O&O DiskImage 7 Professional review
From malware to hardware failure, bugs to human error, there are many potential dangers just waiting to trash your most valuable data. Which is why it’s generally a very good idea to back up your system, from time to time.
And while there are many possible backup software options, we’ve always had a personal preference for the simplicity of disk imaging tools, the latest example of which is O&O DiskImage 7 Professional.
There's something scary about Chromebook
On Monday night while watching "Resident Evil: Afterlife" on USA Network, Google aired the first Chromebook commercial -- not once but twice. The ad played a lot better during primetime than on YouTube, with that oh-so tempting $249 price reaching out from the screen. Advertising where real people go shows Google's seriousness to reaching the masses. Make no mistake, something of a computing revolution quietly is brewing here.
Chromebook is still the top-selling laptop at Amazon, and that while being out of stock. Meanwhile, the cloud-connected device gains some surprising followers. On Google+, Chromebook chatter cracks the pipes, and mainly because of the newest model, which matches MacBook Air's form factor and ergonomics, including 11.6-inch screen and better keyboard, for one-quarter the price.
BUILD 2012: Microsoft ties Azure to Windows 8, Windows Phone 8
During a session at BUILD 2012 on Wednesday, Microsoft announced some new enhancements to its Azure platform that bring it onto the playing field with its latest operating system releases - Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.
In short, Azure will be expanding to include support for Windows Phone 8 as well as Windows 8. Satya Nadella, President of Microsoft's server and business tools, stressed the importance of bringing all of these platforms together. It will make life much simpler for developers who want to build apps that work across platforms and are cloud friendly.
AT&T and T-Mobile share networks for post-hurricane cleanup
Wireless carriers T-Mobile and AT&T announced on Tuesday that customers of either network will be able to place calls on whichever network is most operational in their area. If an AT&T customer can get a T-Mobile signal, they'll be able to place a call, and vice-versa.
Both networks utilize GSM and UMTS wireless standards, so by working together, they can provide more comprehensive coverage in storm-damaged areas.
Windows Phone Italy confirms version 7.8 features and release date
Two days ago, Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8 at a big San Francisco press event. However, the company failed to reveal any concrete information on version 7.8. Current handsets cannot run the new software. Windows Phone 7.8 is the bone Microsoft throws loyal, earlier adopters. When is the question? Now, the Italian division of Microsoft's mobile arm seems to have leaked much of that information on its Facebook page.
While brief, the post packs in some details. Windows Phone 7.8 will be released after the new 8.0 version rolls out. That is set to happen in early November and the upgrade for current customers will begin "shortly after the marketing of the devices Windows Phone 8". Keep in mind that this is taken from direct translation, which doesn't always go smoothly between languages. (If you speak Italian, please help us out in comments.)
Skitch 2.0 is available on Google Play
Skitch, the sister product to the highly popular note-taking app Evernote, is now available in version 2.0 on Google Play. What does the annotation app have in store with the new version?
The most noticeable feature in Skitch 2.0 is an entirely overhauled interface. There is a new sync functionality that can be used by logging in using the Evernote account. If it's activated, sketches from the annotation app appear in the latter, and can also be pulled back into Skitch for further editing as. New tools such as Pixelate and Highlighter are added on top of the previously available options.
Google Search and Maps now include missing children AMBER alerts
AMBER alerts are the emergency bulletins that announce when a child has been abducted, they sometimes interrupt radio and television broadcasts or flash across variable message signs (aka matrix signs) on the highway. Today, Google announced it has teamed up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to bring location-based AMBER alerts to Google Search and Maps, both mobile and desktop.
These AMBER Alerts provide information about the abducted child, and any other details about the case and the alleged abductor, including name, identifying traits, and make and model of car. The feature was actually suggested to Google by a user in the Google search forum in early 2011, but it is unclear if the user's suggestion was the origin of this development.
Phototheca is the cat's meow
If your digital photo collection is something of a mess, leaving you rarely able to find the images you need, then you’re not alone. The standard Windows tools just aren’t up to the task of managing large numbers of photos, leaving many people looking for third-party tools to help them restore order.
There are at least plenty of free photo managers competing for your attention, though, and the latest contender is Lunarship Software’s Phototheca, an interesting tool with a range of useful features.
Who killed Windows Small Business Server? Google
Most people probably didn't turn a glance at Microsoft's other big recent release, Windows Server 2012. Server operating systems rarely get much attention, and appropriately so; their appeal and importance really only extends to the rank and file of server administrators and other similar decision makers. And plus, with Windows 8 and Surface making the public rounds, there's plenty of fanfare to go around.
