Microsoft's WebTV returns as Firefox for Amazon Fire TV
Surfing the web on your television is hardly new. In fact, WebTV (later renamed MSNTV) launched over 20 years ago. If you don't remember that device, it was essentially a box that connected to a television and let people surf the web and access email. It was marketed towards those that were averse to buying or using a full-fledged computer, such as grandma and pop-pop. Over time, its popularity decreased, and ultimately, the service was shutdown by its eventual owner -- Microsoft.
Accessing a web browser on a TV-connected device remains an easy affair, but starting today, it may be even easier. You see, the Firefox web browser is now available for the low-cost Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. In other words, if you know someone who doesn't want a computer but could benefit from occasional web browsing, Amazon's media box may be a great option. I guess you could say that Firefox for Amazon Fire TV is sort of the new WebTV!
Six takeaways from GES 2017
Last week, I joined more than 1,500 entrepreneurs from 150 countries for the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad, India. GES was started in 2010 by then-President Barack Obama to foster innovation in the US and abroad. This was its eighth year, following successful summits in places like Stanford University, Nairobi, Dubai, and Morocco.
It was an honor to represent my company, my city, and my country among the best and brightest entrepreneurial minds in the world. Prime Minister of India and startup champion Narenda Modi was the perfect keynote to welcome the world’s top innovators. Here are my top six takeaways from the whirlwind week.
Cybersecurity tips that are cost-effective and efficient
Cybersecurity experts are in agreement: enterprises simply cannot afford to skip investing in protections that safeguard their networks, systems and data. But with budgets straining, even as attacks are more prolific and powerful than ever, they need security that doesn’t break the bank. Fortunately, there several steps enterprises can take to cost-effectively bolster their cybersecurity.
In 2017, there were plenty of high-profile attacks to put people on edge. It’s been reported that there have been millions of records stolen using ransoms and extortion attempts. Who can forget WannaCry, the massive cyberattack in mid-May that spread around the world in days, crippling businesses in 150 countries by hijacking more than 230,000 computers, locking up data and demanding money to set them free? The attack used ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts data until you pay a ransom. Then there were other ransomware attacks like Petya and NotPetya. And of course, there’s always the steady drumbeat of viruses and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
Email security: A year in review
2017 was an eventful year in the world of email and cybersecurity. Large companies made headlines in 2017, falling victim to cyber attacks and data breaches that compromised millions of customer records. Email harassment and invasion of privacy tactics also rose to prominence in 2017.
Through it all, email has showcased its staying power and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of personal and business communications.
Spotify now available as a Snap for Linux
If you are a user of Linux on the desktop, you know it can be quite annoying when you can’t use a popular app or service that is available on other platforms. While Windows and Mac certainly have more access to premium apps, Linux is no slouch. In fact, Linux is getting more and more love from developers nowadays. For example, Linux-based operating systems have official support for programs like Dropbox, Skype, and Spotify.
Speaking of Spotify, the most popular streaming music service in the world has long supported Linux-based operating systems. Installing the official app was not an easy affair, however. Today this changes, as installation gets much simpler. You see, Spotify is now officially available as a Snap for easy installation on Snap-supporting operating systems such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint.
Magic Leap unveils its long-awaited augmented reality system
Magic Leap is a secretive company that has received a lot of coverage in the media, mainly due to the amount of funding it’s received, including a sizeable investment from Google.
The firm has been working on augmented/mixed reality for years now, but so far without a physical product to show for it. Today that finally changes, as the company takes the wraps off the Magic Leap One: Creator Edition.
Coinbase looking into insider trading following Bitcoin Cash launch
Coinbase is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, so when it adds a new coin to its portfolio investors take notice. It is not uncommon for the price to see a big jump as a result: Litecoin, for instance, gained over 50 percent following the listing on Coinbase.
Something similar happened yesterday when Coinbase finally added Bitcoin Cash to the platform. At opening, the coin was trading for $2,200. The announcement saw the price rising to $2,805 at closing. However, on GDAX (Coinbase's trading platform), it simply exploded, which has lead Coinbase to consider the possibility of insider trading.
