Latest Technology News

Keyless cars being targeted by high-tech thieves in London

Thefts of cars that use keyless fobs to gain access are on the rise after criminals gained the ability to hack into the car’s onboard computer and it is causing some luxury car owners to be refused insurance.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers [SMMT] reports that organized crime syndicates have been able to bypass the onboard security by using software only meant for mechanics and start vehicles using the ignition button present in many high end models, such as Range Rovers and BMWs.

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Woof! Woof! Puppy Linux reaches version 6.0 -- fetch it now!

Linux is pretty darn awesome when used on super-powerful machines. However, where the kernel really shines is when operating systems leverage it for less powerful computers. In other words, Linux can breathe new life into old computers thanks to lightweight distributions.

One of the most infamous lightweight distros is Puppy Linux. Aw, puppies are cute, right? Sure they are, but so too is the operating system that bears the name. You see, it loads from a CD/DVD or flash drives, but it runs from system RAM, making it quite fast (and secure). Today, Puppy Linux achieves 6.0 release, and you can download it now.

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Logitech announces Keys-To-Go Bluetooth keyboard, refreshes cases for iPad Air 2

Some people are fans of movies or books; me? I love computer peripherals. Yeah, its crazy, but PCI cards, keyboards and mice really get my motor running. With that said, I particularly appreciate quality and value. In other words, I like solid build quality and reasonable prices.

It is for these reasons that I am a Logitech fan. Yes, there are other companies that make awesome keyboards and mice too, such as Microsoft, but Logitech tends to have a more diverse product offering. Today, the company announces the all-new Keys-To-Go Bluetooth keyboard, which takes a rather unique design approach to mobile typing. True, a small keyboard is not innovative, but the svelte nature of the design is something to behold.

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Google wants to get sloppy Android fans off the couch and into shape, releases Fit app

You haven't exercised in a while. It's OK, we know. We can see you getting winded when playing Wii. Who can blame you? I mean, nowadays, there is such incredible technology, that it is hard to be impressed by real life. It is easier to sit on the couch with your precious Nexus 7 watching Law and Order than going for a walk. Hell, maybe you are a Brony and you watch My Little Pony; whatever, it is your life. No judgement. Well, a little judgement -- you are fat and need to get in shape. Your parents are worried about you.

Don't worry, Google is going to motivate you. No, the company is not going to dangle an Inbox invite on a string in front of you and have you chase it around the yard, although that would probably work. Today, the company releases an app called "Fit" that is aimed at getting you off the couch and moving. Sure, it is ironic that technology is being used to motivate sedentary Android fans, since technology has contributed to their lazy ways. But hey, whatever works, right?

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The Kevlar-clad Droid Turbo coming to Verizon on October 30, promises 48 hour battery life

Verizon has always had a love for DROIDs, and that continues today. While other flagships have long relieved the DROID's reputation as the sole Android flagship, the one unique feature Verizon has brought in the last couple of years is battery life.

The Motorola DROID Turbo, available online and in Verizon stores from October 30th, will last you 48 hours between charges. There are pretty much no other options if that is something you want, even the phablets max out under 20 hours of battery. And when you do need to charge, the phone features turbo charging (and comes with a Motorola turbo power charger). All you need to know about that is 15 minutes will give you a charge that lasts up to eight hours.

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Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite 15 [Review]

Keeping your hard drive running smoothly isn’t always easy. From partitioning to file and image backups, data wiping to disaster recovery, there are many different tasks involved.

You could research every aspect individually and build up a library of software to handle all your drive-related demands. Alternatively, you might just buy a copy of Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite 15, which aims to provide everything you’ll ever need in a single package.

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Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, or Roku Streaming Stick -- which is best?

As my colleague Brian Fagioli said yesterday when reporting on the launch of Amazon’s new Fire TV Stick, there’s no shortage of streaming devices available to choose from, and knowing which to go for can be tricky.

If you use Chrome, have an Android phone, and love YouTube, then Chromecast is probably for you. If, on the other hand, you are an Amazon Prime member, then the Fire TV Stick is a good choice, especially as it can currently be had for just $19. The Roku Streaming Stick has over a thousand channels to choose from and loads of options. Still not sure which to go for? Let’s take a look at what they all have to offer.

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CurrentC is a threat to iPhone and Android users alike

In the iPhone vs. Android drama, it’s easy to pit one side against the other. Closed architecture vs. open source. Vendor lock-in vs. consumer choice. iOS vs. Android. But a new effort by retailers is one thing that actually unites either side’s fanboys towards a common cause.

