Google to build Play-like hardware store for Project Ara

<b>Drawing inspiration from its Play Store, Google will create a hardware store in which users can buy and sell Lego-like hardware modules for the customizable Project Ara smartphone.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCh1xSoLbnGmtI1fSJO7jBW65qcwQX8zoWd7ZeOBv3btxW_UJ77f7kqELqsRU7aqDrUchOIpDqueAqXHxuJZGRIcxsYIoDdtgM5u3G55ZlYlt84YGNg6P0sFzYVEz8ELfVGvb4BK6OAOc/s1600/Google-to-build-Play-like-Lollipop-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCh1xSoLbnGmtI1fSJO7jBW65qcwQX8zoWd7ZeOBv3btxW_UJ77f7kqELqsRU7aqDrUchOIpDqueAqXHxuJZGRIcxsYIoDdtgM5u3G55ZlYlt84YGNg6P0sFzYVEz8ELfVGvb4BK6OAOc/s1600/Google-to-build-Play-like-Lollipop-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Google to build Play-like hardware store for Project Ara" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google to build Play-like hardware store for Project Ara</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Project Ara is Google’s upcoming build-your-own smartphone that allows users to mix and match features. The $50 configurable smartphone will come with a basic frame, and users can add or remove features by simply snapping on or taking off modular parts.<br /> <br /> For example, users will be able to individually swap out screens, cameras, antennas and CPUs, which could be a cheaper way to replace parts than buying new smartphones. Google is pursuing biometric modules, and independent hardware makers have mulled creating temperature, input, gaming, antenna and medical sensors. Modules can be designed with Google’s Module Developers Kit (MDK), which contains reference designs, specifications and guidelines.<br /> <br /> “Anybody can create a module per the specifications of the developer’s kit and put it in the Ara module marketplace, which is analogous to the Google Play Store, and sell directly to consumers,” said Paul Eremenko, head of Project Ara at Google’s ATAP (Advanced Technology and Projects) division, during a question and answer session at Purdue University earlier this month.<br /> <br /> Rankings and ratings<br /> <br /> Buyers will be able to see the most popular modules based on reviews and user ratings, much like with apps in the Google Play store, Eremenko said.<br /> <br /> A market pilot for Project Ara will begin in 2015, during which Google will try to understand usage and iron out kinks. Google has developed three Project Ara smartphone prototypes with different screen sizes, and Eremenko indicated it could be a while until final products ship worldwide. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7ZxDQbffj1o9883dwTqQ_1S-BAuKj9csUV-Yo9JCP8RHy9CnmpX8vN8Ry6GVnsKK8ShaFbTYyBkHU4DXOApVLZClS3oULgIxKROABte7QaaVSPx8IttJwGS98GqzlL5IlEA68bV4lpG-/s1600/Google-to-build-Play-like-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7ZxDQbffj1o9883dwTqQ_1S-BAuKj9csUV-Yo9JCP8RHy9CnmpX8vN8Ry6GVnsKK8ShaFbTYyBkHU4DXOApVLZClS3oULgIxKROABte7QaaVSPx8IttJwGS98GqzlL5IlEA68bV4lpG-/s1600/Google-to-build-Play-like-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Google to build Play-like hardware store for Project Ara" /></a></div> <div> <br /> “There’s a lot more that we need to do in terms of retiring technical risks on the project. We have probably two more ...prototypes to make. And during the market pilot we have a lot to learn about how people interact with this device,” Eremenko said.<br /> <br /> Modular phones are not a new concept. Israeli company Modu in 2010 announced Brewphone, to which keyboard, speaker and camera modules could be attached. ZTE isdeveloping a customizable smartphone called Eco-Mobius, which has not yet been released.<br /> <br /> The viability of Project Ara has been heavily debated, but Eremenko believed consumers will appreciate its flexibility.<br /> <br /> “If we can span price points that range from a feature phone crossover price point all the way to an aspirational, very high-end device that may be able to do...portable medical diagnostics, that could potentially help us on the way of delivering the mobile Internet to the next five billion people who are not smartphone enabled,” Eremenko said.<br /> <br /> Success defined by flexibility<br /> <br /> The success of Project Ara could ultimately lie on its functionality, which will be defined by the swappable modules. Eremenko wants to make module development easy, and his team is working on new design tools to make hardware design as simple as writing mobile apps.<br /> <br /> “Today it takes maybe 12, 18, 24 months to make a new smartphone and bring it to market and we’re hoping to get that down to a couple of months,” Eremenko said.<br /> <br /> Google is encouraging developers to come up new module ideas, and is also working on some of its own. The company is chasing the idea of “adaptive commerce experiences” in which health sensors can track monitor human biometric signals.<br /> <br /> “That includes galvanic skin response, sweat levels, your pupil dilation, gaze direction, and a variety of things that we can pick up non-invasively about you as you’re interacting with the e-commerce system. If you’re stressed or impatient or bored with the experience, we could present a differently curated experience,” Eremenko said.<br /> <br /> During the talk, Eremenko also floated the idea of secure modules with private user information, which can be swapped depending on who’s using the smartphone.<br /> <br /> Google and Linaro are developing a custom version of Android for Project Ara. Work is underway around plug-and-play recognition so modules are identified immediately without restarting the smartphone. Much like USB attachments, modules will be recognized based on different driver “classes,” such as those for storage, input, networking, imaging and others. Some modules not recognized, like high-end cameras, will be placed in isolated zones so as not to compromise the smartphone.<br /> <br /> The modules are electropermanent magnets that can turn on and off but use no power in either state. Instead of connectors, the modules use inductive coupling for data transfers.<br /> <br /> To make module development cheaper, Google ATAP is also partnering with companies like Flextronics and Quanta so developers can inexpensively turn designs into actual hardware.</div>

