New PIXMA printers arrive with cloud Instagram, SlideShare printing
Canon unveiled three PIXMA printers that come with innovative functionality for consumers and business users. The PIXMA MG7720, MG6800 and MG5700 series are all-in-one printers with print, scan and fax capabilities, but they also come with new cloud integration.
For consumers, the PIXMA Cloud Link allows you to print images directly from your Instagram account or public images from feeds you follow. This functionality is built into the printer, and you don't need to connect a computer, tablet or smartphone for direct Instagram printing.
Similarly, business users can enjoy SlideShare printing. Scanned images can also be directly uploaded to OneNote from the printer as well, so you won't need to connect your PC.
All models can print and scan directly to "to several of the most popular online social platforms and services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Photobucket, Dropbox, Evernote, Creative Park, Google Drive and Microsoft® OneDrive," said Canon in a statement.
Features
Canon claims that the new printers are up to 30% faster than the models that they replace, and the new models come with a better experience for printing from a smartphone or tablet with the updated Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY mobile app."Each printer features Auto Power On/Off functionality, Auto Two-sided Print and PictBridge printing via wireless LAN for a direct connection to select Canon Digital Cameras," said Canon.
The printers come bundled with Canon's My Image Garden software to help users enhance, edit and share their photos.
PIXMA MG7720
The MG7720 is the flagship model in Canon's PIXMA lineup. The PIXMA MG7720 features a 3.5-inch touchscreen with Canon's touch UI to help you navigate the menus. The model features six individual ink tanks that Canon claims can produce "photo lab quality photos at home and professional looking documents."The printer is available in black, white, gold and red for $199 (£127, AU$269).
PIXMA MG6800
As the mid-range model, the Canon PIXMA MG6800 comes with a smaller 3-inch touchscreen, five-tank ink system and versatile dual purpose paper tray that can accommodate plain paper and photo paper. Borderless 4 X 6-inch photos can be printed in 41 seconds with the MG6800.The MG6800 series comes in several different colors. Unlike the MG7720, Canon made this series extremely confusing by giving each color its own model number.
The MG6820 will be available in white and black, the MG6821 will be available in a black/silver trim and the MG6822 is available in a white/silver trim. Each model will retail for $149 (£95, AU$202).
PIXMA MG5700
As the entry model in Canon's new PIXMA series, the MG5700 features a similar five-ink tank system as the MG6800 Series. Students looking to reduce paper costs can configure the MG5700 for automatic duplex printing.As part of the series, the MG5700 is available in black and white, the MG5721 in a black/silver and the MG5722 in white/silver, with each model retailing for $99 (£63, AU$134).
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Breaking: Ezyflix finds streaming not so Ezy, shutters digital services
With the arrival of streaming giant Netflix earlier this year, it was always going to be a challenge for local digital store Ezyflix to compete. But it's still sad to see the company announce on its website that the service has been closed.
Customers heading to the Ezyflix.tv website are greeted by a notice confirming the service's closure:
"Thank you for having been a part of EzyFlix. Access Digital Entertainment has decided to end the service offered on this site. If you have rented or purchased any movies or TV shows, these movies are no longer available on EzyFlix."
UltraViolet library survives
Ezyflix was one of the leading shopfronts for the UltraViolet digital service, launching Australia's first disc-to-digital service last year.While customers will no longer be able to access their UV files through the Ezyflix portal, fortunately the way UltraViolet works means that other UV portals will still offer your collection of movies and TV shows.
"If you have purchased or redeemed an UltraViolet title through EzyFlix these may be accessed through several other digital movie services. Please go here and log in with your UltraViolet credentials for further information. https://www.myuv.com/" the website statement reads.
We're trying to get in contact with someone from Ezyflix for comment, but it's proving challenging: the website for parent company Access Digital Entertainment has gone offline, and the company's previous PR firm no longer represents the brand.
We'll keep you updated with any more information as it comes to hand.
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Try the new Edge browser, even if you don't have Windows 10
While Microsoft's Edge browser has been available to Windows 10 users since its release on July 29, if you haven't been given the chance to update to the new OS yet (or you simply don't want to), here's a way you can still try out the browser.
Microsoft has today announced that free virtual machines (VM) of Windows 10 are now available and will come supporting its new Edge browser and will include all future updates.
"With this release, we have automated the process we use to create the virtual machines, so future updates will be available more quickly as the platform is updated," Microsoft wrote in a blog post.
The Windows 10 VM is available on Windows computers through Hyper-V 2012, VirtualBox and VMware, Mac users can access the VM using Parallels, VirtualBox and VMware, while Linux users will only have access to it through VirtualBox.
Vagrant boxes with VirtualBox and QEMU are also supported.
Microsoft said that the availability of the Edge browser in Microsoft's Azure RemoteApp service will be added later.
It should be noted, however, that the new VMs will only be available for 90 days.
- Here's what we think of Microsoft's Edge browser
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How to disable Apple Pay on Apple Watch if it's lost or stolen
Losing your Apple Watch or having it stolen is not a great situation to be in, especially if you take advantage of services like Apple Pay. You don't want thieves going around spending all your money with your smartwatch, right?
The Apple Watch makes it a quick and simple process to pay for goods via Apple Pay, but unfortunately, the it isn't the most secure device. While it would be nice if Apple offered better ways to keep your Watch safe from theft or permanent misplacement - like including it in the Find My iPhone service - you'll have to manually go in and wipe sensitive information from payment services if your Watch goes missing.
Apple Pay connects through iCloud to work on all of your Apple devices, Watch included. Because of this, it's a fairly easy process to disable Apple Pay on your wearable through a computer.
Disabling Apple Pay from iCloud
On your computer or laptop, head over to www.icloud.com and sign into the iCloud account that is linked to your Apple Watch. Click your name on the top right of the iCloud home page and select "iCloud Settings." All of your Apple devices are listed under "My Devices." Select the Apple Watch.You should see all of the Apple Pay support cards under the picture of the Apple Watch. Click "Remove All," then confirm the action. Apple Pay will no longer work on your stolen Apple Watch, giving you and your bank account some much-needed peace of mind.
Don't worry if your Apple Watch is offline, either. If you call your bank, it will disable cards linked to Apple Pay, even if your device isn't connected to the internet. After following the above steps, thieves won't have access to your money whatsoever.
An alternative route to disable Apple Pay is to call your bank and have it remove your bank cards from Apple Pay itself. However, this can take a lot of time if you have multiple cards with different banks associated with your Apple Pay. What's more, personally clicking the "Remove All" button might make you feel more confident that your credit and debit cards were removed from Apple Pay.
Take precautions
Starting at $349 (£299/AU$499), losing your Apple Watch is a gut-wrenchingly high cost, but there's not much you can do about it if someone robs you.It can be upsetting losing your Apple Watch or having it stolen, and it's most certainly frightening if you actively use Apple Pay with it. Thankfully, you can gain some peace of mind by disabling Apple Pay through iCloud, but that doesn't take away the sting of losing an expensive piece of technology. Chances are, even if you report a loss or theft to local authorities, you aren't getting your Apple Watch back. AppleCare+ doesn't generally cover theft, either.
Your only real option of making up for your lost Apple Watch is through homeowners/renters insurance, which will sometimes reimburse you for the loss. Of course, I would check and make sure your policy covers electronic devices: most cover electronic devices, but there are some that don't. Unfortunately, the deductible can be an issue, so it's usually best to go out and buy a new Apple Watch out of pocket.
Either way, dealing with a lost or stolen Apple Watch is not a fun situation, especially when it comes to making sure your information is safe and out of dangerous hands. iCloud has some neat technologies for remotely wiping information, but Apple still has a long way to go in terms of making the Apple Watch as secure as it can be.
- Perhaps Apple Watch 2 will offer greater security?
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Google Hangouts breaks out on its own site
Google has today announced that Google Hangouts now has its very own website, meaning you no longer need to go through Google+ or Gmail to start chatting.
The new website lets you sign in directly to Hangouts - found at hangouts.google.com/ - and lets you see your contacts and your older conversations.
It also has three large buttons for video calls, phone calls or sending messages, and of course if you do use Google's other services, you can access them through the Hangouts website too.
"From our new site you'll be able to take advantage of the best of Hangouts in the browser, along with an inspiring image to get you through the day," said Jordanna Chord, manager of the Hangouts growth team, on a Google+ post.
Google has been slowly revamping all its Hangouts services, with updates to its Hangouts app last week hitting Android, while iOS saw an update a month ago.
The new website for Hangouts also takes on Facebook's Messenger service, which is also now a standalone app that doesn't require a Facebook account and is accessible through an app and the web.
Via VentureBeat
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Mac & iOS Tips: iTunes subscriptions: how to manage on iPhone, iPad or Mac
There are many apps on the iTunes App Store and Mac App Store that rely on recurring in-app purchases in order for you to get the most from them. In the case of Newsstand and other online services, these in-app purchases take the form of subscriptions. So how do you know what subscriptions you've subscribed to, and how do you manage, cancel, or reactivate them? Apple makes it fairly easy if you know where to look.
In this article, we'll walk you through this process of managing in-app subscriptions so that you'll only pay for what you're using, and show you how to cancel the rest easily. Continue reading to find out the details.
Viewing Subscriptions on Mac
Both Mac App Store and iTunes subscriptions can be viewed in the desktop version of iTunes on a Mac or Windows computer. To access them, open iTunes, follow these steps:1.Click your name beside the search bar.
2.Select Account Info, then sign in when prompted.
3.Locate the Settings section.
4.Click "Manage" next to "Subscriptions."
This list will contain all of the active and inactive subscriptions associated with your Apple ID. "Expired" will be listed next to services that are no longer active in your account, while active services will list the next renewal date.
Viewing Subscriptions on iOS
You can manage your subscriptions from an iOS device as well. The easiest way to do so is to access the iTunes Store, scroll to the bottom of the main page and click on the Apple ID button, then click View Apple ID. After entering your password, scroll down to the Subscriptions section and hit Manage.
Canceling recurring Subscriptions
If you wish to cancel a recurring subscription, then click the "Edit" button to the right of the service listed in the "Manage Subscriptions" view.
Once in this new "Edit Subscription" view, select "Off" for the Automatic Renewal option, then click Done to save the changes.
This will cause the subscription to expire whenever it goes to renew. Instead of renewing, it'll be placed in an inactive state. You can do this for any subscriptions which you are not currently using in order to save money each month.
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IRS breach significantly bigger than anticipated
A breach of the US Internal Revenue Service system that was reported in May may have have grossly under-reported. At the time, it was estimated that tax records of over 100,000 Americans may have been exposed, but the number may be closer to 334,000 today.
An additional 220,000 potential victims may have had their records accessed or stolen as part of the computer breach, the agency said Monday. The IRS will mail out letters to the 220,000 newly identified victims who are now affected by the breach.
To protect their identity, the IRS will provide free credit monitoring services to the victim, and the agency will assign them a special ID for use when they file their tax returns.
Laxed security the culprit
It's believed that the the IRS network was not hacked, but that thieves were able to access victims' records without authorization as early as February due to laxed security protocols.Using the IRS "Get Transcript" system, the thieves were able to enter the network by providing the victim's' information, which presumably was obtained from a different source. With knowledge of the victim's' name, social security number, address and other identifiable information, the thieves obtained old tax filings.
The agency believes that thieves attempted to access the records of approximately 610,000 taxpayers, but were only successful in retrieving information from 334,000. When the IRS discovered
The records, security experts believe, could help thieves file fraudulent tax returns in the future. It's estimated that the IRS paid $5.8 billion in fraudulent tax refunds to identity thieves in 2013 alone.
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Review: Epson Workforce ET-4550
Introduction
There is an abundance of affordable and serviceable home and office inkjet printers on the market. These units tend to distinguish themselves from competitors based on print speed and quality. A new contender has emerged that provides a unique value proposition: tons and tons of cheap ink.The Epson WorkForce ET-4550 (US-only $499, about £320, AU$678) is a member of the new Epson EcoTank line of printers. Each of the new EcoTank units come with a compartment specifically designed to house dramatically more ink than your standard color printer.
Compared to similar Epson all-in-ones, each of the five new EcoTank models are capable of storing the equivalent of up to 20 previous-generation ink cartridges. That equates to at least two years of ink, or 11,000 black pages or 8,500 color pages.
Unfortunately, inkjet manufacturers often force you to compromise in one area in order to maximize value in another. The Canon Pixma MG7520 ($119, US only) produces stunning prints with precise color accuracy. Unfortunately, it’s a dust collector that doesn’t print very fast and isn’t ideal for small and mid-size offices.
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4630 ($200, £130, AU$253) is a speedy device with an ugly design that runs way too loud for your own sanity. A similar unit, the Canon Maxify MB5320 ($399, £260, AU$505) prints incredibly fast, but its results are pretty awful.
And then there is the ET-4550, a workhorse printer that produces moderately fast prints with little to no image complexity or color accuracy. But at least it will print and print and print without forcing you to restock your ink bottles.
Design
The ET-4550 is composed of a matted black plastic that won’t collect fingerprint smudges or dust very easily. The printer features several compartments, including an upper tray, a scanning bed that can hold up to an 8.5 x 14-inch sheet, a collapsable front-facing output tray that can hold 150 Letter-sized pages, and a tray that can hold up to 20 envelopes and other small form-factor pages.To the right of the extensive 2.2-inch (5.6cm) Mono graphics display are a series of buttons, including a number pad, a direction pad and a start button for both black and color prints. On the far right-hand side of the unit is the bulky compartment where the ink is held. On a typical printer, your ink cartridges are housed within the body of the unit. With the ET-4550 Epson chose function over form by adding a three-inch-wide, four-compartment container to the right-hand side of the unit, into which black, cyan, magenta and yellow ink bottles are poured.
