Thursday, October 22, 2015

IT News Head Lines (Techradar) 23/10/2015

Techradar



MythBusters to bust their last myth next season
MythBusters to bust their last myth next season
With 2,950 experiments undertaken and 248 episodes in the can, the team at the beloved show MythBusters will officially be calling it a day at the end of next season.
Entertainment Weekly reports that the 14th and final season of MythBusters will premiere on the Discovery Channel on January 9, 2016.
According to the exclusive interview, stars Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman have known the end of the line was coming for a while now, and have set out to send the show off on a high note, with the pair determined to "find the most awesome example of each category and build on our past history."

A fitting farewell

Savage also stated that the show will "pay homage to this thing that's changed our lives," and that the "finale will go out with a bang, as everyone would expect."
In celebration of its longest running show, Discovery will be airing a huge marathon of every MythBusters episode from December 23, 2015.
As to what the pair will be doing next, Hyneman teased that they exec producing a new scripted show at CBS, and while he couldn't specify what it was about, Hyneman did say that "it's going to knock some people's socks off."











Read More ...




Review: Asus ZenWatch 2
Review: Asus ZenWatch 2

Introduction and display

The Asus ZenWatch launched without much fanfare last year but captivated many with its Apple Watch-esque design – even before the Apple's first wearable was out.
Its small price tag also made it the most affordable Android Wear smartwatch on the market. Regardless, it wasn't the most comfortable or, frankly, interesting wearable you could own.
Thankfully, the new Asus ZenWatch 2 is far more promising. Still keeping with the low sum of $129 (about £110, AU$179) for the silver face and rubber band, and $149 (€149, £159.99, about AU$210) for the same with a leather band a buckle-type strap - in both sizes - it's far cheaper than its predecessor's initial launch price of $199 (£199, about AU$252).
In fact, it's so affordable that the Google Play store is out of stock already.
With the ZenWatch 2 available in two sizes – with the smaller fit presumably for women, judging by the marketing – it opens up a wider pool of options, making this second-generation wearable much more appealing.
Asus sent the smaller of the two options, or the W1502Q model, since I have smaller wrists. There are slight design differences between the W1502Q and bigger W1501Q, but nothing too drastic.

Display

The display of the smaller ZenWatch 2 is a two-finger-touch AMOLED screen, made of curved Corning Gorilla Glass 3 that measures in at 1.45-inches on the diagonal. In terms of sharpness, the screen offers up a 280 x 280 resolution, or 273 pixels per inch (ppi).
Asus ZenWatch 2
It's not quite as sharp as the larger ZenWatch's 1.63-inch, 320 x 320 (277 ppi) – but that is to be expected.
The second-gen watch I've tested is also smaller compared to the first watch's 1.63-inch, 320 x 320 (278 ppi) OLED screen.
Because the screen is smaller and more dense, there's hardly any pixelation in sight. I ran through every watch face and tried multiple apps, like Amazon and Google Maps, without seeing anything too glaring. A few images in the Photos face show pixels very slightly, but you can barely tell.
Like the older ZenWatch, the new ZenWatch's screen also remains bright and crisp. However, I'd go so far as to say that it might be too small for many people. That's the double-edged sword with wearables: you get stuck with a small display for the sake of comfort or a roomier screen and an uncomfortable fit.

Design and comfort

Even though many people liked the look of the original ZenWatch, it seems the design choices on the second generation are even better.
There's the addition of a crown and the subtraction of the awkward clasp on the strap – at least on the smaller ZenWatch 2. (The larger smartwatch still has the clasp.) The crown and the buckle make the ZenWatch 2 look more like a luxury, almost analog watch. The crown also acts as a power and reset button.
Asus ZenWatch 2
The new ZenWatch has retained the rounded square shape, stainless steel finish and the bezel. Oh yes, there's still plenty of bezel. I didn't particularly like it the first time, and it looks like it's back to haunt me again – but it's not as dire this time.
Asus ZenWatch 2
Oddly, the bezels look more pleasing to the eye the updated device. Maybe because it's part of a smaller, 45mm watch body. I also understand the need to ensure the watch face remains a certain size to maintain battery life, reduce pixelation and so forth.
Asus ZenWatch 2
At just at 60g, the ZenWatch 2 is noticeably lighter than its predecessor's 75g. The larger ZenWatch 2 also weighs less, at 70g. It's unlikely you'd notice, but with less surface area and less watch in general, the 45mm ZenWatch 2 doesn't look or feel as chunky.
The same leather bands are back and, again, they're interchangeable with 18 other straps of different colors and materials, thanks to the quick release mechanism. Without the clasp on the smaller watch, the bands are a lot easier to readjust. There are also different strap sizes for the two watch sizes: 18mm for the 45mm ZenWatch 2 body and 22mm for the 49mm watch body.
Best Buy in the States has the 49mm ZenWatch 2 exclusively in Gunmetal (watch body color), with a brown leather strap, as well as the widely-available silver body with taupe strap. Finally, the retailer offers the 45mm model in silver with a khaki strap.
One option that doesn't seem available yet is the rose gold watch body finish. Once it's out, it'll likely make a killing since rose gold seems to be the ongoing trend.
All this makes for a welcome amount of customization for an overall, better looking ZenWatch.

Comfort

The smaller ZenWatch has enough notches for my tiny wrists to fit pretty well. The band isn't quite as comfy as the new Moto 360, though, as it's not Horween leather. Just regular "genuine leather" for Asus.
Asus ZenWatch 2
The body of the watch also rests flat against my wrist. But because it's only a 45mm body, opposed to the 49mm, it sits comfortably.
There's no snagging on coats or awkwardly moving around because the watch is not snug enough. Frankly, this is just short of a miracle, considering how this issue plagued nearly all the wearables I used last year. It was probably because none of them were created to fit people with small wrists. Now that there are size variations with the ZenWatch 2, it's far less clunky and awkward feeling.

Specs, performance and interface

The Asus ZenWatch 2 hasn't changed too much specs-wise. The watch still runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 at 1.2GHz with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage.
However, there are fewer sensors packed into the newer smartwatch. Specifically, the ZenWatch 2 has a 6-axis gyrometer and accelerometer, instead of the 9-axis with heart rate monitor.
That's right, in an age where sensors reign supreme (looking at you, Microsoft Band 2), Asus decided to nix the biosensor. It sounds nutty, but honestly, fitness fiends aren't going to get a ZenWatch, let alone its sequel. Additionally, biosensors are hardly accurate in the majority of smartwatches. Maybe when they get better, Asus will incorporate them. In the meantime, you'll have to make do with the pedometer.
There's also a built in microphone, Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi capabilities. None of this is news, but it's great for the latest Android Wear operating system that it runs on.
In short, it means that the ZenWatch 2 can connect over Wi-Fi without your phone nearby and get notifications.
The environmental resistance rating here is an IP67, so the watch is completely dust proof – plus light splashes are fine, just don't get it wet in the shower or take it swimming.

Performance and interface

The incorporation of Android Wear 5.1.1 is a nice change from the previous operating system (OS). Many other Android Wear smartwatches – like the LG Watch Urbane and Moto 360 – have already received their updates, so we know what the OS can do.
Your basic notification and information cards pop up vertically from the bottom of the screen. You can flick through the available cards, and swiping from left to right will remove a card from the list. Moving your finger in the opposite direction will take you to more options.
Swiping left from the home watch face's edge will take you to the apps drawer. Your most recent app will be at the top of the scrolling list. Swiping left again brings you to a contacts page from which you can send and read messages. Another swipe in that direction takes you to Google-specific commands, like taking notes or vocalizing reminders and setting alarms. You can also draw out emojis to save or send out.

Apps

What's a bit different and exclusive to the new Asus smartwatch are watch faces, which can be tinkered with through the ZenWatch Manager app. However, you'll need to download it before all the faces show up on the device. There are definitely way more options than Apple Watch, and just as many (if not more) customizations for the complications.
Asus ZenWatch 2
Downloading the Asus-made app FaceDesigner increases the amount of watch faces you can load onto your wearable infinitely. Within the app itself, there are tons of ways to create and customize your very own faces.
You can have one for fancy dinner parties that doesn't display much and then one for work, telling you just about everything. It's even customizable right down to the type of ticker, font size, opacity and more. It's pretty damn cool. The only problem?
Asus ZenWatch
The app didn't seem to load right when I tried it out. Specifically, all of the faces I made – one simple with just a background and ticker, one more complex with widgets and writing – didn't sync up correctly with the watch. The Asus-created watch faces that are pre-loaded onto the app worked fine, at least. I'm sure the bug can be fixed in an update, but for now, I wasn't able to do much beyond make a watch face. There's also a compatibility issue but more on that later.
There are also apps like ZenWatch Music, ZenWatch Wellness, Business Helper, FoneHelper and Remote Camera – all of which you can download on your phone to use with the ZenWatch 2.
The Together app is already pre-loaded onto the watch, and lets you send messages directly to other ZenWatch 2 owners. There's even an Asus Weather app in addition to the Android Wear one.
The redundancy is off-putting, especially since there doesn't seem to be a way to remove it, effectively making it bloatware. It's unfortunate, considering Android and iOS devices already have enough repetitive or unwanted apps that permanently take up space.
I'll also mention again, there's no heart rate sensor, and it seems like there's a less of a focus on fitness with this watch overall. There's the usual array of Android Wear fitness apps, like Google Fit or Wellness, but that's about it.
For some, that's likely not a problem, since you might only use the timer or pedometer anyway – which are both available on the ZenWatch 2. For others, it's best to look for a fitness tracker or smartwatch with more robust exercise options.

Compatibility and battery life

In a twist of events earlier this year, it was announced that certain Android Wear smartwatches would work with certain iPhones. It just so happens that the Asus ZenWatch 2 is compatible with both Android phones and iOS devices alike. But, of course, with caveats.
Like the LG Watch Urbane, Huawei Watch and new Moto 360, the ZenWatch 2 can send you notifications from your iPhone, if it has been updated to iOS 9 and is at least an iPhone 5 or more recent.
Aside from letting you sync up and see notifications, you don't get access to the full glory of Android Wear 5.1.1. You're instead stuck with the older version wherein you can't send messages and can't take phone calls (though this is dependent upon the type of smartwatch you have).
The arrival of Android 4.3 let developers use an API that added an extra level of customization to app notifications, like retweeting, favoriting and so forth. If using an iPhone with the ZenWatch 2, you'll be able to see the notifications but not use the actions.
Essentially, it's pretty limiting to pair the ZenWatch 2 with an iPhone. However, if you don't want to shell out $350 (£299, AU$499) for the cheapest Apple Watch, and would rather spend $150, then feel free. Just know what you're getting into.
Eventually, Apple might open its API's further for Android smartwatches, but considering it released watchOS 2 after delaying devs that software, who knows how long it will take.

Battery life

Asus has made pretty outrageous claims about its battery life, and hyped it up well before the ZenWatch 2 was released. Let's just say it didn't live up.
Well, at least that's the case for the smaller watch. With a battery capacity of 300mAh versus the larger ZenWatch's 400mAh, it's no wonder it can't sustain more than two days of full usage.
Asus ZenWatch 2
In ambient mode, meaning your watch will enter a low power state that dims the screen when it's not being used, you can get 66 to 57 hours. To reiterate, your watch won't suck up battery life if you're not using it. Of course it won't, but that would make it completely useless.
The first ZenWatch is smack dab in between with its 369mAh battery, which is bigger than the 320mAh power pack found in the old Moto 360, but smaller than the LG G Watch R's 410mAh battery.
It matches up with the new Moto 360 battery specs, so it's not too terrible. But the fact that all four brand new smartwatches have retained the measly battery life from their predecessors is disappointing.
Asus ZenWatch 2
Regardless, the charge time has been improved on the ZenWatch 2: it only takes about 30 to 40 minutes, plus there's no more charging cradle. Rather it's a USB type A connector with a magnetic pogo pin that fits on the back of the smartwatch. It can get knocked around and loosens from the watch, which is the downside without a cradle, but there is one less part you have to worry about losing.

Verdict

All in all, the ZenWatch 2 is a lovely little device that's able to sit comfortably on small wrists. It has certainly surpassed the first ZenWatch in many ways, but – as usual – improvements can always be considered for the ZenWatch 3.
Asus ZenWatch 2

We liked

This smartwatch is much better designed and, by giving us two size options, Asus has smartly secured a spot in the wearables race.
The inclusion of Asus's own apps also sets the ZenWatch 2 apart. Rather than having another run-of-the-mill Android Wear watch, you get something a bit more exclusive and special – I lamented the first ZenWatch's lack of identity.
Mix all that up with an extremely ridiculous and amazing low price of $129 (about £110, AU$179) and $149 (€149, £159.99, about AU$210) in addition to the promise of iPhone compatibility, and you practically have an Apple Watch killer.

We disliked

However, full Android Wear is not available on iPhones. It's by no means the fault of Asus at all – blame Google, or Apple. You're better off sticking with Android phones here to get full usage from the ZenWatch 2 – that includes all of the ZenWatch apps. Sad but true.
Also, that bezel. Yes, it doesn't seem to look as hideous on the smaller ZenWatch 2, but it's still very present and a bit distracting.
Though it fits better and makes more sense on the smaller ZenWatch 2, the screen is still a tad too small.
There's also a lack of fitness features; it's not a huge loss due to the general inaccuracy of fitness apps, but it may still be a disappointment to some.

Final verdict

Simply put, the ZenWatch 2 is good, but not great. It's far better than the original ZenWatch which puts it much closer to the other Android Wear wearables.
Honestly, if you just want to try out a smartwatch without diving in too deep, the ZenWatch 2 is about as high-end as you can get without tipping the money scale.
You get plenty of customization options with watch faces, bands and even a few different watch bodies. There's also the fantastic choice of two different watch sizes to choose from, a huge improvement from last year.
Again, the new ZenWatch is best used with an Android phone. If you want to try your luck with an iPhone, it can't really hurt. But be warned: it's simply not the same rich experience.
There might be an Android Wear update one day the breaks the walls between it and iOS down. Then you'll find yourself with a decent Apple Watch alternative that you only bought for 150 bucks.











Read More ...




