Good overview of the two new iPhones ...
This is old news now but this article gives a good summary of the two new iPhone 5 models.
Do the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C offer enough new features?:
Excellent article that explains Microsoft's problems ...
I have read the amazing explanation outlined in paragraph 8 (starts "Microsoft's greatest strength ... ") before but this article so clearly puts into perspective the problems that Microsoft is now facing.
What's behind Microsoft's fall from dominance:
Changing of the guard at Microsoft and a new start ...
More recent news is that the Board is asking Bill Gates to step down as Chairman. Looks like the Board does not want Bill Gates influencing the decision on the new CEO to replace Steve Ballmer!
Blunders lead to Ballmer's demise - Computerworld:
An interesting article about future Microsoft directions ...
You may not agree with Ben Thomson's views but this is an interesting (if long) article on Microsoft's options for the future.
Kill Windows Phone or risk dying, analyst tells Microsoft - Computerworld:
Must read article if you are looking at Android tablets ...
I agree with the reviewers choices of Nexus 7" and Nexus 10". I have never hear of the Ainol Novo 7" and Novo 9"!
Best Android tablets (September 2013 edition) | ZDNet:
Read this and think about the long term implications ...
These new "apps" can be found in the Chrome Web Store - see "Collections" then "For Your Desktop". A good example is Google Keep that was launched some time ago and now takes its place as one of the first Chrome "apps" that runs entirely outside of the Chrome browser - try it!
Google seeks to marry desktop and cloud with new Chrome apps - Computerworld:
Google Chromebook finally getting traction ...
This YouTube advert from Google is quite interesting! Apparently they are now making significant inroads into the schools and it hardly surprising at the price!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOyIA8EK2R0&feature=em-subs_digest
Bits & Pieces Posts also in a Google+ Community ...
Since the demise of Google RSS Reader, blogs have been harder to keep up with than other social media such as Facebook and Google+. So I have decided to also share my blog posts to a public Bits & Pieces Google+ Community. Clicking on posts in the Bits & Pieces Community will bring you back to the original post here in Google Blogger where I have more control over formatting. If you join the Bits & Pieces Google+ Community (using the link below) you will automatically get notifications when I post new items. This saves you visiting the blog just to see if I have posted anything new. It also means that you can comment on and discuss the posts within the Bits & Pieces Google+ Community which is a better format for this type of discussion. Please remember that the Bits & Pieces Google+ Community is "Public" (same as this blog) and therefore any comments are seen by all members of that Community.
Bits & Pieces Google+ Community
Tablets sales in 2013 more than whole of 2012 ...
Already 2.3 million sold in 2013 making a total of 7 million in use in Australia. This must be making a dent in the sale of desktops and laptops!
Tablet sales in first half of 2013 nearly more than whole of 2012:
This is a surprising drop in use of Windows XP ...
As per my last post, there seems to be some statistical fiddling going on here! Other analysis referenced in this article shows a slight increase in the use of Windows XP! Just who are you to believe? The truth is probably somewhere in between. It could also be that users are moving to their tablets and smartphones in preference to their slowing Windows XP machines.
Windows XP's user share nose-dives - Computerworld:
Hardly a major claim to fame for Windows 8 ...
Even then, this is somewhat optimistic. I am not sure how you can count Windows 8.1 when it has not yet been released! Other analytics company, StatCounter, thinks that Windows 8 is behind Vista!
Windows 8 surpasses Vista's uptake rate -- 10 months after launch - Computerworld:
Interesting Internet access option for travellers ...
Prices in this article and the linked review article don't seem to match up but it seems to get a reasonably good review all the same. The dates on the two articles are quite different which might explain the prices and the countries in which it gives Internet access.
Globalgig to sell wi-fi hotspots in Dick Smith stores:
Interestingly this article states that Google Now users for Android and iOS can be alerted of extreme nearby bushfires published by NSW Rural Fire Service.
The visual change to from Apple's iOS6 to iOS7 is not popular with everyone. 
I wonder how many disgruntled users did not resolve this issue by correcting the file association but rather installing and moving to another compatible free product like Open Office!
So you have decided to take the Windows 8.1 plunge - here are some useful tips and tricks to get you started!
This article might finally push you over the line. Then it tells you how to get the upgrade!
There are mixed views about the likely success of Windows 8.1!
This article might convince you that it is safe upgrade from Windows XP to to Windows 8.1. There again it may not!
Now there are affordable Wi-Fi cameras that can link to Android apps! Motion detection and video recording included.
I believe that most homes will still have one desktop or laptop PC but it is likely that all other computing devices will be either tablets or smart phones.
A finger print scanner is hardly new, laptops have had them for years! It certainly seems that the Apple iPhone is running out of ideas.
The Nokia unit sales numbers were incredible. Makes you realise that Apple's iPhone is really a "kid on the block" in comparison! 
Since the demise of Google RSS Reader, blogs have been harder to keep up with than other social media such as Facebook and Google+. So I have decided to also share my blog posts to a public Bits & Pieces Google+ Community. Clicking on posts in the Bits & Pieces Community will bring you back to the original post here in Google Blogger where I have more control over formatting. If you join the Bits & Pieces Google+ Community (using the link below) you will automatically get notifications when I post new items. This saves you visiting the blog just to see if I have posted anything new. It also means that you can comment on and discuss the posts within the Bits & Pieces Google+ Community which is a better format for this type of discussion. Please remember that the Bits & Pieces Google+ Community is "Public" (same as this blog) and therefore any comments are seen by all members of that Community.
The first Nexus 7 was so popular but this new generation Nexus 7 is even better in so many ways that it is a "must consider" if you are interested in an Android 7" tablet.
Always useful to run through these popular keyboard shortcuts every once in a while.
I totally agree with the views expressed in this article. Microsoft could have renamed Windows 7 as Windows Desktop 7 and, in parallel, launched Windows Touch 1. They could have left the desktop out of Windows Touch 1 which is what the rumours were suggesting was going to happen in future releases.
Well at least I know what to do if I am still not fully satisfied with the Windows 8.1 enhancements! Interesting that Pokki is Intel and Google Ventures.
Another good article to put the difference in the two plans into perspective. Personally, I think the difference in cost (~$1,000 per premise for 71%) and the difference in rollout timeframe (maybe 2 years) does not justify an inferior long term solution for the NBN.
Worth a read to better understand where we are going with the NBN. The next post is also a good reference.
As a one time keen advocate of iGoogle, I still think that it was a great system, however, I can see where Google is trying to go in the long term and hence the need to drop iGoogle. I will have a look at these alternatives (when I have time) because one or more of them may add some value along side the new Google Apps Page!