Latest Technology News

To most people who recognize his name Doug Engelbart was the inventor of the computer mouse but he was much, much more than that. In addition to the mouse and the accompanying chord keyboard, Doug invented computer time sharing, network computing, graphical computing, the graphical user interface and (with apologies to Ted Nelson) hypertext links. And he invented all these things -- if by inventing we mean envisioning how they would work and work together to create the computing environments we know today -- while driving to work one day in 1950.

Doug had a vision of modern computing back in the day when many computers were still mechanical and user interfaces did not even exist. He saw in a flash not only the way we do things today but also the long list of tasks that had to be completed to get from there to here. Now that's vision.

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Xbox One may be unveiled and on tap for release later this year, but that does not mean its aging predecessor is dead. Microsoft today announces the beta rollout of the upcoming Xbox 360 update, something that usually reaches RTM (Release To Manufacturing) status in the fall of each year.

"We're inviting Xbox Live members worldwide to participate in the 2013 Xbox Live Update for Xbox 360 Public Beta", says Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb (also known as Major Nelson). "It will include updates to improve overall performance and the ability to conduct transactions with local currency, as Microsoft Points will be retired later this year".

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The use of e-commerce sites has radically changed the way consumers buy day-to-day items. Now the blur Group is hoping to do the same for business services with an addition to its successful global services exchange.

The blur Group site provides an exchange which allows enterprises to list project requirements for services like design, content creation, legal and accounting services, experts can then pitch for the work. This type of social commerce (s-commerce) platform is proving increasingly popular as it allows SMEs to compete on a level playing field with larger businesses when looking for services. The launch of blurSense, an intelligent matching system which uses a clever algorithm to match pitches with projects, should allow businesses to further streamline the way they buy services.

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TotalIdea Software has released 8StartButton 2.0, a major new version of its Start menu replacement tool for Windows 8. The latest variant, which adds full support for Windows 8.1 Preview, comes with new features and a revamped look.

In Windows 8.1, the tool can integrate itself into the new Start button rather than use its own custom design. Paid-for users can now also customize the background color of the button when choosing a custom design.

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According to a panel of technology experts brought together by hosting company UK Fast, smaller companies are leading the way when it comes to embracing digital business models.

The panel highlighted innovation as one of the key factors, using digital technology to drive change within the company. UK Fast CEO Lawrence Jones says, "Large businesses have a much different process to go through than SMEs. If small businesses don't innovate digitally and don't try harder, they don't survive. So I think we've seen a lot more digital transformation in smaller companies".

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One of the biggest causes of detritus on Windows computers are the files and Registry entries left behind by programs when they are uninstalled. Sure, you can employ the services of cleaning utilities like CCleaner, but the fact you are scanning for "remains" from programs removed weeks or even months ago makes it hard to spot which bits are safe to remove and which ones are not (that can cause problems further down the line).

Far better, then, to remove these leftover elements with a dedicated program, which is where an uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller 1.95 Free and Portable comes in.

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Vine, the popular Twitter-owned video-sharing service, just released an update for its iPhone app, which is designed to increase user engagement and provide beefed up sharing options.

"This is our biggest, most exciting update yet -- and we've got even more coming soon", says Vine cofounder and CTO Colin Kroll. The iPhone app now offers access to 15 channels, including Arts & Experimental, Cats, Comedy, Dogs, Family and others, which users can browse and post to straight from Explore. Each channel comes with a custom theme and Popular feed.

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With privacy higher than ever on the news agenda, it is not surprising people are starting to wake up to the fact they have happily allowed all kinds of personal information about themselves to appear online. It might be too late to stem the tide, but if you are thinking about reviewing your personal privacy, one place to start might be with the apps added to various social networks.

If this idea appeals, then desktop users should install one of MyPermissions Cleaner for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari, while iPhone and Android users can go with Online Privacy Shield -- once done, you are ready to start taking action to tighten privacy settings.

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"Many features, most of which are available everywhere" is the tagline Microsoft should use for Windows Phone 8. Why? Well, because the complete functionality provided by the tiled smartphone operating system is not offered or fully working in all markets. For instance, until two months ago the complete photo and video backup feature was available in just a limited number of regions and, only yesterday, did the software giant expand Bing Audio support to a larger number of countries.

"Bing Audio is one of those Windows Phone features that, once you know it's there, you find yourself using all the time", says Microsoft's Michael Stroh. It allows users to identify tunes, similar to Shazam and SoundHound. "The good news is that now more of you will have a chance to try it", adds Stroh. "More" but not all.

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You may have seen the news that IBM has decided all enterprise Tier 1 storage should be flash-based and is putting in place plans to make the transition as fast as possible. Big Blue will be investing $1 million to integrate flash into all of its servers and storage systems and is introducing its own flash-only appliance.

Why the sudden move? Data centers increasingly demand the ability to process information more quickly, but traditional hard drives have only shown a small increase in speed over the last few years. IBM claims that flash solutions can speed up processing by around 90 percent for banking and trading applications. Other benefits include lower energy consumption, less maintenance and a smaller footprint.

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Microsoft has released Skype 6.6 for Windows and Mac, which introduces minor updates to the company's popular chat service that "focus on quality by addressing user feedback and improving ease of use".

Version 6.6 concentrates on adopting consistent entry points for sending video messages across all platforms, plus implementing a number of platform-specific fixes.

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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.

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I've been struggling for a good year now with Microsoft's decision to push users as hard as it is pushing them to use the new, modern user interface, what was once code-named Metro. Even in Windows 8.1 (formerly known as Windows Blue), it is the primary UI. Why is Microsoft forcing us to use it?

"Forcing" is perhaps too strong of a word I suppose (although it's a good one for a headline). You can continue to run conventional Windows programs -- hell, even text-mode console software -- and keep using a traditional computer with a keyboard and mouse, but they're all legacy now, at least for Modern UI apps.

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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.

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Microsoft released a public preview of the upcoming Windows 8.1 exactly a week ago. The anticipated Windows 8.1 update introduces several changes to the operating system including the ability to boot to Desktop and more efficient Start screen app management.

The first batch of updates was released just two days after the public availability of the preview on June 28. Updates addressed performance issues of the Search charm, SkyDrive video playback, and ironed out two Windows Store kinks in the process.

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