covers that, but this is the technology era.

Evernote is one of the most popular alternatives to paper, as it runs on just about any platform, be it a computer or mobile device. While it all works well together -- create a shopping list on your PC, have it appear on your phone while you're in the store -- the company wanted to clean things up and modernize a bit. It has been working on an update and it's now ready for beta testing by Windows and Mac users.

"Evernote’s core text editing experience was designed around a framework that was optimized for the platform you were typing on; the Windows editor was purpose-built for Windows, the Mac editor for the Mac platform, and so on. We had an early vision of mobile’s implications on productivity, and highly platform-specific development was the fastest way to address that mobile future, which arrived quicker than we’d even imagined. In the face of rapidly interconnected devices, this framework generally held together well, but it wasn’t completely seamless", the company explains.

With that in mind, Evernote set out to completely rebuild, eliminating the old problems with things like formatting across systems. Also addressed are many user suggestions such as bulleted lists, the handling of images and tables and basic markdown.

Evernote promises that "With each iteration, we’ll improve the note editing experience and won’t rest until we are the best way to type words into a computer or phone".

You can sign up for beta by visiting this site.

Image Credit: KieferPix / Shutterstock

Amazon set to slash price of Prime membership for one day only

Publié: septembre 22, 2015, 9:02pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

family-watching-tv

Amazon Prime is a good deal to begin with, bringing two day free shipping, video streaming of movies and TV shows, as well as original content, music streaming and even a Kindle lending library for those books you've been meaning to read.

For all of that you pay an annual fee of $99, which is not considered high by many users, given the benefits. However, some people still are afraid of the price because it's all at once -- they can't space it out in small monthly fees as the likes of Netflix offer. It doesn't mean it's bad, it's just bad perception for some customers.

Well, good news because if you're near a computer on September 25th then you can get a deal. You can score a one year membership to Amazon Prime for $67, shaving $32 off the regular fee.

"In celebration of five Emmy wins for Amazon Original series Transparent at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards", Amazon says, in way of explanation for the deal and odd price.

"This has been an incredibly exciting year -- with the Golden Globes wins in January and now twelve nominations and five Primetime Emmy wins. We are thrilled to celebrate Transparent with our customers by offering a Prime discount,” says Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video for Amazon. "Congratulations again to Jill Soloway, Jeffrey Tambor and the cast and crew of Transparent for making such a beautiful show, and to our customers -- enjoy!"

Only Prime customers get access to many of the videos, including the original content. You can grab it for the lower price on that one day only, so if you ever wanted to try Prime then consider this the time.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

Two months in: Living with Amazon Echo

Publié: septembre 21, 2015, 3:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

It's been two months since I acquired Amazon Echo, the voice controlled device that can do a surprising amount of things. That feature list is always growing as well, with an increasing amount of partnerships and developers writing "skills".

Has the novelty worn off? Well, somewhat, but I still use it every day. It has become a tool that works for me and there are many features that come in handy.

I play Pandora while I work and I can ask Echo what song is playing and it responds with artist and title. That information is also available in the Amazon Alexa app. The device can set a timer for whatever span you want -- "Alexa, set a timer for ten minutes". That's a feature I use daily so as not to forget something on the stove or in the oven. You can even use it to set an alarm and, with the Wink Hub, have it turn on the lights when the alarm goes off -- maybe, that's next.

Therein lies the one problem I've encountered, though it doesn't seem the fault of Echo. It's actually the home automation hub linked to it. This turns the lights on and off with a voice command, which seems handy until it doesn't work. I dread asking it to turn on the lights and hearing "that command doesn't work with that device". It simply means I have to reset the hub, and is an easy enough fix, but annoying, especially in the dark.

Alexa will read me the news, which it pulls from NPR. It will create playlists of music from Amazon Prime Music. Other content can be pulled from TuneIn Radio or you can link your iHeartRadio account to Echo.

I'm only scratching the surface with the functions I'm using. A plethora of others exist, including IFTTT integration to create your own recipes, SmartThings integration (maybe your lights will work), Google Calendar, audio books and much more.

The past couple of months have been a fun, and occasionally bumpy ride. Would I recommend Echo after my experiences? Absolutely. It's an interesting device with a growing ecosystem of features and integration. Is Amazon listening to everything you say? Well, sort of -- if it begins with "Alexa" then it's processed by the retail giant's servers and provides instant answers. This is evident when you open the app on your phone or tablet and find information about your actions. Am I worried about that? Not particularly. I can live with it.

Pebble site is down, app may be as well

Publié: septembre 20, 2015, 11:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

pebble_site_down

The smartwatch is the latest technology darling these days with Pebble, Android Wear and, most recently, Apple. But technology can fail, sometimes badly. Just this morning my home automation left me sitting in the dark (again). Worse Amazon, who's Echo device controls it, was down making a reset impossible and leaving the only option as switching to manual control and using that old-fashioned switch thing on the wall.

According to the Register, Amazon wasn't the only one out of luck, as it's own AWS service took it down, as well as Netflix, IMDB and others.

That leads us back to the smartwatch. Pebble suddenly stopped displaying the Weather Channel current temperature earlier today. I opened the app on the LG G4 to find it disconnected. No problem, tap to connect. Nothing but an error message. Multiple tries later a reboot of the phone was in order. Still nothing. A visit to the site revealed the above image.

It may be completely unrelated to the app problem, but it's quite a coincidence. Either way, at the very least, the site has a nasty sounding message at the moment. We'll update this when more is known about the problem.

Spotify gets a new About screen with more features

Publié: septembre 18, 2015, 3:20am CEST par Alan Buckingham

spotify-about

Music streaming sevices need to differentiate in order to stand out and hold market share. Features, as well as the song offerings, matter. Spotify is in a tight race with opposition from Google, Rdio, Apple and others. That means innovation is key.

The service has updated its "About" screen, bringing new features for its customers. Included are biographies with full screen browsing, global rankings based on monthly listeners, letting customers know where people are discovering the most popular artists, and even which city the artist is most popular in.

"Throughout the years one of our most popular features has been the ability to dig deeper into the music, from reading up on the history of your favorite artists to discovering related artists that you might learn to love. Today, we’re excited to introduce our new About Page, serving you even more information and insights about your favorite artists", the streaming service announces.

The update is rolling out now, so customers will begin to see it shortly. "Spotify is always looking for new ways to bring artists and fans closer together".

Google Maps introduces you to the elephants of Kenya

Publié: septembre 15, 2015, 4:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

google-maps-samburu

Care to go on a safari? It's a childhood dream for some, but sadly, few will get there. Eastern Africa is a long trip for most people, not to mention a pricey one. Fortunately, there's no need to break the bank for a lengthy flight and a bumpy ride in a Land Rover. Google Maps Street View can get you there for the low price of free.

This is the first time Google has released imagery in the nation of Kenya. Now the Street View team has trekked the Samburu National Reserve to bring the wildlife to your desktop. This release is specifically elephants, and was done in conjunction with the Save the Elephants research camp.

If this sounds odd, then it's not -- think of the value of the ivory. Research indicates 100,000 elephants were poached for that material between 2010 and 2012. The reserve is helping the population slowly return.

"Every time I drive into the Reserve, I can see the trust on the elephants’ faces and feel a warm welcome. When I’m out and about, I never know which of my fellow citizens I’ll bump into next. It could be some of the 600+ elephants I can recognize", says David Daballen, head of Save the Elephants.

"Visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you can see the devastating effect of poaching and other causes of elephant deaths in Kenya. Founded in 1977, the Trust provides lifesaving assistance to wild animals in need, including orphaned elephants and rhinos".

Next up is the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. We can only hope that all of this is preserved for future generations, as it would be a travesty to lose it, in more ways than one. You can check it out here.

How DirecTV tried and failed to get me to uncut the cord

Publié: septembre 11, 2015, 7:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

cord-cutting

Almost a year and half ago I said goodbye to my long-time satellite provider. It was nothing personal, I always had good service, but I simply decided I was paying too much for the amount of TV I watch -- or don't watch, which is more the case.

Since then I've got by just fine with a compilation of Sling TV (with the sports pack), Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime. That hasn't stopped DirecTV from trying to win me back, though I'd steadily ignored the offers. But one was different.

It offered me a great monthly price, only $5 more than I pay Sling. That's not bad. But they also sweetened the deal by throwing in NFL Sunday ticket. I happen to be a fan of a team that is not in my market, so it was perfect. There was a catch, I'd be agreeing to a two year contract, but I could live with that.

Then the next day the installer showed up and things went downhill quickly. I already have a perfectly capable, and still hooked up, HR23 box. It's HD and DVR. So the company would turn it back on, right? No. That would cost an additional $20 per month -- $10 each for HD and DVR. Are these costing you anything? You're broadcasting HD anyway and DVR storage is on my hard drive.

But no, they were insisting on switching the box to a new non-HD, non-DVR one. It also only came with a composite connection, meaning my HDMI switch couldn't be used with it. Not the end of the world, you may think, but it was the end of my rope.

So as much as I wanted to see my team play every game this season, I could no longer justify the problems they were creating.

And yes, I know there are ways to watch games, though I won't be describing them here, you can find them on your own. For now DirecTV and I remain separated.

Image Credit: zimmytws / Shutterstock

Home automation gets another boost as MivaTek launches solutions to secure your home

Publié: septembre 10, 2015, 3:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

home automation

The Internet of Things is everywhere these days, and has become almost unavoidable. Reaction can be a bit mixed, ranking from calling it SkyNet to embracing the technology. It doesn't always work as planned -- I'm reasonably certain that one of my colleagues here could turn off my lights (don't get any ideas guys).

Now MivaTek aims to fix those problems with new solutions for both home and business. Included are security cameras, water leak sensors and monitoring for disruptions to the alarm system. More importantly, it can keep track of health and send help if needed.

"Comprehensiveness, six services in one app, a 27+ device ecosystem, and auto-configures in minutes makes MivaTek smart and unique. Hardware firewall is built-in in our intelligent MivaShuttle to protect video privacy from hackers, and we offer local and cloud storage for free”, says Joe Liu, founder of the company.

This isn't cheap, but perhaps the old adage that you "get what you pay for" rings true. Packages will start at $9.99 per month and you'll have a three year contract. However, there is no money down to get started. You can check it all out by visiting MivaTek.

Photo Credit: bergserg/ Shutterstock

Rdio gets new speakers and better Smart TV experience

Publié: septembre 10, 2015, 10:55am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Girl listening to music

Whole house audio has come into vogue and systems abound, if you care to pay the price. But none will work without content, and that's where services like Rdio come into the picture. The streaming music sevice has turned into a thriving ecosystem that competes with the other big players in the market.

Now it gets a little more capable as the company announces new whole-home audio compatibility and enhancements to Smart TVs.

"As a result of recent global partnerships with multi-room wireless speaker system manufacturers, you can choose the right speakers for your home -- and for your wallet -- and start listening", Rdio states. The devices include Harman Kardon and Denon, both a bit on the high end.

As for Smart TVs, the service is expanding to those as well, claiming the interface will make the music look as good as it sounds. This is a new app specifically built for the large screen.

"Listeners with smart TVs in all 85 countries where Rdio Unlimited and Rdio Free are available can access Rdio features on their screens," Rdio claims. Supported TVs include models from Samsung, LG and Hisence.

That's a lot of new services and platforms to tackle. It's good stuff though, if you want high-end speakers in your home or if you own a Smart TV.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Pandora celebrates 10 years of streaming music

Publié: septembre 6, 2015, 8:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

10th-birthday

The old adage about how children grow up so fast can easily be applied to many things. The tech world is littered with things we take for granted, and these would once have felt like science-fiction to us. Streaming music is one of those things -- who would have thought you would one day have all of the music you wanted with no vinyl, tapes or CDs?

Pandora is now celebrating ten years in the business. It's hard to believe the little service, created by by Tim Westergren and powered by the Music Genome Project, managed to crack the code and bring music that suits a particular taste, even introducing artists you may have never heard before. Create a station based on an artist, or multiple ones, and Pandora will cook up something to keep you interested.

"We’ve crossed the ten-year mark at Pandora. It has been a long and winding road, but never have I been more excited about the future. We’re on the cusp of a massive transformation in the way music is discovered and distributed and everything we’ve done has put us in a position to be the force behind that change", Westergren writes.

He then reminisces about the early days and how Abba's "Dancing Queen" was the very first song the project analyzed. "It took about 30 minutes to analyze that single track. We listened multiple times to capture every detail of the recording. Close to 200 attributes were notated using pen and paper, then double-checked by a second music analyst before being transcribed into an Excel spreadsheet. Who knew that this intensive, detailed, manual process would become the foundation for personalized radio".

Pandora is quite proud of its 200,000 artists and points out that many never get radio time and perhaps never will. That's a shame, but at least now they have a way to get out there and find a fan-base. The service touts 80 million customers who listen more than 20 hours each month.

Over the next week the Pandora Facebook page will have music trivia, in case you feel up to the challenge. In the meantime, type in Enya and discover Hayley Westenra, or come up with your own choice.

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Zerbor

Watch your email, malicious attachments aren't dead yet

Publié: septembre 6, 2015, 11:37am CEST par Alan Buckingham

email-thief

Email danger isn't new, and we've all been (hopefully) vigilant for years. Don't open attachments is the general rule, though there are some obvious exceptions -- the person confirms they sent it to you. Otherwise, a message from someone you know may very well not have not been sent by them -- I got one a few days ago from a company contact and it had a file attached. Don't open it! When I inquired she replied to me that the address had been hacked.

Absolutely nothing I've just said will protect my kids or parents -- they will happily click away. The problem is, these things seemed to go away, at least mostly, but now they are on the comeback trail according to a new report.

Web links had become the new darling vector for attack, as cybercrimminals moved along with the times. Now, according to Security Intelligence, the old email trick is coming back into vogue. "Attachments can evade many of the defenses erected against malicious URLs. And in the social media age, they can be targeted to thousands of users and spread across networks within hours", the report claims.

CIO Insights reports that "Malicious attacks have shifted from URL-based campaigns, which dominated last year, to campaigns that rely on attachments to deliver malware payloads".

The blame seems to be with targeted attacks, something that has developed in recent times. This is spear phishing, and it's less generic than older methods that tended to be much easier to ignore.

Security Intelligence concludes that "By tracking large volumes of traffic, dynamic and predictive malware analytics can identify malicious attachments based on suspicious patterns that previously would have eluded detection".

In other words, it's still a jungle out there, but modern technology, including Big Data, is doing its best to tame that mess.

Image Credit: Farozzi / Shutterstock

Is there a reason to be concerned about your kid's apps and websites?

Publié: septembre 5, 2015, 2:34am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google sets its sights on kids with child-friendly versions of YouTube and Gmail

We worry about our children, or at least we should. Stranger danger is everywhere in today's world, unlike the one we grew up in. You may have wondered around town on your own, rode in a car with no seatbelt and probably asked the question "what's a bike helmet?"

Well, things are not that safe anymore, and in fact they can be downright scary. Websites and apps are trying to sell things to kids (it will be your money that they spend). But worse, predators lurk in the shadows looking for information for potential targets.

Security firm Sophos has taken a closer look at the problems and dangers faced by our offspring. The data is scary -- "The collection of watchdogs, collectively known as the Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN), said 41% of the 1494 apps and websites it examined raised concerns over how data was being collected and shared with third parties".

To be fair, that doesn't mean your kid's information is going to the aforementioned predator, but it's going to a company. That's only slightly safer in the opinion of some people. It's names and email addresses also -- the most important data you want to protect, especially given data theft these days.

Sophos points out that "considering the occasionally dark nature of the world we live in, anyone with responsibility for a child's welfare may well not like the revelation that just under 1 in 4 sites and apps gave kids the opportunity to upload their photo or add video clips. 22% of the services looked at also allowed youngsters to hand over their phone numbers".

It gets worse, as only 24 percent of the tested apps and websites encourage parental control. That's a number no parent wants to hear.

The report was put together by the UK Commissioner's Information Office and can be read here. Meanwhile, we encourage you to please watch your children online.

Photo credit: sunabesyou / Shutterstock

Google Calendar is getting a new URL for security reasons

Publié: septembre 4, 2015, 6:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google Calendar is used by many people to track (seemingly) their every activity. That's a good thing, as it keeps users organized and calendars can be shared with family and co-workers so they also know what's going on. But what about its security? It doesn't seem a huge issue, given the nature of the service -- it isn't your bank, after all.

Google is ever vigilant, however, and has been thinking this part through and is now making some changes. The update brings a new URL, but it's really about security.

"In an effort to further increase security, in the coming weeks we’ll be changing the main Google Calendar URL from www.google.com/calendar to calendar.google.com", the search giant announces.

What does this change mean? Well, not all is coming up roses, as Google admits that some extensions may cease to operate properly. However, the company has contacted developers in an attempt to alleviate this problem. Also some notifications may generate an error and users will need to reset permissions for those. Finally, Google advises "Apps customers parsing the old Calendar URL structure for any custom tools, etc are advised to update them to also reference the new URL structure".

As for availability, you can expect the update to take place as a Rapid Release in late September, and other customers will receive it about two weeks later.

Image Credit: iQconcept / Shutterstock

Logitech unveils new Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for multiple operating systems

Publié: septembre 3, 2015, 8:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

slogitech-m535 The wireless mouse and keyboard is not a new concept, it's been around for quite a while. Bluetooth connectivity came along a bit later, though it still isn't cutting-edge anymore. Now we work from multiple devices from PCs to laptops to tablets, even phones and these thing have become necessary.

Now Logitech is unveiling its latest Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech K380, and mouse, the M535. Neither is dependent on the other, it isn't a set. Both have a compact design that's easy to pack up and travel with.

Logitech describes the keyboard as "Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard gives you the comfort and convenience of a desktop keyboard for your smartphone, tablet and more". Meanwhile. The M535 is described as a device that "when you’re creating on-the-go between multiple devices, can help bring harmony to your navigation".

The keyboard sells for $39.99 and is available right now. The mouse will retail for the same $39.99. You can grab them from the Logitech website.

Hulu gets a commercial-free option

Publié: septembre 3, 2015, 6:40am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Hulu Logo Hulu has previously come in two varieties, both free and "premium". The premium contains limited ads, but also provides access to all content available from the service. The trade-off is, of course, paying per month for this. The $7.99 fee isn't bad, but most services remove ads in exchange for premium service.

So how do you rid yourself of those ads? Well, previously you didn't, but that changes today as Hulu rolls out an ad-free plan. That's the good news, the bad is that you'll be paying a bit more per month. To be precise, you'll be upping your monthly expenditure from $7.99 to $11.99.

"At Hulu, we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and giving them the best possible experience", says Mike Hopkins, CEO, Hulu. "Many of our customers have asked us for a commercial free option, and so today we are excited to introduce just that. Providing more choice for consumers is fundamental to the Hulu experience, in addition to an array of choices in content and devices, our customers can now choose to watch with or without commercials".

Hulu has been expanding content and most recently added films from Epix that were lost by Netflix. These flicks will become available on October 1st. There's also the original content -- "In addition, Hulu has made a strong investment in its original programming and has greenlit an exciting slate of originals, including the event series 11/22/63 from Stephen King and J.J. Abrams starring James Franco; comedy series Difficult People produced by Amy Poehler with stars Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner", Hulu states.

Users on the current $7.99 plan will keep it, your price isn't changing. You can upgrade to the $11.99 plan and go commercial-free, but you don't have to. You can keep the limited commercial plan if you would like to.

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin as Google Maps takes you to Galapagos

Publié: septembre 2, 2015, 7:28pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

google-maps-galapagos

Sir Isaac Newton famously said that "If I have seen further, it is because I stood on the shoulders of giants". Newton referred to the scientists who came before him, but Charles Darwin could have uttered a similar phrase. The explorer and scientist visited the islands of Galapagos and saw literal giants in the form of turtles, or tortoises to be precise. In fact, Darwin brought one home to England, though Harriet eventually resided in Australia before she died at the age of approximately 176.

Now you can see these famous, and seemingly ageless, creatures on Google Maps. No need to board the HMS Beagle and set sail, just look on your computer.

"The giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands have been stalwart survivors for centuries, but the last few hundred years have been rough. Once so numerous that sixteenth century explorers actually named the archipelago 'galápago' for the old Spanish word for tortoise, the rats and hungry sailors that followed them caused the tortoises’ numbers to dwindle almost to extinction", claims Raleigh Seamster, program manager for Google Earth Outreach.

Today the area is an international wildlife treasure which is protected by park rangers. That doesn't mean you can't visit, of course. Tourists are encouraged to stop by, but tread carefully. "Thanks to the conservation effort that saved them, you can now view the tortoises in their natural habitats on islands like Pinzón and Isabela, happily traversing the wild terrain or just enjoying a morning meal".

Nest Thermostat moves ahead to third generation

Publié: septembre 2, 2015, 3:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

nest-gen-three

The Nest Learning Thermostat has become quite popular, at least in the tech community. It learns from a user's habits and can be remotely accessed via an app on a phone or tablet. In fact, it can even be controlled using a Harmony Ultimate Home remote control.

Now the product has edged forward into its third generation, bringing a slimmer and sleeker design, as well as being "more beautiful", at least according to Nest.

The device has now been on the market for four years, which is hard to believe. "Before the Nest Learning Thermostat came along, nobody even thought about that beige box on the wall. Other than it was annoying, complicated, and kind of ugly", states Maxime Veron, product manager at the company.

But the design change isn't everything. There are new features involved, as well. One is called Farsight. It acts as the name implies -- "When you walk into the room, Farsight lights up and shows you the temperature you set or the time. You can even choose a digital or analog clock face. It’s big and bright -- you can see it from across the room".

The latest model also has more temperature sensors and claims to be more accurate than before. It will also notify the user if it detects a problem with the furnace. It does this by reading the shutoff patterns. The customer will be notified by a message on the phone.

The new model is available now for $249 and Nest promises future updates.

iHeartRadio launches a Windows 10 app

Publié: septembre 1, 2015, 5:29pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

windows_10_logo_in_hands

Windows 10 has been live for a few weeks now and is getting a lot of attention, deservedly so. Most users seem happy to either be away from Windows 8 or to have avoided it all together. Now it's a matter of getting the apps which are the lifeblood of any ecosystem, both PC and mobile.

To that end, music streaming giant iHeartRadio is announcing its Windows 10 compatible app. "iHeartRadio for Windows 10 will include its signature, customizable listening features known to iHeartRadio's audience of more than 70 million registered users as well as new innovations optimized exclusively for Microsoft Corp.'s most personal, productive and secure operating system yet", the company announces.

The app comes with all of the usual iHeartRadio features, including creating custom playlists. There's the ability to stream live radio -- "Windows 10 users will have instant access to thousands of live radio stations from across the country covering Pop, Country, Hip-Hop, R&B, Alternative, Rock, Talk, News, Sports and Comedy". There's also podcasts and customers can even share their stations via Facebook.

"Together with iHeartRadio, Windows 10 will provide people with a personal and productive experience with instant access to their favorite music and entertainment along with new innovations like Cortana, Microsoft Edge and the Xbox app" says Microsoft's Todd Brix, general manager of the Windows Store.

You can grab the new app for the new operating system right in the Windows Store. Just try not to disturb your neighbors.

Sling TV comes to Amazon Fire tablets

Publié: septembre 1, 2015, 12:45am CEST par Alan Buckingham

sling-tv

Sling TV has become the un-subscription model, bringing you TV over an internet connection and eliminating contracts. You'll need a box -- both Roku 3 and Amazon Fire TV will work just fine and put video on the big screen just like cable or satellite. The company motto is "take back TV", and it does so. You can get channels ranging from ESPN to HBO to Food Network.

But what about on the go? Well, you can use your phone, but now the screen gets a bit bigger. Sling is announcing the debut of its service on Amazon Fire tablets.

"Available now, the Sling TV app can be downloaded from the Amazon Appstore onto your Amazon Fire HD or HDX tablet. Get ready to bring your favorite live and on-demand programming with you, wherever you and your tablet may go", Sling states.

This will work on the HDX 7 or 8.9, as well as the HD 6 and 7. Users will also get a free trial for 14 days to evaluate the service.

With Sling TV you can cancel anytime, there's no obligation. You can also add other packages of channels that will net you extra sports channels, news or even foreign language. The base price will set you back $20, and packages run $5 extra, while HBO will take $15 from your wallet.

Netflix cancels contract with Epix films, Hulu takes it over

Publié: août 31, 2015, 12:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

couple-watching-tv

Entertainment is the lifeblood of streaming services, bringing TV shows and movies to customers. That includes both original content and that which comes from studios. However, deals don't always work out as planned. The studios can be notoriously bad with licensing content.

Netflix points out that "We hear from our members that you wish we had newer movies. So do we. Studio licensing practices means it often takes more than a year before consumers can watch a theatrically released movie when and how they want".

With that being said, the company announces it will not be renewing its contract with Epix, meaning movies such as World War Z and Catching Fire will be gone. That's very bad news for the many Netflix customers. The only good news is that will not happen until the end of September, so you can hurry up and watch what you want now.

But every cloud has a silver lining, supposedly. The movies won't be gone from streaming, just moving to a different platform, as Hulu announces it will be taking them over. "Hulu and the premium entertainment network Epix have closed a landmark, multi-year digital SVOD deal that will bring new releases from Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount to Hulu for the first time beginning October 1st".

In all likelihood there were negotiations and Hulu simply offered more money. Still, either way, this is a bit of good news, at least if you use both services. So you'll still be able to watch Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

How to: Enable OK Google on the LG G4

Publié: août 30, 2015, 8:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

LG G4 Available Colors Back Covers

The LG G4 is making quite a splash and being advertised seemingly everywhere. There's good reason for that as I previously explained in my review. Overall it's a nice phone, but there are a few things you need to know before getting underway with it.

One is that OK Google is not enabled by default, you'll need to do so yourself. It isn't intuitive, either. But the good news is that it isn't hard once you know how to do it. Here are some simple steps to get you going.

To get started, hold a finger down on the home button at the bottom of the screen while swiping another finger across the Google section at the top of the screen. A box will pop up asking what you want to use. Your option may only be Google, but mine also contains Cortana, as I installed the beta for Android.

Do not let go of that home button or the box will disappear. Select Google and then tap the "always" option. If you tap the other option then this won't work.

lg-g4-ok-google Now swipe your finger left to move right across screens. It may vary by phone, but mine is the third screen you'll come to. Here you'll find a jumbled looking mess, but don't worry, just head into the settings and look for Voice settings and click on it.

From there you will find three options. You don't have to enable them all, though I did and would recommend it, especially given that "OK Google" now works from a locked screen.

It's a fairly simple process, just not a particularly user-friendly one. I doubt anyone who reads this site will have a problem, though.

Plex for Roku gets an update to its look and features

Publié: août 28, 2015, 12:04pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

plex-for-roku

Plex is perhaps the best media server around. It's also free to install, although the app will set you back $4.99, unless you stumble on a deal. It's also multi-platform, with Windows, Mac, Linux and NAS compatibility. The app, similarly, will work on just about any platform, both mobile and set-top box.

Now the version for Roku is getting an update to the channel, as Roku refers to apps on its tiny boxes. The latest version brings a new look and some additional features to the Plex channel.

Plex will pull all of your media together in a nice window, regardless of whether it's movies, TV shows, pictures, music or just random video files.

Despite "new features" being added, it really is enhancements to existing ones. Plex will still do all of the wonderful things you love about it, but it will now do them a bit better and look a little nicer while it does them.

There is also good news, as Roku points out that "The Plex channel is free! You've already invested in your collection of movies and music, and your Roku player or Roku TV model is already sitting in the living room and other rooms in the house. Plex does the heavy lifting so that all of your media is accessible at no cost to you on all of your devices -- that’s right, no monthly fee or rental charges". The same can not be said for other devices.

Amazon Echo learns new tricks as Alexa can now control music speakers and sprinklers

Publié: août 27, 2015, 7:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Since Amazon released the Echo last year (November 6, 2014 if you ask it when it was born), the device has been learning some new tricks. It can control multiple home automation devices, though setup can be mind numbing to accomplish.

Now Amazon is adding two more devices. The retail giant is announcing the addition of support for both HiFi company Musaic and sprinkler system Rachio.

"We’re continuing to invest in new ideas for how voice technology can improve everyday life,” says Greg Hart, Vice Presidentof Amazon Echo and Alexa Voice Services. "Musaic and Rachio are both innovative companies whose products can help customers create a truly connected home, and with Alexa people will be able to interact with the technology in a new way. We can’t wait to help bring these new products to customers".

Musaic, which is a wireless system, claims to be very excited about this new partnership, while Rachio says it is thrilled. Yes, of course it's PR talking, but it's good publicity and a broader audience for products people may not otherwise know about.

Amazon refers to these controls as "skills", meaning Alexa has learned two new ones. Amazon also invites developers with an idea to work with the Alexa cloud-based voice service to develop ideas for the Echo product.

Windows 10 vs Windows 8.1: Which is fastest?

Publié: août 27, 2015, 4:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Runner

The comparisons were inevitable right from the start. When Microsoft releases a new operating system then people are going to look at it against the previous version, especially when the old one was a bit hated and unsuccessful. It really wasn't bad, but perception is everything, and the folks who heard it was bad steered clear of it.

But how do the two platforms stack up against one another in a performance test? The researchers at security firm AVG Labs decided to take a look.

The firm started out with a rather top-of-the-line product -- the Asus UX-501 laptop. That contains an Intel Core i7 processor, a 128 GB SSD and 16 GB of RAM.

AVG points out that "To get reproduceable and comparable results of Windows 8.1 versus Windows 10, we clean-installed both versions and installed only the latest drivers as well as our speed testing software, such as PCMark 8".

The security firm went further, using a temperature controlled room, installed all updates and set power to "balanced", among other things.

Windows 10 won on boot time, though the difference was minuscule. Internet Explorer startup time also showed Windows 10 making small gains. It is faster, but likely something that people will not notice.

According to AVG, "The next test involved the benchmarking tool PCMark 8 which uses real-life scenarios such as browsing the web, Office 2013, Adobe Creative Suite and other tools to recreate a typical home and business scenario. It measures the exact time it takes to complete tasks down to the millisecond". This one was ruled a tie.

There were other tests, such as Word and Excel performance, won by Windows 10 and gaming using Grand Theft Auto, which was another tie. The battery life challenge was also nabbed by Windows 10.

Of course others have done comparisons, though most less rigorously than AVG. If you want a simpler comparison, for instance, you can look at Forbes and a number of other places.

The tests by AVG show Windows 10 as the clear winner overall, but it's so close that most users are unlikely to notice it. Still, it's likely worth the upgrade for other reasons, such as new features.

Photo Credits: ostill/Shutterstock

Windows 10 now on 75 million devices according to Microsoft

Publié: août 26, 2015, 4:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

windows_10_logo_in_hands

It's been a wild month for Microsoft, given the roll out of the operating system many had been waiting for. For those who were perturbed with Windows 8 and those who skipped it all together, Windows 10 is a definite step up. It's a bit of a hybrid and it came out quickly -- much faster than past versions.

Now after much rather useless speculation, we have numbers that are actually attributed to Microsoft. The information comes via Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President of Marketing for Windows and Devices, who shared the facts on his Twitter account.

Mehdi claims that Windows 10 is now running on 75 million devices, spanning a global footprint that contains 192 nations. 90,000 unique PC and tablet models have been upgraded, including ones from as far back as 2007. More stunning may be the fact that "122 years of gameplay have streamed from Xbox One to Windows 10 devices". Even Cortana is in on the act, as Mehdi claims the virtual personality has told more than half a million jokes. Finally, Windows 10 has already generated more app downloads per device from the Store than Windows 8, by a factor of 6x.

Fun numbers to run through, though overall success takes much more time to measure. That's the long term goal for such things. It seems to be a good start though.

Photo credit: rvlsoft / Shutterstock

TuneIn Radio rolls out a Premium version of service

Publié: août 26, 2015, 4:47am CEST par Alan Buckingham

woman listening to music on tablet

In the world of streaming entertainment, TuneIn Radio is a bit unique. It isn't just music, you get the news, sports and even podcasts. The Amazon Echo even utilizes it to play content, as well. So what more can you want from the service? Well, how about a Premium option.

This ups the offering, bringing all sorts of new content, including sports and commercial-free music. Enjoy Major League Baseball games, as well as Barclays Premier League and Bundesliga matches.

"With the introduction of TuneIn Premium, we are taking the world’s best audio content and putting it all in one place”, says John Donham, Chief Executive Officer of TuneIn. “In today’s crowded audio landscape, our focus on exclusive news, talk, sports, and music allows us to deliver an unparalleled listening experience to our users".

MLB is also excited about its new partnership, likely because it means money, but hey, it's good for consumers as well. "TuneIn gives fans multiple baseball channels so they can listen to every live game as well as a variety of MLB.com and MLB Network programming, including fantasy baseball, talk shows and baseball-themed entertainment, and individual stations devoted to their favorite teams", says Kenny Gersh, Executive Vice President, Business of MLBAM.

The price for all of this is $7.99 per month for those in the US and $8.99 for those who reside in Canada. For folks in the UK you can grab it for £5.99. Future plans will be available in other countries and will be announced at a later date.

Photo Credit: racorn/Shutterstock

Google Classroom gets additional features

Publié: août 25, 2015, 5:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

students celebrating

It's back to school time, at least here in the US. The big yellow busses have begun rolling, and kids are standing curbside, hopefully under the watchful eye of an adult. There are many things to consider this time of year -- what computer to buy, a phone they can use to call in an emergency. In fact, my colleague Brian Fagioli did an overview of his choices in technology for the student.

But software also plays a major role in this equation, with things like Windows, Office and Google Docs all being possible players in your child's life. One you may not have known about is Google Classroom, but it does exist and it's getting a back-to-school update.

"Most of these features are rolling out this week; stay tuned in the next few weeks for more back-to-school goodies in Google Classroom, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, all designed to help you make this school year yours", says Will Phan, a Google software engineer.

Included are enhancements to the Q&A, making it even more interactive and collaborative. Google explains "You can post questions to your class and allow students to have discussions by responding to each other’s answers (or not, depending on the setting you choose). For example, you could post a video and ask students to answer a question about it, or post an article and ask them to write a paragraph in response".

Google has also added the ability to reuse assignments, questions and announcements. Coming soon will be a calendar that will automatically update with your schedule and classes. Other updates are coming as well, such as the ability to make due dates optional or bump a post to the top to make an older item easier for students to find.

It's hard to believe it's already that time of year, but the kids are heading back, or have already done so. Technology will be their friend for the next nine months or so.

Image Credit: Poznyakov / Shutterstock

The history of home automation from the beginning

Publié: août 24, 2015, 5:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

home automation

That's a broad topic for a headline, and one that could fill a book. It dates back much further than people think. Thanks to today's modern technology and graphics, we don't need to write that book. It's all laid out before us in a nice infographic that shows the highlights of what you need to know about how we arrived at things like Harmony, Nest, Philips Hue and more.

The concept of home automation has been around for a long time but the technology just wasn't there. Many science-fiction writers included it in stories, Ray Bradbury famously among them.

As for the remote control, you'll really need to set your time machine to "way back" mode -- think about the famous electrical genius Nikola Tesla, who first created one to control a toy boat. That was in 1898, in the days he was competing with Edison to figure these things out.

There were many more advances after that, but things moved slowly. Technology had to catch up to ideas and the phrase Smart Home finally came around in 1984, ironically enough (the year, not the book).

It all leads us to today, and a world where I can tell Amazon Echo to turn off my light and it will do so...usually. I didn't say things were perfect.

Graphic courtesy of Alarm Traders Direct

Alarm Traders Direct home automation systems
offer a range of home automation products from the LightwaveRF range including lighting, heating, dimmers, light switches, remote controls and the
Lightwave link from Alarm Traders.
Infographic designed by
Reflect Digital

Photo Credit: bergserg/ Shutterstock

Is Netflix changing how we watch TV forever?

Publié: août 24, 2015, 3:46pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Netflix

The media landscape has been changing at an increasing rate. It's not something that cable and satellite providers wish to face, because it pushes out the most lucrative part of the business in favor of making them an ISP. As it is, Netflix has had to pay off Comcast, something John Oliver likened to a mob shakedown.

So how much is a service like Netflix changing TV habits? Obviously there's a variety of on-demand entertainment available from it. There's also an increasing amount of original content, some of which has been nominated for, and actually won, awards.

The number of Netflix subscribers is growing steadily each year, with 2015 being the largest so far. So too is the amount of original content, causing Frame Your TV to ask "is this the death of the network?"

The most popular device to watch Netflix on seems to be PlayStation 3, followed by Xbox 360 and then a PC. That's a bit surprising given the success of Roku 3, Fire TV and Chromecast. Surprising, but not a total shock.

Binge watching, likewise, brings in viewers. You can watch an entire season of a show in a day or two -- providing you have the time, of course.

You can check out all the stats from Frame Your TV in infographic form below.

Netflix-Effect-Frame-Your-TV-Infographic

Amazon brings new tricks to Echo, rebrands app name

Publié: août 21, 2015, 7:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Scecho-skills

If you haven't yet tried out Amazon Echo then you're in for an... ah... experience. It works quite well most of the time. Response speed is amazing. It can become temperamental when you branch out into other aspects like home automation, although to be fair I think that's the fault of the hub more so than Echo.

You'll also need to get past the fact that Amazon is listening to what you say, not to mention that you look a bit like a crazy person talking to an imaginary friend.

Today the retailer has, rather quietly, rebranded Echo's app. The device is still Echo, but the app is now called Amazon Alexa. It takes a moment to find it, as it has suddenly jumped to the A section of your apps. Honestly, it's a better name, as that's the actual name you use to address the device.

The company has also added some new tricks. You can interact with the Crystal Ball which is exactly what it sounds like -- it's a fortune teller. There are Math Puzzles now, and you can even check out events from StubHub.

All three are available now, right from the app. You'll just have to look for the app again after the rebranding.

Pebble Time gets a firmware update, including Timeline improvements

Publié: août 20, 2015, 12:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

pebble-time

Is the smartwatch the future? It's hard to say, although Pebble, Android, and Apple are all proving successful. It is a handy product. Receiving a phone call? Glance at your wrist -- no need to fish the phone out of your pocket only to find it's someone you don't wish to speak with.

The latest in the line of smartwatches from Pebble is called Pebble Time and it improves on the original model by adding more features and a better screen. With version 3.3 of the firmware things improve even more.

The big new feature here is in Timeline, and it now tells you about events that may conflict. It alerts the user if two (or more) overlap or if there are back-to-back events on the schedule.

"Aside from the usual bug fixes and stability improvements, we’ve added relationship bars to the timeline layout. These bars appear between items on timeline, giving you a better sense of how events in your day relate to each other", the announcement reads.

Pebble explains the process -- "To update your Pebble Time or Pebble Time Steel to the latest firmware, select Menu » Support » Update Your Pebble within the Pebble Time app for iOS or Android".

Ten years ago you'd have likely not thought that one day you'd be updating or charging your watch. Technology moves forward.

Google News may now speak your language

Publié: août 19, 2015, 2:29pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

newspaper seller

There are significantly more spoken languages than countries, but the problem is that the internet frequently doesn't speak them all, leaving many users out in the cold. There are some ways around that, as both Google and Bing will try and translate things for you.

Now Google News is expanding its language options to become accessible to more of the world. Available languages will now include Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali, Bulgarian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Thai.

This ups the number of languages from the previous 26 that spanned 45 nations. "This effort will connect a potential new audience of over 260 million people to reporting that matters to them, delivered in their mother tongue on the web or our native Android or iOS mobile apps", Google states.

Google promises more are on the way too. "With these new editions, we hope we can help bring the news closer to more of our users. Look out for other language editions in the next few months".

The internet increasingly brings people of all nations together to communicate and learn what is going on in the world around them.

Photo Credit: Ryan Jorgensen // Jorgo/Shutterstock

TiVo Bolt on the way, clears FCC

Publié: août 18, 2015, 2:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

TiVo logo 200 pix When it comes to DVRs there are many choices. Most come from cable and satellite service providers. While these have improved over time, like Dish Hopper and DirecTV Genie, they aren't perfect, although they are getting more usable.

Now TiVo is readying it's own new device. The company produces what some feel is the best DVR you can get. The latest version is called Bolt and it's just cleared the FCC.

This is apparently not a large device, as forum commenters have pegged it at 11.2 x 6.8 x 1.7, so it's quite a bit slimmer than the Roamio it will replace.

Zatz Not Funny reports that "With a max height of only 1.77″, we wonder if TiVo is sticking with full-sized hard drives for storage and can effectively disperse heat. Beyond its unusual appearance, perhaps the Bolt’s arch will assist in the thermodynamics department".

Beyond the FCC filing and speculation, we have little to go on. How many tuners? What size storage? Those are all questions that will be answered when it hits the market. What are you hoping for in the department of capability and capacity?

President Obama arrives on Spotify and creates playlists for everyone

Publié: août 15, 2015, 6:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Obama

Do you want to hear music chosen by President Barrack Obama? If you use Spotify then you'll be in luck. The company is one of the leading music streaming services in the increasingly competitive market. Now it has scored a big win, landing one of the world's most well known leaders.

Spotify announces the arrival of POTUS and seems quite excited about the arrival. You can't really blame them, it's not everyday that the President adopts your service.

"Today we are very excited to welcome U.S. President Barack Obama and The White House to Spotify. The White House will be regularly curating playlists based on what the members of the West Wing are listening to", the service claims.

If you'd like to follow along then there is now an official White House channel where the playlists can be found. It launches with two playlists from President Obama himself.

"On Spotify, you can expect to see the White House share playlists created by administration officials, as well as playlists curated around events and issues to engage the public and acquaint them with the people working in the administration", the service announces.

If you're a Spotify customer then be sure to check this out.

Photo credit: Mykhaylo Palinchak/Shutterstock

Logitech Harmony remote gains new home automation integration

Publié: août 13, 2015, 5:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

harmony-home-sutomation

If you haven't used a Harmony remote then you're missing out. The device can control almost any object in your home theater. Lately it's been adding more home automation features as well, and the latest update enhances that aspect of the universal remote.

"We’re proud to celebrate the continued expansion of our smart home compatibilities with the integration of four great new partners into the Harmony ecosystem, and we hope you’re excited about the new possibilities coming your way. Now, homes with Harmony can control even more devices and create brand new Activities combining smart home devices in unique ways", Logitech announces.

Harmony announces the addition of support for August, Ecobee, Insteon and Lifx. Those familiar with the field should recognize some, if not all, of those names.

If you aren't familiar, August makes smart locks for your home, Insteon makes an array of home automation devices such as switches and bulbs, as well as control panels. Lifx manufactures smart light bulbs that can offer 16 million colors, while Ecobee produces Wi-Fi controlled thermostats.

You'll need a hub based remote such as the Harmony Ultimate Home, which retails for $350. But you're paying for convenience, so it may be worth the investment.

Adobe releases another fix for Flash security flaw

Publié: août 13, 2015, 4:20am CEST par Alan Buckingham

remote access laptop hacker security

Adobe has had endless problems with security vulnerabilities. There seems to be another one all the time. So, it comes as no surprise when news of one is announced. Now is no different as yet another security bulletin has been posted.

This one is APSB15-19, which unsurprisingly allows for a remote user to take control of your system. This one affects all systems.

"Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Flash Player. These updates address critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.

Affected products include:

Adobe Flash Player Desktop Runtime	18.0.0.209 and earlier	Windows and Macintosh
Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release	13.0.0.309 and earlier	Windows and Macintosh
Adobe Flash Player for Google Chrome	18.0.0.209 and earlier	Windows, Macintosh and Linux
Adobe Flash Player for Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11	18.0.0.209 and earlier	Windows 10
Adobe Flash Player for Internet Explorer 10 and 11	18.0.0.209 and earlier	Windows 8.0 and 8.1
Adobe Flash Player for Linux	11.2.202.491 and earlier	Linux
AIR Desktop Runtime	18.0.0.180 and earlier	Windows and Macintosh
AIR SDK	18.0.0.180 and earlier	Windows, Macintosh, Android and iOS

"Adobe recommends users update their product installations to the latest versions using the instructions referenced in the security bulletin", Adobe states in a brief announcement.

You can read the security bulletin here and be sure to update your system.

Photo Credit: Korn/Shutterstock

Rdio introduces live broadcast radio stations

Publié: août 12, 2015, 3:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

woman listening to music on tablet

In the growing online music streaming industry, Rdio has become one the major players. But it's a cutthroat business, and you have to innovate to stay near the top and keep customers happy or they'll flee to another service.

Now Rdio has come up with something new -- streaming broadcast radio stations. The company is diving in big too, with 500 stations, all owned by Cumulus Media.

"In addition to artist stations, hand-curated stations and You FM, your personalized station, you can now listen to a huge variety of broadcast radio stations -- local stations near you as well as popular stations nationwide -- anywhere you are, on the devices you use every day", the service announces.

It's a long list of stations located everywhere from Texas north. There's also an enhanced user experience. Rdio points out that you can find similar stations, see recently played songs, or favorite a song that's playing. This last one allows you to download that song for playing offline. You can also add it to a playlist.

This isn't something you couldn't do before with a service like TuneIn Radio, but it does bring new features to the game and you still get everything Rdio offered before.

Photo Credit: racorn/Shutterstock

Using Amazon Echo to control your lights with Wink and GE Link

Publié: août 10, 2015, 11:37pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

wink-hub

Home automation has become the wave of the future, for better or worse. Not everyone trusts it, but many others embrace it. However it seems to be here to stay now, with websites and podcasts dedicated to it, as well as an ever growing number of products hitting the market, including some rather odd ones.

However most people jump into this endeavor with lights. They seem to be the drug that gets people hooked. And now you can incorporate Amazon Echo into this, as it is quite capable of controlling a growing number of such products.

For my purposes, I chose the GE Link bulbs, as they work well and are affordable to most people. They don't work on their own, however. There's no Android app to control just them. You'll need a hub, and Wink can supply that.

Setup is a bit of a process, especially for a novice. You'll plug in Wink and install the bulbs. Initially the light will be red. Now you move on to the Wink Android app and add a hub. Your light will blink red and then yellow and, with luck, finally turn blue. At that point it is connected to your Wi-Fi.

You're not there yet, though. My lights are in a ceiling fixture controlled by a switch. I initially tried with them on, but found they needed to be off. At that point you click "add a device" and you'll find a long list of possibilities. Choose the Link bulb and walk through the steps. With success your lights should blink on and off several times and then be connected. You can now turn the switch back on and use the Wink app from your phone or tablet to control them.

If you have multiple bulbs you wish to control as a unit then you'll need to create a group. You'll first want to rename each bulb and then put them together in the group and name it.

ge-link However, if you want Amazon Echo to do it for you then you have more work ahead. This part isn't done from the Wink app. While Amazon's device is listed, you can't actually add it here.

Now you need to open the Echo app and head into the menu at the top left and then tap "settings". You now need to find "connected home". You'll need to add Wink and then let it discover connected devices. Once that's complete then also add your group here.

When you're done everything should be voice controlled. Simply tell Echo "Alexa, turn on living room lights", for example.

You can add other lights in other locations and other groups. Wink works with many different products, as well, so you aren't too limited here. You can get both the Wink Hub and GE Link bulbs from Wink's product page.

Windows 10 drives users to MediaPortal alternative

Publié: août 8, 2015, 7:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

mediaportal-main

The release of Windows 10 spelled the end for Media Center. It wasn't unexpected, users have known it was coming for a while, as Microsoft had ceased developing the service. That didn't make the loss any easy easier for the loyal following of HTPC users.

From Microsoft's abandonment, other businesses grow. MediaPortal, which has been a solid solution for quite some time now is one. Though, other options for Media Center refugees also exist.

MediaPortal announces an influx of new downloads since Microsoft's latest operating system release. "The Team MediaPortal notices an increase of downloads of both MediaPortal 1 and MediaPortal 2 at the time when Windows 10 update started to be delivered. Besides the raw numbers, there is also a trend regarding download origins: now the United States are on top with 30 percent", the organization announces.

MediaPortal 1 and 2 are separate versions that bring different things to the user. You'll need to decide which you'd prefer to go with. The website will describe each. Both are free, though.

Chromecast gets new features, including HBO, Food Network, and more

Publié: août 6, 2015, 8:28pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

chromecast

Google's Chromecast continues to grab new features as well as remaining a popular item on places like Amazon. But customers continue to ask for the ability to do new things, and now Google is responding to customer feedback.

The latest update brings HBO NOW, Food Network, Travel Channel and even Pokemon TV. There's also gaming like FitFlap and CatchPhrase. These require use of a phone or tablet.

"FitFlap, by BreakFirst, uses the front-facing camera on the phone to capture players flapping their arms. The harder you flap, the higher pigs on the screen fly to collect coins while dodging obstacles. More into brain games? Catch Phrase Blitz, the classic Hasbro guessing game, is now casting and is sure to bring excitement to your next party", the search giant announces.

Users may also be excited by the addition of Pixlr, an excellent photo editor on the Chrome platform and one I use almost daily in my work.

The company does point out that some content requires a subscription. You'll also need a phone or tablet for some of this. Google explains "Download these apps from the Play Store or App Store so all of your family and friends can tune in, flap, swing, shout, smash, and dance, or binge on their favorites".

The updates are available now so enjoy.

Why can't Amazon Echo handle this seemingly basic feature?

Publié: août 4, 2015, 2:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Since receiving Amazon Echo, Alexa, the name Amazon gives these devices, and I have grown to know one another. We mostly get along, but occasionally argue. It (she?) has learned my habits, but began playing the news the other night while I was watching TV, rather annoyingly. I'm looking forward to testing its home automation features with Nest thermostat and GE Link bulb in the near future. Hopefully Alexa won't decide I no longer need heat or lights!

But what can't Echo do? That's an open-ended question with many answers, depending on what the user wants. However, I'm only asking for one small thing, at least for now.

So here's an open letter to Amazon:

Dear Amazon,

I love my Fire TV, it's been a great device and it handles every task flawlessly. It obviously takes care of Prime TV, but Hulu, Sling and more work just as well. It will even play games and the controller is very nice. The Bluetooth remote and voice search are also excellent. It's a job well done.

As for your Echo, it's also well done. While bordering on the creepy side, it does what I ask...usually. The response time is tremendous and the answers are accurate, though sometimes it simply refuses my request, but I can live with that.

But, here's the thing Amazon -- why can't Echo control Fire TV? This seems a basic concept that anyone would have thought of. Echo allures us to the opportunity of no remote, but fails to get us there..

Thanks for your time,

Alan

For now there is a workaround, though it's a bit convoluted. It involves lots of steps and utilizes IFTTT and Dropbox, which makes it a bit non-user friendly.

Will Amazon add this feature? Most likely, as it seems unavoidable. It's just question of why it wasn't there at launch. Other features are certainly on the horizon as well, but so far the company remains mum on all of this.

Nest Learning Thermostat gets new security update

Publié: août 3, 2015, 7:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

nest-app

The Internet of Things can be a blessing and a curse. We all want devices that work for us, and home automation has become big business. Lights, among many other things, can be set or simply controlled from a phone or tablet, and thermostats are going that way as well.

The problem is security, as IoT devices can have all sorts of problems that people haven't faced before. Nest can change your home's temperature on its own and a hacker could, potentially, do the same. That's part of what this update is designed to address, though there are other features as well.

The Google-owned company is today announcing new safety software. "Every Nest Thermostat has a Safety Temperature. You tell it what temperature your house should never reach -- like when your pipes could freeze -- and Nest will turn on the heat if it’s getting too cold. It works even when you’ve turned the thermostat off", Nest states.

The app can now send you an alert if the temperature gets too high or too low. The update also adds smoke and carbon monoxide alerts to your thermostat, providing you are also using a Nest Protect.

"The Nest Thermostat and Nest Protect have always worked together to help keep you safe from carbon monoxide. Because furnaces are one of the top sources of deadly CO leaks, a CO alarm on Nest Protect will prompt your thermostat to turn off the heat".

In addition, the Nest account will now allow for control of up to 40 thermostats. Quite a lot and likely much more than anyone will use.

The update is rolling out now, so expect it anytime.

Windows 10 gets enterprise services courtesy of HP

Publié: août 2, 2015, 5:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

windows_10_finger

Windows 10 has been officially out for less than a week and the news it has generated doesn't seem to stop. From download numbers to new devices, things keep pouring in. Now HP is heading in a different direction, one aimed at businesses.

HP is announcing a full suite of products geared towards the enterprise market. "HP, a Preferred Provider of Microsoft cloud productivity and mobility solutions, now offers the most comprehensive portfolio of services available for the Microsoft enterprise ecosystem which includes Enterprise Services for Office 365, Readiness Workshop for Office 365, Enterprise Mobility Suite, Skype for Business and the new Windows 10 enterprise suite of services", the company states in the announcement.

Included in this release are HP Test Drive services for Windows 10, HP Transformation Services for Windows 10, HP Roadmap Service and HP WebApp Accelerator for Internet Explorer 11.

"HP’s unique relationship with Microsoft allows us to offer Windows 10 in a controlled manner integrated into the client’s world -- giving both IT and the User the chance to experience the new operating system", says Eric Harmon, Senior Vice President of Global Practices and Transformation at HP Enterprise Services. "IT & developers get to validate the application portfolio in advance – lowering the cost & risk of a large scale migration, and the user sees innovation and a more personal computing experience".

As for HP Test Drive Services for Windows 10, HP Roadmap Service for Windows 10 and HP WebApp Accelerator Service for IE11 they are all available now. If you want HP Transformation Services for Windows 10 then you will have a wait, as it launches October 1st. You can find out more here.

Photo credit: Anton Watman / Shutterstock

Sling TV fights back against Comcast for blocking its ads

Publié: août 1, 2015, 1:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

sling-tv

In today's television market Comcast is the bully -- the 600 pound gorilla. The cable provider owns NBC, which arguably should not have been allowed, but what's done is done. The carrier also doesn't seem to be above using it's status to fight off rivals, especially those in the new TV market that it knows is coming, but would prefer to prevent.

That is apparently the case recently with Sling TV, a service that works just like cable, but comes in over the internet, which turns Comcast into a bandwidth provider and takes away that lucrative TV business. With that in mind, Comcast-NBC has begun blocking Sling's ads.

Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch has gone on the offensive and is letting people know exactly what is going on. In a blog post Lynch points out that "Here’s the irony. The refusal to air our campaign endorses the ads’ central truth: there are traditional pay-TV players that just don’t get it".

The statement is very true, and the new model very much scares companies like Comcast. They'd prefer to sell you an expensive package bundled with countless channels you'll never watch. Sling has a very basic package for $20 per month and you add on other $5 packages like sports, news, and more.

There is also no contract with Sling. You cancel when and if you want to. Lynch states "perhaps most importantly, we want rational pricing".

He concludes by pointing out that "Comcast has a demonstrated history of shutting down ideas it doesn’t like or understand, predictably to its benefit and at the expense of consumers".

The LG G4: Will you get a better Android experience? [Review]

Publié: juillet 31, 2015, 6:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

LG G4 Beat color options

The smartphone market moves along at a fast pace, with a new device seemingly every day. Unfortunately for customers, upgrades from providers move at a much more sedate pace. You'll get one every two years unless you pay extra. That's generally fine, though most people end up longing for one before that magic date rolls around.

That brings us around to those who are set for that upgrade now. The latest flagship handset comes from LG, no stranger to this market. And, for the most part, it's an excellent piece of hardware. But let's take a closer look.

The Good and the Bad

There's a lot to love here. The screen is beautiful. The 5.5 inch size isn't too big and it fits in the pocket just fine. The resolution is great -- 2560 x 1440 with 538 PPI. There's also a 16 MP rear camera and a generous 8 MP front facing one.

The processor is a Snapdragon 808 and battery is 3,000 mAh, and has no problem lasting all day. Connectivity is also good -- more bars than my old Nexus, though it's usually 3G, which is due to the fact that I live in the middle of nowhere.

Ilg-g4-back There's also 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. You can add an SD card and up that storage considerably -- 2 TB to be exact. There's the expected Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB support, which all work flawlessly. It has no trouble connecting to my Pebble watch, something the Nexus struggled with.

The biggest plus is that there is no bloatware included. That's a rarity for a Verizon phone. It runs Android 5.1 and is easy to customize. In fact, there's already tutorials out there on rooting, though I haven't yet done that. Of course, the good folks at XDA Developers have the instructions covered, just in case you want to.

So, we've covered the thin, beautiful screen and all of the other benefits. But what isn't quite perfect? Well, not much, but I do have some gripes.

The biggest problem is the On/Off switch. It's on the back and sandwiched between Up/Down volume buttons and it's flush with the phone. It looks nice, but it's hard to find by touch. You generally need to turn the phone around and look. If you don't then you'll likely turn the volume up or down.

Setup is also a bit odd, but I can't really complain about it. After all, it worked just fine. But despite being Android it never asked for a Google sign in. That's manual. I opened Gmail and logged in and then all of my contacts magically appeared. At least they're there. It would have been a real problem without them.

Those are minor issues and shouldn't deter potential buyers. If you've used Android before then you'll figure it out without any worries.

The Verdict

On the whole I like this phone. It certainly isn't for anyone new to Android, but if you understand how things work then you will fare well and have a beautiful large screen in your pocket with plenty of power to do what you wish.

Would I recommend it? Well yes for people who know Android, but I wouldn't be handing it to my 80 year old mom. It's mixed bag, but there is the whole "it's beautiful" part. Definitely a keeper for me and I'm sure most readers would have no problems either. In other words, it gets a thumbs up. LG did well here.

Angry Birds 2 launches for mobile gamers

Publié: juillet 31, 2015, 5:36am CEST par Alan Buckingham

angry birds

Today marked a major milestone for mobile gaming studio Rovio. The Finland-based company is releasing it's latest version of the Angry Birds, this one aptly named Angry Birds 2. It follows up on the success of many predecessors, from the original to Space, Star Wars and more.

Like all previous versions, it's the tried and true "birds versus pigs" formula. There are a few strange things about it. For one, early levels are intent on telling you where to aim. For another, some levels force you to choose a different bird, You have no choice -- you can't fire until you've done it.

Rovio claims "We’re SUPER excited. Follow Angry Birds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and YouTube during the next couple weeks and you’ll see something a little piggy is going on..."

You can grab the brand new game from Google Play or the App Store. There's a free version, which likely is what most users will want.

Google Translate triples the languages it understands

Publié: juillet 31, 2015, 3:19am CEST par Alan Buckingham

google1

Do you speak a foreign language? If not then Google Translate becomes your friend while travelling and today it's getting a bit better. Actually a lot better, going from seven languages to 27, which triples the amount it could handle -- okay that math is slightly off, but it's close enough.

Google announces the update to the app, which can be pointed at a foreign language and read the words in your native tongue. That's pretty essential for traveling. While it's good to know the language in any nation you're visiting, it's not always possible.

In fact, there was talk of doing just a bit more. According to Google "We started out with seven languages—English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish—and today we're adding 20 more. You can now translate to and from English and Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, Finnish, Hungarian, Indonesian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian. You can also do one-way translations from English to Hindi and Thai. (Or, try snapping a pic of the text you’d like translated -- we have a total of 37 languages in camera mode.)"

Google also is promising a better experience even if your network is slow, a feature for emerging markets where connectivity is not always up to par.

The company has put together a community of translators to pull this off. You can download the app from Google Play or the App Store.

Logitech welcomes Windows 10 with new features

Publié: juillet 29, 2015, 7:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

MX-Master-Black-Hendrix-Topdown_rev1-1-1024x746

The big day has arrived and every company is scrambling to be ready for Windows 10. Microsoft's latest operating system steps back a bit from the shudder Windows 8 gave many users. Does that mean it's better? Maybe. The general consensus seems positive.

Now Logitech is bringing software to aid in your use of this latest operating system. The company, which makes solid peripherals, aims to smooth the transition.

This update is software related, bringing new compatibility to Logitech Options. This should blend your mouse into Windows 10 seamlessly.

"Today, we are releasing an update to Logitech Options and it now supports some of the coolest features in Windows 10. Here are our favorite shortcuts that we believe will help you improve your productivity and get more done", says the peripheral maker.

You'll get features like Task View, which allows for easy access to switch between items. Logitech also adds support for Desktop Next and Desktop Previously. It allows for easy switching, though you'll need the new Logitech MX Master mouse.

There's also easy access to Cortana, Action Center and Gesture button. Logitech claims that update will arrive today.

"Helping you be more productive and putting time back in your day is important to us. We plan to continue to develop more time-savers and deliver them to you through future Logitech Options updates. Ready to make the move to Windows 10 and get started? Let us know which of these new features you’re most excited about in the comments section below", Logitech states.

You can check out the full details here, and grab a new mouse as well. You can also get Windows 10 now, as well.

Improve your reading experience with the new Kindle Paperwhite [Review]

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

Kindle Paperwhite

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.

kindle-vs-kindle-paperwhite

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.

Care to hike Mongolia? Google Maps does it for you

Publié: juillet 23, 2015, 4:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

mongolia

Mongolia seems to be a country largely forgotten by the outside world. Aside from Genghis Khan it appears few people know much about the Asian nation. That's a shame because it has a beautiful countryside with deserts, rivers and mountains.

Now Google wants to take you on a rather long journey through the country -- 5,000 km to be exact. All the way across Mongolia, including those beautiful Steppes.

"Last fall we strapped a Street View camera onto a four-wheel drive pickup truck to begin capturing 360-imagery from rugged Mongolian roads. Since then we’ve also gone off-road to capture images of the country’s most beautiful places with Ariuntuul, our Mongolian Trekker operator, who carried the 18-kg Street View Trekker into the wild expanses of Mongolia’s diverse countryside", says Google's Cynthia Wei.

There's real beauty here. Frozen lakes, the Salenga River and Gobi Desert. Sounds fascinating? It is, as there is much more to the country than one might expect.

Google points out that "adventurers will spend weeks exploring the hidden treasures of Mongolia". You can see it all now and without that pricey airfare. Head over to Google Maps and begin your trek.

Pebble Time hits stores

Publié: juillet 21, 2015, 10:41am CEST par Alan Buckingham

pebble-time

People have been waiting for Pebble Time, the latest device in the Pebble line of smartwatches. The company once again utilized Kickstarter for this project, and did so with great results. Pebble Time shipped early to its backers, but now it hits stores for everyone to buy.

Unlike the previous Pebble, this one has a color screen and looks much more vibrant -- keeping up with Android Wear. It also has more features for users to enjoy.

"From the pool to the picnic table, it’s a great watch that fits you perfectly. With an always-on color screen, mic for voice replies, water resistance to 30 meters, up to a week-long battery life, and thousands of apps and watchfaces, Pebble Time will be with you for every awesome moment", the company says.

You can do all sorts of things, like screening calls, tracking workouts, playing games, or even track your day with a new feature called Timeline.

The watch comes in three different colors -- black, white and red. It retails for $199 and you can grab one from the company website or from Best Buy or Target.

The wristwear maker concludes "Pebble Time is ready for the world, and your wrist. Help spread the good news on Twitter,Facebook, Reddit, or wherever you like to post".

Living with Amazon Echo

Publié: juillet 16, 2015, 12:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

There's no reason to give you a full review of Amazon's Echo, my colleagues have already said plenty on that score. Instead I wanted to explain what living with Echo is like after one day. Yes, that's how long I've had the device, so this is a "first impressions" in the truest sense, and they run all over the place.

First, Echo has very solid build quality; it's a hefty device and it's very easy to set up -- plug it in, download the Android app and you're on your way. The app walks you through the process and there isn't a whole lot to it.

The first thing you'll need to get past is the creepy factor. You now have a device in your home that is always listening to you. That information goes to Amazon and the device provides instant responses. You'll need to get past this weird feeling and move on.

You can ask Echo the weather or a sports score or tell it to play music -- Amazon Prime, Pandora, etc. It is a speaker, though there's no physical volume control and it plays at a bit of a low level for my taste, so you'll need to tell it what level you want on a scale of one to ten.

As for questions, it learns from each thing asked. It started out giving me the weather for Pittsburgh. I'm sure it's a very nice city, but I live nowhere close to it. I learned quickly to specify my city and state and it has now learned them -- "Alexa, what's the weather in city, state?"

The name is another thing. You don't choose it, they are all named Alexa. Since nobody in my home is named that I'm safe. What happens if someone by that name stops by is another story... And if I'm ever watching a TV show or movie with a character by that name I expect some interesting results. While I haven't studied the settings, I have glanced through them and there seems to be no way to change the name.

There are many other options I'm yet to play with. For instance I can say "Alexa, set a timer for ten minutes" -- handy for cooking. It can control your lighting system if you want it to.

Accessing the app provides Google Now-like cards that have your activity and even show the current song playing on Pandora.

As I stated earlier, it's only been one day, meaning I'm only just past that "creepy factor". But hey, if the NSA is listening to me, why should I be concerned if Amazon is too?

Amazon Prime Day deals gets previewed, TVs and other devices included

Publié: juillet 14, 2015, 6:29pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon decides to start paying tax in the UK

Last week Amazon announced "Prime Day", an invented holiday for loyal customers of the Prime service. The retailer also revealed that there would be more deals than even Black Friday manages. Now the company is showcasing some of those bargains in an effort to entice customers.

There's quite a list, but some are worth mentioning. The Fire TV Stick will be $15 off, while other Amazon products will also see significant discounts. For instance, The Kindle will drop in price by $30, the Fire HD 7 is seeing a $30 reduction and the kids' edition of the HD 7 will get slashed by a whopping $60.

That's not all though. There's a 32 inch LED TV for only $75, or you can grab a 40 inch version for a bit more at a price of $115. Neither lists the brand name, which could prove worrisome. There's a claim of over 50 percent off on two Nikon Colorpix cameras, as well as housewares and books.

"Beginning Wednesday, July 15, just after midnight PT, Prime members can shop thousands of exclusive lightning deals with new deals added as often as every ten minutes throughout the day. With more deals than Black Friday, members will enjoy thousands of deals from sought-after devices and tools to popular toys and pet supplies. Anyone can join Prime, to start a free 30-day trial and participate in Prime Day visit amazon.com/primeday",

Looks like it's time to break out the wallet, if there's anything you're in need of. There are a lot of good deals, but if you don't need it then save your money.

You will need to be a Prime subscriber for all of this.

Photo credit: Joe Ravi / Shutterstock.com

Second zero-day flaw found in Adobe Flash thanks to Hacking Team

Publié: juillet 12, 2015, 6:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Security attack

Earlier this week an exploit for Adobe Flash was revealed -- a shock, I know. Now a second is in the wild and already being used. Known by the catchy name CVE-2015-5122, security firm FireEye discovered the flaw buried in the Hacking Team leak and alerted Adobe to it.

Adobe has released a security bulletin stating "Critical vulnerabilities (CVE-2015-5122, CVE-2015-5123) have been identified in Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.204 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh and Linux. Successful exploitation could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system".

The company categorizes this flaw as "critical". FireEye points out that "The CVE-2015-5122 PoC is well written like the previous PoC for CVE-2015-5119 by the same author. The PoC also uses similar constructs for exploiting the Use-After-Free vulnerability in DisplayObject opaqueBackground".

Affected versions include 18.0.0.203 for Windows and Mac, 18.0.0.204 for Linux, 13x versions for Windows and Mac and 11.2.2.481 for Linux.

Adobe is no stranger to these issues with its products, Flash especially. At the moment the bulletin mentions no fix, though one will certainly be coming. The company does acknowledge the issues and those who reported them -- "Adobe would like to thank Dhanesh Kizhakkinan of FireEye for reporting CVE-2015-5122 and Peter Pi of TrendMicro for reporting CVE-2015-5123 and for working with Adobe to help protect our customers".

Image Credit: Jirsak/Shutterstock

HP announces new PCs made for Windows 10

Publié: juillet 10, 2015, 7:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

HP corporate

We're only weeks away from the official launch of Windows 10, or, as some people may think of it, Microsoft's correction to the problems of its last operating system. That means OEMs are busy readying products to push to market for the big day, and HP is among them.

The company is announcing an entire portfolio of computers that are designed to run this new operating system, though not all will ship with it.

"Working closely with Microsoft on Windows 10, we designed our 2015 portfolio of products to be ready for Windows 10," says Mike Nash, vice president of portfolio strategy and customer experience, Personal Systems, HP. "As a result, customers who purchased or plan to buy a 2015 Windows PC from HP should have a smooth transition to Windows 10".

The problem, it seems, was that HP didn't know the shipping date for Windows 10, so the company built its 2015 lineup as "Windows 10 ready".

"HP’s collaboration and feedback during the Windows 10 planning process has been extremely valuable," claims Peter Han, VP Worldwide of OEM Marketing at Microsoft. "We look forward to HP launching their new devices that will light up Windows 10 capabilities and provide new experiences to our joint customers around the world".

Customers who purchase a new HP computer before July 29th will need to run the upgrade process. If they aren't comfortable with it then an HP technician will handle it. That's a good fallback for certain users.

A complete list of the new systems is:

HP Pavilion x360, HP ENVY x360 and the HP Spectre x360 convertible notebooks feature dual-array microphones optimized for Cortana with voice control and naturally transition from notebook to tablet to tent to stand modes and back with Continuum.
HP Pavilion, HP ENVY and HP OMEN notebooks also take advantage of Cortana with their dual-array microphones and enhance gaming performance by streaming Xbox One games to the PC anywhere in the house.
HP EliteBook 1020 Folio, the industry’s thinnest and lightest business-class notebook, takes advantage of Cortana and Skype for Business with its dual-array microphones, exclusive noise-canceling software and HD webcam.
HP EliteDesk 800 Desktop Mini PC, the world’s smallest business-class desktop, works with HP BIOSphere to create a security-enhanced and highly managed device and high DPI scaling capabilities optimized for 4K resolution displays.
HP Elite x2 10112-in-1 Windows device, featuring the industry-first WiGig enterprise wireless dock, can easily go from the office desk to being mobile on the job site with Continuum.
HP ZBook 14/15u is HP’s thinnest and lightest workstation Ultrabook devices -- paired HP Z24s with creative professional inspired 4K Z Display delivers tremendous visual performance and enhanced productivity with the 4K display scaling capabilities of Windows 10.

Shipping dates weren't announced (nor were prices) but clearly they are close to release.

Wi-Fi Sense in Windows 10 could result in privacy and security problems

Publié: juillet 8, 2015, 4:16pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Hacker detection

Windows 10 is about to arrive and with it comes a host of new features, like Cortana. There's also Wi-Fi Sense which is designed to allow a Windows Phone to connect automatically to any open network it knows about, and even accept the terms of use automatically. It's a nod towards convenience, and that's something Microsoft needs in its Windows 8x replacement.

Security firm AVG, makers of very good anti-virus software, both free and paid, see the inherent problems with this, and there are several.

First, the company points out "It goes without saying, that automatically connecting to open Wi-Fi networks is a bad idea. As we’ve explained several times before, not all free or open Wi-Fi networks are secure and others can be deliberately malicious". Yes, that does go without saying, or should.

Of course, automatically accepting terms for the user isn't such a hot idea either. There's a rather obvious opportunity for a man-in-the-middle attack. This type of intercept is "an attack where the attacker secretly relays and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other".

This all can be disabled pretty easilly. Simply go into Settings, then Wi-Fi and then Wi-Fi Sense and turn it off. This is what AVG recommends users do.

Photo Credit: ra2studio / Shutterstock

NSA's XKeyscore may be collecting your Skype, webcam and router data

Publié: juillet 7, 2015, 7:36pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Spying

The NSA's covert data collection has become the worst kept secret in the world. Edward Snowden blew the lid off the program and has released many documents providing validity to what he has said. While he continues to harbor in Russia, the US is split over whether he is a traitor or hero. Whistle blowers certainly aren't new -- they date back many years and include the famous Deepthroat who revealed Watergate.

Now more information has come to light in the form of XKeyscore, a program designed to glean data from user's router, webcam and Skype calls. It's just as scary as it sounds.

In referring to the program, security firm Sophos writes "Newly revealed documents from the Edward Snowden trove show that it's much more than a Google-like search engine for the world's private communications data".

The program takes in hundreds of thousands voice and email messages each day, in addition to absorbing documents, user names and even passwords. Sophos claims "That includes pictures, documents, voice calls, webcam photos, web searches, advertising analytics traffic, social media traffic, botnet traffic, logged keystrokes, computer network exploitation (CNE) targeting".

The service utilizes more than 700 servers located in multiple nations, and apparently the US is not the only one using it.

Training documents for the system state it doesn't target US citizens, but the EFF claims it's "an attempt by the intelligence community to comply with the Fourth Amendment. But it doesn’t come from a court, it comes from the executive". There's also nothing built into the program to stop data gathering on anyone.

This isn't particularly new, but Sophos just delved into it for additional information. None of what the firm found will make anyone feel better.

Photo Credit: auremar/Shutterstock

Amazon announces Prime Day, claims more sales than Black Friday

Publié: juillet 6, 2015, 6:37pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

PrimeLiving_US

Think you got some good deals and a lot to choose from on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Amazon now wishes to top that with an even better event -- Prime Day. The retailer is looking to roll out deals to its most valued customers, those who subscribe to Prime for the good deals, free shipping, and more.

The deal is in celebration of Amazon's 20th birthday, which occurs next week. The sales will be available to customers in the US, UK, Spain, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Canada and Austria.

"Prime Day is a one-day only event filled with more deals than Black Friday, exclusively for Prime members around the globe. Members tell us every day how much they love Prime and we will keep making it better", says Greg Greeley, Vice President of Amazon Prime. "If you’re not already a Prime member, you’ll want to join so you don’t miss out on one of the biggest deals extravaganzas in the world".

The big day is slated to take place next week, on Wednesday, July 15th. Not all deals will be immediate, they will start at midnight and update every few minutes. Categories will be spread out across all areas, including "electronics, toys, movies, clothing, patio, lawn and garden, sports and outdoor items and more", Amazon claims.

Time to reset your password as Plex forums get hacked

Publié: juillet 3, 2015, 12:42am CEST par Alan Buckingham

plex-fire-tv

The internet can be a scary place, as sites and services get breached on a regular basis. However, it's also become an integral part of life for many people. That's why constant vigilance is in order to try and maintain a level of safety.

The latest victim is Plex, the media server and client, that many home theater enthusiasts use. If you just have a standard account then you should be safe, But, if you signed up for the forums, then you'll need to pay attention. Plex is notifying users to change their passwords.

In a statement, the company says "At approximately 1pm PDT yesterday (July 1st) we learned that the server which hosts our forums and blog was compromised. The attacker was able to gain access to some personal information, such as IP addresses, forum private messages, email addresses, and encrypted (hashed and salted) passwords for our forum users. As a precaution, we reset the plex.tv passwords of all users with linked forum accounts and reached out via email with further instructions for those affected. At this time, our forums remain offline while we complete our investigation. All other systems are online and operational".

The service claims that no other parts of its systems were compromised, so many users should be safe. However, best practice says to change it anyway. While some companies try to hide these things, Plex has been upfront about it and released information immediately, along with emailing customers. It also recommends what we should all adhere to -- strong passwords, don't use the same one from another site and use a good password manager.

Rdio shoots to thrill as AC/DC rocks onto the service

Publié: juin 30, 2015, 7:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

rdio-acdc

Many may argue that they don't make bands like AC/DC anymore, and perhaps they'd be right. The Australian group shaped the youths of many of us with their hard sound and clever lyrics. Nobody will forget original singer Bon Scott or replacement Brian Johnson who raised the band from its ashes after the tragedy of Scott's death.

But now you can hop onto the Highway to Hell and take a ride using Rdio, the music streaming service that aims to compete in this market with many formidable rivals. The music site has announced the whole epic catalog is available to its users.

"The group’s 17 studio albums, four live albums and two soundtracks are all here, starting from 1975’s debut High Voltage and running all the way to last year’s Rock or Bust. This is an influential and extensive discography that has allowed AC/DC to sell more than 200 million albums across the world", Rdio announcers.

You'll even get the iconic Back in Black which helped shape a generation. If you don't have an account with Rdio there are free and paid versions available, so head over there and grab one if you want to annoy your neighbors. No school boy outfit is required to listen. Let there be rock.

It's not just you, Sling TV is down

Publié: juin 30, 2015, 5:01am CEST par Alan Buckingham

businessman thumbs down angry suit cell phone iPhone

I plopped onto my sofa tonight to watch a show using Sling TV. I love the service, despite it being a bit pricey. The one time I've called I got quick and courteous customer service. Tonight was different -- the service told me there was a problem with the login. I called and received endless messages that there were "higher than normal call volumes".

The sense that something was up popped into my head. Indeed it was, as the eventual customer service rep informed me that there was a big problem.

Sling hopes to be back about the time I turn down the sheets. That's fine, I can live with these minor issues. I have no choice since it, Prime and Hulu are my only options.

Sling has not yet release a statement, but a customer service representative explained that servers nationwide were down.

It's only a minor setback, really. Frustrating when it happens, but you know a reputable company will do its best to rectify any issues. Customer service, while slow to answer, was friendly and helpful as ever. The cord stays cut despite these minor setbacks.

Photo Credit: Viorel Sima/Shutterstock

Microsoft brings the Quran to a wider audience

Publié: juin 29, 2015, 4:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

2465.Islam 360.jpg-150x0 The Quran, sometimes written Kuran, is the holy text of the Islamic religion. It literally translates to "the recitation". Most religions have such books to guide their beliefs and provide some foundation for how to proceed in life.

You can read many such works online, and Microsoft is aiding in this with Islam 360, a searchable Quran app. The software giant has talked it up, though it isn't particularly new. Instead Microsoft wants to alert those who aren't aware of its existence and tout the features it brings along.

In a blog post Usman Ur Rehman Ahmed states "The app has over 1.5 Million Downloads on all platforms and has just been overloaded with tons of features for Windows Phone. The app is a resultant of efforts from Mr. Zahid Hussain Chihpa and is launched in collaboration with local Microsoft DX division".

Features include ten translations of Urdu and English with searchable features including audio, search the entire text using both English and Urdu and search using an Arabic word or rootword.

You can check it out by following the preceding link. Regardless of your beliefs, it may be worth a read to find out what it's all about.

Will you or won't you? The state of cord-cutting in 2015

Publié: juin 29, 2015, 4:34am CEST par Alan Buckingham

watching tv

We last looked at the cord-cutting revolution in early 2014 and asked who planned to do so in the coming year. A surprising number of you said you'd already done it. What has happened since then that will make those who haven't switched do so now? A couple of interesting developments have happened in this time.

Before we get to those, we'll pose the question one more time. Will you, or for that matter have you, cut the cord? If you have no plans to, then why? There are obviously many possible answers to these questions and many good reasons both for and against the change in your entertainment options.

What Improved Since Last Year?

The year saw a couple of major developents. The first was the release of Amazon Fire TV, a tiny set-top box with an ever-growing list of options, which obviously puts Amazon Prime front and center. Like other streaming services, it brings an increasing catalog of movies and TV shows, including original content.

The Fire TV Stick brings the same content, but is even smaller, simply an HDMI dongle that can be plugged directly into a TV. For those conscious of such things, it eliminates the need for a box near the big screen.

In March 2014, Roku introduced a stick as well. Roku has countless channels and, similar to Amazon, is always adding new offerings, or channels.

Perhaps the biggest news was Sling TV. As opposed to Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu, Sling works like a real cable or satellite provider, but it does so utilizing your internet connection. You can easily install it on Fire TV or Roku. It has lined up many channels, including all ESPN properties, which begins to eliminate the previous stumbling block of "live sports". Other channels include HBO, which is a first. Yes the actual live channel, not just the GO or NOW app. All channels also offer on demand shows. It isn't cheap, at $20 per month, though that's much less than cable. There are also packages availble for $5 each, such as sports, news, etc.

Other services have been around longer, including Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Lesser know ones such as as Crackle and PlayOn also exist, though the latter -- in some cases -- requires you to verify a TV subscription.

So What Will You Do?

That, in a nutshell, is where we stand today. The real question is what you think? Have you joined the ranks of the surprising number that said they'd already cut the cord last year and, if not, will you do so this year?

You'll save money, though you can't cut your entertainment bill to $0 -- unless you plan to watch nothing. The services named cost money, though it's likely less than half of that cable bill. With the addition of Sling, live sports are coming around. We just need to wait for the NFL to catch up, which will happen at a snail's pace.

Let us know what you plan to do and what you think.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna / Shutterstock

OneDrive adds Chromecast support to its Android app

Publié: juin 27, 2015, 5:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

chromecast

Since debuting Chromecast has continued to gain wider support, with new services being added regularly. Now Microsoft, which has a history of supporting Android with apps and updates, is getting in a bit deeper.

The company has added support for Chromecast in it's latest update. Version 3.2 of the app allows customers to "cast" photos and videos right from their phone or tablet and display them on the big screen.

Microsoft's description of the app reads "OneDrive is the one place for everything in your work and personal life. It gives you free online storage for all your personal files so you can get to them from your Android device, computer (PC or Mac), and any other devices you use. With OneDrive for Business, you also get storage for your work files so you can share and collaborate on them with other people at your work or school. The OneDrive app for Android lets you easily work with your personal and work files when you’re on the go".

The app is free, and of course, OneDrive can be used for free, plus there are options for paid plans with more storage, though also ways to get that space without forking over the cash. If you already have the cloud storage service installed then you should receive the update. If not, head over to Google Play to grab it.

Java installer is making changes, but don't get excited just yet

Publié: juin 26, 2015, 5:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

yahoo-toolbar

Security problems aside, Java has been a thorn in people's sides for other reasons. When installed or updated, the app breezes you right past the part where it installs the Ask Toolbar. Sure it does put it on the screen, but it's set to opt in and many people are too busy clicking OK to notice. So when Ask's inclusion was canceled it seemed like good news.

Not really. Instead, Oracle has opted to move on and will now start changing the default search for its customers. If you aren't careful, then you can expect to find Yahoo as your new default. Are you excited yet?

"We have definitely made sure that our onboarding process is one that is highly transparent and gives users choice," a Yahoo spokesman told The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, security firm Sophos wasn't quite as excited as the search company. "The problem with the approach taken by Java is that their 'offers' are also included in the update process. This risks prejudicing users against applying updates in a timely manner, if they know they are going to have to be on their guard against unwanted foistware".

That's a real problem given Java's inherent security woes. Microsoft went as far as to label the Ask Toolbar as malware.

However, according to Sophos, this only flagged older versions of Java, which were no longer supported. The company claims that newer versions were still free to install whatever they wished.

It really comes down to the users paying attention and not just clicking past to hurry the process. Diligence has unfortunately become essential in many software installations.

Office 365 gets one-click access to apps

Publié: juin 26, 2015, 5:23am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Office-365-users-gain-one-click-access-to-third-party-apps-1

Office 365 debuted with the last release of the software, bringing the service to what Microsoft has always likely wanted -- a subscription. It's a decent deal with five licenses and the ability to move them to new computers.

Now the software giant is rolling out one-click app access in its Office 365 store. The company is trying to make things as simple as possible, by adding the store and deployment without admin support. No configuration or admin support? That sounds like an IT nightmare, but hopefully Microsoft is vetting everything before it goes live.

"Rolling out to Office 365 customers in the First Release program, the Office 365 Store is accessible through an icon in the app launcher 'waffle' in the top navigation bar". Click it and you'll be whisked away to the store. Here you find registered apps for your installation.

Microsoft points out that "Initially we’re working with a select list of pioneering partners for the apps in the Office 365 Store, but over time we plan to add hundreds of popular third-party solutions as Single Sign On apps to the Office 365 Store".

What apps you want to grab is up to both you and Microsoft, but the store is likely to grow quickly, given the popularity of the software.

Google Street view takes you to the heights of El Capitan's rock wall

Publié: juin 25, 2015, 5:24am CEST par Alan Buckingham

google-el-capitan

If you've ever rock climbed then chances are you know El Capitan. It is the quintessential big wall -- the icon of the sport. Every climber aspires to one day visit Yosemite and tackle the multi-pitch ascent. There are lots of 5.14 climbs around, but there is something about the allure of a big wall.

Can't make it to California? You aren't alone, there are too many locations for any climber to get to in a lifetime. However, Yosemite is the icon, the Smith Rocks of big walls. You can speed climb it or use a hanging bivouac (don't roll over in the night).

For those who don't see a trip to California in the cards, there's always Google Street view. The intrepid team has tackled the heights of the cliff face for you, taking you up what may be considered both exciting and scary.

"Maybe it was the sheer exhaustion from being in the middle of a 19-day climb of the Dawn Wall, but when the guys at Google Maps and Yosemite National Park asked if I wanted to help them with their first-ever vertical Street View collection of El Capitan in Yosemite, I didn’t hesitate. Yosemite has been such an important part of my life that telling the story of El Capitan through Street View was right up my alley—especially when it meant working with the Google engineers to figure out some absurd challenges" says Tommy Caldwell of Google.

19 days is a lot of time to spend on one climb. Other routes can be done much faster, but Google spent the time to do one of the tougher ascents. It's well worth checking out, but put your fear of heights aside.

Amazon finally releases the long-awaited Echo

Publié: juin 23, 2015, 7:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Echo

Amazon announced the Echo a few months ago, but it's been a long time coming. The Bluetooth- and WiFi-enabled speaker sits in your home and answers your questions or commands. It does so simply upon voice activation, and it answers with its own vocal rendering.

Well, the device is finally coming to market, as Amazon announces the ability to order for all customers. It does a lot more than answer your questions, though. There's home automation, music and many other features it can control.

Don't get too fired up just yet -- "Today, Amazon is excited to announce that Echo is now available for all customers. Order now for $179.99 at www.amazon.com/echo. Echo will start shipping July 14", the online retailer states.

Amazon is claiming a great reception to the device, but that remains to be seen at this early juncture. "The customer response to Amazon Echo has been incredibly positive, and we’ve been working hard to build more as quickly as possible. We are grateful to our early customers for their incredible engagement and for providing us with invaluable feedback to help shape Echo as it evolves -- with their help, we’ve been able to add features like Audible, Pandora, home automation, sports scores, calendar, and more", says Greg Hart, Vice President of Amazon Echo. "We’re excited to get Echo into the hands of even more customers and continue to invent new features and experiences".

The Echo can be ordered now, you'll just be waiting a bit to get yours. It's an interesting concept, but at this point we really don't know much more than that. It is, at the least, an innovative idea.

Sling brings Arabic language channels to customers

Publié: juin 19, 2015, 6:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Sling-Arabic

The world is increasingly a melting pot, with all countries containing citizens not native to them. This results in a plethora of languages being spoken and heard. To deal with this, countries carry an increasing number of foreign language channels to accommodate all people.

Now Sling TV, a new kind of "cable" service, is getting into the game, introducing a package of Arabic language channels for those people who may be feeling a bit out of place away from their home lands.

Quite a number of stations are included in this new deal, also. Sling lists "Al Arabiya, Al Hayah, Al Jazeera Mubasher, Al Jazeera News, Al Nahar, Al Yawm, ART Aflam 1, ART Aflam 2, ART America, ART Cima, ART Cinema, ART Hekayet 2, ART Movies, BBC Arabic, Dream 2, ESC-1, Future Television, Hekayet, LBC, LDC America, MBC, MBC 3, MBC Drama, MBC Masr, Melody Aflam, Melody Classic, Murr TV, NBN, New TV, Nile Drama, ONTV, OSN Ya Hala International, OTV, Rotana America and TEN Egypt. Iqraa, Noursat and Aghapy".

In addition to television programming, Sling is introducing an Arabic music package that will be available for an additional $10 per month for anyone interested.

Sling has many add-on packages, including sports and news, even HBO. This however, is the full subscription and it will run $25 per month, so a bit more than standard Sling. Add-ons are generally another $5. Those who wish to find out more can visit the Facebook page, or simply head to Sling.TV.

Logitech releases new and interesting mouse line

Publié: juin 18, 2015, 4:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

play-collection

There's no shortage of mice to choose from. Whether you want one for working, gaming, or using while traveling, finding a pointing device to suit your needs is pretty straightforward. But mice are usually practical and rarely fun. Logitech would like to change that.

The new Play Collection line brings a bit of color and whimsical feel to the desktop. There are multiple designs to choose from -- an owl, fox, lion and monkey. There are also a few other, calmer, options for the less bold.

This isn't the first time Logitech has rolled out this type of product -- in fact, it's the seventh year for the collection. It's a combination of the M325c and M317c models and Logitech says "The long-lasting battery life makes it easy to keep the fun going for up to 18 months depending on the model. Plus, they can play up to 33 feet away and still maintain a reliable connection".

Each version is on sale now and retails for $29.99. We're not sure how many adults will bite on this deal, but it makes a great gift for those with a child in their life. You can check them out at Logitech.

Amazon releases a new Kindle Paperwhite

Publié: juin 17, 2015, 8:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Kindle_Paperwhite_Front

It hasn't been terribly long since we saw new Kindles from Amazon, but that isn't slowing the company down. The svelte reading device is getting another update, this time it's the Paperwhite version getting the overhaul.

Amazon refers to the Paperwhite as "the most popular and best selling" version of its Kindle line, which is only slightly surprising, given that it's more expensive than the base model, which also works very nicely.

"We love inventing for readers", says Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. "The new Kindle Paperwhite obsesses over the details that matter most to readers -- we’ve added our highest-resolution display so the words are crisp and clear on the page, a new font that is crafted exclusively for reading Kindle books, and a new typesetting engine that makes pages beautiful. Together, these details help you read faster and with less eyestrain, so you can lose yourself in the author’s world".

The new device has higher resolution, sporting a 300 ppi screen that rivals the Kindle Voyage released last year. It also doubles the pixel resolution of the previous version.

If that isn't enough, Amazon has designed a new font called Bookerly, which the company hopes will be easier on the eyes and allow for faster reading. In addition to the font, the type setting has changed slightly to mirror the author's intentions. "The new typography and layout improvements are available on over half a million books, including many best sellers, with thousands more being added every week. The features will be delivered as part of a free, over-the-air software update in the coming weeks", Amazon claims.

The new Kindle Paperwhite is available from Amazon now for $119.

Netflix overhauls the web interface, becomes more like an app

Publié: juin 16, 2015, 5:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

New_Netflix_Website_EN

Netflix has been busy with content, although the video service has somewhat been neglecting the website it maintains. But that's all changing now as the company unveils a complete revamping which it hopes customers will find much more useful.

This update promises a better user experience that "has been built from the ground up to make it faster and easier to discover something".

What this means, aside from a better visual experience, is that content will now appear inline, as opposed to being a series of linked pages. That should make content easy to figure out. Just hover your mouse over a title to get information and images, while clicking it will provide additional information and a list of episodes, still inline.

Netflix also promises more efficient scrolling with the fast action of a mouse-click to move a column. This will also work with a trackpad or a touch screen.

This is a gradual roll-out, but Netflix plans for it to be completed relatively quickly -- within two weeks, the service claims. One caveat is also offered -- "A small number of members on older versions of popular browsers will be prompted to upgrade their browser before they can access the new site". Happy viewing.

Want to hook your PC to your TV? New Logitech keyboard can handle it

Publié: juin 10, 2015, 2:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

K400_Charcoal_BTY3_72_dpi(1)

Logitech is no stranger to making a keyboard or mouse, nor is the company unfamiliar with the living room. Last year it released a home theater keyboard -- the Harmony Smart Keyboard. Now an updated version of the same concept is being announced, though this time without the Harmony name attached. This one is actually a successor to a previous model.

The Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 Plus aims to help you control your living room via a computer hooked to the TV, in other words an HTPC. Logitech claims a wireless range of up to 33 feet for this device. There's also no mouse required, as the keyboard has a built-in touchpad. It also comes with batteries that Logitech claim will last 18 months.

"The living room is a place where we come to relax, entertain ourselves and connect with friends and family", says Charlotte Johs, global vice president of computer peripherals at Logitech. "The Logitech Wireless Keyboard K400 Plus makes it easy to connect your PC to the TV and search for Internet content".

The keyboard comes in what Logitech calls "neutral gray" and is very thin and light, making it easy to store and move around. It will be available this month and priced at a reasonable $39.99. If you own the original K400 then this will be a nice upgrade for you. If not, then it could be a new addition to your living room.

AVG partners with ZTE to bring security to mobile devices

Publié: juin 9, 2015, 3:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Mobile security is starting to get attention, but still doesn't garner the same amount as the computer does. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be a concern, only that the average user isn't looking at it that way. However, we're starting to see that landscape slowly changing, with phones coming with built-in security software.

The latest will be devices from Chinese manufacturer ZTE, as the company has partnered with security firm AVG, which has long offered mobile apps to protect consumers.

"For many of us, our smartphones have become the primary device that we spend most time with, but ensuring mobile security can sometimes be an afterthought,” says Wang Xuemei, Business Manager at ZTE. "Our customers will be able to rely on our partnership with AVG to help take the worry out of connecting to their favorite websites, apps and using online services through their ZTE smartphones and tablets. We are committed to mobile security and strive to provide the best mobile experience possible to all of our users".

ZTE customers will get a free 60-day trial of the AVG Pro version, which they can elect to keep after that time, though a fee is involved. If they choose not to keep it, then it will default to the free version that has a few less features, but still should keep them safe.

"As we focus on helping to secure people, devices, and data across the globe, this partnership will ensure that new and existing mobile users have peace of mind by being protected from the outset, whether simply enjoying their favorite games or using useful online tools for banking or shopping" says AVG's David Ferguson.

No word was given about when phones will begin shipping with AVG pre-installed, but it likely won't take too long.

Looking to develop for Windows 10? Microsoft has a guide for you

Publié: juin 8, 2015, 6:45am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows 10 build

Windows 10 looms ever closer and there seems to be some noticeable excitement. Perhaps that is simply because of what it isn't -- Windows 8x. But, for any ecosystem to succeed it has to have developers willing to create for it. That's been the lifeblood of Windows, as it is for Android and iOS.

Now Microsoft is offering to help get you started. A new course is being offered in Vitual Academy and it's titled "A Developer's Guide to Windows 10".

According to Microsoft's Rami Sarieddine "This course is delivered by Microsoft Technical Evangelist Jerry Nixon and Andy Wigley, who will show you how Windows capabilities and social integration can help you create amazing experiences on devices running Windows 10, including phones, tablets, PCs, and even (coming soon) Xbox".

The course is a series of modules, each about 30 minutes in length. You don't have to watch them all, just pick and choose what interests you.

"The course includes several core scenarios that the apps handle, including low memory, background task execution, cross-device communication, file and data management, and user interaction techniques", explains Sarieddine.

You can check it out free of charge by visiting Microsoft Virtual Academy. If you've been thinking of getting into the developer game then it's a great resource.

Facebook Unfriend Alert stealing user data

Publié: juin 8, 2015, 4:14am CEST par Alan Buckingham

remote access laptop hacker security

Facebook has become the defacto social network. You may not want to be on it, but you are because your friends and family are there. It also fascinates people to know when someone has "unfriended" them -- after all, we all want to know who has dropped us by the wayside.

There have been apps in the past that purport to tell us this, but a new one seems to be designed to steal passwords. Unfriend Alert is described by Hacker News as "a free application that notifies you whenever someone removes you from the Facebook friend list, has been found collecting its users' Facebook credentials".

The only good news is that the program may work (though not well), but it does require your sign in and password, which is a very bad idea. MalwareBytes points out that "Looking at a Wireshark log for this check however shows that the login credentials are not sent directly to Facebook but to yougotunfriended.com”.

The app also displays ads and can install malicious software on the user's computer. It can be uninstalled, but what it leaves behind may prove more difficult to get rid of. In addition, it doesn't show up in the apps list on Facebook, making it easy to forget it's there and quite possibly monitoring you.

MalwareBytes recommends removing the app and also changing your password. The security firm's software will find and remove it, but the rest is up to you. The best advice is to not fall for these types of apps to begin with.

Photo Credit: Korn/Shutterstock

Pebble Time app now reaches iPhone users

Publié: juin 6, 2015, 5:20pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Pebble Time on wrist

Pebble Time, the latest watch from the manufacturer, is beginning to slowly roll out, rewarding Kickstarter backers first. For those already sporting the wristwear, and who happen to be iPhone customers, Pebble has now released the official app to the iTunes store.

This will allow customers to begin setting up rewards, grabbing new watchfaces and getting apps for their new watch. Users can even manage software updates for the watch, contact support and drag to reorder the apps, a process that will sync to the watch.

Pebble also had some words aimed directly at its customers -- "It’s thanks to you, the one-million-and-growing community of Pebble users, developers, and fans that Pebble Time Watch is on the AppStore today. You carried this torch across the finish line. If only we could dish out a million-plus high fives to all of you".

Not just new customers benefit, as Pebble has also updated its original app for Pebble and Pebble Steel customers. While version 3.0 is for Time customers, 2.6.6 can be used by those who already had the device. If you have both watches, then you can use both apps together.

Amazon Fire TV rises to the top of US set-top box market

Publié: juin 5, 2015, 11:23pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Last year Amazon rolled out its competitor in the set-top box market, the Fire TV. The box seemed to be a hit, and the price point was right to compete, at $99. That places it squarely in the crosshairs of Roku and Apple. But how is it fairing in this tight market?

According to a recent report the answer is "quite well". According to Strategy Analytics, the retail giant is pulling in a whopping 30 percent of the current streaming media device market. In fact, the top four makers account for 90 percent of the total market.

In fact, the report finds that more than 3.5 million of these set-top boxes were shipped during the first quarter of 2015. That's more than all smart TVs, blu-ray players and game consoles combined, which sounds staggering. It also brings the total now in operation in the US to 35.7 million.

In contrast to Amazon, Apple has shipped 15 million units since 2007, followed by Roku at 13.5 million. Among the big makers, Strategy Analytics points out that currently "Apple TV, Roku streaming boxes, Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV now account for 18% of all Connected TV streaming devices installed in US homes up from 14% in Q1 2014".

"Low-cost standalone digital media streamers are proving hugely popular with consumers who want a quick and easy way of accessing their favorite online streaming services on the living room TV and the entry of instantly recognizable brands such as Google and Amazon is helping maintain growth in the sector", according to David Watkins, service director for Connected Home Devices.

We'll see where that market heads to from here. What devices do you own, or plan to buy?

New ransomware says you've been watching porn on your Android device

Publié: juin 4, 2015, 6:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

mobile security

Ransomware has become big business these days, with high-profile cases affecting computer users. Up until now though, mobile users have remained relatively safe from that particular form of infestation and only had the "garden variety" version of malware to contend with. That landscape is changing rapidly, it seems.

Security researchers at AVG have uncovered what they dub "Porn Droid". The infected device is locked by the "FBI" and the user gets a message demanding money in exchange for restoring the phone or tablet. To make the message particularly scary, it claims the offense is for child pornography.

Perhaps the worst part is that the user has to walk through steps to infect their own device. According to AVG, the scenario goes like this -- "After masquerading as a Google patch update, the malware then asks for a number of powerful permissions including 'Erase all data' and 'set storage encryption'".

AVG recommends that all users pay careful attention to the list of permissions an app asks to be granted, plus it thinks you should always maintain up-to-date security software. The security firm has produced a video guide to help point out the danger signs and you can watch that below. That or you can pay the $500 being demanded by the scammers.

Photo Credit: lucadp/Shutterstock

Google Maps goes underwater for World Oceans Day

Publié: juin 4, 2015, 3:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

google-maps-oceans

As a wise man once wrote, "I'd like to be under the sea". Now you can go there virtually, thanks to advances in technology. No, you won't be diving to the depths of the Marianas Trench, but you can get a feel for what is beneath those waves that both fascinate and terrify us.

June 8th is World Oceans Day, dedicated to protecting what we have -- the coral reefs and the life that thrives out of our sight. Google has been sending its Street View team undersea in recent times and now does so again in honor of the upcoming day.

On a sobering note, the search giant points out, "Home to the majority of life on Earth, the ocean acts as its life support system, controlling everything from our weather and rainfall to the oxygen we breathe. Yet despite the ocean’s vital importance, the ocean is changing at a rapid rate due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing, making it one of the most serious environmental issues we face today".

For the latest update Google partnered with XL Catlin Seaview Survey, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Chagos Conservation Trust to add 40 more locations around the world to enhance its offering.

There are also many creatures included in the imagery, from sea turtles and humpback whales to the great white shark. You'll visit exotic locations like the Cook Islands, Bali and Australia, to name a few.

Jennifer Sullivan of the Google Maps Ocean program concludes "This World Oceans Day, we hope that you’re inspired to learn more about ocean change. So dive into the deeps of the sea and become engaged to protect the ocean and understand how it supports us, so that all of us can better support it in return".

NFL and Yahoo plan to live stream a game free of charge

Publié: juin 4, 2015, 4:05am CEST par Alan Buckingham

NFL

Football season is coming, despite that it isn't even officially summer yet. The draft is behind us and OTAs are underway. Training camp is just around the corner in July. But one thing has lacked with the National Football League, and that's live streaming games. Thanks to a deal with DirecTV, the league has been locked up while other sports like MLB have thrived in this market. Things are changing though, but the wheels turn slowly.

The NFL has inked a deal with Yahoo -- yes, the also-ran search competitor -- to live stream a game for free, It's a start and we'll see where things go from here. In the meantime write down the date October 25th. That's the day the Buffalo Bills take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sound like a boring game? It isn't, because it will test this new plan.

"Both the NFL and Yahoo have long shared a passion for bringing the best experiences to football fans around the world. We’re thrilled the NFL has selected us to be their partner for this historic event and proud that we can offer it to our global users", Yahoo announces.

It gets better, as anyone in the world can watch this game, location doesn't matter. The internet broadcast will be exclusive to Yahoo. The game itself takes place in London, so it was already a bit international to begin with. Let's hope this begins a trend.

Hacker groups aiding ISIS in takedown of news media sites

Publié: juin 3, 2015, 4:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Hackers

For a while now we've witnessed the brutality of Islamic State, but less in the news is the cyber terrorism carried out by it. However that's a big part of the arsenal for this group and media outlets have been a primary target in the war. Recently the site and social media of a French TV station was taken down and defaced with messages from the group.

Following the attack on TV5Monde, media groups within France held an emergency meeting. This came after all of the network went black for more than three hours in April.

However, it's not just the group itself carrying these attacks out. Security researchers at FireEye suspect help from hackers in both Russia and China. "What makes these ISIS-sympathizing actors different is that they are targeting news organizations of all sizes -- hijacking major broadcasters, such as TV5Monde, as well as the social media accounts and websites of small market newspapers and television stations, such as the Albuquerque Journal and WBOC in Salisbury, Maryland", the report claims. It's an odd choice of targets, to be sure.

However, as the report points out, this isn't new to groups from either nation, as both have a history of attacking news outlets. It's suspected this is done in an effort to get advanced notice of stories and information on reporters, both of which indicate it's government sponsored.

"News media organizations are enticing targets for terrorist sympathizers and national governments. Those outlets with inadequate security, from the largest globe-spanning operations to small market news stations, could find themselves as the next unsuspecting victim of ISIS-sympathizers", FireEye researchers claim.

These attacks in support of Syria date back to 2013, but some groups suspected of being the perpetrators have histories of attacking media outlets prior to that.

Photo credit: Photosani/Shutterstock

Android Wear support for Spotify arrives

Publié: mai 29, 2015, 6:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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It's a big week for Google, as the company holds its I/O event. We've seen the next version of Android, for the moment simply known as M, and users can install a preview version of it now. There was Brillo, which aims to take Android into the growing Internet of Things market and many other announcements.

As for Android Wear, Google's foray into smartwatches, there are improvements coming there as well. Spotify is also announcing support for the wristwear.

This means no more fishing your phone from a pocket to choose the tunes you want to hear. You can browse, discover and play your music right from your watch.

It's going to make life more convenient for Spotify customers on the go. It isn't out quite yet, but it will be rolling out through the month of June so if you are interested in putting it on your smartwatch you'll just have to keep checking . It's one more to step that improves the platform.

HBO NOW to launch on Google Play this summer

Publié: mai 28, 2015, 9:02pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

game-of-thrones

It's getting hard to keep track of HBO these days. The cable channel has been around for years, existing only through cable and satellite providers. Then came HBO GO and then HBO NOW which was exclusive to Apple TV, though not for very long. More recently the channel itself came to Sling TV, meaning no subscription to a TV provider was required, though $15 per month was.

Now other customers will be getting the opportunity to get Game of Thrones and all of the other content. Sundar Pichai announced the big news today during the Google I/O event which has just kicked off.

An HBO spokesperson tells BetaNews "HBO NOW will come to Android this summer along with Cast support for Android, iOS, and web browsers on desktops/laptop computers. Google also announced that, coming soon, it will bring HBO NOW and HBO GO to Android TV".

"We’re looking forward to expanding our relationship with Google through HBO NOW. We have seen through social media that there is great demand for the service among Android and Chromecast users and we're excited to deliver HBO NOW to them" claims HBO's executive vice president of domestic network distribution, Bernadette Aulsestia.

None of this is happening right away, but Google promises to begin rolling it out at some point this summer. More details should be available as the launch approaches.

Image Credit: Sophie McAulay / Shutterstock

Pebble Time pre-orders set to begin next month

Publié: mai 28, 2015, 2:28pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Pebble Time on wrist

Pebble has proven to be a darling of Kickstarter, launching its first smartwatch there and more recently launching its latest model in the same fashion. It's known as Pebble Time and if you got in on the Kickstarter then shipments have already begun. If you didn't, then you'll have to wait a bit, but not terribly long.

Beginning June 22nd, less than a month away, you'll be able to place your pre-order. Shipping dates were not announced, but the sooner you order the sooner you're likely to get it.

"Pre-order timing was a burning question ever since wrapping our last Kickstarter campaign. With the cat out of the bag, let’s welcome more Pebblers to the Time family", Pebble announces.

The latest version of the smartwatch comes with many new features including Uber Transport, ESPN, Fitocracy (for iOS users), iHeartRadio, TripAdvisor and more.

The company states "Pebble Time distills everything our community loves most about a smartwatch worth wearing for years to come". Ironic given that there will likely be a new and improved model in the future, though not right away.

Lenovo Cast brings another streaming device to home media

Publié: mai 28, 2015, 4:04am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Lenovo Cast 5

If you haven't been following the news today, Lenovo is currently holding its Tech World show. We have seen new laptops in various price ranges. But a hot item these days for the home theater is sticks, as opposed to set-top boxes. We've seen them from Google, Roku and Amazon, but all three had some experience in the market. Now Lenovo is jumping in feet first with its own offering.

The Chinese hardware maker has announced Lenovo Cast to allow customers to share the videos from their phones and tablets, but do so on the big screen -- obviously more comfortable than having folks gather round that hand-held device.

There are only three steps involved. Just plug it in, link up and begin streaming your videos right to the TV. It's as simple as a Chromecast.

"Lenovo Cast offers extreme flexibility with its convenient pocket size and simple set up, making it an ideal companion device for smartphones and tablets. Its dual form factors allow users to hook it up either behind the TV or anywhere near it. Unlike other casting devices, Lenovo Cast ensures seamless streaming thanks to its dual frequency WiFi and its ability to transfer content up to 20 meters, even sending the signal through walls. And it’s not limited to just sharing videos", Lenovo explains.

Don't expect to grab one tomorrow, as it's slated for an early August release. Pricing was also announced and it will set you back $49.

Twitter releases Periscope for Android

Publié: mai 27, 2015, 8:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

periscope-android

Periscope from Twitter seems to get mixed reviews from users and the tech community. However, it isn't going away, at least as far as we know. The video sharing app received a lot of attention, which really is what Twitter wants from any improvement or new apps.

Periscope isn't new, but the app for Android is. It boasts the ability to replay your live broadcast to your followers, it can be private if you only want certain followers to see it, you can also share these broadcasts via Twitter, manage notifications and Hearts, which tracks how many viewers like your broadcast.

Twitter describes it this way -- "Periscope lets you broadcast live video to the world. Going live will instantly notify your followers, who can join, comment and send you hearts in real time. The more hearts you get, the higher they flutter on the screen".

The app is available now at the Google Play store, and it's free to grab if you're interested. Reviews so far are somewhat mixed, resulting in a 3.8 average rating, though few have come in thus far.

Logitech begins adding older remotes to roster of home control devices

Publié: mai 26, 2015, 11:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

holidays-mobile

There is perhaps no better purveyor of the universal remote than Logitech, which owns the Harmony brand. It's not necromancy, just solid engineering and hardware and software that just works. Perhaps that is why it has remained popular and Logitech has continued to improve things since taking over.

Now the company is stepping back a bit, but doing so in a good way, as it brings more home control to some of the older models via the Harmony Hub.

"Today Logitech announced that we’re adding even more devices to the roster that some of our older remotes can control, with a free, optional software update that delivers enhanced smart home control capabilities to all of our Harmony Ultimate Hub-based products", Logitech announces. It will be rolling out over the next month.

This update brings in Logiech Harmony Ultimate, HarmonySmart Control, Harmony Smart Keyboard and Harmony Ultimate. You'll need to own the Harmony Hub to get everything working. That said, you'll be able to control Nest, Philips Hue, Rheem and PEO.

You'll be able to schedule scenes to begin and end have access to IFTTT. According to Logitech, "Either sign into the MyHarmony software for Windows or Mac, or use the Harmony mobile app to opt-in and begin the installation".

Roku Search, Feed and new Roku 2 now available in the UK

Publié: mai 26, 2015, 6:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Roku, the small set-top box, has become wildly popular in recent times. It is also constantly adding new content via "channels" and trying to improve the hardware offerings as well. Now folks in the UK will get the latest improvements.

Roku Search is, perhaps, the biggest part of the announcement, as it allows customers to more easily locate the content they wish to watch. For the moment it only covers a few key channels -- Netflix, Snagfilms and Popcornflix -- but Roku plans to add many more channels in the future.

Roku Feed is an option that "makes it easier to know when new movies are ready to stream, on what channel, and at what price", claims Roku.

Both of these new options will begin appearing in the left side menu once your box receives the update, which has begun rolling out now.

The new Roku 2 box, which was recently introduced, is also now available, and the company claims it matches the speed and performance of the Roku 3.

Finally, there are new apps for both Android and iOS. This includes support for the new Search and Discovery features and are available right now in the respective app stores.

If you don't yet have the set-top box then you can grab one today at Amazon, Curry's or Argos.

Spotify rolls out an improved mobile app

Publié: mai 23, 2015, 8:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Girl listening to music

For many folks, music gets them through the day, or even life. There's also no shortage of services out there looking to get users to choose them. While some are lesser known, Spotify certainly isn't, as it's an industry leader that boasts 25 billion listening hours since it launched.

Now the streaming company is making some improvements that should satisfy customers even more. Users of the mobile app can expect what Spotify terms a "richer experience" for the Now app.

Included is an improved start page that promises to always provide the right playlists to get users through the day. It will take a bit of adaptation, but over time it learns your tastes and culls music from your personal collection to blend a mix that improves over time.

There's also Spotify Running, which is exactly as the name implies -- it aims to keep your workout motivated. The service promises "We’ve combined the best music on the planet -- recommendations based on your listening history, multiple-genre playlists and original running compositions written by some of the world’s foremost DJs and composers -- all tuned to your tempo and seamlessly transitioned to ensure you’ll never miss a beat. Start running and Spotify will detect your tempo, matching the perfect music in time to your step -- making you a harder, better, faster, stronger runner". This includes a venture with Nike that will bring the experience to Nike+, though that will be later this year.

Also being added is video content and original songs. There will be entertainment news and clips from main sources like ABC and BBC.

Spotify promises that it's just getting started, so you can expect further improvements on the way.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Logitech Harmony gains support for Nest and Rheem EcoNet

Publié: mai 22, 2015, 5:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Econet_Rheem

Harmony remotes, purchased by Logitech, have long been a standard for universal control of your home theater. However, the world is moving on and headed towards fully connected homes -- dwellings where we can control everything with the touch of a button, automate it and let it serve us. The Internet of Things can be scary, as my colleague Derrick Wlodarz pointed out, but it can also be fascinating in that shiny new gadget sort of way.

Slowly but surely you can do all of this, not only from your phone or tablet, but from that remote control sitting on the coffee table in front of you. Harmony has just picked up support for Nest Protect, a smoke detector, and Rheem EcoNet, a water heater system.

So when that smoke detector goes off Harmony will power down your home theater. Sure, you'll likely hear it -- it's fairly loud -- but safety first, especially when you have a family to be concerned about.

Rheem Econet is a water heater system that likely can save you a bit of money when it comes to fuel or electric bills. "Our latest connected home integration continues to extend the power of Harmony beyond the living room. Access a Rheem EcoNet water heater from the latest Harmony remotes to set up a schedule for the water heater or change modes based on a family’s changing needs", Logitech states.

Logitech promises more "connected home" integration is to come. Pretty soon you'll never need to move from your couch, though we aren't sure that's really a good thing.

Twitch gaming video arrives on Roku set-top boxes and TVs

Publié: mai 18, 2015, 5:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Twitch-Games

Video games and set-top boxes. They don't seem to go together, but these days they do. You can play games on many of them, though they won't be confused with an Xbox One or PS4. But today video games aren't just about playing, it's become a spectator sport as well. Much of that is due to the Twitch service which allows people to post videos and watch others.

Now the Twitch channel has arrived on Roku, one of the most popular set-top boxes on the market. The manufacturer is adding the channel now, allowing customers to begin streaming the videos that seem so popular in today's culture.

"With the Twitch channel, you can watch the most popular broadcasts of the day, browse live broadcasts by the games you love and follow your favorite Twitch broadcasters. At any given time you’ll find hundreds of live broadcasts from popular games including League of Legends, Counter Strike, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, Minecraft and many others", says Ed Lee, vice president of content acquisition at Roku.

The service will be available for the boxes as well as the new Roku-powered TVs hitting the market. You'll not only get the recorded video, but also some live events that are broadcast using the Twitch network. You can grab it now from the channel store.

Microsoft Research releases Hyperlapse Pro for time-lapse videos

Publié: mai 15, 2015, 8:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft Hyperlapse

Video and photos are universal these days. Most of us walk around with a camera in our pocket. Everyone benefits. Consider the meteor over Russia or almost instant access to breaking news of all sorts.

However, sometimes photos aren't good enough for the events in your life. Video is better -- like for a kid's birthday party or graduation, or family vacation. There's better, and there's better. Microsoft just released Hyperlapse to help you turn these videos into neat little time-lapses to make them a bit cool and easier to share.

"Microsoft Hyperlapse is a new technology that creates smooth and stabilized time lapses from first-person videos. Want to show your friends what you saw on that 12-mile hike you took last weekend or let them experience how it felt to fly down the mountain on your recent ski trip? With Microsoft Hyperlapse, you can time lapse those experiences, distilling them into easily consumable, enjoyable experiences", announces Microsoft's Research team.

"To make the video both speedy and smooth, the researchers came up with an algorithm that first creates an approximate 3D model of the landscape being filmed, and then identifies the dominant path that the camera took through that landscape. It then stitches together bits and pieces of different frames to create a smooth, stable Hyperlapse that showcases the essence of the original video", says Allison Linn of Microsoft.

For now, the app is only available for Windows Phone and a preview version can be installed on Android. You can find out more, as well as see examples, by visiting here.

Rdio brings new music options at an affordable price

Publié: mai 14, 2015, 11:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

rdio

Music options abound these days, some more affordable than others. It's become genuinely hard to choose a streaming service that fits your needs and budget. While there aren't any new options on the market, one may have just become much more appealing, as Rdio makes a major annoucement about services and pricing.

This latest move adds a combination of both radio and streaming music of the user's choice and does so with one reasonably priced plan.

Customers will get an endless stream of radio stations -- think Pandora style -- that can be set using a variety of options, like artist, song and more. Better yet, there aren't limits. That means you can skip songs you don't want to hear and you won't have to listen to ads.

Users can also keep up to 25 mobile downloads to listen to when offline, a handy feature for those on the go. Rdio states that "Newest downloads automatically replace the oldest ones, and you can replace your 25 downloads up to once per day".

Finally, the service promises 320 kbps streaming and curated lists from popular artists like Mumford and Sons, and many more.

As for pricing of all this? Rdio promises "All this for just $3.99 a month. For a limited time only, get your first 60 days free when you subscribe".

Dropbox arrives in your Gmail with improved features

Publié: mai 7, 2015, 7:06am CEST par Alan Buckingham

gmail_extension

Dropbox is one of the most popular services for storing and sharing files online. Combine that with Google's Gmail, a widely used email service, and you serve up a recipe for success. Or at least the storage service thinks and hopes so.

Dropbox is now arriving with improvements for that Gmail account you have, bringing easy storage sharing right to your desktop. This isn't entirely new -- an extension for Chrome has been available for a while now, but this update improves on things.

"For many of you, Gmail is one of those tools, helping you share information and stay connected. That’s why we recently built an extension for your Chrome browser that lets you attach Dropbox files right from your Gmail account. Today, we have a new version with improvements based on feedback from early users".

The new update allows you to send large files with just a click of the button, no more zipping up of files, make files easily accessible to anyone -- "Even if they don’t have Dropbox or the extension, recipients can see and download the attachments you send them". Finally, the ability to quickly save the files sent to you with just a simple click.

You can download the extension now and, if you already have it installed, then an update will be coming very soon.

Roku and Nielsen team to get ratings for streaming

Publié: mai 3, 2015, 6:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

RokuTVfeat

Nielsen, the leader in TV ratings, has to move into the new era, which means TV streaming. Now the company is moving in that direction, partnering with Roku, the top set-top box maker on the market, in order to gather this data.

But how do you rate this new dimension in TV? Well Nielsen thinks it can and it's partnered with Roku to give it a try. The two are announcing a new deal beginning now and it aims to make the world of internet-based TV a ratable one.

"As a first step, Nielsen and Roku will enable OTT measurement through Nielsen Digital Ad Ratings. Publishers who choose to participate will have the ability to measure their audience according to Nielsen demographics, as well as access the full suite of Digital Ad Ratings to measure, guarantee and report campaign audience delivery through the Roku platform", Nielsen states in a press release.

The development comes as somewhat of a non-surprise, as TV increasingly moves online with devices like Roku and similar set-top boxes. Nielsen agrees, with vice president Scott Rosenberg states "We believe all TV will be streamed, and with it all TV advertising".

Other potential partners are out there like Amazon and Apple, to name just two. The trend will continue and grow as time goes on.

Hackers plunder $5 million from the account of Irish airline Ryanair

Publié: avril 29, 2015, 3:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hackers

It's one thing to have your personal bank account hacked, you may lose a few dollars or worse a small fortune. However you would expect corporate accounts to have added security, preventing such a devastating event. That's clearly not the case. While we've seen point-of-sale systems hacked and customer data stolen, this time it was actually a company bank account that was robbed.

Irish airline Ryanair had its corporate account plundered by hackers to the tune of $5 million, or €4.6 million. The money apparently disappeared from accounts used to fund the fueling of the company's planes, not a cheap task and perfect for not immediately ringing alarm bells.

This isn't an entirely new scenario, as security researchers at IBM discovered malware designed with this intent. "IBM Security has identified an active campaign using a variant of Dyre malware that has successfully stolen more than $1 million from targeted enterprise organizations", states John Kuhn of IBM.

The Ryanair breach was discovered late last week and reported in The Irish Times, who received a brief statement from the company -- "Ryanair confirms that it has investigated a fraudulent electronic transfer via a Chinese bank last week". No further word is expected because of pending legal action.

According to security blog Hot For Security, this money was transferred out through a Chinese bank, and Irish authorities are now looking into the matter. It illustrates that nobody is entirely safe online, not even the big corporate players.

Photo credit: Adchariyaphoto/Shutterstock

NBC Sports Live Extra arrives on Roku, just in time for hockey and horse racing

Publié: avril 28, 2015, 5:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

NBC-Sports-Roku-home-screen

It's a great time of the year for sports fans, with hockey in the playoffs, the upcoming NFL draft, the Triple crown and baseball season well underway. Now Roku is bringing all of this to your TV via both its set-top boxes and Roku TVs. It arrives just in time for all of the action.

The NBC Live Extra Service promises over 3,000 events per year, including some exclusive coverage. That traverses an awful lot of ground.

"NBC Sports Live Extra streams all live sports content televised by NBC, NBCSN and Golf Channel, including: the Summer and Winter Olympics; Sunday Night Football and NBC’s NFL pre-season and post-season coverage; NHL regular-season games and Stanley Cup Playoffs; the PGA TOUR, including the FedExCup Playoffs; the Premier League; the Triple Crown; studio content surrounding many of the aforementioned properties; original programming such as The Dan Patrick Show and Men In Blazers; and much more", says Ed Lee, Roku's Vice President, Content Acquisition.

There are the usual tiresome problems -- you'll need to have a cable or satellite service in order to get the app working on your Roku device. If you pass that obstacle then you'll find it in the Roku channel store, which is accessible right on the device.

Philips lets you control your Hue lights from Apple Watch

Publié: avril 25, 2015, 3:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

apple-watch-hue

Yesterday was the big day for Apple Watch, and also a big day for companies looking to capitalize on the hype and sales. We've seen Amazon jump on board, along with many others. Now the top lighting manufacturer in the world is getting into the game also, as Philips announces that it will be offering customers the chance to control their Hue lights right from their wrists.

Hue, if you aren't familiar, is a line of lightbulbs that are internet connected and can be controlled from multiple devices -- Apple Watch is the latest.

"We know that light is at the heart of the digital home,” says Eric Rondolat, Chief Executive Officer at Philips Lighting. "With Apple Watch you can instantly adapt Philips Hue lighting to suit every moment and occasion. Together we are making personalized lighting simpler and more accessible through the convenience of Apple Watch".

Philips points out that if you have geofencing activated then your lights can be on when you arrive home and you'll get that notification via your watch.

"As a part of a seamless ecosystem covering bulbs, lamps and controls, as well as integration with the Apple HomeKit; Philips Hue offers new lighting experiences that are personal to you", the manufacturer states.

You can get more information at the MeetHue website.

Kickass Torrents is on the run to a new domain

Publié: avril 24, 2015, 8:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Music pirate

We've grown used to sites like The Pirate Bay making pretty regular moves. It's kind of unavoidable in this business where organizations such as the MPAA exist. While we don't condone piracy, we also don't condone censorship, and there's plenty of studies that show that illegally downloaded content doesn't put much, if any, dent in the copyright holder's bank account.

Today the latest news surfaces -- Kickass Torrents, the top source on the web, is on the move after a brief visit to the Isle of Man. The place proved unfriendly to the organization, shutting it down rather quickly. Next stop? Costa Rica sounds like a nice tropical local, doesn't it?

"We have been seized by the Isle of Man domain registry. The new domain will be Kat.cr”, the site administrator has informed TorrentFreak.

This isn't new for the site, as we've also seen it in Somalia for a bit of time, a location that certainly seems well suited for piracy (yes, make your jokes).

The site apparently has more domains it can use, just in case this happens again -- a scenario that certainly seems likely given the past history.

So far, the new site seems to not be up and running, as several of us in various, and vastly different, locations have tried to access it. We fully expect it to be online soon, if not at .cr then somewhere else. These things do not get stomped out so easily. It's really just a waste of time and money to accomplish nothing.

Photo credit: Jonathan Cooke/Shutterstock

AVG introduces Crumble for Chrome, claims you can surf without surveillance

Publié: avril 24, 2015, 6:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

crumble

In today's world privacy has become a premium and companies and governments are the ones in the hotseat thanks to Edward Snowden, WikiLeaks and others. People are searching out ways to avoid being tracked, a difficult task in this current society. AVG is the latest to offer a solution.

The security firm is announcing Crumble, a new extension for Chrome that promises you can "surf without surveillance". The app comes from the Innovation Labs and is still in beta at the moment, but users can start testing it out now.

It won't protect you from the NSA, but it will prevent the tracking of cookies. AVG claims "While this is not the first solution of its kind, we do think that our implementation makes Crumble the best solution against online cookie tracking".

The security company states it will stop sites from creating a profile on you, will always be up-to-date, doesn't favor ad-networks, doesn't ruin the user experience or hinder the display of content and shows what sites are trying to track you.

The company promises "Because, we manage rather than block third party cookies, this means you will always get the full website experience; no broken plugins, no missing content, no weird behavior".

AVG also states that because of the way this works -- identifying the types of cookies as opposed to using the blacklist method -- it allows it to spot new trackers immediately without needing an update. "This also means that we do not offer preferential treatment to trackers (aka whitelist them) unlike some other extensions".

You can grab the beta version now by visiting the Chrome Web Store and for a bit more info you can check out the FAQ page. If you don't like it, well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Apple Watch gets Amazon shopping capability

Publié: avril 24, 2015, 3:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

01_now-playing_apple-watch

Today the Apple Watch begins its highly anticipated rollout. The tech world is watching, while fans are eagerly expecting the device. Of course any product today requires a healthy ecosystem of apps to survive, and Apple is doing its best to make that happen. Others are trying to do the same, also from an economical standpoint.

Amazon plans to allow customers to shop from their wrist -- why you'd want to is anyone's guess. The retailer is announcing a shopping app for the new accoutrement. The company claims it will be useful in certain situations, such as heading out somewhere and suddenly remembering something you need. Granted that's a good scenario, as you may forget by the time you return home. However, isn't that what the smartphone in your purse or pocket is for?

"The award-winning Amazon shopping app will be available on Apple Watch in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, U.S. and U.K. Designed for the on-the-go customer, the shopping app offers a tailored Amazon experience, offering voice search and quick tap features including one-Click purchase and save to Wish List", Amazon states.

The new app allows customers to browse the store, make one-click purchases, add items to a wish list and more. There's even a "handoff option" that transfers the item to the iPhone app so you can get additional information about a product. This obviously all designed with your money in mind.

You'll need to update the Amazon app on your iPhone. Once you do, it will transfer to the Apple Watch. Amazon says you can learn more by visiting amazon.com/iphoneapp.

Office 365 Video begins its worldwide rollout

Publié: avril 22, 2015, 2:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Busy office

Back in November we told you about Office 365 Video, although at the time it was only available for First Release customers. The service, if you recall, brings video sharing to the enterprise, allowing customers to manage and post, as well as making it available across all devices -- PC, tablet and phone. Microsoft also claims that it will be automatically optimized for each device.

Now the service is rolling out worldwide, so everyone can begin putting it to use for training videos, company messages and the like. Microsoft's Claire Tutill states that "Video is fast becoming one of the most powerful forms of communication, so this is a very exciting development for Office 365 users".

Both enterprises and schools are assured of a secure connection, or at least that's the claim. Tutill promises that it's "very easy to set the permissions for the home page leveraging the same Active Directory powering authentication in all areas of Office 365. This enables admins to manage permissions for each channel. Channels are easy to create and assign delegated owner(s) -- or channel managers -- who can then manage their own content and specific set of permissions".

The company also states that this is just the first of its "NextGen Portals" and that more will be on the way to help change how people collaborate and work.

Unsurprisingly, the service is being powered by Microsoft Azure and will also be leveraging Yammer, another company property. It makes uploading as simple as "drag-and-drop" and supports multiple file types.

To find out more you can watch the preview video posted below.

Photo credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

You won't see Nessie, but you can now visit Loch Ness via Google Maps

Publié: avril 21, 2015, 3:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

loch-ness

The Loch Ness Monster is right up there with Bigfoot and the Abominable Snowman, and many lesser known legends as well. We're not here to tell you what to believe, that's entirely up to you. Either way, Loch Ness is one of the most famous locations in Scotland and you can now visit it from the comfort of your home or office.

Google Maps has gone to the trouble of putting the famous lake into Street View -- no monsters involved. It conjures up images of the famous Surgeon's Photo, the most enduring, iconic and fraudulent image of Nessie. Still, the location is beautiful, and for those not able to make the trip this is the next best thing.

"Sail across the freshwater lake and take in its haunting beauty, made darker still by the peat particles found in its waters. Let the Loch unlock the spirit of your imagination, where the rippling water, tricks of the light, and drifting logs bring the legend of Nessie to life. Adrian Shine, leader of the Loch Ness & Morar Project, has been engaged in fieldwork in the Highlands since 1973 and was an integral part of the Street View collection. As a true Loch Ness expert, Shine has logged more than 1,000 Nessie sightings and offers scientific explanations for why people claim to have seen Scotland’s mysterious cryptid," Google says.

You won't find the legendary monster in any of the images, but you will find the beautiful and haunting landscape of Scotland. It's really up to your imagination. As Google points out, "To take you on a tour of what lies beneath, our partners at the Catlin Seaview Survey dived deep under the surface of the lake, collecting imagery along the way. You can imagine Nessie nestling within these dark, peat-filled waters, waiting for the right moment to breach the surface into the Scottish sunlight above".

So much for Apple exclusivity, PlayOn gets HBO NOW

Publié: avril 20, 2015, 7:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

playon

When Apple announced HBO NOW for Apple TV people were riveted by the fact the company had once again pulled off a deal reminiscent of iTunes music deals. Except the rumors claimed the exclusivity would last through July and it didn't. The app quickly came to other services and then the channel itself launched on Sling TV, making the app somewhat unneeded.

Now things progress further as PlayOn is offering HBO NOW. The app has long been expected and anticipated as it gives viewers the ability to watch the premium channel without the previous need of having a cable or satellite subscription -- something HBO GO is saddled with. It comes just in time for some folks (or perhaps too late) as HBO is taking action against those who've downloaded episodes of Game of Thrones illegally.

Much like Sling TV, this opens up the channel to a wide-range of devices -- "With PlayOn you can stream HBO Now to your Roku, Chromecast, or gaming console today. You’ll still need an Apple/iOS device to set up an account, but once you’ve done that and get PlayOn, you’re all set", PlayOn states.

Neither PlayOn nor HBO NOW is free, so get your wallet out. It's good news for cord-cutters, though, as it adds yet another option for those who are doing without traditional TV services -- a direction that many people seem to be headed in these days.

The crosswalk awaits you -- Abbey Road comes to Google Maps

Publié: avril 15, 2015, 5:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

abbey-road

When it comes to music there is perhaps no more famous location in the world than Abbey Road. The studio has become legend -- created legends, in fact. The recording home of John, Paul, George and Ringo is still there, almost a museum of sorts, awaiting the tourists who want to get just a small sense of the Fab Four.

No need to traipse the crosswalk, let alone barefoot, to get your glimpse into where it all happened. Google Street View is here to make all your troubles seem so far away by taking you to Abbey Road, virtually.

Though the album cover comes to mind, Google points out much more happened that perhaps many people don't know. "In fact, the studios have played a role in music history: if you can hum the theme to 'Star Wars'. 'Harry Potter' or 'Indiana Jones' or you’ve sung along to tracks by Pink Floyd or Oasis, or even if you own a pair of stereo headphones, then you’ve been impacted by the work of Abbey Road".

"In partnership with Abbey Road Studios, we’ve created Inside Abbey Road, an experience that lets fans around the world step inside the studios and explore this renowned institution", says Google's Tom Seymour.

"Throughout the studios you’ll find more than 30 stories, full of anecdotes and facts about the studios, like the story of Abbey Road engineer Alan Blumlein. Alan was annoyed after a trip to the movies, because the sound in early cinemas only came from one side of the screen. He went on to invent the concept of stereo audio—and sound and screen have matched ever since. Or, if you feel like being guided around the studios, there's an audio tour you can join in every studio. Narrated by producer Giles Martin, engineer and Head of Audio Products Mirek Stiles, and broadcaster Lauren Laverne, the audio tours let you see the studios through their eyes. Think of it as your own personal tour".

It's been a long, cold, lonely winter so it's time for a vacation, and this is great spot. Better yet, you don't have to leave your home or office or even go in through the bathroom window to get there.

Take this Friday off and watch Orphan Black for free on Amazon -- Prime not required

Publié: avril 15, 2015, 4:04pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

orphan-black

Season three of Orphan Black is about to debut. The highly acclaimed BBC America TV show has been licensed this year by AMC, making it more widely available. Still, the two channels may not be in everyone's menu. For you, Amazon has a solution, though you may need a bit of caffeine to capitalize on this one.

While seasons one and two have been available for some time to Prime subscribers, those who don't pay Amazon $99 per year can now catch up on season one -- providing you do so this Friday.

"Orphan Black has been extremely popular with Prime members since the series became available exclusively in Prime Instant Video -- that’s why we’re excited to make season one available to all customers for free, for a day,” says Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video at Amazon. “We saw an incredible response when we made our Golden Globe-winning original series Transparent available to everyone, so we’re giving customers an opportunity to try out another great series that Prime members already love".

We won't give too much away, it's something you have to watch for yourself and season one is the place to start if you don't want to be completely lost.

Amazon claims that this approach helped propel its original series Transparent to a Golden Globe award by allowing more people to view the show.

Tatiana Maslany gives an epic performance in the role (roles), so take this Friday off from work (you owe it to yourself, right?) and spend some time as a couch potato. You can grab the show here.

How well did Sling TV handle the Game of Thrones season 5 premiere?

Publié: avril 13, 2015, 3:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

game-of-thrones

I signed up for the base package of Sling TV a few weeks ago. Since then, the company has managed to get extra money out of the deal, as I've added the Sports Pack and, as of yesterday, HBO, which became available late last week. While I feel like I'm closing in on pricing for my old DirecTV subscription, I confess to being happier -- I have channels I want and don't pay for a bunch I'll never watch.

Last night was huge for Sling, as Game of Thrones season five debuted (for those who didn't get it early via a torrent leak). I was curious how the service would handle the huge demand, and so was it, as it turns out.

"There was a lot of attention tonight on how we handled the premiere of HBO’s Game of Thrones", writes CEO Roget Lynch. He should be pleased with the results.

While the app took a few seconds longer than average to launch on my Amazon Fire TV, it did start and the delay wasn't interminable. 10 seconds versus 20 isn't the end of the world, and I tried a few minutes early just to be safe.

Streaming the channel was absolutely flawless. There was never a single stutter, no different from watching cable or satellite. Picture quality, which is always good on the service, remained so, as well. There were, according to the service, a few "stumbles", though I didn't encounter them.

Lynch explains this, stating "We made updates to a variety of core systems to improve user experience from account creation to service delivery. We also distributed updates to the app across all of our platforms starting late last week. These updates helped in load management and delivered new features, like parental controls".

If you missed the big show then you can grab it from Sling's On-Demand, along with every previous season. You'll need to add HBO to your subscription, so get $15 out of your wallet.

Image Credit: Sophie McAulay / Shutterstock

Amazon brings Kindle features to its Android app

Publié: avril 11, 2015, 5:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

kindle-reader-front

If you don't have a Kindle to read your books on then there's no worries, as apps exist on other platforms like Android. Amazon isn't standing still on this either, now offering customers on Google's mobile platform some new features already available on the stand-alone device.

Included are two new features that Amazon claims customers have found the most useful. First up is Word Wise, which Amazon claims is excellent for young kids and also for those learning English. Tapping a word pops up a box that provides a definition, along with synonyms and more.

"We've heard from customers that this feature is particularly useful in two specific ways: 1) customers whose first language isn’t English are reporting that Word Wise is helping them build their English vocabulary; and 2) parents are reporting that Word Wise is helping their kids expand their vocabulary and take on longer chapter books", Amazon announces.

Second on the list of new features is Popular Highlights, which brings a combination of passages that readers highlight and Amazon collects and compiles, "The resulting Popular Highlights help readers to focus on passages that are meaningful to the greatest number of people. We show only passages where the highlights of at least three distinct customers overlap, and we do not show which customers made those highlights".

The update is available now if you head to the Google Play store.

Need more tunes on your Android device? Amazon Prime Music channels arrive

Publié: avril 10, 2015, 5:56am CEST par Alan Buckingham

music headphones laptop

There's no shortage of ways to turn your phone or tablet into an MP3 player. The days of dedicated devices like the iPod have waned, and most of us simply use a smartphone as the substitute that replaces that bygone era. With a multitude of services at our disposal we can have an endless supply of music on hand as we work and travel, or just relax on the couch.

Amazon is never far from any new trend and it has brought music streaming to its Prime customers to compliment the other benefits that go along with the service. Now the retailer announces that Android customers will have access to the many playlists available through Prime Music on their devices.

You'll find access to all sorts of playlists from genres like the 80's to dedicated artist compilations like The Foo Fighters, Bob Marley, Death Cab for Cutie, Dave Matthews, Paul Simon and countless others.

"There are hundreds of Prime Stations—customers just need to find a genre or artist they like and hit play to hear a continuous stream of music that can also be paused, replayed, or skipped without any restriction. As customers listen and give songs a thumbs up or thumbs down each station will adapt to their music tastes", Amazon told us in a statement.

The app itself if free in the Google Play store. Amazon Prime, however, is not. You'll need to pay out $99 per year, though you get more than just music with your membership, as there's free two day shipping, streaming video and other benefits.

Photo Credit: CREATISTA/Shutterstock

On the threshold of Game of Thrones, HBO makes it to Sling TV

Publié: avril 9, 2015, 7:46pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

sling-hbo

Sling TV, a service with the motto "take back TV", has been expanding fast, despite still being in its infancy. With Dish Network behind it the fledgling project has some pull in the industry, getting big name players like ESPN on board. It's also raining on Apple's parade, having secured HBO just in time for the start of season five of Game of Thrones.

Apple recently touted the new HBO NOW app as an exclusive for those willing to purchase its Apple TV set-top box -- a deal I considered, given the lower price and the prospect of not being able to watch one of my favorite shows any other way. However, the Cupertino-based company proceeded to shoot itself in the foot when rumors almost immediately surfaced that the current model would be superseded this June, making a purchase now a bad financial decision.

Worse the "exclusivity" of HBO NOW, rumored to stretch into July, seems to also have fallen by the wayside. Optimum now has the app available as well, begging the question if Apple really ever had a deal or if the marketing department cooked things up a bit to make a splash.

While not technically the HBO NOW app, nor HBO GO either, the premium channel is also now officially available on Sling TV. We knew this was coming, as the news broke last week. The service promised it would have the option available in time for Sunday night's big debut and it has delivered.

You will be paying $15 per month, which is standard for HBO services across the spectrum. Signing up is a simple matter of clicking a checkbox within your account on the Sling TV website. You'll get the full channel, as Sling operates just like a cable TV service, only it does so via the internet.

Listen to your wrist -- Pandora comes to Apple Watch

Publié: avril 9, 2015, 6:20pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

pandora Apple Watch

On a day when Apple Watch is once again in the news, more information is becoming available about what you can expect from this latest fashion statement for your wrist. The success or failure rides largely on apps, as it does with phone and tablet platforms. Now Apple has one more to boast about for its launch, as Pandora steps forward.

Pandora has a history of being there for Apple, as it was ready for launches of both iPhone and iPad. This time around will be no different -- when you pick up that watch later this month Pandora will be waiting for you.

"The Apple Watch represents another opportunity for Pandora to be available anytime and anywhere to our more than 81.5 million monthly users in order to deliver the most personalized music experience ever while also making discovery as effortless as possible", says Pandora's Chris Martin.

The watch will display all of the relevant information. This means that if you are listening to Pandora while doing some activity, say running, a quick glance at your wrist will tell you artist and song title. Pandora claims it's interface will be as simple and intuitive as possible.

"We are always on the lookout for the devices that are going to be immensely popular, and we feel that the Apple Watch marks another occasion to provide the best lean-back music experience", Martin concludes. The statement is, of course, speculative. With pre-orders only just opening and prices rather high, it remains to be seen what sales will really be like.

For Pandora's part, it simply claims that it hopes to learn more about the wearable technology field from this experience.

Dell diagnostic software getting flagged as malware due to security problems

Publié: avril 8, 2015, 1:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hacker attack

Computers come with a lot of pre-installed software these days -- it's a trade-off for low pricing that forces OEMs to make deals with companies like McAfee, Norton and others. However, some of what comes with that new desktop or laptop is actually there to help you. Dell pre-installs diagnostic software to aid in a problematic situation.

Apparently Malwarebytes doesn't see it that way. The security software is recognizing this as a problem for your system -- and it is, or was. The problem is that older versions had a vulnerability that could allow malicious code execution. Dell has since updated its software to close the hole, which was recently discovered by a security researcher.

"The application known as Dell System Detect failed to validate code before downloading and running it, according to a report published last month by researcher Tom Forbes. Because the program starts itself automatically, a malicious hacker could use it to infect vulnerable machines by luring users to a booby-trapped website. According to researchers with AV provider F-Secure, the malicious website need only have contained the string 'dell' somewhere in its domain name to exploit the weakness", Dell states.

That wasn't the end of the problems, though. A hole still existed that allowed for the code execution. A second update was issued by Dell, hopefully sealing things up for good. At least, for those who bothered to install the updates. The company laments that "The problem is that few people are running the patched version of Dell System Detect. As of Thursday, less than one percent of F-Secure customers had it installed. As a result, Malwarebytes software that detects a vulnerable version of the software will display a warning along with a link".

Computer security is an ongoing battle, but folks should certainly install updates, though perhaps wait a few days and check that others haven't had problems with the new version. It's a double-edged sword -- install right away and wait a bit at the same time.

Image Credit: lolloj/Shutterstock

Gamestop wants you to have an Xbox One and will pay you to trade in Xbox 360 or Sony PS3

Publié: avril 7, 2015, 7:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

xbox-one-deal

The sales business is always tough, and when things are going downhill then sellers come up with better, more enticing offers. We're not saying Microsoft's new console is in trouble, but it is currently behind its rival in recent sales figures. And while the company will still happily sell you the previous generation model, it really, really wants you to get that spiffy new box, and a third-party is here to help out.

With business seemingly slow, GameStop has a deal to offer you. All you have to do is trade in that old Xbox 360 or, gasp, Sony PS3 to get Microsoft's latest and greatest. To be fair, the offer doesn't come directly from Microsoft, but is through GameStop, though behind the scenes deals are always a possibility.

This isn't a new business for GameStop, which takes many devices in trade. However, in this instance, you'll get a $125 credit towards that new console. There's a few caveats involved in the deal, so read carefully before trading in the old box.

"Credit must be applied toward the purchase of a new Xbox One. Hardware must have all necessary components for trade. Systems with External hard drives are not eligible to receive the promotional value. Not valid toward cash trades. Trades must be in full working condition to receive full value. Defective items may be eligible for trade at a lesser value. Trades subject to manager approval. Cannot be combined with any other offer. See store associate for details. No dealers. Offer valid in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam only. Void where prohibited. GameStop, Inc. reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the offer for any reason without notice. Offer valid 4/6/15 through 4/25/15".

Given that the occasional Xbox 360 deal can reach as low as $99, this is a pretty good offer for many customers. You could actually buy a console and get more in trade for it -- something our own Brian Fagioli is considering, as he actually did get a $99 deal.

Samsung investigates itself, finds it's innocent of hiring 'fans' for Galaxy S6 Shanghai launch

Publié: avril 7, 2015, 2:29pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

phones concert

While Samsung has been basking in the glory of its successful launch of the latest Galaxy model known as the S6, other news has been circulating. Most recently, reports have surfaced that the company hired people to pose as fans during the big Shanghai, China event. Probably not an unheard of practice for many companies.

The news spread quickly, with such major outlets as Daring Fireball and WantChinaTimes running with the story, though the former has now issued an update because Samsung is denying the reports, claiming it conducted a thorough investigation into the matter.

The speed of the investigation could be questioned, given that it was completed within two days of original reports. The fact that Samsung investigated Samsung could also be called into question. As my colleague Mark Wilson put it -- "Did we do this?" "No". "Oh, that's good".

The response came in an announcement from the company that states, in part "Samsung investigated a media report on April 3 that claimed people were temporarily hired and paid to attend the Galaxy S6 launching event in Shanghai, China and later found that the story was totally groundless and bogus".

Well, OK. There isn't much that can be said to refute the claim, short of a real investigation into the matter and perhaps some "fan" coming forward. Neither is it really worth the time and effort, as there isn't anything illegal going on.

Samsung concludes "our findings have indicated that under no circumstances has anyone been hired or given money to attend the event. In fact, the more than 1,100 attendees, including consumers and industry officials, have all been formally invited to the Shanghai Culture Square where the event took place".

Both report and response seem largely unsubstantiated. We'll honestly never know the truth, and that's fine because it's really not the big deal that it was made out to be.

Photo Credit: Faraways/Shutterstock

Roku 2 and 3 get a refresh and better search as well

Publié: avril 6, 2015, 9:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Roku-3-Top-US

Roku has been busy of late, with new channels, updates and the not too distantly passed release of the streaming stick. So that begs the question, what is next? Apparently quite a bit if the new announcement is of interest to you -- and it should be if you possess one of the set-top boxes.

First of all the company announced improved search. You've always been able to search the multitude of streaming TV shows and movies, but now it has become even easier to narrow things down -- search within the channel store, which is a welcome addition. Given the number of available options this should make things simpler to find.

There is also a new "Roku Feed" that lets users more easily locate content. Roku states "We're launching it with a focus on 'Movies Coming Soon'. ending the guessing game around when a box office hit is available for streaming, which services offer the movie or how much it costs at a given time. The new 'My Feed' shortcut can be found on the Roku home screen".

For those who haven't yet taken the plunge, the Roku 2 and 3 are both available now in updated versions. The new Roku 3 now comes with voice search, which has been added via a new button on the remote control, so don't expect this on an existing model. Several other keys, including Amazon, have also been added. The Roku 2 update brings along improved speed and performance, though you'll lack the voice search capability.

The prices remain the same with the Roku 2 denting your wallet by $69.99 and version 3 setting you back $99.99. The voice search brings the device on level with the new competition from Amazon. The update with new features is promised by the end of April.

Need a wireless mouse? Try the Logitech M320 [Review]

Publié: avril 6, 2015, 6:33am CEST par Alan Buckingham

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The wireless mouse isn't new -- the technology is growing fairly old now, actually.But in this case that doesn't make it obsolete, as many of us still use them on a daily basis, and we aren't going back to wired. There's also no shortage of them on the market, but finding a good one can be a painstaking task, as everyone's needs are slightly different.

There's the gaming mouse, the travel mouse and plain old utilitarian daily-use mouse. We've reviewed many of the tiny peripherals here, but they never get old. Tolday we're looking at the Logitech M320, a simple wireless mouse. It isn't gaming and it's not considered travel size, but it's quite decent for daily use, which I'm doing as I type this from my laptop -- I hate toucpads.

This all brings us around to the Logitech M320 -- a standard mouse is all senses, though design plays a large part in it. The device was made with some thought and care.

What You Get and Don't Get

The design is made for your hand -- providing you're right-handed. The top and rear are sloped to fit quite well. The thumb fits nicely into the in-curved left side, while the right is somewhat indented, but to a much lesser degree, making the mouse ideal for the right-handed and much less so for those of the opposite persuasion.

The wireless sensor is a tiny USB plug, as most all modern devices are. Popping open the battery compartment reveals a place to store it in case you're on the go -- otherwise it could easily be lost. And speaking of that battery area, the mouse is powered by a single triple A cell, which comes with it.

An On/Off switch on the bottom allows for a bit of power savings when you walk away -- providing you remember to switch it off, something most of us tend to forget -- or is it just me?

There's no fancy buttons here, it's all utilitarian. Left click, right-click and scroll wheel. That wheel, however, is a bit unique. It's lined with tiny indentations giving it a rough feel, though also making it easier to turn and to feel without a glance.

Like all modern mouses (mice?) it has a red sensor on the bottom for tracking its position. There's also a tiny green LED light on top that illuminates when activated.

The mouse comes in multiple colors also. Customers can choose from grey/yellow, black, red and blue. It also isn't tremendously draining to your bank account at a svelte $29.99.

Conclusion

The bottom line is, it's a mouse. That said, it also just works, which certainly should be expected. It feels good in the hand, it's molded with that in mind. However, as I said, if you are left-handed then this will be less the case. Still, if you need a simple, easy-to-use mouse then this can work for you. Nothing fancy -- no weird buttons to figure out -- plug in the USB dongle and it just works, no software or configuration necessary.

Sling goes international with new language support

Publié: avril 5, 2015, 2:19am CEST par Alan Buckingham

sling-tv

Though channels and shows can vary greatly, television is international, with each country having its own broadcasts and favorite things to watch. New kid on the block, Sling TV, recognizes this and is making efforts to go after a more international audience. Hence its latest offering -- "content that speaks your language".

In total there are 18 new languages being added, including Arabic, Bangla, Bengali, Brazilian, Cantonese, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Mandarin, Marathi, Punjabi, Taiwanese, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Sling is introducing this for international customers and is throwing in a bonus one month free of the service. "With Sling International, you have access to the same domestic Sling TV user interface, which is easy to use and control by swiping and scrolling (on touchscreen capable devices). And if you subscribe to Sling TV U.S. entertainment, you have access to both international and domestic programming without needing to switch apps", the streaming service announces.

Sling has many options, but non-US-based customers should head to www.sling.com/international to get started. With the additional languages it is more accessible than ever and there's lots of content to choose from.

HBO set to launch on Sling TV just in time for Game of Thrones

Publié: avril 2, 2015, 2:48am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Game of Thrones

Just this morning I opined about my experience with Sling TV. On the whole I like it, though I have a few gripes. I have also written of my plans to purchase an Apple TV for two reasons -- price drop and HBO NOW. The HBO was the real key in my decision making, but perhaps it's a blessing I haven't yet pulled the trigger.

That's because Sling is announcing the service in its menu of viewing options. In fact, it promises to be up and running in time for the big season debut of Game of Thrones which takes place on April 12th. Pricing is in line with what you'd expect -- $15 per month.

"Starting next week, Sling TV will be the first and only Internet TV service to offer live HBO and ESPN. Sling TV will offer HBO’s linear channel, as well as the mountain of on-demand content that HBO provides on its other platforms", Sling proclaims.

That on-demand spans movies and past TV shows like The Sopranos, plus you'get current hits like the aforementioned Game of Thrones and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

You'll need the base package, or Basic service if you will, but then you'll be eligible for HBO. The announcement fails to detail specifics -- there's no mention of HBO GO or HBO NOW and no mention of needing to verify a cable subscription. That leads us to believe that it will operate like all of the other channels the service carries, though we've reached out to inquire on that.

Sling TV works across many devices from your computer and tablet to set-top boxes like Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Now you just need to make the popcorn and hand over some money.

After one week of Sling TV, here's the good and bad

Publié: avril 1, 2015, 3:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

sling-tv

Almost a year ago DirecTV and I parted ways. I grew tired of the $60 per month charge when I only watch a handful of shows. The excessive amount of channels included in my bundle was also a bit of a joke -- I probably used ten of them. I'd have gladly paid less for those -- the à la carte TV that people talk about, though it never materializes.

I already had an Amazon Prime subscription that entitled me to movies and some TV shows, and it costs as much per year as one and half months' worth of satellite. I threw in Hulu Plus for an additional $7.99 and get most of my shows, though I have to wait until the next day to watch them. But live TV escaped me, with the exception of the occasional event broadcast online. Those live broadcasts online are fine, but neither Roku nor Amazon Fire TV has a web browser. Then several weeks ago Sling TV appeared on the scene. Live TV from multiple sources and, for once, no cable or satellite subscription to verify. Suddenly there was access to ESPN, History Channel, HGTV and many more. I've been using it for the past week and I have some observations.

The Sunny Side of the Street

The live streaming has been working flawlessly The channel selection "mostly" meets my needs. Combine it with Hulu Plus and the bases are pretty much covered. As a sports fan, having ESPN and ESPN2 is a dream come true. TNT is also there, and that allowed me to watch my basketball team lose in March Madness last week -- see it isn't all good! I can't exactly hold Sling responsible for that one though.

The interface is very simple, though there are some tricks that aren't obvious and we'll get to those in a bit. There's even some on demand shows, just in case you missed it live. It is essentially a scaled down cable service based online, something many people have wanted for a while. So what's not to love?

Welcome to the Dark Side

Things aren't all roses here, and that is easily noticeable by the price. $20 per month doesn't sound like a lot, but combine it with other fees like Hulu and Amazon Prime and you realize that you're headed back towards cable pricing again. It gets worse as well, because there are packages you can purchase to enhance that basic subscription. Each will add another $5 to your monthly bill. While ESPN and ESPN2 are basic, there's a sports package that adds more channels, like Universal Sports and ESPN News. Now your price is really heading up.

The interface, while simple once you know it, isn't intuitive. It will take some trying to get the hang of things. A down arrow press gives a channel selection and up makes on-demand appear. It is perhaps telling that Sling felt the need to explain how to access on-demand in a recent blog post.

One final tidbit -- Slashgear is reporting that some content may be getting restricted. I haven't encountered this problem thus far, so we'll see what comes of it.

In the End

While the price isn't cheap, it's still less than cable and satellite, and it works absolutely as well, though I suppose that depends on your connection. In my case there is no hesitation and no stutters. Once you've figured out a couple of things about the options it becomes easy and there's enough channels in the basic package to keep some, perhaps most, satisfied. For the moment I intend to keep it and perhaps even grab that sports package as well.

From the Black Forest to the Black Sea -- cruise the Danube with Google Maps

Publié: mars 31, 2015, 4:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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When you think of the world's majestic rivers many names come to mind -- the Mississippi, Amazon, Nile, Seine, Thames, and several others. The Danube also springs to mind, as the beauty of the famous river sprawls out, spanning multiple nations and attracting those who wish to go on one of its famous cruises.

The allure was too much to resist for Google and the company dispatched a Street View team to take that popular boat ride. The result is a stunning journey down the famous body of water, going from one end to the other.

"Starting today, you can cruise this international waterway with Street View in Google Maps, sailing through six countries, three capitals, and enjoying many arresting landscapes along the way. To capture the imagery, the Trekker was mounted on the riverboat ms Treasures, operated by Tauck, and Scylla, its maritime partner, for cruises along the Danube and other European rivers", states Google's Ulf Spitzer, a product manager for the company's Maps division.

Along the way you will pass through Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Romania and more. And you'll be treated to stunning views of both landscapes and castles, among other things.

Spitzer concludes "That’s why I find it even more exciting to connect all the pieces on Street View, follow the river all the way, and see what a grown-up and majestic river 'my' little Danube from Ulm becomes when it flows into the Black Sea".

To get started on your "vacation" head to journey down the Danube and board your boat.

Using a Chromebook -- one year later, and still happy

Publié: mars 31, 2015, 5:19am CEST par Alan Buckingham

HP Chromebook 11 Keyboard

Last year I wrote about my big move to Google's computer operating system, Chrome OS. At the time my plan was simple -- use a Chromebook for the summer since I work from my porch and wanted something light and small to move around with me. The 15.7 inch Windows laptop wasn't going to cut it and, for obvious reasons, I wasn't moving a desktop outside, especially with a porch that seems to face the rain in every summer storm.

Though the time of my move hadn't occurred to me, the subject came up today in our newsroom. Joe Wilcox urged me to write about my experience, while my colleague Brian Fagioli tried mightily hard to get me to change to a new Chromebook. He called my HP 11 underpowered and implored I get the new Toshiba. Throwing money at a problem I don't have is not in my DNA. What I have works fine and I see no current reason for unnecessary expenses.

Why did I stick with it when the weather moved me indoors? Quite simply because of the same reasons I started -- light, easily portable and simple. I have fairly quaint needs and if something pressing arrives then there's still those three Windows PCs up in my office to save the day, though I go there less all the time.

Why it works for me

This one is simple to answer. I'm a man few needs when it comes to computing power. A home server and backup do the heavy lifting, I don't need a lot to work -- portable and light are enough.

The environment is oddly familiar -- a task bar and system tray, ability to change desktop wallpapers, though I never utilize that last one. The browser is what's important here and it's open all the time -- to the tune of too many tabs to count, honestly.

I work in Word and Microsoft helpfully provides an app for that. It saves to OneDrive, which is even better, as I can access it elsewhere when the need arises. Likewise, Pixlr can take care of my image editing needs. It isn't full-featured, nor is Word, but both are good enough to get me through almost every day.

The keyboard takes a bit of getting used to -- an 11 inch laptop requires more compactness, but it doesn't take long before you're off and running (more on that later). The screen is also brilliant, though I don't need HD, 4K or any such things, so perhaps it's only good enough for me. I also use an external mouse, though there's nothing wrong with the touchpad -- this one is just personal taste.

What's not to love?

Now, back to that keyboard thing -- while I've grown used to it, there are still "accidents". I aim for Shift and hit Search, I've aimed for Backspace and hit Power, shutting down my system rather quickly and with no way to prevent it.

There are a few weird moments, though they may be a result of my usage and countless tabs, as opposed to the operating system itself. I see a large amount of dead tabs -- I know because Google tells me, though it thinks my name is Jim. There is also the rare, but occasional complete crash. Again I attribute it to my usage more than system instability.

Should You Switch?

That's an interesting question, and one that should be handled on an individual use case scenario. Surf the web and check email? You'll be fine. Write and do minor image editing? Ditto. If you need apps like Photoshop, Office and the like then this isn't for you.

You'll need to adapt, so give it a bit of time. Don't go throwing it across the room without really giving it a shot. It can't hurt try, right?

Happy Torrent Day -- Kickass has plans for the occasion

Publié: mars 30, 2015, 7:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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March 30th is Torrent Day, or at least one site has proclaimed it so. The file sharing technology is used for all sorts of purposes, both benign and nefarious. However many sites will not be deterred from bringing to the masses what a number of people want, and Kickass Torrent is at the top the heap in that regard.

The site proclaimed the holiday for this date and has released a couple of special mementos for its user base. Both a music playlist and magazine are available for the big occasion. Naturally, you'll need to download both.

"Our Staff member Bubanee has put a fantastic Torrents Day 2015 music Album which songs were chosen by you guys which is now available for download", Kickass Torrents proclaims int eh announcement. It also points out that "KAT's Super User DawnStar has prepared an article regarding the happy day, which we recommend you to read in KAT official magazine".

It's unclear where this "holiday" came from, but it seems to be an invention of KAT. It is ironically named after another Torrent site. Still, it is worth noting the occasion and there's certainly no shortage of people using the technology. As for the downloads, you can find them here.

Image Credit: PathDoc / Shutterstock

Spotify joins forces with Sony, brings music to PS3 and PS4

Publié: mars 30, 2015, 1:57pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

spotify-ps

Sony recently announced it would be launching a music program that would come to both current versions of its PlayStation console and to Experia mobile devices. The move puts the box more in line with the competition, adding entertainment features to compete. Now the company is making good on its promise, announcing Spotify to power the service.

The Japanese conglomerate is stating that Spotify will come to Sony Music in 41 different markets around the world and the roll out is beginning for both the PS3 and PS4. The partnership is touted as an "exclusive".

Sony promises the full experience with "more than 30 million songs and 1.5 billion playlists, PS4 users can soundtrack their gaming sessions with their favorite songs". To control all of this musical goodness, customers can utilize the Spotify Connected feature which is part of the dedicated app for both Android and iOS. This will allow for selecting playlists, setting volume levels and more.

"PlayStation Network users can easily link their accounts to Spotify and use their account to subscribe to Spotify's Premium service, which is available for $9.99 per month", Sony states.

To go one better, the console maker also promises "Music Unlimited subscribers with accounts active as of March 29, 2015, can receive 2 months of free access to Spotify Premium".

Sony promises that this offering is only a start and that a further evolution is on the way. To find out more about this, head to the official PlayStation-Spotify site for details.

Amazon Fire TV -- how to check version number and update

Publié: mars 29, 2015, 4:48am CEST par Alan Buckingham

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This week Amazon rolled out its latest update for Fire TV. The package contains all sort of enhancements for the platform, including expandable storage via USB, better Wi-Fi connectivity for those in a hotel or dorm room, music playlists through Prime, and a whole lot more.

So, how do you know what version you're set-top box is currently running and how do you check to see if the update is yet available to you? The process is pretty simple and the steps are listed below, so let's walk through it.

We'll start with the rather obvious -- your box needs to be hooked up and turned on and your TV or AV receiver needs to be set to the correct HDMI input. You'll also need the remote handy. That's basics and probably weren't worth mentioning, but you never know.

Start off by heading to the home screen and focus on the left column, which provides a list of options. Scroll down it to the very bottom where you'll find Settings, then click the center of the remote's scroll wheel to select it.

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You'll now need to scroll right until you encounter System. Select this and head for the About section. Here you'll find everything you need -- information on the last update, as well as the version number you are running and the date it was installed.

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Click Check for Updates and cross your fingers. Given that these things roll out gradually there's no guarantee that you'll get it, but at least you have a shot at it.

Dropbox brings commenting to its business app

Publié: mars 27, 2015, 3:37pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Last week Dropbox announced that it would be adding a commenting system to Dropbox for Business, allowing for better communication between contributors. The cloud storage service promised it would roll this feature out in the near future. How soon is now for you? The company is announcing that comments are now live, at least somewhat.

If you want to test it out then you'll need early access. According to Dropbox "commenting will allow anyone to add feedback and discussions to files you’ve shared with them. We’re happy to announce that Dropbox for Business teams can start using commenting today, on the web and on iOS. Admins can turn on this feature by visiting our early access page".

Dropbox had previously explained that commenting had been in demand from its customers, as it allows for easier collaboration among everyone involved on a project. "With comments, you can easily keep discussions together with shared files — no more searching through emails to find the latest round of feedback on a presentation or the updated image your design team sent over", the service concludes.

A comments sidebar is now available on web and iOS versions and Dropbox promises it is coming soon to Android as well. Everyone else with access to that file will be able to view the feedback and act accordingly. If you'd like additional information then the company invites you to "join our live webinar on Thursday, April 2 at 11:00 am PT (2:00 pm ET)".

Amazon brings unlimited storage plans to the cloud

Publié: mars 27, 2015, 5:41am CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft lifts 2GB file size limit for some OneDrive users

The business of cloud storage is a popular one these days, with big players like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Dropbox and countless others in the game. In order to compete it takes a combination of features and pricing, both options that big players can more easily provide. Now Amazon is taking its offering up a notch with "unlimited" storage and reasonable prices.

Unlimited storage isn't free, but it's fairly reasonable. Expect to pay $11.99 per year for photos (free if you're a Prime subscriber) and $59.99 for everything -- photos, music, files and more.

"Most people have a lifetime of birthdays, vacations, holidays, and everyday moments stored across numerous devices. And, they don’t know how many gigabytes of storage they need to back all of them up”, says Josh Petersen, Director of Amazon Cloud Drive. “With the two new plans we are introducing today, customers don’t need to worry about storage space -- they now have an affordable, secure solution to store unlimited amounts of photos, videos, movies, music, and files in one convenient place".

The service is open immediately, so you can access it right this very minute. You'll also score a free three month trial if you sign up now. "To learn more about Amazon Cloud Drive and the Unlimited Cloud Storage plans, please visit http://amazon.com/clouddrive".

Photo credit: pics4sale / Shutterstock

Amazon Prime Now expands yet again, this time encompassing Dallas

Publié: mars 26, 2015, 1:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Delivery trucks

Just recently we saw Amazon update its Prime Now service, adding the metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Miami. The retailer isn't resting though, it wants to bring this service to as many people as it possibly can. If you aren't familiar, Prime Now offers "one hour delivery", though "same day" alone is good enough for most people.

The latest city is Dallas, Texas where Amazon recently opened two new fulfillment centers, making this option fairly simple. You'll need to live within a certain range for this to work, for pretty obvious reasons -- we don't want delivery people to be a danger on the roads. To accomplish this, customers will need to reside within certain zip codes.

"We know Dallas members are going to love the convenience of one-hour delivery through Prime Now", says Dave Clark, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations. "Our existing operations in [the] Dallas-area utilize advanced technology to fulfill customer orders and are now home to a Prime Now hub that is fueling this super-fast delivery".

There's a Prime Now app available for iOS and Android. This allows you to check availability in your area, The service is live between the hours of 8am and 10pm local time.

The option is now available in five locations -- Brooklyn, Manhattan, Baltimore, Miami, and Dallas. Amazon promises continued expansion, but no mention has been made of drones...yet.

Image Credit: Mmaxer / Shutterstock

Harmony Home Hub gets voice control with Ivee and Ubi

Publié: mars 26, 2015, 3:27am CET par Alan Buckingham

ivee_sleek_lifestyle

It seems that every day there are new ways to make us more lazy...ahh...automate our homes. Controlling devices by a smartphone or tablet has become old school. Now options exist that allow for voice commands. Harmony, which is a top choice in universal remotes, is getting in on the act with new partnerships.

Logitech, which controls the Harmony brand, is announcing deals with both Ivee and Ubi. Both allow you to speak the commands and they, hopefully, happen. As Harmony points out it's simply "OK Ubi, watch Netflix".

"Ubi transmits your command to Harmony Home Hub, your TV powers on, Apple TV starts, the sound system is ready", the company states. That's one example, of course. It doesn't have to be Apple TV, Harmony works with almost every device you could have,

While Ubi is a speaker, Ivee is an alarm clock -- though it does a bit more. Say "hello Ivee" and follow it up with your command. Turn off the lights in that room downstairs that you forgot -- providing your lighting system is connected, of course.

Logitech concludes "Ubi and ivee are just two companies using the Harmony API today. Logitech continues to work with new and exciting partners to connect the frontier of smart home control with the existing devices people use everyday".

Sony rolling out new update to your PS4, here's what you get

Publié: mars 25, 2015, 8:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

PS4

The Sony PS4 is seemingly doing well in its head-to-head battle with Microsoft's Xbox One. But that doesn't mean the company can just rest -- snooze and you could fall behind to a competitor that is updating often and at a quick pace. Sony isn't sleeping though, today announcing an update that will be coming to your box very soon.

The update is codenamed "Yukimura" (yes, I had to look it up as well and it's still vague -- we'll go with the Samurai by that name since it sounds cool). Name aside, what's important is features, and Sony promises a number of them.

Suspend and Resume allows the user to hop in and out of games with one button push, backup and restore of all user data to a USB drive, a host of new social options including a Facebook friend finder, and more control over how users can display the trophies they've earned. There are a host of other features also included in this major roll out. Customers can even make these updates automatic in the future.

Sony plans to begin this upgrade tomorrow (March 26th), though how quickly things will trickle out to everyone is a complete guess. "We’re excited for you to get your hands on these new features and experience them for yourselves. You have all been such a big part of our successes, and we have carefully listened to your requests to make your PlayStation experiences even better. We’re happy to be delivering many of them with 'Yukimura'. Please keep the feedback flowing, so we can continue making PlayStation 4 the best place to play", Sony concludes.

Microsoft makes an investment in the youth of Vietnam

Publié: mars 25, 2015, 3:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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The youth is obviously always the future and today's tech companies have good reason to invest in that, given a seeming shortage of necessary people to fill positions. Microsoft is just one company looking to help fill that void by providing resources to get kids started on the right path, regardless if it's with them or somewhere else.

The software giant has a global program it calls YouthSpark which aims to provide education and employment for the future of the young folks around the world. The latest move is a three million dollar investment, spread over three years, to help out in Vietnam.

"The YouthSpark program in Vietnam will focus on three areas: development of employees, broadening investment to youth across the country and supporting young leaders", the company's Asia Pacific arm announces. This move isn't entirely without motive as Vietnam happens to be the home of Microsoft's Mobile Devices manufacturing business.

The plan calls for a full range of courses in technology and the needed resources to bring the education about. Microsoft points out that "these will include digital literacy skills, coding and computer science classes, as well as internships and scholarships".

The company plans to partner with local organizations, which Microsoft is quick to point out as "non-government", though it does have the blessing of the nation. "As the Vietnamese government moves towards realizing its vision of becoming a strong IT-led country in 2020, rapid industrialization and modernization will bring about infrastructure, education and skills challenges. We thank Microsoft for joining and supporting our efforts to strengthen and develop a solid IT infrastructure and for bringing the YouthSpark program to Vietnam", says Dang Huy Dong, the Vietnam Deputy Minister for Planning and Investment. "YouthSpark will be invaluable in helping Vietnamese youth learn more about technology and be equipped with the right skills to firmly set them on a future career path".

Those interested can learn more by visiting www.youthsparkhubVietnam.vn.

The truth is out there -- Mulder and Scully make a comeback as Fox brings back X-Files

Publié: mars 25, 2015, 2:03am CET par Alan Buckingham

x-files

It's been far too long since we've visited with agents Mulder and Scully to see what sort of evidence they've turned up in their hunt for the truth about all sorts of crazy events. Fortunately we get to check in again, more than ten years later, to see what clues have come to light. It's hard to say how much has changed in the ensuing years, but surely things must be different from the days of Cigarette Smoking Man and the rest.

We'll find out soon as Fox has ordered up a six episode run of the classic series. Little is known at this point, but David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, however, are slated to reprise their roles as the alien-hunting, crime-solving, paranormal-investigating duo that we all loved in those dim, dark days of the 90's.

An announcement appeared on the show's Facebook page that simply stated "FOX has ordered the next mind-bending chapter of The X-FILES, a thrilling, six-episode event series. Get all the info you need here". This was followed by a link that provides a bit of additional information.

"Thirteen years after the original series run, FOX has ordered the next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES, a thrilling, six-episode event series which will be helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter with stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson re-inhabiting their roles as iconic FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. This marks the momentous return of the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history", the official site states.

Chris Carter calls it a 13 year commercial break, which is far longer than it deserved. Hopefully the comeback lives up to the reputation established by the original show. One can hope this return makes a strong showing with episodes rivaling classics like Home. I want to believe.

Amazon launches new features for Fire TV devices

Publié: mars 24, 2015, 4:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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The set-top box market continues to grow and thrive and, as expected, newcomer Amazon is beefing up its offerings to compete. With rumors of a new Apple TV and an HBO Now exclusive deal in Apple's hands, it becomes more difficult in the market. But today the retail giant rolls out new features to both its devices -- Fire TV and Fire TV Stick.

This isn't just a minor update with a few bug fixes, but an actual upgrade that users should care about. There's a lot for customers to be excited about in this update.

Users can expect to finally be able to use USB drives for extra storage to contain all of those apps and games. The devices will also be more portable, allowing for a connection in a hotel room or dorm -- "Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are the first streaming media devices to enable you to connect to Wi-Fi that requires web authentication -- this includes Wi-Fi at most major hotels, as well as some universities".

There's support for wireless Bluetooth headsets to keep the noise from bothering others in the household. Search for Prime Music Playlists also is included, as is a new shortcut that allows the user to control things more easily -- "Quickly put your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick to sleep or enable display mirroring by pressing and holding the Home button on your remote".

"Customer response to Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick has been overwhelming -- we’ve been working hard to build more of both as quickly as possible, and we’re excited to be adding new features we think customers will love,” says Peter Larsen, Vice President of Amazon Devices".

The update will begin rolling out immediately, but it could be a little bit before all users get it as these things tend to happen gradually.

Hulu and TV show creator Jason Katims team for show, Stephen King among those on board

Publié: mars 24, 2015, 3:38am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Original content is king these days, as the online streaming services fall all over themselves trying to score the next big winner -- the House of Cards for the next awards show. While Netflix and Amazon spring to mind, Hulu is no slouch either, offering an ever-increasing amount of content to its eager audience. Now one more original series has appeared in the pipeline.

Writer and creator Jason Katims, famous for Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, among others, is on board for a new series titled The Way. Not a title that gives much of any clue about content.

Fortunately Hulu is here to explain -- "This 10-episode series will examine a family at the center of a controversial faith–based movement struggling with relationships, marriage and power".

The show enters production this summer and is expected to debut in November and there will be no shortage of talent involved, including Stephen King and J.J. Abrams who created an episode starring James Franco, famous for 127 Hours, among other credits.

Hulu is quick to point out that "Katims has written and produced some of the most compelling dramas and we cannot wait to bring this provocative take on a family in a controversial, dangerous and thrilling world to Hulu".

Now you'll just have to sit on your couch and wait, though we wholeheartedly recommend getting some exercise before this begins.

Nice curves! Samsung unveils new monitor lineup

Publié: mars 23, 2015, 7:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Curves are en vogue these days with both monitors and TVs, though they still come at a premium price and the benefits are open to debate. Still, it seems to be the latest fad, coupling with 4K and riding on the heels of the failure to sell people on 3D. Samsung is no stranger to the market, manufacturing upper tier screens for living room and office alike.

Now the company is announcing its latest line of monitors, featuring five curved models. The latest offerings range in size from as small as 23.5 inches up to 31.5 inches, the latter approaching TV size. The specs of each are as varying as the sizes.

"This year is shaping up to be the year of the curved monitor, as more consumers and businesses turn to curved displays to achieve a more comfortable viewing experience," says Seog-Gi Kim, Senior Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

Samsung refers to the SE790C series as its flagship model. This is a 29 inch display that the company claims will deliver a 3000:1 contrast ratio and 21:9 aspect. It also packs an adjustable stand for whatever height the user desires and even sports picture-in-picture.

Other models include the SE590C, which is 31.5 inches, the SE591C which measures 27 across and finally the SE510C at a mere 23.5 inches.

Samsung touts that "A sustainable design also reinforces the new curved monitor line-up’s ability to offer a richer and more energy-efficient experience. The monitor’s new eco-saving plus function offers the benefits of eco-saving technology by reducing screen brightness for increased energy efficiency. In addition to two standard manual settings, there is an auto-setting that reduces energy consumption by approximately 10 percent (based on the luminescence of the screen’s black sections)".

No pricing or availability came in the announcement, though it should be revealed rather soon. For now, if you're in the market, you'll just have to keep an eye out.

Give me all your money -- yet more ransomware found in the wild

Publié: mars 23, 2015, 2:16pm CET par Alan Buckingham

cybercrime cyber terrorism hacker gun malware security

The online community has been living under the threat of ransomware for sometime now -- it feels like dwelling near Mordor. While many of you reading this are likely too savvy to fall for these tricks, there are people who do, which is why scammers stay in business. Now a new threat arises to go after people's hard earned money.

Security firm Doctor Web reports that a mass of spam emails have recently been detected. This latest threat comes in the guise of "Incoming fax report". The so-called report contains a ZIP file which disguises an SCR, or Windows executable file. It's been tagged as Trojan.DownLoader11.32458.

Extract the file and it will ruin your day, as it launches Trojan.Encoder.514 -- a nondescript name that translates to "Your data belongs to us. Pay up". Doctor Web explains "Files affected by Trojan.Encoder.514 do not have their filename extension changed, but get the string '!crypted!' appended at the beginning of their names. During the encryption process, the malware creates temporary files with the extension *.cry which are later deleted".

The news gets worse from there. While this attack is detectable by security software, those who still fall for it are out of either luck or money -- really both. There is no current method of decrypting files without paying the ransom.

This all circles back to the same precautions always preached -- don't open email attachments from unknown senders. In fact, even if it is someone you know then verify that they really did send it and haven't had their email account compromised.

Photo Credit: grafvision/Shutterstock

Want to sign up for Sling TV? Your Gmail address may not work

Publié: mars 23, 2015, 1:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

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It's March Madness, which is an awful time of the year for those of us who no longer subscribe to cable or satellite -- at least not for TV. The brackets are getting smaller and big games are pending, including my own team's matchup later tonight. Enter Sling TV to save the day. The service provides live TV and ample amounts of sports for any fanatic. That's why today I opted into the free seven day trial, or at least tried to.

Things didn't go smoothly, though it should, in theory, be an easy process. There was a major stumbling block and it came right in step one. I entered my Gmail address and was told I couldn't use it. A second try resulted in the same outcome. I clicked Contact, found that online chat with customer service was closed, but the phone variety was good to go.

I called and, while on hold, tried a third time using an Outlook.com address -- I have it, but never use it, so now was the time to break it out. Success! However, I stayed on hold, simply out of curiosity about the situation.

After answering numerous questions, most of which had nothing to do with the problem -- the only relevant one seemed to be if I'd had a previous account (I did not) -- I was placed on hold. Upon return the rep informed me that it was a problem on Sling's end. I queried for more information but got nowhere. I was told I can change email addresses when it's cleared up -- whenever that may be.

There is no way of knowing if this is isolated or widespread, so it's anyone's guess if their Gmail account will work or not. All you can do is try, cross your fingers, and have a backup plan. As for me, I have a basketball game to go watch.

TuneIn Radio brings music to your Android-powered car

Publié: mars 21, 2015, 1:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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This week Google announced its move into the car industry with Android Auto. The company describes it as "designed with safety in mind". The interface aims to be simple, controls will be present right on the steering wheel, everything can be launched by voice and Google Maps will guide the way.

A number of automobile makers are on board, including Ford, Subaru, Chrysler and many more. Now it's up to app makers to round things out and TuneIn Radio is among the early adopters racing to the platform.

The company is announcing full support of this new platform. "TuneIn Radio is one of only a handful of apps available with Android Auto at launch and will play in any Android Auto equipped car", the company claims.

Of course this doesn't come without expense -- after all you need to buy the car. You'll also need an Android Phone running version 5.0 or newer of the operating system. TuneIn's Boone Spooner points out "TuneIn has partnered with Google to integrate on the Android Auto platform, as this will enable TuneIn users to easily listen to their favorite radio stations and shows seamlessly in Android Auto compatible cars".

Android Auto is not available quite yet, though Google promises it's coming soon. That means you still have a bit of time to save your money up.

Google releases extended version of the Android Wear commercial

Publié: mars 20, 2015, 4:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Android Wear users can now download watch faces from Google Play

In the hours running up to the big Apple show, Google attempted to rain on the Apple Watch parade by pushing its own wearable platform with a new ad. We already knew about the technology, but the cheeky move got the attention of many people. It was nothing more, nor less, than a smart business decision.

However, what we saw that day was only part of a longer format video which the search giant has just released on YouTube (naturally). It's still only one minute long, but that's a virtual lifetime compared to the original 18 second clip.

It's really just more of the same. It's all about the show, though the watches obviously play a primary role. The dancing grabs the attention and the wrist-wear stands out prominently in each of the moves. What it lacks is any detail about the functionality of the device you're seeing.

The ad, which you can watch below, shows off the watch nicely, but seeing the functionality would likely do a better job of selling it to the masses. Perhaps in the next spot the company will take that step, not to mention reminding folks that Apple didn't just invent a new platform. Of course, neither was Google the first to market -- the concept dates much further back with products like the Timex Datalink and others.

Hulu scores exclusive rights to the show Empire

Publié: mars 20, 2015, 3:31am CET par Alan Buckingham

Empire_Blogpost

In the world of of cord-cutters there are few things more exciting than getting new streaming services and, consequently, those services grabbing new content deals. It means there will be something to watch when you want to kick back on the couch. Now Hulu is announcing a new offering that fits the bill.

The streaming service has secured exclusive right to the show Empire. This will include all past and future episodes. "In a new deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, Hulu becomes the exclusive SVOD home to TV’s biggest hit of the year", says Hulu's Lisa Holme.

Hulu is falling all over itself with praise for the new show, claiming it has shot to number one and is the only new show to grow in viewers with each successive episode. Those are certainly impressive statistics.

The company also points out that the series' soundtrack hit number one on the Billboard chart this week. "Each episode includes music by producer Timbaland, and features guest vocalists Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Courtney Love, Estelle, among others". Hulu even offers a curated list of hit songs to go along with your viewing.

If you don't have an account then you can grab one for $7.99 per month. Certainly a better deal than cable, though your choice of shows is somewhat limited and you do need to wait a day to watch newly aired episodes. Still, not a bad deal on the whole.

I'm fine with Windows 8.1, do I need Windows 10?

Publié: mars 19, 2015, 4:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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To be clear, right from the start, I write this from a Chromebook. It's my production system, though it has its limitations. Certain tasks send me scurrying to my home office in a frantic search for a Windows PC. Microsoft's operating system certainly still has its raison d'être -- both Photoshop and Plex server are among those in my household, though other minor needs exist.

Windows 10 is the belle of the ball right now with the tech press falling all over itself to run stories about the latest build, even non-stories are apparently in fashion, just as long as you can work the proper keywords into the headline. But the question remains, who needs it?

There are multiple answers to that. Business? Unlikely. Those will be pushed and shoved to move off of Windows 7 or (god forbid) Windows XP.

But my query to myself and to you, the reader, is -- do I need Windows 10? I've thus far resisted installing it, though many I know have rushed to each build. I understand -- we need to know what's there and what to alert the general public about.

Microsoft seems to have made a conscious attempt to distance itself from version 8.x by skipping a number. It's a nice try, but we all know the truth. Many thought version 8 was crap. Many didn't understand it. I get that, it wasn't user-friendly.

Life moves on and you need to adapt. Windows 8.x works fine when you learn the ropes, but Microsoft would prefer you move yet again, this time to Windows 10 -- that bright and shiny new operating system the company is using to make you forget the past. It has a Start menu (albeit a bit different) and everything. What more could you possibly want?

Here's the thing -- Windows 8.1 works just fine for me. Granted I don't use it much, but when I need to then I have no problems. I know where things are and I know how to access what I need. Yes, it's a learning curve, but it isn't as steep as people make it out to be.

This all circles back to my real question. Do I need Windows 10? Microsoft wants me to think so -- the company is rushing new builds out the door, even working on a new browser for its latest flagship OS.

But me? I'm not sold. Will I upgrade? Maybe. I likely should have it for my job, but do I need it in day-to-day life? No, I don't think I do. I can work with version 8.1, it's fine until something requires my migration to another platform.

Image Credit: Creativa Images / Shutterstock

Amazon increases the reach of Prime Now, adding more cities

Publié: mars 19, 2015, 2:32pm CET par Alan Buckingham

delivery man

Amazon Prime members benefit in many ways -- there's the Netflix-like video streaming service, complete with original content, the Kindle lending library, and music streaming. But perhaps the best of all dates back to the roots of the program. Amazon Prime was created to bring free two-day shipping to loyal customers. It's an incentive to buy from there and not stray to other sites.

Since then we've seen crazy things like drone delivery, but also more realistic options like Prime Now. A service that can deliver your package in just hours? Sign me up, right? Well, not so fast, as it's limited to certain areas of the US. That's expanding though, and does so again today.

Amazon is announcing implementation in the cities of Baltimore and Miami. The retailer has been testing it and slowly rolling things out, attempting to expand its reach wherever it can.

"Customers in Manhattan and Brooklyn love Prime Now -- it means you can skip a trip to the store and get the items you need delivered right to your door in under an hour,” says Dave Clark, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations. "Since launching, we’ve seen high demand on everything from essentials like water and paper towels to more surprising deliveries like getting a customer a hard-to-find, top-selling toy in 23 minutes -- we are excited to continue delivering to customers in record-breaking time".

I ironically live in one of those new markets -- well, not in, but close enough that I think I qualify -- and ordered something yesterday. Now I can't wait for my next purchase. Well, done Amazon, you have me excited to hand you money.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

Rdio uses SXSW to announce new sharing features

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

rdio-computer-iPhone

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.

Microsoft Azure moves to the Internet of Things with new suite for businesses

Publié: mars 17, 2015, 11:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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The Internet of Things (IoT) are three words that can both terrify and fascinate. On the one hand you have the Jetsons-style modern future, but on the other a darker side filled hacks to products in your home. Microsoft's latest move isn't heading into your home, at least yet. Instead it aims to harness the power of Azure to aid the business world in this new frontier.

Microsoft shoots to "better connect people, processes and assets, and better harness data" with this new offering. The company claims it will allow businesses to more easily monitor digital assets, thereby bring a host of benefits along with it.

"The Azure IoT Suite is an integrated offering that takes advantage of all the relevant Azure capabilities to connect devices and other assets" claims Microsft's Lee Stott.

Microsoft is offering a lot here, claiming all sorts of efficiencies, capturing, integrating and analyzing data in order to display it to the relevant parties.

"The offering, while customizable to fit the unique needs of organizations, will also provide finished applications to speed deployment of common scenarios we see across many industries, such as remote monitoring, asset management and predictive maintenance, while providing the ability to grow and scale solutions to millions of things", Stott explains.

Those interested can find out more by visiting the new IoT site. The announcement came from Satya Nadella and was part of Microsoft Convergence 2015, which is taking place in Atlanta.

Google Maps discovers the Brazilian islands

Publié: mars 17, 2015, 3:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Praia da Cacimba do Padre

The Google Maps team is at it again, trekking the world to bring images to its users, going around cities, down trails and into the oceans. This time the target is the islands of Brazil, which are seldom seen, even by tourists. These are the dots of land known as Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas, which lay just off the coast. According to Wikipedia, they are "an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean, 354 km (220 mi) offshore from the Brazilian coast".

This is more than just beautiful tropical island landscapes, the Google crew also went beneath the waves for more images. You'll get to see the dolphins swim and even a grab a rare glimpse of sea turtles in their natural environment.

"This Street View journey not only takes you across golden beaches and around towering cliffs, but also deep into the ocean for Brazil’s first underwater Street View collection" according to Deanna Yick, Street View Program Manager for Google.

Both areas are stunning in their tropical beauty and are seldom seen by tourists to the area, but more importantly "Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas are also sanctuaries for animals and marine wildlife precious to the regions, including dolphins, turtles, and a variety of fish". That's becoming increasingly important in today's age of extinctions. So kick back and enjoy your tour.

Sling TV launches on Xbox One just in time for March Madness

Publié: mars 17, 2015, 3:28am CET par Alan Buckingham

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We've just passed Selection Sunday, which revealed the collegiate teams set to join in the hoopla that is known as March Madness. Live sports are still the bane of the cord-cutter existence, but Sling TV changes that a bit. The service offers multiple ESPN stations and Universal Sports, among the other channels included with a subscription.

Now the company is bringing its offering to owners of Microsoft's latest gaming console, the Xbox One. It's already live on various set-top boxes like those from Roku and Amazon, but Xbox is the first gaming console to get access.

"Xbox One users who subscribe to Sling TV will get all the great Xbox One benefits and features they love", Sling's Glenn Eisen states.

But the integration goes beyond that, giving customers the ability to pin Sling TV to the Home Dashboard, use voice and gestures to control the app (Kinect required, of course) and snap other items.

Sling TV isn't free, it will run you $20 per month. However, if you're considering buying an Xbox One then there's an added incentive as the two companies have a special offer. "If you’re not already the proud owner of an Xbox One, you can receive three free months of Sling TV service with the purchase of a new Xbox One". That's much more generous than the standard seven day trial everyone else gets.

Buy an Xbox One now at Sam's Club, save $100

Publié: mars 14, 2015, 2:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

sams-club-xbox-one

The Xbox One has been on the market for a little over a year and, despite a slight sales lag behind Sony's console offering, it seems to be a success. Microsoft is attempting to do all in its power to get you to buy its gaming system / home entertainment box, the company is desperate to invade the living room because it senses that real money lurks there.

The software giant has even gone so far as to release a non-Kinect version, which it prices at $399, a full hundred bucks beneath the original product. However, if that's not enough to satisfy your needs then Sam's Club, the discount warehouse, can do one better.

Yes, you can get the latest Microsoft console for $299, knocking off $100 from the regular price. You can always add a Kinect later if you choose to -- it does add to the functionality of the box. And, it's for much more than games, working with entertainment as well.

You'll get one controller along with the console and the price can't be beat. But you may want to hurry, as the deal ends May 2nd and the stores we checked listed a mix of "out of stock" and "low stock". If you can't grab one there then Microsoft Store online is offering $50 off, bringing the price to $349.

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Amazon heads into the Internet of Things, purchases 2lemetry

Publié: mars 13, 2015, 5:50pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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The Internet of Things is a major buzz phrase these days and it encompasses all sorts of connected devices from light bulbs to crock pots. It's a market that every company wants to get in on with hopes of future profits. The latest firm moving into the field is retail giant Amazon, which has a history of getting into all sorts of areas including hardware, streaming media and much more,

Amazon has purchased a company called 2lemetry, which describes itself in the following manner -- "2lemetry is an Internet of Things platform and technology company that powers the connected enterprise, tying people, processes, data and devices together -- transforming raw data into real-time actionable intelligence".

2lemetry was founded in 2011 by Kyle Roche and Chris Chiappone, who claim extensive experience in IoT integration, listing companies like JP Morgan, Starbucks and several others as customers. The company claims that it can reduce the complexity and time involved in setting up IoT products. "What historically has been a complex and expensive undertaking, requiring significant upfront capital and taking months or years to implement -- 2lemetry makes possible within days or even hours", the company claims.

Amazon has made no official announcement as to what this means going forward, although a standard statement which BetaNews received from an Amazon spokesperson reads "We can confirm that Amazon has acquired 2lemetry, and we look forward to continuing to support 2lemetry customers".

Hopefully there will be more information pertaining to what Amazon has in mind for this acquisition. For now, the company already carries many IoT devices just in case you hope to get your home automated.

The 80's called and they have a smartwatch for you

Publié: mars 13, 2015, 6:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

disco-dancer

For those who grew up in the 80's there are many things that stand out, and some we wish we could forget. There were Polo shirts worn with the collars up, Members Only jackets and the dreaded parachute pants -- leg warmers as well if you are female. But one thing from that era has endured -- Swatch. The company never went away, it just lost favor among the "in" crowd. But that piece of hardware on your wrist back then meant everything.

Call it retro or nostalgia, but the company is enjoying a bit of a resurgence. So much so that, apparently, the watch maker feels emboldened to jump into the smartwatch market. Swatch has a unique take on things -- a mechanical version of this latest craze.

Before you get too excited, the company isn't out to compete with the likes of Apple Watch and Android Wear, but instead will offer its own unique take on this budding industry. What the company has in mind appears to be a mechanical watch, but according to the BBC it will contain both NFC and Bluetooth.

Swatch claims it has already made arrangements for payment systems, citing China UnionPay, though Visa could also be on board.

It's all very interesting and certainly seems destined for the market, though time and pricing remain unknown. It's hard to say how many it will sell, but the brand still has market pull, despite the name having seemingly disappeared with Dexy's Midnight Runners.

Image Credit: Zemler / Shutterstock

Microsoft update KB3033929 possibly causing problems for Windows 7 users

Publié: mars 13, 2015, 4:01am CET par Alan Buckingham

computer-smoke

Over the years Microsoft has managed to break computers with updates, though not intentionally of course. However, it's generally wise to wait just a bit after Patch Tuesday and keep an eye out for reports of any problems that other customers are experiencing. It's generally safe, but you can never be too cautious.

Now those who have stayed behind, clinging to Windows 7, seem to be on the receiving end of just such an incident. If users of the TechNet forums are to be believed, and there's no reason to suspect otherwise, then KB3033929 could wreak a bit of havoc with Windows 7 systems.

The message boards have lit up with pleas to the company -- "Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3033929). Installation date: ‎3/‎11/‎2015 8:57 AM. Installation status: Failed. Error details: Code 80004005. Update type: Important. A security update. . . I can't find any info on this error. Tried the update twice and both times it failed".

Others chimed in stating similar issues, and other tech help forums have followed suit. "Failed for me too on a Dell Optiplex 790 with Windows 7 Pro SP1 64-bit", and the like. Various fixes have been suggested, but were met with responses like "I tried to manually install with the link of Carey Frisch, it didn't work. I'm always stuck on 72 percent".

This seems to be only causing problems for 64 bit users, though that's likely a fair amount these days. This appears to be only some users, so it is possibly based on software and configuration. There has been no word from Microsoft as of yet, but we'll update you if something comes along.

Image Credit: Stokkete / Shutterstock

According to Nielsen SVOD is the choice of couch potatoes everywhere

Publié: mars 12, 2015, 5:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

svod-device-ownership

Nielsen has been tracking the TV viewing habits of Americans practically since the invention of the tube. In recent years the polling company has had to adapt its operations to fit with newer technology that is increasingly being used by customers to satisfy their video needs.

That now seems to be leaning dramatically towards subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD). A new report states that this form of entertainment is winning across the board, and the numbers aren't even particularly close in this poll.

"As a result, consumers' time and attention around media is in flux. Increased video viewing on digital platforms to both native digital content and TV-produced content, as well as the rise of subscription-based video on-demand (SVOD) across all platforms, are changing the way we look at the consumption of traditional media", the report reads.

Nielsen reports that more than 40 percent of US homes have access to SVOD (as of November 2014). 13 percent were using multiple forms of the technology. "Homes with subscription streaming services have both a penchant for TV-connected technology and, perhaps more importantly, display the greatest usage of these devices—nearly 50 minutes more than a typical TV home", the analysts state.

Those with this capability are more likely to own a smart TV, DVR, game console, tablet and multiple PCs. None of this is very surprising, given where the market seems to be headed.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

Samsung shows off the cameras in the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge with new video

Publié: mars 9, 2015, 5:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge unboxing and hands-on videos

Just recently Samsung held a big event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. A whole lot of hoopla surrounded the launch of the two new Galaxy S6 phones, with plenty of news coverage both online and on TV.

Now Samsung is getting into the details about what you'll get with its latest handsets. The company has released a video meant to showcase the cameras built into these devices. There are a number of interesting features in this department.

First up is a Quick Launch feature that Samsung claims will spring the phone to life in "less than one second". It also touts an F1.9 lens that should better capture low-light images.

Each smartphone has a 16 MP rear camera to go along with a 5 MP front-facing one. Samsung also claims that "if you’re tired of blurry photos, you’ll love the Tracking AF feature, which keeps moving subjects in the frame".

The hardware maker's video shows all of this off, and a bit more like tracking and zooming. You can watch the two and a half minute clip below.

Is Windows Server 2003 destined to be the next Windows XP?

Publié: mars 9, 2015, 10:16am CET par Alan Buckingham

windows server

We aren't too far removed from the death of Windows XP -- sure you can still use it, but you do so at your own peril as the operating system is no longer supported by Microsoft (businesses can pay for extended support -- protection money, if you will). That hasn't stopped many individuals, and indeed even businesses, from continuing to run the OS despite potential for disaster. Granted, that may not be huge, but it is still a very real concern.

Now Windows Server 2003 faces a similar fate, with an impending date of July 14th, 2015 slated to bring an end to another staple of the enterprise. Like Windows XP, customers will not be happy -- enterprises move slowly and upgrades can be costly, not to mention proprietary software that may not work once the move is complete.

Estimates put the number at 39 percent for Sever 2003 integration (about 20 million) and Insight UK claims that while "you’ll be able to continue using it after support has disappeared but while you may be reluctant to give up such a trusted operating system -- it isn't advisable".

Meanwhile, Computer Business Review states this transition could be even harder than the one from Windows XP -- a move many still have not made, almost a year after its downfall. "Windows Server 2003 expiration could present more business risk than the end of support for XP did, it is claimed".

Microsoft's schedule for this supposed "Armageddon" goes as follows: support for Service Pack 1 ended quite some time ago, on April 14th 2009, while mainstream support for all versions currently in use (we hope) will come to a crashing halt on July 14th of this year. That includes Enterprise editions, both 32 and 64-bit, Standard edition, Datacenter editions (32 and 64) and Web edition.

MSMD Advisors analyst Mike Davis claims those affected "include some of Europe, the UK and America's largest firms and financial institutions". He points out that "2003 migration is a bigger deal than XP. If XP is the peripheral veins then 2003 is the heart".

The real question is if businesses will take this more seriously than the end of Windows XP, and early indications seem to say they won't. Moves such as this come with a lot of kicking and screaming. For now "Microsoft provides support on the current service pack, and in some cases the immediately preceding service pack". None of this is news, we've been given plenty of notice. Microsoft doesn't simply kill off a product such as this without fair warning. Will we see the end of usage by the prescribed date? Probably not.

Amazon releases new games at PAX East conference

Publié: mars 8, 2015, 1:47am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Gaming has become a major function of today's mobile devices, allowing for hours of wasted productivity time. In fact, it's so popular that today's set-top box makers are building the feature right into their hardware, Amazon going as far as offering an Xbox One-like controller for customers to purchase separately.

Now the retail giant is in attendance at PAX East, a gaming conference being held in Boston. The show kicked off March 6th and runs through the 8th. Amazon is there to show off several new titles it has. These are more than just for Fire devices, as the company is making them available for iPhone and iPad as well.

First up is Lost Within, a game Amazon describes as "set in an abandoned asylum that holds a horrific secret". This one is perhaps not for children, and maybe not for some adults. Player must sneak through dark halls trying to uncover the secrets of the building, which seem likely to be a bit on the macabre side.

Next up is Til Morning's Light which may not be much more kid friendly than the previous title. "The game tells the story of Erica, a teenager who must escape a haunted mansion filled with ghosts and strange creatures by solving puzzles, defeating monsters and exploring the depths of the mansion", Amazon describes. This one comes with a special bonus available through Audible and titled "The Private Blog of Erica Page".

Finally, there's Tales from Deep Space. This one seems to be a bit more for everyone, as it is described as "comedic". You'll need to solve puzzles as you roam around a space station.

Other games are also on the way, but these cover the real highlights that Amazon revealed. Availability and pricing wasn't included in the annoucement, so we'll see when each hits the market.

Did you miss MWC? Microsoft has a highlight reel to catch you up

Publié: mars 7, 2015, 2:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Mobile World Congress has wrapped up in Barcelona, Spain and now we're left to sort through the torrent of information that came out of the event. There were countless announcements made for all manner of mobile news, with new phones taking center stage in the midst of the chaos. Microsoft was prominent at the event, with several things to reveal.

There was the unveiling of the Lumia 640XL, a mid-range device that qualifies as a "phablet" with its 5.7 inch screen. It even comes with a 13 MP rear camera, a feature that the Lumia line is famous for. It's a step up from the Lumia 640, which is a scaled down version. The screen is still large at 5 inches, while the rear camera is a solid 8MP. Both phones are expected to be available soon via AT&T.

Microsoft was of course not the sole focus of the show -- almost every hardware maker was at the venue to discuss its offerings, including the big Samsung reveal of the latest version of its top-selling Galaxy line, the S6, to name just one. However, if you're interested in what Microsoft had to say then look no further than the highlight video the company released. See the best of the show in a svelte one minute and 15 seconds.

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Down but not out, VBA malware makes a comeback in Microsoft Office

Publié: mars 7, 2015, 5:07am CET par Alan Buckingham

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While malware for Microsoft's Office platform has been around just about as long as the suite, we've heard less about it in recent times. That is changing though as new threats surface, altering the landscape a bit. The latest problems are really just a new iteration of the older ones, utilizing a tried and true attack vector.

That line of attack comes from the code itself, using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Security firm Sophos is reporting a rise in incidents of this across various parts of the suite. The code is unfortunately open to these flaws.

Sophos reports "Visual Basic code is easy to write, flexible and easy to refactor. Similar functionality can often be expressed in many different ways which gives malware authors more options for producing distinct, workable versions of their software than they have with exploits".

Over the past six months security researchers have found an increase in the rate of these attacks, claiming that the code is hidden inside of seemingly innocent documents. Office versions ranging from 1997 to 2003 are the main target, it would appear, with Word leading the charge. However both Word and Excel 2007 are vulnerable, though both seem less targeted. Consider that Word 1997-2003 accounts for 83 percent of the malware, while 2007 tallies only six percent.

Sophos points out that "Only when the Office file is opened (rather than when it is received) do they reveal what malware they are actually using in the attack". In many cases the security firm claims the malware is "Dridex", which accounts for about 70 percent of the VBA attacks.

The bottom line seems like a broken record. Simply do not click attachments in emails, even if you think you know where they came from -- the sender, even if it's a friend or colleague, could simply be the previous victim.

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Have we seen the rise and fall of the cable and satellite industry?

Publié: mars 7, 2015, 2:41am CET par Alan Buckingham

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There's a fair chance that most every house built 30 years ago had cable installed in it. Not long afterwards satellite began to take off, and continued to eat into the market of companies like Comcast, CableVision and others. That's a logical progression, as new options give people better choices and channel numbers increased, along with premium options.

But that trend is now on the downside. According to a 2014 report in USA Today cord-cutters (those with neither cable nor satellite) rose from 4.5 percent in 2010 to 6.5 percent as of that time. Meanwhile, the same month saw a study from Leichtman Research Group reveal that the top nine cable companies lost a total of 510,000 subscribers in the second quarter of 2014. Satellite fared little better, shedding 78,000 customers.

The news wasn't all bad when 2014 is taken as a whole, but the gains were minimal. "Over the past year, the top pay-TV providers actually had a small net gain of about 20,000 subscribers, compared to a cumulative net loss of about 70,000 subscribers over the prior year", stated Bruce Leichtman of LRG at the time of the report.

Obviously cord cutting continues to enjoy gains, which is good news for companies like Roku, Amazon, Netflix, Hulu and new kid on the block Sling TV. The latter should likely scare providers the most as it brings something previously not available -- live sports with several ESPN networks and Universal Sports Network.

Using a combination of the above services a customer can chop a $100 per month bill in half -- more depending on services chosen. The savings comes largely from the lack of hundreds of channels, many of which most users will never watch. For years people asked for a-la-carte TV and providers ignored the plea. Now they are finding what happens when you don't listen to the user base.

So where is the industry headed? The writing on the wall seems pretty clear -- companies like Comcast are destined to end up as ISPs only. It's not happening overnight, of course. The user base is still too large and it will take time. But the snowball seems to be picking up momentum on its trip down the hill. The only question seems to be "when will it reach the bottom?"

Now it's up to you to chime in and let us know your feelings. There are many cord-cutters in our audience, but we'd love hear from both sides.

Image Credit: zimmytws / Shutterstock

Doctors at UCSD are using Kinect for Windows as part of their medical tools

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adobe gives up, asks others to find its security flaws

Publié: mars 5, 2015, 7:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google relaxes Project Zero bug disclosure policy after Microsoft complaints

Adobe's security woes are well known, with major flaws plaguing Flash and other apps from the company. The software maker has now opted for an open approach to its problems, asking for users to begin searching for bugs in the software.

This is likely the best route to take. Independent security researchers have always found and reported the flaws and some companies pay a bounty for this information. Now Adobe is taking a similar approach, asking everyone to help out.

"In recognition of the important role that independent security researchers play in keeping Adobe customers safe, today Adobe launches a web application vulnerability disclosure program on the HackerOne platform", Adobe's Pieter Ockers says.

The HackerOne platform allows the users to earn a reputation score based on the bugs discovered. A dedicated page has been set up at [https:].

"Adobe continues to welcome the coordinated disclosure of security issues affecting desktop products and enterprise on-premise solutions by notifying our Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT@adobe.com)", Ockers concludes. So get out there and start helping to fix these vulnerabilities that seem all too common.

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Logitech unveils the G303 Daedalus Apex gaming mouse

Publié: mars 5, 2015, 2:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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While many users likely don't give much thought to the computer mouse, there is a segment of the population that cares a great deal -- travelers want portable and gamers tend to look for fast response times, extra buttons to control things and a bit of bling to go along with it. After all, if you invest in a computer from, say, Alienware then you'll want a mouse that matches up with that tower case.

The mouse is an area of computing in which Logitech excels, designing several top products, including the specialty models. Now the company is introducing the latest member of its family, the G303 Daedalus Apex.

"We listened to the gaming enthusiast and eSports community, and built this mouse based on their feedback. It includes our most accurate optical sensor and our exclusive metal spring button tensioning system in a very lightweight design", the company states. The mouse also contains six programmable buttons and works with all versions of Windows from Vista forward.

As for that bling part, well that's covered also. LED lights on the sides of the mouse can be activated and Logitech claims there are 16.8 million colors to choose from, so customers can match that glowing case.

Availability has not been announced, but it is up for pre-order directly from Logitech. It will set you back $69.99, but if you paid a small fortune for a gaming PC then that's only a drop in the bucket.

D-Link fixes the latest flaw in its routers, more patches on the way

Publié: mars 5, 2015, 6:21am CET par Alan Buckingham

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You can't fling a rock these days without hitting a security vulnerability somewhere. From the Internet of Things to apps to Windows and even your own router. Yes, that D-Link box sitting on your desk can be a liability to you. That's a problem the company is attempting to clean up, after reports surfaced about the flaws.

The problems were discovered by a Canadian researcher and involve a remote access flaw that can leave users vulnerable. "Due to the nature of the ping.ccp vulnerability, an attacker can gain root access, hijack DNS settings or execute arbitrary commands on these devices [by] the user simply visiting a webpage with a malicious HTTP form embedded (via CSRF)", says Peter Adkins, who discovered the vulnerabilities.

It's the same old story -- researcher discovers and reports flaw and company does nothing. Hence the flaw goes public which usually generates a response and fix.

Now D-Link explains the problems -- "First vulnerability reportedly relates to a malicious user who might be be connected to the LAN-side of the device to use the devices upload utility to load malicious code without authentication. A second vulnerability reportedly relates to the device’s ping utility that might permit command injection without authentication. A third vulnerability reportedly may exploit certain chipset utilities in firmware to potentially permit a malicious user an attack disclosing information about the devices configuration".

The manufacturer, for it's part, has several recommendations for its customers -- check the router history for unauthorized access, encrypt Wi-Fi connections (this should go without saying), and check regularly for firmware updates, which will be listed here.

This is not the first, nor likely the last, flaw to be found in D-Link routers. But before you throw the company under the bus, realize that the alternatives are, in some cases, inferior.

Sling TV introduces Hollywood Extra add-on pack

Publié: mars 5, 2015, 2:50am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Sling TV is the new kid on the block when it comes to streaming video services. It's an increasingly competitive market that Sling finds itself in, and with stiff competition there is little room for error. The service is a bit pricey -- more than double that of rivals like Hulu Plus -- so it needs to differentiate itself in any way that it can. That's tricky these days, given all of the original content being produced by competitors.

Sling is moving in the right direction as it slowly marches towards new content, today adding a "Hollywood Extra" add-on pack. This brings more movies to subscribers, with titles from EPIX, EPIX2, EPIX3, EPIX Drive-In and Sundance TV. Titles include the runaway hit The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, as well as old classics like Saturday Night Fever.

"The Hollywood Extra pack also delivers original documentaries, original comedies and music events. With EPIX, you’ll see a behind-the-scenes look at Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour, the Dwight Howard in the Moment documentary, and much more", Sling states.

However there is bad news with this -- unlike services such as Hulu and Netflix, Sling wants you to pay for the extra content. The subscription to Hollywood Extra will add an extra $5 to your bill each month. That's on top of an already hefty $20 per month. OK, it's not hefty, but in comparison it would be considered that way.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen discovers Japanese battleship

Publié: mars 4, 2015, 5:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Paul Allen is most widely known for two things -- co-founding Microsoft along with Bill Gates, and owning the Seattle Seahawks football team which won last year's Super Bowl. You may also hear about his yachts, but likely you will hear little of the many other endeavors that Mr. Allen participates in and funds with his fortune.

One is a mission of discovery that has found a long lost relic, in this case a Japanese battleship that disappeared back in World War II not far from the Philippines. According to Allen the search took about eight years.

"Since my youth, I have been fascinated with World War II history, inspired by my father's service in the U.S. Army", Allen said in a statement given to news network CNN. However, Allen also published the news and photos via his Twitter account.

The ship, named Musashi, was one of the largest ships on the sea during its era. It disappeared on October 24th 1944. According to Wikipedia, the ship was attacked using both aircraft and submarines -- "At 13:31, the ship was attacked by 29 aircraft from the fleet carriers Essex and Lexington. Two Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters strafed the ship's deck and Helldivers scored four more bomb hits near her forward turrets. Musashi was hit by four more torpedoes, three of which were forward of Turret No. 1, causing extensive flooding".

Despite all of the knowledge of this sinking and the general location, the ship had remained undiscovered until now. More verification will be needed, but that likely will be coming fairly soon.

Microsoft teams up with Deutsche Telekom to expand the Lumia market

Publié: mars 4, 2015, 3:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Microsoft is now in firm control of the Lumia brand of Windows Phone, which it purchased from Nokia last year. Aside from a slight rebranding, not much about the handsets has changed, and that's a good thing as far as the hardware goes. Perhaps not so much for other aspects, such as apps, but that's not what we're looking at right now.

With Mobile World Congress winding down in Barcelona, Microsoft has announced a potentially important partnership with mobile giant Deutsche Telekom. The deal is aimed towards bringing the phones, as well as cloud services such as Office 365 and OneDrive, to more markets.

"Through this partnership, both Deutsche Telekom and Microsoft aim to expand the Microsoft ecosystem to new consumer and business customers, enabling people to do and achieve more. The agreement includes a joint international marketing campaign spanning advertising, sales support and training, custom application development, and experiential activities, tailored by market", the Redmond-based company announces.

Microsoft claims the mobile provider will be one of the launch partners for Windows 10 as well. This isn't an entirely new thing, but an expansion -- Deutsche Telekom has been partnered with Microsoft since the launch of the Windows Phone platform.

"Its trusted brand and network excellence in Germany and across key European markets will be a strong force to jointly deliver Microsoft devices and services to more consumers and businesses throughout Europe,” says Florian Seiche, vice president for the Europe Region of Mobile Device Sales at Microsoft.

The countries making up this deal include Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. As for which devices are available where, that will depend on region.

Image Credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock

Hulu gains new Disney Junior kids shows in its lineup

Publié: mars 4, 2015, 3:54am CET par Alan Buckingham

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If you're looking to cut the cord you have an increasing number of choices including Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus. There are less known options as well, of course, but the big three will give you most of what you want, including original content from each and Hulu's TV shows the day after they air on broadcast networks.

Now the service is expanding once again, this time adding to its children's content. The new shows are being provided by Disney Junior and include the popular Doc McStuffins, Handy Manny and Bunnytown. These join a lineup already stuffed with classics such as Sesame Street and many others.

"Bringing the Disney brand to Hulu marks a huge growth for Kids offering. As a dad, I have firsthand experience into the popularity and positive influence shows like Doc McStuffins have with kids. Not only do I know the opening song for the series by heart, but I also know how great of a role model Doc is for young girls and boys all over the world", says Hulu's Rodrigo Mazon.

One benefit of this is a commercial-free viewing of each episode, something that adult shows do not enjoy (there are exceptions for some of the older content such as X Files).

To find the new content you can simply head to the Children's section of Hulu. The Disney shows should begin appearing soon, but a lot of other content is already there and it's updated on a daily basis.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

Google Play turns 3, but users get the gifts

Publié: mars 3, 2015, 1:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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It seems like Google Play has been with us as long as Android, but in truth it hasn't, although that's only due to a name change for the store that was there from the start. Now the modern version of that store is celebrating a birthday. It's been three years since the relaunch of the app, which comes with most, but not all, Android devices.

In celebration of this momentous occasion Google is offering up some deals, and they span across all manner of things -- from apps and books, to movies and music. Steep discounts are being given for many things and a dedicated page in the store will give you the list.

Planning to get in shape this spring? The Runtastic app is only $0.10 right now if you care to pick it up. Looking to plan a movie night? Grab Kill Bill volumes one and two for only $2.99 or The Wolf of Wall Street for $8.99. In the mood for music? Daft Punk's Discovery is only $0.99.

There is no word on how long these deals are good for, so if you wish to grab something at a bargain price then head to this page on the Google Play store and start your shopping spree.

YouTube gets a case of March Madness as NCAA tournament approaches

Publié: mars 3, 2015, 4:13am CET par Alan Buckingham

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March Madness is almost upon us. For those outside the US this may sound a bit weird -- almost like what people claim to happen during a full moon. In truth it's actually more mundane, though many folks may argue that point. It's the college basketball tournament that culminates in the crowning of a school as the new national champion. It's the time of year when even non-gamblers lay down money and fill out brackets.

Can you watch it online? Well, sort of. A special YouTube channel is being set up to bring you some of the action. The selections for participation will be made March 15th and the games get underway on the 17th. The grand finale actually supersedes the month, with a championship game played on April 6th.

Google plans to add multiple aspects to the game for all its viewers -- "Starting with the 2015 NCAA Division I Basketball Championships, you can watch game highlights, pre- and postgame shows and more on the new NCAA March Madness YouTube channel. Subscribe to the channel to get all the latest updates around the tourney, from shows airing across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV", states Roland Lange of YouTube Sports.

On top of this, Google pledges to enhance its search for the annual event, adding schedules, scores and more to the results of your query.

So get those brackets filled out, lay down your money (if you choose, otherwise do it for fun) and let us know how your picks fared in the tournament.

New memory cards from SanDisk are designed for dashboard and security cameras

Publié: mars 2, 2015, 10:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

sandisk-microsdxc Cameras are everywhere these days, even on the dashboards of cars. In fact many of these, while in place for other reasons, have shown us all sorts of interesting stuff, including a recent meteor on its way to earth over the country of Russia. But where do you store all of this data?

SanDisk has a solution that could solve this problem. A new microSDXC card that comes with 64 GB of storage and promises up to 10,000 hours of HD video recording, though a caveat is offered in the fine print -- "video content recorded at 26 Mbps to one device; results, video support and performance may vary depending on host device, file attributes and other factors". Honestly, if it comes anywhere close to that then it's more than enough for any consumer.

While the 64 GB version was the feature of the announcement, a 32 GB version will also be available for those who require a bit less recording time and a bit of money savings.

"We are excited to enter this emerging market with a product that marks a significant milestone for the company and industry,” says Dinesh Bahal, vice president of product marketing, SanDisk, “We recognized that today’s auto and home video monitoring systems require more demanding memory solutions, so we leveraged our expertise to deliver a technologically advanced microSD card that truly meets the needs of this growing market".

The cards will be available in the US, as well as select places in Europe and South Korea. The 32 GB version comes in at $84.99 and the 64 GB version will set you back $149.99. An actual release date was not given, but the listing is already on the SanDisk site.

Zip through the Amazon without any possible dangers to life and limb

Publié: mars 2, 2015, 3:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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The rainforests of the Amazon can be an inherently dangerous place, with everything from poison dart frogs to flesh eating fish. The Earth itself can be a dangerous place, more so in some locations than others, though it can be argued that only the types of dangers change. With that said, who wouldn't want to explore this pristine, and disappearing, area of the world?

Google Maps Street View can take you on that dream vacation and it's doing so in style -- a zip line to be precise. But this time you don't have all those dangers to worry about.

There's a lot to see, as the Amazon basin is one of the most diverse locations in the world. "Starting today, with the help of our partners at the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation (FAS), you can begin to unlock some of the wonders of the forest, by traveling from the upper canopy to the forest floor with Google Maps’ first zipline Street View collection", say Google's Karin Tuxen-Bettman.

The images came from a 500 KM boat trip down various rivers in the area and it gives a rare glimpse at the canopy of the forest which is, in itself, a separate ecosystem. Follow the link above to check it all out.

Upgrade your remote with the Logitech Harmony trade-in program

Publié: mars 2, 2015, 4:10am CET par Alan Buckingham

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For those with a fair amount of entertainment gear in their home there's perhaps no better solution than a universal remote control. Several are on the market, but for "bang for the buck" most choose Harmony Logitech now owns the company and recently it has begun doing some upgrades of the product line. The handheld devices don't come cheap, so getting a deal is important to many users.

That deal is now out there waiting for buyers. Today Logitech announces a deal spanning the month of March that will allow customers to bring in old remotes and get a discount on an upgrade.

"Spring is right around the corner. Time to dust the house, clean out the closets…and upgrade your tech! Start the new season right by bringing in your old Harmony remote for a discount off a new one", claims Logitech.

As for details, which are always important, the deal runs from March 1st through March 28th. The important bit for most consumers is the money and Harmony is offering a $100 credit to those who purchase a Harmony Ultimate Home, while people grabbing for the Harmony Home Control can get $50 credit.

The deal is good only at Best Buy locations, but Canadians also qualify and actually get a bit more time decide, with deal running through April 30th. If you've got an aging remote then now is the time to do something about it.

Forget that cloak Harry Potter, AVG announces invisibility glasses

Publié: mars 2, 2015, 1:51am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Let's be clear right off the bat, you won't be slipping these glasses on and disappearing from the people around you, though there are times you may want to. However the name of the new product from AVG lends itself to these comparisons, though the actual glasses are a bit different from what the imagination conjures up.

So what does this product from AVG Innovation Labs actually do? The security firm claims it can protect your identity in this new era of cameras everywhere. It's not as tin-foil hat as it sounds -- we've seen malware that can activate cameras on phones and computers, security cameras in public abound and we'd be hard-pressed to leap to any conclusion that says the NSA and others aren't also doing this.

"Through a mixture of technology and specialist materials, privacy wearables such as invisibility glasses can make it difficult for cameras or other facial recognition technologies to get a clear view of your identity", AVG claims.

This is still in the prototype phase of testing, though it has been officially announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. There's a lot of science behind this -- a series of infrared lights surrounding the eyes and nose is not visible to other people, but cameras will pick it up making recognition difficult at best. There's also reflective materials involved, which aids in the blocking, or so it's claimed.

Don't get too excited -- AVG points out that "Rather than designing a product for market release, tech experts are investigating how technology can adapt to combat the daily erosion of our privacy in the digital age. Don’t expect to see them for sale any time soon".

In other words, it's proof of concept and a long way off, so put away your wallet, but save a bit of money for when the time finally does come around.

HP takes on Apple Macbook Air with new Spectre x360

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 10:05pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Ever since Apple introduced it's ultra-thin and light laptop competitors have been popping up with efforts to trump the notebook. While this competition has been good for the market, and hence consumers, there's little doubt that Apple's offering continues to be the standard for many people. The latest to step up to the plate is HP, announcing its version of an ultrathin device.

The company is touting a wealth of statistics, though how it all works will be for the consumers to decide. However those interested don't have long to wait -- in fact it can be purchased direct from HP today and will hit Best Buy shelves on March 15th.

The hardware maker promises 12.5 hours of battery life, which is quite a lot. It also touts Intel Core i5 and i7 models, with the i5 version coming with a 128 GB SSD and 4 GB of RAM. Meanwhile the flagship i7 will sport 8 GB of RAM and be available in both 256 GB and 512 GB models for storage. All models feature a 360 degree hinge for screen rotation.

"Customers are looking for beautiful devices that deliver quality, versatility and portability,” says Mike Nash, vice president of portfolio strategy and customer experience at HP. “The HP Spectre x360 is transformational as it has the productivity of a high end notebook, tablet mode for on the go, tent mode for play and stand mode for watching entertainment in a stunning ultra-thin device".

Pricing isn't unreasonable for a notebook computer such as this. The low end model runs $899, while i7 devices come in at $1,149 and $1,399 respectively. If you'd like to grab your wallet now then head over to HP to place your order.

Lyrics come to the Spotify desktop app

Publié: février 27, 2015, 5:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Song lyrics can sometimes be confusing -- think Jimi Hendrix "excuse me while I kiss the sky" that people mis-heard as "excuse while I kiss this guy". Numerous other examples exist, including prominent ones from Bruce Springsteen and The Police. Many times we're left completely confused and searching lyric websites to see if the ear deceived us.

Now music streaming service Spotify aims to save you a trip to A-Z Lyrics, or whatever site you use. The company is bringing the lyrics to you, right in the desktop app. The update will utilize Musixmatch, a service that has a good reputation for getting things right, regardless of how confusing it may sound.

A button will now appear while you play your tune -- click it and you'll see exactly what the lyrics are. While that is the big feature in this latest update, it is not the only one.

The Friend Feed has been improved so that you can better find out what those in your circle are listening to these days. Also added is a new daily viral chart so you can find the hottest tracks of the moment.

Didn't get all of these features yet? There's a reason -- "These updates will roll out gradually to all desktop users over the coming weeks", Spotify informs. So sit tight and good things will be coming to you.

Patent trolls beware -- EFF to testify before Congress

Publié: février 26, 2015, 5:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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While the phrase "patent troll" is not technically correct, it has become synonymous with a business model that is almost universally loathed. Companies that are created as a front and used to buy up patents and then extort, for lack of a better word, money from smaller businesses -- typically ones they feel they can push around for an easy and quick profit. Unfortunately the tactic works in many cases as those facing litigation can't afford to fight and end up settling to save money.

This practice has brought about a cry for reform of the patent system, which many feel is irrevocably broken. Now Congress is listening and today the Electronic Frontier Foundation will take center stage to plead its side of the argument.

An attorney for the organization is set to speak. "Armed with vague and overbroad patents that never should have issued, patent trolls pressure small businesses to pay unjustifiable licensing fees. Businesses receiving these demand letters often lack the resources to fight back or to coordinate with others faced with similar demands. In her testimony Thursday, [Vera] Ranieri will urge Congress to enact measures to protect small businesses from abusive and deceptive demand letters, including enacting disclosure requirements that would help both lawmakers and the public to understand the damage patent trolls do to America's economy", the EFF announces.

This isn't a new fight for the EFF, it has been going after what it calls "bad patents and abuse of the system" for sometime now. The organization has been gathering information for more than two years in an effort to gain reform.

Things are hardly likely to be decided today -- the wheels of congress turn slowly and sometimes seem to spin in place. There is also the specter of campaign backers with deep pockets and influence. However, at least the EFF is being given its chance.

Photo Credit: Dariush M/Shutterstock

Do you know where Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev is? You could be $3 million richer

Publié: février 26, 2015, 12:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Hackers

Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev is a Russian hacker who could make you rich in a couple of different ways. He is the gentleman who is thought to be the architect behind the Zeus botnet as well as the infamous CrytoLocker scam that holds data hostage for a ransom. Those are two of the largest problems facing today's computer users and each still persists while Bogachev remains elusive.

He has twice been indicted in US courts, once in Nebraska and, more recently, in Pennsylvania. The array of charges is quite long, including conspiracy, money laundering, computer fraud, identity theft and more. These indictments mean little as long as he remains on the run.

Now the US State Department has issued a three million dollar reward if you can lead them to his capture and ultimate conviction. "Also known online as 'lucky12345' and 'slavik', Bogachev allegedly acted as an administrator in a scheme that installed malicious software on more than one million computers without authorization. The software, known as 'Zeus” and 'GameOver Zeus', enabled contributors to the scheme to steal banking information and empty the compromised accounts, resulting in the theft of more than $100 million from U.S. businesses and consumers", the notice reads.

Meanwhile the Federal Bureau of Investigation has teamed up with the State Department and a press release from it also announces the reward. It also adds that "Bogachev is on the FBI’s Cyber’s Most Wanted list and is believed to be at large in Russia".

If you happen to have any information then you can submit via tips.fbi.gov. Otherwise just be alert online so that you don't become his next victim.

Photo Credit: Photosani/Shutterstock

WatchESPN hits Roku, more channels on the way

Publié: février 25, 2015, 7:08am CET par Alan Buckingham

WatchESPN-on-Roku-TV-home

Sports is the great pain of the cord-cutter -- networks force set-top box providers to verify a cable or satellite account to log into their channels, at least in many cases. The latest addition to Roku changes that somewhat, though not enough to satisfy most customers.

The manufacturer is introducing WatchESPN as a new channel on its product. You'll get everything -- right after you verify your subscription. Otherwise, you'll have access to news clips. Not terrible, and certainly better than nothing, but also not what we want to hear.

Roku spells it out pretty directly -- "WatchESPN on Roku TV provides a one-stop destination for sports fans with live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, Longhorn Network, SEC Network and much more for customers who receive ESPN’s networks as part of their subscription from an affiliated provider. Those without a cable subscription can access the latest news clips".

Roku also promises more on the way thanks to a new deal with Disney. Customers will soon have access to WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior and WATCH Disney XD.

You can head to the Roku store now and get started. Let us know what you think -- more importantly let Roku and ESPN know. Let's get rid of these restrictions if we can.

Students worldwide: check your eligibility for free Microsoft Office

Publié: février 24, 2015, 3:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

students celebrating

Microsoft has been a tireless proponent of education -- the company has many schools on its operating system and Office suite, sometimes at very big discounts. But the best discount of all is always "free", which is exactly what some students will pay for Office. The software giant has even instituted a way for students to check their eligibility.

This comes on the heels of New York City announcing that its students and teachers will be running Microsoft's Office programs. The city isn't alone either, as many other educational bastions move to the platform.

According to the Office 365 team "that includes the 5.5 million eligible students in Australia, the nearly 5 million eligible students in Germany, 7 million more in Brazil, 1.3 million at Anadolu University in Turkey, every student in Hong Kong and millions more".

Checking to see if you're eligible is now a worldwide thing -- it was previously US only. To check availability students and teachers can follow a link -- students head for office.com/getoffice365, while teachers should visit office.com/teachers.

Microsoft points out that once you have successfully registered there are plenty of benefits.

The latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access and Publisher installed on up to five PCs or Macs and up to five mobile devices like iPad, Android and Windows tablets.
1TB of storage on OneDrive you can use to store and share all your documents across all your devices.
Office Online for in-browser editing, collaboration and co-authoring.

So, if you are a student or teacher anywhere in the world you can head over and check your eligibility now. You may just score yourself a free version of Microsoft Office.

Image Credit: Poznyakov / Shutterstock

Want the Windows 10 icons in Windows 7/8.x? Here's how

Publié: février 23, 2015, 6:06pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Windows 10 isn't here yet, though in a way it sort of is -- in other words, it's a Preview version meant to test the waters. Microsoft has high hopes of putting version 8.x behind it, even skipping a number to distance itself. But not everyone wants to run a possibly unstable version of an operating system, especially on a production machine. However, you can still get the new icon set without installing the OS.

Packs of the icons have been collected and made available for customers of both Windows 7 and Windows 8x. Getting them on your desktop is just a click or two away. The icons are spread out, encompassing desktop, system tray and Explorer.

The hard work is out of the way, as the icons have been extracted and packed into a simple installer. All you'll need to do is download and run the file. The installer was created by the wonderful community at Deviant Art, or one of them -- Hamedsp to be specific. This will automatically replace existing icons -- much easier than manually doing so.

All of the icons are packed in a ZIP file and all are in standard Windows .ico format. This allows a user to get a taste of Windows 10 without the potential headache that comes with being a guinea pig for Microsoft. Sure, you won't get the other features, but at least you'll get a small feel for things to come.

What happens when Microsoft meets Minecraft?

Publié: février 23, 2015, 1:58am CET par Alan Buckingham

microsoft-minecraft

Microsoft and Minecraft are two of the biggest entities in their respective fields -- software and gaming. While the former captures most desktop users, the latter has become an almost obsessive fascination for kids and even many adults. Logic dictated the two should team up, and that's exactly what happened when Microsoft bought Mojang and Minecraft last year.

As a testament to the partnership, two kids -- Alec Baron and Alessio Tosolin -- are using Minecraft in a cool and geeky way. The work, according to the boys, took more than 100 hours of collaboration. When they were finished, they had recreated the Microsoft Production Studios in Minecraft.

The youths even got to show off the project as a presentation at Microsoft. The visit also included meetings with company officials. As one person put it, it's "an example of how gaming was used to bridge the corporate world with education in an innovative way".

There's a full video of everything posted below to allow everyone to enjoy the exuberance and innovation of tomorrow's future. It's quite a tour of a facility that most of us will never get the chance to see.

Yahoo Mail brings enhancements to its search functionality

Publié: février 21, 2015, 3:38am CET par Alan Buckingham

yahoo-mail

While much is made about Gmail from Google and Outlook.com and Hotmail from Microsoft (now pretty much combined), Yahoo Mail quietly flies along getting little attention, but huge numbers of customers. Many people likely have accounts without even knowing it -- if you register for a Yahoo service you get an email address, and the company has several popular arms, such as Flickr. Now it is looking to improve its email offering.

First off, there is now an easier folder search. Customers can select any of their folders from a list and then type a word or phrase to zero in on the targeted email. A dropdown menu on the right allows for the folder selection.

Next up is some refinement of the process -- users can choose the name of the person who sent the message and then add terms to narrow things down. This is something Gmail already does, but its good to see Yahoo get it as well.

Finally, there is "search suggestion". This is essentially auto-complete. As you type, greyed out letters will appear after what you've written. This attempts to guess what you wish to say and it's a handy feature in web search, saving a bit of time and key strokes. If what you want is displayed then simply hit the Tab key to get the results.

All of the new features will be much welcomed by the many people who use Yahoo Mail. While it gets less attention than other services, the company really has made great strides in making it a decent alternative to the competitors.

Tempus Fugit -- Microsoft cloud storage service OneDrive celebrates its first birthday

Publié: février 20, 2015, 1:00am CET par Alan Buckingham

birthday cupcake

Yes, today Microsoft's cloud storage service OneDrive turns one year old, well sort of. Really it has been around since 2007 when it began life as Windows Live Folders, then switching its name to SkyDrive the following year. That was when things began to take off and it has grown ever since, evolving into OneDrive a year ago and adding both features and storage.

Microsoft has been pushing this hard, offering numerous options for free storage, another one announced just earlier today. "We’ve been working hard to make OneDrive the one place for all of your files — including photos, videos, and documents — available across the devices you use every day for work and life", says Microsoft's Omar Shahine.

He also goes on to point out some of his favorite moves that the company has made during this rapid growth period. These include unlimited storage for Office 365 customers, the launch of OneDrive for Business, save and send file integration with Outlook.com, increased free storage and more.

No hint is given regarding plans for the future, though there is little doubt that many are in the works. With the cloud service now integrated tightly with both Windows and Office there is really no turning back from this path.

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Photo Credit: Ruth Black/Shutterstock

Opera sees Africa as a fast growing market for mobile phones

Publié: février 19, 2015, 3:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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While those who reside in the US and Europe may see mobile as a massive market, that isn't the case in all parts of the world. Technology spreads a bit slower in some parts of the globe where even "feature phones" are only now on the rise. Africa is one such market, but it is starting to see an increase in mobile adoption.

"Africa is poised to become a hotbed for mobile growth and commerce in the coming years" according to a State of Mobile Advertising report from Opera Mediaworks. The assessment comes from studying two of the company's most prominent areas -- the mobile browser and mobile advertising.

Why does the company feel this is important? "Beyond the monetization potential of a world of new or localized apps and websites, there are distinct possibilities to harness the power of social networking and to implement innovative internet usage plans, as well as new ways to push forward digital healthcare initiatives in Africa".

While much of this growth is being fueled by feature phones, Opera is seeing an increase in Android adoption. It claims that 30 percent of those with mobile devices now are using Google's smartphone platform. These users are twice as likely to use the mobile web as those on feature phones. The largest markets include South Africa, Namibia, Sudan, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

While use of mobile apps is still much lower than other parts of the world, Opera sees potential in social networking and healthcare fields. Clearly this is an emerging market that many companies will be, and perhaps are, looking into.

Image Credit: Art Allianz / Shutterstock

Google Maps sets sail for Greenland with the Vikings

Publié: février 18, 2015, 3:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

greenland-ruins

While we all know the Vikings for Scandinavia and for their raids on Britain, we forget the great explorers that they were. They settled in Iceland, Greenland and eventually made their way to North America long before Christopher Columbus "discovered" it. However, it's that second stop we're talking about today.

Google Maps and its Street View technology is more or less constantly adding locations, allowing users to view exotic locals from the comfort of their home or office. This time it’s the Fjords and Viking sites located in Greenland.

"Thanks to our partners Visit Greenland and Asiaq, you can now explore immersive 360-degree imagery of the world’s largest island, which is sparsely populated yet chock full of glorious natural wonders and historical sites. Let us take you on a tour of fjords, waterfront vistas, Norse ruins and more", states Alex Starns, Street View technical program manager.

Visit abandon settlements, including one established by Erik the Red, father of Leif Erikson who is now widely credited with discovering the North American continent. Check out such beautiful locations as Ilulissat icefjord.

"To see more of Greenland’s world-renowned icebergs and cultural gems, start your virtual exploration now. Like the Vikings before you, a new frontier awaits", Starns concludes. Now we'll seen where the team heads off for next.

Researchers produce Global Risks report, AI and other technologies included in it

Publié: février 17, 2015, 4:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

artificial intelligence

Let's face it, we're always at risk, and I speak for human kind, not just the personal risks we take each time we leave our homes. Some of these potential terrors are unavoidable -- we can't control the asteroid we find hurtling towards us or the next super volcano that may erupt as the Siberian Traps once did.

Some risks however, are well within our control, yet we continue down paths that are both exciting and potentially dangerous. In his book Demon Haunted World, the great astronomer, teacher and TV personality Carl Sagan wrote "Avoidable human misery is more often caused not so much by stupidity as by ignorance, particularly our ignorance about ourselves".

Now researchers have published a list of the risks we face and several of them are self-created. Perhaps the most prominent is artificial intelligence, or AI as it generally referred to. The technology has been fairly prominent in the news recently as both Elon Musk and Bill Gates have warned of its dangers. Musk went as far as to invest in some of the companies so that he could keep an eye on things.

The new report states "extreme intelligences could not easily be controlled (either by the groups creating them, or by some international regulatory regime), and would probably act to boost their own intelligence and acquire maximal resources for almost all initial AI motivations".

Stephen Hawking, perhaps the world's most famous scientist, told the BBC "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race".

That's three obviously intelligent men telling us it's a bad idea, but of course that will not deter those who wish to develop it and if it is controlled correctly then it may not be the huge danger we worry about.

What else is on the list of doom and gloom? Several more man-made problems, including nuclear war, global system collapse, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology. There is also the usual array of asteroids, super volcanoes and global pandemics. For good measure, the scientists even added in bad global governance.

If you would like to read the report for yourself it can be found at the Global Challenges Foundation website. It may keep you awake at night -- even better than a good horror movie could.

Image Credit: Mopic / Shutterstock

Pebble gets more Android Wear-like with latest update to smartwatch

Publié: février 17, 2015, 6:05am CET par Alan Buckingham

pebble

Pebble was not the first smartwatch to market, but it did set the trend for today's fad in wearable technology. Now Google has joined the game and Apple has big plans to enter the arena. But for now, Pebble remains the dominant force and the company wishes to maintain its hold.

What more can Pebble do to retain its position? How about adopting Android Wear? That's exactly what the smartwatch maker is doing, announcing that "Our Android Wear compatibility goes from Beta to public release, giving Pebble the power to reply and act on notifications right from your wrist".

It actually goes a bit beyond that, as Pebble points out that it integrated "user-defined responses" that Android Wear doesn't have. That includes emoji, money transfers and more.

"Integrating Pebble with Android Wear is thanks to the open approach Google built into Android’s notification system. Openness is a value Pebble shares and appreciates. We hope more mobile operating systems follow suit so all Pebblers—no matter their smartphone choice—can take advantage of all the delightful features we introduce now, and in the future", the company states.

Pebble concludes by telling us that it has much more in store for the future, both for Android and iOS users. What those endeavors are remains a mystery at this point.

Microsoft updates photo sharing app Xim for all mobile platforms

Publié: février 14, 2015, 5:01am CET par Alan Buckingham

xim

When it comes to sharing photos services like Instagram and Flickr spring to mind, but there are countless others buried beneath the waves of information and programs available these days. Many fly under the radar, and some of those may be better than the big name alternative you're using.

All of that is not say that Microsoft's Xim is better -- that's simply a matter of personal taste. What I am saying is that you've likely never heard of it. The app has one simple mission -- "share your photos, not your phone". It goes a bit further, promising that the recipients of your shares don't need to have the app to view your images.

Now Microsoft Research has released an update for all versions -- iOS, Android and Windows Phone. "The latest release of Microsoft Xim, the nifty app that allows you to share your photos, not your phone, is available for download in all three stores (iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Phone)", Colleen Estrada announces.

New in this update is the ability to add photos from your camera. According to Estrada "you can swipe, pan, zoom, and take a photo together for even more photo fun". There are also the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements.

The app is free and you can grab it from the previously listed links based on your mobile platform of choice. Perhaps you'll find a new favorite photo tool.

Hacker finds vulnerability in Facebook, can delete your photo albums

Publié: février 12, 2015, 2:15pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Facebook commits to changing its user research techniques

Like it or not, Facebook has become almost ubiquitous in today's world. Most people you know, both young and old, are on there. Worse, some folks keep memories of their lives stored on the service, including precious photos that, in some cases, may not be backed up in any way. It feels safe, after all, Facebook wouldn't lose them, right? Not so fast.

This is less about Facebook losing them, I'm sure it has backups, but more about a third-party taking them away. That sounds scary, but a security researcher has proven it's possible. Laxman Muthiyah posted his findings along with details of how the exploit works.

Essentially he utilized the Graph API to accomplish both deletion of his own album and then that of a "victim". Though Facebook claims this isn't possible, it is quite the opposite case and proof is posted for everyone to see. The token generated should only grant limited access, however generating a token for the mobile version of the social network changed things.

"The album got deleted! So i got the key to delete all of your Facebook photos", Muthiya calmly states. Of course he won't do this, he's only proving a point. But that point should be acted upon quickly by the service because, now that it's out there, someone will certainly begin using it "just for fun", right?

Well, no. Fortunately, it has been fixed, so the need to worry about this is no longer a concern. Facebook also awarded Mr. Muthiyah $12,500 for finding the flaw. Kudos for acting quickly.

Photo credit: 1000 Words / Shutterstock

Watch the 2015 Cricket World Cup on Roku, India and others compete for the title

Publié: février 12, 2015, 5:58am CET par Alan Buckingham

ICC-Cricket-World-Cup-2015

Sports fans can rejoice, providing they prefer Cricket at least. The event may seem foreign to US viewers, but to much of the world it is a big deal, and the world cup is something special. If you are looking to catch all of the action then Roku has your back covered.

The tournament kicks off on February 13th and runs through most of March. The event is being held in Australia and New Zealand, but teams from around the world will compete. Things start with Sri Lanka pitted against New Zealand, a match that takes place at 5pm ET on opening day.

"We’re proud to be the only connected-TV device that’s featuring the ESPN Cricket World Cup. Can’t make it to Australia and New Zealand? Now you don’t have to miss the action! Roku customers in the U.S. can stream the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 on their big screen from the comfort of their couch", says Steve Shannon on Roku.

As you likely guessed, this isn't free. You'll need to pony up $99 to watch the event. However, in exchange you get "access to live and on-demand coverage of all 49 matches in the quadrennial tournament in the world’s second most popular sport, direct from ESPN". According to Roku, that is over 390 hours of Cricket. Get your caffeine ready.

Do you love Amazon? There's a Valentine's Day sale going on

Publié: février 11, 2015, 3:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

kindle-reader-front

Amazon, originally known as a book seller, has become an all-around retail super store with a growing list of its own electronics. Sales are not infrequent as the company tries to push its devices, in many cases selling them at a loss with plans to make up the money once the customer is ensconced in the ecosystem. It's a plan that seems to pay off.

Now, if you're looking for that special gift for Valentine's Day, which fast approaches, Amazon is holding yet another of these sales. Discounts are available on many of the products produced by the company.

The Kindle, regularly priced at $79 is discounted to $59, or you can grab the higher-end Paperwhite model for $99, regularly $119. Tablets have also seen price slashes -- Fire HD 6 takes off $15, dropping it to $84, while the Fire HD 7 goes from $139 to $114. If you have kids then the children's versions of the 6 and 7 are also seeing a price cut -- now $134 and $164 respectively.

Granted, this may not seem the most romantic of Valentine's Day gifts, but on the other hand, you may have someone in your life who wishes for one of these products. It's also a gift that, unlike a dinner out, will benefit the recipient all year long. And if you're alone this holiday there's nothing to stop you from giving yourself a gift.

Calm down -- Samsung refutes claims that its Smart TVs are spying on you

Publié: février 11, 2015, 4:22am CET par Alan Buckingham

business man spying

The past couple of days have been a whirlwind for Samsung. Allegations have been flying about the Korean company's Smart TVs spying on users and logging information for the company. It's safe to say that people are a bit paranoid over being spied on these days; Edward Snowden had far-reaching implications. But, while a degree of paranoia isn't necessarily a bad thing, it also isn't good to have an overdose.

Samsung is now answering to those charges and its claims are much different than the accusations. While it's still difficult for most customers to actually realize what is happening, it isn't all that hard to explain.

Essentially, the TVs use voice in much the same way that devices like Xbox One and Amazon Fire TV do. That doesn't mean that everything in your living room is being recorded for Samsung or a government to parse.

As the TV maker explains "some Samsung Smart TVs offer voice recognitions functions. These functions are enabled only when users agree to the separate Samsung Privacy Policy and Terms of Use regarding this function when initially setting up the TV".

The company also points out that this functionality is only enabled if the user agrees to it during setup. With that said, consumers have been known to not read terms and conditions. In other words, it's your choice if you want this or not; nobody is twisting your arm.

There are two microphones activated, one within the TV and one contained in the remote control. The one in the remote is likely the one that has caused the concern. It interacts with a server to interpret what you say. So does your Android phone, though. In fact, Samsung points that out, saying "'Recommend a good Sci-Fi movie'. This interaction works like most any other voice recognition service available on other products including smartphones and tablets".

While security and the Internet of Things can be confusing, this one has become a bit overblown in the media. Of course you can't believe everything a company tells you, but that doesn't mean riot in the streets. Let's calm down and find out what's going on before entering full-on panic mode.

Image Credit: Andresr / Shutterstock

Nest introduces Home Report, find out where you stand in each category

Publié: février 10, 2015, 5:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Nest, the thermostat maker that everyone seems to love, has been busy innovating with the Internet of Things lately, allowing users even more control over the devices in their homes. But the company hasn't forgotten its roots -- it's still about being a thermostat that aims to save energy and money.

Now the company is touting a new report to get customers up to speed with where they stand with the whole "savings" part of things and more. This new report incorporates more of what Nest does -- not just the energy savings, but information on the smoke detectors the company produces, as well as the integration with other devices.

"We work with other companies to create the thoughtful home. So today we’re introducing the Nest Home Report" says Nest's Matt Rogers, who is the founder and also head of engineering. So what's included in this new document?

Well, there's information on energy, as one would expect, but also the "leafs" you've earned, what percentile of users you fall into, a safety summary, tips and more.

Rogers points out that "if you have a Nest Protect -- or a few Nest Protects -- you get something completely new: a Home Report with a safety summary".

The company published an infographic to show some of what's included. You can check that out below.

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Forget that invitation, Sling TV comes to the masses as cord-cutters rejoice

Publié: février 10, 2015, 1:15am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Cutting the cord, the phrase commonly used to describe those who get rid of cable and satellite service for their entertainment, has become part of the modern lexicon. Now Sling, the box maker that enables TV sharing, has its own version of internet TV. This one is designed to compete with the likes of Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix, but is a bit pricier than its rivals.

Sling TV was already announced, but until now it required an invitation. The floodgates are now open as that restriction gets lifted. As of now, anyone can sign up for an account, getting access to a wealth of TV shows. These include channels such as ESPN, HGTV, Food Network and more. The first is the most intriguing -- the possibility of watching live sports without the need to use sketchy services like Wiziwig.

The service promises "the best of live TV -- sports, hit shows, movies, and breaking news". That's quite a lot to live up to and much of it will depend on the bandwidth of each user.

If you sign up now then you can grab a seven day free trial, and Sling promises there is no commitment of any sort -- you can cancel service if you aren't satisfied. To find out more just head to the Sling website. Fans of live sports have been waiting for something like this.

Google Maps finds its way to a 10th birthday celebration

Publié: février 8, 2015, 11:30pm CET par Alan Buckingham

googlemaps-200x175 Google Maps has become the standard for many smartphone users as stand-alone GPS devices get replaced. That doesn't mean it's the best, but it is certainly at or near the top of the list. Apple found out just how difficult this type of program can be to pull off, then invited the search giant back to its mobile platform.

Now the mapping program is celebrating its 10th birthday -- they grow up so fast. "If you hopped in your DeLorean for a trip back to before 2005, you’d remember the days when we were all dependent on paper maps, print-outs, post-its and sometimes even a compass for directions! Getting from point A to B is something we do all day, every day—from finding the fastest way to get to work, to dropping the kids off on a carpool route, to meeting friends for drinks at a new spot—so it should be as easy as possible", the Maps team states.

Google claims that it strives to provide the most useful and accurate maps available. That's rather necessary to prevent users from becoming completely disoriented.

Nothing is perfect of course, you won't be relying on it in the middle of a hike in a large national park, but for driving it certainly gets the job done.

Anthem Health Care is latest hacking victim, millions of users could be compromised

Publié: février 5, 2015, 5:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

hacker

It's another year and time for a new set of companies to be compromised. In 2014 we witnessed high-profile attacks on victims such as Home Depot and Target, but 2015 is shaping up to be no better, given the recent news regarding Anthem, a major health care provider in the US. The potential implications of this one are still mostly unknown.

However, reports are surfacing that perhaps millions of users have been compromised. Data such as names and social security numbers have been lost. The company isn't yet citing numbers, but does admit that all of its branches were affected. According to security researcher Brian Krebs that could mean a catastrophe.

"Given the company’s size, this breach could end up impacting tens of millions of Americans" Krebs states in his analysis of the available information. Meanwhile the BBC points out that "The attackers stole names, addresses, birthdays and social security numbers of customers from every one of Anthem's business units".

Anthem is now in full damage control mode. The company has issued a statement that begins "Safeguarding your personal, financial and medical information is one of our top priorities, and because of that, we have state-of-the-art information security systems to protect your data. However, despite our efforts, Anthem was the target of a very sophisticated external cyber attack".

The health care provider does point out in detail all of the information potentially stolen. The company also claims that once the breach was discovered it made an effort secure things and also contacted the FBI. The statement was issued by Joseph Swedish, CEO of Anthem, who goes on to claim that employee data, including his own, was also potentially stolen.

Swedish ends by issuing an apology to everyone. While that doesn't make things any better, it is at least more than some arrogant companies have done in these situations.

Image Credit: OleGunnarUA/Shutterstock

Pebble hits the magic one million user mark

Publié: février 5, 2015, 7:15am CET par Alan Buckingham

pebble-colors

The Pebble watch has come a long way, from Kickstarter darling to success in the market. It's becoming a crowded playing field, though Pebble has the name recognition to compete. That's why it's become the success it now is, with new and innovative versions and colors.

Now the smartwatch maker announces numbers. It seems the company has hit the magical one million mark in terms of users. That's a lot of wrists that now have the device strapped on (I'm one of them).

"Our path to this milestone is what excites our team the most. We got here because of Pebblers—backers, users, developers, fans, partners, friends, family, and colleagues—supporting us along the way. Every win, milestone, and achievement is thanks to you. We’ll take that path to growth any day of the week, 24/7, 365 days a year", the company states.

Pebble goes a bit further, hinting at big things on the horizon in 2015, though what is in store was not mentioned. The company also takes a moment to advertise to (or for) developers -- "If you (or a friend) develop for Android or iOS, are passionate about bringing wearables to the masses, want to push Pebble to the next level, and love working with an awesome team at an innovative company, check out our Jobs page to get in touch!"

Microsoft Internet Explorer security flaw could put users at risk

Publié: février 4, 2015, 5:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Hacker detection

In terms of market share, Internet Explorer remains the top web browser thanks to being the default on Windows and average users not knowing any better. Those with a lean towards technology frequently use alternatives like Chrome and Firefox. This was a major problem in the days of IE 6, but Microsoft has improved its offering with each iteration.

But no software is perfect and security holes are found on a regular basis. This time it seems Microsoft's browser has a major one. The flaw that has been discovered can be used to exploit users via phishing attacks and malicious code insertion.

Security researcher Graham Cluley reports "The bug, which works on Internet Explorer 11 running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, is a universal cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability, and bypasses what is known as the Same-Origin Policy".

Same Origin Policy is used to protect the browser from malicious code injection. Swati Khandelwal of The Hacker News describes it this way -- "SOP actually prevents one site from accessing or modifying the browser properties, such as cookies, location, response etc, by any other site, ensuring that no third-party can inject code without the authorization of the owner of the website".

The flaw was discovered by David Leo, who posted details along with a proof-of-concept. The flaw apparently only affects Internet Explorer 11, but given that version runs on both Windows 7 and Windows 8.x, it leaves a lot of people potentially vulnerable.

So far, there are no actual reports of this in the wild. If you are using Microsoft's browser then consider making the move to another -- until a fix is found for it.

Photo Credit: ra2studio / Shutterstock

Did you watch the Super Bowl online? It was powered by Adobe

Publié: février 3, 2015, 8:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

football

The usual droves of people turned out to watch the big game this past Sunday. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest spectacles in sports. While you may or may not have been pleased with the result you should have been pleased with the quality of the online stream -- if that's how you happened to watch it.

Over the past couple of weeks we've brought you news of Adobe security flaws -- they tend to be more regular than anyone would like. In this case, it's nice to report something good from the software maker.

The NBC online coverage was powered by Adobe Primetime. And it held up quite nicely, as the company claims 1.3 million simultaneous streams of the event. This is an 18 percent increase over last year, and also a new record for viewers.

Having watched it this way (I cut the cord last year) I can attest to the stream -- a couple of hiccups along the way, but no major problems.

Adobe boasts some numbers, including an average of 800,000 viewers per minute, 213 million minutes viewed, five million unique total views and NBC Sports Extra getting an average 84.2 minutes of engagement per viewer.

According to Adobe "Sports content is a huge driver for online viewing and getting users to set up online accounts to enable TV Everywhere. 2014 was a landmark year for TV Everywhere and the biggest year yet with special events like the Sochi Winter Olympics and Soccer World Cup. In fact, the Adobe Digital Index Q2 2014 U.S. Digital Video Benchmark report found that sports networks saw frequency of viewing rise 31% year-over-year (YoY). We are excited to see what 2015 holds for the future of TV and continuing our partnership with NBC Sports Digital".

Well your team may not have won the game -- or even played in it -- but this is good news for cord-cutters moving forward. Live sports is pretty much the last big hurdle to clear.

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Nest talks numbers on money and energy the thermostat can save

Publié: février 3, 2015, 5:31am CET par Alan Buckingham

nest-timeline

The programmable thermostat concept isn't new, but today's versions are becoming increasingly smarter. Now it's not just programmed, but actually learns from your habits and it can even integrate with other things in your home -- the Internet of Things. There is, perhaps, no better example than Nest, which has become quite popular with the tech crowd.

But what is the real advantage in all of this? Saving energy, and therefore money. Now Nest is reveling the numbers it has been collecting. In an effort to continuously improve its offering, the company keeps tabs on what is going on.

According to a recent report from Nest founder and head of engineering Matt Rogers, the product is averaging 20 percent or more in savings on energy costs. The device maker estimates a savings of $131-$145 per year. It doesn't sound like a lot, but certainly enough so an investment in one is worth your money and the effort to install it.

"Our internal study gathered energy data from homeowners across America before and after they installed their Nest Thermostats. In addition to that, two independently funded, designed and evaluated studies looked at families in Oregon and Indiana. Some saved less on their energy bills, some saved more, and many likely experienced events - like long vacations or new babies - that affected their energy bills more than switching thermostats ever could. But on average, after people installed Nest they saw real savings", Rogers states

If you care for some exciting reading then there's a white paper that Nest has released. That will break down things further, though really all you need to know is that the investment apparently really does pay off in the long run.

Surprise! Adobe Flash has a security flaw on Windows, Mac and Linux

Publié: février 2, 2015, 9:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

hacker attack

Well, it's been a week since we've heard about a security vulnerability in Adobe Flash -- that's like a lifetime in terms of this program. While the application is slowly receding, it's far from dead and that means users have reason for worry. Of course, using Flash at all is a general concern -- it's a highly targeted platform for attackers.

Now Adobe is issuing it's latest warning, this one for "drive-by attacks". The flaw is technically known as CVE-2015-0313, though that moniker does little good for the end-user. What people really need to know is that the problem has been found to be used on the web.

"We are aware of reports that this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild via drive-by-download attacks against systems running Internet Explorer and Firefox on Windows 8.1 and below", the software maker claims.

So, what to do? Well, for starters try to avoid using Flash -- a tall order in many cases. However, Adobe hopes to have a patch available sometime this week.

In the meantime, you can keep an eye on this Adobe site for further updates. Otherwise, we'd recommend crossing your fingers, praying or whatever you choose to do to ward off evil.

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Logitech now offering a line of Chrome OS compatible peripherals

Publié: février 1, 2015, 3:11am CET par Alan Buckingham

logitech-unifying

While most everyone is familiar with Chromebooks, the Google operating system also comes on a few desktop computers, a system generally referred to as a Chromebox. Like any computer, a Chromebox requires a keyboard and mouse, but sometimes those using notebook computers also prefer an external mouse instead of using the trackpad. Now Logitech plans to have everyone covered in this growing market.

The hardware maker is announcing a new line of peripherals designed specifically for Chrome OS computers. You're likely thinking that any wireless keyboard or mouse will work, and you'd be mostly right. I type this now from a Chromebook using a standard Microsoft wireless mouse. But what Logitech has is a bit more interesting.

It's a range of devices that can all be controlled using a single "unifying key" the company claims. "With the new Logitech Unifying app for Chromebook, available here, you can now connect multiple mice and keyboards to a single tiny receiver that plugs into a USB port on your Chromebook".

Logitech has set up a special website to show off the compatible devices. It does point out that certain keyboards have enhanced function keys and those keys may not work with this system, though the keyboard still will.

So, if you have a Chrome OS-based computer then this may be just the thing. Devices listed on the page even include headsets and none of the items are overpriced, so check it out if you're in the market.

The Phoenix is back as The Pirate Bay rises from its ashes and sails again

Publié: janvier 31, 2015, 7:55pm CET par Alan Buckingham

pirate-bay-phoenix

When The Pirate Bay was raided (again) nobody really thought the government had won. Countless people, myself included, predicted the return of the notorious Torrent site. After all, it's never really been dead -- just down for a bit or forced to change domains. But down and out? Not yet. This time around proves no different.

The fact that some people think these types of sites can be blocked, legislated or even raided out of existence is almost laughable. We knew The Pirate Bay was coming back. Rumor had the rebirth set for February 1st, but the site has made an early appearance.

The pirate ship is once again sailing the high seas, though the logo has changed -- this time it really is a Phoenix. The news of this return was first reported by TorrentFreak.

"A few minutes ago the site started serving torrents to the masses again, much to the delight of millions of users". Not an endorsement, but a simple statement of fact.

Those who doubted this ultimate outcome were fooling themselves. We'd already witnessed EZTV, which was also a victim of the same raid, make a remarkably fast comeback. Now both sites that were intended to be taken down have made a full recovery. At this point we're simply left to wonder what other site "won't" be taken down in this foolish game.

EFF prevails in legal battle over government spying

Publié: janvier 30, 2015, 3:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

justice

Ever since the Edward Snowden revelations began pouring out to the media and creating quite a stir of panic, government spying has been in the forefront of people's minds. One group that doesn't take these things lightly is the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group that tirelessly fights for and against all sorts of causes. Spying was certainly one of the big ones.

Now the EFF is announcing it has won a major battle, though certainly not the war. This legal fight began long before the Snowden information leak -- four years ago to be precise. The group filed suit over secret legal opinions regarding the Patriot Act, another controversial item in the eyes of many citizens.

In this case the government has given up, filing a motion to dismiss its appeal in the case. The suit had already been lost in a "ruling over legal opinions about Section 215 of the Patriot Act, the controversial provision of law relied on by the NSA to collect the call records of millions of Americans".

The case was filed back in 2011, demanding disclosure of information on secret interpretations, using the Freedom of Information Act as its basis in the argument.

"The public trusts that information disclosed for the census won't wind up in the hands of law enforcement or intelligence agencies", Staff Attorney Mark Rumold says. "The public has a right to know what the Office of Legal Counsel's conclusions were on this topic, and we're happy to have vindicated that important right".

Though the motion for dismissal is now filed, that doesn't mean the documents are yet available. It simply means they will be at some point. The EFF plans to make them public via its website when it finally gets its hands on the papers.

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Google Fiber expands, new markets on the horizon

Publié: janvier 28, 2015, 4:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Expansion_plans_web_v2_large (1)

Everyone wants access to high-speed internet, as it seems to feel like a human right these days. Sadly the US lags behind other nations in this department, but things are slowly improving, thanks in large part to Google introducing its own broadband in the form of Google Fiber.

That offering is now expanding to new markets, with Google announcing four locations set to have their internet speeds increased dramatically. Thus far, the service has existed in Kansas City, Provo, and Austin.

The expansion is set to include Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham. These are metro areas and Google claims they engulf 18 cities, which will get the big upgrade.

"Bringing Google Fiber to these cities is a long-term investment. We’ve been working closely with city leaders over the past year on a joint planning process to get their communities ready for Google Fiber -- and now the really hard work begins. Our next step is to work with cities to create a detailed map of where we can put our thousands of miles of fiber, using existing infrastructure such as utility poles and underground conduit, and making sure to avoid things like gas and water lines", say Dennis Kish, vice president of Google Fiber. Yes, avoiding those gas lines will be much appreciated.

The company is also looking at five additional cities for its gigabit broadband service. Those include "Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio and San Jose, and will have updates on these potential Fiber cities later this year".

No official schedule for any of this was put forth by Google. Certainly these things take a bit of time, but at least knowing it is on the way is a step in the right direction for residents of these areas.

New ransomware is making the rounds via email

Publié: janvier 27, 2015, 5:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

ctb-locker

The "pay or lose your files" concept of ransomware seems to have taken off with hackers and crime syndicates, becoming the modern cyber equivalent of the mob shakedown. Sort of like paying "protection money".

Now a new ransomware variant has been spotted in the wild, spreading via email, just as previous ones had. The latest is being referred to by the catchy name of Trojan.DownLoad3.35539, and appears in a message as a ZIP file with hopes that unsuspecting recipients will launch it.

Russian security firm Dr. Web reports that "The archive contains an SCR file -- by default, the .scr extension is utilized for Windows screen savers. These files are executable. If the archived file is launched, Trojan.DownLoad3.35539 extracts an RTF document from its body, saves it onto the hard drive and displays it on the screen".

When this occurs the file downloads the encryption program from the criminal's server. This is then decompressed and executed, locking up the user's personal files. It then displays the message seen above and demands payment from a person in order to get back what is theirs. The money must be coughed up within 96 hours, and a helpful NASA-like countdown clock ticks the moments until doom.

The amount isn't listed, but users are instructed to visit a site which resides on the TOR network if they wish to pay the cash. "Trojan.Encoder.686 has been compiled using TOR and OpenSSL libraries and relies heavily on their encryption routines. While encrypting data, the ransomware makes use of CryptoAPI to generate random data as well as elliptic curve cryptography which for now makes it impossible to recover the affected data", claims Dr. Web.

This is perhaps a good time to once again preach about not opening suspicious attachments in email, even those from people you know. Sadly, this wouldn't be a problem if there weren't enough willing victims out there.

Dell steps up with help in the fight against Ebola

Publié: janvier 25, 2015, 3:50am CET par Alan Buckingham

dell-ebola

Thankfully the media hype over the Ebola virus has died down. It was never a serious threat thanks to the nature of the way it spreads and the lack of actual cases in the US. Africa isn't quite as lucky, as the outbreak is a bit worse. In fact, according to the CDC, cases totaled only four in the US and one in the UK, while Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone were less fortunate, totaling up over 13,000.

So, it's still serious enough, and technology can be used in the fight against this disease. Dell is working in this fight to combat the deadly illness. That isn't an easy task, but every little bit can help, and the emergency personnel can certainly use any aid.

"I know technology can significantly help these efforts. Already, we know mobile data collection is going to save doctors hours per day of routine paperwork.” says Joel Selanikio, M.D. in a special report to WTOP.com from Sierra Leone.

Dell claims that it is attempting to "assist them in very quickly deploying some much needed technology resources", referring to the CDC teams that are on the front lines of this battle.

The hardware maker donated over 100 notebook computers to the CDC, calling it an honor to help in the fight to save lives. The company claims this was all pulled together quickly by its "Federal Team", which made it possible in a hurry.

Let's hope the efforts pay off to eradicate this terrible illness. Those in less affected parts of the world should consider themselves lucky they don't have this to deal with.

Rdio brings new features to Favorites

Publié: janvier 24, 2015, 3:35pm CET par Alan Buckingham

music woman tablet headphones

Streaming music services are everywhere today and few people bother buying CDs because of them. While those with "golden ears" may not approve, for the vast majority the quality is just fine. Those who want more can look into Neil Young's Pono Player, but for the rest of us, Rdio will work out nicely and save you some money as well.

Now the music streaming service is announcing a slew of updates to its Favorites feature. Introduced last September, this section is now receiving a refresh that allows for much more functionality.

To start with, users can now select multiple tracks from an album or playlist and add them to favorites. Rdio has also added a "Play favorite songs" option, allowing you to play just those tracks you really like. There is also "Listener favorites" that will allow the user to discover new music. You can even sort Favorites by the most listened to tracks.

The company wraps up with the promise that "We'll continue to roll out more new features in the coming weeks, based on your listener feedback. We're dedicated to making Rdio the best music service in the world, tuned to you". In other words, stay tuned.

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey/Shutterstock

Adobe issues security bulletin for Flash...again

Publié: janvier 24, 2015, 5:42am CET par Alan Buckingham

hackers-ahead

In the race to the bottom of security, Flash has remained a strong contender, competing with Java to win the competition. It's really nothing against Adobe, the company seems to try fairly hard to keep things safe. It's more that Flash is so popular that it becomes a primary target. Something Microsoft would know a thing or two about, given the success of Windows.

The company has issued its latest security bulletin. It isn't the best of news -- the report seems to encapsulate two vulnerabilities, and both are being exploited in the wild.

"Adobe is aware of reports that an exploit for CVE-2015-0310 exists in the wild, which is being used in attacks against older versions of Flash Player. Additionally, we are investigating reports that a separate exploit for Flash Player 16.0.0.287 and earlier also exists in the wild". The exploit was pointed out by third-party researchers.

The software maker is considering this a priority and recommending that users update to the latest version of Flash. At the moment, no patch has been issued.

Updating Flash can be tricky for the average user. Messages pop up on certain websites telling the person to do so and "helpfully" providing a link. However these are frequently fake. Always navigate to the Flash site to get your update from the real source.

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Pebble puts smartwatches to emergency work with first-responders

Publié: janvier 23, 2015, 6:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The words "first responders" came to the forefront in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks. However, it really just describes the medical, fire and police people who rush to the scene of any problem, hoping to save lives and property. These men and women need every advantage they can get, and modern technology continues to aid them in their work.

You may think of the smartwatch as something that displays the time and messages for you, but it can be a lot more in some cases. Pebble, the former darling of Kickstarter, is now helping these folks out by bringing the CommandWear app to its platform.

"Today we’re proud to share news that CommandWear -- a platform for using technology to keep first responders heads-up and hands-free when out in the field -- now integrates with Pebble and is live in our appstore for Android devices", says Pebble.

CommandWear specifically redesigned its app to make the best use of the watch, allowing those who need immediate information to get it with a glance at the wrist. "At festivals, concerts and other large public events, noise levels can be at a height where you can’t hear yourself think, let alone hear radio communications,” explains Rod Salem, Director of Emergency Management Operations at BC Ambulance. “We have tried a number of different products, such as headsets similar to what pilots wear. Although they solve the noise issue, they are cumbersome and not conducive to caring for patients in the field".

A vibration on the wrist allows these folks to be alerted to important notifications that could be missed due to noise levels at events. It's good to see the company giving a bit back to the community in this way.

Watch the entire Xbox on Windows 10 presentation [video]

Publié: janvier 22, 2015, 3:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Xbox_One_800x450_contentfullwidth

Just yesterday Microsoft held its big Windows 10 event -- you likely may have seen something in the news about it. Sort of hard to miss. There was much more to the show than just a new operating system. Surprises included HoloLens and more. One thing that featured prominently was the company's gaming console.

Yes, Xbox will be a part of Windows 10, and a big one if Phil Spencer is to be believed. The head of this wing of Microsoft did an extensive presentation during the event. According to Spencer, games are about being social, and that is one of the things the company tried to work into this. He also talks about gaming as a personal experience.

The company is attempting to revolutionize the computer gaming experience, and it wants to "bring together the games you love, the people you play with and the epic moments they create".

Spencer proceeds to show off the app extensively, walking the viewer through all that is possible in the latest operating system. But I don't have to explain it all to you -- the company released a video of the 18 minute presentation and you can watch it below, though you'll need a bit of time for this one.

Plex finally arrives on Sony PlayStation, PS3 and PS4 both included

Publié: janvier 21, 2015, 9:17pm CET par Alan Buckingham

plex-playstation

If you want to share media around your home then there is perhaps no easier way than Plex. The media server software is free and the setup is simple. Better yet, the end-user apps are available for almost any platform imaginable. You can even access your files on the go, though that requires a minor subscription fee.

With all of that said, it may seem shocking that the devices lacking this simple solution were those from Sony -- the PS3 and PS4. Plex has now rectified this apparent oversight, announcing its wares were now available.

"For those not familiar, Plex organizes all of your personal media, wherever you keep it, so you can enjoy it on any device. Whether it’s your movie and TV show collection, your music library or your photos and home videos, Plex makes all your media beautiful by automatically incorporating movie posters, plot summaries, album covers and descriptions", says Jamaal Moore, the brand marketing manager for the service.

At the moment this is a limited release. The PlayStation apps are available for free to Plex Pass subscribers. Those with a free account will have to wait a bit and also pay a fee for the app -- $4.99 if other platforms are any indication. As incentive, the company points out that "Plex Pass also gives you exclusive premium features and early access to new ones".

WWE network now available on Roku in the UK and Ireland

Publié: janvier 20, 2015, 1:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Wrestling fan? Many folks are, which is what has made the WWE such a lucrative business. The organization recently launched its own network -- subscription-based, of course. After all, it's about making money in exchange for sport...ah....entertainment. Now the network is expanding, moving to set-top boxes.

Roku, perhaps the top name in this category, is announcing that the WWE has arrived on its boxes in the UK and Ireland. While we aren't sure how popular the "sport" is there, it's certainly set to get some viewers.

"With the WWE Network channel, fans can sign up for the first-ever 24/7 streaming network featuring all 12 WWE Network live pay-per-view events -- including WrestleMania, ground breaking original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches and a massive video on demand library. Go to wwe.com to sign up for the WWE Network for £9.99 in the U.K. and €12.99 in Ireland. There is no commitment, cancel anytime", the announcement reads.

It isn't a bad deal if you are in search of additional entertainment. The organization continues to be a top draw for viewers, as it has now been for generations.

Poetic Justice -- DDoS service operated by Lizard Squad gets hacked, user data leaked

Publié: janvier 20, 2015, 2:56am CET par Alan Buckingham

Hacker detection

The past few weeks have not been kind to hacking group Lizard Squad. They've managed to raise the ire of the last possible group of folks you'd wish to anger -- Anonymous. The organization is also experiencing arrests of its members, thanks to poor procedures put in place for identity protection. But the latest blow may come as poetic justice to many people.

The loosely-knit hacker communicative has been trying to sell its wares online -- namely DDoS for hire services. Unfortunately for it, and rather fortunately for the rest of us, the offering has been hacked. According to multiple reports LizardStreeser.su was compromised.

Security firm Sophos reports that "The site is home to the group’s LizardStresser tool which relies on thousands of hacked home routers to launch DDoS attacks".

The group, which took down Playstation and Xbox networks on Christmas day, has bigger problems though. Three members have been taken into custody and identities of others are apparently known. Sophos reports that "Given how a Lizard Squad spokesman recently claimed that part of the group’s motivation for its recent attacks was the highlighting of poor security practices, it is ironic to note that its own database of users was not encrypted -- usernames and passwords were apparently stored in plaintext which, in terms of poor security mistakes, is about as big as they come".

Meanwhile, security researcher Brian Krebs states that "A copy of the LizardStresser customer database obtained by KrebsOnSecurity shows that it attracted more than 14,241 registered users, but only a few hundred appear to have funded accounts at the service".

It seems that crime continues to not pay, or at least for those who think it's a game and don't watch what they're doing. Though, we hope it pays for nobody, not even the expert criminal.

Photo Credit: ra2studio / Shutterstock

US government -- 'Do as we say, not as we do' when it comes to hacking

Publié: janvier 19, 2015, 8:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

hacker malware

While the news of the recent Sony hack has died down, it certainly isn't forgotten. The simple fact remains that we still have no clear answer on who was responsible. The US government blamed North Korea and initiated sanctions on the nation, though no real evidence was put forth to support this alleged misdeed, leaving the move to reek of political motivation.

The simple fact that the hackers originally asked for money, as if it were a hostage situation, seems to point away from state-sponsored wrongdoing, but we simply don't know the real truth, and perhaps never will. All we really know is there's a lack of evidence for this case. We'd be safe in speculating a jury would be unlikely to convict the country.

Security researchers at F-Secure have something to say on this. The firm states that the US government hacked at least three Taiwanese companies -- CMedia, JMicron and Realtek. The firm states a very simple and plausible reason for these attacks -- "And why did the United States hack three Taiwanese technology companies? To steal digital certificates in order to sign drivers used by Stuxnet and Duqu".

You may recall that Stuxnet was the "virus" that took down Iranian nuclear facilities. The US and Israel were immediately suspects for this event. Since it happened, though, the US has ended up the one pinned with committing the act.

F-Secure doesn't give any further information, simply concluding that "Now where do you suppose the DRPK got the crazy idea it was okay to hack companies and to steal data from?" The conclusion suggests guilt, something most experts aren't ready to claim.

Image Credit: alphaspirit/Shutterstock

Spotify for Windows Phone gets an updated look

Publié: janvier 19, 2015, 5:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

spotify-windows-phone For a while Windows Phone users complained about the lack of apps, one of which was Spotify. The music service is now there and things are improving in general for the platform. Now Spotify has a major new update for Microsoft's mobile devices, bringing it more in line with versions on competing handsets.

The big feature is the addition of Your Music. This option allows customers to better organize and browse their tunes, as well as create playlists and view cover art. If you find something to your liking, you can simply hit "save" and move on -- it will be there for you in the future.

There's also a rather large user interface redesign. According to Spotify, the new UI brings a "new dark theme and refined interface lets the content come forward and 'pop', just like in a cinema when you dim the lights".

The final addition to this new release is an update to the "browse" feature. This will allow the user to get more targeted content -- relevant and localized, claims Spotify. According to the service "regardless of whether you’re looking for something to fall asleep to, or the perfect playlist to get you geared up for your big night out, finding the right music for every moment is easier than ever".

You can head over to the Windows Phone Store and grab a copy. It's free, though many users may want the premium plan.

EZTV packs its bags and moves to a new domain

Publié: janvier 18, 2015, 7:35am CET par Alan Buckingham

eztv

Torrent sites have been on the run lately, with raids and all manner of filtering by governments that are trying to control the internet. It doesn't work, as the folks who want access bad enough know the ways around these things. Two of the latest victims were The Pirate Bay and EZTV. The former remains dead, though signs of a comeback are present. The latter wasn't down for long following the raid.

EZTV made a quick comeback, but problems have continued for the service, as Italian authorities closed in on its .IT domain. This has forced the organization to pack up shop and make a move to a new country where things will, hopefully, be calmer.

The old site, EZTV.it, has fled to Switzerland, where it now resides under EZTV.ch. According to TorrentFreak, "Over the past several years it has maintained a steady user-base and with millions of users it’s undoubtedly the most used TV-torrent site on the Internet today".

It's an alert to those who try to stop these things. Shutting down or blocking access only serves as a deterrent temporarily. Those who wish to find a way around will -- both the sites and those who use them. It's a ridiculous game that the MPAA and governments will never win. It's only a matter of time now before we watch the next move in this chess game.

Frequent flyer miles no longer safe as American and United airlines get hacked

Publié: janvier 16, 2015, 6:45pm CET par Alan Buckingham

american airlines airplane

Those who travel regularly count on the frequent flyer miles that almost all airlines offer. Customers use these to build up for free trips or upgrades to a better class seating section. But what what happens when these miles get swiped away from you? American and United airlines are finding out.

Both flight providers have experienced theft of these miles, carried out by hackers that got hold of access from customer account information. The miles were used to book free trips and upgrades.

According to security firm Sophos, "The thieves were able to make mileage transactions on what United believes were fewer than 3 dozen accounts, out of a total of 95 million accounts". This information comes from spokesperson Luke Punzenberger.

Consumer Affairs reports "Frequent flyers take note: thieves managed to hack into and steal miles from customer-reward accounts connected to both United and American Airlines. The actual thefts took place sometime in late December, but only made headlines this week".

Customers for United have already been alerted to the problem by the company. American apparently lost a good deal more accounts than just "3 dozen" claimed by United -- 10,000 by all reporting. Accounts have been frozen while the company works with customers to set up new ones -- though it's starting with its high-end customers, those with more than 100,000 miles.

No credit card information was swiped, according to initial reports, and United has begun requiring customers to enter a MileagePlus account number, which security researchers at Sophos call a smart move. Hope is that this will at least make things more difficult for the perpetrators.

This was perhaps less a hack of the airlines than a theft from another source, though information is still coming in. Once a password has been taken then those responsible will begin trying it on other sites. This frequently generates results as people tend to reuse the same passwords in multiple locations because it makes life simpler. That's a bad idea and one we obviously don't recommend.

Photo Credit: anderm/Shutterstock

13 new shows arrive on Amazon Prime -- couch potatoes beware

Publié: janvier 16, 2015, 4:09am CET par Alan Buckingham

Neko Cat and TV

If you're fond of watching TV, and most folks are, then you likely have some accounts with online services to supplement your viewing options. Several good choices exist, one of which is provided by online retail giant Amazon. Prime includes video streaming that competes with rival Netflix and now it's beefing up the original content available from this service.

13 new shows are debuting on the service, though they are pilots only. Amazon prefers to let the viewers decide what becomes a series and what gets shelved. So, your viewing and comments help here.

All are available for immediate viewing and included are seven new adult shows (get your mind out of the gutter, we mean dramas, comedies and the like) and six new kids' shows. As always, the viewers will get to vote on what survives the cut. "Customers once again are now invited to watch and provide feedback on the shows they want to see turned into full series", the announcement states.

These shows can be viewed right now, exclusive to Prime subscribers. "Pilots are available via the Amazon Instant Video app on Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, and certain smart TVs. They can also use the Amazon Instant Video app to watch on mobile devices, including Fire tablets, Fire phone, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android phones, as well as hundreds of other connected devices—or customers can visit Amazon.com/PIV to watch online".

Amazon's original content has really come on strong with hits like Alpha House and recent Golden Globe winner Transparent. We'll have to wait and see which of these new shows takes off. Historically, these things are hit and miss.

Top Gear meets Lego in trailer for new season

Publié: janvier 15, 2015, 2:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Top-Gear-The-Stig Jeremy, James and Richard are coming back for a 22nd season. Oh, that guy in the white suit and helmet will be there too, but "all we know is he's called The Stig". There will likely be some fast and expensive cars involved, and certainly there will be entertainment. But how do you advertise a show that really needs no introduction?

The answer to that question seems to be a merger with the Lego empire. You know -- those toys that adults also like to play with. You'll find all of the characters in the new trailer, or pieces of them anyway.

It's a unique and very amusing concept to advertise a show. You get all of the hosts you love, voiced by the people themselves. There's even a crowd present at the show's opening.

"In this behind-the-scenes clip, we can reveal exactly what goes on just before the boys appear on your televisual screens to present your favoritest motoring program in the world. In a parallel LEGO Universe, that is", the teaser reads.

The show isn't just using YouTube to advertise with this trailer, it has an official channel. This coming Sunday it will post a preview, exclusive to online viewers. It's slated to go live at 9pm GMT, so enjoy the trailer for now and tune in for the big event this weekend.

And on that bombshell...

Image Credit: Featureflash / Shutterstock

Stanford University moves to Office 365 and Exchange

Publié: janvier 14, 2015, 4:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft reveals new, cheaper Office 365 subscriptions for SMBs Stanford University is known for turning out some of the big names in the tech business. It's where two guys thought up the idea for a little search engine called Google. However, that doesn't tie the school to the service and Stanford is proving that with its move to a Microsoft platform.

It's certainly not the first educational institute (or business) to adopt Office 365 and Exchange. This latest move is slated to take place in the summer of 2015, though the work has already begun.

"Over the last several years, a team of University IT staff along with some of our campus partners conducted a discovery project to evaluate cloud email and calendar systems. After narrowing the choices to Google’s Gmail and Microsoft’s Office 365, University management determined that a hybrid solution consisting of Office 365 and an Exchange on-premise environment", the school announces.

Microsoft is, not surprisingly, claiming another victory. The software giant has a good product in Office 365, and it is in a battle with a rival over gaining support from both enterprise and educational institutions.

"The planned date for the migration to the new environment is July/August 2015", the university states. Students can expect to have access upon reporting for classes next fall semester. As for Exchange, it will only be available on an "exception basis". Otherwise it will be Office 365.

Scroogled is officially dead as domain gets rerouted by Microsoft

Publié: janvier 14, 2015, 3:22am CET par Alan Buckingham

Scroogled

We knew the Scroogled campaign was no more -- it was a miserable failure and the object of ridicule that somehow still got architect Mark Penn promoted within the company. While some folks found it amusing, most laughed it off, as the misinformation conveyed was a joke. Now it seems the fate of this advertising endeavor is completely sealed.

Microsoft has rerouted traffic from the Scroogled website in an effort to forget this embarrassing moment in history. If you visit the site now, you'll be sent to WhyMicrosoft -- a site that shows off the good things the company has to offer, as opposed to a mudslinging campaign against a rival.

In reality, the company should have seen this coming when it hired an adviser from political elections to run things with this. Penn formerly chaired the presidential bid by Hillary Clinton, and we saw where that ended up.

In an unofficial statement that BetaNews received from Microsoft, the company claims the redirect is to a site that isn't new, but declines to comment on the reasons or when the switch was thrown for this move.

"WhyMicrosoft has been around for about 5 years", was the only comment we could get. It would seem this whole thing is being swept under the rug, which is the best place for it.

As for the Scroogled RSS feed, a simple "Hello World" with no further text, was posted to it. That was likely the moment things moved. It's for the best really. A company should stand on what it can do and not attempt to smear others instead. Now if only politicians would learn this lesson.

Verizon FiOS stays atop of Netflix monthly rankings

Publié: janvier 13, 2015, 3:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

TV cat Netflix

It's that time again -- the part of the month where Netflix rolls out its report on ISP performance. This is something that became important back during the Comcast debacle. That was when the streaming service was held hostage while negotiating a deal, all the while with its speed on the carrier steadily dropping.

Well, the top three have not changed and, despite the shakedown, Comcast still is not among them. Verizon FiOS retains its seat at the top, follow by Cablevision and Bright House. Comcast at least hasn't ceded its number four position.

Many of those ranked did post gains. "In the US, despite the heavy demand, we saw continued increases in average speeds across the largest ISPs, with Verizon FiOS topping the list at 3.36 Megabits per second (Mbps), Cablevision coming in a close second at 3.32 Mbps, and Bright House just behind at 3.30 Mbps", Netflix states.

Time Warner Cable had the bright spot, posting the largest gain of any provider. The service jumped from 2.97 Mbps to 3.18. That's a healthy uptick and a good sign.

In Mexico, TotalPlay topped the list at 3.53 Mbps, outdoing all US carriers. Up north Bell Canada retained its crown with a speed of 3.49 Mbps. While Sweden doesn't have a chart, the company states that "Bredband2 jumped 2 spots to No. 3 with average speeds of 3.80 Mbps, up from 3.65 Mbps in November".

Netflix has done an excellent job of pointing these things out and shaming carriers for not being up to standards. It's sad that US speeds still lag behind those of many other nations, though.

And so it begins -- Anonymous launches attacks on Jihadist websites

Publié: janvier 12, 2015, 5:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

annonymous-attack

The other day I wrote about hacker collective Anonymous, covering its war on Lizard Squad and its vow to now go after terrorists. This isn't the slippery slope that some may think it is. The group isn't attacking Islam, it is targeting the extremists responsible for the murders of people. That clarification makes it hard to not be behind them. After all, entire governments have been doing this in a less technological way.

Those promised threats are now no longer just promises. Anonymous has taken down its first target -- ansar-alhaqq.net (we aren't linking to them), rendering the site, which was deemed a terrorist hive back in 2013, completely inaccessible. Reaching the site is now impossible as the DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) targeting of it is well underway.

To complement this initiative the group has launched a new Twitter account, named for the recent shootings in Paris. The account has already racked up more than 47,000 followers and Anonymous is keeping it updated regularly, touting the progress of its attacks and even asking for the help of others in its search for targets.

A recent posting asks readers to help in the tracking down of terrorists' social media accounts. Let the group know so that it can be added to the list. It also posted a clear statement that "Islam is not terrorism", and warns "Extremists, Expect Us".

Anonymous also has issued an English version of its original video declaration, which had initially been posted in French. You can watch that below.

This is certainly not the last we will be hearing of this new crusade. In fact, it's really just the beginning. Those responsible for atrocities have angered a very capable enemy.

Panasonic shows off a ToughPad for POS, runs Windows 8.1

Publié: janvier 12, 2015, 4:32am CET par Alan Buckingham

panasonic-toughpad Panasonic is known for its rugged notebook computers and, more recently, tablets. The devices have become essential for folks in certain fields of work. While folks in the construction industry can benefit from this technology, what about those who have a need to process payments while on the go? Panasonic now has that covered as well, unveiling the Toughpad FZ-R1 mobile point-of-sale tablet.

This is a seven inch tablet that runs Windows 8.1 and is powered by an Intel Celeron processor. It also comes with a PIN pad to makes accepting payments simpler.

"The retail world is changing dramatically. Fraud liability is shifting from credit card companies to retailers in the U.S. this fall if they don’t adopt EMV, and the widespread adoption of smartphones has upended brick and mortar retail strategies,” says Dan Diliberti, senior product development manager for tablet and payment systems at Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “The Toughpad FZ-R1 addresses these dramatic changes in the retail landscape with its integrated EMV payment technology and equips a retailer’s salesforce with a powerful platform to help turn browsing shoppers into buyers and close sales right from the sales floor".

The "omni-channel mobile platform" that Panasonic is utilizing allows the retailer and customer to adjust size, color and design of an item with just a few taps and swipes -- though getting this across to some customers may be a challenge.

Panasonic also points out that "the Toughpad FZ-R1 is compatible with a variety of accessories, including hand and shoulder straps, holsters, countertop POS cradle, cases, charging solutions and mobile printers".

The Toughpad FZ-R1 will be available in late spring of this year, with an MSRP that starts at $1,799. It isn't cheap, but it isn't aimed at the average consumer.

Anonymous breaks hacker stereotype, stands up for what is right

Publié: janvier 10, 2015, 9:24am CET par Alan Buckingham

Guy Fawkes Anonymous

This is a story I never thought I'd write. After all, while we're all for finding and fixing flaws in systems, hacking goes a bit against our principals. Well, certain kinds of it at any rate, there's a debate there that I will not be starting as it becomes complex in a hurry. One of the most notorious groups known is Anonymous, those folks in the Guy Fawkes masks. You've likely seem them around if you look at news of the tech slant.

The thing is, lately the news coming from them isn't too scary -- well depending on who you are. The organization has been active and a couple of groups of people certainly should be scared, as Anonymous is not to be taken lightly when it comes to a fight or attack.

Things began just over a week ago when the group declared war on Lizard Squad, a rival gang, if you will. That loosely run outfit had claimed responsibility for the takedown of Christmas for many people. In other words, it attacked the networks of both Sony Playstation and Microsoft Xbox on the day everyone was getting a new console. A cowardly act that they claimed was done just for fun.

The fun is over, as the group did a poor job of disguising members' identities and several are now in the hands of authorities. Worse for them, Anonymous declared war, which is the last thing anyone wishes to have happen to them.

Now Anonymous is setting its eyes, and considerable technological firepower, on Jihadist groups, looking to retaliate for the recent tragedy that took place in Paris, France. The shootings left 17 people dead.

Anonymous released a video declaring its intended actions. Unfortunately the video was uploaded to a Belgian site and comes without translation, but you can view it here. Meanwhile, the group states "freedom of expression has suffered inhuman assault ... and it is our duty to react".

As I stated previously, I never expected to write that I was backing the most well known and notorious hacker group in the world. It's amazing how things come around.

Photo Credit: arindambanerjee/Shutterstock

Toshiba releases its first DVR for 960H resolution security cameras

Publié: janvier 10, 2015, 2:58am CET par Alan Buckingham

16Channel_FPR_zps024ceedc

Home security is always in demand, and many people pay to have alarms systems installed and monitored. These systems can call the police when intrusion is detected or the fire company if there's smoke. Cameras are one of the newer additions to this home arsenal, though they've been around for a while. However, they come with an added complication -- the recording and saving of the video. After all, it's useless if you can't see what happened.

For this recording of video, you generally have two options -- a DVR or the cloud. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The DVR is obviously local and allows for more control and less chance of your video being hacked. Now Toshiba is looking to provide you with that solution, announcing the new EAV16-480 DVR, built for 960H resolution cameras.

"Configured with 16 channels, the EAV16-480 records at frame rates up to 480fps and supports the latest ultra-high resolution 960H analog cameras. Although analog, 960H cameras produce an image similar in quality to a one-megapixel IP camera. Their 960 horizontal by 480 vertical pixels resolution is 34 percent larger than D1 (720 x 480) and more than 500 percent larger than CIF (360 x 240), allowing the cameras to capture more scene details and making subjects easier to identify by police and security staff", Toshiba announces.

Capacity isn't entirely clear, as Toshibs simply states that it can hold several days of video and audio. It does feature Toshiba's SCS Video Management system which allows for both local and internet access to the recordings. There are also apps for iOS and Android which will allow you to access the footage.

There is no mention made of pricing or availability date, so we'll have to wait on further news. You can head for the Toshiba Security site to keep tabs on those things when they become known.

3D is dead, but will you buy a 4K TV in 2015?

Publié: janvier 9, 2015, 10:01am CET par Alan Buckingham

family-watching-tv

HD, with its 1080p picture took off, albeit a bit slowly at first. But in the long run, almost all content moved to the format and customers bought sets. It was a boon for manufacturers, but it was one that ended quicker than they hoped. Once everyone had that new TV, the rush came to a screeching halt and companies began puzzling over what to do next, desperate to get back those sales figures that had become a bygone era.

Enter 3D, people must want that experience, right? Not so fast. The platform fell flat on its face when nobody rushed to buy a TV that required wearing glasses -- worse, expensive ones at that. To quote my colleague Derrick Wlodarz, "the hurdles for 3D TV are plentiful. By far, the biggest, nastiest one has no doubt got to be content. And more specifically, breadth and reach of such content. Not just across movies, but television channels too. And this is one nagging factor that 3D TV proponents can't seem to come to grips with".

So now the industry moves on, attempting to sell you a new TV that brings Ultra HD, or 4K, to your home. The sets are on the market and, like all electronics, prices slowly drop as the item in question becomes more ubiquitous.

This seems like one that has the potential to catch fire, just as HD did. 3D left people shaking their heads, but 4K feels intriguing. Of course, once again, content is king. It will need to be there to succeed, but that was a hurdle HD cleared and Ultra HD seems set to do that same feat. In fact, some is already out there from sources like Netflix.

This all begs the question that I pose to you -- will you invest in 4K this year? Have you considered it? Are you waiting for price drops and more content? For that matter, do you even see it as the future for TV, as 3D was not?

Those are all questions that need to be answered and 2015 will likely provide clues regarding all of this. Now it's just a matter of wondering where the industry heads for next.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

The US claims North Korea hacked Sony, security experts disagree

Publié: janvier 9, 2015, 5:59am CET par Alan Buckingham

hackers-ahead

Let's get one basic thing out of the way -- incidents are sometimes used for political maneuvering. That's not always the case and I'll be making no accusations, as the information simply cannot confirm nor deny anything about the recent Sony hack, or North Korea's possible role in it. We can, however, defer to more expert opinion.

As for background, if you could possibly have missed this story, Sony was hacked rather badly and the big thing that came out of it was the movie The Interview, which ends with the death of Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea. The US government, in turn, accused the nation of perpetrating the act. That seems an odd thing, given that those responsible released the ending of the movie, which would be detrimental to North Korea.

Now security firm F-Secure is weighing in on this whole conundrum. The conclusion its experts have come up with doesn't favor what the US government would like to believe. The firm begins by quoting the great astronomer Carl Sagan -- "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence".

The researchers go on to point out that the "evidence" (and yes, they used quotations for that word) comes from anonymous officials not associated with the actual FBI investigation. It gets worse for the government as F-Secure points out that "Whomever hacked Sony Pictures Entertainment may never be known. But no matter, whomever is responsible, what's especially enlightening about this case is the US government's 'trust us' stance. It demonstrates a continued lack of respect for the intelligence of US citizens and other people around the world".

The security firm calls trust a leap of faith and claims this one is a "leap too far". It also warns that this incident may lead to a continuation of the Patriot Act, something that could have ended this year. Perhaps there is motive there, but you'll need to be the judge of that for yourself. Regardless, the company makes no accusations about who may be responsible, only points out who may not be and the possible motive behind the current accusation being put forth.

Image Credit: Ribah / Shutterstock

Reports of Windows Phone being pulled from Verizon are partialy erroneous

Publié: janvier 8, 2015, 6:38am CET par Alan Buckingham

ative-se-verizon

In the past few hours reports have surfaced that all Windows Phone devices had been pulled from the Verizon site. It's a lovely conspiracy theory and certainly something to fire up the fanboys, nothing spells fan better than Microsoft or Apple. Unfortunately, rumors of the handset's demise have been greatly exaggerated, if I may paraphrase Mark Twain.

Journalists may wish to pay a quick visit to the Verizon site, as devices such as the Samsung Ativ SE, for instance, are still available. Nokia Lumia, or Microsoft, as the case may be, aren't listed. That is odd, but not end-of-the-world.

No information is forthcoming yet from the carrier, which isn't surprising. The company has never been the most forthcoming of entities. Verizon just recently began issuing updates for current devices, which should raise red flags for those talking of the platform's downfall.

No, Windows Phone isn't the end-all, be-all of mobile phones. None of us thinks it is. Android rules the roost, with iPhone trailing behind it. But give Microsoft some credit for an innovative and easy to use operating system. It may never surpass its rivals, but it certainly has momentum and is a viable option in this market. Doomsday has not yet arrived for the handset.

Reports of Windows Phone being pulled from Verizon are partially erroneous

Publié: janvier 8, 2015, 6:38am CET par Alan Buckingham

ative-se-verizon

Microsoft takes the restrictions off Office for Android tablets preview

Publié: janvier 6, 2015, 10:49pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google Nexus 9

Microsoft has offered its Office suite to other mobile platforms for sometime now, but Android tablet support is fairly recent. It was in Preview form and there were hoops to be jumped through in order to get access. No matter, the response was still overwhelming, or at least the company claims that is the case.

Now things are opening up as the Redmond-based company announces the expansion of this program to all users. This update to the "testing" allows all users to get access -- no more requests, or begging, through the Google Plus account.

"To participate in the preview, you can use an ARM-based Android tablet running KitKat or Lollipop, with a screen size between 7″ and 10.1″. Starting today, anyone can go to Google Play and download the Word, Excel and PowerPoint preview apps. No waitlist. No requesting access. Just go and download the apps", states the Office team in the announcement.

The apps are compatible with Android tablets ranging in size from seven inches to 10.1, which should cover pretty much every user out there. You will need to be running version 4.4 of the mobile operating system if you wish to participate.

The reason for this move is to gain feedback from customers in order improve the offering in anticipation of a final release. There's no word about a timeframe for that happening, but this indicates things are getting closer to the finish line.

Google brings Android TV to CES with new partners in tow

Publié: janvier 6, 2015, 8:16pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Sony-android-tv

In 2014 Google debuted Android TV, using Nexus Player as a sort of reference device. The new entry into the crowded market replaced the previous Google TV, which had been around for a while but never really took off. Google hopes the new platform will change the company's fortunes, as it desperately wants to be in your living room.

At the big Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas, the search giant delivered more information about its new platform. Google arrived with announcements of new partners in the way of TV manufacturers offering sets powered by Android TV.

Sony, Sharp and Philips will all be releasing smart TVs powered by the new platform. The company promises that a single remote will control your entertainment experience, stating you can "watch live TV channels and play games, movies or shows from Google Play and your apps".

Additionally, the TVs will be voice search capable and compatible with Google Cast, allowing you to share content from phones and tablets. The company promises many forms of sets, including 4K versions for those who wish to future-proof.

"When we launched Android with a single phone in 2008, we never imagined that we could connect over a billion people. And now, we're working closely with an entire ecosystem of TV partners -- hardware manufacturers, service providers, and chip makers -- to reimagine the living room", states Hiroshi Lockheimer of Google.

Getting into the living room is a major goal for tech companies these days. Microsoft and many others desperately want to be the center of your entertainment experience. There's money to be made and information to be gained to help target ads for additional revenue.

Simplicam brings face recognition to home video monitoring, cool or scary?

Publié: janvier 6, 2015, 1:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Security is very much in the news these days, with government surveillance, hacks and the like. However, what about video cameras that can recognize you simply by recording your face? Yes, that technology is also available, it's one of the things that scares people about Google Glass, The technology is there, so folks might as well get used to it.

Simplicam is debuting a home monitoring camera with built in facial recognition at the big Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. But it also goes a step further, telling the user who is at home.

"Setting the stage for a completely connected home, simplicam is the first and only home monitoring Wi-Fi video camera with both Face Detection and Face Recognition capabilities, enabling unprecedented privacy features such as choosing to automatically delete footage if a specific person is recognized, and the ability to set alerts only if an unrecognized person is in the home", the announcement reads.

The technology goes a step more -- the company plans to add zones, allowing the user to not only recognize the person, but determine where in the home he or she is. Detection Zones will be coming later this month.

Customers can register and store as many as ten people, giving ample latitude for knowing what is going on in the home. It also promises a quick setup process for all of this -- two minutes is the claim.

"ArcSoft is a pioneer in Face Detection and Face Recognition technology, and we are excited to bring this expertise to the connected home. When we released simplicam powered by Closeli earlier this year, we got invaluable feedback from customers and press. Now, new and current users can provide us with feedback directly from within the Closeli app that may be incorporated into the product,” said Caroline Tien-Spalding, Senior Director of Marketing, ArcSoft".

All of this will be available in beta right away, though the final product is a bit further off. The Closeli camera sells for $149 and you'll have an out-of-pocket bill of $4.99 per month for the monitoring, The pricing isn't bad given what it can do. The question is, do you trust this technology?

Amazon Fire TV and Roku gain Sling TV service, joining Xbox One and others

Publié: janvier 6, 2015, 2:54am CET par Alan Buckingham

Sling_Food_Network_mini_guide

Sling TV, yes from the folks who brought you the Box, has launched and it's heading in many directions all at once. Earlier we heard that Xbox One would be the first gaming console to feature the service, now we're learning of the set-top box makers also partnered with Sling.

The new internet TV and video service has also teamed up with two of the most popular device makers currently in this market -- Roku and Amazon. Both companies plan to carry this new internet-based video service.

The company promises that "Sling TV [will] deliver the best of live TV including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoon Network and Disney Channel". Internet video is also included in the video-on-demand package.

In addition to Xbox One, Roku and Amazon Fire TV, other partners include Samsung and LG Smart TVs, Mac, iOS and Android. That's quite a lineup for a debut.

Roku adds that "Sling TV subscribers will be able to pause, rewind and fast forward most live channels and VOD content. For certain channels, the service includes a 3-Day Replay feature that gives customers the ability to watch shows that have aired in the past three days so no DVR is needed".

This capability will set you back $20 per month but you can try it out for free to see what you think before opening up your wallet. At least it will provide something to do while the weather is uncooperative, as it tends to be this time of year.

The march to 4K continues as DISH announces Joey set-top box with Ultra HD

Publié: janvier 6, 2015, 1:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

Joey4K_01_20141031

Despite the fact we now have 5K available, most people still haven't even made the leap to the Ultra HD, or 4K, technology. Satellite TV provider DISH Network is taking aim at that crowd now, announcing it will be moving into this growing field. With the failure of 3D, it seems TV makers have finally found a viable way to lure people into buying a new set or box.

The company is announcing the new Joey, a set-top box compatible with this latest video technology. It claims "that it will be the first pay-TV provider to launch a 4K ‘Ultra HD’ set-top box. Named the 4K Joey, the unit is designed to easily integrate with DISH’s Hopper Whole Home HD DVR system".

The company says this device will be unlike other current technology and will work with virtually any 4K TV that has HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 compliance.

"Our new 4K Joey offers the most versatile, future-proofed 4K setup for our customers,” says Vivek Khemka, senior vice president of Product Management. "It’s easy to install and works with the most 4K televisions, so no matter what brand customers bought over the holiday season, they can enjoy content through DISH".

The box will sport a Broadcom dual-core ARM processor and support 60 FPS along with picture-in-picture. Oddly, storage space for the DVR was not mentioned in the official announcement. However, DISH claims it will support a wide variety of home audio and also possess Bluetooth.

It's unclear when Joey will hit the market, or what pricing will be. Keep an eye on the service's site for more news about this intriguing offering.

Sling TV comes to Xbox One, brings exclusive offer along

Publié: janvier 5, 2015, 10:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

XboxOne_SlingTV_Logo Mashup

Sling Box and Xbox may have similar names, but they are rather different technologies. However, that doesn't mean the two products can't get together to improve the entertainment in your living room. That's exactly what is now happening as Microsoft announces Sling TV (a bit different from Sling Box) for its gaming and entertainment console.

Sling TV which will be coming to the Xbox One, adding even more entertainment options. The service will carry many channels, including live sports, news, internet video and more. The new partnership has been announced by Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, or Major Nelson as he is more commonly known.

"Xbox is on board as the first gaming console where Sling TV will be available,” says Bassil El-Khatib, vice president of Sling TV. "We created the live Internet TV service for millennial consumers underserved by the pay-TV industry. One of the keys to reaching this audience is being on the devices they use, and we know millions of consumers are turning on their Xbox every day to access content they love".

"What’s more, as the first gaming console where Sling TV will be available, we’re excited to announce that all Xbox Live members will get an exclusive extended free trial for one month at launch", Hryb announces.

Xbox One members must sign up for this extended offer and also remember that the service costs $20 per month. While it isn't stated, many of these types of deals will begin billing you once the trial expires, forcing the user to remember to cancel before being out a bit of money.

Roku introduces more TVs at CES 2015, brings 4k to the mix

Publié: janvier 5, 2015, 4:49pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Insignia-Roku-TV-CES

2014 was a big year for Roku, with the debut of the streaming stick as well as Roku TVs. But 2015 promises to be even bigger, with announcements coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas this week. The set-top box maker has a lot to talk about for the new year.

To start out, Roku claims TCL will release a whopping 12 new models of TVs featuring the software. All will be coming in the first half of this year. The new lineup will come with varying hardware configurations that promise different designs.

In addition, the company announces it is partnering with two new hardware makers -- both Haier and Insignia have come on board. Each plans to have TVs ready this coming spring and will feature the Roku software. These sets will be a Best Buy exclusive upon release, though they seem likely to turn up elsewhere sooner or later.

Finally, Roku has announced availability of a 4K reference design. "This means that our TV OEM partners can begin development of Roku TV 4K models that merge the latest in TV viewing technology with the Roku operating system and experience", the company states.

It promises to be another huge year for one of the biggest set-top box makers. With TV integration now out in the market and apparently growing, the company is forging its path forward in this growing space.

Nest will now work with your door locks, light bulbs and more

Publié: janvier 5, 2015, 11:47am CET par Alan Buckingham

Nest spy

In 2014 the Internet of Things became both a fascinating and scary thing, thanks to interesting products and a few hacks. Nest, while remaining the darling of this new industry, had its own set of problems with the potential issues found in its smoke detectors. But last year is all behind us, and hopefully 2015 holds more promise than problem.

Now the Google-owned company is announcing new functionality for its popular thermostat and perhaps scary smoke detector. The tiny wall and ceiling devices are getting a boatload of new functionality, involving that whole Internet of Things.

For instance, August Smart Locks now work with the thermostat. Unlock your door to enter your home and the Nest will adjust the temperature for your arrival. Lock your door upon leaving and the opposite scenario occurs.

Have you purchased the Philips Hue light bulbs yet? If so then you're also in luck. If Nest Protect senses something wrong it can flash your lights as an alert.

The company has also pared with Ooma, makers of a popular VOIP service, to allow it to send an alert when something happens and you're away. Likewise, Whirlpool is also in the mix -- in this case switching the appliances to quiet mode when you come home.

It's all very futuristic, and perhaps for some a bit scary. However, technology moves forward and folks have to move with it or be left behind (as some always are).

Seagate announces line of new hard drives, including cloud and wireless

Publié: janvier 5, 2015, 2:28am CET par Alan Buckingham

seagate-wireless Just when you thought hard drive technology had reached its limits we started getting even more technology and almost ridiculously large capacities. Now Seagate, a well-known name in the industry, is taking things a step further with its pre-CES announcements. It's one of many companies that try to beat the rush of news that takes place during the Las Vegas show.

First up is a new drive that comes with Seagate's Personal Cloud system. The one drive and two bay systems allow the user to store content in the ether. This provides easy access from mobile devices and is handy when you are away from home. This is essentially a NAS device and it does automatic backups of all of the computers on your home network. A dashboard makes it easy to control from both Windows and Mac. No mention of pricing or availability is made.

Next up is a wireless external drive, known quite simply as Seagate Wireless. The technology isn't new, as the company has produced this type of product before, but this one takes the storage level up the 500 GB. It promises to make offloading of media content from your mobile device simple. This is a drive you carry while on the go, providing extra storage for phones and tablets. It's up for pre-order for $129.99 and comes in a variety of colors.

Finally, Seagate announces what it terms as "the worlds slimmest portable hard drive". Named the Seagate Seven, this also packs 500 GB of storage capacity. This one is available for pre-order now for $99.99.

As for checking out the devices you can head over to Seagate. And if you'll be at the Consumer Electronics sow then you can view them in person.

Acer announces Aspire V 17 Nitro notebook with Intel RealSense 3D camera

Publié: janvier 3, 2015, 6:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Aspire V17 Nitro Black Edition VN7-791_right facing

Acer, with its Aspire line of laptops, has become one of the top hardware makers. Now, as CES 2015 fast approaches, the company is descending on Las Vegas with a stellar lineup of new products, some of them quite intriguing. That's the case with its new notebook announcement.

The latest model, an Aspire V 17 Nitro notebook, packs in a 3D camera -- the Intel RealSense, which senses motion. This allows it to understand and respond to movements. Acer claims this will enable more interaction with games, applications and even web pages. All of this without the need to touch the keyboard.

"It also enables 3D scanning, 3D model generating and then printing on a 3D printer or sharing on social media" Acer claims. In other words, the company hopes to revolutionize the was you interact with your computer.

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It's not a small laptop, as it packs a 17.3 inch screen with HD display. You'll also find a Core i7 processor and a GeForce GTX 860M with up to 4 GB of DDR5 VRAM. A choice of 128 GB or 256 GB SSD is also available, as are 4 speakers with Dolby Digital Plus to fully immerse you in your game or video.

The price for all of this? We don't know. When can you buy it? That is another mystery. Acer only states that both cost and date will vary by region.

Windows 8.1 vulnerability discovered by Google security researcher

Publié: janvier 2, 2015, 7:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

cyber security

When you are the top anything in this world it not only brings fame or notoriety, but it also provides a target. In the case of Microsoft's Windows, it has become the bullseye that bad guys aim for. Sometimes it's the bad guys who get there first, sometimes it's the security researchers who report the issues. In the latest case, it was thankfully the good guys.

The problem with this flaw is that it would allow a bad guy to bypass authentication on a system by using a generated token. Worse, while the flaw isn't part of User Account Control, the proof of concept released does use this part of Windows.

The demonstration, when successful, launches the Windows Calculator and it's running in administrator mode. "If it doesn't work first time (and you get the ComputerDefaults program) re-run the exploit from [step] 3, there seems to be a caching/timing issue sometimes on first run", the report states.

"On Windows 8.1 update the system call NtApphelpCacheControl (the code is actually in ahcache.sys) allows application compatibility data to be cached for quick reuse when new processes are created", though that's only a partial explanation of how this exploit works.

The research was done using only Windows 8.1 Update -- both 32 and 64 bit versions. So there is no word on if the vulnerability exists in other versions of the operating system. According to Hacker News, Microsoft is working on a fix, but none is yet available.

Photo Credit: Sergey Nivens/Shutterstock

Want to watch live sports? You have one less option as Wiziwig shuts down

Publié: janvier 1, 2015, 6:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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When it comes to cord-cutting, there are few options available to the sports fan. While some sports provide options for online subscriptions, the NFL is not among them, forcing fans to use "alternative" methods for watching their team play on Sunday. As the regular season ends, so does one of the best sources for accomplishing this.

Wiziwig.tv is closing its doors, after providing live streaming sports of all varieties to its users. The website cites a change in law in Spain that would possibly trip it up, resulting in ridiculously heavy fines if found guilty, which seems likely.

The message on the site is simple and to the point -- "Today is a sad day for all fans of live sports streaming, as we at Wiziwig have to announce that we're forced to close our website, at least for now. This due to new laws in Spain which will get into force starting tomorrow, the 1st January 2015. Failing to comply with the new reform puts us at risks of fines being as high as € 600.000, and also losing our domain, hosting and other necessary stuff to operate wiziwig".

The service does offer an alternative method for catching the game when it's on. We won't name it, but it isn't difficult to locate if you wish to try. Otherwise, for at least some sports, you're now out of luck. Perhaps next season the NFL will enter the new century and there will be one more legal option for fans.

Roku looks back at 2014 by the numbers

Publié: décembre 30, 2014, 11:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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2014 could be viewed as the year of set-top boxes. 2015 is likely to see even more action, as more of what we watch moves to online content, be it Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu Plus, the new CBS offering, or one of the lesser known competitors. When you take all of that into account, you'd assume it would have been a big year for Roku, and you'd be right.

Today the company ran down the numbers for 2014 and they were a bit staggering in terms of just how well the set-top box maker has performed.

During the year that's about to pass, Roku saw growth extending to more than 10 million players sold, surpassed 2,000 channels and claims to have streamed more than three billion hours of video. The final number is perhaps the most surprising.

The hardware maker also points out that it is now built into TVs and was featured on CNET's list of best products. It also points out that it "added Google Play, FXNOW, WWE Network, SHOWTIME ANYTIME, NFL Now, CinemaNow and many more to the Roku platform furthering our lead in streaming channel choices".

Roku concludes by promising more in the coming year. "A big thank you to the millions of Roku users. We’ve got big things in store.Stream big in 2015".

It's a growing industry and Roku is at the top, and the company continues to improve its offerings. We'll have to wait and see what the coming year holds in store for this little device.

Sony talks PlayStation Network outage, doesn't name Lizard Squad

Publié: décembre 28, 2014, 12:08am CET par Alan Buckingham

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The news the past couple of days has been filled with security, or lack thereof, as the case may be. Really, it has surrounded DDoS attacks launched against gaming networks. Both Sony and Microsoft experienced outages beginning Christmas day. The attacks have been credited to hacking group Lizard Squad.

According to security researcher Brian Krebs, the group has done a poor job hiding its members' identities. "While most of the group’s acolytes are known to U.S. enforcement investigators, many are minors, and the sad truth is that federal prosecutors don't really know what to do with underage felons except to turn them into informants".

Now Sony has broached the subject, though it declined to name those responsible. Instead the company made a simple announcement about an outage, claiming only that it "has been experiencing high levels of traffic designed to disrupt connectivity and online gameplay".

The company goes on to state that disruptions may continue to occur off and on. It claims it will continue to keep its customers up to date via its Twitter account.

It's not surprising the company failed to name those responsible, as it would only bring more notoriety. What is curious is that Sony never actually apologizes to its customers, saying only that it thanks them for their patience.

My favorite tech products of 2014 [Alan]

Publié: décembre 26, 2014, 8:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Cloud 2014

2014 is quickly winding down and the calendar will soon turn over to 2015. But it was a good year for technology, which began, as always, in Las Vegas with annual CES. Of course, that's when we get a glimpse of products that may or may not ever see the bright lights of a store showroom. But we aren't here to talk about what could have been, but instead, what really is on the market. Nothing fancy here, just solid pieces of equipment.

Over the course of the past year I was fortunate enough to try out many products. There were really no duds in the batch, but some managed to distinguish themselves from the competitors. Now we've reached that time where it can be revealed. And, just so you know, it goes in no particular order.

Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100

I reviewed this a while back and liked it so much that it has become my go-to choice. That's saying something for someone who currently has Bluetooth speakers in droves. It isn't your typical portable wireless model.

This one doesn't require charging -- it needs to be plugged into an outlet to work. Also, despite a hand-hold on the back it really isn't very portable because of its size. However, with the large size comes big sound. It is perfectly capable of rocking your house.

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Amazon Fire TV

There's a big market for set-top boxes these days. TV and movies over the internet has become a growing business and Roku leads the charge, but Amazon is no slouch in this area. It doesn't have as many offerings as the leader, but it's growing fast and it works quite well.

The Bluetooth remote is handy for those of us who don't wish to leave the wooden door of the media cabinet open, and the voice search is handy. It gets quite a bit of use since it arrived, though I can't help but switch inputs to Roku for certain things. Still, it's a solid device and it's ever-expanding the offerings.

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Amazon Kindle Reader

I never owned a Kindle until just recently when the latest model launched. I honestly didn't see a need for the device, despite several people telling me they loved theirs. Now I know why. There's no better way to read a book. Within the first hour I was already started on one.

The E-ink screen is very nice, options are simple and straight forward and the battery lasts forever. OK, not "forever", but a very long time. E-Books are also much cheaper than buying hardcover. Sometimes even lower priced than paperback.

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Microsoft 1850 Wireless Mouse

There is something to be said for simplicity, and that word doesn't always exist in this industry. Microsoft may not always be known for it, that's for sure. But with the 1850, the company managed to nail it pretty good.

It has a tiny USB transmitter and the left and right buttons are there, though you wouldn't know by the look of things. There's also a scroll wheel, which I find essential for any mouse. It's nothing fancy, but it works beautifully and I'm yet to need a change of battery (which is a single AA). The USB key can be stored in a slot within the peripheral, just case you take it on the go.

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Not new, but still great

There are other products that, while not new, I've found essential this year. I made the move from working on Windows to using a Chromebook, which is the HP 11 -- that's where I use the 1850 mouse. I also finally got around to purchasing an HDMI switch, making the move from Blu-ray, to Roku, to Fire TV much easier. I bought a Sabrent five port model and already wish I'd got the eight, but it works well and has a tiny remote.

In the department of software, there isn't much to say -- I work from a Chromebook and my needs are simple. I use the Microsoft Word Chrome app for writing and Pixlr for images.

Welcome to 2015

I could go on with other items that I like but, after all, this is a "favorites" list and I can't name everything. Perhaps if I did I'd mention the Pebble watch and Hyperjuice battery. Maybe others that have slipped my mind, but were still solid pieces of hardware.

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But no matter, one holiday is behind us and we're about to watch the ball drop to welcome in a new year and a new chance to find the latest and greatest products. Have a happy and healthy 2015!

Photo Credit: Creativa/Shutterstock

Santa brought you a Roku 3? Here's what to do first

Publié: décembre 26, 2014, 12:33am CET par Alan Buckingham

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The market is thick for set-top boxes these days, but Roku 3 tends to be the most popular choice with many consumers. It's simple to set up and has perhaps the most content. The "channels", as Roku calls them, are an ever-growing ecosystem of networks and online content.

The steps for getting it up and running are fairly simple. The box will help you along, walking you through each step. The first, and most obvious, is plugging it in to an outlet and then connecting the HDMI cable.

Switch your TV selection to that port and boot up the Roku 3. For the first few seconds you will see the splash screen, then the device will begin walking you through the steps, beginning with choosing a language.

This is followed by the remote control paring, which should happen automatically. You perhaps noticed the remote came with a set of earbuds (purple, you don't have a choice, though you can use your own). This allows you to plug into the remote and listen while not disturbing others in your home. It's also handy for music channels like Pandora if you wish to listen while moving around.

Next up is your Wi-Fi network, which could require the entry of password if you've encrypted it, as you should. Green check marks should pop up once everything is connected. Now you'll get a link that explains you need to go to your computer and enter it in in order to get a unique code that is required. You'll also need to create a Roku account at this point, but it's free. It's simply in case you wish to purchase paid content.

Now that you're up and running, you'll find some pre-installed channels, but you can head into the channel store and choose from hundreds more. Some will cost you a monthly fee, such as Hulu Plus. Others are a one-time charge, like Plex.

You're now all ready to kick back and enjoy whatever content suits your tastes. It's a great device and you should get lots of joy out of it. We hope you got one, or whatever other piece of technology your heart desired this holiday season.

Santa brought you an Amazon Fire TV? Here's what to do first

Publié: décembre 25, 2014, 1:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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This year Amazon jumped into the set-top box market with a remarkably mature competitor. Since its release, the Fire TV has continued to accumulate features and improve. In fact, it's now serious competition for the likes of Roku and Apple TV. So did you find one under your tree this year? If so, there are a few things to know.

First, and perhaps most obvious, you need to have an Amazon account. That shouldn't be a barrier for most people. You'll just need to enter your email and password to get up and running on your new set-top box. It also needs to connect to Wi-Fi, unless you can use a wired connection (which is better). If your router is password protected then that will be the final entry to start.

Once you're in, you'll find an easy to scroll menu sprawling down the left side of the screen. This is where all of your options reside. If you don't do so already, you can begin dropping things into your Amazon Watchlist (it helps to have a Prime account).

You can also activate other services like Huly (you'll need a Plus account) and Netflix. Additionally there is more you can add, just head to the app store -- it's divided by categories on the left -- and pick what you want. Some are free, some are not. You'll also find a nice selection of games there -- get yourself a controller to make playing them much easier.

The remote is Bluetooth -- no need to open the cabinet door to use it. It also has voice search, you'll just need to press the button at the top and speak your command. It's dead simple.

Settings is the final worry for you, and you likely won't be here long, if at all. Here you can change the display and sound, as well as delve into the system and set up Free Time for your children, which allows limited access to only what you deem is acceptable for them.

Congratulations, you got a great new set-top box. It will serve for many purposes, We hope you enjoy it in the coming year, and you can expect it to only improve during that time.

It's time to track Santa and Google Maps wants to help

Publié: décembre 24, 2014, 5:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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"Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that"…. Oh wait you want some happier news. Well, there is some -- you can track the progress of Santa tonight, just so you know where the big guy in the red suit is at all times.

Google Maps is once again providing the data on the sleigh ride. You can follow the progress around the world using the GPS equipped on the vehicle. There's more to it than just tracking though. You can open all sorts of options.

"Each stop on Santa’s journey offers more to explore -- discover 360-degree imagery, Wikipedia snippets, geography facts, and updates on how far Santa’s current location is from yours (take note—Santa’s path is not a direct one)".

Google urges viewers to visit often at google.com/santatracker. The search giant promises surprises throughout the night. You may even get to take a selfie of yourself on the sleigh.

There is also an Android app for those who may not be near a computer. Even Android Wear will allow you to track the progress of the journey, doing so right from your wrist.

In other words, there's no need to take yourself and your kids all the way to the North Pole, nor will you need to herd up the reindeer. Just use your computer or smartphone to handle it all for you. We hope you get all you wish for.

Microsoft and the Irish government appeal case over emails stored in Ireland

Publié: décembre 24, 2014, 1:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Apple, Amazon, HP, Verizon and others back Microsoft's fight against US government

By now you've likely heard that the US is trying to seize emails held by Microsoft on foreign soil, something that you'd think it has no right to do. After all, the US government may have some reach, but grabbing from another nation seems to be extending it quite far. Both company and country are baulking at the prospect.

None of us wishes for a criminal to not be caught, but we want it to be done legally. Now Microsoft has officially filed its amicus brief in the New York court of appeals, with general counsel Brad Smith.

Smith states "This year one of our priorities have been to advocate for policies that ensure people around the world can trust technology. Keeping this trust is not only important for global technology companies, but vital for ensuring people everywhere can use technology with confidence".

This isn't just Microsoft, but also the Irish government and a member of the European Parliament that are trying to bring an end to this. The group is arguing for respect of local laws, which is something that should come from common sense.

"The warrant at issue operates as the exercise of U.S. law enforcement authority on Irish territory, something that can be done only with the consent of the Irish government", Smith states. He goes on to say that a treaty would be needed that respects Irish law.

He concludes by thanking governments for their aid in this action, but pointing out that the need to fight crime does serve the greater good of all nations. It's a thin line to walk, when it comes to both safety and respect for people and countries.

Photo credit: Junial Enterprises / Shutterstock

Santa boards a flight to hand out Windows tablets to all

Publié: décembre 23, 2014, 3:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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It's that time of the year when our thoughts turn towards a large man in a red suit. Despite his jolly nature, he still manages to sometimes terrify small children, as he did mine. However, the prospect of gifts generally gets them over the hump, and perhaps it's what worked on a recent flight between London and Boston.

The people who boarded the recent Virgin Atlantic flight were treated to a visit from the jolly old man, but more importantly, he had gifts in hand.

"As they boarded the flight, adults and children alike were handed a brand new 8-inch quad-core Windows 8.1 tablet, fully loaded with a number of apps and games, however the most important piece of the pre-installed software was the portal to a 'Festive Flight' section", says Microsoft's Andrew Robertson.

"Having boarded the 787 mid-flight, Santa walked around the cabin, posing for photos with elated children (and a few excitable adults!) and wishing all on board a very Merry Christmas".

The "Festive Flight" app allowed passengers to track the progress of their travel, as well as send messages to Santa, who had "exited" to his sleigh.

This was all put together by Microsoft and Virgin Atlantic. It likely made quite an impression, especially for the children on board the flight. You can check out the video below to experience this adventure for yourself.

Amazon is holding a digital Christmas sale for apps, videos and more

Publié: décembre 23, 2014, 1:42am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Holiday shopping is now coming down to the final hours, and many procrastinators out there are still putting off that trip to the store. There is always the option to shop online, but the delivery window is closing quickly. Thankfully there are digital options to grab things for friends, family and even yourself.

Amazon has just the thing for the people just described -- it's a digital sale. Beginning December 24th, the app store will offer a range of games and more all offered for free. The complete bundle totals $220 in value if you were to buy each regularly.

Through December 25th holiday movies and TV shows, as well as children oriented content, will be 50 percent off in the video section. This includes titles like Polar Express, Home Alone and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Amazon also touts its first ever holiday playlist, which features over 40 songs recently recorded. Plus Prime members now have access to this service, so many other tunes are also available. "In addition, anyone who visits Amazon will be able to listen to a selection of the holiday songs from the All Is Bright playlist, for free, while they shop. Featured as a snowflake and music note at the top of every Amazon page, shoppers can just press play and enjoy through December 25th".

From the 25th through New Year's Kindle books will also be discounted, some up to 85 percent, even popular titles like those from James Patterson.

Books, Amazon states, can be given as gifts to anyone, providing they have an email address. Of course what the retailer would really like is for you to give the gift of Prime to friends and family. Not a bad idea if you're stuck for an idea, but it depends on the recipient.

EZTV comes back online, will The Pirate Bay be far behind?

Publié: décembre 22, 2014, 10:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Recently a raid took down the famed Torrent site, The Pirate Bay. With it went another popular service called EZTV. Soon after, I wrote that I felt this did little to obstruct piracy, only cause a brief slow down in the flow of files, and I predicted the Bay would come back.

It hasn't yet risen from the dead, though I still expect it will. However, fellow victim EZTV has returned to the land of the living and is now functioning as normal -- well mostly, it's up and down. In fact, it's even located at its old address of EZTV.it like nothing ever happened.

TorrentFreak reports that "While the EZTV website was down for 13 days, the TV-torrent distribution group only stopped releasing torrents for a day or so. During the downtime fresh content was still shared on other torrent sites, such as ExtraTorrent.cc and Kickass.so".

The Pirate Bay was previously raided and came back. It has also spent some time moving from domain to domain in an effort to stay one step ahead. This latest move to stop it will prove useless in the long run. These things don't die, they just get moved or go underground. I previously called the raid a pathetic waste of time and money, and I stand by my statement. Not because I advocate piracy, but because I see the reality of this approach. Piracy will always exist to some extent. The networks and studios just need to learn how to get over it. It clearly is not bankrupting them.

Image Credit: Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley / Shutterstock

The future of wearable technology in 2015

Publié: décembre 22, 2014, 5:43pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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Like it or not, wearable technology seems to be here to stay. 2014 saw many advances for the Pebble smartwatch, Google Glass stayed in the game, though remained out of the price range for most consumers. Android Wear debuted with several brands offering differing form factors. But where does this new product line head off to in 2015?

For starters, there is Apple, which announced its offering recently, though it won't be available until next year. That one is, like anything announced by the Cupertino-based company, greatly anticipated by a certain group of people. And like other Apple products, it will also be overpriced in a market where you can buy a Pebble for $99.

Forrester Research claims that 2015 will be the year of the wearable, stating people want these products, claiming a 45 percent interest rate among US consumers. Europe, meanwhile, is a bit more laid back about all of this, registering only 32 percent.

There's a darker side to all this technology as well. Google Glass has been banned in several restaurants according to news reports and it likely would not be welcome is most businesses, given its ability to photograph sensitive company data or even record business meetings.

Judith Bitterli of security firm AVG reports "Early issues surrounding Google Glass go to the very heart of the wearable debate: there are real concerns that the person talking to you and wearing the Glass could be recording everything. Taken into the workplace, Glass could be used to look at valuable corporate information or record a private conference meeting. Not to mention the company workout room and locker room".

That's an obvious obstacle, but one the smartphone managed to overcome. Can the smartwatch follow the same path? Only time will answer that question.

In a security report, AVG claims "2014 has shown us that our online identity isn’t safe from advertisers, hackers or even governments". This is yet another issue to deal with -- if your watch learns your habits then what happens next? Likely nothing, given your phone is also with you and doing the same thing. However, the privacy minded folks will still worry.

So what will we see in 2015? Obviously the Apple Watch and likely more manufacturers producing Android Wear. Pebble is established and seems to be going nowhere. But what new and unique thing swill appear? Are there surprises in story for CES? We'll know the answer to that one very soon.

You likely won't catch Ebola, but you can help find a cure

Publié: décembre 20, 2014, 12:51am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Ebola has created quite the stir in 2014, for both the right and wrong reasons. There's no doubting it's a serious disease that needs to be wiped out, but panic over catching it has greatly outpaced the actual spread, which is rather slow and involves the transmission of bodily fluids. The CDC outlines basic guidelines to keep you safe. Despite the worry of the public at large, you simply aren't likely to get infected.

However, that doesn't mean everything is coming up roses. As I said, it's something we need to eradicate like Polio and Smallpox. The US government has thrown financial support behind the initiative in an effort to both help, as well as allay fears and prevent widespread panic over this outbreak.

A new plan to fight the disease involves your help. It works much the same way that you helped SETI look for ET (and you still can). Your computer and smartphone are used for computational power that aids in the research. It won't affect your usage, as it only runs in the background and springs to life when the device is idle.

The project is run by the World Community Grid, and it powers the research of a lab that thinks it may just be on to something in the way of finding a cure for this deadly disease. The lab has spent 11 years working on the molecular structures in hopes of finding exactly what to target.

No, you likely won't catch the disease, but many folks in places like Sierra Leone aren't so lucky. Americans have always been generous when the less fortunate needed help. It's apparently that time again, so head to World Community Grid and get started.

Image Credit: anyaivanova / Shutterstock

This holiday season you can window shop with Google Street View

Publié: décembre 19, 2014, 4:07pm CET par Alan Buckingham

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'Tis the season to go shopping, and the point where desperation begins to make its ugly presence felt. The holidays are just around the corner. One thing popular with folks this time of year is "window shopping", meaning walking along the streets and checking out the displays.

If you enjoy this activity then there are no better places to do it than New York City and London. Coincidentally, that's exactly where the Google Street View team recently trekked, taking in the sites and recording them for the rest of the world.

"Starting today, with Google Maps Business View, you can see decked out displays in New York and London -- without braving the cold weather, lugging bags around or fighting for sidewalk space with fellow shoppers. Now grab your virtual reindeer because we’re off to our holiday window tour", says Google's Soufi Esmaeilzadeh, product manager for Google Maps Business View.

Many of the stores which windows are depicted are also in Google Maps, complete with the interior layout, making your shopping trip a bit easier. In fact, that's the case with many other stores and shopping malls around the world -- Google points to Old Navy in San Francisco and Benetton in Russia as examples.

If you are procrastinating on your holiday shopping then now is the time to get moving on it. Oh, and try not to break the bank while you're out there.

Pandora brings your music to Xbox One

Publié: décembre 19, 2014, 5:42am CET par Alan Buckingham

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Pandora is one of the grandfathers of streaming music services, and remains among the most affordable and well known sources around. It's available on phones and even set-top boxes, not to mention, right on your computer. There are also apps for smart TVs and Blu-ray players. In other words, it is almost ubiquitous.

Now the music service is launching on your Xbox One. The new app was built specifically with the gaming console in mind, with an interface designed to look good on your TV. It will not only be pretty, but provide music while you play your game, and even adds a couple of new features.

"Our Xbox One listeners will have more ways to get to their favorite music as quickly as possible as Pandora for Xbox One provide users with two new views, one of which displays recently listened to stations and the other which displays cumulative time spent on specific stations", states Ian Geller, vice president of of business development at Pandora.

Beyond these features Pandora promises a new mini player, allowing you quick access to your tunes. In addition, Kinect gestures provide easy access for customers.

Pandora calls the gaming console "immensely important". That's something Microsoft will, no doubt, be happy to hear. It also claims that 76 percent of male gamers in the 13 to 34 age range listen to music while playing, and Pandora is the prime choice for that. Now it has become much easier to accomplish such a feat if you so choose.

Hulu and FX agree to deal for more content on the streaming service

Publié: décembre 18, 2014, 10:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Hulu Plus

If you subscribe to Hulu, and many cord-cutters, along with some who aren't, do, then you know that it has become a haven for content of all sorts. Care to watch last night's episode of The Blacklist? You can do that, along with countless other shows. The service has also been working on original content in an effort to rival the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Now the Twentieth Century Fox TV Distribution for FX network is signing what Hulu terms a "landmark deal" to bring more of its original content to the service.

"We worked closely with our partners at Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution to bring this new kind of agreement to Hulu. The deal not only makes the library of premium, critically acclaimed FX Networks’ Original Series available to stream to our Hulu subscribers, but – through this new, multi-year agreement – Hulu subscribers will also have exclusive access to full seasons of new series from FX Productions (FXP) coming soon to FX and FXX", says Hulu's Craig Erwich.

Shows include Tyrant, The Strain, Married and You're the Worst. Before you go looking for them, the shows aren't there quite yet. But Hulu promises full runs of season one of each will be available in advance of season two, which comes in 2015. Other shows of various genres will be coming as well.

"This new partnership is more than just a licensing agreement with FX Productions. It is a groundbreaking deal that represents our commitment to our partners at FX Networks, as well as our commitment to always providing premium, in demand content to our loyal viewers", Erwich states.

So, prepare for some new content coming your way soon. You can also likely expect more of these deals on the way as online viewing gains momentum.

Is it a drone? Is it a race car? Amazon Prime Now promises 1 hour delivery

Publié: décembre 18, 2014, 6:49pm CET par Alan Buckingham

delivery man

Amazon has been toying with delivery ideas for sometime now. The company has talked of same day service, there were rumors of it creating its own FedEx-like fleet, then there was the Jeff Bezos appearance on 60 Minutes -- you know, where he showed off a video of drone delivery.

The online retailer is finally beginning to realize this dream and make it reality. Amazon today is announcing Prime Now. It’s a delivery service for "essential items" and it promises one hour service. Yes, you read that correctly.

While some items listed in this announcement are household necessities, such as paper towels and toothpaste, others don't seem to be. Toys, for example, don't seem to fit the bill, unless you have an angry toddler. Books also seem to be something most can wait a couple of days on.

"There are times when you can’t make it to the store and other times when you simply don’t want to go. There are so many reasons to skip the trip and now Prime members in Manhattan can get the items they need delivered in an hour or less,” says Dave Clark, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations. “We’ve long felt that Amazon Prime is the best deal in the history of shopping and now it has gotten even better. Prime members in Manhattan are going to love this service and we cannot wait to roll out Prime Now to additional cities in 2015".

Before you get too excited, as you'll have noticed in the above statement the initial launch is in Manhattan, and it will be available between the hours of 6am and midnight. The actual delivery window is two hours, but you can pay $7.99 for one hour. This is open to Prime customers, so there is also the annual fee, but that gives you much more than just this.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

Plex is rolling out to Sony PS3 and PS4 game consoles

Publié: décembre 18, 2014, 3:57am CET par Alan Buckingham

plex-playstation

Plex, who makes one of the most popular media server and client software, has never been shy about adapting any platform it can manage to get on. Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Roku, Xbox, even NAS devices. Now the organization reaches out to yet another community.

While jokingly saying at the beginning that it was arriving on Sega Genesis consoles, the real target this time is Sony. Plex is headed for both games consoles available from the currently troubled company -- the PS3 and PS4.

Plex for the PlayStation is launching now in Europe and a good portion of Asia. Customers in the US will need to wait a bit longer. "The US launch will happen in the near future (along with other locations), but we don’t have a date for you yet", the announcement says.

The app will work and look much the same as it does on Xbox One and Vizio TVs, which means it will be elegant and useful. Users will need to set up the server on a computer that's always on, or last on when Plex is needed. However configuration is fairly simple, so most shouldn't have a problem.

Chrome OS is great, but Microsoft doesn't need to worry... yet

Publié: décembre 17, 2014, 1:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Does a deleted Microsoft blog post show it's about to buy mobile email firm Acompli?

Not long ago I wrote asking if we still needed Windows. It's an interesting question without a real answer. On the one hand, many folks don't need it, as a Chromebook will suffice for what they do -- checking email and browsing websites. On the other hand, some people do need Windows for the apps that can't be had on Google's platform.

In other words, there is no easy answer to the question I posed. One thing became clear though. Windows won't be going anywhere soon. It may only be needed by a certain percentage of people, many of whom are in a business of some sort, either for themselves or in the enterprise community.

While we've seen several companies switch to Chrome OS, it's mostly been news of schools making the move. That seems to be where Google shines -- at the educational level.

In comments on my original post, reader Stephen wrote "Personally, I said good-bye to Windows two years ago and haven’t looked back since. I play games, do audio and video editing, as well as genealogy, on Linux. It works just fine for me. I think a modern Linux OS would be sufficient for most people".

That's not something Microsoft wants to hear, of course. The company is busy readying version 10 of its operating system, which users can already preview.

However, Michael states "I haven't actually tried a chromebook. When thinking about buying a new laptop chromebooks don't come to mind". That's what the folks in Redmond like. Another reader pointed out the $356 billion value of the company -- it won't be going bankrupt anytime soon.

It's fairly clear the landscape is slowly changing, but the move won't happen overnight. In other words, Microsoft need not panic just yet. The Chromebook isn't for everyone, as illustrated by the above comments. There's mixed feelings.

Combine that with the pending release of Windows 10, which the company hopes to use to distance itself from the rather disastrous release of 8.x, and there is still life left beyond Office, Azure and other products produced by Microsoft.

In the end, it seems Microsoft doesn't need to go into full panic mode just yet, and probably not for a while. But Chrome OS keeps gaining features, so there is room for a bit of fear. That was evidenced a while back by the ill-advised Scroogled campaign that did little aside from bringing ridicule. But panic? Not now.

As an aside, I am writing this from a Chromebook -- it's what I use everyday. But every once in a while a task sends me scrambling to my office to use a Windows PC, so there is still a use for most people.

Pebble smartwatch gets an Android Wear notifications update

Publié: décembre 17, 2014, 1:10am CET par Alan Buckingham

pebble

Like it or not, wearable technology seems to be here to stay. While, the likes of Google Glass remain aloof to most customers thanks to pricing, smartwatches have become fairly commonplace. Apple plans to enter the market, but Pebble and Google are already becoming established.

Now the two merge -- sort of. Pebble announces its latest update contains Android Wear notifications. This comes via version 2.3 of the app for your smartphone and it aims to add new functionality to your wrist.

"We’ve been in the workshop ourselves, crafting something Android Pebblers will love unwrapping. Version 2.3 of our Android app gives Pebble the power to reply and act on notifications right from your watch. It’s Android Wear notification compatibility on Pebble, and it’s awesome", Pebble states.

The new update doesn't require developers to do anything. If the app was built for Android Wear then it will now work on Pebble, making things quite simple. Customers, on the other hand, also need to do little -- just sign up for the beta program and start using 2.3 right away. There is no invitation required.

The company claims it is expanding both Androis and iOS divisions to further the platform. Developers looking for work can get involved via the jobs page on the site. Customers can sign up to test version 2.3 by by visiting the previously mentioned link.

HBO GO lands on Amazon Fire TV set-top box

Publié: décembre 16, 2014, 6:00am CET par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

HBO is one of the most popular premium networks on TV, with shows like Game of Thrones and others. The channel has also launched an online and mobile app called HBO GO. This brings the content to your computer, phone or tablet.

Now the network has arrived on Amazon Fire TV, the tiny set-top box that launched earlier this year. It's a strong competitor to Roku and Apple TV. While arguably less capable than the former, it is also stronger than the latter in its offerings.

"Since launch we’ve increased the number of services available on Amazon Fire TV by more than 4x", says Peter Larsen, Vice President Amazon Devices. "We’re thrilled to add HBO GO, the most requested service, to Fire TV in time for the holidays. HBO has produced some of the most groundbreaking and award-winning TV shows and movies, and we are excited to bring this amazing content to our customers, all of which is accessible via voice search on your Fire TV remote".

Amazon claims it now has more than 700 apps and games available on its platform. And the addition of HBO GO brings approximately 1,700 titles along for the ride. You can browse the store to grab the app. For now, you'll still need to verify a cable or satellite subscription, but that's scheduled to change next year. Oh, and it's currently on sale for $79, a $20 price cut. The deal will last through December 28th.

Plex for Android gets Playlists

Publié: décembre 14, 2014, 3:00am CET par Alan Buckingham

plex-for-android

Plex is perhaps the most well known media server among home theater and HTPC enthusiasts. Both a server and end-user app are provided, the former for free, while the latter will set you back a nominal fee. However, it's well worth the time to set up and few dollars out of your pocket.

Now the service is improving on it's offering to Google's mobile platform. Plex for Android has just gained Playlists, making things just a bit easier for its multitude of customers.

The company was not particularly nice to iOS users in the process of announcing this update. In fact, it stated "Well, iOS has had playlists long enough for those goatee-wearing, grass-fed, lard eating hipsters to get quite smug about it, so we've decided it was finally time to show them how damn pretty it could look on Android".

The new Playback feature provides full capability, with Plex stating "the mobile layout of the app (full editing and playback), and Android TV (playback)".

Use a single action for mark as watched/unwatched
More intuitive behavior for the “home” button in the mobile audio player
Renamed “download” to “sync” and “sync” to “sync now” in menus
Renamed “queue” to “watch later”
Various small UI enhancement

Plex is available now from the Google Play store, and it will only set you back $4.99, which isn't bad at all, given the functionality provided by the service.

The possible demise of The Pirate Bay does little to stem piracy

Publié: décembre 11, 2014, 4:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

johnny-depp-pirate

Perhaps the biggest news of the past week came out of Sweden, where police raided and shut down The Pirate Bay. The site was the most enduring symbol of BitTorrent, though not necessarily in the best of ways, given the technology can be used for many good things. Still, the site stood for much of what, to some, seems right about the internet -- the free and open access to what you want.

Since the raid, several mirrors have popped up, and yesterday a fake substitute had people talking, and some fooled. We'd advise you not to use that, though we also don't advocate piracy in general. It likely will not be the last such site to crop up, as there is really no end to either piracy or online crooks looking to get malware distributed to unsuspecting victims.

But does the potential loss of this famed site really do anything for the folks who advocated it and those who carried out the raid? No, not really. It certainly puts a temporary dent in things, The Pirate Bay (and EZTV which also was a victim of this) were far from the only sources for people looking to grab movies and TV shows. We won't be naming them, but they are easy enough to find if you are so inclined.

Those who want to download shows and movies will always find a way, those willing to provide the means are eager for the revenue that comes from the ads on the site. Security expert Graham Cluley called it a game of whack-a-mole, and he is one hundred percent right with that assessment.

As for Peter Sunde, one of the original founders of The Pirate Bay, he states "News just reached me that The Pirate Bay has been raided, again. That happened over eight years ago last time. That time, a lot of people went out to protest and rally in the streets. Today few seem to care. And I’m one of them". He claims the site no longer had any soul and that he hopes it doesn't rise again, claiming it was ugly, full of old code and that the ads had become "distasteful".

There's no arguing with Sunde's analysis of things, much is accurate, especially the ads part. However, despite his hopes that this time it's over for good, I have my doubts. The Pirate Bay has always found a way to survive, despite the worst scenarios that could befall it. It could take a while this time around, but don't be surprised if the phoenix once again rises from its ashes. And if it fails, folks will just move to one of the other services online and the new ones that will crop up. Trying to stop these things is a pathetic waste of time and money.

Image Credit: 1000 Words / Shutterstock

Spotify gets holiday happy, announces gifts for purchase

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

Girl listening to music

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Don't want to pay too much? Amazon now lets you haggle over some prices

Publié: décembre 9, 2014, 4:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

bargains

If you've traveled to certain locations then you likely know that bargaining over a price is an acceptable practice. It is, however, something that went out of style long ago in the US, save for car dealers. Now Amazon aims to bring it back into fashion.

The new system is called, quite simply, 'Make an offer'. It enables customers to haggle a price with third party sellers who operate on the retailer's platform.

"If agreed upon, customers can then purchase the items at a savings from the listed price. To start, more than 150,000 items from sellers on Amazon are enabled with the ‘Make an Offer’ experience across Sports and Entertainment Collectibles, Collectible Coins and Fine Art", the company announces.

That sounds like a lot, but expansion is planned in 2015, with a promise of hundreds of thousands more items added to this list.

In order to use the feature, customers will need to locate an item that features the 'Make an offer' button. They can then enter any price they choose.

Amazon considers this a big deal, and it arrives in time for the holidays. "The new 'Make an Offer' experience is a game-changer for Amazon customers looking for great prices on one-of-a-kind items, and for sellers looking to communicate and negotiate directly with customers in an online marketplace environment just like they do normally in their own physical store or gallery", says Peter Faricy, VP of Amazon Marketplace.

This isn't an auction, so don't expect an eBay experience. This is simply a one-on-one negotiation, much like you find on the streets of someplace like Mexico. The new system is available now.

Image Credit: Andy Dean Photography / Shutterstock

Google Street View travels to Spain, takes in the sights

Publié: décembre 5, 2014, 5:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

spain-street-view

There is little doubt that Spain is a beautiful country, with cities like Madrid and Barcelona, along with many lesser known jewels. However getting there is not always allowed by your schedule, or perhaps even your budget. No need to fear.

Google has sent its intrepid team of explorers to the nation and they managed to snag images of 50 locations around the country. "The Iberian Peninsula has a rich and varied artistic, architectural and cultural legacy. Roman remains, Al-Andalus, Gothic splendor and 19th century Catalan modernism are just a few examples of what you might see travelling around Spain’s cities and countryside. And starting today, people all over the world will be able to explore 50 new iconic locations in Spain with Street View on Google Maps", says Amita Khattri, Street View Program Manager.

Many famous sights have now been captured, including Congress of Deputies and the wonderful stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of León.

All of this amazing imagery was captured using Google's backpack camera system which allows the hiker to move around as the entire view is filmed. However, some of it's a bit more complicated than that -- "To capture details of the fine art and architecture inside these magnificent sites, we enlisted the help of the Trolley. And for more sprawling locations, the trusty Trike captured imagery while its rider pedaled".

All of this is available now, so head over to Street View and check it out.

PayPal hackable in one click according to security researcher

Publié: décembre 4, 2014, 5:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

remote access laptop hacker security

PayPal, currently owned by eBay, is one of the most popular methods for moving money online. Of course, as Microsoft knows from Windows, with popularity comes problems. People are going to poke and prod in an effort to find soft spots. Sometimes the intention is to help fix things, sometimes to exploit the problems.

Security researcher Yasser Ali is on the good side, but he still has released details of a vulnerability that shows how easy it can be to hack PayPal. However, before you get all worked up, the payment service fixed the problem before Ali announced it. It also paid him in gratitude for the information.

The problem arose from CSRF tokens, which authenticate each request made by a customer. Every request generates a different token, but Ali found that previous ones could be reused. That sounds difficult, as the attacker needs that code.

However, according to Ali, "If an attacker 'not logged in' tries to make a 'send money' request then PayPal will ask the attacker to provide his email and password. The attacker will provide the 'Victim Email' and ANY password, Then he will capture the request, The request will contain a Valid CSRF Auth token which is reusable and can authorize this specific user request".

It gets worse -- "After further investigation, I have noticed that the request of setting up the security questions 'which is initiated by the user while signing up' is not password-protected, and it can be reused to reset the security questions up without providing the password. Hence, armed with the CSRF Auth, an attacker can CSRF this process too and change the victim’s Security questions".

While all this sounds menacing, at least it's fixed and PayPal acted quickly. We've seen, in the past, cases where the company ignored findings, leading to the researcher announcing details while things were still vulnerable.

Photo Credit: Korn/Shutterstock

US streaming devices market continues to grow, Roku leads the way

Publié: décembre 2, 2014, 9:49pm CET par Alan Buckingham

ParksAssociates-Streaming-Media-Devices--TopBrands

On the heals of Amazon shipping its Fire Stick, a new HDMI dongle that provides similar capabilities to the previously released Fire TV, the market for streaming devices has continued to grow. And it's also getting more competitive, as each company improves its offerings.

A new study published by Parks Associates shows that a record ten percent of US households now own a streaming device. That still seems a small number, but perspective is needed. First, it's growing, and second, some people just aren't going to buy in to this technology -- my parents wouldn't know what a Roku was, nor what to do with it.

"Nearly 50 percent of video content that US consumers watch on a TV set is non-linear, up from 38 percent in 2010, and it is already the majority for people 18-44", says Barbara Kraus, Director of Research for Parks Associates. "The market is changing rapidly to account for these new digital media habits. Roku now offers a streaming stick, and Amazon’s Fire TV streaming stick leaves Apple as the only top player without a stick product in the streaming media device category".

And speaking of Roku, it continues to hold its lead in this market, though the gap is closing. Google Chromecast seems to be eating into the market share, as it sprang from nowhere to take the number two slot. It's followed by Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Sony.

During the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show Parks Associates will hold a "Connections" summit which will be conducted in conjunction with AT&T, Comcast and TiVo. Those companies are expected to discuss how to monetize this growing market.

Broadband providers face a future of just that -- without the lucrative TV services that they were built on. It will be interesting to see what comes out of these talks and what happens moving forward.

Black Friday deals -- Amazon places its own devices up for sale

Publié: novembre 28, 2014, 1:16am CET par Alan Buckingham

kindle-reader-back

It's now the time of year for shopping and finding deals, and Black Friday reigns supreme in this category. As customers line up at retail stores, they miss the fact that staying home can also net you deals at online retailers and save you from the hectic mess that is the king of shopping days.

This time around, Amazon is offering steep discounts on its own products. Those in the market for a Kindle, Fire tablet, Fire phone or the new TV stick are in luck.

The new Kindle reader, which normally retails for $79 will get reduced to a svelte $49. However, you can pay full price, but get six months of Kindle Unlimited, which is a $60 value. For those looking to step up a bit, the Kindle Paperwhite is dropping $20 to a price of $99.

Meanwhile the Fire HD tablets, which were recently released, are getting the price slashed as well -- the six inch model will be $79, while the seven inch will set you back $109.

For those in the market for the new Fire TV Stick, Amazon recommends both Best Buy and Staples, which will be selling the little HDMI dongle for a mere $24.99, getting it below competitor Chromecast.

Black Friday can be tricky, as not every deal is what it seems, but these are all solid offerings, and you don't have to go out in the cold to take advantage of them.

Black Friday deals -- get a discounted Roku device

Publié: novembre 27, 2014, 5:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Roku-Black-Friday-2014

We've reached that time of the year when merchants offer deals and people are hungrily shopping. If you still read a newspaper then today's edition is likely a bit heavy, laden with ads for Black Friday sales, some of which are already underway.

Roku is also getting in on the action, offering some nice discounts on its TV devices, both set-top box and stick. Bringing streaming online media to your living room, the company is offering some good deals and throwing in a bonus to go along with your purchase. And you don't need to leave home and fight angry shoppers for it.

The Roku LT box has been reduced from $39.99 to $29.99, while the streaming stick also gets a $10 discount, dropping the price to $39.99. Both are good deals for yourself or a gift for another person.

To go along with this deal, purchasers will get 60 days of free Rdio Unlimited. That's a $20 value, and provides streaming access to millions of songs right from your new device.

Customers in Canada also get a deal -- the same Rdio Unlimited offer, accompanied by a $25 Cineplex store credit. If you're in UK then you'll have to settle for just the Rdio deal, sorry.

This offer ends on December 1st, so you'll need to act this weekend if you want to take advantage of the deal. If you're in US then you'll need to decide between the two devices, otherwise you won't get the discount or the music deal.

Amazon deal -- grab a Fire HD 6 and get a bonus

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 8:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

fire-hd6-kindle-unlimited

Amazon recently released new devices, including Fire tablets and Kindle readers. But with the holiday shopping season now upon us, it's time for deals. The retailer is responding with multiple ones, some already being available on the site.

This one is a bit different, though. The online store wishes for you to purchase its new Fire HD 6 tablet, and to entice you, the pot is sweetened.

If you grab the tablet now (though it's called a Black Friday deal) then you can also get six months free of Kindle Unlimited, which is generally priced at $9.99 per month.

The 6-inch device has 8 GB of storage and also has front and rear cameras. It runs Amazon's highly customized version of Android, which seems like a completely different operating system, but not in a bad way.

You can grab this deal from the retailer for $129. Other deals on Amazon products are coming this Black Friday, and some are already available -- the holiday shopping season seems to start earlier each year. We'll have a full list of the the products coming soon.

CryptoLocker: the comeback -- malware reemerges ready to steal your money

Publié: novembre 25, 2014, 5:07am CET par Alan Buckingham

cybercrime cyber terrorism hacker gun malware security

CryptoLocker has now been around the block a few times -- it's been locking people's data and demanding money for sometime. The threat finally (mostly) disappeared. However, it seems to be experiencing a resurgence, as a new strain of the virus has been detected.

If you aren't familiar, and honestly, you don't want to be, CryptoLocker encrypts the files on your computer and then holds you for ransom -- pay or lose your data.

Now AVG, the popular antivirus company, has discovered a new variant that is beginning to make the rounds, starting out in the Czech Republic, Unfortunately, things are a bit worse this time around -- "Previous ransomware variants had weak or flawed encryption, which meant that files often could be recovered. This new variant contains a much stronger algorithm and encrypted files are almost impossible to recover without the encryption key, which is only held by the attacker", the security firm states.

In the past, Shadow Copy allowed for recovery of these files, but the latest variant blocks this form of help. The past weak encryption has been "fixed". AVG is recommending help from an expert before doing anything, least of all paying your money to the hackers.

The company also asks users to backup files -- a common sense practice for anyone. Of course it also advocates use of its software. Backup to a server or the cloud are the best options, as it allows you to blow away the system and reinstall your files. But, not clicking links in email or visiting questionable sites is really the best advice.

Photo Credit: grafvision/Shutterstock

XBMC moves forward with name change as new logo is chosen

Publié: novembre 24, 2014, 2:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

XBMC, whose name was derived from Xbox and Media Center, is making a change that you may have heard about. Or at least you have if you delve into the HTPC world. The platform will soon be officially known as Kodi, distancing itself from Microsoft, though it continues to work on the company's products, just as it always has.

To go along with this fresh new face, a new logo was also in order. For that, the organization reached out to its community. The result was an amalgam of the feedback received during the process.

"With that in mind, we did a few things to narrow down the results. First, we had a user vote to get an idea of which ideas were more popular, and where some commonalities might lay", says Nathan Betzen of XBMC...ah, Kodi.

The company is also allowing usage of the new logo, but you'll need to check to see if you are within your rights for this. "For users interested in using the logo for business, fansite, or other purposes, we’ve put together a fairly simple Logo Usage page for you to browse".

The organization isn't quite done yet. It's now asking the community to animate the new logo, as that seemed to be a popular choice with users. The animation won't make the new Kodi 14, but hopes are high that it will appear in version 15.

Gamer alert -- you can now play Tetris on your Roku

Publié: novembre 22, 2014, 2:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Tetris_Roku_SS-Marathon_1280x720

Most people don't think of a set-top box as a gaming device, but that concept has been changing recently. Amazon's Fire TV and Google's new Nexus Player are both enabled with capability that has the gamer in mind. Now Roku is stepping up as well.

The company announces that the classic game of Tetris is now available to its customers. "Casual gaming is a great feature available on Roku players and is perfect for a little friendly competition on family game nights. The addition of the Tetris game to the Roku Channel Store provides another great option for a fun, engaging game to keep your whole family entertained".

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the popular and challenging puzzle game. If you haven't played it before, then you'll find yourself placing dropping blocks of various shapes together as best as possible, and at an ever-increasing rate of speed.

Roku also claims "As an added bonus, you can turn back the clock and experience the Tetris game with a special nostalgic theme that is sure to bring back fond memories for seasoned Tetris fans".

The game comes in two versions -- free and Premium, with latter costing $4.99. You'll also need the latest hardware, meaning either a Roku 3 box or the Streaming Stick. Fire up either device and head to the channel store to grab your copy.

HBO GO reaches the living room via Xbox One

Publié: novembre 21, 2014, 4:15pm CET par Alan Buckingham

microsoft_xbox_one_gtf_img1

HBO GO has been in the news lately, especially when the HBO network announced that it will be discontinuing its paid cable/satellite service restriction and turn it into a stand-alone service. It's also now making inroads into the living room -- perhaps in preparation for that big move next year. To that end, the network is moving into the Xbox One ecosystem.

Larry Hryb, better known to most folks as Major Nelson, announces the release -- "HBO GO is arriving on Xbox One in the US, bringing along every episode from every season of your favorite HBO shows. With HBO GO, subscribers can watch the latest episodes from shows like 'True Detective', 'Game of Thrones' and 'Girls', along with your favorite hits like 'Entourage' and 'The Sopranos', HBO GO on Xbox One features Kinect voice and gesture control so you can easily search the entire catalog via gestures or voice commands".

The Kinect integration seems to be a key feature, as it will allow for easy control and work with the rest of the new Xbox One controls. That makes entertainment almost a home automation thing.

For now, customers will still have to verify a TV subscription, as that won't change until 2015. But it's one more selling point that Microsoft has added to an already large entertainment field. The console has certainly become as much about that as it is about gaming. We'll see where it heads next.

Momentum continues as Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines move to Surface Pro 3

Publié: novembre 20, 2014, 2:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Surface Pro 3

It may have taken a few tries, but Microsoft is gaining momentum with its tablet/laptop, the Surface Pro 3. The device, which includes an optional keyboard, was released a couple of months ago, and sales seem to be lively from what we've heard.

It's not a major surprise, as businesses love Windows, and now more are adopting this platform. Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines are moving to Surface Pro 3. Microsoft claims it is adopting "certain commercial requirements" in an effort to make the device more appealing to the enterprise.

That has enabled both airlines to adopt the tablet, which will be mounted right up front. "NavAero will build a mount that enables Surface Pro 3 to connect to onboard power and data systems in the cockpit".

Why are they doing this? The Surface can plug into the panel and provide added information to the pilots, such as navigation, weather and turbulence.

"We have been clear on Microsoft’s commitment to Surface in business and with this move adopting Surface in their cockpit, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines join the growing number of commercial airlines using Surface Pro 3 to help give their pilots the best, most efficient and productive in-flight experience", says Microsoft's Cyril Belikoff.

Microsoft is certainly pushing this pretty hard, though what company doesn't push its own devices? It seems to be paying off in this case, and perhaps the movement will grow.

Microsoft and Opera agree to terms on App Store deal for Nokia phones

Publié: novembre 18, 2014, 9:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

opera-mobile-store Microsoft purchased Nokia, in part, earlier this year and has now begun the slow process of making it their own. New phones are being rebranded, which is not particularly surprising. Though, parterning with Opera (yes, the browser maker) is bit a bit of a shock.

However, today the Norwegian company announced a deal with the software giant to begin powering the app store on certain models of handsets.

"Beginning in the first quarter of 2015, people who access Nokia Store from Series 40, Series 60, Symbian, Asha and Nokia X devices will be automatically redirected to Opera Mobile Store, where they will be offered the opportunity to become customers of Opera Mobile Store and have access to tens of thousands of apps for their Nokia phones", The Scandanvian firm announces.

This transition will not happen over night, but Opera hopes to have it completed by the first half of 2015. At that point the Nokia Store will close.

“We continue to sell and support classic Nokia devices, which remain popular in many parts of the world,” says Rich Bernardo, Vice President of Phones at Microsoft. “We’re delighted to partner with Opera Software and continue to provide a reliable app store experience for consumers and developers alike".

This may comes as a surprise to some customers, but Opera has long been more than just a browser maker. The company powers a number of smart TVs on today's market, as well.

The new Kindle reader -- bang for your buck [Review]

Publié: novembre 17, 2014, 3:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

kindle-reader-front

If you have grown tired of hardback and paperback books, then a Kindle may be your answer. Coincidentally, Amazon has released two new models, a standard and the Voyage, which my colleague Brian Fagioli reviewed recently. These complement the existing Paperwhite, which has not yet been updated.

If you've never before owned a Kindle, a club I fell into, then you'll find many interesting aspects to the device, which we'll discuss as we go along. The most prominent feature is obviously e-ink, and that isn't new to the platform. But it's important for several reasons -- one, it makes your books look like actual books, and two, it preserves battery life beautifully. You can go weeks without charging.

The Software

This is pretty basic. You swipe to unlock and to grab books you head to the Amazon store (indicated by a shopping cart icon) -- no fancy 3G or 4G connections, this is basic Wi-Fi for the low end model.

Settings and store are accessed by a tap at the the top the screen, which isn't readily obvious. There isn't a simple "home" button -- hardware or software. While that's a bit awkward, it isn't a deal breaker.

The Settings are fairly simple anyway, and you're unlikely to use it very often. It does contain options for "airplane mode", parental controls and more. "Free time" is also built in, which is meant for children, as it allows limited access to books. This option states "parents can set reading goals and track progress while kids can earn badges and awards".

The main screen also contains a search button and access to GoodReads, a social reading site that a number of people use these days to find and recommend books.

The Hardware

This also is simple. The bezel is quite large, especially across the bottom, but that isn't a big deal, as it provides an easy location to hold the device, which is very light.

Buttons are sparse, to put it mildly. In fact, there's only one and that's power. Give it a quick press to put the device to sleep (the screen will stay on), or hold it down to get other options such as shut down, turn off screen and restart.

Beyond that, all there is left is a microUSB port for charging, which actually seems fairly quick. Given the long battery life, that is not an issue anyway.

kindle-reader-back

Conclusion

At $79 this is likely a good investment. It isn't perfect. A home button would certainly be a welcome addition -- a simple hardware one. But aside from that minor complaint, I had no problems adapting to the device and it has already replaced Play Books on my tablet as my choice for reading.

Amazon should sell plenty this holiday season, given the price. It would be perfect for children, but it's also equally good for adults. This is obviously the low end of the Kindle line, but really, it's good enough for most consumers. Why pay more if you don't have to?

Google goes to Australia, lets you tour the parks with Street View

Publié: novembre 15, 2014, 2:35pm CET par Alan Buckingham

google-stree-view-australia

There is, perhaps, no place the Google Street View team will not go, including national parks around the US. The crew has traveled around the world, and even beneath the oceans. Now the team is honoring the IUCN World Parks Congress, which is taking place in Sydney, Australia this time around. The meeting happens only once per decade, so it's a big deal.

In celebration, Google has trekked 21 parks and 27 underwater spots in an effort to bring them to your desktop. There was some help, and this came about through a partnership with New South Wales National Parks and Catlin Seaview Survey.

"Beyond Mount Kosciuszko, bushwalkers can take a virtual hike through Fort Denison, Dorrigo National Park, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Cape Byron lighthouse and 16 other parks across New South Wales", announces Karin Tuxen-Bettman, Program Manager for Google Earth Outreach and Jenifer Austin, Manager of the Google Ocean Program.

There's no doubt that the "land down under" is beautiful, and for those in the northern hemisphere, it's a long trip. So bringing it to all those who may never get the chance to make the journey is a nice bonus to all Google Street View users. Now you can visit Australia and it won't cost you a dime.

Wearable technology market grows -- Asus releases ZenWatch

Publié: novembre 15, 2014, 1:53am CET par Alan Buckingham

ASUS_ZenWatch

Wearable technology is here, though not everyone seems to be on board with the 'trend'. Still, the market is growing and existing products are evolving to do more. Pebble has just released a new batch of updates featuring the ability to order Domino's pizza, new watchfaces and several other apps available to its customers.

Now Asus, known for its computers and tablets, is releasing its entry into the market, announcing the ZenWatch. The new model is utilizing AndroidWear and features a classy look, with a nice face and stitched leather band.

"The stitched leather strap and curved, stainless steel body make the ZenWatch both comfortable and attractive to wear. It also has a curved glass display, which provides a smooth surface for easy gestures, and a beautiful window for watch faces", says Jeff Chang, senior product manager for AndroidWear.

The watch also includes a set of tools that can track your movements and exercise, as well as rest. "The ZenWatch includes a unique set of sensors that help you keep track of your heart rate, step count, and even relaxation levels", Chang points out.

The watch is now available through both Google Play and Best Buy, retailing for $199.99. The price, while more than a Pebble, isn't bad. It certainly has the looks to attract buyers, but not everyone is sold on this technology just yet.

Order Domino's pizza from your watch? Pebble now does that

Publié: novembre 14, 2014, 2:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Pic.Dominos-141113

Pebble was not the first smartwatch, but it could be argued that it popularized the platform and led to others creating similar devices. The company isn't resting on its laurels either, as it continues to make improvements and get apps in its store. The latest new addition is geared towards the hungry.

Pebble is announcing that pizza giant Domino's has arrived on your wrist. Yes, you can now order your pie right from the watch -- toppings are up to you.

"The Domino’s Pizza Pebble app brings the company’s Domino’s Tracker system to your watch, letting you follow your pizza’s journey from order, to baking, and (the best part) delivery. Take the app for a spin the next time a pizza craving hits you" the watchmaker announces.

In addition, the company unveiled other new additions to the store. These include a series of new watch faces along with games and utilities. The faces, in particular, seem to be popular with owners, as it equates to wallpaper on a desktop or laptop. It's the way each person makes the device "theirs".

All of these are free, however, you will have to pay for that pizza you ordered.

YouTube Music Key joins the streaming battle

Publié: novembre 12, 2014, 8:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

youtube-music-key

The battle for your hard earned money in the music streaming business is heating up, which seems to be a statement I make regularly these days. This time, the offering comes from an unexpected source. While YouTube is a go-to for music videos, it isn't generally thought of for a streaming music source. Or perhaps I'm old.

YouTube is unveiling its new service, Music Key. "You’ve asked us for ways to listen to music without ads, to keep playing music videos even if you lock the screen or start using another app, and to play music even if you’re not connected to the Internet. That’s why today we're introducing YouTube Music Key beta, a monthly subscription service".

The service will set users back $7.99 per month, which is a promotional price. Google did this with Play Music All Access as well, but grandfathered in those who took advantage of the deal.

In this case, Google is including All Access along with Music Key, so users get even more for the money they shell out. That part is a smart move, as otherwise the company would essentially be competing with itself.

"Thanks to your music videos, remixes, covers, and more, you’ve made YouTube the biggest music service on the planet", Google says.

For now, the service is still beta, but you can sign up by following this link. Let us know what you think.

Amazon Fire HD 7 tablet -- Is it worth the upgrade? [Review]

Publié: novembre 11, 2014, 6:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-hd-7

Amazon has been producing its Fire tablets for the past few years, and the devices have remained among the retailer's top selling items. For one reason, they are always good solid products, but for another, Amazon sells them at a good price and frequently discounts the devices. Now the company has released its latest iteration of the tablet, but what new features does it bring along?

In all honesty, there are not a lot of big changes, but many minor updates to both the operating system and the hardware have been made. The new tablet comes in both six and seven inch models, though there is also a new 8.9, which retains the HDX name used for last year's models of both 7 and 8.9 devices.

The Hardware

True to a tradition that has been part of this culture for the past three years, Amazon has moved the buttons around. The 2012 model featured flush buttons for power and volume located one above the other on one side. That design proved a bit difficult, as you sometimes had to look to find them. Last year's HDX improved on that, placing them on opposing sides and indenting them slightly, making it easy to locate by touch.

The new tablet comes with a 1280 x 800 resolution screen, quad core processor and both front and rear facing cameras. The company also promises up to 8 hours of battery life, depending on usage. In addition, you'll get Dolby sound from the two stereo speakers, along with a built-in microphone and a headphone jack.

As for the button movement, it doesn't seem a big deal. While different from last year's HDX, they are still easily located by touch -- no need to turn the device sideways, as was the case two years ago.

The Fire HD bezel isn't especially thin, but also not huge. Unlike last year, the sides and back around it feels a bit more durable this time around. You can still buy a nice case for it though, if you're one to worry about your investment. The rear camera is also new. Previously you had to purchase the 8.9 version for that.

Fire HD resized

Software

As previously stated, the Fire HD comes with version 4.0 of Amazon's flavor of Android. You'd be hard pressed to realize you were using Google's operating system, as it has been customized to death. That's not a bad thing, however. It works very well. But, if you're looking for Google apps or the Play store then you're in the wrong place.

There's a number of improvements in the latest build, though none are stunning. Still present is the easy pull down bar from the top, which gives access to settings, wireless, quiet time and more. A swipe up from the bottom gets you the Silk browser, camera, calendar, contacts and, of course, the ability to shop on Amazon. You can also access family accounts and limit access for younger children.

The menu across the top, which provides easy access to books, video and more, remains unchanged. The main interface also has not been altered -- it's still an easy sideways swipe to find what you're looking for.

Observations

I've compared the new Fire HD 7 to last year's HDX 7, but it really doesn't compete with that. That one is still available, and currently discounted to $179. The new HD replaces last year's HD, though I never used that one, so base my observations on experience.

This tablet, while not vastly different, does boast improvements, including a rear camera. It also retains the stereo speakers that made the older model so good for watching Prime video and using Prime music service.

Since its arrival, the device has been updated to Fire OS 4.1.1, though no official word came from Amazon citing the differences, meaning it was likely bug fixes and performance enhancements.

So, is it worth the upgrade? That's a hard question to answer. It's very good and response time is quick. The button placement is different, but there isn't anything wrong with it in that regard.

Overall, it's an improvement, to be sure. Is it a major one? No, not really. Amazon seems to have pretty much perfected the platform and new models are now incremental ones. However, at $139 this is not a major expense, and if you need a tablet then you can't go wrong investing your money here. It helps if you are part of the Amazon ecosystem, as those who are will see the most benefit from this purchase.

In the end, the conclusion is that the Amazon Fire HD gets two thumbs up from me.

Netflix unveils October Speed Index Report, Comcast still middle of the pack

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

Netflix

Every month streaming video provider Netflix announces its speed results for the biggest ISPs in the US and other nations. The report is aimed to let customers know why their video may be dodgy and also to praise those that get it right. The order tends to vary each and every time, but there is some relative consistency seen in the results.

This time around, the October report reveals that Verizon Fios remains in the top spot. Comcast also retained its position, though sixth is still not great given the provider is getting paid by Netflix to provide the best service. In between those positions you will find Cablevision, Bright House, Cox and Charter.

Speeds in the US range from Verizon Fios at 3.24 Mbps down to Clearwire at the bottom with 1.06. Meanwhile up north Bell Canada Fiber Optic topped the list, registering a 3.30. Both countries were shamed by the tiny nation of Luxembourg with a top speed of 3.98 average among all providers and Austria which came in with a 4.2 Mbps average.

"The Netflix ISP Speed Index is a measure of prime time Netflix performance on a particular ISP and not a measure of overall performance for other services/data that may travel across the specific ISP network", says Anne Marie Squeo of Netflix.

We now just have to wait for what next month brings, but hopefully it will be better performance for all customers given that video consumption continues its move to broadband.

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Deal alert: Toshiba Encore Windows tablet on sale for $99

Publié: novembre 8, 2014, 3:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

en-INTL-L-Toshiba-Encore-Mini-WT7-C16MS-16GB-CWF-01825-mnco

The Windows tablet market isn't a danger to Android or iPad, but it isn't doing horribly either. Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 seems to be a hit and others are on the market as well, with makers like Dell and Toshiba jumping on board. But in case you haven't yet taken the bait, Microsoft wishes to add a bit more enticement with a sale on one of them.

Between now and November 21st the company is offering the Toshiba Encore Mini WT7-C16MS Signature Edition for a steal of a price. The tablet is a seven inch model and it comes with an Intel Atom Z3735G processor, one GB of memory, 16 GB of storage, front and rear cameras and promises up to seven hours of battery life.

In addition, the device comes with free Office 365 personal edition and Microsoft is offering Bing Rewards points if you buy it now. Of course that last part will require signing up for an account with the search service, though that part of the deal is free.

For $99 it's a pretty good deal for anyone in the market for a Windows tablet. If you want to grab Microsoft Complete with "extended service and accident protection for your device -- plus unlimited software support and training from Answer Desk -- for two full years. Add Complete within 45 days of your purchase to get it all, not to mention valuable extras like PC Tune-Up, Virus Removal and Protection, and personal in-store training at no extra cost", then it will set you back another $99.

It's NFL season and the Moto X now has football leather

Publié: novembre 8, 2014, 4:32am CET par Alan Buckingham

Moto X Leather

We've reached the midway point of football season. Races are shaping up between NFL teams that are battling for a playoff berth, while others have fallen by the wayside -- I won't name those, to spare the poor fans. But sometimes sports meets technology, and it does so at an increasingly high rate. That happens today as Motorola joins the club of "NFL fans".

The Moto X has gained notoriety, partially because of its functionality, and largely with its customized backs. Perhaps not everyone wants a phone with a wood back, but apparently some do. Now Motorola is going a bit further, adding a "football back". In other words, it has has the look and texture of a game ball.

"Featuring the same Horween genuine football leather trusted by college and pro athletes, the new 'football' phones will be available exclusively at Verizon Wireless stores and on verizonwireless.com beginning today", the wireless carrier announces. Football fans can still personalize the new backing by using the MotoMaker website.

It's a great accessory for game day. Break it out to text your friends about the big tailgating party or just to discuss the game if you're wachting from home. If you've been considering the handset then you now you have one more option that may push you over the edge -- providing you happen to like football.

Spotify gets mobile to PC remote access update

Publié: novembre 7, 2014, 4:17am CET par Alan Buckingham

Spotify_Icon Despite a little spat with Taylor Swift, Spotify seems to be mostly improving all the time, adding updates and content on a regular basis. The latest update aims to marry your computers to your mobile devices via new, and rather unique, remote app.

The company is announcing a new feature for Premium subscribers, allowing users to access Spotify on their computer using remote control from the phone or tablet.

"Use the Spotify app to control the sound. It’s brilliant if your laptop’s hooked up to your speakers. Or if you just don’t want to get off the couch", the streaming service states in its announcement.

There are a few instructions that customers will need to follow, but everything is pretty straight forward in this new option.

1. Make sure you’ve got the latest version of Spotify on both your computer and your phone/tablet.
2. Log in to Spotify on your phone/tablet, and play any song.
3. Tap the Now Playing bar, and hit the Connect icon.
4. Select your computer from the list, and let the music flow.

As previously stated, this is a Premium feature so you'll need to sign up to test it out. You'll obviously have a new monthly charge if you choose to go this route.

Just in time for a new season the NBA hits Android TV

Publié: novembre 6, 2014, 4:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

nba

The basketball season is freshly underway in the US and NBA fans are waiting to see how their respective teams do. While many have a general idea of which will be good and which may just not pan out, there are always surprises.

For those NBA fans who are eying an Android TV device like the Nexus Player then Google has sweetened the offerings a bit. Folks will now get access to live basketball games on the set-top box, though a subscription is obviously required.

"Our friends at the National Basketball Association have just released the NBA Game Time app on Google Play. In the United States, you can now follow your favorite teams and catch every pick, roll, dunk and long-range three, live with an NBA League Pass. While you’re at it, grab the Android apps for your other devices so you can cheer on your team from your couch, on your tablet in bed, and on your phone under your desk at work", says Serge Kassardjian, Android Media Partnerships Lead. Although we'd likely advise against that last suggestion.

This now complements the MLB app for the all-around sports fans. No word if the NHL will get in on the action as of yet, and the NFL is generally a hold-out on these things, though it has been getting a bit more lenient as of late.

Taylor Swift pulling her music from Spotify is equivalent to thumbing her nose at the fans

Publié: novembre 4, 2014, 7:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

taylor-swift

Music streaming has become the norm. When did you last buy a CD or, gasp, cassette or album? And we will not even discuss the 8-track tapes. That made yesterday's news cycle a bit baffling. Artists should be falling over themselves for ubiquity, not heading towards obscurity. But some apparently simply don't get it.

