Tech predictions that didn't quite pan out in 2016 -- but may still happen in 2017
As the evenings get darker and the countdown to the New Year starts, the abundance of 2017 technology predictions begins. But what was predicted to take off in 2016?
Let's take a look at the trends and services that didn't take off quite go mainstream last year and whether this year could see them come to fruition.
Lenovo's 2017 ThinkPads feature Kaby Lake, Precision Touchpads and Windows 10 Signature Edition
Today Lenovo revealed its updated range of ThinkPad devices, showing that there is a lot to look forward to in 2017. All are kitted out with Kaby Lake CPUs, and some of the models feature Optane 3D drives.
This is not a minor line-up refresh -- there are a lot of devices included: ThinkPad X270, ThinkPad Yoga 370, ThinkPad T470, ThinkPad T470s, ThinkPad T470p, ThinkPad T570, ThinkPad 13, ThinkPad L470, ThinkPad L570, and ThinkPad X270. All models include Precision TouchPads, and a move to Windows 10 Signature Edition means there's no need to worry about bloat.
Five major changes coming to the tech world
Technology in the workplace is developing at a blistering rate. Both consumer tech and uniquely business-orientated innovations are completely changing the working environment, from the boardroom to the basement. Many innovations, such as company-wide instant messaging are now the norm, but we want more. We want our environment and our appliances to think with us; keep our calendars, book our holidays and take care of our daily routine -- and new technologies are being developed every day to help us achieve this.
The year ahead will undoubtedly bring about change and progress towards this future. Below are five innovations that are at the moment in their infancy, but will have a drastic impact over the next year:
Download the third beta of Android Nougat for OnePlus 3 now!
The OnePlus 3T may be the replacement for the (slightly) earlier OnePlus 3, but this certainly does not mean that the original has been forgotten. Having already released preview version of Android 7.0 for the flagship killer, OnePlus has now launched its third beta of Nougat for the handset.
Going by the name of OxygenOS Open Beta 10, the release incorporates many of the feedback suggestions made in response to the previous beta. Headline changes include improved battery life and faster performance.
Yi Technology will unveil Yi Erida drone, Yi 4K+ action camera at CES 2017
With CES 2017 just around the corner, tech companies have already started to announce the products they will showcase at the upcoming trade show. The Xiaomi-backed Yi Technology today reveals the Yi Erida drone and the Yi 4K+ action camera.
The new action camera is an updated version of the Yi 4K, which made its debut earlier this year. The biggest change is the addition of a 60FPS mode when recording videos in 4K resolution, which is a first for any action camera.
Edit video in 4K for free with OpenShot 2.2
The future is Ultra HD, or 4K as it’s known to its friends. Ultra HD TVs and displays are slowly coming into the mainstream, and of course they’re being joined by 4K-capable cameras. But how can you edit that 4K video feed without having to splash out on expensive software?
The answer lies with OpenShot 2.2, the free (and open source) video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’s now capable of supporting 4K video editing, giving you all the tools you need to produce slick home video that looks great on your big-screen TV.
Best Windows 10 games of 2016
Welcome to this special episode of best Windows 10 apps. This article looks back, and lists the best games released for Windows 10 in 2016.
I went through all "best of Windows apps" post of the year, cross-referenced the popularity of apps on Windows Store, and read user comments to create this list.
Inateck KTU3FR 4-port USB 3.0 card and HB4101 4-port USB 3.0 hub [Review]
The USB 3.0 standard has been around for a while, first appearing on consumer devices in 2009. It's likely therefore that any new PC purchased in the last few years will have USB 3.0 built in. If you have an older machine, or you need more ports, then you can add a PCIe card to add extra USB 3.0 capability.
Inateck's KTU3FR 4-port card is an easy way to boost your USB 3.0 options. It's easy to install though it does need more power than the PCIe slot can provide so it comes with SATA and Molex cables, one of which needs to be connected to your machine's power supply. Drivers are supplied on a CD and should work with all versions of Windows from XP up to Windows 10.
DupeKill is a speedy duplicate file finder
DupeKill is a simple and fast duplicate file finder for Windows. The program manages to make NirSoft apps look bloated, thanks to a tiny 62.3KB download which unpacks to a single executable.
A very basic interface offers barely any search settings. There are no options to compare using file names or dates, no file specs to select, no file size ranges to specify, or anything else. All you can do is specify a starting folder and opt to search subfolders.
Facebook promotes fake news by activating Safety Check based on false reports of Bangkok bomb
The problem of fake news on Facebook has been highly publicized recently, and while the social network says it is doing what it can to tackle the issue, it seems the company is actually adding fuel to the fire.
Based on false reports of an explosion in Bangkok, Thailand, Facebook's Safety Check feature was activated. This in turn helped to give the initial story authenticity, helping with the spread of fake news. Safety Check has itself proved to be a controversial feature, and combined with flakey news algorithms, it resulted in a perfect storm.
Samsung Galaxy Note7 is now receiving OTA update to prevent it from ever charging again
Samsung has been working on an update to render useless the Galaxy Note7 units sold in US, because, apparently, not everyone has turned in their smartphone, which has been recalled twice, deemed a fire hazard, and banned on flights as a result.
The update, which is now rolling out for the T-Mobile units, will inform users, once again, of the recall, but, more importantly, it will also prevent the battery from charging again. So, once your Galaxy Note7 dies, you will basically be left with a brick. As you can see, Samsung really, really wants you to stop using the faulty device.
Internet of Things risks and what to do about them
In the past year we’ve already seen the Internet of Things used to carry out cyber attacks, and many experts are predicting that this is a problem that will grow in coming months.
Given that many people may have acquired new IoT devices over the holiday period, financial advice website RefiGuide has put together a timely infographic looking at the risks IoT devices can pose and what you can do to protect yourself.
Bigger than Mirai: Leet Botnet delivers 650 Gbps DDoS attack with 'pulverized system files'
Earlier in the year, a huge DDoS attack was launched on Krebs on Security. Analysis showed that the attack pelted servers with 620 Gbps, and there were fears that the release of the Mirai source code used to launch the assault would lead to a rise in large-scale DDoS attacks. Welcome Leet Botnet.
In the run-up to Christmas, security firm Imperva managed to fend off a 650 Gbps DDoS attack. But this was nothing to do with Mirai; it is a completely new form of malware, but is described as "just as powerful as the most dangerous one to date". The concern for 2017 is that "it's about to get a lot worse".
Tips for adopting a DevOps approach
Today businesses are working in more agile and digitally connected ways. What’s more in the case of new software development projects, DevOps is a buzzword that chimes with this sentiment. But what does it mean and how should we view it? Is it a job role? Is it a team? A product? A vision?
Quite simply, DevOps is a mind-set. When companies choose to expand development across the organization they are driving collaboration. This adds powerful value back to enterprise leaders, who have the interests of the customer at heart. What makes it a mind-set is that its success depends on a combination of people and behavior changes.
Samsung unveils Amazon Echo-compatible POWERbot VR7000 Robot Vacuum
While technology can lead to exciting new products like self-driving cars and artificial intelligence, it can also improve boring products, such as appliances. Things such as refrigerators, thermostats, and washing machines are getting smarter and better, making day-to-day chores a little less tedious.
One product type that has benefited greatly from advanced technologies, such as machine learning and robotics, is the lowly vacuum. While not a sexy product, it can be essential for keeping floors clean. While iRobot Roomba is probably the most recognizable robot vacuum, Samsung is hoping consumers will choose its new POWERbot VR7000 instead. What makes this vacuum particularly interesting, is that it is compatible with Amazon Echo.
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