Dominoes made special cars to keep your pizza safe
Dominoes made special cars to keep your pizza safe
While others are keen on developing new, clean energy sources for vehicles, Dominos has announced that it has made special delivery cars that will keep your pizza warm and... safe.
Yes, safe. And no, this is not a joke as there are 97 of these special delivery cars across the US right now.
Dominos' DPX is actually a modified Chevrolet Spark, containing only one spot for a person - the driver - while the rest is made up of custom compartments that "stabilize pizzas and secure drinks, dipping sauce, napkins and more."
In total the delivery car can carry up to 80 pizzas, along with breadsticks, salads, drinks, and other menu items. There's also a a special built-in warming oven that can be accessed from the outside.
And in terms of keeping your pizza safe - we're not sure what dangers a pizza might face, except for the people waiting to eat it - the DPX has a side-mounted puddle light so that the delivery guy can "step safely and keep your order out of harm's way."
Though the DPX is not a prediction shown in Back to the Future: Part II and flying cars are still to be developed, at least pizzas will now be delivered in great condition.











Read More ...




Plex delivers 4K support with Plex Media Player
Plex delivers 4K support with Plex Media Player
Plex has completely overhauled its media streaming software for living room PCs.
Rebuilt from the ground up, the new Plex Media Player replaces Plex Home Theater and delivers a host of new features.
Previously based on XMBC/Kodi, the software's latest incarnation has switched to the open-source MPV, and now includes 4K support, best-in-class mpv engine for playback, support for multi-channel music tracks, a native Raspberry Pi 2 port, and mouse support.
The refresh also comes with a slick new interface that's reminiscent of Plex's apps for Xbox, PlayStation, and smart TVs.

Here comes the but...

While these are welcome additions, it's not all good news. A number of features from Plex Home Theater are currently missing from the new software. Plex is still working to include search, TV theme music, video playlists, and Cloud Sync from the likes of Dropbox.
For anyone who can't live without that functionality for the time being, Plex Home Theater is still available.
Plex Media Player enables music, video and photos stored on a PC or network storage device to be streamed over Wi-Fi to other devices.











Read More ...




iPhone Tips: How to switch from Android to iPhone
iPhone Tips: How to switch from Android to iPhone
Yes, Apple recently released its first Android app, and it's all about one thing: getting you to switch to the iPhone. Called "Move to iOS," the app does what it promises, though as is often the case with any new tool, there are a few tricks and nuances you should know about.

First things first

A word of caution: don't set up your iPhone until you've downloaded the "Move to iOS" Android app and are ready to go on your old phone. The transfer process won't work if you've already fired up your new iPhone and set it up. If you have, you'll need to follow Apple's Guide to move your content over or just start from scratch.
Android to Apple
On the iPhone, you'll need to select the "move data from Android" option after you've worked past the initial screen where you select a language and connect to a Wi-Fi network; you'll then be presented with a 10-digit code. Once you do that, it's time to switch back over to your Android and launch the Move to iOS app. Advance to the screen requesting the 10-digit code and then type it in.
Android to Apple
After this, the Move to iOS app will then ask if you want to move your photos, Google account information, and bookmarks over to the iPhone. These will be transferred to their respective Apple apps.

Pick what you want

You have a little, though not much, flexibility in what you bring over. If you plan to use Chrome on iOS as your primary browser, for example, you could always uncheck that box. Same goes if you want to use a third-party calendar app or sync the contacts with your Google account, Exchange, or another method on your own.
Also, Apple's app will set up the stock email, calendar, and contacts app to serve up your Google content. You can turn these off if you'd rather use different apps, like the Google's Gmail app or Inbox.
If you've used Google Photos, Dropbox's Carousel, or another method for photo backup keep in mind they might not all be swept up with the import of your camera roll. That's because from time to time these apps will delete copies on your device to free up space. But if you want to start fresh with Apple's photo solution, then proceed without caution.

Transfer complete

The transfer time will vary depending upon how much content you have. Our test took around five minutes, albeit with a very small camera roll as all the pictures were stored online with Google Photos. The only weirdness was at the end of the process, when Apple offered to recycle the Android phone. Unless it's a beat-up piece of junk, you're better off selling it to a third party to get a modicum of cash back, especially if you ponied up for an iPhone 6S or 6S Plus.











Read More ...




Toyota's hydrogen car gets a little help from Doc Brown and Marty McFly
Toyota's hydrogen car gets a little help from Doc Brown and Marty McFly
Toyota has brought together Back to the Future stars Christopher Lloyd and Michael J Fox for a special video ahead of launching the hydrogen fuel cell powered Toyota Mirai.
It's not exactly a flux capacitor, but it's no surprise Toyota would take advantage of today's Back to the Future Day celebrations, as today is when characters Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel into 'the future' to - October 21, 2015 - in the second installment of the franchise.
Loosely inspired by the trash-fueled technology found in the film's Delorean vehicle, Toyota's $57,000 Mirai does use trash as fuel, but only after a bit of a process.
"While drivers can't exactly throw soda cans and banana peels into the Mirai fuel tank and expect to cruise the roads of California, organic waste can decompose and produce biogas at landfills," Toyota explained.
"This gas can be purified into and converted into hydrogen for fuel," the car maker explained, adding that the only emission from the vehicle is water.
The Toyota Mirai goes on sale today. You can check out Doc and Marty in the video below, along with Toyota engineer Mischa Pollack.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFyY7_hc-14
Toyota is also showing off a modified 2016 Tacoma model, made to replicate Marty McFly's dream truck from Back to the Future: Part II.
Unfortunately, this Tacoma model won't be on sale, but you can check it out today in n Los Angeles, New York and Dallas.
There's is, however, Toyota also tweeted "This is heavy! Actually, it's pretty light. It's Marty's dream truck, only smaller," with a picture of a mini version of it. While Toyota didn't announce any plans to sell this small, toy version, we're hopeful.











Read More ...




Dell World 2015: Dell's new H-Series printers connect SMBs to the cloud
Dell World 2015: Dell's new H-Series printers connect SMBs to the cloud
Dell announced two new series of printers at Dell World 2015 to target the needs of SMBs and enterprises. The H-Series multifunction printers are designed for SMBs with cloud access, while the S-Series smart printers are tailored to the security needs of larger organizations.
The new printers share similar device IDs, with an open output tray that make them feel more modern and less boxy. Dell's vision for these printers is to enable sharing, whether that's access to documents in the cloud for small and medium businesses or printing workgroup jobs in enterprises that demand added security.
Dell
All the multifunction printers introduced come with scanning, faxing and duplexing support. The H-Series SMB models also come with Wi-Fi support.

H-Series

There are three models in the H-Series: H625cdw ($399, £258, AU$553), H825cdw ($529, £343, AU$733) and H815dw ($379, £245, AU$525). Like the S-Series, these printers share a similar design ID.
Dell printer
With the exception of the monochrome H815dw, the other printers are color laser printers, with print speeds up to 30 pages per minute on the H825cdw.
The highlight of the H-Series is simplicity. "The H-Series printers are ideal for IT environments with minimal or no IT support, such as SMBs, remote work spaces, executive offices and micro-businesses," Dell said in a statement.
Setup is easy, and all models feature easy Wi-Fi network setup. Users can connect to cloud storage services like SharePoint, Dropbox, Google Drive or Box to access stored documents for printing, a Dell demo representative told techradar pro at Dell World 2015.
Dell Document Cloud
Additionally, you can also scan documents to these services as well through the Dell Document Hub on the printer.
Dell
On mobile devices, Dell also offers Document Hub as a free download on Windows, Android and iOS platforms. This allows for wireless printer without a laptop. NFC printing is also supported.