It has been revealed that Taylor Swift, a vastly popular singer, has pulled her music from Spotify. The artist seems to be worried about piracy, something that seems of little concern to most musicians today.

Swift revealed to the Wall Street Journal that "piracy, file sharing and streaming have shrunk the numbers of paid album sales drastically and every artist has handled this blow differently". With today's streaming services being a simple monthly payment away it seems a bad move to forgo the income stream that results from these outlets.

Every phone, tablet and set-top box has access to these services. It's the new norm. It's how people today listen to music. Miss Swift won't be selling many CDs so she likely needs to grow up and adapt to the world.

Or perhaps it wasn't her, but came via the record label, Big Machine Records. If so then it's negligence on the part of the company. However, given the above quote, the decision may have come from Taylor herself.

Spotify, for its part, has responded -- "We hope she'll change her mind and join us in building a new music economy that works for everyone. We believe fans should be able to listen to music wherever and whenever they want, and that artists have an absolute right to be paid for their work and protected from piracy. That’s why we pay nearly 70 percent of our revenue back to the music community".

These standoffs are not new in the world of digital media. We've seen many cable providers and TV networks hold out on one another. The Beatles famously refused to release their catalogue to digital services for quite some time.

Hopefully Taylor Swift and her record company will soon come to their senses and this little incident will be resolved to mutual benefit. Otherwise, both parties lose out on revenue. Right now we are at a no-win situation for all. We'll see where things lead, and hopefully the result won't take long to come about.

Image Credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock

Amazon Prime members can now store unlimited photos in the cloud

Publié: novembre 4, 2014, 5:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

photographer

For those with tons of family photos, and probably the occasional selfie, safe storage can be an issue. Phones get lost and stolen and computer hard drives have a nasty tendency to die. Having a backup to a cloud service is a good option, and there's no shortage of solutions for it, with Amazon being one of them.

That option just got a whole lot simpler and cheaper. The online retailer is announcing that its cloud storage will take on the task of unlimited photo storage for Prime members, adding one more benefit to the growing list already available.

"Tens of millions of members around the world already enjoy Prime. In the US, membership includes unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 20 million items, instant streaming of tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes through Prime Instant Video, one million songs and hundreds of playlists through Prime Music, early access to select Lightning Deals and access to over 600,000 books to borrow through the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library", Amazon states.

This brings the total Prime haul to video, Kindle lending library, free two day shipping, music and now photos. My colleague Brian Fagioli inquired about what happens to images if you cancel your Prime account. That's a question we don't yet have an answer for, but BetaNews has asked the company and we'll update this with the response. Likely you'd lose them, but you never know until you ask.

Image Credit: Nadya Lukic / Shutterstock

Roku gets Google Play, watch your movies now

Publié: novembre 3, 2014, 4:29pm CET par Alan Buckingham

google-play-roku

Google has just announced the Nexus Player, bringing the extensive Play store content to the living room. But Google's new set-top box isn't the only device on the market. There is plenty of competition in the arena from Apple, Roku and Amazon, to name only three. Now it appears Google intends to compete with itself in this crowded space.

Roku, perhaps the leader in this area, is announcing that it will now include the Play store for video content. "Today, we're thrilled to announce that Google Play Movies & TV has been added to our expansive Channel Store in the US, UK, Ireland and Canada. With the addition of Google Play Movies & TV, you now have more options than ever to watch the entertainment you love on your Roku player", the company states.

The new app comes with immediate benefits, as users can take advantage of the "Gift from Google" section to grab a free copy of X-Men in HD, available for everyone who signs up.

Roku also touts other features of its new channel -- "Another cool feature to look out for when you’re watching a TV show or movie is Google Play’s Info Cards. Can’t remember that actor’s name? Press pause when he is on screen and voilà -- his name will pop-up on screen".

The channel is free, the content is mostly not, but it adds to the variety available on the little set-top box. While it appears Google is competing against itself, it is a smart move getting onto as many platforms as possible. You can find it by doing a search of the channel store on your Roku

Is Google Now creepy or cool?

Publié: octobre 28, 2014, 5:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

business man spying

The other day my colleague Brian Fagioli posted a story about Cortana advancements for the Windows Phone crowd. It got me thinking because he stated that "quite frankly, Google Now is so good at learning about you, that at first, it can seem a bit creepy". He isn't far off the mark, as it is creepy, but it works. And it works to an almost scarily good degree, when it comes to figuring its user out. TV? Travel? Packages ordered? It will have you covered. But is all of this a good or bad thing?

The answer will depend on the person, as I know the privacy advocates will chime in and disagree with my assessment. Am I worried about this invasion to my personal life? The answer is a resounding NO. Google Now alerts me to all sorts of events, some are just useful, some are things I'd likely have forgot without the help of the search giant.

For instance, thanks to GPS data, Google has figured out I go grocery shopping every Sunday morning and gives me a message when I wake up. It tells me drive time and traffic conditions (non-existent, as I live in the country, but still nice) for the trip. It also alerts me about my football team's upcoming game that day and reminds me of the score the next day -- a bit annoying if they lost. On Monday morning it reminds me that Blacklist is on at 10pm.

Yes, the service learns to know you almost as well as your spouse. But is that good or bad? Google uses information from your searches, email, GPS, etc. to accomplish all of this, so many of you will baulk at the prospect. I will not be among you. As Scott McNealy, former CEO of Sun Microsystems, once said, "You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it".

As a basically public person I don't hide anything -- you can all email me or view my Facebook page (don't bother sending a friend request, though). If anything, I should worry about a stalker, and Google isn't that.

Yes, much of this data is being collected by the NSA, but guess what? With or without Google Now, it still would be. If you want privacy then disconnect the internet, use cash and move to a cabin in the woods. Otherwise, understand that Google doesn't care about you personally. It's really ads that are better targeted and Now which is genuinely helpful with your daily life. You can argue if you wish, but I'll stick with "cool" and not "creepy" for my vote.

Image Credit: Andresr / Shutterstock

Xbox One set to go on sale for the holidays, bundles included

Publié: octobre 27, 2014, 2:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

xbox-one-holiday

Microsoft has struggled a bit recently with Xbox One sales, at least in comparison to rival Sony's PS4, though strides are being made. So what to do to combat this problem? For starters the company recently began selling a cheaper model that comes without the Kinect. But things will heat up even more this holiday shopping season, which is fast approaching.

Beginning November 2nd, the Xbox One will be available for $349 -- $50 off the regular non-Kinect price. That price will only be available in the US. And it's not the only discounted offer coming to the gaming platform next month.

"Special promotional pricing of $50 off the console of your choice applies to any Xbox One console, including special edition bundles, offering some of the year’s most anticipated games – Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Sunset Overdrive", says Larry Hryb of Xbox Live, better known as Major Nelson.

So, get your Xbox One, along with a game, and save $50 off the regular price of just the console. And if you wish to get the bundled Kinect version you can still save some money, as that will be $449, also a saving of $50.

Hryb also mentions that "the Xbox One Special Edition Sunset Overdrive Bundle, available in limited quantities now, features a sleek white console and wireless controller, a digital copy of Sunset Overdrive, and special Day One edition in-game items -- available for $349 ERP".

Meanwhile, the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare bundle will come with Kinect and will be available November 3rd for $449.

The offer is nationwide in the US and you'll be able to take advantage of it at most retail outlets. The deal runs through January 3rd of 2015, so you'll have plenty of time to take advantage of this, if you so choose.

Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100 -- not your average Bluetooth speaker [Review]

Publié: octobre 26, 2014, 3:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

bluetone-100-front

As Bluetooth speakers go, most tend to be small devices, easily transportable and charged via a micro USB port. That is largely what has made the peripherals popular -- portability and convenience. But there are manufacturers that take these things a bit more seriously.

Cambridge Audio aims to change perceptions of Bluetooth speakers, turning those small portable gadgets into something that is more home theater gear. One of its offerings is called the Bluetone 100 and, though it doesn't come cheap, it may satisfy the audiophiles out there by offering a bit more than average.

Tale of the Tape

Cambridge Audio promises a number of features, including the most prominent -- a 100 watt amplifier. The big sound is complimented by aptX Bluetooth and several convenient connections located on the back, including RCA jacks and a 3.5 mm input, as well as a port for plugging in the supplied power cord, as the speaker doesn't have micro USB charging, or any other form for that matter. If you care to forgo the Bluetooth, then plug your source in directly.

On top of the rather large device you'll find the controls, including power, forward and backward, Bluetooth connect and auxiliary. Bass adjustment, however, is located on the back panel -- it's a tiny dial that can be turned up or down.

Cambridge Audio promises that "The Bluetone 100 is packed full of technology which maximises the audio quality of the music you hear, from advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to squeeze the most out of music files, to ground breaking Balanced Mode Radi".

It's not that the speaker can't be moved, it does have a handle in the back, but you'll need a location with an electrical outlet in order to power it, and it isn't small either. The Bluetone 100 measures in at 13.9 x 4.6 x 7.2 inches and 9 pounds.

bluetonn-100-back

Sounding Off

The company doesn't lie about the sound. When playing music streamed from a Chromebook it had the capability to easily be heard in multiple rooms. It can do just as well if you prefer to utilize a smartphone or tablet -- any device that is able to emit a Bluetooth signal. At half volume you will fill much of a floor within your home.

And getting started requires nothing more than plugging it in, powering the speaker on and pressing the Bluetooth button, then letting your device hook up with it. In other words, it's no different than its smaller cousins, with the exception of the power source that is needed.

Where it differs is power and sound. But those certainly are not knocks against a speaker. In fact, most people would consider them benefits.

Conclusion

The Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100 became available a few weeks ago and it retails for $299. You can grab it from Amazon, or check the company site for other possibilities.

Included in the package is the power adapter, you will need to supply RCA and 3.5 mm yourself if you wish to go that route.

In the end, this is a high-end model and not exactly geared towards something such as a dorm room, or those who want to use it at locations like the beach. But if you are looking for build quality and big sound, and don't mind spending the money, then it may be what you want.

Amazon rolling out Fire OS 4.1.1 to its tablets

Publié: octobre 23, 2014, 3:56pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

fire-os-4-1-1

Amazon recently released a new line of Kindle products, featuring two new tablets and readers respectively. With the release came an update to the retailer's version of Android, known as Fire OS. It's a highly customized take on Google's mobile platform -- almost unrecognizable, in fact.

Now Amazon is rolling out an update to it, bringing the system to version 4.1.1. The update doesn't seem to have hit the 2013 models yet, but those with the latest tablet should be seeing it now, or at least very soon.

Included is Profiles, allowing each family member to have his or her own account. That includes email, social media accounts, videos and game levels. This feature is available to those in the US, UK and Germany.

Customers will also be able to view and edit documents using WPS Office, receive a new weather app, full screen mode for apps and games, and device settings backup. The latter includes wireless settings, email, bookmarks and more. All of this will be stored in the cloud.

Perhaps the biggest thing about this update is the claims for battery life. Amazon says it is using a new "Smart Suspend", which was introduced in 4.0, and is being tweaked now. This will turn wireless off when the device isn't active, but it periodically turns it back on to grab your email so you're up to date when you turn the Fire on.

If you haven't yet received the update then stay tuned, as it should be coming very soon. It certainly seems to be one that you'll want. Some of this was introduced with the 4.0 release of Sangria, so it's just fixes and improvements. Still, it's an update to grab.

Forget Facebook, Microsoft now has a 'share with Yammer' button

Publié: octobre 23, 2014, 2:06am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Okay, that may be a bit over the top. I doubt most users will be forgetting Facebook anytime soon, but it isn't the only social network. Don't forget Microsoft owns Yammer, which is geared more towards business than personal use. That doesn't mean it should be left out of the equation though.

In an effort to cash in on the social sharing craze, Microsoft is bringing Yammer to web sites. Yes, the business network will be included with Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and the rest of the set, allowing users to share stories.

"Just like how we have Facebook Share buttons, Microsoft has announced Yammer Share buttons for websites. With the Yammer Share Button, you can share useful web content directly into your network to help your colleagues get the most out of Yammer. Select specific groups or coworkers to share with so the right people are included in the conversation", the company states.

This is early days, so you likely shouldn't expect it in a Wordpress plugin anytime soon. For now, you'll need to handle sharing via code, but Microsoft has made it simple. "Want to use the Share Button on your own sites? We've made the code available on the Yammer Developer Center, so you can easily embed the Yammer Share Button within your own sites for simple Yammer sharing. For developers, the Share Button is our most lightweight tool yet, requiring no developer application registration so users can share quickly and easily".

You can grab the code by following this link.

Cable providers should now panic -- cutting the cord is getting easier all the time

Publié: octobre 18, 2014, 1:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

family-watching-tv

Cord cutters are not new, they've been around for years now. Various reasons lead to this decision -- ranging from a simple lack of interest in programming to a desire to get TV shows and movies through other means. Over-the-air (OTA) has always been possible, and some go that route, but a growing number of services have sprung up to fill the gap left behind when cable and satellite service is cancelled.

Netflix, Hulu and Amazon all provided options for movies and TV shows, and now each has spread its wings and moved into the realm of producing original content. That is likely the time when cable providers should have moved into panic mode.

If they didn't, then they weren't paying attention. If that's the case then this past week should have their full attention, because a couple of things happened that may signal their eventual doom.

First, HBO announced that its online service, which currently requires a verification of some sort of subscription to the old time services, will be dropping that little stipulation in 2015. The network that brings us such shows as Game of Thrones will offer a stand-alone product next year.

Second, CBS quickly followed -- in fact it did so the very next day (though it clearly was in the works, so this is coincidence). Its new online service is available right this moment, and it comes at a rather small fee. The network is offering a mix of new and old shows that should keep customers from repeating the old "there's nothing to watch" mantra.

Combine these new offerings -- well, including HBO, which is coming -- with existing ones I've mentioned. Then throw in other, lesser-known options like Crackle. Add in the smattering of folks who simply use things like Popcorn Time and you have a recipe that should scare the pants off of Comcast, Time Warner and their ilk.

Pile on set-top boxes like Roku and Amazon Fire TV and throw in dongles such as Chromecast. All are constantly improving the offerings provided to viewers. Oh, and let's not forget consoles like Xbox One, which is as much entertainment hub as it is gaming platform.

Don't get me wrong -- the providers aren't gone just yet. They still have folks like my parents, who can somehow watch endless hours of The Weather Channel. But the die is cast, the writing for what's coming is on the wall. In the future cable won't mean TV, it will simply mean broadband. It's not the end that any of them wants to face, but it's the reality they will have to look at. Like it or not, their days are are numbered.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

Snapchat talks API, warns about a hacked third-party app

Publié: octobre 17, 2014, 4:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Breakup Smartphones

Snapchat has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity. But for software and apps popularity also means becoming a bigger target. There's been no shortage of news recently regarding systems being breached, with Kmart being the most recent victim.

In this case the victim isn't Snapchat, at least not directly, but a third-party app that uses the chat service's API. While the company is happy that so many want to use its API, it felt forced to issue a warning to the folks who decide to use these apps.

In this case, the victim was an app called Snapsaved, and it has apparently been breached and user data compromised. The service allows for photo editing and is available for both iOS and Android.

"Over the past few days we’ve fielded a number of questions about our API and third-party applications after a website that offered to save Snaps indicated that their database had been breached. We are grateful that the service provider acknowledged that Snapchat was never compromised, but we wanted to use this as an opportunity to reiterate the unfortunate threats these third-party applications can pose to our community", Snapchat says in a statement.

The company goes on to warn users about these third-party apps. "When you give your login credentials to a third-party application, you’re allowing a developer, and possibly a criminal, to access your account information and send information on your behalf".

This is certainly wise advice for any app you plan to use, Snapchat or otherwise. The service plans to enhance its security measures and make sure that Apple and Google take down third-party apps that don't meet its requirements. It also states that it does not provide a public API and restricts access to the private one.

Photo Credit: View Apart/Shutterstock

TVMC simplifies XBMC for Android users, brings media to your mobile

Publié: octobre 16, 2014, 8:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

TVMC

XBMC, which is now transferring to a new name of Kodi, to leave its old life being Xbox Media Center, has morphed into a top-notch option for HTPC and media buffs. But setting the service up has never been the simplest process, and it's been relegated to the more advanced users out there.

Now TV Addons has released TVMC for Android to simplify the setup process. Yes, XBMC runs on mobile devices as well as every computer platform.

"We just released our new user friendly custom build of XBMC for Android which is meant to make the whole process of getting started with XBMC a more inviting and less stressful one for the end user. It used to take about a half hour for a newbie to get XBMC setup, configured and ready to begin watching movies and television shows, now it takes about seven minutes including the download time", the company announces.

While the site claims "Google Play", the app doesn't appear to be there yet. However, you can side-load it from the TV Addons site. If you don't know how then there are a simple set of instructions to get the APK installed and running.

As always, be cautious with any APK file, but this one should not worry you. In a few minutes you'll be watching your media on your phone or tablet.

Things heat up as IFTTT teams with Honeywell for new evohome thermostat technology

Publié: octobre 16, 2014, 5:34am CEST par Alan Buckingham

ifttt-honeywell-evohome-iphone

If This Then That, better know as IFTTT, is a system for customizing what happens with various devices. Pretty much anything you can dream up can be programmed in, and the service has moved now into the home automation field.

The company is announcing integration with Honeywell's new thermostat. The evohome systems now have a custom channel, bringing even more to the growing Internet of Things offerings from IFTTT. This brings the total products up by one more.

"Now evohome can work with the 134 connected products and services -- from weather services and iOS/Android locations to calendars and even sports apps, allowing users to have even more control over their connected home -- and home heating", the company states.

There are many options available here -- users can set the heat to turn on and off based on outside temperature -- drops below 40 F? Turn it on. Rises above? Turn if off. Pretty simple stuff, really.

"We are really excited to expand the level of control that users can have with our smart thermostat by making evohome even more connected -- and this is just the beginning. Over time IFTTT support will enable us to have even deeper integration, and use evohome as the trigger for other channels. For instance, users will be able to dictate: ‘IF evohome says that it is above 22 degrees Celsius in the nursery, THEN send me a text message'", says Jeremy Pearson of Honeywell.

Now all you have to do is get the thermostat and start enabling things. It isn't difficult either. Most casual users won't have a problem setting all of this up.

Cut the cord -- HBO will offer standalone streaming service in 2015

Publié: octobre 15, 2014, 6:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Satisfied Happy Businessman Relaxing Office

Cable providers see the writing on the wall. They will eventually become internet services and nothing more, but for now each is fighting this future. The battle took a turn against those TV services recently. HBO has dealt the latest blow.

For the moment, the HBO app requires the user to verify a subscription by adding information for a cable or satellite provider. That's bad for cord-cutters -- it means they simply can't get the HBO service. However, that requirement will be changing in 2015.

HBO president Richard Plepler, speaking at the Time-Warner Investor Meeting explained his plans for the future of the TV service in the US. He estimated 10 million homes now have broadband only, and that the number was expected to grow.

"That is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped. It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO", Plepler claims. "So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States. We will work with our current partners. And, we will explore models with new partners. All in, there are 80 million homes that do not have HBO and we will use all means at our disposal to go after them".

It's about time. People have been begging for this option for ages and it will finally arrive next year. It can't come soon enough for many customers. It likely is just the beginning of the end for cable providers.

Photo Credit: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

Popcorn Time fights back -- moves domain after takedown

Publié: octobre 15, 2014, 3:41am CEST par Alan Buckingham

popcorn

There's no accounting for what will happen if you run a website, especially a questionable one. We've all witnessed the trials and tribulations suffered by the folks behind the Pirate Bay. Others have been more fortunate, though the outcome for the site has been the same -- a takedown. Some give up, while others move on and fight to survive.

Popcorn Time falls into that latter category. The company has so far thwarted efforts to remove it from the internet, but recently faced yet another hurdle. The site's domain name was taken down -- a common problem to the folks at the Pirate Bay. No problem, just get a new one. Move along, nothing to see here.

"Because of some sort of legal investigation taking place in Belgium against us, our domain was removed. Just like that, without any notice.
This action was taken deliberately to harm our project. To take down Popcorn Time once again", the service says in a statement received by BetaNews.

However the service has moved on -- Time4Popcorn is now [popcorn-time.se], just as other services have moved along to stay one step ahead. It's all a game, but one played for keeps. We'll see who wins this time, but for the moment, it's the feds turn to make a move on the chess board.

Image Credit: ktsdesign / Shutterstock

Verizon Fios soars to the top of Netflix monthly ISP report

Publié: octobre 14, 2014, 4:50am CEST par Alan Buckingham

TV cat Netflix

Each and every month video provider Netflix issues a report on ISPs and makes no bones about who's good and who isn't. Honestly, the company has no choice -- its business rides on these speeds and it is not shy about reporting them.

September has been released, and there are some surprises and some not shocking disappointments. First, Verizon Fios flew to the top, averaging 3.17 MB per download. Not bad at all for the customers out there.

However, Comcast, which held Netflix hostage, more or less, still can't seem to get quite up to the task of getting this job done, even with the extra influx of income. The cable provider ranked just sixth, with 2.92 MB -- not terrible, but when you're getting money to provide this, then come on.

Netflix points out that "The Netflix ISP Speed Index is based on data from the more than 50 million Netflix members worldwide who view over 1 billion hours of TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix each month. The listed speeds reflect the average performance during prime time of all Netflix streams on each ISP's network and are an indicator of the performance typically experienced across all users on an ISP network. A faster network generally means a better picture quality, quicker start times and fewer interruptions".

Clearwire came in dead last in the US, while Canada was topped by Bell, and Eastlink was the bottom of the barrel in the great white north.

Each month seems an adventure for Netflix, but I suppose that's what makes things interesting for us, though not for the viewers. We'll see what October brings.

Microsoft releases a new keyboard for Android Wear watches

Publié: octobre 13, 2014, 4:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

MS keyboard

Google's Android Wear is still getting started, having a smattering of devices such as the LG G Watch and Motorola's Moto 360. The wrist wear brings the mobile platform to a small screen, and it's received a lot of attention since the launch.

Microsoft has a history of supporting Android, releasing all of its apps to the rival devices, despite Google's failure to reciprocate. Last month the the company released OneNote for watches and now the software giant is working on Android Wear again, offering a new analog keyboard app for the tiny items.

The company describes it as "a custom keyboard for the Android Wear platform that lets users enter text by drawing handwritten letters on the watch face".

Because it's so early in development, this is not yet a store app, so you'll need to sideload the prototype keyboard. Microsoft points out that "It has been tested only on the Samsung Gear Live (square, 320x320 pixels) and the Moto 360 (round, 320x290 pixels). The 280x280 resolution or upcoming round watches are not supported at this time".

Microsoft also answers a question it claims it was receiving from early testers -- "a number of readers have asked us whether this method is identical to Palm’s Graffiti. It is not. The key difference is that we let users write normal English letters, whereas Graffiti requires users to learn a custom gesture for each character".

There are a few things you'll need to note about this offering -- first, it's only a prototype for now. Second, it's only available for square screens and the Moto 360 (which has a bug) right now. Bear it mind it's only version 0.1, so don't expect miracles from the app. The keyboard will work with a 320x320 screen resolution. You can grab it by following this link. It comes as a ZIP file and installation instructions are included under a file named HowToInstall.txt. The download is just over 5MB. You can also get more information by visiting Microsoft Research.

Brave the sands and visit the Arabian desert with Google Street View

Publié: octobre 8, 2014, 6:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

liwa-desert

There seems to be no place the intrepid Google Street View team will not go. From oceans to canyons, the team has tackled everything. The latest location is the sands of the United Arab Emirates, a rather desolate place for any person.

You won't need to ride a camel to make your trip to the Liwa Desert, as you can see it all from the comfort of your seat. Google has already braved sand storms and unbearable heat to bring you the images.

"On your virtual trip through the desert, you’ll find sand dunes that reach an astounding height of 25-40 meters. These rolling sandy hills were home to early settlers back in the Late Stone Age, making Liwa one of the oldest sites in the United Arab Emirates", says Najeeb Jarrar, Product Marketing Manager for the Middle East and North Africa.

The desert is also home to the largest oasis on the Arabian peninsula. Needless to say the camera crew made their way to this, as well.

How Google manages to collect these images is an interesting story in itself. "To bring this stunning desert to Street View, we fashioned the Trekker to rest on a camel, which gathered imagery as it walked. Using camels for the collection allowed us to collect authentic imagery and minimize our disruption of this fragile environment".

Head over to Google to begin your exploration of the area. It won't even cost you any travel expenses.

Kaspersky and INTERPOL issue global alert: ATMs spitting out millions without cards

Publié: octobre 7, 2014, 5:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

ATM

ATMs (automated teller machines) are everywhere and we all use them regularly. That has always made them a target for bad guys -- a card reader can steal all sorts of information. But in the wake of things like the Target and Home Depot breaches things have risen to a new level. So high, in fact, that security company Kaspersky and law enforcement organization INTERPOL have issued a warning.

It seems that ATMs are pouring out money to criminals who are not even using any sort of credit or debit card. While this isn't a problem for any particular individual, it is a major one for the banks, which makes it everyone's worry.

This is apparently a global problem, which explains the involvement by INTERPOL. It all stems from a recent investigation conducted by Kaspersky.

"Kaspersky Lab’s experts performed a forensic investigation into cyber-criminal attacks targeting multiple ATMs around the world. During the course of this investigation, the company’s researchers discovered a piece of malware infecting ATMs that allowed attackers to empty the cash machines via direct manipulation, stealing millions of dollars", the security company states.

The malware results from the bad guys being able to physically access the machines and insert a CD that contains the malware, which is dubbed Tyupkin. The ATM is then rebooted and under the control of the attacker.

"To make the scam harder to spot, Tyupkin malware only accepts commands at specific times on Sunday and Monday nights. During those hours the attackers are able to steal money from the infected machine", Kaspersky points out.

With the machine under control, the criminal can enter a unique digital code which can be used the make the withdrawal, and the code changes with each session. The code comes via a mobile phone from the person in control of the malware and is capable of generating the PIN. In other words, this is being done by gangs, not individual attackers.

The scam has been caught on video, as many ATMs have cameras. Kaspersky has turned this over to law enforcement and also alerted banks of the steps needed to prevent this type of attack.

Image Credit: Tomislav Pinter / Shutterstock

Plex arrives on Xbox One and 360, brings your media with it

Publié: octobre 6, 2014, 6:57pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

new plex app

Retrieving media from a computer or home server and reproducing it in your home theater has becoming a growing need among people. Plex offers what is, perhaps, the simplest solution for accomplishing this task. It does so by simply working across almost every known platform, including mobile devices and set-top boxes.

One place where the end-user app has been surprisingly missing is Microsoft's gaming consoles. You'd think Plex would have arrived there long ago -- certainly before places like Roku and Fire TV. Well, that problem is now solved, or at least half of it is.

Today Plex announces that it is now offering its app on Xbox One. As for 360 users, you'll have to wait a bit, but it should be too long.

"Each of these apps has been crafted to feel right at home on the Xbox, complete with voice and gesture control, and you are going to love them. They’ll be available for free for Plex Pass members on Tuesday Oct 7th for the Xbox One, and shortly after that for the Xbox 360", the company states.

No specific date is given for Xbox 360, but "imminent" seems implied. This good news for those using the consoles for more than just games -- which may include a growing number of users.

Windows 10 is coming, but do we still need Microsoft's operating system?

Publié: octobre 6, 2014, 11:17am CEST par Alan Buckingham

broken-windows

For the past couple of months I have been working from my porch -- I enjoy the outdoors when weather permits. In doing so, I have adopted a Chromebook, which gets me by quite well, but leaves me in a quandary -- do we still need Windows? The answer to that question is quite a bit more complicated than it seems.

Most people will jump up and yell "yes" -- or Microsoft hopes they will. But it really comes down to usage, and for many people out there the operating system is no longer the be all-end all of computing.

This is why Chromebooks are growing and Microsoft is appropriately concerned. The rival platform will not overtake Windows anytime soon, but it also isn't going away, and it's eating into the business of Satya Nadella's company.

Now the software giant has unveiled Windows 10, and apparently in an effort to distance itself from version 8.x, has skipped right over the number nine. The new build is still in early stages, simply a technical preview, but here's the question -- do we need it? Or, more accurately, do most people need it?

Get Rid of Windows

The average user checks email and browses websites -- a cheap Chromebook can get them by just fine. For word processing chores there is Google Docs, but Microsoft has also released a Word app for Chrome -- I am writing this from it, as a matter of fact.

Image editing, at least on a basic level, can also be carried out by online apps -- I use Pixlr, but everyone will have his or her own preference. Many fine online editors exist.

The Chrome OS also has a bit of resemblance to Windows, so users will be in, mostly, friendly territory. The taskbar and system tray should look familiar, and the usual things are contained in each. Like Windows (now) there's no Start menu, but in its place is a launcher button that gives access to apps -- which is more than Windows 8.x provides to customers.

Keep Windows

While for many, including myself as a writer, the Windows platform seems a relic, there are needs for it, but they have become specialized. Let's not take away from those folks who point to the specific needs that some people have.

Both coding and video editing spring to mind, though many actually use a Mac for the latter. Business also has a need for Windows, as many company-specific apps are utilized in the enterprise environment. Professions such as engineering, architecture and graphic are also likely will keep Windows going.

There are other specialized applications -- genealogy, for instance. I use Family Tree Maker which, while having some online features, requires one of my Windows PCs up in the office. That is, of course, just one example, but it illustrates the dividing line between those who do and don't need the Microsoft operating system.

There are many other examples, I'm sure. Many of you will point them out to me in comments, I would imagine. But you get the point -- you don't need a canon to kill a fly. Many users can get by without the old platform.

Do What's Best for You

In the end there is no definitive answer. It simply comes down to personal needs. However, it is becoming clear that the majority of people in the real world don't need Microsoft's operating system. Most could get by with a Chromebook, or even an iPad or Nexus 7. Windows is becoming a specialized tool that likely will slowly fall further out of favor as those other platforms continue to improve and add features.

This is not a future that Microsoft wants to face, but it is slowly becoming reality and the company must learn to move on with other aspects of its business. In other words, the short answer to my question for most users is "no". The weather has cooled in my area, and I've moved inside once again, but I haven't moved back to Windows.

Image Credit: Tomas Skopal / Shutterstock

Braven BRV-1 brings a rugged, waterproof approach to Bluetooth speakers [Review]

Publié: octobre 5, 2014, 3:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

braven-brv-1

Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen these days, as they are convenient and, depending on brand model, can offer very good sound quality. With that in mind, brands set out to separate themselves in a very competitive marketplace by offering certain stand-out feature that get them noticed. That's the case with the Braven BRV-1.

The company touts several interesting features on this model. Some do exist on rival models, but it's enough to set the little speaker apart from others.

The Features

The most prominent draw here is that the speaker is waterproof. This means it actually be submersible, which is different from many that claim water resistant, and can be submerged one meter for up to 30 minutes. I didn't have the nerve to test this claim, however.

All of the plugs are hidden behind a twist-off cap on the back of the speaker. Included is a micro USB port for charging the device, a full size USB port which allows it to be used to charge a phone or tablet -- this makes it a 1,400 mAh emergency battery -- and an audio in jack. There is also a reset button and charging light indicators.

The battery claims to provide up to 12 hours of playback time and top has playback buttons and a power on/off button, as well as the sync control button. It can even take calls, allowing for hands-free use. A shock absorbent exterior, which is rubberized, is shock resistant, and a couple simple drop tests we conducted proved that it is indeed pretty durable.

braven-brv-1-back

The Audio

The sound is not the biggest or the best around, though for most people it will be considered just fine. Braven claims three watts of audio output per channel. The company also claims three watts of audio output per channel with a 70mm passive subwoofer.

Despite it now being as powerful as some speakers on the market, it has good sound that will satisfy the average listener without complaints, and volume up and down buttons on the top are easily accessible.

Conclusion

The Braven BRV-1 comes with an audio jack cord for a wired connection, USB to micro USB charging cable and a leash for easily carrying it around.

The Braven website lists an MSRP of $99.99, but if you look around, you can find it a bit cheaper at other online retailers, though it can be ordered direct from the company store, as well.

For outdoor use, this type of Bluetooth speaker is ideal. Unless you're in a noisy environment then the power should suit you fine, and durability can't really be questioned. Sound quality is adequate for most people.

Amazon begins slow roll out of new Fire OS 4 update to its 3rd gen Kindle Fire tablets

Publié: octobre 5, 2014, 2:14am CEST par Alan Buckingham

kindle-fire-message Amazon just recently announced the launch of new Kindle Fire tablets and Kindle readers. The new tablets will come with version 4 of Fire OS, known as "Sangria" already installed, but it seems last years models will also be shown some love.

Those who turned on their devices today found a surprise -- a letter from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos overlaying the home screen. The announcement is fairly short, but lets customers know that their device will be updated in the coming weeks and also provides a "Learn more" link for the curious.

The online retailer has already detailed information on Sangria, doing so along with the new devices announcement that took place just a couple of weeks ago.

"When we think about Fire OS, we start with what matters to customer -- ease of use and performance,” said Dave Limp, Senior Vice President, Amazon Devices at the time. “Fire OS 4 improves in both of these areas, and deeply integrates software, content, and the Cloud to deliver services that are only available from Amazon, including Family Library, Firefly, and free cloud storage for photos".

Fire OS 4 is based on Android KitKat, though it's a highly customized version of the Google platform, and bares little resemblance to what many Android users expect.

At the time, the company did allude to the fact this would find it's way to the third generation tablets, though didn't state a time-frame. We still don't have one that's concrete, but "coming weeks" is a start, and also could indicate a gradual roll out.

Logitech reveals the M320 -- a beautiful, battery saving wireless mouse

Publié: octobre 3, 2014, 2:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

logitech-m320 Wireless mice are a dime-a-dozen these days, with new ones from all sorts of manufacturers coming along all the time. But when Logitech releases one then notice must be taken, as it and Microsoft are two of the premiere mouse makers on the market.

Today the company announces its latest offering, the M320 wireless mouse, which it touts as both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. The new peripheral has a lot to be excited about, even if it's just a mouse, or at least that's what the company promises.

Logitech claims the curved design is for a perfect fit in the hand, the optical sensor provides precision, soft rubber grips and a wide scroll wheel to help users navigate better. There is also a wide range of compatibility, with Windows, OS X, Chrome and Linux operating systems all included.

"Thanks to our advanced energy-efficient engineering and the fact that the mouse automatically puts itself to sleep when you are not using it, you can go longer between battery changes. Plus, the Nano receiver gives you the reliability of a cord and the convenience of wireless freedom. With the modern design and several color options, including blue, red, black and gray, this mouse easily fits neatly into any workspace", Logitech says.

Pricing and release date are not mentioned and it seems the product is not yet available on the site, but likely it will be very soon, if not today.

Update: The mouse is now available and come in a choice of four different colors. It is retailing for $29.99 and you get the details by visiting Logitech.

Pebble smartwatch gets a major update, tracks health and fitness

Publié: octobre 3, 2014, 2:46am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Pic.Activity

The smartwatch industry continues to grow with the latest offerings from both Google Android Wear and Apple. But Pebble, a former darling of Kickstarter, got off to a fast start and has been continuing to improve things since its launch.

Now the watch maker is adding yet more features to its offering, giving users access to health and fitness monitoring. Thanks to RunKeeper, there was already a bit of this present, but the latest update brings much more along with it.

"Today, we’re announcing a new area of growth for our ecosystem — health and fitness — and releasing a software update that enables non-stop activity tracking and sleep monitoring (thanks to Pebble’s class-leading multi-day battery life)", says Pebble.

Users will still be able to display whatever watchface they wish, and activity tracking will take place in the background as the day goes on. There is more to it than just that, though.

Added is an updated Misfit app that will track activity all day, and Pebble promises that "Jawbone is launching its own activity tracking watchface for Pebble called UP which shows daily and weekly activity progress and automatically syncs with its new UP app for iOS (and coming to Android soon)".

The company is also expanding availability, making its watches available from locations like Fry's and Sam's Club, with Sprint soon joining the party. In addition, the price has been reduced -- you can grab one in the US for only $99. Many online locations also offer free shipping, so it's a good deal for those in the market.

Google sets sights on Apple and Microsoft -- brings Adobe Photoshop to Chromebooks

Publié: septembre 29, 2014, 11:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

photoshoppixel

Google is trying to grow its budding operating system platform, continually updating and enhancing features. Customers can now work in certain environments offline, for instance. But what lacked was some of the core features of rivals Windows and OS X. However, that slowly changes as well.

Photo editing, for instance, was one feature that, while not absent, certainly wasn't top of the line. Until now you had to rely on an app such as Pixlr, which many Chromebook customers use. But Google today announces that Photoshop is arriving, though not (at least yet) offline.

"This streaming version of Photoshop is designed to run straight from the cloud to your Chromebook. It’s always up-to-date and fully integrated with Google Drive, so there’s no need to download and re-upload files—just save your art directly from Photoshop to the cloud", says product manager Stephen Konig of Google.

This is another step in Google's march toward the business and education world. Konig specifically points out that "For IT administrators, it’s easy to manage, with no long client installation and one-click deployment to your team’s Chromebooks".

This latest effort could attract even more business, bringing in artists to the OS. It's also a blow to both Microsoft and Apple.

Roku adds Cineplex for Canadian customers

Publié: septembre 25, 2014, 1:09am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Cineplex-Store-New-Releases

Roku, the tiny set-top box, has been on a roll with new content lately. This time the company heads north for its latest score of new content, bringing Cineplex to its devices. The service will lend much new content to viewers in Canada.

If you aren't familiar, Cineplex is like many other streaming services. It allows customers to stream movies whenever they wish, much like Netflix or Amazon Prime.

"The channel delivers thousands of movies including the latest new releases such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Fault In Our Stars, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Godzilla, Blendedand much more. You also have the flexibility to start and stop movie playback when you switch between devices", the company states.

The service provides easy ways browse by what your mood is, just choose the genre you wish to partake in. Roku claims this makes it easier to find the content the customer wants.

One addition is "Scene Points", which can be saved up and used later for additional benefits. These include discounts at Cineplex theaters.

Finally, the company is offering a 25 percent discount on titles to celebrate this new addition. You'll have to act quickly on that one, as it's only good through September 25. In other words, get the popcorn ready now.

Want Plex? Act now because prices will soon increase

Publié: septembre 24, 2014, 3:42am CEST par Alan Buckingham

plexmc_200x175 Home theater nuts tend to like Plex -- it's cross-platform compatible, working on Windows HTPC, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and various other platforms. The server software is free, though you'll pay for the client apps; there is also Plex Pass, which requires a higher fee if you you care to upgrade.

The pass gives users access to exclusive premium features, such as camera upload, cloud sync, free apps and more. You can currently grab this for $3.99 per month or $29.99 for the annual version.

The service has sent an email to customers which reads, in part, "first, we want to thank all of you for the support and loyalty you have given us over the last few years. We truly have the most amazing and passionate community of media lovers on the planet, and it makes our job an absolute joy".

In the future, fees will rise, though not tremendously. Customers can expect to pay $4.99 per month or $39.99 a year. If you want to pay once and be done, a lifetime subscription is up got grabs at $149.99. However, it you are already a subscriber, then you need not worry.

"If you already have a Plex Pass, rejoice! To show appreciation for your loyalty, the price of your subscription is not increasing (and if you were thinking about upgrading, now is the time). If you don't have a Plex Pass, this is your last chance to subscribe at current rates".

You have until next week to subscribe now and save a bit of money. You can even use PayPal, as the service has added support for this payment service too.

Kickstarter changes terms of service, wants projects finished

Publié: septembre 21, 2014, 3:22am CEST par Alan Buckingham

computer-smoke

If you've backed something on Kickstarter then you know that you're risking the money you spent, as some come to fruition while others never do. The site has had its share of major successes such as the Pebble watch and the tiny Android-based Ouya gaming console. But there have also been ones that simply get the money and never ship.

Now the service is trying to clean things up with a new terms of service agreement that it hopes will lend more confidence to potential backers. That should be a good thing for customers, and Kickstarter spells things out pretty clearly.

"For the overwhelming majority of projects, it’s pretty simple: creators finish the work they planned, backers are happy, and nobody sweats the details. But there are exceptions. Sometimes problems come up, projects don’t go according to plan, and people wind up in the dark about what’s supposed to happen next. So we’re spelling it out-- what’s expected from backers, what’s expected from creators, and what needs to happen if a project runs into trouble", says Yancey Strickler.

There are other smaller changes as well -- the language is simplified so it is easier to understand, with the subtraction of a lot of the legal speak that many don't understand. It tries to be as easy to comprehend as possible.

These are all good things, as many people likely just click agree without fully understanding the ramifications of what is said. Likely many still will do this without bothering to read, but it's a step in the right direction. This will all go into effect next month, on October 19th to be specific.

Image Credit: Stokkete / Shutterstock

BitTorrent Bleep alpha goes public, adds Android and Mac

Publié: septembre 17, 2014, 7:58pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

chat

Chat has become popular on many platforms, from computers to mobile. But BitTorrent has a client that seems to be changing how this all works, by removing the cloud storage from the equation, making this a bit more secure.

Today its chat client, known as Bleep, becomes available to all users. It's still in alpha form for the time being, but these things are moving forward.

"At the end of July, we offered invite-only access to our first peer-to-peer chat client, Bleep. With thanks to input from the Bleep Alpha test group, our team has been hard at work ironing out kinks. Today we take the next step, making the Bleep Alpha publicly available for any willing tester to try it out. This next stage introduces Bleep apps for Mac and Android will be available today", the organization states.

This is all fully encrypted messages -- BitTorrent promises that your communications are protected. "Users can also easily delete their encrypted message history, leaving no trace of conversation behind".

Perhaps the biggest news is not that the alpha is going public, but that the chat platform will be coming to both Android and Mac. You should be able to find it in the Play store, or through the BitTorrent site.

Image Credit: Rawpixel / Shutterstock

Firefox OS expands its reach in Asia, another market added

Publié: septembre 17, 2014, 3:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Bengali_Screenshots

There's one more smartphone platform on the market, although it's far behind the big, established names. Mozilla has released Firefox OS, which is aimed at emerging markets. Now the organization is taking it to one more, adding an Asian nation to its resume.

Telenor Group is bringing the platform to Bangladesh after hitting India just a few weeks ago. "At a press conference in Dhaka, Grameenphone, the local operator for the Telenor Group, announced that sales of the GoFox F15 (produced by Symphony) will start this week", says Mozilla.

Telenor was among the early backers of the Mozilla smartphone platform. The phone has partnered with Grameephone, which is the largest provider in the nation.

"This launch was made possible through the cooperation between Grameenphone, Telenor, Mozilla and Symphony,” says Rolv-Erik Spilling, SVP and Head of Telenor Digital. “For us, it’s important to provide the Bangladeshi market with an easy, affordable and locally relevant mobile internet experience, which the Firefox phone enables", the organization announces.

Firefox OS is now available across 23 markets, covering Asia, Europe and Latin America. It's still unclear exactly how well these devices are doing, but it seems a good fit for first-time smartphone buyers.

Spotify arrives on Amazon Fire TV, requires Premium subscription

Publié: septembre 16, 2014, 1:31am CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Amazon continues to grow the ecosystem for its set-top box, the Fire TV. While its portfolio of offerings hasn't yet reached Roku level, the platform is much newer and still getting its legs under it. Today it expands a bit more with the addition of Spotify.

The music steaming service launched today on the Amazon box, though it does require users to have a Premium subscription, which will set you back a few dollars per month.

However, once installed and set up, customers can control Spotify using multiple devices. "Using Spotify Connect on your mobile or tablet. You can seamlessly switch your favorite music from your mobile to the TV and continue to make calls, use other smartphone apps and go out of wifi range, all without interrupting the music", the service claims.

As for the Spotify Premium part, it will dent your wallet $9.99 per month, which is about the going rate for these things. However you can grab a free month to try it out and see what you think. If you have Fire TV hooked to an A/V receiver then it may be worth it.

Microsoft buys Minecraft, reasons are uncertain

Publié: septembre 15, 2014, 4:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

minecraft

There's no denying Minecraft is a wildly popular game that many people, both old and young, enjoy. It's also multi-platform, making it extremely profitable and available to many customers. Perhaps that's why Microsoft has announced it has purchased the franchise.

It's hard to say the motive behind this move -- the game does run on Xbox and Windows, of course -- but how does the software giant hope to recoup the money? After all, $2.5 billion is an awful lot to recover from.

Still, everyone seems pleased. The software giant announced "At Microsoft, we believe in the power of content to unite people. Minecraft adds diversity to our game portfolio and helps us reach new gamers across multiple platforms. Gaming is the top activity across devices and we see great potential to continue to grow the Minecraft community and nurture the franchise", the company states.

Meanwhile, Mojang offers a bit of an explanation "As you might already know, Notch is the creator of Minecraft and the majority shareholder at Mojang. He’s decided that he doesn’t want the responsibility of owning a company of such global significance. Over the past few years he’s made attempts to work on smaller projects, but the pressure of owning Minecraft became too much for him to handle. The only option was to sell Mojang. He’ll continue to do cool stuff though. Don’t worry about that".

Microsoft promises that the game will continue to work across all platforms, including rivals such as Android, iOS and PlayStation. Beyond that, plans for the popular franchise are uncertain, as is recouping this sort of outlay of cash.

Image Credit: Iuskiv / Shutterstock

Dropbox lets users know about government activity regarding their data

Publié: septembre 12, 2014, 2:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

business man spying

We've grown accustomed to "transparency" reports in the wake of the Edward Snowden revelations. We all now realize we are being watched and listened to, and that tech companies like Google and Microsoft, complicit or not, have given up user data, though the latter is currently fighting a court order to do so.

"Over the past year, revelations about government surveillance have shown that we need more transparency into when and how government agencies get access to people’s information online", states Bart Volkmer of Dropbox.

The cloud storage service is releasing its latest report to let users know what has been happening regarding recent activity. The numbers are not terrible, but nobody would be thrilled with them either.

Some of stats include 120 search warrants received, 109 subpoenas, and two court orders. Other data isn't so easy to come by thanks to current restrictions on reporting it. For instance, the company can only let us know that it received somewhere between none and 249 National Security Requests.

The company points out that "the rate of government data requests received per user remains steady -- this means that the number of requests received grew proportionately to Dropbox’s user base". It also lets customers know that it is continuously asked by the government not to notify users when their data is requested, even though the feds have no right to do so. It states that a warrant is required and data will not be handed over without it.

The cloud service is also pushing for a bill currently in the works that will better protect user data. "A bill currently in Congress would do just that by reining in bulk data collection by the US government and allowing online services to be more transparent about the government data requests they receive". It remains to be seen where that will go.

Image Credit: Andresr / Shutterstock

Netflix website gets a makeover with new search interface

Publié: septembre 11, 2014, 4:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Streaming media service Netflix is upping its game these days. Despite its woes with broadband providers, and the added expenses these have provided, the company continues to move forward on the innovation front. This time it’s the website getting an update.

The company has announced a new search experience, bringing what it hopes will be faster results and easier access to what you wish to watch.

This all means a new cover page which includes better art and an improved presentation. According to Netflix the new search will also make things easier for customers. "As you start typing your query, potential matches of TV shows and movies appear in the grid of cover art. The new style makes it easier for the user to scan the results and, combined with the infinite scroll functionality, gives the user an intuitive way to explore the Netflix catalog". This will include information on actors and others associated with each production.

A final improvement is also rolled into in this update -- customers can simply type "netflix" into the search and it will now display all of the original content, which the company continues to expand on.

The update should now be live for everyone, so head over to Netflix and check it out if you're a customer of the service.

SmartCharge bulb: See the light, even when the power is out [Review]

Publié: septembre 11, 2014, 2:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

smartcharge

Earlier this year a Kickstarter project I found fascinating came around. Living in an area that experiences severe thunderstorms in summer and the occasional blizzard in winter, I'm no stranger to losing power at times, which can be annoying for anyone.

With this in mind, I bit the bullet and backed the SmartCharge product. I'm not accustomed to paying $35 for a single lightbulb, but the idea was ingenious. Essentially the bulb has a battery inside which keeps itself charged whenever the power is on. When that source no longer exists the bulb switches to battery backup and continues to operate when the switch is turned on.

"The SmartCharge Bulb senses a power outage, recognizes the ON/OFF position of your light switch and allows control of the light even with no utility/grid power. When the power goes out, the lights go out".

It took about nine months, but the product has arrived. It is just a lightbulb, so there isn't a tremendous amount to be said about it, but I'll give you what I can.

The first thing you will notice is the appearance -- it looks a bit odd compared to the normal CFLs we all seem to be using these days. I don't mean this in a bad way, though. It resembles more the old incandescent bulbs of our past, though the metal runs further up the sides.

The bulb also has a door on the side. You'll need to remove a tiny screw and then slide the hatch downwards (there's an arrow explaining this). Inside is the rechargeable battery which can be replaced when it eventually expires, though the life expectancy is quite long.

This is an LED bulb, so you can expect a bit different, and perhaps better, light than you're used to with the typical CFL that some feel seems unnatural.

I gave it a brief test run -- thankfully not losing power, but simply turning off the circuit breaker that handled the light I had put it in. Everything worked as advertised.

There's a lot of technology inside. There's an intelligent control circuit with grid sense and switch sense, battery charging circuit and inverter, among other things.

smartcharge-technology

If you didn't back the Kickstarter project then you'll need wait for SmartCharge to hit retail, which shouldn't be too far off now. You'll likely also save a bit of money, as the expected MSRP is in the $25-30 range from what we've heard.

Netflix posts its state of US and Canadian broadband in latest ISP report

Publié: septembre 9, 2014, 10:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

netflix my list

Each month Netflix releases its "shame and blame" report, which covers the major US and Canadian ISP services. The streaming service is not kind, as it revealed problems on Comcast before giving in to demands to pay a fee to appease customers having issues.

The latest report has been issued and Comcast has risen in the ranking to a rather reasonable fourth place. However, the provider still lags behind rivals Cablevision, Cox and Suddenlink. But, it ranks above Verizon FiOS, Charter, AT&T and others. Verizon DSL finishes dead last, but that isn't a major surprise.

Netflix points out that several services have at least improved. "In the U.S., interconnection agreements with AT&T, Time Warner Cable and Verizon resulted in significant increases in Internet speeds for all three providers in August. AT&T U-Verse led the way, with its speed jumping more than one Megabit per second (Mbps) to 2.61 from 1.44 over last month and rising seven spots in the U.S. speed index to No. 7. Verizon FiOS speeds increased to 2.41 Mbps from 1.61, and Time Warner Cable rose to 2.59 this month from 2.16 in July. These dramatic increases pushed the U.S. average speed to 2.57 in August, now ranking 11th among the countries we track -- ahead of Brazil and Chile", says Anne Marie Squeo.

As far as Canada goes, Bell Canada led the way followed by MTS Fiber Optic, Shaw and more. Speeds at the top-end still exceed the US, which likely will surprise nobody.

We'll see what next month brings, but for now you can see both the report and the charts here. And let us know your experience on providers not covered.

TiVo shows off monster 24 TB Mega DVR, you'll never miss another show

Publié: septembre 9, 2014, 6:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

tivo-mega

One problem with DVRs is storage -- if you save too many programs you'll find things being deleted to make room for new recordings. Most DVRs land in the 500 GB range, but some are now coming with one terabyte. Things are slowly improving, but now they will be taking a quantum leap thanks to TiVo.

How about a 24 terabyte monster for your TV show storage needs? That works out to about 26,000 hours of stored TV shows (that's SD, HD reduces things to a mere 4,000 hours), which should be enough for even the biggest couch potato. It is, not surprisingly, named the TiVo Mega and will be whole-home capable.

"Size matters. People hate being forced to delete cool stuff from their DVR before they want to or finding a TV show they had recorded is now gone. Now, with TiVo Mega they can always know their show or movie is still there to watch later," says Ira Bahr, CMO at TiVo.

This is more server than DVR, as it's rack mountable and hard drives can be swapped in and out. It's also RAID 5, making content a bit safer for those who purchase this colossal DVR.

As for tuners, you won't lack in that category either as TiVo Mega comes with six of them. It also comes with features like a QWERTY remote, apps for smartphone and tablet, and ethernet and MoCA.

Don't run to grab your wallet just yet, as it won't be available until 2015 and pricing hasn't yet been announced either. However, if you're attending CEDIA this week you can get a preview, as the device will be on display there.

Spotify plans new video ads for its 30 million customers

Publié: septembre 8, 2014, 4:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

brands_sponsoredsession

Customers can opt to subscribe to music streaming service Spotify, but many elect for the free version which is ad supported. Now those ads will get a bit more visible as "Spotify for Brands" takes shape with new offerings being introduced.

The new service comes in two versions called Sponsored Sessions and Video Takeover. This isn't quite as intrusive as it may sound at first. In fact, there is actually some benefit to the users. "Spotify Free users can opt in to watch a brand-sponsored video spot (aka a Sponsored Session) in exchange for 30 minutes of uninterrupted music", explains Spotify's Candice Katz.

Meanwhile, companies can sponsor ads on customers' desktops using the Video Takeover service. Spotify promises that brands will get complete control over their ads.

"Our audience is incredibly engaged so we are delivering an advertising experience that enhances their time spent on Spotify and connects them to the music and brands they love”, says Jeff Levick, Spotify’s Chief Business Officer.

The campaign is launching with several partners, including Coca-Cola, Ford, McDonald’s, NBC Universal Pictures, Kraft/Mondelez, Nike, Sprint, Target and Wells Fargo.

While ads can feel intrusive, it's the price we generally pay for free services -- companies have to earn revenue or they go away. So try to look at this move in the best possible light.

What makes Amazon's Fire TV special?

Publié: septembre 8, 2014, 12:10am CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Earlier this year I obtained both a Roku 3 and an Amazon Fire TV. I use both devices and find both work very well for any home theater enthusiast and media geek. But what separates the two products, aside from a name?

With extensive playing around with each product, I've discovered what does it for me. While the Roku 3 remote is simpler, and contains a headphone jack (handy for when family is asleep, and you don't want to disturb anyone) it doesn't really have a killer feature.

Amazon however, does -- a Bluetooth remote. This may not be a killer for all customers, but I have a media cabinet with a wooden door that I prefer to keep closed, and the line-of-sight infrared remotes preclude that as an option. The Amazon box does not have this drawback. I've also used Google TV but it doesn't provide this simple, but ingenious solution either.

Sure the Amazon interface is nice, but so is that of Roku, and the latter has many more apps, or channels as the company prefers to refer to them as. Chromecast offers unique features, namely "casting" from smartphone or tablet to the tiny HDMI dongle, and that can be done with cabinet door firmly closed. But it feels more limited than actual boxes.

For pricing, of course, the Chromecast wins hands down. The other alternatives are in roughly the same ballpark in that regard. But cost plays less of a factor than features for most shoppers.

At this point the Roku offers much more and Amazon is still working to grow its ecosystem. But a Bluetooth remote is ingenious, at least for customers like me. It was just the right innovation to truly separate the device from rival set-top boxes. Yes, Bluetooth, a simple feature that's been around for some time, but that is what makes this box special. You could do a similar thing with RF, but I've used them and it's not the same sort of response.

Google lays out a roadmap for Android Wear, music and more on the way

Publié: septembre 6, 2014, 2:44am CEST par Alan Buckingham

android-wear

Smartwatches seem to be a polarizing force in the marketplace these days; love or loathe them, they seem here to stay. So far, when it comes to Google's Android Wear, we've seen three devices debuted and another on the way, all of which should appeal to those looking to this market as the future.

Now, Google has expressed its software plans for the future of its wearable platform. Included in this roadmap is both music and new watchfaces, which should appeal to potential customers, though the hardware already boasts thousands of apps.

The very first thing on the horizon is music -- namely offline playback, which will allow users to head out into the wild, but still enjoy tunes via a Bluetooth headset. Along with this update, GPS will ride along. This is mainly for those of us who run, or at least walk -- "if your watch includes a GPS sensor, you can track your distance and speed too".

The next update will bring downloadable watch faces. The search giant states this update is "so you can customize the visual design of your watch's home screen to show the information you want to see most -- like your calendar or fitness sensors. Developers will soon be working on watch faces, making them available on Google Play".

So far, four watches have joined the family, though one isn't actually on the market. The Asus Zen will be coming out later this year, but you can now purchase products from Motorola, LG and Samsung.

Samsung reveals Android-powered printer lineup at IFA

Publié: septembre 5, 2014, 3:12pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Smart-MultiXpress-MFPs-Line-up

IFA, one of the world's largest tech shows, is currently in full-swing in Germany. We've seen tons of announcements and new products coming out of the show, most notable so far are new phones from both Samsung and Microsoft. But Samsung had more up its sleeve than just phones.

The company has unveiled a new lineup of printers, and this series is unique. The printers are powered by Android, and Samsung claims they are designed for business, though home users can certainly still grab one if they choose. "The MFPs are the first printers of their kind to be equipped with an Android operating system, and are designed to be more independent, intuitive and scalable for all types of business environments", the announcement states.

The printers contain large 10.1-inch touchscreens and will allow users to print from various locations, such as the web browser, email and more, all without the need of a connection between printer and PC or server.

"As Samsung continues to strive for user-centered innovation, the introduction of the first Android OS-equipped MFPs will enhance Samsung’s smart office experience for business customers and allow for greater multidimensional and advanced printing technologies”, says Dr. KiHo Kim, Executive Vice President of Printing Solutions at Samsung Electronics.

The lineup is called the Smart MultiXpress and will, at least initially, be in the European market, though pricing and availability was not revealed at the event.

Netflix throws support behind FCC proposal to increase broadband competition

Publié: septembre 5, 2014, 4:48am CEST par Alan Buckingham

TV cat Netflix

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll state the obvious. Broadband in the US is broken. In fact, it's a complete mess. Speeds lag behind multiple smaller nations and providers were granted monopolies in many cases, thanks to complaining about the expense of laying the copper. At best, most citizens have access to two carriers -- that's one more than many, including yours truly.

Competition doesn't exist, but the oft-maligned head of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler, wishes to change that. While his net neutrality initiative has been met with staunch opposition, this latest move may win him a few fans.

One of those new found friends just happens to be Netflix, which has spoken out against the net neutrality proposal. However, the streaming service is in full support of this, and with good reason, as folks need to have alternatives.

According to Netflix's Christoper Libertelli "Nearly everything we do today requires an Internet connection. Its persistent, increasing presence in our lives makes today's comments by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler all the more important. If the future of broadband competition is 'inexorably tied' to America's economic opportunity, how can we settle for a situation where nearly three-quarters of Americans lack a competitive choice for fast Internet service?"

Wheeler spoke out during an address earlier which was titled "Agenda for Broadband Competition", stating the real facts -- chiefly that there isn't enough competition in the market to protect consumers. That's certainly a fact, and one we all live with on a daily basis. We can only hope this move gains traction.

Wait, I can add a turntable to my Sonos?

Publié: septembre 4, 2014, 4:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

vinylplay

Sonos, for those not familiar, is a multi-room audio system that many people love for its diverse functionality. You can play music everywhere in your house, providing you lay out money for each of the speaker systems. What more functionality could you possibly want?

Funny you should ask. How about a turntable? You remember -- those relics from a by-gone era. Except they still aren't dead, and many people still prefer the sound. Audiophiles claim it is the best, as opposed to CD and MP3.

Flexson has introduced a special turntable specifically made for Sonos. It's called VinylPlay and the company describes it as "a quality turntable for the digital music age. With vinyl sales growing as fast as music streaming, VinylPlay gives music fans a best-of-both-worlds solution: an excellent record player that’s easy to use and can be simply integrated into a modern streaming system".

There are many benefits, at least Flexson claims so. These include easy integration with the Sonos system, the ability to play, stream and archive albums, make digital copies and compatibility with 33 and 45 RPM records.

"Until now, digital turntables have either been cheap 'USB' decks that sound poor and can ruin your records, or ‘audiophile’ turntables that are typically pricey, fiddly to set up and look out of place in a modern home", says David Cain, Flexson sales and marketing manager.

The company plans to ship the product in late September with an MSRP of €449. US pricing has not yet been announced.

Digg Deeper comes to Reader and iOS, adds email option

Publié: septembre 4, 2014, 1:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

digg-deeper

Digg may not be the "in" thing that it was when Kevin Rose started it, but the site is still around and trying to stay relevant. Last year, in the wake of Google's shutdown of its Reader app, the social sharing site launched an alternative. More recently it launched Digg Deeper, a service that automatically IDs trending stories and videos based on those you follow via Twitter.

Now Digg Deeper is coming to more platforms, one of which is the aforementioned Reader application. "You can now use Digg Deeper to scan the most-shared stories, videos and links from your Twitter connections", the service announces.

The new service is also launching on iOS through a new Digg app update. This will allow you see what friend shared each of the stories and also allow you to view the specific Tweet about each of them. It will also allow for push notifications, alerting you to trending stories.

There are additional updates to the service, including a Daily Digest email which is an optional choice for customers. This is an opt-in, so you'll need to head into settings and enable it.

"It’s a great way to turn your often-overwhelming social streams into low-volume, high-value feed from the people and channels you trust", the company states. It even asks for feedback from customers to help improve things, providing an address -- "As always, we welcome your feedback, suggestions, and feature requests. Email our CTO, michael@digg.com".

Logitech introduces cross-platform keyboard for phones, tablets and computers

Publié: septembre 3, 2014, 6:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

bluetooth-multi-device-keyboard-k480

Many people these days have multiple devices -- a computer, smartphone and tablet is not unusual in any home. Desktops require a separate keyboard, while the other two rely on an on-screen model, which can be annoying at times. Now Logitech wants to solve that issue with one solution for all platforms.

The Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 can work with up to three different devices. A switch allows for movement between each, with a holder for your smartphone or tablet. It's a full-size desktop keyboard though, so users shouldn't feel cramped, as they did with previous tablet and handset keyboards.

"Perfect for today’s multi-taskers, the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 easily connects to your device through Bluetooth and allows you to type in comfort on a full-size desk keyboard with a familiar layout. With a choice of two color schemes, the keyboard is designed to blend into your home decor without sacrificing style", Logitech announces.

The K480 keyboard retails for $49.99 and is available now direct from Logitech. It's compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and even Chrome OS. You'll need to be running a fairly modern version of each operating system -- Windows 7 and iOS 5 (at least) for instance. You'll also need two AAA batteries, though it ships with them pre-installed to get you started.

New Nanoleaf LED bulb dims without a dimmer switch

Publié: septembre 2, 2014, 3:12pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

nanoleaf-bloom

In a strange twist, lightbulbs have become a part of today's technology world. It's all part of the Internet of Things -- home devices that aren't computers, but still utilize the home network for control. We've seen this being a bad thing, but mostly it seems to be good. After all who doesn't want to turn on the lights when getting close to home.

The latest is a Kickstarter project, the Nanoleaf Bloom, which is now ten days away from closing. The goal has been reached, but there is still time for buyers to secure one of the early models.

The bulb, while a bit odd looking, has an interesting feature -- it can be dimmed without aid of an actual dimmer switch. When desired brightness level is reached then a normal light switch can be flipped off and back on to lock in the level. It also touts low power usage -- "it reaches 75 watts of light with only 10 watts of energy usage, all while remaining cool to the touch", according to the makers.

It is not particularly cheap -- a single bulb will set you back $40. However, it's likely that potential customers can purchase with a level of confidence, as this isn't the first bulb produced by the people behind it.

The project has already soared past its goal, and plans to make the product available in November. Customers will be able to purchase direct or from retailers like Amazon.

Goodbye Windows, I'm sticking with Chrome OS

Publié: septembre 1, 2014, 10:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

HP Chromebook 11

Earlier this summer I wrote about moving to a Chromebook -- I'm working from my porch and I want something easily portable. I stated at the time that I was not sure where things would lead when the weather took a turn for the cooler. In previous years I've used a Windows 8.x (or 7) computer, as my office contains two desktops and a laptop running the Microsoft operating system as well.

Don't get me wrong -- I still see a need for the platform, but I simply don't see it for myself. I write in Word, which has a Chrome app. I edit images, which Pixlr handles quite well. Beyond that, I do little else outside of checking email and scouring the web for news.

I certainly understand that not everyone is the same. Some likely need the OS to get by in daily life, and have occasional need for Photoshop, which is the one thing that sends me scampering off to my office. But the need these days is greatly reduced. It's become a specialized use-case scenario, and some of those uses can be carried out with other platforms.

It's unlikely Windows will leave many enterprise environments anytime soon -- that's to be expected. These things change slowly and some necessary software is dedicated to the platform.

I don't code. I don't edit video. I have few real needs, and I'm likely the same as many users. Most purchase more computer than they need, and more headache than they care to deal with. I simply do not need hassles in my life.

Windows 8.1 is a very good operating system (yes, I actually like it). Windows 9, which is now known as Threshold, is exciting and intriguing. I'll try it when it debuts and I'll see what I think, and perhaps it will sway me, though I have severe doubts about that prospect, at least for now.

When the weather makes a turn for the worse, then I shall head back inside, though it won't be back to Windows. We simply aren't compatible anymore -- it's not Microsoft, it's me. Sorry, but we must break up, though I'll see you again for that rare use-case scenario that crops up from time to time.

Samsung teams with Nike for new Nike+ running app on smartwatches

Publié: août 30, 2014, 4:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Sadly the summer is winding down, with Labor Day weekend having arrived. But that means the best time of the year for runners is now on the horizon, with cooler autumn weather. To get you ready for this time of year, Samsung has struck up a deal with Nike.

This deal brings together one of the top phone makers and a famous running shoe manufacturer. The two are teaming up for a new Nike+ app that will be coming to the Samsung smartwatch platform.

"Samsung Electronics, in partnership with NIKE, Inc., today introduced the Nike+ Running App for the newly announced Samsung Gear S. The innovative app utilizes the new Samsung Gear S’ built-in Bluetooth and 3G connectivity features to bring Nike’s best in class running experience to Gear users for the first time", the hardware maker announces.

This eliminates the need to take your phone with you on a run -- something many of us do, using apps such as MapMyRun to track everything. The new app will be pre-installed on the Gear S smartwatch that Samsung has recently released. This means runners can easily check information while on the move -- distance, pace, heart rate and time are all included. In fact, the app even integrates a music player, so customers can select playlists with a tap.

"We are very excited to welcome the Nike+ Running App to Samsung’s Gear portfolio,” says Chan Woo Park, Vice President of Product Strategy Team in the Mobile Division at Samsung.

Mozilla loses more user info, this time data of 97,000 customers goes out through Bugzilla

Publié: août 30, 2014, 3:03am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Hacker Virus

It's been a bad month for Mozilla, as the company seems to be shedding user data left and right. The problems are apparently not over as new information has come to light regarding the loss of another 97,000 emails and passwords that were left exposed.

The latest issue comes via Bugzilla, and the organization has reset all user passwords in an attempt to alleviate the issues. However, that didn't stop customer data from being exposed for about three months.

According to the Mozilla organization, "One of our developers discovered that, starting on about May 4th, 2014, for a period of around 3 months, during the migration of our testing server for test builds of the Bugzilla software, database dump files containing email addresses and encrypted passwords of roughly 97,000 users of the test build were posted on a publicly accessible server. As soon as we became aware, the database dump files were removed from the server immediately, and we’ve modified the testing process to not require database dumps".

According to security researchers at Sophos, "We do not know whether or not the leaked database dumps have been picked up by anyone with ill-intent, or whether the passwords were hashed and salted, but Mozilla said it would like to think that developers who use test builds are aware of their insecure nature".

Mozilla has contacted all affected users and begun the process of fixing the problem. While customers, it seems, are likely safe, Mozilla is apologetic for the (another) problem. "We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause you".

Image Credit: Albert Ziganshin / Shutterstock

BitTorrent Sync gets an upgrade, includes large file sharing

Publié: août 26, 2014, 6:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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BitTorrent Sync has gone from alpha to beta to full release. Along the way it has become one of the best and most secure sync apps, with security largely because of its decentralized nature. Now the service is getting a major update that adds even more features to the platform.

BitTorrent is introducing large file sharing, allowing something like an entire folder full of photos to be shared with a group of friends and family. With the new work-flow that has been built for version 1.4, customers don't need to set up an account. "There's two ways to send a link, via email or copying it to your clipboard (so you can send using any communications tool of your choice)", Erik Pounds, vice president of product management, explains.

Recipients just need to click that link and the service will walk them through a few simple steps to get them started. It's an easy process and nothing is stored in the cloud, so access to your files in completely controlled by you.

There is also a completely redesigned user interface in the new version 1.4. This includes a customizable folder list. This can display exactly what the user chooses, as far as status and information.

Finally, BitTorrent touts some numbers -- more than 10 million user installs of the service and over 80 petabytes of data transferred. The organization points out that "anecdotally, that equals the storage capacity of 2.5 million 32GB iPhones".

BitTorrent Sync version 1.4 is available for free and runs on Windows, Linux and OS X. An updated version for NAS customers is promised to be on the way. You can find the latest update here.

Spotify shows Windows Phone love, goes free on the platform

Publié: août 26, 2014, 1:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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While Windows Phone gets a lot of attention for what it doesn't have, the Microsoft mobile platform is slowly making progress. Now it is scoring a major win, and getting on par with rivals, as Spotify announces it will be going free for Windows Phones.

The new update means customers can now listen to their music without ponying up the monthly fee for a Premium account. The new free version is ad-supported, and customers can still choose to pay the monthly fee for Premium, and eliminate those ads -- and also get offline playlists, as well.

The app features the ability to create your own playlists, follow others and utilize their lists and choose an artist and click shuffle to work through all of that performer's music. Customers can also choose from curated playlists which are created by Spotify and geared towards all sorts of moods and even for particular activities such as working out.

"We're also introducing a series of additional improvements throughout the app. Search results look better than ever before, and we've made it easier to browse the artists you love and discover related artists you might grow to love", Diego Planas Rego of Spotify claims.

The app itself is a free download and Windows Phone customers can grab it from the Store beginning right now.

Bing Maps expands its transportation features in Japan

Publié: août 26, 2014, 4:54am CEST par Alan Buckingham

BingMapsExpandsTransitFeaturesinJapan-DetailedWalkingInstructionsTokyoTower

The land of the rising sun, Japan, has some bustling cities. That can lead to headaches for tourists attempting to navigate the foreign surroundings -- not the easiest thing to traverse, as many travelers have learned.

However, Bing is attempting to improve on this, adding new features to its mapping service within the nation. Multiple updates have been made to the services.

First up is an expanded number of agencies and routes -- in fact, all of them, if Microsoft is to be believed. The company claims that, regardless of where you're headed within the country, it can find the necessary route that will get you to the destination.

In addition, just in case you need to get off and transfer to another station for the next leg of a journey, the company is now providing walking instructions -- no, now how to do it, just which way to go and where to turn.

Perhaps most importantly for tourists, at least from my part of the world, is understanding what you're being told. Bing has an answer for that dilemma as well. "We’ve now extended Bing Maps to include English translations of station names, so that even if you’re a tourist who cannot read Japanese, you will find the right train. Previously, when we provided instructions about which trains to take or which stations to depart from, the only data provided were the names in Japanese", says the Bing team.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to buy that plane ticket and see another part of the world.

Madden 15 for Xbox One now up for pre-order

Publié: août 23, 2014, 2:58pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Football season has arrived, at least in the form of training camps and practice games. As people's minds turn towards the sport, gamers also get excited about the latest Madden release. To that end, Madden 15 is heading for Xbox One. Beginning now the game can be pre-ordered, and there are some bonuses if you jump through the necessary hoops.

Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, did the honors of announcing the release. The game can be downloaded, but will not be playable until the official launch date, which is slated for 12:01am PDT on August 26th, so not far off at all.

"Once purchase is complete, download this game by selecting the 'Manage' button on the product details page on your console", Hryb explains.

Customers can also get a ten percent discount, along with a five day free trial, but it does require first signing up for an EA Access account. You'll need to do this before you place your order for Madden 15. However, aside from the discount, this also brings "the standard edition of Madden NFL 15 plus the Pre-order Bundle in Ultimate Team, which is comprised of 11 Pro Packs (distributed 3 packs week 1 and then 2 packs per week for the next 4 weeks)", according to Hryb.

Customers can place their orders by heading over to the Xbox Store. Then all you have to do is wait to play, and choose what team you'd like to be.

Samsung Galaxy S5 takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, but is it good or bad?

Publié: août 22, 2014, 8:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A 2

The Ice Bucket Challenge has taken off on social media in the past week or so. The campaign is designed to fuel awareness of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease -- a problem that has famously, and sadly, afflicted Stephen Hawking, though many others are just as unfortunate. It's certainly a worthwhile cause, and something everyone should be aware of and fund, if they can spare a few dollars.

But what if a major company attempted to hijack the pledge drive for the benefit of its product? It's really hard to say if that is what Samsung has done, but it certainly seems to be that way.

I'm of two minds on the company's S5 taking the challenge -- it certainly brings awareness, and if it adds to the donation total then we can consider it a good thing. But on the other hand, is it self-serving marketing run out of control?

Samsung has a history of media blunders -- think about some of the company's launch events. But despite those faux pas' one would think common sense would prevail when it came to a charity fund-raiser.

The video is certainly contrived and plays completely as an advertisement. That's a shame, given that the company had the chance here to make a positive impact, but instead seems to have chosen to use the social campaign to fuel its advertising.

Everyone is welcome to draw their own conclusions, but this seems more advertising gimmick than actual fund-raising charity video. And, if that's the case, then it is reprehensible on the part of the company for jumping on people's misfortune for its own gain. Shame on Samsung if it has done so.

Sophos looking for beta testers for new Android security software, prizes offered

Publié: août 22, 2014, 3:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

photo by Slavoljub Pantelic, Shutterstock

While the claims of Android malware may be a bit overblown, it does exist and has to be a consideration for customers. That fact has brought about an abundance of software designed to combat the perceived problem.

Now Sophos is jumping into the market with an updated version of its offering, but for the moment this latest version is in a testing phase. The company is calling on Android users to begin beta testing the new offering, and the security firm is adding an incentive in the form of prizes for people willing to step up.

"Sophos Mobile Security protects Android devices without compromising performance or battery life. Using up-to-the-minute intelligence from SophosLabs, it automatically scans apps as you install them to make sure you're not putting anything nasty on your phone or tablet", the company announces.

As incentive, Sophos will award $25 Google Play gift cards, though getting into the beta program doesn’t guarantee you'll get one -- only 20 people will receive them.

The app is not live yet, and plans call for it sometime in September. Right now Sophos is just looking for people to try it out. You can visit the website to sign up for it.

Photo Credits: Slavoljub Pantelic/Shutterstock

Pebble scores the ESPN app, brings sports to your wrist

Publié: août 22, 2014, 1:28pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Yes, I know not everyone is a smartwatch fan. It is a device reserved for geeks, athletes and the curious souls who wish to know what it's about. Pebble was one of the first to market (Microsoft came early, but failed) and now it has one more app to get existing customers, and potential ones, excited.

With baseball season heading into the homestretch and football, basketball and hockey all looming, the company has landed ESPN for its wrist technology. You'll get scores and game updates right from the watch -- Sports Center always with you while you're out and about, not sitting on the sofa watching the game.

"You can track results and schedules for your favorite teams while on the go. A quick glance at your wrist is now all you need to stay connected with the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and NCAA scores you don’t want to miss. When a score changes, Pebble delivers a buzz", Pebble announces.

It will certainly make things easier for any fan who wants to keep up while on the go. There is the whole opening barrier of the $150 price tag to get the smartwatch, though you can find better deals elsewhere online. This may be one more reason to make someone buy into this wearable technology.

A Linux Trojan gets ported to Windows

Publié: août 19, 2014, 1:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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While most people consider Linux safe and secure, it isn't always the case. When the bad guys of the internet have a will, they find a way. That's why, back in May of this year, security firm Dr. Web reported a new family of Linux Trojans designed for DDoS attacks.

Now the company reports that one member of that family, known by the catchy name of "Trojan.DnsAmp.1" has been ported over to the Windows side of the computing world.

"It is installed into the system under the guise of the Windows service Test My Test Server 1.0 whose executable file is saved in the system folder under the name vmware-vmx.exe", the security firm announces.

Once it launches it will send a signal to the attacker and then obediently await commands to begin the DDoS attack. Worse, it's capable of downloading and running other malicious programs, leading to an even bigger problem for the end user.

"Certain features discovered by Doctor Web's researchers in the Trojan's code indicate that it has been written by the virus makers behind Linux.DDoS and Linux.BackDoor.Gates malware", the security firm says.

Dr. Web also states that, during monitoring between June 5 and August 13, the largest amount of attacks carried out by this particular Trojan family were actually directed against Chinese servers, though the US managed a second place finish. The firm reports that it has added the signature of this threat to its software, and customers should be protected from it.

Image Credit: Sadik Gulec / Shutterstock

Xbox One August update begins to roll out

Publié: août 18, 2014, 5:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Microsoft's continued updates of its latest console, the Xbox One, will keep going with a new August feature roll out, that is beginning today. There are many new things included that should keep gamers and entertainment aficionados satisfied.

Microsoft's Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, who's better known as Major Nelson, made the official announcement, along with outlining the benefits for customers.

Console owners can expect to receive access to mobile purchases, which Hryb claims was a highly sought after feature, based on feedback the company received. "Using Xbox SmartGlass or on Xbox.com, you can remotely purchase games and Add-on content. No more waiting to begin downloading when you get home -- if your console is set to automatically take updates, your console will begin downloading your purchase".

Also included in this latest update are improvements to the Activity Feed that alter the user interface and place the feed directly in the user profile. There is also the chance to disable these notifications during a game, the ability to play 3D Blu-rays, and an alert as to the last time a friend was online.

As with all of these updates, the roll out will be gradual, so don't necessarily expect it today. Hryb also calls for continued feedback so the company can plan future improvements.

Amazon App Store holds a Coin sale

Publié: août 17, 2014, 7:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon coins Amazon's app store utilizes its own currency system, in the form of Coins. These can be used by customers to purchase apps, but like other monetary inventions, it does cost real money. However, Amazon is currently holding a sale.

The company is offering its Coins at a discount, saving customers 20 percent off the regular price. That's a nice saving for the apps you want to grab.

"Available on both Android and Kindle Fire devices, users can purchase discounted Amazon Coins in the Appstore or on Amazon.com to begin saving on their favorite apps and games (and even on in-app purchases)" the company announces.

A Coin is only worth one cent, so buying 500 of them will net you $5.00, though it will currently only cost you $4.60. Customers can purchase up to to 10,000 of them.

The deal isn't available for long, so customers who wish to take advantage should consider doing so soon using the link above. The offer will expire on August 23 and you can use the Coins to grab both apps and games.

Despite Microsoft's takedown, GameOver Zeus botnet rises again

Publié: août 15, 2014, 7:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Back in early June Microsoft announced it had taken down the GameOver Zeus botnet, in an effort to protect customers. But, thwarting the internet bad guys is much more difficult in practice than it is in theory. Now security researches claim the phoenix is rising from its ashes.

The folks at Arbor Networks, a security research firm, have been keeping regular tabs, and have noted a sudden and very rapid growth. The rise is actually due to a new variant that seems to be spreading quickly, but has become most prevalent in the US.

The firm tracked the variant, known as "newGOZ", through the final two weeks of July. In the short period between July 14th and 25th the firm saw a rise from 127 victims to an astonishing 8,494. However the final check, on July 29th, actually showed a nice drop-off of 27 percent, which should be encouraging for all.

But before you get too excited about that reprieve, Arbor points out "as with all sinkhole data, many variables can affect the accuracy of victims such as network topology (NAT and DHCP), timing, and other security researchers. However, we feel that the data provides a good estimation of the current scope of this new threat".

Not a single continent, excepting Antarctica, was safe from the infestation, though North America, especially the US, ranked quite a bit higher than other victims. In fact the US accounted for 44 percent of the victims, followed by India at 22 percent. The UK finished third in this race nobody wishes to run, coming in at 10 percent.

The researchers conclude with several questions regarding this new threat -- will the perpetrators continue using this attack? If so, will it continue to grow? Will those behind it return to the original P2P version, which had a higher infection rate?

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Photo Credit: Korn/Shutterstock

Updated YouTube app begins rolling out, Xbox One first on the target list

Publié: août 15, 2014, 3:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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YouTube is the top destination on the web for videos -- not all are the highest quality, but they account for a large portion of the internet memes these days. While watching on the PC is fine, and what most users settle for, the ideal viewing method is on the big screen.

Today the video service announces the gradual roll-out of its new TV app. The company plans to get it to all set-top boxes, but the Xbox One seems to have topped the priority list.

"You’ll soon be able to find videos you want more easily with the updated YouTube app for TV designed for the big screen, which will also bring you all the videos and playlists from channels", says Tyler Breisch of YouTube.

The new app contains an improved guide, which sprawls down the left side of the screen as a narrow column. There is also a new channel page that will display all of the content you subscribe to.

While the streaming service plans to roll this out to all TV-connected devices, like game consoles and set-top boxes, the Xbox One is first on the list. The update has already hit the games console, as it was released along with the announcement.

That Twitter account you're following may be a bot, but that's not always a bad thing

Publié: août 14, 2014, 6:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Many of us use Twitter, and we do so for a variety of reasons that include both following friends and family, as well as keeping up with current events. Services like Breaking News and Breaking Weather can be indispensable in daily life.

What many don't know is that some of these services are little more than automated bots. While that sounds scary, and in some cases it is, it's not always something to worry about.

Twitter, in a recent SEC filing, gave its own estimate of the landscape. "Up to approximately 8.5 percent of all active users used third party applications that may have automatically contacted our servers for regular updates without any discernable additional user-initiated action".

While some are certainly in place for spam, others are provided for the good of followers, providing useful information.

Security firm Sophos pointed out that "bots aren't all evil, porn and spam-spewing squiggles of code, of course. There are also squiggles of bot code that carry out good deeds. One example is @EarthquakesSF, a bot that live-tweets earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay area using real-time seismographic information from the US Geological Survey".

Of course Twitter allows the user to decide who (or what) to follow, so it comes down to you. You can keep up with news, company announcements, sports teams or whatever you wish. This is (mostly) an example of bots on the good side of things.

Photo Credit: Palto/Shutterstock

Vimeo unveils revamped Roku app

Publié: août 14, 2014, 4:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Roku, the tiny set-top box with a lot of channels, gets one more improvement today. It's an important step in the battle with stiff competition from Apple TV, the recently improved Amazon Fire TV, and the forthcoming Android TV, to name only three.

Now Vimeo is the latest to add just a bit more functionality to the Roku box. The streaming service is announcing a major improvement to its app -- the first major change since it was released back in 2011.

"Roku provides an amazing set-top product for our users, and we really wanted to blow the Vimeo experience out of the water for our viewers", says Nick Alt, VP of Mobile and TV at Vimeo. "This latest app is part of our commitment to creators and ensuring their content is discoverable in the best possible ways, across many devices".

The new Vimeo app has been completely rebuilt, and the service points out it didn't use the usual templates that many Roku app developers have utilized.

The new version contains the most popular videos right on the homepage, and customers can also access staff picks and collections. In addition, the company states "the new app also makes it easier to access personalized video feeds (My Videos, Likes, Watch Later, and Incoming)".

Vimeo claims that an additional update will bring it's video-on-demand services to the app, something that Roku has already said it would like to have. "We’re looking forward to the next update that will bring Vimeo’s impressive VOD catalog of over 11,000 titles to our users later this year".

The app is available, free of charge, right now in the Roku Store, so if you have the set-top box, then go ahead and grab it.

Spotify enhances merchandising push for artists

Publié: août 13, 2014, 10:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Selling music seems to be a lucrative business these days, at least judging from all of the streaming services flooding the market. So how does one manage to differentiate itself and set things apart from rivals like Rdio and Google?

Apparently, for Spotify, this means moving into the merchandise business -- a rather lucrative one, given the price of concert tee shirts at shows, though Spotify doesn't plan to profit from this endeavor.

The service aims to allow the artist to sell directly to fans, stating it wishes the fans "to support the people whose music fills your days". These offers will appear on the artist page of each band or individual who chooses to participate.

The service is not new, it was launched last year, but this takes things up a notch. The company is introducing BandPage, an area where each artist can set up merchandise to offer the fans. Spotify also pledges only the artist will get the proceeds and the streaming service will take no cut of the profit.

For interested parties, Spotify states "if you’re an artist who wants to start selling merch and experiences through Spotify, check out our artist blog".

Gmail enables unicode recognition to block links to suspicious sites

Publié: août 13, 2014, 4:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Email can be inherently dangerous, as less savvy users can, and do, click links that can lead to nefarious locations on the web. The links are frequently a bit hidden -- characters are slightly altered, such as "0" instated of an "O".

Last week Google rolled out support for non-Latin characters, a great addition, but one that enhances this problem, as well. With that in mind, the company is attempting to protect its email customers, by now enabling recognition of bad links through Unicode checks.

"To stay one step ahead of spammers, the Unicode community has identified suspicious combinations of letters that could be misleading, and Gmail will now begin rejecting email with such combinations", says Mark Risher, in referring to his example of "Sh0pping.com" versus "ShOpping.com".

This update is available immediately and Google is calling on other email providers to offer similar solutions in an effort to protect the general public. "Together, we can help ensure that international domains continue to flourish, allowing both users and businesses to have a tête-à-tête in the language of their choosing", Risher concludes.

Image Credit: Ribah / Shutterstock

Amazon holds a Fire (TV) sale, celebrates new apps

Publié: août 13, 2014, 2:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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The Amazon Fire TV has become a solid competitor in today's set-top box market, competing with Roku, Apple TV and others. It works especially well for those who are Prime subscribers, as the service is completely integrated into the tiny box.

But Prime is not all you can do with Fire TV, other apps, like Hulu and Netflix, were available at launch and Amazon promised more on the way. That time has arrived, and the company is celebrating in its usual manner. That is, offering discounts on the device.

For a limited time, customers can grab a Fire TV for $84, a $15 discount over the regular price. The offer is placed prominently on the retailers front page, proclaiming "celebrating a boatload of new apps".

Just over a week ago, Amazon announced "New services include WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior, MLB.TV, Animal Planet L!ve, and WWE Network, and more are already on the way -- by the end of the year TV services such as WATCH ABC, WATCH ABC Family, NFL Now, A+E Networks (including A&E, HISTORY & Lifetime), Outside TV, Young Hollywood, North Face TV, Fashion TV, Green TV and Dailymotion will all be available to Fire TV customers".

The sale does not list which apps have become available as of yet, nor does it list how long this deal will be good for, only saying it is a "limited time offer".

Synolocker exploits vulnerability in Synology servers

Publié: août 12, 2014, 8:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

cybercrime cyber terrorism hacker gun malware security

Both businesses and home users now utilize server technology, it's a great way to backup files and keep things safe. But, perhaps it isn't quite as secure as many unsuspecting customers had thought. Synology, one of the leaders in the market, is now dealing with a Crytolocker-like threat, this one aptly name "Synolocker".

Much like its namesake, the software is ransomware, prepared to extort money from unsuspecting NAS customers. While this sounds like doom and gloom, it's actually only compatible with older versions of DiskStation Manager.

Synology is aware of the issue, and has already issued a fix, but some customers have apparently not updated. The company issued a statement, calling it "two vulnerabilities that were fixed in November and December 2013", further stating "at that time, Synology released security updates and notified users to update via various channels".

AVG looked into the problem and also issued a statement -- "victims are asked to pay approx. USD$350 in Bitcoin to obtain a decryption key via a TOR Hidden service website -- allowing the criminals to remain undetected by law enforcement agencies. This is the same payment method we have previously witnessed with the PC Malware called Cryptolocker that appeared late in 2013".

Synology has issued a series of steps to get affected users back on track, but the best solution is to download the latest version of the software and avoid all issues before they arise, not to mention the $350 extortion that comes along with it.

Photo Credit: grafvision/Shutterstock

Netflix updates its monthly ISP shame and fame report

Publié: août 12, 2014, 8:31am CEST par Alan Buckingham

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A lot of news recently has swirled around Netflix and its problems with ISPs, especially after the Comcast incident, where the service was forced to pay a premium simply for customers to get reliable service. However, Netflix is not shy about reporting the winners and losers on a monthly basis.

Today it announces its report of ISP streaming speeds. Despite the fee now being paid, Comcast still failed to finish at the top, coming in at fifth place. The giant of the US market ranked behind, in order, Cablevision, Cox, Suddenlink and Charter.

Netflix also pointed out the shortcomings of US broadband speeds in general -- "Among the countries tracked in the Netflix ISP Speed Index, the US continues to lag behind many in Europe and the Americas. Of the 20 countries we assess, the U.S. ranked 13th with average speed of 2.23 Mbps. The Netherlands leads in performance, averaging 3.61 Mbps in July, with Norway, Denmark and Sweden all posting speeds better than 3 Mbps. On the other end of the scale, Costa Rica averaged speeds of 1.48 Mbps last month, though it has steadily improved its performance since we began tracking this year" according to Anne Marie Squeo.

In the Canadian market, Bell Canada topped the list and posted a higher speed (3.21) than Cablevision's US industry-leading 3.10. It was followed closely by MTS Fiber-Optic at 3.20.

The report is based on about 50 million customers and over one billion hours of streaming movies and TV shows. All of the details, including the good, the bad and the ugly, can be read here.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

EA Access brings Netflix-like gaming to Xbox One

Publié: août 12, 2014, 7:48am CEST par Alan Buckingham

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Watching a movie via Netflix has never been easier -- well, depending on your ISP, that is. Now EA would like to bring the same experience to playing games on that new Xbox One console sitting in your living room.

Electronic Arts has rolled out Access -- a new game service that works quite a lot like the movie service. Also like Netflix, it will work on a subscription basis, there is no free ride here. However, the games available should make it worthwhile for those wishing to partake.

"Today, EA Access launches for all Xbox One owners, with Battlefield 4, FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, and Peggle 2 debuting in The Vault. EA Access members also receive 10-percent off digital purchases including full games like the upcoming Madden NFL 15 or Dragon Age Inquisition as well as purchases in FIFA Ultimate Team or on new map packs for Battlefield. Plus, EA Access members have the opportunity to try new EA titles five days ahead of retail launch -- only on Xbox One", says Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb.

"We're really thrilled to be working with the Xbox team on this project," says Michael Lewis, Lead Producer for EA Access. "We think it's a service gamers are really going to love, and the initial reception has been amazing".

"The Vault", mentioned above, contains all of the games available for download and play. It's not free, but it also will not do tremendous damage to your wallet -- $4.99 per month will get you underway. You can check it out here.

Torrents come to iOS, Apple approves Blue Downloader

Publié: août 11, 2014, 10:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hero_iphone4s_5c_5s When people hear the word BitTorrent, they tend to leap to conclusions, some of which are inevitably wrong. The fact is, the technology is used to distribute all sorts of content, including Linux distros and music and movies that artists and directors make available.

However, it is largely one of those keywords that sets off alarm bells with Apple, which keeps a tight rein on the content that appears within its iTunes app store. That's why it was a bit shocking when Blue Downloader made its debut.

With that said, Blue Downloader has managed to find its way past the restrictions, and is currently selling for $2.99 in the iTunes app store.

The app initially avoided the restrictions that have thwarted others, mainly not mentioning the keyword "BitTorrent". In the initial release, restrictions applied. However, a recent update to the app opens things up a bit. The latest version actually allows access to Google, which enables users to search for all torrents on the web.

This could also be the undoing, of course. For now it's there, though it appears to be region restricted, at least from what I've been told by co-workers who reside abroad. It's also likely to not last long, given Apple's past policies on such things.

Update: The app has apparently been removed from the iTunes store, and we have removed the no longer working download link from this story. BetaNews has reached out to the developer for comment, and we will update this if and when a response is received.

Amazon kicks off new pilot season later this month

Publié: août 11, 2014, 5:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

watching tv

Last year Amazon debuted a number of pilots, though only two survived the final cut -- both Alpha House and Betas had first season runs. Of those, only the former will survive to season two. However, the company continues pushing its own original content, and is now set to debut a new run of pilots for viewers to decide upon.

On August 28th the retail giant will kick off several new shows, all available to any customer who has a Prime subscription. The episodes cover the gamut of content, so pick and choose as you wish.

"Customers who watch the pilots will visit modern day Paris, step into the world of a vigilante who has visions from God, follow along as a psycho-physiological illness tears apart a town, explore the complexities of marriage, and take a trip to a country club in 1980’s New Jersey. Once again, customers are invited to watch and provide feedback on the shows they want to see turned into full series", Amazon states.

This is exactly the same process used one year ago. Each of the pilots will be a one half hour show, and all are comedies -- which seems a theme with Amazon original content. "We are delighted to be able to bring Amazon customers new shows from some of Hollywood’s most talented actors and creators", says Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios.

The customer feedback being used as a determining factor in a show's pass or fail rating is unique in online content, but perhaps a throwback to generic TV, which relied on the Neilsen Ratings to see if a show survived.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna / Shutterstock

AVG teams with Opera for browser-security bundle

Publié: août 10, 2014, 2:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

security

While many of us would prefer our web browser to come bare bones, and avoid things like toolbars that frequently ride along with free software, there are those folks who like a few extras. For them, AVG has partnered with Opera to mix security in with the web browser in a bundled package.

The two services have teamed up to roll Opera with AVG PrivacyFix and AVG Secure Search, hoping to make users a bit safer while online. AVG, of course, claims the best of intentions.

"AVG PrivacyFix checks your privacy exposure on Facebook, Google and LinkedIn, and with one click, takes you to settings where you can fix it. It allows you to block over 1,200 trackers from following your movements online, and lets you see which websites reserve the right to sell your personal data and easily request that they delete what they hold on you. You will also be alerted to privacy risks as you visit sites and be informed when policies change", the company writes.

The software is certainly on the up-and-up, AVG is a good company, as is Opera, so this isn't the toolbar you can't get rid of. But it's also likely not what every user is going to want. Still, it provides an extra option and may be good for less savvy users out there.

Image Credit: weerapat kiatdumrong/Shutterstock

New Popcorn Time beta for Android includes free VPN

Publié: août 8, 2014, 12:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

popcorn

Regardless of what your views are on 'alternative' methods for getting TV and movie content for viewing, Popcorn Time continues to exist, much to the dismay of the MPAA. The service utilizes BitTorrent technology to get content and streams it to the viewer as it downloads, making for almost instant viewing.

Now the service is taking a step to help its users become more secure, adding a free Virtual Private Network (VPN) service, provided by Kebrum. This means users should be safe from being tracked or intercepted (NSA not included in this statement).

While the VPN is the big addition, there are other improvements in the new update. It also boasts faster download speeds, support for even more devices, improvements for Chromecast, a purportedly smoother experience and, of course, the usual bug fixes.

The app is for Android, and is version 2.1, though it's still in beta form for now. It requires Android 4.0 or newer, but that should include most customers these days. It's also free to install and use.

Image Credit: ktsdesign / Shutterstock

EFF releases 'behind the scenes' footage of NSA flyover

Publié: août 8, 2014, 8:49am CEST par Alan Buckingham

blimp

At dawn on June 27th Greenpeace and the Tenth Amendment Center launched an airship to fly above the NSA data center in Utah. The message on the sides was not subtle -- "Illegal spying below", with an arrow pointing down. It was meant as an alert to action for citizens, and the stunt did have an effect.

Now the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has released behind the scenes footage of the event, filmed by documentary director Brian Knappenberger, who recently released "The Internet's Own Boy", a story of Aaron Swartz.

"While it is only one of several data centers, for many people the Bluffdale facility has become a symbol [of] out-of-control, unconstitutional, dragnet surveillance, as well as a threat to the environment," Knappenberger says. "I thought it was important to document this audacious attempt to raise awareness of this secretive facility and pressure Congress to rein in the NSA".

The EFF claims that the incident prompted thousands of calls from citizens to members of congress. Meanwhile, more than 30 articles were written about the event and were shared, via social media, 51,000 times, all within 72 hours of the flyover.

As for the documentary, the EFF states "Viewers are encouraged to use StandAgainstSpying.org, a site supported by more than 22 organizations, to review their elected representatives' record on surveillance and to send tweets to members of Congress to support meaningful surveillance reform".

You can watch the seven minute video below, which the foundation has shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

NFL Now comes to Roku, Fire TV, Xbox One and other platforms

Publié: août 7, 2014, 4:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

NFL-Now-Screen-1024x576

The NFL pre-season in now underway, with the Hall of Fame game behind us, and several games apiece awaiting every team. But the NFL is also about videos -- both highlights and interviews, even fans can get in on some of the action.

That is arriving on multiple platforms beginning now -- as in NFL Now. The league today rolls out the new app and it took the smart path of making it available on many different platforms. Regardless if you are on a PC, Roku or Amazon Fire TV, you can get in on the action.

"Available across Internet-connected devices, NFL Now will be personalized for each fan's interests, allowing them to follow the NFL how they want, where they want, when they want. Users will indicate their favorite team, fantasy players and which videos they like and dislike. The content stream will dynamically personalize each user's viewing experience to deliver a customizable news, analysis and highlights offering for NFL fans around the world. Additionally, NFL Now will provide users with access to the deepest vault of on-demand NFL video content available anywhere", the league states.

The league is also partnered with Verizon, so customers on that mobile carrier can get in on the action, "NFL Now is another way Verizon will bring the content our customers want to see to them, especially over the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network," says Brian Angiolet, vice president of marketing communications at Verizon Wireless.

Xbox One customers are not left out, and apps will be available for those using iOS and Android phones and tablets, as well.

The NFL did not mention pricing, but Roku is claiming the app will cost $1.99 for those in the US and $4.99 for folks in other locations. This will, perhaps, vary by platform -- it does not yet show up on my Fire TV to check.

Amazon expands same-day delivery, 6 more cities added

Publié: août 6, 2014, 2:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

delivery man

Just in case you aren't getting your orders from Amazon quite fast enough, a problem that generally doesn't exist in most cases, you can look forward to same-day delivery now. The company was already doing this in a limited amount of locations, but now is expanding to even more cities.

Customers in Baltimore, Dallas, Indianapolis, New York City, Philadelphia and the Washington DC metro areas can now have access to the quick deliveries, though it does depend on the item you are purchasing, as not everything is in stock within a location that can handle this delivery.

"Imagine how much time you will save now that you can get sunscreen, memory cards, toothpaste, hit movies, text books and HDMI cables all delivered to your home in hours, seven days a week, in one order from Amazon", says Greg Greeley, Vice President of Amazon Prime.

Depending on your location, when you search Amazon some products will now contain a "get it today" button included with the other purchase options.

"Amazon will offer same-day delivery for things like everyday household needs, health and beauty, baby items, toys, movies and games, electronics, office supplies, sporting goods, apparel and home accessories", the announcement states.

If you are a Prime subscriber then the same-day option will cost you only $5.99, while other customers will have to pay $9.98 for the first item and $0.99 for each additional one.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

PayPal 2-Factor Authentication hack found by security researcher

Publié: août 6, 2014, 10:36am CEST par Alan Buckingham

hacker-credit-card

PayPal, the online payment service once owned by Elon Musk and now in the hands of eBay, has become a bit of a staple of daily life on the internet. After all, we can use it for all sorts of payments, money transfers, invoicing and receiving money. But is it as secure as we hope?

An Australian security researcher has uncovered a way to hack past PayPal's Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Joshua Rogers used the vulnerability he discovered with an eBay account:

"The Paypal account you were 'hacking' did NOT have to be affiliated with the eBay account you were using. In my original tests, I had made a new eBay account using a temporary email, and had gotten into my Paypal through the same method", Rogers states.

So, what is going on? It has to do with when you link your PayPal and eBay accounts together. "Once you’re actually logged in, a cookie is set with your details, and you’re redirected to a page to confirm the details of the process. And this is where the exploit lays. Now just load http://www.paypal.com/ , and you are logged in, and don’t need to re-enter your login", Rogers continues.

And herein lies the problem. The integrated registration functionality no longer checks for the Two-Factor Authentication. The SMS message is not sent, despite the added security being enabled.

Rogers alerted PayPal to the problem last month, and the company pledged to fix the issue, but so far has failed to do so. "I originally found this on the 5th of June, 2014, and reported it to Paypal the same day", he says.

The security researcher has taken a video of the problem, and uploaded to YouTube. Perhaps it will shame the company into making a move to protect its customers.

Image Credit: Creativa / Shutterstock

Amazon Fire TV adds new services, including MLB and Disney

Publié: août 4, 2014, 5:12pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Baseball season is in full swing and marching steadily towards the playoffs, and football is now in pre-season, making it a great time to have easy access to sports information. Now those who have joined, or will soon join, the Amazon ecosystem with a Fire TV, are going to get just that, along with other services as well.

The retailer announces the addition of MLB.tv, WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Jr., Animal Planet Live, and the WWE Network. "Customers are loving the selection on their Fire TV, telling us how easy it is to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, listen to music, and play games in their living room. And because of that, developers continue to bring great apps to the platform, with app selection more than doubling since launch", says Steve Rabuchin, Vice President of the Amazon Appstore.

More games have also been added -- we told you about Flappy Birds Family recently, but also added are Dungeon Quest, Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse, The Wolf Among Us, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and The Bard’s Tale.

Amazon is teasing additional content that is coming throughout the last part of 2014. Services will include WATCH ABC, WATCH ABC Family, NFL Now, A&E, Lifetime, Outside TV, Young Hollywood, North Face TV, Fashion TV, Green TV and Dailymotion.

If you have the tiny set-top box then visit the app store now to check out the new content, and keep an eye out for the rest that is on the way.

If you're missing Flappy Bird then try Amazon Fire TV

Publié: août 3, 2014, 3:57am CEST par Alan Buckingham

flappy-bird

Flappy Birds quickly hit the level of phenomena, then just as quickly vanished as the developer pulled it from both the iTunes and Google Play stores. He apparently buckled under the weight of customers becoming addicted and sending complaints directly to him. Hard to say anyone would blame him for that.

Now the simple, but also incredibly hard, game is making a come-back, though under the name "Flappy Birds Family". Those who had already installed it on a phone or tablet never lost it, but the folks who found out too late are now in luck. That is, providing they have an Amazon Fire TV box sitting around.

Yes the game is back, but, at least for now, it's an exclusive. This time around it comes with new features, that will allow the user to truly compete with friends and family. "Flappy Birds now are on Amazon Fire TV with incredible new features: Person vs Person mode, more obstacles, more fun and still very hard. Enjoy playing the game at home (not breaking your TV) with your family and friends", the app description reads.

Just as before, the game is free. It's available through the Amazon Android App Store, just as all Kindle Fire and Fire TV apps are (though you can forget putting it on that tablet for now).

Goodbye DirecTV, I'm moving on without the cord

Publié: août 2, 2014, 8:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

family-watching-tv

Recently my colleague Joe Wilcox wrote about how he'd cut the cord and was not turning back. I can sympathize, and have made the same move, though I can't promise I'll never go back. Football season is coming, after all, and Sunday Ticket, while costing a fortune, will still tempt me.

I have been a DirecTV subscriber for more than ten years. I truly loved the service, and I paid for that love affair. Perhaps not to the extent of other cable and satellite customers -- I settled for the middle package and didn't bother with premium channels like HBO or Showtime. I did briefly flirt with the sports package, but found it to not be worth the extra hit to my bank account.

So where have I gone? I have set-top boxes from Roku and Amazon that provide me with plenty of content. I am not a huge TV watcher and the $99 per year Prime subscription, combined with channels on Roku 3 get me by. It certainly beats paying around $60 per month for stuff I won't watch. I know that sounds cheap to many out there -- you're paying much more. But, I pay separately to the local cable company for internet, so there's that which wasn't part of my bill as it is for some.

Prime provides me with plenty of content for my meager viewing habits. Under the Dome is running there, Orphan Black is now included, and there are lots of good movies. If for some reason I decide I need more then both Hulu and Netflix, even combined, don't come anywhere close to my previous monthly bill. PlayOn is also an option, and would still save me money.

I paid a grand total of $15 to receive the Tour de France via the NBC streaming package -- I simply watched each stage on a tablet next to my PC as I worked. Perhaps more events will adopt this method, because sports is the big problem with this approach to viewing. As I said, Sunday Ticket is calling my name, though I am still resisting. Not to mention, its pricing could be considered a bit excessive compared to other leagues.

We'll see how long this all lasts for me -- I can't promise I won't return, but I am doing my best to resist the temptation.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

XBMC is officially changing its name, meet Kodi

Publié: août 2, 2014, 3:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

kodi-splash-600x336

XBMC has gone through many iterations over the 12 years of its existence. The program, which now powers a number of home theater computers, began life as Xbox Media Player, then morphed into Xbox Media Center, before finally settling on the shorter abbreviation of XBMC.

But the platform has moved so far off from its original Xbox beginnings that it has announced it will get away from the old name as well.

"Six years have passed since the Xbox Media Center became XBMC, and simply put, 'XBMC' fits less now than it did even in 2008. The software only barely runs on the original Xbox, and then only because some clever developers are still hacking on that platform. It has never run on the Xbox 360 or Xbox One", says the service's Nathan Betzen.

The change is not immediate, but will take place with the new version, which is set to come out this year and is number 14, ironically enough. It will replace the current 13.1.

There is a more serious reason than simply having moved on from its original pigeonhole as a media player. The fact that Xbox was part of the name meant the project never had legal control over its name. "In the past few years, we have seen the mass confusion that resulted from this lack of control first hand. Users have been fooled into wasting money buying boxes running hacked and typically broken versions of XBMC", Betzen explains.

If customers want to check out the version, which is named "Helix", then the second Alpha release is currently available from the site for download.

Doctor Who month comes to Hulu

Publié: août 1, 2014, 5:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

DOCTOR WHO S5

Long-running TV show Doctor Who, which is produced by the BBC, will be coming back for yet another season on August 23rd. However, fans who can't wait can catch up through Hulu, which has debuted what it terms "Doctor Who Month".

The streaming service is hosting two exclusive specials, as well as a pair of classic episodes that had previously been lost for 30 years. Those episodes were recently recovered and can now be viewed via Hulu.

"Starting today, users can head to Hulu to watch 'Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide'. This two hour scripted special makes its U.S. debut exclusively on Hulu and features Matt Smith as the Doctor, and Jenna Coleman as his companion, Clara Oswald", the company states.

There is also a one hour special titled "The Science of Doctor Who". Hulu also promises more specials will be debuting during the lead-up to the BBC America premiere coming later this month.

"Here at Hulu, we are huge fans of the series and we are thrilled to be a streaming home of so much great content from BBC AMERICA’s hit -- the longest running sci-fi series in history", Hulu concludes. Enjoy the extras and old lost episodes and get ready for the new season.

BitTorrent releases Bleep for Windows, a closed Alpha chat client

Publié: juillet 30, 2014, 8:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

bleep

Recent revelations, courtesy of Edward Snowden, have given insight into just how much citizens need to worry about NSA activity, and it was an alarmingly large amount. BitTorrent has been working to mitigate these issues, at least as best as possible, with a Sync app that stores no data that can be accessed, and now a new chat app that will do the same.

The service debuts in private Alpha today, allowing testers to jump on board and get a taste of what it's like to use what is claimed to be a "serverless" version of chat.

BitTorrent points out the inherent need for security these days, stating "with the susceptibility of communications platforms to snooping and hacking, reminders of which seems to surface every week, we realized that we were uniquely qualified to build a better platform and application".

"Our big idea was to apply distributed technology to conversations. That means no servers required. This enables people using Bleep to make a direct, decentralized connection to someone they trust. Bleep offers the freedom to communicate without the risk of metadata being exposed", BitTorrent continues.

It's a valid point, given the state of the world today, and the organization has done an admirable job of stepping up and protecting users with a rock-solid Sync client. If Bleep lives up to those expectations then governments could be in for a tougher time scanning and archiving information on citizens, the vast majority of whom are innocent, but caught in the cross-hairs of a wide net being cast.

For now, Bleep is for Windows 7 and 8 desktops only, however other platforms are promised in the future. Customers will need to sign up for the Alpha, but can invite friends, once they are in. You can sign up here.

Microsoft's Kinect technology powers university library

Publié: juillet 27, 2014, 11:25am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Kinect for Windows a

Microsoft has made Kinect a big part of its latest gaming console, Xbox One, though customers can now buy the box without that technology tied to it. However, the device can be used for more than just gaming and entertainment.

Liberty University is now using Kinect to power a media wall in the library. The college is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is home to some 12,000 students, and around 90,000 more who study through an online program.

"Upon entering the library, visitors are greeted by an enormous visual display -- a media wall measuring 24 feet by 11 feet, composed of 198 interactive tiles that are controlled by three Kinect for Windows sensors", says the Kinect for Windows team.

What's on the wall? It's a continuous display of photos that are submitted via social media by the students who attend the school. The Kinect sensors allow those standing in front of the screen to use gestures that enable additional information which is available for each photo.

"The media wall thus provides a current snapshot of life at Liberty University -- not just on campus but around the world, since most of the school’s students are distance learners", Microsoft states.

It's certainly a unique use for Kinect, and one that could inspire other innovations. You can get a feel for the setup by checking out the video below.

Spotify to appear on Vizio Smart TVs

Publié: juillet 25, 2014, 6:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

spotify-vizio

Smart TVs and Blu-ray players have become all the rage these days, with customers using them to replace the need for a set-top box, though in most cases apps can be limited. So when a new one debuts on a platform it can be a big deal to customers who invest in that particular device for their living room.

Now Spotify announces it will be making its way to Vizio TVs. The app will begin appearing for download in the Internet Apps Plus store right on the big screen.

"This cooperation with VIZIO is another great step towards our goal of making all the world’s music instantly available on every platform", says Pascal de Mul, the Global Head of Hardware Partnerships at the streaming service.

Meanwhile, Vizio chimes in "We’re excited to launch Spotify on VIZIO Internet Apps Plus and its huge library of music to our customers", says chief technology officer Matt McRae.

The app is available right now for all 2014 model E-series and M-series sets. There is one catch (isn't there always?) -- you'll need a Spotify Premium account to take advantage of the feature. This will set you back $9.99 per month, which seems to be the going rate for streaming music services these days.

Chromebooks going back to school in new ad

Publié: juillet 25, 2014, 4:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Samsung Chromebook

Google is making an ever increasing amount of inroads with the education sector. Chromebooks have been finding new homes in many schools over the past year, with institutions either purchasing the devices for students or requiring them to attend with one.

Google is not above taking advantage of this momentum by using it in new advertising, and is doing exactly that with a new video that seems made for TV.

The spot is a standard 30-second clip and is completely set to music, only showing young people having fun and featuring Chromebooks. It's not entirely geared toward school, but more life in general -- though it does show a hallway of lockers. It also prominently displays pricing at the end, proclaiming you can get in on action for as low as $199. It makes sure to point out that laptops are "for everyone".

The Chromebook platform may not be for everyone, but it has become an increasingly better product with an ever-growing array of functionality. In fact, it has become my primary computer throughout the day. However, depending on individual use, some people may not be able to make do.

Check out the ad, which we've included below. There are also a couple of half-length versions, perhaps geared toward pre-roll for YouTube and the like.

The technology I'm using this summer [Alan]

Publié: juillet 24, 2014, 9:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

summer-desk

It seems all of us have made some switches thanks to warm weather here in the northern hemisphere, where summer is in full swing. Working outside seems prevalent, and that means, in many cases, an entirely different set of hardware.

I, for one, make my porch my office when the weather gets nice, and to do so means certain sacrifices -- or does it? As it turns out, not so much. I'm managing just fine with what I am using, able to get the job done with only the very rare exception that forces me to flee to my (rather baking) third-floor office to use a Windows computer.

The Computer

It doesn't get much simpler than a Chromebook. I am using the HP 11, which is light and easy to carry around. I could lug a 15.6-inch Windows 8.1 laptop out here, but why should I when this gets the job done?

I write in Word, but that presents no problem -- Microsoft has released an app specifically for Chrome. It will not work offline, as Docs will, but I'm not worried about that. My router may be a mile away in that office, but an extender isn't far off at all.

Images are obviously a large part of my job, and for that I've grown accustomed to PicPick and Photoshop, but Pixlr can get the job done nicely -- at least in most cases. It won't handle vectors, which is my reason for occasionally scurrying off to the overheated office.

To go along with the Chromebook, and because I hate touchpads, I am using a Microsoft 1800 wireless USB mouse with the laptop. It makes me feel more at home with what I'm doing.

Entertainment

I don't require much when I work. Background music playing is plenty to get me through the day. From both my phone and Chromebook I can stream audio to the Braven BRV-1 waterproof speaker. Yes, the speaker may be immune to the rain blowing in on my porch, but nothing else is, so I am still left grabbing items and running inside.

The speaker works quite well, looks good and has solid sound. It has the added bonus of being able to charge a phone if you need to do so in a pinch.

For the music source itself, I subscribe to Google Play Music All Access. Having got in early, I have a $7.99 plan. Those who subscribe now can expect to pay a couple dollars more.

Other items

Naturally, I keep my phone close by, as well as a tablet. The latter is mostly for entertainment breaks -- I am known to stop and spend a few minutes playing a game (don't tell my boss). Mostly I use the Kindle Fire HDX, which is also a great device for watching video from Prime -- something I occasionally use it for while laying in bed.

Summer in my area also means a chance for massive thunderstorms and the potential power outage here and there. For that, two batteries -- an 11,200 mAh Gorilla Gear and an 18,000 mAh Hyperjuice can keep me up and running.

There is, of course, also the low-tech items -- a flyswatter nearby keeps me sane. Nobody likes to be annoyed, after all.

What are you using this summer? Has warm weather brought about changes to your routine?

Amazon unveils massive database expansion for Prime Music service

Publié: juillet 23, 2014, 6:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Kindle_PrimeMusic_screen Just a few weeks ago, Amazon added one more perk to its Prime service, gifting customers with a music streaming service. The launch was a bit clumsy, as many of the songs and artists searched for were not available. However, as I wrote at the time, I expected that to improve.

Today the first leap forward takes place. The retailer is adding hundreds of thousands of new songs to the service, and also promising hundreds of new playlists.

"The response we've had to Prime Music has far exceeded our expectations and we’re excited to make Prime Music even more valuable for Prime members", says Steve Boom, VP of Digital Music for Amazon. "Prime Music was introduced just over a month ago and we’ve already significantly expanded the Prime Music catalog. Prime members have been telling us how much they love Prime Playlists, so we’re also pleased to offer hundreds of great new playlists to make it easier to enjoy the best of Prime Music".

Prime Music adds ad-free streaming to an already full package that contains video, a Kindle lending library and two-day free shipping on all orders. The price recently rose, but the $99 doesn't seem to have phased most customers.

"Prime members in the U.S. can listen to Prime Music at www.primemusic.com, and on Kindle Fire HD/HDX, iOS, Android, PC, and Mac. Eligible customers who are not already Prime members can try Prime Music with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime", the company states.

AVG killed LiveKive, but is offering a 'free' data transfer to SpiderOak

Publié: juillet 23, 2014, 2:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Cloud handshake collaboration

AVG got into the cloud storage business with its LiveKive offering. I won't go into the gory details but the service did not work so well. Now the anti-virus maker has elected to kill off the product, and perhaps it was a merciful death.

Users began receiving warning messages in their email before the shutdown took place. Customers could grab their data, though depending on how much was there, the download could have been painful.

Now AVG has announced that former customers can transfer their data to cloud storage service SpiderOak. "SpiderOak will honor all existing AVG LiveKive storage plans and pricing for both free and paid users. None of your data needs to be re-uploaded and you will keep your username. Everything will appear in SpiderOak as it does in your current LiveKive account, including folder structure, historical versions, deleted items and sync settings to all your devices", the announcement reads.

Customers will, of course, have to pay for a SpiderOak subscription going forward. Prices begin at $0, but most users likely are going to want the $10 per month plan to get the space needed for all of their data. There are also business plans available. You can head to a special SpiderOak page to make the move.

Image Credit: Lightspring / Shutterstock

Hulu Plus brings a new user experience to Roku

Publié: juillet 22, 2014, 2:57am CEST par Alan Buckingham

New-Hulu-homescreen-Modern-Family

Hulu is the big third player in the online video space, competing with Netflix and Amazon Prime. All of these services, and many more "channels" are part of the Roku ecosystem. It brings TV to the cord-cutter generation, which is a growing number of users.

Now, Roku is introducing an improved user experience to its tiny set-top boxes. "If you're a big Hulu streamer like me, you've likely noticed the new Hulu Plus experience on Roku. It’s quick to load, navigation within the channel is super snappy too -- 5x faster than the old channel! And the layout is slightly different to highlight stunning imagery from your favorite TV shows and movies", the manufacturer states.

The company claims that all of the improvements came through user feedback. "We really owe this awesome channel to you though. The teams at Hulu and Roku have been listening all your feedback over the last year…yes, all of it. It took a bit longer than we expected but only because we wanted it to be the very best experience".

The channel update is available now, and you can find it through the "store", though if you already have it installed, then it should update on its own. Hulu Plus isn't free, of course, so you can expect to pony up $7.99 per month, but if you've cut the cord then it's a small price to pay for entertainment.

Libratone network speakers now boast Spotify Connect

Publié: juillet 21, 2014, 3:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

spotify-libratone

Still procrastinating about installing a whole house audio system? The choices continue to grow, and one of the best known is Libratone, a Scandinavian company that brings a unique design to its networked speakers.

Now the manufacturer has paired with music streaming service Spotify, bringing the Connect functionality to the platform. This service provides customers with streaming options to speakers all around your home -- provided they are connected to your Wi-Fi network.

Spotify describes Libratone as "Their network speakers use acoustic-filtering organic wool to fill any room with good vibrations. And they now feature Spotify Connect. Look out for the update on Libratone's iOS/Android app to upgrade the firmware and get one of these beauties playing all your favourite Spotify tunes".

Whole home audio setups do not come particularly cheap, with Sonos leading the way, and Libratone will not sooth your wallet any either. Prices range up from $399, but if you are looking for a quality system that puts design and audio clarity at the forefront, then this may be an option you'll want to investigate.

Which entertainment device do you want in your living room? [Poll]

Publié: juillet 21, 2014, 12:12pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

watching tv

Home entertainment has been in the news a lot lately. This past week Microsoft, which positioned its new Xbox One as an entertainment device just as much as it is a games console, announced it would be killing off its own entertainment studio. While that takes original content off the table, there are many choices still available, giving Xbox One owners plenty to watch.

With Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, and the recently announced Android TV, viewing choices abound. What would once have been thought of as a computer, now resides in an entertainment center, sometimes in very small form factors -- Chromecast is nothing more than an HDMI stick that resembles a thumb drive. Roku, Google TV, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV are incredibly small boxes.

Most carry out similar functions -- Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime. For the most part, it comes down to the ecosystem in which you reside -- the denominations break down largely between iTunes, Google Play and Amazon Prime. Most boxes are somewhat cross-platform, but there are minor differences.

So, what do you want sitting in your home theater cabinet? Are you anxiously awaiting Android TV, hoping it finally makes good on the promise of Google TV? Is Fire TV, Roku or Apple TV in your future plans? Perhaps Xbox One, despite the death of original content? Sony too plans entertainment options, so that could be in the future for some. Chromecast takes the bite out of pulling out the credit or debit card.

Let us know your preference, by responding to the poll below.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna / Shutterstock

Amazon unveils its first Fire Phone ad

Publié: juillet 20, 2014, 3:37am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Fire phone

It has taken a little while, a surprising amount actually, but Amazon has released the first TV ad for its new phone. The Fire Phone is the retailer's great hope to compete against the likes of iPhone and Android -- though it does technically run the latter OS. However, customers would be hard-pressed to know this, given the extensive customization made to the mobile platform.

The new video runs half a minute, the perfect length for a quick television spot. It features children using the device and saying the usual array of cute things to endear adults to them.

It also takes careful pains to let everyone know that the handset comes with a free year of Amazon Prime. The service brings a Kindle lending library and free two-day shipping on all products and music streaming. However the focus of the ad is on the video content, which provides a Netflix-like service to customers.

The Fire Phone ships with a 4.7-inch screen, 2.2 GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and a 13 megapixel camera on the rear, as well as a front-facing camera. It also boasts "Firefly" -- a service to recognize music and products. That is likely something that will not endear the company to local stores, as customers can scan products they find, then buy from Amazon.

You can check out the new ad below and see what you think.

BitTorrent looking for testers for mysterious new product

Publié: juillet 19, 2014, 3:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

BitTorrent has been branching out over the past year, introducing new products such as Sync and Chat, both being encrypted and with a promise that user data is protected. Now the organization is looking to test a new product, but information is scant.

BitTorrent posted a short and mysterious blog post asking for testers to try out a new product, which it claims is for web browsers.

Coming soon to BitTorrent Labs, a new browser product. So today we’re putting out a call for testers. As always it’s you, the community, that helps us make great products.

This is a chance to get an early look at new technology. Please sign up to be among the first to try it out and offer us your feedback.

So, there is no real hint about what customers will be getting early access to, but the signup process is fairly straight-forward. If you would like to get in on the action then head over to the announcement, click the blue "sign up" button and get started. This will be a part the organization's Labs division, which has previously produced some very cool products.

Kindle Unlimited brings endless reading and listening to customers

Publié: juillet 18, 2014, 3:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

kindle-unlimited

Amazon already gives Prime customers access to a Kindle lending library, allowing the user to "borrow" books each month. But for some of the more voracious types, this may not provide enough material for a month's worth of entertainment.

For those customers, the retail giant has unveiled Kindle Unlimited, bringing all of the reading and listening needed to satisfy anyone, regardless of how fast he or she can read.

"With Kindle Unlimited, you won’t have to think twice before you try a new author or genre -- you can just start reading and listening", says Russ Grandinetti, senior vice president of Kindle. "In addition to offering over 600,000 eBooks, Kindle Unlimited is also by far the most cost-effective way to enjoy audiobooks and eBooks together. With thousands of Whispersync for Voice-enabled audiobooks to choose from, you can easily switch between reading and listening to a book, allowing the story to continue even when your eyes are busy. We hope you take advantage of the 30-day free trial and try it for yourself".

This isn't just another freebie thrown in for Prime customers, as music recently was. Instead, customers will need to sign up for a subscription, coming with a price tag of $9.99 per month. Along with this fee comes a free three-month subscription to Amazon subsidiary Audible, which produces quality audio versions of books, with excellent readers, including the occasional author or actor.

You will not need a Kindle for this, as it's cross-platform compatible. Customers can use Android, Blackberry, iOS, PC and Mac. Head over here to take a peek at the service.

Mozilla takes Firefox OS to new markets and devices, including India

Publié: juillet 18, 2014, 1:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

firefox-os-phone Not to be outdone by Google's Android operating system, Mozilla wishes to push its own mobile platform out to customers. The organization is aiming mostly at the low-end market, but that will be expanding in the future.

The mobile platform initially debuted on just two devices, but Mozilla has managed to scare up a few more partners to produce its product.

"Firefox OS has emerged out of the 'other' category as one of the top platforms for the global smartphone industry”, says Neil Mawston, Executive Director, Global Wireless Practice at Strategy Analytics. "Strong interest from major operators and hardware makers has enabled Firefox OS to make headway in key regions and challenge established software players".

New markets will include Croatia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro, Germany, France, Argentina, Ecuador, the whole of Central America, Taiwan, India, and various locations around Asia.

Mozilla also plans to begin producing higher-end devices running its operating system -- a departure from the original direction. "To accelerate the design, development and testing of the Firefox OS ecosystem, Mozilla has partnered with Thundersoft to manufacture and distribute the Firefox OS Flame reference phone", the organization states. This device is now available for purchase.

Additionally, Mozilla has designs for the living room, announcing it will be moving its platform to Smart TVs and Abitcool will be releasing a Chromecast-like streaming device later in 2014.

All of this means Mozilla is moving forward quickly, despite fighting somewhat of a serious uphill battle against existing platforms.

Grandfathered into the 25GB OneDrive plan? Microsoft has not reduced your storage

Publié: juillet 17, 2014, 10:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

onedrive-storage

When Microsoft introduced SkyDrive, it provided every customer with 25GB of storage space for free. The company later reduced this to only 7GB, but existing users were grandfathered into their plans and allowed to retain the old amount of cloud space.

Now the company has quietly reduced that down to only 15GB -- sort of. No official announcement was made regarding this move -- users simply learn of it by checking available storage within their accounts. But all is not what it appears to be at first.

The move comes on the heels of Microsoft adding 1TB of extra "free" storage to the accounts of Office 365 subscribers and upping free accounts to 15GB. Customers also receive bits of added free space in other ways -- for instance a camera roll bonus adds 3GB, and a "loyalty bonus" adds another 10GB. The latter is where that space went. It's still a strange move, and can lend to initial confusion for some who will spot it.

BetaNews reached out to Microsoft for comment and clarification on this, and received the following official statement:

"Early OneDrive adopters who received 25GB of free storage will continue to enjoy their free 25GB of storage. However, it will be split into two tiers within the account: 15GB of free storage and 10GB of 'loyalty bonus' storage".

So, the good news is the space didn't go away, but only got reclassified. The change was spotted by Richard Hay, who is a long-time Microsoft writer and MVP.

Not a DirecTV subscriber? You can now get NFL Sunday Ticket (maybe)

Publié: juillet 17, 2014, 4:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

directv-sunday-ticket

It's hard to believe it's already that time, but NFL training camps begin opening over the next couple of weeks. It's also the time when, traditionally, DirecTV subscribers grab Sunday Ticket, as there are usually early-bird prices.

This year, though, you may just be able to snag a subscription to the Ticket, without being a customer of the satellite provider. Stipulations for this abound.

In order to qualify for the plan, customers must meet one of the following criteria -- reside in an apartment where a dish cannot be installed, attend a university on the company's list, or live in Philadelphia, San Francisco or New York City. No mention is made of those who may simply live in an area where line of sight to the southern sky is blocked by trees or other obstacles.

In theory, you may be able to call DirecTV and plead your case, but the provider does not state anything about these variables in its announcement.

If you do happen to qualify, then you have a choice of packages available to you. The lowest tier is $199 and provides all games streamed to a computer, tablet or phone. For $239 you can stream to a game console and for $329 you get all of the bells and whistles -- mobile devices, computers, consoles and even the Red Zone channel. You can get started, or at least check eligibility, by visiting DirecTV.

Vimeo takes on FCC's proposed net neutrality legislation

Publié: juillet 16, 2014, 1:32am CEST par Alan Buckingham

net-neutrality

The FCC is currently taking public comments on it proposed changes to net neutrality. The law, if passed, would create a two-tier system where ISPs would be able to charge a premium to certain companies, such as Netflix or YouTube, in order to prioritize traffic. Those who do not pay, or startups that simply can not afford to, would face the possibility of being slowed down.

Many tech companies have, not surprisingly, spoken out against this possible change in legislation. The latest is video streaming service Vimeo -- a company that would likely be affected by the new law.

"Under the FCC’s proposal, broadband providers like AT&T and Comcast could charge online companies like Vimeo to deliver traffic (such as video uploads and plays) to their customers in a timely manner. We think this will create a two-tiered Internet -- fast tubes for those who can afford to pay a hefty toll and slow tubes for everyone else -- and will ultimately harm innovation and creative expression", states Vimeo's Darnell Witt.

There are many reasons this new proposal could cause problems. One of the biggest is the prospect of ISPs favoring their own content. Comcast, for instance owns TV and video services, and we've already seen proof that it is not above slowing down rivals like Netflix. Verizon and others also provide TV service to customers.

"Yesterday, the Internet Association (whose members include Vimeo’s parent company, IAC, as well as Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Twitter, Reddit, and Netflix) submitted comments to the FCC", Witt continues.

Vimeo is calling on users to leave comments at both the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Battle for the Net sites. Additionally, the FCC is taking public comments for a while longer, so be sure to make your voice heard. You can also watch the John Oliver video below for more information -- warning that the language is not all family friendly.

Image Credit: mindscanner / Shutterstock

Google announces Project Zero, aims to protect users from attack

Publié: juillet 15, 2014, 7:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Security attack

Not many days pass without security being in the news in some form or another. Most of that news isn't good either. Services being attacked through vectors like DDoS, gaping holes in software that many people use everyday -- hello, Adobe and Java.

Now Google is taking its own steps to try and protect users. The company has already implemented SSL for many of its services, but the latest push is against zero-day vulnerabilities.

"Project Zero is our contribution, to start the ball rolling. Our objective is to significantly reduce the number of people harmed by targeted attacks. We're hiring the best practically-minded security researchers and contributing 100 percent of their time toward improving security across the Internet", says Google's Chris Evans.

The search giant promises no bounds for the project and that the research will be done with transparency. "We'll use standard approaches such as locating and reporting large numbers of vulnerabilities. In addition, we'll be conducting new research into mitigations, exploitation, program analysis -- and anything else that our researchers decide is a worthwhile investment", Evans continues.

This also means Google is in the market for employees in the security field. The company doesn't go into details about compensation, but does talk about rewards and a distraction-free work environment.

Image Credit: Jirsak/Shutterstock

Samsung suspends agreement with Dongguan Shinyang over child labor

Publié: juillet 14, 2014, 2:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

child-labor

There have been many rumors coming out of Asia with accusations of child labor violations. It's one of those things that pulls at western heart strings -- none of us wants to think that young children are being forced to work in factories, perhaps building the devices we buy.

Now Samsung has announced that it has taken the step of suspending its agreement with Dongguan Shinyang Electronics after conducting an investigation into the latest allegations. "Following the investigation, Samsung decided to temporarily suspend business with the factory in question as it found evidences of suspected child labor at the worksite. The decision was made in accordance with Samsung's zero tolerance policy on child labor", the companys says in an official statement.

Samsung claims it conducted three separate audits since 2013, all of which revealed no evidence of violations. However, China Labor Watch (CLW) conducted its own investigation and turned over information surrounding illegal hiring practices within the factory.

For the moment, this is a temporary suspension of business, but an ongoing investigation is being conducted that could result in a permanent end to Samsung's deal with the manufacturer. Samsung claims a zero tolerance policy on these practices.

Image Credit: chippix / Shutterstock

CBS show Extant set to land on Amazon Prime with exclusive deal

Publié: juillet 12, 2014, 3:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

extant

This past Wednesday CBS science fiction series Extant debuted, coming amid much hype from anxious viewers. The TV network has also reached an exclusive agreement with Amazon Prime, which already has a similar deal with shows such as Stephen King's Under the Dome.

Episode one will be debuting this weekend, becoming officially available to viewers on July 13th. For those who have not heard of the new show, Amazon describes "Extant is a thrilling sci-fi drama starring Oscar-winner Halle Berry as an astronaut, Molly Woods, who returns home from a year in space and tries to reconnect with her husband and son. The events following Woods’ return home will ultimately change the course of human history with dramatic consequences for the entire planet".

As with the other shows, customers will need to wait several days from television airing. "Judging from the customer response we got to Under the Dome last summer, we know Prime members are going to enjoy having access to Extant just four days after it airs on CBS”, says Brad Beale, Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition for Amazon.

The show will become available on Prime each week, but episodes will hit the service after airing on CBS. Extant is already available to Prime subscribers in the UK, where it debuted on Amazon Prime the next day.

Image Credit: CBS

YouTube brings weekly new music show to SiriusXM

Publié: juillet 11, 2014, 6:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Girl listening to music

Google has slowly brought YouTube around to being a fully legal service, and made agreements with music labels and TV networks. Granted, some content still gets taken down -- that can't be unexpected when the users are providing much of the content.

Now the video streaming service is bringing a weekly hour-long new music show to satellite music provider SiriusXM. The new show kicks off today at 6pm Eastern Time, and can be found on the Hits 1 station for those who subscribe to the radio service.

Users will get the benefit of discovering new music from emerging artists, something that can be difficult to find at times. "The SiriusXM Hits 1 team will select songs to play from established artists based on the biggest YouTube view counts over recent weeks, and songs from emerging artists who are seeing the biggest percentage growth in views", the team claims.

If you miss the original broadcast, then you can catch a repeat of it -- those will air Friday nights at 9pm ET, Saturdays at 2pm ET and Sundays at 8am ET.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Hyperjuice Plug+ is enough backup power for any traveler [Review]

Publié: juillet 5, 2014, 3:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hyperjuice-plugged-in

With the recent Hurricane Arthur moving up the east coast of the US, power becomes something to worry about and a mobile connection can prove a lifeline for many people in the path of such storms. Keeping a tablet or cell phone alive during a disaster is paramount, but portable power is also handy for mundane times like travel and camping.

Backup batteries are not scarce on the market, you can find any number of them if you look. The real question is, what do you need? Ideally, you want the maximum mAh you can afford, as it will provide the most charges -- remember that battery in your phone is rated, and is usually somewhere in the 2,000 to 3,000 range. Use that number to compare to what you are buying to get a rough estimate of the amount of times you will be able to recharge. If you live in a household with multiple members then that should also be taken into account.

One of the latest on the market comes from Hyperjuice, and it provides quite a lot of power, as the company name suggests. The Plug+ packs in a whopping 18,000 mAh of charging capability.

This does not come small or light -- there is some size and heft to the item, but given the power inside, that is to be expected. In addition to the mAh rating, the company also has two USB charging ports, a retractable wall plug, aluminum casing and even promises a one year warranty.

plug-closed

The retractable plug is a handy feature. Most chargers get charged themselves via a micro-USB plug, just as phones and tablets do. This one actually plugs into whatever outlet you have handy -- you'll want to it to be vertical because of the weight.

The company describes "Stick the HyperJuice Plug into the wall, charge it up and you have a high capacity 18,000mAh battery pack that can deliver on-the-go power to 2 USB devices (even 2 iPads) at the same time. Aluminum battery housing (available in 6 different juicy colors), retractable wall plug and a 5 level LED battery level indicator completes the sleek look and all-in-one package".

Five tiny green LED lights indicate the charge as the battery is plugged in. When all begin blinking in unison then the battery is completely charged.

plug-open The Plug+ comes in two different versions -- an 18,000 mAh, which is the one we have tested, and a 12,000 mAh. They retail for $109.95 and $89.95 respectively. Each also comes in an array of colors, including green, pink, black, gold, blue and more.

Conclusion

There are numerous choices on the market for batteries, and those who travel, camp or are prone to power outages are wise to own at least one. At 18,000 mAh, the Hyperjuice Plug+ packs plenty of power to keep your devices going. It charges up relatively quickly from your wall outlet and has no problem holding that charge over time. It certainly seems to be one of the better options available right now.

The Tour de France starts Saturday and you can watch it on your mobile

Publié: juillet 4, 2014, 2:31am CEST par Alan Buckingham

tour-de-france

Not to be overshadowed by the World Cup, this Saturday professional cycling's biggest event kicks off. The season may run February to October, but nothing compares to the month of July. That's when the world's best gather in France -- well England this time, at least for a couple of days -- to participate in the spectacle that is the Tour de France.

While almost 200 riders take to the starting line, very few have a real shot at winning the race -- it takes all-around skill, including climbing, time trialing, and staying out of trouble in general, as accidents have ruined the chances of favorites many times.

If you want to watch every stage live right on your mobile device, then NBC has an app that will allow you to keep up with all of the action. NBC Tour de France Live is now available for iPad, iPhone and Android.

According to the description in the Google Play store, "Experience the 2014 Tour de France like never before…watch every stage LIVE on your Android handheld or tablet device. And track the peloton in real-time with interactive maps and profiles. It’s as close as you can get to the Tour without a passport".

It's not particularly cheap, selling for $14.99, but that's really not bad for three weeks of action. Each stage generally lasts between three and six hours, so you'll be getting your money's worth on this deal. You can grab a copy for yourself for Android, iPhone or iPad. The only thing you need to do after that is make your prediction for the eventual winner. Will Britain's Chris Froome repeat? Can the young American Tejay Van Garderen make a run at the title? We won't know until things conclude on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Samsung unveils new Galaxy Tab S commercial

Publié: juillet 3, 2014, 4:11am CEST par Alan Buckingham

galaxy-tab-s

The latest tablet from Samsung, the Galaxy Tab S, recently launched, and received considerable attention, as with many products the company does. Samsung also launched an advertising campaign to go along with its latest offering.

"The third installment in Samsung’s new tablet commercial series puts the Galaxy Tab S’s industry-leading display to the test, showing side-by-side comparisons of a wide range of images on the device’s Super AMOLED screen next to traditional LCD screens. These bring the extraordinary Super AMOLED technology to life, resulting in more immersive and breathtaking visual experience", the hardware maker claims.

The ad is more than two minutes long, and clearly was never meant to run on TV, but is more just for YouTube and a chance for the company to tout its latest product.

The 10.5-inch tablet comes in both 16 GB and 32 GB versions. The video, while mentioning those stats, plays mostly on the screen, which looks gorgeous in this clip.

"There is no other tablet on the market that can compete with the unrivaled viewing experience, innovative design aesthetics, and industry-leading productivity features of the Galaxy Tab S", says Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing in the IT and Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics.

Microsoft brings better document collaboration to Office 365

Publié: juillet 2, 2014, 7:16pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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With the introduction of Office 2013, Microsoft brought software as a service to the table -- something some analysts had long expected would happen. Under the moniker of Office 365, the company introduced a subscription model that allows for a monthly or annual fee and grants five licences to each person or family.

Today the software and services company rolls out an improvement to this offering, adding what it calls better document collaboration. The feature was actually announced earlier this year at the Exchange Developer Conference, but only now do we see the final product. Microsoft hopes this will eliminate the need to share documents via emails in an effort to work with other people on the files.

"Today, we’re thrilled to introduce the first of these enhancements which aims to improve the way people interact with files as attachments in their email. Now, you will be able to edit a document straight from Outlook Web App and attach this edited document to an email response in just a few clicks", the Office 365 team announces.

Added are side-by-side comparisons, which allow for viewing of the attachment and email next to one another, as opposed to flipping back and forth between the two. Users will also no longer need to download the attachment, as the document can be edited and returned right from this new view.

Finally, Microsoft promises a better user experience overall, with attached files being easier to see during the send process, and the ability to download multiple attachments in one single ZIP file.

"We are excited to deliver the first step in this enhanced document collaboration experience in Outlook Web App. We’ll have more enhancements to share later in the year. In the meantime, we look forward to your feedback on how we can continue to meet your needs", the team concludes. The company also promises more enhancements are on the way.

Radical.FM launches 25 million ad-free songs on Android

Publié: juillet 2, 2014, 4:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

music woman tablet headphones

Is there room for one more music app in the market? Radical.FM is hoping so, and it has big plans to become your service of choice, competing with the big names like Spotify and Rdio. Today the company is planning an ambitious app launch for the Android platform.

"The app is free, commercial-free, and available for immediate download in the Google Play Store", the company states. This is the first foray into the Google mobile platform, but the service was already available for iOS.

The iOS app will also be receiving improvements, and Radical.FM promises a desktop app is in the works too, though no release date for this has yet been announced.

"Tremendous effort has gone into making these powerful new apps faster and more intuitive,” says CEO Tom McAlevey. “But unlike Beats, which offers nothing Spotify hasn’t offered for years, or Amazon Prime Music, which is missing half the music iTunes has offered for a decade, Radical.FM offers a truly unique concept built on one of the world’s most comprehensive music libraries".

The company operates under a unique business model. It compensates all artists and labels for the music streamed, doing so through ads. However, there is an ad-free model and it has no set price -- users pay what they can. "If treated with respect, people tend to do the right thing. As users discover Radical’s outstanding service, many of them will be proud to support it", McAlevey claims.

You can visit the website to find download links for both the new Android app and the improved iOS version.

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey/Shutterstock

PlayOn giving away free Chromecast with lifetime subscription

Publié: juillet 2, 2014, 3:17am CEST par Alan Buckingham

PlayOn's main menu on the Wii PlayOn is one of the best cord-cutter services that flies largely under the radar. The online TV and DVR service is completely legal, thanks to the way it operates and, in the past, has partnered with Roku to distribute devices. Now PlayOn and its PlayLater service are going to distribute even more devices to customers.

The company is announcing that new "lifetime subscription" customers will receive a free Chromecast with the purchase. "With Chromecast and PlayOn, smartphones and tablets become powerful remote controls for TV viewing. Users can browse through hundreds of channels and thousands of movies and shows in an easy-to-navigate interface on their mobile device. PlayOn's PlayLater software gives Chromecast users DVR capability to record almost any online video for casting later when they are no longer available online. The included PlayOn browser extension gives users the ability to cast almost any full screen video from any browser on their PC to their TV with ease and without any web browser frames", the company says.

This does require some effort on the user's part, though it's minimal. You will need to download the free apps for the PC and mobile devices that you wish to use.

"PlayOn and PlayLater when used in conjunction with Chromecast is a really killer cable-cutting solution”, says Jeff Lawrence, CEO of MediaMall Technologies, which produces the software.

The company did not state how long to deal will be on, so sooner, rather than later, would be the wise move if you wish to take advantage of the option.

Amazon begins rolling out Fire TV update, adds music to the box

Publié: juillet 1, 2014, 3:59am CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Amazon is now into the set-top box market, diving in full force to compete with the likes of Roku and Apple TV. Since launching the procduct, the retailer has already released a software update, and now a second is rolling out, but on a gradual program. Some users are reporting having already received it, though not all of us have.

The update takes the software to version 51.1.1, upgrading from the current 51.0.2 and adding music to the mix. This seems logical, given Prime has just added a streaming service. However, according to Dave Zatz, who already has the update, that is surprisingly not included -- an omission that seems a bit strange.

"Of course, Amazon Cloudplayer was a bizarre and notable absence upon Amazon Fire TV launch and this update goes a long way towards filling the gap. Yet the Fire TV team clearly remains out of sync with other Amazon initiatives as the newly announced Amazon Prime Music service is MIA", Zatz writes.

BetaNews got in touch with Amazon to inquire about the update and addition of music, but the reply was somewhat less than we had anticipated, ignoring the music and focusing on the update aspect.

A narrow rollout began last week and we’re rolling it out widely over the next couple weeks. You should receive the update soon on your device.

Updated Fire TV details can be found here: [amazon.com]

That is the only information the company provided to us, and the link doesn't really go any further. It's baffling that Prime Music would not be included -- and likely it will be later -- but this seems a bit odd. The company obviously knew about it's launch, and could have, and should have, had something ready to go.

Plex will be available at Android TV launch

Publié: juin 28, 2014, 5:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

plex-google-tv

Plex is perhaps the best media server available for customers these days, though that will certainly vary by individual tastes. The server and apps are capable of running across almost any platform, and Google will apparently not provide a stumbling block for that.

The company is announcing it will be ready when Android TV launches later this year. The platform, which had been rumored for sometime, was announced this past week at the Google I/O conference.

"Now if there’s a new way to get content on your TV, we try our hardest to be there from the start, and we’re super happy to let you know that Plex will be available when the Android TV launches", Plex says.

The company also promises that this will not just be a port of the current version, which is available on Google TV. Instead, Plex will be providing a complete redesign of the interface. Plex promises new ways to explore your content, as well as the ability to search by voice and even recommendations based on your viewing habits.

You can follow this link to check out the screen grabs that Plex has provided. Android TV itself will launch later this year, along with the video app as a partner from the start.

Amazon Studios releases kids' show Creative Galaxy

Publié: juin 27, 2014, 5:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon_studios-creative_galaxy_S1_E1-episode_still_1

Amazon Prime has been busy these days, both adding a music streaming service, as well as launching its own original programming. The latter has already seen complete first seasons for Betas and Alpha House, and more pilots set to launch later this year.

Today the Studio arm of the retailer takes on children's shows, debuting a new title called Creative Galaxy. The show comes from Angela Santomero, who previously worked on Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, as well as creating the hit show Blue's Clues.

"We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Angela Santomero, one of the most influential and renowned minds in children’s entertainment", says Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios.

"The series features 'Arty', an adorable alien artist, and 'Epiphany', his inspirational side-kick, on their adventures through the Creative Galaxy solving problems through art, music and dance. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to recreate Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode takes families through the craft project Arty showcased in the galaxy", the announcement reads.

As of today, the first six episodes are available for all Prime customers to stream. It features the voices of such stars as Jason Priestly and Brooke Shields, among others.

Google brings the marriage of Chrome OS and Android closer

Publié: juin 25, 2014, 11:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

toshiba-chromebook

Ever since Google released its two operating systems -- the one for computers and the one for phones and tablets -- users have talked of a merger of the two. So far that hasn't happened, and at Google I/O today it still didn't. But things got a bit cozier.

The company unveiled closer integration between the two platforms, bringing phone notifications to your computer. Is your phone ringing? Your Chromebook will popup a notice telling you who it is. Got a text message? That too will appear on your notebook. In fact, Chromebooks will even notify you of low battery life on your mobile device, letting you know it's time to charge it.

A subset of Android apps will also be capable of running on the Chrome OS -- "At I/O, we demoed the App Runtime for Chrome Platform by highlighting a select group of Android apps that will be coming to Chrome later this year. We’ll be rolling this out soon, and we hope to expand to enable more mobile apps for our users in the future", the company says.

All of this is brought about through Google Now, which has previously been a part of both operating systems. It seems likely that it will also find its way into Android TV as well, though that is further down the road.

Aereo's Supreme Court loss proves Washington has no business making decisions on technology

Publié: juin 25, 2014, 5:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

justice_frankfurt

We've seen this before. Washington DC proving time and again its lack of knowledge about the modern technological world. We witnessed it when Ted Stephens, in a speech to congress, famously referred to the internet as "a series of tubes". Most recently, we've had to deal with the FCC looking to put an end to Net Neutrality -- see John Oliver's description for the best explanation on that. The latter is more likely less about knowledge and more about being in the pockets of cable company lobbyists.

Now the latest blow has been dealt. The Supreme Court has handed down its decision on Aereo. If you aren't familiar, Aereo is, or perhaps was, a TV provider which was moving into various cities around the US. If it was in your market, you could "rent" an antenna which picked up over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts. The company then retransmitted this to the customer via an internet connection. Each customer rented his or her own dime-sized antenna.

The 6-3 decision, which can be read in a 35 page PDF document, begins by citing the 1976 copyright act. The minority vote found Aereo's arguments valid -- that it acts as a cable provider. However the differences helped sway the ruling. Chiefly that, while cable is a continuous broadcast, Aereo is activated only when a subscriber wishes to watch a show. "The systems in those cases transmitted constantly, whereas Aereo's system remains inert until a subscriber indicates that she wants to watch a program", the ruling reads.

Aereo has been in court almost since it launched, arguing that it was protected under the precedent from a 2008 case regarding cloud DVR services -- something also operated by PlayOn without legal incident.

The ruling, handed down by Justice Steven Breyer, is a major blow to Aereo and may, in all likelihood, put the company out of business. It also goes a long way towards showing what the government lacks in technical knowledge, as many expected Aereo to prevail. We will await further updates for now -- the ruling has only just been announced.

Photo Credit: Livestockimages/Shutterstock

Amazon boasts of big first week for Prime Music service

Publié: juin 23, 2014, 6:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Girl listening to music

Almost two weeks ago, retail giant Amazon added music streaming for Prime customers. This is in addition to the other awesome benefits, such as a solid instant video service, free two day shipping and a Kindle lending library. For $99 per year, customers get all of these features, and Amazon reaps rewards in the background.

Now the company is boasting of the big first week that its new music service experienced, claiming tens of millions of songs have already been streamed in those opening days. "Prime members across the country have been rockin' out this week, exceeding our expectations for how well this new benefit would be received," says Steve Boom, vice president of Digital Music for Amazon.

The company went on to list some statistics on what customers are listening to. For instance, the top pre-made playlist was "50 Great Epic Classic Rock Songs", while the top song was "Timber" by Pitbull and Ke$ha, followed by "All of Me" performed by John Legend.

While the new service certainly adds some extra value for Amazon Prime customers, it is isn't ready to replace your Spotify or Google Music All Access just yet. In searching through the offerings, you'll find a lot of the music just isn't there quite yet. However, we can expect Amazon to build up the offering rather quickly.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

The day the music didn't die: Earbits rises from the ashes

Publié: juin 20, 2014, 5:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

music headphones laptop

This past weekend we wrote about music service Earbits shutting down, effective June 16th. The service sadly ran out of funding after making a good run, competing against the big players in the music streaming business. But rumors of the service's demise were greatly exaggerated -- nod to Mark Twain.

Founder and CEO Joey Flores sent out a message to customers with some good news -- the site will live to fight another day. In brief, Flores states "The sentiment of the community did not go unnoticed. Since then, a strategic partner has stepped forward and provided the necessary funding to bring Earbits back online indefinitely. The web service and mobile apps have been relaunched, effective immediately".

Flores refers to a Twitter campaign launched by disenfranchised customers. It was enough to get attention from someone capable of funding the service, though the new partner remains anonymous for now.

This is good news for both Earbits and its customers and future users, not to mention emerging artists looking to get discovered. Hopefully the service will remain active for the foreseeable future.

Photo Credit: CREATISTA/Shutterstock

Samsung and Spotify team up for new multi-room wireless speaker system

Publié: juin 16, 2014, 7:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Whole home audio does not come cheap, and the big player to date has been the Sonos system. Now Samsung is jumping into the market and has found a major music player to partner with in its implementation of the system.

The electronics maker and music streaming service Spotify are announcing the new Samsung Wireless Audio Speaker range (M7 and M5). "With Spotify Connect built in, you can stream your favorite music and playlists directly from Spotify. Hit play on your mobile or tablet, and the music booms out in any room of your home. You can even play through multiple speakers at the same time", the streaming service states.

The new audio system will be compatible across multiple Samsung devices, including smart TVs, soundbars and other company products. The speakers are also compatible via both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Like Sonos, the system does not come cheap, so expect a hit to your wallet to set things up. You can view the options here, You can control the system via a mobile app, and that is, thankfully, free.

Earbits music service announces it is shutting down

Publié: juin 14, 2014, 2:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

girl-music

Just this week Amazon rolled out Prime Music to all subscribers of its video and shipping service, adding one more competitor to an already crowded market. However, tempering that good news was a bit of sadness, as one other service has announced it will be closing its virtual doors very soon.

Earbits, an up and coming competitor in the space, is announcing it will close up shop on June 16th. Earbits was never a major player in the field, but it provided an alternative option, and was a benefit to aspiring artists, so the loss will be felt by many.

Founder and CEO Joey Flores has released a statement saying, in part, "Shutting down a company after 4.5 years is going to be painful for anybody but is particularly painful for us here at Earbits. Most startups validate over the course of a few years that their concept is inherently flawed, or that the economics of it would not work out at scale. For Earbits, nothing could be further from the truth. We proved to ourselves and a substantial number of artists and listeners that our concept does work, that our vision is what the industry and larger streaming providers need to be doing in order to create more value, but that we simply needed a lot more capital to pursue such an aggressive mission properly. In trying to build a digital media, two sided marketplace in an already tough industry, it appears we bit off more than we could chew".

The news may be bad, but customers today have plenty of choices, with the aforementioned Amazon Prime, Google Music All Access, Spotify, Pandora, Beats, Rdio and others.

Image Credit: Serhiy Kobyakov / Shutterstock

Kindle Fire HDX customers are utilizing the Mayday button

Publié: juin 14, 2014, 2:50am CEST par Alan Buckingham

kindle_fire_hdx

The Kindle Fire HDX was one the pleasant surprises of 2013, with the new 7 and 8.9 inch versions bringing many changes to the hardware and interface. The software update was not backward compatible with the HD models, though Amazon continues to support that platform as well.

One of the most talked about features of the new tablets was the Mayday button, which can be easily accessed by pulling down the menu from the top of the screen, much like any Android device.

The Company now claims that 75 percent of HDX customers are getting help via the Mayday option. I personally tested it during the course of my review and got a very quick response from a customer service representative.

"Today, Amazon announced that the Mayday button is now the most popular way for Fire HDX customers to contact customer service, and the average response time is just 9.75 seconds" says Amazon.

Much has been made of this feature, and many called it a ploy, but I found it to work well and contacted a rep in no time, so I have no qualms recommending it.

P.F. Chang's acknowledges loss of customer data

Publié: juin 13, 2014, 4:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hacker-credit-card

It seems that not a week goes by these days without news of a security breach at some company. We've seen Target, Michaels and others fall victim, though the true victims are really the customers of these establishments.

Earlier this week we heard rumors that restaurant P.F. Chang's was the latest chain to suffer a data breach. The report first came from security researcher Brian Krebs, who stated "On June 9, thousands of newly-stolen credit and debit cards went up for sale on rescator[dot]so, an underground store best known for selling tens of millions of cards stolen in the Target breach. Several banks contacted by KrebsOnSecurity said they acquired from this new batch multiple cards that were previously issued to customers, and found that all had been used at P.F. Chang’s locations between the beginning of March 2014 and May 19, 2014".

Now the company has admitted to the security problem in a statement on its website. "On Tuesday, June 10, P.F. Chang's learned of a security compromise that involves credit and debit card data reportedly stolen from some of our restaurants. Immediately, we initiated an investigation with the United States Secret Service and a team of third-party forensics experts to understand the nature and scope of the incident, and while the investigation is still ongoing, we have concluded that data has been compromised".

The restaurant chain goes on to list a series of questions and answers to let customers know what has happened and what they will need to do. Essentially it boils down to one simple fact -- the company lost the credit and debit cards of its customers. P.F. Chang's has reported the incident to authorities and the banks involved, but recommends customers keep a close eye on activity and report anything suspicious.

It is now a waiting game to find out which business will be next, because it seems inevitable that another breach will happen. Perhaps the CEO of Target losing his job will wake up some companies to the repercussions of bad practices.

Image Credit: Creativa / Shutterstock

YouTube set to debut on the Sony PS4

Publié: juin 10, 2014, 8:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

ps4

Microsoft differentiated itself from Sony in the game console market by positioning its offering as an entertainment device -- a living room hub, with HDMI pass-thru and lots of options. However Sony has a few of these as well, and now will be adding one more.

At the E3 gaming show, the company announces YouTube will be arriving on its console. "Sharing your greatest gaming moments on YouTube will be a piece of cake on PS4, thanks to the dedicated sharing capabilities at the very heart of PS4. YouTube will officially be one of the social options offered when you press the Share button on your DualShock 4. After pressing Share , you’ll see the YouTube icon pop up alongside Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, and Ustream, and in just a couple of quick steps, you can go from playing your favorite games to publishing videos on your own YouTube channel. You’ll also be able to see your friends’ shared YouTube videos using the 'What’s New' feed", the company states.

There is more to it than just sharing, though. There will also be an integrated app, just as there is on PS3, allowing for access to all standard videos and channels contained within Google's video service.

For now, there is no word when the new app will be released, but Sony promises it will provide further information very soon.

VLC reveals it is working on Chromecast support for iOS, Windows, Linux and Mac

Publié: juin 8, 2014, 11:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

chromecast dongle Most everyone, at least the tech-savvy who read this, are familiar with VLC Player -- the Video LAN Client. It's a jack-of-all trades media player, that is capable of handling pretty much any format you can throw at it, no matter how obscure it may be.

Now the developers of the project are revealing one more feature that is on the roadmap -- support for Chromecast. The question was asked on the forums and lead developer Felix Paul Kuehne responded that support was in the works. "Yep, this is exactly what we are up to", he states.

He also went a bit further, letting fans know what platforms would be supported for "casting". This included a statement that reads "In addition to the iOS variant, we are also working on a Windows / Linux / Mac implementation, which will take a bit longer because it's harder".

No firm shipping dates for these features is given, so we'll have to wait and see when each update rolls out. Perhaps as the time gets closer there will be something more official.

AVG reveals yet another OpenSSL security flaw

Publié: juin 7, 2014, 4:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Hacker detection

OpenSSL, which runs on the servers for many websites, has been having a rough time in recent weeks. We all learned of the near fatal flaw named Heartbleed, which affected quite a number companies and services on the web.

Now a new, albeit less severe, flaw has been discovered. Security researchers at AVG have unveiled what they are calling CCS Injection, which the company terms a vulnerability, but points out that it is not easily taken advantage of.

"This new vulnerability requires complex effort for an attacker to successfully take advantage of the vulnerability. An attacker must intercept the connection between a client and a server, both of which need to be using the vulnerable version, and start what is referred to as a ‘Man in the Middle’ attack. In basic terms, the cybercriminal needs both to intercept you and the server you are connected to, and both parties have to have the vulnerability", says AVG's Tony Anscombe.

Given that most people are using a commercial browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer, the majority of users are safe -- these browsers do not utilize OpenSSL, meaning they are not vulnerable to the attack.

However, AVG has still issued a security advisory, stating "Our advice to users is to not transfer critical information until you have confirmed that the issue has been fixed on the server you need to communicate with".

Photo Credit: ra2studio / Shutterstock

Netflix brings 'Post-Play' to Android phones and tablets

Publié: juin 7, 2014, 2:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

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If you have been using Netflix on any number of devices in your living room, including game consoles and various set-top boxes, then you're likely familiar with the "Post-Play" option. The feature automatically queues up the next episode of a show and begins it playing. For movies, it displays three recommendations at the conclusion.

Now the streaming service is bringing "Post-Play" to its Android app. For phones, this will work only with TV shows, but on tablets you will get the feature with both shows and movies.

"Post-Play is now available to all Android phones, tablets and the Amazon Kindle Fire running Android 4.0 and greater. Download today from Google Play", the company announces.

In addition, Netflix has let it be known that it is currently working on Post-Play for Chromescast, however the implementation is still a few months away.

Improving the Android offering is important in the current arms race against Hulu and, especially, Amazon Prime. The latter still does not have an app for Android, though it is tightly integrated with the Kindle Fire tablets and the new Fire TV set-top box.

Netflix brings HTML5 video to OS X Yosemite

Publié: juin 4, 2014, 4:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

girl laptop headphones notebook music video

WWDC has proven to be the big event this week, introducing the latest iteration of Apple's operating system, known as OS X Yosemite -- yes the company has moved on from big cats, it did so with Mavericks.

One of the first to take advantage of this new platform is Netflix. The streaming video service is announcing it will bring HTML5 to Safari in the new operating system. "We're excited to announce that Netflix streaming in HTML5 video is now available in Safari on OS X Yosemite! We've been working closely with Apple to implement the Premium Video Extensions in Safari, which allow playback of premium video content in the browser without the use of plugins", says Netflix.

The announcement goes on to explain how much the company appreciates the new implementation, especially the Media Source Extensions that allow for full 1080p streaming without using up the CPU or draining the battery on a laptop. In fact, Netflix claims "this allows you to get up to 2 hours longer battery life on a MacBook Air streaming Netflix in 1080p -- that’s enough time for one more movie".

The streaming service also gushes about the inclusion of Encrypted Media Extensions and Web Cryptography API, although didn't go into details about utilization of these.

This actually brings Safari onto par with Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 8.1, which features the same capabilities. It also leads to a better experience for the customer, which is the real ultimate goal for any service.

Photo Credit: olly/Shutterstock

Olympus has fallen: Microsoft and the FBI take down Zeus botnet

Publié: juin 3, 2014, 2:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

zeus

Microsoft has a digital crimes unit, which it has utilized to systematically go after botnets around the world. The company claims several victories, but none is likely as big as the one now unveiled.

Zeus, an especially troubling entity, has been taken down by a combination of the Microsoft DCU and the US FBI. The company announces that the game is now over for "GameOver", a variant of Zeus (also known as Zbot).

"We’re pleased to announce that Microsoft, working closely with the FBI and industry partners, has taken action to remove malware, so that infected computers can no longer be used for harm", says Microsoft's Richard Domingues Boscovich, assistant general counsel.

If you have not heard of GameOver, it is a form of malware designed to steal passwords and, according to security researchers at Dell, it was the most active banking trojan in 2013. It uses peer-to-peer technology, making it much harder to track.

In the move, an FBI-led team took down some of the command and control infrastructure, which it claims was "linked to domains generated by the malware and registered by the cyber-criminals". The domains were seized, however Microsoft did not file a lawsuit, as it has done in past cases.

Security researcher Graham Cluely has learned that the US Department of Justice filed criminal charges against the alleged leader, a Russian hacker known as Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev. Cluely writes that "the US Department of Justice claims that since GameOver Zeus first appeared in September 2011, it has resulted in an eye-watering $100 million of losses". He also proceeds to list various names the hacker used online.

In a statement, Boscovich claims "Microsoft’s role in this technical action was to conduct analysis on the P2P network and develop a cleaning solution. Also, through an additional feed from Shadow Server, we are able to augment our visibility into the number of impacted IP addresses that feed into Microsoft’s Cyber-Threat Intelligence Program (C-TIP), and work closely with global Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Internet service providers (ISPs) to help owners of compromised computers regain control of their systems. Based upon these actions, it is anticipated that the cybercriminals’ business model will be disrupted, and they will be forced to rebuild their criminal infrastructure. More importantly, victims of GameOver Zeus have been, and will continue to be, notified and their infected computers cleaned to prevent future harm".

Microsoft boasts that this is the second botnet it has taken out since the opening of its Cybercrime Center last November. The company previously brought down ZeroAccess in December of 2013. No doubt others are being monitored for future action.

Image Credit: Angelo Ferraris / Shutterstock

Amazon bundles Fire TV and Kindle Fire HDX 7 for an unbelievable price

Publié: juin 1, 2014, 8:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

fire-tv-hdx

Still shopping for the perfect Father's Day bargain? Amazon may have the answer to that, as the online retailer has taken two of its most popular products and combined them into one bargain-basement price that will satisfy any connoisseur of sales.

The Kindle Fire HDX 7, a tablet I previously called my favorite product of 2013, has been bundled together with the new Fire TV. If you aren't familiar (or live under a rock) the Fire TV is a set-top box designed to take on Apple and Roku in an increasingly crowded market. Today, Amazon marries the two together with one discounted price.

The Fire TV retails for $99, while the tablet comes in at $229 -- a combined $328 when purchased separately. But, if you visit the website now, you'll find the combo deal for a very low $249, about $80 off the fee for buying each on its own. Additionally, Prime customers will get the traditional free two-day shipping that is expected.

This is listed as a "limited time offer" and no details on when it will expire are given. In other words, if you want it, then it's better to act sooner rather than later.

Adware comes to the World Cup 2014 through Android app

Publié: mai 30, 2014, 3:07am CEST par Alan Buckingham

malware mobile We are not far off from the proverbial kickoff of the 2014 World Cup. The tournament takes place this year in the South American nation of Brazil, beginning in June. With a major sporting event comes web sites and apps, letting folks follow all of the action. However, in some cases, not all is what it seems.

Avast researchers uncovered an app that, while not actually dangerous, is designed to feed you only ads. "Some of the Android gaming apps we downloaded primarily displayed ads instead of letting us play. Let me just point out a few from many. We were unable to play Corner Kick World Cup 2014 at all because it displayed nothing but a white screen, with ads popping up now and then", says Flip Chytry.

There are immediate warning signs -- the app is less than one MB in size. It also does absolutely nothing. You will be opening a plain white screen that does nothing but display pop-up ads.

Further research showed more apps from the same developer, and all performed in an identical manner.

"This is, unfortunately, a quite common and sneaky way for developers to make some money. With applications like this, the only person who benefits from them are the developers. They may get some money if you actually click on the ads their apps display", Avast states.

Google has been actively trying to eliminate these sort of apps from the Play store, but crap still sneaks in, so pay attention when installing something. Not all is what it seems.

Image Credit: Paul Michael Hughes/Shutterstock

YouTube holds a karaoke party to celebrate 9th birthday

Publié: mai 29, 2014, 6:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

YouTube has become the defacto place to find just about anything and, while cat videos remain popular, music is also a big part of the service. Users seem to flock to the place to watch music videos by major artists that sometimes go viral, as well as unknown people who become memes.

YouTube spent some time reminiscing about its memorable past in an announcement of the birthday celebration. "To call out just a few highlights in YouTube history, there are more than 120,000 videos inspired by 'Let it Go' (based on videos posted with that title), half a million by 'Gangnam Style,' and a stunning 1.5 million videos by 'Harlem Shake' (that’s a lot of motorcycle helmets). These inspired riffs got us thinking about those magical moments when songs become bona fide trends—and people all over the world start remixing, covering, parodying, dancing, and lip-dubbing", says the company's Claire Stapleton.

Now, for the ninth birthday of the Google-owned video site, a collection of artists have come-together for a star-studded karaoke video. 18 artists appear in the four minute clip, and you can enjoy it all in the embed above.

Image Credit: GVictoria / Shutterstock

Wil Wheaton wants ratings, but won't complain if you pirate his new show

Publié: mai 29, 2014, 3:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

wil-wheaton-project

Last year we were somewhat amazed when HBO and the Game of Thrones producer went on record saying that piracy was not hurting the show, and they were just happy it was so popular. Now Wil Wheaton, who is famously a friend of geeks, is taking a similar stance.

Wheaton's new show, aptly named The Wil Wheaton Project, will require access to the SyFy network, which leaves out many potential viewers. Those who have cut the cord can still catch the debut episode via Hulu, but there is a catch to that as well -- it will not stream to the Hulu Plus service, blocking it from set-top boxes like Roku and Fire TV. You will have to watch it on your computer.

Or, if you are so minded, then you could utilize BitTorrent and, if you do, Wheaton will not stop you. In a post to his Google+ page, Wheaton stated "I really want everyone in the world to see my show, because I'm super proud of it and I think a lot of you will enjoy it. If you have to use alternative means to see it, I'm not going to try to stop you. BUT -- if you can watch it in some way that the network can score (on broadcast or via one of the legally-supported websites), please do that, because the more people who watch it in a way the network can count, the more likely it is they will order a full season of the show".

So there you go. Watch through your cable or satellite service if you can, but if you are forced to piracy, Wheaton still wants you to watch. If only more movie and TV show producers took this stance, and realized that piracy isn't killing them, it's helping to build hype.

Photo credit: Jonathan Cooke/Shutterstock

Google launches Chromecast in additional regions

Publié: mai 28, 2014, 10:08pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Last year, in fact, almost one year ago, Google unveiled Chromecast. The tiny HDMI dongle was a surprise addition to the latest Nexus 7 announcement, but launched in the US only. However, over the course of its existence, the company has been slowly rolling it out across other regions.

Now Google is announcing its latest round of nations, telling us "these countries are home to some of the biggest fans of online content in the world, and the smartphone is one of the most popular ways for them to access it".

Regions included in this latest roll out are Australia, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Portugal and Switzerland. "Chromecast is open to developers worldwide, so you’ll find a range of great TV shows, movies, music and more from local app developers", says Google's Suveer Kothari.

In all of the new regions, Google promises the Chromecast is available now, both online, as well as in local retail stores. Pricing wasn't specified, but should inline with the $35 that Chromecast carries in the US.

Chrome takes another step towards protecting users with new malware measures

Publié: mai 27, 2014, 11:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

stop malware Google's Chrome web browser has been actively attempting to protect its users since inception, which is a tall order given today's climate. While blocking certain things is easy, protecting customers from their own mistakes is much more difficult.

Now the company is announcing a new way to do exactly that, letting it be known that users will no longer be able to install extensions from any location other than the approved Web Store. "From now on, to protect Windows users from an attack, extensions can be installed only if they're hosted on the Chrome Web Store. With this change, extensions that were previously installed may be automatically disabled and cannot be re-enabled or re-installed until they're hosted in the Chrome Web Store", says Eric Kay, an engineering director with the search giant.

This isn't the end of the road for developers. Google promises to continue support for local installation during the development and testing phases for all extensions. These folks will also be able to make use of what Google terms a "dedicated installation flow" from their own sites by using Inline Installations.

Attempting to protect users from themselves is a tall order, but this takes one step in the right direction. It will, hopefully, cut down on such things as browser hijackers that change homepages and search engines, but can also do much worse.

Photo Credit: Thomas Bethge/Shutterstock

Amazon releases first kids' series, Tumble Leaf

Publié: mai 25, 2014, 8:00am CEST par Alan Buckingham

mom-kid-tv

Amazon Studios has been busy as of late, producing its own original content, running both Betas and Alpha House this past season. The studio arm has also been testing pilots for upcoming shows, most recently, ones for children.

Now the online retailer is debuting the first, titled Tumble Leaf. "A vibrant blue fox, whimsical friends, exhilarating adventures and discovery await all those who explore the stop-motion world of Tumble Leaf. Amazon’s first original kids series is available today, exclusively on Amazon Prime Instant Video at no additional cost for Prime members", is the description given by Amazon.

The first six episodes are available to Prime subscribers right now, while the rest of the season will follow later this summer. You can check it out here.

Meanwhile, other shows are also set to debut in the coming months. Much like a network station, Amazon is relying on viewer response to decide what gets picked up and the shows that are cancelled. So far, there has been one of two which has succeeded. Alpha House will return, while Betas will not. For now, though, it is time for your kids to take over your Prime account.

Image Credit: Sergey Novikov / Shutterstock

I am working exclusively from a Chromebook -- here's how and why

Publié: mai 24, 2014, 4:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

HP Chromebook 11

Despite that I've owned an HP 11 Chromebook since its release, I've viewed it as little more than a novelty. I work from an office on the third floor of my home, which has a nice size desk, desktop PC and 15.6 inch laptop, both running Windows 8.1.

However, as the weather warms (finally!) I considered making the move out to my porch, something I did last summer as well. In that case I lugged the Windows laptop with me, not a difficult task, but the size is really more than I need for carrying around.

This time around I elected to give the HP 11 a shot, as it's light and easy to carry around. The only question was "how will I do my job?"

The Apps I Needed

I already use Chrome on my computers, so the browser clearly wasn't an issue. I prefer it for many reasons, not least of which are the extensions and the ability to sync everything. As a backup, I also do periodic saves to Tab Cloud, which works with both Chrome and Firefox.

The biggest stumbling block was the fact that I write from Word, but Microsoft recently solved this problem with the addition of a Word Online app for Chrome, though granted I could have used Google Docs as well -- a less familiar platform, but not a bad one.

The other issue is image editing, for which there are multiple solutions, both in the Chrome Web Store, as well as in the form of web apps. To solve this, I settled on Pixlr, a great free photo editing app that makes it easy to grab screenshots and edit photos.

The Hardware

The HP 11 has little in the way of local storage, but it honestly doesn't need it. The 16 GB SSD is sufficient, as almost nothing is stored locally. The Word Online app stores documents to OneDrive, while images are saved to Google Drive.

The keyboard is a bit small, as should be expected with an 11 inch notebook, but you can easily adapt to it in a day or two of use. Dedicated keys allow for easy control of screen brightness and volume, among other things.

There are also two USB ports and Bluetooth capability, allowing me to easily use a wireless mouse, as I am less than fond of touchpads, though this works as well as any I have used.

The knocks

As I stated, coming from a full-size keyboard to this does require a bit of adapting -- there was a period of a couple of days where I found myself inadvertently hitting wrong keys because things are closer together and laid out a bit differently.

I also have occasional need for Photoshop, in which case I am forced to run up to my office, but this doesn't occur often enough to be an issue. Perhaps I will explore Photoshop online at some point, but for now, it is fine.

Battery life is claimed to be up to six hours, but this is something I have not seen. An outlet on my porch makes it a non-issue, but if I were on the road then it could become a factor.

Conclusion

Will I go back to my office when cooler weather sets in later this year? Perhaps I will, it's too soon to say and, after this past winter, it is also something that I wish to not think of for now.

Working from this laptop has become habit now, and I am seeing less need for the bigger, more full featured Windows machines that reside up in that office. Yes, using a Chromebook can be productive and easy. It just requires a bit of trial and error and adaptation.

BBC Sport comes to UK Roku customers

Publié: mai 22, 2014, 5:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

BBC-Sports-Categories

The tiny Roku box has become a staple in many living rooms, bringing all sorts of entertainment goodness with it. The company continues to add new content, or channels as Roku refers to them. The latest is geared towards UK customers.

Roku is announcing that BBC Sport is landing on the set-top box, adding a load of new content, including Formula 1 racing, cycling, cricket, tennis, golf and others. Customers can also zone in on region specific content for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

"BBC Sport brings the latest sporting news, live action and highlights to all Roku streaming players including the newly launched Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI version). Hundreds of videos are available and users can filter by sport to find the content they want to watch, including a dedicated filter option for the upcoming World Cup", says Roku's Ed Lee.

In addition, there will also be live coverage of many events, including the upcoming World Cup, which kicks off next month in Brazil.

You can head into the Channel Store to find the new addition, but if you reside outside of the UK then you will be out luck, as this is region-specific.

Microsoft opens up music service 22tracks across browsers, platforms

Publié: mai 22, 2014, 2:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

girl laptop headphones notebook music video

Back in April, at the Microsoft Build conference, the company unveiled a music site called 22tracks. It was not designed to compete with its own Xbox Music or other rival services, but more as a concept to display the power of Internet Explorer.

Now Microsoft is announcing that 22tracks will be expanding to work across all browser platforms. The service was already designed to run on Windows from IE, Windows Phone and tablets like the Surface. However, this update is also expanding what the service can do.

"The new 22tracks.com is just another step to help Rethink what the web can be -- helping create amazing experiences that are fast, beautiful, and perfect for touch", says Microsoft Justin Garrett.

Included in this update is support for Microsoft's Xbox Music service, and it claims improved curation of the tracks. "The concept behind 22tracks is simple: 22 top DJs from Amsterdam, Brussels, London and Paris share their genre’s 22 hottest tracks of the moment. Each city boasts its own team of specialized DJs bringing you the newest tracks in their genre", Garrett explains.

The new site is designed to adapt to whatever platform the user visits from and is touch-friendly, thanks to its HTML5-based interface. In addition, Windows 8 users can share tracks by using the Charms menu that is built into the operating system.

The new features, including Xbox Music integration, make the service much more user-friendly. You can check it out by visiting 22tracks.

Photo Credit: olly/Shutterstock

Google invades Wales, gets Chromebooks into schools

Publié: mai 20, 2014, 6:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

google-wales

Google yn dod i ysgolion Cymru. Google continues to battle Windows and Office 365, trying to get its own products adopted in the market, focusing on education, business and governments. And Chromebooks have made inroads in this area.

Now the search giant announces it has scored a victory in Wales, bringing its platform to schools within the nation. "Around the world, schools are finding innovative ways to use technology to break down the traditional walls of the classroom, while overcoming the challenges of higher academic standards and tighter budgets. Today, we’re pleased to share the stories from two schools in Wales who’ve gone Google to help them meet the demands of a modern-day education system" says Liz Sproat, head of education at Google.

The schools that have jumped on board include Gowerton and Coleg Cambria, and both are adopting Gmail, Apps and Chromebooks. "We’re very keen to deploy more Chromebooks. Students love them because they are intuitive to use and give them instant access to Google Apps,” states Darren Long, Teacher of ICT and ICT Coordinator at Gowerton.

This may be considered a small win, but each one adds up. And the battle is good for the consumers as both Google and Microsoft continue to innovate with their respective platforms.

Ex.fm set to shutter its doors May 19th

Publié: mai 18, 2014, 1:28am CEST par Alan Buckingham

skull-music

Music services these days are a dime a dozen. New ones pop up all the time, and some make it, while others fail. It's a tough business, given the amount of choices available to customers. Now we learn of one more that failed to find the niche it needed to be a successful business.

Ex.fm has announced it will close up shop on May 19th. This didn't come as a major surprise -- the company had given warning signs previously, but managed to keep things afloat a few additional months. However, now a blog post from the company tells the tale.

"Back in December, we announced we were going to shut down Ex.fm. While we were able to keep it running for a few more months, unfortunately that is no longer the case. On Monday, May 19th, 4 days from now, we are going to shut down Exfm. This includes the website, mobile apps, extensions and API. We urge you to export your loved songs and sites now", the company says in a statement.

The service does not plan to go away, but instead promises to rethink its plans for the future, promising "we are very excited for what’s next and believe we will ultimately provide you with the best music service in the seven kingdoms". We shall see what the future holds in store.

Image Credit: GrandeDuc / Shutterstock

Amazon UK celebrates 20 years of Oasis with Definitely Maybe tribute

Publié: mai 16, 2014, 5:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

liam-gallagher

Where would music be today without Rock 'n' Roll Star or Supersonic? If you are of a certain age, then you likely remember the debut of the classic Oasis album titled Definitely Maybe. It was a landmark moment that introduced Liam, Noel and their colleagues to the world.

Things have been on a bit of a rollercoaster since then, but today marks 20 years since that album hit stores.

To celebrate the occasion, Amazon UK has unveiled its version of the "way back machine" featuring the big Oasis release, along with what the music charts looked like back in 1994. Deacon Blue sat atop the list in those days, with Crash Test Dummies and Blur in hot pursuit of them.

Before you get too emotional over the nostalgia, wipe that tear away now from your eye and head to Amazon UK to relive your younger years, and dig out your 90's garb.

Image Credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock

Yahoo debuts Movies, a digital magazine for cinema enthusiasts

Publié: mai 16, 2014, 12:34am CEST par Alan Buckingham

yahoo-movies

Regardless if you are interested in the latest Marvel superhero movie, the scary new horror flick or an indie film that was raved about at Sundance, you'll want current news on the films. Now Yahoo, which has been in overhaul mode of late, is stepping up to try and provide that information to the cinema crowd.

Today the search company unveils its Yahoo Movies. Unlike the Netflix competitor that name may imply, this is a digital magazine aimed at bringing news to the enthusiasts. "Whether you’re heading out to the theater or looking for something to stream at home, our writers will guide you to the must-see films, both new releases and lost classics", says Yahoo's Josh Wolk.

The magazine plans features articles from movie critics, interviews with actors and actresses, sneak previews of the next potential blockbuster and even live stream events from big premiers.

"If you like movies with giant explosions, intimate love stories, superheroes, subtitles, banter, bawling, or all of the above—we’ve got your ticket. And there’s more to come. So grab a popcorn bucket (treat yourself to the extra large with butter; you deserve it!), lean back, and enjoy the new Yahoo Movies", Wolk concludes.

To get in on this endeavor from Yahoo, you can head to the new Movies page and check it out. It is free to browse stories, listings and all of the other information that is contained there.

Microsoft unveils list of 10 new specialty stores opening soon

Publié: mai 15, 2014, 2:44am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows 8 Microsoft Store

Over the past couple of years Microsoft has opened an ever-increasing number of stores across the US and Canada, even one in Puerto Rico. The efforts are in direct competition to rival Apple, and often appear in close proximity to the Cupertino, Cal.-based company's stores.

Today the software giant announced that ten new specialty stores are slated to open, and the events will be taking place rather soon. In an official announcement received by BetaNews today, the company announced the new locations and grand-opening dates. Areas and dates include:

May 15 – Grand opening of Microsoft at FlatIron Crossing, Broomfield, CO
May 15 – Grand opening of Microsoft at Westroads Mall, Omaha, NE
May 15 – Grand opening of Microsoft at West Town Mall, Knoxville, TN
May 17 – Grand opening of Microsoft at The Maine Mall, S Portland, ME
May 17 – Grand opening of Microsoft at Boise Towne Square, Boise, ID
May 20 – Grand opening of Microsoft at Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill, NJ

"Microsoft specialty stores offer a curated selection of the best Microsoft products, including Surface, Xbox, Windows 8 PCs and Phones. These 10 new specialty stores will add to Microsoft’s ever-expanding portfolio retail stores across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico that provide consumers excellent choice, value, service and an engaging way to experience the best of Microsoft’s products and services", that announcement reads.

Several other stores actually opened yesterday, but oddly, Microsoft just made this officially known today. Hopefully one is in your area.

Google updates transit maps, adds UK and more

Publié: mai 14, 2014, 6:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

MapsTransit_InfographicSplit_3

Getting around on public transit can sometimes be a chore. Changing buses and trains and subways can prove a task for the unsavvy commuter. There have long been apps that attempt to help people with this, including many mobile mapping services.

Now Google Maps is adding a plethora of new transit routes. The search giant announces the addition of all routes covering Great Britain, claiming it can get travelers from "Land's End to John O'Groats" -- not quite the Orkney Islands, but you'll be close.

In addition, Google is also now covering Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada and also Chicago. The latter contains Wrigley Field, and promises to get Cubs fans to and from games faster than ever. Sorry, it won't help your team win the game though.

Finally, Google announces that this latest update contains all of the Brazilian cities that are slated to host this year's World Cup games, just in time for the start of the event.

The company claims that its Maps Transit system now "spans six continents, 64 countries and more than 15,000 towns and cities worldwide. And we’re not done yet". Many more additions are promised to be on the way.

Image Credit: Stephen Orsillo/Shutterstock

Spotify updates Windows Phone app with new Discover and Browse features

Publié: mai 13, 2014, 5:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

emo girl music guy

Spotify has been a bit behind with its Windows Phone features, concentrating mostly on both Android and iOS. But today, the music service has set things right, adding new features to the mobile version of its app for the Microsoft platform.

"Today we’re introducing a new update to our Windows Phone users. The update brings features Discover and Browse, meaning it’s easier than ever to discover new favorites, as well as finding the perfect playlist for every mood and moment", states the company's Channtal Fleischfresser.

Browse, a bit of a misnomer, is actually a collection of playlists designed to suit most every need, or so Spotify hopes. There are ones for working out, dinner parties, and more.

As for Discover, it's a bit Pandora-like, as it's a radio that customizes itself to the user's tastes. "Don’t know what to listen to next? That’s okay. We do. Spotify’s Discover page seeks out personalized recommendations by seamlessly combining Spotify’s best-in-class technology and social tools with curated content from music experts including Pitchfork, Songkick, Tunigo and much, much, more", the service states.

However, that isn't entirely a radio feature, but, thankfully, Spotify is adding that to Windows Phones as well, along with a new user interface.

If you don't yet have the app, then you can head to the Windows Phone Store and grab a copy. Otherwise, you should receive the update automatically.

Photo Credit: Regissercom/Shutterstock

Netflix releases ISP rankings for April. Comcast continues steady rise

Publié: mai 12, 2014, 8:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

netflix my list

Each and every month Netflix ranks ISPs by the level of service it observes, based on streaming speed. In the past we've seen Comcast drop significantly in these rankings, though once Netflix agreed to pay the cable company, things suddenly changed.

With latest rankings, the service added Canada to it's list, and there, Bell Aliant and Bell Canada were tops in speed. In fact, average speeds in the nation topped those provided by US carriers, though ranked behind most European nations.

"In the US, the average speed on the Comcast network for Netflix streams continues to increase, averaging 2.77Mbps in April. Comcast now has the third slot in our major ISP ranking, behind Cablevision - Optimum and COX", states Joris Evers of Netflix.

As for Verizon Fios, which Netflix was also forced to sign a deal with, the provider ranked a rather distant 8th on the US charts. The deal, however, is recent, and hopefully the rating will improve over time.

Not ranking at the top after taking money from Netflix seems amiss, but we'll have to stay tuned for future ratings and see what becomes of both these deals, as well as if the company is forced to sign others in an effort to provide its content.

ZTE Open C Firefox OS phone now up for sale on eBay

Publié: mai 10, 2014, 6:41am CEST par Alan Buckingham

zte-open-c

Mozilla has been busily working on its Firefox OS, a mobile platform that it hopes can compete in a market dominated by Android and iOS, with Windows Phone lurking on the fringe. The company is targeting the low-end, hoping to snag the first-time smartphone buyer, and now a partnership with hardware maker ZTE is paying off, as a new product hits the market.

The Open C is up for sale, retailing for a low $99 price through auction powerhouse eBay. "Targeted at first time smartphone users and early adopters wanting to try out Firefox OS, the Open C offers a 3MP camera and 4-inch WVGA screen, and is the first commercially available phone running the latest version of Firefox OS", Mozilla announces.

This isn't the first phone offered, but it's a bit higher-end than the previous model -- though, that isn't really saying too much. As we already stated, this targets the low-end of the market.

"We are pleased that ZTE is delivering another Firefox OS device, building on the success of the ZTE Open", says Dr. Li Gong, Mozilla Chief Operating Officer. "The ZTE Open C is an amazing experience for first time smartphone buyers".

The phone is available now in the US, Germany, Russia, and "other European countries". Head over to eBay to find it, if you are looking for a low-priced smartphone. All devices come unlocked.

Netflix makes price increase official, but adds some confusion

Publié: mai 9, 2014, 6:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

TV cat Netflix

We've known for a while now that Netflix was planning a price increase, though the company hadn't specified the amount it would up the cost to customers. That changes today and, while the increase is minor, the company has thrown in a bit of confusion to keep folks on their toes.

