Avast acquires AVG

Avast buys out AVG for $1.3 billion ...
Two of the best free antivirus scanners. My favourite has always been Avast but both are very capable!

Avast acquires antivirus maker AVG for $1.3BN to gain scale and dive into IoT security – TechCrunch:

Samsung UFS memory

Samsung UFS (Universal Flash Storage) memory ...
Huge capacity (256 GB) and huge read speeds up to 5x that of Micro SD cards (530 MB/sec)!

Samsung unveils world's first UFS memory cards — the successor to microSD | The Verge:

Google knows you well

Google collects lots of interesting data about you...
A useful reference to see how much Google knows about you and how to control it.

How to see everything Google knows about you | Business Insider:

OK Google Commands

Interesting compilation of OK Google commands ...
Useful reference for all the commands you can use with OK Google!

OK Google:

Apple after Steve Jobs

Apple's big mistake after Steve Jobs ...
Totally agree! Technology companies like Apple, Microsoft or Google need innovative CEOs. Tim Cook is an excellent Chief Operating Officer but I think he is what I call a "screw it downer" rather than "entrepreneur". Steve Jobs was undoubtedly an entrepreneur with flare not someone trying to just trying to improve the "bottom line"! 

Apple after Steve Jobs: What are the biggest mistakes they’ve made?:

Maps and Earth Updates

Google updates Maps & Earth with super imagery ...
Big improvement to Google's satellite imagery from NASA's Landsat 8.

Google updates Maps and Earth apps with super sharp satellite imagery | The Verge:

Windows 10 Complaints

Will Microsoft ever recover from Windows 8/10 ...
Having missed the smartphone revolution (Android & iOS), Microsoft embarked on a bold catch up strategy that envisioned a single operating system across desktop/laptop, tablet and phone. This was a bold moved based on Apple's dual platform strategy of OSX for desktop/laptop and iOS for tablet and phone. Microsoft tried to force its fledgling Windows 8 on their billion users with disastrous results. It was so bad that, they quickly released Windows 8.1 to rectify some of the hurt and then Windows 10 to take it nearly back to Windows 7! So what was all this for? Microsoft's smartphone strategy has failed due to lack of users and their tablet strategy has resulted in the expensive Surface product which is really no better that a good Windows 7 laptop with a touch screen! So just why did we all go through this exercise in futility? Microsoft is left with a very complex operating system that most consumers will probably leave behind in favour of an Apple or Android tablet or a Google Chromebook!

Windows 10 Complaints Keep Rolling In - Computing on Top Tech News:

Boston Dynamics’ new robot

These robots are getting scarily good ...
Interesting video of the latest robots from Boston Dynamics.

Enjoy a video of Boston Dynamics’ new robot doing chores and slipping on banana peels – TechCrunch:

W10 Anniversary Update

Windows 10 Anniversary Update long time coming ...
The Anniversary Update is expected to take 3 months to get out to all the 350 - 400 million PCs running Windows 10.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update rollout will take 3 months | Ars Technica:

Google Cast now in Chrome

Chrome extension no longer needed for Google Cast ...
Google Cast (aka Chromecast) no longer requires a Chrome extension since it is built directly into the Chrome browser.

Google Cast gets built into Chrome | Ars Technica:

Google launches Duo

At last Facetime for Android and iOS ...
Google has launched Duo a simple mobile video calling app that will work on Android AND Apple iOS allowing cross platform video calling without the complexity of Skype.

Google launches Duo video-calling app, a dull cross-OS FaceTime rival – TechCrunch:

Google improves 2FA

Google's 2 Factor Authentication gets better ...

This is a significant improvement to the 2 Factor Authentication requirement of retrieving 6 digit codes. Now you can just tap 'Yes' on your linked mobile phone!

Google makes it much easier to use 2FA on your account | Ars Technica:

International Space Station

A 3D tour of the International Space Station ...
Interesting narrated tour of the International Space Station courtesy of the European Space Agency. This 13 minute video takes you right through the space station and explains all the modules from each country.

Take an awesome 3D tour of the International Space Station | The Verge:

Chromebooks for Android apps

Chromebooks to get Android app support ...
A useful list of Chromebooks that will be getting support for Android apps in the US Fall. It is also interesting to see just how many manufacturers are producing such a variety of Chromebook models.

These are the Chromebooks getting Android app support - The Verge:

Android apps on Chromebooks

Google Play Store coming to Google Chromebook ...
This game changer should start rolling out in the US Fall. The number of current Chromebooks that are compatible with Android apps is limited but all new Chromebooks should be OK. This will make Chromebooks and even more compelling alternative to Windows.

Android apps are just what Chromebooks needed | The Verge:

Microsoft IE Users drop

Microsoft's browser strategy seems flawed ...
Interesting statistics on desktop / notebook browser usage. Microsoft is losing market share steadily. Windows 10 and its new Edge browser are still struggling with public opinion mixed.

Microsoft squanders browser dominance in record time - Computerworld:

Win 10 Anniversary Update

The next big Windows 10 update on August 2nd ...
Just after Windows 10 goes out of its free upgrade offer on 29th July, Microsoft will release the next big Windows 10 update.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update Available August 2 | Windows Experience Blog:

Windows 10 easier to reject

Microsoft finally listens to its customers ...
When it is almost too late, Microsoft backs off its malware tactics to get Windows 10 on as many PCs as it can!