Giveaway: Azdome DAB211 dash cam
With many fellow drivers focusing more on answering messages or social media updates, it's a good idea to install a dash cam in your car. In case of a near miss or, worse, an accident, you will have footage of what happened to show to the authorities. Or, if you just want to show what it's like to drive on a nice road, you will be able to share your experience on YouTube.
If you do not have a dash cam, now is your chance to get one for free. We have teamed up with Azdome to give away a brand new DAB211 to a lucky reader. Here is what you need to know.
Litecoin founder Charlie Lee sells his LTC coins after monster rally
Litecoin is one of the strongest performers in the cryptocurrency market in 2017. In the past three months its price has increased from $51 to $361, gaining over 500 percent. However, the gains are even higher since January 1 -- 8,200 percent at peak value just a few days ago. Trading opened at $4.33 on the first day of the year.
The stellar performance has attracted an interesting response from Litecoin founder Charlie Lee, who, against the norm in the crypto scene, advised people to "invest responsibly" and warned of a consolidation. That has yet to happen, at least to the extent of a deep correction like we have seen this year, but it looks like Lee will not be financially involved in LTC then, as he's sold (and "donated") all of his LTC coins.
Ransomware dominates the 2017 threat landscape
Cyber attacks have been on the rise throughout 2017. According to endpoint security specialist Carbon Black, from January to December there has been a 328 percent jump in attacks against endpoints.
This means a business with 10,000 employees seeing about 1,000 attacks every single day. It's ransomware that continues to be a main attack vector for criminals though. Not only is it proliferating in underground markets on the dark web, it also cost global businesses an estimated $5 billion in 2017 - according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
Android users more likely to work over Christmas
In many businesses Christmas is seen as a quiet time when things slow down and staff get the chance to relax.
But according to enterprise file sharing company Egnyte that's not necessarily the case.
G.SKILL unveils Ripjaws 4000MHz CL18-18-18-38 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4 SO-DIMM kit
Just last week, Corsair announced the world’s fastest 32GB SODIMM DDR4 kit at 4,000MHz. And now, Corsair’s kit is no longer king of the hill. The technology world moves fast, eh?
Why is it no longer the fastest? Because today, G.SKILL bests Corsair with a new 32GB SODIMM DDR4 kit. While the speed is the same at 4,000MHz, the CAS latency on G.SKILL’s Ripjaws kit gives it an edge.
Holiday giveaway! Get WinX MediaTrans 5 -- an iTunes alternative for Windows -- FREE for a very limited time ($59.95 value)
WinX MediaTrans is a fast and easy to use iTunes alternative for Windows that lets you manage content on your iPhone/iPad/iPod. No iTunes or Apple ID needed, and no file erasing risk. It gives you ultimate control over your HEIC photos, 4K/HEVC videos, music, ebooks, podcasts, iTunes U and more.
The software, from Digiarty WinXDVD, usually retails for $59.95, but BetaNews readers can get it entirely free for a limited time.
Microsoft unveils Xbox One S Holiday Bundles starting at $199!
If you are a console gamer, Microsoft has a lot to offer with Xbox One right now. Of course, those that can afford it should pick up the godly Xbox One X -- a true 4K gaming machine. Don't have $500 to spend on an Xbox? Don't worry -- the Xbox One S can play the exact same games -- albeit at 1080p. With that said, the "S" variant can play 4K Blu-ray movies, however -- all at a fraction of the cost of the Xbox One X.
Today, Microsoft makes that price difference even more substantial. You see, for a mere $199, you can get an Xbox One S bundled with a free game! In other words, it costs less than half of an Xbox One X and comes with a game -- how can you beat that?
Microsoft releases action-packed Windows 10 Redstone 4 build, with new Timeline and Sets features
It’s been a whopping four weeks since Microsoft flighted a new Windows 10 Insider build. Given the software giant normally rolls out new builds on a weekly basis, it’s been a long wait for Build 17063 to arrive, but a wait that’s definitely been worth it.
Microsoft said this was an important build, and one it wanted to get right. It’s easy to see why. There are new features, and big changes galore throughout.
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