Google releases extended version of the Android Wear commercial
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.
Epson: Unlocking the potential of augmented reality today [Q&A]
Microsoft’s HoloLens, and the Google-backed Magic Leap might be touted as the future of augmented reality wearables, but electronics giant Epson has beaten both firms to the punch. Its own AR smart glasses are already on the market and finding an appreciative audience among gamers, movie watchers, businesses, and even the registered blind.
I spoke with Valerie Riffaud-Cangelosi. Epson’s New Market Development Manager, about the Japanese firm’s venture into augmented reality, and its plans for the future.
Art of Illusion is a free 3D modeling studio
Tools like Plotagon are a fun way to create simple 3D videos, but as we saw yesterday, they’re a little limited. Okay, make that very limited.
If you’d like to try 3D modeling for real then the open source Java-based Art of Illusion provides much more scope for getting creative.
Best Windows apps this week
One-hundred and twenty three in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps and games released for Windows in the past seven days.
Big news this week was the release of Windows 10 Build 10041 which fine-tuned several features of Microsoft's upcoming operating system but did not ship with major changes.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware gets new look, simplified workflow
Malwarebytes has shipped Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.1.4, a significant update for its popular malware hunter.
The interface has been revamped for a cleaner look with a "toned-down" color scheme. The changes aren't too drastic -- you’ll find your way around easily enough -- and on balance the UI worked well for us.
Microsoft's latest attempt to save Windows Phone: Make Windows 10 ROMs for Android
In its five years of existence, Windows Phone (formerly known as Windows Mobile) has managed to garner only 3 percent mobile market share. Microsoft's tiled operating system is still struggling to give Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS a serious challenge. But if you thought the Redmond-based company should be looking for an exit strategy by now, you will be surprised with what Microsoft has in mind.
Over the last few months, we learned that Microsoft is increasingly concerned about closing the Windows Phone’s infamous "app gap" problem. Referred to as the Plan A, as per a report by Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft intends to do this by introducing support for universal apps which will allow developers to quickly turn their Windows applications into Windows Phone apps with minimal effort.
Google courts Chromecast buyers with freebies
The first day of Spring is upon us, and Google celebrates with free offers to anyone buying Chromecast from today through April 19. The freebies arrive as Apple tries to whip up sales of its streaming set-top box by exclusively offering HBO NOW starting April 10. Apple TV sells for $69, but Chromecast for $35—and Google's goody box is valued at $80.
To 3 free months of Play Music and DramaFever add: One free Play Movies rental, 1 month free Qello Concerts, and 3 months free Sesame Street GO. You can find the offers here. These are for the U.S. market, and the goodies may not be the same in each of the 16 countries where Google offers any.
TAG Heuer teams up with Intel and Google to take on Apple Watch
Not only has Apple made Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers hang their heads in despair, it has had a similar effect on watch makers around the globe too.
Not too long ago, right after the Apple Watch was unveiled, Swiss watch maker Swatch announced it’s working on a smartwatch of its own, and it’s not the only company doing so.
Hulu scores exclusive rights to the show Empire
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.
Anti-censorship site Greatfire.org suffers massive DDoS attack
GreatFire.org, the website with the aim of delivering uncensored news to China, has been hit by a massive DDoS attack. The attack started on March 17 but the anti-censorship site has only just gone public about it and made a call for help.
The organization believes that the attack -- which it calls "censorship by brute force" -- could be a response to an article in the Wall Street Journal. With a peak of 2.6 billion page requests per hour, servers were simply unable to cope with the traffic, knocking GreatFire.org's mirror sites offline.
Toshiba Chromebook 2: Best-of-class display [Review]
My family plays musical computers today, as mom receives my wife's Toshiba Chromebook 2—to replace the end-of-life original Microsoft Surface RT. Last week, my beloved took possession of my Google Pixel after I received the newer model, released on March 11.
While writing the above paragraph, my mother phoned to let me know the laptop arrived. "Oh do I like this Toshiba! This can't be a 13-inch screen. It seems so much bigger". The reaction is more than just because of the move from the RTs 11.6-inch panel. Among the Chrome OS category, the Toshiba's screen is exceptionally bright, and crisp, setting it apart from every model other than Google's own.
Where did you lose your smartphone? Android Wear can now tell you
Android Device Manger is Google's approach to helping people track down lost smartphones and tablets. Now the feature is rolling out to Android Wear so if you should lose your phone, you can find it with your watch.
At the moment the Android Wear version of the feature is pretty basic; you can use your watch to call your phone. This is great if you have mislaid it nearby, dropped it down the back of the sofa or buried it under some books, but not so helpful if you've left it on the train -- don’t expect to be able to home in on your phone using GPS at this stage.
Acer C910 commercial Chromebook gets 5th Gen Intel Core i5 -- is now world's fastest
When it comes to computing, I am rather platform agnostic. Quite frankly, I can jump between multiple operating systems to achieve my goals. While Windows is my go-to for heavy lifting, I often use Chromebooks too for lighter work, such as writing and web surfing.
Earlier this year, Acer announced the Chromebook C910 -- a commercial grade laptop running Google's Chrome OS. The 15.6 inch screen met the needs for many, since Chromebooks often have smaller displays. Today, Acer announces that the C910 is getting a refresh, with an optional 5th generation Intel Core i5 processor. With this CPU, the manufacturer claims that it is the world's fastest commercial Chromebook.
Updated System Center add-on improves server-less software deployment
Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) has become one of the leading products form managing large groups of computers, whether or not they're running Windows.
In order to improve its usefulness still further, add-on provider Adaptiva is launching the latest version of its flagship SCCM solution. OneSite 4.5 is focused on enhancing visibility and security while optimizing the speed at which enterprises can perform server-less software deployments.
I'm fine with Windows 8.1, do I need Windows 10?
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?
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