Windows 10 upgrade will soon be easier to reject | Ars Technica:

Unwanted Windows 10

No apology from Microsoft for its Windows 10 tactics ...
At last someone takes Microsoft to court, and wins, for pushing its Windows 10 down everyone's throat whether they want it or not!

Unwanted Windows 10 upgrade costs Microsoft $10,000 | Ars Technica:

Google Duo mobile video

Google Duo - Mobile video calls made easy ...

At last a simple video calling app - Google Duo to be launched soon. The first video in this article is well worth a look. It describes the new Google Allo messaging app to be launched soon and then goes on to describe the new Google Duo video calling app.

Google Duo makes mobile video calls fast and simple | The Verge:

Google Allo messaging

Another new messaging app from Google ...
Messaging is such a fragmented communication medium, unlike email that is universal. There is no point being on a specific messaging app unless all your friends are also on that app as they do not currently interconnect e.g. iMessage to Telegram to Hangouts etc. To get a sufficiently large number of users to move from their existing messaging app you have to offer something really innovative and useful.

Allo is a messaging app with Google built right in | The Verge:

Windows Phone market sinks

Windows Phone numbers decline further ...
Looks like the end is near for Windows Phone. It is a shame that the main reason for Windows 10 was to get Microsoft into the smartphone market!

Windows Phone market share sinks below 1 percent | The Verge:

Sneaky Windows 10 upgrades

Two ways of stopping Windows 10 auto-upgrade ...
This article explains the somewhat deceptive ways that Microsoft is using to auto-upgrade Windows 7 PCs to Windows 10. Fortunately there are now two ways to stop this happening. Never10 from Gibson Research Corporation is possibly the best technical solution but GWX Control Panel also works well.

How to stop the sneaky Windows 10 auto-upgrade for good | CyberShack:

Windows 7 Service Pack 2 ?

An equivalent to Windows 7 SP2 at long last ...
A "convenience rollup" for Windows 7 Service Pack 1. This saves a long and tedious updating process when you have to reload a Windows 7 PC. Five years of patches in one shot!

Windows 7 now has a Service Pack 2 (but don’t call it that) | Ars Technica:

World's tallest dive roller coaster

Valravn - Official POV YouTube ...
Not for the faint hearted - especially just after you have eaten! Currently the tallest, fastest and longest drop roller coaster. Watch at your own risk!

This POV video of the world's tallest dive roller coaster is a wild ride even at your desk | The Verge:

Firefox overtakes MS IE & Edge

Browsers wars - and the winner is Chrome ...
Some interesting figures for global browser usage.

Firefox overtakes Microsoft’s IE and Edge browsers, but Chrome continues to dominate | TechCrunch:

Skype needs to be fixed

Microsoft Skype desperately serious attention ...
I totally agree with this article! Skype desktop gets more updates that almost any application. Why are so many updates required? This application has gone down hill ever since Microsoft bought it in 2011. If there was a really good substitute, Skype would lose most of its 300 million users.

First Click: Microsoft needs to fix Skype | The Verge:

Windows 10 nagging to stop

Peace at last from Windows 10 pop-ups ...
There is hope that the Windows 10 nagging prompts will actually stop after 29th July 2016 - won't that be a relief for everyone?

Microsoft is removing its nagging Windows 10 upgrade notifications soon | The Verge:

Windows 10 Weather upgrade

An historic Windows 10 upgrade to the Weather ...
As if Microsoft was not already annoying everyone enough with their Windows 10 pop-ups they just had to get into the Weather Forecasts as well !

Even weather forecasts aren’t safe from Windows 10 upgrade prompts | The Verge:

Sydney Opera House

Interesting Google 360 degree tour of the Opera House ...
This virtual tour of the Sydney Opera House is worth a look! Check out both 360 degree virtual tours.

Google turns the Sydney Opera House into an online exhibit | The Verge:

Google Spaces group chat app

Google tries a new group chat app called Spaces ...
Having tried this new app, it is a little clumsy at the moment but could have a place for small groups to share thoughts on a specific topic like arranging a holiday or a party.

Google tries its hand at social again with launch of group chat app, Spaces | TechCrunch:

Chromebooks outsold Macs

Google Chromebooks outsell Apple Macs ...
Dell, HP and Lenovo sold nearly 2 million Chromebooks in the first quarter of 2016, mainly in US schools. This does not count those sold elsewhere by Samsung, Acer and Toshiba. However in Australia you are lucky to see a Chromebook in any retail shop - what gives?

Chromebooks outsold Macs for the first time in the US | The Verge:

Apple proves Newton right

Looks like Apple needs something special ...
Two interesting graphs! The first shows Apple's falling stock price and the second shows Alphabet (Google), the blue line, just about to overtake Apple, the white line, as the most valuable company on earth!

Apple boss Tim Cook finally proves Newton right - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

Watch Delta IV rocket launch

Watch a Delta IV Rocket take off ...
Interesting video of a Delta IV rocket take off - up close and personal. Move you mouse left to right and up and down whilst the video plays!

New 360-degree video puts you right next to a Delta IV rocket launch | The Verge:

Watch the Volocopter

Is this the personal helicopter of the future ...
Cross between a drone and a helicopter, this has a lot of potential especially since it is electric and pollution free!

Watch this bonkers-looking aircraft with 18 rotors take its first crewed flight | The Verge:

Microsoft’s ambitions are huge

Microsoft is transforming - it has to ...
So Windows Phone is all but dead but Microsoft is turning its attentions to then next futuristic developments - to lead rather than follow too late. An interesting article about how Microsoft sees its future.

Microsoft’s ambitions are huge and surprising, because they have to be | The Verge:

Dropbox Project Infinite

Dropbox to provide new storage options ...
A yet to publicly released Dropbox option which will allow you to decide which files are stored locally whilst all will be available for download from your Dropbox cloud allocation.

Dropbox will now show all your files locally without using any disk space | Ars Technica:

Windows 10 Push

Microsoft should apologise for Windows 10 upgrades ...
It is one thing to 'encourage' Windows 10 upgrades but it is completely different to commence the upgrade without the user's permission. In recent weeks I know of at least half a dozen cases where the upgrade has started without the user knowing. This has been due to the cunning wording change on the Windows 10 promotional screens. 

Microsoft’s Windows 10 push is effective, damaging, desirable, and deceptive | Ars Technica:

Your Data in the cloud

Interesting discussion about data in the cloud ...
Risks and benefits of storing your data in the cloud.

Data in the cloud | Malwarebytes Labs:

Chromecast Audio Capabilities

Chromecast Audio or read Sonos on the cheap ...
Chromecast Audio is following in the footsteps of the original Chromecast representing incredible value for money.

Sonos on the cheap: How Chromecast Audio breathes new life into old speakers | Ars Technica:

Google Play Music Podcasts

Podcasts accessible through Google Play Music ...
This sounds good but apparently only released in the US and Canada at this stage! Probably means that it will take another 6 months for everyone else!

Google Play Music Podcasts launches today | Ars Technica:

PC sales in reverse gear

Interesting statistics on current PC sales ...
Not good news for the PC manufacturers. In the past we have had to upgrade PC hardware to run the latest Windows OS but Windows 10 runs quite happily on Windows 7 hardware. My favourite PC manufacturer, Lenovo, still remains top dog with 19.3% of market share!

PC sales in reverse gear, slumping to lowest level in a decade | TechRadar:

Google Calendar’s Reminders

Google Calendar reminders now on the web interface ...
This is as major improvement and now makes Google Calendar combined with Google Keep a good to-do list for those that don't need a more comprehensive app like Wunderlist.

Google Calendar’s Reminders feature is now on the web | TechCrunch:

Apple's a midlife crisis or not

Apple is 40 years old - time for midlife crisis? ...
Interesting article about Apple's advancing years and the possibility that they may be having a midlife crisis.

Five signs 40-year-old Apple is having a midlife crisis -- and five reasons it isn't - Computerworld:

Keep gets even better

Google Keep is getting better and better ...
I have started using Google Keep more since it integrated Reminders with my Google Calendar. These latest enhancements makes the app even more useful.

Google Keep gets support for #labels and a new Chrome extension | TechCrunch:

Chrome has 1 billion+ users

Chrome Mobile joins and elite group of apps ...
Chrome Mobile joins Android, Maps, Search, YouTube and Google Play all of which have over 1 billion users. Chrome on desktop also has over 1 billion users!

Google says Chrome now has more than 1 billion users on mobile | TechCrunch:

Win 10 Anniversary Update

Next big Windows 10 update ...
I guess this will be called the 1607 update. The last big Windows 10 update was in November 2015 (the 1511 update). I wonder how big this one will be - 2 GB??

Microsoft announces the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, coming this summer | TechCrunch:

Windows 10 on 270 Million

Windows 10 increasing but still not enough ...
Microsoft was hoping for 1 Billion users within 2 years of the launch on 29th July 2015. On the basis that the initial surge may be over, it will be a struggle to meet this target. The very slow sale of Windows Phones is a major contributor to this problem.

Microsoft: Windows 10 now runs on 270M monthly active devices | TechCrunch:

Cicret Bracelet Gets Closer

Smartwatches look out ...
The Cicret could give smartwatches a run for their money! May mean that you 1) Buy shares in short sleeve shirt manufacturers, 2) Sell shares in suit and jacket manufacturers and 3) Sell shares in SmartWatch manufacturers!

Cicret Bracelet

Google reveals data centres

A rare glimpse inside a Google Data Centre ...
Click on the 360 degree Data Centre tour to have a look at some of the hardware that supports Google's 'Cloud'!

Google reveals 360 video giving a rare glimpse inside one of its giant data centres | Daily Mail Online:

Chrome app launcher ends

Google to get rid of the Chrome App Launcher ...
Whilst I have used the Chrome App Launcher for a while I tend to use the Apps Launcher extension in Chrome more often.

Google is removing the Chrome app launcher | The Verge: