Chrome 23 Beta improves HTML5 video support
Google has updated both Beta and Dev pre-release channels of its open-source, cross-platform browser, Google Chrome to versions 23 and 24 respectively.
While Google Chrome 24 Dev is a minor update, Google Chrome 23 Beta introduces support for a number of APIs and HTML5 technologies that, while superficially of most interest to web developers, will improve both web-based video playback and real-time audio/video communications over the internet for end users.
Skype offers free WiFi across the UK
If you live in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, you’ll soon be able to access free WiFi through cafés, restaurants, hotels and shops, courtesy of Skype and wireless provider Wicoms.
The new WiFi network initiative, called Free Skype WiFi, will be available to all Skype users and accessed using the free Skype WiFi app. This already allows users to connect to over a million hotspots around the world, but for a fee. Users who don’t currently have a Skype account will be able to sign up on the spot by entering their email address.
Everything Everywhere launches 4G LTE on October 30
Six weeks ago, United Kingdom communications regulator Ofcom granted Everything Everywhere the right to roll out 4G LTE over its existent 1800MHz wireless spectrum. Starting October 30, the new brand along with its 4G LTE services will launch in the UK market.
The carrier will deploy 4G LTE in 10 cities, a number increasing by six before the end of the year, which equates to one-third of the UK population. Everything Everywhere also revealed a longer-term plan to reach 98 percent coverage by 2014.
Emsisoft’s Online Armor 6 supports Windows 8
Emsisoft has announced the availability of Online Armor 6.0, the latest release of its versatile firewall.
And while there’s no revolutionary additions to this build, the program does benefit from several worthwhile tweaks and enhancements.
Nokia takes a weak stab at iPhone 5 with latest Lumia 920 ad
Is the iPhone 5 a victim of its own success? After Samsung posted a new video ad from its "The Next Big Thing is Already Here" campaign, the former largest smartphone manufacturer, Nokia tries to pull the same trick with its latest video, marketing the company's first Windows Phone 8 smartphone, the Lumia 920.
Named "Nokia Lumia 920 - Time to #switch," the cartoon-like ad portrays iPhone 5 future owners queuing to purchase the latest smartphone bearing the fruit company logo, which is similar to the Korean manufacturer's approach, yet unlike Samsung, who played the better featured/already have it card, Nokia uses colors trying to market its own product against the iPhone 5. Is color differentiation going to have an impact on Windows Phone and Nokia's fate in a market that has consolidated around Apple and Android smartphones?
Adobe Digital Editions 2.0 is now available
Adobe has released Adobe Digital Editions 2.0, its freeware application for managing ebooks on a PC or Mac. Digital Editions is required for transferring protected eBook files to compatible mobile eBook Readers using Adobe’s EPUB and PDF standards.
Version 2.0 includes accessibility support for the first time, plus includes the latest reader mobile technology for managing ebooks between computer and mobile readers.
US smartphone market consolidates around Android, iPhone
In a move appropriate for another two-party presidential election season, there is now little room for three dominant smartphone operating systems. The US market is now decisively consolidated around just two, Apple and Google platforms, as rivals -- including BlackBerry and Windows Phone -- make brisk retreats.
For the three months ended in August, Android and iOS had combined 86.9 percent smartphone subscriber share -- that's up from 82.8 percent at the end of May, according to comScore. August 2011: 71 percent. As combined share approaches 90 percent, a third-party contender looks less likely. Both potential candidates lost share during the three months, all gobbled up by the leaders.
T-Mobile and MetroPCS examine merger for mutual growth
With few growth opportunities for its T-Mobile USA wireless network, Deutsche Telekom is reportedly in talks to merge with the nation's fifth largest wireless carrier, MetroPCS.
It became clear two years ago that Deutsche Telekom was not thrilled with the future prospects of its T-Mobile USA network. With almost no available wireless spectrum left to build its own 4G network, T-Mobile simply cannot compete with the top three carriers, who each offer the faster 4G LTE service.
Apple Maps disaster hurts iPhone 5 sales
Early results to BetaNews poll "Will iOS 6 maps keep you from buying iPhone 5?" are grim. Nearly 44 percent of respondents answer "yes", but when removing those who wouldn't buy the handset anyway, the result is much worse for Apple. Is it time to ask whether the Apple Maps offense should be a fireable offense? That one is for you in comments.
As I write, there are 1,238 responses, 43.62 percent of which are "yes". Only 29.64 percent of respondents won't change their purchasing plans because of Apple Maps. However, 22.13 percent wouldn't buy iPhone 5 anyway. When removing these respondents from the results and only looking at the pool of potential purchasers, the number saying they won't buy iPhone 5 because of iOS 6 maps is 56 percent.
BlackBerry 10 kills scheduling app Tungle, what can you use in its place?
Research in Motion-owned scheduling app Tungle is shutting down for good on December 3. But where Tungle leaves the scene, alternatives do exist.
Tungle was an app that allowed users to create calendar events that were compatible with all of the most popular calendar apps (.CSV and .ICS-based calendars like Microsoft Outlook, Windows Live, Google Calendar, Yahoo!, Apple iCal, Entourage, Lotus Notes, BlackBerry, Plancast, TripIt, Facebook Events.) The idea is that you can schedule a single event that populates any calendar without the worry of compatibility issues.
You can now follow 'thought leaders' on LinkedIn
After allowing people to follow companies, groups and news by industries and sources, the popular, professional-oriented, social network LinkedIn announced today that a limited number of professionals can be followed as well.
What does "limited" entail? The number of professionals that can be followed is limited to 150 of the most influential thought leaders on LinkedIn, from the likes of Richard Branson, United States President Barack Obama, Governor Mitt Romney, Arianna Huffington, Jim Kim and many more. What's the advantage?
Avira Internet Security 2013 review
If you’re looking for a leading edge security suite, something packed with the very latest features and functionality, then Avira probably isn’t the very first name that comes to mind. The company’s recent suites have been capable, competent, but not exactly exciting.
Avira Internet Security 2013, however, looks like it wants to be a package that changes all that.
For every 8 pageviews, one comes from phone or tablet
Americans still love their PCs for sitting back and surfing the web, but, hey, it's the post-PC era, baby and times are changing. In August, 13.3 percent of web pageviews -- from browsers, not apps -- went to mobile phones or tablets, according to comScore. That's double the number in a year.
Mobile phones accounted for 9 percent of pageviews and tablets 4.3 percent. The latter foreshadows the category's huge potential to disrupt the PC-browsing paradigm. Tablet install base is tiny compared to handsets.
Windows 8 is not about desktop market share
Windows 8 won't be as successful as its predecessor Windows 7, if pre-launch market share is an indicator of how well an operating system performs during its lifetime. Gregg Keizer's comparison of pre-launch adoption rates of Windows 7 and Windows 8 shows the latter is only one-fifth of its predecessor. Windows 7's market share was 1.6 percent of the overall market one month before launch, while Windows 8's market share at the same time is only 0.3 percent.
Is that an indicator that Windows 8 will become the new Vista or merely caused by different pre-launch conditions? Windows 7's predecessor is Windows Vista, an unsuccessful operating system if you look at its market penetration. Windows 8, on the other hand, follows on the much acclaimed Windows 7 operating system, which many users flocked to when it became clear that Microsoft did everything right that time.
Need to check your router settings? Try rCon
Years of PC-related experience -- software development, support and more -- have made me the go-to guy whenever friends or family have computer problems, and for the most part that’s just fine: I enjoy the technical challenge.
There are some issues which seem to crop up over and over again, though. And figuring out exactly how to access the settings page on a router is one of the most common.
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