The added three inches gives the unit an unorthodox look and feel. Most printers of this class, including the aforementioned Epson WF-4630 and the two Canons, have boxy designs that are meant to be overlooked. The ET-4550 stands out, and not in a good way, because of the jutting ink container.
That said, this shouldn’t be a deal breaker for anyone. After all, you’re getting a ton of ink with your purchase. However, if desk space is at a premium, or you’re working in a really trendy office, this extra compartment is an eyesore.
Setup
When you unbox the ET-4550 you’ll remember why you bought this bad boy in the first place. It comes with four bottles of ink, three color bottles and one massive bottle of black ink. Although the bottles don’t specify how much liquid is contained within, I’m making an educated guess that the black bottle holds about 200 milliliters of ink and the color bottles hold about 100 milliliters.
Either way, Epson claims this haul is enough to keep you satisfied and printing for more than two years. Should you go hog wild and need a quick refill, you can buy a new set of bottles for about $52.99 (about £33, AU$67) .
Be careful when emptying the bottles into the compartments. They leak and spill easily. Epson provides you with gloves for this dirty work, and you’ll need them. I somehow managed to spill ink on my legs and on the floor.
Once your printer is full of ink, getting the ET-4450 to work is a fairly straightforward, but lengthy process. Unlike the Canon Pixma mentioned earlier, the ET-4550 requires a 20-minute ink calibration, which is a major anti-climatic bummer, albeit one that is common among workforce printers.
In addition to the calibration process, you’re walked through several quick steps, such as connecting to Wi-Fi and changing your time zone, all of which are easy as cake, thanks to Epson’s intuitive setup process and button navigation. Take note, Canon: we don’t need touchscreen functionality on printers. We just need buttons that help us get to the next step as quickly as possible.
Specifications and value
The ET-4550 isn’t a behemoth like the Epson WF-4630. It measures 20.3 x 14.2 x 9.5 inches (50 x 35 x 24cm) (W x D x H) and just 16.3 pounds (7.2kg), compared with the 4630’s 31.6-pound heft and 25-inch diameter. It’s comparable in size to the Canon Pixma MG7520, which is three inches slimmer, four inches shorter and one pound heavier.Specifications and performance
Here is the Epson ET-4550 configuration sent to TechRadar for review:- Print speed: 13 black ipm, 5 color ipm
- Print resolution: 4,800 x 1,200 dpi
- Paper sizes: Up to 8.5 x 47.2-inch
- Paper capacity: 150 sheets
- Dimensions: 20.3 x 14.2 x 9.5 inches (W x D x H)
- Weight: 16.3 pounds
These speeds are pretty unforgivable, especially for a workforce printer. You can accept 13 black images per minute if the image quality was top-notch, like the Canon Pixma MG7520. But with a top resolution of 4,800 x 1,200 dpi, the ET-4550 needs to be much, much faster than it is.
To provide some context: the Canon Pixma MG7520 produces 12 black images per minute. The Canon Maxify MB5320 gets you up to 23 images per minute, and the Epson Workforce Pro WF-4630 can get you 20. The ET-4550 gets dusted by all of these devices.
On Windows computers, you can adjust your settings to produce lower quality prints at faster speeds. I was working on a Mac and was only able to adjust the quality from Normal to Best, which added a second to the Microsoft Word document print time. It’s possible that on a Windows machine you can lower the quality of the document to improve the print speed, but given that the maximum print quality on the ET-4550 isn’t great to begin with, why would you want to further downgrade?
Small business owners should be particularly wary of these dreadful speeds. Imagine having to print a 10-page PowerPoint presentation, and then standing at the printer for 20 minutes waiting for the document to emerge? Shoot me now, please.
The prints don’t come out awful, though. The blacks are bold and the bright colors pop. However, there isn’t much contrast here; your darks fade into one another and the detail output isn’t complex. If you need a printer for company memos and homework assignments, then this is all you really need. But if you’re trying to print photos of your daughter’s five-month birthday, or if you need to run off a ton of copies quickly, look elsewhere.
Features
Let’s be honest: You’re not interested in this printer for its speed or quality. You want a ton of ink and you want to get that ink cheaply. Well, you’ve succeeded. With the comparable Epson WF-4630, you’ll use Epson's $22.99 (£14, AU$31) standard-sized cartridges, which are rated for 900 pages of printing, equating to a cost of 2.6 cents for black-and-white prints and 11.6 cents for color.With the ET-4550, you’re getting 8,500 color prints for $54.99 (about £35, AU$75), which works out to less than a penny per print. That’s pretty darn economical!
Additionally, the printer works with Epson Connect print and share technology, which enables you to access the device from mobile phones and tablets. It also works with Google Cloud printing, Mopria, Kindle Fire Print and Apple AirPrint, so you’ll never really be left in a lurch.
For you cord-lovers, the ET-4550 also features a USB 2.0 and Ethernet port.
Verdict
Every bone in my body wanted to love this printer. Who doesn’t hope for the day when we’ll never have to load another ink cartridge into a printer? At 11,000 black pages per bottle, Epson has come closer to this dream than any other manufacturer to-date.We liked
By adding storage space for additional ink, and lowering the cost of its ink bottles, Epson has made printing easier and more cost effective.If your main concern is how cheaply you can print documents, and how seldom you have to refill your tank, then the ET-4550 is the right printer for you.
We disliked
Unfortunately, given how long it takes for each print to come out of the printer, and how poorly each image is produced, the ET-4550 is only ideal for specific situations. For example: if you’re a student or you have a home office and simply need to produce documents at an affordable rate, then try this device out.But if you’re in a fast-paced office where documents need to get run off quickly between meetings, you’re better off going for a device that can deliver faster results.
Final verdict
Like most printers on the market, the Epson ET-4550 forces you to compromise. However, instead of compromising quality for speed, or vice versa, you’re compromising quality and speed for low print costs.For some, this may make sense. But, for those of us who value our photos and documents (not to mention how quickly we get them) more than we value a few extra cents per page, the ET-4550 leaves a lot to be desired.
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Updated: Android Marshmallow release date, news and features
Android Marshmallow release date, news and features
- Update: Android Marshmallow is the official name of Google's next operating system update. Expect it in the next few weeks.
Say goodbye to Android 5.0 Lollipop and, soon, hello to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the latest mobile platform from Google. Expect thousands of bugs have been squashed and a new layer of polish.
We tested the Android Marshmallow beta at Google IO 2015 in San Francisco, and while it remained an incremental update, we're still stocking up on all the meaningful latest news and features.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The successor to Android Lollipop
- When is it out? Q3 2015 (likely September)
- What will it cost? As with all Android upgrades it's free
Android Marshmallow / Android 6 name
Android Marshmallow is official name of the next update, ending speculation that it might be called muffin, milkshake or, less appealingly, malt ball.Internally, it's been previously dubbed Macadamia Nut Cookie and publicly teased as "Android M." But now a marshmallow-carrying Android statue on Google's campus. confirms the big switch.