S-Series

Lacking the Document Hub capabilities of the H-Series, the enterprise-class S-Series is focused on security. The family includes the color laser S2825cdn ($479, £310, AU$664) and monochrome laser S2815dn ($359, £232, AU$497).
These printers are identical to the S2824cdn and H815dn, respectively, but the S-Series lack the Document Hub, cloud connectivity and wireless connectivity of the SMB models. Instead, S-Series printers are focused on security.
Dell S-Series printers
"The new S-Series printers address the security needs of larger organizations by offering a Secure Print feature and also guarding against unauthorized access with secure walk-up user authentication and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) with Kerberos authentication," Dell said in a statement.
sers can also use an access card for secure printing or enter a PIN number on the large 4.3-inch touchscreen, said Ron Schoaf, Senior Product Manager at Dell Printers.
Dell SMB printers
"These new devices are so much more than printers; they're workflow and collaboration enablers that mean huge efficiencies for today's ever-connected mobile workforce," said Dell.
These printers are energy efficient and the new low melt toner technology takes up less space inside the printer, so the devices occupy less footprint in an office, Mr. Schoaf said.











Read More ...




Updated: iOS 9 release date, features and news
Updated: iOS 9 release date, features and news

iOS 9 release date, compatibility and features

Update: iOS 9.1, the latest version of the mobile operating system, is now widely available. It brings with it a host of bug fixes and enhancements for iOS products. But, emojis are clearly the main focus of this update. Scroll down to find a more detailed explanation of everything that iOS 9.1 brings.
iOS 9 is Apple's latest update that's now available to download your iPhone and iPad, and it bringing a smarter Siri, Apple Maps transit directions, true multitasking and new built-in apps.
iOS 9 officially launched Wednesday, September 16 and can be loaded onto your Apple device through the software update menu within "Settings," which has that all-important over-the-air updated.
It's the company's latest software, available to just ahead of the release dates for iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPad Pro, all revealed during September 9's keynote.
iOS 9, and iOS 9.1, has improved stability, a smaller download size and legacy phone and tablet compatibility. That older iPhone and iPad you have works with this update if it runs iOS 8.
New iOS 9 features consist of redesigned built-in apps and a few new ones. There's more multitasking functionality than ever for iPads, while 3D Touch and motion wallpaper are coming for new iPhones. That will make new rose gold iPhone 6S color really pop.
iOS 9
iOS 9

iOS 9 release date

September 16 was the official iOS 9 release date, as announced at Apple's iPhone 6S launch event date earlier this month and predicted by us. After all, it's always available to download one or two Wednesdays before an new iPhone release date.
Sure, there was a public beta available to everyone since July if you signed up for iOS 9 testing, and to fee-paying developers right after WWDC. They're the true beta testers, three months ahead.
But this three-month wait was a good thing for most "other" people. iOS 9 betas versions were buggy and unfinished, and few of the best operating system features don't launch until the final version, anyway.
The best part is that, although the iPhone 6S price is going to be expensive as always, the iOS 9 update is free to download and install.

How to download iOS 9 right now

You can get iOS 9 right now through an over-the-air update. This means that you don't even need to plug your phone into a computer and download it through iTunes anymore.
iOS 9
Some experienced an iOS 9 software update failed error messages when connecting to Apple's servers in order to grab the update. Making a physical USB lightning connection to iTunes is said to help.
There's also a iOS 9.1 public beta available to testers and developers, but like iOS 9, it doesn't include the yet-to-launch Apple Pay store rewards cards program. Here's how to download iOS 9 right now.

iOS 9 compatibility

iOS 9 is proving to be more inclusive than previous iOS versions. Apple is choosing to make this update compatible with older iPhone, iPad and even iPod touch devices, too.
iOS 9 compatibility iPhone and iPad
Okay, it's not technically more inclusive beyond the immediately launched iPad mini 4. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus still have to launch next Friday, September 25, and the iPad Pro lands sometime in November. Then the list will grow by three. It'll become a total of six when the iPad Air 3 and iPhone 6C eventually release.
Basically, right now, if your dated hardware runs iOS 8, it can run iOS 9, and that's good news, as older phones and tablets aren't getting muscled out. The iPhone 4S and iPad 2 are safe, for now, and a few 30-pin dock devices live on for another year.

iOS 9.1 update

Before we get into each of iOS 9's unique features, we'll go over its latest update, iOS 9.1, which is now available to users with compatible iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.
iOS 9.1
As you can see from the screenshot above, it include several new emojis, including the now-infamous middle finger emoji.
The OTA update makes improvements to Live Photos and includes three more space-themed wallpapers. Under the hood, Apple has made tweaks to improve performance while multitasking, and using Calendar, Game Center, and Mail. Of course, a bunch of stability issues and bug have been ironed out, as well.
To update your device to iOS 9.1, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install and follow the onscreen directions.
iOS 9 siri features

Smarter Siri

Siri in iOS 9 gets the much-needed smarts to rival Google Now. Apple's personal assistant understands the word "it" within context and brings proactivity to the operating system.
For example, if you're talking about a topic with someone in iMessages and ask Siri to "Remind me about 'this' later today," it'll scan the open app and try to understand what "this" means.
iOS 9 proactivity puts even more at your fingertips through Siri. It suggests appointments to add to Calendar, and pulls up photos based on location and time with the sound of your voice.
Siri's location-based knowledge appears to be most promising when you're out and about. Plugging in headphones at the gym? It offers the Now Playing interface right on the lockscreen.
Plugging it into your car? It brings up that audiobook you were listening to before. It even tells you when to leave for an appointment across town, a feature that has made Google's app for iOS a must-have.
Saying "Hey Siri" to issue commands while untethered from the usually-required light cable is going to be possible, too. However, this iOS 9 feature has only been announced for the new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus.
iOS 9 release date
One of the most convenient new iOS 9 features is giving context to random numbers that call you, diving into your email to see if it can match the digits. Goodbye, telemarketers – we hope.
Siri already takes over one billion requests a week, according to Apple. That should only increase now that iOS 9 promises to make Siri 40% faster and 40% more accurate.

Apple Pay expands

Apple Pay has been touted as a success over the last 11 months in the US, and now the iPhone-backed mobile payment platform has made its way to the UK.
iOS 9 release date and features
iOS 9 release date and features
The official Apple Pay UK launch of July 14 was backed by nearly 70% of credit and debit cards there, including Bank of Scotland, HSBC and, most recently, Lloyds Bank and Halifax.
Canada and China are thought to be next up for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus mobile payment platform, but the company hasn't announce that broad of an expansion just yet.
In the US, Apple Pay is now backed by 2,500 US banks and, this fall, rewards and store-issued cards will be a part of the mobile wallet. This is an idea we liked about Android Pay at Google IO in May.
Considering these newfound iOS 9 capabilities, Apple is renaming Passbook (the app where Apple Pay resides) to Wallet. It has also made the Apple Pay-required Touch ID fingerprint sensor twice as fast as before on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
That may be enough to compete with the September 28 launch of Samsung Pay on the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and its other new Android phones, which use even more nifty magnetic strip technology in addition to NFC.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps is sometimes unavoidable, even if you're a dedicated Google Maps user. Siri and built-in apps still open directions up in the default navigation app. That won't change.
iOS 9 maps
The good news is that iOS 9 is going to make Apple Maps better, and maybe even tolerable. In its first major refresh since 2013, the app now includes long-awaited public transit directions.
That means routes for buses, trains, subways and, yes, even ferries are part of Apple Maps. This is now live in Baltimore, Berlin, Chicago, London, Mexico City, New York City, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, Toronto and Washington D.C.
Notably, it'll support directions for 300 cities in China, a huge emerging market for the iPhone, including hotspots like Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai.
Just don't expect it much more than that to sway you from Google Maps or Waze. The design changes are minimal and, as we articulately point out in our iOS 9 review, it clearly needs more UI work, not just new features.

