From the category archives:
Microsoft [MSFT] have now released the Microsoft Surface Software Development Kit (SDK) for all who want it. The download is 144.2MB in size and can be downloaded right now.
The SDK comes with no price tag and allows anybody with the skill and interest to create applications for Microsoft Surface computers. If you do not have a surface handy (which probably includes 99.9% of the people who read here) then you can use a PC-based simulator to test your applications out. [click to continue…]
Yesterday, Google [GOOG] introduced a new operating system called Google Chrome OS. We have heard a few things about it over the last few months, but now it has been officially displayed. The idea behind Chrome OS is that most users switch on their computer and want to go online to get email, check Facebook, browse websites, search for jobs, go shopping and perhaps play games while chatting to friends and listening to music etc… with other programs not getting as much use, if any at all. Perhaps the web browser is the most important and most used program on a computer in Google’s words.
When a computer boots up if often takes a while from hitting the power button to loading up a web browser. For this reason Google decided to get rid of all the things that slow it down and make the browser the operating system. After hitting the power button you can be online within seconds. [click to continue…]
Samsung have announced the launch of a new portable multimedia player called the Samsung YP-R0. The device has a 2.6 inch colour LCD screen and comes with either 4GB or 8GB of storage depending on the model you choose. By using a microSDHC memory card the storage can be increased by a further 16GB.
Also to be found inside the Samsung R0 is an FM radio, various codec support for video formats including DivX, XviD and H.264 along with the usual photo and video viewing software. [click to continue…]
If you remember the graphics from Star Wars IV then this cool video shows you almost exactly how they were made. The graphics were created by Larry Cuba in the 70’s over at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) in Illinois, Chicago.
In the video you will see how the computer graphics for the scene were they are showing how to destroy the Death Star were made. By using wire frame models (far more basic than what we see nowadays) the scene of the Death Star turret was able to be created. Although a lot more basic then what we see today, it still actually surprised me what they could achieve back in the 70’s. [click to continue…]
Apple [AAPL] are apparently already working on the next update to OS X which for now we’ll assume it’s called 10.7. The rumour started because of someone tracking down a database of changes to open source launchd framework which mentions a different error referencing a Mac OS X build number.
The 47 part indicates the build number with the letter before it indicating what type of update it is with A appearing to be more of a major update rather than a 10.6.2 style update for example. [click to continue…]
NEC have announced that they are working on a new type of remote control that can convert small amounts of vibrations in a remote control caused by button pressing in to enough power to create an infra-red signal to control a TV. The system doesn’t require batteries because the energy created is enough to keep the remote powered.
Although just a prototype at the moment, it could be quite a handy system to have. We all know that batteries don’t run out that quickly, but occasionally they do and it’s just something else to not have to deal with as you’ll never be out of power with this unit. [click to continue…]
If you are one of the 186,000 residents of Swindon in the UK, you’ll soon have free public wireless internet access. The service is to launch in April 2010 and will be supplied by 1,400 secure access points that have a lot higher performance than regular wireless routers found in the home.
There will be no connection fees and no charges to use the service. It isn’t as good as it sounds though as regular free service will be limited although everyone in the city who wants to can actually subscribe to a 20MB service to increase the performance. The subscription cost is expected to be a lot lower than regular broadband providers though. [click to continue…]
Last week we mentioned that Google Chrome might be launching this week. What is actually happening will be an event to reveal Google Chrome OS this Thursday where a complete overview of the operating system will be given in preparation for a launch early next year.
It might be possible that Google [GOOG] go ahead and launch something of the operating system this week, perhaps a beta version but as of now it seems like the event being held will give media a chance to see what the new OS is all about. [click to continue…]
Over the last few years you will have probably seen a number of reports that show batteries in laptops exploding causing a few flames, lots of damage and a totally unusable laptop. Engineers in Korea might have actually fixed this problem by working on a new separator technology that shields parts of the battery that can explode when high temperatures are reached.
The new separator is created by what sounds like a long process of mixing various materials together after which, hitting it with radiation which then makes a material capable of shielding the battery when the mercury inside reaches at least 150 degrees C. [click to continue…]
Reports of a new approved patent that Apple [AAPL] filed have been found recently. The patent discusses ads which require users to interact with a device by perhaps acknowledging they have read the ad, or performing some action. NYT seems to think it will take us back 10 years by forcing ads upon a user, but on the other hand, Fake Steve Jobs indicates we could look at it a different way in that users pay a small nominal fee for watching TV for example… ad free.
Rather than quoting various articles from FSJ and NYT, it would be worth you take a read and make up your own opinions on this. [click to continue…]
Microsoft have confirmed that a vulnerability now exists in Windows 7 that was officially launched just last month. The fix is quite easy in that you just need to block a couple of ports on your firewall to prevent an exploit of the Server Message Block (SMB). As well as causing problems for Windows 7 users, those who use Windows 2008 R2 also have this problem.
The bug is part of a Microsoft built network file and printer sharing protocol and allows hackers to cause Windows to crash when exploited through a denial of service attack. [click to continue…]
Google [GOOG] back in July announced that they were working on a new operating system called Google Chrome OS. The new operating system is a step-up from Android in that it’s designed to run on computers rather than phones.
The main problem with the launch being next week is that there’s still a lack of drivers which will probably mean that when you install the OS on your computer you might get a bit disappointed that half of your hardware doesn’t work. However, it is believed that Google have a team of developers working on this as well as leaning on hardware manufacturers to create compatible drivers. [click to continue…]
Microsoft recently banned a huge amount of XBox owners (around 1 million of them) from accessing XBox Live due to them running modded XBox 360 consoles. Microsoft at the time of the ban said the only way to access XBox live was to basically buy a new XBox console and not mod it.
Hackers of course wouldn’t sit down and accept that so it seems a workaround has already been created whereby if you make a few tweaks to the firmware running you can actually log back on to the service.
The process looks to be quite complicated requiring that you use iXtreme LT (Light Touch) to cover up some of the signals that tell Microsoft you are running a hacked console while at the same time, acting as a modded console that still can do what it did before. [click to continue…]
Google [GOOG] have officially announced that their YouTube service will soon start accepting uploads of 1080p HD video content. Currently the limit is set at 720p, but this will change next week when higher resolution videos can be uploaded.
At the moment there is a 2GB limit and 10 minutes set for uploads and it is unclear if the 2GB limit will need to be increased to accommodate the higher resolution uploads.
The move to full HD comes because of advances in technology. YouTube say they want to provide the best quality for your content. [click to continue…]
Microsoft [MSFT] have officially launched Microsoft Exchange 2010 over at TechEd that was held in Berlin.
The new exchange server can expect to give you up to 20% more efficiency over previous versions of the software. The extra efficiency comes from a number of features such as the software providing the ability for your inbox to receive email, voicemail, IM as well as text messaging keeping all communication in the one place. Voice messages received can also be auto transcribed in to an email allowing you to quickly read what’s happening rather than having to listen to the message.
On the admin side of things Exchange 2010 has received a more simplified disaster recovery program and also features stronger malware and virus protection to help keep your computer clean. [click to continue…]