The Marshmallow version number is Android 6.0, according to Google's developer software documents. The company is making the leap from last year's Android 5.0 update, despite small changes being made.
Android Marshmallow release date
Bad news folks, you won't be able to get your hands on Android Marshmallow straight away - unless you're a developer.
A developer preview is already available, but the main Android Marshmallow release date is set for Q3 2015 - and we'd say it's most likely to be September, given the sweat-treat naming has already happened.
Google says that developers now have access to the final beta update before it hits the mainstream, so it's almost ready for public consumption.
Android Marshmallow developer preview
As mentioned, developers were able to get their grubby mitts on a Android Marshmallow preview from May 28, with support for the Nexus 5 and 6 handsets, Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus Player.
Some may be disappointed to see a lack of love for the Nexus 7 slate - so fingers crossed Google pushes out the final software to it later this year.
Meanwhile at the end of June, Sony became the first hardware maker to offer the Android Marshmallow developer preview for non-Nexus models.
According to Sony, the following smartphones and tablets will be able to download the Android M developer preview: Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia E3, Xperia M2, Xperia T2 Ultra and the Xperia T3.
This list gives us a pretty good idea of what handsets will be upgraded to the final version of Android Marshmallow once it releases.
The new Sony Xperia Z3+ is noticeable by its absence, but we're pretty certain that it will get the update as well.
Android Pay
Android Pay isn't just available with Android Marshmallow, it will be supported on devices with NFC running Android KitKat and above. That said, the Google's refreshed digital wallet service may launch alongside Android 6.0.
There's no need to open an app to make a payment, all you'll need to do unlock and place your handset on a compatible contactless payment terminal.
For those rocking Android Marshmallow on their device, you'll also be able to use Android Pay within third party applications for simple purchases which don't require you to enter all your details every time.
Android Marshmallow fingerprint support
We've seen some smartphone manufacturers already include fingerprint scanners in their devices, but with Android Marshmallow Google is looking to make the support standardized across the whole platform.As well as allowing you to unlock your device and pay for media from the Google Play Store the fingerprint scanning tech is also open to developers.
That means devs can build it into their own applications, allowing you to sign into them without the need for a password, as well as pay for goods using Android Pay.
Voice controls
Android Marshmallow looks like it is getting even better voice control thanks to the new Voice Interaction API, which will allow app developers to build voice control directly into their apps.This means that owners of Android Marshmallow devices will be able to speak to their apps - and the apps will even talk back!
One of the examples Google has detailed s with the TuneIn app, which now uses the API. A user can say "OK Google, listen to music on TuneIn", and the TuneIn app will not only load, but will then ask out loud "What genre of music would you like to listen to?".
The user can then reply with their favourite genre. This natural way of speaking to your smartphone and the apps installed could revolutionise the way we interact with our smartphones.
To demonstrate the potential of Voice Interaction API, Google has released a video, which can be viewed below.
And there's more, so click the next page button below to find out about power, charging, app permissions and more in Android Marshmallow.
Android M battery life, charging and more
Android Marshmallow battery life
Google has done a load of work surrounding battery life and power in Android Marshmallow, which will be music to many user's ears.
First up Google has cooked up Doze - where your device will use motion detection to realize when it hasn't moved for an extended period of time and switches to a deeper sleep which consumes much less power.
Your device won't be completely useless in this mode, as Doze still allows alarms and key notifications to come through.
The search giant says it grabbed two Nexus 9 tablets, one running Lollipop and the other Android Marshmallow, loaded the same apps and settings on both and then tested the standby power drain on the two.
Apparently, the Nexus 9 running Android Marshmallow lasted up to two times longer than its Lollipop counterpart. It sounds impressive and we're hoping it translates to noticeably better battery life on our devices.
Android Marshmallow charging
As well as making our batteries last longer, Android Marshmallow also brings faster charging to the fore with USB-C support.USB-C is a new type of USB connector which, like Apple's Lightning connector, can be plugged in either way round. No more fumbling in the dark trying to plug in your charging cable the right way round.
Google claims devices with USB-C connectors will charge three to five times faster than the current microUSB offerings on the market.
Android Marshmallow Now on Tap
With Android Marshmallow comes an intelligent new assistant feature called Now on Tap. An enhancement to Google Now, Now on Tap lets users access information anywhere on their Android Marshmallow device, no matter what they're doing.
Users can simple tap and hold the home button to pull up a query without leaving the app they're in or website. If a friend emails you about seeing a movie, for example, Now on Tap could pull up info like ratings, the trailer or even let you buy tickets. You can also look at other apps on your phone, like Yelp or OpenTable, to book a dinner reservation or read reviews about a restaurant your friends wants to try for dinner.
Now on Tap doesn't just work with a tap for place info: you can also do voice search for more specific queries, like who sings your new favorite song.
Android Marshmallow interface
Judging by early versions of Android Marshmallow, the new operating system will keep the Material Design look of Android 5.0 Lollipop, but with one key difference.Scrolling through your installed apps in the Apps Drawer used to be a horizontal affair, however with the first Developer Preview of Android Marshmallow, a new vertical scrolling method was introduced.
To help you get used to the new way of doing things, and to allow you to find apps easily, letters were included in the interface to help you jump to the app you required - all you needed to know was the letter the name of the app began with.
Developer Preview 2 has since been launched, and although the vertical Apps Drawer has remained, the letters have been removed leading to a tidier, but perhaps more confusing, interface.
Android Marshmallow permissions
It's made app permissions more intuitive, giving users the option to allow/deny specific permissions within an app - rather than having to accept all permissions at once.
Currently you have to accept permissions when you download an app, but with Android Marshmallow you won't be asked to grant access to features until you come to use them for the first time in the app.
That means, for example, you can give WhatsApp access to your camera, but not to your microphone if you wish.
You can even revoke access for a particular permission by diving into the settings if you accidentally allowed it.
More new features on Android Marshmallow
Google has simplified volume controls once again with the Android Marshmallow update, with more granular control over the various audio settings on your device from ringtones and alarms to music playback and voice calls.Word selection has been made easier too, with Android Marshmallow highlighting text more intuitively, and a floating menu offers controls such as cut, copy and paste at your fingertips, rather than in the toolbar at the top of the display.
Fire up the Chrome web browser on Android Marshmallow and you'll benefit from Chrome Custom Tabs, which let websites customize the toolbar and menu of the Chrome tab to provide dedicated buttons and options.
An example shown on stage at Google IO was Pinterest, which was able to add a "Pin" button to the toolbar on certain pages.
App linking has been vastly improved in Android Marshmallow, with Google's software now more adept at working out whether a link should be opened in a browser or a compatible app. That means fewer "open with" pop up boxes flashing up on screen and generally just getting in the way.
