Ubuntu Phone hit with serious security vulnerability
Ubuntu and other Linux-based operating systems are extremely secure, but nothing is infallible. While you are arguably safer than on Windows or OS X, the argument can also be made that a little common sense goes a long way. In other words, all modern operating systems can be rather secure, as long as the user is not lackadaisical in their behavior.
You may be surprised to hear that Ubuntu Phone has a rather nasty security vulnerability. Don't worry, the desktop operating system is not impacted; it is a phone-only affair. Still, it is scary to see something like this fall through the cracks.
Microsoft makes starting a Skype chat much easier -- no account needed!
As someone who uses many different operating systems, I prefer software that is cross-platform. Skype is one of the best in this regard, as it is available for Windows, iOS, Android, the Web, OS X, Ubuntu and more. While Microsoft's execution has not always been the best, the communication solution is getting better all the time.
The problem with Skype, you see, is that other people must have an account in order to chat with you. Well, this is no longer an issue. Today, Microsoft makes stating a conversation insanely easy. By simply sharing a link, you can chat with someone on Skype without them needing an account or the app. Awesome.
Microsoft partners with YouTube to launch Halo 5: Guardians for Xbox
While it isn't always reciprocated, Microsoft does its best to support other platforms, putting its apps on rival mobile operating systems and releasing its videos via Google's YouTube. Now the software giant is planning a big release celebration for the much-anticipated Xbox title Halo 5: Guardians, and will be bringing the festivities directly into the homes of fans.
Today Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, AKA Major Nelson, announces that Microsoft will utilize YouTube to show "Halo 5: Live,” a six-hour live broadcast featuring exclusive gameplay reveals, celebrity appearances, live interviews with the 343 Industries development team and much more.
India wants to regulate ride-sharing apps
India has proposed a set of rules aimed at regulating ridesharing apps such as Uber. The rules will see the tech companies operate more like traditional taxi fleets, a move which will probably please other taxi companies in the country.
India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released the guidelines proposal, which suggests all cars run by these companies should have an emergency button and an in-app feature to call the police.
When should you expect Office 2016 for your Office 365 subscription?
While Office 2016 is out, not everyone has it. Starting with the 2013 version of the software, Microsoft offered subscription plans called Office 365 -- customers could pay monthly or annualy, with the latter providing a discount. You can also install 365 on up up to five systems. The differences stop there as both provide a full Office suite on your computer.
So when will Office 365 subscribers see the new version of the suite? Like seemingly all things Microsoft, it's complicated. In a blog post, Microsoft's Todd Sweetser laid out the time frame for upgrades.
Platform enhancements seek to unlock the power of big data
Businesses today have access to more data about their operations and their customers than ever before, but often that data is an underused resource.
Business intelligence company GoodData today announces new platform enhancements aimed at unlocking the value of data and widely distributing analytics to the people who are making business decisions on a daily basis.
Oracle plans to offer IT-staff-as-a-service
Oracle is set to offer its customers an entirely new service that lies somewhere between contracting IT staff and cloud computing, according to Business Insider.
Reports suggest that Oracle will allow customers to rent its IT staff alongside its cloud services -- essentially offering an entire IT department as a service.
The eight critical issues holding back IT
The challenges of front line IT have become increasingly complex in recent years thanks to changes in technology, cyber threats and the sheer volume of work.
But what are the biggest challenges that IT teams face? A new survey by network monitoring company Ipswitch set out to find out and reveals the eight most critical issues that are holding IT teams back from achieving their innovation and operational goals.
US government to invest $20 million to drive fuel cell development
The U.S. Energy Department has announced it will invest more than $20 million (£12.9m) in the fuel cell and hydrogen technologies industries, following the revelation that the industry is basically exploding.
A total of 10 projects will be funded, aiming to advance fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and to enable early adoption of fuel cell applications such as light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV).
Microsoft offers $300 / £100 trade-ins when you buy a new Windows 10 computer
If you've been thinking of investing in a new computer, Microsoft has an incentive that might just help to convince you that the time is right. You've probably got an old computer laying around that you need to get rid of, and Microsoft will happily take it off your hands and give you cash into the bargain.
The Trade Up program offers a minimum of $200 for a laptop trade-in, up to $300 for a MacBook. The caveat? The Windows 10 computer you buy must cost at least $599. The deal is running in the US and UK -- but people in the UK have a different, and somewhat less impressive, deal available to them.
Mobile vs. web: 3 ways available resources and platform fragmentation might be driving the debate
For almost a decade, our industry -- and consumers -- have been struggling with a seemingly simple question: What’s the difference between mobile and web? One would assume the answer to that question would have become clear sometime in the seven years since the AppStore launch changed the game. But in some ways, we’re still trying to even properly frame the question to consumers. For example, should we be arguing the merits of "native vs. web" or "native vs. HTML5?" (And don’t forget about hybrids, which are some combination of the two, just to add to the confusion.)
The good news? Some of the best and brightest have already weighed in on the topic of web vs. native: Mark Zuckerberg talked about the mobile vs. web quandary back in 2012, famously confessing that betting on HTML5 was a mistake for Facebook. On the other hand, Steve Jobs told developers to build for the web along with the launch of iPhone 1, only to launch the AppStore with native apps a year later. As you can imagine, this is a broad topic with many issues worth debating. But the availability of resources is a major sticking point, and often a key part of the conversation.
What's your identity worth? McAfee report gives some indication
The market for stolen goods is bustling, as it always has. The only difference today, as opposed to 25 years ago, is the high-tech approach to crime. Instead of buying your new speakers out of the back of a van you can go online and purchase someone's identity, or at least parts of it, such as a credit card.
A new report from Intel Security Group member McAfee delves into the prices and packaging. It's surprisingly cheap to buy many of these things. Alarming may be a better word. Your credit card may be priceless to you, but not to others.
iPhone 6s users can now share Live Photos as animated GIFs
Live Photos is one of the big new features available in Apple’s latest iPhones. As a quick refresher, these are a cross between a photo and a video -- 1.5 seconds of footage is recorded before and after the shot is taken, and when you press down hard on a Live Photo, using 3D Touch, it plays.
There is one big problem with Live Photos though, and that’s while you and other iOS 9 and Mac OS X El Capitan users can enjoy them in all their animated glory, share one with users on other platforms -- Windows or Android, for example -- and all the recipient will see is the standard still image. Where's the fun in that? Thankfully, Live Photos can now be shared as animated GIFs. Here’s how.
G4 is LG's first smartphone to get Android 6.0 Marshmallow
South Korean maker LG has announced plans to roll out Android 6.0 Marshmallow as early as next week, making it the first vendor, outside of Google, to bring the new mobile operating system to existing devices.
The first handset that LG will upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow is its current flagship smartphone, G4, with customers in Poland being the first to see the software update available on their devices.
Microsoft now uses Windows 10's Start menu to display ads
We've all become used to the idea of ads online -- it's something that has become part and parcel of using the internet -- but in Windows? If you've updated to build 10565 of Windows 10, you're in for something of a surprise: the Start menu is now being used to display ads.
We're not talking about ads for Viagra, porn, or anything like that, but ads for apps. Of course, Microsoft is not describing them as ads; 'Suggested apps' has a much more approachable and fluffy feel to it. Maybe. This is a 'feature' that's currently only being shown to Windows Insiders, but it could spread to everyone else. Will it be well-received?
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