Google to build Play-like hardware store for Project Ara

Drawing inspiration from its Play Store, Google will create a hardware store in which users can buy and sell Lego-like hardware modules for the customizable Project Ara smartphone. Google to build Play-like hardware store for Project Ara Project Ara is Google’s upcoming build-your-own smartphone tha…

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Android 5.0 Lollipop to hit the wild on November 3

<b>Google is telling developers to step on it if they want their apps ready for a November 3 release of Android Lollipop.</b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCbmeKdXqEiiKNDp_kHDw4-8vsw6XP_eU_KvNkMLf0BkpO17oiAUAMz1wZlE4NBJkAJSL0aR43rqh-M2n0h6SkF6T8i-9RS51UUQd9B608aHc-cTJSA-7ySN3hBpQKCFVrYMJmKn9rOzh/s1600/Android-5.0-Lollipop-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCbmeKdXqEiiKNDp_kHDw4-8vsw6XP_eU_KvNkMLf0BkpO17oiAUAMz1wZlE4NBJkAJSL0aR43rqh-M2n0h6SkF6T8i-9RS51UUQd9B608aHc-cTJSA-7ySN3hBpQKCFVrYMJmKn9rOzh/s1600/Android-5.0-Lollipop-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Android 5.0 Lollipop to hit the wild on November 3" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Android 5.0 Lollipop to hit the wild on November 3</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> It’s the first specific date we’ve heard, which means the newest flavor of Android will start hitting the street in less than two weeks. The Nexus 9 preorders start shipping on that same date as well. Though as is often the case with preorders, they may show up on some people’s doorsteps early.<br /><br />With Lollipop so close, Google is gently nagging programmers in the Google Play Developer Console (pictured) to grab the latest release of Android and get cracking. They can already upload apps and schedule them for release when Lollipop goes live.<br /><br /> GOOGLE PLAY DEVELOPER CONSOLE<br /></div> <div> This isn’t a guarantee that your device will get Lollipop on November 3, but at least we know when the rollout will start. Expect Nexus devices to get it first, with others manufacturers planning to follow suit. Manufacturers like HTC have promised some phones (like the One M8 and M7) will get an update within 90 days of the official release—this would be the date to start the clock. Software updates often have to be tested by carriers before they're released, too.<br /><br />Why this matters: It’s one thing to get Android 5.0 Lollipop out the door, it’s quite another to get the rest of the ecosystem ready. Lollipop is a significant rewrite of how Android looks and performs, so it will be rather funky if third-party apps look like they don’t belong.<br /><br />Google is nudging developers to update their apps so the transition to Lollipop is a smooth one, which won’t happen if all of a sudden Android owners can't get their favorite apps to work properly.<br /></div> <div> <br /></div>

Android 5.0 Lollipop to hit the wild on November 3

Google is telling developers to step on it if they want their apps ready for a November 3 release of Android Lollipop. Android 5.0 Lollipop to hit the wild on November 3 It’s the first specific date we’ve heard, which means the newest flavor of Android will start hitting the street in less than two …

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Breakthrough batteries last 20 years, charge 70 percent in two minutes

<b>Over the years, consumer electronics have improved in almost every way, becoming thinner, lighter, and more pixel-packed, all while increasing exponentially in performance. But beating at the heart of many mobile devices and even electric cars is a technology that hasn’t kept up with the rapid pace of innovation: batteries. Specifically, lithium-ion batteries.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKvsbeDZsWwmnzs-hcZvK2Kw4S2fpKW3EaHVh05f7S0yww2I_CGRiMTvdM51JHqUrQTM7PFWt_xRJMl4gR8F1onDfeultJDwIK1_2g_n3UHwdtuJO9c40t3Tcimm8V_fe3oZcoQKfDo0w/s1600/Breakthrough-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKvsbeDZsWwmnzs-hcZvK2Kw4S2fpKW3EaHVh05f7S0yww2I_CGRiMTvdM51JHqUrQTM7PFWt_xRJMl4gR8F1onDfeultJDwIK1_2g_n3UHwdtuJO9c40t3Tcimm8V_fe3oZcoQKfDo0w/s1600/Breakthrough-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Breakthrough batteries last 20 years, charge 70 percent in two minutes" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakthrough batteries last 20 years</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Battery tech is a limiting factor in the design of many of today’s technologies.Researchers at Nanyang Technology University say they’ve discovered a way to build a better battery, however—a battery that charges in mere minutes and lasts an amazing 20 years.<br /> <br /> Why this matters: If these batteries begin trickling into mass production, they could kill two of the biggest irritants in today’s mobile electronics: Long charging times and forced obsolescence.<br /> <br /> The benefits of fast charging need no explanation, but many of today’s smartphones and tablets won’t let you remove their batteries, essentially forcing you to buy a new device when the lithium-ion battery inside starts to fade after 500 or so charges. A battery that lasts 20 years could dramatically change how long people hang on to their smartphones, especially with the mobile industry’s recent trend of decoupling hardware fees from services subscriptions. Together, the combo could further reduce the two-year upgrade cycle so common in the mobile industry.</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcSXgFa-VGWYi_hAnMsGPFH81kmaNhAQoS7HZPTI4iyDaAR3Zugp4UFtqWkSVbb27h-wvqQXkrpOTfuwFQ9olL7crVz2CViTdmfhbuDAEH2ucBeLbOLmn9X8uK-P_Uzt5DLOv949TBaBc/s1600/Breakthrough-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcSXgFa-VGWYi_hAnMsGPFH81kmaNhAQoS7HZPTI4iyDaAR3Zugp4UFtqWkSVbb27h-wvqQXkrpOTfuwFQ9olL7crVz2CViTdmfhbuDAEH2ucBeLbOLmn9X8uK-P_Uzt5DLOv949TBaBc/s1600/Breakthrough-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="NTA associate professor Chen Xiaodong with research fellow Tang Yuxin and PHD student Deng Jiyang." /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NTA associate professor Chen Xiaodong with research fellow Tang Yuxin and PHD student Deng Jiyang.</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Enabling the nifty new tricks doesn’t require a full reimagining of how we design batteries, either. The researchers replaced the graphite used in the anode of lithium-ion batteries with a gel made from titanium dioxide nanotubes "a thousand times thinner than the diameter of a human hair."<br /> <br /> Using tiny titanium dioxide nanotubes rather than graphite also speeds how quickly electrons and ions flow in and out of the battery, by ditching an energy-slowing additive needed in today’s batteries. The NTU researchers say their battery charges far faster than traditional lithium-ion batteries, going from empty to a 70 percent charge in just two minutes. Two minutes!<br /> <br /> NTU associate professor Chen Xiaodong, the inventor of the titanium dioxide gel, says batteries built with it could hit the market within two years, with an unnamed company already licensing the technology. The Nanyang Technology University press release has more detail about the technical aspects of the discovery if you’re interested.<br /> <br /> <br /></div>

Breakthrough batteries last 20 years, charge 70 percent in two minutes

Over the years, consumer electronics have improved in almost every way, becoming thinner, lighter, and more pixel-packed, all while increasing exponentially in performance. But beating at the heart of many mobile devices and even electric cars is a technology that hasn’t kept up with the rapid pace …

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Blackphone tweak makes app updates less annoying for the security-conscious

<b>The clandestine Blackphone finally has its own dedicated app updater, eliminating the need to restart the device every time new software from Blackphone or its app partners arrives.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydGecjCuQMGyoztneAL9PT7QEN0aEK29dIlWhiKlS-b3tL1sf2U5DgW2thm73wTiBOZK_e7gZ-gcwrjMT63oBcjx1JZJeaJMUQotIH5h6l7bEQsJHLBDVbWpndbn7T0sul8mk5K9WUz2p/s1600/Blackphone-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydGecjCuQMGyoztneAL9PT7QEN0aEK29dIlWhiKlS-b3tL1sf2U5DgW2thm73wTiBOZK_e7gZ-gcwrjMT63oBcjx1JZJeaJMUQotIH5h6l7bEQsJHLBDVbWpndbn7T0sul8mk5K9WUz2p/s1600/Blackphone-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Blackphone tweak makes app updates less annoying for the security-conscious" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackphone tweak makes app updates less annoying for the security-conscious</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> And that's not the only new feature in the Blackphone's PrivatOS 1.0.5 update, which also adds a custom build of the K-9 email client, a panorama camera mode, and call audio improvements, along with numerous smaller improvements and bug fixes.<br /> <br /> The company posted the full release notes on it site. If you have a Blackphone, an over-the-air update should hit your device soon.<br /> <br /> The story behind the story: The Blackphone runs a forked, privacy-focused version of Android called PrivatOS, which is built for better control and visibility of data coming to and from the phone. It doesn't even have access to the Google Play Store, so you have to sideload apps yourself.<br /> <br /> Because the OS is built specifically for this device, many of its features are rather rudimentary compared to run-of-the-mill Android devices—such as its inability to elegantly handle updates (until now). But if you get the Blackphone it's not because you want to post selfies to Instagram—the device is designed for privacy and security enthusiasts zealous about keeping firm control over their data. <br /> <br /> One of its core apps is the Blackphone Security Center, which lets you view and control what information is going into and out of your phone. Contacts, messaging, and phone calls connect to the encrypted Silent Circle service.<br /> <br /> The company that builds the Blackphone is even located in Switzerland, which it says has better privacy laws than other western nations. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <br /></div>

Blackphone tweak makes app updates less annoying for the security-conscious

The clandestine Blackphone finally has its own dedicated app updater, eliminating the need to restart the device every time new software from Blackphone or its app partners arrives. Blackphone tweak makes app updates less annoying for the security-conscious And that's not the only new feature in the…

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Microsoft updates Skype for Windows, Mac with new chat interface