A new and improved memory manager was also spotted in Developer Preview 2 of Android Marshmallow. This tool allows you to view what apps are taking up the most RAM and slowing down your device.
You can also see the average amount of RAM used by apps - even if they're not running - which lets you identify any memory hogs and rid them from your phone.
This should make Android Marshmallow run faster and more reliably than Android 5.0 Lollipop, which can sometimes suffer from memory leaks.
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Google pushes Project Ara release into next year
Google's Project Ara, which lets users customize their phones with standalone modules for cameras, processors, storage, batteries, and other components, had originally planned for a launch sometime later this year in Peurto Rico.
However, the company took to Twitter last week to confirm that though it was still "busy making stuff", it would no longer launch in the Latin American country and it would have more details for us this week.
Thankfully, they've kept their word with a series of new tweets today - though unfortunately, it may disappoint those who were holding out on updating their phone in hopes of getting their hands on a Project Ara handset.
#yeswearelate
The tweets began with the company saying it was looking at a new launch location in the US, but then posted "When? 2016" along with the hashtag #yeswearelate.While a full explanation wasn't given as to why the handset would be delayed, a following tweet did blame it on the number of iterations that will be available, saying it was "more than we thought."
So far, that is all the updates Project Ara has provided, and the tweets also don't give us a timeframe of when in 2016 it will be launching.
Still, we'll be keeping an eye on their Twitter account to see if it drops any other nuggets of information.
- Here's another modular handset that's beaten Project Ara to the punch
Read More ...
In Depth: 9 best TV apps for iOS and Android
Introduction
Television is a fundamental component of most people's everyday lives. From tuning in to the latest Game of Thrones episode before your friends spoil it on Facebook to catching the championship match on pay-per-view (before your friends spoil that on Facebook, too) there can be more TV to watch than can fit on one screen. Thankfully, in this modern age, a second screen is never far from hand thanks to the myriad mobile devices we carry with us.
A quick trip to the App Store or Google Play Store and these applications can turn your phone or tablet into a tube companion, functioning as everything from a remote to a TV guide to a second television set altogether.
But with more companion apps out there than channels on a premium cable package, it's tough to sort out which apps are the equivalent of Emmy winners and which ones stink worse than an Adam Sandler movie. We've done the research (read: watched a lot of TV) and have narrowed it down to these nine apps that are just as vital to your entertainment experience as your remote.
TV Guide
From the makers of that old stack of magazines in your parent's living comes the app no self-respecting viewer of live television should be without: TV Guide. Ensuring you don't wind up aimlessly surfing the airwaves, this mobile application also provides a bevy of modern conveniences not found in its paper-printed predecessor.
Not only does the app offer up-to-date listings for your favorite channels, TV Guide also allows you to follow shows for updates, search by title or time, and even see what's trending so that you're always on top of the latest, hottest and hardest-to-catch shows. It even allows you to search by specific episodes should you miss the initial airing and need to catch up.
TV Guide is free to download on Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and even the Apple Watch.
Netflix
The world's second-leading procrastination tool (more on that later), Netflix offers unlimited streaming access to hundreds of hit shows, movies and original exclusive series like Orange is the New Black, BoJack Horseman and Marvel Comic's own Daredevil.
- See the best shows on Netflix for more even recommendations
On both Apple and Android devices the Netflix app is free to download, though you still need to be a Netflix subscriber, which runs for $8.99/£6.99 a month.
SmartGlass for Xbox One and Xbox 360
Navigating menu after menu with a game controller can be a drag, especially when it puts the action on hold. With SmartGlass for both Xbox One and Xbox 360, however, your standard cell phone transforms into a hybrid controller/second screen.
Once synced up to your console, you can quickly manage messages from friends, access in-game Achievements, remotely control audio and video playback, and use SmartGlass during select games such as Forza Motorsport 5 and Trials Evolution, turning your device into an additional display.
SmartGlass is free to download, with two separate versions for Xbox 360 and Xbox One available for iOS and Android devices.
PlayStation App
Not wanting to be outdone by Microsoft, the PlayStation companion app boasts many of the same features as Xbox SmartGlass, and includes an in-app keyboard to chat. Plus, it even allows you to take control of the primary screen on select games.
PlayStation Network users can also access the online marketplace, allowing for the purchase of games, movies and TV episodes while out and about. These will be waiting for you when you get home to your PS4.
The PlayStation App is free to download on iOS and Android, but requires a PlayStation 4 and Sony Entertainment Network account to access all its features.
Roku
The bane of every television owner's existence is well-known and well-feared: Losing the remote and being sentenced to get up from the couch to change the channel.
Thankfully, Roku's free app turns your smart device into a smart remote all of its own, complete with features a standard remote control doesn't have, such as voice search, channel rating, full keyboard functionality and a "to watch" list that notifies you when a certain movie is available to purchase or stream on one of the thousands of apps on the Roku 3.
The Roku app is free to download on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as Android. This probably goes without saying, but a Roku device or Roku-enabled TV are also required.
YouTube
The undisputed leader in video-based procrastination (see, I promised a payoff), YouTube needs no introduction. Millions upon millions of on-demand videos have been watched from the comfort of web browsers and smartphones alike, but we all know that videos are best watched on the big screen.
Thanks to YouTube's application, Chromecast-enabled televisions can stream videos, allowing for your favorite 'Tube stars and silliest cat videos to get the big screen resolution they deserve. Couple this with the app's playlist building feature, and your television set will become the boon to anyone at your next get-together who wishes MTV still played music videos (and introduce them to VEVO while you're at it).
The YouTube app is free to download on iOS and Android, with in-app purchases that allow for you to access and download music videos ad-free.
Plex
While amassing a large media collection may not take up much physical space, it can still create a mess of clutter. Piles of old pictures, MP3s and movie downloads from years past can be a hassle to sort through, and there are even more hoops if you want that five-year-old digital copy of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World that came with the DVD to stream on your shiny new Xbox One.
Thankfully, Plex is here to help media-savvy folks organize their stuff down to the metadata, turning your hard drive into its own sort of streaming service, allowing playback across multiple devices including your iPhone or iPad, thanks to Plex's shiny new iOS app.
Plex, including its app, is free to download for both iOS and Android devices. Plex Pass, available for $4.99/£3 a month, adds additional features, such as streaming on current-gen video game systems.
Cable providers
Just about every major cable television provider has a companion apps these days. And as part of signing up for an account with these companies, you more than likely are also able to get your hands on their specialized application.
Depending on your carrier, these apps range in privileges from streaming live TV to your device (TWC, FiOS Mobile, Sprint TV) to having on-the-go control of your DVR (AT&T U-Verse, Cox TV Connect). Other apps add extra features to your viewing experience by offering a digital remote (Comcast Xfinity Remote) or access to every episode of The Simpsons (FXNOW) Subscribers in the UK can get in on the action as well with apps such as Virgin TV Anywhere and an entire lineup's worth for Sky users in the UK and Ireland.
