Best Windows 8 apps this week
Seventy-one in a series. Microsoft is about to release an update for Windows 8.1 that became accidentally available yesterday but has since been pulled again by the company.
While it is still possible to download the update from file sharing websites, it needs to be noted that there is always risk involved when downloading updates from third-party sources.
How to create a bootable OS X 10.9 Mavericks USB drive
If you do not fancy using the App Store or the built-in recovery mode to download and run the large OS X 10.9 Mavericks setup file, Apple gives you the option to create a bootable USB drive to install the operating system on your Mac. It is fast and works even when there is no Internet connection available.
The process is pretty straightforward, and does not require advanced skills, or downloading a dedicated third-party tool (although I will also explain how to use one, in case you decide or need to go down this road). All you need is an 8 GB USB drive (it can be larger), which you may already have lying around somewhere, and a Mac.
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What we know about Windows Phone 8.1 so far
Mind-reading headband to link with Google Glass
Scientists at a Boston University have developed a mind-reading headband that will let humans communicate with computers through their thoughts and emotions.
Computer scientists and biomedical engineers at Tufts University School of Engineering say their brain-scanning device lets a computer assess someone's mental state and know if they are bored, fatigued, or sharp, or when their brain is overloaded.
Best iOS apps this week
Ninth in a series. This week Google updated its Gmail app, adding background refresh, so it can now fetch new mail even when it’s not open. This is a great addition, and stops you having to manually refresh to check for new messages. Google also added simplified sign-in. Log in to any Google app -- Gmail, Maps, Google+ or Chrome, for example -- and your account details will be used to log you in to all other Google apps automatically.
Of the new apps that have arrived in the store this week, there's a great, easy to use file transfer tool, an app that will help you monitor and (maybe) manage your caffeine consumption, a social local discovery tool, a dance game, and a cartoon racer that will let you go head to head against Top Gear's The Stig.
6 reasons why Windows RT is the real future of Windows
The standard fare of tech industry pundits just don't get it when it comes to Windows RT. They lambasted it when it came out in 2012 (in some ways, rightfully so). They doubted Microsoft would release a Surface 2 variant, and Redmond did just that. And they continue to beat the anti-RT drum loud and clear, using RT device sales figures as their proof of a pending death notice.
Perusing Google, you can come across a wild variety of articles that purport to explain why Microsoft needs to ditch RT altogether. Chris Neiger penned one such piece, and even John Martellaro of MacObserver.com did his best to argue how foolish Microsoft was for even considering RT a serious contender.
Say cheese! -- new Android malware can hijack your camera
Remote access toolkits (RATs) for Android are nothing new, but until now they've mostly targeted the Asia region.
Now researchers at mobile security specialist Lookout have uncovered Dendroid, a custom RAT aimed at users in western countries. Dendroid’s author is selling the toolkit online with payment in virtual currencies like Bitcoin and even offers a warranty promise that it will remain undetected.
OS X 10.9 Mavericks to fully support 4K displays in upcoming update
Even though 4K displays have started to pop out for quite some time now, Apple has been lazy at fully supporting them in OS X 10.9 Mavericks. So when my colleague Brian Fagioli tested the Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD he found that, while Windows 8.1 was able to adequately handle it, Apple's Mac operating system rendered the display "unusable".
The reason for this lies in the display settings made available by the OS. Those only allow folks to choose a lesser resolution like 1080p. Fortunately, that is set to change as Apple is readying an update for OS X 10.9 Mavericks that will soon allow users to take full advantage of what 4K displays have to offer.
pCell is only as good as the Linux it runs on
I’m still working-away on my IBM book and it is still a week from being finished (the well-known second 90 percent syndrome). The book, if I am allowed to sell it on Amazon, will cost a whopping $3.99 and will be worth the money. But I’m still a columnist of sorts so here are my thoughts on pCell, an impressive new technology for increasing performance of LTE mobile data networks. It was invented by WebTV founder Steve Perlman, introduced two weeks ago in New York (very impressive video here, but fast-forward to 5:30) and was the talk of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona the following week. pCell is amazing. It is also probably a security nightmare waiting to happen.
