Hey Google, find my phone

Now Android has included this facility ...
This functionality has been available for some time via third party Android apps. It is good to see that it has now been included in the base Android software.

Hey Google, find my Android phone - Computerworld:

Android fragmentation

For "tech heads" interested in the Android fragmentation ...

Interesting contrast between the Android fragmentation and the iOS uniformity. From a software developer's perspective, the iOS world is much easier to manage and therefore the end product should be much better!

These nifty charts show just how fragmented Android is | News | TechRadar:

Google says, 'Talk to me!'

"Talk to me" works very well on my HTC One smart phone ...
Whilst I have tried general Google searches using voice in Google Chrome on my laptop, I must try asking something for which the answer would have to come from my Calendar or Gmail. 

Google says, 'Talk to me!' with voice-powered search - Computerworld:

Windows 8.1 - 17 October

Now something to look forward to with Windows 8.1 ...
We are all hoping that the Windows 8.1 update will make Windows 8 more palatable and acceptable for all concerned. From all reports there is nothing wrong with the underlying OS - just the user interface.

Windows 8.1 roll-out starts 17 October - Operating Systems:

Samsung SSD goes to 1TB

Solid State Storage becoming more realistic, price wise ...
Still expensive per GB but when you look at the advantages of access speed and reduced battery consumption there will be many that take up the SSD option.

Samsung increases SSD upgrades to 1TB - Gadget Guy Australia:

Best cloud services compared

Good overview of the available Cloud services ...
Quite a long article but it helps to put the whole Cloud Computing move into perspective.

Best cloud services compared: Google vs Microsoft vs Amazon vs Apple vs Dropbox | News | TechRadar:

Android apps for notes & tasks

From hundreds of apps for Notes and Tasks - here are a few ...

There never seems to be a perfect app for Notes and Tasks. I use two - one simple one (Google Keep) and one comprehensive one (Evernote)!

Seven great Android apps for notes and tasks - Mobile Apps:

First true Google phone

Long awaited Moto X from the Google / Motorola stable ...
In the same class as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, here is another new Android phone from the Google Motorola to take on the iPhone!

First true Google phone - the Moto X - officially revealed:

Google search tips & tricks

Google Search features that may not be well known ...
I have used some of these but I was completely unaware of others. Well worth a read!

How to get the most out of Google search - Internet Applications & Software:

MS Office for Android Phones

More on the new Microsoft Office for mobile phones ...
For those interested in using this Microsoft Office product on an Android phone it is worth reading this second review.

Microsoft Office Mobile Comes to Android Phones:

MS ditches 'SkyDrive' name

Yet another Microsoft marketing stuff up ...
Well Microsoft got in trouble with their Windows 8 "Metro" naming and now the UK's BSkyB will not let Microsoft continue to use the SkyDrive name!

Microsoft forced to ditch 'SkyDrive' name due to infringement case | News | TechRadar:

MS Office on Android phones

More bad marketing decisions from Microsoft ...
So Microsoft launches a version of Office 365 for Android mobiles but it cannot be used on Android tablets?? Sounds like it is only a cut down version and really needs to be jointly used with Office 365 on a desktop PC.

Microsoft plunks Office on Android phones - Computerworld:

Windows RT: time's up

Hard hitting comments on Microsoft's Windows RT ...
Whilst Dan Grabham doesn't mince his words, I think he absolutely right! Microsoft is really in deep trouble and they seem incapable of making good product decisions at the moment.

Windows RT: time's up for Microsoft's dying OS | News | TechRadar:

Android battery life extenders

If you are having trouble with your Android battery life ...
Worth a read if you are not getting a full day out of your smartphone's battery!

Five Android apps that prolong your smartphone's battery life - Mobile Apps:

Android dominates

Android continues to dominate in Australia ...
Now more than 2:1 in favour of Android in Australia.

Android continues to dominate in Australia and globally - Smartphones & PDA Phones:

CNET Download Problems

Warning - CNET Downloads may contain malicious software ...
There have been a significant number of reports (yet to be fully verified) that certain, if not all software, downloaded from the CNET Download website may contain malicious software that is very difficult to remove from your PC. It is always recommended that, if possible, you download free software directly from the vendor's website and not via third party distributors such as CNET. In the short term, I recommend that you avoid CNET for downloading any software.

Google's new tab page

Google Chrome users not happy with latest change ...
The latest change to the Google Chrome "New Tab" page (being rolled out now) seems to have no benefits and actually requires more mouse clicks than before to do the same thing! It is also confusing a lot of previously happy Chrome users who now cannot find their Apps page!

Chrome users oppose change to Google's new tab page - Computerworld:

Chrome a strategic big gun

Google Chrome is becoming a major common platform ...
This is an interesting perspective of Google Chrome. It is certainly true that the Google Chrome browser runs on almost anything (iOS, OS X, Windows, Android etc) and provides Google with a platform to promote its services on almost any device. An enviable position!

With Chromecast, Google reveals Chrome as its strategic big gun - Computerworld:

Samsung vs Apple growth

Samsung profits surge as Apple market share hits three year low ...
Samsung's year on year sales growth has been 56% compared to Apple's 20%. Samsung offers a much wider range of affordable handsets.