<b>Chatting in Skype for Windows and the Mac now looks more like the Windows Phone version, whether you like it or not.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3uN1Y0UjIRRlvr9qz6zdBEua_oOgMgs-BX8F-hMjSpkdrEfslgmOQqUjSrQF9qbmhu_rHpvKA9xFgcRUrc5JCjL9MPRf4d1cy3c7ZGr9GgPyMpLH3T_qmsurX8-N3SK6CbqkDKkjJ_8s/s1600/Skype-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3uN1Y0UjIRRlvr9qz6zdBEua_oOgMgs-BX8F-hMjSpkdrEfslgmOQqUjSrQF9qbmhu_rHpvKA9xFgcRUrc5JCjL9MPRf4d1cy3c7ZGr9GgPyMpLH3T_qmsurX8-N3SK6CbqkDKkjJ_8s/s1600/Skype-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Microsoft updates Skype for Windows" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Microsoft updates Skype for Windows</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Microsoft's Skype announced version 7.0 for the Mac together with a new preview version for the Windows desktop. Both include a number of potentially attractive productivity improvements, including the ability to chat and talk simultaneously in the new Mac version. But there's still an awful lot of white space, which may annoy some.<br /> <br /> "For the last year we’ve dedicated a lot of time to refresh the chat experience in Skype. We’ve brought more improvements to the desktop," Tom Huang, a Skype exec, wrote in a blog post. <br /> <br /> <b> MICROSOFT</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vPP6yBUHx-YIq6gCkOICeQpqsViTgRXMZcCX4Gc0tg4z8PL2AGTLbcQmXKk8DKhb1sWevXzfwW08hSUbSphkJKGlGZaDlMlgSvAF7fXEvABl_1mvsR4le-t0hs7uk-VtgpJnCxqH8sF0/s1600/Skype-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vPP6yBUHx-YIq6gCkOICeQpqsViTgRXMZcCX4Gc0tg4z8PL2AGTLbcQmXKk8DKhb1sWevXzfwW08hSUbSphkJKGlGZaDlMlgSvAF7fXEvABl_1mvsR4le-t0hs7uk-VtgpJnCxqH8sF0/s1600/Skype-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Microsoft updates Skype for Windows" /></a></div> <div> <br /> Why this matters: What's good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander. On a phone, scrolling is part of the experience. On a PC, it's more annoying. The new chat UI could use some tightening up, especially if spread out across a large, high-resolution monitor, to cut out some of that white space. But while Skype hasn't come out and said it, we suspect the new Skype app (at least on Windows) is intended to be (eventually) snapped inside one of the four corner windows that Windows 10 allows. In that scenario, the UI should (hopefully) tighten up and conserve space more efficiently.<br /> <br /> Some useful additions<br /> <br /> In general, the new chat UI looks nice, with round avatars representing your friends. Photos can easily be dropped into a chat session, as can documents. Both are useful features when talking back and forth with a colleague or friend, although the layout isn't quite ideal—they sort of dominate the conversation. Microsoft touts this increased spacing as a benefit, although it may prove a bit annoying to scroll back through a long chat.<br /> <br /> <b> MICROSOFT</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1UM3Xrq4lf1RChkvSKGVJlxzXav8d6sOJNqGkNWHoew7o8tWaAULjp6JybobPt5JiXmj3uhyphenhyphen_c8NP5LkKigYkcjInUhr3-mI9bV08K0CYHVraf9lxqu1PfDa8r5hrGUekO88px5opWao/s1600/Skype-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1UM3Xrq4lf1RChkvSKGVJlxzXav8d6sOJNqGkNWHoew7o8tWaAULjp6JybobPt5JiXmj3uhyphenhyphen_c8NP5LkKigYkcjInUhr3-mI9bV08K0CYHVraf9lxqu1PfDa8r5hrGUekO88px5opWao/s1600/Skype-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Microsoft updates Skype for Windows" /></a></div> <div> <br /> When chat is tucked into a narrow window, however, it seems to work well. Skype for Mac 7.0 adds the ability to text-chat and video-chat in side-by-side windows, sharing photos and documents alongside the live commentary that you and your friends can provide. And Microsoft also promised that the free group video calls that the company previously announced will work better than ever. <br /> <br /> Naturally, the Skype team promises more updates in the future, and to respond to feedback. How do you like the new chat UI within Skype? Do you actually chat within Skype, or is it more of a tool you use to chat via video? Let us know in the comments.</div>

Microsoft updates Skype for Windows, Mac with new chat interface

Chatting in Skype for Windows and the Mac now looks more like the Windows Phone version, whether you like it or not. Microsoft updates Skype for Windows Microsoft's Skype announced version 7.0 for the Mac together with a new preview version for the Windows desktop. Both include a number of potential…

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Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14