The actual change in cost for the streaming movie and TV service is $1, upping the fee from $7.99 to $8.99 per month. However, it is not all just that simple.

First, current customers are grandfathered into the $7.99 price, and the increase will only affect new subscribers. But that guarantee is only good for two years, at which point the cost to previous members will also rise.

It gets a bit more complicated when you factor in another part of the announcement. The $8.99 plan is for HD viewing, but customers can opt for a $7.99 standard definition version as well. This new SD tier allows for viewing on only one screen at a time, which likely isn't much of a deal killer for most folks.

The company cites adding new content as the reason for this increase, but it's hard not to think that added costs from service agreements with the likes of Comcast and Verizon are not a factor in this price hike.

Amazon adds Sunday delivery to 15 more US cities

Publié: mai 8, 2014, 4:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

pig shopping

Amazon's future plans for delivery have been all over the news recently. From drones to rumors the company will start its own service -- a UPS of sorts. While neither of those has yet come to pass, the company is opening up its delivery options a bit.

Amazon is announcing the expansion of its Sunday delivery service, adding 15 more cities. "In addition to the Los Angeles and New York metro areas where Sunday delivery launched in November 2013, Amazon customers in the following locations are now receiving deliveries on Sunday". The retailer then goes on to name the locations, which include Texas, Ohio, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

This will begin immediately, and millions of products are eligible for the new delivery system. In fact, since the program began in Los Angeles and New York, the company claims millions of Sunday deliveries have already been made.

"So far, the most common items delivered on Sunday include baby supplies such as newborn apparel, books and toys -- Sunday delivery is clearly crossing errands off the weekend to-do list", says Amazon's Mike Roth.

Photo Credit: LYUSHA/Shutterstock

Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others band together in petition to FCC

Publié: mai 8, 2014, 2:36am CEST par Alan Buckingham

protesters

If you've just crawled from beneath a rock then you may not be aware that Chairman Wheeler, head of the Federal Communications Commission, is proposing new rules regarding net neutrality. The current chairman is a former lobbyist and certainly can expect to land a posh position when his tenure ends. While that is Washington DC politics in a nutshell, it doesn't mean things must remain status quo.

Before getting to the open letter in question, a bit of background is in order. First, you can find the organization's "open internet" guidelines here. However, it is not all what it appears to be on the surface. The proposal from Tom Wheeler gives service providers, the likes of 600 pound gorilla Comcast, the right to prioritize traffic. This is something the cable/ISP companies have been doing for sometime in a successful effort to get money from places like Netflix.

It also means that is only the start -- smaller services will be asked to pay to play. While Netflix, YouTube and the like can afford this, many others will go out of business. These accusations caused Wheeler to take to his blog in a post he titled "Setting the Record Straight", though it did little of that.

Now multiple internet companies have joined together to sign an open letter to the FCC. This reads, in part "We write to express our support for a free and open internet. Over the past twenty years, American innovators have created countless Internet-based applications, content offerings, and services that are used around the world. These innovations have created enormous value for Internet users, fueled economic growth, and made our Internet companies global leaders. The innovation we have seen to date happened in a world without discrimination. An open Internet has also been a platform for free speech and opportunity for billions of users".

The letter is signed by Amazon, Cogent, Dropbox, Ebay, Etsy, Facebook, Foursquare, Google, Kickstarter, Level3, LinkedIn, Lyft, Microsoft, Netflix, Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter, Vonage, Yahoo and Zynga.

There is no guarantee this will work miracles, and readers are recommended to write and call their respective member of congress to help spearhead this initiative. Bear in mind, the cost paid by the services like Netflix will eventually find its way down to customers.

Image Credit: Danomyte / Shutterstock

TuneIn updates platform, aims to be the Twitter of music

Publié: mai 7, 2014, 5:02pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

tunein

TuneIn Radio is one of the hottest music services right now, allowing customers to listen to both terrestrial and internet-based stations. Now the company is implementing a radical upgrade to the way it works.

The service is trying to become more social, a bit like a Twitter for music fans. "TuneIn will connect millions of listeners and broadcasters from all over the globe with new features including a personalized live feed, profile pages, and the ability to share content with the Echo feature", states the company.

There is also a long list of new content partners, including CNN, NPR, ESPN Radio, The Economist, CBS Radio, The Weather Channel and more.

The update is available for both Android and iOS devices and should install on its own, though you can always head over to the Google Play store to grab the app. The latest version requires Android 4.0 or newer, and a list of the enhancements is on the page.

Pandora for Pebble comes to Android users

Publié: mai 6, 2014, 11:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Pebble White Smartwatch

Pebble, the upstart smartwatch maker, has been busy so far in 2014, unveiling new apps and products. In the meantime, other companies are working to support the platform, including Pandora. The music streaming service today unveils its support for Android customers, matching what it has already done for iOS.

While this may sound simple -- Pandora was already on Android -- getting the tunes to your wrist is another story, and requires a special adaptation of the app. "We’ve already seen a great response to the first 'wearable' technology device that Pandora is available on, so we’re thrilled to share that the Pebble app is now available for Android smartphone users as well", says Pandora's Mike Grishaver.

Now when Android users install the Pebble app, they will be able to have total control over the music. Choosing stations, thumbs up and down and play controls are all available, right from the watch.

"Pandora for Pebble brings music discovery and control within arm’s length wherever you go. We’re excited to give Android users an awesome new way to enjoy streaming, personalized radio from their wrists", Grishaver continues.

You can head over to the store to grab the app if you happen to own one the watches. Let us know what you think.

Dropbox pulls access to hyperlinked files after vulnerability discovered

Publié: mai 6, 2014, 3:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hacker malware

Dropbox, one of the most popular cloud storage services, has largely avoided the spate of recent security woes suffered by other companies. But no system is perfect, and a warning has now been issued after a flaw in hyperlinked files was discovered.

"Whenever you click on a link in any browser, the site you’re going to learns where you came from by something called a referer header. The referer header was designed to enable websites to better understand traffic sources. This is standard practice implemented across all browsers", says Aditya Agarwal.

What this means is that when Dropbox customers share links to files or folders, it should only be accessible to the recipient. However, it was discovered that these links could be exposed to people who were not the intended recipients.

Dropbox claims it is unaware of any abuses taking place due to this vulnerability, however, the company has taken steps to mitigate the potential problem nonetheless.

"For previously shared links to such documents, we’ve disabled access entirely until further notice. We’re working to restore links that aren’t susceptible to this vulnerability over the next few days", Agarwal explains.

The vulnerability has been patched and customers are urged to recreate any lost links, as the process is safe now.

Dropbox did not state how long this problem has existed, or the length of time the cloud service has been aware of it. But it seems as if it jumped right on this as far as breaking the old links and patching the system. We'll see if reports emerge about this flaw being taken advantage of before the hole was closed.

Image Credit: alphaspirit/Shutterstock

Amazon now lets customers purchase from Twitter

Publié: mai 5, 2014, 5:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

empty-wallet

Great news everyone! Spending money on the internet will be getting a bit easier. As if one-click purchases were not enough, Amazon now wishes to make it even easier to lighten your wallet by a bit, introducing purchases through Twitter.

You can’t actually complete the deal this way -- yet -- but you can get the item into your cart, where it will await your next move.

Here’s how it works -- "replying with "#AmazonCart" will only save the item to your Cart. You can always review or edit your Cart at a later time. You will also receive a reply tweet from @MyAmazon describing the status of your request (e.g., whether the item was successfully added to your Cart, if it was out of stock, or how you can finish checking out later)", the online retailer states.

Bear in mind that your tweets containing the #AmazonCart hashtag will be visible to your followers, so you may want to think twice about what you are purchasing before using this new feature. You will also need to enable this functionality, as it is opt-in, thankfully. You can find instructions here.

There is a short video below which will also explain a bit more. But be careful about this easy spending and public visibility about your purchased items.

Image Credit: mikecphoto / Shutterstock

Does Mom want a tablet? Amazon is hoping so

Publié: mai 2, 2014, 2:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

kindle fire hdx large

If there is one thing Amazon loves, it's a good sale. The company seems to always be discounting one product or another, and a favorite target is its line of Kindle Fire tablets. That's the case now, this time in honor of your mom.

The company has slashed prices on its lineup of tablets in an effort to convince customers to grab one for dear old mom before her day arrives on May 11th.

To commemorate, the Fire tablets have been reduced in price, with the HDX 7 now starting at $199 -- $30 less than normal. The 8.9-inch model has been slashed from $379 to $339, and the HD model now can be had for as little as $119. Only the HD 8.9 has not received the sale treatment.

In addition the Kindle readers have also seen a price reduction, with the Paperwhite going down from $119 to $99 and the regular model dropping to $49, $20 less than it's normal pricing.

The sale is for a "limited time", but no expiration date is specified. However, given that it's for Mother's Day, you can expect it to wrap up before May 11th.

Playcast launches beta trial for Ouya

Publié: mai 1, 2014, 3:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Ouya

Ouya began life as a Kickstarter darling that everyone was talking about. However, since its actual launch, the little Android gaming console has largely been a non-factor in the market.

Now Playcast may bring a bit more legitimacy to the platform, as the service has begun beta testing on the Ouya box. Playcast, if you aren't familiar, is a cloud gaming service that licenses and offers console-level games, from shooters to action, sports, and more.

"Playcast bridges the visual computation and content gap between Ouya and the consoles," says Guy de Beer, CEO of Playcast Media. "In this beta, we will be employing for the first time the power of a public cloud system, and a set of technologies that is set to overcome the limitations of streaming over the open Internet. Initial results have been very encouraging, and we hope to expand the program soon".

The beta is open to all Ouya customers, but it's beginning with just a small selection of titles. However, the service plans to expand to a full library over the coming weeks. This includes games from "Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Konami, Warner Bros, 2K, Namco Bandai, Square Enix, Capcom, Codemasters, Disney, Sega, Atari, THQ, and a long list of indie studios".

It might just be time to dust off that Ouya console and hook it back up for another try. This opens the platform up to a whole new world of possibilities.

The state of cable TV -- more people are cutting the cord

Publié: avril 30, 2014, 3:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

TV television

BetaNews recently looked at a survey showing that younger people are watching more video through the internet than ever before. In fact, those aged 14-24 are using the web for the majority of their entertainment consumption.

Now an infographic takes a look at the big picture, pulling from reports from various sources. What was found was that 2013 was the worst year yet for the cable TV business, marking a steady decline that began back in 2011. In fact, between 2010 and 2013 five million customers got rid of pay TV service, while Charter reports that one in four of its customers are internet-only.

TV customers now only barely outnumber the active users of Facebook and Google, and that's after the television got a 50 year head start. Perhaps this is because cable costs have risen some 77 percent since 1996, now averaging $60 per month, while services like Netflix and Hulu can be had for a mere $7.99 per month each.

You can view the graphic below, which attempts to put all this news into some perspective, along with taking a look at the alternatives to cable and satellite.

Photo Credit: holbox/Shutterstock

CuttingCord-on-Cable

Source: Special-Education-Degree.net

Spotify partners with Sprint for new customer deal

Publié: avril 30, 2014, 12:21am CEST par Alan Buckingham

music headphones laptop

As the streaming music business continues to heat up, Spotify is taking another step to stay ahead of the competition. The service is one of the more popular, but staying at the top is not as easy as it seems.

Now Spotify is teaming with mobile provider Sprint to bring a new deal to potential customers -- of course, you'll have to be on the mobile network in order to take advantage of this new offering. "Starting from May 2nd, all existing and new postpaid Sprint customers can get a 3 and 6 month free trial for Spotify Premium. This offer will launch in all channels on all compatible Sprint postpaid devices", says Spotify's Candice Katz.

The deal offers Sprint family plan customers (which includes one to five people) six months free -- $7.99 thereafter, or six to ten people at $4.99 after the six month free trial expires. For all other customers, there is a free three month trial, which is followed by a $9.99 per month plan. Those prices are per user.

While the deal opens online on May 2nd, customers can also take advantage of the offer in-store, but you'll have to wait until May 9th for that to kickoff.

Photo Credit: CREATISTA/Shutterstock

Warner Music Group moves into China with new acquisition

Publié: avril 29, 2014, 2:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

music woman tablet headphones

Warner Music Group (WMG) is looking to expand its horizons and markets, continuing to look into new areas for business opportunities. The latest step is a move into China with the announcement of an acquisition of Gold Typhoon's music catalog and artist roster.

In a press release, WMG refers to Gold Typhoon as "one of the most successful independent music companies operating in the Greater China Region". The label operates in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and hosts some of the most popular pop and rock artists in the region.

"Gold Typhoon’s unique and wide-ranging repertoire makes it a jewel in East Asia’s musical culture. We look forward to welcoming this prestigious catalog and these dynamic artists, and relish the opportunity to create new regional and global possibilities for this iconic collection of music. This landmark deal will complement our existing strengths and expand WMG’s potent presence in these rapidly evolving and flourishing music markets", says Lachie Rutherford, president WMG’s Asia Pacific region.

This is the latest in a string of acquisitions that includes Gala Records in Russia and Parlaphone and its affiliates in Eastern Europe, along with Gallo Records in South Africa.

All of this is an effort to gain a foothold with local music in regions globally, and should make the music more accessible to customers who now reside in other parts of the world, via online streaming and download services.

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey/Shutterstock

Rdio and Bob Weir are Grateful for one another, team up for streaming quality

Publié: avril 26, 2014, 4:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

grateful-dead

What a long strange trip it's been for the music industry. Starting with MP3s and Napster, travelling through iTunes and DRM, to reach where things are today. Now online music services are not only legal, they are the norm, and there are plenty to choose from.

Most sites differentiate themselves by features and number of tracks available, but now Rdio is taking a step towards setting itself apart by streaming audio quality. To do so, the service has teamed up with former Grateful Dead member Bob Weir for an initiative it has dubbed "Artists for Quality".

"Our joint mission is to ignite and lead discussions on inequity in streaming audio quality, and to commit to both artists and music fans to establish the highest standard of streaming quality in the digital music space", says Rdio.

The first step being taken by the streaming service is converting all of its music to the AAC format and making 320Kbps its new standard. The company also plans to work with artists and labels around the world to raise the bar in this area, stating it wants to see "higher streaming quality where sufficient network bandwidth exists, and improved streaming delivery in markets around the world where network quality and bandwidth are often inconsistent".

Remember that every silver lining's got a touch of grey, so don't expect differences overnight. But, hopefully this will spark other rival services to make efforts to keep pace.

Image Credit: Northfoto / Shutterstock

Hulu brings remote control app to iOS and Android

Publié: avril 24, 2014, 8:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

hulu-remote-app

Hulu, arguably one of the big three streaming services on the market right now, is available on almost any platform you can name. However, one thing it has been lacking is a remote control app to allow customers to use a mobile device to add Hulu content to the TV.

That changes today as the company announces it has produced its first official remote app. "Expanding on the great Chromecast support we successfully launched last year, remote control functionality for Hulu Plus brings that same awesome experience to your living room through the Hulu Plus app on your Xbox One, PlayStation3 (PS3) or PlayStation4 (PS4) systems", says Mitch Walker, a senior developer with Hulu.

Once you have launched Hulu on your gaming console, then simply fire up the new app and give it a second to detect the console. At that point a "cast" button will appear, allowing you to pair the two devices. Once you've settled on a show, and "cast" it to the TV, then you can resume normal use of your handset or tablet. If you need to walk away, then you can seamlessly switch your show to the mobile device and take it with you.

While gaming consoles were a logical starting point, given that set-top boxes have remote controls, Hulu still promises that more devices are in the works and will be rolled out over the coming months.

PlayOn brings 100 broadcast channels to Chromecast

Publié: avril 24, 2014, 7:04pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

family-watching-tv

PlayOn has become a symbol of the cord-cutting movement, providing customers with access to an array of broadcast stations that can be watched on both the TV and mobile devices. There is a long list of gaming consoles and set-top boxes that support the service, allowing users to get the content to the big screen.

Add to that list one more -- today PlayOn announces full support for Chromecast, the little HDMI dongle from Google. "PlayOn’s support for Chromecast will instantly bring online content from more than 100 channels to Chromecast users including content from CBS, NBC, ABC, Comedy Central and Hulu (no Hulu Plus subscription needed)", the company says.

In addition to PlayOn, the Chromecast will also support the DVR service known as PlayLater. Recording is one of the most requested services, according to a recent survey of Chromecast users.

"Chromecast is a great, inexpensive device for cord cutters but is somewhat limited in its content and casting capabilities" says Jeff Lawrence, CEO of MediaMall Technologies, the maker of PlayOn and PlayLater.

Neither service is free, but subscription prices are considerably lower than even the cheapest satellite or cable subscription. You can visit PlayOn for more information, including pricing, channel listings and compatible devices.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

Happy first birthday BitTorrent Sync

Publié: avril 23, 2014, 11:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

sync-1-year

It's hard to believe that it has been one year since BitTorrent released its Sync app. I was among the first testers when it was in private alpha, and it came at a welcome time, as Microsoft had announced it was killing Live Mesh, an app I used between my desktop and laptop.

Since then, Sync has gone to beta and then final release. It even released a Kindle Fire app just recently, adding even more integration with your home. It was already available for Windows, Mac, iOS, FreeBSD, Android and NAS.

Today the company is celebrating, and also sharing some information that it has received from various users. "You are Jacob Scott, the cancer researcher who uses Sync to move huge amounts of scientific data and collaborate with other researchers around the world. You are Ken Erwin, a DevOps engineer from Angie’s List, who reduced web deployment time from hours to seconds. You are a community of tinkerers and creators; Filmakers, DJs, Photographers and Raspberry Pi lovers", the organization says.

BitTorrent Sync, if you haven't tried it, is a handy and very secure service. It bypasses the cloud in favor of direct and automatic file syncing. So happy birthday Sync.

Amazon Prime gets exclusive deal for HBO content

Publié: avril 23, 2014, 4:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Amazon has been continuously adding video content to its Prime service, and now with its Fire TV on the market, this becomes a bit more important. Granted you can get Prime video on other set-top boxes, but the Amazon offering takes the integration to a new level.

Now the retailer announces a new exclusive deal, this time with HBO. Titles include "The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Big Love, Deadwood, Eastbound & Down, Family Tree, Enlightened, Treme, early seasons of Boardwalk Empire and True Blood, as well as mini-series like Band of Brothers, John Adams and more. Seasons of Girls, The Newsroom and Veep will also become available throughout the multiyear deal", Amazon says. Game of Thrones is the big missing piece of the puzzle here, though that isn't really surprising.

"HBO has produced some of the most groundbreaking, beloved and award-winning shows in television history, with more than 115 Emmys amongst the assortment of shows coming to Prime members next month", says Brad Beale, Director of Content Acquisition for Amazon.

The company also tells us that HBO GO will be added to the Fire TV, however customers won’t get this until towards the end of the year. This will increase available content to more than 1,700 titles, but the app requires users to verify a subscription to HBO through a cable or service provider.

This makes the Prime service all the more attractive, despite the subscription price being set to rise a bit. Netflix is also planning a price hike, though it didn’t give an exact figure.

Google wants to fund your solar panel installation

Publié: avril 23, 2014, 3:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

solar-power

Earth Day might be over but Google has announced another eco-friendly program to go along with yesterday’s news of a renewable energy purchase. This time, the company is partnering with SunPower Corporation for a new deal intended for homeowners.

"Together with SunPower Corporation we’re creating a new $250 million fund to help finance the purchase of residential rooftop solar systems -- making it easier for thousands of households across the US to go solar", says Google’s Rob Parker.

Essentially, this is how it will work: Google will purchase panels from SunPower and then lease them out to consumers at a cost that is aimed to be lower than the average monthly electric bill. To do this, each company has placed money in a fund, with $100 million coming from Google, while SunPower is chipping in $150 million.

The panels claim to be up to 50 percent more efficient than lower-grade models, and SunPower both manufacturers them and handles the installation. It is not clear if the homeowner will pay anything for the install, or if that will be included in the lease deal.

This is Google’s latest investment in renewable energy, three of which have been for residential solar panels. "Overall we’ve invested more than $1 billion in 16 renewable energy projects around the world, and we’re always on the hunt for new opportunities to make more renewable energy available to more people -- Earth Day and every day", Parker concludes.

YouTube channel finally arrives on Roku devices

Publié: avril 23, 2014, 1:45am CEST par Alan Buckingham

youtube-roku

Despite countless channels included on Roku, one has been missing since its inception. Now that problem has been rectified, just in time to keep the device a few paces ahead of its latest rival.

Today the set-top box maker announces that it has finally integrated YouTube across all of its devices -- or at least those released since July 2011. This includes "Roku LT, Roku 1, Roku 2, Roku 2 HD, Roku 2 XD, Roku 2XS, Roku 3, the Roku Streaming Stick (both HDMI and Roku Ready versions) and the Roku HD model #2500", says Roku's Ed Lee.

"Remember, you can also send YouTube videos from your Android devices, iPhone and iPad to your TV, when you’re connected on the same WiFi", Lee continues.

You can grab YouTube from the channel store, it is available for the US, Canada, the Republic of Ireland and the UK. It is free to install and use, just like most Google services and, for that matter, many Roku channels.

Amazon Fire TV, Roku 3 and Google TV -- which is right for you?

Publié: avril 22, 2014, 11:53am CEST par Alan Buckingham

couple-watching-tv

I have just recently finished my review of the new Amazon Fire TV, a box I found tremendously likable and easy to use. However, that doesn't mean it's for everyone. Not all of us utilize Prime for our video content.

However, it’s not the only game in town. Other companies are making competitive boxes, though I can't say I've had occasion to try them all. For instance, I do not have, nor have I used, the offerings from both WD and Apple. However, for the three I have used, I have some early impressions to share that could, hopefully, serve as a bit of a guide towards your next purchase.

We won't go too in-depth here, but provide more of an overview as to what each has to offer, and my personal impressions of time spent with each.

Amazon Fire TV

We'll start with the latest thing, the new set-top box from the online retail giant, Amazon. For those living in the Amazon ecosystem, this is likely where you want to go. However, it also offers other options, including Hulu Plus, Netflix and sports from services like NBA Game Time.

The remote, with its voice search feature, is simple to use and very responsive. There are few buttons, but the simplistic approach works well, as it provides all that is needed.

Nothing extra is included -- you download the services you want and leave the rest out of the way. Beyond video and music apps there are games, though you will need to add $40 to the $99 price tag to get the game pad.

There is really nothing to dislike here, though, and more features and services are surely on the way. There is a promise of improved search, expanding from just Amazon to encompass Hulu and Netflix also.

amazon-fire-tv

Roku 3

With 1,500 plus channels, Roku is the leader in content offerings. It has also had more time to gain these features and perfect its system. Not to mention, the company is continuously making new deals and adding more "channels" all the time.

Like the Fire TV, the remote is simple and fast. It also offers a feature that none of the competition has -- a plug for earbuds (which come included). This can be handy when watching a show or listening to music while another household member is resting.

Amazon Prime is one of the features available through the box, so don't think you need the Fire TV to get access to this. There are also some games included as well.

roku-3

Google TV

Honestly, the platform seems to be languishing of late. Google has focused energy on Chromecast, but there is also rumor of a rebranding to Android TV, with a fresh design. It is not clear if that update will come to existing boxes, though.

As of now, the interface is rather simple, with access to Google Play being the big draw here. It also contains a native Amazon Prime app, along with options for other services.

The remote control is the only one that contains a QWERTY keyboard, which does make life a bit simpler, though it makes for a bulkier controller. It also has many more buttons, though this is due to the HDMI pass-thru it features, allowing you control your DVR, plus it can control most TVs.

As for usability, I had multiple problems with my Vizio Co-Star, but I can't say if it was the platform or simply a lemon device. I do know that over the year I used it, I did approximately five factory resets, and occasionally had to re-install apps, such as Plex, when they would randomly disappear.

The bottom line with this one is that I would purchase at your own risk. Perhaps you will have better luck than me, or maybe it's a more widespread problem that expands beyond my own living room.

Conclusion

In my current setup, I have removed the Google TV, but am using both Amazon Fire TV and Roku 3 regularly thanks to a simple HDMI switch that allows for both of these, plus a Blu-ray and DVR, all without having to worry about switching TV and receiver inputs.

I would highly recommend both the Amazon and Roku boxes, but I can’t say I would tell anyone to buy Google TV at this point, for reasons stated above.

Fire TV will get more content as updates and deals are made, but currently the Roku 3 has more to offer. Both are simple and quick, and each has a remote with a special feature -- voice search and headphones integration respectively. They also retail at the same $99 price point.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

Amazon Fire TV -- the one box to rule your entertainment center? [Review]

Publié: avril 21, 2014, 11:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

The set-top box market recently grew a bit more crowded, as Amazon unveiled its offering, taking on stiff competition from Apple, Roku and Google. However, with a strong ecosystem for content, the retailer seems up to the challenge.

Like its Kindle Fire tablet line, the little box runs a highly customized version of Android, but don’t let that fool you into thinking the Play store will be there -- it isn't. You are living in the Amazon universe now, but the company doesn't force it wares on you, as there are other services you can also use.

Getting Started

It’s a simple process -- not much different from any of its rivals. There are three cords to attach – power, HDMI and Ethernet, though you can use WiFi as well. My home theater cabinet is wired via a switch in the basement, which feeds a second switch in the cabinet. This provides a better connection, especially when your router is far away, as mine is.

Likely, you will immediately be prompted for an update upon boot. It’s quick and painless -- perhaps 5 minutes at most. Then you will need to log into your Amazon account, which is a bit tedious, as there is no QWERTY keyboard on the remote. Thankfully, it's a one-time deal.

You will also be subjected to an intro video, but it is fairly short -- maybe three minutes. There may be a way to skip this, but I didn't look for one.

Unlike Google TV, or at least Vizio's version of it, there is nothing more to do, such as set screen size by tapping arrow keys, and testing the remote. Everything works right out of the box.

What you get

Many apps are ready to be installed, such as Hulu Plus, Netflix are both front and center, but they aren't pushed on you, simply pick the ones you will use. The most popular are under the featured section, but you browse apps in other ways as well. And, there is a growing ecosystem of them just waiting for you -- the NBA and more fall into that category.

Music is likewise offered -- Pandora is here (again, if you wish to download and install it) and other services can easily be added. You can even integrate Plex to stream your home media, though Fire TV can do some of this natively.

A menu sprawls down the left column, displaying options for various media, like TV, movies, pictures and much more. A settings link at the bottom allows the user to customize things like second screen, parental controls, apps and the like.

There is also an Amazon-produced screensaver that the box resorts to if idle for a period of time. This is vaguely reminiscent of the Bing home page, as it displays a series of beautiful images, changing every few seconds.

The Remote

It doesn't get much simpler than this. The remote control comes with a very limited number of buttons. At the top is a voice search button which, when clicked, pops up a box on the screen that prompts you to speak. For the moment, this only includes Amazon results, but other services like Hulu Plus are in the works for integration this summer.

Below this is a ring, which can be used like arrow keys, moving you up and down the screens, as well as side-to-side. Tap the seemingly blank area in the center of it to select an item.

There are back, home and menu buttons as well. Finally, at the bottom you’ll find rewind, fast-forward and play/pause.

Use

Like the remote, things are simple, especially if you are a Prime subscriber. But other services are included as well, and more are available in the apps area for easy installation. You'll find such things as NBA Game Time, Crackle and others.

The response of the Bluetooth remote is very quick, and the voice search seems to work extremely well, though it did fail to find the Plex app for me. However, you can grab it from the Amazon Android App Store, and for a limited time, it is on sale for $0.99 -- down from its regular $4.99 price tag.

A healthy selection of games is also within reach, including one exclusive title called "Sev Zero", but many other games can also be played, such Asphalt 8 and more.

amazon-fire-tv-interface

Conclusion

If you have a Roku 3, then you do not necessarily need the Amazon Fire TV. However, if you use the ecosystem, then I'd certainly recommend this. Also, if you'd like to do occasional gaming, then Fire TV is perfect and, at $99, much cheaper than an Xbox or PlayStation. Sure, it's not going to play the same level of games, but it's good enough for many. The Bluetooth game pad will cost you an extra $40, though. A more detailed look at the system as a gaming device will be coming shortly from my colleague Brian Fagioli.

There is certainly no real strike against it. Even the screensaver is especially nice. Fire TV is among the new generation of elite items for the home theater. If you are in the market for one, then I'd start by giving this one consideration.

Amazon Fire TV ups the voice search ante, adds Hulu Plus and more

Publié: avril 18, 2014, 2:59am CEST par Alan Buckingham

amazon-fire-tv

Amazon's Fire TV, a previously much-rumored device, is now officially on the market, with reviews cropping up around the web -- our own will be coming shortly. One known issue that seems to pop up is that the voice search only encompasses Amazon. But that landscape is already beginning to change.

Today, the retailer announces new partners in this endeavor. Hulu Plus, Crackle and Showtime, which were already present on the tiny set-top box, will now be included in search, starting this summer (a rather vague time frame).

"We're excited and energized by the momentum we're seeing with Fire TV", said Dave Limp, Vice President of Amazon Devices. "Customers are telling us they love it, developers are building for it, and we're working hard to expand existing features and build new ones. We're thrilled to have Hulu Plus, Crackle, and Showtime integrating their full selection of movies and TV shows into Fire TV's unified voice search", he continues.

That wasn't all though. Buried in this bigger news was word of expanding content. A number of developers have lined up to contribute content, including Twitch and Disney Interactive.

Other new features mentioned include Prime Browse, Amazon FreeTime, Amazon MP3 and additional gaming options on the way. The home theater continues to evolve.

Sony's new PS4 update makes it easier for gamers to edit and share videos

Publié: avril 17, 2014, 2:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

ps4

At GDC last month Sony announced update 1.70 for the PlayStation 4 gaming console. Now some details are beginning to trickle out about what customers can expect from the update, the biggest of which seems to be a new method for editing and sharing gaming videos.

Known as SHAREfactory, the service will let gamers edit and customize these clips before sharing them with everyone. This isn't just simple editing either, it will allow the customer to utilize filters, transitions, and even add text and stickers.

Once the video is completed, it can then be uploaded to Facebook or saved to a USB drive. "Other PS4 SHARE enhancements include the ability to change the recording time of your gameplay to shorter increments, the ability to change who you share your clips with on the SHARE screen, and the removal of default saves for screenshots and video clips. In addition to these SHARE enhancements, the 1.70 update will allow you switch off HDCP, enabling you to capture video directly from your HDMI output so you can record and share longer clips of your gameplay sessions -- a feature I know many of you have been waiting for", says Sony’s Scott McCarthy.

The 1.70 update will also enhance the "Play as you Download" feature that Sony introduced. This allows gamers to get started right away, even pre-downloading a game days before its actual release. "If you have the auto-download feature enabled, it will automatically pre-download your pre-ordered game so you can play as soon as the game is unlocked on release day", McCarthy tells us.

Sony promises more information is forthcoming about this update, including details on other new features and enhancements.

Logitech Harmony Smart Keyboard now controls Amazon Fire TV

Publié: avril 16, 2014, 4:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

logitech-harmony-smart-keyboard

It's been a busy couple of weeks in the home theater market, with a few major releases, including the Roku streaming stick, but also Amazon's much anticipated Fire TV and the latest offering from Harmony. The Logitech-owned company offers a number of smart remotes, but now also has the Smart Keyboard, designed to control your home theater.

The introduction of Amazon's Android-based box seemed to offer a challenge, as the remote is Bluetooth, but Harmony has stepped up and made it work.

"Now Harmony Smart Keyboard customers can control their Amazon Fire TV by using the included USB receiver. It’s easy to add the device, just go to the Harmony App, add Fire TV as a device, and create the Harmony Activity", says Logitech.

The keyboard allows for universal searching across services, and also integrates with an app that is available for both Android and iOS. As for the voice search built into the Fire TV remote, the mobile apps can handle that for customers.

Fire TV retails for $99 from Amazon, while the Harmony Smart Keyboard will set you back $149 from Logitech.

BitTorrent joins forces with Netgear, brings Sync to NAS

Publié: avril 16, 2014, 2:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

BitTorrent has been busily updating its Sync ever since the service first debuted. The organization bills this as having no cloud involved, describing it as "being more private and secure than the public cloud".

Now BitTorrent is joining forces with Netgear for the first NAS integration of its Sync program. "NetGear is our first partner to launch a native BitTorrent Sync app, which can be accessed from the ReadyNAS Add Ons page today", says Erik Pounds.

The app is coming to both home models, including ReadyNAS 102 and 104, as well as business-grade boxes such as the 312, 314, 316, 516 and 716X. Enterpise is also not left out, with availability on the 2120, 3220 and 4220.

"Now with native NAS support, BitTorrent Sync is always on, storing data so it is accessible to you whenever and wherever. This is a great solution for personal use, including smartphone to NAS backup. And it enables secure and private collaboration for remote teams, NAS to NAS (or NAS to other machine) replication and many other applications", says BitTorrent’s Kevin Fu.

BitTorrent promises that integration with other hardware makers will be announced in the near future, but no hint of timeframe or manufacturers is being given.

Roku search rolls out to Android, iOS apps

Publié: avril 16, 2014, 4:49am CEST par Alan Buckingham

roku-3

Roku is one of the primary reasons that people feel empowered these days to make the move away from cable and satellite. Now the company has enhanced its offerings for the 1,500 channels of video and music already available, making it easier to find what you want.

"Starting today and over the next week a software update will roll out to Roku 3 players so customers can also use Roku Search via the Roku mobile app for Android and iOS mobile devices", says Roku’s Matthew Anderson.

The search does not just locate a show by title, but allows customers to scour the device via lots of terms, including actor name and director, as well. It also pings many sources such as "Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, Vudu, Redbox Instant by Verizon, Popcornflix, Blockbuster On Demand, HBO GO, M-GO and SnagFilms".

Results can be clicked and all of the affiliated TV shows and movies will be displayed, regardless of which service each is located on.

While Roku didn't say this, it is perhaps a shot at Amazon's new Fire TV, which only searches Prime for content. The market continues to heat up, and the competition is good for consumers.

Amazon holding another Fire sale on tablets

Publié: avril 15, 2014, 5:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

kindle fire hdx

It seems Amazon is almost continuously holding sales on its Fire line of tablets. Honestly, the price means little to the retailer, as it simply wants you to join the ecosystem. We've seen this most recently with the Fire TV, which aims to control the living room with media and games.

The latest deal sees prices on the tablet lineup getting substantial discounts -- or at least three out of the four, anyway. Both HD and HDX models are included in the deal.

The 8.9-inch model of the HDX has been lowered from $379 to $339, the 7-inch HDX model is reduced from $229 to $199 and the 7-inch HD version has been slashed from $139 to $119.

The Amazon tablet line is a bit different from traditional Android devices, as the operating system has been customized quite a bit. It's geared towards Amazon, for rather obvious reasons. One new aspect, however, is that the game controller launched for the new Fire TV can also be paired with these tablets.

Netflix releases monthly ISP speed test, Comcast improves

Publié: avril 14, 2014, 11:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

TV cat Netflix

Last month there was a bit of controversy over a deal between Comcast and Netflix. Many, but not all, thought it unfair to force the streaming service to pay up in an effort to provide reasonable service to its customers. The entire net-neutrality issue reared its head, as it appeared to some that Comcast was intentionally slowing traffic to the service in an effort to extract extra money.

Regardless of your feelings on this, Netflix paid to play, and Comcast's speed for streaming media miraculously improved.

The company offers a monthly report, however, and the most recent one has just been published. Comcast moved up six spaces on the chart. Speeds increased from 1.51 Mbps to 2.5 between January and March -- a 65-percent climb. However, it still left the ISP ranked at number five, behind others who have not demanded a toll (yet).

"The Netflix ISP Speed Index is based on data from the more than 44 million Netflix members worldwide who view over 1 billion hours of TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix each month. The listed speeds reflect the average performance of all Netflix streams on each ISP's network and are an indicator of the performance typically experienced across all users on an ISP network. A faster network generally means a better picture quality, quicker start times and fewer interruptions", writes Joris Evers of Netflix.

The company also saw increases from service providers in other nations, including Norway, Denmark, Costa Rica, Jamaica and more. Speeds listed in the test results can vary for multiple reasons, including the encoding methods, as well as device and home network set-ups.

netflix-march-2014

New study claims 1 in 10 pay TV subscribers plan to cut the cord this year

Publié: avril 14, 2014, 7:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

watching tv

Not long ago, I conducted a rather unscientific survey, asking readers if they planned to cut the cord in 2014. There was no voting, it simply relied on comments, as I wished to know your thoughts. A number of you had already taken the plunge, but we are dealing with a tech-oriented crowd. This isn't something my mom and dad will be doing -- they’d think I spoke a foreign language if I used the word Roku.

Morgan Stanley, who we don't tend to think of when it comes to media, went a bit further, taking a more scientific approach and collating the results into a nice graphic format.

The end result was that the company found one in ten users intend to get rid of cable and satellite this year. Things go a bit more in-depth though -- for instance the average pay TV package sets a consumer back $86 per month and is expected to reach as high as $200 by the year 2020. Nine out of the ten most popular shows are also available as over-the-air broadcasts.

The below graphic goes even further, letting customers know what they will need to consider in this move, including hardware and services, as well as some good information on picking up those over-the-air broadcasts.

The exact number planning to make the move this year was 11-percent, which is up two percent over last year. The graphic doesn't tell the whole story, but it provides a nice primer to get users started down that path.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna / Shutterstock

Cutting the Cord Infographic_v2

Windows XP user survey shows little hope for change

Publié: avril 14, 2014, 6:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows XP Last week was the much talked about XPocalypse, meaning support came to an official end for XP, despite a large number of users, both home and business, still running the operating system. It seems that this setback isn't doing much to daunt those users, either.

Security firm Avast has released a survey it conducted just before April 8th, and results will be disappointing to Microsoft. Many customers plan to stick it out with the aging platform.

An earlier survey indicated that 23.6 percent of Avast’s users were still running Windows XP, and that number has only decreased by 2 percent.

The latest numbers are a bit stunning -- 21 percent of users apparently had no clue that support was even coming to a close, only 15 percent planned to upgrade, and 27 percent have no plans to change anything.

"Avast has been creating protection modules and detections specifically designed to cover Windows XP vulnerabilities and other security problems. We recommend non-Avast Windows XP users download Avast for the added protection. Avast 2014 is a light product, both in terms of speed and resource consumption, tailored for older PCs running XP. In addition to this, we recommend users stop using Internet Explorer, as the browser poses an even larger threat when used on Windows XP", the company says.

Avast isn't the only security firm that plans to continue support for the ancient OS, even Microsoft's own Security Essentials will continue for another year. The suggestion that users switch from IE to another browser like Chrome or Firefox is a good one, as well as not running the OS as administrator. However, upgrading remains the best, and safest option.

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Amazon Prime announces new 90’s TV show lineup

Publié: avril 11, 2014, 6:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

couple-watching-tv

For those of a particular age, the 90's may be nostalgic for TV memories. I suppose that's the case with many decades, as each has its memorable moments -- from the final episode of MASH in 1983 to the debut of Seinfeld in 1989, even the premiere of Lost in 2004.

Now Amazon Prime is bringing back that old 90's feel with a selection of classic shows, including programs from kid-friendly Nickelodeon.

Titles in this collection include The Amanda Show, Doug, Rugrats, and others. For adults, there is also Beavis and Butthead, Party of Five, Beverly Hills 90210 and more to take you on that trip down memory lane.

Amazon promises that "Prime customers can stream these '90s favorites for free with the Amazon Instant Video app available on the new Amazon Fire TV, Kindle Fire tablets, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, as well as hundreds of other connected devices such as smart TVs, or by visiting www.amazon.com/instantvideo".

The release is immediate, so customers can begin searching out their favorite shows right now. It arrives just in time to fill your weekend.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

As Windows XP expires, Google urges Chromebook adoption

Publié: avril 8, 2014, 11:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

HP Chromebook 11

Support for Windows XP comes to an end today. Despite that, there are still a fair number of customers continuing to run the aging operating system. While those customers may be a bit sad about the demise, not everyone is.

On the heels of my colleague Joe Wilcox touting Chromebook, Google does the same. The company is taking advantage of this situation to lure current Windows XP users over to its Chromebook platform. In fact, the search giant is using the company's own PR against it, stating "even Microsoft admits: it's time for a change". That statement is followed by an image of an aged computer, complete with CRT monitor.

Google also points out that nearly 30-percent of computers in the wild are still running Windows XP, including those within businesses. That's where the company swoops in to take advantage of this situation, telling customers, with Amit Singh, president of Google Enterprise, saying "it's time for a real change, rather than more of the same. Chromebooks for Business offers you a secure and easy-to-use computing experience, along with a central web-based management console and lower total cost of ownership. If you’ve been considering Chromebooks for your company, until June 30". Until that date, the company is offering a deal, as customers can get $100 off the price of a managed device purchased for business -- $200 if your company is partnered with Citrix and VMware. In fact it even offers the chance to "get Chromebooks for Business and 25-percent off Citrix XenApp Platinum Edition, which includes AppDNA software for accelerating Windows XP migration".

Google goes on to point out a number of reasons why customers should make this switch, and many make sense for a fair number of users. With offline apps, and plenty of people doing little more than web-surfing and checking email, a Chromebook can make perfect sense. It's not for everyone, but it can work.

Brendan Eich resigning from Mozilla shows both the good and bad sides of the web

Publié: avril 5, 2014, 2:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It has been mere days since Brendan Eich stepped down as CEO of Mozilla. It was one of the shortest-lived tenures in history, but it didn’t have to be that way. I’ll spare you the details -- they have spewed across the internet, ad-nauseum. Suffice to say that his views did not meet with that of the technorati at large.

BetaNews was one of the first sites to run the story about a pair of developers boycotting the browser over a perceived difference in ideals. A firestorm ensued, but also a healthy debate. Until now, I have kept quiet throughout this situation. However with the problems now seemingly resolved, and (perhaps or perhaps not) justice done, then it is time to speak my piece.

First, I approved and ran the original story, a decision I did not take lightly. I had many discussions with the author over it, attempts to make sure that the site nailed everything. But the story goes much deeper than what appeared on the surface. The story was not intended to call into question beliefs, the story was about the perceived wrong and the developers pulling their apps in protest over it.

The story of Mozilla and Brendan Eich, in large part, portrays the internet in a rather general sort of way. There is the bad side, the one with doubters, haters and trolls. There is the good part, where people express legitimate opinions and feelings on the issues at hand.

There have been many discussions of late about a free and open internet -- while much of that swirls around net neutrality, and accusations about Netflix being forced to pay a "toll" to Comcast, much more is about freedom of speech. Only last week we were concerned over Turkey banning this most basic right -- a decision that was overridden by a court quite quickly.

But, as my colleague Brian Fagioli stated, "While I disagree with Eich's perceived stance on marriage equality, I defend his right to express it". I think that sums up the feelings of many.

We live in a world where rights are often taken for granted, and infractions are perceived as slaps in the face or attempts to take these freedoms from us. We forget that others, with differing views, have those same rights. We don't know for sure what Mr. Eich truly believes -- he avoided the same sex marriage question in his statements, which only contributed to the problem.

However, the internet held a discussion and forced a decision. Rightly or wrongly, the masses played judge and jury on this, and in the end there was no alternative solution. Majority rules, and the state of Brendan Eich’s reputation would have precluded his ability to head the company and command the respect of employees and customers.

Now I reach the end, and I shall leave you with something you will not have found in all of the other stories around the web, regarding this sordid mess. At the time BetaNews ran the original post, I also reached out to the developer in question -- Hampton Catlin. He provided much information, some of which he said we were free to quote. I'll leave much of that dark -- he doesn't want any more publicity, but there's a soundbite from our conversation that I'd like to share with you.

"This really was a personal statement of boycott, and it seems to be getting carried as if we are organizing a boycott or that we think Mozilla is evil or that we think Brendan Eich is the devil. None of those things are true. We just were hurt as developers who were committing our time and energy to their platform, that they would go pick someone with an unresolved anti-same-sex-marriage controversy. If he had apologized years ago, this would be a non-issue".

Image Credit: Danomyte / Shutterstock

Roku adds Qello Concerts channel to its digital lineup

Publié: avril 4, 2014, 4:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Competition in the set-top box market just caught Fire -- hopefully no customers have the Nest Protect smoke alarm. With the challenge thrown down by Amazon, Roku is answering by adding another channel to its lineup, this time allowing customers to rock out in their living room.

Qello will bring concerts and music documentaries right into your home, on-demand. "Whether you’re in the mood to discover something new or want to enjoy a serenade from your all-time favorite band, Qello Concerts and Roku have you covered to stream all genres -- from Beyoncé, B.B. King and Queen to Nirvana, Mumford & Sons and Barbra Streisand", says Roku’s Ziba Kaboli-Gerbrands.

The service isn't free but, at $4.99 per month, the barrier to entry isn't steep. The company is also offering a free seven day trial to try and lure customers in.

It's one more entertainment option in an ever-growing list available to potential cord-cutters and, together, all still will likely add up to less than the cost of most of today's satellite and cable packages.

Hulu details its Amazon Fire TV app

Publié: avril 4, 2014, 3:47am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Yesterday, Amazon unveiled its Fire TV set-top box, and while the announcement came as little of a shock, given the information being rumored around the web, what was left were details. Now those are in place and the box is shipping to customers. Since the announcement, other support information has emerged, including Plex, and now Hulu.

The streaming video service was already included on the new Amazon box -- we knew that when it appeared during the announcement -- but what it would offer was not discussed.

Today Hulu answers that question, detailing the enhancements included for Amazon. "Our Seattle-based Living Room Development team has worked closely with Amazon to ensure that users will receive the most enhanced and updated version of the Hulu Plus Living Room experience on Amazon Fire TV", says Hulu's Jon Cohen.

What's included? The company promises larger artwork, a new search experience that makes finding content easier, a new playback interface that is "simplified with clean and intuitive controls". Hulu kids also makes an appearance, giving parents a bit of peace-of-mind when it comes to content and ads -- it's commercial free.

This obviously is not free -- you'll be paying $7.99 per month for a Plus account, though there is the offer of a one week free trial for all Fire TV customers. The streaming service also promises these updates will arrive on Fire tablets as well.

Plex announces support for Amazon Fire TV

Publié: avril 3, 2014, 2:09am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Plex has a history of supporting every platform possible, both desktop and mobile. With that in mind, Amazon today added one more to the market, throwing a challenge at the media server and end-user service.

But the challenge wasn't difficult -- after all, despite being highly customized, Fire TV still runs Android, an operating system that Plex is familiar with. The service already runs on Kindle Fire tablets, and it didn't take long to announce support for the Amazon Fire TV.

"We're thus extremely happy to announce that Plex is available on Amazon’s awesome new Fire TV at launch. We’ve been impressed with the performance of the device, and we’re happy to report that Plex runs great on it", Plex announces.

It will run just the same as it does on other devices, including Google TV and Kindle Fire tablets. Clearly Amazon worked with partners, including Plex, to have all of this ready to go on day one -- a common practice for releasing a new product.

Amazon Fire TV is on sale now, retailing for $99, while Plex Server is free, though the app retails for $4.99 on each platform. You can grab it now.

Shelfies turn into custom themes as Gmail stops pranking users

Publié: avril 2, 2014, 11:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Yesterday was April Fool's Day -- a celebration of hijinks that are enjoyed by readers and somewhat feared by media outlets. Every story requires extra attention, as it is combed for signs of a prank. However, like the readers, the writers mostly enjoy the day as well -- there are notable exceptions, mostly those who managed to get bit by a joke.

One of the popular memes for this year was Gmail Shelfies which, if you were not careful, changed your email theme to a lovely picture of Katy Perry.

Shelfies, it seems, were a prelude to an actual feature that the company now launches. "Many of you told us that you loved the concepts of themes and sharing together, so we worked through the night to update this feature into something even better. Today, we’re excited to announce that you can now share any custom theme--your favorite vacation spot, pet, family photo or even, yes, a selfie--with friends, loved ones or anyone", says Google’s Greg Bullock.

Head to the settings page, click on themes, and you'll now find an option to "share your theme" -- or you will soon, depending if it's rolled out to you yet.

For those who got bit by Shelfies yesterday (no names) you can now upgrade Katy Perry to something more in keeping with your taste. The company also plans a "Theme Thursday" where it shares customized versions via its Gmail Google+ page.

Amazon unveils Fire TV -- a set-top box with streaming video and games

Publié: avril 2, 2014, 6:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The rather crowded market of set-top boxes out there just got a bit larger with the announcement from Amazon that it will be joining the battle for control of your living room. Competing with the likes of Roku, Google TV and Apple TV is not easy, but Amazon is the equivalent of a 600-pound gorilla in the room.

The online retail giant already operates a popular TV and movie streaming service through its Prime program, and also has seen success in the hardware market with Kindle -- both e-readers and tablets. Now it attempts to take that experience and roll it into a device that it hopes will be welcomed into your daily entertainment experience.

This won't be completely tied to Prime either, which is currently $79 per year, though slated to soon rise to $99. Other services appear prominently in the demo -- Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, MLB.TV, Hulu and the NBA were all present. Encompassing all major platforms is a wise move, given the stiff competition in this market.

While an Android gaming device for the living room already exists, in the form of Ouya, Amazon rolls competition for that into its new offering as well. The Fire TV includes games, and others on your home network can compete with you, even from phones and tablets. Amazon is working with Disney and EA on games, and controllers will be sold separately for those who want them. There's even a new exclusive title from Amazon Studios called Sev Zero, available now for $6.99.

A music library will also be included, along with apps from Pandora and many other streaming media services. There is also Xbox One-like voice control built into the remote. Retail is a mere $99 and Amazon is throwing in 1,000 coins with your purchase. It is available now, in stock on the Amazon site.

As for specs, the company tells us "it has a powerful quad-core processor, dedicated GPU, 2 GB of memory, and dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi. With a fast, fluid interface, high definition 1080p video, and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound, Fire TV looks -- and sounds -- amazing".

Amazon does not need to profit from hardware -- it has proven this model with its tablets and e-readers. The money can be made up on the backend -- even Prime customers will end up buying or renting movies that aren't available under the Prime subscription. It's a brilliant move, and a logical next step to further the ecosystem.

Build 2014 kicks off today -- what are you expecting?

Publié: avril 2, 2014, 10:20am CEST par Alan Buckingham

There are a couple of major events scheduled for today but, with apologies to Amazon, Microsoft is set to steal the limelight with the kickoff to its Build 2014 conference. The show, which takes place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, will run through this Friday, and features a plethora of sessions geared towards developers.

But those sessions aren't what matter to the average user -- the big stories will come out on day one with the keynote that kicks off at 11:30 am EDT. There are a few things we expect and others that are are rumored, and some that can be left to pure speculation. Here is a brief look.

Windows Phone 8.1. I won't go into this -- the news has been blabbed around the web and we've even seen some leaks. It's safe to assume that the final product will be unveiled during the show, and it will be a big deal, given the attention it has received, along with the new features that are expected to come along for the ride.

Windows 8.1 Update. Again, like the new mobile OS, we know it's coming. In fact, it is scheduled to be available to MSDN subscribers today. This is another one that has experienced multiple leaks. It's big, of course, but not necessarily the "gotcha" news that may reveal itself in the course of the day.

With the obvious out of the way, it's the fun time where we move on to speculation and rumor. After all, what would this business be without these things?

First up is one that has been kicking around for a while, and just refuses to bite the dust. A Surface Mini tablet. A 7-8-inch tablet has been back and forth in the news cycle forever, it seems. With OEMs like Dell now building smaller models, it is a logical next step for Microsoft as well. After all, the Surface is ultimately the flagship -- the face of the corporate tablet efforts.

From there we go a bit further afield. I won't waste your time much here, because neither could amount to anything. However, two sessions being held this week managed to catch my attention.

One is surrounding Windows and "The Internet of Things". As a bit of a home automation geek, this got my attention. It isn't a surprise that Microsoft would delve into this area -- hell, it isn't even new. The company has been showing homes of the future for years (Bill Gates owns one), and its labs area is always working on some sort of magic to make customers feel they are living in the age of The Jetsons.

The second thing that got my attention, though, much less so, was a session on Kinect for Windows. This was recently updated, and perhaps the lecture is nothing more than rehashing the update and bringing developers up to speed. Regardless, it's an area to potentially keep an eye on -- a market that hasn't yet reached maturation.

While many of the sessions are geared, shockingly enough, towards developers, there are those little ones that pop up, providing possible insight into direction and future announcements. This is only a very brief look at what to expect or hope for. We're about to get the full story though -- or at least the beginning of it.

BitTorrent Sync arrives on the Kindle Fire platform

Publié: avril 1, 2014, 10:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

BitTorrent Sync entered the market with a clear plan to not be anything like other services, instead choosing to do things its own way and protect the end-user. This resulted in alpha and beta testing, with a slow roll-out, but slow and steady often wins the race. The service is widely available now, being updated, and encompassing more platforms.

While Android was already a part of the ecosystem, there are certain flavors of Google's OS that don't readily comply with the traditional. One of those, in fact perhaps the primary one, is Fire OS -- the operating system produced by Amazon for its popular line of tablets.

Now BitTorrent has taken this on as well -- "Today, we’re happy to add another update for our mobile users. If you've got a Kindle Fire, you can now Sync freely", the organization announces.

The draw here is a rather obvious one, given the times we live in. BitTorrent has taken into account the potential for snooping and data loss, and instead come up with a system that avoids these potential problems. It promises no servers and no surveillance -- the latter should probably be left open to debate, given the current climate.

Sync is free, unlimited and will run on multiple platforms to help users keep files up to date. Setup is fairly easy; I've been using it on PCs since the alpha version. We'll take a closer look at the Fire OS setup and use here in the near future, so stay tuned.

Jack is back -- Amazon Prime scores exclusive rights to 24 streaming

Publié: avril 1, 2014, 5:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It has been four long years since we caught up with anti-terrorism specialist Jack Bauer. No doubt a lot has happened to him over that span of time, but soon we’ll get to catch up with him again, as Fox relaunches the hit series, with a slight name change to 24: Live Another Day.

The violence, fast-paced action and questionable methods employed by Mr. Bauer may not be for every viewer, but those interested will have a second to get up to speed. While the show will appear on the Fox network in the US, Amazon Prime subscribers who want a refresher on what events lead up to this long-delayed ninth season, can begin from…well, the beginning.

"Amazon.com, Inc. today announced that as part of its licensing agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, Prime Instant Video is now the exclusive online-only subscription home for streaming all 192 episodes of the award-winning series 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland as heroic agent Jack Bauer", the company announces.

The ninth season premieres on Fox on May 5th, and the network has been busily releasing teasers to get everyone ready. The latest can be seen below. If you need to catch up then you'd better hurry -- there are 192 hours to watch before Jack is back.

Much ado about nothing -- Dropbox quells fears of file snooping on users

Publié: mars 31, 2014, 9:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Throughout today I have watched, with a sort of detached fascination, the attention suddenly being heaped upon cloud storage service Dropbox. It is certainly not the sort of publicity a company wants, either. It also is unwarranted. The company, at least by some outlets, is being accused of policing users' personal files in a search for copyrighted material.

The fact is, this all came about based on a tweet from one lone user, who was simply mentioning a system that was already in place, and has been for some time. Darrell Whitelaw, the user at the center of this, was only asking a question, not accusing the service of anything.

"Wow. @dropbox DMCA takedown in personal folders . . . this is new to me", the tweet reads. Mr. Whitelaw has since followed up, multiple times, explaining what he intended, and has been contacted by Dropbox with an explanation.

The simple truth is much more mundane than some of the sensationalistic stories floating about today. BetaNews reached out to Dropbox for an official statement, and you can read the response we received, below.

"There have been some questions around how we handle copyright notices. We sometimes receive DMCA notices to remove links on copyright grounds. When we receive these, we process them according to the law and disable the identified link. We have an automated system that then prevents other users from sharing the identical material using another Dropbox link. This is done by comparing file hashes. We don’t look at the files in your private folders and are committed to keeping your stuff safe".

Your personally stored files, as far as we know, are not being scanned by the service. The only action being taken is to block shares of a file that matches one involved in a DMCA takedown notice. That file will not be removed from your cloud storage account either, just prevented from being shared. It's a simple solution and isn't even new.

With all of the recent news surrounding the NSA, hacked services and such -- not to mention the continuous concern about the DMCA -- it isn't a surprise this got so much attention. You can't always believe what you read on the Internet, though.

Photo Credit: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock

World Backup Day 2014 -- Do you know where your files are?

Publié: mars 31, 2014, 2:36pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Backing up files is one those New Year’s resolutions/good intention things that we all think about, but often don’t get around to doing. Despite the multitude of options available, it never ceases to amaze me every time I hear someone lament lost Word docs, photos or the like.

It's precisely that sort of disaster which World Backup Day 2014 aims to help users avoid. To drive the point home, the website cites some statistics -- 30 percent of people have never backed up their files, 113 phones are lost or stolen every minute, 29-percent of disasters are caused by accidents and one out of every ten computers is infected with a virus.

To combat these problems, the site asks everyone to take its pledge -- "I solemnly swear to backup my important documents and precious memories on March 31st". This pledge can also be shared via both Facebook and Twitter -- sadly there have been only 822 people counted as of this writing.

The site also offers tips on local and cloud backup, covering multiple platforms and services. While a second copy is a great start, having three is best. Such things as fire and theft can wipe out original and local copies, so consider an external drive or NAS, plus a cloud service like CrashPlan or Carbon, both of which will backup files in the background automatically.

Image Credit: Marynchenko Oleksandr/ Shutterstock

Shazam! Rdio deepens its partnership with music ID service

Publié: mars 29, 2014, 12:26am CET par Alan Buckingham

Rdio is already partnered with Shazam, the app that allows you to identify that song you're hearing and are dying to know -- on the radio or TV, it can’t help with the one stuck in your head. That app hasn’t been invented yet, but I personally hope it is soon.

Now Rdio announces it has expanded the partnership beyond previous bounds. Until now users of Shazam could add songs they discovered to a Rdio playlist. Now customers of the app will be able to add any song to that list.

"Users can add any song, from anywhere in Shazam, to their 'My Shazam Tracks' playlist, whether they Shazamed the song or found it in Pulse, Shazam’s music discovery feed of popular and trending music. We're excited for you to try it out and see how much this opens up your playlist possibilities", Rdio explains in its announcement.

The new Shazam update, which provides this added functionality, is available now for both Android and iOS -- sorry Windows Phone fans. There are free and paid versions and some instructions you'll need to follow to connect your Rdio account, but the app will walk you through those.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

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Mark Zuckerberg details Facebook’s plans to deliver internet to everyone

Publié: mars 28, 2014, 1:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Internet is a basic human right, or so the United Nations tells us. To that end, companies like Google are testing such solutions as balloons to bring access to remote locations, while others are using alternative measures, such as satellites.

Facebook is going a bit further, apparently. An announcement from Mark Zuckerberg made me check my calendar to be double sure it wasn’t April 1st. The CEO details the experimental work being done by the company’s Connectivity Lab. "Today, we're sharing some details of the work Facebook's Connectivity Lab is doing to build drones, satellites and lasers to deliver the internet to everyone", Zuckerberg states in a Facebook post.

When I mentioned this in the BetaNews newsroom, my colleague Ian Barker simply replied "Isn't it missing a bit? ...deliver the internet to everyone, whether they want it or not". It is certainly a fair point, as there likely are people who do not want it, though I suppose they aren't going to be forced to use it, just "encouraged".

The company is working with internet.org to make the project reality, and has already been testing solutions in a pair of nations -- Paraguay and the Phillipines. Zuckerberg brags that this experiment has already found success, doubling the number of mobile data customers by adding three million new customers.

"We're going to continue building these partnerships, but connecting the whole world will require inventing new technology too. That's what our Connectivity Lab focuses on, and there's a lot more exciting work to do here", he goes on to promise.

To bolster the efforts, the Connectivity Lab has brought in people from NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and the Ames Research Center, as well as the folks behind Zephyr, the solar-powered plane that broke the record for "longest flying solar-powered unmanned aircraft".

This whole thing certainly sounds futuristic. Satellites are already used for internet access, though there are problems with latency. Drones and lasers, on the other hand, bring rather bad visions to mind, so this will be interesting to keep an eye on. When a member of an Amazon indigenous tribe Likes my story then I guess we'll know it was a success.

Image Credit: boscorelli /Shutterstock

Amazon announces April 2nd event featuring an update on video

Publié: mars 27, 2014, 8:30pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Invitations have been hitting email inboxes today for an Amazon event, even as Microsoft was busy holding its own show. The invitation hints at what is coming, though it does not come right out and say exactly what to expect.

For now we know only one thing, the subject – "Please join us for an update on our video business". The company frequently updates its Prime video library, partnering with an increasing number of studios. These can be a big deal, depending on the movies and TV shows that come along for the ride, but the announcements have always warranted nothing more than a blog post. In other words, this is something bigger.

Rumors have been swirling that Amazon will release its own set-top box, or perhaps even simplify it into a Chromecast-like stick. That seems the most probable option, as it's unlikely an event would be held without a hardware product to unveil.

Amazon has the streaming ecosystem, through Prime, to warrant such a product, and it has proven an ability to produce high-quality, popular devices. We will find out next week -- the event will occur on April 2nd, beginning at 11am ET.

Younger Millennials watch more video on alternative devices than TV

Publié: mars 27, 2014, 4:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It doesn’t come as any real surprise that more video is being consumed on alternative devices. With a growing amount of choice from services like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and others, our video entertainment no longer requires a TV.

According to a new study conducted by Deloitte, the younger portion of the Millennial generation, those aged 14-24, now consume the majority of their video through alternative devices -- computers, smartphones, tablets and gaming devices.

While the TV still accounts for the highest percentage, at 44, other methods make up the remaining 56-percent. Computers, both desktop and laptop, rank at the top, garnering 32-percent. This is followed by the smartphone, gaming console, and tablet in descending order.

Trailing Millennials, as they are referred to, were the only segment in which the TV lost. Leading Millennials, aged 25-30, still prefer the television, though just barely, at 53-percent. The popularity of the boob-tube rises as the age does, getting 70-percent of Gen X, an 88 share from boomers and 92-percent of Matures.

None of this is too shocking. However, the survey doesn’t seem to account for alternative set-top boxes like Roku. Granted, it can be argued that these are hooked to a TV, but so are game consoles. I would expect these numbers to continue to shift, likely at an increasing rate.

Photo Credit: holbox/Shutterstock

Twitter explains its legal approach against ban in Turkey

Publié: mars 26, 2014, 5:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Social media is frequently the first victim of internet censorship when nations begin attempting to lock down citizens. We have seen these efforts fail time and again. Turkey has been no exception during the past week -- Twitter was blocked, and users flocked to change DNS settings to Google, though that has now also been locked out.

Twitter, for its part, has filed legal action within the country, in an effort to have the blockade lifted and give a voice back to its users, including dissenters of the current government. Now the company details its current efforts in a blog post from Vijaya Gadde, general counsel for the social network.

"Today, we filed petitions for lawsuits we have been working on together with our independent Turkish attorney over the last few days in various Turkish courts to challenge the access ban on Twitter, joining Turkish journalists and legal experts, Turkish citizens, and the international community in formally asking for the ban to be lifted", Gadde explains.

He continues by stating that the ban was carried out through a series of three court orders, none of which Twitter was notified of in advance, nor given a chance to defend against. Gadde also promises that "at no point during this blockage have we given the Turkish government any user data like email or IP addresses, consistent with our commitment to user privacy".

The announcement also refers to developments from earlier today, in which a Turkish court granted an injunction against the blocking (allowing telecommunications companies to lift the blockade), calling it a "positive development". Regardless of the outcome, we know that the citizens will likely find ways around whatever restrictions are attempted.

Image Credit: yanugkelid / Shutterstock

Rocking the dorm room -- Spotify offers student discounts

Publié: mars 25, 2014, 6:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Students are sometimes in need of breaks on prices, as school eats into the time required for a job. To that end, many software and hardware makers offer discounts to allow those we consider our future to be able to attain what they need in order to get through classes. But that isn't all that's required, unwinding with some entertainment is also sometimes necessary.

Now Spotify wants to help out, offering discounts for students. The service has announced it is cutting the price in half, slashing $9.99 down to $4.99 for college students.

"We are pleased to announce that college students in the United States can now purchase Spotify Premium for $4.99. This new plan goes into effect immediately and can be redeemed here", Candice Katz of Spotify says.

Spotify Premium offers ad-free streaming, access via computer, mobile and compatible home theater gear, and (claimed) better sound quality. All of this will work through a partnership with SheerID. Effective immediately, students can begin taking advantage of the discount through Spotify Student.

Forget the iWatch Apple, it's another race you've lost to Android

Publié: mars 24, 2014, 11:54am CET par Alan Buckingham

Apple has rarely been first to market with a product -- it did not build the first MP3 player or tablet, but it does have a history of revolutionizing those markets, as it did with the smartphone. There isn't anything wrong with stepping into an existing market and bringing along fresh and innovative ideas. In fact, it has worked out quite well for the company over the years.

However, more recent history shows that Apple can also lose the markets, as both tablet and smartphone have fallen behind rival Android, which entered the scene later. Openness plays a part in this -- a multitude of devices to choose from, along with more customizable options, is a big deal when compared to a closed system with one device released annually.

But imagine if Apple entered the market after Android. That is what we could potentially see occur in the future. For a year we have heard rumors of a mythical iWatch -- it resides with the iTV and the unicorn for now.

The problem is, Google has already plunged into the water, announcing its Android Wear last week, along with a list of partners. Two of those hardware makers, Motorola and LG have already announced devices, though availability is still a bit away.

The new wristwear features Google Now, along with apps, social and health options, to name only a few. It’s a fully-formed idea, complete with SDK, and work has begun by both OEMs and developers.

This leaves Apple in a predicament. While the company was able to enter late to tablets, smartphones and MP3 players, yet still take over initial share, this one will be different. Android is firmly established. It’s known to the majority of customers and also likely powering their products. That makes an Android smartwach a no-brainer for those with a phone already powered by the OS.

We still have no clue if Apple will actually release a watch, but given the new market, it would seem logical. However, this time around it enters behind, and is likely to retain that position. There is also little doubt that if the product does appear, it will be hailed by the media and lobbed with attention from fans, possibly even generating some photo-op lines at stores. But it won’t catch Android, despite the overzealous attention it would generate. Sales must back up hype, and a lack of them is bad publicity.

In the end, it would be entering the market too late, and plans, if they are in the works, may as well be scrapped. The investment would be better spent on other projects, perhaps new, unexplored markets that haven't yet been thought of by others. The company has the personnel to come up with the concepts and designs to introduce something truly innovative -- but the smartwatch is likely not the market for Apple to enter now.

Photo Credit: Cheryl Ann Quigley/Shutterstock

Rapoo T120P Touch Mouse brings better functionality to Windows 8.x [Review]

Publié: mars 23, 2014, 9:02am CET par Alan Buckingham

When it comes to technology, many things are personal. Some prefer an iPad, while others opt for an Android or Windows tablet. The best thing is choice, and there is no shortage of that on the market -- in fact, the amount of new products amounts to sensory overload.

Oddly enough, few things are more personal than a mouse. That seems an odd item, but it rings true -- there are ones that are travel-size, while others are designed for the PC gamer and offer a dizzying amount of buttons. There is the standard model, the wireless USB and the Bluetooth. The options are almost overwhelming, though the average computer user likely just opts for a standard size, wired USB model -- probably the one that came with the computer.

I have been using the Rapoo T120P Touch Mouse for the past week, getting used to it and learning the different features included, not all of which will readily jump out at you.

Introducing the Rapoo T120P Touch Mouse

Rapoo’s new mouse comes with a number of features. First, the company boasts a 5G wireless connection to avoid interference from other objects surrounding you, and is designed to avoid the more common 2.4G spectrum. It also features touch scroll, as opposed to be the more common wheel that we’ve all become used to. The touch scroll works both up and down and side to side.

The mouse also comes in five different colors -- black, white, red, green and yellow. The last two are a bit bright -- neon would be a good word. There is also a very small USB receiver, though really, the size is about standard for today's wireless mice. In addition there is haptic feedback for certain uses.

Setup and Software

You will need a pair of AA batteries to get started -- the bottom slides off to reveal the compartment. This battery area also has a small slot where you will find the USB key inserted, and a spot to place it back in for safe keeping during travel. There is also a simple on-off switch on the bottom that allows for saving battery life when not in use.

While the mouse will work by simply plugging it in, there is software that can be installed to allow for pairing. A word of warning, the file comes as a RAR, so you will need a program such as Rarzilla to unpack it. You will also need to restart your computer after installing.

Although the mouse works when first plugged in, the software requires re-pairing when first opened. You’ll need to be quick, and you will also need to either use another mouse or the touchpad on your laptop. Pull the batteries then click the pair button, wait a couple of seconds for instructions to appear, then hurry to push the batteries back in and hold down the left, right and center buttons simultaneously for about the three seconds. It took several tries to get it done fast enough to work. And, yes, the English isn't perfect in the below screenshot, but that's fine -- you get the point.

Use

The Rapoo T120P Touch Mouse is an average-sized mouse, and it’s mostly traditional in look as well, though with a strip that graces the middle where a wheel would normally be. Left and right buttons work as you would expect, but the center is a bit different. Slowly moving a finger up or down will scroll pages, while a quick swipe delivers a rapid, long movement. Either of these movements results in a vibration beneath the finger -- what I earlier described as a sort of haptic feedback. Side to side movement does not cause this. Clicking the center button turns on scrolling without swiping -- simply move the pointer up, down and sideways.

While you likely will not notice it, the mouse also does not have the traditional optical red-light on the bottom. The sensor looks and functions the same, but doesn’t use a light.

Conclusion

There is some good and bad here. I'll begin with the latter and get that out of the way, and really there is only one issue I had. The T120P claims customization software, but the download is only a pairing tool, and that isn't really necessary, given that it works out of the box, just like any other USB peripherals. I found no benefit from installing it.

On the good side, the peripheral works quite well, the center touch-scroll is a pleasure to use, and the vibration isn't over-the-top, but simply provides a bit of feedback about what you are doing. Left and right buttons have a tiny, but audible, mechanical click that also lets you know what is going on.

After a week of use, I've rapidly become accustomed to it, and the size and shape are perfect for an average size hand. The price, which ranges from $40-50 on Amazon (depending on the color), is also reasonable for a good mouse with these features. While it comes packaged as being for Windows 8.x, I am sure it will function just as well with other versions of the OS.

Opera-powered smart TVs from RCA set for US launch

Publié: mars 20, 2014, 8:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The home theater environment continues to evolve. We have set-top boxes from the likes of Google, Apple and Roku, along with gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, DVRs and Smart TVs. All are capable, in one way or another, of getting more media into the home. But a move to consolidate through the TV would be welcome, at least to me.

One of the biggest forces behind-the-scenes in the Smart TV world is now Opera, which is frequently thought of in the web browser world. But the company has a thriving app store system for this, and it now announces adoption by RCA to release panels to the US market.

"Today, Opera announces its partnership with ON Corporation, one of RCA's brand licensees, to help bring popular online content, hundreds of TV apps and full internet browsing to cater the increasing OTT demand from a growing number of couch surfers in the United States. These TVs will hit the market later this year through Opera's partnership with ON corporation, whereby Opera will provide its HTML5 technology in the form of the Opera Devices Software Development Kit (SDK) and Opera TV Store application platform", the Norwegian company states.

Among the prominent services this brings to customers are YouTube, Hulu and Pandora. Netflix will also come with the TVs, though it is native and not part of the Opera Devices SDK. This lends the largest available marketplace to consumers, and increases the business model for Opera.

"We look forward to empowering RCA TVs with increased entertainment options through the Opera TV Store, as well as providing content owners with yet another channel to large audiences", says Opera's Aneesh Rajaram.

While Smart TVs are becoming more readily available at retail, may people still opt for the added expense of a set-top box. As these panels become more common, I would expect that trend to change -- we've already seen Roku begin partnering in an effort have its platform used in TVs from hardware makers like HiSense. A merger of the two platforms would be a bonus for everyone.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna / Shutterstock

Yahoo introduces Games Network with touch-friendly playable classics

Publié: mars 20, 2014, 5:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The gaming industry continues to move forward. While consoles and PCs are still popular platforms, mobile has become a growing force for game developers, with smartphones and tablets providing the perfect platforms for casual touch-based entertainment. The market becomes a bit more crowded today, as one more major name jumps into the ring.

Yahoo announces a new Games Network that will feature classic titles that it hopes will spark interest and nostalgia. It comes in two parts, really, because it is also for developers who wish to distribute new titles.

"Today, we are excited to introduce the Yahoo Games Network, our brand new platform for third-party game developers who want distribution of the Yahoo network in addition to easy onboarding services that help them authenticate players, monetize their games, provide social sharing, analytics and ongoing operational support for growth. We’re also launching the new Yahoo Classic Games with a beautiful, elegant, and easy-to-use design that plays seamlessly across the Web, Android devices and iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch", states Jesper Jensen, general manager of Yahoo Games.

Classics available include Kings Road, Ballistic, Rise of Mythos and a lot more. The search company promises that it is working with developers to get more titles, both new and old. These include Dreamworks and SGN, to name only two.

"We plan to keep building out our platform with improvements and new features -- providing not only a great experience for our millions of users, but also a cross-platform network for developers looking to reach the untapped gaming audience of Yahoo’s 800 million users worldwide (including 400 million users on mobile)", the announcement concludes.

Yahoo will certainly be hoping that this new endeavor helps to keep the service relevant and even bring it back to prominence. That remains to be seen, but the concept sounds intriguing.

EA Games server compromised, breach targets Apple IDs

Publié: mars 19, 2014, 10:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Nothing on the internet is safe these days. Even point-of-sale systems in stores we regularly shop in can be accessed and stolen from -- witness Target to name only one recent high profile example. However, when it comes to computers, some users see Apple as more secure. While that may be a result of simply being less targeted, there is also nothing that the company can do to protect people from themselves.

Security firm Netcraft, which boasts customers that include British Telecom, Microsoft and Cisco, has detailed a sneaky new attack. EA, the popular game maker, has had one of its servers compromised so it can host phishing attacks that target Apple IDs.

Worse, it seems that EA was running outdated software that enabled the malicious activity. "The compromised server is used by two websites in the ea.com domain, and is ordinarily used to host a calendar based on WebCalendar 1.2.0. This version was released in September 2008 and contains several security vulnerabilities which have been addressed in subsequent releases", the researchers announce.

This will not simply steal your data. As indicated by the word "phishing", it attempts to trick the user into voluntarily handing over the information. However, once the user name and password has been entered, the system proceeds to fleece the user of identification and credit card information.

Netcraft also warns that external server compromisation such as this is sometimes representative of further internal breaches seeking to poach stored data from the company.

This is not the first time EA has been targeted, as its Origin servers were also attacked in January. Netcraft claims it has blocked access to the compromised sites it found on the server and warned EA of the issue. However, it also cautions "the vulnerable server -- and the phishing content-- is still online at the time of publication".

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New College Humor video tackles Google, Bing and the NSA

Publié: mars 19, 2014, 1:35pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Thanks to the likes of College Humor and Funny or Die there is no shortage of comical entertainment on the web these days. The former has got laughs before with a video showing what the web would be like if Google were actually a guy, and now it follows that success up with a sequel.

The new video contains the expected humorous search queries from everyday people, as each gets a turn to enter the office and pose a question. However, this time the comedy troop has given things a more modern twist.

I'll try not to spoil things too much here, but even if I do, I doubt I can do it justice, so it will still be well worth the two minutes of your time spent watching it.

I will simply point out a couple of relevant aspects -- it's up to you to watch and enjoy the hilarious and misguided queries that pour in, complete with the typos we all make. Even a reference to the company's famous doodles is involved.

First, the NSA is now hiding next to Google’s desk, and the agent pops up whenever a search raises interest. But I also implore you to watch until the very end, where College Humor takes a shot at Bing. While Google has a line of searchers out the door, the Bing guy sits quietly at his desk saying "I know they will come".

It’s a simultaneous shot at human mistakes and stupidity, the NSA spying and Bing’s lack of capturing market share. All done in hilarious fashion and also a bit not safe for work -- just a warning there. You can watch it below.

Pandora One raises subscription price, existing users immune to new cost

Publié: mars 19, 2014, 12:29am CET par Alan Buckingham

Pandora is one of the grandfathers of the streaming music service, and it has remained one of the better deals among paid music apps. Granted, being a radio-only service limits the capability and, therefore, the potential price that can be charged, but many customers find that it's quite useful and all they really need.

Now Pandora is being forced to raise prices. Even though the increase is minimal, the service is making it as painless as possible for loyal customers -- in fact, completely painless. The current subscription cost for One (unlimited and ad-free) will rise from $3.99 to $4.99 per month beginning in May, but those who already have a One account need not worry, as things will not change for them.

The company points to rising licensing fees as the reason for this bump -- "the costs of delivering this service have grown considerably. For example, the royalty rates Pandora pays to performers via SoundExchange for subscription listening have increased 53-percent in the last five years and will increase another nine-percent in 2015".

Customers could also opt to pay annually, which saves a few dollars, at a current $36 per year. Annual pricing will remain the same for loyal members too. However, that is an option that will no longer be available for new accounts.

Pandora plans to begin sending out notices to users over the next week. While not mentioned in this announcement, it would seem the free, ad-supported accounts will remain the same, though it's possible the rate of ads could pick up a bit. It's not a big jump, and Pandora is doing right by loyal listeners, so the best face is being put on things.

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey/Shutterstock

Android Wear -- Google brings its mobile OS to your wrist

Publié: mars 18, 2014, 6:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Wearable technology is not a brand new innovation, it's not even new to Google. We've long become accustomed to Android-powered products like Google Glass, and Pebble and Galaxy Gear smartwatches. While I've had no real desire to foray into the Glass market, I am on record as wanting a Pebble, though I've yet to convince myself to shell out the money.

Now Google is diving into this market a bit more officially -- no more dipping in toes to test the water. The company announces wearable Android, and it begins with watches.

"We're only at the beginning; we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible with mobile technology. That’s why we’re so excited about wearables -- they understand the context of the world around you, and you can interact with them simply and efficiently, with just a glance or a spoken word", states the search giant's Sundar Pichai, head of Android.

There is a lot more involved in Android Wear than simply a few apps and messages. Those are included, but the company promises a wide range of functionality thanks to the utilization of Google Now for timely notifications when you are out and about. Yes, "OK Google" will work on your wrist.

In addition to messages and social apps, or a pop-up about a nearby restaurant you may like, the company promises such features as health and exercise monitoring, and also control of other nearby devices.

A developer preview is now available "so you can tailor your existing app notifications for watches powered by Android Wear. Because Android for wearables works with Android's rich notification system, many apps will already work well. Look out for more developer resources and APIs coming soon", Pichai explains.

The company also announces plans to work with several big name hardware makers on this initiative, including Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, Asus and more.

A smartwatch is certainly not for everyone. My interest in owning a product like Pebble is for running -- I wish to ditch the need to strap my Nexus to my arm for Map My Run. Yes, I know GPS watches are available, but it's not quite the same thing.

I’m all for Google's latest initiative, what's your view?

Photo Credit: Ljupco Smokovski/Shutterstock

Corporate greed in the face of disaster must end, stop capitalizing on grief

Publié: mars 14, 2014, 1:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I will pull no punches here. It’s plain and simple to explain -- just days after Malaysian Airlines flight 370 went missing, with whereabouts and outcome still unknown, the pack of wolves began to attack. Emails arrived at BetaNews desks advertising corporate solutions to family grief. Are they mad?

Do the families of missing people really worry about the lost password to Facebook or Twitter? This sort of ambulance chasing, as it was long ago named, should have died with the era in which the phrase was coined.

Instead, we get advertisements for solutions to the problem -- bring back the missing loved one and you've solved the problem. Anything short of that and you can save your energy messaging us.

Consider the following email as an example -- I have removed any indication of the company. As much as I would love to call them out on this, the old adage about there being no such thing as bad publicity stops me from doing so -- the company simply does not deserve any reference here, nor will it get one.

"As we all know that the Maylaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has been missing for over 100 hours. It's sad to admit that the passengers are not likely to be back. It would be devastating for their family. Therefore I was wondering what if the passengers have had [product X], a password manager app for iOS, on their phones? Unlike the similiar password apps on the app store, [product X] also offers a tool called [feature X] which can transfer all the safely-kept passwords (financial accounts included) to your beloved ones even after your accidentally death". Note that I left in the typos -- apparently they were so anxious to capitalize on this drama that the message wasn't properly checked.

In the past we have seen politicians use similar campaign tactics -- 9/11 imagery and references spring to mind. However, in this case it seems even worse, mostly because we still do not know for certain what became of flight 370. It has been less than a week (consider the wording of the email -- "100 hours"), and families still cling to a shred of hope. Yet companies, including in this case technology ones, are already beating down the door to take advantage of these unfortunate events in an effort to advertise the benefits of their products.

It is reprehensible that events such as this be used at all, even when they are safely in the past, but doing so this soon deserves a special mention for truly taking home the prize, though not one that should ever be competed for.

Image Credit: Lisa F. Young / Shutterstock

Amazon Prime officially gets a price increase, customers safe for now

Publié: mars 13, 2014, 3:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Rumors have abounded for weeks that Amazon would bump up the pricing of its Prime service -- the program that awards free two-day shipping on all purchases, provides a lending library to Kindle owners and a video streaming service that competes with Netflix.

Today, rumor becomes fact as existing customers awake to an email that gives the bad news. While cries of gloom over the price possibly doubling were, thankfully, not true, it is still an added fee to the annual subscription rate.

The email was simple and to the point, and I have pasted mine below for those who haven’t yet read the bad news, or are not subscribers.

We are writing to provide you advance notice that the price of your Prime membership will be increasing in 2015. Your 2014 annual renewal will remain at the original price of $79. On March 16, 2015, your membership will renew at $99/year.

Even as fuel and transportation costs have increased, the price of Prime has remained the same for nine years. Since 2005, the number of items eligible for unlimited free Two-Day Shipping has grown from one million to over 20 million. We also added unlimited access to over 40,000 movies and TV episodes with Prime Instant Video and a selection of over 500,000 books to borrow from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.

The rise isn’t so bad -- Netflix charges $7.99 per month for streaming video alone, without other benefits -- roughly $95 per year. Hulu Plus is priced the same.

My colleague Wayne Williams, who resides in the UK, pointed out that his nation has already seen increased pricing for the service -- "The price of Prime went up in the UK by £30 (from £49 to £79) from 26 February. It was partially due to the inclusion of Amazon Prime Instant Video".

It’s certainly not the end of the world, and the service still offers more than enough benefit to cover the slight increase. It also serves as plenty of notice, as I don’t need to think about it until this time next year, while my colleague Brian Fagioli got the same email alerting him of an increase when he renews in August of 2015. It was, however, a rather rude way to be reminded that I am about to be billed in three days.

Update: My price hike, as seen in the above email, is due to my renewal being before the effective date. As for my colleague, Brian Fagioli, he apparently has existing credit on his account, though no good explanation for that was given. The official statement received from Amazon reads -- "For the first time since it was introduced nine years ago, the price of Prime is going up in the US. Starting March 20, new Prime members will pay $99 per year. Beginning April 17, existing Prime members will pay the new fee on their subsequent annual renewal date".

Google Street View paddles down the Colorado River

Publié: mars 13, 2014, 1:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite its name, which stems from the location of origin, the Colorado River is most famous for its winding path through the Grand Canyon in Arizona. From there, it makes its way on to Baja in Mexico and finally a terminus at the Gulf -- a 1,450 mile journey.

If you haven’t seen the river, or the canyon (and I highly recommend doing so) then Google Street View will now give you a sense of what it is like. The search giant teamed up with American Rivers to capture the images seen in this latest update.

"Now with Google Street View, you can ride the whitewater rapids, cruise the sleepy river bends, and discover the side canyons that make the Colorado River a treasured resource", states American Rivers' Chris Williams, who is the senior vice president of conservation.

The journey will not take you all the way from the Rockies to the Gulf of California, but focuses on the canyon that the river carved out over some six million years.

But while you enjoy the scenery, remember that there is a sobering note to all of this. Williams points out that "While you admire its grandeur, remember that the river is also at risk. One of the United States’ most important resources, the Colorado River provides drinking water for 36 million people from Denver to Los Angeles, supports a $26 billion recreation industry, and irrigates nearly 4 million acres of land that grow 15 percent of our nation’s crops. But it’s also one of the most endangered, dammed, diverted and plumbed rivers in the world, thanks to a century of management policies and practices that have promoted the use of Colorado River water at an unsustainable rate. By the time it reaches the Gulf of California in Mexico, the river is barely a trickle -- a ghost of its once magnificent self".

So enjoy the views, but keep the problems in mind as you do so. We'd all like our grandkids to get to see this as well.

Microsoft Zune will be back, at least in new Schwarzenegger video

Publié: mars 13, 2014, 12:42am CET par Alan Buckingham

"I'll be back". The line has become a classic in popular culture as the muscular movie hero so frequently uttered it, almost as if it was his calling card. Arnold Schwarzenegger has done a lot since those days, some he would be proud of, and also a bit that he likely isn't, but regardless, he made good on his promise. He's back.

A new video from the action star features a tank and lots of objects being crushed. In fact, the video is called "will it crush", perhaps playing off the popular "will it blend" series. Spoiler alert -- most objects in the path of a tank will, in fact, crush.

However, the last item in the two minute clip will be of interest to techies. The final product to meet those rolling steel treads is a Microsoft Zune, the discontinued MP3 player that the company promoted as the answer to Apple's iPod. The device hit the market too late, and the desktop software could be a bit wonky at times. The product never caught on and was discontinued by Microsoft, to the point where now even the name is gone.

The final insult is when the "Terminator" utters "I don't even know that that is" in reaction to a Zune being thrown beneath his rolling military vehicle.

It's all in good fun and proceeds from the contest, details of which are in the video, will go to charity. You can check it all out below.

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Netflix expands ISP list for its monthly naughty and nice roundup

Publié: mars 10, 2014, 6:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Every month video streaming service Netflix trots out its results list for speed tests of US internet service providers, ranking each in descending order. There was a recent stir of controversy, as Comcast took a sudden nose-dive in the standings. This came, rather coincidentally, just before Netflix paid up for better service. In fairness, the deal was already in the works during the drop-off, so it was at best a negotiation tactic.

With that mess now in the rear-view mirror, Netflix announces it is expanding the list of ISPs that it plans to track and include on its monthly shame and fame list.

"We expanded the list to provide insight into the performance of many of the smaller providers in the US and to give credit where it is due. For example, Midcontinent, a regional cable provider in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, takes second place in the expanded rankings", says Joris Evers of Netflix.

The service also took the opportunity to tweak its new cable partner just a bit, stating "we do expect to see Comcast's performance improve in the rankings next month when we release March data".

The data is culled from more than 44 million Netflix customers worldwide, as the company also tracks ISPs in Mexico and The Netherlands, among other places. It's a bit of a wake-up-call for providers, as Neflix is calling out anyone who isn't living up to standards.

Image Credit: Lisa S. / Shutterstock

Asus Chromebox goes up for Amazon pre-order, get it for $179

Publié: mars 9, 2014, 8:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's already tough times in the Microsoft world, with Windows 8/8.1 under fire and the impending update coming under recent scrutiny for being, well, a mess, to put it much more politely than my colleague Mark Wilson worded things. If a bad time could go to worse then that would be rival Chrome OS invading the market.

While we largely think of these devices as low-priced notebooks, actual desktops are also getting into the game. Now the Asus Chromebox has hit pre-order in the US on the Amazon website.

The device is set to ship on March 14th, packing a Celeron processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 16 GB SSD and it is just under 5-inches x 5-inches square. The specs will not light the technology world on fire, and you'll need to supply a monitor and other peripherals, but is it good enough for someone like my parents? Yes, it is.

Chrome OS isn't going to dethrone Microsoft and Windows anytime soon, but it's growing insinuation into the market could be worrisome. Low cost computers that are "good enough" should certainly be a concern, but one the company is addressing, both through ridiculous Scroogled ads and also upcoming Windows 8 price cuts. We shall see if that is enough. For now, the Asus Chromebox is listed on the retail site with a "#1 bestseller" tag.

Hulu adds Carsey-Werner titles, hopes to get a few laughs

Publié: mars 8, 2014, 5:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Hulu is in a race with other video streaming services to provide more content, though in fairness there is room for several players in this growing arena. Now the company is announcing new shows will be coming to all of its customers, at least those who subscribe to the Plus version.

This time the service scores an exclusive deal, with content that isn't available on any rival platform. There had previously been Carsey-Werner titles on Hulu Plus, including The Cosby Show, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Grounded for Life, The Tracy Morgan Show, Normal, Ohio, Damon, Whoopi, That 80s Show, Davis Rules and Men Behaving Badly, the company points out.

However, it is the new shows that you are reading this to learn of, and those include full seasons of Cosby, A Different World, Cybill and Grace Under Fire.

"Setting the stage for shows like Modern Family and Trophy Wife, these sitcoms pushed boundaries and introduced us to non-traditional families that hadn’t been seen on TV before", states Hulu's Maria Gonima.

All of this is available immediately for your viewing pleasure, if it happens to be something of interest. If not then, well, there is a growing library of other content online.

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José Mourinho joins Yahoo as Global Football Ambassador for 2014

Publié: mars 6, 2014, 4:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While football in the US means the NFL and NCAA, for the rest of the world it means what we Americans call soccer. One of the big names in the sport is José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix, OIH, better known as José Mourinho, a former player and now manager of Chelsea.

Now Mourinho has come to an agreement with search company Yahoo to cover 2014, including the impending FIFA World Cup, set to take place in Brazil this June and July.

In a brief announcement on the Yahoo blog, Mourinho introduces himself and gives an overview of his plans. "Hello and welcome to my very first blog for Yahoo. Today, I'm delighted to announce that I have signed with Yahoo as their Global Football Ambassador for 2014. I'm very excited that I will also be working as an exclusive analyst for Yahoo's worldwide football coverage including the FIFA World Cup", he states.

Yahoo has long been known for its sport news, and also remains one of the biggest providers for fantasy sports league management software. With 2014 being a big year in the football world, this news helps to keep the company among the leaders in coverage.

Image Credit: Rnoid / Shutterstock

Listen up Android tablet users -- Pandora has an update for you

Publié: mars 5, 2014, 7:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Pandora has been rolling out new features for mobile customers, including a sleep timer and alarm clock. Both of these enhancements are handy for a device that many of us leave on the nightstand at bedtime, but that doesn’t always mean a phone.

Now the streaming service is expanding its offering, heading for Android tablets with these features that were previously only available to phone customers.

"Just like on Android smartphones, the functionality of Sleep Timer and Alarm Clock will work the same across tablets (including Kindle Fire) that have updated to the latest version of the Pandora app", announces Pandora’s Mike Grishaver.

To locate these features, you will need to head into Settings, which is the gear icon at the top right of the screen when the app is open. "To set your sleep timer, simply choose the station that you’d like to fall asleep to and set your countdown time from 15, 30 or 60 minutes. Your music will automatically turn off once this time expires". In other words, it works the same as it does on your phone.

With the alarm clock, you can actually keep listening after you get up. But if you don't want to, then you can tap the song or artist to pause the music.

"The best part is that you can use the Sleep Timer in conjunction with the Alarm Clock, allowing you to fall asleep and wake up to the tune of your favorite Pandora stations", Grishaver explains.

Pandora is free to install and use, but if you wish to avoid ads, then you will need to pay a small fee per month.

Roku unleashes Stream Stick, takes aim at Chromecast

Publié: mars 5, 2014, 12:05am CET par Alan Buckingham

The Google Chromecast, which was announced in conjunction with the Nexus 7 last June, has been receiving a lot of attention as of late. This is mostly due to new functionality rolling out, along with the promise of more to come. But set-top box maker Roku wants a bit of that action and is now releasing it's own competitor to the Google product.

The Roku Stream Stick was unveiled today, bringing much of the same functionality. "This new tiny player plugs discreetly into an HDMI port – perfect for those beautiful wall-mounted TVs – and packs the complete Roku streaming experience", states Roku's SVP of product management, Jim Funk.

This works in much the same way as the box, with 1,200 channels to choose from. However, it also allows for the "casting" of media from a phone or tablet to the stick.

While it will provide apps for both Android and iOS devices, there is also a simple remote control that resembles that of the current set-top boxes.

It's up for pre-order now, with a price of $49.99, and it's available from Roku, Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy. Those in Canada will be paying $59.99. £49.99 is the going rate in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

GroupFlix a-la-carte TV beta opens for sign-up

Publié: mars 4, 2014, 5:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I know I’ve talked a lot about home media and cord-cutting these days, but it is becoming an increasingly busy subject. Now a brand new service is aiming to move into the market, and it brings some intriguing promise with it.

GroupFlix may not be a name you are familiar with, but that certainly could change in 2014. The company is partnering up with studios to build a library of content that could be the answer to tearing customers away from the cable and satellite providers.

An announcement from COO Joseph Audette states "GroupFlix is an a la carte video service that gives power back to the viewer".

The company has not stated which studios are on board, but promises no ads and cheaper pricing compared to rivals such as iTunes, Amazon and others.

Details are still a bit sketchy, as pricing, like studios, has not been named. However, the beta program is open and accepting the first 1,000 people to sign-up. You may want to hurry on that as the last I checked it was nearing 600.

"GroupFlix has opened their wait list to offer a limited number of people early access to their Spring Beta between now and March 21st. Launching in Q2 2014, GroupFlix is an a la carte video service that enables users to watch their favorite shows in one easy monthly pass”, the announcement states.

There are many more details that we will just have to wait to learn, but there seems to be some promise for this service. The image, as seen above, displays several very popular shows.

Logitech brings its Harmony brand to the keyboard, wants to control your home theater

Publié: mars 4, 2014, 2:56pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Logitech’s Harmony line has been getting a recent refresh, with new remote controls being released. The universal remotes are highly useful for home theater enthusiasts, as they offer easy programming and excellent functionality.

Now the expansion continues, but this time it jumps to the keyboard. You don’t even need to have an HTPC to take advantage of this new keyboard in your living room, thanks to a unique design idea.

The keyboard comes with a hub that "turns signals from [the] Smart Keyboard and Harmony App into IR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth commands that your devices understand", the company claims. As for the part about the Harmony App, you will need a smartphone or tablet to make this work. It is available for both iOS and Android.

"More and more people are streaming content in the living room whether from their computer, streaming-media device, such as Apple TV or Roku or game consoleS, such as Xbox One and Sony PS3. These devices seem to deliver limitless entertainment options, however their accompanying remotes struggle to keep up with the text entry needed to search for selections", the company announces.

The keyboard provides easy access to such buttons as play, pause and guide. It also has a touchpad and left and right mouse buttons. There is also no need to point the keyboard at the device or hub, and Logitech is claiming support for more than 225,000 devices.

The Logitech Harmony Smart Keyboard will retail for $149.99, and you can pre-order it now. An exact shipping date was not mentioned, but BetaNews has reached out to Logitech for an answer on that and we’ll update this when we get a response.

UPDATE: Logitech is telling BetaNews that the keyboard will be available this month (March), but an exact shipping date was not given.

Could a Bing OS topple Chromebooks, or is it too late?

Publié: février 28, 2014, 9:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Rumors run rampant on the internet. A new one has surfaced recently that has a couple of trusted sources behind it, as both Tom Warren and Paul Thurrott point to the possibility of a version of Windows 8.1 with Bing -- a Bing OS if you will. It would be geared towards competing against Chrome OS, which has become an increasing concern for Microsoft.

Warren reports that "sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans tell The Verge that the company is building 'Windows 8.1 with Bing', a version that will bundle key Microsoft apps and services". Yes, "sources familiar" is not the first words in reliability of a report, but Thurrott also concurred, stating "Microsoft is testing whether it makes sense to provide a free version of Windows down the road. And while recent leaks have revealed the existence of something called Windows 8.1 with Bing, it's unclear what this bundling would mean to users", a somewhat less sure, and perhaps more realistic approach. As Paul points out though, a leaked version is already out, so the possibility is very real that this could see the light of day.

But the real question is, could this OS compete with a mature product already in the wild? Microsoft has a history of being late to these games -- witness Zune's pathetic attempt to topple the iPod, and Windows Phone's entry into the smartphone market that, while making steady gains, is also late to the game.

The Scroogled attacks belie Microsoft's worries. Many customers simply do not need the horsepower and options available in Windows. In fact, a large number are just surfing the web and checking email and, for that, a Chromebook at cheaper cost is simply good enough.

It was recently learned that Microsoft is headed for cheaper licensing of its current operating system, slashing the cost to OEMs by some 70 percent. But the company has never shown a real comfort level with a free model, and moving to one now would display an obvious concern about its rival.

While the company portrays Chromebooks as incapable "bricks", the truth is they have all the features many customers need. And attempting to point out that Google Docs wouldn't work without a connection, as Microsoft evangelist Ben Rudolph tried to do, is just factually incorrect, as there is an offline mode.

Chrome OS has matured. There are more offline apps, you get an actual desktop, a system tray. It's essentially Windows Lite, and it has become a top-seller in the market -- look at Amazon's sales figures.

Is this another show Microsoft is arriving late to, or can a "Bing OS" work? It's an intriguing question, and one we'll need to wait to find the answer to. Providing the whole thing even happens of course.

Vikings invade internet streaming as season 2 premieres

Publié: février 28, 2014, 5:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I just recently spoke of the changing face of today's media world, with more TV becoming internet-based. There are early struggles with this, as cable and satellite providers are loath to lose those nice monthly fees and become simple bandwidth providers.

Now, with the debut of season two of Vikings, the popular History Channel drama about Ragnor and his crew, things take a turn towards the future.

The premiere episode is up for live streaming on the internet, and I don't mean that it's on BitTorrent, though it likely is. Customers can simply visit the show's website and watch episode one in its entirety. No restrictions -- no proving you have a TV service subscription. It is just simply there and free.

Brother’s War is 45 minutes, and you get ads, but that is certainly understandable. Nobody loves them, but these things must be monetized in some way, otherwise they cease to exist.

Combine this with the recent Fox-NFL streaming of the Super Bowl without restrictions and we are starting to see progress in the market.

Also note that this seems to be US-only from what I have been able to find out from colleagues based elsewhere.

Is 2014 the year you cut the cord to cable and satellite?

Publié: février 26, 2014, 4:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Cord-cutting is a popular phrase these days. The act of getting rid of the overpriced cable or satellite subscription bill is certainly appealing, but is it practical for most people? Many of us no longer watch shows live -- we've become a DVR generation. But there is a catch to that, as live sports are still the biggest draw on US TV.

Recently Fox Sports streamed the Super Bowl, and it did so without restriction. In other words, you didn't need to prove you were a customer of Dish, Comcast or any other money-pit. You just tuned in, dealt with the ads, and watched the game.

That isn't the norm, sadly, but the exception. Many channels on devices like Roku still come with that tired old requirement, but the recent NFL-Fox stream shows that these things may be headed for change.

Services like Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix are also becoming attractive alternatives. Each now features original programing, and it is as good, or better, than what the networks are throwing at us. Yes, each costs a fee, but combine all three and I bet it's still less than that cable bill laying on your desk.

Smart TVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes like Roku, Google TV, Apple TV and others offer endless options, though again, some are restricted. But all are viable choices and that’s the problem facing today's TV providers. The momentum of the game is shifting, and it doesn’t favor the Comcasts of the world.

In 2014 we should see this trend continue and likely gain steam. Those providing TV today are going to have to face the prospect of being simple bandwidth providers. None of them wishes to end up like that of course, but the choice isn't in their hands. It may come to pass with much kicking and screaming, but it will happen none-the-less.

So, have you cut the cord, or do you think you could? I expect sports to be a major stumbling block for many of you, Fox and the NFL have proved that is changing, though.

Image Credit: auremar / Shutterstock

Tired of wrestling with what to watch? Roku launches WWE network

Publié: février 24, 2014, 11:45pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I have to admit, it's been a long time since I watched professional wrestling -- let me just drop names like Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior and we'll leave it be at that. But the, ah ... sport, remains popular today and the largest federation has launched an innovative idea to bring it more viewers.

The wrestling league has announced a new 24-7 streaming service and Roku users will be getting it as well, as the set-top box maker today announces it is picking up the network for viewers.

"Through the WWE on Roku channel, fans can subscribe to WWE Network, the first-ever 24-7 streaming network featuring all 12 WWE live pay-per-view events -- including WrestleMania, groundbreaking original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches and more than 1,500 hours of video on demand at launch on all current-generation Roku devices in the US", Roku's Ed Lee announces.

You'll need to pay up to grab the content, but the good news is that you will not need to verify any subscription to cable or satellite TV service. That is a major step towards bringing TV to the web and cutting out the middleman for everyone.

Skype will be part of Nokia Android phones

Publié: février 24, 2014, 9:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While Microsoft may not be thrilled with Nokia's new foray into the Android field, the company's exploration of the Google mobile platform proves an interesting test of the market. However, the software giant stoically continues to offer its services to rival operating systems, and Nokia X will not be any different.

On the heels of today's event at Mobile World Congress, in which the Finnish handset maker unveiled new Android phones, Microsoft was quick to announce it would support the offering with Skype.

"As you know, we’ve been working hard to bring our over 300 million users the best possible Skype experience across any device -- helping you stay in touch with the people you care about most. And today, we’re excited to build on that momentum and announce the release of Skype for the Nokia X family of smartphones", states Skype's Lara Kingwell.

The company has crafted a customized a version of its communication app especially for the Nokia Android offerings. Microsoft is also offering the first month free, including free calls worldwide. "Skype’s Unlimited World Subscription in select markets, enabling you to enjoy unlimited calls to landlines in 60+ Countries and mobiles in 8 countries with the purchase of a smartphone from the Nokia X family in the following countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine", Kingwell adds.

It seems, despite the rather obvious awkwardness of this situation, Microsoft plans to make the best of it.

Titanfall is coming to Xbox One, and bringing a bundle with it

Publié: février 24, 2014, 5:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

2014 is still young, but the tech news has been hot, and much of it surrounds the two new gaming systems on the market. Some of that news has been hype for the upcoming Titanfall, a title that is generating a lot buzz from the gaming community. Microsoft fueled that fire last week with a beta release, now it is stoking the blaze with more news.

Today Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, better known to gamers as Major Nelson, unveils the new limited edition Titanfall bundle for Xbox One. What can you expect from this offer?

The new bundle of joy comes with the Xbox One console, which includes Kinect and a wireless controller, an official headset, digital download of the game (which would seem rather obvious), and one month of Xbox Live Gold membership. All of this will retail for the same price as the standard console -- which is the, not cheap, $499.

This deal hits the market on March 11th, coinciding with the launch of the game itself. Titanfall is up now for pre-order at Microsoft, as well as other locations, for $59.99.

Comcast friends Netflix, promises better video performance

Publié: février 24, 2014, 2:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Comcast has had a busy couple of weeks, with a proposed acquisition of rival Time-Warner and rampant accusations of throttling bandwidth for Netflix subscribers. The former awaits approval, while the latter was illustrated by the offended service, which posts monthly reports on ISP performance.

Now the US's largest cable provider wants to kiss and make-up with Netflix, partnering with the video service with the promise of better times ahead for the couple.

The pair have announced "a mutually beneficial interconnection agreement that will provide Comcast's US broadband customers with a high-quality Netflix video experience for years to come". This is a deal which has apparently been in the works for sometime, which begs questions on the recent slowing of performance.

This is not intended to give any preferential treatment to Netflix, but promises to put the video service on a level playing field for the next several years -- exact terms weren't disclosed. Simply not penalizing customers for watching a movie in the evening is one step in the right direction, at least.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 gets official, coming to your PC this spring

Publié: février 23, 2014, 6:30pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Today Mobile World Congress officially got started in Barcelona, Spain. Despite the name, and the expectation for handset announcements, Microsoft had a bit more in store when it took the stage. Joe Belfiore talked a lot about Windows Phone, as should be expected, but that wasn't all he had up his sleeve.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 isn't exactly unheard of -- it's been leaking all over the place the past few weeks. But official word from Microsoft has not been put forth until now. The company has a major perception problem with its latest operating system, and this was rumored to be a big step towards fixing that.

"With Windows 8, there's no doubt that we made a big bet and took a first step toward that future. We bet on touch and on mobility in a big way, and included a fresh take on what a touch-based interface could be for customers. We believe deeply in this direction and the future will continue to build on Windows 8", Belfiore writes.

The company points out that it plans to allow OEMs to ship lower-cost hardware, a reference to both reduced system requirement for the operating system, but also, perhaps, to recent rumors of reduced licensing fees to hardware makers. Microsoft also promises improvements in the user interface and enhanced support for enterprise customers.

Microsoft is promising this change in the coming months -- "we'll continue to deliver innovation and progression with an update to Windows 8.1, coming this spring", Belfiore states.

No firm date for the roll out of this update is given, but it confirms a lot of the previously leaked information and makes everything official.

Bing introduces Timelines, expands events

Publié: février 22, 2014, 2:59am CET par Alan Buckingham

Bing continues to expand its search options, as Microsoft takes on Google. It's an uphill battle, but not one that is completely out of the question. The search engine has many features to earn it recommendations, including a clean interface and easy access to locations and simple glance for local events.

Now the company is rolling out timelines, a way to get more information on your people searches. "We now show you important events in the timeline of influential or famous people’s lives. In the case of Henry Ford, we highlight several events of Henry’s life including his marriage and early career of farming and running a saw-mill in 1888, incorporating the Ford Motor Company in 1903, and his retirement from the company in 1918", Bing's Richard Qian states.

Bing claims its algorithms have successfully generated timelines for approximately half a million people. This displays a chronological result of the biggest events in the person's life.

"In cases where our data indicates you would be more interested in another type of information we will not show the timeline which saves space and reduces page load times. For instance, for many actors and singers, their movies and songs may be more interesting than the events of their lives", Qian points out.

Give it a go and let us know what you think.

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Windows XP is at death’s door and users need to move on

Publié: février 21, 2014, 5:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows XP launched in October of 2001, and so has passed its 12th birthday. Customers using an operating system this old should understand the risks associated with it. Yes, Microsoft is still updating it, and will do so up to April 7th of this year, but that is small compensation for the lack of modern features included in this decade old system.

The company has been through three iterations of Windows since the aging OS hit the market. XP has had a great run, but all things must come to an end. My colleague Brian Fagioli suggested users move to Linux, which I have nothing against, but calling it an alternative to the changes in Windows 8.x is ridiculous -- it’s still a completely foreign operating system with a stiff learning curve.

Why am I talking about all of this now? Well, on February 7th Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc posted a seemingly innocuous story urging readers to help friends and family move away from Windows XP and on to 8.x. If you glance at the comments, and I recommend putting on your boots before doing so, you'll see the vitriol spewed over the killing of an operating system that has long passed its prime.

"This whole thing is really messed up and as a Windows programmer since Windows 2.1, I am saddened by what has happened to Windows".

"You know, this thing about asking us to upgrade. It doesn't make sense to my clients and myself. We already have functioning equipment and software".

"Are you serious? Windows 8 turned me from the biggest Microsoft fan to the biggest Microsoft critic".

An upgrade from Windows XP to version 8.1 is not easy -- everyone gets that. You’ll need to do a clean install, which is really something you should always do with Windows. Back up your data, suck it up, and re-install your apps. Really, it's the best way, in the long run.

Nobody said change was easy, it never is. But clinging to a 12 year old operating system is also not easy -- nor is it practical or intelligent. You'll be safer on a modern system, and the new OS offers many feature that you may just like. It's an added expense, of course, but one you need to put out. Heck, even moving to Windows 7 will improve your daily routine, and there's plenty of support time left for that.

Image Credit: 10incheslab / Shutterstock

Google Maps travels to India, visits the Taj Mahal

Publié: février 21, 2014, 12:05pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google has been busy with its Maps service the past couple of days, including a new desktop version, announced yesterday, that will be rolling out soon. But the company has not been too busy for a little vacation, this time traveling to India.

The country is known for many sights, though the most prominent is likely the Taj Mahal, a white marble building that has become a top tourist destination. That wasn't the only place that Google visited, though. 29 more monuments were also included in the new Street View of the country.

"These Indian heritage sites have historically been admired by those lucky enough to journey to and across India. With the new panoramic imagery live on Street View, people around the world can now visit these iconic monuments online", says Gautam Gandhi, Street View Program Manager.

Additional sites include Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Muvar Koil and many more wonderful destinations. "We’ve worked with the Archaeological Survey of India to bring you this new way of experiencing India’s national treasures", Gandhi explains.

If the airfare to India seems a bit steep, then at least you can make the trip without leaving your desk, so visit Google to check it all out. You can also watch the video below.

Google Maps tackles deforestation with new views of the world's woods

Publié: février 20, 2014, 10:55pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I haven't witnessed the devastation of the Amazon, but I've been fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to travel through the American Northwest, a place where "clear-cutting" ran rampant in the 80's. Today's laws have somewhat subsided that practice, but the Oregon and Washington areas are a small sample size on a vast, global scale.

Now Google Maps takes on the issue that faces everyone today -- we need the space, though less-so the paper, and certainly need the oxygen produced. The search giant has put together a new mapping program that is tracking the forests around the world -- or the dwindling numbers of them.

"Scientists have been studying forests for centuries, chronicling the vital importance of these ecosystems for human society. But most of us still lack timely and reliable information about where, when, and why forests are disappearing", states Crystal Davis, Director of Global Forest Watch at the World Resources Institute, and Dave Thau, the Developer Advocate at Google Earth Engine.

The search giant has teamed with more than 40 partners to monitor a situation that needs to concern us all. "By accessing the most current and reliable information, everyone can learn what’s happening in forests around the world. Now that we have the ability to peer into forests, a number of telling stories are beginning to emerge", the company states.

None of those stories are particularly encouraging -- the world lost a staggering 500 million acres of forest in the short span of 2000 to 2012. Google points out that equates to 50 soccer fields, every minute of every single day. The company also points out Brazilian tribes that are now isolated on islands of green surrounded by devastation.

You can head to Global Forest Watch to check all of this out, if you care to track the bad news. Perhaps the recognition by a major company will help a bit.

Image Credit: Kirill Livshitskiy / Shutterstock

Microsoft reveals Media Remote for Xbox One

Publié: février 20, 2014, 7:15pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Xbox One touts its voice control, but some customers feel that isn't quite enough, and using a game controller is not much easier. Harmony supports the console, but not everyone wishes to pay for the high-end universal remote.

Now Microsoft is unveiling a new Media Remote for the gaming system. This isn't entirely unexpected. After all, last week Amazon Canada accidentally reveled the little remote control on its retail website.

Now Microsoft is confirming the painfully obvious, as today Larry Hryb unveils the Xbox One Media Remote officially, via a post on his blog.

The device is simple, with few buttons. It covers the basics of controlling your console. You can play, pause, fast forward and rewind media on your device. "This remote is designed to help you listen, watch and switch among experiences instantly -- allowing you to rule your entertainment. The Media Remote can also control TV/Receiver power and volume through Kinect, which uses IR blasting to send signals to your TV and/or receiver", Major Nelson states.

The remote control will be available in early March -- no exact release date is revealed. It will retail for $24.99, and we can already be safe in assuming it will be available on Amazon.

Google rolling out new Maps interface for the desktop

Publié: février 20, 2014, 4:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google continues to enhance its Maps offering, combining it with Street View to bring comprehensive coverage of every possible area -- even trails in national parks. Now the search giant is announcing more improvements will be arriving on customers' desktops very soon.

"It’s now even easier to plan your next trip, check live traffic conditions, discover what’s happening around town, and learn about a new area -- with Pegman’s help if needed", states Brian McClendon, vice president of Google Maps.

The new Maps debuted as a preview last May, but now it's rolling out to everyone. New additions include search options designed to make things simpler. Type an inquiry that simply says "coffee" for instance, and you'll get results for your local area. Click any one of these and Maps will make additional suggestions.

Transportation has also been enhanced. "Find the most efficient route for you, with your best options laid out on the map, including the time and distance for each route. And with the new real-time traffic reports and Street View previews, you’ll become a commuting ninja", McClendon explains.

Finally, a new carousel view has been added to the bottom of maps that enables easy access of 3D imagery. This allows users to rotate through a 360-degree view of such things as mountains and famous landmarks.

Google warns that, because all of this is very new, there will be possible hiccups as it rolls out in the coming weeks.

Google Fiber explores expansion to more cities

Publié: février 19, 2014, 9:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You can't throw a rock without hitting someone who's fed up with their ISP. Services like Comcast are becoming an increasingly worrisome problem in today's world. Google provides its own ISP, but it is sadly only available in rather limited markets. And by limited, we are not kidding, there only three -- Kansas City, Provo and Austin.

However, those cities won't be able to feel special for much longer, because the search giant is considering more locales for its high-end ISP service. "We want to help build more ultra-fast networks. So we’ve invited cities in nine metro areas around the US -- 34 cities altogether -- to work with us to explore what it would take to bring them Google Fiber", states Google's Milo Medin.

Cities include Phoenix, Portland (the Oregon one), San Jose, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Nashville, San Antonio, and quite a number of other ones.

This obviously doesn't mean the service is coming to every place explored. Only a lucky few will likely be chosen. Google plans to make these decisions by the end of the year. "While we do want to bring Fiber to every one of these cities, it might not work out for everyone. But cities who go through this process with us will be more prepared for us or any provider who wants to build a fiber network", Medin explains.

Google plans to keep everyone updated on this process, and likely we'll all be looking for the company to bring this capability to our own little markets.

Amazon spreads the wealth, Coins come to all Android devices

Publié: février 19, 2014, 5:30pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Coins have mostly flown beneath the radar -- you don't really hear much about them, but you probably know of their existence. That's because, in the past, they were available only for Kindle Fire tablets. Despite the popularity of those devices, the Coins haven't made big news.

Now Amazon is expanding the service out to encompass all Android devices, no matter what brand of phone or tablet you happen to be using. This does come with a requirement -- you'll need to be running the Amazon Store on your slate or handset, and it needs to be the latest version as well.

"Since the launch of Amazon Coins, we've been amazed by the number of customers using Coins, as well as how many Coins they're spending on apps and games", says Mike George, Vice President of Amazon Appstore and Games.

Customers can earn Coins simply by purchasing apps from the store, but also can outright buy the "currency" as well, which can result in a discount as high as 10-percent. The retailer cites several customer testimonials that illustrated the best possible reaction to its Coins -- "I bought these Coins so I don't have a lot of little charges on my credit card. I balance every single purchase I make, so writing down a silly 99 cent purchase my kids make can be annoying. I buy $10 worth of Coins every few months, and I save 50 cents and I also don't have to write down little purchases, so this is a win, win for me", is one.

This begins rolling out today, though there's no guarantee you'll get the update right away, as these things sometimes spread out over days. You can visit Amazon to learn more and purchase your own.

Showtime launches on Roku

Publié: février 19, 2014, 2:42am CET par Alan Buckingham

Roku has been continuously adding content, or what it terms channels. This refers to, in some cases, actual channels, while in others it is a service, like YouTube and more. Now the little set-top box company has partnered up with one more network to deliver content to its customers.

Showtime Anytime is the new addition, as reported by Roku's Ed Lee. "Users can now watch current and past seasons of award-winning Showtime original series including Homeland, Ray Donovan, Masters of Sex, House of Lies, Dexter, Nurse Jackie and more on available on all current-generation Roku devices in the US".

Needless to say, you will need to verify that you actually subscribe to Showtime through a cable or satellite service. That can be considered a catch, as there are only certain providers that have partnered up. These include Brighthouse, Cablevision, DirecTV, Verizon and a few others included in the deal.

I may sound like a broken record, but I will once again point out that these agreements need to go away. Customers should be able to subscribe to channels online without needing to verify provider information, as it really defeats the purpose. But, that's where we are, and it's a start.

Opera partners with TiVo to bring apps to US TVs

Publié: février 18, 2014, 6:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Smart TVs have become all the rage, bringing the world of apps into the living room. But other devices, like Blu-ray players and set-top boxes, can do the same thing. Now TiVo, a pioneer in the DVR field, is partnering with Opera to bring its app store to customers.

This isn’t for all TiVo users, only for those on US cable service RCN. Opera, largely known as a Norwegian browser maker, is one of the biggest forces in the smart TV business, maintaining an app store it licenses to device makers.

"The Opera TV Store -- an HTML5, cloud-based application solution -- enables premium, over-the-top content for Smart TV devices such as from TiVo. It empowers RCN to offer more entertainment options and brings subscribers a rich selection of video, music, games, social media, news and utility apps for the biggest screen in the home", the company announces today.

The Opera app store for TVs contains hundreds of apps, including Facebook and Twitter. RCN is the first US cable provider to partner with the service, which has previously been largely available in Asia and Europe. The service will also gain access to user statistics about app usage for its customers, provided by RCN.

"Opera Software has worked in the pay-TV operator space for more than 10 years, powering portals and premium content through the Opera Devices Software Development Kit", says Aneesh Rajaram, Vice-President of TV & Devices at Opera Software.

This will bring more choice to subscribers, albeit on a small scale, as the RCN market is a bit limited. However, it's a good start for Opera in the US.

Amazon teams up with MGM for new Prime content

Publié: février 18, 2014, 4:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The battle of the streaming video services continues, which is good news for cord-cutters, and those who are potentially considering taking that route. Amazon today scores a new deal with a content provider, allowing for additional material to become available to all subscribers.

The online retailer has teamed with MGM in a deal that will bring viewers such movies as The Terminator, Silence of the Lambs, Raging Bull, and Thelma and Louise. In addition, TV shows like MTV's Teen Wolf are arriving on Prime.

"Teen Wolf is a dark, edgy show that really resonates with Amazon customers. We're thrilled to offer all past seasons exclusively to Prime members so they can catch up or re-watch favorite episodes of the hit series at no additional cost", says Brad Beale, Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition for Amazon.

Amazon already had a partial agreement with MGM that brought TV shows like Vikings to Prime customers. The latest agreement expands the deal, adding this additional content.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna / Shutterstock

YouTube announces winners in Super Bowl ads contest

Publié: février 15, 2014, 6:35pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Seattle Seahawks overwhelming victory in this year's Super Bowl may now be a memory, but the ads certainly live on. Those that debuted during the big game continue to run during our daily TV shows, and Google's video service has been polling viewers to get a feel for what really came out on top that Sunday.

While everyone likely had a personal favorite, there was a consensus amongst the masses, and the company has unveiled its top five from the NFL championship.

YouTube AdBlitz, which we told you about on Super Bowl weekend, has counted all the votes from customers. US beer company Budweiser, a long-time famous advertiser during the game, came out on top. "Puppy Love" was the big winner, featuring the obvious cute baby dog but, don't worry, the famous Clydesdales still play a role in this.

Coca-Cola took a multi-national approach in the spirit of unity, showing an ad that features America the Beautiful being sung in multiple languages. This garnered the number two spot. Slots three, four and five were filled by, in order, Chrysler, Duracell and Jaguar.

None of these top vote-getters is a major surprise, though some of you will likely disagree, as you have your own personal favorites. If you missed any one of them, then check it out below. We've included all in descending order of first through fifth.

Photo Credit: FotoYakov/Shutterstock

The Old Reader gets a Premium level, adds better search and more

Publié: février 14, 2014, 12:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Since the death of Google Reader last year, it seems RSS has been steadily heading towards becoming a paid service. Many of the front-runners in the field, while still offering a free plan, are pushing "premium" access.

Now The Old Reader joins Feedly, InoReader and others in entering this field. The company is promising a number of perks for those who pony up the $3 per month, or $30 per year. Features will include full-text search, faster feed refresh times, six months of post storage and more.

Upgrading isn't a necessity, and the need to monetize any business is certainly understandable, but the thought that any company essentially slows down feed refresh time for non-paying customers is a bit disconcerting. "Our next goal is to ensure the long term financial viability of The Old Reader. Hosting, development, and support are not inexpensive and while it’s never been our goal to get rich off of this application, long term sustainability and growth will require revenue", the service states.

Regardless, this seems to be the direction things are headed, and The Old Reader is offering a deal -- $2 per month or $20 per year for the first 5,000 customers to sign up. That price will be guaranteed for a minimum of two years.

Photo Credit: nasirkhan/Shutterstock

Plex apps get a Valentine's Day discount

Publié: février 14, 2014, 3:08am CET par Alan Buckingham

Plex, if you aren't familiar with it, comes in two parts. There's a server that you install on a, preferably, always-on computer. Then there are the end-user apps, which are available for multiple mobile devices and set-top boxes. The server is free, but the apps will set you back $5 (OK, $4.99 if you want to be technical).

However, now through tomorrow, Valentine's Day, the service is offering a discount to its potential customers. "Until Valentine’s Day, we’re offering all our mobile apps for 50% off: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Windows 8. Not enough sale for you? We’re also offering 3 bonus months on a yearly Plex Pass bought with PayPal (that’s 15 months for the price of 12)", the company announces.

That's a nice bonus, given what Plex is capable of providing in exchange. Upon setting up the server, users can share all of their media, including videos, music and photos and then watch from almost any phone, tablet or set-top box. Plex Pass, allows you to wonder away from your home network and still enjoy that access.

Plex also hinted about upcoming updates to add more goodness to what is already a solid offering. It even posted a plea for Android coders, if anyone happens to be in the market for a job.

Mac malware may be stealing your Bitcoins

Publié: février 13, 2014, 4:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The digital currency known as Bitcoin has been making a lot of news lately. It’s been banned in Russia, for one thing, but has also been introduced to the Bing search engine. That up and down news continues, this time heading in the southerly direction.

The good news here is that, for once, Windows users are safe -- or safe from this particular threat at least. Researchers at SecureMac, a company devoted to Apple security since 1999, have discovered a new form of malware that goes after Mac computers with an aim of pilfering Bitcoins from unwitting users.

If things could possibly be worse, then it's this -- the software is being distributed by major, and largely trusted, providers. "SecureMac has discovered that variants of OSX/CoinThief are being actively distributed through CNET's Download.com, and were also being distributed through MacUpdate.com, exposing hundreds of Mac users to malware", the researchers stated.

Independent security researcher Graham Cluely chides the services "hopefully they will be more careful about vetting submissions in future, and will make efforts to confirm that developers and companies submitting software to their libraries are really who they say they are".

The report claims that this malware is being distributed through shell apps that pose as trackers for the value of Bitcoin, as well as Litecoin. The two apps spotted also share a name with real software available right in the Mac app store -- "Bitcoin Ticker TTM for Mac" and "Litecoin Ticker".

Researchers have since updated the original discovery after finding a new variant that customers need to be wary of -- "SecureMac has discovered a new Trojan Horse called OSX/CoinThief.A, which targets Mac OS X and spies on web traffic to steal Bitcoins. This malware has been found in the wild, and there are multiple user reports of stolen Bitcoins. The malware, which comes disguised as an app to send and receive payments on Bitcoin Stealth Addresses, instead covertly monitors all web browsing traffic in order to steal login credentials for Bitcoin wallets".

Meanwhile, SecureMac promises continuous updates as it learns more information about the threat, however it is pointed out that the malware does an admirable job at blocking attempts at analyzation.

Image Credit: Stokkete / Shutterstock

Nokia Lumia ICON gets official, hitting Verizon February 20th

Publié: février 13, 2014, 1:13am CET par Alan Buckingham

The Nokia Lumia ICON, also known as the 929, has become a bit of a white unicorn. It has made brief appearances on the Verizon site, leaked out around the web, and generally been a bit of a nuisance in its reclusiveness. Despite all of that, it continued to "not exist".

Now the handset is finally official. Verizon will officially launch the new phone on February 20^th, but customers can pre-order it now, if they just can't wait.

The new handset features a Carl Zeiss lens on a 20 MP camera, 5-inch 1080 HD screen, quad-core processor, 32 GB of storage and a 2420 mAh battery.

Microsoft's Michael Stroh states "the Lumia Icon also comes with Nokia’s latest software update, Lumia Black, as well as Nokia’s suite of highly regarded photo and video apps: Nokia Camera, Refocus, Storyteller and Video Director. That’s on top of all the high-profile imaging apps already in the Windows Phone Store, including Instagram, Vine, Vyclone, Go Pro, and Hipstamatic Oggl, just to call out a few".

The phone is up for grabs now at $199, but requires a two-year Verizon contract.

Roku adds DirecTV channels to its lineup

Publié: février 12, 2014, 6:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The sad state of affairs with the status of today's cord-cutting is that most channel apps and websites still include the requirement that demands the customer to verify a TV service provider. It's not the best solution, but for now it seems we must deal with it.

Now set-top box maker Roku has added several new channels for the folks who happen to call DirecTV home. The satellite provider has come on board with three of its offerings.

A&E, History Channel and Lifetime have all agreed to a contract, or rather DirecTV and Roku have. Nonetheless, it brings access to all three to the little device.

"The number of providers offering the additional value of Roku channel support continues to grow -- including DirecTV! Find out if your provider supports these channels here: A&E, HISTORY and Lifetime. We'd love to expand this list, so if you do not see your provider, we encourage you to contact them and request that they add support for Roku", says Melissa Morell, social media manager for Roku.

The roll out is beginning immediately, so check your box when you get the chance. Hopefully, the company will continue to bring channels on-board and, even better, the ridiculous restrictions will slowly dry up.

Dropbox joins Twitter, says new transparency rules are not enough

Publié: février 12, 2014, 4:15am CET par Alan Buckingham

While several companies have been busy posting new transparency reports, based on recent changes in US law, not everyone has been content with what has transpired. Last week, Twitter stood up and called the reform, essentially, too little and far too late. That sentiment likely echos the feelings of many US citizens.

However, the social service isn't the only one taking this stand. Today it is joined by cloud storage darling Dropbox. "We believe everyone has a right to know how much information the government is seeking from online services. This lets users fight back against improper requests, helps prevent abuses of power, and allows for a more informed public debate", states the company's Bart Volkmer.

Dropbox points out that the US government forbids companies from disclosing figures regarding the number of requests flowing in -- perhaps because it's rather more than they wish to acknowledge. That recently changed, but not enough. Services can now post "estimates" rounded to the nearest 250. Yes, it's a start, no it's not good enough.

Dropbox agrees, stating "this is a step in the right direction. But it doesn’t go far enough, especially for services that receive only a handful of requests or none at all. We believe the public has a right to know the actual number of requests received and accounts affected, and we'll continue to push to be able to provide this information".

Dropbox proceeds to post its own transparency report, following the law of what is allowed, which results in the service only telling us that it received somewhere between 0 and 249 National Security Requests. That's helpful, huh? The company was able to post some exact numbers, including 118 search warrants and that 172 accounts were involved in those.

It's fairly clear that reform is arriving, but it's far from what we had all hoped would transpire. All of us wish to live in a terror-free world, but is the cost of that freedom greater than we are willing to pay?

Image Credit: carol.anne / Shutterstock

Hulu teams with CBS to add more content

Publié: février 11, 2014, 2:43am CET par Alan Buckingham

Netflix, Amazon, Redbox and Hulu -- it's become increasingly hard to keep track of the content you wish to watch. All of these services are working on announcing new agreements, hoping to bring the latest and greatest to the viewing audience. Of course, not every one gets each and every deal, and now Hulu is the company with something to announce.

Today the streaming service announces a new partnership with a major US TV network, or really more of an expanded agreement between the two entities. "Now, with the expansion of our partnership with CBS, new generations can watch this iconic show, and come to understand the epic saga between Jan and her sister 'Marcia, Marcia, Marcia'", state Hulu's Mike Hopkins. Yes, the Brady Bunch will be part of the deal.

What other retro goodness can you look forward to? Hulu promises Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Cheers, Taxi and many other ways to relive your misspent youth.

Kids too can partake. "As part of this expansion, there’s more content coming to Hulu Kids, including films starring timeless characters like Charlie Brown, Dr. Seuss, Puff the Magic Dragon and Strawberry Shortcake, among others", the service states.

Current and recent CBS content was already available, so this is simply an addition to the back catalog, but it is a rather nice one for those who grew up in that era. We'll see you all again when you are done catching up with Fonzie.

LinkedIn set to shutdown security-plagued Intro service for iPhone

Publié: février 8, 2014, 7:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

LinkedIn, a popular social site for the business crowd, carries a lot of benefits for customers. There is the opportunity for networking, along with finding work. To that end, like any social network, the company has strived to find ways to enhance its offerings and make things more appealing.

It has not always succeeded, and one such failure is about to be killed off. Intro was an app for iPhone that insinuated itself into the user's email, and was perhaps a bad idea from the start.

Security researcher Graham Cluely points out "this 'feature' came at a huge cost for privacy. Because to get it to work, LinkedIn required you to change the settings of your iPhone so that rather than it connecting to your email provider's servers (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) it would connect via LinkedIn's proxy server instead".

Cluely went further in his effort to get the point across, stating "maybe you were happy with the idea of sharing all of your communications with the company which lost the passwords of over six million users and scooped up the contents of users' iOS calendars, including sensitive information such as confidential meeting notes and call-in numbers -- which they then transmitted in plain text, not encrypted". Yes, I doubt many people were happy doing that.

Now LinkedIn's Deep Nishar announces "we are shutting down LinkedIn Intro as of March 7, 2014. Intro was launched last year to bring the power of LinkedIn to your email inbox on your iPhone. While Intro is going away, we will continue to work on bringing the power of LinkedIn to wherever our members work".

To go along with this announcement, the company also mentions that it is killing iPad support for its app on versions 6.0 and older and also getting rid of Slidecast, a presentation app it had maintained. LinkedIn hopes that a more narrow focus will help with better development of core products.

Photo Credit: andrea michele piacquadio/Shutterstock

Sochi Olympics kicks off while Google decides to make its stand against discrimination

Publié: février 7, 2014, 4:33am CET par Alan Buckingham

Today is a big day in the sporting world, as we all look forward to the events that make up the sporting challenge known as the Winter Olympics. We are graced with these games every four years. Sadly, this year has been marred a bit, thanks solely to the venue hosting it. The 2014 Winter games take place in Sochi, Russia, a beautiful location for the challenge.

But Russia is less than beautiful when it comes to social standards. In fact, the country has proven itself to be downright backwards in its stance on human rights. The fact is, the country has a law banning gay activities. It really doesn't matter much if you are, or are not, a homosexual. The simple human rights issue should be fairly obvious here.

Today, to coincide with the launch of these games, Google decides to make its stand. The company, which is famous for its Doodles, added one to the homepage, but also went one step further, adding some text to explain intention. In fact, the search giant quoted the Olympic Charter, just to drive the point home.

"The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play".

It's a big move, but from a place where it is not unexpected. Kudos to Google for standing up for what it feels is right, and let's hope other tech companies decide to follow this lead and back human rights, both in Russia and around the world.

Image Credit: Rido / Shutterstock

Twitter takes a stand, says new transparency rules are not enough

Publié: février 6, 2014, 9:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's been a scant few days since US Justice Department relented, somewhat, on the restrictions placed upon companies in regards to the secret court order to hand over the data of customers. The ruling opened things up a bit, but in the opinion of some, it failed to go far enough.

Now Twitter is standing up to the powers that be and speaking its mind. "[...] we think it is essential for companies to be able to disclose numbers of national security requests of all kinds -- including national security letters and different types of FISA court orders -- separately from reporting on all other requests", says Jeremy Kesel, the manager of Global Legal Policy for the social network.

The company went further, stating that only allowing for the disclosure over a broad range undermines the entire concept of transparency. Twitter wants the ability to disclose the type of requests received, which certainly seems a fair request.

"We think the government’s restriction on our speech not only unfairly impacts our users’ privacy, but also violates our First Amendment right to free expression and open discussion of government affairs. We believe there are far less restrictive ways to permit discussion in this area while also respecting national security concerns. Therefore, we have pressed the U.S. Department of Justice to allow greater transparency, and proposed future disclosures concerning national security requests that would be more meaningful to Twitter’s users. We are also considering legal options we may have to seek to defend our First Amendment rights", Kesel further states.

Twitter went on to point out a few important figures. Not surprisingly, more than 59 percent of data requests received originate from the US government. This, despite the fact the social network claims that 75 percent of users are located outside of those borders. Twitter also calls for more companies to publish similar reports. The request will likely be met with silence, but at least the effort has been put forth.

Image Credit: filmfoto / Shutterstock

Pandora enters the music promotion business with Open Music Submission service

Publié: février 6, 2014, 4:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The struggling musician is an almost iconic figure in today's culture. For every one that makes it, thousands sadly fail. Having talent is obviously the biggest key to success, but even that sometimes isn't enough. It needs to be combined with a bit of luck to get noticed.

Pandora wants to try and help open doors for these folks by getting their music out into the world and into the ears of potential fans. Today the streaming service unveils its new Open Music Submission Process. "Our goal is to enable every talented artist to reach the audience they deserve, without regard to the style of their music or their popularity", says Pandora founder Tim Westegren.

Westegren notes the hurdles faced by independent artists in today's world of media overload, and the need to get this material out to a wider audience to let it soar or fall on its own merits, and not because a big label didn't give it a chance.

Pandora boasts 80 million listeners per month, so the potential is there to get heard. Westegren points out that last year "over 10,000 artists each reached more than 350,000 unique listeners on Pandora (up from 250,000 the year before)".

If you have a recording you wish to try and get out to the masses, you can head over to submit.pandora.com to begin the process. Maybe we will all be listening to you soon.

Microsoft wants your iPhone 4 or Galaxy S2, offers Lumia 1020 or 1520 in trade

Publié: février 6, 2014, 2:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you are currently toting around an Apple iPhone 4 or 4s, or a Samsung Galaxy S2, then you are likely aware that it's time for an upgrade. While many on Apple and Android platforms will probably stick with what they know, Microsoft is hoping it can win a few of you over.

For a limited time the company is offering a trade-in deal. Customers who bring in an iPhone 4 or 4s or Galaxy S2 can walk out with a new Nokia Lumia 1020 or 1520 at no cost.

There are some considerations before making this move. First, both phones run on the AT&T network, so there's a possibility you’ll need to switch carriers in the process of this exchange. You will also need to agree to a two year contract, which is standard fare with US carriers.

The deal is available right now and will run through March 2nd. Phone colors available vary depending on the store you wonder into. The phone you hand over also needs to be in good working condition, with no cracked screen. You can get the details from the Microsoft online store.

Xbox One set to receive its first update on February 11th

Publié: février 5, 2014, 7:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Xbox One hit the market late last year, just in time for the big holiday shopping season, and only one week behind rival Sony’s PS4. Now, only a few scant weeks after the big launch, the company is announcing the first update to the system.

The news is released through Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, who many know better as Major Nelson. Today Hryb stated "on February 11, the first update will be delivered to customers who sign into their Xbox One. It features many new improvements -- including lots of behind-the-scenes updates for developers building apps and games for Xbox One, several new features we believe Xbox fans will love, stability and product updates to improve the customer experience, and continuous improvements to the quality of Kinect voice so commands become more fluid and responsive over time".

Features unveiled include the ability to better manage user storage space, a battery life indicator on the screen that allows for monitoring of controllers, and the ability to use a USB keyboard with the console.

This update will be followed quickly by another that Microsoft has planned for March 4th. That one surrounds one game -- Titanfall. This improvement is simply designed to prepare the Xbox One to better handle the upcoming title. The update will focus on party and multi-player systems.

Microsoft Access apps are heading for the Office 365 store

Publié: février 4, 2014, 3:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It seems you can’t have a platform these days without an attached store, and Microsoft Office is no exception. There are many useful tools and templates that users can add to Word, Excel and other programs contained in the suite.

Now Access will be joining the party. A report today claims that as of February 3, Microsoft has given the green light to apps for the database program. Microsoft’s Matt Evans reports that “Access apps have been part of Office 365 subscriptions since Office 365 General Availability was announced in February 2013. Until now, Access apps were in preview and weren’t supported under the Office 365 service-level agreement (SLA) and compliance standards”.

This also means that users can create and submit apps to share with the community. This isn’t entirely new, as preview versions of apps began appearing last year, but weren’t supported.

This isn’t for everyone, as the apps are designed for small business, enterprise and educational set-ups of Office 365. Governments will need to wait, as those installations are still in preview mode.

This continues the company efforts to steer its biggest customers towards the store, as opposed to coding dedicated plug-ins. It promises a better and simpler model.

Photo Credit: Deklofenak/Shutterstock

Indiegogo project bRight Switch wants to add tech to your wall

Publié: février 3, 2014, 5:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Last week my colleague Derrick Wlodarz wrote a great deal about today's home automation push, comparing the entire thing to Skynet. I see his point, but I'm not sure I can resist the urge. After all, the convenience is so enticing, it's hard to ignore the technology that can add so much functionality to your home.

Over the weekend I stumbled upon an Indiegogo project that captured my fancy. bRight Switch is designed to replace your wall-mounted light switch, adding just a bit more technology to the room.

The product is a digital screen that replaces the traditional switch and not only allows you to raise and dim the lighting, but also access Pandora (playing on a Bluetooth speaker), use an intercom (requires more than one installed), use Skype, and even get into security features.

This isn't just about the cool features though, the company also promises that it can save up to 30-percent on your electricity bill by turning off the bulb when it senses nobody present. bRight Switch can also be programmed to turn lights on and off at set times. Much like Nest, the project claims "bRight Switch stores all the usage data as it learns your habits and your power usage, shutting off lights when you leave and turning them on when you come home".

There will be apps available for Android, iOS and Blackberry as well, allowing for remote control of everything. "bRight Switch uses Wi-Fi to reach the Internet and for extended functions, and the Z-wave standard to talk to lights and other wireless products. Z-wave allows bRight Switch to control lights not directly wired to the switch", the company claims.

None of this comes particularly cheap, of course. Bottom line funding starts at $70 and rises from there. The $220 level looks to be the sweet spot, but that's just my opinion. You can check it all out over at Indiegogo.

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NFL unveils new mobile service 'Now' ahead of Super Bowl

Publié: février 2, 2014, 6:50pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Today is a big day if you happen to be a fan of American football. It's Super Bowl Sunday, and the stage is set for the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos to collide at Met-Life Stadium. The ads and the game itself, bring millions of viewers from all over the world, and the NFL has chosen this day to unveil its new mobile service.

NFL Now will be available this summer, and the league has an introductory commercial planned to air during the big game, but details about what to expect are being revealed ahead of kick-off.

The Now service promises to offer a new personalized streaming available across mobile devices, including the ability to select your favorite teams or fantasy players and get non-stop news and analysis. There is also access to video from the NFL Network and NFL Films Archive and access to gameday highlights on-demand.

Sponsors of the new service include Verizon, Microsoft, Gilette and Yahoo, so there is no real surprise in that regard. It's not readily apparent if Verizon being involved will lead to any sort of exclusivity. For now, you can sign up to receive updates by visiting NFL Now.

GoPro channels set to bring more action to Xbox

Publié: janvier 31, 2014, 6:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

GoPro, if you aren't familiar, is a little video camera that can be mounted on a dashboard, handlebars or helmet. It is designed to bring the viewer into the action, letting you experience what it feels like to plunge down that steep hill on a mountain bike, or ski jump off that ramp.

Now the durable little cameras are set to get their own channels on the Xbox platform. These will arrive for customers of both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, though it won't be coming until this summer.

"Our GoPro Channel app will make it easy for millions of global Xbox Live customers to watch GoPro originally-produced and 'best of' user-generated content on their televisions at home. We're excited to align ourselves with Microsoft and the Xbox brand as we believe our customers share the same desire to enjoy the type of immersive, experiential content that our cameras enable", says GoPro's CEO Nicholas Woodman.

The content will be curated, and you'll need to be an Xbox Live Gold member in order to access these new channels. The partnership will also allow Xbox users to purchase the cameras and accessories from the new app. This is Microsoft’s first foray into selling physical goods through an Xbox app.

YouTube Ad Blitz gears up for the Super Bowl

Publié: janvier 31, 2014, 4:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's Super Bowl weekend, a time when many Americans gather in front of the TV, with snacks laid out before them. While we'll all be watching the Denver Broncos collide with the Seattle Seahawks, that’s not all the big game is about. Many people watch as much for the commercials as for the gridiron battle.

YouTube is readying its Ad Blitz service, which already contains a number of previews of the upcoming commercials that you'll get a full look at this Sunday.

Once those ads air, YouTube plans to have them in entirety for you. "Come game day, tune back into the Ad Blitz channel to view your favorite spots as they go live on TV", says Kariyushi Casper, project manager for Ad Blitz.

You will also be able vote on your favorite ad in a poll that will open as soon as the game ends. Voting will run through 11:59pm ET on February 10th.

Regardless of if you are rooting for the Broncos or Seahawks, it seems most everyone loves the commercials and, in fact, some people watch simply for that reason. The game officially kicks off at 6:30pm ET on February 2nd.

Image Credit: Mark Herreid / Shutterstock

Windows Phone finally greets Beats Music app

Publié: janvier 30, 2014, 8:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Beats Music has been on a wild ride since its launch. Registration was closed within days of the big event, as the service claimed system problems. It then reopened, adding extra time to the free trial period in an effort to say "sorry" for the problems. Most recently, the release of the Windows Phone app was pushed back.

Well, that mobile app, which was originally slated for release last Friday, has finally seen the light of day. The service quietly made it live today, with not so much as an announcement on the company blog.

"Beats Music is a new kind of streaming service that combines the best music experts and technology to always deliver you the right music at the right time. All you have to do is hit play", the app page describes.

The service boasts more than 20 million songs already, along with some big names associated with it. It's free to download, and you’ll get a trial period to test it out. After that, it will be time to open up the wallet.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Spotify brings on-demand playback to Last.fm

Publié: janvier 29, 2014, 8:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite that we have had all sorts of news in recent weeks regarding music streaming services such as Spotify, Rdio and Pandora, one we rarely seem to mention is Last.fm. That changes today, as the company enters into an agreement with Spotify that it hopes will be mutually beneficial.

Beginning today Last.fm customers will have access to the full catalog of Spotify Music. "Last.fm's users, spanning over 50 countries, will now be able to listen to the entire Spotify music catalog on-demand, including individual tracks, full albums, playlists and Spotify recommendations. It’s never been easier to get access to both the music that you know and love, and all of the music we know you’ll love", says Spotify's Candice Katz.

There are two ways for Last.fm customers to access this new bonanza of music. A user can either sign up for a Spotify account or sync their Last.fm membership with a Spotify free or premium account. Either way, it seems you'll need to get that Spotify account.

Last.fm cautions "as with any new integration there are of course some known issues, so please bear with us". So, keep the possibility of occasional glitches in mind if you decide to try this out.

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Dutch court rules it’s not legal for ISPs to block The Pirate Bay

Publié: janvier 28, 2014, 2:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Pirate Bay seems to be a never-ending controversy, as we have discussed here many times. The site has been hounded by the law all around the world, although it always seems to manage to survive. Now the service has achieved a major victory, at least in the Netherlands.

A three-judge panel in The Hague has ruled that the blocking of The Pirate Bay by ISPs is not legal. The case had been filed by two providers -- Ziggo and XS4ALL.

In its ruling the court cited a study by TNO that showed the blockade had little or no effect on piracy, serving only to drive users to other Torrent sites. It also stated that statistics showed that any copyright infringement taking place through images of CD and DVD covers (which led to the original court-ordered blocking) was simply not reaching enough customers to have an impact.

XS4ALL (seen watching the ruling in the above image) released a statement through its company blog. "Freedom of access to information is thus assured. That's good for Dutch citizens, good for the Internet and good for ISPs who continue to fulfill their important role [as] neutral".

The ruling affects only the two ISPs who filed the suit, and the blockade remains in place for all others in the nation. However, another ISP, Tele2, has also filed an appeal against the original ruling.

Its far too early to know if this will set any sort precedence that will lead to a complete lifting in the Netherlands or in other nations, such as the UK, that enforce this ISP censorship. For the moment, it is a minor triumph on a small stage.

Spotify partners with Yamaha, brings music to your home theater

Publié: janvier 27, 2014, 11:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Yamaha is one of the leading names in the home theater industry, bringing devices to your living room such as its line of A/V receivers. As you know, many of these devices are now "connected", meaning they come with Ethernet and even WiFi.

Now Spotify announces a partnership with Yamaha that will bring its streaming music to your living room. The hardware maker is bringing access to select versions of its receivers.

"Another innovation from our friends at Yamaha! They’re the latest hardware brand to take up Spotify Connect. They’re providing new firmware that will work with Spotify Connect, giving you a better way to enjoy music at home", says Diego Planas Rego of Spotify.

The update will be pushed out via a software update. It will come to RX-Vx75 and RX-Ax30 network A/V receivers. The update will be free, but Spotify Connect is not. However, you can get a free 30-day trial to try it out.

Beats Music extends free trial, but no Windows Phone app yet

Publié: janvier 25, 2014, 8:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It’s been a busy week for Beats Music, with a big launch, followed closely by a subsequent closure of registration due to problems with the network. Regardless if the problems were real or a publicity stunt, the streaming service is back now.

Today the company’s CEO Ian Rogers issues a thank you to those who have stuck with it, and to show his gratitude he made a special offer. "To thank you for being early we are extending the 7 day trial to 14 days for all customers who sign up before Saturday evening".

The service is currently available for both Android and iOS. A Windows Phone app was slated for release yesterday, but it’s been placed on hold for now and still shows as “coming soon”.

If you are looking to get in and try it out for two weeks free of charge, then you still have a few hours left to take advantage of the deal. Once the trial expires, the service runs $9.99 per month and AT&T customers can grab a family plan with five licenses for $14.99.

Photo Credit: racorn/Shutterstock

Gmail is back up, but strange problem persists

Publié: janvier 24, 2014, 10:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There is something to be said for the cloud and web-based services. However, when you rely on these things, sometimes it goes a bit wrong. That's not as bad as it sounds. It can go very wrong with your home computer and network as well. Today, Google is experiencing one of those "glitches".

As of this writing, the Gmail service seems to be restored for all users, and I've inquired with writer friends around the US and the world to verify that. However, there is a rather bizarre side-effect, but it's only affecting one poor user. Sadly, that person is getting the bulk of the email being sent since the outage relented.

It seems that when you search Gmail in Google, which a large number of average users do, and click the top result, it opens a compose dialogue box and pre-fills the recipient with "dsp559@hotmail.com". Hence, this is resulting in the person on the receiving end being inundated with email. (We recommend to avoid testing it, for the obvious reasons.)

As of this writing, while the service is back up, the weird problem persists. You can check out the two screenshots I grabbed, which I've included below. Just please don't drop him a line, as he already is being a bit overwhelmed.

Image Credit: Jamesbin/Shutterstock

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Top Gear’s The Stig takes on a Google Street View car

Publié: janvier 23, 2014, 4:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

"All we know is, he’s called The Stig". And that is, quite literally, all we are supposed to know. The identity of the driver clad in the white racing suit is a closely guarded secret, though some leaks have taken place over the run of the popular British series.

Recently, the Top Gear test track even appeared on Google Street View, and as further proof the little Google car was really there, the show itself has posted a video shot during the mapping.

Google doesn’t exactly use Ferraris to map neighborhoods and when the car arrived at the Top Gear track it was met by The Stig who was driving a Mercedes SLS AMG. Spoiler alert -- this isn’t a fair race.

Of course, it was never meant to be a true competition, only staged for the sake of some fun and humor. And the video, which you can watch below, does provide that. This is the best you can do for now, as there is no firm date for when the show will return for a new season.

Beats Music closes access one day after launch

Publié: janvier 23, 2014, 2:32am CET par Alan Buckingham

Just yesterday Beats Music sprung into life, with a plan to compete with the established giants already in the market, such as Google, Apple, Spotify and others. The launch was greeted with much fanfare, and all sorts of artists are involved in the project.

But 24 hours into the life of the new service, not everything is milk and honey. Apparently issues have arisen with service for those who already signed up, and now the Dr. Dre-sponsored music app is pulling back to address problems.

"Due to the extremely high volume of interest in our service some users are experiencing issues. Most people are unaffected but our priority is to give everyone a great experience. We prepared for issues like these, have a plan, and are going to hold off on letting more people in while we put this plan in action", says Ian Rogers.

For customers who are already in, everything should continue to work normally. Those on the outside will need to continue to peer through the window until such time as the service deems it safe to open the door for you.

We have no way of knowing if this is a legitimate problem or a publicity stunt designed to grab media attention for a music service that is entering an over-crowded market. Those questions should eventually be answered in the coming weeks and months.

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey/Shutterstock

Toshiba Chromebook goes up for pre-order on Amazon

Publié: janvier 22, 2014, 6:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Chromebook platform is steadily growing and one of the latest arrivals in this market comes from Toshiba. The hardware maker unveiled its offering during the recent CES 2014 show in Las Vegas, but the notebook wasn’t available at the time of the reveal.

Now the Toshiba Chromebook is up for pre-order on Amazon for $279.99. The device boasts an Intel Celeron 2955U 1.4 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 16 GB SSD for storage and 13.3-inch screen. The company promises nine hours of battery life.

Amazon doesn’t yet list an actual shipping date, and Toshiba doesn’t help matters, as its website simply asks customers to "Check back with us soon for more details". You can sign up to receive updates via email.

The device has similar specs to the HP Chromebook 11, though with a larger screen and different processor. The prices are identical.

Adding more choices to the market is the biggest key to success for the Google operating system platform if it wants to succeed.

Amazon holds (another) Kindle Fire sale

Publié: janvier 21, 2014, 12:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Since the latest generation of the Kindle Fire family of tablets rolled out, it almost seems the devices are on sale more often than not. Just recently the retail giant celebrated being named number one in customer satisfaction with a promo code for its devices, now it’s using football as an excuse for one more deal.

It’s not hard to deduce why this latest bargain is being given -- Amazon is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, home of the Seahawks who are now Super Bowl-bound to battle the Denver Broncos. In fact, the graphic currently displayed on the homepage illustrates the Seahawks-49ers game this past Sunday.

The deal is offering $30 off the price, making the 7-inch model only $199. To take advantage, customers need to enter the promo code GameOn30 at checkout. You’ll need to grab the tablet today, as the offer expires at 11:59 PST on January 21.

Of course, if you miss out, there will almost certainly be another sale right around the corner. The company doesn’t need to earn money on the hardware, as it plans to make that up on the backend.

Microsoft takes on the government again, this time focusing on the international community

Publié: janvier 21, 2014, 9:52am CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft and the government are not strangers -- they have met in court, most notably during anti-trust hearings. More recently, the General Council of the company took matters into his own hands when he deemed the US government an "advanced persistent threat". Now Brad Smith is back for round two.

This time the lawyer is aiming at the upcoming World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland. Smith posted a missive today regarding the conference and calling for an international convention to address recent concerns.

He touched on the press conference given by President Obama, which we covered here, though he was much kinder than my colleague Mark Wilson was regarding the news that came out of that. "We appreciate the steps the President announced, which represent positive progress on key issues including privacy protections for non-US citizens", Smith stated.

He explains how tensions can arise during times of crisis, referencing the Napoleonic Wars, Civil War, and John Adams' Alien and Sedition Acts, even the US internment of Japanese-American citizens during the Second World War.

"The issues this time are even more complicated today than in the past. The War against Terrorism is more permanent than these prior wars. Hence, a moment has passed, but an era of concern continues", Smith explains.

The lawyer goes on the discuss international values, and English Common Law, and calls for an International Convention to embrace the common values of all world citizens, that could offer a resolution for both sides of this argument.

Smith explains that the company understands the needs of law enforcement in cases where criminal activity is known, stating "we should create new processes that promote public safety by facilitating timely access to data while ensuring appropriate privacy protections for individuals. A new convention could achieve this by creating new processes that supplement the existing MLAT rules".

The entire situation is complicated, to put things mildly, but Smith, for his part, does seem genuine in his efforts. We have no way of knowing if anything he calls for will be put into motion, but at least the effort is there. We can only hope he speaks for his company in this matter. Now it's a game of waiting to see if his words are heeded.

Photo Credit: pryzmat/Shutterstock

Pirates and TV meet today, with Black Sails debuting on YouTube and Starz website

Publié: janvier 18, 2014, 7:05pm CET par Alan Buckingham

When you hear the word pirate associated with a TV show there is likely one immediate thought that springs to your mind, and it isn’t a skull and crossbones or eye patch. But today that is changing, as a brand new program debuts in a unique way.

A new show from Starz network titled Black Sails is set to debut next weekend, but the network has a surprise in store for viewers. You can actually watch the very first episode right now. The premier show is available through the Starz website, in conjunction with YouTube.

Be warned, as a box pops up letting you know that it contains “mature content” and you need to be at least 17 years old to view it – I trust you will all studiously follow this recommendation. The show is based on Captain Flint in 1715.

The new release runs just over one hour in length, and you can find it at either Starz or over on YouTube, no need to pirate the show about real pirates. You can even watch it right here, in the video below. There is a bit of an intro to get past, though.

Rdio follows Spotify, goes free for web-based streaming

Publié: janvier 17, 2014, 1:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Streaming the music you want continues to become easier, with more choice of services and increasingly better pricing. But prices can’t get any better than free, and that seems to be where this market is now headed.

Today Rdio joins Spotify in announcing it will now host free streaming on the web. "That means you can listen to 20 million songs plus all the albums, playlists, and stations you love anywhere there’s a computer. Absolutely free", the service announces.

This does, of course, mean that you can expect ads to appear periodically, but that is understandable. Rdio promises these will be short and as unobtrusive as possible. You can still eliminate the advertising if you wish to pay for a subscription, which runs $9.99 per month.

Just two days ago, Spotify announced a similar plan, though it also extends to mobile devices, which is a handy addition. The company had previously restricted streaming to a limited amount of hours, though it gave a generous six months of unlimited to get you hooked.

Photo Credit: olly/Shutterstock

RCS Group goes Office 365 in latest Microsoft win

Publié: janvier 17, 2014, 12:32am CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft's Office 365 has been rolling along as of late, scoring wins with both corporations and local governments. Now the service is visiting overseas locales, looking for even more market entry. This time around, it lands in Italy, but not for a gondola ride in Venice.

Instead, Office 365 has been adopted by RCS Group, a leading multimedia company within the European nation. "With the benefits of a consistent approach for the end user, complete transparency for the delivery and the availability of Office applications, there will be more and more opportunities for our employees to continue to deliver new, innovative ideas", said Umberto Tonelli, chief information officer of RCS MediaGroup.

The company is no stranger to Microsoft, as the two have been partners for sometime. Things have just moved forward now with the introduction of the Office 365 platform into the mix.

"Using a combination of Office 365 cloud environment and SharePoint 2013 on-premises, RCS will transform its intranet from a pure top-down communications tool to an interactive self-service feature for virtual desk", the software giant states.

It’s one more win for Microsoft and another strike for Google Apps, which is the biggest rival in this arms race.

Photo Credit: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

HP Chromebook 11 returns to Google Play, Best Buy gets LTE version

Publié: janvier 15, 2014, 10:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you aren't familiar with the saga, the HP Chromebook 11 was greeted with much fanfare, only to be pulled from the Google Play store thanks to an overheating charger. This charger saga garnered more attention than actual incidents.

Google announced a new charger to replace the faulty model, rolling out free replacements to those who purchased the little laptop. Now, with a new charger firmly in place, the Android maker has returned the device to its Play Store.

It still sells for $279, as it had before the bit of controversy. In addition, Best Buy is also offering a version as well, though the retailer is offering LTE connectivity in its version of the notebook. That model retails for $379, setting you back an additional $100, but you will also need to pay for the LTE service if you want access when you are out of WiFi range.

The laptop sports an 11.6-inch screen, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. You can grab the HP Chromebook 11 in multiple colors, including blue, red, yellow and flat black.

Box gives 50 GB of free storage to iPhone and iPad users

Publié: janvier 15, 2014, 8:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It seems to be a big day for cloud storage. Earlier Google added additional functionality to its Drive product. Now Box has an update of its own, though this new release is geared towards the mobile crowd, bringing more storage to those on iOS devices.

Additional cloud storage isn't all that's included, though. "We've overhauled our app to make it super-fast, simpler to use and more immersive. The result, we believe, is the best content viewing and collaboration experience available today for your iOS device".

To go along with that, there are new file preview capabilities covering more than 100 different file types, including PowerPoint, PDF and others. There's also a new sidebar, the ability to move and delete files in batch and a redesigned gallery.

The big part, though, is certainly the bonus free storage that comes along with this update. Customers will get 50 GB (though the usual 250 MB size limit per file still applies), which is certainly much more than other major services are offering, except Mega and MediaFire which also give the same capacity for free. You can download the new app right now.

Google Drive update adds an activity stream

Publié: janvier 15, 2014, 2:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Cloud storage has become the norm these days, with the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple all offering services. It's even built right into Windows 8.1 and Office 2013, and many other apps are adding various integrations.

Now Google is announcing an update to Drive, which brings new, and much needed functionality to its offering. The service allows for easy collaboration on projects, but until now, it was difficult to track the various changes being made.

Google is adding an activity stream to solve that issue. "When you open Drive, click the ⓘ button in the top right corner and the activity stream will appear, showing you who has taken action on files and folders in My Drive. You’ll see a rundown of what your team has been doing, such as editing and commenting on notes, adding a new spreadsheet, renaming a presentation, and more", says Google's Ian Gunn.

This solves one of the larger problems with using Drive for collaboration on projects. The launch will take place gradually over the next week.

Dropbox talks about its weekend outage, says data is safe

Publié: janvier 13, 2014, 3:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Over this past weekend Dropbox went down, and thanks to all of the recent news about companies being hacked, the worst was feared. But those unconfirmed reports have proven to be false, as the cloud storage service has set the record straight.

The real truth behind the incident turns out to be much more mundane. In fact, it was simply a scheduled maintenance that went wrong. "On Friday at 5:30 PM PT, we had a planned maintenance scheduled to upgrade the OS on some of our machines. During this process, the upgrade script checks to make sure there is no active data on the machine before installing the new OS. A subtle bug in the script caused the command to reinstall a small number of active machines. Unfortunately, some master-slave pairs were impacted which resulted in the site going down".

In the time since the incident occurred, service has been fully restored. In fact, most of the service was back up and running a mere three hours after the incident. However, some users continued to experience issues throughout the weekend. Dropbox now claims that these too have been ironed out.

"Your files were always safe, and despite some reports, no hacking or DDOS attack was involved", the company promises. This time is was simply a case of system error, or perhaps human error.

Image Credit: Stokkete / Shutterstock

Target security breach is even worse -- now an estimated 100-million customers

Publié: janvier 12, 2014, 1:57am CET par Alan Buckingham

Apparently Adobe should not rest on its laurels, as Target reaches record-setting data losses. Over the past couple of weeks we have gradually learned of a security breach at the retailer that exposed customer data, including credit card information.

The whole thing seemed bad enough right off the bat, when we reported the number of affected customers at 40 million. It grew worse this week, when that total rose to 70 million. Now the retailer has truly hit the big time.

Sophos security researchers report that the number of affected customers has swelled to 100 million. "The company has now joined the 'hundred million plus' data breach club, following its discovery that a further 70,000,000 records were plundered in the raid", according to Tanmay Ahmed of Sophos.

Why did the number grow? Well, Target is reporting that is wasn't just the regular users, but that other information was also lifted from its servers. In other words, it may not matter that you didn’t purchase anything from a Target store during November or December. Just being associated with the chain may be enough to compromise your data.

Sophos confirms this, pointing out "this additional data wasn't related only to customers who actually purchased something from one of the company's stores during the November-December 2013 timeframe, but also potentially to anyone who has ever interacted with Target in any way".

Yikes! Talk about a corporate image problem. The brick and mortar retailer joins the online ranks of both Adobe and Sony in the 100 million club, but it is certainly not the club you want to be in.

credit: OleGunnarUA/Shutterstock

My favorite product from CES 2014 [Alan]

Publié: janvier 11, 2014, 1:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has ended, and the shiny and new have been unveiled. It's been a roller coaster ride, with 4K TVs and tablets taking center stage, alongside the useful and just plain weird selection of tech inventions. Now it's time for reflection, sitting back and taking it all in and deciding what we truly liked.

While others may go for those crisp-screened TVs that get all of the attention, or the latest and greatest new laptop, I spent a lot of time looking at the products that got less attention from the media, but that may truly make a difference.

I give my nod of approval this year to Belkin for its new Smart Bulb. I wouldn't entirely call this real innovation, as Philips beat Belkin to it, but the firm makes the whole concept more affordable, and frankly, more user-friendly for the home automation buff.

A Starter Set comes with two bulbs (60w equivalent) and a WeMo Link controller, which works with other connected devices within your home. The set retails for $129, and additional bulbs are priced at $39.99 each. That undercuts the competition and also adds more functionality for the future.

The WeMo Link can handle up to 50 bulbs at once and lets you brighten and dim them individually or in groups. You can set schedules, put them in vacation mode, have them gradually dim and brighten for bedtime and wake up time, and even do it all from a phone or tablet, be it Android or iOS.

I realize a light bulb is not the most exciting product, especially compared to everything we have seen over the previous few days. But it is, nonetheless, the product I liked best this year. It will be available in the spring of 2014.

Amazon celebrates being #1 in customer service with Kindle Fire discounts

Publié: janvier 10, 2014, 11:06am CET par Alan Buckingham

While the world points fingers at companies like Microsoft and Google over recent security matters, in light of the big NSA scandal, one company goes on mostly unscathed. Perhaps it’s our love of shopping and the convenience of doing it online. But maybe, it’s just about making that experience so good.

Amazon announces today that is has been voted number one in customer service satisfaction for the ninth straight year. The online retailer isn’t resting on this laurel, but instead using it as an excuse to drum up more good will.

For a limited time, Amazon is offering $30 off the price of a Kindle Fire tablet. You can grab any of the line of devices -- the HD, or either size HDX. Just enter the promo code MAYDAY30 at checkout to take advantage of the deal.

The offer is set to expire on January 11, at 11:59pm PST, so you will need to act reasonably quick, as you have just a bit less than 48 hours to get your deal. A new Kindle Fire HDX normally sells for $229, but $199 sounds a whole lot better to the wallet.

Motorola really wants to sell you a Moto X, tossing in Chromecast

Publié: janvier 10, 2014, 2:04am CET par Alan Buckingham

The Motorola phone that got, arguably, the most attention in 2013 was the Moto X. The handset introduced the “OK Google” option to the mobile world. Despite its popularity, the company still is pushing the device as hard as it can.

Now Motorola has found one more enticement to lure potential buyers. For a limited time, the company is offering a free Chromecast to anyone who decides to purchase the Moto X from its website.

A 16 GB model sells for $399, while the 32 GB version will set you back $449. In exchange for your expenditure, Motorola will throw in the tiny HDMI dongle that will allow you to utilize your new handset in yet one more way.

While the diminutive Chromecast started off slowly, with little functionality, the service is growing. New apps being added have continuously improved it, bringing such services as Plex, with more promised in the future.

CBS teams up with Amazon, brings you Steven Spielberg's Extant

Publié: janvier 8, 2014, 7:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon has scored some big exclusives lately, bringing viewers such hit shows as Under the Dome and Vikings. Add those to new original content, and the online retailer is becoming a real competitor in the streaming video arena, taking on Netflix, Redbox and others.

Now the company claims another win, getting the latest series from producer Steven Spielberg, he of E.T. fame. The new show, titled Extant, stars Halle Berry, and is set to premiere this coming June.

Spielberg’s Amblin Television company is also responsible for the aforementioned Stephen King-inspired show. “Our partnership with Amazon for Under the Dome helped build a creative, financial and marketing model for event television in the summer”, says Scott Koondel, Chief Corporate Licensing Officer at CBS Corporation.

Amazon claims it has received positive feedback from previous exclusive deals. These allow Prime customers to watch the latest episode just days after it aired on television, and Extant will be no exception, so look for it early this summer.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna/Shutterstock

Nexia partners with Trane, takes on Nest with XL824 Smart Control

Publié: janvier 7, 2014, 6:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

With the 2014 edition of CES now underway, we’re seeing a mind-numbing amount of products being unveiled. The show isn’t just about tablets and TVs, there’s kitchen products, USB drives and a lot of much stranger items, as well.

One of the biggest product lines being shown off in Las Vegas is home automation -- a field that has been growing increasingly lately. Nexia, one of the big players in the market, unveiled a new home thermostat, designed to take on Nest, and also allow for control of other network-connected products within your home.

"In a first for the home automation industry, Nexia has collaborated with Trane to produce the Trane XL824 Smart Control, the first thermostat to feature a built-in home automation gateway", the company announces.

The panel contains Nexia Home Bridge, which will enable it to communicate with all Z-Wave products, opening up the door to such things as controlling your lighting, all from this one wall-mounted panel. "Nexia Home Intelligence brings a legacy of innovation to its growing suite of home automation products, making it possible for homeowners to spend more time on what matters most in their lives," says Matt McGovren, brand manager for Nexia Home Intelligence.

Despite Trane being a partner in this venture, the thermostat will work with any HVAC system, even alerting the customer in the event of a problem.

The Trane XL824 Smart Control will be available in February, though no retail pricing was mentioned in the announcement.

Image Credit: Chesky /Shutterstock

Panasonic shows off Toughpad FZ-M1, a 7-inch Windows 8.1 tablet

Publié: janvier 7, 2014, 2:01pm CET par Alan Buckingham

We’re seeing lots of tablets unveiled at CES 2014, with both Android and Windows 8.1 getting plenty of attention. There has been a dizzying amount of interesting devices, but perhaps Panasonic takes the prize for design with its offering.

The company, known for its rugged laptops, unveiled the Toughpad FZ-M1. The seven-inch tablet runs Windows 8.1 and sports a unique look, thanks to its ability to stand up to the rigors of a job site, bragging that it can easily survive a fall from five feet.

"Most tablets on the market today are designed to be 'good enough' to meet most users’ needs. But 'good enough' won’t cut it for a large portion of the mobile workforce, who need tools they can depend on in challenging conditions to get the job done without compromise", says Rance Poehler, president of Panasonic System Communications Company of North America.

As for actual specs, here’s what we know. There’s an Intel Core i5 processor, Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit, 1280 x 800 WXGA display, 128 GB SSD (256 GB upgrade available), 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 720p front camera, 5 MP rear camera and 8 hours of battery life.

The Toughpad will be available in early spring of this year, retailing for $2,099. A Celeron version will be released this summer, though that price was not given, nor was one listed for the 256 GB upgrade.

Roku announces its software is coming to Smart TVs

Publié: janvier 6, 2014, 4:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Roku has been making its tiny set-top boxes since 2008, and it continues to refresh the lineup and add new features and channels. Now the company announces it is also thinking outside the box, launching its software on upcoming Smart TVs.

Roku has partnered with hardware makers Hisense and TCL to build the sets. The new panels will come in a range of sizes beginning at 32-inches and going up to 55.

"Just like Roku streaming players, Roku TV will have full access to the Roku Channel Store filled with more than 31,000 movies and 1,200 channels that feature TV shows and live sports plus news, music, kids, food, science, tech, fitness, foreign language and other programming -- more options than all the other Smart TVs in the market", the company announces.

The new sets will be able to be controlled via mobile apps for both Android and iOS, but will also come with a traditional remote control, which Roku pledges will be simpler than many of today’s models.

The new TVs will become available in the fall of this year although pricing has not been announced as of yet. Roku promises it will still continue to make its set-top boxes as well.

Android hits the road with Audi, GM and others

Publié: janvier 6, 2014, 3:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Android is certainly no stranger to your car, as we all carry our devices along wherever we go, though hopefully you aren’t using yours as you drive. Now Google aims to take the idea of Android in vehicles and improve upon it, in much the same way that Ford has done with Sync.

The company announces a new Open Automotive Alliance bringing together Android with Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and Nvidia. The effort aims to make your mobile device more useful and much less distracting when you are out on the road.

According to Google engineer Patrick Brady, “today, millions of people already bring Android phones and tablets into their cars, but it’s not yet a driving-optimized experience. Wouldn't it be great if you could bring your favorite apps and music with you, and use them safely with your car's built-in controls and in-dash display?”

The push is still in its infancy, and Google is inviting more auto manufacturers to join the OAA, and plans for things to move forward quickly during the course of the coming year. It should also lead to a new genre of apps.

Image Credit: Palto / Shutterstock

Yahoo inadvertently spreads malware via ads

Publié: janvier 5, 2014, 4:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It seems not a day goes by when there isn't some sort of news about a security breach or malware. And lately, those have become more high profile -- Target not too long ago had customer information leaked and Snapchat just surrendered data, with the latter not even bothering to apologize to its customers.

Now a report from security researchers at Fox IT claims that Yahoo has been spreading malware through the ads served on the site. "Clients visiting yahoo.com received advertisements served by ads.yahoo.com. Some of the advertisements are malicious", the company notes.

The report goes on to name the malware that was being spread during this attack, which it discovered on January 3. Among these are the infamous ZeuS, as well as Andromeda, Dorkbot, Necurs and several others.

Simply visiting the Yahoo site would not have led to compromise, though. Affected users are ones who clicked on one of the malicious iframe ads being displayed. These were being served through various nefarious websites, a list of which is contained in the report. "Upon visiting the malicious advertisements users get redirected to a 'Magnitude' exploit kit via a HTTP redirect to seemingly random subdomains".

The earliest signs Fox IT found of this dated to December 30, of last year. The actual number of users hit by the exploit is not known, but researchers predict around 27,000 (using averages based on traffic). Compared with other recent security woes, this seems relatively small -- unless, of course, you were one of them.

For now, the advice offered by Fox IT is to block both the 192.133.137/24 subnet and the 193.169.245/24 subnet and to keep an eye on your network traffic. Perhaps not visiting Yahoo, or at the very least not clicking its ads, would also be a good idea.

Opera TV Store comes to Samsung Blu-ray players, brings hundreds of apps

Publié: janvier 2, 2014, 2:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You may only think of Opera as a web browser, an alternative to the bigger players like Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer, but the company does a lot more. In fact, the Norwegian browser maker is invested heavily in the entertainment market.

Today Opera announces it has reached a deal to bring its TV Store to select Samsung Blu-ray players, adding hundreds of apps to the living room.

"Kicking off in 2014, owners of select Samsung Blu-ray Disc players will be able to unlock a wealth of exciting apps specially built for TV screens", the company announces.

Opera provides easy access to content producers, allowing them to covert media to HTML5 apps for inclusion in the store. "Opera TV Store apps run from the cloud and suit any screen size or resolution", the site states.

"With Samsung’s Blu-ray players on board, we significantly increase the reach we bring to our content partners and brands that are looking to engage with millions of consumers, while also providing those consumers with the best and widest choice in web content" says Opera's Aneesh Rajaram.

The Opera TV Store will be rolling out to all Samsung series 5 boxes, as well as a select group of the series 4 versions of devices, which will bring millions of new customers to the service.

HypedMusic closes down, the latest victim of the RIAA

Publié: janvier 1, 2014, 1:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While services like Grooveshark and Torch Music manage to survive, the Recording Industry Association of America is on a more or less constant attack of similar streaming sites. Now it seems the RIAA has managed to pull off a victory, strong-arming one service out of business.

HypedMusic calls it quits as a result of the cease and desist threats it has received. "I am not in any way condemning the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for what they did or claiming that in some way they 'wronged' me; they had the right to send me a cease-and-desist and I immediately complied", the developer laments.

The site allowed users to stream (not download) music, create and share playlists and maintain apps for both iOS and Android.

The service was created in 2011 by a then 15 year old student, who claimed he expected to be protected by the DMCA's fair use policy -- which he points out is currently protecting both Google and SoundCloud. The service did not store any music, but only provided links to the location where each track resided.

"I’m 18 years old, and I definitely do not want to get sued… Again, just to reiterate: I did not make HypedMusic with the intention of infringing copyright, I thought I was operating in a legal area after seeing different, large companies do similar things", the developer writes on his blog. Congratulations to the RIAA for successfully intimidating a kid.

Image Credit: SeDmi / Shutterstock

Happy New Year's Eve -- Bing sets off Fireworks, Google goes disco

Publié: décembre 31, 2013, 5:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It’s the eve of 2014 and, let’s face it, tech news is scant on this day. Silicon Valley has taken a hiatus, but will return next week, with the kickoff of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But a holiday is always good for one thing -- checking the search engines to see how each is celebrating the event.

Google today has gone all 1970’s on us, with dancing and a disco ball. The animated numbers 2 0 1 3, are having a blast as the speakers pound out an unheard rhythm and the mirrored ball spins above. One would think we were on the verge of welcoming in 1977, and you can almost hear the Chic music playing in the distance, but actually it's 4 that's waiting impatiently for its chance to take over 3's spot on the colorful dance floor.

Bing, on the other hand, known for its stunning photography used as a daily backdrop for its search page, celebrates the day with a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, photographed over Korb, Rems-Murr district, Germany -- we sincerely hope no homes were harmed in the making of this image.

Even Samsung, though not a search engine, gets in on the act today, posting a message on its company blog wishing everyone a Happy New Year, though you’ll need to translate the message, as it is written in binary.

What do YOU want from technology in 2014?

Publié: décembre 30, 2013, 8:06pm CET par Alan Buckingham

As 2013 winds down, my colleagues have been busy talking up their resolutions for the coming year. But, like Ian Barker, I don’t actually have any of those -- they'd likely just serve as embarrassment when I failed to deliver on my promises.

I don't have a problem with backups – I pay for Crashplan to take care of that for me, so I never need to think about the potential for disaster. I don’t resolve to use a particular product, as others have. I simply utilize whatever is available at the time, and I'm in a fortunate position to frequently have the latest, though it isn’t always the greatest, hardware.

Instead, I choose to take this time to ponder what is coming in 2014. There is, no doubt, a boatload of products on the horizon, and it will appear pretty quickly -- CES kicks off next week.

We can expect 2014 versions of flagship devices, such as iPhone, iPad, Nexus and Kindle Fire. Countless new phones are in the works, including ones for both the Windows Phone and Android platforms. Tablets will certainly play a big role this year -- we've waited for a new Nexus 10 for far too long, and I expect we'll see it very soon.

There will be a new Windows -- though rumors vary as to when it's coming. Similarly, what it has in store for users is also open to debate. Sure, you can read the claims, but Microsoft is revealing very little about its plans.

Innovations in AI and robotics are in the works. Services like Siri and Google Now are likely to improve, loads of new games are on the way for owners of the Xbox One and Playstation 4. More revelations from the NSA scandal will surely be revealed and security improvements to prevent the loss of data have been promised by Microsoft and others.

But, the question is, what are you most looking for in the coming 12 months? Is there a rumored device you long for? A feature that you wish for Windows 8 to incorporate? Do you just want world peace and an end to Big Brother-style meddling? Let us know your hopes for 2014.

Image Credit: Tom Wang / Shutterstock

Eric Schmidt unveils his predictions for 2014

Publié: décembre 30, 2013, 3:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The year is almost at a close, the ball ready to drop above Times Square, fireworks being shipped to all the major cities... It’s a reflective time, as evidenced by the BetaNews staff recently stopping to ponder 2013 in tech products. But, it’s also a time to look forward at what to expect over the coming 12 months.

Google’s Eric Schmidt is no exception, as he has recently taken a couple of minutes to reveal his thoughts about what is in store for 2014.

Schmidt promises that the coming year will provide a smartphone for everyone, though that isn’t going too far out on a limb, as feature phones become increasingly more scarce. He goes so far as to proclaim that mobile is not "winning", but has already "won".

The former CEO additionally talks about trends such as Big Data and machine intelligence. He touches on the field of genetics, which is perhaps one of the fastest growing areas. Schmidt also names his biggest regret from the time he spent running the search giant -- the failure to recognize the importance of social networking.

You can watch the entire video below and, by all means, chime in with your thoughts on Schmidt's comments and your own predictions for the coming year.

My favorite tech products of 2013 [Alan]

Publié: décembre 28, 2013, 4:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The year that slowly draws to a close has been a big one in technology, but when is that not the case these days? It seems the rate of hardware and software releases grows exponentially -- it's Moore's Law on steroids. We've seen new tablets, laptops desktops, phones...you name it.

I've been fortunate enough to test more than a few of these products and I have had the usual share of hits and duds. If you asked what I liked, what I really liked, then I would give you a few answers. And that’s what we will stick with here. I’ll spare you the whining about products I didn’t care for.

Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium

Renting software has been Microsoft’s goal for some time. A steady revenue stream as opposed to a quick one-time profit is good for the bottom line. It can also serve as a great way to anger customers if implemented poorly – witness Adobe. But Microsoft got this one right.

There are a number of computers in our home. Four of them have Office installed on them, as I need it on a daily basis, as do both children and my wife. For $9.95 per month I get five licenses of Office and, if a computer exits the lineup, then that license can be cancelled and become available for the replacement device.

We complain about the boneheaded moves the Redmond, Wash.-based company makes from time to time, but I must give them credit for this one.

Vizio Co-Star

When 2013 dawned, I still maintained an HTPC in my entertainment cabinet. It ran Windows 7, with Media Center set to launch upon startup. The computer was quickly becoming old and slow, and I considered building a replacement. But before I did so, I decided to take a look at alternatives.

I settled on Google TV, as it did everything I needed. As a DirecTV customer, I never used WMC for recording TV, only for watching ripped DVD’s, listening to music and looking at family photos. The Vizio allows for all of that, thanks to Plex. It also has integrated Amazon Prime video and took over control of my DVR, thanks to its HDMI pass-thru. As a bonus, it’s much more efficient than a Windows PC.

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX

Choosing a tablet for this look back at 2013 was a tough decision, thanks to the Nexus 7 being in the mix. Honestly, I perhaps should choose both, as the Google device still gets used quite a bit for email and games.

But the HDX can do those things as well, plus it has the added bonus of integrated Prime. It has become the nightstand tablet. I can’t count the number of movies and TV shows watched in bed. The screen is amazing, the hardware beautiful. In my opinion, it may well be the best device released in 2013. Overall. Period.

WD My Passport Edge

The tiny WD My Passport drive is what I keep plugged into my Windows 8.1 laptop for easy backup of my files. It’s barely larger than a wallet, works via USB 3.0 and holds 500 GB of files (there’s a 2 TB model if you need that much).

Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630

Despite that I frequently work from a laptop, I always use a mouse. The Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630 may be too small for some users, but I find it’s perfect for moving around with a notebook computer. It’s Bluetooth, can be paired with two devices and swapped back and forth via a switch on the bottom, and simply works very well, especially since it’s made for Windows 8/8.1.

Divoom Blue-Tune Bean

Ironically, this may have been the toughest choice I had to make. The Logitech UE Boom is an incredible speaker, but due to overall size, I find myself using the Divoom much more often. It’s about the size of desktop mouse, but has surprisingly good sound. It travels with me quite often.

Looking Ahead

What does 2014 hold for the technology world? We’ve been waiting quite a while for the Nexus 10, a tablet I especially look forward to. There will be updates to Windows and new Chromebooks. Lots of new Windows and Android phones. In fact, it will all get started very early, as CES is only a couple of weeks away.

Image Credit: Dusit /Shutterstock

Rdio killed the Vdio star

Publié: décembre 27, 2013, 9:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite its success in the music streaming business, Rdio has learned that video is a different ball game when it comes to providing service. The subsidiary was launched back in April of this year, making a stab at competing with big name players like Netflix, Amazon and Redbox.

It was a tough sell, and today the company posted a brief, but to the point, message on the site -- "despite our efforts, we were not able to deliver the differentiated customer experience we had hoped for. We want to thank all customers who have tried our service".

It will come as a bit of a shock to customers, especially for those who have purchased content from the service. But Vdio has no intention of leaving anyone out in the cold.

The service promises that any money you spent on content will be refunded, though those videos will no longer be accessible, so it's a mixed bag. Oh, and don't expect cash either -- "as of Dec 27, 2013, we have stopped accepting new Vdio transactions. Customers who purchased videos or or have unused rentals will be offered Amazon gift cards in an amount equal to the total cost of their transactions on Vdio. Vdio VIP promotional credits are not eligible".

Well, this certainly is not what The Buggles predicted way back in 1979, but at least the company is not just sneaking away and leaving users high and dry.

The most pirated shows of 2013 -- no surprise at the top of the list

Publié: décembre 26, 2013, 11:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

To perhaps nobody’s amazement, piracy has not diminished in 2013, despite the recent and frequent woes of high-profile sites such as The Pirate Bay. The data is not all that difficult to track, which is one reason that various users have found themselves on the wrong end of a lawsuit.

Each week, Torrent Freak posts statistics, showing the most popular files and, earlier this year BetaNews talked about the HBO hit Game of Thrones, and the network and producer’s strange lack of concern about the rampant downloads of each episode.

Now Torrent Freak has taken its carefully gathered data from throughout 2013 and compiled it for a year-end list. It comes from correlated information using data from several sources, including download statistics reported by BitTorrent's file-sharing protocol.

Once again, Game of Thrones comes out on top, with an estimated 5,900,000 downloads, followed by Breaking Bad, which trailed with 4,200,000 BitTorrent viewers. Other shows that scored a position in the top ten list include The Walking Dead, Homeland, and Vikings.

Game of Thrones is set to return in the spring of 2014 for its fourth season, and will likely again be a magnet for piracy traffic. However, the number of paid subscribers to HBO who are also watching means the series is still a massive hit for the network.

HP Chromebook 11 back in stock at Amazon

Publié: décembre 26, 2013, 7:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While the percentage of incidents was rather low, Google was forced to pull the HP Chromebook 11 from the market due to an overheating charger. Since then, the company has come out with a replacement model, and has begun shipping them out to customers who were affected.

Though the notebook has not yet reappeared in the Play store, it has now gone back up for sale via Amazon. The device is once again listed as "in stock", selling for the $279 that it previously went for.

The little notebook has an 11.6-inch screen, 2 GB of RAM and a 16 GB SSD, as well as promising six hours of battery life. The latter I have so far failed to achieve, though it has come relatively close.

The HP Chromebook 11 had been available in a number of colors, but as of this moment, Amazon is offering only the white model with blue trim. No mention of the included charger is made. However, as the device charges via micro USB, any phone or tablet charger will work, though you'll get a "low powered charger" message.

Santa brought you a Kindle Fire HDX? Here's what to do first

Publié: décembre 25, 2013, 2:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's the big day. You've been waiting to tear the bow and paper off all those gifts that have been temptingly resting beneath the tree, and now you've finally been able to do so. We're curious what you got, but we certainly hope it was all you dreamed for. And, if your holiday haul included the latest tablet from Amazon, then we'd like to give you a bit of help.

Amazon refreshed its lineup of tablets just recently, and several of us here at BetaNews have been enjoying the latest models. Not long ago I reviewed the 7-inch version, and my colleague Mark Wilson has been reveling in the fabulous screen of the 8.9-inch model of the device.

Before you Start

Given the most recent numbers, there's a fairly good chance that you already are familiar with Android, via a smartphone. Many of the tablets on the market work exactly the same. The Kindle Fire line, however, is not among that group. Yes, it's Android, but don't expect to recognize it as such. Expect a completely different experience from the Nexus 7. That's not a bad thing though, but more of an FYI.

Where to Begin

You'll need an Amazon account and, if you have a Prime subscription, then that will be a huge bonus. Like any Android device, you can swipe down from the top to get a menu that includes screen brightness, settings, wireless and the now famous "Mayday" button. Conversely, swipe up from the bottom to get the app drawer.

However, the main portion of the screen is also occupied by the apps list. Swipe in from the right to begin scrolling across the single file column. Recetly watched TV show series' also show up in this list.

Apps

Don't go looking for Google Play or, for that matter, other Google apps. They aren't there. You are now part of the Amazon ecosystem, but that includes a full-featured app store that contains most any Android app you want, so things aren't so dire as they may first seem.

The email still allows you to use Gmail (though you also have an "@kindle.com" address if you care to know). You won't get other Google services, but chances are you will not really be longing for them, as the Fire HDX will soon make you forget that you thought you needed them.

The big selling point here is Amazon Prime. Unlike standard Android, the service is built right into the operating system. Fire OS, as it's known, displays a menu across the screen top, giving options for video, newsstand, audiobooks (through Audible), books and much more. Click any of them to reveal a beautiful clean interface.

Hardware

Regardless of which model you've unwrapped, the experience is largely the same. The device is thin, lightweight and boasts one of the best screens that you'll ever see on a tablet, at least in this generation of models. Both have front facing cameras, though only the 8.9 contains a rear lens.