Apple News app

iOS 9 release date and features
In addition to getting rid of Passbook in favor of Wallet in iOS 9, Apple is replacing Newsstand with News, and it's very familiar if you're a fan of magazine-style news aggregators.
Apple News for iOS 9 is Flipboard, HTC BlinkFeed and Feedly wrapped into one app. It features a personalized feed and is coming to US, UK and Australia at launch.
There's also Apple News integration outside of this app right on one of the home screens. Four or five snippets of news appear within the left-most menu, right below spotlight search, recent contacts and recent apps. In this way, Apple is mimicking Samsung's left-most Flipboard menu, with less pizzazz.
No telling if all of your favorite publishers will wrap their content in the fresh Apple News format. A few of our favorites are missing. The advantage to you, however, is more clear: your data remains anonymous, apart from your Apple ID, according to the company.

Multitasking for iPad

iOS 9 brings true iPad multitasking to Apple iPad tablets, and we're not talking about the "multitasking" app switcher that premiered with iOS 4 back in 2010.
iOS 9 release date and features
iPads is finally be able to handle more hefty productivity tasks. That's to the delight of enterprise users who prefer iOS for personal use, but feel forced to opt for a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 or Android tablet at work.
There are three ways to view multitasking windows on an iPad. Slide Over brings a second app from the side so you can answer a text or write something in Notes. It's just as easy to slide away.
iOS 9 release date and features
There's also a special Picture-in-Picture mode that puts videos and FaceTime calls in the corner of the display when the home button is pressed. From there, you can use any other app while watching the video. Google's YouTube app for iOS works this very same way, at least within that specific app.
Both Slide Over and Picture-in-Picture are compatible with newer iPads: iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3. The last mode, Split View, is an iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4-only affair, though Apple announced that iPad Pro will support all multitasking functionality, too, when it arrives in November.
iOS 9 release date and features
Split View is the mode that everyone imagines when they hear the word "multitasking." It enables two apps to be open side-by-side and they're both active at the same time, with full multitouch support.
Apple is clearly honing on the enterprise user with its latest tablet software features and be swayed to buy that new iPad Pro that puts them to the best use.

New iOS 9 keyboard

Apple launched what it called its "best keyboard yet" with the iOS 8 QuickType, and it's one-upping that statement with the iOS 9 keyboard.
iOS 9 release date and features
iPad's on-screen keyboard now features a built-in shortcut bar, which flanks the next-word suggestions above the QWERTY letter keys. Shorts are context sensitive and include cut, copy and paste to the left; bold, italic, underline and attachments to the right.
That's better than having to hunt for these shortcuts in the second layer of the keyboard menu, and in a surprise move, Apple is making this default layout customizable and compatible with third-party keyboard apps.
iOS 9 keyboard
Cursor control is now easier with a handy (or fingery) slide mechanic when using two fingers. It basically turns the iPad QuickType keyboard into an trackpad. It's way easier than hovering over the tiny cursor, trying to land in between letters.
iOS 9 keyboard
Finally, shortcuts are coming to wireless keyboards so that you can interact with apps using their own built-in shortcut keys. Pressing and holding the Command, Option or Control key brings up the shortcut list.

iOS 9 Wi-Fi problems fix

Apple has also worked out a solution for when your Wi-Fi connection is proving to be a massive pain. It's called Wi-Fi Assist, and it automatically drops your Wi-Fi connection and jumps onto your mobile network whenever it's struggling.
You can switch it off if you're on a limited data package but it's a great idea for those who have spotty Wi-Fi connections and get annoyed at having to manually control it.

Under the hood

New features are exciting and all, but iOS 9 needs to run better than iOS 8, which had a series of Wi-Fi and battery drain problems from the get-go. Some users are still complaining about last year's software.
iOS 9 release date and features
Longer battery life is a chief concern of iPhone users, but they can squeeze out an extra hour thanks to a new Low Power mode. Apple says iOS 9 pulls switches you didn't even know existed to save juice.
You may be able to install iOS 9 this time around without deleting all of your photos. It takes about 1.4GB, whereas iOS 8 needed a massive 4.5GB of internal storage. That was awful on a 16GB iPhone.
CPU and GPU usage will be more efficient thanks to iOS 9, further improving performance, and security is said to be stepped up. Hopefully that means last year's iCloud hack isn't going to be an annual incident.
iOS 9 release date and features
Not mentioned during Apple WWDC keynote, a "Move to iOS" app is hidden within iOS 9. It's now easier to wirelessly switch from an Android device to a new iOS phone or tablet.
iPhone and iPad users may be surprised when asked to enter a six-digit passcode instead of an easier-to-crack four digit code. But it's the difference between one million possible combinations and 10,000, and Touch ID really makes the hassle a moot point. Better safe than sorry.
Apple's was so confident that it launched a sweeping iOS 9 public beta, and it really shows why, even if this an incremental update. Google's Android Marshmallow is taking the same cautious approach ahead of its September 29 launch. As more iOS 9 updates and features become available to download, we'll keep updating this page.











Read More ...




Updated: Nike's self-lacing Back to the Future shoes are real, go on sale next year
Updated: Nike's self-lacing Back to the Future shoes are real, go on sale next year
Update 12.35pm PT: It's confirmed: Nike has made real-life Back to the Future: Part II-inspired, self-lacing shoes - and the first pair belongs to Michael J. Fox.
Fox, who starred in the 1989 Robert Zemeckis blockbuster and wore Nike sneakers with Power Laces in the film when his character traveled into the 'future' to October 21, 2015, tweeted an image of a letter he received from Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield.
"Although the project started as science fiction, we're now proud to turn that fiction into fact," Hatfield said in the letter.
"As the first, most celebrated wearer of the Nike Air Mag, we wanted you to be the first to receive a living pair."
Michael J. Fox Nike shoes
He added that Nike will be making more pairs in 2016, and all proceeds from the sales (or auction) will be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, an organization that conducts research into Parkinson's Disease. Nike gave the sales proceeds of its 2011 replica Mag shoes, totaling $9.4 million, to the foundation as well.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation Twitter account posted, "This is real. This is today. Coming spring 2016," along with the first image of the Nike Air Mags, worn by Marty McFly himself.
Original article...
Nike left a mysterious tweet last night, tagging Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox and indicating that we might be seeing something special today - and it could end up being Marty McFly's sneakers with Power Laces.
It's a stretch, as Nike's tweet could just be acknowledging Back to the Future Day, saying only, "@realmikefox see you tomorrow."
But it hasn't stopped the internet from going a little crazy with the notion that the company could very well be gearing up to announce light-up, self-lacing sneakers to celebrate the day that Doc and Marty McFly go to in the 'future' in Back to the Future: Part II.
In fact, some have already begun hearing from sources that new self-lacing Nike shoes inspired by Back to the Future have indeed been spotted in New York stores.
Of course, this could end up being just a big marketing stunt, but Nike has previously filed patents for self-lacing tech, one in 2009 and one in 2014.
It also released a limited edition Back to the Future replica Nike Mag in 2011, though it was missing the Power Laces.
Then there's the fact that earlier this year, according to Kicks on Fire, Nike Mag designer Tinker Hatfield during a trade show said that company was working on Nike Mag shoes with Power Laces for a 2015 release.
We'll be getting in touch with Nike to find out more, and we'll also be keeping an eye on Twitter for any further developments.
Check out the commercial for the 2011 replica below.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUTMY0ek5zs











Read More ...