These apps are free to download and work on a select number of iOS and Android devices. A valid subscriber's account for the respective cable company is also required.
Remote (Apple TV)/Chromecast (Chromecast)
Remote is more than a few buttons on a screen. The Apple media controller allows you to have remote access to your iTunes media as well as lets you utilize your Apple TV setup with the flick of a thumb.
With Remote, you can control your music setup just as easily as switching a channel, as well as have playback control over your AirPlay-enabled devices. Your iOS device turns into an instant home theater for all your favorite songs, movies and TV shows.
On the Android side of things, Google offers an app for Chromecast. Syncing up with the online-enabled television jack allows for customization of your monitor's display, creating screensavers and backgrounds of your favorite pictures, while also allowing to "cast" your favorite media to the big screen, from music to YouTube videos.
Remote is available as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, while Chromecast is available for both iOS devices and Android.
TV bliss
With these apps, you can make the most use of that stationary screen in your home in no time. There is a wide world of companion applications to maximize your screen time, so if you don't see your favorite on the list, comment to let us know what else is out there!
Did Plex catch your eye? Find out what we thought of the service in our review!
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Facebook Events are about to look much more inviting
Facebook a name for itself in the social media world with an excellent messaging and photo platform. Now, the social network plans to get very serious about its Events feature.
During the company's latest earnings call, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined a new plan to liven up Events. For starters, Facebook has already started experimenting with flagging events that are popular or ones that your friends are going to on the left and right side of the Newsfeed.
Additionally, Facebook wants to introduce more notifications to keep users informed about the latest goings-ons around them as well.
The Social Network is also considering how to change the way users interact with events by adding "Follow" or "Remind me" as non- committal way of showing their interest in an event. As it stands now, the only way to keep an event on your radar is to mark yourself as going or maybe attending.
Public vs private
On top of giving users more options to stay attuned with events, there might be a greater distinction between public and private events more apparent. To this end public events will feature larger header images along with presenting more information about the location and event (such as an artist's profile or photos of the venue).As for private occasions, Facebook has started testing new cover art themes to add a bit of glamour for your party invitations. Starting today, users can choose between 36 themes including family, holiday and seasons. The new themes will be available first to Android users, after which iOS users will have access later on.
Notes revival
In a smaller bit of related news, Facebook has also brought back Notes with a new design featuring sharper typography and larger images.
Overall, the new look is very reminiscent of Medium, which shouldn't really come as a surprise after they hired the web publishing platform's designers. The real question is whether users will use the newly minted Notes for blogging or will it fall to the wayside again for overly long status updates.
- Facebook might be working on its own Siri or Cortana
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Microsoft readies Dynamics CRM for integration with Windows 10
Microsoft will support previous versions of Dynamics CRM on Windows 10. Dynamics CRM users with versions no earlier than 2011 can continue to use the data input tool as long as they are accessing the web client on Internet Explorer 11.
Those clients on the most recent version of Dynamics CRM will be able to access the web client on Microsoft's new Edge browser starting in September.
CRM for Outlook for Dynamics CRM 2011 and 2013 does not work on Windows 10 with Internet Explorer 11. Microsoft says it is working on a fix and a workaround is in place.
What's new with Dynamics?
Microsoft is rallying testers for the upcoming version of Dynamics CRM, which is expected to launch before the end of the year.Microsoft recently acquired Incent Games, the parent company of sales gamification platform FantasySalesTeam. Microsoft will integrate the solution into its Dynamics CRM suite.
FantasySalesTeam is a platform that takes its premise from fantasy sports. Microsoft hopes FantasySalesTeam will drive adoption and usage of Microsoft CRM products in fun and creative ways.
Dynamics CRM revenue increased 6% annually during fiscal 2014.
Read More ...
Updated: Android Marshmallow release date: when can I get it?
Google, Samsung and HTC
Update: Android Marshmallow is the new name of Google's next mobile software update. Closer than ever, here's when it's likely coming out.Android Marshmallow is now closer to its release date than ever, thanks to its new official name and bevy of confirmed new features to all manner of Google-powered phones.
Battery life improvements, greater app permission controls, standardised support for fingerprint scanners, more granular volume controls, USB-C support and new Google Now features are all part of a mix that makes this an exciting upgrade for users - but is your phone actually going to get it?
It's now known as Android Marshmallow after internally being called Android Macadamia Nut Cookie, and it's well on the way to launching, with a Q3 release planned (likely in September, according to the sources).
But do remember that when Android Marshmallow does launch you won't necessarily have instant access to it, as it's down to device manufacturers and, in some countries like the US, carriers to spend time with the new software before imbuing their phones and tablets with it.
To make the rollout less of a mystery here's the latest - and constantly updated information - on when Android Marshmallow is likely to land on the various devices out there.
Google and Nexus
Google's Nexus devices will naturally be the first to get Android Marshmallow. One of their biggest selling points is speedy updates and stock versions of Android.That said, expect Google to launch a Nexus 5 2015 and Nexus 6 2015 to showcase this "Android M" update. After all, they are reference model phones, and there are plenty of rumors to support LG and Huawei being behind this year's devices. So expect any new Nexus device this year to ship with it.
Not all existing Nexus devices will see the update on day one, but the developer preview is available now for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player, suggesting they'll all get updated pretty soon after Android M rolls out.
However, earlier Nexus devices may not get the update at all. It's been rumoured that Google will institute a two year update guarantee with Android M and that it will be applied retrospectively, which would mean that while the Nexus 5 will get the update, the older Nexus 4, both versions of the Nexus 7, the Nexus 10 and anything older still probably won't.
All hope isn't lost. We've also heard a debunking of rumours that the Nexus 4, 7 and 10 will get Android Marshmallow. This smidgen of hope originated from bits of code found in the older device's update files which referenced "Android M."
Case closed? Not quite, as it was found in code that gets pushed to all Nexus devices, regardless of whether or not they are getting Android Marshmallow. This means if you have a Nexus 4, Nexus 7 or a Nexus 10, we wouldn't get our hopes up of getting Android Marshmallow just yet.
Samsung
Samsung did a pretty good job of getting Android Lollipop on to its phones rapidly, so we'd expect to see it start appearing in major handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 shortly after launch.It turns out that the company's newest phones, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, aren't shipping with Android Marshmallow, after all. So expect these phablets to be in line for the update, too.
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha and older flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5 are likely to get the Android Marshmallow update too, though they may have to wait a little longer.
Anything older than the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a bit more up in the air as to if or when they'll get Android Marshmallow, but it's a distant possibility that the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will get it.
Both of these ex-high-end phones were updated to Android Lollipop, though they'll both be more than two years old by the time Android Marshmallow arrives, so we wouldn't hold our breath.
As for tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S range has been updated to Android 5.0 and is recent enough that we'd expect an Android Marshmallow update. The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 may well get an update too, but we're not optimistic about the chances of most other Samsung slates.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) is still on Android KitKat for example, despite being relatively recent. It's possible that it will simply skip Lollipop and move straight to Android Marshmallow but there's nothing to suggest that's the case.
