Monday 23 June 2014

Chrome OS OK for 5 years

For business 5 years is reasonable but home users? ...
Something to consider if you buy Chromebook "old stock" at an attractively discounted price!

Google promises to patch Chrome OS for 5 years - Computerworld:

Computer chips in medicine

Think about this when you take the next capsule ...
The system is being used to make sure older people take their pills.I wonder what happens if they don't pass right through. They might all accumulate somewhere!

Computer chip makes sure medicine does go down:

Honda's weird jet engines

Honda - the quiet unassuming Japanese company ...
Most people don't realise that Honda makes more engines than any other company in the world. For lawnmowers, generators, motorbikes, marine, cars etc and even weird jet engines!

Honda is making a luxury jet with really weird engines | The Verge:

Google overtakes Apple

Changing of the guard at the top ...
IBM was third and Microsoft and McDonalds were fourth and fifth in the most valuable brand name stakes!

Google overtakes Apple as world's most valuable brand for 2014 | The Verge:

BlackPhone from Silent Circle

One way to combat the NSA and phone hackers ...
Quote: "BlackPhone offers all of that running on a forked Android version known as PrivatOS designed to be as anonymous, secure, and private as possible. The BlackPhone is completely unlocked, and it can run on any carrier worldwide."

BlackPhone maker Silent Circle raises $30M, moves to Switzerland | Ars Technica:

Windows 9 preview

Will Windows 9 be out within a year? ... 
Windows 9 preview release date tipped for early 2015Will Windows 9 be the popular fix as Windows 7 was to Windows Vista?

Windows 9 preview release date tipped for early 2015 | News | TechRadar:

Thursday 19 June 2014

Google's self-driving car

Are these the cars of the future ...
Google-self-driving-car-the-verge-07-1020Interesting status report of where Google's self-driving cars are up to!

I took a ride in Google's self-driving car | The Verge:

Sunday 15 June 2014

Washer dryer combo with wi-fi

Internet of Things gathers speed ...
The Samsung washer dryer combo is Australia's first with wi-fi on boardSamsung launches Australia's first 8Kg washer dryer combination that connects to your home Wi-Fi network.

Samsung releases Australia's first washer dryer combo with wi-fi:

Default font in MS Word

Not rocket science but still a handy tip to remember ...
I always struggle to remember how to do this. Should be more intuitive than this!

Tech Tip: How to change the default font in Microsoft Word | PCWorld:

'Star Wars' robotic arm

Looks like a better option than the traditional hook ...
US authority approves robotic armInteresting that it has been built with similar strength to a natural human arm. No Six Million Dollar man here!

'Star Wars' robotic arm for amputees approved for sale in US - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

Saturday 14 June 2014

Android productivity apps

Splitting Google Drive from productivity apps ...
On Android platforms, the productivity apps (Documents & Spreadsheets - aka Google Docs) have become separate standalone apps allowing their use when there is no Internet connection. Once an Internet connection is available, the files will synchronise with Google Drive. The Google Drive app on Android will become a File Manager more like DropBox.

Google splits up Drive with new iOS and Android productivity apps | Ars Technica:

Uber defends ridesharing

A discussion worth considering ...
UberX is certainly getting a lot of people heated! Not surprising as it is a "game changer" as far as the Taxi industry is concerned. Worth a read!

Uber defends ridesharing after Taxi Council's talk of "risk" - CNET:

Google’s self-driving cars

Now Google driverless cars notch up 700,000 miles ...
Quote "This is one of the rare projects that could change the world, and Google says it's "optimistic" that a self-driving car is an achievable goal."

Google’s self-driving cars hit 700,000 miles, learn city navigation | Ars Technica:

Android phones dominate

Android is now dominating most markets ...
Android dominates, Windows Phone underwhelms and iOS surges in Japan: Kantar’s Q1 reportIt is interesting how the popularity of phone Operating Systems varies so dramatically across different global markets.

Android dominates, Windows Phone underwhelms and iOS surges in Japan: Kantar's Q1 report - Tech2:

Google Adds “Okay Google”

Speak to Chrome and get a voice response ...
You can now ask your Google search question on Google Chrome and in many cases you will get a voice response answer.

Google Adds “Okay Google” Voice Search For All Chrome Users | TechCrunch:

Kids try 1970s computers

Kids really struggle with early personal computers ...
1970s computer class ... Kacey, nine, struggles to work out the computer.This YouTube is well worth watching just for the comments from the kids struggling to use 1970s style personal computers.

Kids confused by 1970s computer in latest YouTube clip by The Fine Bros | News.com.au:

Australian Chromecast

Google Chromecast arrives in Australia at last ...
Google's Chromecast streaming media player, officially available in Australia for $49.
Long awaited Wi-Fi device that you plug into an HDMI port on your TV and then you are able to direct YouTube and other content straight from your tablet or smartphone to your TV. Once playing has started you can do other things on your tablet or smartphone or turn them off.

Hands on: Australian Chromecast:

Chrome Remote Desktop App

Accessing your desktop from your smartphone ...
Great idea but navigating Windows Explorer on a 5" inch smartphone screen is not easy as it sounds!

Google Launches Chrome Remote Desktop On Android, Allowing Mobile Access To Your PC | TechCrunch:

Google's CAPTCHAs

Good to see something can read CAPTCHAs ... 
These can be very frustrating - especially when it takes several attempts to complete a form just because you fail to interpret the CAPTCHA at the end!

Google develops computer vision accurate enough to solve its own CAPTCHAs | The Verge: