Wednesday 29 January 2014

Google robots - Amazon drones

The global robot race is hotting up ...
Meka M1 robotHonda and others have been working on robots for a while but now Google and Amazon are getting into the race.

BBC News - Google robots may pose challenge to Amazon drones:

Google's anti-ageing research

Something a bit different for Google ...
Does Google want to make you immortal? Larry Page is backing a company that invests in anti-ageing technology.Now this is a company with an objective - to extend human life by up to 100 years! No point in setting targets that are too easily achieved!

Google's latest company Calico plans to do anti-ageing research | News.com.au:

How to fight CryptoLocker

Valuable info and precautions against CryptoLocker ... 
CryptoLocker has got to be the most serious ransonware virus for a long while. It really emphasises the importance of having up to date offline backups of all your valuable data.

How to fight back against CryptoLocker - security - Computerworld:

High-tech home in sight

Homes of the future maybe ...
Avantra high tech apartments; artist's impressions; in Mascot, due for completion 2015.Is this a glimpse of things to come?

High-tech home in sight:

LED LCD vs OLED vs Plasma

Useful background article if shopping for a TV ...
A good summary comparison of the pros and cons for each technology.

LED LCD vs. OLED vs. plasma: what's best? - TVs:

Saturday 25 January 2014

Steve Jobs Was Wrong!

Certainly seems that 7" tablets are the most popular ...
The scatter graphs make this article a bit complicated but it is interesting to see that 7" to 8" tablets seem to win the popularity poles. Something to consider if you are thinking of buying your first tablet. My current choice would be the Nexus 7.

Steve Jobs Was Wrong: Why the 7-Inch Tablet Is King | TIME.com:

Gmail attachments

Another useful enhancement to Gmail ...

End your attachment to attachments with Gmail's new Google Drive tricks
End your attachment to attachments with Gmail's new Google Drive tricks | News | TechRadar:

Chrome 32 'noisy tabs'

A nifty addition to Google Chrome tabs ...

Chrome 32 tells noisy tabs to shut up - Internet Applications & Software:

Older Australians on Internet

Good security advice for all Internet users ...
Some interesting statistics and valuable security advice when using the Internet.

Older Australians just as at risk with internet security as the younger - Gadget Guy Australia:

Smartphone clever apps

smartphone10thingsSome amusing apps when you have nothing else to do ...



10 things you didn't know your smartphone can do:

Goodbye to Facebook?

Teenagers on the move again - MySpace - Facebook - ?? ...
Two teenage girls using smartphoneA long article but a good reference on the emergence of messaging apps that may ultimately become the successor to Facebook for more private teenage communication!

Teenagers say goodbye to Facebook and hello to messenger apps | Technology | The Observer

Test and test again

Another Microsoft Windows 8 issue ...
Sorry, I will get off Microsoft's case very soon! Just thought I would support the sentiments in this article with the fact that I have already come across two Windows 8.1 upgrades that have gone "pear shaped" resulting in a complete reload with Windows 8 and then another attempt at the Windows 8.1 upgrade! Hope Microsoft is going to test 8.2 better if it is to come out before the end of 2014 and what about Windows 9 in April 2015?

Test and test again: The lesson from Windows 8.1's bumpy rollout - Computerworld:

Windows 8.2 release

More on Windows 8 or 8.2 or 9 whatever ...
Windows 8.2A few more alternatives for Microsoft to consider! Certainly sums up the current position quite well.

Windows 8.2 release date, news and rumors | News | TechRadar:

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Windows 8's complexity

Excellent article on Microsoft's Windows 8 dilemma ...
My view is that Microsoft should have left Windows 7 to the desktop/laptop market and developed a new simpler OS for the touch enabled tablet/phone market similar to Android or iOS. Why would you try and build them both into the same OS and make the total complexity and user interface unmanageable? The traditional desktop days may be numbered so let Windows 7 and Apple's OS X carry that market for as long as it lasts.  

Windows 8's complexity tax shackles Microsoft - Computerworld:

Windows 8 is 'the new Vista'

It's shame that Microsoft didn't listen to users ...
Microsoft employees admit Windows 8 is 'the new Vista'If they had actually listened to user reaction to Windows 8 when working on Windows 8.1 they could have avoided this situation but their arrogance has landed them in a deeper mess!

Microsoft employees admit Windows 8 is 'the new Vista' | News | TechRadar:

Microsoft Windows 9 in 2015

Windows 9 changes may be clearer in April ...
So which way next for Microsoft? Leave Windows 7 to service the non-touch screen desktop/laptop market and use Windows 9 for the touch enabled tablet and phone market or are they going to continue to pursue one OS (Windows 9) for all devices however unpopular that may be? 

Microsoft to +1 its OS, move to Windows 9 in 2015 - Computerworld:

Microsoft Windows 9

Windows 8 moves to Windows 9 sooner rather than later ...
Microsoft project "Threshold" seems to be accepting that Windows 8 was not all that it had hoped for. Microsoft seems to want to leave the Windows 8 name behind much as it did with Windows Vista!

Microsoft Windows 'Threshold' to be Windows 9, due 2015 - Operating Systems:

Sunday 19 January 2014

Google Nexus 5 - Android 4.4

Google Nexus 5 now available here in Australia ...
The Google Nexus 5.This smartphone already has a good reputation in the US. It will be interesting to see how it goes here.

First impressions: Google Nexus 5 - Android 4.4, Google, mobile phones, Android, smartphones, Google Nexus 5 - Good Gear Guide by PC World Australia:

Google introduces Helpouts

Another great idea from Google ... 
It will be interesting to see how well this takes off. I guess one measure of success will be how many people have heard of it in 12 months time!

Google introduces Helpouts, a new way to get help over video - Computerworld:

Quickoffice in Google's KitKat

Bad news for Microsoft's Office in consumer market ...
Bundling Quickoffice in Android KitKat is going to mean that most consumers will not look any further for their office productivity applications on mobile devices.

Google escalates offensive against Office with Android 'KitKat' - Computerworld:

Android takes record share

Android ships 204 million smartphones in Q3 ...
Android takes record share of smartphone marketThis gives Android an 81% share compared to Apple's iOS at 13.4%.

Android takes record share of smartphone market - RightMobilePhone:

Monday 6 January 2014

Facebook loses cool factor

Facebook no longer 'cool' place for younger generation ...
I like a couple quotes from this article - "Somewhere along the way, Facebook apparently became your father's social network" and " Teens were the early adopters with Facebook and it's natural that some will use other platforms when they suddenly see mom, dad, and their old Aunt Milly start friending them on Facebook. When the adults arrive, it definitely kills the 'cool factor' for at least some teens."

Facebook loses the cool factor with bored teens - Computerworld:

Google's Nexus 5

First smartphone with Android 4.4 OS named Kit Kat ...
Google's Nexus 5Of course it would be the Google Nexus 5 (manufactured by LG). Its predecessor the Nexus 4 already had an enviable reputation.

Google's Nexus 5 smartphone debuts as first with Android 'KitKat' - Computerworld:

Apple's tablet lead shrinks

So Apple's tablet market share drops 10.6% to 29.6% ...
Android tablets continue to cut into Apple's market share, dropping it from 40.2% to 29.6% in one year at the end of third quarter last year.

Apple's tablet lead shrinks as Android gains momentum - Computerworld: