Best iOS apps this week
Twentieth in a series. Missed out on Weed Firm? Don't worry, Apple may have pulled that particular game from the App Store, but there are plenty of smoking new apps available to devote your time to.
New releases this week include an app that offers a fun way to find your missing iOS device, an HD remake of a Nintendo DS classic, a picture sharing app with a twist (you add songs to your shots), a construction game for kids, an app to help you catalog your favorite wines, a swarm-based game, and a GPS app for golfers.
Moving on from Windows XP using Zero-Touch Migration [Q&A]
Windows XP support officially ended on last month, yet it is estimated around 30 percent of businesses are still yet to migrate to a new operating system.
Sumir Karayi, CEO of IT efficiency company 1E, explains why 'Zero-Touch Migration' offers the best approach for those businesses that need a rapid route to moving away from Windows XP to minimize the impact on security, desktop performance and the user experience.
Acer unveils the 28-inch XB280HK -- world's first 4K display with NVIDIA G-SYNC
When buying a display nowadays, you have many options. Besides the physical size of the screen, you must decide on resolution. While 1080p was once considered a remarkable spec, it is now looked at as old-tech. Now, 4K monitors are all the rage, and for good reason -- they are gorgeous and with every passing day, more affordable.
The problem is, which manufacturer's monitor do you pick? It's a hard question to answer, as they are all rather similar. However, an unlikely manufacturer has created a unique model that makes it stand out from the rest. Acer announces the XB280HK, which is the first-ever 4K monitor to take advantage of NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology.
Microsoft gives a behind the scenes look at Office for iPad development
Microsoft has talked a big game on becoming a devices and services company, but it was not until Office for iPad launched two months ago that the software giant's change of tune yielded something concrete for consumers, and its own customers, on rival platforms. It is the most important productivity suite to arrive on iPads in 2014 and, perhaps, the most important one since Apple's slate launched in 2010.
Microsoft has been praised for designing Office for iPad with touchscreen use in mind, making Excel, PowerPoint and Word powerful and easy to use on the small iPad displays, even without a keyboard as most Office users are accustomed to. It is clear this is not a quick porting job, and that the development process involved much more work. The Office team has a new blog post which reveals how Office for iPad was created.
New gateway offers secure communication for the Internet of things
The growth of the Internet of things is set to place much greater demands on the web as a whole with thousands of extra devices needing to connect.
Not least of the challenges is ensuring that everything stays secure. IoT pioneer KAAZING has used the HTML5 Developer Conference in San Francisco to launch its new secure gateway.
Moto 360 smartwatch set to retail at $249
Motorola has accidentally let slip the price of its Moto 360, and it's pretty much in line with what we were expecting.
Phone Arena spotted that the asking price of the smartwatch was spilled when the company posted about a competition it was running to allow folks the chance to win the Moto 360, and in the T&Cs blurb, the device was mentioned as having a retail value of $249 (£148).
Developers WLTM beta testers for ongoing relationship, GSOH, no strings
It's a tough life being an early adopter. Having to seek out all the latest developments to make sure that you’re first in line with the beta versions.
For those who really must be at the bleeding edge, test management specialist Centercode is launching Betabound, a sort of online dating service to bring together companies and early adopters.
Take a peek into the world of Microsoft with Snaps
Microsoft has created a new website to showcase the best photography from around the world… of Microsoft. It’s an arty look into life in and around the tech giant’s Redmond, Wash. Campus, and highlights just some of the people who work there.
Shots include employees playing cricket, having lunch, and a photo of Satya Nadella on his first day as Microsoft CEO.
Using your smartphone behind the wheel is more dangerous than driving drunk
Police in the UK are expressing increased concern about motorists using social media at the wheel. According to the head of roads policing, drivers using mobile phones to take photos, update their profile and make video-calls are becoming more and more of an issue.
In 2012, UK roads provided the site for more than 6,000 deaths or serious injuries for people between the ages of 16 and 24. This same age group was recently surveyed by RAC, where around 10 percent of drivers admitted to using sites such as Twitter or Facebook whilst driving.
