Emsisoft Anti-Malware 8.0 improves cleaning, reduces memory usage
Emsisoft of Thalgau, Austria, released Emsisoft Anti-Malware 8.0, a major new version of its dual-engine protection tool for Windows. It is designed to run alongside existing security products and offer extra lines of defences against malware.
Version 8.0, which uses BitDefender's scanning engine alongside Emsisoft's own, promises to cut memory usage for faster, leaner performance, improved malware cleaning, user-interface tweaks and more.
Microsoft's experience shows us what to expect from Oracle's Java 'security push'
It has been a very rough year for Java from a security point of view.
Two-thousand thirteen started with a number of zero-day attacks targeting Java, including those that resulted in breaches at Microsoft, Facebook, Apple and Twitter. As the year went on, the Department of Homeland Security and others recommended disabling or even uninstalling Java. Apple went so far as to effectively block the Java 7 web plugins twice in one month on OS X. As the security situation around Java seemed to deteriorate, the criticism of and frustration with Oracle continued to increase.
Bing introduces Usage Rights to image search
Looking for a cool image to add to your blog? Need that perfect picture for your new business presentation? It sounds simple enough, but in many cases you could be breaking the law, as many images on the internet are simply not free to use and rights must be checked. Bing now wants to help you with that.
The search engine introduces a new option to its web service -- Usage Rights. "We are excited to offer the 'Search by License' feature for Bing image search. At Bing, we love helping creative artists whether you’re a blogger, teacher, student or even a small business owner looking to market your latest creation", says Bing Images Program Manager Rizwan Ansary.
Windows Store now offers 100,000 apps, but quality concerns remain
Every Friday, my colleague Martin Brinkmann details the best Windows 8 apps that surface in Store during the week. I have closely followed the series mostly to check new arrivals (since I use Windows 8) but also to get a feel of the quality and value that developers bring to the new ecosystem.
As some of you have mentioned in the comments, the highlighted apps are not exactly up to par with offerings available on Apple App Store or Google Play. The most noteworthy ones are few and far between, something that is immediately noticeable after browsing through the available selection on Windows Store. The most resounding apps come, for instance, from Microsoft, Nokia, Shazam, Twitter and a couple other major players. There is more to it, of course, but the quality and value are still inadequate these days.
Stable Opera 15 arrives with new features and rendering engine
Just a month after unveiling the first beta to the public, Opera Software has released Opera 15.0 FINAL. The latest version of the browser receives a complete reboot, sporting a different rendering engine, revamped interface and a number of new features.
The new release does not spell the end of the previous version, however, with Opera 12.15 FINAL still available (and due to receive an update shortly) for those reluctant to move on.
AltaVista goes to great server in the sky
Let us pause for a moment to remember AltaVista. Current owner Yahoo quietly announced in a blog post at the end of last week that the once popular search engine is to close on July 8. The news was tucked away in a raft of other closure announcements. Users will be redirected to Yahoo Search.
It's hard to appreciate now that in the days before Google's algorithm made the fast indexing of large numbers of sites possible, searching the web was something of a hit and miss affair. Search engines relied on fixed indexes that were slow to update and found it hard to cope with the rapidly increasing number of sites.
Microsoft waves bye-bye to TechNet customers
On the heels of the death of Google Reader, Microsoft chooses to make cuts of its own, though which will weigh heavier on customers remains to be seen. Microsoft operates a pair of subscription services designed to help out developers and system administrators, but today announces one will be joining its version of the Google Graveyard.
Today, emails began rolling out to TechNet subscribers announcing the death of the service. The message informs users of impending doom arriving on August 31 of this year.
Skype for Android hits 100 million users, celebrates with version 4.0
Microsoft purchased Skype back in October 2011 and took a bit of time to figure out where to go with it, but the company has its communications legs under it now and is off and running with deeper integration into Office and Windows. Now the company celebrates 100 million Android customers by rolling out version 4.0 of the mobile app.
"We’ve completely redesigned Skype for Android to be faster and easier – especially when you’re trying to fire off a quick message. Everything is at your fingertips", says Microsoft's Derek Snyder.
Microsoft releases overhauled Facebook Windows Phone 8 app
On Monday, Microsoft released an update for its homebrew Facebook Windows Phone 8 app which introduces new features and a redesigned user interface, finally bringing the latest iteration in line with the Android and iOS counterparts.
In terms of design, the app is similar to the beta version that arrived in late-April. Facebook for Windows Phone 8 drops the infinite horizontal scrolling and instead adopts a simpler layout which is comprised of three tabs. The main one displays the news feed. The other two can be accessed by swiping to the left and to the right, just like on the Facebook-developed Android and iOS apps.
Microsoft now offers 256GB Surface Pro outside of Japan, but can you buy it? [update]
Microsoft released the 256 GB Surface Pro in Japan almost a month ago and, since then, it left potential buyers puzzled as to when the new model arrives outside of the land of the rising sun. Well, the date is today, as Microsoft just expanded the availability of the latest Surface Pro version to include new major markets. There's a catch though.
Microsoft tells me that "there will be limited availability of a 256GB version of Surface Pro in the U.S. exclusively through the commercial channel and the authorized Surface resellers". This model runs for $1,199, making it $200 more expensive than the 128 GB Surface Pro which goes for $999. And, at least at the moment, the former cannot be purchased from Microsoft Store or any retail shop.
Microsoft hunts stronger Surface sales through authorized resellers
In an effort to boost the adoption and sales of its two Windows slates, on Monday, Microsoft introduced a new channel program (simply called Microsoft Devices Program), which allows authorized resellers to commercialize Surface Pro and RT devices.
"Today, we’re announcing the first phase of our expansion into the business channel that allows customers to purchase Surface and commercial services through authorized resellers", says Microsoft. "In addition to offering Microsoft's extended warranty and accidental damage, resellers bring a variety of additional value-added services to the Surface family, such as asset tagging, custom imaging, kitting, onsite service and support, device recycling and data protection".
Google Reader reaches death's door: Here are five options you may not know
The date we dreaded has rolled around -- Google Reader is scheduled to be executed at day's end. Loyal followers must make hard decisions regarding where they wish to take their business. And, in the wake of the original Google announcement, that has become increasingly difficult.
There are big names in this game, with Feedly already an established player and both AOL and Digg entering the market afterwards. I am a Feedly user since the death warrant was served, but I am less than thrilled with the experience and feel forced to begin a search for a less obtrusive alternative.
Pale Moon 20.2 delivers improved security and visuals
Moonchild Productions has released Pale Moon 20.2 and Pale Moon x64 20.2 for Windows. Also available in portable 32-bit and 64-bit forms, this performance-enhanced Firefox variant continues to base itself on an older build (version 20), despite the release of Firefox 22 FINAL.
Version 20.2 includes identical functionality to Firefox 20, which means developments in later versions of the popular opens-source browser, such as fully enabled WebRTC and social API extensions are not included here. This isn't surprising, as Pale Moon purposefully leaves the latter switched off by default as part of its commitment to deliver a more secure and speedier browsing experience.
Microsoft brings Xbox Music to a web browser near you
From the ashes of Zune arose a phoenix named Xbox Music, Microsoft's answer to iTunes and other major competitors. The market remained a bit niche upon launch but now, after an extended wait, Microsoft finally opens things up by bringing the music service to the web.
Without fanfare, today, the company quietly rolls out the web equivalent of its service. Xbox Music allows for a 30-day free trial in an effort to snag new users. It contains the basic interface with options for search, collection, now playing and playlist down on the left side and the main window that displays current music.
Let's work together -- viruses collaborate to survive
Microsoft research has uncovered a pair of viruses that work together to make them harder to remove from infected computers. Malware researcher Hyun Choi revealed the news in a TechNet blogpost.
The Vobfus virus spreads through infected website links or via removable or mapped network drives. Once installed on a system it downloads the Beebone virus which enrols the machine in a botnet. After this the two pieces of malware work together to download the latest versions of each, making them harder to detect and remove and allowing them to maintain a presence on infected systems.
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