Do yourself a favor also -- if you didn't get the Origami case, then grab one from Amazon. Propping the tablet up is key to getting the full experience. It's made for media and the cover, not only protects it, but enhances the audio, as it reflects the rear stereo speakers' sound back towards the viewer.

Happy Holidays

Someone is quite fond of you if this was a gift beneath your tree. We have only touched on the basics, but it will get you started. There's plenty to explore and, if you encounter a bump in the road, hit the Mayday button. Amazon promises fast customer service and, in our testing, it delivers.

Santa brought you a Google TV? Here's what to do first

Publié: décembre 25, 2013, 1:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The holiday has arrived and you've likely ripped the wrappings off your gifts. There was no doubt a tech item or two under that tree, providing your family knows you as well as we do. Now the real fun begins -- playing with that new toy and discovering all there is you can do with it.

Did you happen to receive a Google TV? There are a number of nice models on the market right now and you’ll likely be quite happy no matter which you got. The little box runs a version of Android and is compatible with the Google Play store, allowing for apps and media.

Setup

This is not particularly difficult. Expect to spend about 15 minutes or so getting everything set. Obviously, step one is the connections – there is HDMI pass-thru, so your live TV and recordings will now be accessed all from the Google TV.

With that out of the way and the device booting up, you will need to walk through a number of steps. These include setting your screen size (right, left, top and bottom are each separately configured). You’ll also need the name and model of both your TV and DVR. These must be input in order to control everything.

The Remote

There’s not much to see here, as the front looks like any remote. It includes the standard red, green, yellow and blue buttons that have become the norm with today’s cable and satellite boxes. There’s also standard channel, volume and numbers. It even packs in everything you need to replace the old DVR model, such as play, pause, fast forward and rewind. Even List and Guide are there.

But there are also major differences. It’s thicker than average, because the reverse side contains a small QWERTY keyboard. It may vary by brand, but in all likelihood this will lack some buttons, such as Ctrl and Shift. A blue Fn key makes up for this, enabling numbers and symbols.

There’s also additional buttons on the front, though again they may vary by brand. The Vizio Co-Star, for instance, offers dedicated keys for Amazon, Netflix and M-Go. It also features a prominent "V" button to open the app drawer.

Apps

Just because it’s Android, don’t expect to play Angry Birds on your TV. Apps must be specifically made for the device. Pandora offers one that you may want to grab. Netflix and Redbox Instant do the same. These may or may not have come pre-installed, depending on the model you’ve received.

Amazon Prime is key here because, the fact is, the company does not offer a native app for Android phones and tablets, but does so for Google TV. It’s very well crafted also, giving you access to your library, watchlist and the Prime store.

Plex is something else you may wish to consider. It takes a bit of setting up, requiring a computer (preferably always-on) to run the server. But once that’s out of the way, you’ll gain access to all of the media on your home network -- ripped DVDs, photos, music, the works.

The Plex Google TV app works well and it looks just fine, but if you’re looking for a prettier interface, then you may want to grab Serenity. It works with the Plex server and has a much more pleasing look about it.

Enjoy

The biggest key is you. It’s your present and we hope you have a lot of fun with it. These make great little set-top boxes with lots of capability. Regardless of the brand, you should be pleased with the latest member of your home entertainment family.

The countdown is on -- Microsoft NORAD Santa tracker is about to go live

Publié: décembre 23, 2013, 10:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You likely realize that a rather big holiday is fast approaching, and the children are growing antsy. It's only a matter of time before the old guy in the red suit takes to the sky to pay a visit to each and every home. You've also perhaps heard that both Microsoft and Google have trackers up and running to keep you informed of reindeer progress.

The NORAD version, which could be thought of as the "official" one, as the organization has handled Santa duty since 1955, is now run by Microsoft. Thanks to time zones, it's also just about to go live.

Microsoft will celebrate the launching of the sleigh in just hours -- at 6:00 am EST tomorrow. Though, the tracker will kick off a bit earlier 2:00 am EST), much like a NASA countdown.

"As soon as Rudolph and the gang lift off, NORAD will begin tracking Santa and sharing his location on the map, while keeping him safe as he flies the night skies", announces Steve Lake of the Internet Explorer team. "Whether you’re shopping for last minute gifts or sipping hot cocoa near the fire place, you can follow Santa from anywhere".

This also means that all of the games in the Santa Village on the web site have been unlocked, so ~~you~~ your kids can now play each and every title. And remember, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.

Can you stand one more holiday? Amazon holds a Boxing Day sale

Publié: décembre 23, 2013, 6:17pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Right off the bat, I should mention that this pertains to our friends up in the Great White North. With that out of the way, online retailer Amazon has come up with yet one more way to push sales over the holiday season, a run it began before Black Friday had even dawned, and when other merchants were only planning Cyber Monday deals.

Much like the other deals, the company isn't waiting for the official day, which arrives December 26th. Instead, Amazon kicks off a week of deals, and it begins today.

"To date, the 2013 holiday season has been the biggest ever for Amazon.ca -- our customers ordered millions of items in November and December and we expect the entire week surrounding Boxing Day to be as busy", says Alexandre Gagnon, country manager for Amazon.ca.

Deals have not been completely revealed, but some highlights were unveiled. These include a Samsung 40-inch 1080p 120Hz Slim Smart LED HDTV for $599, Pentax Q10 camera for $199, an Asus i7 laptop for $1199 and half off Rosetta Stone language kits -- for those who wish to learn French, or other dialects.

Sure, this boils down to Amazon pushing sales numbers, but it's a nice thank you to the land that gifted us with Molson, Rush, and Bob and Doug McKenzie. Or, even better, Bob and Doug combining with Rush. Beauty, eh?

The continued existence of The Pirate Bay provides comfort in troubled internet times

Publié: décembre 23, 2013, 2:06am CET par Alan Buckingham

The other day I chronicled the strange journey of The Pirate Bay, a BitTorrent site that is notorious for finding less-than-legal software, movies, TV shows, music…you name it. Sure, it’s wrong to steal content, no matter how you justify it -- people deserve to be paid for their work. After all, I don’t work for free, I fully expect to be compensated for my efforts. I have a wife and kids to provide for. I would guess you also do not labor for free.

However, that piece about the many domains the service has recently occupied, combined with something my colleague Mark Wilson brought up about the ridiculous porn filtering in the UK, got me thinking.

Governments around the world have tried, with moderate success, to crack down on the internet, treating it as something that could be controlled, even utilized, by them. We’ve seen it from the Great Firewall of China. We witnessed it during the Arab Spring, when uprisings spread through social networking and dictators attempted to suppress that access.

All of that is real. It hits home. We all watched in horror the videos and images emerging from such far-flung locations as Syria, Iran, Libya and Egypt. Honestly, who could not be moved by the plight of these average citizens and their efforts to overthrow the oppressor and bring an amount of freedom and dignity to their nation?

This is all, quite obviously, much beyond the scope of simple, mundane things such as piracy and protecting children from seeing a breast, despite that the image pertains to cancer. The very things the US and UK attempt to handle with secret court orders and filters seem ludicrous by comparison to the trials of other, less fortunate, world citizens.

Nothing experienced in other parts of the world can even be compared to complaining that your porn site isn’t accessible, or that you aren’t able to locate a copy of The Hobbit. If those are your biggest concerns, then you should consider yourself lucky.

But in a strange sort of way, that’s exactly where The Pirate Bay comes in. It epitomizes the very resiliency of the human spirit that most of us have only seen on the news. I may not use it, but I’m certainly glad it’s still there. Still standing tall despite every effort to thwart it. It provides a modicum of hope for the internet. It's not about the RIAA or MPAA or even the NSA -- it's about the freedom to access what you want and when you want it. The Pirate Bay symbolizes much more than its founders ever intended.

Domain seizures, continuous moves, law suits and jail time. Virtually everything short of a bomb has been thrown at these guys and yet, they endure. We can’t exactly compare that endurance to citizens in recently war-torn nations, but for the rest of us, it still sends a beacon that maybe, just possibly, Big Brother hasn’t quite won the battle yet. Sail on mighty ship.

Image Credit: Erlo Brown / Shutterstock

Samsung Galaxy Gear wants to improve your social life

Publié: décembre 22, 2013, 4:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I have previously gone on record as being one of those people -- the crowd that wants a smartwatch. My reasoning, however, differs greatly from what Samsung is pushing in its latest Galaxy Gear ad. As a runner, I am an avid wearer of the little wrist accessory. My kind are nothing, if not anal about time, distance and pace; and a watch that can handle an app like MapMyRun while utilizing GPS is a glorious prospect.

Samsung, on the other hand, has gone in a different direction to push its technology. The hardware maker instead goes after the singles crowd, spending two and a half minutes telling guys why this watch will help their social lives, and also, quite possibly, letting women know why they should worry about it.

The video features a man and woman meeting while sharing a ski lift. What follows is a whirlwind of possibilities for what can be done -- making phone calls, taking pictures and videos, picking out the right bottle of wine and ending the evening with some romantic music. The ad also features the hapless background character, who we are to believe didn't get the girl because he doesn't have Galaxy Gear.

The ad does a fine job of showing the features and how everything works together, though you are hard pressed to avoid having this all feel just a bit....well, creepy stalkerish.

Happy holidays! Google Play gives away Elf for free

Publié: décembre 20, 2013, 9:05pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Regardless of your beliefs, it's rather difficult to resist a good Christmas movie. There is something soothing about gathering the family around the TV to watch that annual classic, be it Miracle on 34th Street or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Neither is new, but neither ever seems to get old.

Elf is also no longer particularly new, having been released back in 2003 when we all ran Windows XP, and Google hadn't yet thought about Android or the Play market.

But fast-forward to now and the search giant is gifting users with a free copy of that Will Ferrell-Zooey Deschanel classic flick. I'll spare you the plot, as you've either seen it or don't wish to have it spoiled. Suffice it to say that humor is involved, and you'll even be treated to Deschanel's voice -- remember, she is a musician, as well as actress.

Google doesn't specify how long the offer is good for, preferring the rather vague wording of "a limited time". In other words, you will want to grab it sooner, rather than later. It's also a US-only offer.

Winamp is dead, Spotify tries to resuscitate it

Publié: décembre 20, 2013, 5:17pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You've known for a month, providing you cared enough to notice the news. AOL announced that its once prominent media player, Winamp, would cease to exist on December 20, 2013. But before the obituary can even be written, music streaming service Spotify has stepped in with its own tribute.

Today the company announces Spotiamp -- "to honour the engineering skill and passion that goes into building wonderful software that millions of people enjoy we would like to share a small tribute to honor the great legacy of Winamp".

The website describes it as "a Windows program that lets you login to your Spotify account and listen to your playlists. You can also search for tracks to play, and there's a radio feature. Spotiamp borrows the design of the UI from Winamp, an excellent MP3 player back in the day. Spotiamp aims to be resource efficient and perform in a really fast and snappy way".

It almost sounds like a joke, but Spotiamp is quite real -- you can download all of the retro goodness as of this moment. And yes, when I say retro I mean that. Spotiamp looks eerily like its near-namesake, meaning a piece of software that has just stepped out of the 90's, but with some modern ingenuity. Heck, it even has a built-in Shoutcast server for streaming to other devices that support the platform, such as Sonos.

There is a catch however -- you will need to be a premium Spotify customer in order to follow this path down memory lane.

Google announces latest round of government takedowns

Publié: décembre 19, 2013, 6:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

By now you know the routine, though none of us really seems to understand what we should think of it. We all have opinions of course, but I'll refrain from repeating the old adage about those. In the end, we can only report what the companies reveal to us, and that most recent unveiling comes from Google.

The latest Transparency Report reveals the notices the search giant received during the period spanning January through June of this year. The numbers are not particularly encouraging -- Google says it has received "3,846 government requests to remove 24,737 pieces of content". The company also states that this number represents a substantial increase over 2012, rising by a staggering 68-percent.

"Over the past four years, one worrying trend has remained consistent: governments continue to ask us to remove political content. Judges have asked us to remove information that’s critical of them, police departments want us to take down videos or blogs that shine a light on their conduct, and local institutions like town councils don’t want people to be able to find information about their decision-making processes. These officials often cite defamation, privacy and even copyright laws in attempts to remove political speech from our services. In this particular reporting period, we received 93 requests to take down government criticism and removed content in response to less than one third of them. Four of the requests were submitted as copyright claims" writes Google legal director Susan Infantino.

It's certainly a trend we didn't want to see, but also comes as little surprise. What may get your attention is the fact that this isn't all US-based. While the nation may be monopolizing government scandals at the moment, Google notes that there has been a marked increase in requests from Turkey and Russia, the latter thanks to a new law enacted within the nation.

Details on any of this are scant, thanks to laws preventing such revelations. So, we cannot be sure as to why any of these requests were made, and only assume that it's a mix of national security and simple copyright infringement, with that second being decidedly behind the first, at least in the perception of those sending the notices.

Image Credit: Micha Klootwijk / Shutterstock

Where in the world is The Pirate Bay?

Publié: décembre 19, 2013, 1:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Forget Carmen Sandiego, The Pirate Bay has become the hardest thing to find these days. The torrent sharing site has been on a recent world tour, following ongoing legal woes, that have included court trials and domain seizures. The past week has been especially busy for the owners, involving lots of packing and unpacking of suitcases.

Just yesterday the site called Guyana home, making the service available for those who found the .gy domain. In previous days, the service has visited Sint Maarten (.sx) and stopped for a whirlwind tour of Ascenion Island (.ac). The Pirate Bay had, earlier this year, racked up frequent flier miles for visits to Iceland (.is) and Greenland (.gl).

But there's no place like home, and today the sharing service returns to its Scandinavian roots, landing back in Sweden (.se). In the wake of all this moving about, users were able to access the site by typing the .org URL, which redirects to wherever The Pirate Bay is calling home at any given moment -- and it changes almost that often.

There are no plans to move again, but the Swedish domain is also at risk of being seized, though the country has seemed unwilling to do so thus far. In fact, the registry has flat out stated it has no plans to pull the plug unless ordered to do so by a court. For now, at least, the ship seems to have found a safe harbor.

What tech toys do you want to find under the tree this year?

Publié: décembre 18, 2013, 3:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The holiday shopping season is well underway -- getting on towards the finish line actually. That said, there is still time to grab a few last-minute gifts and beg for the ones you wish to remove the bow from. And that is the question I now pose to you -- what tech toys are you harboring hopes for this time around?

I cannot, of course, read your mind, and likely not sway opinions, though I do plan to give you some unsolicited ideas on what I found to my liking in 2013.

Windows 8.1 was certainly an improvement over the previous operating system -- unlike others who bicker over a Start menu, I honestly don't care one way or the other. Let them argue the finer points of this possible addition to a future Windows release, version 8.1 works just fine, and I haven't missed the menu, though I also don't mind if it returns.

A one year subscription to Office 365 Home Premium would also make a nice gift, making the suite available on five devices, as well as adding a bit of extra SkyDrive storage and Skype minutes to boot.

In the tablet arena, I found both the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HDX to be more than just passable. In fact, both are solid devices, though rather different from one another. Both may run Android, but the Google-branded device is the tablet for you if you simply want to play games, run cool apps and indulge in the Play ecosystem. Meanwhile, if you utilize a Prime subscription for video consumption then the Fire is certainly what you are looking for.

Are you in need of a new notebook or desktop? If so, which ecosystem do you wish to be part of? Windows, Mac and even Chrome OS are all offering good hardware, but use-case plays the biggest part in your decision. Which is right for you?

Maybe you're hoping to find some other device inside that little wrapped box? Digital cameras, Bluetooth speakers, gaming systems and USB thumb drives all make excellent presents.

If you are in doubt about the tech geek in your life, then there is always the old standby gift card from Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and countless others.

But all of this is nothing more than ideas. What we really want to know is, what do you wish to pull from beneath the tree, brush the dead needles off of, and unwrap? Which product has captured your heart this holiday season?

Image Credit: Aleksangel/Shutterstock

YouTube lands on Roku 3

Publié: décembre 17, 2013, 7:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It seems as if we should have reached this moment long ago -- like, perhaps, when the Roku debuted? The little, inexpensive set-top box seems capable of doing most anything, with the obvious exception of acting as your DVR. But, until today, it was incapable of playing content from the most popular streaming video service on the internet.

There are some stipulations with this release -- well, one major one, at least. That is the simple fact that the brand new YouTube app appears only on the Roku 3. "We’re bringing you the YouTube app (or 'channel' in Roku-speak) today on the Roku 3 in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Republic of Ireland", announces YouTube's Sarah Ali.

Google has gone all out, with full HD streaming of YouTube videos on the living room device. In addition, like other Roku apps (or "channels") you'll get a send-to TV option within the remote control app for your phone or tablet, as well as your subscribed channels.

The Roku 3 is one of several devices available from the manufacturer, and retails for $99.99, though it's currently on sale for $10 off, if you are looking for a last minute gift.

Google Zeitgeist -- 2013 in search

Publié: décembre 17, 2013, 3:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's hard to believe it's been 12 months since I last wrote about Google's year-end video. That one featured the tragedy of Hurricane Sandy and the thrill of Felix Baumgartner's amazing leap from the stratosphere. At the time, we had no idea what the next 365 days held in store for us. Now, as the year winds down, Google has put together another of its annual summaries to illustrate what we been through.

Many companies release lists in late December, with lots of nice statistics, but Google, using the power of YouTube, wraps up everything in a nice tidy video.

"In our annual Year-End Zeitgeist ('spirit of the times'), we reflect on the people, places, and moments that captured the world’s attention throughout the year. This year marks our most global Zeitgeist to date -- with 1,000-plus top 10 lists across categories like Trending People, Most-Searched Events and Top Trending Searches from 72 countries", says Google senior vice president Amit Singhal.

You'll find moving footage of Nelson Mandela, who was sadly taken from us this year, experience again the atrocities of Typhoon Haiyan and the Boston Marathon bombing, jet off into space, and meet the newest member of the royal family. It seems the year was more eventful than we perhaps thought.

Forget Gmail, Google announces Blackmail service

Publié: décembre 16, 2013, 9:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Many of us complain, some more than needed, about companies like Google and Microsoft and the possible ties each has to our personal information and potential spying accusations. But now, Google is pulling back the curtain on all of this, revealing what data it has and what the plans for it are.

Okay, I am being a bit facetious, but a new video posted by the folks at College Humor takes a look at what one potential future could look like. I'll try to give you a bit of background while simultaneously also attempting to not spoil it for you.

Essentially we are looking at a brand new service -- Google Blackmail. It's one that many of you accuse the search giant of having anyway. Blackmail is built with a single purpose in mind, and it's not so much about handing your data over to federal agents -- they likely already have it.

Instead, Google Blackmail is designed around strongarming you into using Google+, the company's social network that I recently heard described thus -- "the social network for the Google employees you know". In other words, there isn't much going on there. Mom and dad and your friend who now lives on the opposite coast likely aren't there, but it's not for Google's lack of trying.

The video is just over two minutes long and, I must stress, certainly falls within the realm of "NSFW". If you have a bit of privacy, and are looking for a chuckle to liven up your Monday, then you can view the College Humor creation below.

Forget Gmail, Google announces Blackmail service [NSFW warning]

Publié: décembre 16, 2013, 9:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Redbox Instant slips onto the Kindle Fire HDX

Publié: décembre 16, 2013, 8:33pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon has refreshed its tablet lineup, adding the HDX alongside the already solid HD, making a good product that much better. If you haven't used one of the retailer's devices, then you should know that, despite it being Android, the lineup is really about media consumption, and is particularly well suited for those who have Prime subscriptions.

But now there is another option for those who either do not subscribe to Amazon's video service, or simply want more choice. Redbox Instant by Verizon has landed in the Amazon Android App Store.

"Redbox Instant by Verizon arrives on Kindle Fire today joining a growing list of major platforms where movie fans can enjoy and access thousands of streaming movie favorites and new releases right at their fingertips", a company representative says in a statement to BetaNews.

The app is free, though obviously, a subscription is not. Users pay $8 per month for unlimited streaming, while also getting four DVD rentals per month, or $9 if you'd prefer Blu-rays instead. If you are on the fence, then you can try out the service for 30 days free of charge.

Google Glass invades the NFL lockeroom

Publié: décembre 16, 2013, 1:32am CET par Alan Buckingham

I try to keep my cards close to the chest, but I fear I have left little doubt of my NFL allegiance. I have been a Miami Dolphins fan since I was a small child, but that has absolutely nothing do with my "other life" in the technology world. Needless to say, today's win over the feared New England Patriots was a landmark moment, sealed by an end-zone interception of Tom Brady by an unknown and undrafted rookie.

What does this have to do with tech you ask? Well, the game had nothing to do with it, unless you take into account that Surface is "the official tablet of the NFL". However, in looking through the post-game news, I ran across something rather interesting.

"Watch this emotional post-game interview (Google Glass video). Thomas talks about crying after the win and how amazing his journey has been". That's the line that ends the brief post from Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post.

Sure it's a feel good story -- undrafted rookie comes into his first NFL game and picks off three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback to seal a victory. But did you catch that one little caveat? Google Glass Video. The video and the audio here was captured using Google Glass. And you know what? It's very good. Not perfect, but certainly more than passable.

We still do not have details about when this product will reach consumers, save for the $1,500 beta program, but if the video below is an early indication of what we can expect, then, aside from a few annoying clicks in the audio, Google has hit a home run.

Can't afford the new Kindle Fire tablet? Amazon has financing

Publié: décembre 13, 2013, 9:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon has made a lot of news recently, which probably shouldn't be a surprise, given this is the shopping season and it's one of the most prominent retailers. Much of that buzz has surrounded the latest refresh of the company's line of Android tablets -- the Kindle Fires -- with Cyber Monday deals, and then another one-day sale. But now Amazon is looking to hook up those who can't afford to shell out that full price all at once.

The retail giant has quietly rolled out an installment plan to help you get that tablet. Both the 7-inch and 8.9-inch versions of the Kindle Fire HDX are included in the deal. At checkout, you will need to pony up 25-percent of the retail price, plus any taxes and shipping charges. But, after that, you will just be billed one time every 90 days (three times total) in equal amounts to cover the balance owed.

What all of that means, is that, after the initial payment, you can scoop up the 7-inch model for as low as $57.25 every three months, or score the 8.9-inch model at as low as $94.75 per installment.

To grab this deal, head over to Amazon and sign up for the offer. Perhaps a last minute holiday gift? Though you'll just be paying it off as next year's holiday approaches.

Grab discounted apps for Windows Phone this holiday season

Publié: décembre 13, 2013, 1:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Let me get this out of the way first -- the "12 Days of Red Stripe" has absolutely nothing to do with Jamaican beer. Instead, it's Microsoft's latest holiday push (named after the Windows Phone weekly deal), going with the 12 Days of Geekmas and the 12 Days of Deals previously announced. This latest campaign is designed for Windows Phone customers.

"The Windows Phone Store just kicked off a big holiday sale on twelve apps, indie games, and Xbox titles", announces Microsoft's Michael Stroh.

The apps included in the 12 Days of Red Stripe are: Modern Combat 4, Runtastic Pro, Ruzzle, Bejeweled Live, Cocktail Flow, Sunny Hillride, Rayman Jungle Run, Package Tracker, Dr. Pickaxe, Gravity Guy 2, Jack of Tools Pro and Sparkle 2. Sale prices range from $0.99 to $2.99 -- all are at least 50 percent off. There is also a similar deal currently running for PC and tablet apps.

Stroh reminds that "if you or someone you know is planning to buy a new Windows Phone this holiday, don’t forget that for a limited time Nokia and Microsoft are both offering app gift cards with the purchase of certain phone models".

How to move from Gmail to Outlook.com with Microsoft's new migration tool

Publié: décembre 12, 2013, 6:15pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While you can't use Lavabit any longer, there are still plenty of good email services out there, though none is perfect -- they can all experience occasional glitches, just ask Yahoo customers. I also can't tell you which ones you can trust, though I can recommend caution with all of them, given the recent news stories.

Microsoft has been on a bit of a rampage against rival Google lately, and one target of attack has been Gmail, with accusations of messages being "read" in order to better target ads. It's a rather disingenuous point, as all providers scan incoming messages, if not for ads then at least for spam filtering (and Outlook.com does have ads unless you pay to opt out).

But this isn't about picking on one company or comparing services to determine which is better. Microsoft has just released a new migration tool to allow customers who wish to move from Gmail to Outlook.com do so in the easiest possible way. These are the steps to follow if you wish to make this move.

Why Outlook.com?

Microsoft's web-based email service is not necessarily better or worse than that of rival Google. It is very different though. It has a nice clean look, a very Windows 8 "Metro" style. Those familiar with the Outlook desktop client should feel right at home, and that can be a key factor in the decision for many casual computer users. Microsoft also provides the ability to opt out of seeing ads, though the privilege will cost you $19.95 per year.

The Steps to Follow

You'll obviously need an Outlook.com account, but we'll assume you have already taken care of that and go from there. From the main page of your email account you'll need to click the tools icon at the top right and choose "More mail settings".

This results in a page that has a rather large number of options. We're looking for one called "Import email accounts", which can be found as a sub-heading under "Managing your account".

Now choose where you wish to import from -- Google just happens to be an option, as are desktop email clients on your computer. If your Gmail address is registered with Microsoft, as mine was, then it will already be listed on this page.

A dialog box pops up to explain what is about to occur -- "Send email from your Gmail address using Outlook.com" and "See and chat with your Gmail contacts from Outlook.com and other Microsoft web services".

There is also an "Options" link which allows you to opt to import all of your Gmail messages into a new folder and subfolders, as opposed to the default, which is importing to existing folders and subfolders. You may want to make this switch if you wish to keep messages separate. Once you're satisfied with your choices, click "Start".

A message box pops up (if you have more than one Gmail account, as I do) asking you to choose the account you wish to import from. If your account isn't listed then click on "Add account" and follow the steps.

Google will display one final message. This explains what is about to happen and asks for your authorization to proceed with allowing Microsoft access to your Gmail.

Once you've clicked on "Accept" the import will begin. Depending on the amount of mail and contacts you have, it could take some time. It will all happen in the background and you can continue to use the service as this takes place.

Microsoft will also send a message to your Outlook.com address providing step-by-step instructions on how to set up email auto-forwarding so all future messages sent to your Gmail will be forwarded on to Outlook.com. You will still have the option to send messages from your @gmail address.

This will not cancel or, in any way, affect your Google account. If you choose to do so, you can always go back to using it. All of your mail and contacts will still be there. In other words, it can't hurt to give it a try.

Photo Credit: 2jenn/Shutterstock

Give the gift of Amazon Coins this holiday

Publié: décembre 12, 2013, 4:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Do you have someone on your shopping list who is part of the Amazon ecosystem? Chances are you do, given that anyone with an Android device can install and use the Amazon App Store, Kindle App, MP3 player and more. What you may not be familiar with is something called Amazon Coins.

The currency doesn't get a lot of attention, but it can be used to purchase apps, games and in-app items. Each Coin is essentially the equivalent of a penny -- 500 Coins is the same as $5.

Now Amazon is raising the profile of this virtual currency, announcing that as of today you can not only buy Coins for yourself, but also gift them to others.

"We know that during the holidays finding that perfect gift can be hard. So, we’re making it easy for you to give the game-playing kids or app-savvy friends and family in your life just what they want -- great apps and games to use on their phones and tablets. And remember, if you are a Kindle Fire owner, we automatically deposited 500 Coins in your account. So, if you haven't used them yet, happy shopping", says Amazon's Mike George, Vice President of Apps and Games.

In celebration of the launch, the retailer has a special offer for its customers. Between now and January 5, anyone who purchases coins, either for themselves or as a gift for another, will receive a five-percent discount. If you are sending Coins as a gift then all you need to have is the recipient's email address. The lucky person will receive a message allowing for instant redemption.

Dell cheats on Microsoft with 'sexy' new Chromebook

Publié: décembre 11, 2013, 8:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has been busy attacking the Chromebook recently, trotting out spokesman Ben Rudolph to handpick "people on the street" to tell him why the Google-branded laptop wouldn't work for them, and hiring Pawn Stars to call the notebook "a brick". The problem for Microsoft is this -- many of its biggest OEM partners, including HP and Acer, are producing hardware running the rival operating system.

Now Dell is the latest hardware maker, generally associated with Windows, to experiment with alternatives. No, Dell isn't abandoning Windows, just cheating on it with Chrome OS. The Texas-based company has strayed before, producing Android tablets, but this is its first flirtation with a Chromebook.

The Dell Chromebook 11 features an Intel Celeron processor, an 11.6-inch screen, a 16 GB SSD and is claiming 10 hours of battery life. The notebook is geared towards educational uses, delivering what Dell explains is the "next generation learning solutions that deliver an optimal combination of platforms, education content and secure IT efficiency that schools and universities are seeking to personalize the learning experience and improve student outcomes".

"Dell believes that when implemented successfully, teachers, students and technology work together to enrich the learning process", adds Neil Hand, vice president of the Tablet and Performance PC Group at Dell.

The Dell Chromebook 11 will be available in the first quarter of 2014 and will come in both 2 GB and 4 GB models, both of which will be priced under $300 (exact pricing not given). There is still plenty of time between now and launch, during which Microsoft can attempt to damage sales for its hardware partners.

Outlook.com eases your transition from Gmail

Publié: décembre 11, 2013, 7:33pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Ever since Microsoft launched Outlook.com the company has been trying to get Gmail users to switch to its online email service, using various tactics, including trying to frighten them into making the move by warning of the evils perpetrated by Google, even going as far as producing unflattering videos portraying the "Gmail Man" as an email snooper.

Now Microsoft is taking steps to ease your transition from Gmail to Outlook.com. The software giant has launched a new tool designed to allow easier importing of your Gmail account, including contacts. It also claims to preserve the status of messages (read and unread), and even offers to let you retain the ability to use your "@gmail.com" address when sending emails from Outlook.com.

Microsoft cites a recent study as one of the primary reasons it wanted to make this tool available. "According to a recent study by market research firm Ipsos, nearly 1 in 4 consumers would switch email providers if it was easier to do". The study shows that 70-percent of those polled named interference from ads as their biggest complaint about email -- taking things back to the Scroogled campaign once again.

The new tool will be rolling out over the next few weeks. I was able to access it as I was writing this, but your results may vary. Remember, this does not cancel your Gmail account -- you can always turn back.

Now you can listen to Rdio in 51 countries

Publié: décembre 11, 2013, 5:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Our smartphones have become not just entertainment devices, but also our constant travel companions. This means that media services are always at work, trying to get into new markets, in an effort to be with you wherever you go. Now streaming music service Rdio has announced a major roll out that includes 20 new nations.

Today's news brings the total number of countries in which Rdio is available to a more-than-respectable 51. The company brags that this makes it "the second largest music subscription service in the world in terms of countries serviced" (the largest subscription service is Deezer).

The latest locations to be able to listen in are Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Rdio features full streaming of artists, songs and albums, as well as more than 400 genre stations. Now you'll have plenty to listen to on that next river cruise down the Danube.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Roku giving away daily prizes in holiday sweepstakes

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 11:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Roku is one of the leaders in an ever-more competitive set-top box market that includes heavy-hitters like Apple and Google, Despite that, the company has carved out a niche for itself through a combination of functionality and pricing. Now, to celebrate both the holidays and its good fortune, Roku is holding a sweepstakes.

Here's how it works -- Roku is giving away a number of items everyday between now and December 22nd. The list of products remains the same each day, but you'll have to enter daily for a chance to win. Head to the Stuff Your Stocking Sweepstakes website and pick the item you desire. Each day the company will give each item away to a lucky winner.

Items include a Roku 3, Slingbox 500, one year subscription to Netflix and a number of other items. The contest is being run through the Roku Facebook page and you will have to like that in order to enter.

The contest is mostly about media, but there are plenty of other items, like tee shirts, being handed out as well. It may just provide you with one item to check off your shopping list.

White Nexus 7 appears in Play store, only one model to choose from

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 9:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Without much fanfare, Google has added a new member to its Nexus family, but it's not what you think. For weeks now we have waited, not entirely patiently, for an updated version of the Nexus 10 tablet, enduring endless rumored release dates that have come and gone.

The new addition, however, is a white version of the Nexus 7 that was unveiled back in June at a breakfast event with Android chief Sundar Pichai. The tablet sports a white back and edges, while the face still has the familiar black bezel.

"Today we're introducing a new white Nexus 7 just in time for the holidays. It's available starting now on Google Play in the US, UK and JP", the company states via its Google+ account.

If you're looking for a white tablet, then this is good news, but there are a few limitations here. The new device is available only as a 32 GB model and also is limited to just WiFi. Google has confirmed to BetaNews that there are currently no plans for any white 16 GB model or any LTE version in the new color.

Happy Birthday! The mouse turns 45 today

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 4:22am CET par Alan Buckingham

The seemingly common peripheral that sits on our desks and gets taken for granted has not always been a part of computing. The lowly mouse has also changed more than you think over its lifespan, and its contribution to the technology world should be in little doubt. The tiny hand-held device has made major strides since its debut, 45 years ago today.

Yes, it was on December 9th, 1968, long before Windows was even a twinkle in Bill Gates' eye, that the little product made its first appearance. Years earlier, Douglas Engelbart filed a patent for a device he developed in 1963 at Stanford University. However, it took until 1966 for Patent number 3,541,541 to be granted -- fast by today's standards.

Since those early days, the device has come surprisingly far, for something that seems so simple. The one I currently use has no cord, no buttons and no track ball. Instead, it connects via Bluetooth, uses touch for motion, and has a laser to pinpoint its location. It even has a switch to allow for pairing with two devices. Englebert would be proud.

Sadly, the inventor missed this momentous occasion, having passed away on July 2nd of this year at the age of 88. However, he is known forever as the inventor of "human-computer interaction". Happy birthday to the oft-under-appreciated peripheral that has stood the test of time, and farewell to Mr. Engelbart.

Image Credit: Jiri Hera / Shutterstock

Verizon releases confusing Motorola Droid videos featuring Edward Norton

Publié: décembre 9, 2013, 5:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Strange and confusing ads are certainly not a new genre, in fact we see more than enough of them everytime we turn on the television. Verizon is taking this path now with a new series featuring Edward Norton -- it's no Fight Club, but it's almost as violent as that classic movie.

While the new campaign is certainly odd, it is also strangely compelling. The 30-second spot teases the real video without ever showing any sort of device to provide a hint of what this is all about. Instead it simply provides a hashtag and a "click here to see the full story" link -- #FortyEight, which seems to have a bit of traction on Twitter.

The ensuing minute-and-a-half video is a wild ride through all sorts of life threatening situations, involving mob bosses, crashing planes, pursuing dogs and more. All the while, Norton is fortunate enough to have his trusty Motorola Droid Maxx and "OK Google" to help him find his way out of trouble. The gist of the whole thing is summed up at the end -- "whatever you do in 48-hours, Droid does".

Despite the quirky nature of this whole campaign, it's the sort of videos you can't help but watch. And if you have followed Norton's career then you'll find it especially interesting. Well, without any more spoilers -- and the truth is, I really haven't come close to describing any of this -- you can check out both the teaser and the full-length piece posted below.

Amazon holding one-day Kindle sale

Publié: décembre 9, 2013, 4:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon has been all over the news in recent weeks, and much of that has surrounded the Kindle line of E-readers and tablets -- we'll ignore those flying robots that have been on your mind. If you didn't get in on the big Cyber Monday sale, then you'll get a second crack at a deal today.

Amazon is holding a today-only Kindle-fest that features select members of the family at new, lower prices. The basic Kindle E-reader Wi-Fi is down from its regular $69 cost to $56. Other deals available include the 16 GB Kindle Fire HD at only $135, Fire HDX 7 16 GB model for $183 and the Fire HD 8.9 16 GB slashed from $269 down to $229. All of these deals are for the Wi-Fi only versions of the tablets.

If you still have a bit of holiday shopping left to do, and which of us doesn't, then you can add these devices to your list for consideration. Several of us here at BetaNews have recently been enjoying the new Kindle Fire HDX, which has steadily become a great competitor to the Nexus 7 tablet, though it is certainly geared more towards those who use the Amazon ecosystem, specifically Prime video. That said, it's still a capable Android tablet and can run almost every app.

Deck the halls -- Rdio unveils holiday stations, playlists

Publié: décembre 7, 2013, 4:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's that time of year, when the temperatures dip and the snow begins to fall, well, depending on where you live. This is also the time of year when a few radio stations suddenly change formats, and you can't turn the dial without hearing Bing Crosby or Burl Ives. Streaming radio company Rdio is taking a similar approach.

The music service has announced its 2013 lineup of holiday stations and curated playlists to get you in the spirit. "All of your musical needs for the holidays can be found right here on Rdio", the company announces.

Included is all of the standard fare. There are various themed stations such as punk, country, celtic and traditional. There are hand-picked playlists, including holiday favorites and 2013 holiday music -- did you know Iggy Pop has recorded a song in this category? Rdio even has some complete 2013 compilation and individual artist albums.

The service also wouldn't mind if you gave it as a gift. "And if you’re still looking for great presents for your friends and family, consider giving the gift of Rdio. You can set your Rdio gift certificate in any amount that you like, and whatever you choose will be the guaranteed way to make sure everyone gets exactly what they want for the holidays". Happy listening.

Microsoft wants your help to find undiscovered prime numbers

Publié: décembre 6, 2013, 5:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You likely haven't made it this far in life without learning about prime numbers, as they are one of the fundamentals of mathematics. They are also a big part of the technology world, being used for encryption. You may not think about them everyday, but there are people out there who do, and now you can be one of them.

Microsoft is introducing the Prime Challenge, a contest to find the undiscovered prime numbers, of which there likely are quite a lot, though nobody can really say how many. "The challenge is open to all; everyone is encouraged to try and find a 'lost prime'. To enter the challenge just go to www.primechallenge.org and follow the instructions online", says Microsoft.

Prime numbers exist in abundance on the bottom of the spectrum, but decrease as the count rises, and the contest will require you to stretch that count pretty far. Consider it a safe bet that you will not be doing this with pen and paper, or even a high-end desktop computer. For that reason, Microsoft is offering all contestants a free Windows Azure trial subscription and $200 worth of access to create and run virtual machines. As the company states, "in order to map large prime numbers of thousands of digits, powerful technology, which can quickly sift through and crunch numbers, is required".

The contest is open to everyone -- individuals, organizations and schools. It will run now through March 29 of 2014 -- 2903, clever Microsoft.

Image Credit: pashabo / Shutterstock

City National Bank adopts Surface Pro

Publié: décembre 6, 2013, 4:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you missed out on the Black Friday Surface deals, you may still have a chance to get your hands on one, provided to you free of charge. That is, if you happen to be an employee at City National Bank.

City National Bank is a private and business financial institution based in Los Angeles, California. "We looked at multiple options out there, and as soon as we saw the Surface device, we recognized right away that this was a unique device that really fit the bill for what we are looking for", says City National Bank's Senior Vice President of Business and Technology Services Jim Ellaboudy.

The bank wanted to provide its employees with one computer that could be used both in the office and on the road, and the tablet feature was an added bonus. Thanks to the necessary software needed in business, Windows is required -- eliminating such options as an iPad with keyboard case.

Microsoft claims it is seeing great momentum in Surface adoption by customers in the financial sector. "Surface is perfect for these scenarios since it allows business customers to have a great laptop replacement for desktop productivity and tablet to deliver the highest levels of customer service", the Surface team tells us.

Microsoft is back on the Chromebook warpath

Publié: décembre 6, 2013, 12:42am CET par Alan Buckingham

Just over a week ago, Microsoft lashed out at Google with its latest installment in the Scroogled campaign, hiring Pawn Stars to belittle the Chromebook platform. Reaction ranged from positive to negative, but it can't be argued that it did get attention. Despite those negatives, Microsoft has no intention of backing down, and actually added another video to the archive today.

This time, the company has enlisted the aid of its popular spokesperson Ben Rudolph, "Ben the PC Guy", of "Smoked by Windows Phone" fame. Microsoft sent Rudolph out on the streets of Venice, California with a Chromebook in his hands and a camera crew in tow.

The results are rather predictable. Rudolph proceeds to stop people and ask what they use their computer for. Shockingly, nobody responds email and web surfing, by far the two most popular answers in a random set of average users. Instead, the cameras seem to find only customers who wish to use Office, Photoshop, and the likes.

Rudolph, of course, has a Windows PC along for the trip, just to show these poor people what it can do and ask which they would prefer to have. Again, the results are unsurprising.

Both platforms have a place, and the Chromebook is just fine for the casual user, in most cases. The irony of writing this story actually revealed something of that. I attempted to watch the YouTube video on my Windows 8.1 PC, from which I am now writing, only to have it fail to load multiple times (I hasten to add that is not normal, I watch videos on here all the time). I was forced to watch the latest Scroogled attack on the HP Chromebook 11, where it played just fine. For the record, the little circle of dots over the video on this PC is still spinning round as I conclude this. For some tasks, simple is better.

BitTorrent Sync doubles user base in 30 days

Publié: décembre 5, 2013, 8:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

BitTorrent Sync has been around since January, when it debuted in private alpha. After moving to beta and going public, the service announced a major update and the achievement of reaching one million users. That was 30 days ago, and what a difference a month makes.

After taking from January until November to hit that first million, the organization has doubled the user base in just one month, today announcing two million users. "The milestone demonstrates the accelerating momentum for BitTorrent Sync. It also signals that in it’s first 8 months BitTorrent Sync has grown more rapidly than Dropbox at the same stage", BitTorrent told BetaNews in a statement.

User numbers aside, the service also had a bit to say on other statistics. For instance, Sync is moving more than 20 gigabytes of data per user, each day. By contrast, it is pointed out that "Dropbox's cloud-based platform stores less than 0.42 gigabytes per user".

CEO Eric Klinker notes that the nature of BitTorrent Sync gives it advantages, as well. "Decentralized technologies can change the way the Internet works, for good: hardcoding privacy, security, and speed into data exchanges. At BitTorrent, we believe they’re the future".

Google gives users the ability to download Gmail and Calendar data

Publié: décembre 5, 2013, 7:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google deserves some credit for providing its 'Takeout' service that allows customers to easily move their data somewhere else if they decide to make a switch. It's a service many of us became all too familiar with in the summer when Google killed off Reader. Now the search giant is providing another way for customers to take control of their data.

Gmail and Calendar users will now be able to directly download their personal information. "Starting today we're rolling out the ability to export a copy of your Gmail and Google Calendar data, making it easy to back up your data or move to another service", states Google software engineer Nick Piepmeier.

The option can be accessed by visiting your Google account and looking under the heading "Download your data". If you don't need everything then you can opt for a subset, such as labels. Piepemeier points out that "you can also download a single archive file for multiple products with a copy of your Gmail, Calendar, Google+, YouTube, Drive, and other Google data".

The feature is apparently on a gradual roll out, though Google did not specify this. However, as of this writing, I do not yet have access to the new feature.

Image Credit: testing / Shutterstock

Microsoft deems the US government an 'advanced persistent threat'

Publié: décembre 5, 2013, 1:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite the fact we have been living with the Edward Snowden leaks regarding NSA spying since May, the story remains front page news and continues to raise questions from citizens and governments the world over. The allegations that the National Security Agency is circumventing security measures without seeking warrants is a concern, not only to every citizen, but also to major corporations which survive by promising to protect their customers' data and privacy.

Now Microsoft is taking action. Regarding the recent news stories, Brad Smith, general counsel and executive vice president of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Microsoft, states "if true, these efforts threaten to seriously undermine confidence in the security and privacy of online communications. Indeed, government snooping potentially now constitutes an 'advanced persistent threat', alongside sophisticated malware and cyber attacks".

Smith says Microsoft plans to take immediate action, covering three main areas -- encryption, legal protection and enhanced transparency of its software code.

The company plans to enhance its encryption efforts across its communications platforms, including Outlook.com, Office 365, SkyDrive and Windows Azure. All communications will be protected using Perfect Forward Secrecy and 2048-bit key lengths. Microsoft wishes to have this in place before the end of 2014. The software and services company also plans to encrypt all customer data that it is storing, and will work with other companies to protect data traveling between its services and those belonging to others.

The software giant pledges transparency and legal action in the case of requests for user data. "We also will take new steps to reinforce legal protections for our customers' data. For example, we are committed to notifying business and government customers if we receive legal orders related to their data. Where a gag order attempts to prohibit us from doing this, we will challenge it in court", Smith explains.

Finally, Microsoft intends to increase transparency into its software, allowing the code to be independently examined to confirm there are no back doors. Plans are in place to open a network of transparency centers to provide customers with an easier way to verify the integrity of the code. These centers will be located across North and South America, Europe and Asia.

"Ultimately, we're sensitive to the balances that must be struck when it comes to technology, security and the law. We all want to live in a world that is safe and secure, but we also want to live in a country that is protected by the Constitution", Smith concludes.

It's easy to call these statements from companies like Microsoft and Google grandstanding. However, it's difficult to deny the fact these corporations have a vested interest in fighting these allegations. Having customers afraid to use services like Skype and Gmail is very bad for business and hurts the bottom line.

Photo Credit: bofotolux/Shutterstock

Google Play's Cyber Week Sale mishap

Publié: décembre 4, 2013, 4:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Misleading advertising accusations have been leveled at retailers for ages, but mostly before the internet and 24/7 customer service became part of the game. Google, despite being an internet giant, isn't immune to falling victim to it. Though, to be fair, the search giant wasn't so much misleading as it was hapless. You would think a company built on the web, would be more aware of the technology age.

What happened you ask? This week the Play store is holding an Amazon-like, week-long version of Cyber Monday, the manufactured shopping day for the technology age.

Visit the Play store and you'll be greeted by a large banner announcing deals for "Cyber Week", not just Cyber Monday, but a week long celebration of the holiday shopping season. The company is offering deals across everything from apps to books, movies to music. There is something for everyone.

However, not all is as it appears. Some of those deals you may have stuck in your wishlist for later purchase, aren't actually valid all week, despite that not being mentioned anywhere on the site. In fact, if you returned on Tuesday to grab something you might have been perplexed by what you encountered. The Cyber Week deal price remained, but it also didn't.

The above is one of many examples found on Play yesterday. This book was still listed in the Cyber Week deals, still showing the same $1.99 price that had been there on Monday, but if you clicked to buy then I hope you paid attention to the purchase screen, because Google had actually raised the price behind-the-scenes.

It's not the full $7.99 that is displayed with a strike-through, but it certainly isn't the promised sale price either. It now resides somewhere in the middle.

Google claims this happened due to a server not updating and is looking into the matter, but as of this writing it seems that the problem has been resolved. The company is also deciding if it will honor Monday prices for people who attempted to make the purchase on Tuesday, though there is really no reason it should not. Displaying one price and then attempting to charge a higher one isn't particularly good for business.

Photo Credit: Denis Belyaevskiy/Shutterstock

Lync app for Windows 8.1 gets an update

Publié: décembre 4, 2013, 2:12am CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft's business communications app Lync, formerly known by the catchy name of Microsoft Office Communicator, has become a go-to instant messaging service for a number of businesses. It works with contacts from Outlook and uses Microsoft Exchange Server, to help bring people together, regardless of where they are.

Now a new update to the Lync app is being pushed out, and this one is exclusively for Windows 8.1. "Based on your feedback, we made a number of improvements in this update that we think you’ll like", the Lync team announces.

The new app allows screen sharing duties to be handed off during a meeting, lets users run Lync side-by-side with another app or website, answer audio and video calls from the lock screen, mute and control volume from within the app, and improves search.

"To download the update, you need to first upgrade your device to Windows 8.1. Once you have Windows 8.1, Lync will upgrade automatically within 24 hours unless you have turned off Automatically update my apps in Windows Store", Microsoft explains. Those who wish to get the update sooner can download it from the Windows Store. The Lync team promises continued improvements on the way.

PlayOn and PlayLater go HD

Publié: décembre 3, 2013, 8:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's fairly safe to assume that there are few people left who don't have a high-definition TV, and those who do not are the ones who aren't interested in modern set-top boxes like Google TV and Roku. Unlike the early days of Plasma and LCD, now the content is there to support the TV and prices have dropped to reasonable levels.

Now PlayOn, and its PlayLater DVR service, are joining the HD revolution. "PlayOn users can now stream up to 720p HD resolution content from many of PlayOn’s 60-plus channels, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO and ABC, to their TVs with only a broadband-enabled PC, PlayOn software and a DLNA-compatible device. Also, PlayLater users can record movies and shows in HD and watch them on mobile devices, whenever and wherever, with no Internet connection needed", the company announces.

"Our main purpose with PlayOn and PlayLater is to give users access to all the content they love to watch on their TV and mobile devices without having to pay the high price of a monthly cable subscription", says Jeff Lawrence, president and co-founder of PlayOn.

The upgrade isn't free, though it also won't damage your wallet. Existing customers can add HD streaming to their subscription for a one-time cost of $4.99 (PlayOn) and $7.99 (bundled for PlayOn and PlayLater). New users can purchase HD with their PlayOn and PlayLater subscriptions for as little as one dollar a month, or $9.99 lifetime.

Microsoft details NORAD Santa Tracker 2013

Publié: décembre 3, 2013, 4:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, has once again joined forces with Microsoft to power its popular Santa tracker this holiday season. The organization made a switch in 2012 from its previous partner, Google, to Microsoft and this time the two have big plans for improved features.

Microsoft claims this is the most immersive site yet. That's likely correct, given all of the 2013 additions. Visitors can take a virtual tour of Santa's North Pole village that comes with a 3D Claymation-style look that Microsoft says was "inspired by NORAD Tracks Santa’s long history and the Claymation style classic holiday movies".

There is a countdown clock, holiday music, movies, a library, a new game being added every day, and everything has been optimized for touch. However, the real point of NORAD Tracks Santa is Christmas Eve, and there are big plans for that as well.

Once the jolly old elf takes off on December 24th, you will be able to follow his journey on a 3D globe which can be pinched and zoomed and rotated around. This is, of course, being powered by Bing Maps. "Whether you’re mapping Santa’s route in a browser on a computer or in an app, you’ll see beautiful, high-fidelity images. Bing Maps is the canvas on which Santa’s journey is plotted", says Microsoft's Roger Capriotti.

The NORAD Tracks Santa is live now, counting down second-by-second to the time that a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer takes to the sky.

Microsoft giving away gift cards if you'll buy a Windows 8/8.1 device for the holidays

Publié: décembre 2, 2013, 11:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The official holiday shopping season kicked off last week and reached full speed today with Cyber Monday. Like every year, Microsoft hopes to see a Windows product on everyone's wish list. This year the company is even planning to throw in a little something extra to sweeten the deal.

The software and services company is announcing that starting now, and running through December 28th, anyone who purchases a new touch PC or tablet is eligible for a shiny new gift card to go along with it. The card can be used to purchase any app or game in the Windows Store.

Microsoft also points out that, "Windows Store gift cards are also available for purchase in over 25 markets from more than 100 retailers, enabling you to buy apps and games online directly from the Windows Store, the Windows Phone Store and select Xbox stores".

The Windows Store now boasts more than 100,000 apps and is steadily growing. The deal runs just past the holiday for those who receive the product on that day, or perhaps in hopes of snagging a few people who return that Apple device in exchange for one from Microsoft.

For the second straight year, Thanksgiving brings an Instagram record

Publié: novembre 29, 2013, 11:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Yesterday marked a rather unique holiday. No, not simply that it was both Thanksgiving and also the first day of Hanukkah, but it was also the first time that these two occasions have shared a day since way back in 1888. Given that, it probably shouldn't come as a major surprise that this would lead to extra traffic on social media websites.

That was exactly the case for photo-sharing service Instagram, which announced record traffic for the second straight Thanksgiving. This time the Facebook subsidiary failed to reveal actual numbers, as it did last year, when it announced more than 10 million photos shared and a staggering 200 images per second.

This year, the company would only tell us that "we saw record usage as Instagrammers shared a heaping helping of holiday cheer. Your Thanksgiving and Hanukkah-related photos and videos helped make yesterday our busiest day on Instagram so far. We continue to be inspired by our community and are truly humbled that so many of you choose to capture and share your holiday moments on Instagram".

The service offers a big thank-you to all of its users, though unlike last year, I was not one of the folk being thanked for being part of this new record.

Google adds Android 4.4 'OK Google' to Chrome -- here's how it works

Publié: novembre 29, 2013, 6:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Several of the folks here at BetaNews have recently been enjoying the latest version of the Android mobile operating system, known as 4.4 KitKat, through both Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 devices. The new version brings a number of noticeable changes to the Google platform, the biggest of which is the new Google Experience Launcher.

However, there is another notable difference, as the search company has brought along Moto X-like capability in the form of "OK Google". It's not quite up to what Motorola does, as you do have to turn the phone on first, but once you do that then it is essentially the same.

Now Google has released an extension that brings this to its Chrome web browser. "To access hands-free search on your laptop, just download the Google Voice Search Hotword extension from the Chrome Web Store", the company announces via its Google+ account.

Once you install the free add-on, like all Chrome settings and extensions, it will propagate across all computers on which you are logged into in the web browser. For obvious reasons, you need a computer with a microphone -- it's rather worthless without that. If not, you will get a message that says "Not listening. Something went wrong".

The new feature will work from both the Google homepage and also from the new tab page. When you visit, you will find the "Say OK Google" phrase in the search box to the right side, next to the microphone icon. You don't need to click anything, simply speak and it will activate. Having Google open in a tab will not work unless you are actually on the tab. Just like on Android, the service will speak its answer, as well as display it on the screen.

A few quick tests reveal that the new extension works very well, just as it does on mobile. It had no problem responding correctly to each of my questions, and displayed additional detail on the screen.

Amazon looks ahead to Cyber Monday

Publié: novembre 29, 2013, 2:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

We are currently in the midst of Black Friday, the traditional kickoff for the holiday shopping season. Despite the fury unleashed on retail locations on this day, Cyber Monday, which is a more recent creation, is still ahead and aims to bring that same excitement to web-based merchants.

While Amazon is currently running numerous deals today, the retailer is already looking ahead to December 2nd. Today the merchant provides a sneak peek at some of the deals it has planned for that day.

"Starting at midnight on Sunday, Dec. 1, Amazon.com will open its Cyber Monday Deals Store with new deals as often as every ten minutes", the company states. Some of the products unveiled include a Samsung 46-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV for $477.99, a Roku HD streaming media player for $39.99, several cameras and other electronics from Philips, TomTom and more.

Of course the shopping season isn't limited to electronics, so if you are in the market for toys, pet supplies, home and shop tools, books or kitchen supplies, then Amazon will have those categories covered as well. If you are looking for a deal you weren't able to get your hands on today, then there is always Monday.

Image credit: K2 images / Shutterstock

5 tech products I'm thankful for

Publié: novembre 28, 2013, 4:32pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's Thanksgiving day here in the states and, with the turkey not yet in the oven and football having not kicked off, I thought it appropriate to take a moment to give thanks. No, not for my family or for the chance to live my life the way I do, though all of those are on my list, but for tech products -- this is a technology news site, after all.

I've given careful consideration to this and looked at what I used most over the past year -- the products that got the most hands-on, that provided the best experience. I've whittled that list down to just five, and now its time to share, to give each a hearty thank-you. I'd offer them a bit of pumpkin pie if I could.

1. Amazon Prime

The web's top retailer offers its Prime service for just $79 per year, and for that small fee it proceeds to offer infinite value. For less than the annual cost of Netflix, I get streaming movies and TV shows, including new original content. This not only molds itself right into my Kindle Fire tablets, but also is native on my Google TV, putting this content right in the living room on the big screen.

As a bonus, Prime also ships me items within two days (sometimes the next day) free of charge, and even allows me to "borrow books" from its library for use on a Kindle or Kindle app.

2. Android

Google's mobile operating system has taken the world by storm, and there are good reasons for that. The platform is infinitely hackable and has a seemingly bottomless supply of apps -- there really isn't much I can think of that I can't find an app for.

I have played with iPads and reviewed Windows tablets, I even own a Windows Phone -- which I honestly think is a beautiful piece of hardware with a great OS -- but when it comes to being mobile, it is really hard to top Android. The phones and tablets that run Google's platform are constantly evolving, and the "OK Google" feature in 4.4 KitKat is amazing.

3. Office 365 Home Premium

Microsoft received a bit of criticism for making the new version of Office a service -- yes you can still buy it as Office 2013, but why would you want to? For just over $9 per month I get that same Office 2013 on my computer, and I can put it on four other computers in my home as well. I can even use it on the web, via Office365.com.

With two children in school, both of whom have computers and need them for school work (I trust that's what they are doing), and the fact I change computers more often than the average person, this is a true blessing. Microsoft allows me to kill the license on a computer no longer in use and get that license back to add to a new system. It's genius.

4. Google TV

For years I have maintained a home theater PC in my entertainment cabinet. It ran Windows 7 with Media Center set to start upon boot. It was a wonderful experience, but earlier this year the PC started to show signs of age. I considered the options -- I could buy a decent, but cheap system and do the same thing, or I could build a custom setup using one of the many HTPC-centric cases available.

In the end, I said no to both of those choices and purchased a Vizio Co-Star. And you know what? I don't regret that choice, ever. Thanks to Plex I still have access to all of my media files, which now reside in the office. I have native Amazon Prime (see choice number one) and HDMI pass-thru brings my TV and DVR right into the box. There are also numerous apps available, as it is Android, after all (see choice number two).

5. Apple

I know most of you have just done a double-take, perhaps even checked the author name to make sure it was me. No, I haven't joined the dark side, I've never actually owned a product from the fruit logo company, though I have played with the devices on many occasions, and find them well made and intuitive.

The reason I am thankful for Apple is simple -- competition. Without Mac computers, iPads, iPods and iPhones, the tech world would not be where it is today. Microsoft and Google would have less incentive to innovate. Apple helped shape the tech world we now live in, and for that I am truly grateful.

Image credit: Karen Roach/Shutterstock

Microsoft's attack on Chromebook is the latest Scroogled embarrassment

Publié: novembre 27, 2013, 1:06am CET par Alan Buckingham

While the staff here at BetaNews is a fairly close knit bunch, that doesn't always mean we agree on everything. In fact, debate is a part of daily life. To that end, earlier today my colleague Brian Fagioli took it upon himself to call the latest Scroogled ad, this one against the Chromebook, the "best Scroogled ad yet".

He seems to think all of this behavior is acceptable, even amusing and honest. I suppose if you are a fan of the show Pawn Stars, then you may find it of mild interest. However, what it also turns out to be is utterly untrue.

I confess that I don't often use my Chromebook, but neither would I refer to it as a 'brick', which is exactly the word used in the ad. You need a connection for many things these days -- you wouldn't be reading this now if you didn't have internet service, even on your Windows device. However, the Google operating system still boots up and works without that, just as its rival does. The search giant has plenty of apps that work offline too, including Gmail and Docs.

Microsoft also levels the charge that you can't use Office on a Chromebook. Well, that's partially true. Yes, you can't install Office 2013 on your Google-branded notebook. But guess what? Office365.com and Office Web Apps in SkyDrive work just as well as they do on a Windows computer, and if you're out of range then write to Docs offline and copy it over later, if that's what you want. If you prefer those Microsoft services then, the truth is, you won't be getting to them from an offline Windows PC either.

As far as Scroogled ads go, I didn't even get a chuckle out of this one, though past ones, while also with disingenuous messages, did at least prove amusing. But even had this ad been the equivalent of the best sitcom on TV, the message is still completely off-base.

I get competition among businesses, and I have seen my share of mud-slinging campaigns, but this is rather low. Trust me, I use Windows most of the time -- I'm writing this from a Windows 8.1 computer. But perhaps Microsoft may wish to focus a bit on what it can do for Chromebook users, such as the aforementioned Office365.com and Skydrive, instead of wasting time and money on utter crap that will fall on deaf ears when it comes to those shopping for a budget computer.

Attention Microsoft -- monetize these customers, don't continue to alienate them with pathetic attempts at humor against your competition. Seize the opportunity, instead of tossing it away with wasted millions on something nobody is going to heed.

Google maps your holiday travel in Street View

Publié: novembre 26, 2013, 4:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite summer being viewed as 'vacation season', the holidays are a popular travel time, with families reuniting from far-flung locations. Travel, especially at the holidays, can be tricky, with added crowds and delays. In fact, this year it could be complicated on the US east coast, thanks to inclimate weather expected over the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Google Street View, which seems fearless in its roamings, is looking to help out the wayward traveler. The search giant unveils new travel maps that encompass various depots, such as airports and train stations.

"Now, in addition to scoping out your destination, Street View can help you cut down the stress of traveling by giving you a preview of your journey, too. Our first efforts to map global transit locations include 16 international airports, over 50 train and subway stations, and even a cable car station in Hong Kong", says Ulf Spitzer, Google Street View Program Manager.

This all operates from a new interactive map that contains "push pins" showing the locations that have been added to Street View. Locations are spread around the world, with pins located in the US, across Europe, eastern Asia and even one in South America. Australia, Africa and western Asia have been left out, at least for now.

Microsoft offers Xbox One voice and gesture commands cheatsheet

Publié: novembre 26, 2013, 3:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite the small number of problems reported by customers of the new Xbox One, Microsoft is still heavily pushing the new generation of its gaming console. The latest version comes with a learning curve, though not a steep one. Still, for the average user, it will take some getting used to.

Now, Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, wants to help out new users in finding their way around. To do so, the Xbox Live chief has released a cheatsheet to teach everyone a bit about controlling the Kinect with voice and gesture commands. "I tweeted images of a Kinect voice and gesture 'cheat sheet' earlier today, but I was able to get my hands on the high resolution PDF of them both as one file that will print out at a much higher quality", Hryb states.

He has posted that PDF file for everyone's benefit. While the file is only two pages long, it encompasses a lot of information. You can learn how to zoom in and out and return home with hand gestures. You can see which voice commands are possible, such as "stop listening", "record that", "Skype [person]", and many more.

So, providing your brand new $500 investment is in good working order, you can put the tips to good use and begin controlling your living room.

Microsoft responds to reported Xbox One issues

Publié: novembre 25, 2013, 8:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It just wouldn't be a major launch event without reports of problems. Last week, Sony dealt with panic over customers receiving PS4 consoles that amounted to paperweights, displaying only a "blue light of death". This week Microsoft deals with similar issues, with news of troubled disc drives and scratched consoles.

The problem does not seem to be widespread, but any disgruntled customer can be a loud one, meaning that the few lead the news cycle, and also generate poor publicity. While the old saying may go "there's no such thing as bad publicity", Microsoft really doesn't want potential buyers worrying that they've paid $500 for damaged goods.

BetaNews reached out to Microsoft to confirm these rumors and, indeed, there have been some known issues, but they are not what was termed "widespread".

In an official statement from the software giant, we learned:

The issue is affecting a very small number of Xbox One customers. We’re working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange program. Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers.

While a replacement console is on its way, we want to ensure our advance exchange customers can stay in the game. We will provide each of them with a free digital download of one of the launch titles published by Microsoft Studios.

There are no real numbers, of course, so it's hard to tell exactly how many customers have been affected. The news has an interest in playing these things up, while the guilty company wishes to downplay the problem. The truth will likely be somewhere in the middle. But at least Microsoft is acknowledging this and offering an olive branch in the form of a free game, even if those affected will need to wait an undisclosed length of time before they can play it...

Time chooses Twitter to help pick its Person of the Year

Publié: novembre 25, 2013, 5:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Time magazine's Person of the Year is an annual tradition, dating back to Charles Lindbergh in 1927. The tradition has continued ever since, encompassing such luminaries as Mahatma Gandhi, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and controversial figures such as Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and twice Richard Nixon.

This time around, the news magazine is asking for help, and seeking it from Twitter. However, before your ego swells, the publisher is only taking your vote into consideration, not making it the deciding factor. "While the choice is ultimately made by TIME editors, this will give everyone who's interested an unprecedented chance to air their opinion and cast a vote before the final decision. Using Poptip, TIME will gather votes on Twitter, where readers can weigh in on who made the biggest impact in 2013 via Tweets", says Twitter's Andrew Fitzgerald.

You have until December 4th to make your decision, and you'll need to include a hashtag in your vote to make it seen by the editors over at Time -- #TimePOY.

The actual winner of this contest of the famous, or infamous, will be announced by editor Nancy Gibbs, who will be live on the Today show on NBC in the US. The big event will take place on December 11th.

Image Credit: Charles Chen Art / Shutterstock

Meet the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 [Review]

Publié: novembre 23, 2013, 9:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There is no shortage of variety in today's Android tablet market. Devices come in a range of functionality and price, and from a host of makers. Two prominent tablets on the market are from a couple of the web's biggest sites, and both Amazon and Google are hoping their devices will land under your tree this holiday season.

The second generation of the Nexus 7, manufactured by Asus and sold by Google, has been on the market for some time, but now Amazon is pushing the third version of the Kindle Fire tablet. This latest iteration is, of course, purported to be the best, but is it? Can the HDX really be better than the 2012 HD?

Head-to-Head HD vs HDX

We are not going to focus on specs. You can find those anywhere. Instead, let's compare devices, side by side. The size (seven inches) and shape of the two models are identical, but the similarities stop there.

The most obvious change is along the edges and even that is an understated design difference. While the old tablet is rounded, the Kindle Fire HDX has a bevel. It's not a huge deal, but it makes a difference in the feel of the tablet in your hand. It means the edges are thinner, making it easier to hold onto.

The buttons are another big design change. The Kindle Fire HD contains volume and power switches -- one under the other -- on the right side of the device, and they are flush with the edge, making it difficult to find by touch. The HDX shakes this design up a bit, making the buttons much easier to access.

While the volume remains on the right-hand side, the power switch has moved to the left and both have received an indentation that allows them to be located without having to turn the tablet on its edge so you can look for them.

The speakers on the rear have also moved. While there are still two of them, one on each side, they have relocated from the middle of the device to the top. It's an improvement because holding the device no longer lends itself to having your fingers partially blocking the sound.

Like its predecessor, the HDX has a front-facing camera, but no rear lens. It also contains a much larger Amazon logo emblazoned across the center of the rear.

The New User Interface

Since its release, the Kindle Fire HDX has already received an update, taking Fire OS to version 3.1. The change added Goodreads, the popular social book service now owned by Amazon. There is also new second-screen functionality and better integration for enterprise.

While those changes are all nice, the real differences came with 3.0, which launched with the new tablet. The familiar top menu is still there, and can still be swiped down for additional options. The center, which is the main part of the screen, also remains unchanged, allowing you to swipe left and right to find your apps. A Quiet Time option has been added for easily muting the device.

However, a new swipe-up feature reveals an addition -- an Android-style app drawer. It makes it easier to access apps like the Silk browser, Shop Amazon, and open the camera, calendar, contacts and whatever you have chosen to install.

Mayday, Mayday!

A feature that has received considerable attention is the new Mayday button. It's accessed by swiping the top menu down and hitting the option that now resides there.

I gave this a real-world test after installing Plex on the Kindle Fire HD and not finding it listed under "cloud" in the app store on the HDX, though all other apps were ready and waiting.

The service is available 24/7 and Amazon promises a quick reply from one of its technical support representatives. The retailer did indeed answer very quickly and video displayed the young woman with whom I was speaking, though the video is one-way, as I was not visible to the rep.

However, when I inquired about the missing app I was told that Plex license was only for one device. It was a logical and quick answer, but it also turned out to be wrong, as the app finally made an appearance on the HDX a couple of days later. It is working just fine on both tablets, not to mention a second-gen Nexus 7 and a Nexus 5.

Conclusion

I confess to being a big fan of the Kindle Fire HD. It is a highly customized version of Android -- almost unrecognizable, in fact. But if you are a customer of Amazon Prime, then the tablet must be given serious consideration because of its tight integration with the service. The HDX only enhances this perception, with better features and a huge design improvement in the form of the buttons.

Logitech shows Xbox One love with Harmony Remote support

Publié: novembre 23, 2013, 3:10am CET par Alan Buckingham

It's been a big day for Microsoft. The Xbox One hit store shelves and took over the daily tech news, overshadowing all competition, including that of it's own Nokia devices arm. While reviews, unboxing videos and a few tales of hard drive woes have highlighted the news, there were other announcements surrounding the console launch.

One such piece of news came from an unexpected source. Logitech, known for its cases, keyboards and mice, is also in possession of all-in-one remote company Harmony. The darling of the home theater crowd, or at least those who don't wish to pay for Crestron, has thrown its support behind the new gaming console.

"We’ve worked hard with Microsoft to make sure your Harmony remote would be compatible on day one. Myharmony.com is now updated to provide support for this new console, so you can control Xbox One and other home entertainment devices with your current Harmony remote", the company announces today.

Like any media device, customers will need to set up compatibility, but the learning remote makes this easy -- simply visit the My Harmony site with the remote plugged into your PC. Choose your device, in this case the Xbox One, and all of the necessary instructions will download to the remote control in no time.

Sure, this won't help you win a race in Forza, or kill the enemy in Call of Duty, but the added functionality is certainly welcome, especially given the Harmony's popularity in the living room.

Evernote begins warning customers about Adobe hack

Publié: novembre 22, 2013, 7:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The repercussions of the recent Adobe hack continue to echo around the internet. The attack exposed the user information for a huge number of customers, and data leaked online displayed email addresses, passwords and hints. The final tally of affected users ended up at 150 million, and the dump has since been parsed by security researchers, such as those at Sophos.

Now Evernote is the latest to warn customers of the far-reaching possibilities that could result from Adobe's misfortune. The note-taking service has been checking the database of email addresses and comparing it to its own customer list. When a matching email address is discovered, a message is generated to warn the potential victim.

There were published reports recently of a security breach at Adobe that may have exposed private information, including Adobe passwords, email addresses and passwords hints of millions of users. The list of compromised Adobe accounts has been uploaded to the web. We compared this list to our user email addresses and found that the email address you used to register for an Evernote account is on the list of exposed Adobe accounts.

Evernote has not been compromised and is not connected to this incident, but if you used the same password for Adobe and Evernote, then you should change your Evernote password now.

The warning goes on to explain the basics of creating a secure password. Evernote also has the option for two-step authentication for all customers.

It should go without saying that a strong password is needed, and it should not be used on any two sites. However, the Adobe breach showed this warning falls on deaf ears for most users -- the top password was "123456", followed closely by "password".

Photo Credit: Pavel Ignatov/Shutterstock

Ouya gets external storage, UI enhancements

Publié: novembre 22, 2013, 3:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The little gaming console that could. Ouya, the Android-based Kickstarter darling, is on the market, and getting less attention than it did when everything was shiny and new. But the console continues to innovate and bring new games and features to the platform, in an effort to carve its own niche in a Sony/Microsoft-dominated world.

Now the console-maker has pushed a new update, which is perhaps the biggest since the little device debuted. The number one feature included here is external storage, in case you're running out of space for your games. Customers can now plug in an external drive, and the console will work with FAT32, NTFS, and ext4. A word of warning, though, don't take your drive to your friend's house, as the games won't work on another Ouya.

The new user interface refresh is what the company calls "more intuitive, visually appealing, and better able to feature your games. It’s even got built-in functionality to allow us to update featured games and the wallpaper on the fly". It claims easier browsing and new tiles.

In addition, Ouya promises "support for faster system updates. We've enabled 'Incremental Updates', which means updates (after this one) will be much quicker. NOTE: If you've modified your system files, you'll continue to get the full updates".

Finally, the company has altered the functionality of the double-tap feature. Twice clicking the Ouya button now displays the system menu, which lets you eject USB storage, exit a game, turn off controllers and more.

The company promises more enhancements will be coming. While the console may never reach the mainstream success of an Xbox or PlayStation, Ouya has proven itself as a much more affordable alternative.

Verizon offers trade-in, gift card deals for Nokia Lumia 2520

Publié: novembre 21, 2013, 8:34pm CET par Alan Buckingham

November 22 is a big day for Microsoft, with the Xbox One officially hitting store shelves, and Nokia releasing its latest devices, including an extra-large smartphone and a new Windows RT 8.1 tablet. The latter, known as the Lumia 2520, is being offered by Verizon for $399 with a two-year contract or $499 on a month-to-month deal.

While the price seems reasonable, at least in the realm of Windows tablets, Verizon is sweetening the deal with an offer for your old tablet. It's a deal similar to what Microsoft has offered as bribery in the past -- "trade in your current iPad in good working condition and receive a Verizon Wireless gift card up to $300. See how much your iPad is worth".

Don't dig out your Nexus 7, or anything that doesn't hail from Cupertino, Calif. Verizon is looking for iPads only, and trade-in values start at $100 for the iPad 2, while third-generation versions of the tablet, along with the first-gen mini, will net you $200, and the newer Retina display model puts $300 in your wallet.

There is the usual array of small print to pay attention to -- you'll need to purchase the two-year contract Lumia 2520, you will receive an activation code that must be used at trade-in (within five days of purchase) and the money comes in the form of a gift card. "Once we receive your device in good working condition, we will send you a Verizon Wireless gift card via email".

Still, if you were planning this purchase anyway, its a nice deal. But only if you also just happen to have a rival device laying around that you are able to pry out of a family member's hands.

Dropbox teams with Salesforce for new enterprise functionality

Publié: novembre 19, 2013, 10:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Dropbox, one of the leading services for cloud storage, has been making recent inroads to become business and IT-friendly. The company boasts that its business user-base has doubled since 2012, and now reaches over four million customers. To keep that fire stoked, Dropbox now announces a new partnership with Salesforce.

"Today, we’re excited to announce that we’re partnering with Salesforce to bring great technology to the enterprise and help users connect with customers in a whole new way", says the company's Ari Friedland.

The partnership brings functionality to the new Salesforce1 mobile platform. "This means that Salesforce users will soon be able to access their Dropbox files from within the Salesforce1 mobile app and have all their client presentations, invoices, contracts, and meeting notes on the go. Salesforce users will also be able to attach Dropbox files to things like their Chatter feed too as another way to share and collaborate with colleagues", the announcement claims.

Dropbox promises much more is on the way for its growing market of business customers. This latest news comes on the heels of last week's move to bring some measure of connection between home and business accounts.

Photo Credit: bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock

PlayOn brings Chromecast-like functionality to Roku

Publié: novembre 19, 2013, 7:32pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Much has been made of Google's little Chromecast device -- the dongle that allows you to send media from computers and mobile devices to your TV. The $35 device has received a fair amount of attention and also a bit of mimicry, with services like Cheapcast popping up.

Now, TV streaming service PlayOn is teaming with set-top box maker Roku to bring similar functionality to customers of the two services. "PlayCast gives users the ability to stream virtually any online video from a PC browser to a Roku-connected TV. It is like Chromecast casting for the Roku", PlayOn says in a brief statement received by BetaNews.

The app is free, though the backend is not, and has become available in the Roku channel store. "Watch virtually any video on the Internet on your Roku. PlayCast has an easy intuitive interface and takes only a few minutes to set up. PlayCast requires that you purchase companion software for your PC", the description reads.

The company claims that this new app supports any internet video, you only add the channel and then purchase and install the PlayOn server using a PC on your network.

Amazon updates Kindle Fire HDX operating system

Publié: novembre 18, 2013, 5:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

With both models of the new Kindle Fire HDX tablets now out in the wild, Amazon can concentrate on tweaking the system to add features and fix bugs. The device, while considered to be a competitor to the Nexus 7, is really more about media, specifically that from the retail giant's ecosystem.

The latest update, which rolls out today, takes the OS to version 3.1 and adds several new features to enhance the 'media device' perception even more.

The first part of the update brings integration of social book service Goodreads, which Amazon purchased in March of this year. "Goodreads on Kindle lets you connect with the Goodreads community to follow friends and see what they are reading, and share and rate books on your Kindle Fire", the announcement explains.

Also added is 'cloud collections', which is essentially the ability to group apps, much the way you can on traditional Android devices. There is also second-screen technology that allows users to 'fling' content to the TV, though you'll need to have a Samsung Smart TV or PS3 -- no word if other devices will be added.

Finally, there is a 'Smart Lookup' feature for books, print capability, archiving to free space, enhancements to the clock app and new features for enterprise that involve managing security certificates and use of VPN.

It seems the update is going to be one of those 'gradual' roll outs, as many devices still display an up-to-date message when checked. If you just can't wait, then head over to Amazon to grab the file and then follow these instructions to install it. A word of caution -- the download is 795 MB.

The Divoom Bluetune Bean speaker sounds off [Review]

Publié: novembre 16, 2013, 11:22am CET par Alan Buckingham

Bluetooth is everywhere these days -- in our smartphones, tablets and even in newer computers. We use it for the mouse, keyboard and other items. Increasingly, that extra item is a speaker, or perhaps two, in the case of the new Logitech Mini Boom. But that's far from the only show in town, as Divoom also produces a speaker that it hopes can rival competitors in the market.

That market has become increasingly competitive, which is not particularly surprising given the growth of handheld devices, some of which produce less-than-ideal sound quality. The Bluetune Bean attempts to help alleviate this problem, by providing an external source to pound out your tunes with a bit more fury than the tiny built-in speakers that come as part of your tablet or phone.

The Divoom Bluetune: Tale of the Tape

The device is small -- about the size of a standard desktop mouse. However, it does pack a bit more power than than the size and output level would lead you to believe.

As far as specs, it boasts three watts of power, with a peak output of six watts. The Bean weighs in at just 107 grams, claims a signal to noise ratio of 75dB, 60-20000HZ frequency response and has A2DP Stereo support. It charges via micro USB, and takes about two hours from total rundown. In addition, it has a microphone to enable hands-free phone calls.

The charging port is located on the back, hidden under a flap, while the left side contains two buttons -- one for power and one for microphone. The pairing worked well with both Android devices, Chrome OS and Windows 8.1.

The Bottom Line

The Divoom Bluetune Bean is not the best or most powerful portable speaker on the market, but it brings value and variety to the table. The little speaker is available in colors such as black, red, yellow, pink, blue and white. It retails for just under $30 and is widely available from various online and physical stores.

The speaker comes with a charging cord, though any standard phone or tablet charger will also work. It's also quite portable, even containing a small metal loop upon the end, and a tiny carabiner in the package that allows for easy clipping to a belt loop or backback or another location.

It produced solid sound for both music and talk, though it isn't exactly in the high-end market. However, for a reasonable price and simple needs, it's a solid solution. Not amazing, but certainly not a waste of your hard earned money either.

Amazon Prime adds Alpha House to its streaming offerings

Publié: novembre 15, 2013, 6:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon continues to enhance its Prime video service in an ongoing effort to take on Netflix and the up-and-coming Redbox Instant video streaming services. One area of focus has become original content, with Netflix taking home awards for its House of Cards series.

Now the first of these original shows has hit the retail giant's video arm -- Alpha House, which stars John Goodman, brings comedic light to the US Senate, as if it weren't already there. "The first three episodes of Alpha House debut today for all customers to enjoy. Remaining episodes will become available weekly, every Friday, exclusively on Prime Instant Video", states Amazon.

To kick things off, the company is releasing three episodes, but puts a bit of a wrench into your binge-watching plans, because here-on, each new episode will be rolling out on a very TV-like one-per-week basis.

"We are incredibly excited to make our very first original series available to Amazon customers. Our goal has always been to create shows that customers will love and we can’t wait to see Alpha House come to life", says Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios.

The show was created by Gary Trudeau (yes the Doonesbury guy) and will begin appearing each Friday, with episode number four hitting the airwaves on November 22nd.

Google maps the world's growing deforestation

Publié: novembre 14, 2013, 9:45pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google continues to push forward its mapping program, earlier today unveiling its Street View team's trip around the city of Venice, Italy. While that may be fun and display pretty scenery, the latest update the company announces takes a more serious note. Cataloging the systematic destruction of our planet's forests.

"In a collaboration led by Dr. Matthew Hansen at the University of Maryland, we’ve built the first detailed maps of the world’s forests, from 2000-2012, documenting and quantifying forest landscape changes such as fires, tornadoes, disease and logging", says Rebecca Moore and Matt Hancher, of the Google Earth Engine team.

The study reveals an increasingly growing rate of deforestation with a mind-boggling 1.5 million kilometers wiped out between 2000 and 2012. A rate that Google compares to equal the size of Alaska.

Google says the key to the study’s success was the "collaboration between scientists at the University of Maryland, who developed the models to analyze Landsat satellite data, and computer scientists at Google, who then used Google Earth Engine technology to run these models on more than 650,000 Landsat images".

The detailed study was published today in the journal Science. Google has posted additional information on its Research blog and also promises a live webcast on November 18th, featuring Hansen and colleagues from University of Maryland, Google, the US Geological Survey, NASA and the Moore Foundation.

Image Credit: Kirill Livshitskiy / Shutterstock

Amazon wants to put your picture on a Kindle case

Publié: novembre 14, 2013, 7:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Kindle has been big news recently, with Amazon rolling out a new version of its Fire HD, as well as 7 and 8.9-inch versions of a brand new Kindle Fire HDX, the latest iteration of its Android tablet. Not stopping there, the retailer introduced a case known as the Origami, but now has taken it one step further, with a personalized version of your own choosing.

"Customers can now design their own Amazon Origami covers and a variety of other covers and skins for Kindle by uploading photographs from their own library, choosing from a variety of Amazon designs made exclusively for Amazon Origami covers, or choosing from a library of hundreds of images, logos, designs and patterns—including popular comic, movie and television show graphics from Peanuts, National Geographic, Breaking Bad, Star Trek, and more", states Amazon.

The Origami is a magnetic case which holds the tablet firmly in place, provides a flap cover that, when opened, automatically turns the device on, and also acts as a stand.

The Origami case retails for $44.99, and Amazon will not charge any extra for the customization. "Designing your own Kindle accessories is easy -- simply find your Kindle below and click to select a cover, case, or skin to suit your needs", states the new design site.

Google Street View takes a Venice vacation

Publié: novembre 14, 2013, 4:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google continues to expand its Street View imagery to new areas, ranging from the Great Barrier Reef to the Grand Canyon and countless locations in between. This time, the intrepid team has invaded the canals of Venice, Italy. The romantic city can now be viewed by armchair travelers everywhere, no gondola required.

The city presented a new challenge for the Google team -- "It was impossible for us to collect images of Venice with a Street View car or trike -- blame the picturesque canals and narrow cobbled walkways -- but our team of backpackers took to the streets to give Google Maps a truly Shakespearean backdrop", says Daniele Rizzetto, Street View Operations Manager.

The company traveled a total of 265 miles on foot, and 114 miles by boat to grab the images from all around Venice. The search giant promises it captured "not only iconic landmarks but several hidden gems, such as the Synagogue of the first Jewish Ghetto, the Devil’s Bridge in Torcello island, a mask to scare the same Devil off the church of Santa Maria Formosa and the place where the typographer Manutius created the Italics font".

Google has also given a view behind the scenes to show a glimpse of how exactly this trek was pulled off. You can check that out in the video below.

Dropbox connects business with home

Publié: novembre 13, 2013, 8:56pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Cloud storage and sharing service Dropbox has been looking to grow its footprint in the business industry, adding Dropbox for Business, along with a steady stream of new features for the service. Now the company is attempting to consolidate its enterprise efforts with those for home users.

"On one hand, people wanted to access their personal stuff at work; meanwhile, IT admins wanted to keep company data separate and free of personal files. Both needs were real, but people had to choose between two Dropboxes", claims the company.

Your separate Dropbox accounts will now appear in the same location, allowing you to choose which you wish to access at any given time -- both appearing on the same File tab. The cloud service promises to not mix the two, for example your auto-photo uploads will still be private in your pictures folder.

"We want Dropbox to be the home for all your stuff, and we think this beats using two different services or having to log out and switch accounts. More importantly, this is a huge step toward making Dropbox even better for work, and we’re excited to share everything else we’re cooking up", says the company.

Will this be enough to keep the service ahead of rivals like Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Box?

Roku adds Disney and ESPN

Publié: novembre 12, 2013, 10:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The set-top box market continues to heat up, with Roku, Apple TV and Google TV going head-to-head for your entertainment dollars. Despite the best efforts of cable and satellite providers, customers continue to look towards services like Hulu, Netflix and Amazon for their television entertainment.

Now Roku, one of the big players in this growing ecosystem, stokes the fire a bit more today. The hardware maker announces the availability of both ESPN and Disney arriving on its platform.

"In time for the holidays, WatchESPN on Roku provides a one-stop destination for sports fans with live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ESPN Deportes and ESPNEWS for customers who receive ESPN’s networks as part of their video subscription from an affiliated provider. ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater will also be accessible when those channels are in season", states Roku vice president Ed Lee.

Not stopping there, he goes on to tell us, "later in the month, customers who get their video subscription from an affiliated provider will also be able to access WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior and WATCH Disney XD".

Of course, content deals always come at a price -- this is not yet a cord-cutter's dream. Customers will need to verify a subscription to an affiliated provider. Those currently include Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast's Xfinity TV, Midcontinent Communications, Cablevision's Optimum TV, Cox, AT&T U-verse TV, Charter and Google Fiber.

While this is great news for Roku owners, it's still a baby-step in terms of getting the content without the hefty monthly subscription coming along for the ride.

Microsoft expands Office 365 to new markets, adds more languages

Publié: novembre 12, 2013, 7:30pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has been busy on many fronts recently, from the desktop to the living room, to business. The latest update released by the company is for businesses, though home users can also benefit. Microsoft today announces a new update that brings Office 365 to new markets and languages.

The software giant now boasts 123 markets for its latest iteration of the suite, also allowing new customers to grab a 120-day free trial before making a decision about whether or not to reach for their wallets.

"The new languages are Indonesian, Kazakh, Hindi, and Hebrew, bringing the number of Office 365 languages to 40, including English", the Office team states.

As far as new markets, the company has included Palestinian Territories, Congo, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Botswana, Namibia, Curaçao, Faroe Islands, Monaco, St. Kitts and Nevis, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Afghanistan, and Tanzania. Meanwhile, the trial offer is debuting in Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Lebanon, Jamaica, Bolivia, Brunei, Nicaragua, Honduras, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Georgia, Ghana, Mauritius, Iraq, Bermuda, Rwanda, Belize, Cameroon, Moldova, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Virgin Islands (U.S.), Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Angola, and Libya.

Paid subscriptions is a direction in which Microsoft seems to wish take Office (and some of its other software), giving it a steady stream of income.

Bing improves music video search

Publié: novembre 11, 2013, 10:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Little brings more emotion to daily life than music. For many people it's a part of the psyche, lending meaning to everyday events, leaving memories that are specifically associated with a particular song. For instance, reggae songs can bring visions of summer, while Air Supply dredges up memories of middle school dances.

Bing now wishes to help you find all of those sappy songs, in video form -- though the search engine also promises to help find the newer and less sappy ones as well.

Ryn Becker of Bing tells us that "built from the ground up to make it easier for you to access the best music videos available on the web, our new music video experience was designed with music lovers in mind. Whether you're looking for videos of songs and artists you are already familiar with (like Led Zeppelin and Justin Timberlake) or you’re looking to discover the next-up-and-coming artist or revisiting the classics, we've got you covered".

Now when you search for a band name, the most popular video will appear at the top left of the results page. Bing is not just pulling from YouTube either, but also culling the depths of rival video services to get this information.

Microsoft is also quick to point out that "we're not just about top forty artists, in this release we've striven to provide the most comprehensive set of videos possible spanning genres, decades and geography". But beyond that, the service pulls together information by making connections between your search and artist and album information, and provides an album view for a simple song title search.

Becker concludes "with over 1.7 million songs, 70,000 artists and a half a million albums, we’re confident that this release will be music to your ears". Now go find those tracks that bring back your memories, or that you just don't hear enough on the radio today.

Amazon Prime customers will now receive Sunday deliveries

Publié: novembre 11, 2013, 12:36pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There is an ever-growing list of benefits that Amazon provides for its Prime customers. For a $79 yearly fee users enjoy Netflix-like streaming video, Kindle book rentals and free two-day delivery service. The latter has only one simple drawback -- if you order an item on a Friday, you need to wait until Monday for the product to land on your doorstep. Well, at least that was the case, until now.

Today the retail giant announces the start of Sunday deliveries. To accomplish this, Amazon has teamed up with the United States Postal Service, beginning in the Los Angeles and New York City areas.

"We're excited that now every day is an Amazon delivery day and we know our Prime members, who voraciously shop on Amazon, will love the additional convenience they will experience as part of this new service", states Dave Clark, Amazon's vice president of worldwide operations and customer service.

Meanwhile, Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the USPS chimes in that "with this new service, the Postal Service is now delivering packages seven days a week in select cities. Customers can expect the same reliable and valued service that the Postal Service currently provides".

There really is nothing that customers need to do in order to receive this benefit, save for subscribing to Prime and living in a participating location. Other locations are in the works, and Amazon names Houston, New Orleans, Dallas and Phoenix as cities on the horizon.

Image Credit: Minerva Studio / Shutterstock

Patch Tuesday is coming -- here's what Microsoft is NOT fixing

Publié: novembre 10, 2013, 2:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

This week, November 12th to be precise, is that holiday we have come to call Patch Tuesday. It's the day when Microsoft rolls out fixes for bugs, both small and large, in its software, from Windows to Office and more. This month's releases are of particular interest, not because of what the company is fixing, but what it has chosen to leave unpatched.

November's update includes eight patches, three of which have been tagged as 'critical'. Microsoft even promises it "will host a webcast to address customer questions on the security bulletins on November 13, 2013, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time".

However, security researchers at Sophos point out a glaring hole in this month's security push. "The recent zero-day, which allows crooks to attack your computer using booby-trapped TIFF images, has created lot of confusion amongst users and administrators trying to work out which of their computers are at direct risk", states Paul Ducklin. The firm has inquired about a fix for this -- "the answer, I am sorry to have to tell you, is, no", Sophos claims.

Why has this flaw caused confusion? Well, because Microsoft has claimed the problem does not affect Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8, but is a danger to Office versions ranging from 2003 to 2010. What happens when one of those suites is running on an "unaffected" operating system?

Microsoft has attempted to clear this up stating that Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista are vulnerable regardless of software. Office 2003 and 2007 are a danger regardless of the OS they are running on. Finally, Office 2010 on XP is a problem as well.

As a stop-gap, the company has issued a Fix-it to help out users in the short-term.

Photo Credit: lolloj/Shutterstock

Happy birthday Firefox -- nine years old today!

Publié: novembre 9, 2013, 9:36am CET par Alan Buckingham

November 9, 2004. The date may not mean much to you, but it was rather big in the land of Mozilla. It wasn't the 'start' of the Firefox web browser, but it was the official ship date of version 1.0. That makes today a birthday celebration for the browser that dared to take on the Internet Explorer-giant.

"In the nine years since we first launched Firefox, we have moved and shaped the Web into the most valuable public resource of our time", the organization announces.

You may not get a slice of cake for the big celebration, but Mozilla is offering up what it calls "nine of our favorite gifts we’ve given the Web over the past year".

Mozilla proceeds to outline milestones such as the release of Firefox mobile, the move to create a mobile operating system, faster speeds ("we beat last year’s Kraken scores by 74 percent, and we’re 88 percent faster on Octane"), better privacy and security, and more.

The browser maker also teases future plans, including a version of the software designed for Windows 8 tablets. "We can’t wait to see what other new innovations come to the Web in the next year! Join in on Twitter to celebrate Firefox. Tweet the hashtag #HappyBirthdayFirefox with your favorite Firefox memory or feature all week", the organization closes with.

Amazon gives a Preview to new content

Publié: novembre 6, 2013, 9:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Prime, at least the video arm of it, has been rolling along and seemingly gaining momentum recently. New original content has debuted, with some shows picked up for a season run, and more are currently in the pipeline. However, finding this menu of new videos has not always been easy, save when the company displays links on its homepage.

Rather than relying on a fortunate link or a search of the content, Amazon is giving viewers an option to fast-forward straight to what's new, and do so ahead of your friends.

"Amazon Preview is your chance to help create great new original content. As a member, you'll be able to view and provide feedback on movies and TV series before they're available to the general public. If you received an email invite, simply follow the instructions we've provided to join", the site proclaims.

As you can see, this is a bit more than just the pilots we've come to expect, but instead promises real sneak peeks -- as in seeing something before other Prime subscribers have access.

All of this may sound wonderful, but bear in mind that you will need an invitation, and may be waiting a bit to receive it. You can head over to the new site and get yourself on that waiting list now, but your fate remains in the hands of the retail giant.

Internet Explorer 9 is no longer welcome in Google Apps

Publié: novembre 6, 2013, 1:31am CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft, while not innovating at Mozilla-Google rate, has been stepping up development of Internet Explorer -- thankfully moving on from the dim, dark days of IE6. Windows 8.1 comes with the shiny new Internet Explorer 11, and with that release Google implements plans to begin phasing out version 9 of the browser.

Don't panic yet -- this move is for Google Apps, a service used more in the business realm than the home. It really should not come as a surprise, as the search giant holds firm to a policy of support for current and previous browser versions -- in other words IE 10 and 11 now.

"Each time a new version of one of these browsers is released, we begin supporting the update and stop supporting the third-oldest version", the company proclaims.

Google goes on to explain that its "test plans have been adjusted to now stop all testing and engineering work related to Internet Explorer 9 (IE9), as Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) was released on 17 October 2013. End users who access Gmail and other Google Apps services from an unsupported browser will be notified within the next few weeks through an in-product notification message or an interstitial pages with information about modern browsers and how to upgrade to them".

This is not the end of the world, as it doesn't mean those on IE 9 (or earlier) will no longer be able access these services, but the lack of support could end up proving troubling. This will be a concern for business going forward, as well as home Apps users who do not stay up to speed on the latest in tech.

Digg wants to go viral, introduces video

Publié: novembre 5, 2013, 11:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Digg once ranked as a top site on the web when it came to finding the latest and biggest stories. Things went a bit downhill in recent times, but the company has been working on a phoenix-like resurrection, pulling itself from the ashes. The social news site has launched its Google Reader-replacement, in the form of Digg Reader, fresh on the heels of the shuttering of the once-popular RSS web app.

Now Digg goes all-in on video, stating "we're proud to announce that we've launched Digg Video, a section of Digg solely dedicated to collecting and promoting the best and most interesting video content on the Internet. It’s the Digg you already know and love, just in video form".

The company cites the high use of the 'video' tag as a driving force behind this decision, in fact telling us it received more use than any other tag. The team jokingly, we hope, states that "apparently the world is even more bored at work than we knew".

For now, the update is for the web only, but a promise of the feature on both Android and iOS has been made. Digg was also emphatic about thanking users for its recent resurgence. It may never knock off Reddit, but competition and choice matter more to the audience.

BitTorrent Sync surpasses one million users, celebrates with major update

Publié: novembre 5, 2013, 4:56pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Way back in January, BitTorrent released its sync app, though it was early days, and the organization wished to keep testing to a private level. Since then, there has been steady progress, including making a beta version available to the masses. Now it seems the service reaches critical mass with today's news.

The company starts its announcement with news that Sync has surpassed one million users, along with more than 30 petabytes of data synced so far. The company points, in part, to the recent security climate as one of the reasons for its popularity. "BitTorrent Sync is a beta project in cloud-free syncing. Our goal is to build a sharing tool that lets you move big files, and big ideas, freely. Without surveillance. Without speed limits. And without size caps. Your data belongs to you. Sync is designed to keep your stuff yours; with you and your team, wherever you are", the announcement states.

But the news goes beyond the numbers and vague references to NSA activity. Version 1.2 is rolling out and, while still a beta, it promises a number of improvements. For starters, a speed boost claims to have been clocked at 90 MB/s, which doubles the previous version of the app. Beyond that, BitTorrent also unveils an iOS feature set -- "You can now send and sync files in other apps using Sync, and save media from your Sync folders direct to your camera roll", the company says.

Finally, BitTorrent is also rolling out a developer API, claiming "the new API will allow developers to create distributed social media, communications, and enterprise apps on top of the platform. It’s designed to work across major operating systems; including Windows, Mac, and Linux".

BitTorrent Sync arrived just in time to fill the seat that had previously been occupied, at least in my home, by Live Mesh. The app has done a more than adequate job of filling in for the service Microsoft decided to kill off. This update promises more good things to come.

Image credit: sheelamohanachandran2010/Shutterstock

Dear Sundar Pichai -- there's a petition demanding Android 4.4 on Galaxy Nexus

Publié: novembre 5, 2013, 1:07pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Samsung and Google jointly released the Galaxy Nexus just over two years ago, in October 2011. The handset is no longer shiny and new, but that doesn't mean there aren't still customers using the device -- it's still for sale at retail locations like Amazon. And Nexus owners could be considered the hardcore Android fans or, in other words, the very ones who know about, and want, version 4.4 of the mobile operating system.

However, Google sticks to a rigid 18-month lifespan for devices, and this means the Galaxy Nexus will not be updated to Android 4.4. Despite the perception that the search giant isn't known for changing its mind, a sampling of the handset's owners are attempting to petition the company to do exactly that.

The petition, which is currently on change.org, has garnered just under 14,000 signatures (as of this writing), and is just 1,000 signatures shy of reaching its goal.

"Google released the new Android 4.4 'Kitkat' today. Explaining the phone will consume even less RAM (Memory) than the previous versions, you might expect them to release it for the 'older' Galaxy Nexus phone which has 1 GB of RAM, which is twice as much as necessary to run the latest Android version", the petition starts out.

This seems a longshot, as Google does not have a history of changing its mind, at least when it comes to killing off products (the shuttering of Google Reader proved that, and there was a petition for that too). However, given the two-year lifecycle of US carrier contracts, the company may need to rethink its 18-month lifespan for support.

Amazon throws a Kindle sale to honor the FAA

Publié: novembre 4, 2013, 4:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Federal Aviation Administration, better known as the FAA, has lifted the last of its device restrictions, allowing people to finally use electronic devices during takeoff and landing. The ruling went into effect last week, with Delta being the first airline to allow passengers the privilege.

"We've been fighting for our customers on this issue for years, and we are thrilled by the FAA's recent decision -- this is a big win for customers. Delta and JetBlue have already started flights with the new rules -- we're excited to see which airlines are next", said Drew Herdener, vice president of Amazon.

Today, Amazon salutes the government organization, but also hopes to sell a few gadgets in the process. The retail giant has announced that "customers can receive 15 percent off Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HDX 7”, and the $69 Kindle for one day only -- simply enter the promo code 'ThnksFAA' at checkout to receive the special discount".

The deal is good today only, and price knock-downs include the $69 Kindle for only $59, the new Kindle Fire HD for $118 and the brand new Kindle Fire HDX for $195.

The Kindle line of devices are already among the lowest priced in the category, largely because Amazon can make up the cost on the backend by selling books, apps and media. It is not the first time the company has offered discounts on these products -- the original Fire HD, priced at $199, was frequently in and out of $159 sales in the weeks leading up to the Fire HDX announcement.

Box jumps on the KitKat bandwagon

Publié: novembre 1, 2013, 4:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Yesterday Google, after much teasing, made available both the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4, known as KitKat. The device seems to be an early hit as both the black and white 32 GB versions, as well as the white 16 GB model are now listing as two-to-three weeks away from being available. Meanwhile, the black colored low-end model is simply "out of stock". KitKat is set to arrive on other Android devices soon.

Cloud Storage service Box, is one of the first services ready to take advantage of the updated mobile OS. "Android now allows us to blend Box seamlessly with all your other apps that work with files", the company announces.

This isn't just about what Box has done, but also what Android 4.4 allows. Whenever you open a file within an app, there are more locations to choose from, one of which is the cloud. This is thanks to the new Document Provider built into KitKat, but Box did some work of its own to take advantage of the upgrade.

"When you select Box from the menu, you enter a file browser where you can easily search, sort or navigate your way to the file you want. And you never have to leave the app you are working in. Now you can truly use Box as your device’s external drive in the cloud", claims Simon Tan of Box.

Box quickly rolled out version 2.3 of its Android app, which is available for all, though only KitKat customers will get the real advantages it provides. To develop this release, Box got a bit of help from Google, receiving a sneak-peek of 4.4 to work with.

Bing scares up a Halloween treat

Publié: octobre 31, 2013, 9:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While Google is known for its "doodles", Bing remains more stately, opting for beautiful photography, but Halloween is about, not just treats, but also tricks. It's a time for scary movies, ghost stories and children working the neighborhood streets in search of candy hand-outs.

Today, Microsoft's search engine goes the extra mile, opting for an interactive background image, as opposed to the usual high-resolution image that appears each day.

For October 31, when you visit the search site, you will enter Microsoft's version of a haunted house, and the company promises "Friday the 13th Part 2, Psycho, The Amityville Horror, Poltergeist and Halloween" integrated into this one spooky location. Beyond that, the software company tells us it has "pulled together the top five most searched horror movies to see what films still give people nightmares. Paranormal Activity 5 topped the list as the most-searched horror movie, along with scary classics like Jaws and The Silence of the Lambs".

Head over to bing.com today to give the interactive background a try and see what happens. But don't come running to us if something jumps out and says "boo".

Pandora adds Chromecast support

Publié: octobre 31, 2013, 6:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It has been less than 24 hours since music streaming service Pandora took the wraps off version 5.0 of its mobile app for Android, giving users a new tablet-friendly look and improved features. Now the company adds yet another update to the list, this time in the form of support for Google Chromecast.

"Today, we’re excited to share that Pandora is now available on Chromecast, Google’s new TV-connected device that wirelessly delivers online audio and video entertainment to the biggest screen in the home", announces Pandora's Tom Conrad.

If you are in possession of the little $35 dongle, then you will be able to 'cast' the music service to the TV and use a smartphone or tablet as a remote control. "Core Pandora functionality, such as Play, Pause, Thumb and Skip are all easily controlled via your mobile device for a seamless listening experience", the company explains.

Once the setup is complete then all further action takes place directly from the cloud and your mobile device is no longer required to keep the music going.

With this announcement, the company further strengthens its tv.pandora.com brand, which it thinks is the model of the future. "We believe the model of web standards-based apps running on the TV, controlled by a smartphone or tablet, is the winning formula for powering second screen experiences", Conrad explains.

To take advantage of this feature, users will need to have version 5.0 of the mobile app, which was pushed out to Android and iOS yesterday, and is free to download from the respective app stores.

Pandora finds its way to Android tablets

Publié: octobre 30, 2013, 5:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Music choices continue to grow for the new mobile generation. While most services found on your phone are also an option for the tablet in your life, Pandora has been curiously absent from the larger screen. Not that it wouldn't work -- it has been at home on my Kindle Fire HD for sometime now -- but, it wasn't dedicated to the platform.

Today that changes. Mike Grishaver of Pandora proclaims "we’re excited to unveil our latest version of Pandora, designed specifically for Android tablets, and available for download starting today via Google Play".

The music streaming service promises that version 5.0 will bring an experience that has been specifically optimized for the tablet user. This is designed to "include enhanced playback and personalization, deeper music discovery and exploration, easy access to a personalized music profile and an easy way to connect and share music with friends", per today's announcement.

Version 5.0 of the app may play to tablet users, but smartphone customers will benefit as well. Every customer will find, not just a better UI designed for larger screens, but also improved music discovery, a more detailed timeline for stations created and bookmarked tracks, and improved sharing features for the social-minded.

"We are looking forward to taking you on a new journey of personalized music discovery, exploration and sharing and hope that you enjoy our Pandora app designed specifically for Android tablets as much as we’ve enjoyed developing it for you", the company promises.

Pandora does fail to answer the question of why this could be optimized for my Google TV before my Nexus 7, but that is water under the bridge now. We can discuss it once I take my headphones off.

Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

Plex unveils Cloud Sync, puts your media everywhere

Publié: octobre 29, 2013, 8:34pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Plex brought media server and end-client apps to the masses, making the process easy for even the average computer user. Install the server app on a computer, walk through the simple setup process and then enjoy your music and videos from other computers, mobile devices, consoles and set-top boxes.

Now the company has unveiled its latest improvement to this system -- Cloud Sync. Plex Sync was unveiled last November, and the company claims it has been a major success, stating that "users have synced hundreds of terabytes of media to their iOS and Android devices, and we’ve heard stories from people using it to make their plane trips less boring, vacations more fun, and long commutes more palatable".

But this is not always a feasible option for everyone. For instance, you may not have the available space on your mobile device or simply not have the connection or bandwidth to handle things properly.

Plex Cloud Sync, which has debuted in beta form, is an effort to address those concerns, but it doesn't come free. A PlexPass subscription is required, meaning you will be set back $3.99 per month, though annual and lifetime options are open to customers as well. The new feature will work with multiple cloud storage providers like Dropbox and Box.

"One of the coolest features of Cloud Sync is the ability to configure multiple storage providers, and set individual limits for each. You can then create a smart sync rule and the videos will be uploaded and spread across different providers as needed", Plex explains in its announcement.

Your media is then accessible even if your server is off and, best of all, view progress will be synced as well. That is one of the best features of Plex -- begin watching on your TV and then pick up later on your tablet while out and about.

To get started, you'll need the aforementioned Plex Media Server and also must be running the latest version of it -- 0.9.8.10 has just been released and enables Cloud Sync. The company cautions "just to note, we consider Cloud Sync a beta. We’ll be making tweaks over the next weeks as we get feedback, so please leave your impressions and comments in our new Cloud Sync forum".

Amazon releases MatchBook for Kindle

Publié: octobre 29, 2013, 4:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It has been nearly two months since online retail giant Amazon announced its MatchBook feature for Kindle, complimenting the previously unveiled Autorip service for music. Now, the company finally shows the feature the light of day, unveiling MatchBook availability effective today.

If you aren't familiar, MatchBook for Kindle provides customers with the opportunity to purchase a Kindle version of any book already bought through Amazon in physical form. You could, of course, do this previously, but only by paying full price for each copy. With MatchBook, prices range from free up to $2.99 for the digital version.

At the time of the original announcement, the service was boasting 10,000 titles. However, now that number has ballooned to a staggering 70,000 books.

"It’s been great to see the positive response to MatchBook from both readers and publishers", said Russ Grandinetti, Vice President of Kindle Content. "MatchBook enrollment has grown from 10,000 to 70,000 titles in just a few weeks and we expect it will keep expanding rapidly in the months ahead".

The program is retroactive, and includes books purchased as far back as the Internet dark ages of 1995. Yes, Amazon does keep your purchase history all the way to then. You also do not need a Kindle device to take advantage, as apps for mobile and computer platforms are available for free.

Image Credit: Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock

Amazon Prime announces expanded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer agreement

Publié: octobre 22, 2013, 9:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Prime today continues its battle with Netflix and Redbox Instant, in a fight to get control of that monthly fee you lay out in the name of entertainment. This time the retail giant strikes with a new agreement between it and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio to expand availability of content.

The company brought the hit series Vikings to its British and German viewers through LOVEFiLM back in May, but those who failed to watch season one in the US can now also catch up with Ragnor and his crew.

Vikings will be exclusive to Amazon Prime, adding to a growing list that includes hit shows such as Downton Abbey and Under the Dome, which are already available through the streaming service.

"MGM is thrilled to further our relationship with Amazon by offering the epic series Vikings, as well as titles from MGM's library with Amazon Prime members", said John Bryan, President of Domestic Television Distribution for MGM.

But being invaded by Vikings is not the only expectation you should have -- "today’s announcement also brings with it a number of great MGM films, including Oscar-winning titles like Fargo, Platoon and Annie Hall, along with fan favorites like Hotel Rwanda and Hoosiers for Prime members to instantly stream on hundreds of compatible devices anytime, anywhere", the retailer announces.

Its one more reason to consider Amazon Prime over the competitors -- aside from a slightly cheaper annual cost, the service also offers free two-day shipping and a Kindle lending library.

Apple unveils multi-colored cases for iPad Air and mini

Publié: octobre 22, 2013, 9:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When you spend a sizable amount of money on a device, it's understandable that you wish to have a bit of insurance on your investment, and a fair amount of us do that by purchasing a protective case. Apple is no stranger to the accessory market and today pushes it a bit further, announcing new offerings for its latest iPad devices.

These protective wombs for your tablet are available in a range of colors. The Smart Covers for iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display will retail for $39, and hit the market in a choice of blue, green, pink, yellow, black and red.

Meanwhile, Smart Cases will lighten your wallet a bit more, taking $69 from your bank account for iPad mini cases and $79 for iPad Air. These leather cases come in the ever-popular beige and brown shades, as well as black, blue, yellow and red.

The company promises that "Smart Covers and Smart Cases are available through the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Authorized Apple Resellers".

Of course, these prices are on top of what you will already be shelling out for the devices themselves, though its not uncommon -- after all, neither Google nor Amazon will be throwing in freebies with your purchase.

Google adds handwriting to Gmail, Docs

Publié: octobre 22, 2013, 6:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The jury is out on stylus input on mobile devices, though many people likely are happy if the option is there, even if it goes unused. Drawing or writing on a screen may not be for everyone, but it has its place in the market, and today Google adds support for your handwriting to both Gmail and Google Docs.

"Whether you’re a student trying to include a foreign phrase in your paper or an international consultant hoping to begin your message with a friendly local greeting, now you’ll be able to use your own handwriting to input words directly into Gmail and Google Docs with your mouse or trackpad", states Google Product Manage Xiangye Xiao.

You will need to enable the option in both cases and Google provides instruction for this simple step -- "to try it out, enable input tools in Gmail or Docs and select the handwriting input (represented by a pencil icon) of the language you want to use".

Currently Gmail supports more than 50 languages, while Docs weighs in at just over 20 for handwriting recognition. The new service utilizes Google Translate, which is available for Android, iOS, the Chrome browser and the web. Just be careful what words your writing gets translated to.

New Android Trojan making the Asian rounds

Publié: octobre 19, 2013, 5:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Mobile malware tends to make news on a regular basis, most notably targeting Android. As Microsoft has learned with Windows, being the market share leader also means presenting the biggest target.

Russian virus researchers at Dr. Web are releasing new research around the latest volley from cyber-criminals, this one being dubbed "Android.Spy.40.origin". The Trojan is currently only prevalent in the southeast Asian geographic area, specifically in South Korea, where it's spread by means of unwanted SMS messages containing a link to an APK file.

Once the program is executed, Dr. Web explains that "the Trojan connects to a remote server from which it receives further instructions". These instructions include intercepting inbound messages and uploading them to the server (while also hiding them from the user), blocking outbound calls, sending a list of your contacts and apps to the server, removing and installing apps and sending text messages.

"This malicious program can pose a severe threat because it intercepts messages that may contain confidential information, personal and business correspondence, bank account information and mTAN-codes used to verify transactions. In addition, the contacts list acquired by cybercriminals can then be used to send bulks of SMS spam and mount phishing attacks", explains Dr. Web.

None of this sounds particularly alarming perhaps -- few of us are likely to open unsolicited APK files that arrive via text message -- but what makes Android.Spy.40.origin dangerous is its ability to escape detection. The Trojan demonstrates an "ability to exploit an Android vulnerability to avoid detection by anti-viruses", the researchers point out.

"According to the zip [APK] file's format specification, the archive header for each compressed file within it includes the field 'General purpose bit flag'. A zero bit fixed in this field indicates that the files in the archive are encrypted (password protected). In other words, despite the absence of a password, when a bit is set to 1, the file must be treated as encrypted", says the report.

For now, the Trojan has not left the Asian region, but that is always subject to change, and the technology to escape detection can be exploited in other nefarious software in the future.

Image Credit: DeiMosz / Shutterstock

Microsoft complements Windows 8.1 launch with two new ads

Publié: octobre 18, 2013, 8:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Just over 24-hours ago Microsoft unleashed Windows 8.1 upon the world -- a free upgrade, or "fix", for Windows 8 customers; a new operating system for those not already using the latest version. Every shiny new release comes with a marketing plan and this one is no different, as the ads have already begun to roll.

Microsoft is pushing out two new videos to get things under way -- one to show off the hardware and its multitude of designs, and another to focus on the user interface and apps.

"Meet the New Windows 8.1" shows off the touch-screen interface that the latest version of Windows is made for, while also hitting on the built-in apps, such as Skype.

"My Windows 8.1" is a one-minute whirlwind tour of devices of all shapes and sizes, from laptops to tablets and screens that are really too large to be either.

The newly updated version of the OS made a splash in the news yesterday, but headlines do not always equate to sales -- for that it takes marketing and, most importantly, acceptance from the user base. Those factors will not be known for sometime, but for now you can pass the time by watching the videos below.

Amazon finally shipping seven-inch Kindle Fire HDX

Publié: octobre 18, 2013, 5:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It has been almost a month since Amazon unveiled its Kindle Fire HDX tablets and began thrusting them in consumer's faces via its homepage. While its been long enough for this tablet model to seem the new norm, Amazon was not actually shipping the devices, but that changes now.

The seven-inch Amazon Kidle Fire HDX begins shipping today, coming along with the latest version of Fire OS 3.0, known as "Mojito". Amazon promises "a beautiful 323 ppi perfect-color HDX display, 3x the processing power, 2x the memory, 4x the graphics performance, and Fire OS 3.0, we think customers are going to love the new Kindle Fire HDX", according to Peter Larsen, Vice President of Amazon Kindle.

The tablet also features a new "mayday" button that Amazon claims will bring quick help to the novice user. "Simply tap the Mayday button in Quick Settings, and an Amazon expert will appear on your Fire HDX and can co-pilot you through any feature by drawing on your screen, walking you through how to do something yourself, or doing it for you", the retail giant says. Going further with this concept, Amazon is claiming a response time of less than 15 seconds and 24/7 staffing to handle the potential load.

If you haven't pre-ordered then you can expect a bit of a wait for the 16 GB model, as it's now listed as "in stock October 25", but 32 and 64 GB models are ready to ship now. If you are waiting for the 8.9-inch version then mark November 7 on your calendar. Is it time to replace my Kindle Fire HD?

Bing for Windows Phone adds ski reports, more sports

Publié: octobre 18, 2013, 2:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

With winter coming here in the northern hemisphere, our mindset begins to change. Trips to the beach are replaced by ones to the slopes. The "boys of summer" are replaced by the guys on the gridiron, the court and the ice rink. It's the perfect time for skiers, snowboarders and sports fans.

Now, the Bing Weather app is adding ski reports to its list of features -- "you’ll find the app now supplies current snow and weather conditions at ski resorts around the world, plus weather history and additional metrics like the UV index", reports Microsoft's Michael Stroh.

In addition, the app has revamped its live tiles, which can now show current conditions, wind speed, precipitation and the five-day forecast, along with lock-screen weather updates.

If you would rather stay home and watch other people participate in sports then you're in luck as well, as Bing Sports has also received the update treatment. "The Bing team also significantly beefed up coverage in its free Bing Sports app, adding 30 new sports including tennis, rugby, NASCAR, LPGA, and Champions League soccer", Stroh points out.

Bing Sports now allows you to track sports and individual athletes that you choose, plus the app can display leading teams and athletes on the league and team pages.

Both apps are updated in the store and ready to add to your Windows Phone now, if you do not already have them.

Surface Pro 2 availability -- 'it's complicated'

Publié: octobre 18, 2013, 2:10am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Today has been a big one in the annals of Microsoft -- Windows 8.1 rolled out the door to a fair amount of headlines, and Visual Studio 2013 also arrived, to much less pomp and circumstance. Next week promises the same, with Surface 2 hitting store shelves amidst stories of stock shortages.

But nothing in the Microsoft universe is ever as simple as it should be -- the tech giant seems to almost enjoy keeping customers guessing. Hence the case of the Surface Pro 2, which promises to ship on October 22nd -- providing you only wish to score a 64 or 128 GB model.

If your aspirations aim higher -- say at 256 GB or, gasp, 512 GB, then you are in for a wait, because the online store now lists those two models as available to ship on, ah...December 15th. Yes, just under two months from now, you can get your tablet/laptop.

BetaNews today reached out to Microsoft to verify this and received a response that would best be described as vague -- "Our primary goal is to get Surface 2, Surface Pro 2 and new Surface accessories into the hands of all people who want the most productive tablets on the planet. The public response to date has been exciting to see and, for those still eager to buy, we recommend they go to MicrosoftStore.com, Microsoft Retail Stores and third-party retailers for availability".

Well, that clears things up, thanks. The bottom line here seems to be that if you did not get in on the ground floor then you will be on the "will call" list. This could be good news for Microsoft, if we actually knew how many models of the new device the company produced.

The releases continue -- Microsoft pushes Visual Studio 2013

Publié: octobre 17, 2013, 5:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows 8.1 may be the big news of the day, but that does not mean Microsoft is sitting pat or off celebrating. The perceived vaccination for the Windows 8 illness is not the only product issuing forth from Redmond, Wash. today -- Visual Studio 2013, along with Team Foundation Server 2013 and .NET 4.51 are also now loose in the wild.

"You can download the trials and related products and MSDN subscribers can download the licensed product from the subscriber portal", announces Microsoft's Brian Harry.

Those who own a current Visual Studio Pro subscription can upgrade to the new version for $99 for a limited time. "We created a special, limited-time offer through the Microsoft Store for those who purchased Visual Studio Professional 2012 at retail to upgrade to Visual Studio Professional 2013 for only US $99 (pricing varies by region)", according to the VS website.

The 2013 version does not replace any previous installation, but instead can run together with the older software, including the VS 2013 pre-release.

Microsoft promises that it is already working on the first update to this release -- Visual Studio 2013.1. More information on that will be coming along over the next several months.

Vizio unveils Co-Star LT, lite version leaves off Google TV

Publié: octobre 17, 2013, 3:24am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Vizio Co-Star has remained one of the more popular set-top boxes for those looking for a Google TV experience. The tiny device brings along all of the features found in more expensive cousins from the likes of Sony, but with less of the big-name price. While rumors persist of an impending name-change for the search giant's foray into the living room, details of an updated media OS have been tough to come by.

Vizio, leaving nothing to chance, is hedging its bets with a new model of that Co-Star box that shuns Google TV...ah, Android TV...you get the picture. Instead, the television manufacturer is focusing on bringing its smart TV technology to, well, dumb TV's.

The Co-Star LT "includes the more intuitive smart TV platform, VIZIO Internet Apps Plus, as well as HDMI input and HDMI output, allowing users to browse apps while still watching live TV", according to the announcement.

The new box also comes along with second-screen technology for use on your smartphone or tablet, as well as built-in WiFi for those unwilling to hack walls for that ethernet connection.

Just because you aren't getting Google TV does not mean the box will be handicapped -- Vizio promises integration for Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime Video, iHeartRadio, M GO, Netflix, YouTube, VUDU and more. All of this will be intertwined with a new interface and support for HTML5.

"Committed to providing an exceptional experience with the latest technology, the Vizio Co-Star LT stream player not only adds smart TV features to standard HDTVs, but also delivers intuitive second screen interactivity", the company promises.

The Vizio Co-Star LT is available beginning today and retails for $79.99, which knocks $20 off the standard Co-Star set-top box. It's a small savings and, regardless of Vizio putting a good light on it, still lacks what Google brings to the experience. Despite its shortcomings, Google TV adds a web browser and access to Google Play, which makes up for a lot.

iriver ON monitors your exercise while playing music

Publié: octobre 16, 2013, 7:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Over the years, I have been, first increasingly, then decreasingly, weighed down on my daily runs. A simple Ironman watch morphed into the first GPS watch, complete with a transmitter strapped to my arm, and then a chest strap for heart rate monitoring was added to the mix. Since then devices have become smaller and functionality has been rolled together. Now iriver announces ON, which takes that concept another step.

The ON is an exercise headset that does a bit more than just let you listen to your tunes to pass the miles away. "Powered by PerformTek sensor technology, the iriver ON accurately monitors more real-time fitness data from a single source than any other personal monitor, including heart rate, distance, speed, VO2 max (aerobic fitness level) and calories burned", the announcement explains.

The monitoring is handled through iriver's partnership with Valencell PerformTek. "Now instead of gearing up with a body full of inconvenient monitoring devices to get all this real time data, a sleek headset replaces them all, and incorporating Valencell’s PerformTek sensor technology, betters them all in accuracy and performance", states iriver CEO Henry Park.

The design is sleek, but still a bit cumbersome looking -- a three-quarters collar around your neck, with earbuds coming up from it. The whole thing links with your Android or iPhone via Bluetooth and stores data there, as well as using the device as its music source. The ON is on sale now with a MSRP of $199.99.

Image Credit: Warren Goldswain / Shutterstock

Microsoft shows off Xbox One racing accessories

Publié: octobre 15, 2013, 7:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft will release its Xbox One on November 22nd, and a steady build-up is already in full swing. Launch day titles are being announced, and exclusives are aiming to create a reason to choose the console over rival Sony's PS4. Xbox Live gaming chief Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, is at the forefront of this marketing push, continuing to release tidbits of information.

Today Hryb posts a brand new video of himself and Branden Powell, Director of Strategic alliances on the Xbox One partner development team, looking at what is on the horizon in the way of hardware for racing games. Both Forza Motorsport 5 and Need for Speed Rivals are on the list of "day one games" for the new console, and this is the gear that serious gamers will want for playing them.

The video shows off a pair of new wheels and pedals that have been designed to take advantage of the technology inside the new console. Powell gives detailed information about the concepts behind these designs and what each will be able to do, including one that has essentially come straight out of a Ferrari 458.

The five-minute video attempts to relay a large amount of information, including this little tidbit -- Xbox 360 wheels will not be compatible with the One. That likely will do little to dampen sales this holiday season, however.

Rdio jumps into original video content with Red Bull Stratos documentary

Publié: octobre 15, 2013, 5:04pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When it comes to original online video content, many services spring to mind, but Rdio is likely not one of them. However, not to be outdone by the likes of Amazon and Netflix, the online music service has produced and released its own original documentary that chronicles last year's Red Bull Stratos challenge.

Some of you may remember the event -- that Sunday morning when we sat glued to our computer screens watching as Felix Bomgartner slowly rose into the sky on the way to a record-setting 128,000-foot jump from the stratosphere.

"The countdown is over -- Mission to the Edge of Space: The Inside Story Behind Red Bull Stratos, the dynamic documentary of the record-breaking jump, is now live", the music service announces today.

To go along with the documentary, Rdio is also releasing a few extras, including previously unseen clips and a new full-length music video titled "Oh Boy".

To watch the content, you will need a Rdio account. A free one will work just fine, though the service likely hopes that drawing you in may result in more paying customers in the future.

Rovio pushes 3 Angry Birds updates to Windows Phone

Publié: octobre 11, 2013, 10:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows Phone customers sometimes feel left behind when it comes to apps and games. Many eventually make it to the platform, but are frequently behind Android and iPhone counterparts. In the case of some apps, such as YouTube, customers are left with nothing but a second-hand mess.

Rovio, for its part, is trying to make up for the shortcomings of others, even releasing its brand new Star Wars 2 game to Windows Phone ahead of the Android release, albeit only by hours. Now the Finnish game maker is rolling out major updates to three more games from its popular bird-slinging empire.

Today, updates hit the original Angry Birds, along with Space and Star Wars 1. Each update contains a plethora of new levels to occupy your time in transit -- or when the boss isn't looking (I'm working Wayne, I promise).

For the original game, customers will find themselves with 15 new levels of game play, while Star Wars 1 beefs up with 30 new levels, and Space has a staggering, and time-consuming, 35 new additions.

All versions of Angry Birds retail for $0.99 in the store and the updates, should you already have any or all of these games, should hit your handset today. Now you just need to find a good place to hide from the boss.

Bing announces Hometown Homepage Photo Contest winner

Publié: octobre 10, 2013, 9:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Back in August, when the weather was still warm, Microsoft announced a new contest surrounding its Bing search engine. The Hometown Homepage Photo Contest was designed to bring attention to local photographers, both amateur and professional, and provide them the opportunity to get some recognition.

The winner was chosen by the public after the Bing team narrowed the choices down to nine finalists and will receive a Nokia Lumia 1020, 500px membership, and a canvas of the image. Plus, the photograph is appearing today as Bing daily image, bringing nationwide recognition.

That lucky person turned out to be Prasad Karkera, who snapped the image seen above. "Prasad took the photo from the New York State Observation Tower in Prospect Point Park while waiting for the fireworks to begin on the Fourth of July", announces Kristin Dean, Managing Editor for Bing Homepage.

The search engine also partnered with the Nature Conservancy to hold a cleanup event in the hometown of the winner, and that is taking place as I write this, in Buffalo, New York.

For all those who didn't bring home the big prize, there is at least the consolation of having had an excuse to get outside and grab some great pictures.

Microsoft updates Outlook.com Android app, adds multiple features

Publié: octobre 10, 2013, 7:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When Microsoft is not attacking Google with cheesy videos and questionable statistics, the software giant is busy trying to use the search company's platforms for its own gain. While we still anxiously await the arrival of Office (without a 365 subscription) on Android, we do have OneNote and Outlook.com, the latter of which is receiving a big update today.

"Our goal is to provide our customers with the best possible email experience, delivering the features that you've been requesting. We've listened hard to the feedback from you and made several improvements that you asked for", says Microsoft's Steve Kafka.

Included in today's release is server-side search, allowing users to search for email, encompassing not just what is on your device, but also what is stored on Outlook.com, preventing the need to sync all messages to the phone or tablet. However, if you do choose to go that route, this new version also provides an option to download all of your mail, regardless of how old the messages are.

The new update also adds mobile support for aliases, which have previously only been accessible from the web version. "Now you can send email from all your aliases in our Android app, just like you would in the Windows 8 mail app or on the web", the Outlook team claims.

Finally, the app brings support for colors, allowing you to alter the appearance to suit your tastes, as well as vacation replies to let those attempting to contact you know that you will be out of touch.

The latest Outlook.com app is available now in the Google Play store and is officially listed as version 7.8.2.12.49.0430. It requires Android 2.2 or newer running on your device.

Google updates Maps, now sends you to multiple destinations

Publié: octobre 10, 2013, 2:56am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Over the past year there has been an endless supply of jokes about Apple Maps and a cry of relief when Google finally swept in to "save the day". But, with all the jokes aside, when Google claims it will send you to multiple destinations, it does not mean being lost in the outback of Australia.

Today, the search giant announces that it is rolling out a major update for its Maps program, though not quite in time for summer travel.

Included, finally, is the ability to set multiple destinations, allowing users to sort out an itinerary for a big road trip. "Whether you’re running weekend errands or planning a cross-country tour, you can plot multiple destinations for your trip with ease – now available for driving, walking and biking directions. Once you’ve chosen a starting point, click '+' and add stops to your route by typing in the search box or clicking on the map", states Florian Goerisch, Product Manager at Google Maps.

That's not the only new feature included in this update, though. Google also unveils the ability to get flight information and dinner reservations within Maps. "Just search for your departing airport or dining destination, and we’ll instantly show your upcoming plans", the company promises.

Finally, Maps will now display upcoming events for the area where you are, so you no longer need to spend a lonely night in your hotel room watching bad movies.

With the new update, Google pushes Maps even further in its effort to be the go-to service for your travel needs. All of these new additions could prove to be helpful, not only for vacation time, but also for business travel and everyday life.

Microsoft promising five-day app approval for Windows 8.1

Publié: octobre 9, 2013, 10:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When it comes to Windows 8 and the Modern UI, the single biggest knock has undoubtedly been the sparse population of the app store. In fact, the ongoing app count has become something of a meme around the internet with every milestone generating stories from various tech sites.

Microsoft can't force developers to get involved, but it can provide incentives to encourage them and today, the tech giant is doing just that.

"Beginning Oct 18, the Windows Store team has committed to no more than five days for initial certification, with many apps passing within a day or two, for apps developers submit for Windows 8.1", the company states.

This goes along with a redesigned Store that is part of the upcoming operating system update. "Redesigned detail pages will give developers a more visually stunning platform upon which to highlight their apps with increased merchandising capabilities, while search and recommendation features will make it easier for customers to find the best apps and games", or, at least that is the promise Microsoft is making.

The software maker also plans to roll out gift cards in time for the holiday shopping season, in an effort to further incentivize developers and customers.

Having used Windows 8.1 RTM for a few weeks now, I can attest that the new Store design is certainly much more sensible than the previous iteration, though it would have been difficult to regress from that earlier version. As for this helping to drum up business from customers and developers, well, that remains to be seen.

HBO lands on Google Play, Game of Thrones in tow

Publié: octobre 7, 2013, 9:23pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

HBO original programming has become some of the most popular content on the small screen these days, including Game of Thrones, which holds the distinction of being the most downloaded show in BitTorrent history. Fortunately for the premium network, there are legal and profitable ways for viewers to obtain its shows.

Today, there is one more outlet being added to the mix -- Google Play. The search giant tweets that HBO is now a part of its app store, bringing along a number of its popular TV Series' to Android and Google TV customers.

Shows included in this initial push include Game of Thrones, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, The Newsroom, Veep, Girls and The Wire. More shows are promised to be coming soon.

Not all seasons are available in this introductory release -- for instance only season two of Game of Thrones is available. Prices for individual episodes also vary between $1.99 and $2.99, depending on the series. None of the shows indicate that they are available in high-definition.

You can browse the available catalog now, but if you need to catch up on previous seasons, you will have to seek out another source, such as Amazon Video.

Omny announces Azure-based personalized radio

Publié: octobre 7, 2013, 5:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When thinking of personal radio, services such as Pandora, Rdio, Spotify and others come to mind. Windows Azure is not a part of this word association game, but the Microsoft service is capable of powering such apps for mobile platforms, and works with Windows Phone, iPhone and Android.

Now Long Zheng, formerly of the ChevronWP7 team, has announced his startup 121Cast is releasing Omny -- which the company hopes will change the way people use their mobile devices for music, email, news and more. "I know the word 'revolutionize' is very much a cliché for tech startups but I do think we've come up with an easier, more interactive, and all around better way for the busy mobile individual to listen to news, entertainment, music and important updates on the go", Zheng states. "Omny expands on that idea [SoundGecko] to provide a more diverse range of content such as professional radio shows, podcasts and music through Spotify, Rdio, Songl and iTunes", he continues.

Beyond just music, news and talk radio, Omny pulls information from Facebook feeds and notifications, emails from Gmail and Outlook.com, calendar from Google Calendar, weather and more. Then it reads all of this to you while you are on the go.

Omny is out now, but with a caveat -- it is currently iPhone only and so far just available through the Australian App Store. However, Zheng promises "it is coming to the US (and other countries around the world) as well as Android and Windows Phone". No timeframe for that expansion was unveiled.

Image Credit: Aspen Photo / Shutterstock

Evernote offers two-step authentication to 'everyone'

Publié: octobre 4, 2013, 9:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Over the course of 2013 we have seen many services adding a two-step authentication to their sign-in options, though most leave the decision of enabling it up to the individual customer. Now, the popular note-taking service Evernote, which works across both mobile and web platforms, has joined in the movement.

This is not entirely new -- the company first announced the availability back in May, but only gave the option to Premium and Business level customers, leaving the rest of the user-base without the extra security.

"We take the security of your data very seriously. Several months ago, we introduced two-step verification along with several other security features. Today, we're opening two-step verification up to everyone", announces Andrew Sinkov.

The catch is that free customers will need to use a third-party authenticator, such as the one made by Google, while Premium customers can opt to simply receive a text message with the necessary code.

Interested parties will need to head to the Evernote web site, login to their account and head to the security section. Here you will find the new option right below those for changing email and password.

The company also points out, "One very important thing to note. As part of the set up process, you will be given a set of one-time codes to use in the event that you are unable to access your phone. Don't keep these codes in Evernote since you’ll need them when you don't have access to your Evernote account".

While this level of security is seen by many customers as just a hassle, it only takes being bitten once for most to learn a valuable lesson.

Hulu Plus debuts on Chromecast

Publié: octobre 2, 2013, 2:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google unveiled the Chromecast HDMI dongle during its big new Nexus 7 launch event in July and the tiny device garnered quite a bit of attention. For $35, customers could suddenly get functionality once reserved for specialized set-top boxes like Roku and Google TV. Plug it into your display and start "casting" media to it.

Now Chromescast gets one more option, and it's something that even Google TV does not have -- Hulu Plus. Google's Shanna Prevé calls it "the same intuitive, remote-free experience you’ve come to enjoy with the other Chromecast-supported apps, and is as simple as pressing the Cast button which will now appear in the app".

Initial support for Hulu Plus is available for Android phones and tablets, as well as iPad, while iPhone is coming in the future. You will need the latest version of the Hulu app, which is being released today. This also requires a Hulu Plus subscription, which runs $7.99 per month and is US-only.

Perhaps Google TV support will also come along at some point, but for now you can grab the cheap Chromecast dongle and begin watching your favorite shows on the big screen.

YouTube joins the music awards game

Publié: octobre 1, 2013, 4:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The Grammys and MTV Music Awards might be over for another year, but there's still a chance for your favorite artist to bag an accolade before 2014 arrives, as YouTube today announces its very own awards show.

Google wishes to pay tribute to the musicians who help to make the video service the popular destination it has become. "On Sunday, November 3, YouTube will host the first-ever YouTube Music Awards, a live-streamed event honoring the artists and songs that you have turned into hits over the past year", says Danielle Tiedt, Vice President of Marketing.

Few of the final details have been revealed, but we do know Lady Gaga, Eminem, and Arcade Fire will be among the acts present for the festivities. Along with those names YouTube announces "performances and musical collaborations from Seoul, Moscow, London and Rio, culminating in a live event in New York City. Music-video visionary Spike Jonze will be the creative director and acclaimed actor Jason Schwartzman will host with VICE and Sunset Lane Entertainment acting as executive producers".

Awards nominations are to be announced on October 17 and will be based on the videos that users watched and shared over the past year. From there judging goes to the viewers -- "we’ll call on you to determine the songs and artists honored, by sharing the nominees across social media so the awards are judged in full view of everyone," the announcement explains.

Google's video service promises there will be even more to share before the big day, with new videos, concerts and interviews.

Photo Credit: racorn/Shutterstock

BitTorrent testing secure messaging

Publié: octobre 1, 2013, 2:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

To say security and spying has been a hot button issue recently would be a mild understatement. Mostly we understand that if we are doing nothing wrong then we have no reason to worry about monitoring, though that certainly makes it no less a creepy feeling to some people.

Launching its first messaging service, file sharing organization BitTorrent points out "this year alone, more than six million people have been impacted by data breaches. The right to own your own conversations online: it’s not a given. It should be".

BitTorrent Chat is a new Labs project that applies distributed technology to the idea of instant messaging with a goal of ensuring that your messages stay private and secure.

"BitTorrent Chat is a pre-Alpha experiment in server-less messaging. As we begin discovery, we’re inviting our community in for feedback, ideas, and testing", says Catherine Meek, Director of Product Management at BitTorrent.

If you're interested in giving the new service a try, head over to BitTorrent Labs now. It's early days, so there is no guarantee the product will be without glitches, but it is an interesting concept and one that has promise given the current state of affairs.

Microsoft unveils SkyDrive for Windows 8.1 Smart Files

Publié: septembre 30, 2013, 9:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It is no secret that with the introduction of Windows 8.1, SkyDrive, the Microsoft cloud-based storage solution, will get much deeper integration. But now the company is detailing a bit more than what had already been gleaned from the RTM, announcing a new Smart Files feature, incorporating Bing with it.

Smart Files has been merged into SkyDrive in version 8.1 of Windows, but the company has revealed more details about how it will work and what customers can expect.

"In the Windows 8.1 preview we saw consumers using SkyDrive in two distinct ways. The first group of people are very conscious of what they have saved to disk and most of their files are online-only. We found that the majority of people using smart files take up 80% less disk space than they would without smart files. The second group of people are on the other end of the spectrum: they explicitly chose to have all their files available offline, and so have their entire SkyDrive stored locally", says Mona Akmal, the Group Program Manager for SkyDrive apps.

Smart Search is powered by Bing and can work right from the desktop in the next-generation version of Windows -- enter a keyword based on a subject from a photo or document and Microsoft promises that it can find the file. "People are starting to take photos not only to capture special moments, but also to keep track of everyday information, so we are really excited about this scenario and proud to unveil this valuable OCR search feature", the cloud team states.

The company plans to unleash version 8.1 on the public in October, but select users can get it now. SkyDrive integration is among the many changes being made to the Windows 8 successor, some of which customers actually asked for -- others mostly perceived by Microsoft. Smart Files is just one more detail coming to the forefront in this upcoming release.

Microsoft showing off Surface 2 with in-store shows

Publié: septembre 28, 2013, 3:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

This past Monday Microsoft held a Surface event in New York City, unveiling the next-generation of its flagship tablet, which hits the market in late October, just after the Windows 8.1 launch. Now the software giant wants to get customers familiar with the upcoming product by holding a series of in-store shows.

"The team had so much fun showing off the new gear, they decided to hit the road to give you a chance to get hands on and meet some of the people behind the scenes of Surface", the team announces.

The show is not coming to every Microsoft store, but only visiting a select few, beginning September 30th in Seattle. Customers will have the opportunity to see Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 and all of the accessories up close and personal, get an opportunity to win prizes and meet some of the team members, including Panos Panay, the corporate VP of Surface.

Shows, beyond Seattle, include locations in California, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Florida, New York and more -- a complete schedule can be found here.

Surface 2 and its big brother Surface Pro 2 will be available October 22nd and will ship with Windows 8.1, which reintroduces the Start button, brings tighter SkyDrive integration and more.

Microsoft teams with Crackle for exclusive TV show

Publié: septembre 28, 2013, 12:27am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft continues the push to make its latest platforms more appealing to a rather skeptical audience, this time teaming with Crackle, the streaming video service launched by Sony. Exclusive shows are fast becoming a hallmark of these video services, with Amazon and Netflix already in on the act, and now Crackle is taking its first shot.

Cleaners, the service's new exclusive show, will premiere on October 3rd, but customers with Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Xbox 360 can all get a sneak peek. "Starting today and running through to October 2nd in advance of the world premiere on October 3rd – you can watch all 6 episodes of Crackle’s new series 'Cleaners' on Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and Xbox 360", says Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc.

The show stars Emmanuelle Chriqui and Emily Osment as Veronica and Roxie who are two young women who happen to also be a tandem of highly trained and lethal contract killers.

Crackle has struggled somewhat in competition with rival services, but with a growing market of original shows, being bolstered by recent awards for Netflix's House of Cards, the market seems ready to move more in this direction and away from the networks that once dominated living rooms.

Xbox One plans to kick you into shape with new fitness videos, Kinect monitoring

Publié: septembre 27, 2013, 1:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The countdown to the Xbox One release is on, and we are receiving regular updates regarding what to expect, from game releases to entertainment options. Now Microsoft is adding another dimension to the platform, this time aiming to boost your physical fitness level.

Today, the console maker announces the latest device will come with Xbox Fitness -- providing you obtain an Xbox Live Gold membership, of course.

According to Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, "the extensive library of videos [comes] from the world’s biggest fitness brands including Beachbody’s P90X (Tony Horton) and INSANITY (Shaun T), Jillian Michaels, Tracy Anderson and others".

This is not just a collection of fitness videos, a genre that has been around since the VCR days, but instead Microsoft is utilizing Kinect technology to take things a bit further. "Using Kinect technology, Xbox Fitness can read your heart rate without a monitor, see which muscles are most engaged by measuring the power, force and transfer of weight in your body, and track the quality of your performance by measuring your balance, tempo and form", states Hryb.

The Xbox Fitness program will be free (with that Xbox Live Gold membership) through December 2014, adding one more reason to welcome Microsoft's gaming console into your living room.

Netflix touts new Super HD image quality for (almost) all

Publié: septembre 27, 2013, 12:38am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Netflix is locked in a heated battle for your streaming dollars. Rivals Amazon Prime and Redbox Instant, to name just two, are on a mission to knock the king off the hill. Today the video giant announces a new weapon in its arsenal -- better HD coming to subscribers everywhere.

"The great TV shows and movies on Netflix will look even better on HD screens with a higher bit rate stream, Super HD, that applies less compression to the 1080p image", says Joris Evers, director of corporate communications at Netflix.

The Super HD service has been around since January, but was previously only available through ISP's with a direct connection to Netflix. Now the company reports that, based on the performance data, it can begin expanding availability to give all customers the ability to see Netflix in the best possible quality.

The announcement comes with a caveat -- "Netflix uses 'adaptive streaming' to dynamically adjust the video quality based on the available bandwidth. This means that the ability to receive Super HD depends on broadband quality and performance. Netflix members who subscribe to an ISP with a direct Netflix connection will get the best experience".

The clear meaning is that not everyone will get the "Super HD" service, and it is surely meant as a method of pressuring ISP's to adopt Netflix Open Connect. The video service does not actually profit from adoption -- it offers the service for free. The financial gain is expected to come on the backend, where better streaming service and quality has the potential to lead to more subscriptions.

Image Credit: ArtFamily / Shutterstock

Sighthound claims to add people detection and better search to home security

Publié: septembre 26, 2013, 10:02pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I am a long time customer of a home security system, and it has been a wild ride through much of its history, but not one I will detail here -- suffice it to say, the alarm can scare you to death for no reason at times. Adding a camera can intensify this problem, by opening up the motion detection to every creature that wonders into the field of view -- a lot as I live in a rural area.

Now, Sighthound wishes to fix that problem with new technology that can distinguish images and filter out the false alarms. "Sighthound Video has been trained to simulate the human brain’s recognition abilities. The software not only detects motion, it detects people. The software’s ability to detect and differentiate humans from animals or other objects greatly reduces the number of false positives and unnecessary alerts sent to users, which can make even the most modern security cameras unusable", the company claims.

The company says that Sighthound is the first video security software to work seamlessly on Macs, PC's, iPads, iPhones and Android without the need for a browser plug-in or a mobile download.

The company also claims that its software can search through days or weeks worth of video in seconds to find events that interest you -- handy if you are away for an extended period of time.

Sighthound Video is not restricted to any single make of camera -- it works with any IP camera or webcam with an accessible video feed, which is almost all IP cameras and webcams on sale today. After installation, it claims to find most cameras automatically, and that you will be up and using the desktop software within 60 seconds. Users can also control remote access to their videos by creating secure links to the Sighthound software.

All of this sounds like a dream come true for security-conscious consumers, but this is a brand new product, so there could be some false positives along the path. It's certainly an intriguing announcement though.

Photo Credit: brodtcast/Shutterstock

SkyDrive swells to even greater size

Publié: septembre 23, 2013, 9:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has taken over the tech news today with its Surface 2 launch, but the company doesn't stop there, keeping the ball rolling with a bit more news, this time from the cloud. SkyDrive has become tightly integrated with today's marquee products, Windows and Office, as well as being a competitor to rival services from Google and Amazon. Now the company announces a new storage tier.

"Today, we are happy to introduce a new storage option to add 200 GB of additional storage to your SkyDrive for $100 per year", says Omar Shahine, Group Program Manager for SkyDrive. For perspective, Microsoft describes this as enough space to store one photo per hour from birth through college graduation -- this obviously depends on average image size, which continues to grow.

Of course, this is all tied to the bigger story of the day -- "To help people get the most out of Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, customers purchasing either device will receive 200 GB of free SkyDrive storage for 2 years". In addition, the company is throwing in free Skype calling to land lines and unlimited Wi-Fi on the Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 at more than two million hot-spots worldwide for one year.

This is yet another nod towards increasing Surface sales, but it's also a nice bonus for those who do purchase the new device. Perhaps not enough to sway the decision, but one more thing to consider.

Photo Credit: IdeaStepConceptStock/Shutterstock

BetaNews takes you to the Surface 2 Event

Publié: septembre 23, 2013, 9:06am CEST par Alan Buckingham

It's September 23rd and Microsoft is holding court in New York City. The subject du jour is the brand new Surface 2, the follow up to a tablet PC much maligned for its poor sales and pricing. But today the tech giant has the opportunity to right these perceived wrongs with a fresh start.

There have been numerous rumors swirling around this "reimaging" of the flagship Windows 8 (8.1 likely) tablet, and uncertainty even about the name, at least for the lower end model -- will Microsoft keep the confusing RT moniker or go for something entirely different? -- we really don't know at this point. However, my colleague Brian Fagioli and I are currently on converging train rides headed for Penn Station and will be bringing you all of the details as the event unfolds.

Will the company pull off the comeback, or will this be more of the same? Will this be the last time we see Steve Ballmer on a Microsoft stage?

What are you hoping for, and what will it take to make you consider buying a Surface 2? Tell us in the comments below.

Microsoft keeps pace with Apple, updates Bing for iOS 7

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 7:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Two days ago Apple rolled out its latest mobile operating system offering, iOS 7. To compliment this new release, Microsoft is making sure to keep up with the latest version of the OS, by pushing out a brand new version of the Bing app. The company is hitting Apple hard with integration right into the heart of the platform.

"With the release of iOS 7 this week, you can now experience Bing search results in Siri", the software giant announces. The Bing search within Siri aims to deliver various types of results, keeping you from going to the web browser to view the same list of results. Microsoft explains, "for example, when you ask Siri a question, you will either see a specific answer or search results from Bing, including web links, related searches, images and video".

The update to the app also contains four new tiles, allowing you to check trending news and images from Bing Trends, find nearby local businesses on a map, and check the weather. There is, additionally, a new share button that interacts with Facebook and Twitter and a revamped menu that allows you to view saved images, screenshots and bookmarks, as well as sign-in with a Microsoft account to sync them to Skydrive.

The new Bing for iOS 7 is available for free in the iTunes App Store starting today. So, if you installed the latest Apple mobile OS, or managed to secure a brand new device then this is something you may just want to look at.

Google rolls out new menu, you can get it NOW

Publié: septembre 19, 2013, 11:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The Google homepage changes little, though minor tweaks here and there have been known to take place. The company, and its customers, largely prefer a sleek, clean look. Minor changes to properties contained in the top menu bar and the color of said bar have been the biggest changes we normally must learn to deal with.

Today, that status quo is upset by a major, at least in relative terms, design change to that tried and true interface. The menu bar across the top of the screen disappears and is replaced by a new pop-up menu.

"Your Google products are now accessible under a new app launcher, located at the top right of the screen. Just click on the familiar 'Apps' grid, also present on Android devices and Chromebooks", says the search giant's Eddie Kessler.

The new box gives access to Gmail, Play, Calendar, Maps, News, Search and YouTube and a few others. The rest are included in the "More" option.

You may be one of the lucky few to already have access, but if you do not then there is a work-around. From the Google homepage, open the Developer Console of your web browser (the process is different for each) and add a new line of code:

document.cookie="PREF=ID=
e66a207a51ceefd8 :U=936bafc98b2a9121:FF=0
:LD=en:NR=10: CR=2:TM=1378808351:
LM=1379592992:SG=1:S=OXyq0fqClYB66VuV;
path=/; domain=google.com";
window.location.reload();

(You should replace "google.com" with your regional Google domain address.)

Refresh the page and you should gain access. If you do not want to be bothered with this process then simply wait and the interface will come to you.

Google also points out a slightly redesigned company logo -- "as part of this design, we’ve also refined the color palette and letter shapes of the Google logo. We'll be rolling out this update across most Google products over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out and let us know your thoughts".

The new design still does not change the homepage tremendously, but for Google, its a big leap. What do you think of this reimagining of the menu?

Angry Birds Star Wars 2 lands early on Windows Phone 8

Publié: septembre 18, 2013, 9:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Those waiting to do battle with the pork side in the next version of Rovio's popular Angry Birds series of games got a surprise treat today when, without announcement, the much anticipated Star Wars II appeared in the Windows Phone Store.

The Finnish game maker has been building momentum and anticipation towards a big launch tomorrow, which was expected to be cross-platform. But, for once, it was customers of the Windows mobile platform that received the bonus often reserved for Android and iOS users.

Unlike what has become customary routine on other platforms, there is no free ad-supported version, so you will need to cough up the $0.99 to get in on the action. In exchange, you will receive twenty levels of brand new, time-wasting, hair-tearing-out fun to get you through your free time.

Not to mention, this is bragging rights over your Android and iPhone-toting friends who still must wait until tomorrow to begin their pig hunting. You can grab the game now, and it's compatible with even low-end Windows Phone 8 handsets.

Pandora updates brand and iPad app, more platforms to follow

Publié: septembre 18, 2013, 6:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Just yesterday, Microsoft played its latest card in the music battle, announcing Linkin Park's latest song would stream exclusively on Xbox Music. In a battle with iTunes, Google, Spotify and others, today it's Pandora's turn to show its cards, and the first on the table is a new iPad app and a bit of a rebranding.

The company is rolling out Pandora 5.0 and with it a revamped logo, app icon, and a new visual design. "Our goal with the logo and app icon is to honor our past while looking to the future with a bolder, more modern identity. The visual design language, which we refer to simply as 'lights,' is meant to evoke the interplay of lights from a live show while symbolizing the flow of music from artists to listeners", says Simon Fleming-Wood.

However, going beneath the visual surface, version 5.0 is also live for iPad users, adding a host of new features to the tablet, while enhancing the visuals for the larger screen size.

The new listening experience adds variety to a station in the form of artist suggestions and viewing of station details, in addition to giving listeners the ability to shuffle, rename and delete stations.

The new version also adds more detail to the timeline, extra information about artists and the addition of social sharing features that were not previously included in the iPad app.

Pandora still packs a bit less functionality than its rivals, but it fills its particular niche quite nicely, allowing customers to easily discover new artists they may be interested in.

Get out your wallet -- Microsoft unveils Windows 8.1 pricing

Publié: septembre 18, 2013, 3:29am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows 8.1 has been chewed on around the internet for sometime now, with a Preview release, TechNet and MSDN launch, and...well, shall we say other locations it can be found? From the start (I swear I intended no pun), we have known that the upgrade will be a free one -- Microsoft is treating this as a service pack, though it's just a bit more than that.

Now we have details on what those non-Windows 8 customers will be ponying up to make the move to this new Start button enabled interface.

"We are excited to be delivering such an important update to customers in just one month and nearly a year after launching Windows 8. However we also recognize there will be some folks who may want to upgrade devices running older versions of Windows to Windows 8.1", says Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc.

That last part is the key for those of you who need to purchase this next generation operating system. This is where the pricing kicks in and, unsurprisingly, it isn't really any different than if you had grabbed a copy of Windows 8.

"Consumers who are not using a Windows 8 device will be able to buy Windows 8.1, either as a download from Windows.com or at your local store as a retail packaged DVD product. While pricing varies by market, in the U.S., Windows 8.1 will be available for $119.99 ERP (US) and Windows 8.1 Pro will be available for $199.99 ERP (US)" LeBlanc points out.

Customers can do an upgrade from Windows 7, but XP and Vista users will need the DVD and a clean install. Microsoft warns that "files, settings and programs will not transfer -- Consumers will need to back up their files and settings, perform clean installation, and then reinstall their files, settings and programs".

Is Windows 8.1 enough to sway the non-users out there? It certainly goes a long way to improving a controversial operating system, but does it go far enough?

Linkin Park rocks Xbox Music exclusively

Publié: septembre 17, 2013, 3:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Many of us have been frustrated in the past by music debuting exclusively on iTunes, locking out those of us who prefer a different service. Now Microsoft is taking the exclusive music route with Linkin Park, but doing it a bit differently with the debut of "A Light That Never Comes".

"The song will stream exclusively for 14 days on Xbox Music, Microsoft’s all-in-one music service. As the founding member of a band that turns down more partnerships than we approve, I wanted to shed some light on Linkin Park and Microsoft, and let you know how we see the future", says Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda.

He goes on to explain the band's affinity for the brand -- "years ago, our band had legendary Xbox tournaments on our tour bus playing 'Halo' -- competitions which often included fans and other bands. As our career has progressed, we have always been attached to gaming, and eventually got opportunities to participate in the space".

You do not need to be an Xbox Music subscriber to listen to the brand new tune, it streams right from the Xbox Music page, no login required. Of course, Microsoft hopes it will be one more thing to get you to subscribe, as doing so will allow you to take the song with you and listen offline.

Linkin Park also hints that its partnership with Xbox is just beginning, as Shinoda goes on to say "we see our partnership with Microsoft to have the potential of finding new ways of creating, sharing, and experiencing things together as a community. It’s my hope that through new technologies like Xbox Music and Xbox One, we’ll be able to develop immersive, innovative experiences that give the fans the very best experience".

This is likely only the start of Microsoft working to get exclusives on Xbox Music in an effort to sway a very competitive market. Will it be enough to compete with the likes of Google and Apple?

Panasonic announces new headphones for iOS -- Palm and Blackberry along for the ride

Publié: septembre 14, 2013, 11:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Panasonic has introduced its new lineup of headphones, including four over-ear, or monitor styles, and two in-ear, or earbud, models. In-ear has become quite popular after the success of the iPod and now many smartphones even come with an included pair, albeit generally of questionable quality.

My Galaxy Nexus included a set that has proven to be quite a bit better than average, even featuring a remote button on the cord that allows for play and pause -- well, most of the time anyway.

In a market filled with solid competitors like Bose, Skullcandy and Klipsch, to name only three, Panasonic hopes its new lineup can compete on price, bringing in two models, the RP-TCM190 and RP-TCM25, at $34.99 and $19.99 respectively.

The company touts the features of each -- "RP-TCM190 headphones in-ear headphones produce deep bass sound quality due to Neodymium magnet and an extended long sound support port. An ErgoFit design provides ultimate comfort and fit for hours of wear. The Panasonic RP-TCM190 headphones will be available in a metallic finish in purple, blue, black and silver". Meanwhile, "the RP-TCM25 Headphones feature an ErgoFit design for ultimate comfort and fit and are available in black, white, red, purple and blue".

The new models are up for sale now, and target perhaps a lower-end market, while still providing a quality advantage over the typical big box store versions that many use.

There is an obvious drawback, in that Android is not included -- the earbuds will work just fine, only the remote button will fail to function. That may lead to the new products being a non-starter for some, but those with a compatible device and thinner wallet will certainly want to take a look. Both models are available for immediate sale.

Apple opens iPhone pre-orders, Microsoft goes on short lived attack

Publié: septembre 13, 2013, 11:29pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Earlier today Apple opened up pre-orders for one of its latest devices -- the iPhone 5c. Right on queue the attacks began, though several comedic videos beat the product even to this early stage. But, in honor of this day, rival Microsoft is chiming in with a series of videos of its own, taking time away from the usual modus operandi -- attacking Google.

The series of seven videos plays off of the old "fly on the wall" saying, though this fly is deep within the bowels of the fruit-logo company's Cupertino, Calif.-based headquarters.

The implications of that are rather obvious and predictable as viewers get an "insight" into the top-secret meetings that went into the design of these new smartphones. You will learn that customers love colored plastic and...well...actually you will learn nothing, because during the course of this writing all seven were changed to private and no longer appear on the Windows Phone YouTube page -- perhaps a testament to how effective they were.

I have reached out to Microsoft for an explanation, but as of this writing, have received no response. It's little wonder that these were pulled, as the series did nothing to promote Windows Phone and only served to poke fun at Apple -- a mud-slinging campaign in the best (or worst) political sense.

This should serve as a wake-up call (listen up Scroogled folks) that selling a product is about showing people what it can do for them, not telling them where the other company went wrong. This is not a defense of the new iPhone, only a common sense message.

Update: While Microsoft failed to respond, nothing on the Internet ever truly goes away and at least one of the videos was captured and reposted.

Amazon once again gets exclusive streaming rights for Under the Dome

Publié: septembre 13, 2013, 2:58am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Many of novelist Stephen King's books and short stories have found their way to the screen either through a movie or mini-series. Some, like The Shining, have become classics in the eyes of fans, while others...well... This season a King novel has returned the author to prominence on the small screen -- Under the Dome has been the most watched show of the summer season.

Now Amazon and CBS announce that the streaming deal that was in place for season one has been renewed. "Prime Instant Video will remain the exclusive online subscription home for Under the Dome. Amazon Prime members will have unlimited streaming of all the series' episodes four days after their initial broadcast on CBS and will be able to enjoy them on hundreds of compatible Amazon Instant Video devices including Kindle Fire HD, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii U gaming console" reads a joint statement issued by the two parties.

During season one, the show aired on Monday evenings and each new episode became available to Amazon Prime subscribers, free of charge, on Fridays.

Though there is a bit of lag, Amazon Prime will once again have your back when technology or other events thwart your viewing or recording efforts. There is some bad news, however -- the show will not return until next summer.

All Aboard! Google Street View sails to the Galapogos

Publié: septembre 12, 2013, 4:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

You will not be the first to explore the islands' biodiversity, and you won't be arriving on the HMS Beagle, but you also no longer need to face the hardships of a long sea journey to visit the Galapogos. Google Street View has made the trip for you and, as the team always does, it recorded every moment so that you can visit without leaving your computer.

The search giant partnered with the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation in order to capture panoramic imagery of the small island group. The company hopes the data will not just be a source of enjoyment for Street View users, but also "play an instrumental role in the ongoing research of the environment, conservation, animal migration patterns, and the impact of tourism on the islands".

According to Raleigh Seamster, Project Lead for Google Earth Outreach, "Darwin for a Day is a web application that invites you to step into Darwin’s shoes by exploring the Galapagos Islands through Google Street View and document its unique plants and animals. When you see an animal or plant you’d like to catalogue, you can describe it by creating an observation. You can just enter your best guess as to what it is -- for example, 'bird' -- or enter in the scientific name, if you know it! All of your observations will be shared with the iNaturalist community & the Charles Darwin Foundation, and will contribute to research of the Galapagos Islands".

If that isn't enough, Google has also posted a behind-the-scenes experience, adding to this latest Street View journey. The company could have held out for a Darwin Day launch, but February is a ways off and this data is good to have available sooner rather than later.

Microsoft preps market for new devices, launches Windows for Business site

Publié: septembre 11, 2013, 10:23pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The launch of Windows 8.1 is right around the corner and, in fact, many of us are already using the next-generation operating system either in Preview or RTM form. Consumers, however, are not the only focus for Windows, and the software maker has taken steps in version 8.1 to ease the transition for business by bringing back the Start button (sort of) and adding a "boot to desktop" mode.

Now the company is adding a new site dedicated to this lofty task of selling to customers who are not only not on Windows 8, but have not even upgraded to Windows 7 from XP. Microsoft announces that "it's a very busy time of year for Microsoft OEM partners as they unveil some of the newest Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 devices".

With that in mind, the new "Windows for your Business focuses on showing off the latest hardware covering "a range of new business devices just announced through two different lenses (mobility and power) based on industry trends and common use scenarios I’m hearing from conversations with customers evaluating Windows 8 in their business", according Erwin Visser.

The first installment takes a look at devices from tablet to Ultrabook to desktop, showcasing hardware like the Toughpad 4K that was recently shown off at IFA. Of course, this is all about selling Windows, but you can't really fault a company for pushing its product. And Windows 8 needs a rather serious push.

Bing pares Hometown Photo contest to ten finalists, vote now

Publié: septembre 10, 2013, 7:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

In August, Microsoft's search engine Bing launched a contest for all the photographers out there, calling for them to submit images for a chance to win a rather nice prize package. Professionals and amateurs alike were invited to send in images depicting hometown pride by grabbing a stunning shot of the local environment.

Today this contest reaches its most crucial juncture. Bing has narrowed the choices down to ten and now the decision moves to the people.

"Beginning today, you can vote for your favorite via the Bing Homepage Photo app on Facebook. The winning photo will appear on the Bing Homepage on October 1st and the talented photographer will win a variety of additional prizes, including a Nokia Lumia 1020, a CanvasPop print of the photo and a one year Awesome account membership, courtesy of 500px", says Bing's Kristin Dean.

Finalists represent a diverse field of locations including Hawaii, Florida, Niagara Falls, Idaho and more. The fate of these ten beautiful images is now in your hands so look them over and cast your vote.

Microsoft donates Office 365 to nonprofits, Surface team celebrates

Publié: septembre 10, 2013, 4:34pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Okay, it was an easy joke, I confess, but thanks to recent Surface sales, the concept is perhaps not too far from the truth. One division at Microsoft which delivers a large part of corporate revenue is Office. The latest version, Office 2013/365, blurs the lines between desktop and web app, and is powering an increasing number of large businesses and government offices.

Now, hot on the heels of caving to developers yesterday by releasing Windows 8.1 to TechNet and MSDN subscribers, the software giant announces yet another altruistic gesture, this time donating Office 365 to non-profit organizations. "Today we are donating to nonprofits and NGOs access to Microsoft’s best-in-class cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools, enabling them to spend fewer resources and time on IT and focus on their missions addressing global issues, such as disease eradication, education and literacy, and environmental sustainability,” says Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International.

The new offer is initially available in 41 different countries, with plans to expand to 90 by July of 2014. The program also places no employee number limitations or other restrictions on any organization to qualify. Nonprofits from major organizations like the World Wildlife Fund right down to the local church are eligible.

This concept is not alien to Microsoft, the company claims to have donated $795 million in cash, software and services to 70,286 nonprofits in more than 115 countries around the world in fiscal 2013.

The latest gesture certainly buys the company good will, but it also helps out many that could not have afforded such a luxury before.

Image Credit: Grasko / Shutterstock

Skype Pre-Release for Windows 8.1 rolls out

Publié: septembre 10, 2013, 12:33am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Its no secret that a lot is changing in the 8.1 update of Microsoft's operating system, which suddenly rolled out today for those with a subscription to Technet or MSDN. Aside from a new, and less functional Start button, the software giant was said to be adding Skype integration as well.

Today the pre-release version of that communications service also has surfaced. "We’re thrilled to share this preview with you so you can experience for yourself the first-ever, fully integrated Skype on any Windows 8.1 device", says Skype's Ana Guzik.

The previous, ah...current, version of Windows allowed customers to access Skype from both the people app and pinned favorites, but now integration is also built into Internet Explorer. The latest version also has app-to-app launching capability so you can communicate while taking care of other business -- the Skpe app moves to the side to get out of your way.

Despite the time that has elapsed since Microsoft purchased the service, integration has not come as quickly as many had expected. Slowly but surely however, the app is finding its way into more places in the company's ecosystem.

Roku brings video streaming to Android

Publié: septembre 9, 2013, 11:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

So, you got that new Android phone that's capable of taking HD video, but your friends and family really do not care to watch your cinematography skills on a five-inch screen. The good news is that you may just have a certain streaming set-top box sitting right in your living room that can solve your woes.

Today Roku announces the latest update to its Android app, bringing along a feature that the company had previously added to the iOS version of the service.

"We have just updated the latest version of our Android app which also adds this feature. Now you can stream the videos that you’ve taken with your Android device, to your Roku player with the Play On Roku feature", says Roku.

Not everything is roses quite yet for customers of the Google mobile platform. Currently, this is only supported on certain devices, including Samsung Galaxy SIII, Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Nexus 4, and Nexus 7 (2012 edition), and requires Android 4.0 or later. Oddly, the newest Nexus 7 is missing from the list.

Customers will need to pair their device with the Roku box, which requires OS version 5.1 or newer, and the company recommends 802.11n for obvious reasons. If you meet these rather narrow restrictions, then you should be up and streaming in no time. Now nobody will be safe from your vacation videos.

LADEE is rocketing off the pad -- watch it tonight

Publié: septembre 7, 2013, 5:20am CEST par Alan Buckingham

America has been a leader in space since Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon and I was still wearing diapers. A teacher rolled a TV into our classroom letting us all view the landing of the first Space Shuttle mission and, later, Challenger's journey tragically ended on my birthday as I sat stunned in front of my TV.

Not since an Apollo mission have I witnessed a launch, and I have rather vague memories of that -- I was four at the time. However, tonight I can, and so can you if you reside on the east coast.

At 11:27pm EDT LADEE blasts off from Virginia on its way to reconnect man and moon. The time is drawing near and skies along the eastern seaboard are relatively clear. You will need a proper viewing spot, preferably dark skies and a look that can angle fairly low on the horizon. If you meet the criteria then you should be in for quite a show.

Folks from South Carolina to Maine and even our friends up north have this opportunity to witness a bit of NASA history. For precise instructions and maps you can head over to Universe Today to get the full info. Now, I must leave you -- the countdown is on.

Image Credit: Celso Diniz / Shutterstock

OneNote for iOS gets an update

Publié: septembre 6, 2013, 9:58pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft is locked in a battle for your note-taking needs on mobile devices. Evernote is the perceived king of the field, but OneNote is certainly a strong competitor and today the software giant announces improvements to the iOS version of the Office app.

The latest update allows users to create notebooks on the iPad as well as create, delete and rename sections. Microsoft claims this was one of the most requested features from customers already using the previous version, but it is also not the only enhancement made to this build.

Avneesh Kohli, a Program Manager on the OneNote team, tells us that SkyDrive also plays a much larger role on the Apple mobile operating system -- "we're happy to announce that OneNote for iPad now has full support for creating new SkyDrive notebooks".

Other enhancements made to the OneNote app include typing improvements for Japanese-language customers, a download of less than half the size of the previous release, support for automatic list detection and the usual array of bug fixes that are a part of every software update these days.

Both the iPhone and iPad versions of OneNote are completely free for download. The service works fine as a stand-alone app, but being an office customer on the desktop adds another dimension to the experience.

Xbox One hits the airwaves with new TV ad

Publié: septembre 6, 2013, 4:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft's partnership with the National Football League has entered the spotlight recently, thanks to the software giant releasing details explaining what the marriage of technology and gridiron means, as well as a confirmed release date for the Xbox One. Now with the season officially underway (apologies to Ravens fans) the software maker launches a commercial to promote both the console and the deal.

A new 30-second ad for Xbox One features the football experience of using the console -- no, not Madden 25, though you can get that, but the real games, as well as the fantasy ones.

With a TV and a group of friends gathered around, the next-generation console displays the big game using the HDMI pass-thru capability, with fantasy football stats for your team displayed to the side of the screen, updating in real time.

Interestingly the new ad focuses on the console's entertainment prowess and makes no allusions to the gaming capabilities of the Xbox One. In fact, the commercial even touches on Skype with a quick mention at the end.

Microsoft is focusing on the true plan for its next Xbox, which is not so much about gaming, though it certainly will be capable of that, but about becoming the one device for your living room, with live TV, apps, voice control and even communications, as Skype is bundled in. Will the strategy be successful?

Bing upgrades your video experience

Publié: septembre 5, 2013, 7:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

In its continuing effort to thwart the evil Google (except when partnered with it) Microsoft announces another improvement to its search engine alternative, this time in the form of video. Microsoft terms this update "completely reimagined", but users can be the judge of that.

"We know there is more than one great video service out there and that’s why we showcase the best the web has to offer. On Bing you can not only find great videos from YouTube, Hulu and Vimeo, but also content from Dailymotion, Vevo, MTV, CBS, MSN and more", says the Bing video search team.

The update adds a pop-out image when users hover over each video, an enhancement to a feature previously available in video search. The new version also expands the information displayed about a video in an effort to speed up search, shows favicons from the top sites, view counts and descriptions, and adds a control for previews so you can adjust the volume level of the preview playback.

The search engine also adds improved filters for common resolution sizes like 1080 and 720, as well as a new playback layout that provides carousel navigation to the next video.

Google may still rule the market, but Bing continues to provide a quality alternative.

Panasonic Toughpad 4k -- A tablet on steroids

Publié: septembre 5, 2013, 2:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Apparently smartphones are not the only area of technology that is growing, rather than shrinking. Tablets, it appears, are moving in the same direction, at least if Panasonic has its way. Beginning on September 7 you can purchase a massive 20-inch Windows 8 tablet from the hardware maker.

"The Panasonic Toughpad 4K will enable photographers, architects, cinematographers and other creative professionals to experience the cutting edge of high resolution tablet technology", says Microsoft's Gavin Gear.

The "tablet" sports a 3,840 x 2,560 screen with a 15:10 aspect ratio, Intel i5 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M, 8 GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB SSD and weighs in at a solid 5.07 pounds.

The Panasonic Electronic Touch Pen, included with the Toughpad 4k, claims 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity designed to yield a high-fidelity pen input capability for writing, sketching, and UI input.

Panasonic describes the Toughpad 4K as "business rugged", which means it’s capable of exceeding traditional consumer tablet durability expectations. In the first quarter of 2014 the hardware maker will be releasing a high-performance version of the UT-MB50 (which will be labeled the UT-MA6) that will offer greater performance for applications like 3D simulation and CAD design.

A 4k screen is certainly tempting on a tablet, however this is not a device you are likely to be watching a movie in bed on -- unless you want to use it to give your arms a workout. But in the proper environment, such as a design studio, it may find a home. The Toughpad 4k will be sold in Europe, Japan, USA, and Canada.

Aftermath of a tsunami -- Google Maps tells the tale

Publié: septembre 5, 2013, 2:50am CEST par Alan Buckingham

On March 11, 2011 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, but despite the extremely high intensity of the tremor itself, it was the resulting tsunami that caused the real damage. Most notable, and scary, was the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukishima nuclear plant.

Now, two years after the tragedy that cost more than 15,000 people their lives, Google Maps, through Street View, takes users back into the teeth of this disaster.

The search giant began this initiative shortly after the earth settled down, but now is updating its imagery. "Today we are updating the Street View imagery for 17 cities within the Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures for the first time since we published the first panoramas back in 2011. By releasing this new imagery on Google Maps, we hope people in Japan and from all around the world can virtually explore what these towns currently look like and better understand how local governments are working on rebuilding residents’ homes and lives", says Kei Kawai, Group Product Manager at Street View.

The company is not replacing the old imagery -- that will still be available to customers for the sake of historical value. "Starting today, people will be able to see 360-degree images of what these cities within the Tohoku region looked like before the tsunami and right after the tsunami, as well as what they look like today", the company announces.

In addition to that, the search giant is now publishing imagery of new areas within the Fukushima Exclusion Zone, including the abandoned towns Ōkuma and Futaba. This includes roads near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, and in the new imagery, users can even see the entrance to the plant on Google Street View.

These are powerful and emotional images, but kudos to Google for doing this for the people of a nation that has been hit hard with this tragedy.

HDMI 2.0 -- 4K TV finally invades the living room

Publié: septembre 4, 2013, 10:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Ever since consumers flocked to HD flat-screen television the manufacturers have been busy hatching plans for the next get-rich-quick scheme. With 3D pretty much in the toilet, the next scheme to get consumers to all fork over their money yet again is 4K. Also known as ultra HD, the spec has twice the horizontal and vertical resolution of the current 1080p format, with four times as many pixels.

Today that vibrant 4k future moves a step closer with the official announcement of HDMI 2.0. The specifications bandied about in the announcement are eye-popping. "This latest HDMI Specification, the first to be developed by the HDMI Forum, offers a significant increase in bandwidth (up to 18Gbps) to support new features such as 4K at 50/60 (2160p), which is four times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution; 32 audio channels; as well as dynamic auto lip-sync and extensions to CEC".

"Our members collaborated closely to take the highly successful HDMI Specification to the next level by expanding audio and video features for consumer electronics applications", says Robert Blanchard of Sony Corporation, president of the HDMI Forum.

The latest spec is backwards compatible with all older forms of HDMI, so existing customers have nothing to fear. Version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification does not define new cables or new connectors. The current high speed cables (category 2 cables) are capable of carrying this increased bandwidth.

Now the onus falls squarely on the shoulders of the studios, but if directors like Peter Jackson have a say, then the public will be seeing 4k sooner rather than later.

Image Credit: Subbotina Anna / Shutterstock

Mark your calendar -- Xbox One arrives November 22

Publié: septembre 4, 2013, 4:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Summer is over, the nights are getting cooler and thoughts turn to... holiday shopping season, of course. 2013 promises to be a big one, with Windows 8.1 devices on the market and a new round of console wars ready to heat up consumers in overcrowded retail outlets around the globe.

Sony plans to launch its competitor, the PS4, on November 15, and today we learn that Microsoft will follow its rival into the market, albeit one week later, on November 22. Both consoles will be awaiting shoppers on Black Friday -- providing there is any stock left by that point.

Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, better known to gamers as Major Nelson, did the honors of announcing the official launch. "Today we are announcing that Xbox One will be available on Friday November 22, 2013 in all 13 of our initial launch markets -- Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. Many more markets will follow in 2014".

The company claims it began full production of the Xbox One console recently, hopefully ensuring a lack of in-store fist fights, though it also points out that "we have sold out of our pre-order supply in the U.S. faster than at any other time in our history and we are on path to have the biggest launch of an Xbox ever".

Let the games begin -- in more ways than one. 2013 is shaping up to be a once-in-a-decade shopping season, given the long shelf-life of these boxes. A lot has been said about both competitors, now it comes down to your hard earned money. Which will you choose?

Amazon lights a Matchbook

Publié: septembre 4, 2013, 3:31am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Playing with fire is generally considered bad practice -- I know, as a parent I recommend my kids avoid it. Amazon, however has a whole new Matchbook that it can not wait to set alight. In this case, thankfully, there are no pyrotechnics involved -- just some good literature.

Today the online retailer announces Matchbook -- "a new benefit that gives customers the option to buy -- for $2.99, $1.99, $0.99, or free -- the Kindle edition of print books they have purchased new from Amazon".

Any print purchase you have made, dating back all the way to the internet dark ages of 1995, when "Start Me Up" ruled TV commercials, is eligible for Matchbook. However, and there is always a catch, the publisher must enroll the title into the Matchbook program.

To put it in the words of Russ Grandinetti, Vice President of Kindle Content, "If you logged onto your CompuServe account during the Clinton administration and bought a book like Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus from Amazon, Kindle MatchBook now makes it possible for that purchase -- 18 years later -- to be added to your Kindle library at a very low cost".

Kindle MatchBook will launch with titles from Ray Bradbury, Michael Crichton, Blake Crouch, James Rollins, Jodi Picoult, Neil Gaiman, Marcus Sakey, Wally Lamb, Jo Nesbo, Neal Stephenson, and J.A. Jance, among others. In addition, Amazon Publishing will include all of its titles in Kindle MatchBook.

Now its up to you to put down the tablet, walk away from the PC and read a good book. May I recommend a good title for you? No... that should be left to your personal tastes.

Image Credit: Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock

Kickoff time -- Microsoft details NFL partnership

Publié: septembre 3, 2013, 10:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The long Labor Day weekend is now behind us and though it is sad to see summer go, every cloud has a silver lining, and for many of us that lining glows on Sunday afternoon from September to February. In May of this year Microsoft partnered up with the National Football League and today the company details a bit more of what has come from this marriage of technology and gridiron.

"Surface is landing on the NFL sidelines with select club personnel to support teams with player health initiatives. Surface will help keep important player medical information at the fingertips of team trainers and medical staff in the locker room and on the field. This includes the X2 concussion assessment app to quickly diagnose potential player concussions after a hard play. Surface tablets and the X2 app will be an additional tool to help medical staff and trainers to determine whether a player should return to the game", said Surface director James Bernstrom.

This comes as welcome news for many NFL players, as head injuries have been a recent focus around the league, highlighted by the Junior Seau tragedy, and more recently with Kevin Kolb in Buffalo.

The company has also launched an NFL fantasy football app for Windows 8. The app will provide you a real time view of your team and your matchup that week. It includes a Game Center view that features a live chart that plots your fantasy team scoring over the course of the week, along with video highlights of key scores.

We already knew that Surface was named the "official tablet of the NFL" and would be used on the sidelines, now Microsoft takes the wraps off of the rest of its plan.

The NFL runs deeper than just the Surface, the company also unveiled integration with its stealth living room takeover device -- "Xbox One will personalize your NFL experience, for your team, with the best content the NFL has to offer including NFL.com, NFL Network, and NFL RedZone. Whether you’re watching the game or not, Xbox One makes it easy to keep tabs on the league with Snap mode. You can watch live TV, play games, or watch movies, while simultaneously tracking your NFL.com Fantasy Football team, or checking in for the latest scores and stats".

Not stopping there, the software giant also announces ESPN for both Xbox One and the current 360 model, as well as NFL fantasy football for Windows Phone 8 devices.

The 2013 NFL season kicks off a mere two days from now, when the Broncos host defending Super Bowl champion Ravens. Get your fantasy lineups squared away and good luck to your teams, both real and imagined.

Google Chrome turns five -- Happy Birthday!

Publié: septembre 2, 2013, 9:40am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Kids and web browsers -- they grow up so fast these days. Seems like only yesterday that Google released its web browser to the public and set geek hearts aflutter with its speed and light footprint. Things have changed a bit, but many of us stick to the software as our browser of choice.

Google launched Chrome, in beta form, on September 2, 2008 for Windows only, and followed quickly with the source code as an open source project known as Chromium. The initial kickoff came in 43 different languages.

Chrome is currently at version 29 and, while some of the shine has come off during the past five years, it remains a solid competitor to both Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Google Chrome has become entrenched thanks to the many features it brings to the table, including extensions, new tab page, security for downloads and web tracking and much more. Those same features, however, have also caused the browser to swell and lose a bit of the speed edge that made it popular with those in-the-know. This will hopefully change in the near future as Google has forked the Webkit engine that powers Chrome and announced Blink.

With a potentially bright future in the form of a new, sleeker engine, Chrome prepares to move forward and continue to compete in the market. For now, we simply wish it a happy birthday.

Microsoft teams with Crackle to bring you exclusive movie

Publié: août 31, 2013, 12:41am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Crackle, the online streaming service from Sony, remains one of the competitors in today's growing and increasingly competitive market. Today the entertainment arm of Sony announced a new strategy. The company will partner with tech giant Microsoft for what both hope will be mutual benefit.

"Sony’s Crackle is the latest digital network to start producing its own original feature-length films, with next Thursday’s premiere of the martial arts flick Extraction. But antsy Windows Phone action junkies don’t have to wait: Crackle is giving us an exclusive early pass" reports Microsoft's Michael Stroh. Windows Phone customers are not the only one who will get this exclusive content -- Xbox Live and Windows 8 users will also benefit from the deal.

The movie stars Danny Glover and Sean Astin, who geeks will remember as Samwise from the Lord of the Rings. The plot follows U.S. Black Ops specialist Lt. Mercy Callo, who is the only survivor of a botched prisoner extraction mission. Forced to fight his way out of a maximum-security Chechen prison, he must keep his target alive to stop a terrorist plot on American soil.

Original content seems to be the direction in which many streaming services are now heading, with Netflix and Amazon Prime already in on the game.

Acer Aspire M5 brings Haswell to your home [Review]

Publié: août 30, 2013, 1:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I continue to hear about the death of the PC, but trust me, I am not writing this story or anything else, on a tablet. I have three of them, and enjoy using them -- "Under the Dome" looks great on the Kindle Fire HD while I am "Under the Covers" at night -- but they are essentially useless for my job. In fact, I mostly work from a two-year old Gateway laptop -- the device is more than suitable for my needs and I rarely venture to my home office to touch the desktop.

Acer, however, has decided to try and tempt me away from what I had been considering more than adequate at this point. I write this latest missive from the brand new Aspire M5 that FedEx dropped off to me for review, courtesy of the hardware maker.

The packaging looked a bit worse for wear, but it is what's inside that matters, and that was the brand new laptop and, unlike the box, it was pristine.

The Basics

Hardware specs are perhaps the most basic starting point. The Acer Aspire M5 packs an Intel Core i5 Haswell processor, 8 GB of DDR 3 RAM, 15.6-inch HD CineCrystal screen, 500 GB drive, 10/100/1000 ethernet, media card reader, 802.11 A/B/G/N WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, HD webcam (1280 x 720), Dolby audio, one USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI port, combination microphone and headphone jack, backlit keyboard with media control keys and weighs in at 5.26 pounds.

The HDMI, USB 3.0 and ethernet jacks are all located along the back -- only the two USB 2.0 ports (one along each side near the rear) and headphone jack are located on the sides. This lends to the M5's slim appearance.

Those are all impressive stats, but it really comes down to real-world performance and battery-life. How does it perform in everyday use? That's what I explored next.

Battery Life and Benchmarking

Acer sent me a benchmark test that shows a range of battery life between 9:32 and 9:56, though it was specified that this was obtained by disabling the backlit keyboard, unplugging external devices (like the WD My Passport I have plugged in) and setting the brightness to five of ten -- in other words, not real life.

With my trusty external drive plugged in and everything set for normal usage, I am obtaining around seven hours of battery life during normal daily usage -- which for me is mostly looking at news and writing, but my ADD does take me away for the occasional video.

This is still a solid and acceptable number for almost any user. It is rare you will be away from charging for much longer, save for an especially long flight, but that is when you switch to the tablet anyway.

As for real world benchmark scores, the M5 obtained a 1,217 from Passmark, compared to the just over 800 that my older AMD A6 Quad Core Gateway laptop scored. The CPU and 3D graphics scored exceedingly well and, despite not being an SSD, so did the drive.

While these tests have a place, I avoid reading too much into them, as milliseconds have little to do with day-to-day use. Still, these tiny increments can add up over time and lead to noticeable differences in how everyday use really feels with a device.

For real-world usage, I did a minor, unscientific test on the USB ports. A 926 MB file took 45.5-seconds to transfer to my WD My Passport drive across USB 2.0, while only 12.5-seconds when hooked to the 3.0 port.

If Looks Could Kill

Let's face it -- this computer is gorgeous. At .9-inches in height, the M5 looks very slim, and the weight of 5.26-pounds, while almost twice that of a MacBook Air 13-inch, still feels entirely manageable, especially given that you are getting an extra 2.5-inches of screen real estate with the Acer.

The screen is crystal clear to the point that even sun glare on my porch did not prevent me from using it, though it certainly made it a bit harder, as to be expected. The size and shape, the design of the base, the mousepad -- it all feels just right. Acer certainly paid close attention to aesthetics with this one, and the results paid off. Even the body is fairly clean -- sporting a single sticker (Intel Inside Core i5).

Touchy-Feely

While I have no problem with my phones or tablets being touchscreen -- I expect it -- I cannot, for the life of me, get used to touching my laptop screen.

With that said, the touchscreen does work well, even in desktop mode. It shines on the Modern UI Start screen, which is what it was really made for. One light click, even on a red X at the top right of a window, does exactly what you wish for. By nature, I keep my taskbar hidden, but dragging a finger to the bottom edge of the screen makes it appear with no problem, and it stays long enough for me to click Chrome, or whatever app I need. I had much less luck making the Charms menu appear by touch.

The touchscreen gets high grades, aside from the seeming problem with accessing Charms. It will take getting used to, for me at least, but knowing I can do it makes the notebook just a bit more interesting.

The Key to the Whole Thing

The keyboard, of all things, may be the best part here -- and that is not a slight on the hardware or screen. Acer has provided a backlit surface that gives off a lovely blue glow in the dark.

The company also shoe-horned in a number of other features that work courtesy of the "Fn" button. This allows the top-right four buttons to be used as media control keys, enables the arrows to function as volume (up and down) and brightness (left and right) controls. It also places a number of functions at the customer's disposal via the "F" keys.

Hold down the "Fn" key and press the F3 to toggle WiFi on and off for instance. F7 turns off the mousepad -- handy if you use an external one as I do, F6 dims the screen, and so on.

Being a touchscreen device, there is also an onscreen keyboard which is accessed by tapping the keyboard icon on the task bar. The keys are large and easy to tap, but I would not recommend writing a long message in this manner. Given that is is not a convertible, the onscreen version will likely see little to no use.

Not Everything Is Right In Paradise

The most notable problem I have encountered during my week of solid use, has to do with Wi-Fi. While the adapter is running the most up-to-date driver, the connection still periodically drops out for no apparent reason -- all other devices around the home continue to be fine during these episodes. It does not happen often and usually switching my connection from the router to the extender or vice-versa will fix it. I have attempted only minor trouble shooting, as it simply doesn't bother me enough to warrant too much effort.

Now we come to the only other issue I had with this -- the infamous crapware that is present on so many systems these days. I tried my best to use the M5 stock, but it took only half a day for me to come to the point of uninstalling McAfee -- I now know why John was hiding in Belize. There is also Acer-branded software here, along with Norton, various games and a few other odds and ends. It can all be removed, but it's a hassle. A clean Windows 8 install would be the simplest plan.

To be fair, not all of the Acer-branded software is bad. The fact is, some is useful, but it adds to the other inclusions, making the operating system appear more cluttered than it should. In all honesty, apps like Acer Cloud could be useful, but this and the others are buried under the likes of Norton, McAfee, Shark Dash and more.

This is, of course, how today's OEM's make money -- margins on computers have become razor thin. Partnering with software makers has become a necessity of doing business.

Conclusion

In the end, the hardware is beautiful, sleek and fast. The minor WiFi issue is trivial -- it hasn't bit me at the least opportune time yet, however. The removal of bundled software is something I always expect, though I lived with all (but McAfee) in this case.

The system, on the whole, proves to be a winner. 500 GB of storage, a crystal clear screen and backlit keyboard do a nice job to round things out. The Acer Aspire M5 retails for $649.99 and is currently exclusive to Best Buy -- don't ask me why, but hopefully that will change.