Samsung smartphone profits surge as Apple market share hits three-year low:

Low MS Surface adoption

Microsoft should dump Surface RT, concentrate on the Surface Pro ...
My view is that the Microsoft Surface RT just confuses the picture. If Microsoft dumped the RT and just concentrated on selling the Surface Pro they might make some headway in the enterprise marketplace. It is is still expensive for consumers but it would fill a need for enterprises.

Surface adoption by enterprise low as Microsoft unveils new tablets - apple ipad, Android, business, enterprise, tablets, Surface Pro, microsoft surface - Computerworld:

Best free antivirus s/w 2013

A good overall review of 9 free Antivirus programs ...
Pleased to see my personal favourite, Avast Free Antivirus, still ranks well. My second choice would be AVG Free Antivirus and third choice Avira Free Antivirus.

Best free antivirus software 2013 | News | TechRadar:

Belkin's WeMo devices

These devices will open up all sorts of possibilities ...
Now devices running at least Android 4.0 and later software can control these home automation controllers. There is also a WeMo motion detector device that can be added to the setup.

Belkin's WeMo devices can now be controlled by Android users:

Android Jelly Bean 4.3

Android Jelly Bean 4.3 being distributed to Nexus devices ...
Google Android products are already receiving Jelly Bean 4.3 updates. By the way, they have changed the name of the next release from "Key Lime Pie" to "Kit Kat" - still maintains the starting letter as "K"!

Android Jelly Bean 4.3 Preview - Operating Systems:

Google updates Nexus 7

Some more information on the new Google Nexus 7 ...
Overall this looks like an excellent 7" tablet!

Google updates the Nexus 7 with better bits all over - Gadget Guy Australia:

Apple Mac sales slide

Some interesting statistics on the health of Apple ...
Apple personal computers are being hit by the same issues as PC makers inasmuch there is significant cannibalisation by the tablet and smartphone markets. The decline in Mac plus iPad sales is interesting all the same!

Mac sales slide for third straight quarter, fall 7% - Computerworld:

Google Chromecast & Nexus 7

Two important announcements from Google ...

Google Chromecast is an amazing device for only US$35 and is set to be a 'game changer' for displaying laptop/tablet and smartphone content onto big screen TVs. The new generation Nexus 7 (2013) also looks like a significant upgrade from the original Nexus 7 (2012) and will continue to make this one of the most popular 7" inch tablets.

Google Chromecast controls TV from smartphones, tablets, laptops - Computerworld:

Gmail's compose window

Just a little tip for avid Gmail users ...
I actually like the reduced size of the compose window - you can always enlarge it at anytime. 


Set Gmail's compose window to full-screen by default - Internet Applications & Software:

Google 25% of Internet

Some interesting growth statistics for Google ...
Incredible growth over the last three years!

Google bigger than Facebook, Netflix and Instagram combined - Computerworld:

iPad 4 vs Nexus 10

Great side by side review if you are considering these tablets ...
This great review video speaks for itself!

iPad 4 vs Nexus 10: Best Full-sizer | sidhtech:

Microsoft Surface RT price cut

Microsoft takes a significant hit over the Surface RT ...
Microsoft is definitely struggling to maintain relevance in the tablet marketplace!

Microsoft embraces Surface RT price cut -- and $900M write-down -- by poking fun at Apple's iPad - Computerworld:

Australian music-streaming

A great overview of Music Streaming available in Australia ...
I have not read the whole of this article in detail but it looks like a great overview for those trying to decide which streaming service to subscribe to.

Australian music-streaming services compared - Music:

Google Play Music All Access

Google Play Music All Access streaming now available in Australia ...
With 'anytime' streaming access from a music library of over 20 million tracks to any desktop or mobile for $11.99 per month , who needs to buy music CDs etc?

Google Play Music All Access now available in Australia - Google Play Music All Access, Google, Google Play Music - Good Gear Guide by PC World Australia:

Samsung 1TB 840 Evo SSD

Is there no stopping Samsung ...
Now its Solid State Drives (SSDs). Cost per GB at 76 cents is still expensive compared to conventional Hard Disk Drives at more like 10 cents per GB but the access speed would be much better.

Samsung introduces super-quick 1TB 840 Evo SSD | News | TechRadar:

China - 591M Internet users

China has 591M Internet users - still only 44% penetration ...
China has the world's largest Internet population and the largest smartphone market and it is still growing at a strong rate.

China now has 591M Internet users - Computerworld:

Samsung’s third-gen Tabs

Samsung rolls out more updates to their range of tablets ...
Don't know about you, but I am having difficulty keeping up with the vast range of Samsung Tablets! I can't help thinking that Samsung is in danger of putting off buyers because they have too many choices!

Samsung’s third-gen Tabs hit Australia, we go hands-on - Gadget Guy Australia:

Back on deck!

What happened to the Bits & Pieces blog during August ...
Well my wife and I have been holidaying on the east side of the US and Canada for about 5 weeks! We managed to fit in New York, Washington, Lancaster, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Middlebury and Boston! Now we have returned to Sydney for a rest!

The Bits and Pieces blog will now pick up again. The next few articles may be a little old but I think still worth posting!