Sunday 27 January 2013

10 Tech Trends for 2013

An interesting perspective for 2013 ...
I agree with most of these predictions from the Gadget Guy!

2013trends


The march of progress isn’t going to slow down just because we all survived the Mayan Apocalypse. In fact, wholesale destruction of the world by mysterious sister planets or angry elder spirits would be the only thing that could stop it. Gadgets, home entertainment, technology in general are going to continue to become increasingly sophisticated and, crucially, increasingly interwoven into your everyday life. Here are 10 trends – a mix of products, services and features – that we predict will come to define the year ahead.

Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses

Looks like Google Glass Project is nearly here ...

Vuzix M100 - the world's first Smart Glasses - unveiled at CES:
smartglasses3The world’s first Smart Glasses have been unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The M100 offers a handsfree display for on-the-go data access. The device fits over your ear like a Bluetooth headset but has an extended arm with a personal display to allow users to stream video, text messages, emails, maps and audio from their smartphone which may be stored in their pocket or bag. The Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses also has an integrated camera that can capture 720p video and stills literally from the user’s point of view and store them on the device’s SD card.

Connect to a WiFi network

Connecting to your home WiFi network ...
Click the link below to read this two page article.

How to connect devices to a WiFi network: 
A WiFi network lets all your wireless devices access the internet over the airwaves, so no need to trail cables all over the house.Wireless WiFi networks have become almost ubiquitous in both home and business. The router that you use to connect to broadband internet probably has one. Your office likely has one too, and there are many ‘hotspots’ in restaurants and other public places that offer wireless access as well. WiFi lets you talk to the internet without using any cables. At home or in an office, you can access your broadband connection over the airwaves, and through that enjoy full and fast access to the internet and the world wide web. The range of devices that now supports WiFi is staggering: PCs, mobile phones, tablets, cameras, television sets, home AV equipment, media players, game consoles – even some white goods. Fortunately, setting them up to connect to a wireless network is very easy.

App downloads set record

iOS and Android Devices set records for app downloads ...
In one week 50 million iOS and Android device activations and 1.7 billion App downloads!

App downloads set one-week record of 1.7B: Smartphone and tablet owners downloaded a record 1.76 billion iOS and Android apps during the week of Dec. 25 to Dec. 31, a mobile analytics company said

Setting up a home WiFi network

The basics of a home WiFi network explained ...
Click the link below to read this two page article.

How to set up a home or small office WiFi network: OWhomenetwork[1]

If you haven’t yet set up your home or small office wireless network, then you’re not using your equipment to its full potential. A home or office wireless – or WiFi – network allows mobile device like laptops, smartphones and tablets to access the internet through your broadband connection, rather than through more expensive 3G/4G services (these provides direct access from mobile device to the internet. If you want to access the internet from your home WiFi network you’ll still need a broadband service.)

Saturday 26 January 2013

Google Glass Project

Look for the word "transmogrification" - what's that ...
This is a good forward looking article on were we might be going after the smartphone! Have a look at the link to Google's concept video by clicking on the "One Day" link




The Google Glass transformation | Technology Spectator:


Windows 8: new File Explorer

New File Explorer in Windows 8 looks interesting ...
Whilst not being a great fan of Ribbons in MS Office, the layout of the new Windows 8 File Explorer (old Windows Explorer) with its Ribbon does look to have some advantages. What do you think?

Windows 8: New File Explorer features: Greg Shultz introduces you to the Windows 8's new File Explorer and some of its time-saving features.

Sunday 20 January 2013

How to find videos on YouTube

Yet another useful little tutorial on YouTube ...
If you really get into watching YouTubes just be aware that they can use a significant amount of your monthly download allowance. If your monthly download allowance is greater than 10 GB you most likely will not run into problems. If your monthly download allowance is 2 GB or less then watch out!

Basics: How to find videos on YouTube: youtube
There’s a huge selection of content on YouTube – millions of videos in fact. So how do you find what you want to watch? YouTube works like an Internet search engine. Type in a word or phrase, and a list of videos that fit will appear. You might be interested in travelling in Thailand, for instance.  You can see the ‘Travelling Thailand’ search results (below) are a mix of home movies, so you might need to search for something slightly different.

How to post a video to YouTube

Useful little tutorial if you want to upload to YouTube ...

Basics: How to post a video to YouTube: youtube
YouTube isn’t just a place for watching videos – you can upload your own movies too.
Some phones, camcorders and digital cameras can upload directly to YouTube, but in this article we’ll look at how you do it using a video file saved to your notebook computer or desktop PC. First, you need a Google account to upload to YouTube. Go to youtube.com and click the ‘Create Account’ link at the top right of the page.

Friday 18 January 2013

Resetting Chrome

How to reset Google Chrome without re-installing ...
If you have used Google Chrome Sync on a computer that is NOT your own then you may have got yourself into a lot of trouble! Firstly, you have probably overwritten all the bookmarks, autofill, themes etc that were set in Google Chrome before you signed in and, secondly, when you sign out you will see that all your information remains for the benefit of the original owner. S/he may not be happy with this! If you want to restore Google Chrome to original, default or "as installed" status then this little Helpertuts tutorial will help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDqm3_8weVo

Friday 4 January 2013

Internet has 30th birthday

Happy Birthday to you ...
Probably the most significant development in the second half of the 20th century!

Internet celebrates 30th birthday: The internet has turned 30, with January 1, 1983 regarded as the day the computer network officially began its technological revolution.


Thursday 3 January 2013

Slow Windows 8 uptake

Windows 8 uptake nowhere near Windows 7 ...
Some interesting figures for Windows 8 uptake so far. The second page of this article gives some insights into possible reasons for the slower than expected uptake of Windows 8.