Did Poetic slip and confirm iPhone 5C name and date?

Publié: août 29, 2013, 10:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I own several tablets and am always on the lookout for a good deal on a new case for one of them. One place I keep a frequent eye on is Poetic, which manufactures a full line of cases for a number of different devices. As of this afternoon, we can add one more device to that lineup -- the Apple iPhone 5C.

You can imagine the surprise I got upon arrival on the company home page when I was greeted with the image seen above. The company appears to be unveiling its line of bumper cases for a phone that has not yet been released or even announced. In fact, Apple has yet to confirm it will even be holding an event in early September.

A click on the image resulted in the product page which again confirmed the 5C name and the shipping date of September 10 -- sadly no dimensions were listed. Its also unclear if the image was taken with a 5C posing, though that seems rather unlikely. When BetaNews spoke with Poetic representative Linda Cho she would only confirm the date of the bumper release and would say no more when pressed with other questions. In other words, Ms. Cho refused to admit there would even be a phone for this case.

None of this is entirely surprising. It ties nicely with what we have been hearing in rumor form -- the time frame and 5C name have been floating around the internet for a while. However, Apple generally frowns on this sort of thing, trying to keep even the name a secret until the event. As of this writing the page was still live.

Temple Run Oz debuts on Windows Phone

Publié: août 28, 2013, 11:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Some of the most popular games for Android and iOS are slowly making their way onto the Windows Phone platform. Angry Birds have landed, and Temple Run has already arrived, paving the way for the latest release -- Temple Run Oz, a variant of the addictive jungle game.

In this version, you turn, jump, and slide down the Yellow Brick Road to escape an onslaught of ferocious flying baboons, combining elements from both the original game, as well as those from the hit movie "Oz the Great and Powerful".

Like its brethren on other mobile platforms, the Windows Phone version of Temple Run Oz sells for $0.99, there is no free, ad-supported version. The game is a 50 MB download and requires Windows Phone 8, so those left behind on 7.8 will be out of luck.

The endless-running game was produced through a partnership between game-maker Imangi Studios and Disney, who produced the movie. This will surely be eating into the productivity time for a number of people in the coming days and weeks, but at least they will enjoy wasting time.

SkyDrive can now 'read' your photos

Publié: août 28, 2013, 9:46pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has been busy beefing up SkyDrive this week, first with added storage for Pro accounts, bumping them to 25 GB free, and now with optical character recognition. OCR is generally a desktop software associated with scanners and used to translate copied documents into editable pages.

Now Microsoft wishes to bring that same functionality to the web, built right into its cloud storage service. "Today, in partnership with the Bing team, we’re excited to release the first of several features that will make your SkyDrive photos smarter by using OCR to extract the text from photos in your camera roll when you view them on SkyDrive.com", says company representative Mona Akmal.

With this new SkyDrive release, the Bing OCR tool will automatically run on your camera roll photos so you can instantly see the extracted text whenever you view your photos on SkyDrive.com, including your Windows Phone.

The feature is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and German. Regardless of your country, if your browser language is set to one of these tongues, then SkyDrive will attempt to run OCR on the images.

Photos have been one of the most targeted areas in SkyDrive, with Microsoft actively improving functionality on a regular basis. This makes it easier for customers of the company's mobile OS to show off the latest family pictures no matter where they travel, and now easily work with photographed documents.

Logitech introduces Touch Mouse T630 for Windows and Mac

Publié: août 28, 2013, 4:23pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Logitech has been rolling out new products at break-neck pace just recently. Yesterday saw the unveiling of a new gaming mouse, which somehow packs 11 buttons onto the tiny peripheral. Now, the company takes a sleeker approach for those who just wish to use the computer -- be it a Windows or Mac.

The T630 comes in two models, separated by the mindset of the user. "The Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630 in black is designed for PC users while the Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T631 for Mac in white perfectly complements the look of MacBook computers", the hardware maker announces.

Differences run a bit deeper than skin color, however. Software differentiates the two devices -- with a download of the Logitech software, these mice can take full advantage of the multi-touch navigation in OS X and tap into the full range of Windows 8 gestures --depending on which system you are using.

Both the T630 and T631 works via Bluetooth and will retail for $69.99 US. Both devices are available for pre-order now directly from Logitech and are designed to compliment today's Ultrabook design.

Microsoft upgrades SkyDrive Pro accounts

Publié: août 27, 2013, 11:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When Microsoft first launched SkyDrive, the company offered 25 GB of storage to everyone willing to sign up. As the service grew and was increasingly integrated into more places, like Windows 8 and Office 2013, that free ride came partially to an end. Free storage was downgraded to seven gigabytes, but those who met certain criteria were grandfathered in.

Now that 25 GB threshold breaths new life, though not quite for everyone. This time around the extra cloud space goes to Pro users -- business customers. "Today, we're pleased to announce three new significant improvements to SkyDrive Pro for Office 365 business subscribers - to help you be more productive", the Office 365 team announces.

The 25 GB will be available for each employee on the account -- a limit that was also once seven. In addition, companies can opt to increase this to 50, or even 100 GB, if it is needed and, finally, there is a new "shared with me" view to make finding those type of files just a tad less cumbersome. "The documents and folders you see in the Shared with Me view may live in someone else's SkyDrive Pro, or they may be shared from a standard team site document library", the company describes.

The cloud storage service also let it be known there are some other, less high profile changes -- "in the spirit of continually improving the SkyDrive Pro service, we're also increasing the overall file upload limit in SharePoint Online to 2 GB/file and the default recycle bin retention to 90 days (up from 30 days). And we're enabling versioning by default on newly provisioned SkyDrive Pro libraries, which saves the last ten versions, so you never lose an important document".

The upgrades should become available today. With the ever-increasing cloud storage in today's programs, the upgrades are very much welcome, and hopefully will trickle down to consumers soon.

BitTorrent Sync coming to iOS this week

Publié: août 27, 2013, 7:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I have been using BitTorrent Sync between my desktop and laptop since it debuted in private alpha form. The service has since matured to beta, and now ages a bit more as it spreads to another platform -- iOS, after landing on Android last month.

"Today, we’re happy to report that BitTorrent Sync is now available for iOS devices on the App Store. iOS fans: you can now sync freely", the company reports.

Beyond this latest move to another platform, the organization also unveiled localization efforts to get into additional markets. The latest version of the BitTorrent Sync Beta will be available across ten languages, including German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) and Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal).

BitTorrent prides itself on the fact that your files should be secure and it promises that Sync skips the cloud to deliver files faster, and safer. The service doesn’t rely on servers, which are vulnerable to hacks and prying eyes.

The service will be rolling out this week, so do not fret if you can't yet find it on iTunes just yet, as it will be there soon enough. There is no word on when the service will find its way out of beta.

Feedly Pro now available for all users

Publié: août 26, 2013, 9:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When Google unceremoniously killed off Reader, it opened the door for alternatives, the biggest of which is Feedly, which had to scramble to beef up server capacity and bandwidth to handle its new-found popularity. The problem is not a need for customers, but a way of monetizing the service -- all of those upgrades must be paid for.

When Feedly first rolled out Pro accounts it was on a limited basis -- it accepted the first 5,000 to sign up and then cut off the plan. According to Feedly, "the funds from that campaign helped us invest in the infrastructure and customer support needed to make Feedly pro generally available".

This time it will be much more broad -- everyone can get a Pro account. You do not need to, of course, but the company hopes to offer enough to entice you into it. For five dollars per month, or forty-five per year, Feedly will bump up your status adding search, one-click Evernote integration, one-click Pocket integration, and premium customer support.

Feedly also promises that "new pro features will be added regularly. The goal is to offer our most passionate users more productivity and make Feedly sustainable in the long run.

I keep asking myself why someone would pay for RSS, but 5,000 people have already proved that I am apparently asking the wrong question. So, will you open your wallet to Feedly?

Photo Credit: Scott Maxwell / LuMaxArt/Shutterstock

G Cloud Backup receives large update

Publié: août 26, 2013, 4:28pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Its all about the cloud these days. At least that is what we are being told. Truth is, it is a rather handy product of modern computing, and one that I use daily. Now G Cloud Backup, a product from Genie9, announces a new update to its Android app that aims to improve and simplify this experience even more.

The app backs up your messages, call logs, contacts, photos and music. You will need to sign up for an account, but both the app and the account are free. Customers get 1 GB of free storage, though more can be earned.

In this latest update, which is version 3.2, there are two rather cool new features. First is the ability to access your Android from the Web, which allows you to read your messages, download your call logs, view photos, share files and more. Second, you can now backup all your Android phones and tablets under a single account -- handy for those of us with multiple devices, which is likely more common these days.

G Cloud Backup requires your device to be running Android 2.2 or newer, which is a rather low barrier. It is available through both the Google Play store and Amazon Android App Store, though it isn't actually compatible with the Kindle Fire HD. In either case, it is a nice free solution that worked well in my quick tests.

Bing introduces new product search

Publié: août 24, 2013, 12:40am CEST par Alan Buckingham

In today's search market, simply having the audacity to take on Google seems somewhat absurd, but Bing, despite the long odds, continues to plug away at it. Sometimes it is with innovation, sometimes with mud-slinging. Today, thankfully, it is the former. The Microsoft search engine, in the midst of the Steve Ballmer news, is announcing another improvement to its offerings.

The latest change comes in the form of a new product search experience. "Harnessing the depths of our index encompassing tens of millions of individual products and trained by advanced machine learning, Bing will now show you relevant products directly in the main results page. You no longer need to waste time navigating to a dedicated 'shopping' experience to find what you’re looking for. Based on your intent, we'll serve the best results", promises the Bing team.

With the new changes, users can simply type in a product, even if it is not specific -- such as 'laptop', and items will appear across the top of the results page. The new carousel lets you quickly browse other related products that might be of interest and then narrow down the selection that best meets your needs.

Bing also promises "the power of our industry leading Snapshot technology to expose more of the details you need for a specific product, like specs and reviews, to make a decision without having to click to another page". The search engine will even provide ways for you to purchase the product as easily as possible.

Put on some gentle music and drift off with Pandora

Publié: août 23, 2013, 2:50am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Pandora, the popular music service, is adding yet another feature to its mobile app. The customizable radio station service, built on the Music Genome project, splits its time between development and fighting for its right to be treated as a radio station in the eyes of the MPAA.

Today the service announces an update to the mobile app that brings a new sleep timer feature for both free and "One" customers. "Today I’m thrilled to share that we’re releasing a new version of our Pandora mobile app for both iOS and Android that contains one of our top-requested new product features from listeners: a Sleep Timer. With the new Sleep Timer in version 4.5 of our app, you can now fall asleep to the sounds of your favorite Pandora stations", says Pandora's Mike Grishaver.

To use this new enhancement you simply need to begin playing your station of choice, then hit the menu button. From there you will spot the sleep timer. Click on it and you will be able to choose from increments of 15, 30, or 60 minutes.

The company also took the time to point out that "we’re also dedicated to listening to our listeners and personally answer every inquiry that comes in to our support team whether it’s via email (to the tune of more than 50,000 emails a month!) or our social channels".

Pandora may be gaining stiff competition from rivals, but it remains one of the better, cheaper and more popular contenders on today's music scene.

Windows Phone wins over Delta, 19,000 flight attendants get new handsets

Publié: août 22, 2013, 7:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows Phone has been struggling up the long road to success, recently surpassing Blackberry as the number three mobile operating system. Now the platform takes another major step forward, scoring a victory in signing up a large corporation to provide Windows Phone devices to its employees.

Microsoft and Delta have announced a partnership which will place Windows Phone in the hands of its flight attendants. "Windows Phone is about to rack up some serious frequent flier miles. Delta Air Lines today said that it’s equipped 19,000 flight attendants with Windows Phone 8-powered Nokia Lumia 820 smartphones", says Microsoft's Michael Stroh.

The phones will be the centerpiece of a new in-flight purchase system that the airline will use to run credit cards for flyers who want to buy food, upgrade their seat, rent headsets, and make other in-flight purchases.

The system will leverage additional technology from Microsoft Dynamics and Avanade, with the intent of making it possible for Delta to offer electronic receipts and coupons and hopefully slash checkout times, the airline said. The phones will also handle passenger manifestos, frequent flyer info, connecting gate updates, and flight attendant scheduling updates.

This may not seem a huge deal at first glance, after all, it is one company with 19,000 employees using the device. But remember, these attendants are the front-line -- the folks who each come in contact with hundreds of other people daily, making for quite an advertising statement in the long run. If even only one or two people on each flight becomes a convert....

Image Credit: Erasmus Wolff / Shutterstock

Microsoft offers preview of new Lumia 1020 ad

Publié: août 22, 2013, 4:34pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Back in April, Microsoft released a Windows Phone 'wedding' ad that may have finally brought the tech giant out of the advertising dog house it has been in -- remember Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld? Now the company follows it up with a brand new offering, depicting a children's recital that takes a turn for the worse.

Without giving too much of a spoiler, and I honestly can't because this needs to be seen to be appreciated, the ad contains a scene of a recital that, in 30-seconds, goes from opening curtain to total destruction.

As chaos breaks out, and parents begin scrambling to grab the best photos, using iPads, iPhones and Android, the scene slowly reduces to one couple, seated at the back looking quite calm because they never had to move to grab their clear close-up shot of the stage by using the new Nokia Lumia 1020.

Microsft's Michael Stroh informs that "today we wanted to share a sneak peak of our latest spot, 'The Recital'. Set to air during MTV’s Video Music Awards this Sunday, the ad features the same director (Roman Coppola) and zany actors". You can watch the video below.

Netflix solves another problem with 'My List' feature

Publié: août 21, 2013, 4:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you are a Netflix customer with a family, you will likely have encountered some flaws in the service's design. When you visit your queue in order to locate a movie you added you will firstly need to scroll through everything your spouse has added, and if you have kids then the task becomes even tougher. After solving this problem earlier in the month with individual profiles, the company is turning to another problem in need of solving.

Today Netflix announces what is essentially an improvement on the queue, calling it "My List". Michael Spiegelman, director of product innovation at Netflix explains: "We’ve designed a better way to help you easily find and watch those titles you picked to watch on Netflix and are happy to introduce My List to all our streaming members globally. With My List you can now quickly go to your own row or gallery on Netflix and instantly find those titles you already picked to watch".

A My List Management option will now appear within the My Account section, allowing for some customization, including the ability to order your list in whatever way you wish if you are not satisfied with the default choice provided by the DVD streaming company.

Netflix points out that it has "added further details to the titles in your List to make it more informative. For example we will display a special tag for those TV series that have new seasons. We will also show a special call out if a title on your List will soon no longer be available on Netflix because our rights to stream it are set to expire. This feature is currently only available on the website but will be rolled out to more devices in the coming months".

These two major updates are certainly something that competitors like Redbox Instant and Amazon Prime should take notice of, as the competition for your eyes and dollars becomes more heated.

Microsoft announces ad-free Bing for Schools

Publié: août 21, 2013, 3:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft already seems to spend a lot of time pushing Office 365 into schools, but the company is beginning to now move down the same path with Bing. Today the company announces a brand new initiative named, unimaginatively but accurately, Bing for Schools.

What's more, the search engine is taking a philanthropic approach, claiming this is "designed to improve digital literacy for students by putting technology in classrooms, helping students learn how to use the power of search, and making sure they can do it in a safer, ad-free environment".

Microsoft cites a Pew poll that states "94-percent of the teachers surveyed say their students are 'very likely' to use Google or other online search engines in a typical research assignment, placing it well ahead of all other sources that we asked about". This is a slightly cherry-picked number however, as the same report also points out that "three-quarters of AP and NWP teachers say that the internet and digital search tools have had a 'mostly positive' impact on their students' research habits, but 87-percent say these technologies are creating an 'easily distracted generation with short attention spans' and 64-percent say today's digital technologies 'do more to distract students than to help them academically'."

Bing states that this school implementation includes the "removal of all advertisements from search results, automatic strict filtering to help block adult content and augmented privacy protections".

The program also utilizes Bing Rewards and districts can earn points that can lead to Surface RT tablets for its schools -- perhaps because Microsoft does not seem able to sell the devices. The company also wants to encourage teachers to utilize the Bing homepage daily images to create lesson plans.

Along with the announcement of Bing for Schools, Microsoft unveiled an initial list of school districts participating in the pilot program, including Los Angeles Unified School District, Atlanta Public Schools, Fresno Unified School District, Detroit Country Day School, and others. Interested parties can find out more at the Bing for Schools site.

Google Maps and Waze -- the integration begins

Publié: août 20, 2013, 4:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google purchased mapping firm Waze back in June, bringing two services that many mobile users feel are among the best on the market under the one roof. The acquisition led to speculation that the unique features offered by Waze would slowly be rolled into Google. Much of Waze's information is crowd-sourced, such as accident reporting, traffic delays and even police radar.

That speculation begins leading to fruition today as the search giant rolls out step one. "No one likes getting stuck in traffic. That’s why the Waze and Google Maps teams are working together to harness the power of Google technology and the passion of the Waze community to make it easier to navigate your daily life", says Brian McClendon, VP of Google Maps.

Incident reports, including all of the ones I previously mentioned, will continue to appear in Waze, but now also within the Google Maps app as well. This will be effective in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, UK and the US.

Google, referring to the Waze app, also says "the Android and iOS versions of the app have been updated with Google Search. Wazers will now have access to even more search results when navigating. Google Search joins other search providers making it easy to find favorite businesses and any local address". The Waze app will now have access to Google Street View, as well.

So far Google shows no signs of intending to take the technology from Waze and then kill the service, though given the company's penchant for getting rid of services, it will always loom as a possibility.

Skype for Outlook.com now available

Publié: août 19, 2013, 10:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft continues to integrate Skype into more of its products, a process that seems slower than it should be. The messaging and calling service is now finding its way into one more property, in this case the web-based email service, Outlook.com.

The new integration is considered a beta release, but is available in multiple international markets -- the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada and Brazil. "The Skype for Outlook.com preview makes it easy to connect with your Skype friends right from your Outlook.com inbox", says Skype's Pierre-Eric Jacoupy.

The integration is kicking off with a contest, as well. Microsoft has partnered with food expert and author Gail Simmons. For each entry into this the company promises that "Outlook.com will donate $10 to Common Threads, a charity that promotes healthy eating with kids". Entry requires contestants to submit a valid and original kid-friendly recipe.

"In the coming weeks, we’ll have even more to celebrate as we continue to roll out the preview version of Skype for Outlook.com around the world", the company promises. Now, if only Microsoft can keep Outlook.com up and running, a feat it failed to pull off last week.

Microsoft talks user numbers, new features for Windows Phone App Studio

Publié: août 19, 2013, 9:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Two weeks ago Microsoft released its Windows Phone App Studio to beta. The service is designed to encourage the development of new apps and help non-developers "code" their own cool creations. No, you will not be building the next million dollar hit game using this alone, but you can see a smaller project from concept to completion here. The company expects the service to be used by hobbyists and enthusiasts.

Today Microsoft is talking numbers about where the service stands at this point in its brief life. Emilio Salvatore Prieto claims that within the first 48 hours of the beta going live more than 20,000 people had signed up and over 30,000 projects were underway -- a number that now stands at 55,000.

The company also is taking this opportunity to announce new features that are rolling into the Studio. "We’re adding new functionality to provide connections to additional external data sources; improving code legibility; and adding new templates", says Prieto. In addition, Flickr feeds will be added as a data source to aid integration into apps, as well as some behind the scenes enhancement to help the service run better.

Apps created in Windows Phone App Studio do not publish to the Windows Phone Store but, for those who feel they have a creation worthy of that, a Dev Center license can be purchased later and the app can be pushed out to the public.

Image Credit: Duc Dao / Shutterstock

Microsoft shows off Skype and more in Windows 8.1

Publié: août 16, 2013, 4:37am CEST par Alan Buckingham

The slow but steady plod towards Windows 8.1 continues. What began with leaks later became a full-blown Preview edition and has now made it back into leak status again with another build that hit the web unexpectedly. Couple that with a solid release date and you have almost everything you need to know.

While much was unveiled in the latest build, today Microsoft makes this official, announcing what it terms "one experience". This is an attempt to give users the same thing across devices, be it a computer, tablet or smartphone.

This is only the beginning of what the company plans to be "a series that will highlight the apps and services driving toward this 'one experience' vision".

Ryan Gavin of Microsoft points out that "SkyDrive is a great example of our new approach. As many have had a chance to take an early look at the 8.1 preview they are really struck by the “secret sauce” behind SkyDrive’s integration into Windows -- fundamentally changing the game when it comes to offline access to all your files in the cloud".

The biggest part of today's announcement was the inclusion of a new app -- something previously spotted in the aforementioned build -- Skype. "We’re thrilled to announce that Skype will join the other powerful offerings of apps and services built-into the Windows 8.1 platform", says Microsoft's Aga Guzik.

Skype is not all, the company points out it has "been building an expanding base of consumer apps and services. Bing, Skype, Internet Explorer, SkyDrive, Outlook.com, Xbox Music, Video, and Games are just a few of the experiences that are now part of your new Windows device. Each service itself is compelling, and the magic really happens when they smoothly flow together to create one experience".

Stay tuned for what is ahead as the company slowly marches toward mid-October and a final push to consumers. Hopefully, some of what is included will make up ground for perceived shortcomings in Windows 8, though some opinions may already be firmly set.

Google web search gets Now functionality

Publié: août 15, 2013, 3:04pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Takayuki/Shutterstock Those on newer versions of Android are likely very familiar with Google Now, the increasingly more functional personal assistant for phones and tablets. Google has ambitions for this service that move beyond the mobile market and onto your computer via the company's website.

"Ever had trouble checking your flight’s status on the go because it meant digging through your email for the flight number? Or wanted to just quickly see whether your package would arrive on time, without having to look up the tracking info first? You’ve told us it would be much easier if you could skip the fuss and just ask Google", says Roy Livne, Product Manager at Google.

Initial Now-style functionality will include flights, reservations, purchases, plans and photos. For instance, you can ask Google for photos of trees and it will search your uploaded Google+ images for results. Ask for your plans and get a summary of upcoming flights, hotels, restaurant reservations and events -- very useful if you’re traveling. The service will search your Gmail, Google Calendar or Google+ to produce these results.

This new feature will be rolling out over the next few days to all US users. It will work, not only by typed commands, but also with voice. This is the tip of what could be a rather large iceberg.

Image credit: takayuki/Shutterstock

Google Maps unifies exploration, and you don't need to leave home

Publié: août 14, 2013, 9:40pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google Maps has become adventurous -- what began as mapping, turned into street view of roads around the world and then morphed to bigger things, like underwater dives and hikes down amazing trails. All of this could be found, though it needed to be searched, but now the company wishes to unify all of this data in one location.

From the oceans to the lowest depths of the Grand Canyon, the search giant's team has traversed many of the coolest and most remote locations around the globe. And, a new website, appropriately named "Views" collates this data into a single location, including such far-flung locals as the Great Barrier Reef and Mount Everest.

Also included is the Burj Kalifa -- though I do not think the team climbed it Tom Cruise-style. The search giant even lays out a bit of what to expect in the future with a "coming soon" that includes Venice and the Galapogos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin.

"Our first two multimedia adventures enable you to experience the Canadian Arctic in Iqaluit, Canada, and the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. We also invite you enjoy photos and videos from our past journeys to the Grand Canyon, the base camp of Mount Everest, the Amazon Basin, the Great Barrier Reef and the NASA Kennedy Space Center -- minus the extreme temperatures and long plane rides! If you're on the Views page for those specific collections, just click on the "About this place" button on the upper right hand corner", says Deanna Yick, Street View Program Manager at Google.

The team is nothing if not ambitious, but that certainly proves a good thing for armchair travelers. We can all experience locations that most will never see, and the more that are added the better it is for everyone.

Microsoft unveils new Sculpt Desktop

Publié: août 14, 2013, 4:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft may generally be thought of, and referred to, as a software maker, but the company continues to produce hardware -- keyboards and mice have been a staple of the line for nearly two decades, and were followed by the Xbox and tablets. Hardware has become a growing market for the company.

Now Microsoft unveils the latest in its line of desktop peripherals -- "The Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop is the latest evolution of Microsoft’s Natural line of ergonomic products which was first launched nearly 20 years ago in 1994", says Brandon Leblanc.

The Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop looks straight out of a science-fiction film, given the rather strange appearance of the keyboard -- there is a gap in the middle. The palm rest is cushioned, and the keyboard has a bit of a rise in the center. The keyboard is optimized for Windows and has hotkeys along the top for easy access to the charms menu in Windows 8, as well as media playback and snap controls.

Also included is a separate number pad and a dome-shaped mouse, a design Microsoft claims is to "reduce the contact between desktop surface and the underside of your hand, which helps minimize carpal tunnel pressure".

All of this will be available starting this month for $129. For those only interested in the mouse, it can be purchased separately for $59. There was no mention if the keyboard would also be sold individually. It's a pricey set, but may be worth it for those who require this for health reasons.

Microsoft wants you to help save the environment

Publié: août 14, 2013, 2:38am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Despite a pocket of stubborn deniers, the environment has a problem, and many of today's devices do not help this issue. No I am not going to preach Al Gore to you, but its a real-world issue that needs solving and Microsoft, a company built on modern technology is at least looking at ways of helping.

The company announces a new initiative designed at helping the cause. "Today Microsoft officially launched a new challenge and website that helps customers – companies and consumers alike – make environmentally conscious decisions when purchasing a new PC. The website features a short challenge and a five-minute video that helps people better understand the environmental impacts associated with buying, using and disposing of a PC", the software maker stated in an email today. The new site is designed to help with buying, using and disposing of technology, and full details were announced on Microsoft's Green Blog by Josh Henretig.

"The site has both video and text about environmentally friendly PCs, their use, and their disposal. It has links to green IT standards, including EPEAT, e-Stewards, WEEELabex, Energy Star, and R2 Solutions", Henretig points out. "We have policies in place on buying greener PCs, configuring them to use the power-saving features in the Windows operating system and disposing of old machines properly so they don't end up in landfills".

While some may poke fun at the company -- as one of the bigger power consumers in the world -- at touting environmental friendliness, Microsoft has been moving in this direction for some time, though it is far from a perfect solution.

It's a start, however much more needs to be done soon, before we cross the point of no return. Microsoft, Apple and Google are all at least showing some effort.

Image Credit: WDG Photo/Shutterstock

Elon Musk unveils Hyperloop

Publié: août 13, 2013, 3:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Tony Stark is at it again. Oh wait, I mean Elon Musk, the man behind both Space X and electric sports car maker Tesla...oh, and co-founder of PayPal as well. The man needs a hobby. Fortunately he seems to have found one -- if you consider developing supersonic transit a hobby.

Today Musk unveils his initial plans for Hyperloop -- a brand new mode of transport which the entrepreneur describes as a "fifth mode after planes, trains, cars and boats". The project is a long way from being built, or even completely planned out, but it is fully underway in the initial stages.

The new form of transport was born out of frustration with existing plans: "When the California 'high speed' rail was approved, I was quite disappointed, as I know many others were too. How could it be that the home of Silicon Valley and JPL -- doing incredible things like indexing all the world’s knowledge and putting rovers on Mars -- would build a bullet train that is both one of the most expensive per mile and one of the slowest in the world? Note, I am hedging my statement slightly by saying 'one of'. The head of the California high speed rail project called me to complain that it wasn’t the very slowest bullet train nor the very most expensive per mile".

Musk set out to create a better alternative that fulfils several requirements, namely a system that is safer, faster, lower cost, more convenient, immune to weather, sustainably self-powering, resistant to earthquakes and not disruptive to those along the route. A lot to ask for.

"Short of figuring out real teleportation, which would of course be awesome (someone please do this), the only option for super fast travel is to build a tube over or under the ground that contains a special environment" he says.

While many people are doubtless picturing some sort of pneumatic tube, Musk says that simply wouldn't work. "The friction of a 350 mile long column of air moving at anywhere near sonic velocity against the inside of the tube is so stupendously high that this is impossible".

Though, he has not yet fully fleshed out final plans, his idea involves using magnets and fans to shoot capsules floating on a cushion of air along a tube at high, but sub-sonic, speeds (approximately 760mph/1,220 km/h). He also plans for the Hyperloop to be powered by rechargeable batteries.

There is no real time frame for the project, as it is still early stages. However, you have to believe that if anyone can make this work then it would be Elon Musk. Don't get too excited by the idea just yet though. The entrepreneur says he will likely build a prototype of the concept, but as his time is mostly taken up with SpaceX, the demonstration model could take up to four years to complete.

I am moving to Windows Phone 8... mostly

Publié: août 12, 2013, 6:50pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I have twice now written of my foray into Windows Phone 8, via the Nokia Lumia 928. During my last article I promised a deep-dive into the platform, but have since reconsidered this, as there is really nothing to say that has not already been written. You know of the apps and the lack of them -- you know the specs and, if you have used a handset, then you know where everything is and how to use it. In short, I would be wasting my breath...ahh...words.

I have resided in the Android world for sometime, first with a Droid X and most recently with the Galaxy Nexus. I remain there in the tablet world, currently owning an Asus MeMO, Kindle Fire HD and the new Nexus 7 -- the latter of which my son relieved me of. I love them all, but my phone of choice has changed.

My Reasoning

Why? There are numerous reasons I elected to make the move, well, sort of make the move. There are also reasons I cannot get there fully.

The first reason came early in my testing -- I had attempted to use the device as if I were an average customer. This meant no customization, other than tile color -- I wanted to view the phone as my parents would. Ironically, it was my mom I called with the device initially. She commented I sounded better, clearer than normal.

The boot time blows Android away -- it is seconds versus minutes. That is a huge deal, given that Android can completely poop out or reboot without notice. This is not a frequent problem but it happens.

The UI, as well, is simpler -- there is no scrolling in different directions (save one) and the interface is flawlessly smooth and, let's face it, beautiful. Microsoft hit a home run in design here -- not something you hear much lately, given Windows 8's travails.

The keyboard is amazing. I do not have fat fingers -- I do not actually have fat anything (I am leaving the jokes to you). I am a distance runner -- have been since high school. However, for some reason, the Galaxy Nexus screws up keyboard taps on a regular basis. This is something the Lumia 928 fails to do.

Camera? Did someone ask me to take a picture? I love my Nexus for the camera apps -- Camera360, Lapse-It Pro and many more I have collected. Sadly they all must use what is a rather pathetic camera built into the phone. Camera360, however, is also on Windows Phone 8, though many others are not.

Left: Galaxy Nexus -- Right: Nokia Lumia 928

The Lumia, with its PureView and Carl Zeiss lens blows this away, and apps like Blink and Photosynth are very cool. Yes, my Android has matching apps, but not a matching camera. I would take a picture of the Lumia 928, but I would have to use the Nexus....

Why I Can't Go Cold Turkey

There are things that simply are not available on Windows Phone, such as Google Music, to which I pay for an All Access subscription. Yes, Microsoft has Xbox Music which I tried and liked, but the company wishes to bill me $2 more per month (I am grandfathered into the initial pricing Google offered to early adopters). That may not sound like much, but my wife complained when I switched from $4 per month Pandora, so I will stick with what I have.

Other apps simply are not on the Microsoft mobile platform just yet, but there are none I can't live without. I can still play my Angry Birds and Temple Run, what more could I wish for?

In the End

The Lumia 928 is too sleek and beautiful, the Windows Phone 8 interface is too polished. How could I give that up? Now I can only hope that Microsoft ceases shooting itself in the foot, and is able go get the Google apps that should have been here long ago -- and likely would have been otherwise.

Yes, I have gone from skeptic to believer, and there is little chance of going back. The devices and mobile operating system truly deserve more market share than they currently have, and as others give it a try perhaps that will change.

Microsoft details how Xbox One game-sharing will work

Publié: août 9, 2013, 9:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

With the lead-up to Xbox One, there was initial controversy, mostly surrounding the "always-on" feature, or potential for it. After the official announcement detailing the console, the company did an about-face, resulting in the "Xbox 180" nickname. The problem was, this not only took away potential DRM concerns, but also some rather cool features that many were looking forward to.

Today Major Nelson laid out the plans to fix this for the many customers who wish to have this service. Thanks to the vocal few, the features will now come at a price.

"Everyone in your home can share digital games with each other. Your Xbox One can become your virtual game library filled with digital games that different people in the home bought. Anyone can pick any digital game on your Xbox One, sign in with their own gamertag and play – even if the owner is not signed in. Like physical media, you can also play many digitally downloaded games without being online, although experiences will be best when connected to the internet and Xbox Live. Finally, when you purchase a digital game, you can start playing even before the entire game downloads", Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb.

Customers will be able to play their digital games, even when signed in from another console, though this will require an Xbox Live Gold membership. Hryb also states that current Xbox 360 customers who are Gold subscribers will have their membership automatically transferred to the One, and can even be logged into both consoles simultaneously.

"With Xbox One everyone in your home has a personalized account, which will enable powerful and personal experiences, and that’s one of the reasons why we wanted to create Home Gold. It means that your account and your gamertag are truly yours", Hryb points out.

This latest announcement should (mostly) satisfy all customers. More details can be found over at Major Nelson. Now, it is a matter of waiting until November for your console to arrive. Hopefully, you pre-ordered to avoid the holiday shopping nightmare.

Did Edward Snowden cause the shutdown of secure email service Lavabit?

Publié: août 9, 2013, 9:00am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Privacy has been a red hot topic for the past couple of months -- ever since the whole PRISM story hit the news, or shall I say slammed into the news. Nobody likely denies the government the right to attempt to keep citizens safe. In fact, we expect this from it. However the revelations made many uncomfortable thanks to the extremes that were being taken, and resulted in the conversation over whether Edward Snowden was a hero or enemy of the state.

Since the news broke, speculation about the form of communication used between Snowden and writer Glenn Greenwald of The Guardian has been running around the internet, but today those rumors came to an end when Greenwald tweeted this: "Amazing: Lavabit -- the email service used by Snowden -- shuts down rather than comply with US orders".

That and the shutdown cannot readily be tied together, thanks to orders received by the service, though the implications seem clear, given the message posted today on the site, which can be read below.

My Fellow Users,

I have been forced to make a difficult decision: to become complicit in crimes against the American people or walk away from nearly ten years of hard work by shutting down Lavabit. After significant soul searching, I have decided to suspend operations. I wish that I could legally share with you the events that led to my decision. I cannot. I feel you deserve to know what’s going on -- the first amendment is supposed to guarantee me the freedom to speak out in situations like this. Unfortunately, Congress has passed laws that say otherwise. As things currently stand, I cannot share my experiences over the last six weeks, even though I have twice made the appropriate requests.

What's going to happen now? We've already started preparing the paperwork needed to continue to fight for the Constitution in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. A favorable decision would allow me resurrect Lavabit as an American company.

This experience has taught me one very important lesson: without congressional action or a strong judicial precedent, I would _strongly_ recommend against anyone trusting their private data to a company with physical ties to the United States.

Despite many sites running with stories of Snowden's blame, the incidents cannot be tied together with certainty, thanks to the order mentioned above. It is only innuendo and coincidence. The service is fighting this, and hopes to provide more information in the future. Until then, speculation is all that we have. Currently the email service is seeking donations to help fund its legal defense. I would imagine the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) may also help out with this battle.

Image Cedit: Amy Johansson/Shutterstock

At Bat 13 Major League Baseball app debuts for Windows Phone 8

Publié: août 8, 2013, 9:12pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Baseball season may be entering the final stretch, but there are still many games left to be played and Windows Phone 8 customers can keep up with all of the action going on in the run up to playoff time. Regardless of how your team is faring, you can still follow the action from your mobile handset.

At Bat 13 today debuted in the Windows Phone store, bringing features such as live scoreboards, standings, schedules, and pinning your favorite team to Start for quick access to the team's page. In addition, you can watch the free MLB.TV Game of the Day or pick up an MLB.TV Premium subscription (learn more) to see every out-of-market game, hear radio broadcasts, and access the 2013 season's archives on-demand.

The premium accounts range in cost from $19.99 to $49.99, depending on the account you choose and if you decide to go month-by-month or grab an annual plan. You can find out more and get hold of the app from the Windows Phone site.

Xbox One gets an early unboxing

Publié: août 8, 2013, 5:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft's next-generation console...ahh...living room entertainment hub will not ship until this November, but still promises to light up the holiday shopping season. The company already showed it off and announced games, plus my colleague Derrick Wlodarz recently laid out very good reasons why he expects this war to be won by Xbox, as opposed to Sony and its PS4, which is expected around the same time.

Now potential customers can get one more sneak peak at what to expect. In a new video from Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, better known as MajorNelson, the new console is unboxed -- something many a person likely hopes to be doing themselves this holiday season.

The three-and-half minute video reveals not only what the packaging will look like, but unveils each included item, one at a time. We already knew the set would come with the Kinect, but also revealed is a headset, a 4k rated HDMI cable, controller and the console itself.

Hryb goes into some detail talking about each piece, including showing off all of the connectors on the rear of the console, as well as talking a bit about the other pieces included in the package.

Microsoft aims squarely at Apple with new SkyDrive promo

Publié: août 7, 2013, 11:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

In June of 2012 Apple officially shut down MobileMe, migrating customers to iCloud. With storage space now being downgraded, the market apparently seems right to Microsoft to take advantage of cloud customers by offering its own alternative, in the form of SkyDrive -- or the service soon to be formerly known as SkyDrive.

The only official announcement came from the service's official Twitter account, simply asking a question and offering a solution -- "did Apple cancel your extra MobileMe storage? Fwd the downgrade email to HelpMeSkyDrive@outlook.com for an extra 15GB of SkyDrive for 1 year".

The service generally offers 7 GB of free storage, though users who were early adopters got grandfathered into 25 GB of free space. The solution is also tightly integrated with Windows 8, Office 2013 and Windows Phone, giving Microsoft one more incentive to make this deal -- the hope of winning over new users.

A request for a statement from the software maker resulted in no official comment at this time, though it did promise that more information would be forthcoming in the near future.

Office 365 and Yammer fly to the UK via IAG

Publié: août 7, 2013, 9:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft Office 365, and its business social platform Yammer, have been steadily finding their way into corporations and government offices in a battle with Google Apps. Now the software giant takes wing across the Atlantic with its latest conquest -- the friendly skies of the United Kingdom.

Today the company announces a deal that brings the applications to International Airline Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.

"Giving our employees the tools and freedom to achieve more in their day-to-day activities was a key component in our decision to engage with Microsoft," said Nigel Underwood, chief information officer at IAG.

This opens up the services to 58,000 employees worldwide, as the company covers 230 destinations. Microsoft points out that "in particular, a key part of the airline’s strategy for the future is better internal communication and collaboration through the use of social tools. Yammer brings together the companies’ employees inside a private and secured enterprise network that enables communication, collaboration and information sharing regardless of business unit or location".

The perhaps endless battle between Microsoft and Google continues, in a seemingly long-lasting struggle. That war benefits consumers in the long run as it leads down the path of innovation.

Photo Credit: Lasse Kristensen/Shutterstock

Amazon announces HTML5 for Appstore support

Publié: août 7, 2013, 8:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

HTML5 has become one of the buzzwords for the modern web, with the seeming demise of Flash -- the Adobe app, one of many, that has been under serious attack in recent times. Now Amazon is opening up its App Store to the HTML5 world, allowing for easier development for those wishing to take advantage of the platform.

"Amazon today launched web app support in the Mobile App Distribution Program", the retail giant said in an announcement. "Developers can now submit URLs for their HTML5 web apps and mobile websites and have Amazon offer that content to millions of Kindle Fire and Amazon Appstore customers in the same, convenient way as native apps. Developers can submit and distribute mobile web content without using third party software or doing any native app development, and they can take advantage of Amazon’s In-App Purchasing API for JavaScript, which provides them the option to build sales of digital goods into their apps".

This will allow developers access to easier distribution of apps, a native experience on the Kindle Fire HD -- a tablet that currently is on sale for $40 under regular price -- and a better revenue stream.

"We’ve heard from developers that making their web apps available for mobile devices is hard because many times it means rewriting their app, which takes extra time and often requires third party tools," said Mike George, the Vice President of Amazon Appstore, Games and Cloud Drive.

Today’s launch of web app support in the Amazon Appstore is the latest offering in an array of services that aims to put Amazon at the front of the race, with its new support and AWS integration.

Take that Feedly! MultiPLX announces free search

Publié: août 7, 2013, 1:01am CEST par Alan Buckingham

On the heels of what is a minor kerfuffle, where Feedly announced a Pro version that involves paying for search (and a bit more), another service comes along to trump the new darling of RSS. "We are starting with 4 features: search in my feeds, one-click Evernote integration, premium support and HTTPS", Feedly announced late yesterday.

Today, rival MultiPLX began rolling out emails assuring users that its new search feature was free -- "today we are glad to announce the launch of 'search within your RSS feeds' feature and it is free for all our users. Please check out www.multiplx.com for 30 seconds to experience. There is no need to signup".

The message came directly from founder Emre Kosmaz, and seems too timely for coincidence, and continues to assure users "after the announcement of GR shutting down, we also added all its features such as list/condensed view, public folder sharing, feed clips/ blog rolls to MultiPLX as well as an API platform [on] par with Google Reader's API. SSL will be our next addition planned to be live next week".

So, where is your RSS landing spot after the untimely demise of Google Reader? Many a service has popped up to fill the void, though Feedly seems to be the main choice -- perhaps until this most recent announcement at least. Others seek to grab the space, and there is little room for error in direction in this market.

Bing teams with 500px in new photo offering

Publié: août 6, 2013, 6:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

500px is a famous app for photographers -- but there are other reasons for its renown, most notably its temporary ban by Apple from the App Store on that grounds that it provided easy access to pornographic material. Regardless of that seemingly bad publicity, the service has signed a new a photography deal with Microsoft.

Bing has an iconic home screen that features a new image every day, showing off spectacular photography from around the globe. The company brags that "by following a simple, consistent theme of one beautiful image per day to show a unique perspective on the world our homepage has become synonymous with great photography".

The new deal will see 500px images gracing Bing. Microsoft explains, "in the coming months, we will highlight select images from over 2.5 million members of the 500px community thru selected parts of the Bing.com experience. As a passionate photographer myself, I am particularly excited about the platform and exposure this will provide to photographers around the world".

This will certainly enhance the Bing page, bringing even more great images to the masses and giving much-needed exposure to photographers who use 500px to show off their work.

Amazon gets fancy, brings art galleries to your computer

Publié: août 6, 2013, 4:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon sells many things -- customers can shop for everything from electronics to grocery store items. With a Prime membership you can even receive free two-day shipping. But I doubt customers think of the retail giant in the same breath as an art gallery -- the Louvre certainly does not come to mind.

To be fair, the famous Paris museum is not selling off its collection on Amazon, or anywhere else, but art galleries now have a home on Amazon. Today the retailer announces Amazon Art, "a marketplace that gives customers direct access to more than 40,000 works of fine art from over 150 galleries and dealers".

Customers will now be able to explore fine art from galleries of varying sizes, including Paddle8 in New York, Holden Luntz in Miami, McLoughlin Gallery in San Francisco, Modernbook in San Francisco and Catherine Person Gallery in Seattle, as well as others from the US and those located in the UK, the Netherlands and Canada.

"We are excited to bring one of the largest selections of fine art direct from galleries to our customers. Amazon Art gives galleries a way to bring their passion and expertise about the artists they represent to our millions of customers", said Peter Faricy, vice president for the Amazon Marketplace

The new site allows customers to enjoy a gallery experience, browse by categories, view high quality images and detailed information, all from one place.

Make no mistake, this is still a store and the works are yours for purchase, though your wallet will certainly take a hit if you plan to pursue this.

Roku welcomes Redbox Instant

Publié: août 6, 2013, 2:30am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Roku customers have no shortage of viewing material, and the list continuously grows, most recently adding Demand 5 for customers in the UK. That only adds to features such as the numerous channels and premium services like Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix. But now, the little set-top box grows by one more option.

Today the company announces the launch of Redbox Instant, giving users one more choice for movie watching, popcorn munching fun. Again, this adds a minor fee to the monthly bill for customers, though it is still likely still less demanding, even with all features, than your cable or satellite tab.

The device maker tells us it will be "available to all customers in the U.S. with a Roku 3, Roku 2, Roku HD (model 2500) or Roku LT (models 2400 & 2450) player or the Roku Streaming Stick".

Redbox Instant by Verizon promises more than 5,500 streaming videos, movie trailers, bookmarking and parental controls. Of course, this adds $8 to your monthly bill but, like I said, combine all of these services and you will still save money over your current TV provider.

Minutely brings a unique approach to weather on Android, iPhone

Publié: août 5, 2013, 9:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

"I have a good weather app. It's called...looking out the window". That is what my colleague Brian Fagioli told me when I said I was testing Minutely, a new mobile weather service. Still, despite that rather true comment, we all still want to look up those possibly inaccurate forecasts, and this latest offering provides a better way to do it -- or at least a better looking way.

The name is derived from the app's promise to provide real time details right down to the minute - the rain slider feature allows you to travel in time and watch the rain move across your location. Minutely will let you know if it will be raining, snowing, hailing, or sleeting in any location you choose down to the minute for the next 2 hours.

However, the service also uses a gaming engine to render 3D images of the weather maps to display 3D radar in real-time, provides Twitter and Facebook sharing, allows users to easily correct the information, helping the app be as accurate as possible through crowdsourcing (very much like Waze does for traffic) and adds Sunrise and Sunset times, 9-day forecasts, moon phase timeline, full day forecast descriptions, day and night mode, an activity feed, and the ability to win achievements and rewards.

The app has just been released, and is free for users. It will require those customers to make it really work, just as Waze does, but that is really half the fun with these crowd-sourced services. My colleague, Wayne Williams, tested it out from his base in the UK and claims the app works quite well there as well.

The app is live now in the iTunes Store and will soon be open to Android customers as well.

[Update] Minutely is now in the Google Play store.

Stop embarrassing yourself -- Microsoft releases NoReplyAll for Outlook

Publié: août 3, 2013, 2:13am CEST par Alan Buckingham

I once worked with a manager who, as a joke, sent a nasty reply to an email from the training department -- the trainer was her friend and would get the joke. The problem was, she accidentally clicked "reply all", sending the message to 5,000 people company-wide. Its an error we make from time to time, and it can be something that makes us wish to crawl beneath the desk and hide.

Microsoft aims to help prevent this embarrassment, but takes a slightly different approach with its new NoReplyAll add-on for Outlook. The twist? The sender has to enable it.

Today, Microsoft Research announces "the primary function of this add-in is to add a few buttons to the Outlook ribbon to prevent people from replying to all the recipients of your message or forwarding it, etc. The add-in uses a facility built into Outlook and Exchange that is more lightweight than information-rights management, but is not exposed in the existing UI. The add-in also includes a check for common email errors, such as omitting attachments or subject lines".

The release is for desktop Outlook, and has some minor bugs, meaning that it comes with two specific warnings. Microsoft points out that in 64 bit Outlook 2013, the Explorer window (the folder view) buttons do not show the correct state for the received messages and also in both 32 and 64 bit Outlook 2013, clicking the add-in buttons in inline responses does not disable the recipient's ability to reply-all, etc.

Now it is up to you to make the most of this, and not end up hiding beneath your own desk.

Image Credit: Kamil Macniak / Shutterstock

Message Center reaches Office 365

Publié: août 2, 2013, 5:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Office 365 has become a bit of a strange concept -- there is the original web-based version, as well as the newer desktop Home Premium iteration that functions as standard Office 2013, though with added benefits. Now the software maker is introducing Message Center to its web version of the suite.

The latest update is described by Microsoft's Jake Zborowski as "a new admin feature for communications. Message Center will help inform Office 365 admins about new features and actions they need to take to keep their Office 365 service running smoothly".

This essentially functions a bit like email, but is controlled by the administrator and used to dole out information such as system alerts and the like.

"This is our first release of the Message Center. Over time we’ll continue enhance the experience by adding new features. Some items on our list include delivering communications in your preferred language and information that is specific to just your organization", Microsoft states.

It is not clear if this is a gradual roll out, as Microsoft said nothing on this. Administrators should have access very soon, if not already, and the new service should enable better control over Office 365.

Access Web App gets new features

Publié: août 2, 2013, 1:58am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft is slowly attempting to wean customers away from software and over to the services side of things. Office 2013 was a small first step, debuting in both Office 2013 and Office 365 Home Premium formats -- purchase and subscription options. Office 365 was previously a web service, and still exists in that form, with enhancements coming at a steady pace. Today this is illustrated with the latest release to the Access web app.

Jeff Conrad announces "it used to be a 3-year wait for new features in Office. However, because we are increasing the speed of our ship cycles, we are proud to announce that as of now, Cascading Controls are available to all of our Access 2013 Office 365 customers". The new update adds cascading controls -- essentially a drop-down list for all of your controls, including project name, company, contact information, data and more.

These new features allow for minute control over all of this information, including displaying those contacts associated with the new value in the Company autocomplete parent control.

This is certainly not an earth-shattering update, but the new features should improve usability and simplify the interface for new customers of the service. You can get detailed information, including step-by-step guides for each feature from Microsoft.

Do not let your spouse ruin Netflix -- individual profiles now available

Publié: août 1, 2013, 5:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It is the same old story in households consisting of more than one member. The Netflix account is a family thing, but not all members have the same tastes and can sometimes post vastly different reviews of the same flick. This is what Netflix describes as "Honey, you ruined my Netflix". Now the company aims to right this problem.

Eddy Wu, of Netflix tells us "many of you have had similar experiences, where you sat down to find something great to watch on Netflix, but it looks like your spouse has been binging on those teenage supernatural dramas you can’t stand, or your kids have filled your viewing history with animated sheep".

The addition of individual profiles aims to solve this, by adding the ability for each and every account to have up to five profiles. Each family member will get personalized suggestions based on what they watch and rate, as well as separate "Recently Watched" and "Instant Queue" lists. Customers can also connect each person to a different Facebook account, to get personalized suggestions from friends.

"Over the next few days, profiles will roll out on most Netflix devices, including the website, iPad, iPhone, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Apple TV, and newer Smart TV’s and Blu-Ray players. We’ll be adding additional devices like the Nintendo Wii and Android soon. For now, you can add more profiles on the website and the PS3, but you can select a profile on any of the devices listed above", Wu explains.

It may sound as if it is a minor problem, but these little things can build up to heated problems in any home. Netflix is actively attempting to keep the peace in your humble abode.

Image Credit: ArtFamily / Shutterstock

Amazon Prime fires starting gun for five new kids shows

Publié: juillet 31, 2013, 8:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon Prime has been slowly growing, from shipping to video and even a lending library, but the company has also been busy adding original content these days and that continues today. Previously the retail giant even crowd-sourced new shows, asking those who viewed the pilots to choose which would make it to production.

Now the company wishes to launch five new kids shows -- in pilot form, once again. "Following the positive response to its first set of TV pilots, Amazon Studios today announced it will produce five more original pilots for kids, including the first pilots for ages six to eleven. The new pilots come from Emmy Award-winning creators as well as a Hollywood newcomer discovered though Amazon Studios’ open-door submission process. The pilots will stream on Amazon Instant Video and LOVEFiLM in the U.K. for customers to watch, provide feedback, and help determine which shows should be produced as a series", the company announces today.

Amazon gives only a vague indication of when its next "pilot season" will begin, but does let us know the titles of the five new shows that will debut during that period. The pilots include Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, Grid Smasher, Hard-Boiled Eggheads, The Jo B. & G. Raff Show and Wishenpoof.

"We're very excited to be able to introduce these five original ideas and their talented creators to Amazon customers. After the success of our first pilots, we look forward to getting lots more fantastic feedback from kids and parents," said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios.

Look for the episodes on Prime Instant Video later this year and in early 2014. Hopefully all will have a more promising start than ZombieLand did earlier this year.

Microsoft rolls out better SkyDrive options for photos and sharing

Publié: juillet 30, 2013, 7:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft introduced its SkyDrive cloud storage service to the world back in 2007, almost six years ago to the day, in fact. The service may have started slow, but with Windows 8 and Office 2013 the momentum has increased, with better integration. Now the software maker rolls out even more options to the storage site.

The company wishes to support the new HD and Retina displays contained within today's devices, and has added such support directly into its latest iteration of the cloud service. Microsoft's Omar Shahine announces that SkyDrive supports these high DPI displays by "measuring the DPI scale of your device. When your screen supports it, we show higher resolution photos and thumbnails. So you see more of your real photo instead of a thumbnail that gets up-scaled (note: not all browsers support high DPI yet)". This illustrates the service's ability to process such photos as those captured in RAW format.

The company has also empowered users to share animated GIF images, a feature that previously blocked the important part -- the actual animation.

Sorting and managing files has also been enhanced. Microsoft already introduced an "all photos" view, but bolsters that feature in this upgrade. "Today, we’re happy to introduce a new capability on SkyDrive.com: the ability to share individual groups of files from anywhere in your SkyDrive. You can share two photos from your camera roll, or a hundred. You can share a file in one folder along with another file from a different folder. And you can share different things with different people", says Shahine.

Meanwhile, the new Shared view shows you all of the pics you have shared, and those that have been shared with you. Your own stuff is at the top of the list, sorted by what you have most recently sent out to friends and family. This is followed by a list of people who have shared something with you, sorted by who did so most recently.

SkyDrive brings 7 GB of storage to every user (25 GB if you were grandfathered in) and adds an additional 20 GB for customers of Office 365 Home Premium. Users can, of course, buy additional storage.

Demand 5 comes to Roku in Britain

Publié: juillet 29, 2013, 11:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Roku is on a bit of a roll lately, with the release of the brand new version 3 hardware, and the continuous addition of new channels and content. While much of this development has taken place stateside, it is not the only front the set-top box maker is tackling. Now it brings Demand 5 to British customers, adding to the plethora of content already available on the little system.

"We’re pleased to announce the addition of Demand 5 to our growing entertainment library in the U.K. Demand 5 on Roku lets customers instantly access Channel 5’s full range of catch-up content as well as an extensive library of popular programs including Big Brother, Archer, Dallas, CSI, and Neighbors. Roku users can also enjoy original programming including The Gadget Show, The Hotel Inspector and Eddie Stobart’s Trucks and Trailers". This brings the total to more than 450 channels -- and that is just within Great Britain.

The latest box, Roku 3, brings a brand new remote that allows the user to plug in a headset and move around the house while listening and not disturbing others, though a version 3 box is not required for this update. You can visit the Demand 5 site to find all of the content that will be available to you.

The new Nexus 7: Not your grandfather's Android tablet

Publié: juillet 29, 2013, 9:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

"The new Nexus 7 makes my Asus MeMO look pathetic". That is what I told my colleague Joe Wilcox over the weekend. Android, the open source Linux-based mobile operating system from Google can be found in many places -- cheap no-name tablets run the OS, but should be given a wide berth. Big name hardware makers also produce these gadgets -- Samsung and Sony to name just two. However, the most prominent on the market in recent times has been the Nexus 7, the pure Android experience from Google (but built by Asus), and the Kindle Fire HD, Amazon's highly customized tablet.

In the past, regardless of my liking for pure Android, I would have chosen the Amazon device in a heartbeat. It's thinner and has a better screen, plus Prime customers, like myself, have easy access to the retail giant's streaming video library. However, my view changed this past week, as Google rolled out its latest version of the Nexus 7.

A Rough Start

I received my new Nexus 7, a review unit from Google, the day after the announcement, which came last Wednesday. Upon unboxing I found an unbootable device -- not the best first impression, but Google acted quickly to have a replacement out to me the next day and this time it was a working model.

From there things ran smoothly, with a simple login to my account. Some apps were even downloaded automatically, though not all of them. Every version of Angry Birds appeared, along with Silent Sleep, while others went strangely AWOL. Photos also propagated the Gallery, though not all of them.

What You Get

The tablet boasts a full 1080p screen that is absolutely stunning to behold. The display flies in the face of what Apple tried to make users believe. The addition of Open GL ES 3.0 makes the new version of Android more efficient and just plain better at displaying graphics. The 1200 by 1980-pixel LCD display is quite a sight -- literally.

Android 4.3 brings only minor updates -- the new release is still Jelly Bean, as we await Key Lime Pie a bit longer. Perhaps the biggest addition is that of multi-user restricted profiles. This allows you to control the usage of apps and other content on a user level. That is a handy feature for parents, and can be enabled from Settings. User profiles were introduced in version 4.2, so this addition just adds features to Jelly Bean.

The Nexus 7 boasts a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB of RAM, and the device comes in both 16 GB and 32 GB models. The new 7-inch tablet defines fast. I have never experienced a quicker response on any device I have used. The Nexus 7 also features a front and rear camera, with the latter being 5 megapixels.

The device comes with "My Library" smack in the middle of the home screen, displaying magazines and such that apparently Google hopes I may wish to purchase. This can be easily removed, though, with a simple long tap and a drag to the trash bin. Get it back from the Widgets library if you change your mind.

Would I Buy It?

As I started out saying, the new Nexus 7 leaves me unwilling to look at my MeMO -- I even tried to swap that device with my son, who previously confiscated my Kindle Fire HD, but he would have none of it. Now with new Nexus 7, I feel I once again have the upper hand in this small household battle of tablets.

I will be sad to ship this back to Google, but the search giant need not despair for me, as it will have my order soon after that fateful day arrives, though I likely will skimp and grab the 16 GB model, as opposed to 32 GB version currently in my hands. I simply do not require that much free space for my use and I tend to be a bit on the cheap side.

Google Play Games tries to bring two player fun to Android [Review]

Publié: juillet 27, 2013, 5:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Lost in the news from the "Breakfast with Sundar Pichai" event this week was a smaller announcement that was overshadowed by the new Nexus 7, Chromecast and Android 4.3. Google Play Games was rolled out along with the new mobile operating system. Despite rolling out with the latest Google OS, though, the app is open to any device running version 2.2 and newer.

Play Games is free from the Google Play store and, once downloaded, you will find a game controller icon on your device. Like any app, it is only a matter of tapping it to get started.

Getting Started

Once open, you will receive a menu that runs down the left side of the screen. This consists of Play Now, My Games, My Activity, Players, Recommended Games and Shop.

Play Now brings up My Games, along with a list of players you can go up against (more on that in a bit) and featured games, which consists of ones you may not own, but Google feels you may like.

My Games is simplya list of all of your installed games and you can switch to a view of only the recently played ones, though this is essentially the same as the My Activity option.

Players is a list of your Google Plus contacts and lets you click one to invite him or her to come play a game against you (obviously you both need the game installed), while Shop opens the games section of the Google Play store. To go back to the main menu you can just click the controller icon at the top left.

Settings

The app settings simply allow you to turn on notifications and allow who, in your Google Plus circles, can send you notifications and who you can challenge to games. There really is nothing else here -- the options are rather sparse, but there really is not anything else necessary.

Conclusion

The app may have a little way to go, as I could see my colleague Brian Fagioli's recently played games, though he was unsuccessful in accessing mine, only finding a blank screen. My Recent Games alerted me that a game I played a few minutes ago was "last played two days ago". There are obviously some kinks in need of being worked out here, but the premise is certainly promising.

Google Play Games tries to connect Android players (and fails) [Review]

Publié: juillet 27, 2013, 5:25pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Lost in the news from the "Breakfast with Sundar Pichai" event this week was a smaller announcement that was overshadowed by the new Nexus 7, Chromecast and Android 4.3. Google Play Games was rolled out along with the new mobile operating system. Despite rolling out with the latest iteration, the app is open to any device running Android version 2.2 and newer.

Play Games is free from the Google Play store and, once downloaded, you will find a game controller icon on your device. Like any app, it is only a matter of tapping it to get started.

Getting Started

Once open, you will receive a menu that runs down the left side of the screen. This consists of Play Now, My Games, My Activity, Players, Recommended Games and Shop.

Play Now brings up My Games, along with a list of players you can go up against (more on that in a bit) and featured games, which consists of ones you may not own, but Google feels you may like.

My Games is simply a list of all of your installed games and you can switch to a view of only the recently played ones, though this is essentially the same as the My Activity option.

Settings

Conclusion

Microsoft wants to give away Windows 8 computers in student deal

Publié: juillet 26, 2013, 6:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Last month, June 4 to be precise, Microsoft announced its "Chip in" program, designed to help students finance a new Windows 8 computer. The program lets students with a valid .edu email address crowd-source funds to help them purchase a qualified PC of their choosing from Microsoft Store.

Now the software maker elects to take it one step further, by sweetening this deal. Students must successfully fund their PC, but Microsoft chips in 10 percent of the price and the first 10,000 to be successful in this venture get a free copy of Office 365 University added into the bargain.

Now the company tells us that "as part of this program, today we're excited to announce a Buy One, Give One program. As part of the campaign Windows will give away one PC, for every student that fully funds their PC by September 1, to the Year-Up organization, which is dedicated to empowering urban talent". Year Up Chicago Executive Director, Alan Anderson, claims "we are thrilled to partner with Microsoft Windows on the Chip In, Buy One, Give One Campaign".

Potential customers have little more than one month to take advantage of this offer, so those who possess a student email address need to act soon.

Image Credit: Poznyakov / Shutterstock

Google aims for TV everywhere, Netflix rides along

Publié: juillet 25, 2013, 3:01am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google is dreaming big, but those fantasies are no larger than ones held by cord-cutters everywhere. We wish for TV without the cable or satellite and services like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime and others aim to deliver the experience. Now Google tosses its own hat into the ring.

"Today, with the launch of Chromecast and the new Nexus 7 tablet, it’s even more effortless to enjoy content you care about—whether it’s video, music, movies, games—wherever you are, across your devices".

Chromecast is a small and affordable device that you can simply plug into your high-definition TV, and it will allow you to use your phone, tablet or laptop to "cast" online content to your TV screen. It works with Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, and Google Play Music, with more apps like Pandora planned for the future.

Once setup is complete, all of your devices send content to the TV and control everything from Play-Pause to volume. "It works across platforms -- Android tablets and smartphones, iPhones, iPads, Chrome for Mac and Windows (more to come), so your personal device is also now your remote control", the company promises.

Netflix also rides along with the device, though customers will need a subscription. However, a free trial will be available for this. Retail is $35, and launch is planned for July 28.

Still using Office 2010? SP2 is here

Publié: juillet 24, 2013, 3:03am CEST par Alan Buckingham

When I left IT little more than a year ago, my company still rocked Office 2007. Of course, computers were still running Windows XP and web browsers had only recently migrated from Internet Explorer 6 to IE 7. Now, with the addition of SP2 to Office 2010 business may be ready to make the move onto this platform.

"Today, we released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 set of products. SP2 provides key updates and fixes across our servers, services and applications including security, stability, and performance enhancements and provides better compatibility with Windows 8, Internet Explorer 10, Office 2013, and SharePoint 2013", says Microsoft's Chris Schneider.

The SP2 release is designed to improve the compatibility between the Office and SharePoint 2010 products and Windows 8, Internet Explorer 10, Office 2013, and SharePoint 2013. The SP1 update rolled out back in June 2011, so this has been in the works for sometime now.

Download links for all SP2 offerings are available over on TechNet. "After a 90-day period, SP2 will be offered as an automatic update through Microsoft Update. Customers using the Office Click-to-Run technology will have SP2 streamed to them beginning in August" Microsoft proclaims.

Photo credit: kurhan/Shutterstock

Scale the heights of Mount Fuji with Google

Publié: juillet 23, 2013, 4:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google has previously sent its Maps team beneath the waves around the Great Barrier Reef, up the tallest mountain in the world, and into the mile deep depths of the Grand Canyon. Most recently the team scaled the heights of iconic Japanese landmark Mount Fuji, with the familiar Street View cameras firmly strapped to their backs.

Today the search giant rolls out images of Japan's volcano for those who either cannot get there or do not wish to climb the 3,776 meters to reach the summit. "The currently dormant volcano has inspired countless haiku and woodblock prints over many centuries, and around the world, its perfect conical shape has become one of Japan’s most iconic symbols", says Setsuo Murai, Head of Geo Partnerships for Google Japan.

Earlier this year UNESCO granted Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain, official status as a World Heritage Site because of the cultural influence it has given the nation and the world. "If you can’t get over to Mt. Fuji this summer for the big hike, you can use Street View to take a virtual trek up its peak and enjoy the views of the world below", Google announces.

So what are you waiting for? You will not even need your hiking boots or water bottle. Just sit back in your desk chair and enjoy what relatively few will ever see.

AT&T brings prepaid Nokia Lumia 520 to GoPhone

Publié: juillet 22, 2013, 7:12pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

AT&T GoPhone allows customers to pickup no-contract phones, including smartphones, on a pre-paid plan. Now the mobile carrier is adding the Nokia Lumia 520 to the program beginning July 26.

The handset, which was announced back in February, has a four-inch screen, 8 GB of storage and is running on a 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor.

The U.S. mobile carrier will be offering the Windows Phone 8 handset for only $99 off-contract. "We are excited to launch the first 4G Windows Phone 8 smartphone in our GoPhone portfolio. A diverse device ecosystem benefits everyone, and the addition of an affordable Windows device gives our customers yet another choice that fits their needs", said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president of Devices at AT&T.

The mobile device also comes with the Nokia suite of apps, such as Music, HERE Maps, Drive, and Transit. The phone additionally features other Windows Phone 8 goodies such as Office 2013.

Microsoft claims that "since launching earlier this year, the Lumia 520 has quickly become one of Nokia’s most popular Windows Phone models and it’s not hard to see why". The phone enters a space currently occupied by Android and feature phones.

New Plex for Google TV rolls out, tons of updates heading your way

Publié: juillet 20, 2013, 3:16am CEST par Alan Buckingham

I purchased a Google TV back in February and hoped for the best. My bet paid off as the tiny box became the hub of my living room, though not without complications -- it does require the occasional reboot. Still, for $99 I can not complain, and will sing its praises, as I filter all of our TV watching enjoyment through it.

Now the Plex server-app has rolled out new updates that bring even more functionality to the little service. Today the company announces a slew of updates that bring better compatibility with large screens, as well as new layout settings.

"We’ve also made it such that you can switch the layout dynamically on any device to the 'TV' style (under Application Layout in settings). So if you’re hooking up your Android mobile device to a TV, you can easily change the layout so that it’s optimized for your couch-viewing, popcorn-chewing pleasure", says Plex.

The app is out now for Plex Pass customers, but will push to other users within the next week. The developer promises that "in a week we’ll be pushing it to the store to replace the existing Google TV application. Here are some screenshots to give you a sense of what the new layouts look like".

A combination of Plex, PlayOn and Google TV is just about good enough to replace cable and satellite, but that is certainly up to the user and it's a risky option that should not be undertaken lightly.

Tales from an Android fan: This Lumia 928 is nice!

Publié: juillet 18, 2013, 9:13pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I have never had a single thing against Windows Phone, nor iOS for that matter, but I embraced the Android ecosystem early on, with much invested in apps. Alright, "much" may be a stretch -- I can not imagine it is more than $50 total, but paid software still means money spent, and I am not known as Mr. Big-Spender.

For the past month I have been taking the Windows Phone challenge -- my Nexus is put aside, SIM card removed and currently residing within the confines of a Nokia Lumia 928.

Throughout this time I have attempted to use the device as an average user, meaning no customization -- aside from the default tile color and the like -- and almost no questions asked of a resident expert here at BetaNews. I wished to discover on my own, much the way my 75-year-old dad would do if he were to get one. Well...okay...he would likely call me, but you get the point. In other words, I am not looking at specs -- you can already find those here.

First Impressions Count

Despite the old phrase "you can not judge a book by its cover", I am afraid first impressions actually do mean a lot. If something is not appealing at first glance then we are unlikely to look twice -- a sad, but true, and human, fact.

The Nokia Lumia 928 did not suffer this ill -- the handset came out of the box looking sleek and beautiful. Despite its rather square shape, the appearance works.

If You Start Me Up

Upon first boot up there is little setup to be done -- enter your Microsoft account then setup your email accounts (yes, Gmail works too). Once logged in, the live tiles begin propagating themselves with people, weather and more. I was also immediately prompted to identify my WiFi network and enter the password.

Screens are much simpler than Android, as there are only two -- the home, which contains the tiles and, one swipe away, a listing of apps. Part of the Nokia app suite is installed by default, as is the excellent Panorama camera app. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter will need to be added by the user.

Updates appear as a number on the Store tile and are easily installed with a couple of clicks. Unlike the Play store, the menu is much simpler -- perhaps not as pretty, but better for most average users in the long run.

Screen resolution is also premium here. The display is crystal clear, and the response time would be measured in nanoseconds. The Galaxy Nexus is fast, this is even faster.

Usage

As I previously stated, I tried to use this as my parents would have, meaning no real customizing (other than tile color -- the Nokia red was a bit bright).

I was shocked that my first call made from the Lumia 928 resulted in my mom telling me I sounded "really clear". That is a compliment I never received on my Galaxy Nexus.

There is little more to say in this regard, as the "clear" statement covers it. No calls were dropped and no SMS failed to be delivered. Apps work as advertised and many more can be easily added.

Say Cheese

The camera is amazing -- the 8.7 MP PureView shooter with Carl Zeiss lens takes incredible images, as my colleague Brian Figioli already pointed out while testing the handset during his vacation. The difference over my sad little Galaxy Nexus camera was astounding. No need to say more as you can see the results in the aforementioned post.

What Is Missing?

In a word, apps. That is the biggest deterrent to making this switch, as many things I take for granted are simply not there. Even Rovio, which has added its Angry Birds lineup to the mobile platform, charges for each game, while making them free on Android. YouTube does not exist, though Microsoft took a stab at bypassing this limitation (and, failed, at least for now).

The Bottom Line

Aside from these simple, yet crippling, setbacks, the platform proves robust and simply beautiful to behold. The hardware too is gorgeous.

So what is my bottom line? Will I make the big switch? I love my Android smartphone, and I have much invested in the apps -- okay, again, much may be pushing things, as most were $0.99, but still. I honestly believe that when Big Red deems it time for me to choose my next source of revenue to them I may indeed take this plunge. It truly is that good.

After spending a month as the platform newbie, and intentionally so, I plan now to dive into a more in-depth look at this device before I have to ship the little beauty back.

BitTorrent Sync advances to beta, adds mobile app

Publié: juillet 17, 2013, 7:06pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

BitTorrent has been making waves recently with the release of its Sync client. To its credit, the organization seemed to see the coming privacy apocalypse that we have fallen into over the past few weeks, and built features into the service that it hopes will protect customers.

What began as private testing and entered alpha in April, is finally growing up. Christian Averill, a company representative, told BetaNews "BitTorrent Sync was designed to solve what we see as real, fundamental challenges to data synchronization: limitations on privacy, file security and dependency on cloud infrastructure. Also, limitations on speed, size, and space".

The company claims that, since the April Alpha release, customers have already synced more than 8 petabytes of data. BitTorrent also boasts of Sync being used in school integration, among film-makers, remote backup and more.

The company goes on to promise "today, we’re happy to announce the release of the BitTorrent Sync Beta. The new Sync Beta includes two of our Alpha users’ most requested features: mobile syncing and archiving".

This means a brand new Android app and versioning capabilities -- Archive creates a folder that gives you access to archives of previous versions of your synced files.

I have been using BitTorrent Sync since private testing and have found it rock-solid, even in early development. The app arrived just in time for the death of my beloved Live Mesh -- I swear I am no longer bitter about that demise. Head over to BitTorrent Sync to grab a copy.

Get Netflix, Hulu and HBO on Blackberry 10 with PlayOn

Publié: juillet 17, 2013, 12:28am CEST par Alan Buckingham

PlayOn, the TV service that aims to make cord-cutting even more possible, with affordable prices, and even going free to Google TV customers, is now aiming at Blackberry users in both the United States and Canada. It brings with it all sorts of video goodies for this ride.

Today the company announces that "for the first time, BlackBerry 10 customers in the US and Canada can watch content from Hulu, Netflix and HBO GO on their smartphone. By downloading the new PlayOn app to a BlackBerry Z10 or BlackBerry Q10 smartphone, and PlayOn software to a Windows PC, customers can stream online content from Netflix, Hulu (with no Hulu Plus subscription needed), HBO GO, CBS and 60 additional online channels to their smartphone".

Yes, PlayOn does require a bit of computer-side software, but it is easy get up and running. Think of it along the lines of Plex, only for live TV -- though it does require some minor fees. The service also has the option for "Play Later", which acts as a DVR.

"With our new PlayOn app for BlackBerry, we are excited to extend PlayOn's benefits to BlackBerry 10 smartphone customers, including first-time access to all the great content of Netflix, Hulu, CBS and HBO GO," said Jeff Lawrence, CEO of MediaMall Technologies.

The software comes with a 30-day free trial and users can grab the download from Blackberry AppWorld. After that, you will need to pony up $24.99 per year (current sale rate) or $49.99 for a lifetime membership.

Google brings a City of Light icon to your computer

Publié: juillet 16, 2013, 7:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Work on the Eiffel Tower began in 1887 and was completed two years later. It was originally intended to stand for just 20 years, but the iron lattice construction has remained as a symbol of the country ever since. The monument stands 324.00 meters in height overlooking the European city.

Now Google, as it is wont to do, has decided that the massive structure needs a digital home. "The Google Cultural Institute and the Eiffel Tower Operating Company have teamed up to create three immersive online exhibitions which blend fascinating historical material with a sprinkling of technological magic. In order to capture the imagery, the Street View team followed", says Mark Yoshitake, Head of Product and User Experience for Google Cultural Institute.

The new release not only includes Street View images, like those the team has carried out in museums and national parks around the world, but also a good deal more. To complement those current pictures, the search giant throws in archival images depicting the history of this icon of Paris.

"The first exhibition presents the birth of the Eiffel Tower from the initial idea until its realization. You can then follow the construction of the monument step-by-step through photos and sketches. Details on the inauguration and the first visitors lie in the third exhibition, with photos of people admiring the Paris vista on the opening day leading into today’s Street View imagery from the top floor", Google announces.

As for the current imagery, users can head over to Street View to get a look at the most-visited paid monument in the world. It is truly a magnificent sight, and one of many that reside within the borders of the French capital.

Office 365 for business hits 38 new markets

Publié: juillet 12, 2013, 11:34pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

While the jury remains in deliberation over Windows 8, and its upcoming successor, Office is still a workhorse in the Microsoft stable of software. Even the attempt to turn it into a subscription model did little to phase customers. Businesses on the other hand are even more acceptable to these options and now Microsoft has announced expanded markets for its latest Office 365.

Microsoft's Andy O'Donald announces "Office 365 is expanding commercial availability in 38 new markets, 3 new languages, and 5 new currencies". This brings the total to 127 markets worldwide.

For both the Philippines and Thailand all Office 365 plans are now available for customers to subscribe to. The other new markets can now start a 120-day trial before paid subscriptions become available. New languages include Vietnamese, Arabic, and Malay.

New markets include: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Lebanon, Jamaica, Bolivia, Brunei, Nicaragua, Honduras, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Georgia, Ghana, Mauritius, Macao SAR, Iraq, Bermuda, Rwanda, Belize, Cameroon, Nepal, Moldova, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, Barbados, Cape Verde, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, U.S. Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Angola, Libya,]Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Yemen. Currencies now accepted are Brazilian Real (BRL), Mexican Peso (MXN), Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) and Indian Rupee (INR).

Office 365 for business is in direct, and heated, competition with Google against Docs/Apps. This is Microsoft's latest play to wrest control of the market.

Google Finance brings more exchanges into the fold

Publié: juillet 12, 2013, 8:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Get out your wallet and prepare your foreign investment portfolio because, just as Jimmy Buffet tells us it is always five o'clock somewhere, the market is also always open somewhere. Google Finance today grows a bit fatter, adding even more of those exchanges to its reporting.

Greg Pennington, Product Manager for Google Finance announces "we want you to have the world’s financial data at your fingertips. We’ve launched five new exchanges on Google Finance".

New markets included in this latest update are:

BM&F Bovespa (Brazil): AmBev, Petrobas, Índice Bovespa
Borsa Istanbul (Turkey): Turkcell, İş Bankası
The Stock Exchange of Thailand: PTT, Siam Bank
SIX Swiss Exchange: Nestlé, Novartis, Swiss Market Index
Wiener Borse (Austria): OMV, Voestalpine

Google Finance now contains a large list of exchanges, mutual funds, indexes and even currencies. How your money gets invested, and if it gains or loses, will be all on you and Google.

Image Credit: sergign / Shutterstock

Deutsche Telekom brings Firefox OS to Europe, starts in Poland

Publié: juillet 11, 2013, 9:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Mozilla is now set to reach a wider audience with its up-and-coming Firefox mobile operating system. We had previously heard the first handsets would be coming to Deutsche Telekom soon, but a press conference has yielded more details about what potential customers can expect.

During an announcement in Warsaw, Poland the carrier says that "sales of the Alcatel One Touch Fire powered by Firefox OS will start soon in Europe. T-Mobile Poland will offer the Firefox OS-powered smartphone via its online sales channels from tomorrow on and from July 15 nationwide in 850 shops".

While the initial launch is taking place in Poland, additional European countries will follow in the fall according to Mozilla. The organization also promises that "In Germany, the Firefox OS smartphone will be marketed via Deutsche Telekom's second brand Congstar. The company's subsidiaries in Hungary (Magyar Telekom) and Greece (Cosmote) will also begin sales of the Alcatel One Tuch Fire this fall".

"Thanks to our active community, Poland has always been a stronghold for Firefox and Mozilla. It has been great to work with a local partner that shares our enthusiasm for the idea of an open Web device", says Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairperson of the Mozilla Foundation.

With the handsets finding their way into the various markets, it becomes a question of how it will be received, and if the mobile space can stand one more option, though Firefox OS targets the lower end of the spectrum. Would you buy one?

Apple App Store turns 5, celebrates with free apps

Publié: juillet 10, 2013, 5:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

In the real world, when you have a birthday people give you gifts. But when these celebrations happen for software and services, the roles are frequently reversed. That is the case today as Apple celebrates the fifth birthday of its iTunes App Store by giving gifts to its customers.

Apple launched its iOS store on July 10, 2008 and the number of apps has grown exponentially since then -- from 500 apps at launch to 900,000-plus available today.

A new anniversary section titled "5 Years of the App Store" is live now, and users can access it from the desktop app, or directly from iOS devices. Apps included in this section have been slashed down to zero in price, and include premium releases, such as the $19.99 Traktor DJ app, and hot games like Infinity Blade II.

The site announces "To celebrate, we’re giving everyone five landmark games and five groundbreaking apps for a limited time." The page also features an interactive look at big events over the five-year history.

As Apple states, these deals are "limited" so if you find something listed that is to your liking then today is the time to grab it. With more than 900,000 apps currently available, it's fair to assume we'll be seeing a "one million apps" celebration of sorts in the near future.

Acer unveils Aspire M5 with Haswell, makes it Best Buy exclusive

Publié: juillet 10, 2013, 12:30am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Haswell is the latest catch-phrase in Intel processor architecture, designed as a successor to Ivy Bridge. A low power processor that is made with today's Ultrabooks in mind, the chip debuted early last month and is finding its way into today's hardware. Now Acer announces it will be powering the latest Aspire notebook.

The Aspire M5 (technically the Aspire M5-583P-6428) will be a Best Buy exclusive and packs a Core i5 processor, Intel Wireless Display technology (WiDi), four speakers, 15.6-inch display and multi-touch.

According to the company's announcement, "the new M5 features Acer’s audio technology package, Acer Purified.Voice. This takes voice input to the next level with a combination of hardware (dual-array mic) and software (voice recognition and audio processing). It ensures webcam/video chats, conference calls, VoIP calls and voice commands are always crystal clear. It can track and recognize the voice of the speaker wherever they are and makes sure there is no volume reduction of their voice as they move away from the notebook. It also eliminates background noise including keystrokes, so the speaker’s voice transmits clearly while voice recording or speaking, even while typing. It improves and exceeds the requirements for voice control programs".

Acer has taken the unique step of partnering with Best Buy for this release,and the M5 is available now at the big-box stores across the U.S. with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $699.99.

Microsoft compares Internet Explorer to things not being what they seem

Publié: juillet 9, 2013, 8:58pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Summer is vacation time in the northern hemisphere and grabbing consumer attention can be difficult at times, but comparing your tech product to misconceptions is certainly one of the more unusual ways to get noticed. Microsoft decided to go there today with a new music video as a part of the continuing "Browser You Loved To Hate" campaign.

The latest installment sees Microsoft team up with musician Laura Gibson to produce a new music video, titled "Things Aren't Always What They Seem".

The overriding theme to this video is that Internet Explorer 10 is not the sucky web browser you hear about. The tune is catchy and the images clever. Perhaps the most timely part of the video is the mention of Twinkies -- the famous American snack cake from Hostess which is set to make a return to US store shelves next week. Microsoft's Rebecca Wolff points out that "it turns out Twinkies don't really last forever (apparently only 45 days on the shelf) and if you haven't met the new IE yet, it probably isn't the same browser you remember".

It is a clever little video that is well made and deserves a bit of attention, if purely for creativity.

Unlike the Scroogled campaign, Microsoft seems to have this one nailed down, though actually convincing diehard Firefox and Chrome users to switch now could be a tall order.

Google gives you the opportunity to ride Tour de France

Publié: juillet 9, 2013, 2:21am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Three weeks and two thousand miles on a bicycle is something few of us could even fathom, especially over the steep peaks of the famed Pyrenees and Alps. The race may be a week into its trip around the roads of the French nation, but it is not too late to pull on your gear, take a deep breath and see what it is like to wrest this year's title away from potential winner Chris Froome before the famed race reaches its conclusion on hallowed Champs-Elysées.

Now Google unveils your opportunity to ride along over the mountain passes and down the narrow streets where sprint finishes are frequently decided and carnage is never far off.

"The Tour de France is using a variety of Google products to help you experience the race like never before, including a YouTube channel, a Google+ page and an Android app where you can keep up with this 100th edition. We’ve also used Google Maps and Street View to create a new interactive experience that lets you feel what it’s like to pedal alongside the greats" says Google's Raphaël Goumain, Consumer Marketing Director.

All of this can be accessed and explored from the Google Your Tour page. The rest is up to you, so grab your Pinnarello, dig out your helmet and hit the beautiful roads of France for a leisurely ride around the country.

Grab your Windows Phone 8 and headphones, Spotify gets official

Publié: juillet 8, 2013, 5:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

As the Microsoft mobile ecosystem grows, more popular apps are finding their way into the Windows Phone store. The platform now boasts top-notch games like Angry Birds and Temple Run, as well as video services like Hulu. While customers can get their music fix from apps such as Nokia Music (if you have a Nokia phone), competition and options are good.

Now Spotify makes its official debut in the Windows Phone world. Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president and manager for Windows Phone Program Management, tweeted "Hey music lovers... today #Spotify for #WP8 is out of beta! A big update: more languages, offline playlist improvements, track scrubbing".

The app version of the service is 2.0.4933.0, and it requires Windows Phone 8. Customers get a free trial of Spotify Premium and, along with the features mentioned above by Mr. Belfiore, you can also expect access to millions of songs, use over WiFi and 3G, and more.

The free trial is a bit limited with the Windows Phone Store stating "If you haven't tried Premium before, you can try it on your mobile for 48 hours, completely free. You don't even need to enter credit card details". The app itself is free to download.

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey/Shutterstock

Alien invasion -- Google celebrates the Roswell Incident

Publié: juillet 8, 2013, 2:55pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

In the summer of 1947 an unidentified flying object reportedly crashed near Roswell, New Mexico (75 miles north-west to be exact). The "event" was classified by the United States as the crash of an experimental high-altitude weather balloon, and little was made of it at the time. That changed in 1978 when the National Enquirer ran a report of the story and the tin-foil hat crowd jumped on it.

As my friend Brian Dunning, who runs the popular Skeptoid podcast and blog reports: "Stanton Friedman, an obsessed UFO [enthusiast], started interviewing everyone he could find who was still alive who had been connected with the incident and began constructing all sorts of elaborate conspiracies". Regardless if you believe any of this or not, there is no denying it is a fun story and a major tourist draw for the city.

Now, on the anniversary of the event, Google celebrates with a doodle adventure game reminiscent of the successful iOS app, Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery. In Google's game, you control an alien on a quest to reassemble the elements of his crashed spaceship which are scattered around the area surrounding his unintentional landing site on the ranch near Roswell.

It is a fun little time-waster that is sure to cost some businesses a bit of productivity -- Google has a history of such things, including the Pac-Man doodle from May of 2010 -- so be careful not to get abducted today.

Scammers are after the Apple ID I don't have

Publié: juillet 7, 2013, 11:59am CEST par Alan Buckingham

When I receive an email asking to validate my account info, it is an obvious alert that something is amiss. These frequently come in the guise of PayPal and even banks where I have no account -- a no brainer to hit the delete button. However, as I browsed through my messages while preparing for bed, one caught my attention, not because of variance from other email scams, but because it simply attempted to lure me to a trap I had not encountered previously.

While the likes of PayPal and CitiBank may trade between targets number one and two, this was the first time I had been asked to validate my Apple account -- the one I have never had.

Do not mistake me (though some may do), I am not an Apple hater, just not a customer. I am far too cheap to purchase the company's expensive hardware.

The email is more professional than many I see -- English is actually properly used (not perfect, but properly used at least... mostly), and typos do not jump out. In fact, it even purports to come from "no-reply@apple.com". However closer inspection reveals a "via abarth.websitewelcome.com" and clicking the "via" launches a Google warning that begins with "Gmail believes that by adding more information about the origin of a message, you can be better informed about who sent the message and can avoid confusion. For example, if someone fakes a message from a sender that you trust, like your bank, you can use this information to see that the message is not really from your trusted sender. The information that we use to display this information is included in the message headers, but these headers can be hard to understand. Gmail analyzes this information and displays it in a simple to read format".

The full text of the message:

This is an automatic message by the system to let you know that you have to confirm your account information within 48 hours.
Login to your account from several different places we need to update your personal data in order to ensure security and privacy and protect you from phishing attacks
Please click on the following link to update your information:
update Now >
Link does not work? Try again may be affected by the speed of the Internet or the site
For more information, see our frequently asked questions.
Thanks,
Apple Customer Support"

Thanks Google, though I honestly saw this one a mile away. Still, it is a better fake than many I receive, and for that I tip my hat to the perpetrator, though he shall receive none of the information that I do not have there.

Editor's note: link (from "update Now >") is removed.

Photo Credit: Les Scholz/Shutterstock

Move BeyondPod to Feedly, after Google killed Reader

Publié: juillet 6, 2013, 4:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

By now you are likely sick of hearing all of the bemoaning over the death of Google Reader, but the fact is, this affected more things than it would seem on the surface. If you happen to have an Android device and listen to podcasts, then you will notice that popular app BeyondPod stopped updating on July 1.

BeyondPod used Google Listen for its backend, which, in turn, relied on Reader. When the latter died, it dragged the former down into the grave with it. Sadly BeyondPod was not able to get its update together in time for the RSS aggregator's demise. However, the company is testing the new version, and has elected to migrate to Feedly for its backend.

There are a few steps you must walk through to get things fixed, and the process, while not difficult, is far from being painless.

To get started, create a Feedly account, then point your browser to BeyondPod v3.1.31 (phone) or v3.10.31 (tablet) and download the APK file. Plug in your device then transfer the file over for installation. You may also want to backup your BeyondPod data before going any further -- just in case something goes terribly wrong. To do this, head to Menu, More, Settings and then Backup & Restore.

Once in BeyondPod, login to Feedly by using Add Feed, Import Feeds (the icon in the upper right) and finally Import From Feedly. Follow the instructions to log into your account (make sure to use the same login as you used in Reader). Once you see the list of feeds from Feedly, just exit back to the main BeyondPod window (there is no need to import anything).

Make sure to update your feeds so they can re-sync with Feedly. The best way is to select the "All Feeds" category and use the "update category" toolbar button (next to "+ Add Feed") -- this will update all feeds in all categories at once.

Once you are finished with all of these steps then you will be up and running (but you are now about to discover the painful part). BeyondPod points out that "because Feedly uses a different mechanism to track episodes, your download history (which episodes were downloaded in the past) will be lost. Based on your download settings old episodes may be re-downloaded on the next update. Make sure to check your feeds and manually mark as 'read' any old episodes that you do not want to download".

Now you should be receiving your podcast updates once again, so plug in your headphones, sit back and relax. Naturally, if you encounter any problems in these steps then I claim no responsibility. Seriously, it works, so no worries.

Jolidrive brings your personal cloud to iOS

Publié: juillet 5, 2013, 5:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

With all of the cloud and social apps these days, our content becomes increasingly spread across vast reaches of the Internet. It is a modern-day problem that is less easy to solve than you may believe and accomplishing the feat has generated its own mini-industry within the tech world.

One service aiming to unify our vast web of data is Jolicloud, which uses its Jolidrive app to bring this sprawling mess together in a central location for customers to access. Now the service releases its iOS app, which is built for both iPhone and iPad and brings together much of your cloud-based life.

Jolidrive unifies services such as Box, SkyDrive, Dropbox, Flickr, Picasa, Facebook and many more into one single location where the customer can access all of their data. The announcement of this new platform is summed up by the company as a way "to give you the power to access all your content scattered across multiple services in one place. Exploring your content, music, photos, videos and documents has never been easier".

You can grab the smartphone or tablet edition of the new app by heading over to the iTunes App Store. The app is free.

Redbox Instant takes 'root' on Android

Publié: juillet 4, 2013, 12:48am CEST par Alan Buckingham

The war for your dollars escalates as more services vie for control of the wallet, enabling customers to watch movies and TV shows without need of running to the local store or kiosk to fill the video habit. Netflix and Amazon compete for the prized crown, but Redbox has launched Instant to get into the market as well. Blockbuster? Bueller? Bueller? Oh, that's right it tried too.

Redbox Instant by Verizon (yes, that is the whole official name) aims to up the ante in this war with its latest Android update. Finally bringing the streaming service to rooted Android devices.

Aside from the handing of rooted devices, which is the big news, this latest version -- 1.2 for those keeping score -- also carries along the usual array of bug fixes.

The app not only allows customers to reserve movies at the familiar red kiosk seen everywhere, but also play instant streaming video right on your smartphone or tablet. You will need to be running Android version 2.3 or newer, and if you have the app then the update should push automatically.

Now the rest is up to you. I can not tell you what to watch, but I would be happy to make recommendations if you should wish.

Samsung acquires Boxee

Publié: juillet 3, 2013, 9:36pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

In 2008, Boxee started out with just an app. In those early days it could be used on computers and Apple TV, but soon the company launched its own set-top box. That endeavor was lost in the noise of competitors like Roku and Google TV, but now the little media-oriented Boxee may have found a new road and its savior from oblivion.

News breaks that Samsung, the electronics maker behind the Galaxy lineup of Android devices and many popular smart TV's and other devices, snapped up Boxee. Since there is no official announcement made by either party, I reached out to Samsung for a statement.

Here's what a company spokesperson told us: "Samsung has acquired key talent and assets from Boxee. This will help us continue to improve the overall user experience across our connected devices". Further questions regarding future plans were not answered.

Details of the purchase also remain unknown, though it can at least be expected that Boxee's future may lie in Samsung smart TV's and Blu-ray players. However, those are details to be revealed and sorted out another day.

Photo Credit: Zurijeta/Shutterstock

Put on your bell bottoms and grab Polamatic for Android

Publié: juillet 3, 2013, 3:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

"You give us those nice bright colors. You give us the greens of summers". Sorry, wrong camera, but these trips down memory lane can get confusing as we grow older. No, the old Kodachrome may be dead, but Polaroid looms large in our nostalgic history and memories. It was a must have in its day, and remains today as an image (pun intended) of those bygone days of our youth -- okay, my youth, you may plead the fifth if you wish.

Now Appadana wants to confuse us old geezers by bringing back those days of yore with a Polaroid app for Android devices. Polamatic aims to recapture the good old days when muscle cars ruled the roads and disco took over the airwaves. Queue up your Donna Summer -- or Cheap Trick if your prefer -- and head over to Google Play for the opportunity of doing something you could have easily done years ago -- though for much more cost.

"The Polamatic app brings back the instant nostalgia of Polaroid pictures. Capture or import a photo then select from 36 Polaroid frames, 20 photo filters, add a caption, and finally share your Polaroid picture", says the app maker. Sharing is enabled for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, and email. It also allows for cropping and high-res output.

Meanwhile, the Polamatic Gallery saves all Polaroid images with your own personal Polamatic library. Images can be viewed, shared, and edited at any time. The full screen view allows you to see Polaroid images without exiting the app.

The app runs on Android 2.3.3 and newer, which should cover most of you -- it better encompass you all, actually. It will set you back a couple of bucks ($1,99 to be exact), but the memories it provides... turn on the lava lamp and enjoy.

Polamatic is available to download from Google Play.

Image Credit: Olga Selyutina / Shutterstock

A unicorn named Ouya knocks on my door

Publié: juillet 2, 2013, 11:02pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Hope is not yet lost. Though I pre-ordered, and paid, on day one, my Ouya console languished in Never-Never Land, perhaps cavorting with its brethren, the Lost Boys. This was a point of pain for more than just me, as other early backers of the little Android game box also failed to receive promised deliveries, despite the console becoming available in the local big-box store.

The anticipation, and mounting frustration, came to a close as my console came knocking on my door in the guise of a delivery man. It is here and sitting in my living room, still housed in its cozy little box, though that will be changing when I get a few spare minutes later today. At that point the review begins, and I will give it a few days before taking to this mini-series again to give impressions -- fairness is in order for any bit of technology and judgement should not be rushed, despite frustration caused by overdue deliveries and unkept promises.

I can, however, give you a sense of what is here -- the Ouya is tiny, as you may know -- hell, you probably all had one before me. Still, the box opens to a big, red "Thank you for believing" sign which hides the console and controller.

As for the tiny Ouya shell, it comes with Ethernet, HDMI and USB ports on the back. The controller is rather non-descript, with little to set it apart from other consoles' accessories.

The Android game box will be installed shortly, and will be prompting for firmware updates, but hopefully all will go smoothly. Tune in as there's more coming very soon. Oh, and, cross your fingers and wish me luck. You never know...

Bing introduces Usage Rights to image search

Publié: juillet 2, 2013, 3:37pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Looking for a cool image to add to your blog? Need that perfect picture for your new business presentation? It sounds simple enough, but in many cases you could be breaking the law, as many images on the internet are simply not free to use and rights must be checked. Bing now wants to help you with that.

The search engine introduces a new option to its web service -- Usage Rights. "We are excited to offer the 'Search by License' feature for Bing image search. At Bing, we love helping creative artists whether you’re a blogger, teacher, student or even a small business owner looking to market your latest creation", says Bing Images Program Manager Rizwan Ansary.

A menu can now be accessed, allowing users to search via All Images, Public Domain, Free to Share, Use Commercially and several other options.

To access the new feature, simply do an image search using Bing. Once the search is initiated the results trigger a menu bar across the top the screen. There, a "license" dropdown menu is listed, allowing you to narrow the search and find the images you can use for whatever project you have in the works.

"In the latest version of Office 2013, you can also search for images on Bing directly from any Office application. Not only that, the search results will show licensed images by default. This is also based on the same technology that is powering the 'Search by License' filter we are introducing today", the Bing team points out.

The option was available when I tested it, but it was not clear from the announcement if this was a gradual roll out, so if you do not see it yet, then check back soon.

Microsoft waves bye-bye to TechNet customers

Publié: juillet 2, 2013, 1:17am CEST par Alan Buckingham

On the heels of the death of Google Reader, Microsoft chooses to make cuts of its own, though which will weigh heavier on customers remains to be seen. Microsoft operates a pair of subscription services designed to help out developers and system administrators, but today announces one will be joining its version of the Google Graveyard.

Today, emails began rolling out to TechNet subscribers announcing the death of the service. The message informs users of impending doom arriving on August 31 of this year.

Thanks to tipster Pedro MacDowell Innecco "I was wondering about TechNet's future for a while. It is hard to sum it up here, but I believe that with all the changes that are happening in Microsoft, they would like to eventually have people to pay for software as a service. The TechNet isn't compatible with this model because once you get a key from there, there is no control on whether people are using the software in production (not allowed as per the TechNet license) or only for trial purposes".

The company has pushed out a Question and Answer site to help customers through what it terms a "transition" -- a polite way of saying "it's over. Deal with it". Where have we heard that before?

The company, however, promises MSDN subscriptions shall continue on as before and that "free evaluation software with no feature limits" will be "available for 30-180 days". In other words, this is being painted in the best possible light, though I doubt subscribers will see it that way.

"Microsoft is retiring the TechNet Subscriptions service to focus on growing its free offerings, including evaluation resources through the TechNet Evaluation Center, expert-led learning through the Microsoft Virtual Academy, and community-moderated technical support through the TechNet Forums to better meet the needs of the growing IT professional community", the post starts out.

There is much more information available on the Q&A site. None of it, I am afraid, is particularly good news. Are you a subscriber? Did you get your notice yet? Let us know in the comments.

Skype for Android hits 100 million users, celebrates with version 4.0

Publié: juillet 1, 2013, 10:57pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft purchased Skype back in October 2011 and took a bit of time to figure out where to go with it, but the company has its communications legs under it now and is off and running with deeper integration into Office and Windows. Now the company celebrates 100 million Android customers by rolling out version 4.0 of the mobile app.

"We’ve completely redesigned Skype for Android to be faster and easier – especially when you’re trying to fire off a quick message. Everything is at your fingertips", says Microsoft's Derek Snyder.

The app promises a new, cleaner interface. For instance, when you tap or swipe over to the Contacts or Favorites tabs, then tapping on a person will bring you right into a messaging window so that you can start a conversation. From there, video calls, voice calls and everything else are just a single click away.

Microsoft claims it rebuilt the app from the ground up, and asserts it is faster and more reliable. Moreover, the software giant tells us that this is only the start and more will be coming in the future.

If you already have Skype installed on your Android device then you should receive the update automatically. If not then head over to the Google Play store to grab the latest version.

Photo Credit: Violet Kaipa / Shutterstock

Google Reader reaches death's door: Here are five options you may not know

Publié: juillet 1, 2013, 5:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The date we dreaded has rolled around -- Google Reader is scheduled to be executed at day's end. Loyal followers must make hard decisions regarding where they wish to take their business. And, in the wake of the original Google announcement, that has become increasingly difficult.

There are big names in this game, with Feedly already an established player and both AOL and Digg entering the market afterwards. I am a Feedly user since the death warrant was served, but I am less than thrilled with the experience and feel forced to begin a search for a less obtrusive alternative.

FeedSpot

While only just released to public beta, I have tested FeedSpot in private for some time and it is, perhaps, my favorite landing space -- I say perhaps because my mind is not yet made up on where I shall eventually call home.

This application has a Google Reader-like look to it, but is much more innovative, especially when it comes to social aspects. It has a distinct Facebook feel to it, with the ability to follow other users and a notification area at the top of the screen that displays activity of those you are following.

The service is available in both free and paid versions, with the latter going for $1.99 per month with an annual plan or $2.99 alongside a month-to-month scheme.

CommaFeed

CommaFeed is another RSS app, which reminds me of Google Reader, that has many solid options. The program is open source and offers extra, and more modern, features than Google's service did -- perhaps because Reader innovation ended long ago.

The only real drawback I found here was that the app suffers from quick growth, thanks to becoming the darling of Reddit several weeks ago. With luck, donations have poured in as a result of this sudden popularity and bandwidth and server space will soon be worked out in an effort to improve performance.

Rolio

Rolio is an option I have only started testing. Unlike the previous two alternatives, this one is distinctly un-Reader-like. The more modern interface is not my cup of tea, but may appeal to some. The lack of a feed list and the 'extended' length of time which my import took was an instant turn off.

MultiPLX

MultiPLX is an alternative I covered here in the past, so there is little to say. In fact, to quote myself, "MultiPLX makes a decent alternative for disenfranchised Reader customers, but the web app still has a ways to go. Having an export option is certainly a plus -- hint to Feedly. The option to use a Reader-style view is also nice. However, the left column has a bit of jumbled look, thanks to feeds with longer names being wrapped around, making it more difficult to find something at a glance".

InoReader

Similar to the aforementioned options, InoReader forgoes the modern UI for a simpler Reader-like look. The interface is pleasing, with little to get in your way. There is also a mobile version that will sync feeds to your phone once you are up and running. The service is fast and efficient from my early testing, which resulted only in a bit of lag during searches.

Where Will You Go?

The end is here. Where will you be heading? Feedly and The Old Reader are popular destinations, but, as you can see, there are many choices, and we have only just skimmed the top of the iceberg -- barely putting a scratch on the hull of our Titanic that is Google Reader. Let us know in the comments below.

Microsoft brings Xbox Music to a web browser near you

Publié: juillet 1, 2013, 4:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

From the ashes of Zune arose a phoenix named Xbox Music, Microsoft's answer to iTunes and other major competitors. The market remained a bit niche upon launch but now, after an extended wait, Microsoft finally opens things up by bringing the music service to the web.

Without fanfare, today, the company quietly rolls out the web equivalent of its service. Xbox Music allows for a 30-day free trial in an effort to snag new users. It contains the basic interface with options for search, collection, now playing and playlist down on the left side and the main window that displays current music.

This marks the first move away from Microsoft product exclusivity for the music service, which was previously available only on Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows Phone and Xbox 360.

Initial first impressions are non-existent, as my continuous efforts have resulted in nothing but spinning wheels in both the left column and main window.

Still, it is early -- first day, in fact -- so there is some benefit of the doubt to be provided here. The service works well on other platforms and is a viable offering on the market. But can it topple giants already established on the web? Services like Spotify, Rdio, Pandora and Google Music have the headstart.

Survey: Which next-generation game console will lighten your wallet?

Publié: juin 29, 2013, 4:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

We have reached that time of the decade, where major players in the market of game consoles begin rolling out their latest wares, all in an effort to jump ahead in the market. Nintendo was first to launch with its Wii U box, though few customers seemed to take much notice, while the real battle remains between Microsoft and Sony, however a couple of new players emerge onto the scene in this latest battle.

The consoles vary, and this may be a question that largely comes down to personal tastes and loyalty -- each of the big names has its diehard fans. The battle for your consumer dollars begins now, with some already on the market, while others are up for pre-order. Here are the combatants in this battle royal.

Xbox One

Microsoft is the 800 pound gorilla in the market these days. The Xbox 360 has been the market leader for 28 consecutive months. Despite the 360 success, the Xbox One has been shrouded in controversy, even before its announcement.

There was the "always on" fiasco that cost the creative director of Microsoft Studios his job. This was followed by numerous missteps surrounding the connectivity and DRM, culminating with the boneheaded statement to buy a 360 if you do not have a reliable connection.

Despite all of this, the console packs the features and exclusive games that will drive business when the dust settles. There is also a dedicated core of fans who follow along regardless, but that is not exclusive territory to Microsoft and the Xbox franchise.

Specifications include a Blu-ray player, 8 GB of DDR3 memory, 500 GB hard drive, USB 3.0 and a Kinect thrown into the package. Exclusive games announced give users Forza Motorsport 5, Halo and many more.

Sony PS4

The PlayStation from Sony carries a similar crowd of devotees along. Version 4 of the console was announced prior to Microsoft's Xbox One show, which followed in May. At E3 gaming convention, The Redmond, Wash.-based company took center stage with the opening keynote, leaving Sony as a follow-up.

Sony also undercut Microsoft on price, coming in at $100 less than its rival, draining your account of only $399, as opposed to $499.

Despite its early hype and spike in pre-orders, the console has fallen behind in current Amazon rankings, with the Xbox One reaching number three while Sony fades to number seven (as of this writing).

Customers will get Final Fantasy XIV, Drive Club and other titles. Specs include 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, a Blu-ray player, USB 3.0, Bluetooth and more.

Wii U

Remember Nintendo? A little bit at least? Nintendo was once king of the market, but the Super NES days are gone and, despite the success of the Wii, its successor, the Wii U, has stumbled out of the gate, despite getting to market one year before its rivals.

The Wii U packs 8 GB of flash storage, AMD Radeon-based High Definition GPU and 2GB of system RAM.

Others

Two other consoles on, or coming, to market are Android-based. The Ouya was the darling of Kickstarter, but launch has been less than a great experience for many early backers.

GamePop is also on the way. This Android game system is being produced by Bluestacks and, for now, is offering its console free of charge, though customers will pay a monthly fee and if canceled, within the first 12 months, the console must be returned to the manufacturer.

Tell Us What You Think

All of the consoles come with media features, though Microsoft is making the biggest play for your living room with TV pass-thru and other extras in an attempt to become your new set-top box. All have their pluses and minuses, so the decision comes down to you and what is right for your family. I will not attempt to influence your decision making. BetaNews wishes to know which, if any, you will be purchasing. Tell us in the survey below and give us feedback in the comments.

Image Credit: Sanzhar Murzin / Shutterstock

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Microsoft SkyDrive Pro apps for Windows 8 and iOS

Publié: juin 28, 2013, 3:48pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Welcome to the cloud. Microsoft hopes it is not a dark and ominous one. The company is in competition with Amazon, Dropbox and others to get your business in today's growing storage market and is trying to get the upper hand by tightly integrating its SkyDrive service into the latest builds of Windows and Office.

Now the company announces further integration with new Pro apps for both Windows 8 and iOS. "We are pleased to announce that the SkyDrive Pro apps for Windows 8 and iOS are now available in the Windows Store and Apple Store respectively for SharePoint Online users in Office 365. After signing in to your Office 365 account, you can access, view, and upload your documents from anywhere", says senior product manager Mark Kashman.

Customers will be able to use the SkyDrive Pro apps to view documents in their SkyDrive Pro folder, select specific content to take offline when traveling or during times of low bandwidth, organize content by creating new folders, and upload new content and share with others.

While Google, Amazon and others offer excellent cloud storage options, the force of Windows and Office behind Microsoft's offering delivers an instant customer base and a huge boost to the business.

Photo Credit: IdeaStepConceptStock/Shutterstock

Microsoft debuts Windows Embedded 8.1

Publié: juin 28, 2013, 3:17am CEST par Alan Buckingham

This is BUILD week -- the annual Microsoft tech show, and it kicked off with Windows 8.1 beta rolling out to the public, in non-leaked form. Yesterday was not all, though, as today the company debuts the Embedded version of its updated operating system -- the iteration intended to run in contained environments like ATM's, cash registers and other business-related tools.

"Microsoft extended its Windows 8.1 technologies to intelligent system solutions with the Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Release Preview. Developers, OEMs and enterprises can begin testing industry devices and solutions today" the company announces.

The release is not consumer-based, but is among the cores of Microsoft's business strategy, and the main reason the company should not be left for dead. Embedded Windows brings the software giant many avenues of revenue that the average consumer fails to realize, even when using it.

"With Windows 8.1, we have focused strategy around ensuring our enterprise customers, partners, developers and entire ecosystem can fully harness the opportunities with Windows across a range of devices and service scenarios" says Keven Dallas, general manager of Windows Embedded at Microsoft.

The company promises enhancements that include UX updates, security, connectivity and others. In addition, Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry will extend flexibility and lockdown capabilities enabled by the Unified Write Filter, Keyboard Filter, USB Filter and Gesture Filter to try and ensure a better and more consistent device configuration.

The software promises to continue its release schedule alignment with Windows Server, which recently rolled out a preview of 2012 R2. Those interested can begin testing immediately to prepare for implementation upon launch.

Netflix brings HTML5 goodness to IE11 in Windows 8.1

Publié: juin 27, 2013, 7:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Want more numbers thrown at you? The Microsoft beta release of its next-generation operating system, Windows 8.1, debuted yesterday and stole the news cycle. The aftermath continues today, as Netflix joins the party, announcing its latest offering to keep pace with market rivals Amazon Prime and Redbox Instant.

The company has plans to roll out video as extensions to modern browsers. "These extensions are the future of premium video on the web, since they allow playback of premium video directly in the browser without the need to install plugins", says the company.

Netflix says it is excited to announce that the video service has been working closely with Microsoft to implement these extensions in Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 8.1. If you install the Windows 8.1 Preview from Microsoft then you can visit Netflix.com today in the browser and watch both movies and TV shows using HTML5.

All of this comes with DRM, naturally. Microsoft has implemented both PlayReady and WebCrypto, which allows the company to encrypt and decrypt communication between the JavaScript application and the Netflix servers.

"We expect premium video on the web to continue to shift away from using proprietary plugin technologies to using these new Premium Video Extensions. We are thrilled to work so closely with the Microsoft team on advancing the HTML5 platform" announces the video streaming company.

For Netflix subscribers, this is one more reason to make the switch to Windows 8.1, as Microsoft refines the OS and partners up with services that users want. Is Amazon Prime and Redbox Instant around the corner?

Photo Credit: Zaptik/Shutterstock

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Welcome to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood -- Amazon Prime expands PBS deal

Publié: juin 26, 2013, 5:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Unlike Fox News, I make no pretense of being "fair and balanced" when it comes to Amazon Prime -- I am a subscriber and lover of the service. I also have children, which is why the latest announcement grabs my attention. The online retailer expands its relationship with the Public Broadcast System.

"Amazon.com today announced an expanded multi-year licensing agreement with PBS Distribution that will allow Amazon Prime members to instantly stream, at no additional cost, past seasons of PBS programs" the company announces.

New shows lined up for your viewing pleasure include NOVA, Masterpiece, and documentaries from Ken Burns, along with PBS KIDS programs such as Caillou, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Arthur and Wild Kratts. These complement a previous announcement of exclusive online rights to Downton Abbey.

"This deal is exciting for Prime members and particularly for those with families -- this new deal combined with the recently announced Viacom deal brings some of the most popular kids programming to Prime Instant Video, making it the perfect place for the whole family to catch up on all their favorites," said Brad Beale, Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition for Amazon.

This brings the total Amazon Prime offering to more than 41,000 movies and TV episodes. In addition, the service trumpets free two-day shipping on all Amazon orders, plus a Kindle lending library.

So, do you think the service can trump Netflix, or has it already? This is certainly a two-horse race, but Redbox Instant looms on the horizon and competition is what makes it all good for consumers.

Image Credit: Odua Images / Shutterstock

Source code for Carberp security threat leaks into the wild

Publié: juin 25, 2013, 9:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Security is a big business on both sides of the line. Anti-virus companies scare customers with doom and gloom if you do not buy the wares, meanwhile, on the black-hat side of the fence, the sale of exploits is a lucrative trade. Now the source code for one of the biggest exploits, known as Carberp, has leaked and cut off reported sales that top $40,000.

Security researcher Peter Kruse from CSIS says that the firm has been "investigating this further and now confirms that we have the complete source code for Carberp and that the code compiles and works just as descripted in the associated text files included in the package".

A similar event occurred when the ZeuS source code leaked back in May, 2011. With Carberp, the leak came from within, as a member of the team announced on an underground forum that he is willing to sell the source code for the Trojan program and its additional components for $5,000 -- quite a bargain basement price.

Carberp has largely been used to attack online banks in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova and other former Soviet Union states. However, the attacks have just migrated to the United States and Australia.

Most are familiar with the old phrase "there is no honor among thieves". This latest story only goes one step further in confirming the old adage.

Photo Credit: grafvision/Shutterstock

Sony introduces SmartWatch 2, invites you to take it swimming

Publié: juin 25, 2013, 5:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The invasion, or perceived invasion, of the smart watch is one of this year's polarizing tech topics. While some feel it is a worthless item that is nothing but a passing fad, I am of the mind that the tiny wrist devices have a future, though a niche one. Sony is all-in for this market and today announces its SmartWatch 2 with new features.

The watch runs Android and acts as a second screen for your phone and promises customers a range of functions that will banish the need to remove your phone from your pocket.

Of more importance to athletes and outdoor types, the new version is water-resistant, though Sony mentions nothing of a depth rating, which is a bit odd. On this the company is dropping the ball -- divers, triathletes and the like want this information.

SmartWatch 2 also boasts the fact that it is the first such device to come with NFC. Other specs include a standard micro USB cable for charging, standalone watch functionality, a battery level indicator that shows low battery warning, a 1.6 inch, 220 by 176 pixel screen and swappable wristbands.

Sony promises "it’s easy and convenient to access notifications from your wrist such as messages, calls, email, Facebook, Twitter, Calendar, or use it as a remote for your Walkman or other digital media player. This wireless accessory is ideal for pairing with large-screen devices, such as the newly announced Xperia Z Ultra, in situations which call for discrete usage".

Sony has been in this market longer than most -- "Sony is the proud leader in the smartwatch market since introducing our first Bluetooth watch in 2007" says Stefan K Persson, Head of Companion Products at Sony Mobile Communications.

The company has yet to reveal price and availability dates at this point, so you will not be able scoop one up just yet.

Microsoft would like you to build and share Xbox One games

Publié: juin 25, 2013, 2:16am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft is looking for a handout it seems. They would like customers to build and share their own games for both Xbox One and Windows 8. With that, the company invites users to sign-up and test Project Spark, an invitation extended today and which you will need to sign up for and await an actual chance to use the service.

For now Microsoft offers a video demonstration of what to expect. The video shows off the "ease" with which games can be created and altered and promises you will be able to share them when the process is complete and you are satisfied with your finished product.

"Project Spark is an open-world digital canvas that enables anyone to build, play, and share whatever they can imagine", the company claims on the product's Facebook page.

The service will be free and does not require the user to have developer skills, as it will work with simple drag and drop. The project will also be available for Xbox 360.

Major Nelson, AKA Larry Hryb from Xbox Live, gave a brief announcement regarding the release, but provided little information -- "beta sign up for Project Spark is now open over at https://joinprojectspark.com/. Learn more about “Project Spark’ in the above video or this Q&A done during E3". I am registered. Can't hurt to try, right?

Ahh, about that second Ouya controller you ordered...

Publié: juin 23, 2013, 5:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

By now, those of you who care, likely know my Ouya plight. I pre-ordered the Android box last November. I have done the same with Xbox One, but unlike Microsoft, Ouya charged me in full on the day I made the move. I added a second controller so that I could take on my son head-to-head.

As one of the people who pre-ordered on opening day, I stood at the front of the line -- well, behind Kickstarter backers, but still a promising position. Ouya declared I would still be among the first to receive a box.

Finally, on June 11 I received an assuring email -- "Your OUYA has arrived at our distribution center and we expect it to land on your doorstep within the next two weeks (give or take a day or two depending on your location)". Cool, should only be a matter of days now, right?

It then took until June 18 for the following message to appear in my inbox -- "Soooo...we thought you’d like to know that your OUYA is en route to your doorstep and you can now track your little game box with big dreams using the tracking number below". Finally.

Except that the tracking number, when pasted into the DHL website, still does not present any result. Well, what else could possibly go wrong?

That question was answered when yet another email found its way to my Gmail account. This one informs me that "if you’re receiving this note, you’re very likely an OUYA’n who placed an order for at least one additional OUYA controller to go along with your OUYA console. For that, we say “thank you” -- and -- unfortunately, due to an overwhelming number of you ordering additional controllers, there’s a good chance that you will receive your OUYA console (which includes one controller) BEFORE receiving your additional controller(s)".

Could a launch possibly be more botched? Oh, that's right -- Apple Maps, Bill Gates new Windows demo blue screening...Okay, it is possible, but come on Ouya, get it together. You are days from launch and have not yet managed to fulfill pre-orders that were promised months ago.

Did Amazon leak the Xbox One release date?

Publié: juin 22, 2013, 9:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If nothing else, Microsoft's forthcoming gaming console has received more than its fair share of attention, and plenty of it on the wrong side of what the company would hope for. There was controversy before the official announcement even came, there was double-talk at the announcement, and of course some major backtracking later.

Although we know a lot about the console now, the one thing Microsoft has so far failed to announce is an official release date. Despite a vague promise of "later this year", most of us likely expected the holiday shopping season. It turns out, if Amazon is correct, the device will only just make it in time for that.

According to Amazon's Xbox One pre-order page, "this item will be released on November 27, 2013" -- the day before Thanksgiving in the United States, which is the traditional kickoff to the hectic shopping season. Microsoft itself continues to use a vague "release date: November 2013" on its store.

Of course, this does not make it Microsoft-official, and I received no official comment, though likely because of the weekend, but I would think that with the shopping power behind Amazon, there is a fair amount of respect that can be given to the claim.

I will certainly find out, as I am one of those who pre-ordered, though my purchase was carried out through the Microsoft online store. Note to Microsoft -- this better arrive before Christmas morning!

Still, it means I have 5 months to figure a way to explain the $500 lightening of our checking account to my wife. The price of the Xbox One is certainly not cheap, but the device does come with Kinect, putting it close to a purchase of the PS4, if you add in Sony's similar technology, known as Eye.

An Android fan sets off down the Windows Phone 8 path

Publié: juin 22, 2013, 12:00am CEST par Alan Buckingham

...Or perhaps I should call it the road less traveled? In my previous life I used Windows Mobile for my job and, I must admit, I came away with nothing good to say. But, since Microsoft re-launched the platform as Windows Phone, I have been intrigued. After all, I am a tech junkie -- shiny and new always catches my attention.

A couple of days ago I elected to take the plunge -- the Nokia Lumia 928 arrived via FedEx and the SIM card from my Samsung Galaxy Nexus was immediately popped out and inserted into a brand new Windows Phone.

No two mobile devices are the same -- I moved from an Android handset with a top power-button to a side one last year -- a minor change, but a change, nonetheless. Everything takes some adjustment, but most devices today are fairly intuitive, and only take a bit of getting used to. The Lumia 928 is no different. It is a new device with an unfamiliar operating system.

First Take

I do not yet feel comfortable giving you a full opinion on everything, as I need to continue exploring. There is much to be discovered, but I will post regular updates as that process plays out.

If you hold a gun to my head and demand to know what I think of the device fresh out of the box then I would tell you this: both the hardware and software are gorgeous. Setup was seamless. My colleague Mihaita Bamburic, who made this move already, explained that I must add a server address to my Gmail setup (to take advantage of Exchange ActiveSync), but it seems this has been implemented in the firmware already, as mine appeared automatically. He also gave me a settings tip that, again, was already enabled.

Nokia is nailing issues down rather quickly, though that may be relative compared to the time the company has been producing devices on this platform.

Up Next

This is a big move -- I have much invested in the Android operating system, including app purchases. I must begin seeking the same, or similar, replacements. I must learn where particular settings can be tweaked. As I travel through this new and different journey I will keep updates coming. But I am excited by my start.

BitTorrent celebrates 25 million mobile downloads

Publié: juin 21, 2013, 3:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If I were a realist I would assume you use BitTorrent to download Game of Thrones episodes and other illegal media, but I am a trusting soul, and so I expect you use the protocol as a way of getting your hands on legitimate content -- and there's honestly plenty of it available. Heck, every Friday the company makes legal media available to users, such as these free concerts.

Now the developer announces that 25 million users are getting their torrents through the mobile app versions of BitTorrent and µTorrent.

"Another day, another mobile milestone. We’re stoked that 25 million of you are now getting your torrents to go. Guess this smartphone revolution thing that people are talking about is for real" reads the announcement.

BitTorrent also has new updates which include improved stability, performance and speed. In addition, it promises a new, central location for all of its µTorrent mobile apps. The new site will be located at utorrent.com/mobile, but it is not yet live.

BitTorrent concludes by saying "to all our mobile users: thank you times 25 million. If you’ve got app ideas or feedback, get in touch: socialmedia@bittorrent.com".

Now, of course it is up to you how you use the service, but BitTorrent does not want to know the answer to that question -- it needs plausible denial. The rest is on you.

Samsung announces new Galaxy NX Android camera

Publié: juin 21, 2013, 4:00am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Android continues to slowly insinuate itself into the camera market, from whence it began -- it is a slow process, but the phones started that way as well, so look out. The latest announcement is a new Galaxy NX camera that pushes this to the next level from the past version of this experiment.

The Galaxy NX sports a 3G/4G LTE connection along with WiFi, as well as an array of interchangeable lenses. The 20.3MP APS-C Sensor produces images which Samsung claims are bright and detailed, even in low light conditions, while the DRIMe IV Image Signal Processer delivers the speed and accuracy which today's photographers are looking for. In addition, Samsung touts an Advanced Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) System which ensures accurate phase and contrast detection for your shots and a 1/6000 sec shutter speed and 8.6fps shooting that lets you capture the action as it’s happening.

The camera is running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean -- words I never thought I would use together! It also packs in a 1.6GHz Quad-Core Processor and Accelerometer, Geomagnetic, Proximity and Gyro sensors.

The Android operating system, founded by Andy Rubin back in 2003, was intended originally for digital cameras, so it seems things have come full circle as the OS looks to take yet another market. As for pricing and release date, for that we wait.

Camera360 maker goes audio for Android and iPhone

Publié: juin 20, 2013, 10:50pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

My favorite mobile camera app adds a new feature, but it has nothing to do with your actual image quality. This time around the company plans to head in a completely different direction, with a unique new addition to its popular Camera360 app.

The company claims that "Camera360 has been the focus of much success lately, including being named as the No.2 Best Startup at the 2013 Fortune Global Forum and achieving a user base of over 120 million people from across the globe". Now the app maker heads into the audio world.

With many of today's smartphones now containing audio capture technology, the Audio Camera tool will help add to all of the emotion, humor and drama that is captured using the Camera360 app.

The new feature enables users to record and collect the final five seconds of sound before a picture is taken and save it along with the image. To prevent additional audio files being saved alongside the actual photo, everything is compressed into one JPEG file, saving plenty of space and memory on your smartphone or tablet.

"With the launch of Audio Camera, Camera360 will help you truly restore the moment and emotion of precious occasions such as when your girlfriend says 'Yes, I do!' at that magic moment and also when your classmates say 'Cheese' when you graduate from university", say Camera360 president Hao Xu.

The app is free from both Google Play and the Apple App Store now. What will you use it for? And how much NSFW audio will be captured in the moments before a photo?

Battle of the music apps continues -- Rdio expands markets

Publié: juin 14, 2013, 6:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

What is your favorite flavor? Pandora? Spotify? iTunes? Perhaps Google Music All Access? Rdio is also a competitor in this ongoing battle and does not want to be outdone. With that in mind, the music service is expanding its horizons -- quite literally -- by pushing out into new markets around the world.

Most of the popular music apps serve slightly different purposes, though the new Google Music All Access seeks to bring an end to that particular dilemma. Rdio, which is in direct competition with Spotify, today announces a move into new worldwide markets.

The company tells us "we’re thrilled to welcome Malaysia, Hong Kong, Colombia, Chile, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Poland to Rdio today! This step not only represents our deeper journey into South America and Europe, but also marks Rdio’s first step into Asia". This means the music service is now available in 31 countries on five different continents.

To go along with the new market launches, the announcement is accompanied by an offer -- sign up at rdio.com right now and the company will gift you up to six months of free music.

Rdio ranges from $4.99 to $17.99, depending on the level of service you wish to pay for. While offering less features than some rivals, the service is reaching more locations than many of its rivals.

Photo Credit: Poprotskiy Alexey / Shutterstock

Office finally arrives on iOS, but with limitations

Publié: juin 14, 2013, 4:37pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The much talked about iOS version of Microsoft Office finally arrives in the App Store today. While that sounds like great news for anyone hoping to at last be able to (officially) use Word, Excel or PowerPoint on the iPad, you may wish to curb your enthusiasm, as there are some serious limitations with this release.

It's only available in the US for starters (coming to other territories "soon"), and you need to be an Office 365 subscriber to use it. Also it's only optimized for the small screen.

While the iTunes store lists the new Microsoft app as being available for numerous devices -- iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (5th generation), iPad (3rd generation), iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, iPad (4th generation), iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (4th generation), iPad mini and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular -- it is only really designed for use on the iPhone or iPod touch.

In other words, while you can use it on your Apple tablet, as my colleague Mihaita Bamburic pointed out in our newsroom, it "works in a tiny window on the iPad" so is less than stellar quality even when blown up to 2x.

The app is available to all Office 365 customers -- this includes both Office 365 Home Premium and Office 365 ProPlus subscribers.

Microsoft's Julia White explains "after signing in to an Office 365 account, you can access, view and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents from anywhere. And, you can count on Office Mobile to keep all your content and formatting intact so the document still looks great when you're back on your PC or Mac".

No word has been given yet on an Android release. When asked about Google's mobile operating system, Microsoft responded "today our focus is on announcing Office Mobile for iPhone. We don’t have additional information to share". Baby steps.

You can download Office Mobile for Office 365 subscribers from the App Store now.

Microsoft sets up shop in your local Best Buy

Publié: juin 13, 2013, 9:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft continues its battle for your retail dollars. Not only has the company set up store fronts in malls around the country, as well as pop-up locations during this past holiday season, but now seeks other outlets. The software giant is invading your local big box store, announcing custom stores within Best Buy.

The company's Brandon LeBlanc lets us know, "today, we announce a strategic partnership to create the Windows Store only at Best Buy, a comprehensive store-within-a-store in 500 Best Buy locations across the United States and more than 100 Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada".

Plans include stores that will range in size from 1,500 square feet to 2,200 square feet and will be the latest destination for consumers to see, try, compare and purchase a range of products and accessories. This will include Windows tablets and PCs, Windows Phones, Microsoft Office, Xbox and more.

The launch comes in plenty of time for the new Windows 8.1 and Xbox One, and Microsoft has other full blown stores in the works as well.

Microsoft announces availability of Windows Embedded Compact 2013

Publié: juin 13, 2013, 7:03pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Today Microsoft announces the general availability of Windows Embedded Compact 2013, a version that is optimized for building small-footprint industry devices. Windows Embedded Compact 2013 includes new tools and capabilities -- including support for Visual Studio 2012 that is designed to further enhance Windows.

According to Microsoft, "the release is the latest generation of one of the smallest and most flexible products in the Windows Embedded portfolio, designed to power devices that need real-time performance and silicon flexibility, with support for x86 and ARM architectures".

The operating system is used to power devices such as programmable logic controllers and human-machine interface panels used to monitor processes in manufacturing, RFID scanners in retail environments, and portable ultrasound machines and diagnostic lab equipment in a healthcare setting.

"It’s now essential for businesses to tap into the vast potential of data if they want to compete", says Kevin Dallas, general manager for Windows Embedded at Microsoft. He goes on to explain "with Windows Embedded powering industry devices, that data is made readily available to drive real, actionable operational intelligence for industries. Windows Embedded Compact 2013 is a really powerful, flexible platform for extending that capability to some of the smallest industry devices".

Microsoft says this will offer improved memory management, network management, a snapshot boot, which allows devices to boot within seconds to a known state, cellular and Bluetooth technologies and support from thousands of developers (at least that's what company claims).

Microsoft is hoping this latest release brings industry a bit closer to Windows 8. With companies being slow to adopt any new OS, that remains to be seen.

PlayOn refresh adds PlayMark, RecordTo and PlayTo

Publié: juin 13, 2013, 3:34am CEST par Alan Buckingham

PlayOn, one of my favorite media apps for my Google TV, today unveils major new updates to its offering. The service is a life-saver for cord-cutters and has somehow managed to avoid lawsuits during its existence, even going so far as to partner with set-top box maker Roku, selling a box with PlayOn pre-installed.

The company first introduces a new service it calls PlayMark. This means, when you are browsing the web on your PC and you come across a cool video that you want to show to your family or friends later on TV, then you can click the PlayMark icon in your browser menu to mark the video. Then continue browsing the web and, later that evening, when you are in front of the TV looking for something to watch and remember that you wanted to show something to your family, you can bring up PlayOn, find the PlayMark folder, click on it and, in a few seconds, you will be watching that same web video you PlayMarked earlier.

PlayMark has another cool feature integrated into it called PlayTo. Instead of simply bookmarking it for later -- if you have a Roku, Xbox 360 or Google TV, or any other Digital Media Renderer, then you can just click "send to" and the video will start playing on your TV -- providing the Roku, Xbox, or GoogleTV is connected to that TV. You can also use PlayTo from your mobile phone or tablet.

There also is the addition of RecordTo, which is for PlayOn users who also have a PlayLater subscription (a DVR feature). This lets you select a video from your phone’s PlayOn app and record it via PlayLater. As long as your PlayOn app is paired with your PlayLater PC and PlayLater is running, it will just add the video to the recording queue on your PC.

PlayOn continues to progress as the best option for many customers looking to get out from under heavy cable and satellite bills. With continued improvements, the service trends on a steady upward pace.

ACLU joins the party, files challenge against the NSA and Verizon

Publié: juin 12, 2013, 6:20pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The National Security Administration may prefer to blend into the shadows, but that is a position no longer available to it thanks to the recent PRISM story. Yesterday Mozilla made headlines by launching a campaign against what has been termed a threat to citizens' privacy and security. Google also responded, assuring customers it had nothing to hide and asking for permission to publish information requests it receives.

Now the American Civil Liberties Union has taken the next step, filing against both the NSA and Verizon, the wireless carrier at the center of the scandal. The organization announces that it has filed a constitutional challenge to a surveillance program under which the National Security Agency grabs information about every phone call placed within, from, or to the United States.

In an official statement Jameel Jaffer, ACLU deputy legal director, says "this dragnet program is surely one of the largest surveillance efforts ever launched by a democratic government against its own citizens".

The ACLU is a Verizon customer, so this understandably hits close to home. The organization cites that Verizon was the recipient of a secret FISA Court order that required the company to "turn over on 'an ongoing daily basis' phone call details" such as who calls are placed to and from, and when those calls are made.

"The crux of the government's justification for the program is the chilling logic that it can collect everyone's data now and ask questions later", says Alex Abdo, a staff attorney for the ACLU's National Security Project.

In its last major attempt to overturn FISA, back in 2008, the court ruled against the ACLU by a narrow five-to-four vote, allowing for the continuation of the warrantless wiretapping program.

Undeterred, the organization has joined forces with Yale Law School's Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic to file this latest motion with the FISA Court, requesting that it publish its opinions on the meaning, scope, and constitutionality of Patriot Act Section 215. According to the ACLU, "if we don't say this is too far, when is too far"?

As a fellow Verizon customer I understand the concerns here and wish to have answers. I understand the need to keep the nation and its citizens safe, but at what cost? We realize that privacy is gone when we are in public -- there are cameras everywhere. But should data be collected on us in our own homes when we have triggered nothing to warrant such gathering? I think not.

Image Credit: Andresr / Shutterstock

Telerik rolls out new developer tools for touch devices and more

Publié: juin 12, 2013, 4:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Telerik, a company that specializes in development tools and solutions for building cross-platform and mobile applications, today announces the latest evolution of Telerik DevCraft, delivering what it claims is better and faster development of .NET apps for modern devices.

Citing recent research by analyst firm Canalys, Telerik says Microsoft's market share for mobile adoption is forecast to grow from 2.4 percent in 2012 to 12.7 percent in 2017, and its new toolset has been prepared to take advantage of that market growth. The toolset is for both XAML and HTML and is built to provide .NET and HTML5 developers with an array of tools to deliver modern, clean mobile applications, including Calendar, Image and Tile controls.

"As mobile overtakes traditional PC computing, developers are focusing their efforts on this highly competitive market. They don’t have the luxury of unlimited time or endless resources to get their apps up and running, so they’re turning to Telerik for help. We have always been the first stop for .NET developers because we provide up-to-date tools, ahead of the competition, all backed by the most comprehensive support available. With the Q2 2013 release, we’re continuing our tradition of cutting edge innovation by bringing together the core elements necessary for mobile success – touch, cloud-enablement and more, to streamline the development process and provide value-add to our customers", says Chris Sells, the Vice President of the DevTools division at Telerik.

The new tools are designed to take advantage of touch-enabled devices, new sync capabilities and cloud back-end services. Of course, the size of the potential market is based on analyst speculation and relies on customers truly adopting Windows 8 and the new capabilities -- in other words, the toolset is built on a hope and a prayer -- but it still offers some cool stuff for the developers out there.

Photo Credit: Kentoh / Shutterstock

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Bing adds 100,000 DVD’s worth of bird’s eye imagery

Publié: juin 12, 2013, 12:39am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Though personal data has been a big news item recently, mapping is still a business and getting a satellite view of locations is, after all, rather a cool thing. With that in mind, Bing continues to go head-to-head against Google in this market, and today announces a new round of updates.

"We are excited to announce a number of updates to Bing Maps, including the largest shipment of Bird’s Eye imagery yet, nearly 270 terabytes of data or the equivalent of 100,000 DVD’s, along with expanded venue maps and our new 'Report a problem' feature", Bing announces.

So far, Bing claims it has published a total of 1,452,958 square kilometers of data -- around a half petabyte. Perhaps the scary part of those numbers is that this is barely scratching the surface of the earth.

The search company also boasts of its more than 4,700 Venue Maps in over 59 countries, including many shopping malls -- for all of you lost husbands (like me). But beyond malls, this also includes airports, amusement parks and more.

Naturally Microsoft would love for you to use all of this on Windows Phone, but Bing is available on other mobile platforms as well. And don't worry, the NSA will in no way use this data -- it already has it.

Stop watching us! Mozilla takes on the NSA

Publié: juin 11, 2013, 5:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The repercussions of last week's PRISM story continue to ricochet around the web. The latest domino to fall is that belonging to Mozilla, maker of the popular Firefox browser and Thunderbird email client. The organization announces sweeping actions against this news with a campaign designed to raise awareness on perceived privacy intrusions.

Mozilla's Alex Fowler, leader of privacy and public policy, announces "last week, media reports emerged that the US government is requiring vast amounts of data from Internet and phone companies via top secret surveillance programs. The revelations, which confirm many of our worst fears, raise serious questions about individual privacy protections, checks on government power and court orders impacting some of the most popular Web services".

With that, Mozilla launches StopWatching.Us, a new site dedicated to a full accounting of the extent to which our online data, communications and interactions are being monitored.

Mozilla is not the sole party involved with StopWatching.US, but is the only notable player from the tech industry, which is perhaps telling. Other members include Greenpeace, Fight for the Future, Free Press, National Coalition Against Censorship and Freedom Works, to name a few.

"Mozilla believes in an internet where we do not have to fear that everything we do is being tracked, monitored and logged by either companies or governments. And we believe in a government whose actions are visible, transparent and accountable", says Fowler.

The site is a petition of sorts, looking for users to enter their email, name and zip code to demand that US Congress reveal the full extent of the NSA's spying programs. If nothing else it should at least serve as a way to get you noticed by the NSA -- if you have not been already.

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Brian A Jackson

Sony PS4 centers on games, takes less from your wallet

Publié: juin 11, 2013, 3:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Let the battle of the next-generation gaming consoles begin. Sony has unveiled the latest PlayStation in its ongoing battle against Microsoft for your gaming dollars. This is a race to be sorted out by consumers, and it begins this holiday season when both consoles will hit the market.

"We are proud to unveil today the most advanced gaming system ever created, PlayStation 4, which demonstrates everything PlayStation stands for -- a relentless focus on the gamer, an inspired community of developers equipped with the most powerful technology, and the long-standing legacy to building worlds without boundaries through one-of-a-kind gaming experiences," said Jack Tretton, President and CEO of SCEA

Sony begins by undercutting Microsoft on price, weighing in at $399 and shaving your cost by $100. The new console includes one controller and Sony touts many exclusive games, including #DRIVECLUB, Killzone Shadow Fall, KNACK and inFAMOUS Second Son.

The company also unveils new details for PS Plus, a platform it has built with the concept of bringing games and gamers together for the next generation of the system. PS Plus benefits include exclusive game discounts, cloud game saves, early access to beta programs and content, and access to the Instant Game Collection.

SCEA says that PlayStation's cloud gaming services will become available in 2014, beginning in the United States. The aim of cloud gaming services is to provide gamers on the PS4 and PS3 systems (followed later by gamers on the PS Vita system) with immediate access to a catalog of PS3 titles.

While PS4 centers more on the games, where Microsoft is attempting to stray into the entertainment business, that does not mean that Sony is devoid in this area, adding exclusive Sony Studios video, Redbox Instant and Flixster to its options.

Pricing is officially listed at $399 in the US, £349 in the UK and €399 - compared to $499 and £429. Like Microsoft, there was no hard release date, but only a reference to later this year, which presumably means it will arrive in time for the holiday shopping season. The real question is which console will consumers choose? Will it be PS4? Xbox One? Or (cough) Wii U?

Pandora launches improved big screen experience

Publié: juin 5, 2013, 4:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Pandora, which has long been my music app of choice, is part of many set-top boxes and smart TV's -- it is even built into my DVR. Today the music service introduces an all new big screen experience, launching its official TV service -- another step towards making the radio app available virtually everywhere.

TV.Pandora.com hits the market aiming at Xbox 360, smart TVs, set-top boxes and more. According to Tom Conrad from Pandora, "The next generation of Pandora for the living room is an entirely new experience designed from the ground up for your television and remote control. This new initiative is standards-based and embraces next generation TV, game console, and set top box architectures that support open web standard".

The company tells us that the new Pandora will run in a browser on an XBox 360 or Playstation 3 and that the system will spread to other environments as more vendors move to bring standards-compliant TV’s and set top boxes to market in the coming months.

Conrad claims that "to date more than 10 million listeners have enjoyed Pandora on their internet-connected television". Impressive numbers, but Pandora is locked in a battle with other competitors, most recently Google Music All Access, which brings Pandora-like capability, but adds much more, making the playing field unlevel once again.

PlexConnect brings Plex goodness to the Apple TV crowd

Publié: juin 5, 2013, 2:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Have media files and looking for a better way to stream them? Good news then. Plex, the amazing little server/client that helps users send media to all sorts of devices (and which originally forked from XBMC) just got better for Apple TV customers.

Plex's developer announces a new PlexConnect app built on its API. The same API which is used to port the service to the web, Roku, Samsung TV, Google TV and more.

This latest app adds full functionality where it never was before -- "there’s one little box in the living room which hasn’t been as fully compatible with Plex as we’ve liked, and that’s the Apple TV", says Plex.

PlexConnect is essentially a hack which allows a fully-functional Plex client on un-jailbroken Apple TV2 and Apple TV3 devices. The company explains the process as "you run a program on your computer which masquerades as the Trailer app. Next, change one setting on the ATV". Not exactly detailed instructions! Fortunately there is a Wiki to fill the void.

PlexConnect supports the new transcoder (with Sub-titles), iTunes DRM video files and AC3 5.1, with myPlex support on the way. To grab this new app, you will need to head over to Github.

Plex's Elan cautions that "these are early days still, you’ll need to know your way around a Terminal, but I expect a more polished installer isn’t far off. Check out their wiki for more information".

If Plex for Apple TV works half as well as it does for Google TV, then customers are certainly in for a treat. The Media Server and Media Client team together to make one of the smoothest services I have used.

Halo rings the heads of Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Surface

Publié: juin 5, 2013, 12:28am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Halo, the popular gaming series released back in 2001 by Bungie, is a big success for Microsoft. So much so that the company wishes to expand on the platform and port it over to other devices, both mobile and PC-based. The franchise has become a mainstay of Xbox, but the new version promises a refresh.

Halo: Spartan Assualt comes with new gameplay spanning 25 missions, an original story set between the events of "Halo 3" and "Halo 4", touch controls (in addition to keyboard and mouse), new achievements, integration with Halo 4 and more.

According to the company's Brandon LeBlanc, the game is available only on Windows 8 PC's and tablets, as well as Windows Phone 8 devices.

Meanwhile, Bryson Gordon of Surface chimes in, "what makes this great for Surface? It’s a touch based experience, but you could also click in your Touch or Type Cover to have the flexibility of keyboard and mouse action as well".

It all sounds good right? Here is the catch: Microsoft is using the popular Halo franchise as one of its new crutches for Windows 8. Between Windows 8.1 (Blue) and this, the company hopes to pull things back together. It remains to be seen if that will happen. However, if you care to bite, the game will be released in July with an expected price tag of $6.99.

Redbox Instant by Verizon lands on Google TV!

Publié: juin 4, 2013, 7:50pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Redbox Instant by Verizon debuted back in March of this year, after extensive private beta testing. The video service, even before that, announced it would be coming to Xbox, but now wishes to push the envelope just a bit further. That envelope today involves a foray into the set-top box market, utilizing Google TV.

Brad Bowers, Sr. Product Manager of TV Applications for Redbox Instant by Verizon, announces, in conjunction with Google, that "the app delivers the full Redbox Instant by Verizon experience right to your living room. This includes access to your subscription disc and streaming package, and ability to purchase and rent the latest new releases from the Redbox Instant store".

The new app finally brings the Redbox streaming experience to Google TV and, with full access, the world opens up right on your big screen TV with the ten-foot interface.

Redbox Instant is already available in Google Play and is compatible with my Vizio Co-Star box. This does, of course, mean I shall perhaps be out for the rest of the day, but let us consider it research for work!

Amazon Prime jumps into bed with Viacom

Publié: juin 4, 2013, 6:20pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon continues to beef up its Prime video offering, making friends with major studios and networks in a race for content. Today the online retailer woos even more customers, building on the recent update that will introduce original content to the platform, by adding a new group of popular TV shows to its library.

New partner Viacom will begin providing hundreds of TV shows and thousands of TV episodes from Viacom to Prime Instant Video, including a collection of TV shows that customers won’t find on any other digital video subscription service.

According to the announcement, "Prime members will now have unlimited instant streaming access to popular kids programming such as Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans, Team Umizoomi, Blue’s Clues and Victorious, along with top-rated shows from MTV and COMEDY CENTRAL like Awkward, Tosh.0 and Workaholics. Prime members will also have access to future episodes of Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly Odd Parents, Fresh Beat Band and more".

Shows will be available through Amazon Prime in the US and to LoveFilm customers in the UK and Germany. The update will also feature shows from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr for Kindle FreeTime customers.

Amazon's Bill Carr, the vice president of Digital Video and Music for Amazon, tells us "kids shows are one of the most watched TV genres on Prime Instant Video". The addition of such favorites as Dora the Explorer will certainly make the service more family-friendly.

Amazon Prime video now boasts more than 41,000 movies and TV episodes, making it a real thorn in the side of Netflix and the up-and-coming Redbox Instant. Fortunately, the market has room for multiple platforms and competition is good for customers. Paging Blockbuster....

Twitter knows where you were last summer

Publié: juin 1, 2013, 1:53am CEST par Alan Buckingham

It may not be as bad as it looks on the surface, but Twitter is tracking your location when you upload an image -- something you could likely gather. However, given the social network's recent security issues, it could actually be as bad as it sounds. Today the company releases maps of where your images come from.

As I said, this is not the end of the world. Twitter is not broadcasting your location, but the fact is that, using geotagging, the company is keeping track of it. And your followers can as well.

According to Twitter's Miguel Rios, "a continuing curiosity is about the geographical shapes that surface in geotagged Tweets. The images we’re sharing here use all of the geo-tagged Tweets since 2009 — billions of them. (Every dot is a Tweet, and the color is the Tweet count)."

This is a feature that must be enabled on the service, but users should beware that Twitter is tracking it and that this information is subject to subpoena and would have to be handed over. The social service has posted hotspot maps on its Flickr page, though these only reveal where pictures were taken in general and nothing specific to users.

This is not new and is problematic with any service, not just Twitter. We are not alone on the internet and everyone tracks what we do, mostly for advertising purposes, this is only more confirmation.

Hulu Plus update coming to a device near you

Publié: mai 31, 2013, 8:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Despite recent rumors that it may fall into the black hole known as Yahoo, Hulu continues attempting to move forward as a viable source of TV for cord-cutters and those who just want an alternative. Today the company rolls out a new update for many of its hardware partners.

Dave Herman, senior product manager for living room devices, announces "we’re excited to roll out a new and improved Hulu Plus experience on Samsung Smart TVs and select Blu-ray players, Roku set-top boxes, and coming soon to the Wii console from Nintendo".

Included in this latest update is improved artwork, with larger images for a better navigation experience. There is a "tray-style" format that allows the customer to scroll through recommendations, popular shows and movies, top 100 clips, movie trailers and a new "Shows You Watch" feature that lets viewers jump straight into the latest episodes of any of the shows they regularly tune into.

In addition, search has been improved with what the service deems "a simpler way to find content with results that appear directly beneath the search", there is the promise of simplified controls, the addition of Hulu Kids, and the ability to sign up for Hulu Plus directly from within the app.

Meanwhile, Roku's Tom Markworth promises "The new Hulu Plus channel is available now in the United States on Roku 3, Roku 2 XS (model 3100), Roku 2 XD (model 3050), Roku 2 HD (model 3000), Roku LT (models 2400 & 2450), Roku HD (model 2500) and the Roku Streaming Stick (models 3400 & 3420). Earlier Roku models will continue to access Hulu Plus shows and movies via the existing Hulu Plus channel".

Now, what about us Google TV customers? Oh well.

Surface RT not selling? Microsoft throws in a free cover

Publié: mai 31, 2013, 3:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft began to sell its first tablet, the Surface RT, back on October 26, 2012, and added the Surface Pro in February 2013. Since then, sales figures have been less than stellar (well, possibly). This brings Microsoft to an interesting point -- it is time for desperate measures. In other words, the company is holding a fire sale. Of sorts.

Starting May 31 Microsoft announces "We are excited to announce a special offer for those of you in Canada and the United States. For a limited time beginning May 31, receive a free Touch Cover, Touch Cover Limited Edition, or Type Cover with the purchase of a Surface RT".

The cover/keyboard offer is new to the United States and Canada, but was first seen in the UK a fortnight ago.

Are Surface sales really this bad? It's hard to say but in a tablet market dominated by iPad, Nexus and Kindle Fire, Microsoft needs a spark. Are free covers really enough? Probably not, but the software giant can always hope. The offer is good through the month of June, so if you always wanted a Surface RT then this is the time.

Meet the latest 'Nexus' device: an HTC One

Publié: mai 30, 2013, 8:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Remember the days when Google Nexus-experience phones were slim pickings? The days of one "Nexus" branded device are now gone, as Google continues to pull new handsets into the family -- granted, it is not really under the Nexus name, but they function as such. Now Chrome and Android chief Sundar Pichai announces that the pure Galaxy S4 unveiled at Google I/O will be joined by the HTC One.

Appearing on stage at the All Things D D11 conference, Pichai was asked by co-host Walt Mossberg about his current hardware and responded "I’m carrying an HTC One in my pocket. This is running the core UI on Nexus phones as well", in reference to hardware makers junking up current devices.

Mossberg then prodded Pichai "are you going to sell that"? The response to this key question is "it’s going to be available on Google Play on June 26 for $599".

"This is the strength of Android, it can be customized. But we want a sense of commonality when you switch phones", he went on to explain.

Google has clearly made up its mind to try and end the long-standing contention that its mobile operating system is fragmented. The search giant wishes to unify things and is reaching out to hardware makers in an effort to pull this off. Customers will soon have a choice between the LG Nexus 4, Galaxy S4 and HTC One. You can watch the full video below.

Evernote promises improved security

Publié: mai 30, 2013, 6:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It seems that security has become a daily news story now, with multiple high-profile attacks. Evernote has had previous security problems, but today the company wishes to alleviate a few of those issues. Having already been apart of one of the headlines, the note-taking service would rather not be included as part of the crowd in the future.

Today the company announces three new security features, beginning with two-factor verification. This requires a verification code whenever you are asked to provide your username and password. This will usually only happen when you log into Evernote Web or install it on a new device. It simply means that you will receive a new text message on your phone with a code that must be entered, in addition to your password -- something that many other services like Google, Microsoft and Facebook already do, and that Twitter does poorly. The feature is optional.

Second up is Authorized Applications. According to Evernote's Seth Hitchings, "we want you to open an Evernote app and then quickly accomplish your task. To make that possible, we rarely ask you to sign in. That helps you get your work done, but can be a problem if you lose your phone or computer. Now, you can revoke any version of Evernote from your Evernote Web Account Settings. Once revoked, an app will request a password the next time its launched".

Finally, there is Access History. This shows you a running list of every time your account was accessed over the past thirty days, and includes all versions and includes locations and IP addresses.

It seems that Evernote has all of this done right, but it will take some knocking on both from hackers and security researches to know for sure. Given that the last hack resulted in no compromised user accounts, thanks to passwords being salted and hashed, I have high confidence in the company. Let us see if it upholds my hopes.

Amazon Prime unveils winners in original shows popularity contest

Publié: mai 29, 2013, 6:37pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Back in April Amazon released 14 original TV shows, exclusive to Prime customers. The company, through its video production studio, promised to take the most popular of these and turn them into series. The viewers spoke, and now the retail giant today announces those results.

Five of the original 14 pilots have been accepted -- Alpha House, Betas, Annebots, Creative Galaxy and Tumbleaf all make the final cut. Meanwhile, one of the hot favorites, Zombieland, was not picked up. It became much less popular after customers actually watched it.

"We are thrilled at the enthusiastic customer response to our first original pilots,” says Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. "We built Amazon Studios so that customers could help decide which stories would make the very best movies and TV shows. It’s exciting to see the process in motion, doing exactly what we set out to do. The success of this first set of pilots has given us the push to try this approach with even more shows—this is just the beginning" he promises.

The new episodes will begin airing exclusively on Prime Instant Video later this year and in early 2014. An exact number of episodes for the three comedies and two childrens shows was not announced. Since launch in November 2010, Amazon Studios claims more than 15,000 movie scripts and 3,600 series pilot scripts have been submitted.

Microsoft scales Mount Everest

Publié: mai 29, 2013, 12:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google gets a lot of attention for its Street View adventures -- it's travelled from the Great Barrier Reef to the Grand Canyon -- but Microsoft is not taking this lying down. The software giant has teamed up with David Breashears and his non-profit, GlacierWorks, to scale the heights of the Himalayas.

The IE10 team, Microsoft Research, and the developers at Pixel Lab have come together to create a multi-touch experience that allows users to explore the work of David Breashears, who has spent considerable time exploring and photographing the world's tallest mountain chain.

Microsoft's Roger Caprioti announces "renowned explorer, filmmaker and photographer, David began chronicling the changes to the glaciers of Mount Everest and the greater Himalayan region in 2007 when he first matched an iconic image taken in 1921 by explorer George Mallory. David’s photo revealed the stark changes occurred to this glacier during the 86 years since Mallory took his photo".

Using Gigapixel images and video, a simple tap or pan lets you fly across panoramic views of Everest and zoom into images composed of billions of pixels to discover the region in great detail. "If you want to explore an area, a peak or basecamp on the mountain, you simply draw a circle around a piece of the photo and the site will automatically zoom to what you want to explore" explains Caprioti.

This is built with Internet Explorer 10 in mind, but the "browser you loved to hate" is not necessary in order to explore Mount Everest. You can check it out at GlacierWorks. Take that Google Street View!

Microsoft still stamping out used games fire

Publié: mai 25, 2013, 12:58am CEST par Alan Buckingham

This past Tuesday Microsoft did its long-awaited Xbox reveal, though the company did not unveil every bit of information that customers were waiting for. For instance, we still do not know pricing or release date. However, the biggest urban legend in circulation -- that of used games -- is under attack from the console maker.

On the day of the big reveal, Larry Hryb took to his blog to assure users "While there have been many potential scenarios discussed, today we have only confirmed that we designed Xbox One to enable our customers to trade in and resell games at retail".

These rumors came to head after Adam Orth of Microsoft Studios committed career suicide on Twitter while discussing the possibility of an always-connected console. The spectre of this addition to the next-generation gaming device raises the issue of users no longer being able to play used games, or even game while their internet connection is down.

Now Hryb goes further to reassure customers with an official statement from his company. "The ability to trade in and resell games is important to gamers and to Xbox. Xbox One is designed to support the trade in and resale of games. Reports about our policies for trade in and resale are inaccurate and incomplete. We will disclose more information in the near future", the statement reads.

It is not a ringing endorsement, but it is, at least, promising. We will learn more during the time before the retail release, but potential customers should be able to breath a collective sigh of relief for the moment.

STOP: Twitter two-factor verification can be hacked in less than 140 characters

Publié: mai 24, 2013, 8:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Fans of social media were reassured this week as Twitter finally rolled out two-step verification, ostensibly making the service more secure for its millions of customers. This is a feature that other major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook have already implemented and, on the surface, seemed a victory.

Not so fast. Security researchers at F-Secure are taking a closer look and deem the implementation "not great". The problem, according to Sean Sullivan, is that "an attacker could use SMS spoofing to disable 2FA if he knows the target's phone number".

"The STOP command removes the phone number from the account -- and that in turn disables Twitter's 2FA", says Sullivan, who did extensive testing on this.

The problem is this: Twitter uses SMS as a way to send and receive Tweets. The social network also makes use of SMS for its new authentication service. However, in a statement BetaNews received from Mr. Sullivan, it is pointed out that "Microsoft uses SMS for 2FA, but Twitter is trying to have its cake and eat it too: social security. Twitter added 2FA SMS, but *didn't* adjust how it uses SMS for Tweeting".

Sullivan went on to also point out that "Facebook confirms with a code when you add a phone and it shifted focus from posting status messages via SMS a few years ago". He wraps up his statement by explaining "Microsoft, Google, and Facebook all have account recovery processes. Twitter has just a password reset page. Nothing else. No security words. Nothing".

Twitter, in the course of its announcement, points out this feature is a means of paving the way for future security enhancements. Perhaps those will be better implemented than what has rolled out this week.

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Denis Belyaevskiy

Box takes more strides towards IT acceptance

Publié: mai 24, 2013, 2:38am CEST par Alan Buckingham

The cloud has become a battleground these days between heavyweight companies, and Box has remained in the fight. Today the company takes another step towards securing its location in the corporate future with three new features in the Box admin console designed to make the service easier to deploy.

An improved content manager, granular co-admin permission options, and the ability to prevent users from permanently deleting content are all heading the way of IT administrators.

According to Box's Annie Pearl, "we’re continuing this momentum today with three powerful new features that make managing a complex, enterprise-wide deployment dead simple".

Content manager is an optional tab contained in the admin console and available exclusively only to those in the beta program. This helps admins view the content each user has access to and also search for specific files and folders. The Quick Note feature is not yet available, but Box promises that if you contact the company, it can be enabled for testing.

Finally, Box also releases tools for fine-tuning permissions and the ability to prevent users from permanently deleting items they’ve moved to the trash.

Box is hoping that these three tools will help customers get past the complexity of managing content, users and roles in today's highly connected organizations. It also, of course, hopes this keeps the cloud service in the race with rivals like Dropbox, which announced Single Sign-on yesterday, and other competitors such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Evernote adds Reminders for the absent minded

Publié: mai 23, 2013, 8:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Evernote continues to evolve in its quest to keep up with (and even outpace) Microsoft's OneNote. The service is already available on all the major platforms, and today adds a new feature which a lot of users have been asking about for some time -- Reminders.

"For the millions and millions of people around the world that use Evernote everyday to achieve their goals, we’re excited to announce a new part of Evernote that will keep you on track every step of the way. Reminders are here", says Evernote's Andrew Sinkov.

This update contains what Sinkov terms the company's three most requested features: in-app and email alarms, quick note-based to-do lists, and the ability to pin notes to the top of your adjacent list. Users can also now add a Reminder to a note by simply tapping on the alarm clock icon located at the top of the document on Mac and Web, or at the bottom of it on iPhone and iPad. If you like, you can set a date and time for when this task must be completed. Now you will get an in-app alarm and, optionally, an email on the day that a Reminder is due.

The company also points out that "to keep your Reminders nicely organized, we’ve made them notebook-based. Whenever you add a Reminder to a note, it will appear in the Reminder section within that notebook".

So, if you are like me and tend to forget important things, like what to pick up at the store, a friend's birthday or...oh say...your anniversary (just for example, of course) then this new functionality will make Evernote a life-saver.

Don't see enough ads on your Smart TV? Opera wants to change that

Publié: mai 22, 2013, 5:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Connected living room devices are here to stay. Smart TV's, set-top boxes like Apple TV, Roku and Google TV all aim to make sure of this. Opera, known mostly as a web browser, has been branching out into this market as well, with its Mediaworks project. However, instead of apps, and despite the name, Mediaworks is an advertising network.

Now the company's subsidiary, AdMarvel, announces what it calls "a forward step in the evolution of online video advertising into the connected TV space". Opera explains that "AdMarvel for Connected TVs will provide publishers and advertisers with a dynamic, rich ad-serving platform combined with sophisticated ad exchange, ad serving and ad management functionality on connected TVs".

While more ads is never what a customer wants to hear, Opera promises that by helping publishers and developers find the right buyers at the right price for their inventory it will provide more relevant targeted ads for the end-user, which I suppose could be considered a plus, if you happen to be in the market for a particular item.

Mediaworks is already the largest mobile ad-serving network. Connected TV's is the next logical step, as the market has been growing quickly. "As connected TV households worldwide reach critical mass in the coming couple of years, the TV screen will become the next frontier in delivering relevant advertising to consumers," says Mahi de Silva, CEO of Opera Mediaworks.

With the growth of these devices, it was inevitable that there would be a market for capitalizing on the customers. For now, the Opera TV Store ships on Sony Bravia TVs, Blu-ray disc players and devices such as TCL, Humax and MediaTek. This will certainly expand as device growth continues.

The NFL is not only arriving on Xbox One, but also Surface

Publié: mai 21, 2013, 11:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It may not be entirely what we hoped for, but today the NFL makes strides towards greeting the twenty-first century. Earlier we saw the big Xbox reveal which, among other things, reveals a partnership with the National Football League. The sport is the last holdout of major U.S. leagues to embrace the internet, but better late than never, I suppose.

Today's show in Redmond, Wash. features a short video-taped appearance by commissioner Roger Goodell to talk of the new features that Xbox One customers can expect. However, it is only half of the story. Later in the day, the Surface team announces that the NFL will also be available to customers of the Microsoft tablet.

"The NFL is a great stage for Surface because Surface has the chance to help change the game -- including how medical staff take care of players, coaches strategize, players learn, and referees, um, referee. This is a partnership that we’re excited to embark on" the Surface team tells us.

"The NFL is a great stage for Surface because Surface has the chance to help change the game – including how medical staff take care of players, coaches strategize, players learn, and referees, um, referee. This is a partnership that we’re excited to embark on" the company points out.

Now, of course, it is up to the league to make this work, and it has failed in the past to show that it has much knowledge of the web. Perhaps a new page has been turned.

Microsoft debuts Xbox One

Publié: mai 21, 2013, 8:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The Xbox 360 has been around since 2005 and, despite retaining its popularity, the console grows long in the tooth. That changes today, as Microsoft announces a new generation of its stealth living room takeover device. Speculation around what was coming has been growing for sometime and reached a crescendo when the company finally unveiled the event date.

Don Mattrick, President of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, kicked off the event unveiling the Xbox One, a name that dispelled many myths about Infinity, 720 and 8.

The console packs in 8 gigabytes of RAM, USB 3.0 and a Blu-ray player. All solid hardware inclusions to be sure, but hardly the most impressive part of the event. That was the TV pass-through and incredibly fast voice control, which was shown off in great detail during the course of the show.

TV pass-through works similar to Google TV: customers can plug their cable or satellite box into the Xbox One and out to the TV, eliminating the need for switching inputs. Changing is controlled by simply speaking a command -- "Xbox go to guide", for instance, shows the guide info for your service. Movies, games, music, and live TV can all be controlled with simple spoken commands.

ESPN will now include player tracking, enabling users to easily call up their fantasy team roster and check real time stats to keep track of how players are are faring for your team.

The new Xbox One will also feature trending statistics for games, TV and movies; allow for gesture control; and feature four new sports games from EA -- UFC, Madden, NBA and FIFA. Microsoft Studios also plans to release 15 games within the first year, eight of which will be new franchises, and will kick off with Forza Motorsport 5 available at launch.

Microsoft also unveiled an exclusive TV series, bringing it into direct competition with services such as Netflix and Amazon. The Halo TV show will be directed by Steven Spielberg.

Perhaps the biggest announcement comes in conjunction with Roger Goodell, as Microsoft announces the NFL on Xbox -- an exclusive partnership that will include a range of content.

The new console will arrive "later this year" and pricing was not revealed, but the show did wrap up with a debut of the next Call of Duty, called COD: Ghosts, which will be another exclusive game for the next-generation Microsoft box.

Pandora introduces Premieres with early access to new releases

Publié: mai 21, 2013, 5:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Today, one of the best music streaming services (excuse the opinion) gets just a bit better. Pandora has been around since 2000, offering customers free and paid solutions for creating custom stations and discovering new music. Now the streaming service wishes to offer more to its customers.

Pandora founder Tim Westergram announces the debut of Pandora Premieres, a new station that brings unreleased music to customers a week in advance.

"Pandora Premieres is a new kind of station for us that lets listeners enjoy on-demand access to early album releases from a variety of artists before they go on-sale," Westergram tells us. The station debuts with upcoming releases from former CCR singer John Fogerty and also English folk musician Laura Marling.

Once you add the Pandora Premieres station you will be able to choose any track on the featured albums, and play them in any order and as many times as you wish. The company promises new albums each week and also additional exclusive content like video interviews.

Pandora Premieres works with both free and One accounts. One is $3.99 per month, but allows for unlimited streaming and blocks all ads during streaming. The company plans to feature both established and emerging artists.

Soccer, ah football, comes to Windows 8

Publié: mai 20, 2013, 4:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

It may not be 'America's pastime', but Microsoft still proudly announces that it is making a deal with Major League Soccer to bring the sport to its Windows 8 customers. The sport known as soccer in the US, but football to most of the rest of the world, joins the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey Leagues on Microsoft's latest operating system.

The announcement came at yesterday's game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls held at Red Bull Arena. The MLS Match Day app is not new, only "improved". This new version features exclusive content and this season’s schedule, standings, highlights, play-by-play, roster lineups, game stats, goals, cards and substitutions.

There is also Live Tile integration that allows users to customize to their favorite team in order to see updates of news, current scores and more.

"MLS supporters are young and active, and technology plays a central role in their lives,” says Kathy Carter, president of Soccer United Marketing, MLS’ commercial arm. "This new partnership with Windows 8 will allow MLS fans to interact with best-in-class software, new devices and apps that will super-serve their fandom" she goes on to point out.

In addition to giving soccer fans, who happen to be Windows 8 customers, a new experience, Microsoft has another motive in this partnership. Fans will be able to try out Windows 8 on the Microsoft Surface tablet in-stadium at more than 40 games during the course of the season.

With the NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS all on board it seems time for the NFL to get into the internet era. The league still remains a holdout on game-streaming, despite other leagues embracing the concept. Instead, users must rely on third-party services, such as ESPN to get scores.

Photo: KatAlekStudio/Shutterstock

Xbox finally gets its own news blog

Publié: mai 17, 2013, 7:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Only a mere twelve years after the first console launched, Microsoft finally decides that its Xbox platform may just be a success and that, just perhaps, customers may wish to know what is going on with it. This has not been so much an issue, thanks to Major Nelson and third-party gaming sites, but it is still a nice, and much needed, touch.

The new site, simply named Xbox Wire, is being run by Lisa Gurry, Senior Director of Public Relations for Xbox. Gurry kicks off the new site with a welcome message to all fans of the popular gaming platform. "In preparation, we’re launching Xbox Wire -- a news blog to help you keep up with the latest Xbox news. You will be able to follow our journey as we bring you the best in games and entertainment and along the way we’ll introduce you to the people, places and technology that bring it all to life" Gurry writes.

The new site also rolls Major Nelson blog posts into its content so that users have a one-stop shop for gaming news, though Larry Hryb is listed simply as "Xbox Wire staff".

The announcement comes at an opportune time, given that Microsoft is set to unveil the next generation of Xbox on May 21. Gurry also includes a picture of the giant tent being constructed on the Redmond campus in advance of the big day. "We can’t wait to share our vision for Xbox and give you a real taste of the future. We’re working hard behind-the-scenes to make it a magical day" she tells us.

There is little known about the upcoming device -- even the name has remained a secret. Speculation, however, runs rampant across the internet. Perhaps Xbox Wire may provide a hint before the release.

Evernote and Twitter announce Google Glass apps

Publié: mai 17, 2013, 12:37am CEST par Alan Buckingham

With Google I/O in full swing, and Glass a hot topic of discussion these days, two companies have revealed plans to release apps for Google's new wearable computing system. Social network Twitter and note-taking giant Evernote are both on board with the intriguing futuristic gadget.

Evernote's Andrew Sinkov announces that the company is "excited to unveil a first look at the Evernote experience on Glass". Sinkove goes on to explain "our current implementation focuses on two actions. First, you’ll be able to quickly capture a photo or short video and send it to your Evernote account from the Google Glass sharing menu. Second, you can choose a note from Evernote Web and send it directly into the Glass Timeline so that you have it available right in your field of view when you need it".

Evernote says it believes that wearables are the next frontier in consumer technology, and it plans to adapt to this range of devices.

Meanwhile Twitter, not to be outdone, unveiled its own Glass app, which is predominantly used for photo sharing. "With Twitter for Google Glass, you can share photos to Twitter. The Tweet will automatically include the text, 'Just shared a photo #throughglass'" says Shiv Ramamurthi, an engineering manager for the company.

Beyond photos, the company also plans for the ability to keep up with your feed, including notifications of direct messages and tweets from those you follow.

Like it or not, and reactions are all across the board, it seems wearable computing, like Glass and smartwatches, is here for the long term. Are you ready for it?

Leaked Microsoft 'Scroogled' video may be the best yet

Publié: mai 17, 2013, 12:25am CEST par Alan Buckingham

We don't often cover leaks here at BetaNews -- we want confirmation on things. So, when I saw a Microsoft Scroogled video making the rounds I was initially skeptical, though it looked authentic enough. It turns out the video is real and a Microsoft spokesperson I contacted, while refusing to issue a statement, did acknowledge as much.

"It was an internal video that was leaked" I was told, but further comment was refused. I am not sure why because while I found the last two releases of Scroogled videos to be ridiculous -- simply jokes depicting Office beating up on Google Docs and giving consumers no reason why to choose Office 365 over the Google Solution.

While this one also does nothing to promote the Microsoft alternative, it does at least attempt to show why users may want to avoid Google. It also does so in a clever fashion -- utilizing the search giant's own "Now Everywhere" campaign against it.

The ad is entirely animated, showing the Chrome "bouncing ball" as it hits different devices and grabs money from users -- all set to Beethoven's symphony. The little emblem even sucks cash right out of a user's pocket.

The only question is why was this internal, while videos that attempt to make no point other than humor using B-list celebrities were pushed to the masses? Microsoft's attacks on Google may remain ineffectual, and perhaps contribute to the company's recent problems, but sometimes they do provide amusement.

Microsoft announces dates for European Surface Pro launches

Publié: mai 16, 2013, 8:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

We already knew that Surface Pro was coming to Europe, but what we didn't know was exactly when. The company today announces the dates for availability, and the rollout begins in France on May 17, continuing to the United Kingdom on May 23. It wraps up with a broad May 30 release in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, and one more big day in Germany on May 31.

There's more to come, but Brian Hall, General Manager of the Microsoft Surface team concedes that "some markets are still confirming timing so aren’t included here".

Yesterday my colleague Wayne Williams reported that Microsoft was offering a free cover to UK residents who purchase Surface RT before the end of June, but it turns out Microsoft will be offering the same deal to purchasers in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Making Surface available in Europe is a giant step for Microsoft's hopes of getting its first tablet to the masses and making the device, and the operating system, a success.

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Telefónica provides Microsoft with 130,000 new Office 365 users

Publié: mai 16, 2013, 8:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

While Microsoft continues to attack Google using its "Scroogled" campaign, the company also adds to its corporate user base at a steady, and perhaps increasing, rate. Ironically, less than a week after taking on Google Docs with not one, but two videos, Microsoft adds another major corporation to its Office 365 subscriber list, this time in the form of Telefónica, a major provider of integrated communication solutions.

Telefónica will add 130,000 employees to the Microsoft cloud solution, not only using Office 365, but also Yammer. "Over the past 18 months, we have built very strong foundations and are now ready to move to the cloud," said Adrian Steel, the European production hub lead and global director at Telefónica. Steel goes on to explain "Deploying Office 365 and Yammer is this next step in bringing our global workforce to the forefront of seamless communication and collaboration while still operating at the level of speed and execution we’re known for".

Following a successful proof of concept that was carried out last year, Telefónica has commenced initial deployments across Europe, The communications giant prepares to later continue in Latin America. It also claims plans to utilize Microsoft Cloud Vantage Services to assist in the migration to the cloud.

The company is spread across 24 countries and eight languages and has cited the translation service as one of the main attractions in this decision. Yammer, Lync and SkyDrive were also mentioned. And all of this comes smack in the middle of Google I/O -- perhaps intentionally.

Photo credit: Pressmaster/Shutterstock

New Mac spyware discovered at Oslo conference

Publié: mai 16, 2013, 4:47pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Today security firm F-Secure announces the discovery of a new Mac-based spyware program, the latest in what has become a small, but growing trend. Attacks have previously affected Apple itself, as well as users in the wild. The latest problem was discovered at a recent conference in Oslo, Norway.

The Oslo Freedom Forum, an event that is designed around the world's most influential dissidents, innovators, journalists, philanthropists, and policymakers, just wrapped up on May 15. During a workshop on freedom of speech, Jacob Applebaum, an independent computer security researcher, discovered a new and previously unknown backdoor on an African activist's Mac.

F-Secure is currently investigating this, but has found that it is signed with an Apple Developer ID. The security firm also has determined that the program dumps screenshots into a folder called MacApp and that there are two C&C servers related to this attack, neither of which could be reached -- one is unresolved, while the other is "forbidden".

F-Secure has dubbed this malware with the catchy name of "Backdoor: OSX/KitM.A. (SHA1: 4395a2da164e09721700815ea3f816cddb9d676e)", and is continuing its investigation.

Ironically, the Oslo Freedom Forum revolves around helping users to secure their devices against government monitoring. The finding is just one more reminder that Macs are no more secure than Windows, just simply less targeted.

Photo Credit: Brian A Jackson/ShutterStock

Google unveils updated Maps

Publié: mai 15, 2013, 9:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

This comes as little surprise, with rumors and leaks being rampant, but Google today unveils a new version of its popular Maps application at its I/O conference. A sign-up page had briefly been available earlier in the day, allowing users a glimpse at the new features. Then of course, there is a listing for "Google Maps: Into the Future" right on the conference site. Now we receive confirmation.

The new update brings a number of features that do, in fact, bring the service "into the future". The updates are for both mobile (tablet and smartphone) and browser -- some for each.

Google began by pointing out that Maps launched an API back in 2005 and now boasts one million users, while Maps itself now has one billion monthly customers. Google also discussed its success, and accuracy, on the iPhone (take that Apple) before getting down to what we all wanted to know -- what is new in this latest version of the famous mapping program.

Well, for starters there are new ratings for restaurants provided by Zagat integration, users will also get offers for the locations they find -- for instance you may find a $1 off at Starbucks coupon.

As for mapping itself, there is now dynamic rerouting to get you around traffic, new transit maps and options, as well as the ability to upload Photosphere images to Maps for any location. There's an Explore feature that lets users find interesting locations in their current area (museums, parks and the like), a brand new search that includes reviews from friends, Google Now-like cards and 3D images courtesy of Street View. Mapping can even highlight roads when a destination is clicked -- displaying labels on previously unnamed roads and showing routes to the destination.

Perhaps the coolest feature may be the integration of Google Sky which now shows real time imagery. When users zoom out to view the whole Earth, they can see clouds, the position of the sun and even where the Earth is in its rotation.

Features like Sky are available now, while others, like Explore, will be coming this summer. The latest version can be seen at maps.google.com/preview.

No new Nexus, but how about a Google branded Galaxy S4?

Publié: mai 15, 2013, 7:16pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

One thing that surrounds Google I/O is rumors -- almost as much as an Apple event. We have heard of an X phone from Motorola, we have seen a possible Nexus 5 from LG, and the latest is a Google branded version of the new Samsung Galaxy S4. So which one is the winner in this strange sweepstakes?

The latest rumor turns out to be the most accurate, as Google unveils its own flavor of the Samsung Galaxy S4. The Android maker is taking the new darling of the smartphone market and making it a Nexus phone, just not in name.

The S4 will run the latest version of Android and Google promises it will receive prompt updates whenever an updated version of the mobile operating system is released. The Google S4 will be sold directly through the Play store beginning June 26. The 16 GB model will be LTE, compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile and comes unlocked and with an unlocked bootloader.

Pricing manages to generate a few groans from the I/O audience, as $649 is considerably more than a Nexus 4, but customers can likely look at the lack of a contract as a way of off-setting the cost, and the Galaxy S4 is certainly a step up.

Roku 3 interface rolling out to older devices

Publié: mai 15, 2013, 10:32am CEST par Alan Buckingham

On April 8th, Roku rolled out its latest set-top box, known as the Roku 3. The little device made a splash with its new user interface and unique remote control that allows customers to plug in headphones for private listening, while still sitting back on the couch or moving around the home.

Now Roku's Tom Markworth announces that the popular new UI will start becoming available on older devices. "We’ve begun rolling out the new interface to supported Roku players as a free upgrade, and we know many of you have been waiting impatiently" Markworth states.

The latest version is 5.0, build 804X, and will be coming to Roku 2 XS (model 3100), Roku 2 XD (model 3050), Roku 2 HD (model 3000), Roku LT (models 2400 & 2450), Roku HD (model 2500) and the Roku Streaming Stick (models 3400 & 3420). The set-top box maker promises all customers will receive this within the next two weeks. However, users can force the update by heading to Settings > Software update > Check now. The new Search feature is available in the US only, so those in other markets shouldn't get their hopes up.

Earlier Roku models (not named above) will not receive the update, but the device is not expensive, so if you are using one that is incompatible, then it may be time to move on to a newer model.

Google ghaH* -- Bing now speaks Klingon

Publié: mai 14, 2013, 10:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google has added numerous languages to its Google Translate for Android app. A week ago it added 16 more choices, but sadly Klingon wasn't among them. In fact one of our readers, blindwanderer, even observed: "You won't ever see Klingon, Klingon as a language is more tightly controlled by its creators than De Beers controls diamonds". Which is particularly interesting given what language Bing can now speak.

The Microsoft service announces that it has partnered with Marc Okrand and Paramount Pictures to bring Klingon to the translation table. "Now in a few simple clicks you can translate text from English to Klingon (and vice versa!) Available via the web here and also as an update to Bing Translator for Windows Phone 8, regardless of whether you’re new to the Star Trek universe or fresh from a convention, we’ve got you covered," the search team promises.

This is done, of course, in honor of the new movie -- Star Trek: Into Darkness -- which hits theaters on May 16th. Bing wants to help fans celebrate the latest release from director J.J. Abrams which even features a cameo from Leonard Nimoy. The movie may well be the first of the major summer blockbusters for 2013.

Are you going to see the flick? Have you always secretly wanted to learn Klingon? This week you get the chance to accomplish both of these goals.

*Take that Google

Skype arrives on Blackberry Z10

Publié: mai 14, 2013, 6:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has been busy with its Skype toy recently, and today announces that it's bringing the popular communication service to yet another mobile platform -- BlackBerry's new Z10 handset.

Microsoft released a preview version of the app for the Q10 back in April, but now with Blackberry 10.1 rolling out to Z10, owners of this device can begin using that Preview version as well. Microsoft's Linda Summers announces the company is "working closely with BlackBerry to give users the best possible Skype experience on the Z10, just as we have for the Q10".

The app, while being a beta, is full-featured and integrates with the phone book and the BlackBerry Hub. Once your Z10 receives the new 10.1 update then you can download Skype from BlackBerry World.

Summers points out customers should "remember this release is still in preview version. We will continue working with BlackBerry over the next months to refine the performance of the Skype app. So keep an eye for any new Skype updates on BlackBerry World for your device".

The app is free, currently at version 3.1.439.21, and requires version 10.1 of the mobile OS. Customers can use it to place voice and video calls to users on any mobile platform or on Mac and Windows.

Xbox 360 adds Twitch streaming games

Publié: mai 14, 2013, 5:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft is on the verge of announcing the next Xbox, with an event scheduled for May 21. But that has not stopped the company from continuing to update the existing model. Granted, the new console will not be released that day and, even when it does hit the retail market, many customers will continue to use the older model, so it makes sense for support to continue.

The latest addition is a new Twitch app. In a brief statement, Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, AKA Major Nelson, alerts us that "today, we’re launching one of the most asked for apps on Xbox LIVE". Hryb goes on to explain what to expect -- "Gold subscribers in the U.S. will have access to 300 of the most popular streams from the service. Users can view top channels by popularity or individual game and the dashboard features curated channels, tournaments and shows happening now".

The app release also ties into that upcoming announcement, as Hryb explains. "In addition to launching the app today on Xbox 360, Twitch will also host an exclusive broadcast following the May 21st #XboxRevealed event next week. I’ll moderate the broadcast live at 3p ET/12m PT live via the new Twitch app on Xbox 360 and also online at [twitch.tv]".

Microsoft has been concentrating more on the TV side of the Xbox platform recently, adding numerous additional home entertainment options. The company aims for its console to become the ultimate living room hub -- replacing various set-top boxes while also offering the most popular video games on the market. The addition of Twitch is one more piece to the puzzle.

Microsoft releases two sad 'Scroogled' ads attacking Google Docs

Publié: mai 11, 2013, 5:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Despite the almost laughable nature of the Scroogled campaign, Microsoft continues to push it. The company slams Gmail, but that is not enough. Jake Zborowski, senior product manager for Microsoft Office, releases not one, but two blog posts that attack Google Docs. Both are accompanied by ads -- low resolution videos that view like someone pulled them from the cutting-room floor.

"Converting Office files into Google Apps is a gamble" Zborowski claims in one post. "Why take the gamble on converting your Office files to Google Docs when you can use Microsoft Office and the Microsoft Office Web Apps to create, share and edit your Office files with your content intact", he explains. A new casino-themed ad accompanies the post and features B-list celebrities Rob Schneider and Pete Rose.

Rose tells viewers that Google Docs is too big a gamble even for him, while Schneider portrays what resembles a comedic used-car salesman, only transferred to the casino floor. Perhaps this is the only work these two can find these days?

In a second post Zborowski asks us to "see what happens to team productivity when you choose a productivity suite that has deficiencies". This is followed by a second ad featuring a basketball game between Office and Google Docs. You can probably guess the outcome of this competition.

Neither video does a single thing to tell us what Office can do, but instead only focuses on the Google Docs attack. Microsoft serves little more than a political-style mud-slinging campaign. Perhaps if the company really is looking to convert users of the Google platform it may wish to focus on explaining what makes Office the better solution instead of concentrating its efforts on attacks and ad budget on has-been celebrities. Or do the A-list celebs all use Google Docs?

Worse, as my colleague Joe Wilcox pointed out this morning, Microsoft did not even produce the videos in HD, you get 360p with these little gems. What does that tell you?

Bing and Facebook up in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g

Publié: mai 10, 2013, 9:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Way back in 2007, Microsoft purchased a fraction of Facebook. The social network returned the favor in February by buying Atlas. The two tech goliaths are still smitten with one another, and today we learn that Microsoft search engine Bing gets closer to your friends.

Now the search engine is integrating Facebook comments directly into the sidebar that appears to the right side of search results. "Starting today, you will see comments on a relevant Facebook post within sidebar, as well as the ability add your own, all without having to leave Bing. You can also Like a post directly from Bing. Now you can see what your friends might know about what you’re searching for and engage with them directly without leaving the search page", Nektarios Ioannides, program manager for Bing, explains.

What does this mean? Say you are searching for an artist's ticket information. If your friend has posted this data in a Facebook post or comment, it will now be visible within those search results. "I comment directly to her post letting her know that I’d love to join her for the concert. I’ve gone from simply browsing to attending a concert in just a few easy steps – all thanks to Bing", Ioannides says.

To make this work for yourself, simply go to www.bing.com and in the top, right corner of the page connect your Facebook account to Bing. Microsoft promises to honor your account security settings, at least until the next security vulnerability is discovered.

Photo Credit: DL Pohl/Shutterstock

Adobe security failure of the DAY: 160K SSNs exposed

Publié: mai 10, 2013, 5:58pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Yesterday I wrote about Adobe's latest security nightmare, this time involving web development environment ColdFusion. I also stressed that while aware of the problem, the company didn't plan a fix until May 14, during its next monthly patch release. For the Washington state court, this is not soon enough.

A ColdFusion vulnerability exposed 160,000 Social Security numbers and the driver’s license numbers and names of a million people. Before hitting the panic button, realize that if you have had no legal issues then you are likely safe.

Social security numbers of those booked into a city or county jail in the state of Washington between September 2011 and December 2012 are compromised. Likewise are the drivers license numbers of anyone who received a DUI citation in Washington State between 1989 and 2011, had a traffic case in Washington State filed or resolved in a district or municipal court between 2011 and 2012 or had a superior court criminal case in Washington State filed against them or resolved between 2011 and 2012.

The court discovered the breaches in late February, but waited to issue a statement, warning those who may have compromised information:

Once the breach was discovered, AOC took immediate action to further secure the environment and begin investigation and analysis into the depth and severity of the breach. In addition, AOC collaborated with the Washington State Consolidated Technology Services (CTS) and the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) for internet security, who provided valuable information in determining the scope of this security breach. MS-ISAC is a focal point for cyber threat prevention, protection, response and recovery for the nation's state, local, territorial and tribal governments. The MS-ISAC 24x7 cyber security operations center provides real-time network monitoring, early cyber threat warnings and advisories, vulnerability identification, and mitigation and incident response.

The court stresses that no financial data was obtained and that it has "implemented significant security enhancements to ensure that our systems and data are secure and to prevent the potential for future compromise".

As for Adobe? The company will get around to fixing this latest problem next week, along with the PDF flaw that is being utilized in the wild to compromise your Reader app -- the one you should not be using.

Photo Credit: OleGunnarUA/Shutterstock

Vikings invade Britain, again

Publié: mai 10, 2013, 4:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Vikings is proving to be a hot TV show this season, since March 3rd premiere on the History channel. It has finished its nine episode season one run, but remains in demand. Now Amazon, through its LOVEFiLM service brings the famed barbarians back to jolly old England, where the Vikings landed near the end of the eighth century.

The drama portrays the world of these Dark Age raiders, traders and explorers -- not from an outsider's view, but, through the eyes of Viking society.

This time around residents have nothing to fear and folks in Germany will also be able meet Ragnar and his crew. "From May 24th, 2013, members of LOVEFiLM Instant in the UK will be able to feast on all nine episodes of the Norse action-drama at once in full high-definition" Amazon announces.

Chris Bird, Director of Film Strategy at LOVEFiLM, also points out that this release is a milestone. "As the first time a TV series has arrived on LOVEFiLM Instant before airing on traditional broadcasting platforms, this is an incredibly exciting landmark in our history", Bird says.

Residents of the United Kingdom and Germany can access LOVEFiLM Instant on PC, Mac or via Nintendo Wii and Wii U, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire, Apple iPad and a growing number of Internet-connected TV sets and Blu-ray players. Prices for content vary, but begin at £4.99.

Better late than never -- Microsoft to fix Pwn2Own flaw

Publié: mai 10, 2013, 1:21am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Patch Tuesday approaches quickly. That time of the month when Microsoft deems it appropriate to fix the myriad security flaws that rear their ugly heads during the preceding time frame. As is custom, the company gives advance notice of what to expect, but no details regarding actual flaws -- a nod to not allowing (more) hackers to take advantage of the issues discovered.

May 14th is the next scheduled update of your Windows computer, and it will carry along 10 bulletins with it. A couple of these patch much publicized holes in Internet Explorer, one of which the company just released a "Fix it" tool designed to temporarily mend.

Another mends the highly publicized Pwn2Own flaw discovered and exploited at the CanSecWest conference back in March. For the record, Chrome and Firefox also went down in the competition.

The remaining critical patches will fix a denial of service hole within Windows, fix a spoofing issue in that as well as the .NET framework, patch a remote code execution bug in Lync, two remote code execution flaws and one information disclosure problem in Office, an information disclosure vulnerability in Windows Essentials, and an elevation of privilege defect in Windows. Take a deep breath now.

Microsoft also plans to host a webcast to address customer questions on the security bulletins on May 15, 2013, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time. While all of these updates are important -- critical one might say -- the fact it took this long to fix the pwn2own flaw is a bit troubling -- Chrome and Firefox did so within days of the competition.

