Microsoft ends support for Win XP

April 8, 2014 by

Microsoft is from today (April 8th) ending its support for its Windows XP operating system which has lasted for 13-years.

This means that after this date technical support and security patches will no longer be issued by Microsoft for the software, although Microsoft will be offering an option for users to pay for continued updates.

Microsoft's Windows XP operating system

© Microsoft

Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system

Reports have suggested that the UK government has paid Microsoft £5.5 million for ongoing security updates to Windows XP, Office 2003 and Exchange 2003 on public-sector computers.

However it worth pointing out that many companies are still using the old os. AppSense appears to indicate as much as 77% of organisations across the UK were still using the old OS. It is believed that as a result of Microsoft ending its support, it will be putting some British businesses at a greater risk of hacker intrusion. Although the amount of machines running the software is said to be relatively small within a particular company. However security experts warn that it just takes one vulnerable PC within an organisation to put an entire network at risk.

The ending of the os is expected to have the greatest impact upon the banking industry which is due to the fact that the vast majority of the world’s cash machines are currently being powered by the software.

 

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With:

IOS 8 what we expect

April 7, 2014 by

IOS_6_Home_ScreenThe rumours suggest that iOS 8 is coming this Autumn with a redesigned iphone 6. The main features of iOS 8 are expected to be pre announced by Apple this summer, there has been a few rumours flying around that have already given us some information about what to expect.

Firstly iOS 8 is said to have a greater emphases on health than iOS 7, apple may also integrate it health apps to work with the iWatch, which is rumoured to be in development. It could even come with an app called “Healthbook” that will be able to drag fitness-related information from both the M7 motion co-processor included in the iPhone 5s and sensors that will be included within the iWatch.

However iOS 8 is not expected to feature many design changes like iOS 7 had. Instead Apple is more likely to focus on polishing and updating the existing features of the os such as its Maps, Siri and its iCloud support.

It is also rumoured that Apple’s iTunes own radio streaming music service is likely to be moved from its music app to a standalone app, according to a new report from9to5Mac. 

iOS 8 is also expected to come with a new payment system that will be fully integrated into the operating software touch id system. 

It remains to seen whether or not all these features will be included within the os. We won’t fully know until the new os gets released alongside the iphone 6 which is likely to take place in the autumn.

 

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The new Olympus Stylus SH-1 camera eliminates motion blur

March 31, 2014 by

The Stylus SH-1 camera comes packed with a large array of features that makes photography even more fun. One of the moolympus_stylus_sh1-550x309st stunning features it comes with is a anti motion blur feature that can correct motion blur across all five planes of movement thanks to the inclusion of 5-axis optical image stabilisation.

This camera also comes with a large 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, TruePic VII processor and a 25-600mm, 24x optical zoom lens, which gives the user a lot of versitility when out and about.  

This camera has also a large range of automatic settings on offer to the end user such as a panoramic mode,  interval shooting and seven filters. Blur-free videos can also be taken up to 240fps which is ideal for anyone who wants to get blur free fast action shots.

The SH-1 also features a large 3-inch, 460k dots LCD touch display with protective panel that comes with built-in WiFi and a companion mobile app for sharing photos and videos on other devices. Using the OI.Share app, the camera can send photos and videos directly to smartphones.

This camera is a must buy for anyone who is looking for a compact camera that has extra features.

Olympus is launching the Stylus SH-1 camera in the US in May priced at $400.The UK price is £350, it will be available from the end of April. 

Filed Under: Other tech news and developments Tagged With: , , , ,

Android 4.5 what we know so far

March 28, 2014 by

Android 4.5 lollipop is believed to be the successor of Android 4.4 KitKat and the forerunner of Android 5.0. That means there is not going to be a “whole new” Android version but instead there will be three major updates of KitKat. This has happened previously with Android 4.4, with there being three versions of Jelly Bean being released. 

Not much in known about Android 4.5 because very little has been leaked. Its secrecy is due to the fact that Android is developed in house away from prying eyes.. 

Android 4.5 release date

Android 4.5 is expected to be released during the Google i/o 2014, which will take place from 25 to 26 June.  A few weeks later it is expected that the internet giant will also be releasing Android 4.5 on the new Nexus 8 tablet. However nothing is certain at the moment concerning the actual release date.

Android 4.5 will feature more security

android securityAndroid 4.5 will get new protection options that will give the user greater control over his Android device. The user will get more access to more security options when accessing the apps, such as biometric security in the form of a fingerprint or a iris scanner. Google is also trying to create a security option on the basis of sound. This could mean that Android users in the long term through will be able to unlock their devices using the voice feature..

Also it is also rumoured that it will also be possible with Android 4.5 to save important information, such as personal documents to a secure chip instead of using the storage space on the phone or tablet. This feature will fend off attackers that want to  steal these files. Also does Google has allegedly will have the ability to erase a new security appliances remotely. This is already possible by using the Google Android Device Manager, but google would like to expand and improve the possibilities.