But there's something most obviously missing from the latest Server 2012 lineup, and that is a subsequent Small Business Server release. Redmond Channel Partner magazine first brought this to my attention. Not only did SBS get the axe, but Microsoft also went on to kill off Windows Home Server as well. The last public version of WHS was version 2011, which happened to be the second and final release in this platform's short lived history.
Microsoft bags another high-profile Office 365 customer
Microsoft's online version of Office has really reached maturity and, no, I am not talking Office Web Apps for SkyDrive here, although that has become a solid free option. Office 365, the more powerful big brother of Office Web Apps, which is geared more towards corporate customers, has been scoring some big contracts as of late with companies, universities and government agencies. Today the Redmond, Washington-based company announced its latest win, a contract to bring Office 365 to the Environmental Protection Agency.
This morning, Lockheed Martin and Microsoft announced the new $9.8 million deal with the EPA. The agency will begin transitioning approximately 25,000 employees to the cloud-based version of Office. "Lockheed Martin has supported the IT needs of the EPA for more than 35 years," stated Frank Armijo, who is the vice president of Lockheed Martin Energy Solutions. "By providing cloud-based tools that facilitate collaboration, communication and cost savings across the agency, our team is dedicated to the EPA’s mission."
Why did Apple announce management shakeup during Hurricane Sandy?
For years I've accused Apple of carefully using product leaks and announcements to benefit its share price. Among the posts, three years ago ahead of iPad's announcement: "Are Apple stock gains the reason for recent tablet rumors?". Rumors often give shares a lift, and bad news sometimes comes when damage can be least. In January 2011, for example, Apple announced that cofounder Steve Jobs would take indefinite medical leave -- during a US holiday when stock markets were closed.
Suddenly, I'm having déjà vu regarding another major Apple management shakeup. On Monday, when stock markets closed because of Hurricane Sandy and announced to remain so yesterday, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company revealed that Scott Forstall will leave next year. I puzzled over the timing. Why now? But I was too busy with other stuff: Google unveiled new Nexus devices and Microsoft launched Windows Phone 8. Busy news day. Only this morning, when Apple shares fell following the market's reopening did the reason hit me like a club. Apple sought to minimize share price damage.
Windows 8, Windows Phone live tile interface called a copycat in patent infringement suit
In the district court of Maine yesterday, a small, privately owned company called Surfcast Inc. filed a patent infringement complaint against Microsoft for its famous live tile interface, now common among both the Windows and Windows Phone operating system families.
Surfcast was granted a patent back in 2004 (#6,724,403) for a "System and Method For Simultaneous Display of Multiple Information Sources," which bears a strong resemblance to Microsoft's live tile interface.
Google Nexus 4 coming to O2 and Carphone Warehouse
Even after cancelling the October 29 event due to Hurricane Sandy, Google still announced its new Nexus lineup. UK carrier O2 has taken interest in the Nexus 4 and listed it as "coming soon" on its website. And so has Carphone Warehouse.
The Nexus-branded smartphone will be available starting November 13 on Google Play in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and United States. The UK carrier also lists November as the release date, but doesn't provided a specific day when customers will be able to purchase the smartphone. But if O2 is not your flavor, Carphone Warehouse also lists Nexus 4, but only on contract at the moment.
SmartDeblur is an amazing photo tool
Just about every photo editor includes a simple “sharpen” function, which analyses the pixels of an image in an attempt to reduce blur and recover a little detail. But although the standard sharpening technology is fast and easy to use, it only really works with mild blurring; if your image is seriously blurry then you’ll probably get nowhere at all.
The solution? Forget basic sharpening, to deal with significant blurring you need a far more powerful tool. And SmartDeblur is an excellent free candidate.
Samsung announces Galaxy Premier
Reporting rumors is a risky business, and this one is no different. Not too long ago, a device with the i9260 moniker was believed to be the next Google Nexus smartphone, and instead it's the Samsung Galaxy Premier (codename i9260).
On its Ukrainian website, the South Korean corporation announced the device, which comes with a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display (indicative of a PenTile matrix) and a resolution of 1280 by 720. There is no word on the processor or amount of RAM, but it will be available with 8GB or 16GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot. Depending on the market, the Galaxy Premier will feature 4G LTE or HSPA+ cellular connectivity. The latter will allow downloads up to 21Mbps and upload speeds up to 5.76Mbps. The real kicker is the operating system -- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.