Photo Credit: Kheng Guan Toh/Shutterstock

Rdio teams with Shazam to bring full songs to more locations

Publié: mai 9, 2013, 9:37pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Are you a music fan? If so, then you have no shortage of solutions for both computer and mobile device. Everywhere from Pandora to Spotify offers an alternative for your PC or mobile device. Plus there are even apps that can identify a track you hear on the radio in a matter of seconds. Shazam is one of the ones that fall in the latter category.

Shazam, like SoundHound, identifies songs, while Rdio plays them for you. The two entities are joining forces in more locations now. "Now anyone with the Shazam app for iOS or Android can listen to entire songs after tagging them by clicking the 'Listen Free on Rdio' link", the music discovery service tells us.

The functionality has been available in the United States, but now launches in Canada, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

A word of caution -- you need to be an Rdio subscriber to make all of this work. However, the music service does offer a 14-day free trial, so you can try it out and decide if you wish to pony up that monthly fee, which ranges from $4.99 to $17.99 depending on the level of service you choose.

ColdFusion becomes latest Adobe attack vector, again

Publié: mai 9, 2013, 7:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I feel as if I can write an "Adobe security flaw of the week" column. The company seems to be a target for every hacker on earth, with Flash and Reader leading the way. Last week Reader was under attack. Now this week brings a new security flaw, and also a new (or old) target in the form of ColdFusion, the Adobe web application development tool.

The developer has issued a security advisory letting customers know that some are vulnerable to this latest flaw. ColdFusion users who have restricted public access to the CFIDE/administrator, CFIDE/adminapi and CFIDE/gettingstarted directories are safe. However, those who have not taken these steps are vulnerable.

Much the same as with the Reader flaw, Adobe plans a fix, but appears to be in no rush to issue it. In a statement, Adobe explains "a Security Advisory (APSA13-03) has been posted in regards to a critical issue in ColdFusion 10, 9.0.2, 9.0.1 and 9.0 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX.

Adobe is aware of reports that exploit code for the vulnerability is publicly available. Information regarding this vulnerability, including mitigation recommendations, is provided in the Security Advisory. We are in the process of finalizing a fix for the issue and expect a hotfix will be available on May 14, 2013".

ColdFusion is less a target than other Adobe software, but this is far from the first time it has come under attack. There is a reason that a site exists solely for the purpose of checking your ColdFusion server security.

Photo Credit: grafvision/Shutterstock

PlayOn makes cord-cutting even easier with Google TV

Publié: mai 9, 2013, 5:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Since purchasing the Vizio Co-Star several months ago, I have become a fan of Google TV. I even considered using online services to "cut the cord". With my Amazon Prime subscription and network TV sites I will miss little. What stops me? The NFL and those networks. The league stubbornly refuses to move into the future, where other professional sports already reside, while many network websites block the Google device.

Today, PlayOn makes the barrier in front me even smaller. This is a huge move for MediaMall software. The company announces it brings full service to Google TV free of charge. It does so because of the slight that Google's living room solution has been shown by networks. "We’ve decided to make PlayOn completely free on Google TV. Why? Well, Hulu and the Networks have been discriminating against Google TV owners by not creating apps that enable folks to watch their content on Google TV", the company tells us.

PlayOn brings Hulu Plus (you still need a subscription), ABC, CBS, Fox, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, and 50-plus more channels to the set-top box.

"Just go to www.playon.tv/googletv and you can download PlayOn to your PC from there. No need to buy a license key -- the non-licensed software will just magically work on Google TVs. Then, from your Google TV, go into the Google Play Store and get the PlayOn app", the company explains.

You will first need to install the PlayOn server software to a computer on your network -- preferably one that is always on. Then visit the Google Play store to grab the brand new app.

I am now set. Sorry DirecTV, but we are breaking up. Perhaps we can get back together when Sunday Ticket time rolls around again. Or maybe the NFL will finally greet the 21st century.

Photo Credit: holbox/Shutterstock

Microsoft kinda fixes IE 8 security hole

Publié: mai 9, 2013, 4:04pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Last week, Microsoft's Internet Explorer made news, but not in the way the company should like. The "browser you loved to hate" becomes the target of a zero-day security flaw, which already is being actively exploited. Version 8 of the browser, which runs on all iterations of Windows going back to XP, is the target. Windows 8 customers are safe, as the latest operating system ships with IE 10.

The flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to exploit this vulnerability and execute arbitrary code on a targeted system with the privileges of a targeted user. If the user holds elevated privileges, the attacker could completely compromise the computer targeted.

Microsoft initially issued an advisory, but now takes the much needed extra step of releasing a "Fix it". This is more a temporary stop-gap than a real resolution for the flaw, but for the moment this is the only solution. Microsoft stresses that "CVE-2013-1347 MSHTML Shim Workaround" is "not intended to be a replacement for any security update". This Fix It can also be disabled if for some reason you have an issue with it.

The best solution is move to Internet Explorer 10, which now is available on Windows 7. For now, if you must use IE 8, install the hotfix and wait for Microsoft to release a more complete solution.

Photo Credit: dedMazay/Shutterstock

Tough luck Windows 8, the international space station is going Linux

Publié: mai 8, 2013, 5:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Some critics (and, oh, there are many) claim Windows 8 is out of this world -- or not meant for it. That Microsoft reached for the stars but fell to earth. How right they may be. The operating system won't achieve escape velocity anytime soon, and an older version is about to burn up on reentry.

The International Space Station, better known as the ISS, runs on Windows, but that is changing. Launched in 1998, the orbiting home, which circles the earth at an altitude of just over 400 kilometers (it varies), is home to a team of astronauts who depend on, not only supplies from home, but also a computer system that keeps everything running smoothly. That computer system is moving to Linux.

This consists of a network of laptops, which provide the ISS crew with all of the vital capabilities needed for day-to-day operations; telling the astronauts where they are, managing inventory of the equipment used and even interfacing with the cameras that capture the photos and videos we all ogle at on the internet.

Linux Foundation says that Keith Chuvala of United Space Alliance, who is tasked with maintaining all of this computer technology, is responsible for the change.

"We migrated key functions from Windows to Linux because we needed an operating system that was stable and reliable – one that would give us in-house control. So if we needed to patch, adjust or adapt, we could", Chuvala says. That has to sting Microsoft just a bit.

Chuvala and his team are utilizing the training offered by the Linux Foundation to get up to speed developing applications in Linux and responded by developing two courses geared specifically towards the USA/NASA team’s needs. The organization claims "both training sessions were adapted to provide tailored instruction for the diverse group".

The next challenge set -- Robonaut (R2) is headed for the ISS. Running on Linux, the robot can be manipulated by onboard astronauts with ground controllers commanding it into position and performing operations.

Oh, and remember those Voyager space crafts? The computer NASA maintains to control them has a master clock that runs at 4 MHz but the CPU’s clock runs at only 250 KHz. At least the ISS does not have that to contend with.

Photo Credit: NASA

Updated YouTube joins Hulu Plus, Foursquare on Windows Phone

Publié: mai 8, 2013, 12:33am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft fights an uphill battle against iOS and Android, but it is a war the company is determined to persevere in, especially given the latest TV ad, which is viral. Now within back-to-back days the mobile platform adds both Foursquare, Hulu and updated YouTube.

Today, an updated YouTube app joins the party, with Microsoft announcing a new version that allows pinning videos, playlists, channels, and search queries to Start as Live Tiles, gives new playlist design, plays videos in the background when the screen is locked (perfect for music videos) and makes easy video sharing to social sites. It even leverages the YouTube safety mode to keep the little ones from viewing unfit content. However, as my colleague Mihaita Bamburic points out, "You can't upload videos, sadly. That's a pretty basic feature, albeit one that's missing".

Before you get the impression that Microsoft and Google have mended fences and made nice with each other, let me explain. The new YouTube app is not produced by the Google team, but by Microsoft. Version 3.0 was released today, is free and is compatible with both Windows Phone 7.5 and 8.

Windows Phone fans also got another gift today, with Foursquare announcing an app for the handset. "We’ve been working closely with Nokia and Microsoft, and today, we’re finally taking the covers off a brand new version of Foursquare for Windows Phone 8, specially optimized for Nokia’s shiny new Lumia phones", the company tells us. This brings 33 million users with it, along with the ability to view maps, get insider tips and browse trending places.

Yesterday Hulu announced the premium video service, known as Plus, was launching on the Microsoft platform, telling us that its "team has been focused on creating a beautiful and comprehensive Hulu Plus experience that is optimized for Windows Phone 8". Clicking on the app will launch a panorama of clips, episodes and shows that are organized neatly, making for quick and easy access. Hulu Plus is free, but requires a subscription for content.

Look out Instagram, Camera360 reaches 100M users

Publié: mai 7, 2013, 5:57pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Instagram boasts 100 million users and it gets media attention, but the photo sharing service is far from being the only camera app available for mobile customers. In fact, while I use the service, I cannot say it is my favorite. That title belongs to Camera360, a photo app that brings all sorts of functionality to your smartphone.

Camera360 recently upgraded to version 4.0, bringing along new shooting modes, scenes, cloud integration and more. The upgrade is a hit and today the company announces that, like Instagram, it now has 100 million customers.

In a statement, Pinguo tells us "Camera360, one of the world's most popular camera apps for smart phones, announced today that it has become the first mobile photography app to pass 100 million global users". The company goes on to explain "after reaching this major milestone, Camera360 will now aim to turn itself from a pure tool app into a multi-service provider to meet growing consumer demands".

The company has also opened Effect SDK to third-party developers and encouraged innovation. In fact, Pinguo claims "Camera360 is now even in talks with a number of smartphone manufacturers to integrate the Camera360 SDK into the stock camera, in order to make their handsets stand out from the crowd".

That last part is perhaps the best news. I discovered Camera360 several years ago and adopted it for the great HDR images it's capable of snapping. Since then, many more shooting modes and filters have been added, and I am pleased to see this success because it means the app will stick around and continue to improve. Camera360 is available for Android and iOS and is free, though I had to pay back in the old days.

Microsoft branches out, expands Windows Phone developer network

Publié: mai 3, 2013, 9:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Windows Phone remains well behind its biggest competition, iPhone and Android. But Microsoft is continuously looking for ways of changing the mobile landscape. A recent ad for the platform went viral and the company's app store continues to grow, along with new devices being released.

In fact, Microsoft's Todd Brix claims the company is "seeing strong results for the ecosystem since the launch of Windows Phone 8 with more than a 100% increase in app downloads and nearly 140% increase in paid app revenue".

Now Microsoft attempts to woo developers with new enticements. First it points out that the Nokia’s Lumia 720, along with the 520 and 521 phones, are shipping around the world, giving potential Windows Phone customers additional choices for form factor, capabilities and pricing.

The company also recruits developers in six new markets -- Afghanistan, Iraq, Montenegro, Serbia, Timor-Leste and Ukraine. Those looking to develop for those markets will be able to submit both free and paid apps to the Windows Phone Store and reach customers across all of the 191 markets. The company even announces a simpler and more streamlined app submission process.

Brix even touts that "We have added 15 new mobile operator billing partners since August 2012, bringing the total number of supported partners to 25 in 19 markets, surpassing Google Play".

While Windows Phone handsets continue to be top-rated devices on Amazon, Microsoft still struggles to find its place in the market. Perhaps these continued efforts can pay off in the long run. The competition is certainly a good thing for consumers.

Adobe plans to fix Reader flaw, just not now

Publié: mai 3, 2013, 7:23pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When you produce two wildly popular platforms like Flash and Reader then you can expect to be targeted by those who wish to exploit them for gain. Such is the case for Adobe, the developer behind both applications. The company is a constant target for security exploits and malware, with the vast majority of "update Flash" pop-ups on the web being fakes that lead unsuspecting customers to a bad end.

The most recent is a flaw in Reader, discovered by McAfee researcher Haifei Li. To be fair to Adobe, this one is much less of a problem than some previously discovered. Li writes that "we successfully identified that the [PDF] samples are exploiting an unpatched security issue in every version of Adobe Reader including the latest 'sandboxed' Reader XI (11.0.2)".

In concept, when a specific PDF JavaScript API is called with the first parameter set as a UNC-located resource, Adobe Reader can access that UNC resource. However, this action is normally blocked and creates a warning dialogue which is asks for permission. No problem. However, as Li explains, "the danger is that if the second parameter is provided with a special value, it changes the API’s behavior. In this situation, if the UNC resource exists, we see the warning dialog. However, if the UNC resource does not exist, the warning dialog will not appear even though the TCP traffic has already gone".

McAfee, while saying that it does not consider this to be a major issue, does consider it a security vulnerability. The company has detected some PDF samples in the wild that are exploiting this issue. "Our investigation shows that the samples were made and delivered by an 'email tracking service' provider", Li writes.

And what about the Adobe response? The company briefly acknowledges this latest flaw, telling us "Adobe is aware of reports of a low severity information leakage issue described in a recent advisory. A user’s IP address and timestamp could be exposed when opening a specially crafted PDF. This issue will be resolved in the next scheduled releases (May 14) of Adobe Reader and Acrobat".

The problem is, indeed, not a major threat, but the word is now out there, which can potentially compound the problem. Common sense should tell customers to not click on email attachments from unknown sources, or even from friends, if the file in unexpected. A better solution is to use a different PDF app -- both Foxit and Nitro are free, and much less targeted.

Photo Credit: Cartoonresource/Shutterstock

Apple closes in on 50 billion app downloads, offers $10,000 to the person who hits it

Publié: mai 3, 2013, 3:41pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Android may rule the roost when it comes to the mobile market these days, but Apple is certainly not faring poorly with its iPhone offering. Whenever its App Store hits a new milestone the company always makes a big production of it, for both celebration, as well as publicity.

In January of 2011 the Store hit 10 billion app downloads, a milestone that took nearly three years to achieve. However, adoption increased and, in little more than a year (March of 2012), 25 billion apps downloaded was the new cause for celebration. Now, again in just over a year, that number has been doubled.

Apple is currently awaiting the download counter to turn over the 50 billion mark, and to commemorate this event, the company is offering a prize of $10,000 U.S. (in gift card form) to the lucky person who grabs that app. Regardless of what that app is, it will certainly become someone's new favorite. This time around the giveaway does not stop there either -- the next 50 app installations to follow will also be rewarded. Each will receive a $500 gift card.

The counter was approaching 49,252,000,000 as of this writing, and the rate is increasing. The big event seems destined to take place within the next 24 hours. So, if you were thinking of grabbing some new apps, this would be a wise time to do so.

Photo Credits: Yuri Arcurs/Shutterstock

Gmail gets better Google Calendar integration

Publié: mai 3, 2013, 6:11am CEST par Alan Buckingham

If Google does not already rule your internet world, then it is still aiming to do so. Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs -- the company aims to offer you everything. Now it looks at integrating more of these features to make things a bit easier for customers, adding better Calendar options right into the email app.

"If you do a lot of scheduling over email, it's now a little bit easier to create events directly from your Gmail. Now available: dates and times within emails are lightly underlined: click them to schedule that conference call or lunch date without ever leaving Gmail" says Google product manager Boris Khvostichenko.

Dates in email will now feature an underline -- click on it to preview your schedule for the day as well as change the title, date or time of the event. Users can then click a new "Add to Calendar" feature to integrate the appointment or meeting right into their schedule. The company points out that customers can add the event to his or her calendar, and for added convenience, the calendar event will include a link back to the original message in Gmail.

This new feature will roll out over the next week to customers of the English language. Google will then begin adding other languages as well, and promises that those will follow this release closely.

Photo Credit: xc/Shutterstock

Hotmail is dead, Outlook.com has 400 million users

Publié: mai 2, 2013, 8:15pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has been actively migrating customers from Hotmail to its Outlook.com service over the past six weeks. That migration ends today, as Microsoft announces completion of, not only the big move, but also that the company now has instant success from the latest web-based email offering.

"When Outlook.com came out of preview, it was already the fastest growing email service thanks to your support. The last two months have seen the release of a new, modern Outlook.com calendar, a refreshed Outlook.com app for Android devices, two-factor authentication for your account, new international domains for people around the world, and the release of a preview of Skype calling in Outlook.com" boasts Microsoft's Dick Craddock.

The company does not stop there, though. It also boasts that Outlook online now hosts more than 400 million users, though this is due, in part, to wayward Hotmail customers who had no choice in this matter. Give Microsoft credit though, as the company managed to pull off a migration of 150 petabytes of data in just a six week period.

With the migration complete, Craddock promises that attention turns to new features. Plans include the removal of the "on behalf of" that appeared when a customer sent a message using a switched account such as Gmail. Microsoft also plans deep SkyDrive integration, allowing users to directly inset files and images from the cloud storage service.

Microsoft launched Outlook.com using a brand name that has been long known to both consumers and business customers and, at the same time, killed off another major service. So far, the company seems to be pulling this off, but tomorrow is a new day.

Photo Credit: Fer Gregory/Shutterstock

Grab your glass and toast Untappd on Windows Phone

Publié: mai 2, 2013, 6:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

"Hi, my name is Alan and I am..." okay, no, I'm not an alcoholic but I do love a good beer. I am especially a fan of dark brews -- stouts and porters. I have had the Untappd app on my Android phone for a while, and now those on Microsoft's mobile platform can partake in the fun.

Untappd launches today on Windows Phone, making drinking a social activity -- though perhaps it has always been that, except for George Thorogood. Untappd allows you to record all of the different brews you sample, discover new ones and even check-in as if it were Foursquare. The latter makes it easy to meet up with friends who are out imbibing.

The app gives users the ability to find nearby craft beers and micro-breweries, check out what brews are trending and see what their friends are drinking. Once you make your selection, you can rate it, post a photo of it and share it with friends or the world. Untappd will also share to Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. It even has badges you can unlock based on location and the styles you try.

Untappd is a free app and arrives in the Windows Phone Store today, though for some strange reason the app is dated May 5. It is version 1.0 for the mobile platform, and if you enjoy a good beer, especially a craft brew, then you will want to check this one out.

Skype video messaging for Windows 8 out now

Publié: mai 2, 2013, 4:59pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

On April 30th, while announcing Skype video messaging for the desktop, Microsoft let it be known that the feature would be coming to the Windows 8 app soon, as well. The company did not lie -- soon arrives today. The communication app already had video calling, but Skype Video Messaging lets you record and send a video message, as opposed to making a live call. This enables getting your message across, even when the recipient is away from his or her PC or phone -- think SMS with video capability.

The new version of the Skype "Metro" app is officially 1.7 and available now from the Windows Store, although the feature is still considered a "preview".

Microsoft purchased Skype two years ago this month and has been slowly working the functionality into its software, such as Windows and Outlook.com. The company has also made Skype a feature of the Office 365 Home Premium subscription, by adding premium minutes into the package, along with expanded SkyDrive storage.

Microsoft's Yamin Khan tells us that "as we continue to test Video Messaging in its early release, we’d love to hear your feedback so we can continue to make improvements. Please let us know what you think of this feature by posting in the Skype Support Network". The company has proven to be much more responsive in recent times, so if you have a comment or suggestion then I recommend following Khan's advice.

EFF report: Twitter has your back, but Verizon says 'screw you'

Publié: mai 1, 2013, 9:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers, publishes its report on safety in the digital age. There are some winners and also some major losers this time around in the "Who has your back?" statement -- hint put down your cell phone, step away slowly and nobody gets hurt.

The annual report looks at major technology service providers' commitment to users' rights in the face of government data demands. EFF examines 18 companies' terms of service, privacy policies, advocacy, and courtroom track records and awards up to six gold stars for best practices in categories such as requiring a warrant for content, telling users about government data demands and publishing a transparency report.

Major U.S. cell carriers fare poorly -- the understatement of the day. In fact, Verizon scores a grand total of zero stars. Yes, none. Big Red does not require a warrant, does not disclose requests to users, publishes no transparency report or law enforcement guidelines and does not fight for privacy rights. In other words, you (and me, as I am a customer) may as well turn ourselves in right now. For the record, MySpace also receives a zero ranking, but perhaps because there are no users left to protect.

AT&T is not much better, actually managing to garner a single star -- for fighting for user rights in Congress. Neither Sprint not T-Mobile are ranked in the report.

But enough bad news. How about the companies that actually care about you? Dropbox, Google, LinkedIn and SpiderOak all manage five stars while Twitter is one of two to receive six.

Wondering about others? Microsoft fares reasonably well with four, Facebook receives three, Amazon manages two. But, beware your cable provider if it happens to be Comcast. The company is not exactly at the top of the heap with two stars -- for publishing law enforcement guidelines and fighting for user rights in court.

Apple, which has already been in the news lately with virus problems, does not have your best interests at heart either. The company ranks a one for its almost universal failure to keep the customer in mind.

"There's a lot to celebrate in this report, but also plenty of room for improvement" EFF staff attorney Nate Cardozo says. The latter seems more to the point.

This report should serve as a wake-up call to Internet users that they require more protection from companies that they trust with their digital communications. These companies are not fighting for us, though they do manage to find the time and money to lobby for their own benefit.

Chart: EFF
Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Amazon makes Kindle app more accessible

Publié: mai 1, 2013, 6:19pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Amazon is not one to miss out on any revenue market and today proves this by making its free Kindle apps more appealing to customers who are either blind or visually impaired. The upgrades are not available on all platforms yet, but are certainly a move in the right direction.

New features will allow customers to access the read aloud feature for the more than 1.8 million titles available in the Kindle Store and seamlessly navigate within their library or within a book, including consistent title, menu and button names.

Customers can also read character-by-character, word-by-word, line-by-line, or continuously. The update brings the ability to search for a book within their library or search within a book, add and delete notes, bookmarks. It even highlights lookup words in the dictionary or from Wikipedia.

"We’re excited to introduce these new features to our Kindle for iOS app, making it easier than ever for our blind and visually impaired customers to access the vast selection of over 1.8 million books in the Kindle Store on their iPhone or iPad", Dorothy Nicholls, Vice President for Amazon Kindle, says.

All of this sounds great, but for now it will only sound wonderful to Apple fans -- the enhancements are for the iOS Kindle app only. However, the online retailer promises that these will come to other mobile devices soon. For now, Apple customers can visit the iTunes Store to grab the latest version of the free Kindle app and take advantage of the new updates.

HP jumps into the greeting and gift card business

Publié: mai 1, 2013, 3:44pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The analysts are telling us that PC sales are down. They would have us believe that soon we will all be exclusively using tablets and smartphones -- that is wrong of course, but the computer market slump cannot be argued. With that fact in mind, manufacturers like Dell, Asus and Lenovo must look for new revenue streams.

It seems HP is actively pursuing this, and today announces a move into the greeting and gift card market. TwoSmiles is a new site that lets customers create a personalized gift at home for their family and friends for any holiday or celebration. The site allows users to choose from artist-created greeting card designs, pick a retailer and gift card amount, and personalize the greeting.

"TwoSmiles by HP offers hundreds of premium-quality designs to choose from for any occasion or special event, including birthdays, Mother’s Day and graduations. Printing a TwoSmiles card is easy with HP Easy Print: users simply select the printer and paper size then hit print directly from their browser" the company claims.

Obviously prices vary based on the value of the gift card selected, but it begins at $25. Given that gift cards are a top choice these days -- none of us seems to know what to buy anyone -- this could actually be a viable source of income for the PC manufacturer, as gouging us for ink cartridges is apparently not enough.

Roku updates Android and iOS apps

Publié: avril 30, 2013, 12:56am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Today's set-top boxes do not all come from the cable or satellite provider and they frequently contain much more functionality than those that do come from the big providers. One is Roku, a company that has been innovating and upgrading at a rather quick pace recently, having only just released the Roku 3 with added functionality.

Now the company rolls out version 2.2 of its mobile apps for both the Android and iOS platforms. Roku promises that this latest update addresses feedback received from users.

Indeed, there are a number of additions in this latest release. Deep scanning is added to look for Roku players on your network using multiple methods. If the first scan does not succeed, just tap "Try again" and give the app another shot. Users can also enter the Roku player’s IP address to connect manually and automatically pair with a Roku when that device is the only player associated with a particular Roku user account.

According to Roku's Tom Markworth "version 2.2 adds the ability to play photos and music simultaneously in Play On Roku without pre-selecting music in slideshow settings. Simply start photos, then music. Or vice versa".

Roku is an excellent alternative to mainstream TV providers and this functionality only adds to the tiny device's ability to take over your living room. However, until the company integrates a browser, I will stick with Google TV. This is nothing personal -- I just need that functionality.

Enable Google Drive's new 'Offline' feature

Publié: avril 27, 2013, 6:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

While it did not grab a lot of attention, this week Google rolled out version 1.9 of its Drive app for both Windows and Mac users. The cloud storage service adds a number of new features that should improve the experience for its customers -- and that is anyone who has a Google account, because Drive and 5 GB of free storage come along with that account.

The latest version contains added-features in the right-click context menu available from within your file system explorer, including sharing and also the ability to view the file on drive.google.com.

Google Drive also claims faster access speeds. According to the Release Notes, the company claims that "downloads now take about 50 percent less time. For accounts with many small files, the speed improvement is even more pronounced". There is also the addition of smarter delete dialogs (originally introduced in version 1.8) and improvements to sync status overlay icons for Mac users.

The most intriguing new feature is the promise of offline access to your files. However, while Google is big on telling us of this new capability, it's short on details about how to actually access files in this way.

Fortunately the capability is not difficult to set up, but does require that you have the Chrome web browser installed. If you do, then fire it up and head over to drive.google.com and log into your account.

In the left column you will spot a dropdown menu labeled "More". Click this and then select "Offline". If you do not yet have the Chrome plugin for Google Drive installed then you will be prompted to do so. If you have it then you can proceed to step two, which is simply clicking the "Enable Offline" button.

You will now be able to access your most recent Google documents on drive.google.com, even when you are offline. Simply open any Google document from your local Google Drive folder and Chrome will display the file for you to edit. Any changes you make will be synced the next time you connect to the Internet.

If you have the need, then you can also return to "More", "Offline" and disable the feature as well. The offline mode works with all compatible Google Docs and Office file types, as well as images.

Government demands to remove content reaches new highs, Google claims

Publié: avril 25, 2013, 11:18pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

For the past three years Google has released transparency reports, which loosely translate to tattling on the government and other entities that attempt to extract information from the search giant. None are likely happy with this reporting, but it is all public record and fair game.

"Today, for the seventh time, we’re releasing new numbers showing requests from governments to remove content from our services", states Google's legal director Susan Infantino.

In fact, despite the public outing, the onslaught has not abated. Indeed, it gains momentum. The latest report claims "from July to December 2012, we received 2,285 government requests to remove 24,179 pieces of content—an increase from the 1,811 requests to remove 18,070 pieces of content that we received during the first half of 2012".

This is not just the United States seeking data on you. Other governments are involved as well. Google says it has seen a sharp increase in requests from Brazil -- 697 requests to remove content from its platforms, to be exact. But it was not just the South American nation that ramped up its submissions to the search giant. Another is Russia; "In the first half of 2012, we received six requests, the most we had ever received in any given six-month period from Russia. But in the second half of the year, we received 114 requests to remove content", Infantino says.

Google also received inquiries from 20 countries regarding YouTube videos containing clips of the movie "Innocence of Muslims". While the videos were considered within the guidelines, Google restricted videos from view in several countries in accordance with local law after receiving formal complaints. It also temporarily restricted videos from view in Egypt and Libya due to what it considered particularly difficult circumstances there.

The company also made some changes to the way this information is reported. Infantino tells us "we’re now breaking down government requests about YouTube videos to clarify whether we removed videos in response to government requests for violating Community Guidelines, or whether we restricted videos from view due to local laws".

It is not that we didn't already know that Big Brother is watching us. However, the extent of the surveillance has grown since the last time we checked in with him.

Photo Credit: AR Images/Shutterstock

Google welcomes Office to Chrome

Publié: avril 25, 2013, 9:04pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Irony can strike in the strangest of places. Just this morning I was discussing Office with my colleague Joe Wilcox, who pointed out an article he had written back in 2010 titled "Microsoft Office is obsolete, or soon will be". I argue the opposite, telling him that students and businesses are nowhere close to abandoning the Microsoft suite.

While I doubt Google is caving to my point of view, the company perhaps helps support it today. Jelte Liebrand, a Google Software Engineer, announces that "if you’re running Chrome Beta on Windows or Mac and install the Chrome Office Viewer (Beta) extension, you’ll be able to click a link to an Office file and open it directly in Chrome".

In fact, in the continued battle between the two tech goliaths, Google used this minor concession as an opportunity to also take a shot at Microsoft and the proliferation of Office viruses that continuously float around the Internet.

"In addition to saving you time, the Chrome Office Viewer also protects you from malware delivered via Office files. Just like with web pages and PDFs, we’ve added a specialized sandbox to impede attackers who use compromised Office files to try to steal private information or monitor your activities", Liebrand writes. Leave it to Google to dig at Microsoft while simultaneously supporting the software.

As previously stated, you will need the latest beta version of the web browser to use this feature. I reiterate my argument -- Office is not going anywhere. Like Windows, it will be around for years to come.

Photo Credit: Thomas Christoph/Shutterstock

It's NFL Draft day! You can watch online and on mobile

Publié: avril 25, 2013, 3:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Today is the biggest day of the off-season for NFL fans. We all wait to see who our favorite team selects when the pick rolls around. We wonder if the player will be boon or bust. After all, the Draft is little more than a crap shoot -- ask the San Diego Chargers how that Ryan Leaf kid worked out. On the other hand, there are late round gems to be found -- Terrell Davis was a sixth round pick and Davone Bess went undrafted.

Either way, the whole show, live from Radio City in New York, will go down beginning tonight at 8pm ET and the spectacle can be watched on the NFL Network.

What if you are not near a TV or simply do not get the channel in your subscription package? The league wants you to be able to watch the Draft anyway, and of course, the ads as well.

The show, in its entirety, can be seen live on the NFL Draft website. If you are out and about then you can catch the action on your mobile device via the NFL app, but if you want to actually see the streaming video then you'd better be a Verizon customer because the league has an exclusive deal with the mobile carrier. Alternatively, you can follow the NFL on Twitter to keep up on the happenings.

The Kansas City Chiefs are now on the clock. Will it be Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher? What will your team do? All of these questions are about to be answered.

Vacation time is approaching -- Gogobot teams up with HomeAway to help you plan your trip

Publié: avril 25, 2013, 3:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The weather is warming up and our thoughts are turning towards vacation time. Where are you heading on that big summer trip? Regardless of the destination you decide on, Gogobot in conjunction with HomeAway can make sure you get the most from your time away with its new social-based guides covering many popular destinations.

Insider Guides is a new social sharing service which allows individual vacation rental owners to create customizable guidebooks for their guests, packed with local tips and recommendations covering favorite restaurants, attractions and activities. The guidebooks combine the property owners’ local expertise with Gogobot’s destination content, photos, reviews and social functionality. The service boasts over 2.5 million contributing members.

This is not Frommer's, but more of a real-world type of guide such as this example for Austin, Texas or this one for Tuscany. The information is incorporated into Gogobot’s overall content.

“At its core, Gogobot is about connecting people with trusted information to help them plan their next trip,” says Gogobot Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Travis Katz.

The new partnership launches today, so now you have a bit more information for planning the big family getaway. Both Gogobot and its newly integrated guides are free to use. The guides can also be synced with Gogobot's iOS and Android apps so you can take them along on the trip as a reference.

Photo credit: Wayne Williams

Alert the kids! Ice Age arrives on Windows Phone 8

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 10:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I find that having children is an excellent excuse for watching movies like Ice Age, Up, Cars and more. After all, I would feel a bit silly watching those flicks on my own, as I do with scary movies like Paranormal Activity, thanks to a wife and kids who would not sleep for a week if they joined me in front of the screen.

Now Ice Age, and all of its classic characters, like Sid, Manny, Ellie, and Diego, are coming to your phone -- providing that you are using a Windows Phone 8 handset.

Today Microsoft's Michael Stroh announces that Ice Age Village is arriving on the mobile platform. The game focuses on the characters attempt to build a new village for their friends. "Multiplayer options, side missions, and mini-games featuring Scrat, the nutter saber-toothed squirrel, keep things interesting" says Stroh.

If you are installing this for your kids (okay to admit it is for you) then you will need to be aware that the game allows for multi-player mode and is not subject to Xbox Live parental settings. With that said, the game is free from the Windows Phone Store. Install it. We will believe the game is for your kids who just happen to love sabertooth squirrels.

What is Bing's China problem?

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 7:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

A few weeks ago, while doing a bit of research for a story, I had occasion to visit the Bing search page. More importantly to this article, it was the Chinese version of Bing. Over the following days I forgot about this brief foray into Asia, but my web browser remembered.

When I return to Bing several days later I am defaulted to the China site -- it still says I am on www.bing.com, but all information is displayed in Chinese characters, which Chrome helpfully translates on the fly. I close the tab, re-open and try again with the same results. I close Chrome and try again -- still nothing.

After a few days (I do not use Bing often, though I do like it) I recall my trip to Bing.cn. I then check the cookies in my browser and find the site has set several of them -- c.bing.com, Bing.com.cn and dict.bing.com.cn. Interesting. I delete all of them and Bing returns to normal. Then, perhaps because I am both adventurous and stupid, I recreate the steps and the same results occur. I try both Firefox and Internet Explorer and again the same thing.

More interesting to this sordid little tale is that search results using Bing.cn are only somewhat different. I say "interesting" because I expected "somewhat" to actually be "radically". I delete the Firefox cookies and begin comparing the same terms side-by-side. For instance, a search for Tianenman Square on Bing.cn results in two travel sites being ranked at the top, with a Wikipedia article about the protests at number three. Bing.com ranks the Wikipedia story at the top of the page.

Other searches also result in similar outcomes, with rankings in different orders -- Dalai Lama, Nepal (which completely strips out a U.S. Department of State travel advisory), Democracy and Freedom. The latter results in a Baidu article that begins "Freedom which is the name of Akon's latest solo album" at the top, versus a link to a web site offering debt consolidation (Bing fails in both cases on this).

I also check "safe search" settings. The short story of which is that it does not exist. Or, more to the point, it does and it cannot be turned off. I find only the following message (translated):

"This setting will filter out adult content. If you are viewing adult material, please let us know so that we can in the future to filter out. For more information about your country / region safe search requirements".

The results, while re-ordered and somewhat stripped down, are not as devoid of real information as I had expected. Perhaps this is due to my actual location, which is not going through a filter -- well, maybe but that is another story.

If setting these cookies is the price of doing business behind the Great Firewall then I could give Microsoft's search engine a pass, but a visit to Google.cn does not result in this settings change. This leaves me to wonder why the Redmond, Wash.-based company feels the need to track this information and, more importantly, what it is doing with those databases. Support for Chinese censorship?

CW comes to Xbox, no cable subscription required

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 1:38am CEST par Alan Buckingham

If TV shows and Xbox are your things, today is your lucky day. Xbox Live has been busy adding content to its Gold offering in an effort to beef up its entertainment features and bring in the non-gaming audience by positioning the console as a living room entertainment hub.

Today, Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb announces that the latest outlet to come on board is the CW network. This is also a unique offering in that, unlike channels such as HBO and ESPN, the CW will not require customers to verify a paid TV service subscription from a cable or satellite provider. The new app will offer shows ranging from "full episodes to previews and interviews, and is unique in that it will offer next-day episodes free with your Xbox LIVE Gold subscription" according to Hryb.

The new CW offering also utilizes Xbox Smartglass for some of its most popular content, such as The Vampire Diaries. "As viewers tune into The CW app on Xbox this Friday for the latest episode titled 'The Originals', they can access an exclusive Xbox SmartGlass experience that will provide exciting new content via their smartphone or tablet not available to any other viewers" Hryb explains.

Microsoft also plans a giveaway that will be conducted via Facebook and feature custom "Vampire Diaries" and "Supernatural" Xbox 360 consoles. Details of how to enter were not included in the announcement.

Like other Xbox entertainment options, CW does require a Gold subscription, but with no paid TV subscription required, this offering seems geared towards cord-cutters, and with HBO contemplating a similar offering for its GO service, this could spell trouble for the providers. That is really the most intriguing part of this latest offering.

Photo Credit: Major Nelson

Audible offers free book to Windows 8, Windows Phone users

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 1:01am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Audible, a leading choice in the audio book market and a company that was purchased by Amazon back in 2008, is now working with Microsoft to drum up new business for both entities with offers to both the PC and mobile platform. The Amazon subsidiary has long offered free book deals in a number of forms, including the many podcasts sponsored with its advertising.

Today Microsoft announces that customers of both Windows 8 and Windows Phone can grab a free audio book with no subscription or credit card required. "Audible has apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone that let you download and listen to books on the go. With over 135,000 titles from classics to New York Times bestsellers, you can enjoy endless hours of entertainment" says Microsoft's Kristina Libby.

Of course, there is a catch -- there always is. In this case it is not a huge one, but important none-the-less. The fact is, you only have three books to choose from.

The Power Trip by Jackie Collins.
American Sniper by Chris Kyle or the classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The Great Gatsby, narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal.

The offer is also only good for a limited time, and while promotional supplies last, though I am unsure how digital supplies run out. I suppose Microsoft has struck a deal to cover the cost of a certain number of books. However, if you are interested in any of the titles, then this is the time to act.

Photo Credit: Mmaxer/Shutterstock

BitTorrent Sync goes public, brings new features along

Publié: avril 23, 2013, 5:00pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Back in January, I was fortunate enough to get an invitation to test the alpha version of the new BitTorrent Sync app -- an opportunity that excited me, given that I had recently learned my beloved Live Mesh would go away, thanks to Microsoft's own version of "Spring Cleaning". This left me in the market for a replacement.

Now BitTorrent announces that private testing is done and, while the app is still alpha, the company is ready to unleash it on the public. "We’re really excited about opening up this Alpha. The feedback has been universally positive. Those in the closed Alpha have already synced more than 200TB since we started the program on January 24", says BiTorrent's Christian Averill.

With the public release comes some updated features as well. There is one-way synchronization that allows you to sync to a read-only file. This allows for your team, or family, to receive updates from you without them having the ability to edit or accidentally delete the source material.

The new update also adds "One Time Secrets", which is a security feature for instances when you do not want a master key and need a use-once solution. The secret code expires after 24 hours.

Third, there is the option to exclude certain files or folders from Sync. This is handy if you, like me, want to sync your entire My Documents folder between computers, but have a file you wish to exclude for a particular reason.

Finally, there is also the usual update inclusion of bug fixes and the promise of more stable code, advanced preferences configuration, support of Intel-based Synology devices and an improved Linux WebUI.

The app, along with all of these updates, is now available to the public. As I stated, it is still considered alpha, and BitTorrent is promising many more updates are in the pipeline. The app is compatible with Windows Mac and Linux.

Photo Credit: sheelamohanachandran2010/Shutterstock

Google Street View hits 50 country milestone

Publié: avril 23, 2013, 2:16pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Google Street View, which started with a few major cities in the United States back in 2007, has now expanded to 50 nations. Ulf Spitzer, Program Manager for Google Street View, announces today the latest round of updates which brings the service to two more countries, rounding up the new total to half a century.

The latest additions are Hungary and Lesotho. Spitzer also tells us that, in addition to the new countries, the mapping service is also expanding coverage in other locations. "We’re also refreshing and expanding existing Street View coverage in France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore and Thailand. And, we’ve added new special collections of a host of picturesque spots -- using our Street View Trike technology -- that include Portugal’s Pena National Palace, or the Sha Tin Che Kung Temple in Hong Kong or the Kilkenny Castle in Ireland," Spitzer says.

This is the largest single update of Street View imagery that Google has ever pushed, and it includes new and updated views for nearly 350,000 miles of roads across 14 different countries.

The company has gone to such far-flung locations as the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest and Antarctica. Users can now navigate more than 5 million miles of the world, without ever leaving their computers.

Windows 8 Build 9374 brings 'Kiosk' mode, confirms 8.1 name

Publié: avril 21, 2013, 4:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft continues to build and leak Windows Blue at a solid rate. Last month we toured build 9364, and now 9374 is out. There are plenty of rumors about where "Blue" is headed, including even, oh the horrors, bringing back the Start menu and adding a boot-to-Desktop option. With 9374 now out on the web (BN can not tell you where to find it, but I am sure you will stumble upon it if you look), I decided to see what changed.

Before we go any further, just for the record, this installation is 32-bit only and you will need to choose "Custom" when running setup -- an upgrade does not work. I installed in Virtual Box, and I recommend you use some sort of virtualization software as well. This leak is certainly not ready for prime time just yet.

What is New?

First and foremost, you will notice that the version is now, indeed, listed as 8.1 Pro Preview. Honestly, you cannot miss this because the name is on the Desktop in the lower right corner and listed within the computer properties screen.

Despite recent rumors, there is not, at least yet, any Start menu or a boot-to-Desktop option, though those may perhaps still be in the works. Personally, I do not miss those things and could care less if they are added or not, but many users will no doubt want them.

The biggest addition to this latest build is the new Kiosk mode, which can be accessed from the PC Settings found in the Charms menu. The option is listed under the User setting. Kiosk mode allows you to lock down user accounts to certain functionalities that you choose and also makes it possible to set an app to launch upon Startup -- possibly a reason for HTPC fans to finally move on from Windows 7, as 8 previously had no option for starting Windows Media Center upon boot (though some hacks existed to make it possible). Kiosk mode looks incomplete at this point. The feature is tailor-made for parental controls and also for computers located in retail locations that wish to have a dedicated store app.

The Search option also is changed slightly, and no longer displays the app list behind it, but only the actual Search column on the right of the screen. This also looks incomplete -- I could only access from the Start page, while the Desktop brought up only an empty column -- no search box in it.

Conclusion

There is not really much to see here. Only the Kiosk mode and Search screen are really new, and neither feels complete at this point. Given that 9374 is a leaked build this is not a big surprise, and bugs are to be expected, too. The OS is certainly not ready for anything close to production use and should only be run on a test system or in virtual mode.

Bing answers malware critics

Publié: avril 20, 2013, 12:24am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Earlier this week word hit the web that Bing search results display more malware than Google. Naturally, Microsoft disagrees. "AV-TEST’s study doesn’t represent the true experience or risk to customers. In other words, the conclusions many have drawn from the study are wrong", David Felstead, Bing senior program manager, says. Okay, why?

Felstead elaborates: "By using the API instead of the user interface, AV-TEST bypassed our warning system designed to keep customers from being harmed by malware. Bing actually does prevent customers from clicking on malware infected sites by disabling the link on the results page and showing the...message to stop people from going to the site".

He goes on to explain that Bing displays links from infected sites because most are legitimate sites that normally don’t host malware but have been hacked. It is a plausible, but not fully satisfactory, answer. "We warn our customers rather than suppressing the result for both completeness and educational reasons", Felstead states.

Then, in true Scroogled fashion, he points out a search term that can be entered into Google that results in malicious results.

In fairness, Felstead also points out that Microsoft is "still waiting on answers to many of our questions" on the methodology of these tests. In other words, this is a "he said, she said" matter that we will likely never have real answers on. In the end it boils down to which engine you prefer and the good sense to not click on results that claim to provide the moon to you.

Amazon Prime releases 14 original series

Publié: avril 19, 2013, 6:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Up front I should confess that I love Amazon Prime. The service is a bit cheaper than Netflix for streaming movies and TV shows but brings along other perks such as free second-day shipping and a lending library for Kindle users. The retailer continues to add features and work with studios in an effort to provide more content to viewers.

Today Amazon releases pilot episodes for 14 new, original shows. We have known these were coming for some time, but the service waited until all pilots were ready and pushes them now as one giant release.

Among the pilots are six childrens' shows and eight original comedies, including the much anticipated Zombieland, which is based on the 2009 cult classic movie.

Now the ball is in your court. Not all of these shows will make it, the company wants feedback to make that determination. Amazon solicits reviews and provides ability to take a survey. Customers will determine which pilots get the green light to begin production as complete series.

Songs from the shows are also available for free download from AmazonMP3, and other information on each show is available from IMDb. Now you have a plan for your weekend and, if you are like me, then it involves zombies.

Photo Credit: FotoYakov/Shutterstock

Get Xbox Live Gold free this weekend

Publié: avril 19, 2013, 2:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

This may seem a bit ironic, given that Xbox Live spent much of last Saturday down, but this weekend Microsoft aims to make up for that little mishap with a free weekend of, well...possible service. Xbox Live Gold adds many of the features that the console has become known for, such as ESPN, YouTube, iHeartRadio and much more.

Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, announces "if you’ve always wanted to check out the latest entertainment experiences on Xbox 360, now is your chance". The service will go free beginning at 10am ET today (Friday April 19) and remain that way though 1pm ET on Monday April 22.

This is not only valid in the United States, but also Canada, Latin America and Japan. "All Xbox owners in these regions, regardless of their current Xbox LIVE subscription status, will have access to online multiplayer gaming, Video Kinect, and our entire catalog of entertainment apps" Hryb explains.

This coincides with the debut tonight of the new Netflix (a Live Gold service) original series Hemlock Grove. The weekend also brings a special preview of Borderlands 2, for which Hryb provided a key -- KTW3T-ZXXS5-JBSJF-5FJT3-6TB9X.

Both the U.K. and Europe had a free weekend back in March, so this timing is seemingly coincidental and unrelated to last weekend's crash of the service -- in other words, it does not appear to be a Microsoft apology.

Photo Credit: Aaron Amat/Shutterstock

Jolicloud update brings search, new services and more

Publié: avril 19, 2013, 3:07am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Jolicloud may perhaps be the coolest cloud service you have not yet discovered. Created back in 2009, the company derived from Joli OS into a platform to access your cloud-based online life. It brings together everything you have stored on all of the various cloud services and, if you are like me, then that can be a wide net to cast.

The service finally adds search -- a feature long sought after by users. The company announces that it has "made it very easy to search anything you have in your Jolidrive: music, photos, documents, videos in your online storages but search can also help you find great content in all your favorite social services like Instagram, Tumblr, SoundCloud, Youtube and more".

This encompasses all of the cloud services compatible with Jolicloud, including Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, Facebook and more.

The news does not stop there though. The company goes on to point out new cloud services that are available within the platform. These include Exfm, Ubuntu One, Cloud App, Google Plus, Vimeo and Tumblr.

Finally, the service releases a brand new "explore" feature. "Combined with search we have created a powerful discovery feature letting you hop from users to locations or keywords. It’s a great way to discover new music, photos and videos that you can like and share with your friends" the Jolicloud team claims.

The service has remained a hidden gem of sorts on the internet, but the continued innovation and updates may finally change all of that as it moves closer to the mainstream.

Yahoo forecasts weather app for iOS

Publié: avril 18, 2013, 7:21pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Marissa Meyer is bringing big changes to Yahoo and one of them is apparently getting the old search site back into the public focus with new mobile apps. That process begins today in the world of both Apple and meteorology -- fitting since tornado and thunderstorm season is getting underway and hurricanes are on the horizon.

Today the company announces a sleek new weather app that is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch -- uninspiringly named "Yahoo! Weather App". Marco Wirasinghe claims the new app will "bring together beautiful images from our Flickr community to show you current local conditions, with all the details you want to know about the forecast".

While this is a weather app at heart, it really is about the photos. You can simply tilt your device to scroll through images of weather in locations that you choose. However, you can still get details of current conditions and a forecast to let you know how to dress today and if you should bring along an umbrella.

Wirasinghe elaborates on the photos: "Our goal is to have amazing photos for every weather condition that cover the globe -- morning, afternoon, and night -- across every city in the world, and we want your help. Whether you’re simply a daydreamer or an avid photographer, submit photos of your favorite places to our Flickr Group and your image can be seen by tens of millions in Yahoo! Weather for iPhone".

Yahoo! Weather is now in the iTunes App Store. The app is free and available in English, Bokmål, Norwegian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnames languages.

TomTom announces smartwatch for athletes

Publié: avril 18, 2013, 4:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I have previously gone on record as wanting a smartwatch. Yes, I still wear a watch because I am a runner and we are fastidious about time and distance and having a timepiece that prevents the need for driving a route to get the measurement is a major time and gas saver. Previously I looked at Pebble, with its built-in RunKeeper, but today TomTom changes that.

The company announces the TomTom GPS Sport Watches, built specifically for the athlete -- a new range of GPS watches designed to deliver "at-a-glance" performance information for runners, cyclists and swimmers.

"We know that most GPS watches on the market are too bulky and complicated to use while training", Corinne Vigreux, managing director for TomTom Consumer, says.

There is a lot here to like for those on the go -- an extra-large, high-resolution and high-contrast display, a graphical training partner, one button control, indoor tracker, waterproof design and Bluetooth connectivity. You can sync, analyze and share your data via TomTom’s new MySports (not yet available) website, as well as MapMyFitness, RunKeeper, TrainingPeaks and MyFitnessPal platforms.

The training partner is especially interesting, as it includes the ability to race against both your PR (personal record) or last run, set a distance, time or calorie goal and see progress toward that goal with full-screen graphics and alerts, even set a target for pace or heart-rate.

The watch will not be available until sometime this summer and no pricing has been announced, but if you would like a preview, then it is on display already. Finally, someone has made a smartwatch with real-world functionality. I do not need to see my email on my wrist, but I do want data on my workout.

Bring Serenity to Google TV

Publié: avril 17, 2013, 5:12pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

No, I am not talking of the nerdtastic movie from Joss Whedon, but of an app. I have written twice now of my move from an HTPC to Google TV in the living room, with my most recent post surrounding ways to get both live TV and home media to the tiny set top box. For serving up home media I opted for Plex, which seemed the best solution.

Plex is both a server and app and both are free. Simply install the server software on an always-on computer and control it from a web browser dashboard. From there you can direct it to all of your media -- movies, TV shows, music and photos. It is dead simple to set up and maintain.

After publishing that last article I received a message from a developer who wished to alert me that Plex had alternative Google TV interfaces, one of which was named Serenity.

Beauty Pagent

There is no delicate way to say this -- if the Plex app is Windows Media Center then Serenity is XBMC with its beautiful skin. The difference here is night and day. Plex is functional and you will have no problem using it, but it has the basic look of the Windows software I was replacing.

Serenity is the XBMC in this horse race, with skin that is soft and smooth. The menu glides across the screen with new images for each media type. While it still runs (pulls its data) off of the Plex media server you set up, it adds a whole new, and much improved interface to the whole thing. Everything is still there, you lose none of your media capability, you just get a much nicer view of all of those files.

Serenity is not a skin for the Plex app, but a standalone app that simply is based on the Plex server, so you will need to scroll to it in your app drawer on Google TV.

Behind the Scenes

When Serenity is first launched it may throw you a bit, as it did me. Despite the fact that you have your Plex server up and running, it will still tell you that no server was found -- do not panic. Just hit the "OK" button to enter "Settings". From here, you can click "discover servers", though it may remain grayed out for a bit. If you are in a rush then, then simply choose the option to enter the IP address of the server, which is the route I chose.

Once that IP is entered then everything populates very quickly. If you have any problems you can consult the Wiki or head over to Google Plus to get community help.

The Verdict

While Plex for Google TV is free, Serenity is not, though $1.99 is not a steep price for a good app. The code is also available over at GitHub.

The app is also available for tablets, though the developer warns that "on a tablet it is recommended to use an external player like MX Player to provide support for codecs that aren't native to the device". No external player is required on Google TV, though you can use one -- just enable it from the Settings page.

Don't get me wrong, Plex will work just fine on your set top box, but Serenity makes it look much nicer, which, on a big screen in your living room, can make all of the difference in the world.

Microsoft Research adds new functionality to Outlook

Publié: avril 17, 2013, 2:16pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Most of the focus these days seems to be around Outlook.com, as Microsoft anxiously endeavours to move its apps online and turn software into a service. But, while the latest version of Microsoft's productivity suite -- Office 365 Home Premium -- includes the ability to access the apps on the web, ultimately it is still a software suite on your computer.

Now Microsoft Research wants to bring new functionality to the desktop version of Outlook and is announcing the release of Mañana Mail to do just that.

Mañana, Spanish for "tomorrow", lives up to its name by allowing users to schedule an email to be sent at midnight. Outlook does not need to be running in order for the message to go out, and you can still edit or cancel the message up until midnight. The new Outlook plugin also adds a feature that has been available in Gmail for sometime -- Undo Send. This means that every message is held for 15 seconds before being sent, during which time you can click "undo" to get it back.

Many users, especially in business, still prefer their email to be desktop-based so it's good to see that Microsoft is still paying attention to this, as opposed to focusing completely on the web version of the email app.

credit: Gina Sanders/Shutterstock

Java must be improving -- only 42 security holes patched this round

Publié: avril 17, 2013, 7:00am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Allow me to begin with an emphatic statement: if you have Java on your computer then get it off now! Oracle released its latest round of security patches for the incredibly buggy, and surprisingly still popular, platform, with numerous new holes waiting to either be patched or exploited.

When word came down of the latest fixes and I mentioned it in the BetaNews newsroom, our president Scott Alperin could utter only "seems like time to put PC-side Java out of its misery". Indeed.

According to the Oracle announcement "this Critical Patch Update contains 42 new security fixes across Java SE products of which 2 are applicable to server deployments of Java". The company continues to explain "39 of these vulnerabilities may be remotely exploitable without authentication". 42, that is all. Thankfully it is not 43, or 50. Perhaps next month.

For the record, this is Java 7 update 21. The update introduces some new security warnings and message prompts as well as patches. Apps that present a lower risk will display a simple informational message. This includes an option to prevent showing similar messages for apps that come from the same publisher in the future.

The latest round of updates covers Java versions 5, 6 and 7, though I recommend you run the latest...ahh...actually I recommend you run none at all. Java has even managed to get the bastion of Apple hacked, and if it can do that then imagine the horrors which can be unleashed. Check Flash. Your move.

Photo Credit: Ronald Sumners/Shutterstock

Microsoft updates Outlook.com for Android

Publié: avril 16, 2013, 8:07pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft's relentless push for Outlook.com brings an app update to the enemy camp, today -- big move given that Android now represents a large portion of today's mobile market. Two weeks ago, Microsoft unleashed a major calendaring service overhaul.

The interface has been completely revamped and new features come along for the ride. As you may know, Google has pulled support for Exchange ActiveSync, but Microsoft now works around that.

According to Steven Kafka, who works on Outlook.com program management: "We believe that the best mobile experience is enabled through Exchange ActiveSync-- which provides a rich, powerful, network-optimized experience for Windows Phone, iOS and other mobile devices. However, native support for Exchange ActiveSync on Android devices varies significantly and so we build a separate app to ensure as many people as possible can have a great Outlook.com experience across all their devices".

The new mobile app not only provides the same look as its web counterpart, but also adds new features including conversation threading, filters for unread and flagged mail, and also the ability to mark messages as spam.

While the updates are welcome and should benefit many customers, it seems this also partially is a shot in the escalating war between Google and Microsoft that has resulted in the above mentioned Exchange ActiveSync cutoff and the whacky Scroogled campaign. The result, in this case at least, is good for consumers.

Photo Credit: 2jenn/Shutterstock

BitTorrent releases Surf browser plugin beta

Publié: avril 16, 2013, 4:28pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

The glory days of Torch, a Chrome-based web browser known for its built-in Torrent capabilities, may be short-lived because similar functionality is headed your way right in the web browser you are probably using right now. Surf, the plugin announced back in January, rolls into full beta release today.

The company announces that "BitTorrent Surf started out as a little Chrome experiment: a way to make BitTorrent simpler. Basically, Surf transforms your browser into a BitTorrent client; with discovery and downloading built in". The experiment apparently went well because the browser plugin hits beta mode for not only Chrome, but also Firefox as well.

Of course, like all official BitTorrent products, Surf is designed with legal purposes in mind. The company envisions users being able to find content from the many artists who use the file-sharing network to distribute their work. The new plugin has a built-in recommendation engine so that customers searching for one artist will also discover work from other, similar musicians. "Recommendation and prioritization can help drive visibility for BitTorrent partner artists – solving for the exposure barrier that every creator is confronted with" the announcement tells us.

Like all things BitTorrent, this will likely strike fear into organizations such as the MPAA and RIAA and those users who choose so, will find 'other uses' for the new plugin. However, for the many users and artist who use BitTorrent for genuine reasons, this could prove a boon.

Internet Explorer 'Catching Fire' with The Hunger Games

Publié: avril 15, 2013, 1:46pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Later this year, November 22nd to be exact, part two of The Hunger Games, titled The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, will hit the big screen. Microsoft's Internet Explorer team has partnered with Lionsgate to set up a new IE-optimized website for the sequel to the blockbuster movie with the hope of not only getting you excited about the film but also about the "browser you loved to hate".

The Hunger Games Explorer launches on the heels of the MTV Movie Awards which premiered the trailer. Microsoft's Roger Capriotti says "with the global launch of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire trailer, fans can now visit The Hunger Games Explorer to be immersed in this world, track every development of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, including tweets, exclusive images and videos, and then share their thoughts and excitement with others around the world creating a global conversation".

Meanwhile, Lionsgate's Danielle De Palma claims "The Hunger Games Explorer is not only a place for fans to spark the conversation around Catching Fire, it is also a destination for us to continue to provide fans with new content, experiences and unprecedented behind the scenes access".

When fans enter The Hunger Games Explorer they can manipulate the website to customize Catching Fire info to the exact way they want it. You can tailor and filter content in and out of the stream, pull in fan blogs and tweets in addition to messages from the Capitol, and interact with other fans across the globe.

While the site is optimized for Internet Explorer, it works with every other web browser, and probably just as well. Still, it was created by the IE team, along with Lionsgate's RED Interactive Agency and, given the anticipation for the movie, it is still a win for Microsoft.

So you pre-ordered an Ouya -- here is when to expect it

Publié: avril 14, 2013, 5:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Back on March 28th Ouya president Julie Uhram announced the tiny Android-based gaming console started shipping, but only to backers of the Kickstarter project. Additional details were added such as a software update which would be run upon first boot up and that the device would officially hit retail stores on June 4th.

As we have seen around the web, some have already received their boxes, but what if you did not get in on the Kickstarter ground floor, but instead placed a pre-order when those went live back in August of 2012? I happen to fall in that category and so I inquired about the timeframe and received a response from Ouya's Carmelo Martinez.

"We are now shipping Kickstarter orders (placed before Aug. 8). If you ordered between then and Feb. 4, your order should be shipped in late April. Orders placed after that time will be shipped in June. You will receive an email confirmation with tracking number once yours is on its way".

Seeing as I ordered on August 10th I suppose I should receive my confirmation at any moment. I say this with great hope since I paid for the console, along with two controllers, via PayPal back in August.

Facebook Home hits Google Play, HTC First up for order

Publié: avril 12, 2013, 9:38pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Facebook Home, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on April 4, and leaked as three APK files shortly after, today officially hit the Google Play store and the HTC First, announced at the same event, can officially be ordered through AT&T. The social network today pushes out a new launch page designed to make a splash with its live background of endless video.

The Google Play app describes itself as "the mobile experience that puts your friends at the heart of your phone". It essentially functions in the same way as any other launcher app for Android, bringing Facebook front and center on your homepage. From the moment you unlock your device you will be bombarded with a steady stream of photos, posts from friends and notifications of all sorts -- it's like a full-screen Windows 8 Live Tile totally dedicated to Facebook.

The company describes the app thus: "With Home, everything on your phone gets friendlier. From the moment you turn it on, you see a steady stream of friends’ posts and photos. Upfront notifications and quick access to your essentials mean you’ll never miss a moment. And you can keep chatting with friends, even when you’re using other apps".

The HTC First can now also be ordered through AT&T for $99 with free shipping. That price, of course, includes a two-year contract, but if you wish to go month-to-month then you can lay out the full $449 for the 4.3-inch handset.

A word of caution about the links provided above -- while all worked for me, some were inaccessible by others here at BetaNews. Perhaps the rollout is not totally complete as of this writing. Of course I would also warn anyone who wishes to turn their phone into a Facebook platform to think twice, but that is only personal opinion and not advice.

Does Patch Tuesday make your Windows 7 computer endlessly reboot?

Publié: avril 12, 2013, 4:45pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

For the most part Microsoft's Windows updates, known as Patch Tuesday, aim to fix problems as opposed to causing them. That is not always the case, and the most recent update, which took place this week, is a shining example of what happens when good intentions go bad.

On April 9th Microsoft released two "critical" security updates and seven others rated as "important" for both Windows and Internet Explorer as part of its latest round of updates, collectively covering 14 issues. However one of those fixes, labeled KB2823324 and aimed at the Windows 7 file system kernel-mode driver, went badly for some customers. The result was reports of blue screens of death (BSOD) and also infinite reboots.

The company has pulled the update and released KB2839011 to fix the problem -- providing you can boot up and actually get to the fix. "Microsoft is investigating behavior where systems may not recover from a restart, or applications cannot load, after security update 2823324 is applied. We recommend that customers uninstall this update. As an added precaution, Microsoft has removed the download links to the 2823324 update while we investigate", the latest patch claims.

If you are stuck in a reboot loop then you will need to insert your Windows disc and boot to the Repair Windows option then follow the instructions from there.

The issue affects only Windows 7 computers and only some users of those systems. Those of us on Windows 8 havw no known problems with the most recent round of updates, but there is always next month.

Photo Credit: Roger Jegg - Fotodesign-Jegg.de/Shutterstock

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Digg survey: Two in 10 'check Google Reader many times a day'

Publié: avril 12, 2013, 1:40am CEST par Alan Buckingham

The furor over Google Reader's eminent demise, while quieter, is by no means over. Today, Digg pours gasoline on the fire, by publishing results from a survey about subscription habits. Late last month, the social news site announced intentions to build its own RSS solution. The company made the task the number one priority and immediately began asking for feedback. Among the 17,000 people who signed up to help shape the product, 8,000 returned surveys.

Keep in mind this is a self-selected group of people most likely to use RSS and doesn't really represent the habits of most Internet users. Results show that "80 percent of respondents check Google Reader many times a day, and 40 percent follow more than 100 feeds". In addition, more than 75 percent of the respondents say they use Google Reader for both work and play and the the most popular response to question "If there’s one thing you could remove from Google Reader what would it be"? is "nothing".

Digg is working furiously to use this data to build the new app, but warns that "we’ll need to make sure we have some serious infrastructure in place to support that kind of usage for launch". However, the social service also cautions that every capability may not be in place at the time of the beta launch, though it gives no timeframe for that introduction.

Digg isn't alone filling the void Reader's imminent demise will leave. Feedly received 500,000 new users in the days following Google's death notice, while other services, like The Old Reader, have simply come close to unusable in the wake.

Google has simply shot itself in the foot with this move -- the market was there, but the company foolishly thinks that the elimination of Reader will somehow force more users to the Google+ social network in order to scan news. However, the services are not related and Google has only alienated customers and created a feeling of distrust among its once-faithful base.

Photo Credit: NinaMalyna/Shutterstock

Microsoft is nowhere near death's door

Publié: avril 6, 2013, 5:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I am both a Microsoft fanboy and hater, depending on which day I read comments from our BetaNews faithful. The truth be known, I consider myself neither. I would say it this way: I am a fanboy of what works and is useful to me and hater of everything on the opposite side of that line. I use products from many manufacturers, but yes, Microsoft powers all of my home computers, save the server, which is FreeBSD. Google is also a big part of my daily life, as is Adobe and many lesser-knowns.

For two days now, debate rages across the Internet about an analyst's content that Microsoft could be irrelevant within four years. I could do nothing but laugh when I read this. This revelation derives from Gartner report that states: "While there will be some individuals who retain both a personal PC and a tablet, especially those who use either or both for work and play, most will be satisfied with the experience they get from a tablet as their main computing device". Some individuals? By that, do you mean those who have jobs?

Getting Down to Business

Little more than a year ago, I worked in an IT department for a major U.S. bank. I will spare you the details of downsizing that led me here. What I can point out is that the company, with more than 5,000 employees, was not exactly heading into the tablet era. When I left, the financial institution was only just "testing" Windows 7 for an upcoming upgrade from the current XP workstations, which were upgraded from NT. Tablets were not on the horizon. For the record, Windows 8 was already available via Developer Preview at this point. Heck, we had only just moved from Internet Explorer 6 to IE 7 the previous year.

My point: Business is going nowhere away from Microsoft any time soon, let alone within the next four years. No serious corporation is going to give its employees tablet to do a job in customer service or most any other position.

For the record, this is strike one against Microsoft's irrelevance.

Going Home

Tablets and smartphones are great devices to have. They are useful sitting on a nightstand or from the sofa while watching television. Let me know when you can use them for real word processing or for software like genealogy, photo and video editing, file conversion or any of those other processor-intensive apps many families use frequently.

I doubt many homes plan to be without a computer anytime in the near future. Laptop or desktop, it has a place. My kids may want tablets, but they do not want them when they have a school paper to write or research to do.

Strike two.

Out in the Real World

Perhaps the analysts forget how much of their "bubble" world is actually powered by the Redmond, Wash.-based company. Let me take this opportunity to remind them.

I am sure several drive Ford cars, powered by Microsoft Sync. I am sure all use ATM machines powered by Windows embedded, as are the registers in the stores they shop at. In fact, Home Depot just recently announced it would be moving registers and other devices to Windows Embedded 8 -- a real shame since Microsoft is going away.

Strike three.

Rumors of Microsoft's Demise Have Been Greatly Exagerated

Microsoft may decline in the future, but lower PC sales simply indicate the robustness of today's hardware. Tablets and smartphone have become the throw-away devices for which we frequently buy replacements. The PC is not going anywhere anytime soon and neither Apple operating systems nor Linux will power the device in the majority of homes.

Microsoft is not perfect. Lord knows I have my share of problems with its products and the sometimes boneheaded decisions it makes. But folks, get real -- ninety-percent market share does not vanish overnight, or even in four years. Forget the tablets and phones, computers simply are nowhere near death's door, as some would have you believe. Nor is Microsoft.

Hide your Bitcoins from Skype!

Publié: avril 5, 2013, 7:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Another day, another threat to your computer. Kaspersky Labs is reporting that your faithful communication app may in fact be looking to steal your virtual money right out of your virtual pocket. The attack is underway in many locations around the world, and this is not the first malware to target Skype, just the latest and potentially most costly for users.

Kaspersky's Dmitry Bestuzhev reports that the latest curse on Skype "turns the infected machine to a slave of the bitcoin generator". The attack affects users in Russia, Poland, Costa Rica, Spain, Germany, Ukraine, Italy and is spreading to other locations, but the initial dropper is downloaded from a server located in India and the malware connects to its C2 server located in Germany.

Once the malware is on a victim's computer, it begins usurping the PC's processing power in the service of mining Bitcoins. The Bitcoin network is reliant on a rather complex system that creates each Bitcoin and verifies that it is valid and is being spent by the owner of the Bitcoins. The process requires a lot of processing power, and that is exactly what the attackers behind this malware are after. This news follows closely on the heels of a DDoS attack of Bitcoin Exchange service Mt. Gox.

The biggest clue is if your machine begins ramping up CPU usage. You need to look into why it is doing that, though that is something you should always do, virus fear or not. According to Bestuzhev "as I said the campaign is quite active. If you see your machine is working hard, using all available CPU resources, you may be infected". As of this writing, a single Bitcoin is worth $115.

Photo Credit: Seleznev Oleg/Shutterstock

Microsoft's clueless response to 'always on' Xbox

Publié: avril 5, 2013, 3:35pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I should first clarify that the "clueless" response is not an official Microsoft comment, but comes from one employee who took it upon himself to cause the entire company trouble. We have been hearing a lot of rumors regarding the next Xbox that is expected to be announced at the upcoming E3 gaming conference, which kicks off June 5. Much of what has been floating around the internet surrounds anticipation of the "720" being an "always-connected" device. In other words, customers would not be able to game without an internet connection.

The furor around "always on" is mostly about DRM and the used-game market, but it also means that no game would play if your connection happened to go down. Microsoft has never confirmed this to be the case, though it also has not refuted the possibility.

Now Adam Orth, the Creative Director at Microsoft Studios, has decided to take to his Twitter account and tackle the rumors and, in the process, insult pretty much everyone who followed him. Part of the exchange that took place is what follows.

Adam_Orth - Sorry I don't get the drama around having an "always on" console. Every device now is "always on". That's the world we live in. #dealwithit

Manveerheir - Did you learn nothing from Diablo III or SimCity? You know some people's internet goes out right? Deal with it is Sh***y response.

Adam_Orth - Electricity goes out too.

Manveerheir - You've live in LA, SF, Seattle...very connected places. Try living in Janesville, WI or Blacksburg, VA.

Adam_Oth - Why on earth would I live there?

Soon after this happened, Orth's Twitter account was changed to private, meaning nobody who is not following him can read the exchange and all followers must be approved.

As I previously stated, we really have no idea if the next Xbox will actually ship with this "feature", though Orth seemed to indicate that it could. In my opinion, it would result in a huge backlash against Microsoft, as if Orth has not already caused the company enough trouble.

Update: Microsoft issued an official response via Major Nelson: "We apologize for the inappropriate comments made by an employee on Twitter yesterday. This person is not a spokesperson for Microsoft, and his personal views do not reflect the customer centric approach we take to our products or how we would communicate directly with our loyal consumers. We are very sorry if this offended anyone, however we have not made any announcements about our product roadmap, and have no further comment on this matter".

Photo Credit: Denis Belyaevskiy/Shutterstock

Microsoft releases Advance Security Bulletin for April

Publié: avril 5, 2013, 1:31pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Patch Tuesday is almost upon us yet again. As is its custom, Microsoft has released a monthly Advance Security Bulletin to let customers know what to expect next week. There are nine bulletins headed our way on April 9, with two of them being considered critical.

Per standard procedures, Microsoft does not release details of the patches until the updates are actually live. This is done in an effort to prevent the bad guys from knowing the vulnerabilities and attempting to take advantage of them between now and the update release. There is, however, nothing to protect those users who fail to install Windows updates in a timely fashion.

This time around fixes are coming for all versions of Internet Explorer going back to IE 6 (please tell me you are not still running that). The updates will also cover Infopath 2010, Sharepoint Server 2010, Sharepoint Server 2013, Sharepoint Foundation 2010, Office Web Apps, Windows Defender, Windows operating system versions XP, 7, 8 and RT and Windows Server 2003, 2008 and 2012.

This pretty much covers everything except Windows Home Server, so all of you can expect an update and reboot to be coming your way next week.

Photo Credit: zimmytws/Shutterstock

Microsoft releases half-ready Windows Phone app sale site

Publié: avril 4, 2013, 10:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I suppose I could be charitable and say Microsoft's heart is in the right place with its latest Windows Phone announcement. The fact is rivals like Amazon and Google needed some good competition from new kid on the mobile block. The Amazon Android App Store offers a paid app for free everyday and Google Play regularly has sales for various causes for celebration that the company cooks up. Microsoft has reason to come up with a bit of competition against those things, and today does just that.

The company announces its new "Red Stripe Deals" site and, no, it has nothing to do with Jamaican beer. The new site is a collection of apps and games that have been discounted for Windows Phone customers. The concept is a great idea and is sure to be a hit for the mobile audience.

So why do I complain of the launch? Not because of the concept, but because the company chose to announce before it was actually ready. When Microsoft's Michael Stroh told us of the site it had exactly one app -- RunKeeper. As of this writing, the sale site has progressed to the three apps that Stroh promises, all of them at $0.99.

Red Stripe Deals is certainly a good concept and I have no doubt that Microsoft will continue to update with what it calls "weekly bargains on stellar apps and games". However, if the company truly wishes to compete with Android and iOS then it may wish to consider giving the site a bit more variety, especially given that Amazon offers seven paid apps for free every week.

There's a thriving malware market, and you're the commodity

Publié: avril 4, 2013, 8:20pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

If you listen to security companies then you may come to believe that the Internet is one big dark alley. Of course the industry has a vested interest in having you believe that you are in more or less perpetual danger. Now Dr. Web, the antivirus company, has released its monthly threat report, and the danger is almost as bad as the industry wants you to think.

The most "popular" threat during the month of March was Trojan.hosts programs: "Hosts file containing DNS server IP addresses has been compromised 186,496 times, which constitutes over 10 percent of the detected threat total". The threat is commonly spread through malicious or compromised web sites. In early 2013 the files were being detected at a rate of over 9,500 infections per day.

The security firm also reports that the botnet known as "Win32.Rmnet.12" is growing at a rather alarming rate. "As of December 2012, the total number of infected machines was 6.5 million, and by March 27, 2013, it reached 8,593,330, an increase of two million over the first three months of 2013", the company says. The news of this growth is bad enough, but the explantation of what it is is even worse.

The file infector Win32.Rmnet.12 can perform backdoor tasks at the command of a remote server and also steal passwords stored by popular FTP clients. That stolen information can then be used to mount network attacks or infect sites. The virus can also embed content into loaded web pages, redirect a browser to a site specified by criminals and send user information to remote hosts. Oh, and it can also self-replicate.

And then there is the malware that has been awarded the "threat of the month" medal. This, Dr. Web's report claims, goes to Trojan.ArchiveLock.20. This little beauty can place all of your important files in password-protected WinRAR archives. Then all you have to do is pay the hacker for the privilege of getting back your own documents.

This one is also spreading according to the report: "Earlier the Trojan targeted only Russian users, but in March multiple incidents involving the program were registered in European countries such as France and Spain. In the short period from March 23 to 26, 150 Italian users whose systems were compromised by the malware contacted Doctor Web's technical support and that number is rising".

The company also touched on Trojan.Yontoo.1, the Mac virus we previously covered and names a new piece of Android malware that goes by the moniker of "Android.BiggBoss".

In short, despite most platforms and users gaining better security in recent times, the attackers continue to innovate just as fast as any software maker, and sometimes much more quickly. Add that to the number of innocent users who remain clueless about much of this and you have the perfect recipe for a thriving malware market.

Photo Credit: Oxlock/Shutterstock

One year later, nearly half of Instagrammers use Android

Publié: avril 3, 2013, 10:24pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Kids. They grow up so fast. It seems like just yesterday that my Android phone finally became a member of the Instagram generation, only just "slightly" behind all of those iPhones out there. Now the social photo sharing service is celebrating its one year anniversary on the Google-based mobile operating system.

Philip McAllister, of the Instagram Android team, announces that "One year ago today we launched Instagram for Android. In less than a day, over a million people downloaded the app, and now nearly half of all Instagrammers use the Android app to share photos with friends, family and the world".

Since then the service has been used around the world to capture images ranging from spectacular photography to natural disasters and epic world events. McAllister explains that "Major events such as Brazil’s Círio de Nazaré festival, the 85th birthday of Thailand’s King Bhumibol, and a streak of severe thunderstorms throughout Malaysia have been captured by Android Instagrammers".

While I use the app less often than I should, it has been handy for capturing and sharing many pictures in the time I have had it, including one image that I even used right here on BetaNews last holiday season when the service saw a record 226 images uploaded per second on Thanksgiving day. With the financial backing of Facebook now behind it, there is no telling how far Instagram can go.

Windows Phone users can now be puzzled by Amazing Alex

Publié: avril 3, 2013, 8:33pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

When saying I have played Rovio's Amazing Alex game on my Android phone for some time, I don't mean a cheap shot at the app launching today on Windows Phone. To be truthful, it is more a challenge, and one that comes with sincere sympathy, because folks on the Microsoft mobile platform now have the opportunity to be just as baffled as me.

The physics-based puzzle game from the Finnish company debuted for Windows Phone 8. According to Microsoft's Michael Stroh, "The game has more than 100 levels, 35 interactive objects, and four locations to keep things interesting. But one of my favorite features of Amazing Alex is this: the game lets you design and share your own levels -- and download the best fan-created levels engineered by other players".

Yes, that sounds about right -- I would not honestly know since I became stuck on one level and have not moved since. Truth be told, I gave up trying, but am now inspired to go back and take a fresh look. Or perhaps I should simply hand the device to my son. Yes, make fun of me in the comments for my lack of gaming prowess.

Amazing Alex is not free, but $0.99 is not a steep price to pay for your hours of entertainment, or in cases such as mine, months of frustration. First Temple Run and now this -- you folks are going to be getting rather unproductive.

The most useful website you haven't heard of is about to launch

Publié: avril 3, 2013, 5:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Well, perhaps you may have heard something about this project, but it hasn't exactly made mainstream news. However, the Digital Public Library of America is gearing up for its big launch day and the organization has lofty goals. The project has been in the works since 2010, when it was conceived by Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet & Society.

The primary objective is to bring together the holdings of America’s research libraries, archives, and museums all in one online location. Several state libraries, including most recently South Carolina, have pledged to add their historical collections to the archive. There has also been a pledge of more than 10,000 digital images from museums.

While the DPLA site is already online, the official launch date has been set for April 18th. According to Robert Darnton of the New York Review of Books, "Thanks to the Internet and a pervasive if imperfect system of education, we now can realize the dream of Jefferson and Franklin. We have the technological and economic resources to make all the collections of all our libraries accessible to all our fellow citizens -- and to everyone everywhere with access to the World Wide Web".

The National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services have helped to finance the project, but so far it has been unable to bring the Library of Congress on board. The service will be free to use when it launches later this month and should provide a wealth of information for students and those who are simply curious.

Google Now for Chrome not now but very soon, latest browser build reveals

Publié: avril 2, 2013, 10:09pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Back in March, which was not so long ago, we learned that the Android feature that is all the rage would likely come to Chrome the browser and operating system. François Beaufort uncovered code that seemed to confirm the coming inclusion of Google Now, as Beaufort seems to uncover everything -- to the point where the search ginat recently threw up its proverbial hands in frustration and finally hired the man.

That day has arrived...in a manner of speaking. The latest build of Chrome Canary, the developer channel version of the browser, has hit the streets and version 28 comes with the initial framework for Now integration.

The service is disabled by default, but you can remedy that by heading your browser to chrome://flags and scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page. Here you can flip the "enable" switch, but do not expect much. For the moment the service is more like "Not Now". Google has not yet flipped the final switch to enable the server that will power it -- or perhaps it has, but the URL is not yet known.

Either way, the service does not yet actually work, but now we have even more confirmation that it is actually on the way. Though, Canary has been known to take away services after initial testing in the past. However, this one seems rather important and I doubt Google would simply scrap the plan. As my colleague Joe Wilcox said in his initial post on this -- it has the power to change everything.

Wait, what? The next Windows is 'confirmed' to be 8.1?

Publié: avril 2, 2013, 6:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Late yesterday and throughout this morning I have browsed my RSS feeds and continued to be amazed by the stories I see. This is not new -- I am often amazed by what some sources will run with. However the latest "news" surrounding Windows "Blue", which leaked out last week, has me completely perplexed.

Blue is, of course, very real. I am running it in a virtual machine and Microsoft has even confirmed that this update will be unveiled at the BUILD conference in June. The company has also told us that "Blue" is a code name, meaning it will likely not be the final moniker that the update is released under. All of this we know.

What we do not know is what that final name will be. However, I have seen one site after another running with a story saying the final name of Windows 8.1 is "confirmed". Really? Confirmed by who? Microsoft has said nothing of the sort.

Where does all of this confirmation come from? Well, as it turns out, it all comes from a leaked screenshot that depicts the "computer properties" screen of a Windows build labeled as 9375 and showing a version listed as Windows 8.1 Pro. The source for this? A post from a person going by the handle Kacper K. showing an image he posted to a Polish website known as winforum.eu. Well, heck, what is not to trust here? With sourcing like this is there anything left to doubt? It must be confirmed.

What makes me shake my head the most is that sources I personally respect have run with this story as if it was a cold hard fact.

Sure, the new Windows update, rumored to be coming in August and currently called Blue, may very well be called 8.1. It is a logical name, but so is 8.5, R2, Sp1 and probably many more.

Don't wait -- BUILD registration opens today!

Publié: avril 2, 2013, 4:32pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

You probably already know that Microsoft is bringing its BUILD conference to San Francisco this June. It's not cheap, the tickets and airfare could set you back considerably depending on where you are coming from, but it may be worth the expense to make the trip. Microsoft has promised to unveil Windows Blue there -- though you're likely to have seen the early leaked version already.

Today is the time to get your credit card ready because registration goes live at 9 AM PT and while it will not be easy on your wallet, those who register early, as in within the first 500, will get a discounted rate and only have their bank accounts lightened by $1,595. If you do not make that "early bird" special then you can expect to pay $2,095 for the privilege of travelling to the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

Aside from the promised Blue unveiling, there is no real guarantee of what to expect. The official site teases all things Microsoft -- Windows, Windows Phone, Azure, Xbox, Internet Explorer, Office 365 and even Visual Studio. Microsoft's Frank Shaw has promised that "at BUILD, developers will see what’s next for Windows, Windows Server, Windows Azure, Visual Studio and more".

You will pay more for BUILD than you would to attend Google I/O and you can likely expect less goodies, although Microsoft has been known to give out a few things, such as the Windows 8 tablet it handed out back in 2011. Still, for developers this is the big Microsoft event and will likely sell out rather quickly.

Pandora gets lock screen controls for Android

Publié: avril 2, 2013, 2:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Pandora gets me through my days. As I am in an office of one person I need to create my own entertainment and the music streaming service on my Galaxy Nexus is one of my favorite options. This morning when I awoke and checked my phone I found that the app had just improved for me and every other customer.

Today Pandora rolls out several new updates to upgrade the streaming music service -- providing you are running Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, or later. That is the level of the mobile operating system you will need to get the most important of the new features, which is lock screen controls. The control is simple -- just play-pause and skip buttons, along with the artist and song title that show you what is currently playing.

If you are running an earlier version of Android, fear not, you get some of the updates as well. All versions now boast a faster boot up time, elapsed and remaining timestamps for the track progress indicator, and the usual assortment of bug fixes and minor enhancements.

As I frequently need to quickly pause my music when life -- like wife or kids -- intrude, the lock screen control addition is a huge advantage for Pandora and makes the bit of money I pay on a monthly basis even more worth the small automatic withdrawal that my bank account suffers.

BitTorrent Sync to leave private beta

Publié: avril 1, 2013, 8:56pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Back in January I had the opportunity to test out BitTorrent Sync. I did not find the product to be completely ready for prime time, but I also did not find it to be terrible. I couldn't call BitTorrent Sync ready to replace my dearly departed Live Mesh, but I saw some promise, just lacking a bit of polish around the edges.

The company steadily improved the service since those early days and now is ready to roll out a more public version of what is still considered Alpha software.

In an email sent out today, BitTorrent announces that "for those of you who are still on the wait list, keep an eye on your inbox. By mid-April we will send you a link to download the Alpha from a private server ahead of the public release".

The SyncApp is moving forward more quickly with this latest release. The company goes on to promise "we will be opening the Alpha version of SyncApp for anyone to download by the end of April".

For all of us dejected Live Mesh customers this has promise, but BitTorrent is not the only game in town. While Microsoft may have killed that arm of its Live suite, the company's SyncToy app lives on and there are other oars in the water, such as SyncBack SE, which I have previously used and liked.

Still, BitTorrent has the most promise in this field and it has the technology to deliver on that promise. Over the coming weeks we will see if SyncApp can actually do exactly that, or if it is "pie in the sky".

Photo Credit: RAJ CREATIONZS/Shutterstock

Using Office in Windows 8? Microsoft wants to help

Publié: avril 1, 2013, 7:56pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Every week Microsoft's Office team does a webinar. That is not news, but this week the company is focusing on Office specifically within Windows 8. While perhaps many of you are not yet using the latest versions of Office and Windows, it is pretty much assured that eventually you will be -- assimilation is inevitable.

With that thought in mind, Microsoft's Doug Thomas announces that "if you are working with Windows 8-or your business will be using Windows 8 soon-check out this week's webinar. We will go over shortcuts and quick navigation for keyboard and mouse, plus answer your questions".

If you are expecting an in-depth look at all of this then I recommend you tune down your expectations. Oh, and you will not need to bother bringing a cup of coffee along either, because the webinar is only 15 minutes long. It does promise the basics though, such as using Windows 8 with a mouse and keyboard, the Start screen, keyboard shortcuts and a bit more.

Still, it could provide a useful foundation for those who are new to these platforms. Thomas explains how one can join in -- "if you are on Windows 7 or 8, you will join via the free Lync Web App. For other computers, you may need to call in for audio: 888-320-3585, Conference ID: 84172528". You can head over to the Office site to view other upcoming Office web events.

The most pirated TV show is back, and HBO doesn't mind

Publié: avril 1, 2013, 5:30pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Last night marked the debut of season three of "Game of Thrones", the wildly popular HBO show based on the books by George R. R. Martin. The show generates major publicity and even bigger Internet piracy to go along with that. Thanks to a large, and Internet-savvy, fan base, the fantasy series is the single-most pirated TV show ever. Game of Thrones had one episode downloaded 4.3 million times.

Director David Petrarca already is on record saying he is not concerned by the piracy. But, now, in what feels almost like an April Fool's joke that came a day early, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo stepped up to say he has no problem with the show's status as the top download. Lombardo told Entertainment Weekly that "The demand is there, and it certainly didn’t negatively impact the DVD sales. [Piracy is] something that comes along with having a wildly successful show on a subscription network".

In fact, Lombardo went on to say his biggest concern was about the quality of the downloaded versions available from the torrent sites -- "The production values of this show are so incredible. So I’m hoping that in the purloined different generation of cuts that the show is holding up".

Last week we heard that HBO GO was looking at ways to part with paid TV services and launch a subscription model. Now the company tacitly supports piracy of popular shows. Perhaps the media company is coming around to a new business model that is more inline with today's digital world.

New Trojan can hack you in a Flash

Publié: mars 29, 2013, 5:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Are you sitting down? I know this will come as a shock, and I want to prepare you. Adobe Flash is the source of a new attack against PCs. Honestly, in this case it really is not Adobe's fault (unlike some other past cases), but the software is still the vehicle used in this drive-by. Microsoft reports that Trojan:Win32/Preflayer is in the wild and changes the home page for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Yandex.

"These sites appear to be a type of search engine, but there are pop-up advertisements displayed on the pages, and there was an instance where I was redirected to a different page not of my choosing", Jonathan San Jose, Microsoft antivirus researcher, says.

The Trojan attacks in the guise of a fake Adobe Flash update that pops up on the user's screen. According to the software giant's threat report "to trick you into thinking that it's a legitimate installer, it also downloads and runs the actual Flash Player installer". That makes this a bit scarier than the average fake Flash updates that we have grown accustomed to encountering over the past few years.

The browser home page is changed to one of the following addresses:

www.anasayfada.net
www.heydex.com

Microsoft details how the Trojan works in its threat report, including the attacks on Chrome, Firefox, Yandex and, of course, Internet Explorer. Microsoft also outlines steps to remove the virus, but users should probably be clued in to not get it, given that the pop-up box for installation is written in Turkish.

Folks, Flash is dangerous. It also causes non-critical, but still annoying, browser problems. Many web sites have moved on to HTML5, but for those that have not, do yourself a favor -- enable click-to-run in your web browser and pick and choose carefully where you make that click. By all means, do not trust pop-up ads. If you need to update, then visit the official Adobe site and do so manually. It really is a jungle out there.

Photo Credits: maraga/Shutterstock

Ouya begins disrupting the gaming console market

Publié: mars 29, 2013, 12:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The 2012 Kickstarter darling Ouya has been anticipated ever since it skyrocketed past its fund-raising goal and began pre-production. While Sony has released information on its next-generation PlayStation and many people have been talking up the new Xbox, Ouya may have outdone both larger companies in terms of publicity and expectation.

CEO Julie Uhrman announces that "Today we start shipping our early backers their OUYAs. And at our unveiling event this evening, the first of you will get to see OUYA in the flesh (or, metal, as it were)".

Following the big announcement some details were revealed. For one, customers will be prompted to install an update upon first boot up, though the company promises that these updates will be done in the background in the future. You will also need to enter in your credit or debit card information to grab games, but every game will be free to try before you buy -- "Your card will only be charged if you buy content you love", Uhrman promises.

The device supports up to four controllers and also Bluetooth pairing with other devices -- a list of compatible hardware is being prepared.

For now, the box is shipping to early backers from Kickstarter. Early pre-orders will follow and then the console will debut at retail on June 4. Ouya promises it will continue to add features, refine the user interface, and keep building the software. I am awaiting my box, or at least confirmation it has shipped -- stay tuned for a review.

Google TV PrimeTime adds Amazon Prime, HBO GO and Netflix subscriptions

Publié: mars 28, 2013, 4:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I love Amazon Prime. If I had a Kindle I would probably love it even more, if that were possible. Over the past two weeks I have also come to love my new Google TV, which has taken over our living room, with control of the DirecTV DVR and apps thrown in to boot. One of those apps is Amazon and I use it quite often, keeping a string of movies and TV shows in my watch list.

Now the Google PrimeTime app for Google TV has been updated to version 1.4.3-43-79424. This innocuous little name actually comes with a huge feature update. Not only has Amazon Prime content been rolled into the service, but you can control it and Netflix and HBO GO subscriptions from within the app as well.

With this update, Google PrimeTime is now a truly one-stop shop for pretty much all of your content. With Netflix, HBO GO, Amazon Prime, YouTube, cable or satellite box shows and a bunch of other services.

Google also added an update to its Play movies and TV app that mimics Amazon's X-Ray. Ben Serridge, the Product Manager for Google Play, says "when you’re watching a film on your tablet, simply press pause and cards will pop up with information about actors on screen. You can tap on an actor’s face to learn more about him, like his age, place of birth, his character in the movie, and his recent work, or scroll through the info cards to learn more about the movie or soundtrack. When you resume the movie, the cards will disappear".

While that update is currently only for mobile it seems a logical next step is to add it to Google TV as well. Google's foray into the living room started rather slowly as the Logitech Revue offering fell flat on its face, but remember that Android thing got off to a rather slow start as well.

Imagine if you could get a drink at the Genius Bar...

Publié: mars 28, 2013, 1:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Apple has gone to great trouble to craft its stores and reputation. The company refers to its employees as geniuses, for goodness sake! Taking your device in for repair is alluded to as a visit to the "genius bar". It is an entire ecosystem designed to make the customer feel confident and comfortable when dealing with the company. It is also a setup that lends itself to comedy and U.K. hard cider maker Somersby saw that opportunity.

The company has produced a new one-minute TV spot that portrays the Apple Store as a bar that serves up its cider and the geniuses explain why it is so good. The ad does not so much make fun of Apple (that is what Samsung is for), but instead uses the tech company's concept as a basis for some good tongue-in-cheek humor.

The Somersby ad cleverly works in tech terms such as referring to sipping the cider as "downloading", and manages to include "interface", "wireless", "16-pit and 32-pit" and more.

It's very well done, right down to the line waiting outside before the "bar" opens. Only just released in the past couple of days, it is already racking up the views on YouTube and getting plenty of positive feedback.

Windows Blue brings better SkyDrive integration

Publié: mars 26, 2013, 7:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Over weekend Microsoft's next version of Windows, known by code name "Blue" leaked out to the world via BiTorrent. Over the past two days we dissected the operating system in every way possible from first look to screenshot images to ways to install the still buggy operating system.

Now that the initial euphoria has passed, we can settle down and get a good look at what exactly will change in the operating system later this year when Windows Blue is rumored to be released.

One of the big changes is SkyDrive integration. Yes, the cloud app was part of Windows 8 from the release back in October of 2012, but Blue brings even tighter combination between the cloud and desktop by adding the app to the Modern UI version of the Control Panel, which is actually the "Personalize" feature of the Windows 8 Start screen. Yes, Microsoft, this is confusing.

At any rate, confusion aside, the new SkyDrive feature makes things a bit simpler for customers. It is accessed from the Charms menu, which you can get to by clicking the Windows-C buttons or moving your finger or mouse pointer to the top or bottom right of the screen. To get to the Metro-style Control Panel, click Settings and then "Change PC Settings".

There are three simple options in the left column -- Storage Use, Device Backups and Files. Like all things in Windows Blue, do not get your hopes up just yet. The "B" is not just for Blue, but also for Buggy. Storage use has not worked for me, despite numerous tries.

Device Backup is not much better -- it only provides a message that states "Sorry, we couldn\x2019t connect to SkyDrive. Please try again later or try visiting SkyDrive on the internet". For the record, the link provided also does not work.

Files are better -- it provides options for automatic photo and video uploads and the options seem to work well. I tested it with a picture and everything went as it should. You can change the settings based on image quality as well.

Windows Blue is a leaked build and clearly not ready for public consumption, but it is fun to play around with in a virtual environment and it gives a sense of where the operating system is headed, both later this year, and into the future with Windows 9.

Photo Credit: T. L. Furrer/Shutterstock

Run for cover! Amazon has Zombies

Publié: mars 26, 2013, 3:15pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Zombieland, the 2009 cult classic movie, about four unlikely people who come together to fight their way across an undead-filled America, is making a comeback of sorts -- rising from the dead, as it were. Amazon Studios has picked up on the surprisingly popular movie and the not so surprising Zombie fetish we have and announced its latest offering.

Zombieland the series will be produced as a pilot and make its way into your living room via Amazon Prime. It is the seventh comedy pilot announced by the online TV studio and it joins six children's show pilots also under production.

"Zombieland is a fan favorite and we can’t wait to see where this story line goes in a serialized format", Roy Price, Amazon Studios director, says. "We’ve been announcing a lot of exciting exclusive content for Prime Instant Video, like Downton Abbey, Under the Dome, and Justified, and we think adding original shows to that lineup is going to make Prime even more enticing for customers".

Creator Paul Wernick says "Zombieland will strive to break the rules—action, adventure, thrills, chills and laughs and all packed into a half hour format". These are lofty expectations here, so the show had better deliver now.

Production has not yet started, so there is no release date yet announced, but in the meantime Prime customers have a quickly growing number of choices from the movie and TV show library. Amazon is in a race with Netflix, which is also now producing original content.

Windows Blue Build 9364 [slideshow]

Publié: mars 25, 2013, 10:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows Blue owns tech news for the past two days, from its leak to BitTorrent yesterday, to first-look articles today. While we all try to digest what is included in the next version of Windows, which really is more of an update to the current iteration, it really is much easier to get a sense by visual aid as opposed to listening to talking heads like me drone on with descriptions.

When I installed the leaked build, 9364, yesterday and fired it up I was blown away by all of the changes Microsoft has made in what is essentially an interim update. Over the coming days I will take a more in-depth look at some of these things, but for now, I at least have plenty of screen grabs to try and illustrate what your next operating system will look like.

I also have a better idea of where the company is heading in the future, and some of you will likely not be happy with it. The addition of Metro versions of the Calculator (now called Calculate) and Sound Recorder are harbingers of the continued move away from the desktop and onto the Start screen.

I am not saying the desktop will be gone when Windows 9 debuts (rumored for late 2014), but I think it will, at the very least, be squeezed out of the picture even further. When Office gets there, then the move may be complete. Personally, as long as the apps are there in Metro, I don't really care, but I know the traditionalist change-haters will be out with fangs showing over this.

Scroll through the slideshow of images I grabbed as I tested the new build. Windows Blue is not ready for Prime Time by a long shot, but there is much to get excited about.

Digg details Reader replacement

Publié: mars 25, 2013, 6:33pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Last week, Digg revealed plans to build a replacement app for Google's soon-to-be-defunct Reader and compete with other services that have suddenly become popular, like Feedly and The Old Reader. While I wait to someday have my OPML file uploaded to The Old Reader (currently number 3,590 in the queue), I am trying out some other alternatives -- I really liked Feedspot, but updating seems spotty.

In a blog post, Digg says "Google did a lot of things right with its Reader, but based on what we’re hearing from users, there is room for meaningful improvement. We want to build a product that’s clean and flexible, that bends easily and intuitively to the needs of different users. We want to experiment with and add value to the sources of information that are increasingly important, but difficult to surface and organize in most reader applications — like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Reddit, LinkedIn, or Hacker News. We likely won’t get everything we want into v1, but we believe it’s worth exploring".

Sounds good so far, but we will need to wait for an actual app before getting too excited. The company is continuing to gather suggestions from Reader refugees as it builds the app. In fact, it has set up a mailing list for news on the progress and it is complete with a Reader shutdown clock.

First look: Windows Blue build 9364

Publié: mars 25, 2013, 2:35pm CET par Alan Buckingham

When I was growing up one of my parents' favorite expressions was "do as I say, not as I do". The old adage likely rings true in this case as well. You see, as a rule I don't recommend downloading files from BitTorrent, as you are just as likely to get a virus as a legitimate program, movie or song. That applies to leaked files especially.

But, there are legitimate reasons for the sharing service -- upcoming artists share music, Linux shares distros, even producers have distributed movies in this way.

However, when a new build of Windows leaks out then I consider all bets off. That was the case over the weekend as Windows "Blue" build 9364 hit the interwebs with a major splash. I am a tech geek...how could I resist? I will not link to the torrent file here, but I am pretty sure that one of our faithful commenters may do exactly that. If you look around the web carefully enough, you can find it.

Setup

The download is 2.64 GB and the file comes as an ISO -- ready for you to burn straight to a blank DVD and install (I actually used a USB thumb drive, but to each his own). Do not install this as your main operating system. It's an early test build and just as likely to crash as it is to run. If you have a test machine then use that. If not, then use something like Virtual Box.

In my case, I opted for the virtual machine. I prefer VirtualBox from Oracle, though I prefer it mostly because it is free. With that said though, it works as well as any other I have tried. I used version 4.2.10.

Setup takes about 30 minutes. Once Windows Blue begins you will receive the usual prompts to login to your Microsoft account, pick a screen color and more. Screen color options have been expanded in this new build.

Yes, you will get the usual email and text messages prompting you to approve the computer that has just been added to your Microsoft account. As the install is preparing the colors change on the screen in a rather psychedelic fashion.

Internet Explorer 11

Microsoft seems to be going all Firefox/Chrome on us lately by updating its web browser at a faster pace. The latest iteration of Internet Explorer is version 11.

This build of the web browser is not tremendously different from 10, which is built into Windows 8 and now can be installed on Windows 7 as well. I found nothing particularly different here, but there are likely changes in the backend.

SkyDrive

SkyDrive is now a part of the basic Control Panel in the ~~Metro~~ Modern UI interface. When you open the Modern UI version of the Control panel, you will find SkyDrive integration built right in.

There are options for Storage Use, Device Backups and Files.

Snap to It!

Are you bored with the old Snap feature? Only two apps? Now you can snap more programs into place. The next version of Windows allows for 4 apps to be "snapped" into position.

These are, of course, long and thin across your monitor. However, it is a much better way to switch around between multiple apps. Users can navigate back and forth between all without need of the old-fashioned alt-tab option that we have all grown rather accustomed to.

There is More

Windows Blue build 9364 just leaked yesterday morning. I've only mentioned some of the main changes, but in the coming days we will get down into the more in-depth stuff -- the real nuts and bolts of what is included in this release that we all knew was coming later this year, but were taken unexpectedly by over the weekend.

I plan to delve more into this build in the coming days and add to the knowledge base as my understanding of Blue grows. For now, I suspect that this is enough to make most heads spin, including my own.

While Windows Blue is not technically the next version of Windows, it is also not exactly a service pack either. The reality lays somewhere in between the two.

The Wirecutter and other sites may have infected your PC

Publié: mars 23, 2013, 1:03am CET par Alan Buckingham

The Wirecutter, a popular gadget site run by former Gizmodo head Brian Lam, was under attack on March 19 and 20 from a source that should have been trusted. The advertising agency that handles that site and many others like The Awl, The Hairpin, The Splitsider and more, came under attack thanks to an exploited flaw in the code.

The Wirecutter reports that "the cause was an exploit on an OpenX advertising server run by the guys who handle ads for The Wirecutter". The attack reportedly lasted for 10 hours and allowed for the insertion of malicious code onto an advertising server that could be inserted into the ads displayed on The Awl network.

The site is warning its users that this means "that, if you visited an Awl network site (including The Wirecutter) Tuesday or Wednesday, you may have been exposed to malware". The site goes on to explain that to fix the problem "We nuked our existing ad server and are moving to a different ad serving platform entirely in the near future".

The site's Kevin Purdy, formerly of Lifehacker, wrote a question and answer section included in the announcement and intended to help users understand what happened and what the risks are -- and most importantly, what to do if you visited the site during the affected time frame.

For those who were using Google's Chrome, the web browser was actually blocking access to the site during this period so, unless you bypassed the warning, you should have no worries. The editor was left with nothing much that he could say other than "I apologize for putting you and your computer at risk".

Photo Credit: Photosani/Shutterstock

Hulu beams up free Star Trek for the rest of March

Publié: mars 22, 2013, 7:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The tech news these days seems filled with stories of piracy, security flaws and every company trying to push its latest software and hardware releases. Then, every once in a while, something truly fun and enjoyable comes along to save us from our otherwise overwhelming tech world.

Today is the birthday of Captain James Tiberius Kirk, who also goes by the alias of William Shatner. To celebrate the Captain's birthday, online TV streaming service Hulu wants to open up the Star Trek world to even more viewers.

The service today announces that users should "set phasers to Hulu". The company's Katherine Rea tells us that "Hulu is making every episode from every Star Trek series available to watch for free until the end of the month. Resistance is futile. Almost as futile as controlling a population of tribbles".

Hulu is also playing off of the March Madness frenzy that is currently in full swing. The service has set up "Star Trek Madness 2013" brackets and is looking for your input on the best episodes ever.

You have nine days to try and catch every show, unless of course, you subscribe to the service. Fire up your browser or comapible set top box and...Live long and prosper.

Adobe reminds Photoshop.com users to move or lose their content

Publié: mars 22, 2013, 6:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Back in February Adobe announced plans to kill the storage portion of its seemingly popular Photoshop.com web service and migrating users' content to Adobe Revel. The move seems painless on the surface -- all of your images will be exported to Revel automatically. Except, that is not entirely the case.

In fact, all of the JPEG images will be moved. Only. Other formats, including video, PSD, RAW, ACR, PNG, TIFF, must be archived by the customer or they will be lost. Those file formats are not yet supported.

Today Adobe began sending notifications out via email to all of its customers, calling it a "friendly reminder", but there was bit more than a warning included about file types. The company also pointed out that "Revel gives you more access to your photos than ever before -- on the web, iPhone, iPad, and Mac".

While those on Windows and Linux will still be able to access Revel on the web, there is currently no real support for these platforms, nor is there any for Android or Windows Phone. Adobe does promise that it is "planning to support additional platforms, as well as, popular file formats beyond JPEG and video". So much for "more access to your photos".

For those currently on Photoshop.com, your JPEG images will be automatically moved to Revel, starting April 2 -- providing you visit the site and confirm that you wish them to be moved. The rest of your videos and images will remain safe on the Photoshop site until June 18. Revel is free for up to 50 photos per month, while a Pro plan provides unlimited importing at $5.99 per month.

Photo Credit: Olaru Radian-Alexandru/Shutterstock

Overhauling a home network, part 5 -- Back to the future

Publié: mars 22, 2013, 1:01pm CET par Alan Buckingham

With last week's installment, this little series largely came to an end for now, but it doesn't mean that I am not actively planning for future improvements to the digital lifestyle in our home. In fact, my list of ideas for improvements is a rather lengthy one, though the expenses are enough for now and I have no desire to incur the wrath of my wife with more deliveries showing up on our doorstep.

But, where exactly do I want to go from here? The ideas are endless, but for the sake of brevity I will list only a few here. These are the ones I have prioritized at the top of that future list. The ones I consider most important to make everything work quicker and more smoothly.

The Network

My office, which resides way up on the third floor of this old Victorian, contains the cable modem and router. The router is a new Netgear model, only a couple of months old, and there is no need for change here -- it has wireless N as well as gigabit ethernet. The cables running from it to the desktop PC and home server are Cat 6 and capable of handling that speed. The cable running into the wall, and down a chase to the basement where the switch resides is also Cat 6.

The switch, in this case, is the choke point. It is a couple of years old and I went cheap when I purchased it -- 10/100, not 10/100/1000. That is one place for improvement.

Wires from that D-Link switch run up behind the entertainment cabinet, and again are Cat 6, which is good. They hook to various items in the cabinet -- a DirecTV HD DVR, Blu-Ray player, a Google TV and another switch. That switch is also not gigabit capable -- another spot that needs improvement. The second switch is simply for future expansion, like that Roku 3 I am eyeing.

That cabinet also contains a Netgear wireless extender, which is "N" capable, so there is no need for an upgrade in that department, meaning that this area of the network only requires two new switches -- a minor expense.

The Server

The FreeNAS box has adequate storage at the moment, but I have filled all bays with drives, and even added a modest 320 GB external one as well. It is only a matter of time before I run out.

With that in mind I am looking at external multi-bay drive enclosures. Four bay units can be had for under $100 and internal SATA drives in the 2 TB range are cheap. Even better, they can be added on an as-needed basis, meaning it's an expense spread out over time, which is a wife-friendly way of doing these things.

Computers

A few months ago I would have put HTPC in this section, but feel I have owned my last one now. I never used it to its full potential because I love my DirecTV -- actually I love NFL Sunday Ticket -- so it was more a media jukebox and never a DVR. The addition of the Google TV added all of the Media Center functionality I was using, saved shelf space and was much cheaper than building a new HTPC.

My laptop is slightly over a year old, my daughter's is from Christmas, the older one is a candidate for Linux and the desktop and server are just fine.

No expenses coming here. I say that knowing it is a jinx. The old server was fine until smoke suddenly started coming out of it one morning.

Home Theater

And now we reach my weakness -- not because it needs improvement, but because I simply love playing with this stuff. Our home theater works great. We have a 7.1 channel Yamaha A/V receiver (using only 5.1), Blu-Ray, DVR and Google TV. What's not to like?

I have been coveting a new receiver. As much as I have loved Yamaha over the years, I must confess that I have a mistress named Harman Kardon. The new line is sleek and beautiful. Plus, most new receivers come with ethernet -- I have no idea exactly why I need that in a receiver, other than as a toy to play with. Yes, I know it plays Pandora and the like, but so does Google TV, and it feeds into those 5.1 speakers as well.

I also like to play with set top boxes and both the new Roku 3 and WD TV Live intrigue me. The new Roku 3, with its ability to play audio from a headphone jack on the remote, is especially fascinating, but these are far down the list, given that I just purchased the Google TV and do not feel like being questioned about why we need another device with similar functionality.

In the End

...The love you take is equal to the love you make. No, seriously. There is not really that much on the above expense report. Network switches are cheap and the set top boxes I mentioned are not necessary. The receiver is pricey, but not needed now. The big thing is expanded storage for the home server, and I expect that to be in the $200 range for starters -- the enclosure and one 2 TB drive.

However, I seem to find new toys on an almost daily basis, so I expect this list to continue to expand. For now though, I must say I am happy with how things have turned out.

Have you noticed more ads on your Mac?

Publié: mars 21, 2013, 9:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you are on a Mac and using either the Apple-supplied Safari browser, or one of the popular alternatives like Firefox or Chrome, then you may have begun noticing some unexpected ads in the browser lately. Hopefully not, because it spells bad news for you, and that news is Trojan.yontoo.1.

Security firm Doctor Web is credited with the discovery of this latest attack on the Apple ecosystem. Like many Trojans though, it requires the user to make mistakes in order to get a foothold on the system. In fact, the cardinal mistake, clicking on a pop-up plugin message, is the culprit.

In order to pull this off, Doctor Web reports that "criminals crafted movie trailer pages that prompt users to install a browser plugin. In fact, the prompt only imitates a common dialogue displayed when a plugin needs to be installed or additional configuration is necessary. After clicking on ‘Install the plug-in’, the user is redirected to another site from which Trojan.Yontoo.1 is downloaded". In addition, the Trojan is also now being spread by downloads of a media player, a video quality enhancement program or a download accelerator.

Once infected, computer's browsers begin to display fake ads on many websites, including Apple.com. The Trojan then injects ads into those pages using third-party code. This allows the attackers to collect unauthorized ad views on nearly any website they want.

While all of us on Windows have grown accustomed to all of this, it remains new for those customers who opt for Apple hardware and software. However, there has been a growing number of attacks on OS X, including the recent, and rather embarrassing Java exploit, that hit Apple back in February.

Screenshot: Doctor Web

Microsoft details how much of your data the Feds want

Publié: mars 21, 2013, 7:07pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Last month Google released a transparency report revealing how often law enforcement inquires about users' private data. Hint: it's more often than you want to believe. Not to be outdone, today Microsoft posts its own data, which the company refers to as the "2012 Law Enforcement Requests Report".

While the number of requests may seem staggering, there is some perspective to be had in all of this. First the raw data reported -- "Microsoft and Skype received a total of 75,378 law enforcement requests. Those requests potentially impacted 137,424 accounts". Sounds rather high doesn't it?

However, Microsoft is a huge company, with vast web properties, so that number, large as it may seem, includes only 0.02 percent of active users. The company has many hundreds of millions of accounts across its online and cloud services. Even more promising for privacy advocates, the company claims to have disclosed content in only 2.2 percent of the instances. Also while Microsoft operates in over a hundred countries around the world, the company discloses data in just 46 -- rest assured that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will not be receiving the software giant's help.

Microsoft reports that the "data covers law enforcement requests and/or court orders Microsoft received in calendar year 2012 related to our online and cloud services – including, for example, Hotmail/Outlook.com, SkyDrive, Xbox Live, Microsoft Account, Messenger and Office 365".

The small percentage of users affected, and the even tinier amount of data disclosed, is heartening. We all want law enforcement to be able to do its job when it comes to stopping terrorists and hackers, we just don't want them snooping on the average citizen because he or she happens to have political or religious leanings that they find unagreeable.

Photo Credit: Lasse Kristensen/Shut

YouTube reaches one billion unique monthly visitors

Publié: mars 21, 2013, 2:58pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite our recent disdain for Google, there's no denying the Mountain View, Calif.-based company is a juggernaut when it comes to web traffic. It totally dominates search and its YouTube subsidiary, which has just announced a brand new milestone, is equally unstoppable in the online video market.

The YouTube team claims the service "now has more than a billion unique users every single month", which is a phenomenal figure. The service, which was started back in 2005, has been growing steadily since inception and was purchased by Google in 2006, perhaps saving the video company from being litigated out of existence.

While that number of regular visitors is huge, the breakdown provided with the announcement is even more staggering. Consider what the numbers really mean -- one out of every two people on the Internet visits YouTube. The company further puts it in perspective this way -- "Our monthly viewership is the equivalent of roughly ten Super Bowl audiences. If YouTube were a country, we’d be the third largest in the world after China and India".

The team wraps up with a message to all of its users "From the aspiring filmmaker in his basement and the next great pop musician, to the fans all around the world who tune in, subscribe and share their favorite videos with the planet, thank you for making YouTube what it is today". Now where can the company go from here?

Who knew? This is Microsoft's big gaming week

Publié: mars 21, 2013, 2:16am CET par Alan Buckingham

While we all wait on the edge of our seats for the Xbox 720, or whatever the next-generation console will be called -- and I doubt it will be 720 -- there is a lot more going on in the Microsoft gaming world than there perhaps should be, given that E3 is getting closer. Some is, of course, pure speculation, which seems to drive the tech industry these days. Some is purported leaks of console information. And then, low and behold, some is actually real information.

I have no desire to discuss rumors -- just tell me when you actually know something. I also do not plan on touching a leaked document because who knows if it's real? What I can tell you is what actually is real.

First, Microsoft's Fuse Labs today announced the latest version Kodu Game Lab. The company claims the project is "a complete 3D game development environment designed to let kids create their own 3D games". Microsoft describes the engine thus: "Kodu is built around a custom visual programming language that makes it easy for everyone to learn how to program".

The new version of Kodu supports touch as an input, new water game characters, programmable control for some of the world settings and programmable control of some character settings.

Kodu is not all that is going on in the Microsoft gaming universe this week, though. This also marks the PAX East show in Boston. Larry Hryb of Xbox Live lets it be known that visitors will get to preview some of the upcoming hot Xbox games at the show.

For instance, Halo 4's Castle Castle Map Pack will receive its first playable demo, as will Gears Maxim Map Pack, State of Decay, Max: Curse of the Brotherhood and Motocross Madness as well as some new Windows 8 and Windows Phone games.

Hryb also teases that "there is a lot more we’ll have in the booth, from Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 games, to upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade titles".

And you thought you had to wait for E3 in June to get some big Microsoft gaming news...well, okay that may be just slightly bigger, but at least this should hold you over until then.

Google can keep Keep, I will stick with Evernote

Publié: mars 21, 2013, 2:07am CET par Alan Buckingham

I don't really like to play the part of the curmudgeon. But, I am getting a bit tired of the Google "me too" way of doing business, despite the fact that I have to admit I have followed it to a large degree in the past. The company was not the first (obviously) with a web browser, but got me to switch from Firefox -- a move I have begun to regret, given recent problems. Google was not the first with cloud storage and, though I signed up for the free version, I pay for real storage on Amazon Cloud and use Crashplan for backup services.

I have used Google Docs, but I prefer Office. In fact, beyond Android, there is really not much being offered that I cannot live without. Don't get me wrong -- I am not being as bold as my colleague Wayne Williams and his total switch, but I have become a bit ambivalent to all of Google. I could switch to Bing. I could go back to Firefox. Neither would really cause me stress.

However, recent events have not helped my perception of the company. And, yes, by that I refer to the whole Reader debacle. I know there are alternatives, though most seem snowed under at the moment. That one simple kill, which is a part of much broader strokes the company has taken lately, was enough to leave a rather permanent bad taste in my mouth.

And now, today, the information giant would like me to trust it with all of my notes, lists and other data with the new Google Keep -- or perhaps I should say "keep until the next spring cleaning".

Give me one good reason why I should leave Evernote, where all of this data is already stored, works across every platform known to man, is completely free and has proven an ability to stay up and running and honest in the face of attacks from hackers?

Keep works on fewer platforms, has fewer options and comes with the headache of knowing that Google may simply decide it is no longer relevant to some future business model.

Honestly, if I were to leave Evernote, which would only happen if the business somehow goes south, I would sooner trust Microsoft and OneNote with my information. The company has a much better track record of trust than that search giant does.

Windows Embedded 8 launches today

Publié: mars 20, 2013, 5:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft announced the coming of Windows Embedded 8, including Industry and Handheld versions, earlier in 2013. The release is today, as both OEM and businesses can begin downloading and implementing various flavors of the newest version of the operating system.

"Edge devices connected and working in unison with an enterprise’s broader IT infrastructure unleash the potential of the Internet of Things by yielding the actionable data and operational intelligence that drive businesses forward", Kevin Dallas, general manager of Windows Embedded at Microsoft, says.

Windows Embedded versions are all around, though most people do not realize it. The Microsoft OS can be used to run everything from store cash registers to ATM's. There was even some talk of the Windows 7 version being used to power set-top boxes, though that never materialized. Dallas explained that "From the rich, familiar experience of Windows to integrated management, analytics and cloud platforms, Windows Embedded 8 coupled with the full breadth of Microsoft technologies for intelligent systems helps enterprises gain lasting competitive advantages in retail, manufacturing, healthcare and a variety of industries".

According to the company, today's release will not be all -- "Businesses will also have the ability to add or buy enterprise-specific functionality for their Windows Embedded 8-based solutions through licensing options Microsoft will make available in July". The company had previously released a beta version for developers to get started with.

Photo Credit: pixs4u/Shutterstock

Redbox Instant by Verizon hits Xbox 360

Publié: mars 19, 2013, 11:05pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Way back in the deep, dark early days of Rebox Instant by Verizon, I got the opportunity to take the streaming service for a test drive. We later learned that the service would be exclusive to the Xbox 360 -- at least as far as gaming consoles are concerned. That exclusivity begins today.

Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson to Xbox fans everywhere, announces that "the Redbox Instant by Verizon app is available on Xbox 360 now", though he asterisks this statement with some fine print to let consumers know that they will need that Xbox Live Gold subscription in order to take advantage of the new video-on-demand goodies.

That is, of course, not the only fee customers will incur here. Like rival Netflix, users also are required to pony up a monthly fee for the streaming privileges. In this case, $8 per month for DVD and $9 for Blu-ray. Before you wonder why those distinctions matter for a streaming service, let me explain. Both subscription models entitle the user to four actual discs per month -- you know, the old-fashioned, go to the store and get it from the big red box kind. While that seems very last decade, bear in mind that many movies, especially new releases, are not available for streaming.

Hryb finishes up by noting that: "As an added bonus, Redbox Instant by Verizon will be unlocked from Gold for a limited time so download it from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace today". Enjoy it while you can.

Windows Phone meets March Madness

Publié: mars 19, 2013, 8:45pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It is officially that time of the year -- when grown men call in sick to sit home and watch younger men and women play basketball. In other words, it's March Madness time. While you are watching those games, and possibly cursing your bracket choices, Microsoft would like to have a bit of your attention.

While the company's first big Microsoft mobile viral campaign, known as Smoked by Windows Phone, seemed to pop up everywhere and get all sorts of attention, the latest campaign has kept a much lower profile.

Now Microsoft aims to change that as Ben Rudolph, father of both campaigns, announces that the Windows Phone Challenge is coming to the television during the big college basketball tournament. "A new spot that pits the Nokia Lumia 920’s PureView camera head-to-head against the Samsung Galaxy SIII will run on ESPN and CBS throughout the men’s and women’s NCAA tournament", Rudolph says.

Only the one 30-second spot is planned for TV as of right now, but there is a longer format version, along with other videos, that you can watch over at that Challenge Playlist on YouTube.

Microsoft's Windows Phone platform has been getting batted around a bit the past couple of days and likely needs the good publicity anywhere that it can be found, and Rudolph is probably the perfect guy to try and right the ship.

Try as it might, Google can't stop RSS

Publié: mars 19, 2013, 8:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Many people use Really Simple Syndication without actually realizing it. Like SMTP in the background of email, RSS is the backbone of a number of things, including the podcasts you get from the iTunes store. Last week Google set off on an apparent challenge to kill RSS, or at least it seems that way to many of us.

Overshadowed in all of our talk, gripes really, about the loss of Google Reader is removal its RSS extension from the Chrome store. The extension placed the, now familiar, orange square in the URL bar and allowed users to easily subscribe to feeds by clicking and sending them to Google Reader.

Well, that extension was not gone from the Chrome store very long. Australian programmer Justin Kelly has already forked the code and re-uploaded it into the Chrome Web Store (here), but with some changes -- gone is the Reader option, replaced by options for Feedly, NewsBlur and The Old Reader (where I remain more than 30,000 down in the queue -- just saying). Others can be added from the options page.

Kelly describes it as a replacement extension for "modern, well supported web based RSS readers" -- perhaps a bit of a dig at Google and the lack of support and updates it has provided in recent times.

Photo Credit: nasirkhan/Shutterstock

New Google ad for the Nexus 10 may not make worldwide friends

Publié: mars 19, 2013, 3:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The tiniest of details can sometimes lead to the thorniest of problems, which Google may discover with its brand new Nexus 10 ad which debuted today. The video seems innocent enough -- it follows a young couple through nine months of pregnancy as they plan for their new bundle of joy and discuss what to name the baby boy.

However, if you scroll through the comments of the just-posted one minute ad, you will find something interesting. Commentor Ram Gadde points out that "sex determination of fetus is prohibited in India". He then later opines that he thinks, for that reason, "this ad will be banned in India".

The commercial, for the most part has received a positive responses with ericcartmansh saying "steppin it up. Good stuff le Goog" and VaeVictus 666 chiming in "really well done ad. Good job Google".

After some quick digging, I determined that the aforementioned Indian law is actually in effect so, while if Google actually plans to run the ad in India, there is a chance it could be banned, it is likely not of any major concern to the company. Google will reap benefits from almost anywhere the clever little video is shown and can always make a separate ad for any markets that block it. The global market continues to make everything much simpler and yet much more complicated.

Microsoft opens new online store in virtual Chinese mall

Publié: mars 19, 2013, 1:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft is making another attempt to get into the Chinese market by way of something other than piracy. China is the world's largest market for computers, but many of the customers run pirated versions of software, including Windows and other Microsoft products. Now the company is attempting to provide users with a legitimate way to get their hands on its wares, and not just software.

In October 2012 Microsoft opened a version of its online store in the Chinese language, and now Tmall, one of largest online shopping malls in the People's Republic of China, has just added an official Microsoft retail point.

The new online store not only features Microsoft's own software, like Windows and Office, but also Microsoft branded hardware, such as Surface, and the firm's popular range of mice and keyboards. The store additionally offers hardware from Microsoft partners for computers, tablets and Windows Phone handsets.

"We are excited to be working with Tmall.com for the official launch of Macrosot's flagship store" said Kevin Egan, the vice president of E-commerce for Microsoft retail stores. "Chinese consumers' appetite for brand-name, quality products is surging and they are increasingly making purchase decisions based on experience, value, and service quality".

So, is this enough to stop the rampant piracy that Microsoft and other software makers face in this market? Probably not, but it is a great outlet for the hardware and perhaps will provide the opportunity for Surface and Windows Phone to get a toehold within one of the world's largest economies.

Tales from a Google Reader refugee -- waiting in line to be fed

Publié: mars 18, 2013, 9:45pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I will spare you all of the crying and griping about the whole Google Reader thing -- you have heard it all by now. Suffice it to say that I no longer plan to trust Google with much of what I do. Other companies axe products, as I learned when Microsoft killed my beloved Live Mesh last year, but Google is more regular and ruthless executioner, but I digress -- I promised no rant here.

My colleagues and I are discussing where we will all go after being chucked from Google lands into the jungle. There are a number of options, and Feedly is among the popular destinations. But I was not impressed in my, admittedly very short, look at the service. I also fired up Opera and imported my OPML file into its built-in RSS reader, but it's not cloud-based, and I was left with more than 10,000 "unread" stories. Granted it can be fixed, but do I want to?

In the end I settled on a very simple web-based solution called The Old Reader. I would love to tell you how much I like service, how I recommend you move there immediately, but I fear I will not have those answers for days at this point. The road this refugee treads is a long one, and there are many more homeless in front of me anxious to be fed.

My initial attempt to import my OPML file from Google Takeout resulted in a message that told me, rather matter-of-factly, that "There are 46,908 users in the import queue ahead of you". That number was as of 9:41 AM ET this morning. As of this writing -- more than six hours later -- I have moved up quite a ways. The site now tells me that "There are 35,296 users in the import queue ahead of you". I figure I should be in sometime around the end of this week, perhaps sooner if I get lucky.

Its not the fault of the service. I am pretty sure that Google warned no partners ahead of its Spring Cleaning announcement that suddenly sent a tsunami of traffic the way of these third-party services. All of them scramble for bandwidth and more servers. I suppose it's a good problem for a business to have, although most would have been well-served with a warning about the mass of refugees coming their way.

Thankfully we all have until July 1 to get this sorted out. There is time to try multiple services and pick a favorite and there is time for the app makers to get up to speed with their new-found popularity. It just begs the question, once again, what Google's powers-that-be are thinking in making this move. There is obviously a business here, and the biggest Internet company in the world failed to find a way to capitalize on it.

Photo Credit: Scott Maxwell / LuMaxArt/Shutterstock

Scale Mt. Everest without leaving your seat

Publié: mars 18, 2013, 9:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You have no doubt heard the term "Monday Morning Quarterback", which refers to the person who always has the plan that would have won the game the day before. Now you can be an armchair mountaineer thanks to Google's latest update to its Maps program, that brings some of the biggest and baddest climbs to your computer screen.

The Maps teams has gone to a number of extremes and this time they are scaling the heights of some of the most feared peaks on the planet. The team visited Nepal, commonly thought of as the gateway to the Himalaya's, and captured images that must be seen to truly be appreciated.

According to Google's Dan Fredinburg: "This awesome trek began at Everest Base Camp where the crew rolled out over 70 miles through the mountains and through the towns -- through lovely days and real powerful color splashes alike". The team ventured as far up as an altitude of 18,192 feet. Along the way panoramic images were capture and are subsequently made available for viewing on your PC or mobile device.

In what seems somewhat of a surprise, Google has also made a number of the panoramic images available within Microsoft's Photosynth app -- "if you’re using a Windows Phone or iOS device, you’ll want to have a peek at Photosynth", Fredinburg states.

This latest release adds to the existing World's Highest Peaks that is already part of the Google Maps collection -- a set that includes several Andean peaks and also the famed Kilimanjaro in Africa.

Microsoft pushes out Windows 7 SP1 on March 19

Publié: mars 18, 2013, 7:03pm CET par Alan Buckingham

For those people who haven't moved on to Windows 8, don't worry -- you will still get something new. Microsoft has announced that Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 will automatically push through the Windows Update tomorrow.

This is not entirely new, though. In fact, Service Pack 1 released way back on Feb. 9, 2011, but has remained optional. Users could previously install SP1 from Windows Update, but the task required manually adding it to the installation list. The difference now is that Microsoft will no longer give users a choice in this matter. That is not a bad thing, because SP1 rolls together a number of security updates for your computer.

According to Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc, "Starting tomorrow, the installation will be fully automatic with no user action required for those who already have Automatic Update enabled. SP1 will be released gradually over the coming weeks to all customers on the RTM version of Windows 7. The service pack will take slightly longer to install compared to other updates".

The update will only happen on consumer computers, so IT has nothing to fear from this sudden change. The update only applies PCs that are not managed by any Microsoft management tool such as Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) or WSUS Server. Businesses will need to roll out this update on their own.

Customers should make the move as soon as possible because Windows 7 without SP1 will become unsupported on April 9. In other words, this is not really an option for you or IT. The good news is that, after two years in the market, most users likely already have the updated version of the operating system. This is simply a last ditch effort to get the stragglers on board and perhaps make things just a bit more secure.

Photo Credit: Adriano Castelli/Shutterstock.com

New Kinect for Windows SDK coming March 18

Publié: mars 17, 2013, 3:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Yesterday at the Engadget Expand conference Microsoft's Bob Heddle, the director of Kinect for Windows, announced a new software developer kit is coming very soon -- tomorrow, in fact. Version 1.7 will be made available March 18, and Heddle promised it will be the "most significant update to the SDK since we released the first version a little over a year ago".

Version 1.7 promises new interaction, including push-to-press buttons, grip-to-pan capabilities, and support for smart ways to accommodate multiple users and two-person interactions. Heddle explains that "we wanted to save businesses and developers hours of development time while making it easier for them to create gesture-based experiences that are highly consistent from application to application and utterly simple for end users".

The company is also adding more features to Kinect Fusion -- a service that create accurate, full, 3-D models. The Kinect for Windows SDK 1.7 will now include OpenCV and MATLAB Samples to allow developers to build advanced Kinect-enabled applications while using industry standards.

The new SDK also marks a milestone of sorts. Microsoft will be making Kinect for Windows code samples available through CodePlex -- marking the first time Kinect code has ever been available through an open-source resource.

Heddle promises that the new features will be "fully compatible with all previous commercial releases, so we encourage everyone to upgrade to the new version". If you want to check out the on-stage demonstration from Heddle then there is a video available for you now.

Photo Credit: Microsoft

Your security problem isn't Microsoft, it's everyone else

Publié: mars 15, 2013, 11:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I suppose we sort of already knew this. Ever since Microsoft turned on the firewall by default back in XP SP1, Windows is safer to use and improves with each new version. Perfect? Far from it, but the imperfections are more about what you add than what Microsoft provides. Secunia reports that the vast majority of problems experienced by Windows users these days are caused by third-party software.

In a new report Secunia tells us: "In 2012, 86 percent of the vulnerabilities affecting the Top-50 programs in the representative portfolio, infected third-party programs. This means that only 14 percent of vulnerabilities present in the Top-50 programs on the computers of the PSI users stem from Operating Systems and Microsoft programs. The 86 percent is a substantial increase from the previous year -- 2011 -- when vulnerabilities in third-party software represented 78 percent". The number of third-party vulnerabilities is up from 57 percent six years ago.

Unsurprisingly, Oracle's Java leads the way, followed by Adobe Reader. Microsoft is not entirely blameless, though, because Silverlight is surprisingly high on the list as well.

The report goes on to claim that the number of flaws targeting Windows users rose 5.5 percent last year. Eighty percent of those vulnerabilities had patches available, which puts part of the blame on the end user.

This is mostly good news for Microsoft. Though Silverlight needs work, the company is largely doing a much better job of protecting its customers, and Windows 8 is the best example so far. Now if only the company could better educate the end-user the internet would become a much safer world.

Photo Credits: maraga/Shutterstock

Overhauling a home network, part 4 -- From an HTPC to Google TV

Publié: mars 15, 2013, 3:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Fourth in a series. Before I go any further I am anticipating the obvious question here -- how can you replace a Windows Media Center HTPC with a box that has no DVR functionality? For many of you this may be impossible, but for me it is simple. We have DirecTV and the HR21 HD DVR for TV -- I cannot live without my NFL Sunday Ticket. The HTPC is simply used for DVD rips, music and pictures, so we never used it to its full capability. That makes the move to the Vizio Co-Star an easy one.

And, after last week's disastrous start to the home theater portion of this endeavor, anything had to be a step up. With the Micca box safely returned to Amazon, it was time to make Google TV the one box to rule them all, replacing both HTPC and Netgear NeoTV 550.

Getting Started

Setting up the Co-Star is fairly painless. Simply plug your cable or satellite box into the Vizio via HDMI in and then use another cable to run from HDMI out to either your TV or A/V receiver. It takes 5-10 minutes to walk through the on-screen steps to get your picture to look perfect, pick up your cable or satellite content, control your TV power and volume and more. Unfortunately, as I run everything through the Yamaha receiver, I still need that second remote to control volume and power for that device.

The remote is a bit on the chunky side, but that is because of the full QWERTY keyboard on the back. All of the buttons are there to control your DVR -- guide, list, menu and more. There is also a laptop-like touchpad for full mouse control and a large V button that launches the apps, including a number that are pre-installed, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Google Play, Chrome and several more.

Getting your Computer Media

By default, Google TV does not pull in video, music, movies and pictures from computers on your home network as others like the Roku can do.

For this you can use Plex. You will first need to set up the Plex Media Server on one of your computers -- preferably something that is always on, like a desktop PC. Setup is easy. Simply add media by category, like music, pictures, TV shows and movies. Browse to the folder where each is stored and add the folders.

Now head to the Google Play store and grab the Plex app -- there is one specifically for Google TV, but unlike the Media Server and Android apps, it is not free. However, it is only $0.99 so don't panic.

Other Apps

There are a number of other apps that are made for Google TV like Pandora and Google Music, to name only two. You will also find a number of video apps, but sadly some of the bigger ones like Crackle and Watch ESPN are not compatible.

Conclusion

After living with the Vizio Co-Star for almost a week it has truly become the only box we need in our home theater. All of the live and recorded TV is played and controlled through it and all of our music, pictures and recorded DVDs are easy to access from Plex. However, most of our movies are in ISO format, which doesn't play, so I am slowly converting them to AVI using Freemake Video Converter.

Digg, Feedly tramp on Reader's grave, announcing new RSS tools

Publié: mars 14, 2013, 9:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Apparently there is some new Samsung phone being announced later today, but for the past 24 hours Google owned the news cycle for all of the wrong reasons. Yesterday the company tried to quietly announce its latest round of spring cleaning, but an app included in that list, Reader, got a bit more attention than the company likely wanted.

Now companies are stepping all over one another in a rush to fill a void that is apparently much larger than Google would have you believe. Feedly, perhaps the biggest competitor, already posted detailed instructions on how to get rid of Reader and move to its service. The company claims this move was "something we have been expecting for some time: We have been working on a project called Normandy which is a feedly clone of the Google Reader API – running on Google App Engine. When Google Reader shuts down, feedly will seamlessly transition to the Normandy back end. So if you are a Google Reader user and using feedly, you are covered: the transition will be seamless".

Now, today, Digg follows suit with its own announcement about working on an alternative for disenfranchised Google Reader customers. In an earlier announcement Andrew from Digg states: "We’ve heard people say that RSS is a thing of the past, and perhaps in its current incarnation it is, but as daily (hourly) users of Google Reader, we’re convinced that it’s a product worth saving. So we’re going to give it our best shot. We’ve been planning to build a reader in the second half of 2013, one that, like Digg, makes the Internet a more approachable and digestible place. After Google’s announcement, we’re moving the project to the top of our priority list. We’re going to build a reader, starting today".

The company is asking for help and suggestions with the project and hopes to make it the best alternative for angry Googlers, which many of us here at BetaNews seem to qualify as today.

If the petitions that have sprung up around the web today are not enough to get the search giant's attention then at least user's will have a fair amount of alternatives to choose from.

Photo Credit: metalstock/Shutterstock

Google plans to execute Reader, among other apps

Publié: mars 14, 2013, 1:51am CET par Alan Buckingham

I can live with iGoogle going away -- I never use the service anymore. But this one really hurts, though perhaps more to those of us who write about technology than those who read about it. However, statistics show that many of you also use the RSS feed to easily track your favorite sites. That is why today's execution notice from Google hits below the belt.

Reader, along with several others, have been rounded up, tried and found guilty of not being productive enough to warrant continued life. Reader will die July 1. Other Google services have varying dates -- some sooner, while others get a stay.

Others included in this roundup were Apps Script, CalDAV API, Google Building Maker, Google Cloud Connect, Google Voice App for Blackberry, Search API for Shopping and Snapseed Desktop for Macintosh and Windows. I would say that none are of consequence compared to Reader, but I would hear from fans of each and, since I understand the hard feelings at this time, I will be kind.

The announcement comes from Urs Hölzle, the SVP of Technical Infrastructure at Google, who tries to console readers by telling us: "These changes are never easy. But by focusing our efforts, we can concentrate on building great products that really help in their lives".

There are still alternatives out there, at least for RSS, but it is a diminishing market. For now you have a varying amounts of time to replace the app you can't live without, but all are on their final leg. I suppose you can petition Google, but its unlikely the company will change its mind.

Photo Credit: Ryan Jorgensen - Jorgo/Shutterstock

Finally, Netflix U.S. gets social with Facebook sharing

Publié: mars 13, 2013, 7:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Netflix, the popular DVD-by-mail and internet streaming service, today announced that it is bringing social sharing to your video experience with new Facebook integration -- a feature previously available elsewhere, but prevented here by U.S. law. Now you can no longer pretend to your friends that you really didn't watch that sappy love story last night.

Netflix's Cameron Johnson, director of product innovation, states that "Netflix members in the U.S. can share their favorite shows and movies on Netflix with friends by connecting to Facebook and agreeing to share".

The integration will add a new row to your Netflix titled "Watched by your friends" and customers will also be able to see what movies and TV shows were rated four or five stars in the new "Friends’ Favorites" row. As for that potentially embarrassing movie I mentioned at the beginning, you do not really need to worry about that. The new service will allow you to choose not to share a specific title by clicking the "Don't Share This" button in the player. The company also promises easy control over all of this -- "You can also visit your 'Social Settings' in 'Your Account' on Netflix.com to turn on additional sharing to Facebook or stop sharing altogether", Johnson explains.

While Netflix has expanded its reach to other markets and integrated this feature for them, this took a long time to become available for U.S. customers. The company had to wait for Congress to update a video-sharing law, which it did in December 2012, that previously prevented the sharing of video rental history for privacy reasons. The law was a relic from the Robert Bork Supreme Court nomination era, when his rental records leaked to the public.

Netflix is rolling this feature out now and promises that all customers will have access to it by the end of this week.

I'm shocked! Shocked! More teens have cell phones and use the Internet

Publié: mars 13, 2013, 5:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

As the parent of two teenagers I am always interested in studies about their digital lifestyle. Pew Research Center has a new report that claims that "smartphone adoption among American teens has increased substantially and mobile access to the internet is pervasive". You don't say? I believe I could have told you that simply by visiting my local mall. So much for the "tell us something we don't know" moment.

Still, the research firm did its homework and published some interesting numbers. Pew studied a group of 802 teens between the ages of 12 and 17 to reach its results. For instance, 78 percent of all teens have cell phones and almost half of those, 47 percent, are smartphones. For the record, in our household it is an even 50 percent -- the 16 year old has a smartphone, the 13 year old does not yet have his first phone, though it is a subject that seems to come up daily.

The study also announces that 23 percent of teens have a tablet, 95 percent use the Internet and 93 percent have a computer at home. Again, all rather unsurprising numbers based on my own experiences, but I question the demographics that are not mentioned anywhere in the study.

"The nature of teens’ Internet use has transformed dramatically -- from stationary connections tied to shared desktops in the home to always-on connections that move with them throughout the day," says Mary Madden, Senior Researcher for the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project and co-author of the report.

To sum up, as I point out, none of this qualifies as shocking and it meshes with my personal experiences, however I question how much these percentages really mean, given that they would certainly drop off dramatically with income level. In other words, I am not convinced they represent everyone across the board, but that is not mentioned here, so I am only musing and not stating.

Photo Credit: J. McPhail/Shutterstock

When will they learn? New York Jets big Twitter failure

Publié: mars 12, 2013, 9:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The storied NFL franchise, the New York Jets, once home to "Broadway" Joe Namath, hopefully has learned a Twitter lesson -- never ask something without fully thinking through the consequences, especially when your fans may be nearing the end of their proverbial ropes. Just ask Microsoft about this.

The organization chose last night, on the eve of free agency, to ask fans for their input on the direction the team should take. I seriously doubt the Jets had any real intention of allowing fans to overrule management, but meant more a fun gesture to make fans feel more a part of the process. The Jets proceeded to ask "Free agency begins tomorrow. The Jets priority should be _________".

None-the-less the publicity stunt failed miserably, with responses raining in letting the team know exactly where it currently stands in the market. A few of the thousands can be read below and, as you can see, the team certainly learned what fans really think.

a new team — yansore cfs (@BigDavesRants)
Oh the mentions this is gonna get — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo)
A prayer from God — Devanand Ramjit (@_KingPingPong)
To take a year off and cut their losses. — The Tax Man Cometh (@Stateman1952)
EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! — Matt Orso (@SportsTalk2345)
Forfeiture of the 2013 season. — Panda (@L7Panda)
Cutting everyone — Ian Kenyon (@IanKenyonNFL)

Shall I go on? Search Twitter for yourselves if you wish to read the countless others. It is not the first, nor will it be the last, lesson learned by a business entity when it comes to social media. The problem is, these days screw-ups like this become very high-profile in a hurry.

BitTorrent Live leaves private beta, meets the public

Publié: mars 12, 2013, 8:17pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There is a lot going on right now down in Austin, Texas. This week the city plays host to the popular SXSW Interactive show -- an idea that began as a music festival and then added technology to the mix. Today BitTorrent chose the location to remove the private tag from its Live streaming service and let the public play with it for the first time.

The service is a Peer-to-Peer live streaming platform that the company says is "for anyone with mobile video or webcams, for anyone in the moment, on the ground, or on the front lines; for everyone with the need to break news or break it down in real time".

The BitTorrent Live service started testing in November of 2012 and has been utilized by at least one very popular podcaster I personally know. He told me he had no problems broadcasting a stream of his live show and encountered only minor hiccups during the testing phase.

The company notes that "we've demonstrated scaling and improved stability during our invite-only period, and are excited to open our service up to anyone who wants it. Thanks to all our early users for their support".

The service is still a beta, just of a public nature now, so perhaps you should temper your expectations here, and also have a backup plan just in case. If you want to give it a shot then head over to BitTorent Live to get started.

Photo Credit: Sergey Nivens/Shutterstock

Guess what? Flash is vulnerable again...still

Publié: mars 12, 2013, 6:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

On the day Microsoft promises an Internet Explorer 10 update that enables Adobe Flash without white-list restrictions, guess what happens? Adobe releases another Flash security bulletin. This is the wrong contest, competing with Oracle's Java to see which can be the most vulnerable platform on your computer.

An official statement from Adobe's Wendy Poland informs that this latest update is "to address security updates in Adobe Flash Player 11.6.602.171 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh, Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.273 and earlier versions for Linux, Adobe Flash Player 11.1.115.47 and earlier versions for Android 4.x, and Adobe Flash Player 11.1.111.43 and earlier versions for Android 3.x and 2.x. These updates address vulnerabilities that could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system".

Once again, users will need to update Flash immediately to avoid potential danger. A better suggestion is, of course, simply not to install the software to begin with, but that remains a tall order for most web surfers as the platform continues to power parts of many websites we visit on a daily basis.

As always, remember to never install the update when prompted by a website, but to instead, head to the official Adobe site to grab any potential updates. Even then, you may want to hold your breath as you surf.

Photo Credits: maraga/Shutterstock

You're the villain who killed the Marvel Comics giveaway

Publié: mars 12, 2013, 4:17pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you were anywhere on the Internet yesterday then you likely learned that Marvel comics, publishers of popular series like The Hulk, Captain America, Thor (sadly a personal favorite of my wife) and more, teamed up with Comixology for a giveaway. The Marvel #1 promotion wanted to distribute over 700 free comics via its platform.

Well, to say there was demand may be the biggest understatement I make today. Fans flocked to the website and the servers were periodically overloaded and taken down. Now the company has been forced to suspend the giveaway as it tries to recuperate from the overwhelming onslaught.

According to Comixology CEO David Steinberger: "We expected a high degree of excitement for the Marvel initiative -- and had believed ourselves prepared – but unfortunately we became overwhelmed by the immense response. We’re still struggling to keep our systems up".

Steainberger goes on to explain "we’re pausing the Marvel Comics #1 promotion for the time being. For those of you that want to take advantage of the offer -- you will get your comics".

For now the company has put up a form where fans can go to fill out their email address. Comixology promises to keep customers up-to-date about what is going on with the offer and also insures that those who managed to get in when the contest was live will receive their free comics, but there is no guarantee of exactly when that will be.

Microsoft brings Facebook to Bing Desktop

Publié: mars 9, 2013, 9:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft rolled out its Windows 8 version of Bing Desktop in late 2012 and brought with it the cool wallpapers that are a part of the search engine's home page. Now, the company has quietly updated the app with another major feature -- Facebook integration. Without any announcement, version 1.2.113.0 launched, but has yet to find its way to all users.

The app is not all about the wallpaper, though that was my main reason for installing it upon original release. Bing Desktop also lets you conduct searches right from the desktop without opening any browser, as well allowing access to the top news stories, images, video and other popular content.

The new version adds Facebook integration via a new icon in the top of the window. Once clicked, you will need to log into your account, then allow the app to access your account information.

When everything is set then you can use the Facebook button in the Bing app to view your news feed as well as get messages and updates.

The update has not gone live to all users -- I did not have it when I began this story, however, heading over to the Microsoft Download Center and installing the latest version will provide access. Otherwise, the update should slowly reach all users. A word of caution during installation -- the app wants to make Internet Explorer your default web browser, Bing your search engine and MSN your home page. These options can all be unchecked.

Honestly, I can't see myself using this feature very often -- I originally installed the app to get the great daily images that Microsoft's search page uses as its daily backgrounds. However, more functionality certainly does not hurt as long as it doesn't bog down the system.

Geeks rejoice! Windows Phone 8 welcomes Newegg app

Publié: mars 9, 2013, 4:13am CET par Alan Buckingham

For many of you this may not sound like a very big deal -- an app that allows you to buy computer parts from your phone may sound ho-hum. But, when that app comes from Newegg then it may get your attention. The retailer is perhaps one of the favorites on the web for those looking for everything from hard drives to RAM to all sorts of Radio Shack-style accessories.

Today, the company rolled out its official, fully-supported Windows Phone 8 app. Version 1.4 is the first to offer full support for the new Microsoft mobile operating system -- "This is the Newegg.com mobile application. The app allows Windows Phone users to search, shop, read reviews and make purchases", right from the retail giant. This is not the first Newegg app for Windows Phone and there are still a few missing pieces in the puzzle. Sadly, it still lacks some features. For instance, Lockscreen notifications and even a double-wide tile are both lacking. Then again, the new app does bring fast-app resume and it is super quick on loading, per early tests.

Needless to say the app is free -- Newegg expects to make up development costs with no problem, thanks to the ease of making tech purchases. And I am sure they will -- without the app I have spent more than $100 there in the past couple of weeks. Who knows what will happen now.

Overhauling a home network, part 3 -- Micca and the best-laid plans

Publié: mars 8, 2013, 11:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Third in a series. Two weeks have passed since we last visited this topic, but I wanted to be fair with this next part before writing it. As you will recall from part one, I decided to replace my Windows Media Center HTPC and the NetGear NeoTV 550, because both are so old and slow. While I wanted to do so with one box, there was a major stumbling block -- most of our movies are ripped to ISO images. I would prefer a Google TV to replace both, but in the end got a Micca box to take the place of the HTPC and then still ordered a Vizio Co-Star because I simply could not resist.

Things have not gone entirely as I planned. In fact, as you may recall from part two of this series, nothing has really gone the way I had hoped.

Beauty is Skin Deep

The Micca is slim and very handsome. A SATA hard drive can easily be added from an optical drawer on the side of the box to provide built-in storage.

I knew the user interface is scant -- I saw the images on the website. That is not my concern. While Windows Media Center has a beautiful motif, I can live without it. I am looking for functionality and Micca promises to play virtually every codec, including my ISO files.

The UI is stark, but not a problem. Functionality is. First, I cannot access the HDD I added to the box from any computer on my network, meaning I cannot move video files to local storage for easier streaming. The box does allow me to access files on other computers and DLNA devices, but that is problematic -- sometimes they show up, sometimes not.

Combine these network problems with the UI and it is a recipe for failure. When my family sits down to watch something they expect everything to work. This setup does not always fill that most basic need.

Moving On

So where do I go now? I will remove the HTPC. I have not done this yet because I want to test longer before disconnecting everything. I am very glad I took that approach.

I will move to the Vizio Co-Star full-time, though doing so entails some significant hassle on my part. Those ISO movie files will not play there -- I have looked for workarounds, without success. If you know of one, please chime in in the comments below -- yes, I am crowd-sourcing my problems.

Where to Now?

For lack of an ISO solution on Google TV, I face the rather daunting task of converting ISO files to AVI format. It is not difficult just very time-consuming. Thankfully I work mainly on my laptop, so to open a file on the desktop and hit a covert button periodically is not labor-intensive. Plus I will save hard drive space.

In the meantime, I will keep the Netgear NeoTV active (it plays ISO -- hint to Google) to handle those ISO movies that have not yet been converted -- just in case Indiana Jones starts calling my kids' names.

In part four, I'll look at how well Google TV can replace a dedicated HTPC -- it certainly has to be better than Micca.

Photo Credits: Alan Buckingham

More smartphone owners stick with Android than iPhone

Publié: mars 8, 2013, 8:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Developers must make hard choices when choosing what platforms to support. In mobile, popular convention is iPhone first. But does that approach, in the real world of smartphone ownership, really make sense in 2013? Let us take a look at the hard numbers that were recently published by comScore and see what they can tell us.

This may be a self-perpetuating problem for Apple; according to ComScore, the Google platform simply offers more opportunity because of its larger user base, though that is far from the only consideration for developers. Granted, both mobile operating systems are wildly popular, despite the best efforts of Microsoft to get Windows Phone OS into contention (OK, maybe "best efforts" is going a bit far) -- Android and Apple combine for nearly 90 percent of the smartphone market -- 53 and 36 percent respectively.

But that is only half of the puzzle -- While Android holds a commanding lead in share, it retains only 48 percent of those users, while Apple holds onto 62 percent. That means that just over 25 out of 100 users stick with Google, while a bit more than 22 look at the world through Apple goggles. Sounds good, but if the trend were to continue then the sides would eventually change. Except that is not the case. You see, while 8 out of 10 current iPhone customers are returning buyers, that current 62 percent number means shrinking to only 6 of 10.

Benjamin Travis says that "iOS is popular among a slightly younger demographic than Android users, with 18-24 year olds representing 19 percent of all iPhone owners compared to 16 percent of Android owners". While that may initially sound promising, the news for Apple is not all good here, plus the gap just is not that big and likely could be shrinking.

The two smartphone bases engage differently with mobile content as well. First of all, comScore finds that the Android platform has a greater number of media users in each category. While iPhone users tend to be generally more engaged with their devices and apps, market share becomes important -- shear audience size is hard to beat.

Travis goes on to point out that "iPhone users show a greater propensity to engage in [M-Commerce] behavior with 23 percent having done so versus 17 percent of Android owners. iPhone owners are also more likely to make purchases on their phones on a regular basis". This is also an important consideration for those looking to monetize by means other than in-app ads, but that is less than half of the apps on the market.

comScore also points out that iPhone owners tend to think very highly of their devices and, as a result, they are likely to remain loyal users over time. This is perhaps the red herring. Sixty-two percent of iPhone users would stick with the device versus forty-eight percent for Android.

There are other considerations not mentioned. The biggest one is a users' library of purchased apps -- once you are invested in a platform it becomes increasingly harder to move on. Regardless of income level nobody wants to purchase the same apps twice. Again, the larger share is likely more important to Android now.

In the end, while comScore tries to play fair with both sides and avoid controversy, when you read between the lines, the direction is clear. Android's ever-increasing market share means more potential downloads and, with M-Commerce numbers that are not that far apart, more potential revenue. Google also runs a more open platform, making it easier to gets apps into the market -- something Apple developers have sometimes struggled with.

Google takes a Field Trip to visit iOS

Publié: mars 7, 2013, 10:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Apple fans can breath a sigh of relief -- not only do they now have Google Maps again, but today they gained another Google travel app, Field Trip. The app quietly rolled to the iTunes Store today with no fanfare, nor even an announcement from the search giant, bringing with it all of the features that many Android users have grown to love.

Field Trip works in the background and is unseen the vast majority of the time. However, when the user is out and about, it can suddenly spring into action when a place of interest is detected nearby. These can include local history as well as the latest and best places to shop, eat and even have fun.

Google pulls the data from TimeOut, Thrillist, Food Network, Zagat, Eater, Sunset, Cool Hunting, WeHeart, Inhabitat, Remodelista, Atlas Obscura, Dezeen and Daily Secret, Songkick and Flavorpill. More services are being added regularly.

The new iOS version is available in multiple languages -- English, Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

Field Trip for iOS is free and compatible with the iPhone 3GS and newer devices and will also work with the iPod touch and iPad as well. Just a word of caution -- if you are traveling to somewhere historical (like Williamsburg, Virginia), the app can become quite active, to the point of annoying -- but it is a good kind of annoying.

Nokia photo app begs Facebook to bring Instagram to Windows Phone

Publié: mars 6, 2013, 12:37am CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows Phone users have many of the apps they need -- though not always the official ones. However, one noticeable service is lacking -- Instagram has yet to release a client for Microsoft's mobile platform. Given that the software giant spent $240 million to purchase a stake in the social network back in 2007, and that Facebook now owns Instagram, that has to sting a bit. Then again, Microsoft writes the Facebook for Windows Phone app, but let's not chuck salt on wounds by going there.

Nokia, the flagship handset maker for Windows Phone, is apparently so desperate to right this perceived wrong that it wrote an app to fill the gap. "Many of you have asked when Instagram will be coming to Windows Phone, and the #2InstaWithLove app was created as a way for you to have your voice heard. The app allows you to take a photo using the classic polaroid filter and automatically adds the hashtag #2InstaWithLove".

To be fair, Nokia is not trying to rip off the mobile photo-sharing kingpin, but only use this as potential lobbying power in its battle to get the app onto Windows Phone devices. According to Nokia's description in the Windows Phone store, "It's all about showing Instagram just how passionate the Windows Phone community is -- so be creative, have fun and be sure to share your favorite photos with us using a social network of your choice".

The Finnish handset maker is clearly taking lobbying to a whole new level -- and with good reason. Instagram has become a staple for Android and iOS customers, and many Windows Phone users are feeling left out in the cold. Given that Nokia is known for its incredible cameras and Carl Zeist lenses that are built into the Lumia devices, it's really a shame that this growing portion of the market is still learning to do without.

Google reveals how often the Feds ask for your personal info

Publié: mars 5, 2013, 10:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google is characterized in some many different ways. While some of us look to the Mountain View, Calif.-based company as our savior, others refer to it in terms like "Skynet" -- the computer and artificial intelligence system that runs the world in the Terminator movie series. That latter reputation is one Google tries hard to change; Transparency Reports are example.

Today, Google's Legal Director, Richard Salgado, announced that the company will be adding National Security Letters to its report. "When conducting national security investigations, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation can issue a National Security Letter (NSL) to obtain identifying information about a subscriber from telephone and Internet companies", stated Salgado.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) actually prohibits companies from making this information public, but Google worked with officials to allow its customers to learn more of what is going on behind-the-scenes. According to Salgado: "When conducting national security investigations, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation can issue a National Security Letter (NSL) to obtain identifying information about a subscriber from telephone and Internet companies".

Google has won this battle and gained the right to begin including data about NSLs in its Transparency Report. The data is now displayed on a new page dedicated to these inquiries. Exact numbers are not given, but the data is displayed in ranges, such as between 0 and 999 NSL's were received in 2012 -- not a big help, but better than no data at all. Salgado explains: "You'll notice that we're reporting numerical ranges rather than exact numbers. This is to address concerns raised by the FBI, Justice Department and other agencies that releasing exact numbers might reveal information about investigations".

Google attempts to walk a thin line here between easing the potential fear from privacy-minded users and following what the government allows them to reveal. This is one small step in the right direction.

Photo Credit: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock

Twitter is a liberal echo chamber

Publié: mars 5, 2013, 7:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I certainly cannot speak for everyone, but for me, Twitter is the go-to news source. Yes, the service does get pwned sometimes, but more often than not, what is reported there is real and ahead of services like CNN. I also use the social network for weather updates and sports news from the beat reporters who cover my favorite NFL team. Twitter is great for this type of information.

However, according to a new report just out from Pew Research, when it comes to public opinion, Twitter leans decidedly to the left. BetaNews is not the place for politics, and I will not opine on what I think of that leaning -- only that the study makes a clear case.

None of this should come as much of a surprise. After all, while those on both sides of the political fence attempt to utilize the service, including politicians themselves who are looking to further their agendas, the majority of average users, according to the poll, are "considerably younger than the general public and more likely to be Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party. In the 2012 news consumption survey, half (50 percent) of adults who said they posted news on Twitter were younger than 30, compared with 23 percent of all adults. And 57 percent of those who posted news on Twitter were either Democrats or leaned Democratic, compared with 46 percent of the general public".

Numbers Don't Lie

Examples of liberalism litter the study -- 77 percent of Twitter users were "happy" about Barrack Obama's re-election while public opinion was at a more stable 52 percent. California same-sex marriage was approved by 46 percent of the Twitterati, but only 33 percent of the public at large. The examples go on.

Throughout most of the study, the results are almost entirely consistent, though the percentages vary on a case-by-case basis. According to Pew "this tilt to the Twitter conversation was evident throughout the fall campaign. In nearly every week from early September through the first week of November, the Twitter conversation about Romney was substantially more negative than the conversation about Obama".

Breaking the Norm

Just when you thought you had this figured out, Twitter throws a wrench into the works. The study cites several political events that were viewed more favorably by the average citizen than by those who took to Twitter to post their opinions. Among those events -- Obama's second inaugural speech and the 2012 State of the Union address.

There were also a couple of anomalies -- both Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan for a running mate and the June 2012 Supreme Court ruling on health care were met largely with mirrored reactions from both Twitter and the general public.

What does it Mean?

There really is not much to argue with here. I honestly doubt that any of this comes as a great surprise -- those in the tech world tend towards more liberal views in many cases, though certainly not all. The more tech-savvy also tend to be younger and more likely to use services like Twitter -- again, in most cases.

And Pew covered its backside nicely by doing an exhaustive study to ensure the results were accurate. The research firm called this "the conclusion of a year-long Pew Research Center study that compared the results of national polls to the tone of tweets in response to eight major news events, including the outcome of the presidential election, the first presidential debate and major speeches by Barack Obama".

In the end, Pew could only conclude that Twitter reactions to political events result from the unique profile of active Twitter users and the extent to which those events engage different communities.

Photo Credit: lev radin/Shutterstock

Microsoft set to demo Windows Embedded 8 Industry this week

Publié: mars 5, 2013, 2:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has visions of the "intelligent grocery store" and this week the company will put those dreams into motion at the Retail Tech Japan trade show. The show is described as "a vast collection of cutting-edge retail information technology ranging from store systems (e.g., Point-of-Sale registers) to head-office systems, in-store promotion devices, RFID / IC tags, backyard systems and logistics".

Today, Microsoft's John Boladian, marketing director for Asia Pacific and Greater China, announced that the software giant will be running a series of demos showing off Windows Embedded 8 Industry. The new version is set to replace the older Windows Embedded POSReady 7.

Boladian, through a post written by hs colleague Guillaume Estegassy, the Windows Embedded teamlead for Japan, he claims that "this year’s RTJ will also see an exciting debut of demos showcasing Windows Embedded 8 Industry, a fixed-platform solution based on Windows 8 that provides specialized devices, particularly in retail, with the requirements they need out of the box". The demos will take place at Microsoft's booth # RT1302.

Estegassy goes on to explain that the booth will be "showcasing streamlined, beautiful line-of-business applications that leverage Multi-Touch, Internet Explorer 10, enhanced power management and connectivity, and lockdown capabilities".

Windows Embedded 8 Industry will be released shortly after the RTJ show. However, customers can already grab a Release Preview version from Microsoft if they wish to begin experimenting and building solutions.

Editor's note: Author of the Microsoft blog post corrected".

Photo Credit: Retail Tech Japan

The White House agrees -- you should be able to unlock your phone

Publié: mars 5, 2013, 12:17am CET par Alan Buckingham

You asked and, this time at least, the government listened. Back in January, the legality of unlocking one's cell phone was rolled back after the Library of Congress failed to renew a 2006 ruling, letting it to expire. The outcry could be heard round the world, as the saying goes.

These days, though, Americans have an outlet for their distaste -- the government's own "We the People site". And citizens visited that site in droves -- 114,322 of you demanded that the White House re-evaluate this ridiculous (my word, not the carriers') law. The petition laid out the gripe in plain words -- "Consumers will be forced to pay exorbitant roaming fees to make calls while traveling abroad. It reduces consumer choice, and decreases the resale value of devices that consumers have paid for in full".

Today those voices were heard. White House spokesman R. David Edelman announces that "If you have paid for your mobile device, and aren't bound by a service agreement or other obligation, you should be able to use it on another network". Edelman even went so far to describe it as "common sense, crucial for protecting consumer choice, and important for ensuring we continue to have the vibrant, competitive wireless market that delivers innovative products and solid service to meet consumers' needs".

This does not entirely fix the problem, though the White House obviously carries a lot weight. There is still the matter of the Librarian of Congress and that little DMCA problem that the country has. However, the Edelman statement is fairly clear, while attempting to be gentle to the LOC.

So, what do all of you think? Is this a basic right that should be protected? Could any of you possibly be against this and, if so, why?

Photo Credits: Slavoljub Pantelic/Shutterstock

Twitter 2.0 rolls out for Windows Phone

Publié: février 27, 2013, 3:50am CET par Alan Buckingham

Just yesterday Twitter announced a planned app for the Firefox OS phones when they begin shipping, but the company is bringing that same functionality to Windows Phone, so do not feel left out. Today Microsoft's Michael Stroh did the honors of making the announcement.

The update is not much different than what has been promised for the Mozilla mobile OS. Customers will receive four new navigation tabs -- Home, Connect, Discover and Me.

Home, much as you would expect, shows tweets. These can be tapped to expand, at which point it will display in-line photos, video and even web site summaries.

Connect simply keeps you up-to-date with @ mentions, as well as allowing you to see who has followed or retweeted you, while Discover allows you to observe trends, and find new content, as well as browse categories, find friends, or see suggestions for accounts you may want to follow.

Finally, Me simply provides access for users to read and respond to direct messages, but according to Stroh "you can also see your lists and favorites or view and update your profile".

However, that is not all. Twitter users can also get status updates right on the lock screen, receive better Live Tile support, compose a tweet or search from anywhere in the app, and even use speech recognition to compose messages.

All of this is available now from the Windows Phone Store. If you have Twitter installed already then you should receive the update automatically. If not, it is a small 2 MB download.

HP unleashes 'augmented reality photos' for iOS

Publié: février 26, 2013, 6:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Today HP announced Live Photo for the iOS platform -- an app that claims to bring the user's photos to life using "augmented reality". The company claims the app will bring "a new consumer printing experience by embedding short video moments into printed photos".

According to Annie Weinberger, a general manager at HP-subsidiary Aurasma, "augmented reality is the new medium for bringing the physical world to digital life and HP Live Photo puts the power of this technology into the hands of everyday consumers". The free app purports to merge still images and short videos utilizing Aurasma. Once the app has been downloaded from the iTunes App Store the user can choose a video of up to 45-seconds in length and then select an automatically generated still image. From there it is a matter of choosing a template and sharing the new creation. The new photo/video can be shared via email, Facebook or by printing to any AirPrint-enabled printer.

The app is free and requires iOS 5.1 or newer, but in certain instances can work with iOS 4.2 on some devices. HP promises to bring this technology to other mobile platforms later this year.

Microsoft rolling out updates today for various Windows platforms and IE

Publié: février 26, 2013, 1:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Although it's Tuesday, it's not "Patch Tuesday", which means we shouldn't expect any updates from Microsoft, but the software giant is rolling out patches none-the-less. The updates are across a broad spectrum of platforms too -- Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server, and even Windows RT are included in this update.

Curiously, many of the Windows updates are listed as "non-security". The company generally only pushes out-of-cycle updates when there is a major security flaw that cannot wait for the next month. In the case of today's patches, many are listed as a fix for "issues in Windows".

There are also a few security patches as well. Both Windows Server 2012 and Server 2008 are receiving security patches, while .NET Framework 4 on XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP also have security updates coming.

There are also security-related fixes for Internet Explorer. According to Knowledge Base articles KB2792100 and KB2797052, "A security issue has been identified that could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to compromise your system and gain control over it". These updates cover Internet Explorer versions 6 through 10.

The entire list of updates is quite long. Those with automatic updates turned on should receive the patches today without having to do anything. Otherwise you will need to install them manually via the Windows Update option in Control Panel.

Photo Credit: zimmytws/Shutterstock

ZTE debuts monster 5.7-inch Grand Memo

Publié: février 25, 2013, 11:54pm CET par Alan Buckingham

How big is too big for a phone? I would have said that my 4.65-inch Galaxy Nexus is large enough, but the 5.5-inch Galaxy Note II proves me wrong and must admit after picking one up I think it is usable as my everyday phone. Now ZTE trumps Samsung today at Mobile World Congress by unveiling the Grand Memo -- a "phablet" with 5.7-inch screen. Smartphones continue to meld with tablets.

The new ZTE model debuts with a nice set of specs: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with quad-core Krait CPU, extremely generous 3200 mAh battery, 5.7-inch 720 x 1280 display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, WiFi, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, and rather standard 1MP front-facing camera. All of this is packaged in a very thin 8.5 mm case.

He Shiyou, ZTE EVP and head of the Mobile Devices Division, says that "high-definition screen makes it perfect for media and entertainment, but its uses reach far beyond that". He adds that ZTE has "really tried to make this device fun for use at home, and practical for use in the office. By combining both of these factors, we have created a well-rounded large-screen handset that is suitable for any situation".

If there is one knock on this device -- aside from some users potentially balking at the size -- it would be Android 4.1, despite the fact version 4.2 of Jelly Bean has been on the market since October of 2012.

So what do you think of these new "phablets"? Is the screen too big, or is it just what you have been waiting for?

Box rolls out 'enterprise-level' security features

Publié: février 25, 2013, 7:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

IT departments are picky -- I know from spending time in one during a previous life. However, Box, which still seems to be less-well known than rivals like Dropbox, is surprisingly more popular among large corporations. In fact, the cloud service boasts customers like computer giant HP. The company has also innovated a lot lately, with such offers as 50 GB of storage free to Android customers. Now Box beefs up its enterprise offering with new security measures.

Today Whitney Bouck, the general manager of Box Enterprise announces that the cloud service is "rolling out a set of new enterprise-grade security features and product integrations to help our customers protect their vital content".

These contain a number of IT-friendly services, starting with control. Admins will now be able to place restrictions on individual users to prevent them from creating and externally sharing files and folders. Conversely, permission to share outside can also be granted.

Another update involves mobile Box apps, which are available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Windows 8 (a modern UI app). This one comes in a couple of parts -- device pinning, Samsung Knox security and new login security.

"Pinning" is simply the ability to allow a user to only use Box on certain devices, Samsung Knox is the company's new mobile security offering, which Bouck claims "will provide enhanced security at all levels of the Android platform with simple and flexible device management that helps users easily separate their work and personal lives on their mobile device". And, the login security automatically detects and prevents unexpected user logins.

Finally, Box announced integration with GoodData. This will provide admins with analytics and dashboards for content management. The company also promises that this will provide information about security risks.

Some features announced today will be made available immediately, while others will roll out in the near future.

Photo Credit: Jirsak/Shutterstock

HP's budget Android takes on Amazon and Google tablets

Publié: février 24, 2013, 8:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The death knell for WebOS has sounded. HP promised a lot when purchasing the Palm mobile operating system back in 2010, only to abandon ship. The company is among Google's newest and most-important partners. Earlier this month, HP unveiled its first Chromebook, which is followed by its first Android tablet, the Slate 7.

Despite the fact that Mobile World Congress does not technically start until tomorrow, the big announcements have already been rolling out from Barcelona, Spain. HP, not to be left out, unveiled its new seven-inch Android tablet, clearly designed to go head-to-head with Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7.

The new device packs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, meaning buyers get Google Now, but no Photosphere, which requires version 4.2 of the Android operating system. The Slate 7 also packs in a 3-megapixel rear camera, embedded Beats Audio, micro USB port, VGA front camera and a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 at 1.6 GHz. The Slate 7 also features HP's ePrint technology. There is nothing about storage capacity included in the announcement.

Alberto Torres, the HP senior vice president of Mobility Global Business Unit, says the Slate 7 is designed to "address the growing interest in tablets among consumers and businesses alike, the company will offer a range of form factors and leverage an array of operating systems". HP also produces Windows 8 tablets.

As for pricing and availability, the company announced that the Slate 7 will arrive in April and tempts buyers with a $169 price tag -- a full $30 below that of the Amazon and Google competitors.

For now, HP teases potential customers with a product wesite that provides additional information. By the way, the website contradicts the press release by stating "available in May 2013".

So, will this tempt you away from a different purchase?

Microsoft claims expired SSL Certificate caused Azure outage

Publié: février 23, 2013, 4:47pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft's cloud service, Windows Azure, along with Team Foundation Service, suffered a major outage yesterday that also affected non-enterprise people, as it resulted in problems with the Xbox Live as well. However, according to the Xbox Status page, the Live system, along with Xbox Music and Video, which were also affected, is back up and running.

Now, as of this morning we have some information on the root cause of the much-publicized problem. Brian Harry, Product Unit Manager for Team Foundation Server, blames the nine-hour outage on "an expired SSL certificate in Windows Azure storage". Harry goes on to explain that the company stores "source code files, Git repos, work item attachments and more" there and that "the expired certificate prevented access to any of this information, making much of the TFService functionality unavailable".

Ironically, this is not the first time the company has been plagued by this problem. Several years ago Team Foundation Services was hit by an expired certificate which it blamed on an operational oversight. Harry promises that the company will be investigating what led to this most recent oversight and went on to state "I apologize to all of our affected customers and hope you’ll give us a chance to learn and continue to deliver you a great service".

Photo Credit: Ralf Juergen Kraft/Shutterstock

Better hurry! Nexus 4 is free from T-Mobile

Publié: février 22, 2013, 7:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The LG-made, Google-branded Nexus 4 made quite a splash when it debuted, but some of that attention was for the wrong reasons. The phone was almost impossible to grab, even at launch. Since then, supply problems have continued, extending from the T-Mobile online and brick-and-mortar stores to the Google Play Store.

If you think demand issues were bad before you may not have seen anything yet. Today T-Mobile dropped the price on the Android 4.2 handset all the way to zero.

But, you better hurry because the deal is only good through February 24th and it is available only through the T-Mobile website or by calling the mobile carrier at 1-877-387-4324.

By now you likely already know what your are getting with this handset, but I will give a brief overview in case you were not interested until the word "free" caught your attention.

The phone comes with a 4.7-inch screen, WiFi and Bluetooth, NFC, HSPA+, wireless charging, Snapdragon S4 processor, 8-megapixel camera and a bunch of other cool features.

Given the recent supply problems, I would recommend acting sooner rather than later if you really want the Nexus 4. Of course, T-Mobile looks to lock you into a two-year contract in exchange for the deal. The alternative is an unlocked version which is currently in-stock from Google Play Store for $299 for 8GB or $349 if you would prefer 16GB of storage.

Overhauling a home network, Part 2 -- back to FreeNAS afterall

Publié: février 22, 2013, 12:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Let us get a bit geeky. This was not my original intention, but it is how things turned out in the end. First, I believe I misspoke twice in part one of this series -- one time was unintentional, the other was apparently my wishful thinking. The first was when I called my recent used server purchase a Dell Optiplex. It is actually a Dell Poweredge. The second involved my new operating system and I'll get to that in a second.

To begin with, the server was running Windows Server 2003 and the small business I purchased it from had failed to wipe the data, but did leave it password protected -- something a tool like Ophcrack may have been able to breach, though I had no desire to try. The server also contained a CD-ROM drive which I needed to replace with a DVD drive in order to install Windows Server 2012 Essentials. Fortunately I had one laying around -- yes, I know that is not normal. You should see our storage room. There are boxes of computer parts and a stack of old towers filling a corner. At least this time the "it will be useful someday" statement worked out for me.

However, the 32-bit server architecture did not support 2012, meaning I moved on to Home Server -- that required 512 MB of RAM, and the server, woefully older than I had thought, only had 256 -- an easy upgrade, but expenses and wife-acceptance-factor for this project were mounting up.

In short, I went back to my old standby -- FreeNAS, which my last server ran. The operating system has improved quite a bit over the time since I last installed it. I knew there had been upgrades, but my system was set and working fine -- don't fix what is not broken. In fact, it has moved all the way to version 8.3.

I will not waste a lot of time here. FreeNAS has more than enough information to help you out and, surprisingly, Engadget did a very lengthy and helpful guide last year. Use those and you should have no problems.

I will point out a couple of things to pay attention to. First, make sure you change your password, which by default, is set to "password". You will also be spending a bit of time setting up your drives. If you can, choose ZFS over UFS because of storage restrictions. Remember that the drive on which FreeNAS is installed cannot be used for storage, so do not waste a multi-terabyte drive on a very small operating system.

There are also some plugins that may interest you. Those can be found on the FreeNAS website. In fact, you can even hook up a network printer to the box, but it gets a bit complicated. Once volumes are configured and working then you are ready to start backing up and sharing files.

Backup and Sharing

There are a few ways to do this. When I last set up the OS I simply used SyncBack SE on each networked computer in order to backup a copy of all files automatically. There were likely other options, but it worked for me so I did not mess with it.

Rsync is built right into FreeNAS, but it requires a client app installed on each computer on your home network. As my colleague Joe Wilcox pointed out in the newsroom the other day, and I am paraphrasing here -- the simplest solution is usually the best.

That meant SynBack SE because it recognizes mapped drives. That is big because it means that it can be installed on one PC (the desktop in this case) and used to back up and sync all computers in the home.

What's Next?

In the process of doing all of this I stumbled across an MSDN post from Microsoft's Emmanuel Bergerat which detailed the over-the-top home server he had recently built. My new setup suddenly looked completely inadequate. Still, despite his statement that one of his requirements was "cheap", it is all relative. Maybe someday I will do something like that.

For now my future plans for this box are simply to purchase a four-bay external drive enclosure so that I can begin expanding the space one drive at a time. I also may add a KVM switch between the server and desktop, but that is really not a necessity given that FreeNAS can be shutdown or restarted right from the dashboard on any computer. Heck, there is even a couple of Android apps to control it.

The Microsoft solutions may be nice and have more features, but the bottom line here is that I simply want my files safely backed up and, for that, FreeNAS and SyncBack SE (both free) will meet my needs perfectly and even provide a few little extras to boot.

Photo Credits: Norebbo/Shutterstock

Google announces support packages for Cloud Platform

Publié: février 22, 2013, 1:13am CET par Alan Buckingham

Did you know that Google has real people working there? If you have ever tried to contact the company then you may have concluded otherwise. In fact, it may be more difficult than finding a phone number for Amazon -- a task that has resulted in websites dedicated to the adventure. Apparently the search giant would like to change that reputation and today it took the first step.

Google has announced a new support package for customers of its Cloud Platform services. This is an enterprise service that the company would like to use to compete against Amazon S3 and Windows Azure. In fact the service is doing very well, with some high-profile customers such as Best Buy. But a bit more was needed to boost things over the hump -- namely human interaction.

Today Google announced new customer service options, available in tiers based on what your business requires and, of course what it is willing to pay.

Brett McCully, of the Google Cloud Platform team, announced the service, calling it "a comprehensive collection of support packages for services on Google Cloud Platform, so you can decide what level best fits your needs".

There will be four levels of service -- Bronze, Silver Gold and Platinum. These range in price from free to the sky-is-the-limit (meaning Platinum requires you to contact a service rep to inquire) -- however gold starts at $400 per month, just so you have an idea.

Service levels range from "access to online documentation, community forums, and billing support" for the Bronze to "The most comprehensive and personalized support. In addition to Gold, you’ll get direct access to a Technical Account Manager team" for the Platinum subscription.

The service is now open for sign-ups if you care to take the plunge and see what Google truly offers in the way of customer care. And, if you do, then be sure to let us know how it works out for you.

Photo Credit: Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock

Snapchat for Android adds video, makes sexting easier

Publié: février 21, 2013, 4:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Snapchat is popular app among young people. As the name suggests, it is a mobile chat app that also allows for communication using a device's front-facing camera, as well as the sharing of photographs and drawings. The big draw here is setting an expiration -- up to ten seconds -- on the images, or video, sent. SnapChat's short-sends gives it a bad reputation -- as a "sexting" app. That will not change with today's announcement.

The company is "thrilled to announce the arrival of video to our Android community". The update is included in version 2.0 of the app, which just hit the Google Play Store.

While video is the big addition in this update, there's more. SnapChat has also "revamped our notification system to give you more informative, exciting, and customizable notifications from your friends". In addition, a claim of more reliable behavior was made, due to bug fixes that are also included in 2.0.

Before you get too excited, the announcement comes with a caveat -- "Some users will still experience difficulties". Hopefully those difficulties will not include images and video not expiring, which could result in evidence a few customers may live to regret. However, the company also promises that "We have a ton of great updates on the way".

Please don't file for divorce -- I didn't mean to nuke my wife's data

Publié: février 21, 2013, 6:52am CET par Alan Buckingham

I do not generally use our desktop computer. I prefer my laptop, but my wife likes that desktop and uses it daily. She also keeps her precious files on it, and I have the folder set to backup to Crashplan automatically, as well as to sync with the home server. However, she also uses a small four gigabyte USB drive for files -- I assumed ones that she just wishes to move around with her. I was wrong.

I am not making excuses for myself. Even if I had known the files were backed up I would not have deleted them -- I had no reason to wipe her drive. The truth is that it was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was a victim of my own oversight.

Here is the story -- and take heed because it can happen to all of us at anytime. After complaints from wife and kids that the computer had become slow over time, I decided it was an opportunity to start over fresh. I copied the User folder to an external drive, knowing it was also in the cloud for good measure. I then inserted a CD containing the ISO of a small program known as "Derrick's Boot and Nuke" or DBAN to most. It is frequently used by businesses to wipe data before getting rid of a drive. Without thinking I booted to DBAN, set each drive to "wipe" and let it run. I failed to notice that the little Kingston USB was one of those drives.

DBAN works very well. It eradicates all traces of data, rendering the drive so unrecoverable that you need to reformat to just get back a file system and use it again.

The files contained on that little piece of portable hardware, as it turns out, did not exist in my wife's backed up documents folder -- or anywhere else. Meaning that they now existed nowhere at all. And that I could be facing that same fate.

I have said many times that one copy of a file is the same as zero, because zero is what you could have at any second. Drives die and, in this case, accidents happen. I backup everything to home server and cloud -- three copies for good measure. I will be adding the thumb drive to that routine providing I survive to do so.

Photo Credit: argus/Shutterstock

Today Google made me want Glass

Publié: février 21, 2013, 12:00am CET par Alan Buckingham

We all have heard about Google Glass -- for sometime now. There's talk it's coming (but not when) and that there are unique capabilities (but most details are under wraps). Google Glass is a bit of an enigma, and I have remained largely uninterested in the project. That changed this morning.

Google makes me want a product I had no idea I was even interested in -- I am pretty sure that's the intention. In fact, Google had me drooling in only two minutes and sixteen seconds -- talk about a good sales pitch. And the video did not even require many words to accomplish its task.

The video Google posted this morning depicts the world as seen through Glass, and it is a glorious place. Simple commands beginning with "Glass" result in photos, videos and information appearing right before your eyes.

As an example, my son and I love to mountain bike. We race down single-track trails at top speed looking for the toughest obstacles, the biggest logs to hop and the best jumps. We always talk about getting a GoPro camera to capture these memories -- or at least as evidence to next of kin about what transpired in our final moments.

That is, of course, a simple use for a product that will likely cost much more than a handlebar and helmet camera. But Glass will also provide much wider functionality. It will not be a product for a few extreme sports nuts, but sell to a wider audience. And, if Google supports this as the company does Android, then Glass will evolve even more than what you can get a glimpse of in this video.

The day is certainly drawing near -- Google is taking beta testers, though it will cost you to become one. Of course, Glass could be the new Nexus Q, but I have hopes for more. Sign me up....please!

Microsoft boasts big Yammer sales growth

Publié: février 20, 2013, 8:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

In June of 2012 Microsoft purchased Yammer, a social networking site geared towards enterprise. The service allows employees to collaborate across buildings and geographic locations. Now the company has released its 2012 numbers in an effort to show that the investment paid off.

The fourth quarter ended on January 31, and Microsoft reports that sales have "nearly tripled year-over-year". The service has more than seven million users. The numbers bragging continues with the addition of 290 new companies coming on-board with the service, including big names like TGI Fridays, Woolworth and Trek Bicycles. In fact, the announcement says Yammer now has "85 percent of the Fortune 500".

"Yammer experienced banner growth in 2012 and grew particularly fast in the fourth quarter. Our momentum is definitely accelerating following the Microsoft acquisition," states David Sacks, a Yammer co-founder and now a corporate vice president at Microsoft Office Division.

According to Adam Pisoni, another Yammer co-founder, there is more growth on the way -- "the development teams are coming together quickly, and we are leveraging existing technologies such as SkyDrive Pro and Office Web Apps to swiftly deliver greater value for customers".

This is all good news for Microsoft after some questioned the investment of 1.2 billion dollars, or at least questioned the timing of it. Now we just have to wait and see if the ceiling for this endeavor can go a bit higher in 2013. Investors will certainly be waiting to know that as well.

Photo Credit: Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock

If Apple can't protect itself from malware, how can you trust it to protect you?

Publié: février 20, 2013, 4:20am CET par Alan Buckingham

Apple may be perceived as a bastion of security and users generally feel safe from the plagues that us Windows users suffer, but market share plays a large part in that perception. The bigger target gets more attention. Well, the party may be over, folks, because the fruit-logo company has a problem, and it is one that is incredibly familiar to Windows users -- Java. The Oracle software platform may be one of the most exploited ones on computers.

Today Reuters reports that Apple, a company largely known for never admitting error -- think "You're holding it wrong" -- released a statement describing "the widest known attacks targeting Apple computers used by corporations". The same exploit had been used to attack social networking giant Facebook.

When Apple workers visited a specific website used by software developers, malicious software infected their computers. But not just Apple employees. Mac users in other locations also were vulnerable.

The problem is this: Malware writers used Java in the past to attack Macs. Remember last year's Flashback Trojan, which pulled together Macs into a massive botnet? The newest version of OS X, Mountain Lion, doesn't include Java by default for a reason. The upgrade goes so far as to remove the Java installed by previous version Lion. So why are computers Apple manages running unpatched Java -- or at all?

If Apple can't protect itself, how can it protect you? Does the arrogant attitude that Macs are invulnerable to viruses (they are not) run so deep inside Apple? As someone responsible for managing IT infrastructure, I ask these questions from experience. Apple should be the model of Mac security. Clearly it is not.

I question whether Apple should provide Java at all. Java as common means of attack is too common a story.

Still, to its credit, Apple responded rather quickly, issuing an update which it claims will deliver better security. The update "uninstalls the Apple-provided Java applet plug-in from all web browsers. To use applets on a webpage, click on the region labeled 'Missing plug-in' to go download the latest version of the Java applet plug-in from Oracle".

There really is no telling, at this point, the extent of the damage beyond Apple. Surely we'll know more in the days ahead. Meantime, if you own a Mac, now is a good time to patch up, purge Java and install antimalware.

Photo Credit: Jirsak/Shutterstock

Get ready to move from Hotmail to Outlook

Publié: février 19, 2013, 9:06pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you use Hotmail then you may already know that you are moving to Outlook.com. You may not want to, but you are -- unless you plan to scrap the whole thing and head over to Gmail, Yahoo mail or another service. Microsoft officially launched Outlook overnight, but the service beta debuted six months ago; we reviewed here already.

So, to help users along in this moving process, the company posted a question and answer page appropriately titled "My Hotmail account was upgraded to Outlook.com".

The page is pretty simple -- only nine questions and a video. However, there is quite a bit of information included and numerous links to additional details, like settings, POP3, Contacts, existing mail and more.

Microsoft attempts to address some of the fear and questions that customers will almost certainly have. Things like "Do I have to get a new email address?" and "Why can't I switch back to Hotmail?" All valid questions that longtime Hotmail users will face in the coming months.

Give the company some credit for attempting to help its customers here, but killing off services, while a natural process in this industry, is never easy. It almost always results in some unhappy people and, frequently they are the more vocal ones. For instance my recent posts about the death of my beloved Live Mesh -- yes I am still bitter. But, I have learned to move on, which is what Hotmail customers will need to do as well.

Photo Credit: 3Dstock/Shutterstock

The Weather Channel will now tell your Android when rain will start and stop

Publié: février 19, 2013, 2:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There are no shortage of weather apps for Android devices, but many of us are already familiar with the Weather Channel, making it a fairly easy choice -- I switched to that app a couple of years ago after leaving Weather Bug. Now the TV network has issued a major overhaul of its mobile app for Android.

The first thing you will notice in the update, which began rolling out late yesterday, is a completely revamped user interface. The Now screen, which opens by default, still shows the temperature and current conditions, but comes with an ad background -- which is a bit annoying. Still the additional information is useful. For instance, my Now screen is currently telling me: "Rain likely Tuesday at 11:15 am EST".

The menu has moved from the bottom of the screen to the top and now has fewer options. Social, for instance, has gone, replaced by four simple choices -- Map, Now, Videos, and Forecast. Above these are icons for Search, Share and Settings.

Share is a new and much welcome addition because it has been an inclusion in the aforementioned Weather Bug for some time and allows users to share their local conditions, forecast or maps via a number of options, including Facebook, Twitter, cloud services, and a lot more.

In addition, the forecasts now offer more detail, the app has been optimized for tablets, there is a refresh button, and users can set up favorite locations to take full advantage of weather widgets and notifications.

All of the updates, with the exception of the ad background on the Now screen, are very welcome in my opinion. New users get walked through a series of tutorial-type screens when the app first launches and you will also need to reset your home location, but after completing these minor tasks I think most will find the updates very rewarding.

Photo credit: Ralf Juergen Kraft/Shutterstock

Microsoft reminds us Windows 7 RTM support soon ends

Publié: février 14, 2013, 9:28pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has killed off a bunch of products lately, moving forward to new and "improved" platforms, even making changes to company logos. The concept isn't foreign in the tech industry -- everything changes, almost daily. Yesterday Live Mesh died, soon Messenger will follow it to the grave. Today Microsoft reminds us that Windows 7 RTM's days are numbered.

It is not that we didn't know this day was coming -- the company gives plenty of notice about these things. The irony here is that many businesses are just now moving to the platform from XP. Hopefully most had the foresight to move all the way to Windows 7 Service Pack 1, or later. That version of the operating system will enjoy much more life before being shut off. Microsoft's Stephen Rose points out "mainstream support continuing until January 13, 2015, and extended support continuing until January 14, 2020".

However, as for the RTM, or non-SP 1 version, the date is fast approaching -- April 9, 2013. That is just under two months to get your things in order.

This is not to say your computer will suddenly fail to boot that day. It simply means that Microsoft will no longer issue updates and that you could soon become vulnerable to attacks and malware. If you care to risk it then you can continue running the OS for as long as you wish. Heck, you can still install and run Windows 95 if you would like -- I have an install disc I will sell you cheap.

