Calm down -- Samsung refutes claims that its Smart TVs are spying on you
The past couple of days have been a whirlwind for Samsung. Allegations have been flying about the Korean company's Smart TVs spying on users and logging information for the company. It's safe to say that people are a bit paranoid over being spied on these days; Edward Snowden had far-reaching implications. But, while a degree of paranoia isn't necessarily a bad thing, it also isn't good to have an overdose.
Samsung is now answering to those charges and its claims are much different than the accusations. While it's still difficult for most customers to actually realize what is happening, it isn't all that hard to explain.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people can now snatch a .LGBT domain
One of the proudest things of my lifetime, is witnessing the growing acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the United States. While hatred and discrimination still exist, it is far less nowadays. Heck, the number of states that allow gay marriage is increasing all of the time, while more and more people are being open-minded about gender.
Today, a monumental thing is happening on the Internet -- the .LGBT domain launches to the public. What does this mean? Rather than .net, .com, or many others, you can snatch up a domain name ending in .LGBT too. With that said, it is not strictly reserved for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, but supportive organizations too. Heck, anyone can utilize .LGBT for a website or email address to show support for equality!
Dropbox 3.2.4 FINAL supports opening files from web, updated File Explorer shell extension
Dropbox has unveiled Dropbox 3.2.4 FINAL, the first stable build in its 3.2 series for Windows, Mac and Linux. The cloud backup and sync tool gains a number of new features and improvements with this latest release, which needs to be manually installed on some platforms.
The update’s headline feature is support for opening files locally directly from the web. Windows users also get a new File Explorer shell implementation, while OS X users gain improved network proxies.
File sharing site RapidShare is no more
Things were seriously rocky for file sharing sites after MegaUpload was raided and shutdown three years ago. Several other sharing sites voluntarily closed their doors shortly after to avoid suffering the same fate, but since then it’s been relatively calm and business as usual among file sharing services.
So it’s a bit of a surprise (albeit not a massive one) to hear that Switzerland-based RapidShare, one of the first file hosting and sharing services on the Internet, is to shut down next month.
Google blocks Mozilla Firefox for Android from the Play Store
If you're an Android user, there is a good chance that you use the Chrome browser on your device. Look, I get it, it can be easier and more seamless to use all Google apps. Me? I use Firefox on my Nexus 6. Why? I find it to be a better experience from a speed perspective -- scrolling is very fluid. More importantly though, I enjoy using plugins, such as Lastpass.
Today, however, I noticed something odd. When clicking a link to the Play Store in Firefox for Android, I did not see the app store. No, I instead saw an error message that Firefox was no longer supported. In other words, Google has flagged the user agent for Firefox, thereby blocking it from the web version Play Store.
Safer Internet Day Google giveaway -- 2GB of free Drive storage
As it's Safer Internet Day today, lots of companies are getting in on the action and doing their bit to encourage people to be a little safer online. One such company is Google, and if you spend a few moments performing a quick security check, you can bag yourself 2GB of Drive storage for free.
There are no trick questions -- it's nothing more than ensuring that your Google account recovery information is up to date. You don’t get the extra space straight away, but you only have to wait until the end of the month for the start of the rollout.
Nest introduces Home Report, find out where you stand in each category
Nest, the thermostat maker that everyone seems to love, has been busy innovating with the Internet of Things lately, allowing users even more control over the devices in their homes. But the company hasn't forgotten its roots -- it's still about being a thermostat that aims to save energy and money.
Now the company is touting a new report to get customers up to speed with where they stand with the whole "savings" part of things and more. This new report incorporates more of what Nest does -- not just the energy savings, but information on the smoke detectors the company produces, as well as the integration with other devices.
Facebook continues to bring free Internet access to people, partners with RCom to launch Internet.org in India
Facebook is on a mission to get more people to use the internet. Through Internet.org -- a global partnership between the social networking service and six mobile phone technology giants, nonprofits, local communities and experts -- the company today took its biggest step in that direction. Internet.org is now available in India, the world’s second most populous nation.
The company has partnered with Reliance Communications, an Indian broadband and telecommunications company, to provide access to 38 services (products and websites) for free. To get things started, the service has been launched in six Indian states -- Tamil Nadu, Mahararashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Telangana -- and will work for both existing and new RCom subscribers.
Intelligent and connected devices are driving a 'third industrial revolution'
Software-driven intelligent devices and the Internet of Things are changing the way companies deliver their products and services.
This is among the findings of a new report from Flexera Software and IDC which points towards a 'third industrial revolution' transforming the global economy.
List image aspect ratios with Arti
If you need to find images which fit into some predefined web or document layout, you’ll probably need to consider their aspect ratio. But that might require some manual calculations, especially if your pictures aren’t in standard sizes.
Alternatively, you could just use Arti -- "Aspect Ratio Tool for Images", the latest release from prolific freeware developer Jody Holes, aka skwire -- to handle everything for you.
2015 Motorola Moto E offers Android 5.0 Lollipop and 4G at just $99
Consumers looking to purchase their first smartphone have so many options to choose from that the only way manufacturers can differentiate is by giving their devices more upscale, standout features. In a time when 4G LTE is on the rise, faster data speeds would certainly qualify. And with the 2015 Moto E, Motorola is finally giving its future customers just that.
Yes, folks, the 2015 Moto E will arrive packing 4G LTE cellular connectivity, at a price that is similar to its predecessor's. And it will run Android 5.0 Lollipop out-of-the-box.
New and nastier Android ransomware uses unique keys to lock data
The Simplocker ransomware targeting Android systems first appeared in mid 2014. Prior to Simplocker most ransomware only claimed to encrypt files but didn't actually do so.
Fortunately files locked by the malware were fairly easy to decrypt, but now researchers at antivirus company Avast have uncovered a new version of Simplocker with an even nastier trick.
TailExpert is a versatile Windows log monitor
Windows Event Logs can be a great troubleshooting resource, packed as they are with a host of essential low-level system details. But the bulky, underpowered Windows Event Viewer means all this data isn’t nearly as easy to access as it could be, and so many people avoid it just as much as they can.
TailExpert is a free-for-personal-use alternative, a powerful tool for viewing, analyzing and monitoring Windows Event and plain text logs.
Google turns virtual doctor with health advice through the Knowledge Graph
We're a global nation of hypochondriacs; Google has revealed that 5 percent of search traffic comes from people looking for health and well-being information. To help with any queries you might have about your body and different conditions, the search giant has furnished Knowledge Graph with a raft of medical data.
Got a funny looking rash? Google could help you to determine whether you have something to worry about, or whether it's something that's likely to clear up on its own. Knowledge is power, and medical knowledge is what Google is trying to arm people with to avoid the worry that comes with uncertainty.
Safer Internet Day tips for parents
It probably hasn't escaped your notice that today (10 February) is Safer Internet Day. This is intended to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people.
Online advice site Knowthenet.org.uk -- operated by the Nominet domain registry -- has published some new research looking at the attitudes of parents to their children's use of social media and finds that whilst it has a generally good effect there's still a need for caution.
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