Best Windows apps this week
One-hundred and eighteen in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps and games released for Windows in the past seven days.
Microsoft launched the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones yesterday and if you are interested in knowing more about it or downloads, check out Mark's post here on Betanews that covers the launch.
Cast your vote in Linus Torvalds' Linux version numbering poll
When Microsoft launched Windows 10 Technical Preview, the name came as something of a surprise; everyone had been, understandably, expecting Windows 9. Over in the world of Linux, as we know, things work a little differently.
The world of Linux-based operating systems is a fragmented one, but Linus Torvalds -- whose loins were partly responsible for giving birth to Linux -- is asking the community how version numbering should be handled moving forward. Should things be kept simple, or should version numbers just keep getting longer, and longer, and longer, and longer?
HERE for Android gets slew of improvements as it graduates from beta
In less than a week, HERE has seen two major updates. The first brought more accurate maps to Android and Windows Phone users, making way for turn-by-turn navigation in more countries. And the second brings a slew of improvements to HERE for Android as the app finally drops the beta label.
Having used HERE on Android right from the start, I have to say that there is little that I miss compared to what the app suite has to offer on Windows Phone. Still, this hasn't stopped Nokia from making some tweaks here and there. Here's what the latest update brings to the table.
There is no smartwatch market
A few months ago, I wrote a post comparing the early sales of smartwatches to those of tablets and modern smartphones (early iPhone and Android models). As I expected, the numbers didn't bode well for smartwatches. Now that we have another year's worth of data to play with (from Canalys this time), we have an opportunity to test the validity of my previous analysis.
The chart above plots smartwatch shipments against smartphone and tablet shipments for two years after the point when each category was meaningfully conceived. Data on smartwatch shipments has been combined from multiple sources including Canalys, Strategy Analytics and ABI Research. Now compare this updated chart with my previous observations.
BowPad is an easy-to-use Notepad replacement
If Notepad isn’t enough for your text editing needs then there’s no shortage of possible replacements (we’ve covered plenty before). But most developers seem to focus on functionality above all else, cramming in as many features as they can, which means the end results aren’t always easy to use.
BowPad is a refreshing change. It doesn’t try to do everything, but for many people it’ll do enough, and a well-designed interface ensures the program is a comfortable place to work.
Google sticks to its guns, will continue to publicly disclose security vulnerabilities
Google risks incurring the wrath of its competitors after announcing it will continue to disclose any security vulnerabilities that are not fixed within 90 days.
The search engine giant’s "Project Zero" identifies high-profile bugs with the aim of creating more secure products for customers everywhere. However, recently the scheme has been criticized as a way for Google to embarrass its technology rivals.
Apple boosts iMessage and FaceTime security with two-factor authentication
It's something that has been supported by iCloud for a while now. Bringing two factor authentication to iMessage and FaceTime means that messages and video chats are now locked behind an extra layer of protection.
If you log out of your iMessage or FaceTime account, the next time you try to sign in you will be prompted to activate two factor authentication. This means you'll have to log into your account and generate an app-specific password before you can continue.
US likely responsible for Iran's cyber warfare know-how
Iran might have learned advanced cyber warfare from the US, recently revealed government documents have shown.
Leaked National Security Agency (NSA) documents published by The Intercept show fears that the American cyberattacks on Iran might have helped that country develop sophisticated cyber tactics and strategies.
Parallels Desktop 10.1.4 improves Windows 10 support, simplifies installation
Shh, don't Apple, but Mac users can now test the next version of Windows quickly and easily with the release of Parallels Desktop 10.1.4 for Mac.
That's because the latest update promises "experimental" support for the latest version of the Windows 10 Technical Preview, along with support for Office Preview for Windows 10 too.
16GB iPhones and iPads quake in fear as Apple increases maximum app size to 4GB
Apple is giving app developers more breathing room for their apps by increasing the maximum size of binaries from 2GB to 4GB. The move comes as devices' resolutions have grown, placing greater demands on developers' abilities to stick to the upper size limit.
Increasing the maximum size to 4GB gives greater scope for including high resolution images and video, as well as creating larger, more immersive games. While this is news that will be welcomed by developers and some iOS users, not everyone will be as pleased. Many people with 16GB devices are already struggling to find room for apps.
Apple iWork for iCloud now free to all -- no need to own a Mac or iOS device! Here's how
While I don't own a Mac, I do own an iPad -- which I love. However, as popular as iOS devices are, not everyone owns one. Yes, believe it or not, many people do not own any Apple hardware. Unfortunately, in order to register for Apple iWork for iCloud, you had to have an iCloud account. In order to register for an iCloud account, you had to own Apple hardware -- Windows, Android, Chromebook and other Linux users were out of luck.
Well, today this changes. Now, anyone can register for and sign in with a regular Apple ID and use the web-based office suite. What does this mean? Pretty much anyone with a modern operating system and web browser can take advantage of Pages, Numbers and Keynote at no charge. You no longer need a full-fledged iCloud account. Before you say you don't care since you can already use Office Online or Google Docs, I urge you to try it; Apple's offering is quite slick.
After disrupting the smartphone market in China, Xiaomi announces plan to enter the US this year
After growing its user base in China, and expanding presence in Singapore, Taiwan, India, and four other international regions, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is taking its first step to debut in the United States market. Hugo Barra, Xiaomi’s VP of International announces the company’s plan to sell a range of products to United States residents through its website Mi.com "in a few months".
The company, however, doesn't plan to sell its dirt-cheap smartphones in United States just yet. Instead, Barra says that Xiaomi will be selling products such as health bands, power chargers, and headphones. Xiaomi "can bring these products to market much faster because they are simpler to take to market", he said at a news conference in San Francisco.
Sling TV and others join forces with Amazon to come to Fire TV
Sling TV has just come out of private testing and no longer requires an invitation -- anyone can now use it. The next step is, logically, getting set-top box makers on board. One of those would be retail giant Amazon which produces the Fire TV. It's a growing platform with more options being added seemingly daily.
Now Amazon can count Sling TV among it growing list of entertainment choices. In fact, the retail giant claims its offerings have gone up markedly since the device launched in 2014.
Business security and dating apps don't match
People using the same smartphones privately and for work are putting their company’s security at risk, a new study shows.
According to a study by IBM, millions of people are using company smartphones for dating sites and apps, and are exposing themselves -- and their companies to theft, hacking and spying.
Dell announces new laptops and tablets for education -- Windows, Chrome OS and Android
Education is a very important market for computer manufacturers and other technology companies. Just yesterday, Microsoft announced a huge deal with the New York City Public Schools, to offer Office 365 to all of its students and teachers for free.
Today, Dell is presenting new hardware to the education segment; new laptops and tablets running Chrome OS, Android and Windows. By offering a diverse range of form factors and platforms, the manufacturer can gain access to many school systems and classrooms.
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