Zoom North America announces the H5 Handy Recorder
Whether conducting an interview, enjoying the music of a live band or listening to a college lecture, having a recorder handy is a huge plus. Sure, you can try and transcribe on the fly, but that is not ideal. For one, it causes the user to not pay attention. In other words, rather than sitting back and taking it all in, the person must furiously write -- an exercise in frustration. Also, a journalist may want a recorded copy of an interview, so that the interviewee cannot deny quotes later.
Finding the right hardware for recording audio can be tricky. Sure, you can use your smartphone or buy a chintzy recorder and maybe it will meet your needs. However, if the quality of the audio is important to you, it makes sense to invest in a high-quality device. Today, such a device has been announced by Zoom North America, called the H5.
ASUS unveils 'Strix' brand and devices -- R9 280, GTX 780 and Pro Gaming Headset
When it comes to computer building, Asus is one of the top brands; I am speaking from experience here. Building systems is one of my favorite hobbies and when selecting a motherboard or graphics card, Asus is always one of the brands at the top of my list. Of course, with great quality sometimes comes a high cost, but while Asus hardware sometimes costs more, I respect the adage of "you get what you pay for". I am willing to pay more for reliable, well-built components, whether it is Asus or other manufacturers.
Today however, Asus turns the volume up to 11 with a new gaming brand called Strix. What does "Strix" mean? The company says "taken from the ancient Roman and Greek word for owl, Strix means the keenest hearing and sharpest eyesight. Strix means feeling your environment so that you detect and react to the slightest movement. Strix means survival on the very edge of instinct. Strix is in your blood, as it is in ours". Deep stuff, bro. What does it mean to me? Kick-ass gaming hardware! Check this stuff out.
Facebook listens to feedback and tightens up privacy settings -- a bit
Privacy. It's something that we're all concerned about, particularly online. Facebook is one of many companies that comes in for scrutiny and criticism for the way it handles user privacy, and there have long been complaints about the fact that statuses and uploaded photos are made publicly accessible by default. Today that changes. After years of pestering, Facebook has listened to its user base and changed the default visibility setting to "Friends only". At least this is the case for brand new users.
Anyone signing up for a new Facebook account -- can there be many people left who do not yet have one? -- will be able to avoid accidentally sharing private photos with the world. "Going forward, when new people join Facebook, the default audience of their first post will be set to Friends. Previously, for most people, it was set to Public," says Facebook in a blog post. The first time a post is made, users will be asked whether it should be made public or limited to a smaller audience. If no selection is made, it will default to Friends.
BMW Motorrad partners with Netbiscuits to overhaul its mobile strategy
BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of the famous German company, is partnering with Netbiscuits to elevate its customers' web experience to the next level.
Netbiscuits is a cloud platform that allows companies greater insight into which of their customers are interacting with their site using mobile devices, thus driving increased performance conversion and customer engagement across the board. BMW Motorrad's decision to partner with Netbiscuits is emblematic of a growing preoccupation with mobile markets and high-quality targeted content.
CCleaner tweaks browser cleaning, promises better OS detection
It’s that time of the month when Piriform issues another update to its popular Windows cleaning utility. This time, CCleaner 4.14 focuses on browsers -- and Mozilla browsers in particular -- with its latest release.
Version 4.14, also available in portable form, also improves Unicode support for its Startup tool amid a rash of other improvements.
Baba Booey! Howard Stern comes to your living room with SiriusXM for Roku
As a Long Islander, there are things that I'm almost required to like, such as eating bagels and going to the beach. However, there is something else many of us are expected to enjoy -- Howard Stern. While not everyone likes his humor or radio show, I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. I even bought a Sirius radio when he made the switch from FM to satellite.
Sadly, while I listen religiously in the car every day, I don't listen in my home. It is not convenient to tie up my phone or computer -- it can be a battery drainer. Luckily, that is changing. Today, Roku announces that Howard Stern and the rest of the SiriusXM lineup is coming to the streaming box.
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