HTC
Jeff Gordon, HTC's Senior Global Online Communications Manager, has already confirmed on Twitter that Android Marshmallow will be coming to the HTC One M9 and HTC One M9 Plus.That's not particularly surprising but he did also say that more devices would be announced soon, so stay tuned.
No time frame was given, but HTC started rolling out Android Lollipop to its flagships within 90 days of its arrival, so we could well be in for a similar time frame here, in which case it may start arriving sometime in December 2015.
Mo Versi, the Vice President of Product Management at HTC also took to Twitter to confirm that the HTC One M8 would be getting the Android Marshmallow update.
We'd expect most phones released by HTC in the last 18-24 months will ultimately get the update, especially high and mid-range ones.
That means the HTC One M8s and HTC Desire Eye are likely to get it among others. We wouldn't totally count the HTC One Mini 2 out either, though it's yet to get Android Lollipop which doesn't bode well.
A question mark hangs over the HTC One M7 though, as while that's still a great phone it's also over two years old.
Sony, LG, Motorola, OnePlus, Huawei, Asus and ZTE
Sony
Sony hasn't confirmed which devices will be getting Android Marshmallow or when, but it seems a safe bet that the Sony Xperia Z3+, Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet and Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will all be in line for it along in all likelihood with recent lower end phones like the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua.
Slightly older devices like the Sony Xperia Z2 and Sony Xperia Z1 Compact will probably get it too. We're less optimistic about anything earlier than that, but you never know, the Sony Xperia Z1 and Sony Xperia Z have both been upgraded to Android Lollipop after all.
Anything which isn't already on Lollipop probably won't get the update. That means devices like the Sony Xperia T3 and Sony Xperia E3 could be left out.
LG
LG has stated that it won't be bringing Android 5.1 to the LG G3, which has led to speculation that it will jump straight to Android Marshmallow, but we've heard nothing concrete to substantiate that. However we'd be surprised if LG abandoned its 2014 flagship though, so it's believable.The LG G4 will, of course, get Android Marshmallow and it may do so quite quickly, as LG started rolling out its Lollipop updates soon after the final version of the software was available.
The rumoured LG G4 Pro may even launch with Android Marshmallow depending on when it arrives, though if not that will likely get updated quite quickly.
We'd expect the LG G Flex 2, LG G4c and other fairly recent LG phones will get Android Marshmallow eventually too, though they'll probably have to wait longer than the G4. It's even possible that the LG G2 will get it, but we wouldn't count on it.
Motorola
As Motorola's phones run a version of Android which is almost stock there tends to be an expectation that they'll receive updates in a timely fashion and hopefully that will be the case here.After all, the Motorola's new and forthcoming phone are just missing the Android Marshmallow launch, so Android 5.1.1 is the software for Moto X Style, Moto X Play and Moto G 2015.
We'd expect, next in line, the 2014 version of the Moto X and Moto G and also this year's Moto E to be on Motorola's list of Android phones to update.
Earlier models of the X, G and E range may well get Android Marshmallow ultimately too, though they may have to wait a little longer.
OnePlus
OnePlus eventually brought Android Lollipop to the OnePlus One, but it wasn't very fast about it and with the OnePlus 2 now launching and a new OS just out the gates, we wouldn't be surprised if the company was a bit busy to be thinking about Android Marshmallow just yet.
That said we expect some version of it will arrive on the OnePlus 2 and possibly even the OnePlus One eventually, but probably not until sometime in 2016.
Huawei
If you've got a Huawei device you might have quite a wait on your hands for Android Marshmallow, as the majority of its devices are still on Android KitKat or earlier.
The Huawei P8, Huawei P8 Max and Honor 4X are probably among the most likely handsets to get the update, but even then it may take a while.
Asus
Asus is another company which often isn't particularly speedy with its updates. The Zenfone 6, Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 4 are only just getting Android Lollipop for example, but nevertheless they are being updated, so we'd expect relatively recent Asus handsets like those ones and the Zenfone 2 will eventually see Android Marshmallow.
ZTE
ZTE doesn't always bother to update its phones, so if you have one you may have to make do without Android Marshmallow, though the newer and higher profile it is the better your chances of getting the upcoming Android release.
So there's a chance the ZTE Blade S6 and the US-focused ZTE Axon will get the update, but the ZTE Blade V and ZTE Blade Q Mini for example probably won't.
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Upgrading your iPhone just got easier on another carrier
With the new iPhone to be announced next month, Sprint has introduced a new iPhone Forever plan that will let its customers upgrade your old iPhone whenever there is a new iPhone out at no additional cost.
Of course, while there are no upgrade fees, the plan will start at $22 per month for the handset itself on top of your normal plan costs when you trade in your old iPhone for a new one.
While the offer will let you currently upgrade to a 16GB iPhone 6 for that monthly price, Sprint also has a special promotion right now as well that will drop the monthly handset cost to $15 per month if you upgrade before 31 December 2015.
"We decided how awesome would it be if anytime customers don't have the latest iPhone, they are eligible to upgrade, and have it be as simple as handing us your existing iPhone and picking up a new one – all included in your monthly rate," Sprint's CEO Marcelo Claure said.
Battling carriers
Sprint's iPhone Forever plan isn't limited to current iPhone-toting Sprint customers, with any handset eligible for trade-in for an iPhone 6.The carrier is also challenging its competitors by offering to pay off "your old phone and contract" if you're in contract with another carrier and want to switch to Sprint.
While it looks like Sprint is taking big steps to lure in new customers and take on other carriers, a month ago, it seems as though it is taking its cues from T-Mobile.
The Uncarrier had also announced a special iPhone plan that would allow customers to upgrade their iPhone for free with $15 monthly handset repayments.
Sprint also followed in T-Mobile's lead in "breaking down barriers" for roaming in Canada and Mexico as well.
- Here's what you can expect to see in the iPhone 6S
Read More ...
Android Marshmallow is the name of Google's next operating system update
Android Marshmallow is the delicious new name of Google's forthcoming mobile operating system update, the company announced today, replacing Android 5.0 Lollipop later this year.
Since Google IO 2015, it's been teased as just "Android M," which led to immense speculation as to which tasty treat the software could be named after.
It's always been some sort of snack in alphabetical order, from Ice Cream Sandwich, to Jelly Bean to KitKat to Lollipop before it. So everything was speculated, from milkshake, to muffin, to macadamia nut.
Finally, as you can see from the Android statue holding the S'mores-friendly ingredient with two hands, marshmallow won out. The new statue was unveiled at Google's Mountain View headquarters this morning.
Here's what to expect
Truth be told, the naming convention doesn't actually change the features within Google's software. It's just a fun nickname other than saying Android 6.0 over and over again. It's more entertaining than, say, iOS 9.Android Marshmallow is an incremental update slated to bring better memory management, easier app permissions and battery life-saving techniques. Lots of behind-the-scenes updates, for sure.