<b>It’s been a full year since Lenovo announced it had signed up Ashton Kutcher as a “product engineer,” and Lenovo is apparently happy with the partnership. The actor/investor is to appear via satellite at a Lenovo event in London on Thursday to introduce several new products, including the new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14 notebooks.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VqkC2wiovjr7tZyexiP3onYmQCpY08y7ZKznrkqpvMbAiftaDUeb0E9YX-VC9NtjkDK0TTNCVuQ1AevrO9S410zdkQBfylulQibEkSf0ZKTndYOWBx8zjViaCBV64X7jv0z4tBsfDewO/s1600/Lenovo-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VqkC2wiovjr7tZyexiP3onYmQCpY08y7ZKznrkqpvMbAiftaDUeb0E9YX-VC9NtjkDK0TTNCVuQ1AevrO9S410zdkQBfylulQibEkSf0ZKTndYOWBx8zjViaCBV64X7jv0z4tBsfDewO/s1600/Lenovo-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Moving parts are usually the first things to break on a computer, so conventional wisdom is the fewer, the better—especially on a notebook that must withstand the rigors of travel.That renders the hinge design Lenovo’s engineers have come up with (I can't imagine Kutcher had much to do with this) as audacious as it is beautiful. Dubbed the “watchband” hinge, it consists of more than 800 individual pieces of steel and aluminum.<br /> <br /> Metal watchbands are pretty durable, so maybe the 800 pieces of steel and aluminum that comprise the Yoga 3 Pro's "watchband" hinge will stand the test of time. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXExk0ZBT_eoTghbW0WYeVf3cDinfNhKbbTzatK0cKMkGT8idES_c40uG_PYcQNU790Mad-P9TUsCYTXq8-GAtIVD9aqdNgzY7UF5NZPruAtY0kunmzzIMaxHwFzMUK-P03zBnYwT6VlPO/s1600/Lenovo-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXExk0ZBT_eoTghbW0WYeVf3cDinfNhKbbTzatK0cKMkGT8idES_c40uG_PYcQNU790Mad-P9TUsCYTXq8-GAtIVD9aqdNgzY7UF5NZPruAtY0kunmzzIMaxHwFzMUK-P03zBnYwT6VlPO/s1600/Lenovo-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14" /></a></div> <div> <br /> Lenovo says the hand-assembled hinge enabled its engineers to render the Yoga 3 Pro thinner and 14 percent lighter than last year’s model. And it certainly looked that way based on a preproduction sample Lenovo showed me last week: The laptop measures just 0.5 inches high and weighs only 2.62 pounds.<br /> <br /> The Yoga 3 Pro will be one of the relatively few laptops powered by Intel’s latest (and very late) mobile processor, the long-delayed Core M-70. That chip's integrated graphics will support a 13.3-inch, 3200x1800 IPS touchscreen. The new model boasts twice as much memory and solid-state storage as the Yoga 2 Pro we reviewed late last year: 8GB of DDR3L memory and a 256GB SSD.</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLDurkUU22wno81O1AMZJ1cCJkhdBHNZG-ErtVevU4CDcHZAhRyT_5wjPgt3Wu1sPSrA6eDFq634_8U4E4vAn8jcoG536lGwrjD5rEF4cy5LQG3LS-z_5nuxKcps4cz4xbXu2GcWFdPHn/s1600/Lenovo-03-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLDurkUU22wno81O1AMZJ1cCJkhdBHNZG-ErtVevU4CDcHZAhRyT_5wjPgt3Wu1sPSrA6eDFq634_8U4E4vAn8jcoG536lGwrjD5rEF4cy5LQG3LS-z_5nuxKcps4cz4xbXu2GcWFdPHn/s1600/Lenovo-03-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> It also moves up to 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity, compared to 802.11n on the older model. This is an important feature, because it can be difficult or impossible to update a laptop’s Wi-Fi adapter without resorting to a USB dongle.</div> <div> <br /> And rather than use a separate power connector that’s useless when running on battery power, Lenovo came up with a new design that has you plugging its AC adapter into a USB 2.0 port (the Yoga 2 Pro also has two USB 3.0 ports and a 4-in-1 memory card reader). Lenovo claims up to nine hours of battery life for its new laptop.<br /> <br /> ThinkPad Yoga 14<br /> <br /> Lenovo launched Yoga as a consumer brand in 2012, and it introduced the first ThinkPad Yoga to the business-notebook market one year later. The model we reviewed last yearfeatured a unique “Lift ‘n Lock” mechanism that raised the frame surrounding the keyboard so that it’s flush with the keys when the laptop is in tent or tablet mode. The appeal is that you don’t feel the keys when the keyboard is flipped around and the bottom of the chassis makes contact with the top of the lid.<br /> <br /> This design has been carried over to the new, larger ThinkPad Yoga 14, but this machine won’t be getting the fancy hinge treatment or the Core M processor the consumer model has. And while its 14-inch IPS display is larger than last year’s 12.5-inch model, the Yoga 14 will remain limited to resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVndegyAM5_VH3X8HHmM-lnn2c1DvyCH1BsE0rD1iBnbzjj303cID-Qi23tGpi1z4o6RDYoRbXoEUy9yshHJ3ItsxpW5R-ftWU-6qm2iQM6Jc9XXr7UvvpwqARGdM1_LaLjLCs9f8_uJJ/s1600/Lenovo-04-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVndegyAM5_VH3X8HHmM-lnn2c1DvyCH1BsE0rD1iBnbzjj303cID-Qi23tGpi1z4o6RDYoRbXoEUy9yshHJ3ItsxpW5R-ftWU-6qm2iQM6Jc9XXr7UvvpwqARGdM1_LaLjLCs9f8_uJJ/s1600/Lenovo-04-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> The new ThinkPad is powered by a Haswell-class Intel Core i5 processor, with integrated graphics in the base model. An Nvidia GeForce 840M mobile graphics processor is available as an option. Both configurations come with 8GB of DDR3L memory, a 1TB hard drive supplemented by a 16GB solid-state memory cache, a 4-in-1 memory card reader, two USB 3.0 connectors, and one USB 2.0 connector that serves double duty as a power port.<br /> <br /> Being a business-oriented laptop, the ThinkPad Yoga 14 has a docking connector adjacent to this power port, so you can connect it to one of Lenovo’s desktop docking stations using a single cable.<br /> <br /> The ThinkPad Yoga won’t be a super thin-and-light machine, measuring 0.7 inches thick and weighing 4.1 pounds without the discrete graphics processor option. Lenovo says buyers can expect to get up to 8 hours out of its battery.<br /> <br /> Pricing and availability<br /> <br /> Lenovo says the Yoga 3 Pro will be available in three colors—Clementine Orange, Platinum Silver, and Champagne Gold—when it goes on sale at Best Buy and Lenovo.com at the end of October. Prices start at $1349. The ThinkPad Yoga 14 will also be available at the end of October, but in basic black and exclusively at Best Buy, with prices starting at $1199.<br /> <br /> What do you think of Lenovo’s designs? Are you enamored with the hybrid laptop/tablet idea? Do you prefer hybrids with detachable displays? Do you think the whole hybrid concept is silly, and that laptops should be laptops and tablets should be tablets? Should Ashton Kutcher go back to looking for his car? Let us know in the comments section, below.</div>