YouTube details Red subscription service, and it's music to our ears
YouTube details Red subscription service, and it's music to our ears
YouTube has finally announced its rumored ad-free subscription service. It's called YouTube Red, and your $9.99 will get you ad-free access to YouTube's huge catalog of videos and (surprise!) Google Play Music, too.
Starting on October 28, YouTube Red subscribers will also be able to save videos locally for offline viewing. Have a long plane flight, or stuck underground in the train? Now, you can pre-load your device with content from your favorite YouTube channels, even those found on the recently launched YouTube Gaming site.
There's more to it than that, though. As I touched on earlier, paying for access to the world's largest collection of user-submitted videos also grants you access to one of the world's largest music collections: Google Play Music. This makes YouTube Red one of the better deals around if you're a fan of both music and video. (In case you're curious, current Google Play Music subscribers will automatically have access to YouTube Red.)
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL9RetC0ook
Lastly, YouTube Red gives subscribers the ability to play content in the background. Strangely, this is something that hasn't been possible with the YouTube app as of yet on mobile platforms. We've probably all tried, at some point, to multi-task while watching a YouTube video, only to have the video stop playing.
Compared to video subscription services, like Hulu and Netflix, YouTube Red only nets you access to user-submitted videos. As the video hosting company puts it, "YouTube Red benefits won't work on YouTube videos that you pay to view, such as paid channels, movie rentals, and pay-per-view purchases." This gives the service a unique, grassroots edge against the competition, but one that wears a little dull if you're looking to watch the latest Hollywood flicks for no additional charge.
US viewers will be able to try YouTube Red on for size with a free one-month trial when it launches October 28. As for those of you outside the US, we've contacted Google for details regarding its global launch and pricing details.
What are your thoughts on YouTube Red? It doesn't seem to be going after Hulu and Netflix users, but is it enough to tempt loyal customers away from the likes of Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music?











Read More ...




Download iOS 9 to give your iPhone the middle finger (emoji)
Download iOS 9 to give your iPhone the middle finger (emoji)
Apple has released iOS 9.1, the latest version of its mobile operating system, bringing with it several fixes and improvements for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The most obvious enhancement for most users will be the addition of 150 new emoji, including a hot dog, a unicorn, and, yes, a middle finger. (Strangely, there's still no pie.) Support for Unicode 7.0 and 8.0 emojis is included as well.
iOS 9.1
In addition, iOS 9.1 adds a trio of space-themed wallpapers, plus it improves the Live Photos feature of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus: your phone will now sense when it's being raised or lowered so it won't record that footage as part of the animated photo.
The other features of iOS 9.1 mostly fall into the stability and bug-fixing category, such as improved performance while in Multitasking UI and correcting issues with Calendar, Game Center, and Mail.
To update your device to iOS 9.1, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install and follow the onscreen directions.











Read More ...




Barnes & Noble's latest Nook has an edge over Kindle: waterproofing
Barnes & Noble's latest Nook has an edge over Kindle: waterproofing
Barnes & Noble is continuing to take on Amazon's Kindle, today introducing an update to its flagship GlowLight with the the first waterproof Nook e-reader - a feature missing from the Kindle range.
The great draw of the GlowLight Plus is it's waterproofing, which carries an IP67 rating allowing for the Plus to be plunged into fresh water for up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of about 1 meter, which basically means you could take the new Nook into the bath or shower without worry.
Not only is the GlowLight Plus Barnes & Nobel's first waterproof e-reader, it also touts a 300ppi display and built-in light, features found on the Kindle Paperwhite and Voyage range.
The GlowLight Plus also has an aluminum body, which is slimmer and a bit heavier than its predecessor, the Nook GlowLight, which came out two years ago.
The Nook GlowLight Plus is priced at $130, and will come with three free books, a $5 credit for the Nook store and no ads.
We're not sure if it will draw away loyal Kindle users, but for new comers, it could prove to have the right features, the right price and the bonus of not worrying about dropping it into a pool or bath.











Read More ...




Updated: OS X 10.11 El Capitan: news, release date and features
Updated: OS X 10.11 El Capitan: news, release date and features

OS X 10.11 El Capitan

Update: OS X 10.11 El Capitan get its first update to fix a boatload of issues, read on to find out which ones will affect our OS X 10.11 El Capitan review.
It's been some time now since Apple's iOS-inspired OS X 10.10 Yosemite leapt onto the Mac. Attention has now turned to the next major release of OS X, which is expected to be named - you guessed it - OS X 10.11 El Capitan.
Like iOS 7, Yosemite's bold colours and flattened icons divided opinion, but the stats paint a positive picture: more than half (58%) of Mac owners were running the latest version of OS X in April, according to data by NetApplications.
OS X El Capitan
It's hard to deny that Yosemite looks fantastic on Apple's newer computers with Retina displays - such as the iMac with Retina 5K and the new MacBook - but users on older hardware have reported sluggish performance since upgrading.
As such, OS X 10.11 will focus on "under-the-hood" performance improvements, rather than new features, as OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard did back in 2009. Snow Leopard famously launched with "0 new features", instead focusing on improving performance and service support.
This includes 1.4 times faster app launching than its predecessor, two times faster app switching and email opening, as well as four times faster PDF previews. While Apple hasn't quite gone with the stringent strategy of no new features, it has aimed to please developers with a better optimized OS complete with Metal pulled from iOS 8.

OS X 10.11 release date

OS X 10.11 El Capitan is out now. You can grab it by heading over to the Mac App store, clicking Updates, and then Download.
TechRadar

OS X 10.11 price

The last two versions of OS X, Yosemite and OS X 10.9 Mavericks, were both free and El Capitan also costs the princely sum of nothing. It would have been especially hard to see Apple going back to paid annual updates in light of Microsoft's decision to offer Windows 10 as a free update to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users for one year.

OS X 10.11 name

Releases of OS X were named after big cats prior to OS X 10.9 Mavericks, with the last being OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. Apple indicated that future versions would be named after California locations from that point onwards, starting with OS X 10.09 Mavericks.
So what's next? Apple has trademarked a number of names that could be used for OS X 10.11, including: Redwood, Mammoth, California, Big Sur, Pacific, Diablo, Miramar, Rincon, El Cap, Redtail, Condor, Grizzly, Farallon, Tiburon, Monterey, Skyline, Shasta, Sierra, Mojave, Sequola, Ventura and Sonoma. Of course, there can only be one and the Cupertino company decided to go with El Capitan.

OS X 10.11 updates

Apple released the first update for OS X El Capitan on October 21, 2015 (conveniently on the same day Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 reviews went up). Officially bring up the OS X up to version 10.11.1 the update fixes several of El Capitan's widespread issues.
Most notably the update fixed El Capitan's issues with installing and update apps that cause Macs to suddenly restart or show a black screen. The patch also cleared up the issue that caused the Mail client messages and server information to disappear. VoiceOver, the screen reader built-in to OS X 10.11 also came broken at launch but this late November update has since resolved the issue.
Aside from the bug fixes, the 10.11.1 update also brought with it 150 new emojis including the controversial middle finger.

OS X 10.11: features

OS X El Capitan

Split View

Windows 7 introduced the ability to "snap" windows to the sides of the desktop to easily position apps and other content on the display, something that has been missing from OS X for almost six years. Now El Capitan will finally introduced something Apple is calling Split View, which as the name suggests allows users to easily orient two windows side by side.
Sure, there are third-party apps that can do it, but they're not free or run as smoothly as the native behaviour on Microsoft's snap-happy OS. Windows 10 has introduced a way to snap four Windows of equal size to each corner of the screen, which would be a boon for anyone using Apple's larger iMacs or a large monitor.
OS X El Capitan

Spaces Bar

OS X El Capitan also brings a slightly revamped multi-desktop management system called Spaces Bar. Users can launch the new expansive view of their desktops by dragging a window to the top of the screen. For a split-screen view, simply drag one window on top of the other.
In a few other tweaks, Mission Control said to be smoother, simpler, faster. Meanwhile, full screen apps including Mail are smarter with multitasking features similar to iOS 8's enhancements.
OS X El Capitan

Metal

One of the biggest improvements El Capitan will bring with it is Metal, a low-level, low-overhead hardware-accelerated graphics API. Apple promises this iOS 8 feature coming to its desktop OS will introduce a 50% improvement in performance with up to 40% greater rendering efficiency.
The melding of Metal with El Capitan should make Macs a much more capable platform for gaming. Thus far, Epic games has demoed a build of Fortnight built on Metal.
Aside from gaming, Adobe also presented Metal has enabled After Effects to render effects with eight times the efficiency. The software maker also announced it is adopting Metal in its OS X apps, which has resulted in a 10x improvement in draw call performance.











Read More ...




Latest watchOS 2 update gives Apple Watch battery boost
Latest watchOS 2 update gives Apple Watch battery boost
There's a new watchOS 2 update - or watch OS 2.0.1 - for the Apple Watch today that should fix several problems afflicting the smartwatch. Most importantly, it appears there's a fix for "issues that were impacting battery performance."
Apple didn't specify what the issues were, or say how much longer the battery should last.
Other bugs the update should have squashed relate to Apple Pay security, stalled software updates, location information updating, Digital Touch, instability with Live Photos on watch faces and several other security measures that Apple seems to have locked down.
The update is 62.8MB and should be live once you open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Then head to General, Software Update, enter your passcode and agree to the terms. Depending on your Wi-Fi connection, it should only take 15 minutes or less to download and install.
Oh and aside from the fixes, there are new emojis. OS X 10 and iOS 9 are also getting updated today.











Read More ...




Apple's El Capitan update is rich with new emojis and bug fixes
Apple's El Capitan update is rich with new emojis and bug fixes
If you've run into issues with Apple's new operating system, OS X 10, don't fret. Apple has updated El Capitan with a number of bug fixes, compatibility with the newly-released Office 2016 and 150 new emoji characters.
Perhaps the most important fix to OS X 10.11.1 is the enhanced installer reliability update. There were widespread install issues when Apple first unveiled the operating system (OS) last month. The bugs included restarting and not updating the OS and a mysterious blank screen that never went away. The reliability update should cut down on some of these issues.
Other fixes include an update to the Mail application that clears up an issue in which messages and server information went missing. Additionally, VoiceOver, which was a complete disaster at launch, will be cleaned up. Among the many issues with VoiceOver were lags and delays, crashes within Safari and locked keys that don't allow users to move from field to field.

Emojis

Should you absolutely and unfortunately feel compelled to use emojis on your Mac, Apple has added 150 new excuses not to use written language on El Capitan.
Earlier in the year, Apple added a new crop of racially diverse emoji to its roster of visual shortcuts. It'll be interesting (for some of you) to see what new pictures you can begin using (instead of the English language).

OS X El Capitan

El Capitan was unveiled in September.
With it came many new improvements, including enhanced Spotlight interactivity, a new Mission Control interface, pinned tabs for Safari and a split screen view that allows for the use of two apps simultaneously, side-by-side. Additionally, El Capitan is 1.4 times faster than Mavericks.
Apple also released updates to iOS 9 and Watch 2.0 today.











Read More ...




Dell World 2015: Microsoft, Dell react to competition and collaboration
Dell World 2015: Microsoft, Dell react to competition and collaboration
In a fireside chat at Dell World, Dell CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sat down to talk about technology and their partnerships.
Dell's acquisition of EMC will see Dell competing more closely against Microsoft's cloud, and Microsoft's further push into the computing space with an expansion of its Surface business will see Microsoft compete more closely against Dell.
So how do these deals affect the long-term and strategic relationships?

Surface

He's breaking the ice, and we're coming in with volume, Mr. Dell said in addressing Microsoft's push with its Surface computers.
Rather than seeing Microsoft as a competitor, Mr. Dell sees Surface as a talking point for consumers. Mr. Dell says that his company can use that to grow the overall PC market and deliver PCs at more affordable price points to bring similar value to customers.
"You have to live your customer's reality," Nadella said. "It can't be out the geopolitics of our industry."

EMC

"We're absolutely friends," Mr. Dell said of the new competition between the two companies. "We've been one of the biggest advocates of the open ecosystem, and it's important to understand that customers want choices."
On the cloud, we're starting to build this true hybrid computing, Mr. Dell said. It's about providing choices to our customers.
When asked if Amazon is lowering the margin for everyone with AWS, Nadella said it was not about margins, but about growing the pie.











Read More ...




Say hello to the Fossil Q, a whole family of stylish, smart wearables
Say hello to the Fossil Q, a whole family of stylish, smart wearables
We've known about Fossil's plan to enter the connected wearable space for a while now, with the company treating us to a tantalising glimpse of the smartwatch back in August.
Today, the watchmaker has revealed some more information about their connected devices, although detailed specifications are still light on the ground.
There's something for everyone with a whole family of devices, ranging from US$125 (around £80, AU$175) up to $275 (around £180, AU$380).
The range starts off with the Q Reveler and Q Dreamer (pictured below, left and right). These are more basic, step counting fitness trackers. They keep track of how far you walk and vibrate with smartphone notifications. The Dreamer seems more dedicated to socialising, while the Reveler, "dares you to be bold and explore more around you," whatever that means. Both will be available on October 25 and cost $125 (around £80, AU$175).
Fossil Q Family
Next in the line-up is the Q Grant (above, centre), which seems like a Withings Activité-style fitness tracker, hiding fitness-tracking smarts with an analogue watch face. Going above and beyond the Activité, the Q Grant also features smartphone notifications, with a vibration motor and customisable LED indicators on either side of the watch. The analogue tracker will also be available on October 25, but will cost between US$175 (around £115, AU$240) and US$195 (around £125, AU$170).
Finally, the family is headed by the Q Founder, an Android Wear-powered smartwatch. We're still waiting to hear the final specs for the Q Founder, but we do know it'll come packing a chip developed by Intel and Google.
As it runs Android Wear, expect functionality to be identical to other Android Wear devices. The Q Founder will be available, "just in time for the holiday shopping season", with prices starting at $275 (around £180, AU$380).

Appy Days

All of the devices will be compatible with Fossil's proprietary app which features more detailed activity/ fitness tracking, customisable notification settings, and, most interestingly, a feature called, "Q Curiosity", which alerts you when it's time to break free from your everyday routine.
Fossil Q
"Our customers are obsessed with their personal sense of style and staying connected, and we are thrilled to enter into this emerging category with an answer to their needs," said Jill Elliott-Sones, chief creative officer at Fossil.
"Fossil Q is the result of countless hours of meticulous design expressed through a playful curious lens. Our hope is the unique attention to detail in both our connected accessories line and app cue our audience to try new things, be more curious and experience the world around them like never before."











Read More ...




Updated: Michael Dell discusses EMC acquisition, Dell's vision for future-proofing
Updated: Michael Dell discusses EMC acquisition, Dell's vision for future-proofing
Dell World 2015 promises to be an exciting time for Dell, and it's the first major public venue that Michael Dell has appeared at since announcing the $67 billion acquisition of EMC.
Mr. Dell had spoken briefly about his thoughts of the acquisition as well as his company's commitment to the PC industry as a whole during a brief press conference yesterday, promising to save the juicy details for today's audience at Dell World. Dell will also assume control of virtualization giant VMWare, a company that EMC owns, when the acquisition closes.

The world's largest startup

"When I took Dell private, I was asked if Dell would continue to make acquisitions," Mr. Dell began. "Well, it's go big or go home, baby. Dell is set to become an enterprise solutions powerhouse, to build an infrastructure for the next 20 or 30 years."
Mr. Dell called the partnership a "dream combination," as he highlights and showcases the solutions that Dell offers.
Michael Dell
The EMC deal gives Dell scale. EMC's brand is respected in large enterprise, and Dell has command of the mid-market and small business market. After the deal, Dell will align itself with EMC to leverage both brands and utilize a larger supply chain, Mr. Dell added.
This gives Dell an $80 billion a year business under a private company structure.

Innovation

"I'm all in," Mr. Dell said of the deal. "When we took Dell private a couple years ago, we called Dell the world's largest startup. Now, with EMC, who knew how large a startup can be."
"There are more opportunities ahead of us than I've ever seen. And it arrives every second of every day," Mr. Dell continued.
Dell will leverage EMC's cloud technology to help customers transform their businesses digitally.

Future-ready

Closing the keynote, Mr. Dell and Karen Quintos, Dell's Chief Marketing Officer, talked about "future-proofing." Technology should help people solve challenges and make the world a better place, the executives said.
Ms. Quintos said that these technologies and solutions that Dell delivers will pave the way for the next wave of entrepreneurial innovations, giving innovators access to technology, networks and capital.
In addition to Elizabeth Gore, who leads Dell's Entrepreneur-in-Resident program, actor Adrian Grenier heads Dell's Social Good program. Mr. Grenier said that companies need to make money while doing good in a win-win for the bottom line and for human value.
"We know the way to change and shape the world," Ms. Quintos said, "is to support these entrepreneurs and ideas." Entrepreneurs help support job growth, innovation and a future-ready world.











Read More ...




Updated: Dell introduces new security solutions to thwart threats
Updated: Dell introduces new security solutions to thwart threats
Dell announced a suite of enterprise security solutions at Dell World to help users fight evolving threats. The solutions feature a new approach to advanced persistence threat (APT) blocking and detection, expanded security for cloud apps with multi-factor authentication, enhancements to Dell Data Protection, management and policy integration across Dell next-generation firewalls and new application security services.
These services help organizations gain a competitive advantage through security, Dell claimed, citing a study published in the Global Technology Adoption Index. According to the GTAI, this year, 35% of North American organizations indicated that security is enabling new things or a competitive advantage, up from 25% in 2014.
"Attacks and hacks on business assets continue to be a common occurrence and are becoming more sophisticated, said Chris Hutcheson, Vice President and General Manager of Dell Security. "It is imperative for organizations to implement a solid security strategy that protects them not just today, but for the future."
"We've built an end-to-end security that's second to none," Michael Dell announced.

Security at the network level

"We see mission critical applications in the public cloud that may or may not offer adequate protection," Mr. Dell said. This is in addition to the BYOD movement, in which each node becomes a vulnerability in the cybersecurity model.
To combat APTs at the network level, the Dell SonicWALL APT Protection Service will be available as a technology preview at Dell World. The service is available on firewalls and email security solutions.
Dell's APT service scans a file and holds potentially malicious unknown files in a sandbox until a verdict can be reached, and Dell claimed that the multi-layered solution is more effective at detecting threats than competitors' single engine solutions.
Dell is also adding the Cyren AV solution to its SonicWALL Email Security, which joins solutions like McAfee AV, Kaspersky AV and Dell SonicWALL Grid AV.

Access management

The Dell One Identity Cloud Access Manager 8.1 enables users to quickly and securely access internal and cloud-based applications. Multi-factor authentication is available under the software as a service (SaaS) model through Dell's Defender as a Service.
The Cloud Edition 2.0 of Dell Data Protection helps businesses enforce enterprise-class control as data moves from endpoint to public cloud services. The service now integrates with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive for Business, Dropbox and Box.
Dell Latitude laptop
Dell Data Protection Server Encryption provides data encryption for Windows servers or remote offices. Dell said that the service also provides easier management and compliance reporting.
And for protection of data against loss, the Endpoint Recovery solution enables continuous backups of endpoint devices, like laptops, desktops and tablets. This helps minimize data loss, and if your system crashes, you can quickly recover your information.
Finally, for customers who use Amazon Web Services, Dell SecureWorks announced that the Emergency Cyber Incident Response (ECIR) is now available. This helps businesses investigate cyber incidents on AWS deployments.
"Though cloud infrastructure does not change the fundamentals of incident response and digital forensics, cloud infrastructure requires modifications to the process for efficient and effective containment, mitigation, data collection, and analysis within the cloud," Dell said in a statement. "As a result, Dell SecureWorks has codified these techniques in order to perform highly efficient and scalable cyber incident response investigations."
Dell also introduced a tool that helps businesses identify and assess vulnerabilities with mission-critical applications. Dell said that its security experts can help complement in-house IT staff to provide analysis, help with configurations and provide monitoring.
With the exception of the Dell One Identity Cloud Access Manger 8.1, which will be available on October 28, all solutions are available today.
"We, today, protect tens of trillions of dollars of intellectual property for businesses," Mr. Dell said. In the future, Dell will partner more closely with RSA and AirWatch.











Read More ...






Available Tags:Asus , iPhone , Android , iPhone , Dell , iOS , YouTube , Download , Apple , security

No comments: