Alphabet's ABC is Google's XYZ
I predict that the innovation of the year will go, not to a tech product, but to Google's creation of a new company: Alphabet. The search and information giant that disrupts so many other companies on and off the Internet essentially disrupts itself. By doing so—divesting the core, established business from future research and inventions—cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin unshackle weights dragging growth.
To recap: Page announced the dramatic change after the market closed yesterday. Google becomes secondary to Alphabet, which will hold a collection of related entities. Page hands over Google chief executive reigns to Sundar Pichai, while becoming CEO of the new entity. Brin is president. Can we call him letterhead instead of figurehead? :)
How to delay and/or block automatic software updates in Windows 10
As you’ll know, Microsoft has made updates mandatory in Windows 10. When updates are pushed out, the new operating system installs them automatically. Whether you want it to or not. This should be a benefit, as it means no more unpatched PCs at risk from serious vulnerabilities, but if the software giant rolls out an update that causes problems for users -- as has already been the case in several instances -- there’s no easy way to avoid it.
Windows 10 Pro users can defer updates, but Home users don’t have that luxury. Thankfully if you need to delay or block software updates in Windows 10, there are several ways to do so, regardless of which version of the OS you're running.
How to change Microsoft Edge's default download folder
Windows 10's new modern browser certainly has potential, but Edge is far from a finished product. It lacks major features, including support for add-ons, and anyone using it is going to find it difficult to change certain browser settings. While you can change the default search engine, the process for doing so is far from intuitive. We explained the steps you need to take here.
But what if you want to change the default download location? Surely this is something that can be done easily in Settings, right? Nope. You can change the download folder, just not in Edge itself.
Cloud computing and the true future of networks
Cloud computing, network virtualization and on-demand technology services are changing how we think about IT.
If these new services become as ubiquitous as predicted we could see companies accessing their IT services remotely, at the expense of their own IT infrastructure and applications. If this happens, the thinking goes, the importance of the Local Area Network and the IT administrator could diminish as well.
Logitech announces G640 Large Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad
So, you think you are a member of the PC Master Race, eh? You've built your gaming PC, bought a ton of games on Steam, and have a sweet keyboard and mouse. All done, right? Wait. You forgot to buy a mouse pad. No, I'm not kidding -- many gamers still use gaming-grade mouse pads as a way to get an edge.
Today, Logitech announces the G640 Large Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad. The large surface promises better tracking, while reserving a space on your desk to keep clear of Mountain Dew and Bawls empties. Will you upgrade to a mouse pad experience?
LastPass switches to freemium model to encourage take up
With increasing numbers of credentials being stolen in data breaches it makes sense to use a password manager to protect your online accounts.
Popular password manager LastPass is encouraging users to make the leap by making its service available free on mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets from today.
New platform helps bring APIs and apps to market faster
IT departments and developers are under increasing pressure to support innovation at a much faster pace. This requires agility but also the needs to meet governance requirements and allow people both inside and outside IT to build cross-platform apps that conform to best practices and standards.
Digital transformation specialist AnyPresence is launching a new platform that offers a comprehensive solution for API-driven enterprise app development and enabling the Internet of Things.
Ad blocking estimated to cost publishers nearly $22 billion in 2015
The advertising industry could be in for a rude awakening, with the growing adblock trend snatching $21.8 billion in revenue from the web in 2015. This figure is expected to grow, with a report from PageFair and Adobe claiming a potential $41.4 billion in lost advertising revenue by 2016 worldwide.
In the UK, adblock services grew up 82 percent, with 12 million users deciding to block adverts. AdBlock Plus is the most popular service, which provides a large database of blocked adverts alongside some approved adverts that are not obnoxious.
How the cloud is changing the role of IT admins
The shifting of systems to the cloud has an effect on many areas of the enterprise, not least IT. The role of IT professionals is beginning to enter new territory.
In the latest of its Trends in Cloud IT series automated management specialist BetterCloud looks at how the emergence of the cloud is altering perceptions. It's freeing up valuable time that cloud IT admins are using to become proactive decision makers in their organizations, rather than simply reacting to problems.
84 percent of enterprises have considered encrypting all sensitive data
Security professionals are naturally concerned with protecting sensitive data within their organization and elsewhere, particularly given the increasing numbers of threats.
A new survey of more than 100 information security professionals by data security specialist Vormetric and risk management research organization IANS reveals that 84 percent of respondents had considered a security strategy of encrypting all their sensitive data.
Corel Painter 16 gains sound-sensitive brushes, promises more realistic effects
Corel has unveiled Corel Painter 16 for Windows and Mac, a major new release of its acclaimed digital paint program for professionals.
The new build introduces new brushes -- including a selection that react to sound -- as well as paper and flow map rotation. Corel also claims Painter 2016 delivers a significant performance increase over previous builds.
Translate PDFs, DocX and more with Free Language Translator
Online translation services are quick, capable and easy to use, but many people think there’s still a place for desktop equivalents.
Free Language Translator is an open source tool which uses Google Translate to process text and documents on Windows XP and later.
10 things you should know about Motorola's Moto G (3rd Gen)
The Motorola Moto G (3rd Gen), also known as Moto G 2015, had its launch event on 28 July 2015.
Since then, there have been many reviews of this device, but there are some things about the new Moto G that you you should know about to help you decide whether this is the right phone for you.
Firefox 40 unveils Windows 10-friendly design, tightens download protection
Mozilla has released Firefox 40 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 40.0 due to follow by the end of the week.
Version 40 provides added protection against potentially malicious downloads on both platforms, while desktop users enjoy a raft of new features, including a new Suggested Tiles feature and add-on management dialog.
HTC and Samsung phones storing unencrypted fingerprints
HTC is having trouble keeping investors happy, reporting its worst quarter in history earlier this month. If that wasn’t enough to contend with, FireEye researchers have found a way to steal fingerprint information from the HTC One Max and Samsung's Galaxy S5.
Fingerprints were stored in an image file named dbgraw.bmp in an open, readable folder. This means anyone that gains access to these files is capable of editing the fingerprints, deleting them and even forcing fake fingerprint scans to pay for items. Malicious apps can utilize the fingerprint files by asking for them in start-up.
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