This is not me being a bad-ass or somehow wanting pCell to fail. I think it is great and I want it to wildly succeed, but there are a couple things about pCell that have been going over the heads of most reporters, security being one of them. I’ve read all the stories about pCell and the word security doesn’t appear in any of them, none.
Dell Latitude 13 Education Series -- Windows battles Chromebooks for the classroom
Google's Chromebooks are becoming synonymous with education. Schools are embracing them for the low cost and ease of use. It's hard to argue with that, but I am dubious that it is the best choice for students.
A Windows PC is still the best option for readying a student for the world of business. Outlook, Excel, Access -- these are the programs that a future successful person will learn. Today, Dell announces a new laptop that is focused on education and gives Chromebook a run for its money -- the Latitude 13 Education Series.
Get the purported Microsoft Windows 8.1 Update 1 NOW
Reports about Windows are often doom and gloom lately. However, let's be honest, when an OS update is released for Microsoft's operating system, the world takes notice. Well, the world certainly took notice of Windows 8 -- in a generally bad light. While some argue that people are simply scared of change, I disagree. It is a schizophrenic experience, as it causes the user to work between two user interfaces.
It is because of the disdain for Windows 8, that everyone was clamoring for the 8.1 version. The technology world prayed that the point-one increase would solve most of the complaints. While it did make using the OS slightly more palpable, it was not the change that users wanted. And so, the world once again is resting its prayers on Windows 8.1 Update 1 -- the next iteration of the operating system. Well, get excited because it can be yours right now!
BetaNews Exclusive: Get 6 months free of the 'Best Antivirus of 2014'
In February, independent testing lab AV-Test announced the security products which had provided the best protection against malware infections in its tests, and there was one clear winner.
Bitdefender Internet Security was ranked #1 in protection and #1 in performance in the home user category, after earning perfect scores for protecting users against malware and zero-day attacks and maintaining the lowest possible impact on the system.
Want to get lei'd? Google Street View takes you to Hawaii
When people speak of romantic getaways or honeymoons, the conversation often turns to Hawaii. After all, it is literally a paradise, featuring beautiful beaches and awe-inspiring sunsets. However, there is one major downside -- the cost. Not only is airfare and accommodation very expensive, basic goods such as milk and bread have high prices too.
While you can close your eyes and imagine you are there, Google has a much better and high-tech idea. The search giant announces that it is bringing Street View to Hawaii. In other words, you can experience the 50th US state from your computer.
Some Cisco routers impacted by vulnerability -- are you affected?
When it comes to networking, brands matter. Sure, you can sometimes score a great deal on a router or switch from a generic brand, but is the cost saving really worth the risk of poor quality? Whether in the home or enterprise, quality networking hardware is key to a great experience.
In my home, we use an Apple Airport Extreme, but I know many people who swear by Cisco -- especially in business. Sadly though, Cisco announces that some of its routers are plagued by a vulnerability which could open the door to attackers.
Tablet growth forecast slows as markets mature
Market intelligence specialist IDC has released the latest results from its quarterly tablet tracker. It predicts that the sales growth of tablets (including 2-in-1 devices) will be 19.4 percent in 2014, down from 51.6 percent last year.
There are a number of reasons for this predicted reduction, partly the number of new releases has slowed, and in mature markets the sales pattern will switch to replacement of older devices rather than first time buys.
CloudyTabs lets you access iCloud-synced browser tabs outside of Safari on your Mac
These days, most people find themselves browsing on a variety of devices: computers, smartphones and tablets. It’s why most browsers have developed tools for automatically keeping everything in sync across all your tech, but the downside is you normally have to tie yourself into one service or browser.
If you’re a Mac user, that usually means tying yourself into Apple’s Safari web browser for iCloud Tab syncing, but you can access the pages you’ve got open on your iOS device on any browser you like with a free app called CloudyTabs 1.0.