Photo Credit: Adriano Castelli/Shutterstock.com

Google should NEVER let Verizon sell another Nexus device

Publié: février 14, 2013, 5:55pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Let me preface this by telling you that I have never had an actual problem with Verizon service -- sort of, but I will elaborate in a bit. The network is fast, works everywhere I go and the customer service is stellar. However, and you knew there had to be a but, Google would be wise to, under no circumstances, let Big Red get its hands on another Nexus device. The wireless company can simply not handle the responsibility.

I know this because I have a Galaxy Nexus from Verizon and it is an endless source of frustration and regret. Trouble started from day one and continues to day....well, today.

Early Days

The device shipped running Android 4.0, otherwise known as Ice Cream Sandwich, and was somewhat broken out of the box. Connection problems were endless and battery life dreadful, thanks to the handset continuously trying to connect to a network that it could not access. I was on the verge of rooting and installing a ROM to fix the issues when Verizon, low and behold, finally rolled out Android 4.1.1 and resolved the problems -- the ones the carrier claimed it did not have when I called complaining. The update that was already months behind schedule.

Those happy days were short-lived -- Google continues to update Android and Nexus HSPA+ devices while Verizon lets languish LTE Galaxy Nexus. In fact the company will not even talk about update plans.

Today

The Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is now a full four updates behind. As of this writing I still run version 4.1.1, while Google has rolled out 4.1.2, 4.2, 4.2.1 and, just this week, 4.2.2.

These updates are intended for all Nexus devices. This is the flagship Google Android product, and the company uses it as such, making it the first device to receive every new update. Little did Google know that the wireless company would drag its heels and refuse to do what customers like me expected.

What Now?

At least if I had purchased something like the Motorola Razr I would expect this -- I still wouldn't be happy, but I would be resigned to my fate since Verizon has a history of this behavior. But...I bought a Nexus for a reason and I expect that deal to be fulfilled by the company that sold it to me.

In fact, I have little doubt that Google expected the same as me. Verizon delays embarrass Google -- to have a Nexus device in the market that does not live up to what is promised from these phones and tablets. I seriously urge the Mountain View, Cal-based search giant to never let Verizon again tarnish its reputation.

For now, I feel as though I must follow the urging of my colleague Mihaita Bamburic and finally give in and root my device. It is likely the only way I will ever see an update at this point. I also need to take a serious look at the Nexus 4 and T-Mobile. Happy Valentines Day, Verizon, but we soon will be breaking up.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Modern Firefox for Windows 8 hits Nightly builds

Publié: février 13, 2013, 9:07pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Mozilla announced back in October that it would release a ~~Metro~~ Modern UI version of Firefox. At the time, the company released a "preview" version that was code named "Elm" which was an offshoot of the Nightly builds that the company produces for those users who wish to live on the bleeding edge of technology.

The day has finally arrived where that test build has graduated to an actual Nightly build. Yesterday evening Mozilla's Asa Dotzler announced that "preliminary Metro Firefox development work arrived at mozilla-central, the source code repository that feeds the Firefox Nightly channel".

The first Metro version did indeed roll out last night for those who subscribe to the Nightly channel, which generally provides a stable version of the browser, but is certainly a more dicey build than those provided from the Stable, Beta and Aurora channels. "There's plenty of work still to do, but it's stable enough that we're ready for more and more regular testing" Dotzler states.

You can grab the new Firefox in either an Express or Standard download. There are versions for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. The build is labeled as "21.0a1" and it will run along side your current version of Firefox, so no need to worry that it will overwrite your nice, stable browser.

While there is a Metro version of the new web browser, it is difficult to get. You will need to set Firefox as your default browser and set "http" to open within the Mozilla browser. Even then you may have trouble accessing the new interface, as I did. It clearly is not yet ready for prime time. Firefox Metro lags behind Chrome Metro in its development, but is also in "day one".

Microsoft promises more Surface Pros in stores this week

Publié: février 13, 2013, 4:29pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's a wild week for Microsoft's Surface Pro team. There was the big release, with lines forming at Microsoft stores, reviews being posted all over the web and then news the tablet sold out at all locations. Not too much can be read into the latter at this point -- we do not know how much stock was actually available.

More are coming. In an overnight announcement, the Surface team lets everyone know that Microsoft is "shipping additional units of the 64GB SKU to Best Buy, Staples and Microsoft Store now. We are shipping 128GB SKU later this week to retailers, with some units available by the end of the week. Our priority (and that of our retail partners) is to fulfill orders from customers who made a reservation first. Canada is following a similar timeline but may take an extra few days to start arriving".

Again, we do not know any real numbers here -- how many have been sold, how many are now being shipped? Microsoft and analysts will sooner or later let us know if this "success" is artificial or real.

For now, Microsoft wants us to know that "demand is high and we’re working as quickly as we can to get Surface Pro in market. If your local retailer does not have stock immediately, they should have it soon".

Did you get one? Are you anxiously waiting for stock to return or awaiting your reservation unit to be shipped? Or could you not care less?

Opera announces 300 million users, move to Webkit

Publié: février 13, 2013, 3:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

As far as web browsers go, Opera never seems to get enough love. But it has a dedicated following of avid users who seem suddenly to appear whenever you say something bad about the software. Now that following has grown, and Opera plans to reward them with a new engine.

Today CEO Lars Boilesen proclaims a milestone: "On the final stretch up to 300 million users, we have experienced the fastest acceleration in user growth we have ever seen". While that is certainly a big step for the company, and worthy of a pat on the back, Opera browser still remains far behind its competitors.

But the news is much bigger: Transition to the Webkit engine, which already powers Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome browsers, among others. That means that all of those people who seem to be buying a Chromebook are running Webkit, and that is the allure for Opera.

In fact, Hakon Wium Lie, CTO of Opera, states that "It makes more sense to have our experts working with the open-source communities to further improve WebKit and Chromium, rather than developing our own rendering engine further. Opera will contribute to the WebKit and Chromium projects, and we have already submitted our first set of patches: to improve multi-column layout". In other words, Opera wants in on what it senses may be a revolution.

The company also promises that everyone will get their first look at its new browser for Android at the upcoming Mobile World Congress, which kicks off February 25th in Barcelona, Spain.

The move to Webkit will be gradual, but is likely the best chance Opera has to move forward with the latest technology and continue to grow its user-base.

Microsoft pushes Office 365 with 'Quick Start' video series

Publié: février 12, 2013, 11:42pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has made no real secret that it prefers you to buy an annual license for software, as opposed to purchasing a non-expiring version. Office 2013/365 is the first real example of that, but will surely not be the last. Since the products' release, the company has pushed out PDF guides to help guide you along.

Now the push continues with a video version of those "Quick Start" guides. Earlier today the Office team announced the release of five videos in a new series that will give users a head-start on the new app suite.

"If you have just six minutes to spare, you can get acquainted with the new Office by watching the five videos below", according to Microsoft.

The five videos cover very brief information on what is included in Office 365 Home Premium, how to get started, using Office everywhere, how to set up Office 365 on five computers and adding family members to your subscription.

To help lure you in, the company makes it as painless as possible with PDF and video guides to get you started, varied pricing that can be either monthly or annually -- warning: monthly costs more in the long run, and the ability to use one license on multiple home computers. Oh, and the company is also offering an additional 20 GB of SkyDrive storage and 60 minutes of Skype credit.

Is there really any question left about which direction customers are being steered? Still, regardless of that, it probably is the best deal for most households. To check out the videos, one only needs to visit the Office blog for links to each and every one of the the five.

Dropbox for Teams targets the enterprise

Publié: février 12, 2013, 10:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I love my Dropbox account. Or, I should say that I love the idea of my Dropbox account. I will be the first to admit that I honestly do not use it very much. I work from home and rarely have reason to share files. My wife, however, uses that account on an almost daily basis. She shares school files with her students via Dropbox. In other words, it is a business tool -- even for someone who simply teaches Spanish to grade school kids one day per week. Now, the company has made it an even more useful business tool with a host of new features announced today.

In prefacing the announcement, Dropbox representative Emil Ibrishimov takes a second to brag about the fact that "people at over two million businesses and 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies are using Dropbox -- from law firms working with their clients to international businesses staying in sync across the world".

Ibrishimov goes on to explain that the company has been "working with our customers to design features that give them the insight and tools their businesses need, while keeping the simplicity that makes Dropbox so easy to use".

The new features are for the "Dropbox for Teams" service and offer better control for administrators. These include the ability to view recent activity, third-party apps that have been added, activity between all team members, sharing controls and more. Admins can even download reports that display all of that data, meaning those folks in the cubicles need to be even more careful about what they are sharing.

Dropbox for Teams is available on a scaled platform depending on the size of your business. Accounts start at $795 per year for five users and additional users will cost $125. Storage is also scaled based on this. The new features announced today are available immediately and all of this is controlled through a brand new Admin Console.

Photo Credit: T. L. Furrer/Shutterstock

Bluestacks brings 750,000 Android apps to Surface Pro

Publié: février 12, 2013, 7:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There has been a lot of news recently about Surface Pro. The new tablet made quite a splash over the weekend, but the jury still is out about the real success of the launch. However, Bluestacks is interested enough to bring its wares to the new platform and carry 750,000 Android apps along.

That may sound like a nice gesture towards Microsoft, but it also represents somewhat of a dig at the company. In fact, the website launched by Bluestacks is titled Get your Apps Back. The site even has a headline -- Missing your apps on Windows 8? While a dig at the lack of apps proliferating the new Windows Store, it is also a nice little bonus for Surface Pro early-adopters and other Windows 8 users.

For those of us who run Windows 8 in our computing environment, but prefer our mobile devices to be of an Android-persuasion, this is a big win. After all, we have invested money in our mobile apps and we want to be able to use those apps everywhere, including on our PC's and Surface tablets.

While this is touted as being "optimized for Surface" the new Bluestacks will run just fine on any Windows 8 device and add a lot of new options for any user, including thousands of free games. At first glance, a niche item, it really is more like a second app store for customers and is a win-win proposal for everyone.

eMusic cuts out subscriptions, opens store to everyone

Publié: février 12, 2013, 5:01pm CET par Alan Buckingham

eMusic, the audio download and streaming service founded in 1998, gets less attention than it deserves. But that may now be about to change with the announcement of a major move last night. The site, which is home to countless independent artists, has tried to become more mainstream, but has suffered due to its subscription model which places an enormous constraint on sales.

In the past, customers would need to purchase a subscription in order to simply access the store and buy a song -- a major deterrent for many would-be buyers. But now the company has lifted the restriction and opened up the store for everyone.

According to eMusic President & CEO Adam Klein, "beginning today, anyone can visit eMusic.com and purchase as many songs or albums as they want at retail price. The move makes eMusic more accessible to everyone, which is appealing to consumers and business partners alike".

Subscriptions haven't gone. Those who wish to remain members can continue to use the service in the same way it has operated in the past. However, eMusic is now more open for users who do not want to pay a monthly fee, but simply purchase a song or album here and there. This brings the company in line with rivals like Amazon MP3 and Google Music.

Kline goes on to state that "a number of major players have already taken interest in eMusic's new business model, which is making the brand more flexible and easier to partner with than ever before. We are in talks with potential partners in the OEM market, and also with wireless and cable operators, as well as big box retailers".

This is certainly good news for all music lovers, especially those who enjoy finding new and intriguing artists that may not be discovered otherwise or get the exposure they truly deserve. The subscription service will remain tiered, beginning at $11.99 per month.

Making the case for the smart watch

Publié: février 12, 2013, 8:26am CET par Alan Buckingham

With all apologies to my colleague Joe Wilcox, who bashed the Apple rumor of an "iWatch", I must respectfully disagree. I get his point, don't get me wrong. Most people of the "modern" generation do not even wear watches. In fact, they may not even own them. The cell phone has become the time piece of choice in today's world. I also understand that a watch is not the ideal place to check your email. The screen is simply too small.

However, there are uses for these devices for some of us. Not all of us, but some. I am a runner. Have been since middle school -- more years ago than I care to mention. Those of us who ran cross country and track, and later moved to road races, care about time and smartphones don't cover it. Sure there are apps for that -- Map My Run, Run Keeper, Nike...they all do the job. My colleague Wayne Williams loves Zombies, Run! But, who wants to strap a 4.5-inch screen to their arm and go for a run?

I am not saying the rumored Apple "iWatch" is a good idea. What I am saying is that smart watches in general have a future, although it is certainly a niche one. Sure, if Apple releases a watch then the sheep will form lines around its store waiting to hand over their money, but it will be mostly be for a status symbol.

However, real smart watches, like the recently released Pebble, have a function for some of us. That particular item contains both GPS and Run Keeper, an app that can track your run, preventing the necessity of the old practice of driving a course before running it. Yes, some of us do that -- we are obsessed with distance and time, pace must be calculated. there are watches for that already, but what is wrong with a bit more functionality?

No, I don't need Dick Tracy-type software for a watch. I honestly do not need to know who is calling via my watch, although glancing at wrist, as opposed to fishing Galaxy Nexus from its home in my right front pocket would be handy. My Timex Ironman has worked just fine. But, devices like the Pebble could save me time and gas. I personally think this revolution can work, but it will be a small one. It is a niche product, but one that certainly has a home.

Security firm Bit9 gets 'bit' after failing to install its own software

Publié: février 11, 2013, 7:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The anti-virus and security business is a tough one, fraught with competition and cutting-edge technology designed to not only stop current threats, but predict future ones via heuristics. It is also a place where minor errors can become high-profile issues. Like last year when Sophos detected its own files as a virus and began systematically deleting them, rendering its software useless to customers.

The latest blow below the waist for a security firm involves Bit9. In what can only be termed as "embarrassing", the company failed to install its very own security software on computers within its corporate network. The vulnerable systems were soon compromised.

The incident was explained by Bit9's Patrick Morley in a statement that read, in part, "Due to an operational oversight within Bit9, we failed to install our own product on a handful of computers within our network. As a result, a malicious third party was able to illegally gain temporary access to one of our digital code-signing certificates that they then used to illegitimately sign malware. There is no indication that this was the result of an issue with our product. Our investigation also shows that our product was not compromised".

In the company's defense, it did send out a warning to its customers before publishing this information, in case the attack had actually breached its security software. Then, after discovering the problem, it made the embarrassing information public as a warning to users -- almost like a PR-stunt of what can happen if you do not use its products, although I will give the firm the benefit of the doubt here, and this is why...

The company also had a security certificate compromised, allowing attackers to digitally sign malware. That is where things get really bad, really fast. Fortunately Bit9 claims that it has found only three customers who fell victim to the "verified" malware and Morely goes on to explain that "we have been working closely with all of our customers to ensure they are no longer vulnerable to malware associated with the affected certificate".

If the company is accurate in its reporting of only three customers being affected then it is very lucky to have dodged a bullet this time around. Bit9, along with Sophos, should stand as examples to other security firms of what can easily go wrong. Perhaps though, this field will never be exactly right -- it is an imperfect science and human error is always in play.

Photo credit: dohtoor/Shutterstock

Amazon teams up with CBS and Stephen King for new TV series

Publié: février 11, 2013, 6:13pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon works hard to position Prime streaming against Netflix and the new Redbox Instant. Uh-oh, the retail giant muscles Hulu, too. Amazon has struck a deal with TV network CBS for exclusive rights to the upcoming Stephen King TV show, based on his novel "Under the Dome".

The show, produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, will debut this summer -- June 24th to be precise. Amazon Prime will be "establishing an in-season, online subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) window for the show on Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service. Prime Instant Video will be the exclusive online subscription home for "Under the Dome", according to the company.

Amazon Prime video service is not only available via your computer, but also on Kindle Fire HD, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii U, among other devices.

Episodes will be available to Prime customers free-of-charge four days after each airs on network TV. Those who are not Prime customers can still get in on the action by purchasing individual episodes, although the price was not mentioned in Amazon's announcement.

If you are not an avid King reader the company offers a brief synopsis of what to expect -- "Under the Dome tells the story of a small New England town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome". Amazon also boasts its Prime library now sports more than 36,000 choices.

Photo Credit: Mikael Damkier/Shutterstock

Microsoft announces Surface Pro availability while apologizing that you can't get it

Publié: février 10, 2013, 3:02pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Last weekend was a big one for the sports world -- the Super Bowl is a day when even non-NFL fans suddenly watch football. This weekend turned out to be an exciting one for the tech world with Microsoft's launch of the Surface Pro tablet, which resulted in lines and a sellout.

In an ironic blog post yesterday Microsoft's Panos Panay, Surface chief, both announced the availability while simultaneously apologizing that customers could not actually buy one. A post titled "Surface Pro: Available Now" begins with "We’re working with our retail partners who are currently out of stock of the 128GB Surface Pro to replenish supplies as quickly as possible. Our priority is to ensure that every customer gets their new Surface Pro as soon as possible". If you are confused then apparently you are not the only one.

Panay went on to sing the praises of the new tablet and ironically ended by letting everyone know to "get yourself a Limited Edition Touch Cover before they’re all gone". I am not exactly sure what he expects customers to use it on, since the tablet it is made for is out of stock.

As of this morning the 64 GB version is still in stock, at least on Microsoft's online store. The big brother remains unavailable. But hey, at least you can get your Touch Cover now!

Listen up! Spotify is now on Windows Phone 8

Publié: février 9, 2013, 3:55am CET par Alan Buckingham

The timing could not be better. Yesterday my wife received her shiny new Nokia Lumia 822 and today she can now use it to play music from the streaming service Spotify. Oh, she probably will not because, not her thing, but she could, and that is the important thing because the option was not available to her, or any other Windows Phone 8 customers, yesterday.

Today Microsoft's Michael Stroh proudly announces that Spotify has now found a home in the Windows Phone Store. The app is still in beta, which means users may experience a bit of a hiccup here and there, but customers can "instantly increases the size of your music library by millions of tracks, making it easy to discover new songs and artists. You can create your own playlists, or browse and indulge in the ones your friends put together". It also features the ability to download playlists to your handset for listening at times when you are not within range of a connection. Tracks added from the phone app also show on your computer.

The app is free. The service, however, will only be free during your 30-day trial. After that, you will need to cough up $9.99 per month to continue using it. If not, then your feature set will be limited, as it is for other mobile platforms.

Spotify, however, is on par with rival services price-wise -- in fact, the same exact price that Microsoft charged for its own Zune service, which is now Xbox Music. Others, like rdio, also charge that $9.99 fee -- it seems to be the sweet spot. However, given its popularity, many customers may already pay for a premium Spotify account on their PC, making this a good deal for when moving from the desktop to the mobile environment.

Photo Credit: Regissercom/Shutterstock

Amazon picks up the slack -- attacks Apple in new TV commerical

Publié: février 8, 2013, 6:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The past few months have been a bit rough for Apple. Samsung attacked the company in a series of amusing ads that portrayed a line of people waiting to buy iPhone as losers. While the ads never specifically mentioned Apple, the implications were certainly clear enough. Combine those attacks with declining stock prices and other nagging battles, such as those in court, and you have a recipe for tough times.

While Samsung largely lets its rival be in the latest ads, Amazon picks up the slack -- and, unlike Samsung, is quite clear. The 30-second second clip compares the new Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch against Apple iPad with Retina Display and lets the viewer know that, while both devices show "stunning HD", there is a major difference. Then it proceeds to place the devices side-by-side and let you know that, while you may not be able to tell the difference in the screens, "your wallet definitely can".

The last part of the ad continues to display the devices in split-screen, but with the prices -- $499 versus $299. Amazon clearly hopes this is the lasting image for viewers as the commercial ends.

The question: Is it enough to sway the Apple lover? The two devices are clearly comparable, but the operating systems are vastly different, as are the prices. Likely this may help those on the fence make up their minds, but the battle will rage on and come down to the platform each individual is more comfortable with using. What do you think?

Microsoft touts SkyDrive numbers, announces new features

Publié: février 8, 2013, 5:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft announced the new Office 2013 / Office 365 release on January 29th and the new suite, no matter which version of it you choose, comes with tight integration with the company's cloud storage service, SkyDrive. You do not have to use it -- you can still store your files locally, but it makes for easier work when a document can easily be accessed from everywhere and shared with co-workers.

However, apparently a lot of people are taking advantage of the feature, because today Microsoft's Sarah Filman, lead program manager for SkyDrive, announces that the service now stores a lot of files -- "Recently we reached a big milestone; our customers are now storing over a billion Office documents on SkyDrive".

While the number sounds impressive, it was not the thrust of Filman's announcement. She wants to alert everyone that SkyDrive adds some new features to make sharing and collaborating on those documents a bit easier.

The cloud service has added the ability to edit and share documents without being required to sign in. "One piece of feedback we’ve consistently heard, especially from students, is that our current SkyDrive edit links can be frustrating for recipients when they find that they need to sign in or sign up for a Microsoft account just to make a quick edit to the document".

The new feature will certainly make plenty of users happy and, no doubt, come in handy. As for the "billion" part of the announcement I am less impressed. As I said prior, it sounds good, but many of us create multiple documents per day and many of us have been storing those documents in SkyDrive since the service was introduced -- long before the latest Office came along.

Photo Credit: NinaMalyna/Shutterstock

Microsoft sends Live Mesh execution-date reminders

Publié: février 7, 2013, 9:46pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Perhaps it is just me, but Microsoft's decision to take Live Mesh off of life-support has hit especially hard. We knew this was coming of course, but still, I like having my files synced between multiple computers and, while I love SkyDrive, I do not need the cloud as an intermediary within my own home -- that is ridiculous overkill and would cost me money as well.

Today the company dispatched email reminders that began "Dear Mesh customer, Recently we released the latest version of SkyDrive, which you can use to..." Yes, thanks a lot. I know what I can use it for, but syncing between computers in my home is not something I should be compelled to use it for.

At any rate, regardless of my rant or your complaints, the outcome is clear and Live Mesh is dead on February 13th -- a bit less than one week from now. (How ironic if Microsoft then used Valentine's Day as marketing ploy to fall in love with SkyDrive.) Your emails and my humble post here are not going to change the direction of one of the biggest companies in the world.

However, there are alternatives. First, if you have less than 7GB of files to sync then you can certainly use SkyDrive -- it really does work well. However, if you have more than that, and do not need the cloud as a middle-man, take a look at the free alternatives. SyncBack SE works great, and I recently learned that, ironically enough, SyncToy is still available.

There are also countless other alternatives. In other words, let us not allow Microsoft to dictate the direction of our computing lives.

Photo Credit: Dmitry Vinogradov/Shutterstock

What happens when Lego meets Android?

Publié: février 7, 2013, 2:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Nothing says geek quite like Lego. Come on -- you know you secretly still love those tiny multi-colored bricks from your youth. Except now they are not just bricks, and the simple projects of our youth have become the incredibly complex projects of our children's youth...that we still love to "help out" with.

Lego Cuusoo is a "Labs" type of project where customers can suggest future kits and if the item gets at least 10,000 supporters then Lego pledges to consider producing it. And now the company is faced with an Android project that easily passed that requirement yesterday evening.

"Bugdroid" was created by GLHTurbo using "205 pieces of (mostly) Lime Green bricks. Using the approximate price per brick of $0.15 puts this kit around $30". He also claims the design is "not 100 percent finalized".

This is not just a statue either -- the little figure can move. It has 360 degrees of head rotation and both arms have the same range of motion. The antennae can also move across a variety of positions.

The project hit 1,714 supporters within the first 24 hours and surpassed the required 10,000 supporters yesterday. The support button is now grayed out as the projects on Lego Cuusoo close when the goal is reached. We can only wait and see if the company responds with a pre-made kit for the child in all of us.

Photo credit: GLHTurbo

Microsoft shouldn't block Xbox 720 from playing used games

Publié: février 6, 2013, 8:14pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Earlier today a story popped up on the popular gaming website Edge Magazine that cites "sources with first-hand experience of Microsoft’s next generation console". That, of course, immediately raises red flags, but it has not stopped many news sites and blogs from running with the information contained in the "leak". There is a lot of information in the post, but one particular piece caught big attention and is viral.

That is a claim that "Microsoft’s next console will require an Internet connection in order to function, ruling out a second-hand game market for the platform". If true, that would be a disaster for customers and cause the company a public relations nightmare on a massive scale.

Currently customers, when tiring of a game, have the option to sell or trade it for store credit at multiple game stores around the country and the internet. This is not a black market either, but a legitimate source of revenue for retail outlets like Amazon, Game Stop, Best Buy and more. Not only would such restriction hurt customers but businesses as well.

Trading in albums, CDs, DVDs and games that are no longer wanted is a time-honored tradition. It is a win-win for two people -- the one tired of the content and the one hungry to get it and looking for a deal. The practice is a source of entertainment for students who in many cases cannot afford the much higher price of buying new.

Of course we have absolutely no way of knowing if any of this is true. For now it remains in the wait-and-see category. However, if Microsoft chooses to implement the plan then here are two things I expect.

1. The company feels pressured by gaming studios that, like the MPAA and RIAA, live in fear of losing revenue to piracy or, in this case, two people being able to play one copy of a game. This is a bit ridiculous given that piracy will continue to take place and my friends can still stop by to play Call of Duty.

2. Microsoft will face a full-fledged revolt. And that uprising will not come from just its customers but also from retailers that profit from this market.

Let me stress one more time that we really do not know if this development will come to pass, but if it turns out to be true then it would likely be a nightmare for Microsoft, retailers and customers alike. Only time will tell.

BetaNews rarely jumps on rumor stories, but understands such restriction would affect many of our readers, who by voicing their opinions now could change Microsoft's plans (if there are any).

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

BusyFlow releases Android and iOS cloud collaboration apps

Publié: février 6, 2013, 5:22pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Thanks to the internet, the cloud, smartphones and services like Skype, a business no longer needs employees in-house or even in similar locations. BetaNews itself employs writers located in various places around the world who can easily communicate and share with one another.

Now team collaboration company BusyFlow, already a web app, has launched its services for both Android and iOS, further pushing the boundaries for cloud sharing and communications.

BusyFlow incorporates a number of services into one app -- Dropbox, Google Calendar, Google Drive and Docs, Pivotal Tracker, Google Tasks, Github, Basecamp and Trello. The idea is to create an account and log in and then create a "Hive" that co-workers can also log into. From there you begin sharing new activities, comments and changes. You can add any of the previously mentioned services to the mix -- you will, of course, need an account with each one of them.

The free apps were just released and only at version 1.0. In my brief test I had no problem creating an account, accessing Dropbox and creating a share with my wife. Plus you can use the web app to access your workspace as well, once it is created. The service is still in beta and all features are available for free. However, upon launch, a free plan will only be available for up to three users and two paid tiers will be implemented.

Photo Credits: James Thew/Shutterstock

Microsoft announces five new retail locations

Publié: février 6, 2013, 3:50am CET par Alan Buckingham

The family grows quickly. Microsoft has been beefing up its retail offerings for the past year, trying to get into as many markets as possible in an effort to sell products and compete with the retail juggernaut that is Apple. In fact, the company chose to keep nearly all its popup stores opened from the past holiday season. Now the company has announced five new brick and mortar locations.

Taking into account those popup stores, the company currently operates about 65 retail outlets, but the number is about to expand with today's announcement. New stores will be coming soon to the following list of locations.

Natick Mall, Natick, Massachusetts
Ala Moana Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
Pioneer Place, Portland, Oregon
The Somerset Collection, Troy, Michigan
Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, Illinois

Microsoft's Jonathan Adashek states that "Our customers continue to tell us that they value our stores for connecting them to the best of Microsoft". He doesn't now, however, give any details on when these stores will open, but Microsoft generally posts such information to its Facebook page. For now, that page only states "Get ready to celebrate our new stores opening across the nation".

The company also tends to make each grand opening a spectacle with big name artists playing a concert, local athletes on hand to challenge customers to Xbox Kinect games and even some product giveaways.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Redbox Instant coming exclusively to Xbox

Publié: février 6, 2013, 3:29am CET par Alan Buckingham

Redbox Instant by Verizon has been in private beta for sometime now. In fact, a while back BetaNews brought you an exclusive first look at how the service will work. It is expected to be released sometime in early 2013 and today we learned some of the details thanks to Xbox Live's Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson.

Hryb announced that Redbox Instant will be coming to the gaming console "in the very near future". He went on to explain that "if you are currently a Redbox Instant beta participant, you’ll receive an email with a unique code to access the app on Xbox 360 in the coming days".

Moreover, Microsoft has landed an exclusive deal to carry the new streaming service. The exclusivity concerns gaming and entertainment consoles, which likely means the service may still land on set-top boxes like Google TV and Roku. The deal also includes the ability for Xbox customers to rent or buy movies from Redbox without paying for the $9 per month subscription -- a pay-per-view type of deal.

There is still no word on the official release date, but when I spoke with a Redbox rep last month I was told "early spring". Having used the service for more than a month now I can confirm that it seems a solid competitor for Netflix, but it will certainly need to add more content.

Grab your wallet, iPad 128GB is for sale

Publié: février 5, 2013, 5:07pm CET par Alan Buckingham

We recently learned that Apple would release a 128GB tablet. Well, that day has finally arrived -- two versions of the new, mega storage, iPad are up for sale now in the Apple store online and, likely, in the company's retail locations as well.

There are two flavors of this apple available -- a WiFi-only that retails for $799 and a version with WiFi plus cellular connectivity. The latter will lighten your wallet by $929. The cellular version can work with either Sprint, AT&T or Verizon. You will need to choose your network during the purchase process. You can also choose a financing plan of six, 12 or 18 months. Given the price, you may need one of those plans. All models are available to ship in "1-3 business days".

I am not sure why a person would need 128GB of storage on an iPad, but if you plan to store a lot of media on the device and don't mind spending $1,000 (after tax) then this is the ideal model for you. It is also likely in response to the upcoming release of the Microsoft Surface Pro, which is also available in a 128GB model and will be on sale next week. The good news is, that this new iPad will almost certainly have more storage available than that upcoming Microsoft tablet.

Do you want Aero in Windows 8? Fight for it

Publié: février 4, 2013, 7:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft introduced its "Aero Glass" interface back with Windows Vista and continued the feature in Windows 7. However, after supporting the motif in early builds of the latest operating system, the company elected to pull the plug. Former Windows exectutive Steven Sinofsky explained the reasons behind the decision in an 11,000 word blog post back in May of 2012.

Sinofsky laid out a number of valid reasons for the decision, including battery life, speed and the new feature set included with Windows 8. However, those are not enough for some customers and that group has found a voice.

Now, if you still happen to be a bit angry over the decision, you have a chance to let Microsoft know about it. A petition has appeared on the web site change.org that implores Microsoft to bring back the interface.

The petition is new, and support so far light, but growing -- 38 signatures at the time of this writing. However, judging by the comments, Aero had some staunch and vocal supporters.

G D of France, for instance, posts that "It [Aero] is one of the things that made me love Windows 7. I will not upgrade to Windows 8 for as long as it does not have Aero Glass, the Start Button and the Start Menu". Hassan Timite states emphatically that "Because AERO was much prettier than this abomination called Metro".

Microsoft is probably unlikely to bring back the feature and, honestly, after using Windows 8 for about a year, I can not say that I personally miss it. However, like Windows Media Center, there is always a core group of users for a product who can be very vocal when threatened with the prospect of losing said feature. I know -- that is Media Center for me. And heck, the company may be prompted to make Aero an option for those who want it.

Photo Credit: tankist276/Shutterstock

'Infinite' cloud storage service Bitcasa set to leave beta

Publié: février 4, 2013, 12:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There are no shortage of services that can backup your data to the cloud, but now the likes of Carbonite and Crashplan have a bit more competition in the market.

Over the weekend, Bitcasa, which has generated a lot of buzz recently, sent out an email to its early testers to alert them that the service would be leaving beta on Tuesday February 5th.

"Thank you for participating in the Bitcasa beta!" the email begins. "We have amazing product updates coming on Tuesday, and exclusive pricing for our faithful testers. Stay tuned for details in your inbox next week, but rest assured, we heard your feedback, and you will be handsomely rewarded for helping us out!"

The service will offer 10 GB of free storage or unlimited space -- "infinite" as Bitcasa prefers to call it -- for $10 per month. However, as you saw above, beta testers will be getting a "bonus". The app is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. There's also a modern UI version for Windows 8 customers.

I have been testing Bitcasa for sometime now and have found it to be pretty simple. A folder is added to the Explorer window and the program can be set up to mirror your entire computer or just individual folders of your choosing.

Bitcasa is just one more player in a sea of competition, but its functionality and pricing should make it competitive. The beta is still open to the public so, if you want to take advantage of whatever deal the company plans to offer to early users, you may want to sign up for an account today.

You can steal -- ah, still get -- Windows 8 Pro cheap

Publié: février 1, 2013, 7:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I owe a commenter an apology. Let me explain. Two months ago I wrote about a Microsoft error that allowed anyone the Windows 8 Pro upgrade for $14.99, which is supposed to only be available to those who have purchased a Windows 7 PC after June 2, 2012. I took a lot of heat from our kind readers for pointing out the flaw. Microsoft also contacted me and assured me that the loophole would be fixed.

It is an easy fix, honestly. Require the user to enter a Windows 7 key and then check against the database to ensure that it was activated after the required date. It is really that simple. But, Microsoft didn't close the loophole.

Yesterday Microsoft ended promotional pricing for Windows 8. You can no longer upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99, but if you purchased a Windows 7 computer within the required dates then you have until the end of this month to grab that $14.99 upgrade.

After being told by "Ilev" in the comments yesterday that customers could still use the deal without worry, I disagreed. I assumed that Microsoft had fixed the flaw as I had been told. Uh-oh, I checked, and guess what? The loophole is still wide open.

In other words, you do not need to pay $199.99 for Windows 8 Pro just yet. Microsoft has left the ability to grab it for $14.99. You can enter any computer make and model, any purchase date and any retailer name. No questions asked.

It is unclear at this point whether or not Microsoft will leave this option open until the promotion expires. How much will it cost the company given few customers will stumble upon the opportunity? Heck, it is even good business to drum up a few extra sales from the tech crowd who will find this offer or read this article.

Microsoft attempts to woo developers with modern.ie

Publié: janvier 31, 2013, 3:06pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has started paying much closer attention to Internet Explorer recently. The company pushed out both IE9 and IE10 in fast succession and has been trying to entice back past users with its retro ad and The Browser You Loved To Hate campaign.

Now it wants to try and lure developers to the platform and has rolled out modern.ie, a new service to help make sure websites display as they should. The .ie extension, in case you are wondering, is Ireland's top-level domain.

The service, according to Microsoft's Ryan Gavin, is designed to "make it easier for developers to ensure their sites work beautifully across Internet Explorer as well as other modern browsers". Gavin goes on to state that "we want to help. We want the web to move forward. And we genuinely want web developers to spend more time innovating and less time testing. That is where modern.ie comes in".

If you are a web designer you can head over there and enter the URL of your site to have the service scan it and produce a full report using its "code detection wizard". This will identify problems that can result from supporting older IE versions and provide help with making your site work across today's diverse range of platforms, such as mobile, desktop, tablets, and even large-screen TVs. In addition, the new service provides some tips on building for Windows 8 and the Modern UI, as well as virtual testing using Browser Stack.

The site additionally provides information about coding and best practices. Microsoft says that "while this list of tech tips doesn’t include every insight shared by developers, it represents some of the most common patterns and practices to make coding for the web easier".

Of course, Microsoft also provides a tour of Internet Explorer 10 and a link to download it -- you know, just in case you want to move on from a different browser.

Microsoft and I agree -- Office 365 is the future

Publié: janvier 29, 2013, 8:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

This doesn't happen every day. Microsoft, which serves as both my daily computing platform and bane of my existence, does something I completely agree with. It is not the first time -- I am an unashamed Windows 8 lover. I also love Office, and the product has steadily improved and become easier to use with each iteration. But desktop software is quickly becoming old-school. I find myself using more and more web apps and storing more data in the cloud.

Today, Microsoft officially launched Office 2013...sort of. Yes, the software suite is out there, available to everyone, as we knew it would be. What we didn't realize was that the actual software suite would be downplayed. A lot.

In fact the official announcement, and all of the subsequent stories on sites around the web, hardly mention Office 2013. Instead they focused on Office 365 Home Premium. That is the real product release today. Visiting the official Office site even displays a link to Office 365 and calls it "recommended".

Microsoft wants Office to be a service and not a software suite. To that end, the pricing has been set to show customers the direction in which they should head. If you want that 2013 version then you can expect to pay between $139.99 and $399.99 -- for one PC.

However, if you prefer to go the 365 route then you get that $399.99 equivalent suite for $99 per year or $9.99 per month. Sound like a lot? The next Office will probably be coming in three years, which means less cost in the long run. But the cost was known and I am telling you nothing new. My colleague Joe Wilcox has already outlined this.

Here is the real meat of the matter. The new Office 365 Home Premium comes with a license for five computers, 20GB of SkyDrive storage and 60 minutes of Skype credit. That is where the real value here is at. Most of us use Skype and cloud storage. Getting extra storage and the ability to make PC to cell or landline calls, plus the endless updates -- no more Office installations needed. That is the silver lining in what many are calling a cloud.

Those points may not sound like much, but fast-forward a few years. This is your future and you will be taken there, kicking and screaming in necessary.

This certainly is not for everyone, but for a family the subscription service is a better bargain than any previous version desktop suite. I will install Office 365 Home Premium on three computers, and I would have previously needed that $399.99 Professional version because my wife uses Publisher. Publisher, along with the rest of "Pro", is part of 365.

It is a big change and I fully expect to hear grumbling, but here is my personal opinion -- finally Microsoft gets Office just right. Of course it is just a part of a sea of changes underway -- I don't expect the desktop to be anywhere in "Windows 9". I also do not expect the next Office to be available as a desktop app. Change happens, and sometimes it is actually good.

Sorry, folks, but this is where Microsoft is headed. The train is leaving the station so it is best to climb on board.

Photo Credit: Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock

Microsoft joins the party, warns users against Java

Publié: janvier 29, 2013, 3:32pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Oracle has had no shortage of headaches recently, thanks to Java. The exploits have been running wild lately, making attempts to fix the problems resemble a game of whack-a-mole. In fact, the troubles even resulted in the United States Department of Homeland Security being forced to post a warning against using the platform.

In a post to the government website, the DHS warned that "by convincing a user to load a malicious Java applet or Java Network Launching Protocol (JNLP) file, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system with the privileges of the Java plug-in process".

Now Microsoft has joined this sad party. Eve Blakemore posted a warning via MSDN, that malicious Java updates are now being circulated on the internet. "In the case of the fake Java updates, cybercriminals are taking advantage of news about security vulnerabilities in Java and recommendations to update Java immediately. We agree that if you use Java on your device you should update it directly from the Oracle website". She goes on to warn users that if they do not get the update directly from Oracle, then they should either use an older version or simply disable Java in their web browser.

This does not come as a big surprise. Pop-up security alerts and fake Flash updates have been circulating for sometime now. Thanks to the warnings, Java has become the latest target to be taken advantage of. The fear factor is an easy way to compromise unsuspecting users.

Google invites you to hack Chrome OS

Publié: janvier 28, 2013, 11:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google is moving forward with Chrome, both the web browser and the operating system, quickly and seems to be gaining traction. Sure, the browser is popular, but the OS struggled early on, but new notebooks, err...Chromebooks, have been getting a lot of attention, including TV ads in the United States.

However, the search giant has learned that security is pretty important to the end-user, and probably more so to those looking at these computers, because buyers probably tend to be more on the "techie" side. That is why Google has annually invited people to "hack" Chrome in an effort to find and fix flaws.

Today the Mountain View, Calf.-based company announced this year's "hackathon", titled "Pwnium 3". Hackers and security researchers are invited to attend the CanSecWest conference and take their best shots.

Chris Evans of the Google security team announces today that the "attack must be demonstrated against a base (WiFi) model of the Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook, running the latest stable version of Chrome OS. Any installed software (including the kernel and drivers, etc.) may be used to attempt the attack".

So, why would you be inclined to try this, aside from the obvious bragging rights? There are some pretty good reasons, and they involve financial gain for the successful "hack". Evans outlines those details as well.

$110,000: browser or system level compromise in guest mode or as a logged-in user, delivered via a web page.
$150,000: compromise with device persistence -- guest to guest with interim reboot, delivered via a web page.

That should be more than enough incentive to pack up your bags and fly to Vancouver, British Columbia. CanSecWest will take place March 6-8 of this year.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

BitTorrent gets bold, moves into the PC sync business

Publié: janvier 25, 2013, 11:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

BitTorrent has a bad reputation. While it is largely considered a haven for people sharing and downloading illegal files from movies to music to software, it is also a legitimate service. Many Linux distros, for instance, are made available through the network thanks to the easy peer-to-peer sharing methods utilized.

Now BitTorrent is looking to get into the PC-to-PC syncing business, an area Microsoft just left when it killed off Live Mesh. In a post earlier today the company announced a "pre-alpha" version of BitTorrent Sync is available through the Labs service. However, the release comes with a rather important caveat -- "If you’re comfortable using early, incomplete software, and if you’re committed to helping us figure out a better way to sync, we want to hear from you".

With that rather nice way of explaining that the app could crash and, worse, cause other system issues, the service is officially launched.

But, don't expect to rush over and use it just yet. When you visit the site you will be asked to fill out a brief form and then told that you will receive an email invitation. Eventually. This is not something that you can expect to show up in your email in five minutes. You will need to wait and be patient.

As for how the service works, there are really no details in the announcement and my invitation had failed to arrive as of this writing. However, it is probably safe to assume it will be similar to other sync programs like Live Mesh and SyncBack. I will report back when I have had the chance to use it.

Photo Credit: Inq/Shutterstock

Get Android ICS natively on Windows 7 and 8

Publié: janvier 25, 2013, 10:16pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Running Android on Windows is not a new concept. It has been possible for sometime now, but it required the use of something like Virtual Box, or rival virtual machines. Now version 4.0.3, known more familiarly as Ice Cream Sandwich, has been ported to both Windows 7 and Windows 8. It runs natively, no virtual anything needed.

This is not exactly for everyone. For one thing, there is no Google Play Store, although the developers are working to add this rather important feature. For now you can side-load apps using the APK file.

Getting Android for Windows is also not as easy as it should be. You will need to fill out a short form and then wait for an email with the download link. Despite being a rather small file, the download is slow, perhaps due to demand. I also had some issues with "corrupt file" messages and I had to redownload the program a couple of times.

However, once those obstacles are overcome, you will have a full running version of Android in a window right on your desktop. This is new, and certainly not without issues, but it could shape up to be a great tool for developers once all of the kinks are worked out. Trust me, in my brief experience I found a lot of kinks. It is certainly not ready for prime time, but I have hopes it will get there.

In fact, as I write this, it has crashed and is failing to restart...

Sony Entertainment Network launches with movies, games and TV shows

Publié: janvier 25, 2013, 2:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you are looking to cut the cord to your cable or satellite provider, you have an ever-increasing number of options to fill that sudden void. There's Hulu, Netflix and the recent Redbox Instant, and that's just a few of the big players. And now there's another option. Sony, still a giant in the entertainment business despite lagging profits, has launched its Entertainment Network in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.

Sony has previously made some of its content available via its Crackle service, which can be accessed both online and through a mobile app. However, that service has a pretty limited amount of material, especially when compared to the new Sony Entertainment Network.

There's not just movies and TV shows here, but games as well. Movies are available for both rental and purchase and there are even some bonuses -- Paranormal Activity 4, for instance, is available for purchase (for $12.99) even though it is not yet out on DVD or Blu-Ray.

Clicking a movie or TV show displays a star rating, a list of actors and a brief plot synopsis. Games give similar information, and in many cases are available at a discounted price. Little Big Planet Karting, as an example, is regularly sold for $19.99, but priced here for $10. There are also demos and betas to try out.

Obviously all available material is from Sony -- there aren't currently any partnerships with other studios -- however, Sony has a massive catalog, so there's definitely no shortage of choices here.

Guess which country leads the world in botnets?

Publié: janvier 24, 2013, 5:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Botnets are frequently in the news, most recently with Red October. Many of us think, perhaps smugly, that these things are based in locations like China and Russia, but the truth is, while some of the computers themselves may be there, these massive, distributed networks are being controlled from a location much closer to home for many of us -- the United States.

Benjamin Cruz of McAfee reports that the United States not only leads the world in this category, but has more than double the number of Russia and China combined. In fact, the two nations we frequently blame for attacks fall into fourth and tenth place on the list that Cruz published. British Virgin Islands and the Netherlands trail the United States, respectively.

How does McAfee know this? Cruz explains that "with millions of McAfee endpoints and network security appliances sending information to McAfee Global Threat Intelligence (GTI) in the cloud, coupled with a vast collection of malicious binary and proactive research, McAfee Labs has a clear view of botnet threats around the world".

Why the United States? That question is not answered in the report, so speculating would be useless. However botnets are frequently used for sending spam email and spreading viruses, both of which generate revenue and the country does have a great history of "entrepreneurship".

Organized crime has also made the jump to the cyber world, using many of the same strong-arm tactics it used in the past. Threatening to take down sites with a DDOS attack if "protection" money isn't paid. And yes, with the right sites, it works -- a person running a gambling site does not want to go down on Superbowl Sunday.

Occasionally these botnets are taken down in a high-profile, newsworthy way. However, it is perhaps an endless battle that will not be won until users learn to secure computers better and operating system and software makers work out the final kinks in the code. Or, in other words, probably never.

Photo Credit: Oxlock/Shutterstock

Microsoft brings the Live Tile experience to SkyDrive

Publié: janvier 24, 2013, 1:47am CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows 8's new Start screen evokes many emotions from customers, with most falling on either the love or hate side with almost no middle ground. However, one thing that can be agreed on is that the screen has no shortage of information. Users are bombarded with messages from Facebook, email, weather and countless other endlessly updating tiles. Now Microsoft has added one more to the perhaps overloaded mix.

Today the company announced it is pushing an update to the SkyDrive app for Windows 8 that will bring the live tile features to the cloud storage and sharing platform.

In an announcement earlier today Microsoft's Mike Torres outlined the new feature. "The SkyDrive app from the Windows Store will start showing you notifications on the live tile when you add new files to your SkyDrive". In other words, this should not be a constantly flickering icon that will be in your face. Torres went on to explain that "whenever you add new files to SkyDrive, the app tile shows you relevant details. If you add a document, you’ll see the document name, along with when it was added, and what folder it’s in. If you add photos, the tile gives you a nice view of those photos".

I honestly like live tiles. When I walk away from my computer I switch to the Start screen so that when I return, or even pass by, I see relevant information. Its easier than clicking on different tabs. I also realize that I very well may be part of a minority in saying that.

As for the update, it is promised to be rolling out today -- apparently on a gradual basis, so don't panic if you don't have it yet. I don't either. Hopefully soon.

Photo Credit: Pete

Atari may be bankrupt, but its games are still available everywhere

Publié: janvier 23, 2013, 8:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

This week Atari, the game system that my generation grew up with, filed for bankruptcy. It's a sad end to an icon of youth, but, still, the company's legal troubles do not spell an end to everything. First, while there are legal nuances that I will not detail because of the complications they bring with them, the important thing is what Atari meant to all of us -- games. Simple, 8-bit joy, created with the 2600 way back in the dark ages of 1977.

Just because the company experiences financial woe does not mean its legacy will cease to exist. The games live on in many forms, and we can still relive our youth whenever that nostalgic mood strikes.

It is not just Atari either -- nostalgia is big business and Atari, while the maker of that famous 2600 console, was not the only company producing games. Sure, it had some big ones like Asteroids, Missile Command, Breakout and more, but others, like Activision, were in the game cartridge business as well with titles like Pitfall and River Raid.

These titles may seem like distant memories, but they live on, still capitalizing on this aging audience that is not ready to let go. Given that premise, combined with the sad Atari news, this is as a good a time as any to look at what is still out there.

Web Browsers Make Atari Life Simple

Last year Microsoft made a big deal about Atari games for Internet Explorer 10. However, the truth is that Atari Arcade can run in other browsers as well. The advantage IE holds is that of an "ad-free" version of the games.

If you use Google's Chrome as your web browser then you have even simpler options at your disposal. Visit the Chrome Web Store to find many popular titles that can be played right on the New Tab page once they are installed. The company has made several of its titles available -- Centipede, Asteroids, Tempest and Pong, to name just a few.

Phones and Tablets

Android fans will be happy to know that "Atari's Greatest Hits" is available from the Google Play Store. Missile Command is included for free, but 100 Atari 2600 games are available in all and four-packs can be unlocked for $0.99 each, or you can grab the whole thing for $9.99.

Not an Android user? Are you an Apple fan? The same deal is available for iOS as well. Just head to the App Store and get that same game pack with the same pricing.

Emulators and ROM's

Well, I have covered the basics so I may as well mention the less-than-legal methods for accomplishing all of this and getting these games to play right on your desktop. I will not provide links, but all of this is dead-simple to find.

First you will need an emulator -- Stella works extremely well, or at least I have been told so. Naturally I have never tried such a thing. You will then need to download a ROM of each game you want. The files are mostly only a few KB's each and there is a lot more than just Atari titles available.

More Nostalgic Games

Many other seemingly forgotten companies have made old game titles available. Activision is among the most prominent recently. The company has a game pack available for mobile that is very similar to the Atari one I mentioned earlier. In addition, it also has released a 30th anniversary edition of the popular Pitfall game for both Android and iOS. The new version is updated and feels more like Temple Run though, as opposed to playing like the golden oldie.

In the End

While I gave my 2600 and a bag full of games away to a kid down the street when Nintendo launched, there are still numerous options to play those old titles. In fact, I am sure there are many more than the ones I just outlined, but that is okay because these are more than enough methods for wasting my time and having my son look over my shoulder and make comments about things like "bad graphics". He can have his Need for Speed. I will still take Asteroids any day.

Photo Credit: Hexidecimal

Travel app Gogobot arrives on Android

Publié: janvier 23, 2013, 2:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There are many fine travel apps for the Android platform, some of which I detailed previously. However, I left out "actual travel apps" in favor of covering more esoteric ones that readers may find useful. But now one of the better services has made its way to the Google mobile devices, with the launch, just now, of Gogobot.

The site has long been a staple on the web and, more recently, on iOS. However, Android customers were left out in the cold until this morning.

The new app provides the ability to search and book a hotel on the fly with filters for real-time hotel pricing and availability, user ratings, hotel class and social recommendations. It also provides information on local attractions and even restaurants, the latter of which can be searched by cuisine, as well as used for booking a table, perhaps saving you from having to use a second app, such as Open Table.

Finally, Gogobot integrates Google Street View to help you find your destination, be it a business appointment, hotel or the location of your next meal. There is even social check-in. The app will be available in German, Italian, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Japanese.

All of this sounds promising, but given that the app has just launched, this is all speculation when it comes to how well it will all work in the wild. I have laid out what has been promised and I like what I have seen, but it will take real-world testing before I am convinced -- I am a skeptic by nature. However, if this could reduce my travel app usage to simply Waze and Gogobot then I will be thrilled. The four-and-half star rating on iTunes gives hope.

Surface Pro goes on sale February 9th

Publié: janvier 22, 2013, 8:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Nearly three months ago, Microsoft debuted the Surface RT tablet alongside its brand new operating system, Windows 8. Things have not been all-rosy since that fateful day in late October, and rumors of both failure and success run rampant. But all the while the company kept what is, perhaps, its trump card in hand -- the Surface Pro.

This is the tablet that Microsoft expects to be the big player, the one that will win over business users. Now we finally have some details about what to expect.

First and foremost the device will be released on February 9th, which is a bit later than much of the speculation had pointed to. The tablet-hybrid will also pack some serious power -- an Intel i5 processor and either 64GB or 128GB SSD. However, these details, along with more, have already been published.

There will also be an accessory market (isn't there always)? Those include three new Touch Cover Limited Editions in red, magenta and cyan, plus an optional Wedge Touch mouse. Covers will retail for $129 while the mouse will set you back a mere $69.

In addition to the Surface Pro, the company also unveiled a new model of the Surface RT -- 64GB without keyboard cover for $599.

Surface Pro itself lists for $899 for the 64GB model. No pre-order is yet available, and the 128GB model is not yet accessible from the site. Microsoft did confirm that both models will come with a "Surface pen with Palm Block technology, designed specifically to work with Surface to let customers edit, collaborate and get things done".

There is no word yet on when pre-orders will go live, but it would seem likely that it would do so fairly soon. The Surface RT is currently available at Microsoft stores, both brick and mortar, as well as the internet store and also at Best Buy and Staples. The Surface Pro will join that party in all of these locations as well.

Finally the company also announced new markets for its tablet family. Those include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

So, what do you think? Will Surface Pro make you a believer in Windows 8 and tablets? Can it win over business? There are more questions than answers at this point.

Ten days left to get Windows 8 Media Center for free

Publié: janvier 21, 2013, 5:08pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows 8 special pricing expires on January 31, but it is not the only Microsoft special offer that goes away on that day. The company kicked Media Center somewhat to the curb with the new operating system. It no longer comes as a part of Windows, but requires the Pro version and a special add-on pack that will be sold for $9.99. To boot, there are no new features included. Media Center remains unchanged from Windows 7.

Still, there is a small but very dedicated group of followers who love Media Center, and for good reason. If you own an HTPC (home theater PC) then Microsoft's solution remains one of the best options available and, if you act before the end of this month, you can grab that $9.99 media pack for free.

You have to jump through a couple of hoops, but not anything too major. First, visit this Microsoft site, enter your email address and click the "send my product key" button. Microsoft claims it can take up to 72 hours and some users have reported wait times of even longer. However, when I did it last week I received my email within minutes.

Once you receive the key then the aforementioned site provides instructions on what to do, but it is a pretty simple process that is carried out through the "add features" section of Windows 8 settings. Of course, your system will restart during the process and it will take a few minutes for the updates to be applied.

Many enthusiasts claim that they will not upgrade their HTPC because of the way Media Center has been treated in Windows 8 -- add-on pack, no longer an option to start upon system boot, and a few other reasons. However, if you want to make that move or just want the software on your desktop or notebook then now is the time to act.

Kim Dotcom's Mega site goes live

Publié: janvier 19, 2013, 7:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

On January 19, 2012 at 6:48 am local time Kim Dotcom's mansion was suddenly raided by authorities looking for evidence against his popular MegaUpload file sharing website. Since then the case has dragged on, but done little to dampen Dotcom's enthusiasm and spirit. The colorful internet tycoon chose the exact moment of that raid, 365 days later, to launch his brand new Mega site.

In many ways Kim Dotcom is a larger than life figure and Mega is a larger than life site. For one, the service is offering 50 GB of free storage, much more than cloud storage offerings from services like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Box and Dropbox. There are also paid plans for those who need more storage.

Now that much-anticipated launch has now officially occurred.

Upon launch the site was slow, no doubt under the weight of immense traffic. Surprisingly, there is no real registration process. Users can begin by simply clicking the big red "Mega" button and upload files. Of course, you really need to register to do much, but it is a strange way of doing things, allowing upload without that step.

Once you have an account then you are greeted with a "dashboard" style interface -- you will need to confirm an email first. With that out of the way, you will have what Mega calls "Your 2048-bit RSA public / private key pair is now being created" and the previously mentioned dashboard.

The dashboard has basic controls such as Cloud Drive, Folder Upload, File Upload, the ability to create a new folder and a place for an Inbox and Contacts.

I know many of you will not like to hear this, but honestly the site is slick and user friendly. We can fault the founder for many things, but this is not one. He paid attention to design and got it right. Sure, it will be used for illegal sharing of files. But, guess what? So is every other cloud storage service. Many times I have had friends offer to rip a CD for me and place it in Dropbox. It is not so much the websites as it is the technology and the generation.

This is a very brief first look. The service went live just now and it is still hard to say what all can be done with it and where it will head in the future. But I have to say, it is rather nice as a first step.

The latest Facebook privacy flaw is a doozy

Publié: janvier 17, 2013, 11:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Over the past couple of years there has been no shortage of talk about privacy, particularly when it comes to social networks, and especially Facebook. In fact, the service recently made news when the site's privacy settings famously bit founder Mark Zuckerburg's own sister.

Facebook has worked to make its privacy settings easier to understand for everyday users, and to a certain extent has succeeded, but fatal flaws still seem to rear their ugly heads.

In this case, it could be one of the more dangerous ones to appear, as the implications could prove to be much more far-reaching. Earlier today, Bennett Haselton let it be known to Slashdot that searching Facebook for a phone number brings up results, with links to real people.

That may seem inconsequential at first glance. My colleague Joe Wilcox scoffed that "You can search for someone by phone number. So what? If you have the number, you likely have other details". True.

But here is the kicker. You do not need those other details. You do not even need the phone number. I began plugging in phone numbers for my city -- area code and the first three digits of my own number. I found people. People who live in my county. Women and girls I could stalk. Clicking an account reveals whatever that person has made public, and thanks to Facebook's still-confusing privacy settings there is more public than most users think -- ask Randi Zuckerburg.

I asked two BetaNews colleagues to search for my phone number and both found me with no problem. I am not worried about me, but I have a 16 year-old daughter. But, and let me stress this, it appears to only affect phone numbers that are left public. However, that is a large number of the user base, thanks to confusion.

So I have found a name and a phone number -- at the least, but perhaps more. Plus I know you are in my area. With this information the stalking process becomes much easier. (Don't worry, this is just a news reporting exercise. I won't stalk you.)

It is likely that Facebook will close this loophole, but it is illustration of the myriad problems that the social network faces while trying to walk a fine line between sharing and privacy. Unfortunately, this is a rather major one and it involves the safety of people, especially children.

In response, after being contacted by BetaNews, a Facebook spokesperson says that "the ability to search for a person by phone number is intentional behavior and not a bug in Facebook. By default, your privacy settings allow everyone to find you with search and friend finder using the contact info you have provided, such as your email address and phone number. You can modify these settings at any time from the Privacy Settings page".

Photo Credit: iofoto/Shutterstock

Pokki says that it 'knows' you want that Start menu in Windows 8

Publié: janvier 16, 2013, 8:24pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I suspect Microsoft may keep track of the number of people who use a Start button/menu replacement app in Windows 8, but it is not in the company's interest to say so -- both because a large number would reflect badly on the decision to remove the feature and because the company did a lot of, ah, "research" to determine the feature was not necessary. Oh, and the whole privacy thing as well.

Pokki, which is perhaps the market leader in this new genre of Start-menu-adding apps released a bit of information today: "1.5 million Pokki downloads on the new OS itself and users opening the Pokki Menu an average of 10 times a day".

That is great for them -- 1.5 million downloads of anything is a milestone type of number. Unless you are Windows or Office...or Adobe or Google.

Put it in perspective. Last week we reported that Microsoft has already sold 60 million Windows 8 licenses. That is an an average of 4.6 million licences per week since launch. We are now 2.5 months from launch, or 64 million licenses -- it's an estimate of course. That means Pokki has a total of less than one percent of the market.

It's a solid number. Good enough to keep a business afloat for sure. We should also consider that Pokki is not the only one in this game -- others like Classic Shell will have a bit of market share. So maybe we have three percent of users clamoring for that Start menu back.

It is hardly numbers compelling enough for Microsoft to rethink the decision. In fact, it points to a niche market. Companies like Pokki will do well in that market, but it hardly qualifies as the mainstream problem that a boisterous few seem to be making it out to be.

So your Windows 8 Preview expired -- now what?

Publié: janvier 16, 2013, 5:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I really should heed my own advice. Yesterday I warned you that all preview versions of Windows 8 would expire. You had two choices -- upgrade to gold code or deal with a computer that reboots every two hours. Hopefully you went with the former, but I chose the latter with a desktop PC that I rarely use. I had the nerve to say to myself that "I will get it tomorrow".

Well, I did get around to it today. I had purchased the license -- two months ago in fact, but I just did not get around to doing anything with it. Well, guess what? Microsoft punished he who procrastinates.

You see, the confirmation email the company sends you when you purchase your license contains a link, and that leads to a Windows 8 upgrade assistant. The problem is, once you get through running this and obtain your key, then the download process turns out to be much longer than the time between reboots of your expired computer.

Restarting the process upon reboot is of little help -- Microsoft begins the whole process again, including asking for your credit card number for a key. Useless.

There is, however, a work-around for this mess. Point your browser to this site. There you will find an installer, as opposed to an upgrade assistant. It is faster and requires only the input of your key.

Now, next time, let us both learn from this lesson and not allow this to happen again. Except, we will. Because we are procrastinators after all.

Photo Credit: iQoncept/Shutterstock

The PC is far from dead

Publié: janvier 16, 2013, 6:54am CET par Alan Buckingham

This week, my colleague Joe Wilcox wrote about the popular catch-phrase these days -- the "post-PC era". The only problem: this concept is wrong. Yes, he included lots of analyst information, fancy numbers and predictions, but none of it is realistic to the vast majority of computing users.

Yes, tablets are popular. There is no denying that. The iPad, despite not being the first tablet, brought the concept into the real world. Amazon and Google made the devices affordable. Sure, tablets make a great solution for checking email, weather and answering a question about that movie or show on your TV -- the one that occurs while sitting on your sofa.

But, what more can it really do? Play games? Sure, that adds to the enjoyment. After all, Angry Birds looks much better on a seven or 10-inch screen than it does on one sized to a smartphone.

But, as Mark Twain famously said, "rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated". So to have been those same rumors surrounding our trusty desktops and laptops.

Try Typing

Do you think I could write this post from a tablet? If I did I would have already torn out my hair before I got this far.

In my previous life I had to occasionally write a report or prepare a PowerPoint presentation. Try doing that on your iPad and then we can talk. My daughter has term papers to write and if I handed her a tablet, even with a Bluetooth keyboard, I expect I would not be in the running for "dad of the year".

Games

I alluded to Angry Birds, which is great on a bigger screen. But what else will you play? Battlefield 3? Think again. PC gaming is still popular and guess where it can be played?

Mobile gaming is fun, but it is just a time waster, not something even considered by serious gamers and those of the MMORPG crowd. Those folks want a real computer, and probably one with a name like AlienWare on it.

Size does Matter

Screens? Seven inches is great when you lie in bed looking at the news or weather. Want to gather your family around to watch the latest release on Netflix? Hell, the computer is bad enough for that, but try doing it on a tablet. See my "legacy" section below for more on this.

Numbers Game

All of the talk seems to be about tablet sales. But it is a ghost in the sense that the devices are basically disposable. Every time a new iPad is released people line up for it, even though most of them have one that is practically new and perfectly fine. When was the last time you saw lines for a new computer, regardless if it was Apple or Windows?

Computers do not sell like tablets. We keep them until they die, and even then we sometimes try to fix and repurpose them. The two devices are not in the same category. So forget the sales figures because they are not relevant when comparing different pieces of technology.

Legacy

Perhaps HTPCs are going the way of the dinosaur, and set-top boxes like Roku and Google TV are moving into that space, but they are not gone yet and they still have a loyal following. Your Google TV still cannot act as a DVR or process a cable card. For those who choose to go through the building and setup process, the Media Center, or equivalent type of computer, is still the best device to have in a home theater.

On the Surface

If anything, the computer will not be replaced by a tablet or smartphone, but by a hybrid device like the new Microsoft Surface. It can function as a tablet or a laptop. It wont replace that HTPC, but it can do pretty much anything else.

Even the Surface provides a rather small screen for some of the functions I mentioned, but devices like it could be the future. But that future is not here yet, and it will not be brought into existence by analyst reports or the web sites that cover them. The future will be shaped by what real people want and need.

Photo Credit: NinaMalyna/Shutterstock

HP adds 8,000 Walgreens locations to its mobile print service

Publié: janvier 15, 2013, 4:31pm CET par Alan Buckingham

With the growth of the mobile market in the form of smartphones and tablets, the ability to print from anywhere has become increasingly important. In this new generation of computing a whole new genre of software has been born, giving users the ability to print while on the go. My favorite has been Breezy, but HP is making big strides in the market as well with its ePrint service, which allows users to send any document or photo to a printer in the home or to other locations where they can stop and grab the printout while on the road.

Today the company announced the addition of 8,000 Walgreens locations to its service, bringing the total number of places available to more than 30,000.

"Providing HP ePrint users with access to more than 8,000 Walgreens locations makes their printing experiences easy and convenient," said Jasbir Patel, the senior director and general merchandise manager of Photo and E-commerce at Walgreens.

Walgreens is well known for printing photos, and the ePrint app also allows users to do some minor editing to pictures, such as cropping and touch-ups.

For now, Walgreens locations are only available in the iPhone version of the mobile app, but HP promises it will come to both Android and Blackberry in future versions.

Photo credit: HP

Stop Procrastinating: Windows 8 pre-release versions expire today

Publié: janvier 15, 2013, 2:29pm CET par Alan Buckingham

I jumped into Windows 8 way back at the first opportunity -- the Developer Preview. Then moved to the Consumer Preview and finally the Release Preview. But, because I’m something of a procrastinator, I haven’t yet got around to updating my computer to the full version, despite purchasing a copy of the new operating system as soon as it was released.

If you’re anything like me, and are still running the Release Preview, I’ve got some bad news. Today is the end of the line. All preview versions of Windows 8 expire on January 15, 2013. Worse, you will have to do a clean-installation because Microsoft has no upgrade path from the Release Preview to RTM. Note also that the final version of Windows 8 will not support upgrading from any prior Windows 8 Preview releases, though the migrate option will still be supported, according to Microsoft MVP Andre de Costa.

If you purchased a Windows 7 PC in the past few months then you are eligible to get an upgrade for $14.99. If not then you can still get a discount, paying only $39.99. Both offers expire on January 31st of this year.

If you care to check your Windows 8 version and expiration date, simply go to search or run and type "winver" to get all of the information.

Photo credit: Minerva Studio/Shutterstock

Microsoft releases out-of-cycle patch for Internet Explorer

Publié: janvier 14, 2013, 9:43pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Patch Tuesday came and went last week without Microsoft addressing a glaring error -- a zero-day flaw in Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 that attackers use to gain control of a computer. The defect did not affect IE versions 9 and 10, which have been called more secure by some experts.

Now the company is rolling out an uncharacteristic out-of-cycle patch to fix the bug. This follows a manual fix the company released earlier to help users of these legacy browsers protect themselves from attack.

According to a security bulletin released by Microsoft, "The vulnerability is a remote code execution vulnerability that exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object in memory that has been deleted or has not been properly allocated. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user within Internet Explorer. An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website".

The patch was pushed out at 10 am PT today and will supposedly fully fix the security hole in all versions of Internet Explorer. It is statused as a "critical update", which means it will be applied automatically. So far, Microsoft claims that only a limited number of customers have been effected by this bug, perhaps due to the adoption rate of the newer versions of the web browser.

Photo Credit: Kheng Guan Toh/Shutterstock

Microsoft's stealth presence at CES

Publié: janvier 13, 2013, 10:45pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft pulled out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for 2013 and beyond. Maybe. Maybe not so much. The company was not entirely absent and some of the presence was not even stealthy. It started with CEO Steve Ballmer's surprise appearance on stage during the pre-show keynote address -- an event that Microsoft once owned, but this year belonged to Qualcomm.

In the middle of the presentation Ballmer walked on stage and proceeded to, not only endorse the Snapdragon chips, but to also show off some Windows Phone 8 devices and Windows 8 tablets. It may have seemed like a passing of the torch from the old guard to the new, but the Redmond, Wash.-based company did not stop there. Oh no.

The company also had a presence during the Samsung presentation, where it took the opportunity to show off IllumiRoom, an upcoming enhancement to Xbox and Kinect that completely immerses you in the action. Do not get out your wallet yet -- this one is likely rather far from the market. Again, though, this was not very stealthy.

What you may not have heard is that Microsoft had a room at CES where it was quietly showing off the Surface Pro tablets. You know, the ones that are not on the market yet? The version that is rumored to be coming towards the end of this month? Yes, that version of the Surface.

The demos did not make big news, but if you paid close attention then you learned that Microsoft was holed up in a back room showing off the Surface Pro to a lucky few. While impressions were largely good, we will need a bit of time for the actual release to get impressions from the real world.

The company also was front and center on the show floor -- right in plain view. No, its booth was not there, but its touch could be seen everywhere -- Windows 8 computers and tablets and Windows Phone handsets.

Perhaps Microsoft really does not need a booth and a keynote address anymore to command the Consumer Electronics Show. Perhaps it has the whole thing on autopilot now and a guest shot here and there is more than enough to steer the ship in the direction it wants it to go.

Photo Credit: CES

Hold your weekend! Dropbox has an update for your Android

Publié: janvier 12, 2013, 1:39am CET par Alan Buckingham

It may be Friday evening and, according to Jimmy Buffett it is always five o'clock somewhere, but Dropbox has not finished its work week, pushing out one final update. So put away the beer or wine and pick up your Android. Late today the company announced an update that "makes it super easy to share collections of photos with friends and family".

Dropbox has been busy lately, given the stiff competition the cloud service is suddenly receiving from all sides -- Box, SkyDrive, Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive and others. This update is all about photo sharing. From the Photos section, users can now tap a button and choose the pictures they wish to share with friends and family. You can add them to a shared album or even do it via an emailed link. In fact, you can even utilize Facebook or Twitter for the process.

According to Dropbox's Tony Grue, "Choose your favorite photos and videos from family gatherings, show off the amazing soufflé you created with friends, or highlight your mad snowboarding skills with gorgeous albums that everyone can enjoy from their computers, tablets or phones -- no Dropbox account required!"

The update is now available in the Google Play store, but those who already have Dropbox installed should receive the update automatically. Now, just pay attention to those photos you are sharing -- we don't want to see anything naughty slip out!

Google tracks the flu and the news is not good

Publié: janvier 11, 2013, 7:34pm CET par Alan Buckingham

This is not the first year that Google has tracked the spread of the flu, but it may be the worst, from what the search giant's tracker is showing. Speaking for BetaNews, if I can, we have certainly felt the flu's effects so far this season, and we are spread out across the world, so that alone is telling.

The Google Flu Trends for the 2012-2013 season shows an alarming swing, with the graph heading steeply in the up direction beginning in early November and skyrocketing from there. In fact, most of the 50 states are now depicted in red -- 42 red versus 8 in orange. And orange is not much better.

None of this is cut-and-dry information, but Google has a pretty good handle on what is going on thanks to its position as the clear leader in the search market with close to 70 percent market share. This allows the company to keep track of trends in every area -- in this case those searching for flu information. The company can then use that data to project the number of cases and the locations of them. In fact, the data is so good that Google got it published in the prestigious science journal Nature.

Of course, what all of this means boils down to getting a shot, if you have not done so already, and doing your best to follow other good practices like sneezing into your bent elbow, washing your hands, etc. Also don't waste time and money on quack solutions, many of which are available online and even in pharmacies. Be smart and stick with proven science.

Warning: That Cisco phone on your desk may be spying on you

Publié: janvier 10, 2013, 5:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If your office, like many others in businesses around the world, uses Cisco-branded telephones then you may have a big problem. The networking company issued a security advisory with the catchy name "cisco-sa-20130109-uipphone".

"Cisco Unified IP Phones 7900 Series versions 9.3(1)SR1 and prior contain an arbitrary code execution vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to execute code or modify arbitrary memory with elevated privileges", the notice warns.

Two weeks ago, Columbia University Ph.D student Ang Cui reported the flaw. He detailed the process in talk "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean your phone isn't listening to everything you say", which entire video posted to YouTube December 28th.

The good news: physical access to the phone is required for this to be carried out. Of course, if you work in a public area -- think security desk inside a company door, or even a locked office that maintenance and cleaning has access to -- then there is no shortage of people who can carry out the exploit. In fact, we have seen in the past how easily social engineering can gain access to the most restricted areas of a building.

The hack allows an attacker to monitor phone calls and to even turn on a microphone and listen in on conversations within earshot. In fact, they could even stream them over a network.

Cisco acknowledges that "Ang Cui initially reported the issue to the Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT). On November 6, 2012, the Cisco PSIRT disclosed this issue in Cisco bug ID CSCuc83860 (registered customers only) Release Note Enclosure. Subsequently, Mr. Cui has spoken at several public conferences and has performed public demonstrations of a device being compromised and used as a listening device".

The company goes on to promise that it will "conduct a phased remediation approach and will be releasing an intermediate Engineering Special software release for affected devices to mitigate known attack vectors for the vulnerability".

And you thought that post-it note over your web cam was enough to keep you safe.

Photo Credit: ollyy/Shutterstock

You better budget for a new game console in 2013

Publié: janvier 10, 2013, 12:11am CET par Alan Buckingham

This year could be big for game consoles. Ouya expects to begin shipments in March or April and Steam has announced its very own console is in the works. Not to mention that Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson, has placed a mysterious countdown clock on his blog, leading to lots of speculation, including, of course, the next Xbox -- the "720".

Where does all of this lead? The good analysts at IDC are convinced you will purchase a new console this year: "2011 and 2012 were tough for many console game disc developers and publishers", says Lewis Ward, research manager. "With the advent of eighth-generation consoles, starting with the Wii U, historical norms strongly imply that game disc revenue will stop bleeding in 2013 and rise substantively in 2014".

The analysts make bold predictions for Wii U as well: "shipments will exceed 50 million by year-end 2016". Given that the original Wii trailed off as quickly as it rose, this number may be a reach, but maybe not. Nintendo has become more savvy in what today's users want, and I will be getting to that next.

All of this comes as less of a surprise and more of a "duh" moment, because new consoles are on the way -- Wii U has kicked it off -- and most avid gamers will upgrade. The kicker here is the extras -- this is what I alluded to with the Wii U. These days, thanks in part to the Xbox 360, people expect more than just games -- they want an entertainment device. A living room hub. Most manufacturers are trying to deliver on that wish already.

So, do you plan to buy the next-generation console of your choice when it hits the market? Will you buy one of the new boxes slated for 2013? I already fall into the "yes" category because I am guilty of pre-ordering the Ouya. In other words, I have already fallen into IDC's hands here. And you?

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Microsoft Research shows off IllumiRoom at CES

Publié: janvier 9, 2013, 8:56pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft may have pulled out of the Consumer Electronics Show in 2013 and going forward, but not stayed away. CEO Steve Ballmer still managed to find his way on stage for the big pre-show keynote and now the Research arm of the company has arrived in Las Vegas as well.

Eric Rudder, Microsoft’s Chief Technology Strategy Officer, made his way into the Samsung keynote earlier today to show off IllumiRoom.

If you have not yet heard about IllumiRoom then you are not alone. This is a project designed to "blur the lines between on-screen content and the environment we live in allowing us to combine our virtual and physical worlds". A 1.17-minute video posted by Microsoft's Steve Clayton gives a tantalizing demonstration using Xbox and Kinect. A gamer uses the technology to project his games beyond the TV screen and onto the walls around it and even the floor in front of him, making for a larger, more immersive experience.

What does any of this have to do with Samsung? Clayton explains that "Microsoft partners like Nokia and Samsung have both used pre-rendered footage in recent marketing efforts. What’s new in this work is that our researchers used Kinect for Windows to map the room in real-time in order to make projected illusions fully interactive. Most importantly, the effects shown in the video were captured live as they appeared in the living room environment and are not the result of special effects added in post processing".

It is an impressive display to say the least. To say the most, it is certainly still far removed from our homes. In other words, it is in the works, but don't hold your breath. Still, it is fun to daydream sometimes. Plus, the technology will work with more than just Kinect so this may eventually find uses in many different areas. For now though, we must be happy with what we have.

Netgear finally concedes, joins the Google TV generation

Publié: janvier 8, 2013, 12:35am CET par Alan Buckingham

Netgear read my mind. Hopefully not all of it, but the company is welcome to my tech thoughts at least. Just recently several of us here at BetaNews wrote about the tech we used most in 2012. In my column I mentioned that my trusty HTPC grows long in the tooth -- you think dog years are rough, try computer years. I started using a Netgear NeoTV instead. As I mentioned then, and will reiterate now, the interface is not flashy, but it works seamlessly. the hardware is robust as well.

In the end though, I admitted my plans in 2013 were to move to Google TV because of the added features -- web browser, apps, you know the routine.

Now today, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Netgear managed to combine this all together by announcing the Netgear NeoTV Prime, combining that solid hardware with a modern set-top box operating system.

The NeoTV line has been around a few years and refreshed several times, but has never really caught on the way Boxee and Roku have. Now, with Google TV behind it, these little boxes finally have a new chance at life.

But there is more to this announcement. The operating system contains what the company has dubbed as "NeoTV Prime." It claims this combined "with Google TV offers PrimeTime, an app that helps you find and watch your favorite movies and TV shows all in one place, whether they are on live TV, an app, or the web."

The remote control is not unique, but much the same as that of other Google TV devices, in that it contains basic functions on the front and a tiny QWERTY keyboard on the reverse.

Unlike many other gadgets that have been, or will be, shown off at CES 2013, this one is available immediately for purchase. The retail price is $129.99, which is a bit more than rivals like the Vizio Co-Star, and possibly ones that may be waiting in the Las Vegas wings. Sorry Vizio, but NeoTV Prime may have changed my mind.

LaCie shows small business some CES love with 5big NAS Pro

Publié: janvier 7, 2013, 9:00pm CET par Alan Buckingham

While the Consumer Electronics Show is mostly about gadgets for your home, there's more to it. Unfortunately, devices that are more functional, as opposed to flashy, tend to fly beneath the radar. That means that good, useful equipment, that we will actually see on the market before CES 2014, does not get the attention it deserves.

That is the case with a new LaCie network attached storage device designed for small businesses. The company today announced its 5big NAS Pro, a device that brings some new functionality to the product line. According to LaCie, the new NAS will have what it describes as "True Hybrid Cloud". This will use the company's own cloud storage, Wuala, and display both network and cloud storage in one view. This means one interface for both users and administrators, which is especially important on mobile.

The company also promises several RAID modes to choose from as well as what it terms as "formidable security", although details on what exactly that means are left rather vague. If you did not guess, of course the "5" in the name alludes to the amount of drive bays available. The device will work with Genie Backup Manager Pro on PC or Genie Backup Manager Pro for Mac. Both include 3 licenses.

Unlike many of the products you will see plastered all over the web this week, this one actually has shipping and pricing details. LaCie will make three models available "this quarter" -- 0 TB, 10 TB and 20 TB. Prices start at $549 and go to $2,199, and customers will get a 100 GB free trial of Wuala cloud storage.

Developers, developers, developers! Mozilla announces Firefox OS App Days

Publié: janvier 7, 2013, 8:11pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Firefox OS is coming this year and we have already seen some early previews. In order to hit the ground running these days any operating system, be it desktop or mobile, needs a healthy app ecosystem. To that end, Mozilla today announced "App Days", a series of events around the world that are designed to get developers excited and moving for this upcoming release.

In the announcement, Mozilla's Mark Coggins explains that at "each App Day event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, hack and celebrate Firefox OS, Mozilla’s open source operating system for the mobile web. Technologists and developers from Mozilla will present tools and technology built to extend and support the Web platform, including mobile Web APIs to access device hardware features such as the accelerometer".

For many developers getting started should not be too difficult, as much of the work can be handled by HTML5, which is where the web has been moving recently anyway. In fact, Mozilla tells us that existing HTML5 apps can be "optimized" for Firefox OS.

The events will generally run from 8:30 am to 7 pm local time and take place in such diverse locations as the United States, Greece, Romania, Taiwan, Kenya and many more. A complete list of locations, along with sign-up details, can be found on the Wiki page Mozilla has created for the events. Most will take place between January 19th and February 2nd.

This is a great free opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a brand new mobile OS, which will be geared towards the lower-cost range smartphone market and is expected to be released worldwide, although gradually.

Photo Credit: nmedia/Shutterstock

Windows 7 is great, but I won't go back

Publié: janvier 6, 2013, 6:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There is friendly disagreement here at BetaNews. My friend and colleague, Mihaita Bamburic, uses Windows 8, but laments that he wants to return to the last era by downgrading to version 7. While I feel for him, and he certainly has that option, I would say the same thing I did to my family when I upgraded our household computers -- yes it is different, but I doubt Microsoft is going back now.

That is a harsh statement, although I certainly put it as gently as possible to my wife and kids. However, aside from my assertion that things will not revert, there are several other reasons I feel no loss in this move.

Windows 7 was Good

I will not argue this point. In fact I fully endorse it. Windows 7 was arguably the most user-friendly and secure version ever released. It never gave me a problem, and I ran it on multiple home computers. Ironically, I will be sticking to it on my HTPC because Microsoft kicks Media Center to the curb in its latest OS.

In fact, I will go so far as to admit that, for certain types of customers, Windows 7 may still be the best option. Certainly business will not leave it anytime soon, but that is hardly a ringing endorsement given how slowly IT moves to adopt operating systems and software. Many of them are just arriving on the platform from Windows XP.

Windows 8 is Better

Good, however, is relative. Things can be good, but it never means they cannot get better. Windows 8 takes what Microsoft learned with Windows 7 and brings it into the future. That future does not require a touchscreen either.

Windows 8 may be heralded as a "tablet OS", but it works just as well with a mouse and keyboard. Yes, I admit that on an actual PC, as opposed to a tablet, you will spend much of your time on the desktop side -- that is where I am now as I write this, although I could just as easily do so from Modern UI.

So what is the point of the Start screen on my desktop and laptop? I switch to them when I walk away because it is nice to come back, or even walk past, and see all of the instant notifications -- email, Facebook, weather, and others. Why should I click different tabs to get each of those things? Yes, my phone and tablet can show me this, but the bigger the screen the better.

Start Button? We don't need no Stinkin' Start Button

While the Start screen has been controversial, the loss of the Start button, a relic from 1995, almost causes warfare among customers. Face it. The relic is gone and it will not come back, unless you want to use one of countless pieces of software that have popped up to capitalize on customers -- some even having the nerve to charge a fee to bring back the past.

Windows 8 provides no shortage of simple ways to access your software that do not involve clicking a button at the bottom left of your desktop. From the Start screen you can begin typing a name -- no search box required -- and your app will appear. You can also do the same from the Search option in the Charms menu if you are on the desktop.

Charming

That leads me to the aforementioned Charms menu. It is easy to access and gives quick links to Search, Share, Devices and Settings. It is a one-stop shop for pretty much anything you want or need to access. You can find apps, access shutdown and other quick settings. Think of it as a modern version of your lost button and menu.

In the End

As expressed above, I have nothing against Windows 7, it served me well for several years. But technology moves forward and that is what Windows 8 represents -- a move towards the future. Honestly, it was a move Microsoft desperately needed to make. Will it be popular with business? I honestly have my doubts, but I think the associated tablets will find a place in that market, even if the desktop version of the OS does not.

Eventually though, IT will build proprietary apps for the Start screen and begin the migration. Like all previous Windows operating systems, that will be a slow process, but it will happen sooner or later.

If you plan to buy a new computer then Windows 8 will be what you get. Give the OS a little time. It does take some getting used to, but once you get the hang I think you will find that it truly is a step in the right direction. Change is good and necessary.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Old media takes another dying gasp: Irish newspapers to charge for links

Publié: janvier 4, 2013, 8:56pm CET par Alan Buckingham

When I say "old media" I refer to several mediums, including movie studios, TV networks and the recording industry. However, in this case, I am talking about, perhaps, the oldest of all -- the newspaper. It seems that the once-desirable rags may be one of the last forms of media to actually get it.

To that end, the licensing body that represents the Irish nations newspapers seems bent on going forward with a plan to wring fees out of any website that links to its material. To that end, the group issued a statement today, reading, in part, that: "The sort of activities which constitute "copying" for these purposes are the photocopying of newspaper articles, placing of newspaper articles on an intranet website, viewing of articles on a website hosted by a press cutting agency and the sending of articles to clients or other third parties".

That does not sound wholly unreasonable -- after all, only unreputable sites are lifting articles and republishing them without permission. It no doubt happens to BetaNews posts as well. Most sites include a quote and a link to the source.

Links are Copyrightable

If the above sounded reasonable, then I understand. But here is where this whole statement takes a sharp turn south. You see, the NNI went on to state that it had "made a submission to the effect that our view of existing legislation is that the display and transmission of links does constitute an infringement of copyright and our existing copyright law should not be amended in the manner discussed in the Consultation Paper".

The agency tries to temper its stance by telling us that it "understands" that we email links to one another as part of our communication process, and that it would not want to impinge on that right.

Is this the End?

I will give them one thing: the idea is original. It is destined to fail in my opinion, but is unique nonetheless. Previously newspapers have tried the firewall technique -- most notably the Wall Street Journal, but even smaller publishers around the country, such as the (Delaware) News Journal and the (Florida) Sun Sentinel have given that one a shot. A simple search on the web for "[newspaper name] firewall" will bring up work-arounds of all sorts.

So where does it go from here? At the moment, the NNI seems unwilling to back down, but so was the RIAA in the face of services like Napster. In fact, even when finally relented the music publishing group still tried one last effort -- a ridiculous DRM scheme. Now the MPAA and newspapers seem destined to follow that same path, except newspapers may not survive to see the end of it.

As Robert X Cringely has pointed out in his piece about Hollywood, tech will win in the end. It is a matter of getting on board or getting run over. Now it is time for Ireland to learn the lessons of German newspapers. Be careful what you wish for -- when those links go, so does your traffic!

Photo Credit: Lucia Pitter/Shutterstock

Want to learn Android programming? The Linux Foundation can help

Publié: janvier 4, 2013, 2:04pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Android, the popular mobile operating system, is based on Linux and there are a number of good reasons to learn how to program for it. Number one is the vast audience that will be at your disposal if you can make it into the Google Play store or Amazon's Appstore for Android.

The Linux Foundation has launched a new initiative to help interested parties learn basic Android programming. So far, Juliet Kemp has only posted part one of Android Programming for Beginners and it just covers the basics to get you started, but more advanced tutorials are promised in the future. The two-part intro to Android coding will show you how to get a basic timer app up and running, and teach you about the Android API. It assumes some basic familiarity with Java, XML, and programming concepts, but is easy enough to follow.

If you do not yet have a phone or tablet then don't fret -- it's not necessary to get started. You will, however, need to download a few things on to your computer, such as JDK 6 and Eclipse, or another IDE (Integrated Developer Environment).

The article walks you through layout and coding and makes for a great stepping stone. While it is aimed at everyone, it will be particularly useful for students who are considering pursuing programming as a possible career choice and best of all, everything you need, except the device, is free.

Sure you may not make your fortune, but at least you can get in the game and build something that you want (even if nobody else does). Who knows, with perseverance you could become the next Rovio...

First look: Redbox Instant by Verizon

Publié: janvier 4, 2013, 6:30am CET par Alan Buckingham

Are you looking for competition to Netflix and Amazon Prime? By now you have likely heard that Redbox has teamed with Verizon to provide just that. The kiosks, which can be found almost everywhere these days, are quite popular with a number of people, but running out to a store, especially in bad weather, is not overly user-friendly. When the snow is flying, it is so much nicer to get the movie you want without leaving your couch.

Redbox has been testing its new Instant service in private beta for a couple of months now. If you want to try and get into the program then head over to Redbox Instant and request a code, but be aware that the wait can be long. In fact, with the service expected in early 2013 you may just be better holding off.

So, what can you expect once you are in? Well, first of all, even getting an invitation code only provides a 30-day free trial. After that you will need to pay. If you already have an account then there is no setup process -- simply use your existing login information to enter Instant.

By default, the plan allows for unlimited streaming and four DVD rentals "from the box" every month, and it will lighten your wallet by $8.00 per month. You will need to enter your credit card, or choose an existing one if you have a previous account. If you do not cancel within the trial period then you will begin getting billed for the service.

Caution for that last step -- I received a "HTTP Error 400. The size of the request headers is too long" error message when trying to select my existing card, and even when trying to enter a new one. I ended up having to call the company's customer service which, incidentally, cannot help with Instant. You will need to set up a live chat from the Instant page. More on that experience and the browser issues later -- queue the ominous music.

Browsing

Not every movie is available for streaming. Not a big surprise there. The movie industry still has not fully embraced this concept -- it has yet to learn those hard lessons that the recording industry learned after Napster. It will get there, but it will take more time.

For now you will need to pay attention to the red swatches across the upper left corner of each video that indicate if the title is available for your subscription plan or if it is "buy/rent".

The home screen displays a scrolling list of top movies across the top and moving down it will show customers various categories such as "Top subscription", "Hot at kiosk" and more.

Playing Movies

Click a movie that is in the "subscription" category and you get a brief synopsis, reviews and other information. More importantly, you get a "watch now" button.

There is nothing fancy here -- you get the basics of play/pause, fast forward, rewind, volume control and full-screen option. The playback was incredibly smooth, especially given that I was using a wireless connection. There was no stutter and no buffering.

Conclusion

Now for the negatives, and they are not too bad. Actually the only one I really encountered was the setup issue and the chat contact. I received the "400" error using Chrome, no response when I tried Internet Explorer, but when I finally moved to Firefox it all worked.

As for customer service, as I alluded to earlier, at this juncture Instant service is only available via chat. That may sound fine, but it is difficult to contact. In fact, the first five times I was shown a hold time and then dropped. However, when I finally reached a rep, "Marsha" was very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately she ended up with no solution and a promise I would be contacted by "tier 2" within 72 hours. Bear in mind this was all before I tried Firefox.

Once I was set up and had everything working, I cannot say enough about how well it worked or how great the video looked. Smooth play and easy controls.

In the end, the service looks as if it will be a good competitor in the market but it is clear there are some glitches to work out. That is likely why a phone rep (possibly slipping up) told me it would not be released until "early spring."

Microsoft's Office 365 cloud rises over the Windy City

Publié: janvier 3, 2013, 9:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Despite recent stories of Google's big plans to take Microsoft's IT business away, the race is far from over. Today Microsoft announced a fairly big win for Office 365 and, no doubt, privately high-fived over this perceived slap in its rival's face. While Google Apps continues to progress, the city of Chicago prefers to stick with the old guard and its new cloud solution.

Michael Donlan, the Vice President of U.S. State and Local Government at Microsoft, announced today, along with Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, that the two sides have reached an agreement that will allow the city to "consolidate its three disparate email systems into one Microsoft Office 365 environment in an effort to improve collaboration, enhance security, and provide both mobile and desktop access for anytime, anywhere productivity".

Emanuel, who was formerly the White House Chief of Staff under President Barrack Obama, claims that the deal will lead to "saving taxpayers $400,000 per year".

This is not the first big win for Office 365, having landed a contract with the Environmental Protection agency back in October. However, the battle is far from over, given that Google scored wins with institutions such as University of California-Berkeley and others.

So who wins? The answer is likely the customers. Honestly, there are more than enough corporations, and local, state and federal governments and agencies to go around. Neither business will starve. The competition simply means that both will need to continue to innovate to stay prominent, and that is a win for all of us.

Photo Credit: Sergey150770/Shutterstock

Qualcomm makes absent Microsoft look irrelevant at CES 2013

Publié: janvier 3, 2013, 1:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Pulling out of trade shows worked just fine for Apple, but Microsoft’s decision to follow suit and drop out of the Consumer Electronics Show in 2013, and beyond, could have catastrophic consequences for the Redmond, Wash.-based company.

For years we have become accustomed to Bill Gates and, later, Steve Ballmer opening the show with THE keynote address. Now a company once considered by many as the most important in the industry has reduced itself to an afterthought.

Don't get me wrong -- Microsoft is not going away today, tomorrow, or even next year, but this egotistical move shows its decline. It is not Apple. It cannot draw the same media attention from a show of its own. CES is a global showcase and Gates and Ballmer, despite glitches, did masterful jobs of getting the attention of the entire tech world. We watched spellbound, year after year, as the company showed off what it had in store for us in the coming months. CES is the big tech event and Microsoft used to be the headline act.

But alas, I still have not reached the meat of the matter -- the reason this signals trouble in my mind. For that we need only look at who is replacing Mr. Ballmer as the pre-show keynote speaker. That man is none other than Paul Jacobs, the CEO of Qualcomm. The wireless telecommunications research and development company is, naturally, already trumpeting the speech.

In a post on its site, Qualcomm says that Jacobs’ keynote will “highlight Qualcomm’s Born Mobile theme that addresses mobile technology’s role in the world. Thanks to anywhere, anytime communication, mobile technology brings people together and is enabling a powerfully connected future, a future that is now. Mobile has become an integral part of consumers daily lives, and it will continue to transform the way individuals and communities interact with one another and the world around them."

In other words, the future is ARM and mobile, and Microsoft is not there to be part of it. Despite a burgeoning ecosystem with Windows Phone and a brand new ARM tablet in the Surface RT, the company lags behind iOS and Android in what is largely considered the future of computing. Now Qualcomm can step forward and slap Microsoft in the face.

Don't get me wrong. I love Windows 8 and I think the company has a great mobile operating system -- top rated by many users. But perception is everything. Especially in today's world of 24-hour information and live-streaming news. When you disappear from that moment when everyone is watching, you have lost your step.

Microsoft made major changes in 2012 and CES was a chance to expound on those, give the world even more information, toot its own horn, and make a statement. Instead Microsoft decided to get kicked where it hurts most.

Can't be in NYC New Year's Eve? There's an app for that

Publié: décembre 31, 2012, 10:17am CET par Alan Buckingham

Although New York City manages to pack a huge number of people into Times Square every New Year's Eve to watch the famous ball drop, most of us have to settle for watching it on TV. That is not necessarily a bad thing -- if you have ever talked to someone who has actually been there then you may conclude that you never want to be among the crowd, given the requirements and the hassle that attendees go through.

Thanks to the Times Square Official Ball App you don’t have to be in front of a TV at midnight this December 31st, to follow all of the action. You just need to have your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet at hand -- sorry Windows Phone users.

The app is not new this year, but has been updated with support for tablets and larger screen phones. According to the app’s website, it not only provides the live video feed of the big event, but also includes extras like the ability to submit your own New Year's Eve photos. The best shots will be displayed on the big screen right in Times Square. It also contains "everything you need to know about the Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration, including the history, news, weather, photos, relevant maps and LIVE Show schedule".

Technology continues to move forward. Now if you are going to be stuck in a TV-free location when everyone is ringing in 2013 you can still be part of the action. Happy New Year!

10 must-have apps for your new Android device

Publié: décembre 28, 2012, 5:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Yesterday my colleague Wayne Williams posted hist list of must-have iPad apps. Of course I did not want Android fans to be left out, so I sat down and thought about the apps I use most on my Galaxy Nexus. This was a tough decision because there are many. Of course, it is also purely driven by personal opinion and tastes, but many of these types of lists are.

So, if you found a new phone or tablet under your tree on December 25th and you are wondering what you should install then here is a top-10 list of my personal recommendations.

1. Lookout -- free

I covered this already in my post about Android security, so I won't go into great detail here, but I truly believe that it is something every user should install. It is a great app for keeping your device safe from malware. There are also premium features available, but those will cost you $2.99 per month.

2. Angry Birds -- free or ad-free for a price

I know. Everybody already knows about this game. You can't miss it, even in retail stores where the Rovio merchandise abounds. However, it is a great little time-waster and fun for both you and your kids. There is a total of five games -- Angry Birds, Angry Birds Rio, Angry Birds Space and Angry Birds Star Wars. You really can not go wrong with any of them.

3. Camera 360 -- free or $3.99

I have a weakness for camera apps. In fact, I almost feel as if I collect them. With that said, I find myself going back to this one on a regular basis though. Why? Because of the feature set. It shoots great HDR images, but you can also choose from other cool effects, the latest of which is called UFO and was just added in a December 6th update. You can use the free version, but I recommend grabbing the Ultimate version for $3.99.

4. Backgrounds HD Wallpapers -- free

There is no shortage of wallpaper apps and themes for Android, but this one provides "more than 10,000 Wallpapers". You can browse through the available images via a number of categories. Even better, the images are panoramic, so scrolling left and right from the home screen reveals more of each background.

5. Facebook -- free

The social network is the service we all seem to love to hate, but still can not get away from. I do not need to say much about it because chances are you are already using it. This was not a very good app in the past, but recent updates have improved it considerably.

6. Star Chart -- $2.99

Odds are that you at least occasionally look up in the sky at night and wonder what that particularly bright object is or wonder where a specific constellation is. Star Chart solves this masterfully. The app utilizes your phone's GPS, compass and accelerometer to identify your location and calculate what direction and angle you are pointing the device. It then tells you exactly what each thing is and it scrolls as you move the handset aroud.

7. Amazon Appstore for Android -- free

The Google Play store is great, but it is not the only source for apps. Amazon is also great place to find apps and it features a different paid app for free each day. The retail giant also gets occasional exclusives on new apps.

8. Field Trip -- free

Google released this app a few months ago and has been improving it ever since. As you travel around your phone will pop up interesting messages about what is nearby your location. If you are using headset or a bluetooth ear piece it will read the information to you. To find things Google has utilized a number of sources.

"The hyperlocal history experts of Arcadia and Historvius will unveil local lore in places you never expected. Trend-setting publications like TimeOut, Thrillist, Food Network, Zagat, and Eater will point out the best places to eat and drink. Experts at Sunset, Cool Hunting, WeHeart, Inhabitat, and Remodelista will guide you to the latest unique stores and products. Atlas Obscura, Dezeen and Daily Secret help you uncover hidden gems no matter where you are. Songkick and Flavorpill guide you to local music".

9. Silent Sleep -- free

Silent Sleep solves a very basic problem. While many of us turn down the volume of our devices at night, vibration on the nightstand can still wake up light sleepers. This app completely mutes your phone, including vibrations. You can set it to go silent and wake up at your times of choice and by what days of the week you wish for it to be active.

10. Pandora -- free or $4.99 per month

I listen to a lot of podcasts, and for that I use BeyondPod. I can also stream my 80+ GB of music to my device via Google Music. However, even with all of that, I still use Pandora enough to pay the monthly fee to avoid ads and get the the features that come with it. I love it for hearing the genres I like, and being able to switch genres as the mood strikes me. Plus, I discover new music and can bookmark it for future purchase -- although that means the app cost me even more!

[Alan] The tech I used most in 2012

Publié: décembre 28, 2012, 7:27am CET par Alan Buckingham

The year has almost passed and that makes it a great time for reflection. Of course, I have thought most about my family -- what we did in 2012 and our plans for 2013. I have thought of household repairs and projects planned for the coming year, goals I would like to attain, but I also considered what technology I used the most and the changes I made.

My colleagues and I plan personal tech retrospectives. I'm first up.

Google Chrome

Unlike some users who have made the switch to a Chromebook as their full-time device of choice, I simply made a smaller switch -- from Firefox to Chrome as my web browser. The transition is easy since you can import every bookmarks. And, thanks to Tab Cloud, I could even bring my tabs along for the ride.

While I still use Tab Cloud, I also love the sync feature that allows me to seamlessly switch between my desktop and laptop computers at any moment.

Android

When I worked in IT I used Windows Mobile. It was clunky and apps were scarce. When the company opened things up a bit I immediately graduated to Android, choosing a Motorola Droid X. This year I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus -- it is not the newest Google Phone anymore, but I have not stopped loving it. And, unlike Joe Wilcox, I don't buy every new device to hit the market, although I wish I could, but a wife stands in the way of those investments.

Laptop

I am still using my trusty Gateway NV55S02u that I purchased in late 2011. It isn't shiny and new anymore, but nor is it outdated. With 500GB HDD, 4GB of RAM and quad-core AMD processor it is still more than I need. In fact, I am writing this post from the laptop. I do have to admit though that the Samsung $249 Chromebook calls to me.

In fact, for Christmas this year we gave our daughter the cash to buy that Chromebook. We wanted it under the tree, but Google and Samsung could unfortunately not deliver, giving only "out of stock" messages everywhere.

Windows 8

Perhaps the biggest move I made this year was the one from Windows 7 to Windows 8. It was a major change to an OS with a much different user interface.

I elected to use Windows 8 as-is. No adding a Start menu via third-party software. I wanted to see how it worked out-of-the-box as many new users will experience it.

I have to admit that I honestly do not miss that Start menu. In fact I have grown accustomed to the Charms bar and the new ways that the OS provides for access to my apps. While I have reviewed plenty of replacements for that lost feature I have uninstalled each upon review completion. They simply are not needed.

I do however use one third-party app -- QTTabBar, which adds tabs to Windows Explorer.

Google Music

I was an early beta tester and big proponent of Google Music. Thanks to its terms of service that counts songs instead of storage space I was able to upload more than 8 GB of music and still have room to spare. Now I stream that music to my phone while I work. In fact, I can stream it wherever I go and use zero storage space on my device. I do wish the company would improve the interface a bit though. It appears a bit dated for something so new.

Office 2013

Back to Microsoft again. I have to admit that I have fallen in love with Office 2013. The suite is not tremendously different from the 2010 version, but there are enhancements like the new Start screen. The ribbon menu has been tweaked and improved as well. This is one piece of software I am greatly looking forward to when it leaves beta and hits the market in early 2013.

Netgear NeoTV

I have an HTPC running Windows 7 with Media Center set to open on startup. While I love it, I have found myself increasingly using the Netgear set-top box. Both are hooked to our living room TV with audio fed to a Yamaha 5.1 A/V receiver.

The NeoTV interface is not flashy, but it is smooth and easily controlled by the remote. It also plays .ISO files natively, which is my preferred way to rip our DVDs to preserve all information, including menus and extras.

Two Things I want to get in 2013

Two things is not much, but we don't know much of what is coming yet either.

For now, while I love the aforementioned Netgear NeoTV, I plan to pick up my first Google TV after the holidays are over. As of now, I am leaning towards the Vizio Co-Star, but that choice is subject to change.

I also pre-ordered an Ouya box. The new Android game console, which is due to ship in March or April. While I am looking forward to this little box, my son is on the edge of his seat in anticipation.

Stay tuned for more posts from BN writers about what each of us used this past year and let us know what you liked and used most in the comments. In fact, let us know what you disliked as well.

Photo Credit: Alan Buckingham

So you got an Android for Christmas? Here's how to keep it secure

Publié: décembre 27, 2012, 7:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

There is a lot of recent chatter about malware on Android devices, but much of it is overblown. Microsoft recently learned a lesson when its #DroidRage campaign when down in flames. Honestly, while there is malware out there, it is not as prevalent as you are being led to believe. Still, being careful is always the best advice.

To that end, there are a number of steps you can take to make sure that brand new tablet or phone is as safe as possible. The mobile operating system is not the minefield that was past versions of Internet Explorer and Windows, but does have its share of flaws that can lead to compromise.

If you were lucky enough to receive a device that is running Android 4.2 then you have partial protection because the app store is capable of warning you, much as Chrome on the PC does, of dangerous apps. Messages like "installing this app may harm your phone" or "Installation has been blocked" will pop up.

However, that still is not total protection, and there are reports that the feature can be thwarted or bypassed by bad apps. So, while it is nice that Google built it in, it is not everything you need.

Anti-Malware Software

If you plan to install a lot of apps, especially ones that are not in the Play store, then you will want third-party protection. Arguably the best is Lookout which protects, not only against viruses, but also loss and theft.

Alternatively, there are other A/V apps in the Play store. Many users love Avast, but you can also choose Norton or Kaspersky if you prefer. Both are solid and are familiar names from the desktop world. Bear in mind that, unlike Lookout, not all of these are free.

Security Settings

From the Android Settings page you can click Security and make some changes to fit what you would prefer -- create a pin that will be required to unlock the phone, encrypt the device, set up a SIM card password lock and choose to allow or not allow apps from unknown sources. The latter is frequently called sideloading and refers to installing apps that are found on third-party sites as opposed to known sources like the Play store and Amazon Android Market.

Lost Phones

While the aforementioned Lookout can handle this task, there are some stand-alone services that many feel do a better job. My colleague here, Mihaita Bamburic, who I consider an Android expert, recommends Cerberus. The app has a number of features listed under its entry in the Play store, including the following:

It has three ways to protect your device:

Remote control through the website www.cerberusapp.com

Remote control via text messages

SIM Checker (for devices that have a SIM card): you will automatically receive alerts if someone uses your phone with an unauthorized SIM card

Remote control allows you to perform many operations on your device, like:

Locate and track it

Start a loud alarm, even if the device is set to silent mode

Wipe the internal memory and the SD card

Hide Cerberus from the app drawer

Lock the device with a code

Record audio from the microphone

Get a list of last calls sent and received

Get information about network and operator the device is connected to

And much more!

Alternatively, customers may also consider Find my Phone and Seek Droid, which are both viable alternatives that will aid you in that moment of panic when you realize your phone or tablet has been left behind. As testament, I personally use Seek Droid.

Conclusion

On the whole, the Android world is not nearly as dangerous as Microsoft would have you believe. Research apps before you install, especially if they are not in the Google or Amazon stores. In fact, simply use the same common sense principles you would use on your computer. Happy New Year! Enjoy your new phone or tablet!

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Amazon boasts big holiday shopping sales

Publié: décembre 27, 2012, 5:01pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon, the internet-based retailing monster, has posted its numbers for this recently passed holiday shopping season. While the company may have disrupted a few Christmas Eves by taking out Netflix when customers were ready to watch that special holiday movie, it still seems to have come out big on the retail side of things.

Of course, like any company, Amazon toots its own horn here, but still, the company must produce real numbers, even if it portrays them in advantageous ways.

To that end, here is what Amazon Media Relations had to say about the 2012 holiday shopping season.

First off, the company boasts that it had its biggest ever single shopping day, November 26, with 26.5 million items sold. Amazon also brags that its Kindle Fire HD tablet, a direct competitor to Google's Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, was the top-selling product for a 15th straight week. Perhaps not surprisingly, Christmas day was "the biggest day ever for downloads from Amazon’s enormous digital ecosystem of over 23 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, books, audiobooks, apps and games". After all, there was no doubt a lot of Android devices under Christmas trees this year.

The company also boasts that it was "No. 1 in customer satisfaction during the holiday shopping season, according to the ForeSee annual Holiday E-Retail Satisfaction Index."

Amazon also claims that Cyber Monday was the single biggest days for Kindle sales, and added a few facts from 2012 in general. Amazon listed more than 175,000 exclusive books were added to the Kindle store, 23 Kindle Direct Publishing authors each sold over 250,000 copies of their books, its digital media selection grew to over 23 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, books, audiobooks, and popular apps and games and a lot more.

As I stated earlier, all of this is designed to make the company look good and boost interest and stock prices. The numbers aren't exact and leave out trends that Amazon would rather you not know.

Google announces free Voice calls to continue through 2013

Publié: décembre 27, 2012, 3:37am CET par Alan Buckingham

Google released its Voice feature back in 2010 and made the service free for the first year, but has continued to extend that offer each year since then. Google Voice allows Gmail customers to make phone calls from within their account. Not only does this provide free long-distance, but it also provides some added convenience.

Now the search giant has announced that, once again, it will extend the free service for yet another year. In a very brief post from product manager Mayur Kamat, the company states that: "Many of you call phones from Gmail to easily connect with friends and family. If you're in the US and Canada, you'll continue to be able to make free domestic calls through 2013. Plus, in most countries, you can still call the rest of the world from Gmail at insanely low rates".

Personally, I love the app for one reason -- convenience. Plugging ear buds into my PC and using the laptop's built-in microphone makes it very easy to call companies that have a tendency to leave customers on hold for an extended period of time. I can continue to work while on hold.

Now, with hardware starting to appear that takes advantage of the service to integrate it into your home phone as a landline replacement, the free calling becomes all the more important. The free calls are for the US and Canada only, but for those of us in North America it is more than enough and a good way to replace a monthly service bill. Plus there are mobile apps for both Android and iPhone, making the service available even when you are on the go.

Photo Credit: Digital Storm/Shutterstock

While not exactly Apple pace, Microsoft will open six more stores in 2013

Publié: décembre 26, 2012, 6:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The year was a big one for Microsoft with updates to almost every website and software program, as well as the release of Surface RT. But now it is time to look ahead to 2013 and the company has not only announced the expansion of retail sales for its tablet but the next six company store locations.

Jonathan Adashek, GM of Microsoft's Communications and Strategy, Sales & Marketing Services Group, revealed today: San Antonio, Texas; Miami, Florida; Beachwood, Ohio; San Francisco, Calif.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and St. Louis, Missouri will join the current locations around the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

From most accounts the stores appear to be a success, although perhaps the company has not made as much available in them as it should. Still, Microsoft expands them at a rather brisk pace.

While six locations were announced, there is no indication yet of opening dates. Microsoft generally puts on quite a show at each grand opening, bringing in big name artists to perform and holding Xbox Kinect contests and product giveaways. You can learn of, and follow, these events via the company's Facebook page.

It is also likely that these six will not be the only ones to launch next year, and there are even rumors that the company will open its first European branch in the United Kingdom sometime in 2013. So, do you have a store near you? If you have visited one then let us know what you thought of it.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

My Precious, Bilbo Baggins uses Windows Phone

Publié: décembre 24, 2012, 3:29pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you can say nothing else about the company, you at least have to admit that Microsoft has certainly come up with some unique marketing ideas recently. Many would call that a departure from the past, when the ads were either boring or just plain weird (remember Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld)? The company went from that to self-parody and real humor like the recent Internet Explorer 10-Mayan apocalypse campaign.

Now the mobile side of the business has rolled out a new website to let customers know that Bilbo Baggins, of Hobbit fame, is a Windows Phone 8 customer. The site lets you see Bilbo's home screen so that you can get some insight into what is important to the adventurous hobbit, like his map of "home sweet shire" and the current weather conditions in Middle Earth. You can even view his camera roll which, of course, he stores in his SkyDrive account.

The web site also provides trailers and film clips from Peter Jackson's epic, as well as downloadable wallpapers for your own Windows Phone handset.

Nokia, however, may be less than thrilled that Bilbo prefers the HTC 8X phone. An interesting choice given Microsoft's partnership with the Finnish hardware maker.

3 million Verizon accounts stolen -- Q&A with the person claiming to be behind it

Publié: décembre 23, 2012, 6:45am CET par Alan Buckingham

A report surfaced today that Verizon Wireless, a premier mobile carrier in the United States has been breached, with a result of three million customers being compromised. The good news is that the compromise does not seem to be malicious. The bad news is that, as proof of this, 300,000 users' data was released.

While the number may seem large, it represents a small fraction of the company's user base. Still, any customer information released into the wild is bad. So how did this happen and how bad is it?

For that I went to the source and contacted the unidentified person who claims to be behind this. What follows is a brief Q&A I carried out with him or her.

(Note that the hack took place on July 12th, but information has just been released.)

BN: I assume this was not malicious given that you waited so long to release the information?

A: "Nope, just pointing out their flaws since they didn't fix it".

BN: Did you contact Verizon Wireless and, if so, did the company respond at all?

A: "Verizon (FIOS not Wireless), yes, but only a response confirming they got my message, not much more".

BN: So this is FIOS customers?

A: "Yes, FiOS is the only portion in the leak".

BN: But both FiOS and Wireless were compromised?

A: "Yes".

BN: 300,000 users' information were released. Was this due to frustration from a non-response from Verizon?

A: "Lack of response from them. Only FiOS will be leaked, I have no intentions of leaking more".

At that point I had a couple of more questions, but my subject had apparently had enough. If I get responses to those then I will update this post.

Well, according to the source, and information posted on Pastebin, the service has in fact been hacked. Repeating: while three million users sounds like a huge number, it is actually a very small proportion of the Verizon user base. Sure, the news is not good, but customers can take solace in the fact that this time around there is not malicious intent. In the meantime, Verizon still seems to be in a state of denial, having issued a statement to ZDnet earlier today saying "We have examined the posted data and we have confirmed that it is not Verizon Wireless customer data. Our systems have not been hacked".

Photo Credit: OleGunnarUA/Shutterstock

Amazon finally brings Instant Video to Android, but there is a catch

Publié: décembre 21, 2012, 9:21pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon is Netflix's biggest competitors, but the company had a gaping hole in its armor. While the app works just fine on the Kindle Fire tablets, it was MIA for every other Android user out there. Now the retail giant has finally made the service available to other users on the popular platform, but before you get excited, there is a catch, and it is a big one.

When you find the app in the Google Play store you will immediately notice two things -- one is that it only works with version 3.2 and up of the OS. The other is even more troubling. The app is for Google TV only. Even the new flagship Nexus devices are not capable of using it.

Despite Amazon Instant Video working on the company's own tablets, the retailer has chosen to render its app useless for the majority of users on the most popular mobile platform in the world.

It gets worse -- some Google TV devices running versions 4.1 or 4.2 are also apparently not compatible, according to some reports. In fact, it seems it is not even compatible with all of the devices that Amazon claims it is.

I can cut the service a break for the moment. After all it debuted in the Google Play store today and there is no doubt some kinks to be worked out. However, it is an inauspicious debut from a company we should certainly expect more from. Here is to hoping that Amazon gets this together in 2013 and, if you are using a Google TV then let us know if it does or does not work on your device.

Editor's Note: Joe Wilcox says he has had the app on his Google TV for many months, but it simply launches Amazon Instant Video site in Chrome. He didn't download the thing, it just appeared one day. Today, he tried to download the new app onto the Sony NSZ-GS7/GX70 Google TV from the Play store. It's not there. On further inspection, Google Play lists the Sony devce, a second-generation GTV, as being incompatible. Firmware version is 3.2.

Microsoft finally understands how much we love irony

Publié: décembre 20, 2012, 7:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It took an ancient, nearly obliterated society and a looming apocolypse, but perhaps Microsoft is finally starting to get it. The company, once the dominant force in the web browser market after wiping out Netscape, is starting to get its act back together. Between ancient forces and challenges from Firefox and Chrome, the company has started to understand human nature. We may not believe the world will end tomorrow and we may not believe Internet Explorer 10 is actually good, but we can all agree that we love irony.

To that end, the Redmond, Wash,-based company has been on a roll of sorts recently. It launched a website with the ironic name "browser you loved to hate" and even launched a video depicting an IE-hater in action. Now the new kinder, gentler Microsoft meets tomorrow's impending doom with a bit more humor.

The company launched two image ads for Internet Explorer 10 using the hashtag #themayanswereright. You can search for it on Twitter and, unlike Microsoft's previous Twitter campaign -- #DroidRage -- this one appears to be doing pretty well, or at least not failing badly.

Sure the ads may not get a huge amount of traction, but at least these things indicate that Microsoft may finally be starting to get it after years of being called words like "stodgy" and, in many cases, much worse. As the saying goes, "if you can't laugh at yourself, life's gonna seem a whole lot longer than you like." At least in this case I don't have to use the one about old dogs and new tricks.

Editor: And if the world ends tomorrow, Microsoft will have the satisfaction of being right. Not that anyone will be around to appreciate it.

Oh, there's no place like Android for the holidays

Publié: décembre 20, 2012, 7:52am CET par Alan Buckingham

It is that time of year. Every search engine and social media site is posting its top-10 lists. People are shopping, putting up lights and decorations and even getting their computers into the spirit with Windows themes, Chrome New Tab themes and Firefox Personas. Your Android phone or tablet can also get into the spirit of the holidays with some handy apps. The Google Play store and Amazon App Store are both resources for holiday music and and movies, but there are also a number of apps to keep your spirits high.

There are holiday games, shopping apps and wallpapers. You can track Santa's journey around the world or track the calories you consume at that big meal. No, sorry, I am not covering the latter here. You can search for those on your own.

Shopping

Not long ago we told you about the Amazon Santa app and Google's updated Shopper app. Both will help you spend that hard-earned money. Of course, many stores also have dedicated apps.

If you are looking for that special something for the "tech person" in your life then check out New Egg or Tiger Direct. There are also department stores, book sellers, etc. You get the idea -- just search for your store of choice and you will likely find that it has an app.

Games

For the second straight year Rovio rolled out 25 holiday levels of Angry Birds Seasons. One new level becomes available each day from December 1st through the 25th.

If you prefer your games to be more on the morbid side then you may want to consider Dead Trigger, the popular zombie game that just added a holiday update.

If you want something a bit more family-friendly then you can't go wrong with Charlie Brown or Christmas Mahjong. Search the stores for countless other fun games to keep you occupied as you prepare for the arrival of your in-laws.

Wallpaper

Of course, while we all think of putting that special holiday theme or wallpaper on our computer, we sometimes neglect that we can also do so on our mobile devices. I prefer an all-purpose app like Backgrounds that can cover all seasons and moods, but there is no shortage of dedicated ones either.

There are live wallpapers like 3D Christmas Live and static ones such as Christmas HD.

Track Santa

NORAD has been in this game the longest and has moved on from radio reports in the 50's to smartphone apps today. The agency has a free tracker for Android available.

Perhaps in response to NORAD switching this year from Google Maps to Bing Maps, Google has also released its own app -- the Google Santa Tracker. The app just debuted yesterday.

Others

We have by no means even scratched the surface in this little post. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of different types of apps for the season. For instance you can get a countdown or find festive ringtones. The list goes on.

In all seriousness, there really is no place like HOME for the holidays and you should probably consider putting down the phones and tablets and enjoying the time with friends and family. But first, tell us, what are your favorites? Let us know in the commetns below.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Google Play Music finally steps up with Scan and Match feature

Publié: décembre 18, 2012, 9:57pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Google has finally decided to modernize its popular Play Music app for today's discriminating listeners. While the service launched over a year ago, and offers a generous 20,000 songs worth of free cloud storage, Google seems to have been slow in adding features and updates to what could be a winning product.

iTunes, Amazon, 7digital, and others have offered a 'Scan and Match' music services for some time, and Google has finally decided to join the game. The company made the announcement rather unceremoniously via a post to its Google Play Google Plus page. The update should greatly improve the experience for many users.

Speaking personally, I recall it took somewhere around one week for me to upload all of my music -- around 80 GB -- to the service when I was first accepted to the beta program early last year. Scan and Match will simplify things by scanning your music library and then making the songs it finds available for immediate streaming from the web or from your Android device. Eliminating the actual upload time is a BIG deal!

With 20,000 songs of capacity, regardless of file size, Google has the potential to compete for a market lead with this product. However, the company seems to neglect that potential with a stark user interface and rare updates. Even this announcement failed to gain even a mention on the company's official blog. Still, for those who love the service, this is good news.

Google takes a 'Field Trip' to the UK

Publié: décembre 18, 2012, 2:52pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Great news for British Ingress players! Google released its Field Trip app in the United States several months ago, but now the company has brought the location-based tool to the United Kingdom, following closely on the heels of other Google UK debuts like Play Music and Play Magazines. Of course, Field Trip is a bit more than just an Ingress player's best friend, as it offers numerous features to help users when they are on the move.

The Android app pops up messages based on location and displays nearby points of interest, from restaurants, to historical buildings and markers, complete with images and a brief synopsis about the significance. Users can customize the app on the go by clicking the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" buttons to help it learn personal tastes.

Field Trip doesn't currently work across the entire country, as Google is still busy documenting many locations, but those in major population centers like London should find plenty of information at their fingertips.

Android owners will need to be running version 2.3, known as Gingerbread, or higher. That should encompass almost every device still in use these days. Head over to the Play store to grab the app.

Death of a cloud: Microsoft announces Live Mesh demise

Publié: décembre 14, 2012, 3:34am CET par Alan Buckingham

I won't lie and say I didn't see this coming -- after all, Microsoft's Live Mesh app has been on life support for some time. Still, it hurts to see it go.

Back in August, Microsoft began overhauling its Live services, along with other changes in its transformation to prepare for Windows 8. When it released the latest iteration with a name change from "Live Essentials" to "Windows Essentials 2012", it was a scaled back array of apps that did not include Live Mesh. The writing was on the wall.

At the time, Microsoft told us we could all continue to use Live Essentials 2011, but the implications were clear. A great free PC-to-PC syncing service was on the chopping block.

Now that ax is about to fall, you still have a couple of months to try and cover your neck from the blow. Thursday, the company stated through David Kornfield, that Windows Live Mesh will be officially retired on February 13, 2013, and that they are "starting to communicate with the remaining Mesh users and provide a set of instructions on how to keep their files in sync and alternative options for some of the features they’re still using."

Great...Although I have not received that memo yet. Lost in the mail, maybe?

In this case, the almighty dollar looks to have taken the place of customers. But a company needs to be profitable or it goes away. To that end, Microsoft provides great instructions on how users can switch from Live Mesh to SkyDrive.

SkyDrive provides up to 7 GB of free storage unless users are grandfathered into the free 25 GB plan. The problem is that many of us have a My Documents folder much larger than that 7 GB cap, and here's the kicker...Additional storage on SkyDrive, which is a necessary intermediary for syncing, is not free.

Microsoft will certainly sell you more storage, and the company has you by the throat on this since its cloud is vital to making the new "sync" service work.

Move On

So what do you do now? Obviously you can pay Microsoft its ransom -- yes that is how I think of this -- or you can move on.

Personally, I am moving on. I was a big fan of SyncBack SE in the old days and it may be time to bring that service back into my life. I have a real interest in keeping documents in sync between my desktop and laptop and I do not care to pay for that privilege. There are also many other free sync programs out there. Do some research and pick what is right for you, but don't give in to this strong-arm from Microsoft unless you truly think SkyDrive is your best option.

Photo: Ollyy/Shutterstock

Amazon expands content reach

Publié: décembre 14, 2012, 12:31am CET par Alan Buckingham

Remember that Googlezon video from a few years ago? The one that predicted Google and Amazon would take over the world with, perhaps, apocalyptic results? Well, none of that has come to pass, but both companies continue to grow and expand. Amazon, increasingly becoming as much of a content delivery system as a product retailer, made several bold moves to get its media out to even more platforms, today.

For starters, Amazon moved to bring its Cloud Player music service to both Samsung Smart TV's and Roku set-top boxes and made its Instant Video service available for the iPhone and iPod touch. Both services are essentially cloud interfaces for your media.

As for Instant Video on iOS, according to Amazon's Anthony Bay, vice president for Video, "Our customers tell us they want the convenience of being able to watch all of their movies and TV episodes, wherever they are". The app will bring both "Your Watchlist" and "Your Video Library" services right to your mobile device.

As for Cloud Player, the service is a good alternative to Google Music, but does not provide the tremendous amount of cloud storage that its rival does -- 20,000 songs for Google versus 5GB for Amazon. Then again, much depends on your file sizes -- and tunes purchased from the retailer don't count against the storage allotment. Either way, getting access to all of your music from your entertainment center is convenient, especially when the devices are plugged into an A/V receiver and nice speakers.

Facebook releases its 2012 hot topics list

Publié: décembre 12, 2012, 3:19pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The trend for tech companies in the past few days has been to, well, release lists of trends for the past year. Today Facebook joins Google, Twitter, Yahoo and others in releasing its list of the most talked about stories of 2012. Let's face it though, these lists rarely vary no matter if it's a search engine or a social media website. What people search for most tends to also be what they are talking about the most.

Still, Facebook is one of the biggest influencers on the web right now. Consequently the data the company releases carries some weight.

To that end, here are a few of the more interesting things that can be found in the data. Unlike Twitter, Facebook hasn't released any numbers, only a series of top ten lists. Not surprisingly the recent presidential election tops the "Events" list, which also includes the summer Olympics and the death of Whitney Houston. Interestingly, "Obama's Endorsement of Gay Marriage" appears at number ten, which is a subject not included in other lists.

There are also lists for songs, movies (not surprisingly topped by The Hunger Games and The Avengers), books, technology (with Instagram at number one), politics, sports and a few others.

The lists are not vastly different from top searches in most regards, but things like "memes" do add a separate element to Facebook and Twitter that cannot always be found in simple search results. While we search for news and public figures, we tend to talk more about perspective and opinions.

Microsoft pushes Surface RT to more retailers

Publié: décembre 11, 2012, 11:37pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The first tablet produced by Microsoft, Surface RT, has the public's attention for a number of reasons. While some customers have found it to be a winner, there has been quite a debate over actual sales figures. Much of that controversy has swirled around the company's decision to limit availability to Microsoft’s Web store and the few Microsoft brick and mortar stores across the U.S.

But Microsoft is no longer going to have limited availability as an excuse for limited sales. In an announcement earlier today, the company said it plans to open the flood gates to get its product into the market, selling it in more than just its own retail stores.

Citing public demand, Microsoft Surface general manager Panos Panay stated that, "The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see. We’ve increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase Surface."

The company went on to say that its plan had previously been to expand the Surface retail presence after the first year, but high demand has bumped that up considerably. The announcement failed to elaborate on the retail locations, but mentioned both the United States and Australia.

With that said, I did notice earlier today that the Surface RT was selling on Amazon, although it appears that it is being sold only by third-party retailers rather than directly through Amazon.

What was also intriguing about today's announcement was the admission by Microsoft that its pop-up holiday stores may not be so temporary -- "The company will extend all of these locations into the new year. These stores will transition into either permanent brick-and-mortar retail outlets or specialty store locations."

The question left open for debate after all of that is this -- is demand so high that Microsoft had to increase availability or were they so lagging that the company felt a need to increase its push?

Google cuts out the middleman, releases 'Save to Drive' feature for Chrome

Publié: décembre 11, 2012, 10:59pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The Google Drive team on Tuesday announced a new Chrome extension called "Save to Drive," which ties browser activity directly into the user's Google Drive cloud storage account and eliminates the need for third-party extensions to provide the functionality.

Prior to today's release, an extension from the prestigious MIT going by the name "save to drive" was available. Now, Google has borrowed the name and made it available in the Chrome Web Store. The search giant takes the concept a lot further though.

You can right-click on an image or link to save the file to your Google Drive account and this extension puts a Drive icon up in your menu bar. Clicking it will take a snapshot of the entire web page. The experience may be a bit strange the first time you try it. When we tested it, our browser seemingly went out of control, erratically scrolling down the page on its own.

Once that is done, a prompt to choose a folder to save the file appears. Upon first use, you will need to "grant access" for the extension to access your Google Drive account. At that point the entire web page will be saved as a .PNG file.

According to Josh Hudgins, Google Drive Product Manager, "There are also a few new ways to work with images you’re already storing in Drive. You can now zoom by scrolling or using the new ‘fit to page’ and 100% buttons. And if you have something to say about a specific part of an image, you can select a region and add a comment to it."

Microsoft muscles further into your living room with new Xbox apps

Publié: décembre 11, 2012, 4:50pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's no secret that Microsoft sees its Xbox platform as much more than just a gaming console. It wants the device to act as the digital hub of our living rooms, and today the company took another step in that direction, announcing more than 40 new entertainment apps.

Xbox Live's Larry Hryb, AKA Major Nelson, posted the news this morning that "more than 40 new global entertainment partners [are] coming to Xbox LIVE, including new apps launching this week."

The new apps are not just for the United States, but for several different markets around the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany. There were a few big names in the announcement, such as MTV, Napster, PBS, and Vimeo. The complete list of 43 apps, and the countries they'll be available in, can be found in Hryb's post.

Microsoft recently rolled out its Xbox Smartglass app to iOS and Android, and added SkyDrive to the console this morning. With those developments, and this host of new entertainment options, the company really has taken another giant step towards becoming the best set top box on the market, bar none.

While no specific roll out dates were provided in the announcement, Hryb did say that the apps will be launching between "now and the spring of 2013". Is this now enough to push non-gamers into the ecosystem?

Track Santa from your Windows 8 device

Publié: décembre 10, 2012, 6:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, has been tracking Santa since 1955. In the old days, it was an AM radio broadcast that began on Christmas Eve and purported to track the jolly old fellow as he left the North Pole and began his flight around the world. With technology's advance, NORAD has also pushed into the future.

These days, you can keep up with Saint Nick's journey with more than just a transistor radio. There is a special website and even mobile apps for iOS and Android that allow parents and children to track Santa's flight.

For the Christmas season this year, there is also a Windows 8 app.

The real excitement of the app may not begin until December 24th, but it is more than just a radar tracker. You can view a countdown of how much time is left until the reindeer take off, watch videos and holiday greetings, and you can even "Learn about how and why NORAD tracks Santa."

The app is produced by the agency themselves and is free to download and install. It is currently in version 1.0.0.22. Of course, for all of those Windows 8 computers that will be under trees on Christmas morning it will be a bit late for this app.

Download NORAD Tracks Santa 1.0.0.22 in FileForum now!

Happy 20th b'day SMS! Share ur txting memories with us

Publié: décembre 3, 2012, 7:09pm CET par Alan Buckingham

"Merry Christmas". Those were the two words that Neil Papworth, an engineer in the United Kingdom, sent to Vodafone's Richard Jarvis. The world has come a long way since that very first text message sent on December 3, 1992. With that simple holiday greeting the world changed and a generation of kids began to cause headaches for their parents in a whole new way.

There are lots of numbers and statistics out there surrounding the amount of messages sent, the data costs of SMS, and every other subject under the sun. I won't waste your time with a bunch of boring numbers though. What's much more interesting is the many creative uses that texting has been put to, and the funny and memorable stories that surround the technology.

A cottage industry has even popped up, in a way at least, with websites dedicated to such important services as providing you with the funniest and most embarrassing auto-correct messages (NSFW warning). On a more serious note, Middle-eastern revolutions have continued being tweeted, even after the internet service was shut down, thanks to the ability to send text messages to Twitter.

Which brings me to my question: What has been your favorite use of SMS over the years? Or what is your most memorable or embarrassing moment with this simple cellphone feature? Chime in with a comment below. I will even break the ice by telling you that I once accidentally sent a steamy message to a friend that was intended for my wife. I will leave the content of said text to your imagination.

Photo Credit: iofoto/Shutterstock

Dropbox takes its cloud to Ireland

Publié: décembre 3, 2012, 5:51pm CET par Alan Buckingham

If you live in the Dublin area, or are looking to move there, cloud storage service Dropbox may have a job for you. This morning the company announced it will be opening its first foreign office and has chosen Dublin, Ireland as the location. Until now, despite having customers in more than 200 different countries, the company's operations were all handled via its offices in San Francisco.

Aside from the obvious job creation benefits, Mitra Lohrasbpour writes that there will be numerous upsides for customers as well, including user support in more languages and extended hours of support for Dropbox for Teams.

The service likely needed this expansion given that it recently surpassed 100 million users and seems to be poised for continued growth. The cloud storage giant has apps available across almost every platform from Windows, Linux and Mac, to mobile apps for iOS, Android and BlackBerry.

There's no word on when the new Dublin office will open, but Dropbox has begun posting job listings for its new operations center and currently has openings for IT professionals and account managers.

Anyone care to learn Gaelic?

Microsoft takes on relentless Internet Explorer haters in latest video

Publié: novembre 29, 2012, 5:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

To Microsoft's credit, it knows it has to be constantly vigilant with its public image. Internet Explorer has been raked across the coals for years, and no matter what Microsoft does, people seem to be unhappy. This is not to say the browser hasn't earned a lot of this criticism with security vulnerabilities and web standards problems, but sometimes the relentless onslaught of negativity in web comment sections is too much to handle.

Microsoft's latest video shows that sometimes the best a company can hope for is for people to hate them less.

To be specific, the two-minute video follows an IE hater trolling the web to make his feelings known about the web browser. However, each message he posts is soon followed up with messages about improvements and features made to Internet Explorer. The improvements start to get ridiculous, and after IE announces support for the "Karaoke Web Standard," the IE hater relents. He was a Karaoke champion.

Some people are only happy when their specific needs are met, and even then, they might not exactly shower you with praise when you give them what they want. It's a clever ad, especially for people who have to face the wrath of a comments section every single day.

YouTube captions: Now in 10 delicious languages

Publié: novembre 29, 2012, 8:32am CET par Alan Buckingham

In the beginning there was English and it was good. Okay, not so much. Honestly I found YouTube captions early on to be pretty darn bad. The Google speech recognition tool wasn't up to snuff and it sometimes led to hilarious results. But, to it's credit, the company has made strides to improve. In fact, if you have used Android lately then I think you will find speech-to-text to be pretty solid.

YouTube, a Google property, introduced captions back in 2009. At the time it was English only, but as the technology improved other languages were added -- Japanese, Korean and Spanish were next to appear. Now the service offers an additional six languages.

While YouTube calls this a "European" addition, it means a bit more than that. After all, many of these languages are now spread out to diverse locations. For instance, Portuguese is the language of Brazil, which has a large population of Internet-savvy users.

In all, six languages were added yesterday -- German, Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian and Dutch.

If you are a content producer, and worried about the aforementioned "hilarious results" then you do have the option to upload a transcript of the dialogue of your video to avoid embarrassment.

With all of the video being uploaded these days and the worldwide audience, captions, especially translated ones (which YouTube can do in beta) is a huge plus. Of course, the biggest plus is to the hearing impaired users who have no doubt been waiting for this.

Photo Credit: marekuliasz/Shutterstock

Dell tackles BYOD with Wyse PocketCloud for Windows RT, iPad and the Web

Publié: novembre 27, 2012, 10:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

It's another cloudy day in the technology world. No, I am not referring to the rain-snow event we are experiencing here in my beloved mid-Atlantic region, but instead to the IT version of the "cloud", the buzzword with which you should all be well familiar. Dell, formerly a leading hardware provider, is also a player in this game.

The Wyse PocketCloud service isn't new, but its name may not be as well known as other cloud services. With today's announcement, Dell is trying hard to make PocketCloud more recognizable so it may capitalize on the "BYOD" trend.

PocketCloud isn't quite the cloud storage service like SkyDrive or Amazon Cloud Drive, and it isn't quite an IT-focused mobile device management service, either. PocketCloud is in a bit of a different category. The mobile app is meant to unify your mobile device with your work desktop's files and applications. According to Dell, it provides the ability to "search, view, organize, and share content among mobile devices and computers."

Today, the OEM announced that their PocketCloud service is now available, in expanded form, as an app for Windows RT and iPad, as well as on the Web. PocketCloud seems more for personal use, much like SkyDrive with remote desktop features, although the company touts it as being able to "connect individuals with their professional and personal content anytime, anywhere from mobile devices or remote computers."

The new mobile apps will allow users to explore their stored content and, not only introduces the service to Windows RT, but also compliments apps that were previously available for iOS and Android. These same features are now also part of the new web app that was also released today.

Is this important for Dell and you? Perhaps. Compatibility with Windows RT may be one of the keys here. The OS comes with Office and full Microsoft support, meaning it's a tablet that could be quickly adopted by business. Of course, Dell is also producing Windows RT tablets, so they have a card in this hand as well.

In the end, this could be handy for both personal and business uses. Which will adopt it more? Probably business -- it just seems more suited for that.

Photo Credit: ssuaphotos/Shutterstock

Can't get to Vegas? Watch AWS re:Invent online

Publié: novembre 27, 2012, 5:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Today Amazon kicks off the first-ever AWS (Amazon Web Services) conference in Las Vegas. Sure, it is too late to get to AWS re:Invent now and the Technical Bootcamps are all sold out anyway, but that doesn't mean you need to miss everything. Some of the event will be live-streamed right to your computer. The show kicks off today and runs through November 29th.

This conference is tailor-made for those looking to integrate the Amazon cloud services into their business. There are workgroups surrounding the use of AWS in building web-scale apps, a talk given by Adrian Cockcroft, the Director of Cloud Architecture at Netflix, AWS cloud security and a whole lot more. In fact, there will be over 150 different sessions.

As for the live-streaming, you will not get access to the really technical stuff -- i.e. the bootcamps, but you will be able to watch the keynote addresses, which is some consolation.

Andy Jassy 11/28 8:30 - 10 PT
Werner Vogels 11/29 8:30 - 10 PT
Jeff Bezos 11/29 1:30 - 2:30 PT

If you or your business is looking to move to, or improve, integration with the cloud using the wealth of services available through AWS, like the recently announced Glacier, then you will want to pay attention over the next few days. Amazon has a fairly robust service and a growing number of corporations and web sites seem to be trusting it to handle their data.

Photo Credit: Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock

5 Android apps that make business travel better

Publié: novembre 25, 2012, 9:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Sure Windows Phone may have Office and the iPhone may be increasingly acceptable to IT departments, but that doesn't mean that your Android device can't be an excellent travel companion. Thanks to the open nature of Android there is a wealth of apps that can cover most anything you will need on that big business trip.

If you use Android then you are probably familiar already with the plethora of travel apps that are available, not only on the Google mobile OS, but also on other platforms as well. There are ways to book your hotels and restaurants as well as track your flight. Those are all nice, but what can Android do that the average non-techie business user may not be aware of?

Office Suite Pro

Android doesn't yet have Microsoft Office, but there are alternatives. One of those is Office Suite Pro, which allows you to create, view and edit documents. The app is compatible with Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, but it does require a bit of setup to get started; nothing too complicated -- you will be prompted to create a documents folder upon first launching the app as well as enter a bit of personal information.

Files are stored on your SD card, but the app can also utilize Box, DropBox, Google Drive or SkyDrive for cloud storage if you don't want to use the precious storage on your phone or tablet.

The latest version also can utilize Google Cloud Print and even convert files to PDF and, if you have Android 4.0 ICS or higher, you can even run a spell check.

Price: $14.99

Download: Office Suite Pro

Alternatives: Quickoffice Pro, Smart Office

Breezy

While paper may be slowly going away, printing is still a necessary evil, especially in business. I had previously used PrinterShare before stumbling upon Breezy. While PrinterShare gives users a few free prints in the beginning, it soon forces them to buy additional packages, starting at 100 pages for $4.95. While that isn't a bad price, Breezy goes a step further by offering 25 free page prints per month. It also allows you to set up two different printers for free.

There are premium plans available as well, beginning at $3 per month, but allowing unlimited printing and an unlimited number of printers. You will need to set up the free "connector" app on a computer (Mac or Windows) that is connected to the printer you wish to use.

Price: Free up to 25 pages per month

Download: Breezy

Alternatives: PrinterShare, Google Cloud Print

FoxFi

WiFi is almost everywhere today, but there are still times when you are out of range. For those times that you absolutely need to use your laptop or non-3G tablet, then a hotspot in your pocket can be invaluable.

There are many apps that can turn your phone into a WiFi hotspot as well as carrier-based software that can do the job. If you are looking for a good free app that doesn't require root access then you may want to check out FoxFi. This app can even work with game consoles and packs WPA2 to keep your "network" safe.

Price: Free

Download: FoxFi

Alternatives: PdaNet, EasyTether

Waze

Google Maps is the defacto GPS app for Android, but there are some capable alternatives. One of my favorites is Waze which offers community-generated real-time traffic.

The app communicates traffic situations back to the servers simply by driving with it turned on. This works best in populated areas where there is a greater chance of other drivers using it. Users can also report accidents and even police activity. These reports can be used to automatically change your route on the fly to bypass problems. Like Google Maps, it has turn-by-turn and keeps addresses in memory.

Taking a social approach to maps makes for a very cool and effective way of getting real-time traffic information from people right there. As a bonus, the app even helps you find cheaper gas prices.

Price: Free

Download: Waze

Alternatives: Google Maps, Navfree

Alarm Clock Plus

Almost every hotel supplies a basic digital alarm clock on the nightstand next to your bed, but your Android device can do a lot more. This will work best if you have a dock that can keep your device charged and upright so the screen is easily visible.

In addition to the standard alarm clock that can be found in even basic feature phones, Alarm Clock Plus includes some extras like displaying the current temperature and weather conditions for your location and a variety of alarm options and screen configurations. You can even have it speak to you or force you to solve a math problem to turn off the alarm -- you know, just to prove you are really awake.

Price: Free

Download: Alarm Clock Plus

Alternatives: Alarm Clock Free, Talking Alarm Clock

The Cloud

Storage on mobile devices can be a premium these days. Once we install our music, movies and TV shows and other entertainment that we want for long train rides and plane flights there can be little space left for necessary documents. Fortunately many major cloud storage services offer apps for mobile devices including Android.

You can choose from Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, SkyDrive and Amazon Cloud Drive to name just a few. This can free up space on your device while still allowing you to easily access that Excel spreadsheet when you need it.

These are just a few of the countless options available in the Google Play store to help ease the pain of travel. Travelers may also want to load up on games, books and videos to pass the time during a trip and consider using an app like Evernote or OneNote to sync notes back to the office.

Let us know your favorites in the comments below.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

Thanksgiving day was a record-breaker for Instagram

Publié: novembre 23, 2012, 9:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Thanksgiving is now over for those of us in the United States and Black Friday is well under way. While we won't know retail sales figures for the number one shopping day of the year for a few days, we do now have a staggering figure from the holiday itself. Thanksgiving was a big day for photo-sharing service Instagram. In fact, it was the single biggest day in the service's history.

Instagram, which became popular with iPhone users and then expanded to Android before being purchased by Facebook, has grown steadily, but the recent holiday provided a huge boost to the service and I am proud to say that my daughter and I were both contributors to this monumental moment (my humble contribution to the record is posted above).

According to Instagram, "Over 10 million photos that mentioned Thanksgiving-themed words in their captions were shared yesterday. For several hours throughout the day, more than 200 photos about Thanksgiving were posted every second. Overall, the day broke all Instagram records as we saw the number of shared photos more than double from the day before, making it our busiest day so far".

The announcement's accompanying chart shows the rise and fall throughout the day -- with traffic spiking at around 12:40pm PST when the service logged 226 photos per second that included the word "Thanksgiving". That number is simply mind-boggling.

So, what is next for the photo-sharing service? With the infusion of money and support from Facebook and a growing user-base thanks to expansion into Android and the web, it would seem that the sky is the limit. Will the next holiday surpass this one or has it hit its high-water mark? Either way, the service has its fans and seems to be here to stay, at least for now.

Photo Credit: Alan Buckingham

Nintendo should be thankful: video services flock to Wii U

Publié: novembre 22, 2012, 10:12pm CET par Alan Buckingham

For many of us Nintendo represents our youth, but the company has stubbornly stuck around from those heady days of the 80s and even has managed to keep relevant while others like Atari and Sega have faded from sight. In fact, the Nintendo Wii still continues to be a popular console worldwide and now the company has outed the new Wii U and, with this console, Nintendo wants to compete with Xbox for control of your living room.

Over the past few days we have seen announcements from Netflix. Amazon Video and Hulu that each makes services available for the Wii U. Now, on Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, YouTube has decided to jump on the bandwagon as well.

If the Japanese gaming company wants to move forward and continue to be competitive in this market then it needs to offer more than just fun games. The Sony PS3 and, especially, the Xbox 360 are swooping into the entertainment business in a big way and even integrating with mobile devices for a better user experience.

The Wii U looks like a promising start into the next generation of game consoles and the big name content providers appear to be on board with Nintendo, but is the company too late to the game to take on Microsoft and Sony? There were naysayers before the original Wii launch, but Nintendo found a way to make that work and perhaps will this time around as well. Only time will tell.

Have tablets finally arrived as top computing device?

Publié: novembre 22, 2012, 4:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Tablets aren't really new and they weren't invented by Apple. Yes, Apple may have perfected the art and Amazon and Google gave us choices, but have these devices really matured to the point of surpassing notebook computers in the market already? It depends on when you ask an analyst that question.

If you asked NPD DisplaySearch in July then you would have been told this monumental event would occur in 2016. If you asked that same question today the answer would be much sooner -- happen this Black Friday.

How quickly things change in this industry.

Now, according to NPD DisplaySearch, courtesy senior analyst Richard Shim, tablets are likely to exceed the "14.6 million notebooks and mini-notes that are expected to ship" this period. In fact, he predicts they will far surpass notebooks with 21.5 million shipments.

Also, Shim barely mentions the Apple product other than saying that it "had about 65-percent market share in 2011". How times change. The latest report bases this turnaround on "Google’s $199 Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire 7".

Of course all of these fantastical numbers are being applied to North America only, while worldwide tablet sales aren't predicted to surpass computers until 2015 -- for now.

As for Black Friday in the United States being the catalyst, the report cites the number of homes that already have computers and are looking for something different.

Shim cites that "over 70 percent of US households have PCs, putting the U.S. amongst the countries with highest PC penetration rates in the world, and making new PC purchases less necessary for consumers. He goes on to state that "consumer preference has shifted from notebooks to tablets in the US".

Yes the Nexus 7 and 10 and Kindle Fire HD tablets are getting some attention, but no mention is made of new Windows 8 tablets such as the Surface -- although, it isn't clear if those devices were counted among tablets or as PC's. Shim also gives little regard to the iPad despite still being a top-seller.

Will tablets really surpass notebooks already? Tune in next time when the reports change again.

Microsoft announces online and in-person Windows 8 developer camps

Publié: novembre 20, 2012, 4:41pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Like it or not, Windows 8 is here to stay and Microsoft wants to make sure developers are ready to provide users with all the apps they desire. To that end, the company has announced a series of online and in-person developer camps in an effort to increase the population of the Windows Store.

In an email sent out recently by Microsoft, the company brags that its new OS allows developers to "code once and have a great app experience that scales across devices from tablets to all-in-one PCs". The company attempts to further entice coders with the fact that the new Windows Store offers a "higher profit potential" than other app stores, which amounts to an 80% revenue share if you reach $25,000 USD or more in total sales. Indie software developers who oppose the new centralized Windows software distribution ecosystem are unlikely to take much comfort in that fact. Analytics firm VisionMobile recently did a survey which found the average monthly take for a centrally-distributed app was between $1,200 and $3,900 per month, depending on the platform. The new Windows Store, however, is a new frontier for this type of app store.

So what do you, the developer, need to do to get in on this free training and make your fortune? Microsoft has a list of upcoming in-person events.

Locations and Dates

Scottsdale, Arizona 11/26, 11/28, 12/10 and 12/12
Mission Viejo, California 11/26, 12/03, 12/10 and 12/17
San Diego, California 11/28

If you can't make it to these camps, there will also be multiple "hands-on" labs online (HOLO) events which you can register for.

Both the online and in-person events will be run by members of Microsoft's technical team and everyone is welcome to register, although it is developer-centric and the in-person events have limited seating available.

All of this is designed to goose sales of the operating system which have been rumored to be somewhat weaker than the company had expected. An ever-growing ecosystem in the form of the Windows Store should make Windows 8 more enticing. Oh, and also the fact that anyone buying a non-Apple computer these days will be getting this OS.

Photo: Hirurg/Shutterstock

Your mobile is no 'match' for Windows Phone

Publié: novembre 19, 2012, 9:48pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft's Ben Rudolph caused a stir during the Consumer Electronics Show back in January. He showed up with his Windows Phone and challenged speed tests -- to show people with other devices how fast the Microsoft mobile OS was. With that humble beginning the "Smoked by Windows Phone" phenomena was born.

That whole concept certainly paid off in media attention with Rudolph going on mini tours of Microsoft stores, exportation to Nokia stores in other parts of the world and a whole advertising campaign launch. In fact, Rudolph states that the company, along with Nokia, ran "over 250,000 challenges in 54 countries".

But now Windows Phone 8 has arrived and it is time for a fresh idea. Where do you go after something as catchy as that last campaign? According to Rudolph it will be to a new idea that he calls "Meet your match".

What exactly is this? Well, Rudolph describes it as "a different take on our Smoked challenges, focusing not just on why Windows Phone is faster, but also on why it’s better, easier, more useful, and more fun".

Instead of a direct challenge designed to show a Windows Phone handset beating an iPhone or Android strictly with speed, this time Microsoft wants to show you why WP8 is right for you. Don't get the wrong idea here, Rudolph still loves a good challenge, but this time it isn't just to see which is faster. He takes a bit more time, showing Android and iPhone users the ways that Windows Phone 8 is better. The camera in the Nokia Lumia 920 and the new "Kids Corner" app were both used in Rudolph's first videos.

This may not be as quick and catchy as the "Smoked by Windows Phone" concept but it makes for a nice little publicity show nonetheless. Rudolph also appears to have the people skills and demeanor to pull these things off. And that is certainly a special skill. After all, do you really want to be told your device is inferior?

Intel CEO Paul Otellini will retire in May

Publié: novembre 19, 2012, 5:18pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Paul Otellini joined Intel way back in 1974 when he was fresh out of University of California, Berkeley. He eventually rose to the position of president and CEO in 2005, but now plans to step down after seven years leading the company.

His May 2013 may seem a long ways off, certainly this is a bit more than a standard two-weeks notice, but Otellini picked the date for a very specific reason. May is when Intel holds its annual stockholders' meeting.

"I've been privileged to lead one of the world's greatest companies", Otellini says. Today, Intel observed that during Otellini's tenure, it generated $107 billion in cash generated, $23.5 billion in dividend payments and record revenue from 2005 through 2007.

At this point, there is no word on who will follow Otellini in steering Intel into the next generation of computing. "The board of directors will conduct the process to choose Otellini's successor and will consider internal and external candidates for the job", the company expresses in a statement.

What does this mean for Intel? Otellini has become a major figure in the technology field and his company remains the name that gets the attention of a number of PC users, thanks to it's recognizable "Intel Inside" stickers. But, will Intel remain the same driving force in today's increasingly mobile and cloud world or will the modern chip revolution be it's ultimate undoing?

Photo Credit: Intel/Erin Lubin

Spybot - Search & Destroy gets a major update on Monday

Publié: novembre 16, 2012, 6:44pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You may think you don't need additional security on your Windows 8 machine because it comes with Defender built in. Think again, because no single program is capable of finding and blocking every threat out there. One of the best complements to any Windows PC is third-party software that is capable of scanning, blocking and removing troublesome problems like spyware and malware that get into your system.

One of those third-party scanners, Spybot - Search & Destroy from Safer-Networking, is set to release its complete version 2.0 next Monday, The software is currently available in its third release candidate revision, which you can download in FileForum right now if you want to get a quick look at what to expect on Monday.

According to the Irish company, "The software has been completely rewritten and now has a new user interface as well as improvements in functionality and performance."

Before we get to what is new, let me just point out that no features appear to have been removed -- meaning the app still scans your computer for malware and rootkits, provides system immunization, and even can scan your iPhone profile. It also still allows users to control processes that run at startup and checks for registry errors.

As far as new features go, there is a new adware toolbar that provides scan and fix options, a new user interface, and Windows Security Center integration. The company claims a faster startup and scanning time and users can now scan network drives in addition to local ones. Finally, the app will also provide automatic updates for Premium users.

As previously stated, Spybot - Search & Destroy will be released this Monday and we will have a review at that time. Personally, I am most looking forward to the new network drive compatibility and updated UI. If all of the new features work as advertised, it should be a major improvement overall.

Office 2013 Professional Plus 2013 trial version hits TechNet

Publié: novembre 16, 2012, 1:53pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Perhaps the new Office 2013 has been a bit overshadowed by the hype around the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, but a new version of the Office suite is a big deal for both consumers and businesses. A public preview version was released several months ago and last month the software officially reached RTM.

Now Microsoft has pushed out the first trial version of Office 2013 to their TechNet web site. This trial is only for the Professional Plus version of the suite. The download includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Lync. Customers will find some interesting new features like a new Start page for each app and also an Office Store. This latest Office suite also features integration with the SkyDrive cloud storage service and Office 365 as well.

According to the TechNet download page the new Office 2013 trial is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and in multiple languages like "Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish."

Ironically, if you have purchased the new Surface RT tablet that launched with Windows 8 back on October 26th then you already have the final release version of Office 2013. If you didn't try out the preview version, or even if you did, you may want to grab this 60 day trial and check out what is new. Pricing will be announced on December 1st and the consumer launch will likely follow soon.

Microsoft pushes new SkyDrive features -- selective sync and easier sharing

Publié: novembre 15, 2012, 10:23pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft has clearly begun to focus more heavily on the cloud for both businesses and consumers. The company has integrated Skydrive into both Windows 8 and Office 2013, and even some recently announced SharePoint features included SkyDrive integration into the social and collaboration app for business. Now, today, it has rolled out two more improvements to the cloud storage service.

Along with the brand new features that were rolled out today, Microsoft's Mike Torres, Group Program Manager for SkyDrive apps, couldn't help tooting the company's own horn a bit by trumpeting that SkyDrive has doubled in usage -- "in the last 6 months, you have doubled the amount of SkyDrive storage being used." This is too vague to indicate any real numbers of storage or users so that will remain open to interpretation for now.

With those usage claims aside, let us get to the meat of the matter and see what is actually included in the update. After all, that is what you came here for, right?

Selective Sync

This one may be a nod to new devices like the Surface that have much smaller storage capacities than today's computers. With that limitation in mind, Microsoft now allows users to select which files within SkyDrive to sync to other devices and which don't. For instance, you may not need those family pictures taking up space on your drive while on a business trip, but you certainly want your PowerPoint presentations along for the ride.

Easier Sharing

You could already share files and folders via email, Twitter and Facebook, but now Microsoft has made this process easier. Simply right-click a file or folder on your computer and choose "share". Your web browser will open to SkyDrive and enable sharing options. Don't worry if you are not using Internet Explorer either because the company claims it will with any "default browser".

Availability

SkyDrive has been updated for Windows, Windows Phone 7.5 and 8 and Android. Microsoft made no mention of Mac or iOS at this time. Personally, I received the Android update automatically a few hours ago.

Conclusion

SkyDrive is free for up to 7GB of storage, which is more than free accounts with some other services such as Amazon Cloud Drive, Dropbox or Google drive. Early adopters who were grandfathered in should have 25GB of free space. The cloud market is a tight and growing field these days and Microsoft is being forced to integrate quickly to try and be at the top of what may be the future. Today Microsoft made what, in my opinion, should be a step forward.

Photo Credit: sheelamohanachandran2010/Shutterstock

You can get a free month of unlimited Skype, but act NOW!

Publié: novembre 15, 2012, 4:10pm CET par Alan Buckingham

This may have been planned or it may be just a hasty way to put yesterday's security woes behind, but today Skype announced one month of free unlimited worldwide calling. Regardless of the motivation behind this offer, it's a nice gesture for those users not already paying for an account and also, perhaps, a way for Microsoft to entice future paying customers to the VOIP service.

Skype already does a lot for free account holders simply by allowing no-charge Skype-to-Skype calls, but calling a landline or wireless phone means upgrading to a paid account. Now the company offers one month of Skype-to-landline and Skype-to-wireless calls free of charge. The equivalent plan would normally set you back $13.99.

There are a few caveats. First, calls to landlines and mobile phones are restricted to Canada, Guam, Hong Kong S.A.R. China, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Thailand and United States. Landline-only calls are open to quite a number of additional countries.

Second, you may want to pay attention to the small print:

"Trial must be redeemed by 15/11/2012. Offer available only to existing Skype users who have been registered with Skype more than 29 days. To qualify for the offer, you must provide valid payment details. After the first month, your subscription will automatically continue and payments will be taken monthly unless you cancel within 27 days of the start date".

Pay careful attention to that part because you may not want a surprise charge to show up on your credit card. If you were planning to sign up for a paid account anyway then it's a great deal. If not, or if you have a bad memory like me, but want to try it out, then make a note on your calendar to remind yourself to cancel when the month is up. In the meantime enjoy your free service!

Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Adobe responds to reported hack, closes connectusers.com

Publié: novembre 15, 2012, 2:47am CET par Alan Buckingham

Users are becoming accustomed to Adobe security flaws these days. After all the company did occupy five of the top-10 spots in the recent Kaspersky report. While the "occasional" Flash bug can be dealt with, having one's user information stolen is a whole different story, but that is exactly what sources are claiming and Adobe is confirming by shutting down the service in question.

"Adobe is currently investigating reports of a compromise of a Connectusers.com forum database. These reports first started circulating late during the day on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. At this point of our investigation, it appears that the Connectusers.com forum site was compromised by an unauthorized third party. It does not appear that any other Adobe services, including the Adobe Connect conferencing service itself, were impacted".

That service is actually, and ironically, an Adobe support forum at connectusers.com which, if you visit now will display a simple message stating that "We're sorry, the service you requested is currently unavailable. In the meantime please explore the other areas of Adobe.com. Thank you for your patience".

In the grand scheme of Adobe users the number, 150,000, may be small but it certainly isn't insignificant when it comes to stolen email addresses. As proof of the breach, the culprit released 644 of those addresses.

Adobe went on to advise their customers of some things that should be, but apparently are not, obvious when it comes to setting up an account on any web site.

"As a reminder, one of the best ways to protect yourself online is to follow password best practices and use different login credentials across different websites and services".

As we just saw earlier today with Skype, always use secure passwords, non-obvious security questions and answers, and perhaps even multiple email addresses that are not known by even your friends and especially not on mailing lists. It's a jungle out there. Be careful.

Photo Credit: OleGunnarUA/Shutterstock

Facebook gets a taste of Windows 8 with Cover Creator

Publié: novembre 14, 2012, 9:49pm CET par Alan Buckingham

We already know that Facebook is a pretty popular social network and Windows 8, if Steve Ballmer is to be believed, appears to be off to a good start, but what if you combined that cool new Start screen with the Facebook timeline? Then you would get the new Cover Creator just released by Microsoft.

The company posted the new app today accompanied by a very brief description -- "It’s a new Facebook app from the Windows team that connects to your social stream to create a new Cover Photo. It’s fast and easy and has a degree of customization so you can pick and choose which photos and apps appear in certain tiles."

The combination of the Windows 8 Start screen and the Facebook Timeline is a fascinating merger of hot topics and begs the question: What exactly does it do? I am glad you asked.

This isn't software for your computer or tablet, but instead it is an actual Facebook app. Clicking the "give it a try" link will take you straight to Facebook and prompt you to enable "secure browsing" if you aren't already using "https" to access the social network.

Once you enable the app you will be presented with a sample "cover" that displays your friends' photos. It also will allow you to choose from several color choices to customize the picture. Once you have made your choice then go ahead and click "save my cover". If you aren't happy with the results then you can follow some simple steps to make changes, and all of them can be carried out at any time right from your Timeline.

Hover over your cover photo.
Click the pop-up that says "Change cover".
Click "Choose from photos".
Pick your new cover photo from "Recent Uploads".

That is really all there is to it. Other than choosing a color and the ability to change cover photos it's really very simple. It doesn't actually alter your timeline on Facebook, but only provides a snapshot of images that help to customize your Windows 8 Start page. Perhaps that isn't overly useful, but nonetheless it does provide for a fun little diversion for a bored user and, since Microsoft doesn't provide much built-in customization in this area, this does help.

Skype password reset vulnerability fixed, 'small number of users' affected

Publié: novembre 14, 2012, 7:35pm CET par Alan Buckingham

A password reset vulnerability that was reported by TNW prompted Skype to scramble to protect its users from having their accounts compromised today. The Microsoft-owned communications company issued a zero day fix on Wednesday which protects users with multiple Skype accounts attached to a single email address.

"Early this morning we were notified of user concerns surrounding the security of the password reset feature on our website. This issue affected some users where multiple Skype accounts were registered to the same email address. We suspended the password reset feature temporarily this morning as a precaution and have made updates to the password reset process today so that it is now working properly. We are reaching out to a small number of users who may have been impacted to assist as necessary. Skype is committed to providing a safe and secure communications experience to our users and we apologize for the inconvenience."

This vulnerability caused Skype to temporarily disable its password reset functionality earlier today.

Users began to complain in support forums about hacked accounts, and the TNW story led to a brief panic in Skype land.

Were you among the "small number of users" affected by the security hole today? Speak out in the comments below!

Citrix teases new Cloud.com service

Publié: novembre 13, 2012, 8:25pm CET par Alan Buckingham

You may know Citrix for collaboration and support software like GoToMeeting and GoToAssist, but the company is a lot more than just those two apps. It also is into virtualization services and has even got into the cloud business recently with services like XenServer, CloudGateway, CloudPortal and more. Back in 2011 Citrix purchased the domain Cloud.com. So far the company has quietly sat on the URL, but now it appears the company has something in mind.

The domain was created way back in 2000 and is currently registered through 2017. For now, Citrix isn't giving much information about what it has planned and the site's Twitter account has been silent since April 3rd. At that time, Citrix proclaimed: "We're hiring Ruby on Rails Ninjas for an awesome new product. Any candidates out there? Drop us a note". Citrix is tweeting through their @cloudstack address, indicating that Cloud.com may have something to do with that service.

For now, the site has simply been changed to a splash page that announces "a new cloud is on the horizon" and allows you to enter your email address to receive information in the future and, possibly, early access to the service.

It's impossible to say what Citrix has in mind at this point, but we can speculate. Given the cloud server and desktop and server virtualization apps that are already available, it's possible Citrix is looking to now add cloud storage to their toolbox. Cloud.com is certainly the perfect URL to compete with slightly more obscure domain names and giving it a business-oriented flavor could be a big win, especially since Citrix is already a well known name in that realm.

Photo Credit: T. L. Furrer/Shutterstock

Google updates Play Music app, announces European availability

Publié: novembre 13, 2012, 4:17am CET par Alan Buckingham

Google Play Music launched last year, beginning its life known simply as Google Music, growing up quickly since its humble private beta beginning. The app and web service officially launched in late 2011 and have grown quickly since then. Now the latest update has just been pushed out today to Google Play. The search giant also recently announced availability of the store and also Nexus devices in Europe and Australia as well as in the United States directly from Google and T-Mobile.

First, as for the brand new Play Music update, Google has added several features that should enhance the user experience. The update rolled out quietly without any official press release or even a post to their Android blog where these announcements frequently appear. So what is new in version 4.4.811H you ask?

The added ability to keep Thumbs Up, Last Added, and Free and Purchased playlists on your device.
Auto-generated Instant Mixes on the Recent tab based on your favorite songs
Gapless playback support (which requires Android 4.1 or later)
Improvements for keeping music on your device for offline playback

While personal opinion and tastes will vary here, I find that the offline features and Instant Mixes seem to be my favorite parts of this update. The Instant Mixes uses your past listening history to generate musical playlists in a similar fashion to Pandora, while the new offline feature allows you to click a radio button to the right of your music and choose what songs and albums you would like installed on your device for those pesky times that you are out of range.

Second, tomorrow, November 13th, marks when several Nexus devices and Google Play will finally become available in more markets, according to Android chief Andy Rubin. Officially, the Nexus devices will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom, while Google Play will be accessible in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom.

This is really something for everyone, with Play Music fans like myself getting a few cool new features and our friends across the Atlantic and Down Under finally getting access to Google Play and the new Nexus devices including the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 16GB, Nexus 7 32GB and even the Nexus 10, which also comes in the same two storage sizes as its smaller brother. So who is ready to grab a brand new handset or tablet and get started uploading their music to the cloud for playback anywhere?

Google updates Shopper for Android and iOS, makes spending money easier

Publié: novembre 10, 2012, 4:11am CET par Alan Buckingham

First Amazon and now Google. The holidays begin earlier every year. Amazon got things kicked off by first rolling out the traditional Black Friday Store and then, more recently, the new Santa App. Now Google has decided to step into the fray with its own holiday season release to aid customers in lightening their wallets.

Today Google rolled out version 3.0 of its Shopper app for Android and iOS devices and packs some enhancements to get you through your holiday season shopping and relieve you of a bit of money, albeit at a discount mind you.

What can you expect in Google shopper 3.0? First, the new app has a redesigned home screen that most, but not all, users will find an improvement over the previous version. I found the larger search box made navigation a bit simpler and the bigger images added more detail, making it easier to view what you will be buying.

Second, there is a new sales page that finally allows customers to view weekly circulars from nearby stores -- select shops though, not all. Google also claims this page will include "a handful of featured current promotions which you can redeem online or in person", although I did not receive any when I checked the page.

Finally, The Shopper app now uses GoodGuide ratings, which indicate, on a one-to-10 scale, whether a product is considered healthy, safe and environmentally friendly. Being fairly eco-minded, this is my favorite new feature in Google Shopper 3.0.

There are some things to bear in mind, such as the app asks for permission to access your Google account, but since it is actually from Google this shouldn't cause much concern. The app is also handy for scanning barcodes and even book, magazine, CD and DVD covers, and also allows you to set your location to make it easier to find local stores and deals and, of course, get those local flyers.

On the whole, the improvements are a step up, although I didn't see the featured promotions. I did find the GoodGuide ratings quite handy, and the app is free and easy to use, as well as being especially appropriate for this time of the year. It's a good choice for most intrepid holiday shoppers.

Nokia Lumia wireless charger page goes live

Publié: novembre 9, 2012, 8:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Can't wait for Windows Phone 8? Maybe you are hoping to score one of those recently-announced Nokia phones like the Lumia 920 and 820 on AT&T, or the Lumia 822 on Verizon? Are you waiting for that free wireless charger?

Well, we have some good news and some bad news.

Let's start with the good news. First, while it's not fully live yet, Nokia has launched a page for its free wireless chargers. The site will not actually be live until November 16th. On that day, customers can check in and request a free wireless charger for their sparkling new phone. Even better, if you are located in the United Kingdom and are planning to pick up the Lumia 920 or 820 then you don't need to feel left out because Phones4u will have this deal as well as AT&T.

Now for a bit of bad news.

First, Verizon is shut out, the Lumia 822 doesn't qualify. The deal in the United States will only be available for the Lumia 920, leaving the new lumia 820 or 822 out in the cold. If you are purchasing your new handset from Phones4U then you get a bit more love -- they will be supporting the free wireless charger deal for the Lumia 820 as well as the 920, but there is a catch:

"The Free Wireless Charging Plate offer only applies to customers who have purchased a qualifying Nokia Lumia 820 or Nokia Lumia 920 promotional handset available through any P4U store, online or call centre between 02/11/12 and 31/12/12."

Is Windows Phone 8 enough of a temptation to lure entrenched mobile users away from their Android and iPhone devices? Microsoft is banking on it, and I am certainly tempted given the sleek new interface and the slew of updates to the mobile operating system.

Microsoft and Nokia are making it awfully enticing to put aside my trusty Galaxy Nexus.

We wish Firefox a happy 8th birthday!

Publié: novembre 9, 2012, 5:39pm CET par Alan Buckingham

The kids grow up so fast, don't they?

It seems like only yesterday I began using Firefox, but Mozilla has reminded us that today is the eighth birthday of its Firefox browser. Those eight years, while seeming to have flown by, have had their smooth parts as well as their bumpy. The story of the "little browser that could" all began on November 9th 2004.

"The Mozilla Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving choice and promoting innovation on the Internet, today announced the worldwide availability of the Mozilla Firefox 1.0 web browser." wrote Mozilla on this day in 2004.

BetaNews readers, of course, had their own opinions about the Firefox 1.0 release. Here's our favorite:

"An unconvincing effort at best, and its own developers admit its replete with bugs. Yet it still garbles many pages and that folks, is just unacceptable. I'm sticking with NetCaptor."

Early on, Firefox was popular among the tech crowd exploring alternatives to market leader Internet Explorer, and I was one of the ones who bought into it. It eventually began to gain usage share as it filtered out to a wider audience. In recent times, however, Mozilla has seen a slight drop off in its appeal, but it is still one of the strongest competitors in the browser market.

Firefox is credited with many of the innovations we now see available in most browsers today, such as Tabs and Add-ons, both of which came right away in version 1.0. Some time later, the browser became more customizable, introducing what Mozilla referred to as "Personas", which is a fancy name for adding images to the menu bar area. That was just one more thing I loved about this piece of software.

More recently, possibly feeling threatened by the growth of Google's Chrome browser, Mozilla moved Firefox to a "rapid release" schedule to provide more upgrades, fixes, and security enhancements while still offering vetted stable releases.

Today we stand at Firefox version 16.0.2, and users can grab newer versions from the beta and aurora channels. If you are feeling particularly daring, you can even try a nightly build, but be warned that those can be unstable. In addition to the different forms of Firefox, Mozilla is even working on a mobile operating environment to compete with Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. It remains to be seen how well that will be received.

In any event, Happy Birthday Firefox! I still love you after all of these years.

Photo: Sarah Newton/Shutterstock

Skype in the workspace caters to small business

Publié: novembre 9, 2012, 7:59am CET par Alan Buckingham

Many people were aghast when Microsoft forked over a hefty $8.5 billion in May of 2011 to purchase Skype. The software giant took awhile to get going with its new toy, but now we are starting to see the results. Microsoft announced a brand new platform set to improve communications for small business.

Skype in the workspace connects these companies to customers, partners and suppliers all around the world. The best part may be the price -- "It's a free-to-use online platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs" states Skype's Ural Cebeci. So far, so good.

Microsoft provides experts and consultants to help a small business get up and running and even promote its new page via social media. Still good...

Microsoft also purports that the new service will work well for more established places that don't require all of the promotion of a startup. Additionally, there are already hundreds of new business relationships that can be made, and even some promotional tools, to help you further that business, be it new or established. Better...

The company asserts that an individual user with an existing Skype account can build on that to add all of the tools he or she needs to grow regardless of location or industry. Subscribers can then get started inviting customers for feedback, as well as showing off products and services to potential partners and even place orders with distributors. Great!

All cool stuff huh? So what could possibly go wrong?

Sure, the service could save a young business a lot of money on communications costs with something like a PBX system. It also has the potential to make phone companies a bit nervous. But the service is new and untested in the target market. Still, it's promising. I'm hopeful.

Photo Credit: Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock

DARPA adopts Android-based battlefield helmet cameras

Publié: novembre 9, 2012, 2:48am CET par Alan Buckingham

DARPA, or the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency as it is technically known, has a history of turning seemingly crazy ideas into reality. Now this branch of the Defense Department pursues a new camera/sensor system designed to aid soldiers' vision on the battlefield.

The agency describes it this way: "As missions shift, however, and warfighters are required to work in smaller teams and access more remote locations, it is technology that must adapt if it is to remain useful. Desirable features for many new man-portable systems include small size, light weight, minimal power consumption, low cost, ease of use, multi-functionality and, to the extent possible, network friendliness".

While all of that sounds very cool, how DARPA plans to pull this off is the even more fascinating part of this whole story. Would you believe Android phones and relatively cheap, by military standards anyway, products?

First, DARPA created the "Pixel Network for Dynamic Visualization", or PIXNET. Now it plans to use that network for powering clip-on and helmet-mounted cameras and sensors. Before you wonder "why not just buy GoPro?" let me explain. You see, GoPro, and its brethren on the market, aren't exactly capable of relaying information in real-time. Those devices simply film what's going on. These special cameras will combine "visible, near infrared, and infrared sensors" to alert soldiers to threats around them when they are in the field. Much of the existing technologies to make this happen already exist, but the DOD wants to bring all of these disparate sources together into one multi-band product using their new PIXNET. That's all very cool, but it gets even better.

DARPA plans to use Android phones to satisfy this merging of technologies. The approach will allow the system mounted on each soldier to network and come together as one cohesive unit. According to one report, "Each camera also will be wirelessly linked to an Android smart phone that can serve as an additional platform for multi-band image fusion, relevant data processing and image display, thus reducing the data load and power budget of the camera".

DARPA encourages the development of individual Android apps to help all of this actually work -- certainly not what you would normally see on Google Play. The Defense Depatment even plans to make the entire package in a much more affordable manner than popular convention about government and military spending. The agency proposes building up to 10,000 units per month at a projected cost of $3,000 per unit.

All of this technology sounds very cool and much cheaper to build than you would probably expect. Perhaps that's why many, especially among the geek community, tend to think of DARPA as one of, if not the only, really cool branch of the United States government.

Microsoft slips, offers $15 Windows 8 Pro promotional price to anyone

Publié: octobre 30, 2012, 11:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

In early summer, Microsoft started offering a promotional price on Windows 8 Pro to anyone buying a PC running version 7. But there's a slip up. The $14.99 price is available to anyone willing to take advantage of the company. Several users have already tested this, ah, workaround and verified that it works. But don't expect the loophole to be open for long. However, Microsoft hasn't closed it yet, which I just verified for myself.

To get started, head over to the Windows Upgrade Offer website and click the "Continue" button to begin the rather quick process. It's the next step where things get a bit messy for the ethically-minded. You will have to be a bit sneaky here and lie to Microsoft. The company wants to know when you purchased that Windows 7 computer you are looking to upgrade and it better have been after June 2nd. But there's no real verification that you did. Microsoft leaves open a gap for the user to fill in. Simply tell Microsoft when and where you purchased your computer. You will also need to agree to a standard terms of use, but be careful you don't agree to the Microsoft newsletter, unless of course you want it.

Next you will need to wait on a confirmation email from Microsoft. Mine came within a couple of minutes. From there, you can proceed to use the link included in the message to make your $14.99 purchase of the brand new operating system.

It's then a simple matter of clicking the link, entering your information and downloading and installing your very own Windows 8 Pro on the computer of your choice. Yes, it really is that easy. Thank you, Microsoft!

Regardless if the hack works for you or not, or if Microsoft slams the door shut on this one, you can still grab a copy of the new operating system for a discounted price. The OS is currently being offered for a starting price of $39.99 USD for Windows 8 Pro upgrades. The company is also stating that they have already sold 4 million copies, meaning the OS is well on it's way to being a success, despite the many nay-sayers.

Disclaimer: I don't own an HP PC and I have never purchased a computer from Best Buy. I carried this out as a test for the good of the tech community, although I will happily use my new OS.

What's new in Windows Phone 8?

Publié: octobre 30, 2012, 6:26pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Windows Phone 8 made its big, splashy debut yesterday, bringing compelling new features to those people buying new handsets (the software isn't available for any devices running version 7.x or earlier). Ahead of the launch, Nokia and HTC announced devices, as well as Samsung providing an ATIV S glimpse. But now we finally have all of the details about the operating systems' features.

During yesterday's event, Joe Belfiore, Windows Phone general manager, and Terry Myerson, corporate veep, touted the new software's many benefits, marching through a rather lengthy list of all of the new features that they hope will make Windows Phone 8 a serious competitor to both Android and iOS. The devices have previously ranked very high in user satisfaction and, famously, the "all-knowing" Siri app for iPhone even called the Nokia Lumia 900 the best smartphone available. However, enough about all of that. Let's get to some of what Microsoft offers in this new platform.

Kids Corner. Allows parents to safely let their kids use the phone to plays games and other things while being protected from tampering with other apps or browsing somewhere inappropriate. The feature can be activated with a simple swipe and parents can choose the apps that their children will have access to. It's primed for BYOD.

Rooms. This feature works like a private social network, where the user can share photos, notes, calendars and other content with a select group of people as opposed to posting to an open network like Facebook or Twitter. It's like Google+ Circles on the go.

Lock Screen. The new lock screen displays some key information. "It will automatically surface photos and notifications and content from your favorite apps", Belfiore said to the crowd at yesterday's event.

Data Sense. Microsoft claims that this can actually compress data being sent over a mobile network so that customers will register less usage and, perhaps, lower data charges. Data Sense also provides a snapshot of your data usage and can even help you locate a nearby WiFi hotspot to use, preventing further mobile charges.

More apps. Finally, the incredibly popular music app Pandora arrives on Windows Phone. It joins the 120,000 apps that now populate the growing ecosystem. Other apps include Angry Birds, Temple Run, Cut the Rope, LivingSocial and more.

Unfortunately, if you want the Windows Phone 8 experience then you will need to pony up the money for a new device, because the update isn't coming to existing handsets. However, Microsoft throws a bone to customers with older devices via Windows Phone 7.8, which brings some of these new features along.

New Windows Phone 8 handsets go on sale in November.

Amazon sees opening, attacks iPad Mini

Publié: octobre 30, 2012, 12:53am CET par Alan Buckingham

If you haven't been to Amazon for a day or so, do visit and check out the guerrilla marketing before it's gone. The online retail giant has revamped its ever-changing home page to directly take on iPad mini. A graphic compares iPad mini with Kindle Fire HD -- highlighting differences such as display resolution, HD playback and stereo instead of mono. Of course, the glaring difference is the price -- $329 versus $199, Apple's device being the more expensive.

Last week, Amazon boasted that the day after Apple announced iPad mini, $199 Kindle Fire HD had its biggest sales day ever, implying that many people waited to see the competition and then went for the Amazon product instead.

Ironically, Apple chose to go after the Google Nexus 7 during its big press event announcing the iPad Mini last week. While the company never named the device, only referring to it as that Android tablet, a photo made the reference clear. Google responded in kind today with a new 7-inch model with 3G and Nexus 10, which offers higher screen resolution than iPad 4 for lower cost. The $299 Nexus 7 32GB with HSPA+ goes on sale November 13, or 11 days after iPad mini. For $30 less, the Google tablet offers twice the storage capacity, higher screen resolution and inclusion of cellular data, a feature that Apple doesn't offer for less than $459.

Nexus 10 packs the highest screen resolution of any tablet -- 2560 x 1600 -- for $100 less than iPad 4. For same price as Apple's entry-level slate, Google offers twice the storage capacity ($499).

Prepare your digital life for Hurricane Sandy

Publié: octobre 28, 2012, 7:50pm CET par Alan Buckingham

In the old days people worried less about storm preparations because they generally didn’t know what was coming and had no electricity anyway. How times have changed. These days we have the advantage of things like The Weather Channel and weather.com warn us, or perhaps scare us with sensationalistic reporting. We also have a power grid we rely on for everyday life and computers and mobile devices that keep us connected. So, what do you do when all of this technology suddenly fails, as it is likely to do in the coming hours and days for people in the mid-Atlantic region?

The easy answer is to buy a generator, but those aren’t cheap and, if you live in the path of oncoming Hurricane Sandy, as I do, you will find that stores are already sold out of generators, not to mention batteries, flashlights, milk, eggs and bottled water. However, there are other, cheaper solutions.

Car charger. One thing your local Wal-Mart or Best Buy shouldn’t be sold out of is a simple car charger for your cell phone or tablet. You can get one even cheaper online, but if you have waited until now then you will have to settle for paying the small premium of the big box stores. These devices simply plug into a cigarette lighter or 12 volt outlet in the car. Cigarette lighters tend to only work when your vehicle’s engine is running, while dedicated 12 volt outlets work all the time. Make sure you fill up your tank before the storm if you will have to run the engine to charge.

Solar charger. Sure, you may not get any sunlight during the storm, but the power could potentially be out for days after. And, if those are sunny days then this could be a great, inexpensive solution. Set it outside or in a window sill, plug in your device and charge away. It’s slow, but does work.

Battery packs. They are portable wireless charging devices that can generally be found for anywhere from $20 to $80. Again, you can get a better deal online, but if you are in a pinch then you can grab one from a brick and mortar computer retailer. Make sure you plug in and fully charge it while you have the chance. You can then plug your device into it for later charging.

Mobile WiFi hotspots. All of the major US cellular carriers offer these little devices. Head to a mobile store of your choice to grab something like the Verizon MiFi or Jetpack 4G. A word of caution: these come with a monthly service plan and, in most cases, a two year contract. If you can live with that then it’s a great solution to have Internet everywhere, even when you don’t have power.

Extra batteries. While you are thinking of those C and D batteries to power your flashlight, you may also want to consider extra batteries for your smartphone and laptop. Make sure you charge them up before you set them aside.

Apps. There are some mobile apps that can prove quite helpful in a situation such as the impending hurricane may present. One is a simple flashlight app for your smartphone. If you are on Android then I prefer Tiny Flashlight, but there are countless free ones on all of the major mobile platforms. You may also want to grab a weather app and, again, there are plenty of capable free ones out there.

Finally, I would suggest getting a radio app such as IHeartRadio or TuneIn Radio. Both are free and are great for listening to all sorts of music, but you can also tune in to news stations and weather reports. There are also apps that can turn your smartphone into a mobile WiFi hotspot, allowing you to power your laptop off of the phone’s 3G or 4G connection. Use caution here because some carriers will add an extra charge if they find you are doing this.

Conclusion

These are just a few suggestions to keep you connected and safe during a bad situation. If you have others then please chime in with a comment. If you are sitting in the path of Sandy then prepare and stay safe.

Is Windows 8 having trouble with your printer? Try DriverScanner 2013

Publié: octobre 27, 2012, 8:39pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Microsoft officially launched Windows 8 at midnight yesterday. There were launch events in New York and even earlier, thanks to the International Time Line, Sydney, Australia, where the product first went on sale. With the weekend here, and for many people a little more free time, the new operating system is sure to be closely considered by many; and even purchased.

While the vast majority of people upgrading will not have any issues, there is always the stray use-case scenario that will cause grief. Microsoft does a great job with compatibility, and even works to make the OS backward-compatible with older hardware and as much software as possible. One of the biggest issues that can bite end users is drivers. A printer here or video card there can wreak havoc with the upgrade experience. A free app called DriverScanner aims to fix all of that, and there is brand new 2013 version offering Windows 8-friendly scanning.

Getting Started

Visit UniBlue to download the app. It’s free and weighs in at a mere 5.24 MB, so it’s a quick download. The installation is also fast and, more importantly, doesn’t try to bring along any nasty stuff like browser toolbars or the McAfee virus scanner that Flash now tries to sneak past users.

How It Works

DriverScanner 2013 has four simple tabs across the top of the window -- Overview, Driver Scan, Manage and Settings. You can start a scan from the Overview tab. It tends to move along fairly quickly and you can minimize the program and perform other tasks as it runs, thanks to the low amount of system resources used by the software.

Once completed, you will be presented with a list of any driver updates that are available for your system. You can choose to install them in one fell swoop or one at a time.

Conclusion

First, I should point out that there is a lot more to this app than just the basic scan and installation features. The menu is simple, but it does provide some nice flexibility, like being able to see past history, setting proxies, the ability to revert back to previous driver versions, set the number of simultaneous driver downloads possible at one time and a lot more.

Second, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that installing multiple drivers at one time could prove to be a very bad idea. Drivers cause system problems and even crashes, so it’s best to install one and run your PC for a day or so to ensure there are no issues before moving on to the next installation.

For those not afraid to get into the inner workings of their computer and operating system, and especially for those who experience problems with the move to Windows 8, then this may be just the ticket. DriverScanner 2013 is free, carries no ads and no “bonus” add-ons for your system or browser. It’s also simple to use for even a casual Windows customer.

Scare up some Angry Birds with Haunted Hogs

Publié: octobre 24, 2012, 11:14pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Rovio, the Finnish mobile gaming company, has been on a roll lately with Bad Piggies rocketing to the number one spot in app stores and the teaser videos for the upcoming Angry Birds Star Wars game getting widespread attention. Now the company has quietly pushed out an October holiday update for the "Seasons" franchise that is aptly named "Haunted Hogs".

The update, which began rolling out this morning for Android users, is a rather major update as opposed to the usual simple addition of a new level or two. This one actually not only changes the game icon, but reworks many of the insides of the game as well. Aside from the icon, you will immediately notice that the years (2011, 2012, etc.) have been replaced by Season 1, Season 2 and Season 3.

The new Haunted Hogs adds 30 brand new levels that, in case you hadn’t guessed, are in celebration of the upcoming Halloween season. The new levels, which consist of two sections of 15 levels each, contain the same gameplay style that we have seen in the past, but just with a more ghostly look to them.

I do need to issue a word of caution about this update, though. It seems to have removed the game icon from my Android (4.1 Jelly Bean) device’s home screen and also seems to have erased stars from certain levels (see the image below). Your results may vary.

If you already have Angry Birds Seasons installed then you will probably receive the update pushed to your smartphone or tablet automatically, but if not, then you can head over to the Google Play Store to grab it. The update is also available for iOS from Apple's App Store. Happy pig hunting!

Windows 8 greets New Yorkers at Microtropolis

Publié: octobre 24, 2012, 6:41am CEST par Alan Buckingham

Unless you have spent some time under a rock recently then you probably know that Microsoft is about to officially unveil Windows 8 for the masses. The public has had access to the new operating system for some time now, through three iterations of betas, from Developer Preview to Consumer Preview and finally landing at Release Preview. The OS will debut this Friday, but the Redmond, Wash.-based company will actually hold their launch event on Thursday in New York City.

The big shindig is now bigger. Microsoft is inviting all of New York to what they are calling "Microtropolis". This is a 160 foot version of the city that the company calls "Manhattan experienced through Windows". This isn't a Microsoft pop-up store, but there will be one of those in the Big Apple as well. This is more of a concept art project designed to show off the latest OS in an interactive way.

"As you walk into the installation, you are literally walking through the avenues and streets with skyscrapers towering above." Microtropolis will have 25 neighborhoods alive with content reflecting the people, places and culture that add the character to each location. Microsoft has partnered with other personalities and institutions known in the areas to make the display become even more life-like.

Microtropolis will open to the public beginning on October 26th and it will run through November 3rd. It will all be set up at New York's famed Hudson River Park's Pier 57 and will be open daily from 10am to 10pm. There will, of course, also be a store set up for visitors to purchase the new Surface tablet while they are there.

Likely the exhibit exit will pull a very Disney park-like trick by dumping those passing through into that shop. You can find out more information by visiting the announcement over at the Windows blog. If you are in the area be sure to stop in and let us know your impressions.

Alan Buckingham is an avid fan of all things technology, including Microsoft, Android, Google, and more. He worked in IT for 20 years before getting out of the corporate world. When not writing about or using gadgets and software, he can be found on the trails hiking or mountain biking with his family.

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