Kindle Fire HDX customers are utilizing the Mayday button
The Kindle Fire HDX was one the pleasant surprises of 2013, with the new 7 and 8.9 inch versions bringing many changes to the hardware and interface. The software update was not backward compatible with the HD models, though Amazon continues to support that platform as well.
One of the most talked about features of the new tablets was the Mayday button, which can be easily accessed by pulling down the menu from the top of the screen, much like any Android device.
The future of open source: speeding technology innovation
As one of the contributors to Black Duck’s eighth annual Future of Open Source Survey, the industry’s leading indicator of open source software (OSS) industry trends, JFrog was pleased to be able to help show the world the true impact of open source software. This was the first year that we decided to take part in the survey. We felt that it was a natural partnership, since our work revolves around regularly interacting with the OSS community to help create and distribute open source software.
As the survey reported, 56 percent of corporations expect to contribute to more open source projects in 2014 -- something we’ve already seen firsthand. By working directly with software developers, we have been able to witness the next wave of open source. We’re seeing companies like Twitter, Netflix, and Ericsson actually willing to pay developers to participate in the OSS community, and both develop and use open source in their own frameworks. With 55 percent of this year’s respondents also indicating that OSS helped create new products and services, there has clearly been a change in the way enterprises look at open source; it has truly become a crucial element in the development of new, innovative technologies.
18th century Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus is bigger than Jesus (on Wikipedia anyway)
Being bigger than Jesus is something that no one in the world can claim -- until now.
A new study of Wikipedia has found that Carl Linnaeus is the most influential person on Wikipedia and it means the 18th century Swedish biologist is more influential than a clutch of personalities such as Michael Jackson and Jesus Christ.
Android gets ability to run Firefox OS apps -- do you care?
Google's vision of a web app utopia is made quite clear by Chrome OS. This concept is gaining traction with consumers too, as Chromebooks become more popular every day. However, the web app concept works best when it is open and not tied to a specific operating system. In other words, a consumer should be able to run any web app on any modern device.
Sadly, Google has not been as open as it should be and some web apps will only work well in Chrome. But what if you do not like Chrome? What if you don't like Google? Firefox is here to help. Mozilla announces that it will empower Android users to run Firefox OS apps on their device by utilizing the Firefox browser.
Amazon rebrands Cloud Player with launch of Amazon Music 3 for mobile and desktop
Amazon has refreshed its entire collection of cloud music apps with the releases of Amazon Music for Windows 3.0, Amazon Music for Mac 3.0, Amazon Music for iPad and iPhone 3.0 and Amazon Music for Android 3.0.
All four platforms share similar updates, and accompany Amazon’s foray into music streaming with the launch of Amazon Prime Music, which initially is only available to US customers.
The BEST Start button and menu choices for Windows 8.1
Whatever your reasons for switching to Windows 8.1 -- be it finally upgrading from XP, or the arrival of a new PC at home or work -- you’ll find "New Windows" a slightly alien place at first. You can action various changes to make it more like the OS you’re used to (boot to desktop -- soon to be the default -- and switching to the All Apps view are great first moves), but if you want a proper Start button and menu, you’ll need third-party help. Fortunately there are plenty of great choices available, including some excellent free programs like Classic Shell and IObit StartMenu 8.
Seasoned Windows 8.x users might sneer at you for "going back to the old ways", but there’s no question that if you use a keyboard and mouse and have limited interest in the Modern UI, a "real" Start button and menu can do wonders for your productivity. Here are our top 14 recommendations -- free and paid.
Panda releases first Panda Global Protection 2015 beta
Panda Security has released the first public Windows beta for Panda Global Protection 2015, its all-in-one internet security suite.
A stack of new features starts with the Data Shield, a very configurable way to protect your confidential files. Specify the folders and file types to protect -- Documents, PDF and DOCX, say -- and the program will warn you if any unknown or untrusted applications try to gain access.
Best Windows 8 apps this week (World Cup 2014 edition)
Eighty-fifth in a series. Welcome to this week's best apps and games for Windows 8. We take a look at FIFA World Cup 2014 apps this week to provide you with a selection that you can use to follow the football World Cup on your Windows 8 devices.
While there may not be an official World Cup app for Windows 8, you do have plenty of choice when it comes to following matches and news on systems running Windows 8.
P.F. Chang's acknowledges loss of customer data
It seems that not a week goes by these days without news of a security breach at some company. We've seen Target, Michaels and others fall victim, though the true victims are really the customers of these establishments.
Earlier this week we heard rumors that restaurant P.F. Chang's was the latest chain to suffer a data breach. The report first came from security researcher Brian Krebs, who stated "On June 9, thousands of newly-stolen credit and debit cards went up for sale on rescator[dot]so, an underground store best known for selling tens of millions of cards stolen in the Target breach. Several banks contacted by KrebsOnSecurity said they acquired from this new batch multiple cards that were previously issued to customers, and found that all had been used at P.F. Chang’s locations between the beginning of March 2014 and May 19, 2014".
Business teamwork is a game of two halves
It may not have escaped your notice that the FIFA World Cup tournament has started in Brazil this week. This is of course an excuse for every PR agency to come up with football related ways of promoting their products.
Business collaboration specialist Huddle has chosen to focus on the teamwork aspect which does at least have a relevance to its product. It helpfully points out that on the field players have to work together to achieve success and the same is true of the workplace.
Skype for iPhone 5 now available, sports new look, better performance
Microsoft has released Skype for iPhone 5.0, a major new update to its voice, video and chat messenger for iPhone and iPod touch users. Version 5.0 sports a major new redesign, more in-app options and drops support for iOS 7.
The update has been released separately to the iPad version, with Microsoft claiming to be "hard at work on a new version" for iPad users.
Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit available in Free, Premium, Business editions
Malwarebytes has announced the first full public release of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit, a powerful tool which protects against many zero-day exploits. It’s now available in three editions.
A basic Free version shields some browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox, Opera), their addons, and Java, on Windows XP or later.
Best iOS apps this week
Twenty-third in a series. It will come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that with the World Cup now underway loads of new and improved football/soccer offerings have arrived in the App Store. There are games, so you can practice your (virtual) skills, and apps that let you follow the matches and your team's progress through the tournament. The official FIFA World Cup app is one of the better choices.
Away from football, the App Store saw the release of two long awaited new games -- Angry Birds Epic, a new RPG featuring Rovio's famous characters, and Broken Age, a graphic adventure from legendary game designer Tim Schafer. There's also an app that lets you transform iOS devices into audio speakers, a hotel guide, and a speed reading app, to mention just some of the latest releases.
Fitbit app coming to Windows Phone 8.1
Part of the Windows Phone app-gap problem is the lack of support from wearable companies, that either bump into software limitations or prefer to focus most, if not all, of their attention on Android and iOS, which make up for more than 90 percent of the smartphone market.
As a result, many users of the tiled mobile operating system turn to third-party apps, constantly ask manufacturers for support, or just give up on the idea of using wearables altogether. With Windows Phone 8.1, however, things are looking up -- Fitbit is jumping onboard.
FakeOFF helps you spot the fiendish Facebook fakers
Back in 2012 Facebook estimated in its official company filings that almost nine percent of the accounts on its system broke the service's rules in some way. That may not sound like many but the sheer number of Facebook users means it accounts for some 83 million problem accounts.
Some of these might simply be duplicates but others have a more undesirable purpose like spamming, distributing malware or grooming minors. Until now the only way of steering clear of the fakes was by keeping your wits about you and looking for tell tale signs like recent join dates or unfeasibly model-like profile pictures.
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