Windows 8's uptake falls behind Vista's pace: With just a week left in the month, Windows 8's usage uptake has slipped behind Vista's at the same point in its release, according to data from Net Applications.

Ransomware Scammers

Take note of this type of virus but don't panic ...
As the article states, this type of scam has been around for about 6 years but it seems to be taking a few new twists!

Ransomware scammers push panic button with bogus claims: Cyber extortionists shilling "ransomware" have upped the ante by pushing users' panic buttons with claims that their malware will wipe hard drives, a security firm said Monday.

Mobile Broadband

Mobile Broadband flexibility ...
This article from the GadgetGuy is a great introduction to various forms of Mobile Broadband.

How to set up mobile broadband

LG adding Google TV in 2013

This is really starting to merge TVs and Computers ...

LG to add Google to new TVs in 2013: LG_Google_TV3
Forget those Google TV boxes, because at least one company is looking to integrate, with LG pre-announcing more CES goods. Set to be shown officially at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, LG’s upcoming GA6400 and 7900 series TVs will take advantage of Smart TV not just by connecting the internet to your television set, but also by offering Google’s TV platform, with access to YouTube, apps, and more.

“LG is committed to providing diverse home entertainment options that offer the most satisfying user experience and the latest LG Smart TVs with Google TV do just that,” said LG’s Havis Kwon. They deliver a stellar user experience by merging the latest Google TV platform with LG’s proven Smart TV technology.” Similar to the developments we saw with the introduction of new televisions last year from various manufacturers, the LG Google TV include a dual-core processor to make sure this system is seamless, designed to offer fast web browsing, video streaming, and the ability to link the television up with other connected devices, such as smartphones and tablets running Google’s Android operating system. Just like with all CES things – and pre-CES things too, it seems – pricing and local availability are both missing in action right now, though if you’re considering getting a TV right now, we’d suggest to hold off, as history tends to show that new models make their way out in March to April down here in Australia.

As for the TV, we should be getting a good hands-on with LG’s Google TV set when we arrive at CES to check out everything the world of technology has to offer us in the new year.

FB103: Facebook tips & tricks

Third in a series of articles on Facebook ...

facebook1Basics: Facebook tips and tricks:
With a Facebook account full of friends and lots happening in your News Feed, it’s time to unleash the full power of social networking!
The most important part of the Facebook page is the notifications bar. This alerts you when someone posts a reply to a comment you’ve made, sends you a message, or adds you as a friend. Red numbers next to an icon indicate how many notifications of that type you’ve received.

The Facebook notifications bar alerts you to new activity on your Facebook page.

Click on an icon to show a list of recent notifications, then click on the notification to jump to that person’s profile.

Keep it personal

Privacy is a big deal on Facebook, since you could potentially be showing all your photos and posts to the world! You can use the inline privacy bar to set which people can see any post, photo or video you put up on Facebook. Privacy options in your account can be set to cover everything you do on Facebook. A good setting is to ensure your information, posts and photos can only be seen by ‘Friends’, not ‘Friends of Friends’. A stranger visiting your Facebook page will only see your profile picture and some basic info, until they try to add you as a friend.

Privacy settings allow you to control who sees your personal information.

If you reject a friend request, don’t worry. The person making the request doesn’t get a rejection notice. The same goes if you delete a friend. They won’t know they’ve been deleted until they try to visit your page again.You can see all the friends you have by clicking on the Friends link, and then clicking ‘Manage Friends List’.

FB102: How to join Facebook

Second in a series of articles on Facebook ...

facebook1Basics: How to join Facebook:
Ready to join Facebook, the world’s most popular social network? Setting up an account is easy! Social networks use your existing email address as your proof of identity, and Facebook is no exception. If you have a Google Gmail account, that’s handy, because Gmail is accepted at all major social networking sites. But any email address will work. Use your web browser to visit facebook.com. You’ll see a login screen, ready and waiting for your details!

Android edges out iOS

Android edges out iOS in Australian smartphones ...

Android edges out Apple's iOS as Australia's most popular smartphone system:
androidleadsAndroid has edged out Apple’s iOS on the iPhone as the most popular operating system in the Australian smartphone market, according to technology research company Telsyte. Telsyte’s research shows 44 per cent of smartphones are Android devices which is now just ahead of the iPhone on 43 per cent. Android has gained the lead through the sheer number of handsets running the software including devices by Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Sony, LG and Huawei.

Wednesday 2 January 2013

FB101: What is Facebook?

First in a series of articles on Facebook ...
facebook1
Basics: What is Facebook?:
Facebook is the world’s most popular social network. It’s a website where you can create a list of friends and family, and automatically see updates on what they’re up to. Facebook uses everything the web has to offer – short messages, photos, videos, links to other websites, anything you can think of. But the difference is that it’s all presented in an easy-to-read News Feed – or list – that shows you what your friends and family are doing. Think of Facebook as an interactive postcard – short, sharp updates on a friend’s latest holiday, new baby, or home renovation! Friends will point to news stories they think are important, comment on each other’s photos and videos, and just generally have a conversation about, well, anything! Facebook’s search function lets you find specific people, and once you find them, you can add them to your friends list to get automatic updates. Don’t want everyone to read your conversation? There’s a private messaging system too, that works like traditional email. Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with all your friends and family – in a lighthearted way. Your niece might not put up much important news, but at least you know she’s still alive! There are lots of things you can do with Facebook – almost anything you can think of. It lets you plan events and get RSVPs from your guests, and you can also tap a button on your phone to post that you’ve arrived home from a holiday so people know you’ve travelled safely. But really Facebook is all about keeping those lines of communication open – and that’s what it does best.