Office gains Google Drive and IFTTT support
Anyone reliant on Office for their day to day computing just gained two new weapons in their arsenal. Google has created a plugin that adds built in support for Google Drive, and automation fans will be pleased to learn that Office 365 channels have now gone live on IFTTT. But this is not the only new cloud-based tool.
It has long been possible to use Google Drive in conjunction with Office, but it has meant having to use the middleman of a local folder synchronized using the Google Drive app. The new plugin lets you cut straight to the chase and save directly to Google Drive -- handy if you don’t want or need a local copy.
Kids can now create and customize their own prosthetic arm from Lego
Lego is something that is most often used to build models. The versatile little bricks have been keeping children (and adults) entertained for generations, and there have also been plenty of instances of the toy being used for more than just playing. Now, thanks to the work of designer Carlos Arturo Torres, children with a missing limb could build their own from Lego.
It's an idea that merges the worlds of play and entertainment with practicality. The Colombian designer has come up with a modular system which can be used by inventive kids to create elaborate arms that are as functional, as advanced, or as silly as they want.
Buffalo DriveStation Ultra is a 10-drive DAS with up to 80TB of storage
While many home consumers are turning to the cloud for their storage needs, this is not feasible for many businesses. If you are a game developer or movie editor, for example, you will need a lot of local storage. As we trend towards 4K video, this need is amplified.
Today, Buffalo Americas announces the DriveStation Ultra -- a direct attached storage (DAS) solution with capacities of either 40 or 80TB -- yes, terabytes! While Thunderbolt 2 is the primary connection type, it also features USB 3.0 an eSATA. The company promises write speeds up to 1243 MB/s using RAID 0.
You'll be able to try Windows 10 for free without a product key
Once Microsoft’s new OS launches on July 29 you’ll be able to upgrade an existing Windows 7 or 8.x install through Windows Update. If you haven’t reserved the OS yet, and the Get Windows 10 app isn’t showing in the system tray, follow the instructions here.
But what if you want to install the OS from scratch, or have an older version of Windows, such as XP? Although Microsoft hasn’t confirmed it as such, it’s expected the software giant will be releasing ISO files of Windows 10 for this very purpose, and the good news is it looks like you won’t need a product key to install and try out the OS.
Dislike your home Wi-Fi? You're not alone
A new survey from Global Wireless Solutions has shown the state of Wi-Fi in homes across the UK, and the picture is a bleak one for some folks.
Of the 2000 UK adults who were questioned, 40 percent said they used their 3G or 4G data connection even when they were at home, because their Wi-Fi wasn’t fast enough. Indeed, a quarter of respondents said they were "forced" to use their mobile data allowance due to substandard Wi-Fi.
Worried about upgrading to Windows 10? EaseUS System GoBack Free provides you with an escape route
EaseUS has released System GoBack Free 1.0, a tool aimed squarely at those about to upgrade to Windows 10.
The stakes are high for Microsoft’s new OS -- it’s a free update to many, but those who have reserved their upgrade may be getting twitchy ahead of the big day. System GoBack Free aims to soothe their nerves by offering an easy fallback option.
BT will start testing 500Mbps broadband service
It’s a big week for BT. After rolling out the first ultra high-definition entertainment bundle, the UK telecommunications company now getting ready to start testing 500Mbps broadband next month.
The broadband technology is called G.fast, and around 2,000 participants are expected to be involved.
Microsoft's new Send app makes emailing as easy as texting
Despite being able to communicate with friends, family, and co-workers in myriad different ways, email remains incredibly popular. However, if you just want to send a quick message, ask a question, or fire off a reply, it’s often not as speedy or convenient as text messaging.
Send, from Microsoft Garage, is a new app that makes sending quick emails as easy as texting, without the need for a subject line, greeting, or signature.
Financial services companies turn to mobile messaging
With financial services companies more at risk from the consequences of a data breach than other businesses, they're on the look out for the safest, most secure communication channels to interact with customers and employees.
New research from IDC and mobile engagement specialist OpenMarket reveals that mobile messaging is the top tool many are utilizing to accomplish this task with 80 percent of global financial services organizations using Global SMS/mobile messaging to communicate and share sensitive info.
Apple Watch user satisfaction tops iPhone, iPad
People are more satisfied with the Apple Watch than they were when they first bought the iPhone and the iPad, a new survey shows.
The report by Apple Watch research platform Wristly, published on 19 July 2015, found that three months after the launch of the smartwatch, overall customer satisfaction is at 97 percent.
You can no longer review apps if you're an iOS 9 beta tester
Apple is letting developers and enthusiasts test out beta versions of iOS 9 ahead of launch. While the company is keen on getting feedback for the next version of its mobile operating system (just as Microsoft is with the preview builds of Windows 10), there have been concerns that problems with apps during beta testing has led to a swathe of negative reviews in the App Store.
Developers have complained that problems with iOS betas can cause problems with their apps, rather than their apps being inherently problematic. To address the issue, Apple is placing a ban on App Store reviews from iOS 9 beta testers.
Microsoft Q4 FY2015 by the numbers: $22.2 billion revenue, $2.1 billion loss
Microsoft has revealed its financial results for Q4 FY 2015, posting its biggest-ever loss thanks to a $7.5 billion write-off related to the acquisition of Nokia's Devices & Services business. In the second quarter of the year, Microsoft's revenue was $22.2 billion, while gross margin, operating loss and loss per share came in at $14.7 billion, $2.1 billion and $0.40 per share.
Microsoft has also revealed a $780 million "restructuring charge" as well as a $160 million write-off that is related to its previous restructuring plan. However, both are basically chump change in comparison to the damage that buying Devices & Services has caused. Deciding to make its own Windows smartphones looks to be a huge mistake for Microsoft. There is, however, some good news too.
Windows 10 in action: Cortana and Microsoft Edge
It's final countdown! Baba ba baaa, baba baba baaaaa! (</Europe mode>) The July 29 launch of Windows 10 draws ever closer, and Microsoft continues to release videos highlighting what's new in a bid to entice people in. The latest installments cover Cortana and Microsoft Edge.
We've already seen a couple of videos from the Microsoft stables, firstly pointing out that the operating system is familiar, and then indicating that it is a new breed for a new generation. Now the company is choosing to focus on what is new -- Windows 10's digital assistant, and the new web browser. Are these enough to convince you?
New techniques to deal with data breaches [Q&A]
It's easy to think of data breaches as being someone else's problem, until you're affected by one yourself. Because breaches can involve large volumes of data, dealing with one can be a lot of work.
Can new techniques in capturing and storing data help to ease the burden on IT teams and even help prevent breaches in the first place? We spoke to Perry Dickau, director of product management from data-aware storage provider DataGravity to find out.
New Facebook video controls let you be sexist, ageist or secretive
Videos on Facebook are big business. As well as drugged up post-dentist footage, there is also huge advertising potential. Now Facebook has announced a new set of options for video publishers -- including the ability to limit who is able to see videos based on their age and gender.
A social network might not be the first place you would think of to try to keep something private, but a new 'secret video' option makes it possible to restrict access to those people who have a direct link. Other new options include the ability to prevent embedding on other sites, but it is the audience restriction settings that are particularly interesting.
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