It’s called CurrentC. The effort is a payment network created by an organization of vendors known as the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), and aims to take credit card processors out of the equation. Payments are processed by MCX itself and then sent directly to your bank for payment. MCX partners read like a who’s who of companies that have refused to accept Apple Pay: Best Buy, CVS, Rite Aid, and Walmart, plus about 50 other major national stores and chains. Target is part of MCX too, however it's playing both sides of the fence (at least for now).

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WinZip 19 launches with unified file management, increased protection and improved sharing

WinZip International LLC has released WinZip 19 a major new update of its renowned compression tool. Version 19 continues to see the product reposition itself in the file-sharing market with a number of new features.

These include new centralized file management tools, the promise of a more simplified, task-oriented UI and improvements to file-conversion options during the compression process. WinZip 19 also implements support for touch-based devices and high-definition screens.

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Google for Work scores 45,000 new users -- should Microsoft worry?

With every passing day, Microsoft's enterprise competition gets a bit stronger. Between OS X, Chrome OS and Linux distributions, Windows is under constant attack; however, the true threat to Microsoft is competing office suites and cloud solutions. While the business world will not largely be transitioning from Windows anytime soon, software like Google Docs and Drive are legitimate options.

Today, Google announces a new agreement with a company called PwC, which will bring Google's solutions, like Gmail, Hangouts, and Docs, to the company. Believe it or not, PwC has over 45,000 employees in both the USA and Australia which is a huge win for Google. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a huge number of users, but slowly and steadily, Google is accumulating these relationships and they add up. Should Microsoft be worried?

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Is Google Now creepy or cool?

The other day my colleague Brian Fagioli posted a story about Cortana advancements for the Windows Phone crowd. It got me thinking because he stated that "quite frankly, Google Now is so good at learning about you, that at first, it can seem a bit creepy". He isn't far off the mark, as it is creepy, but it works. And it works to an almost scarily good degree, when it comes to figuring its user out. TV? Travel? Packages ordered? It will have you covered. But is all of this a good or bad thing?

The answer will depend on the person, as I know the privacy advocates will chime in and disagree with my assessment. Am I worried about this invasion to my personal life? The answer is a resounding NO. Google Now alerts me to all sorts of events, some are just useful, some are things I'd likely have forgot without the help of the search giant.

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Skills gap still the biggest challenge in mobile app delivery

Mobile apps

Finding skilled mobile developers is one of the top challenges when it comes to the timely delivery of new apps.

This is among the findings of the 2014 Mobile Trends report from enterprise mobile platform provider Appcelerator. The company along with IDC surveyed over 8,000 mobile developers and 121 IT decision makers to get their take on trends that affect the way businesses use mobile in the workplace.

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Microsoft unveils new Office 365 APIs and SDKs for iOS and Android

As if giving Office 365 subscribers unlimited OneDrive storage was not enough, Microsoft today has some more news relating to its office suite. Previously only available as previews, a batch of new Office 365 APIs open up new opportunities for developers to tap into Office with their own apps. With APIs available for mail, files, calendar and contacts, there's lots of potential for the future.

One of the first big names to take advantages of the new APIs is IFTTT, the online automation service. The new APIs mean that it is possible for IFTTT to react to things that happen in Office applications -- so it is possible to set up an alert when an email matching certain criteria arrives. There are also updates to the Android and iOS SDKs for developers to work with.

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Incapsula launches how-to guide for dealing with DDoS attacks

DDoS attack

We reported back in March that DDoS attacks had risen sharply to become a major threat for online businesses.

In order to help companies cope, cloud security provider Incapsula is today launching a DDoS Playbook analyzing the threat landscape and providing businesses with a how-to guide to fend off attacks.

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Dell Optiplex 3020 Micro: A business PC that's small enough to fit anywhere [Review]

The miniaturization of components for the benefit of notebooks has had a knock-on effect for desktops. Using some of the same components, desktops can be made a lot smaller too, or even designed to fit behind a screen for an all-in-one system. The Dell Optiplex 3020 Micro is almost a notebook without a screen, but if you want a tiny no-nonsense system that will be almost invisible on a desk, or even fitted underneath, there is plenty to commend it.

The Dell Optiplex 3020 Micro's name is a little confusing, because there are actually two larger Optiplex 3020 models; only the word Micro denotes the rather different specification of this system. Measuring just 18.2cm along its longest edge, and weighing a paltry 1.28kg, the Micro is much smaller than the Minitower and Small Form Factor versions of the 3020. It's designed to sit flat on your desk, or an optional stand can be used to stand it vertically. There are VESA mounting options too, plus an all-in-one mount and a console including a DVD rewriter.

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