The new protection options and improvements suggest that it would be possible to make the google os more attractive to the business market.  For the time being it is the domain of Blackberry and the Windows Phone. It is likely that Google will also come with its own security software that wants to increase the overall security level of Android and not to be dependent on third-party software.

Running the Nexus 8 on Android 4.5?

Nexus 8 tabletDuring or around the Google I/O 2014 google are expected to introduce a new tablet called the Nexus 8. Rumours of a release of the Nexus 8 are rife. The problem with the previous Nexus 7 was it was not distinctive enough from the other cheap Android tablets, so it consiquently suffered from too much competition from them such as Acer. At the present there is little is known about the specifications of the tablet, except that the Nexus 8 will come with an 8 inch screen. Thus the Nexus 8 will be able to directly compete with the likes of iPad Mini.

It is expected that the tablet will not be powered by a Snapdragon processor, but insted by a quadcore Moorefield-cpu (Intel) with a maximum clock speed of 2, 33GHz. Furthermore the tablet is reportedly to come with a powerful gpu on Board (PowerVR G6430) that will provide the ability for the device to be able to compete with the iPad Mini. Little is known about the other specifications. We suspect that the tablet will have at least 2 GB of main memory and 16 GB of storage space, but this is not certain at the moment. It could also come with two cameras on board that will have 4 g-support and a compact and light design.

Read more about the tablet on our Nexus 8-phone page

Android 4.5 concept

android-mock-settingsBecause there are no screenshots of Android 4.5 have been leaked, offer some designers a few designs how Android 4.5 there may be may look like. The screenshots to the linkerkaner have been developed by designer Christian Ruiz, which deals with the development of user interfaces.

Since Android 4.4 KitKat Googles mobile operating system has become more playful and fresher, but according to Ruiz, the new os version has many new components, such as the redesigned settings menu that is available in both a light and dark theme.

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Windows 9 is to be released on April 2015

March 27, 2014 by

Windows 9, the next operating system from Microsoft and the successor to Windows 8 is to be released on April 2015. Previously it went under the code name “Threshold” which Microsoft wanted ditch in favour of the name Windows 9. This will mark a departure from the previously unsuccessful Windows 8 and 8.1. It is even speculated that Windows will not be offering Windows 9 for free. Even Apple has changed from charging for upgrades to offering free upgrades. So this move by Microsoft is surprising, the official statements from Microsoft states, how realistic it is to give away the cash cow Windows, it is not. This move could prove to be counterproductive for them. 

The company could announce further details about the os at its Microsoft BUILD conference, which will be held from the 2nd until  April the 4th in San Francisco. It’s also rumoured that the company could announce a schedule for the rollout of the new Windows 9 os to developers, which still exists to this date in Alpha mode that is not runnable. In addition there are three milestones planned for the new operating system. There is likely to be soon a trial version to download for end users however its still unclear at the moment whether it will happen or it will happen at all. Previously, the website Win8China had claimed a preview of Windows 9 would be distributed by Microsoft in the second half of 2014. There is also speculation that Windows 9 will come with a substantial revision of the Metro interface that Microsoft is now calling the Modern UI.

Windows certainly needs Windows 9 to be successful. Its thought that the windows 9 os will be a hybrid between windows 7 and 8 that has the best bits of the both os’s in it.  If Microsoft can pull off a Windows 9 release with significant improvements over Windows 8 then that may be able to relegate Windows 8 to a Vista-like release in the minds of consumers.  At the moment there is going to be further tweaks to Windows 8.1. Then next year Windows 9 will be on its way.

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With: , ,

What we know so far from the rumours

March 27, 2014 by

There is likely to be two models which will come with larger screens that will be either 4.7 or 6 inches in size. It is rumoured the size is increasing due to the competition having mostly larger screens. Also the screens could come with an edge to edge display that could be made out of sapphire glass that will make the screen almost impossible to scratch.

The current rumours have also viele-fans-und-designer-machen-sich-bereits-gedanken-wie-das-apple-iphone-6-aussehen-koennte-suggested that the camera is going to stay at 8mp. But there will be improvements in its image stablising processing and it light sensors that will make night shots even less grainy.  

The Australian blogger Sonny Dickson claims that the iPhone 6 will also be only 5.6 millimeters thick and will have an ultra-retina display with a pixel density of 389 ppi. This would be a significant improvement over the iPhone 5s. In addition he claims that the new A8 processor will be clocked at 2.6 GHz, tweeted Dickson. The Australian blogger has been quite accurate in the past with his predictions.

The processor of the next iPhone 6 (“iPhone Air”) will probably still be manufactured by Samsung. However its worth noting that the contract between Samsung and Apple is now over  reports ZDNet Korea. The A8 processor for the Apple iPhone 6 is likely to have a 64-bit chip architecture and  2GB of RAM.