The biggest change is the debut of Google Now on Tap, which scans messages and webpages to predict what you want to Google before you actually reach for the search engine.
Android Pay, while not officially tied to the Android Marshmallow launch, is likely to arrive alongside this update and the Nexus 5 2015.
Android Marshmallow almost ready
What in fact does change today is that Android Marshmallow is almost ready to launch, as Google has started to seed of the final developer preview to beta testers.The Alphabet company official launched Android 6.0 SDK this morning and announced that the Google Play Store is ready to accept developers Android Marshmallow apps.
Not soon enough? You're able to download Android 6.0 beta on four Nexus devices: Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus Player and Nexus 9 tablet.
Of course, many people asking "when can I get Android Marshmallow?" will be left wondering. Google's firmware updates are notoriously slow, with manufacturers and carriers always facing deals.
- True rival: Everything that's in iOS 9
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Apple iPad Smart Cover to get added screen
Apple's iPad cover is about to get a lot smarter if a patent filing showing designs for a new version are to be believed.
First reported by Business Insider, the schematics for the case show Apple's trademark folding cover design, but instead of being blank it has a range of different screens that can function without opening the iPad.
The patent filing goes on to explain that three panels will display information that ranges from notifications from apps to interactions with those very same apps and there could even be the chance for widgets to make an appearance.
A patent filing could mean nothing. However, this would be an incredibly useful way to quickly check what's happening on the device without having to open it up, and it won't lose its functionality as a stand if the design is to be believed.
iPad Pro in November?
When it comes to the first device that will have the benefit of the cover, the rumor mill has been in overdrive regarding the possible release of the iPad Pro later on this year. The iPad Pro, which isn't even an official name, is rumored to be significantly larger than the current crop, with a 12.2-inch screen. It would go up against other enterprise-friendly devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro 3.The iPad Pro release date is currently pegged at mid-November and with a new cover coming as part of the same unveiling it could be just the right time for early adopters of the original iPad to make the move to a new tablet.
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Updated: Buying Guide: 6 best mobile workstations 2015: ideal laptops for business
Best mobile workstation 2015
Few productivity decisions are more important and, in turn, nerve-racking than selecting the right mobile workstation for your employees.Making the wrong choice could mean saddling your employees with a bad computer. So what do business owners look for?
A great display, computing power and exceptional battery life without breaking the bank. There are few mobile workstations that can do this and we've rounded them up here.
Update: Lenovo recently announced the ThinkPad P50 and P70 mobile workstations. With the new P Series replacing the W Series, Lenovo is focusing on power and performance, and both notebooks feature Intel's mobile Xeon processor for the first time. These processors bring desktop-class productivity inside a portable package.
If you'd prefer a Best Desktop Workstation roundup or, if you're interested in a business laptop that isn't necessarily a workstation, we've got you covered.
1. Lenovo ThinkPad W550s
Workstation-grade performance with Ultrabook-class battery life
CPU: 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i7-5600U | Graphics: Nvidia Quadro K2100M | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.5-inch, 2,880 x 1,620 (3K), multi-touch display | Storage: 512GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p | Weight: 5.47 pounds (2.48kg) | Dimensions: 15 x 10.2 x 0.92 inches (38.1 x 25.9 x 2.34cm)
Long battery life
Strong performance
Quiet fan
Thick, boxy body
Bulky extended battery
No quad-core CPU option
With
more conservative CPU and GPU configurations than last year's ThinkPad
W540, the W550s provides impressive performance with the added bonus of
longer battery life – all in a lighter, thinner body. Read the full review: ThinkPad W550s
2. Dell Precision M6800
This monster laptop impresses with its power and versatility
CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i7 | Graphics: AMD FirePro M6100 Mobility Pro with 2GB GDDR5 dedicated memory | RAM: 32GB | Screen: 17.3-inch HD+(1600x900) | Storage: 750GB HDD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p | Weight: 7.86 pounds (3.57kg) | Dimensions: 1.71 x 16.41 x 10.65 inches (43.4 x 416.7 x 270.6mm)
Excellent performance
Versatile, sensible and sturdy design
Poor battery life
Bulky, heavy chassis
The
M6800 is impressive, but it's a niche product. If you can justify
investing in such a powerful notebook, it excels in every important
area, which makes it an excellent high-end workstation.Read the full review: Precision M6800
3. HP ZBook 17 G2
The best-testing mobile workstation
CPU: 3.10 and 3.30 GHz Intel Core i7-4940MX | Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro K5100M | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 17.3-inch FHD 1920x1080 | Storage: 1TB 7200 RPM SATA, 256 PCIe SSD | Connectivity: 802.11a/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p | Weight: 7.42 pounds | Dimensions: 16.37 x 10.7 x 1.33 inches
Price
Performance
Speed
Weight
Battery life
Virus-prone
The
HP ZBook 17 G2 does so many things well its flaws are forgivable. It
outperforms all the mobile workstations we've reviewed in most
categories by a very large margin. Read the full review: ZBook 17 G2
Dell Precision M3800
4. Dell Precision M3800
Dell has produced one of the best Windows laptops available
CPU: Intel Core i7-4702HQ | Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro K1100M | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch FHD 1920x1080 | Storage: 500GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p | Weight: 1.86 kg | Dimensions: 18 x 372.1 x 254mm
Superb CPU performance
Superb graphics performance
Thin-and-light design
Poor battery life
No ethernet port or optical drive
If
you can live with its quirks, the M3800 is still one of the best
Windows laptops available and something we truly enjoyed using.Read the full review: Precision M3800
5. Lenovo ThinkPad W540
A top-notch 3K workstation with a top-shelf price tag
CPU: 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-4800MQ | Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro K2100M | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 2880 x 1620 (3K) IPS | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p | Weight: 5.57 pounds | Dimensions: 14.8 x 9.8 x 1.1 inches
Immaculate 3K screen
Perfect keyboard and trackpad
Great performance for any task
Too expensive for company-wide use
Inconsistent build quality
High-res screen hogs battery life
The Lenovo ThinkPad W540 is a workstation powerhouse, but it's too expensive for general office use.Read the full review: ThinkPad W540
6. MSI Prestige PE60 2QD
A mobile workstation that has game
CPU: 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-4720HQ | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 2GB | RAM: 12GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, FHD anti-glare | Storage: 1TB HDD, 7200RPM | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p | Weight: 5.29 pounds | Dimensions: 5.07" x 10.23" x 1.06" (38.28 cm x 25.98 cm x 2.7 cm)
Insane graphics
Beautiful 15-inch LCD screen
Clunky touchpad
Poor performance on battery power
The
MSI Prestige is a laptop that can handle the newest games and tons of
spreadsheets. It's got a gorgeous screen, a dynamic build and it runs at
a very nice clip.Read the full review: Prestige PE60 2QD
Read More ...
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