Finally according to the latest rumours, the release date is likely to be either September or October as its been for a few years now. 

 

 

Filed Under: Iphone XS and G8 news Tagged With: , , ,

The European Union plans to scrap roaming fees

June 17, 2013 by

The European Union plans to scrap roaming fees by as early as JulyDSC05414 2014, according to The Telegraph the European Commission has voted on the ruling to end roaming fees within from the borders of the European Union, if everything goes to plan then it should be introduced across the EU member states by July 1st.  Currently as we speak a legal proposal for a ban is being drawn up which will be published before the end of July. This proposal will then be put to the national leaders of all the member states in October.

This will come as welcome news to business people and tourists within the EU.  No longer will people receive excessive roaming bills when they return home from their mobile carriers.

The EU has been tattling the problem of high roaming costs since 2007, by gradually reducing them on a year by year basis.  Next month the EU plans on reducing the price of a call from 24p per minute to 20p per minute.  The price of incoming calls made within the EU will also fall from 6.8p per minute to 5.95p, whilst the cost of sending a text will drop from 7.95p per text to 6.8p per text. Data charges will also fall from 59.48p per megabyte to 38.23p megabytes. 

 

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Microsoft reveals its new Xbox console

May 25, 2013 by

Microsoft has revealed its new Xbox console, it is to be called the  Xbox One.  This console is going to be a complete upgrade in terms of hardware specifications compared to the current model, that will feature an inbuilt camera to make Skype calls, improved voice recognition and a better kinect sensor that will have a 60% wider field of view and a 1080p resolution that will improve the sensors tracking during game play. The Xbox one will also get a blue ray player, a beefier processor and a partly redesigned game pad. These changes will all help to make game playing more immersive. 

The Xbox One is also being packed with:-

  • 8 Core x86 AMD CPU
  • 8 GB System Memory
  • 500 GB HDD
  • 802.11n Wireless with Wi-Fi direct
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • HDMI in/Out, 1080p, 4K support, Optical out
  • USB 3.0

 

With all these improvements Microsoft claiming that the new Xbox will be the one-stop entertainment solution for your home that will be able to integrate all types of multimedia such as games, live TV,  movies and web services like Skype, that will all be controlled by the improved voice recognition feature that is part of the newly improved Kinect.

Microsoft has not revealed any pricing at the moment, but expect this when  there is an official confirmation of the release dates. But there are various rumours around concerning the pricing and the release date, but who knows which ones are correct. One rumours claims that it will sell for $299 (£190) which sounds too good to be true.  However there are other rumours that are suggesting that it is going to cost more. According to the website hypable there was a leak from an online retailer Zavvi that is stating that the price will be £399/$399 and the release date will be on the November 30.

Who knows what the reality is. We will however officially confirm the price and release date when Microsoft announces the details.  

For a more in depth analysis of the Xbox One go to techradar. 

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With: ,

Nexus 7 is rumoured to be coming in June or July

May 12, 2013 by

A new model of  the Nexus 7 is rumoured to be coming in June orNexus 7 v1 July. These rumours have come from a website called 9to5Google and they also claim that it is likely to be announced at the I/O conference next week.

9to5Google also say that the device will receive a number of upgrades, such as  7 inch screen being upgraded from 1,280×800 pixels to 1,920×1,200. There will also be a 5 mega pixel camera added to its rear, however no mention has made to whether or no this model will come with flash capabilities. Other rumours suggest that wireless charging could also be on its way. There are other rumours flying around that hints that there is a possibility that this model will have miracast capabilities and come with an hdmi port.

Lastly they claim that the next model is likely to be a slimmed down to around 7.5-8.5mm, which will make it slightly bigger than the iPad Mini’s 7.2mm size.

 

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iOS 7 is to resemble Windows and will be very flat

May 11, 2013 by

Various rumours are coming out that suggest that iOS 7 is to IOS_6_Home_Screenresemble the Windows os and it will look very flat and be more simplistic by nature.

 

If these rumours are true then it is a step way from its current design, which has remained relatively similar since day one. According to to 9to5Mac it could prove to be a difficult transformation for iPhone users, who are accustomed to the current iOS design.

 

However this new simplistic look could lead to a downscaling of heavy textures, glossiness and real-life digital elements such as the yellow notepad.

 

Other rumours have suggested that iOS 7 will have redesigned tool Windows_Phone_8_StartScreenbars and tab bars. There is also a likely hood that the os will come with new-look icons for Apple’s native apps.

 

But it is likely in reality knowing how apple operates, that the changes will be mainly on the cosmetic level and the core apps and the system would still function largely the same as it did before.

The details of the iOS 7 are expected to be revealed at the forthcoming WWDC  event in June. 

 

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