Lenovo recruits Ashton Kutcher to unveil its new Yoga 3 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga 14

It’s been a full year since Lenovo announced it had signed up Ashton Kutcher as a “product engineer,” and Lenovo is apparently happy with the partnership. The actor/investor is to appear via satellite at a Lenovo event in London on Thursday to introduce several new products, including the new Yoga 3…

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Infographic: SMB Cloud Adoption Trends in 2014

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Infographic: SMB Cloud Adoption Trends in 2014</span></h2> <b> Today, the cloud is a mainstream part of IT, having been adopted to some degree by nearly 90 percent of businesses. This rapid growth is due largely to the new and unexpected ways in which the cloud has matured over the last few years.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkhTjWiuDWUu93lnn2VeINonsiBYNBW8UfSpmDk9qfNmTHKz6t_PK8Zj28mlWkmoKQh41fCnhNvgWlYl-mzKYlDWw9tgcsStBxpt5M7h_Whh_pGasVIwB8h2PgIOvUaQXZdkE-cS_vjjn/s1600/SMB-Cloud-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkhTjWiuDWUu93lnn2VeINonsiBYNBW8UfSpmDk9qfNmTHKz6t_PK8Zj28mlWkmoKQh41fCnhNvgWlYl-mzKYlDWw9tgcsStBxpt5M7h_Whh_pGasVIwB8h2PgIOvUaQXZdkE-cS_vjjn/s1600/SMB-Cloud-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="SMB Cloud Adoption Trends in 2014" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMB Cloud Adoption Trends in 2014</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> The value proposition of cloud computing has always been clear—easy provisioning, flexible scaling and cost savings. But we’re now seeing apps and workloads that IT never expected would run in the cloud—and they’re often running leaner and faster than ever before.<br /> <br /> Say the word “cloud” to an IT professional today, and an entirely different image comes to mind than would have popped up five years ago. <br /> <br /> Early on, “the cloud” meant public cloud. Today it encompasses a range of hybrid offerings—combinations of cloud hosting and dedicated hardware, along with the software tools that enable these systems to work together seamlessly. Cloud security has evolved, too. For years, security concerns have been a major barrier to adoption. But as studies have increasingly concluded that the cloud is as secure as on-premise infrastructure, we’re beginning to see this sentiment shift. One recent study found that 94 percent of SMB cloud adopters report that they have experienced security benefits since moving to the cloud.<br /> <br /> And with the advent of bare metal servers that can be provisioned in minutes, even dedicated hardware is evolving to be more cloud-like.<br /> <br /> Businesses now have an expanded set of options for operating in the cloud. They can choose to manage their cloud infrastructure in-house, or opt for a managed cloud and have their cloud provider shoulder the burden of day-to-day management. In short, the cloud of the past was a one-size-fits-all offering. Today it is easy for businesses to design a custom solution around their precise needs.<br /> <br /> A close look at the landscape of cloud adoption turns up some interesting and surprising statistics:<br /> <br /> • 70 percent of companies surveyed report reinvesting money saved back into their business as a result moving to the cloud.<br /> <br /> • Across the board, web hosting is the number one cloud service businesses have adopted. Email is a close second; though the larger a business grows, the more likely they are to host their email on dedicated hardware.<br /> <br /> • A company with fewer than 19 employees is almost 20 percent more likely to have adopted the cloud than a midsize company with more than 500 employees.<br /> <br /> Check out the infographic below for more revealing statistics on SMB cloud adoption rates, how businesses use the cloud and the benefits they are realizing as a result of adoption.<br /> <br /> If you work in an IT department that has yet to fully embrace the cloud, download our PowerPoint presentation, “The Cloud: Powering the Modern Business,” packed with key statistics and benefits of cloud adoption. It’s a great tool for pitching cloud to business decision makers within your company.</div>

Infographic: SMB Cloud Adoption Trends in 2014

Infographic: SMB Cloud Adoption Trends in 2014 Today, the cloud is a mainstream part of IT, having been adopted to some degree by nearly 90 percent of businesses. This rapid growth is due largely to the new and unexpected ways in which the cloud has matured over the last few years. SMB Cloud Adop…

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Sony Xperia Z3 review: a classy flagship with great battery life

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Sony Xperia Z3 review: a classy flagship with great battery life</span></h2> <b>When you're trying to compete in the phone-making game, there are certain challenges. On the one hand, you want to dazzle customers with innovative features. On the other hand, you want to keep the suit-wearing shareholders happy with growth and strong, continued sales.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwaDQMXg5ZrGOa5xbCpZCdK-UUaq3VvTslRN3YJeQKeq3JLQ9CXQjGqCDxZnwbTyGySlkroxdtCqXaxisEpSKjJk0qYRboBHQ-fNxKw2hSgMLkH2IiedC2Rrn4-aO17-FADXM522NHl-y/s1600/Sony-Xperia-Z3-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwaDQMXg5ZrGOa5xbCpZCdK-UUaq3VvTslRN3YJeQKeq3JLQ9CXQjGqCDxZnwbTyGySlkroxdtCqXaxisEpSKjJk0qYRboBHQ-fNxKw2hSgMLkH2IiedC2Rrn4-aO17-FADXM522NHl-y/s1600/Sony-Xperia-Z3-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Sony Xperia Z3" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sony Xperia Z3</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> The bottleneck in this equation is often technology. You can't force it to progress. So once you've more or less caught up, you're left with a choice: Innovate with software/hardware design, or take a risk with gimmicky features. Any of the above will do in lieu of the (unspeakable) alternative -- not releasing a new model this year.<br /> <br /> We're not trying to preload this review of Sony's new Z3 flagship, which arrives barely six months after its predecessor. Or maybe we are. What we're definitely doing is spelling it out right here in the intro: The Z3 looks a lot like the Z2, and after a quick glance at the spec sheet, you might argue it sounds a lot like it too. This is pertinent because, by its own admission, Sony isn't doing very well at competing in the phone-making game. Given the above, is the Z3 going to tempt existing customers to upgrade? Or perhaps lure those over from other brands? T-Mobile will be stocking it this fall, though the price isn't yet known. Currently it's £550 in the UK -- a touch above the HTC One and Galaxy S5. Let's have a look, shall we?<br /> <br /> <b>PROS</b><br /> <br /> • Fantastic battery life<br /> <br /> • High-quality finish<br /> <br /> • Great camera<br /> <b><br />CONS</b><br /> <br /> • Software feels a little dated<br /> <br /> <b>SUMMARY</b><br /> <br /> For a phone that, initially at least, looks a lot like the one it's meant to replace the Z3 has a few tricks up its sleeve. Best of all is the standout battery life. Android photographers will love the camera too. It's easy to recommend the Z3, unless you're upgrading from the Z2, of course.</div> </div>

Sony Xperia Z3 review: a classy flagship with great battery life

Sony Xperia Z3 review: a classy flagship with great battery life When you're trying to compete in the phone-making game, there are certain challenges. On the one hand, you want to dazzle customers with innovative features. On the other hand, you want to keep the suit-wearing shareholders happy with…

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Samsung Galaxy Alpha review: Samsung's most beautiful phone yet

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Samsung Galaxy Alpha review: Samsung's most beautiful phone yet</span></h2> <b>When a company names one of their products after the first letter of the Greek alphabet, it means business. Take Samsung's Galaxy Alpha: The name alone exudes confidence. Although the term typically signifies the first in a series, the Alpha obviously isn't Samsung's inaugural Android phone; rather, it ushers in a completely new design direction for the company.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJolWsW9elQ8VVeUfl3t919I5UZw01mgw485lsZcIRCwIpt0ZGMJFVrdd4nAfYTg4YJodgzueX9aDmlAArrwpKdq4L7lxyTEekPkm-HuCbwz1ioc_M9BKnhRBfCu0PYK4vCV9iVmLyHR20/s1600/Samsung-Galaxy-Alpha-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJolWsW9elQ8VVeUfl3t919I5UZw01mgw485lsZcIRCwIpt0ZGMJFVrdd4nAfYTg4YJodgzueX9aDmlAArrwpKdq4L7lxyTEekPkm-HuCbwz1ioc_M9BKnhRBfCu0PYK4vCV9iVmLyHR20/s1600/Samsung-Galaxy-Alpha-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Samsung Galaxy Alpha" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samsung Galaxy Alpha</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> It's not a top-of-the-line flagship device on the inside, but what matters is that it actually looks like one on the outside, thanks to its premium aesthetics, metal frame and sleek body. Samsung has every reason to be confident in the Alpha's design. As always, however, there's more to a device than meets the eye.<br /> <br /> <b>PROS</b><br /> • Beautiful and elegant<br /> <br /> • Wonderful performance<br /> <br /> • Compact size makes it comfortable, easy to use <br /> <br /> <b>CONS</b><br /> <br /> • Priced too high <br /> <br /> • Lacks several features found in the Galaxy S5<br /> <br /> • Battery life is nothing special <br /> <br /> <b>SUMMARY</b><br /> <br /> The Alpha is Samsung's first phone with a metal frame, and it's the most aesthetically pleasing Galaxy phone we've ever seen. Unfortunately, it's priced at a premium and doesn't have the same set of features that you can get on the Galaxy S5 for the same price. </div> </div>

Samsung Galaxy Alpha review: Samsung's most beautiful phone yet

Samsung Galaxy Alpha review: Samsung's most beautiful phone yet When a company names one of their products after the first letter of the Greek alphabet, it means business. Take Samsung's Galaxy Alpha: The name alone exudes confidence. Although the term typically signifies the first in a series, the…

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PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita on October 14th

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita on October 14th</span></h2> <b>If you're planning to snag a PlayStation TV with game streaming in mind, you'll be glad to hear that it will be ready to go on day one.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbQWQUtAnXi6veO2qqtzlREQ4H5wF6lX7ZhIfyUihavYDbg5c4KgXWxbIfGukfoZoWSwjWXABOPGWQvoxKMn5pAMM1Ruxi269VyelUh9C6JTRzxyL5R_oE_nJBEiDzcGXgxXFOf5BkrNR/s1600/PlayStation-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbQWQUtAnXi6veO2qqtzlREQ4H5wF6lX7ZhIfyUihavYDbg5c4KgXWxbIfGukfoZoWSwjWXABOPGWQvoxKMn5pAMM1Ruxi269VyelUh9C6JTRzxyL5R_oE_nJBEiDzcGXgxXFOf5BkrNR/s1600/PlayStation-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> Sony has posted an FAQ confirming that the PlayStation Now beta will be available on the PS TV (and the PS VIta) in North America on October 14th, the same day that the mini console hits store shelves. As with the Now tests on bigger PlayStations, you'll have the option of renting 150-plus PS3 games with multiplayer support and cloud-based saves. Whether or not you're bent on using Now from the start, the FAQ is a handy primer for all the less-than-obvious things the PS TV can do -- it's worth a trip to the source link if you're at all curious.</div> </div>

PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita on October 14th

PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita on October 14th If you're planning to snag a PlayStation TV with game streaming in mind, you'll be glad to hear that it will be ready to go on day one. PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita Sony has posted an FAQ confirming that …

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Google Play lets you pre-order movies before they leave theaters

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Google Play lets you pre-order movies before they leave theaters</span></h2> <b>A number of internet video stores (including iTunes) have let you pre-order movies for a while, but not Google Play -- you've had to mark the release on your calendar to get a hot flick ASAP. Don't worry about being so dutiful in the future, though.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO-fmxefG3p3u6-yGxTTYZ4zQXNnjGTjAioraL2jAQqosmIXsySpntgYjFf6RmKpB_WAHwgkZrFbyF33M7xewVFsLpFvH1t5vbIoO6yu9z69CzV1uxg5okA2idEXLIhRgc-Esv0qfHFeX/s1600/Google-Play-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO-fmxefG3p3u6-yGxTTYZ4zQXNnjGTjAioraL2jAQqosmIXsySpntgYjFf6RmKpB_WAHwgkZrFbyF33M7xewVFsLpFvH1t5vbIoO6yu9z69CzV1uxg5okA2idEXLIhRgc-Esv0qfHFeX/s1600/Google-Play-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Google Play lets you pre-order movies before they leave theaters" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Play lets you pre-order movies before they leave theaters</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> Google has switched on movie pre-orders for Google Play users in the US; you now just have to find the title you want to see and click a button to reserve it. Other countries will get the feature "soon," Google says. It's a pretty straightforward addition, but it could be very helpful if you're determined to score a copy of Gone Girl while you're still in the theater parking lot.</div> </div>

Google Play lets you pre-order movies before they leave theaters

Google Play lets you pre-order movies before they leave theaters A number of internet video stores (including iTunes) have let you pre-order movies for a while, but not Google Play -- you've had to mark the release on your calendar to get a hot flick ASAP. Don't worry about being so dutiful in the …

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<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for</span></h2> <b>Netflix's Android app hasn't made searching very easy so far. While it'll give you thumbnails, the heavy emphasis on text in results has sometimes meant scrolling through gigantic lists.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRAhRJUn7wz3eiSXUUhnGpZ72tr2mG8fBC8_G8Y0iK4F3yUTfjqbbVyUKqpiMNF2P6-rKPZY1xUFvCR9tFmkbOq-0OKbLE8HX9nC-PuSHqM-_Fzo3rxsOMpc_VaS_s5BwMPJ63aKimR1m/s1600/Netflix-for-Android-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRAhRJUn7wz3eiSXUUhnGpZ72tr2mG8fBC8_G8Y0iK4F3yUTfjqbbVyUKqpiMNF2P6-rKPZY1xUFvCR9tFmkbOq-0OKbLE8HX9nC-PuSHqM-_Fzo3rxsOMpc_VaS_s5BwMPJ63aKimR1m/s1600/Netflix-for-Android-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> It should be much more elegant as of today, however; a just-launchedupdate has brought visual search (previously found just about everywhere else on Netflix) to Google's platform. Look for a title and you'll get nothing but pictures, making it easier to find an iconic movie or TV show based on its artwork.<br /> <br /> Prefer iOS instead? Don't worry, you're getting a treat as well. As on Android, visual search on the iPhone can now help you track down actors, creators and directors. You can find everything Netflix has from David Fincher (such as House of Cards), for example. Whichever device you call home, you'll find your illustration-heavy upgrade at the source links.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div>

Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for Netflix's Android app hasn't made searching very easy so far. While it'll give you thumbnails, the heavy emphasis on text in results has sometimes meant scrolling through gigantic lists. Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot wh…

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Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy</span></h2> <b>Whether it's government agencies, identity thieves, opportunistic hackers or marketers, everyone wants your personal data.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3h3mRHuEgFuTpbKW5rRqzEQ5bDbq0rMHAyLXNUNiqwSKHoj3EWvvJF-NUzps1TG6pUGV_HsE_SSB8TQwg1rQS1i7hDEu7SsMfcqcxvOX47HNVRMeOpXxo34OAnVANXzYOUZKiydDSTSE/s1600/Blackphone-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3h3mRHuEgFuTpbKW5rRqzEQ5bDbq0rMHAyLXNUNiqwSKHoj3EWvvJF-NUzps1TG6pUGV_HsE_SSB8TQwg1rQS1i7hDEu7SsMfcqcxvOX47HNVRMeOpXxo34OAnVANXzYOUZKiydDSTSE/s1600/Blackphone-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> As we live more of our lives than ever online, we're increasingly aware of how much data we produce, and the need to protect it.</div> <div> <br /> <div> With smartphones playing a key role in our always-connected lifestyle, there's a new breed of services and devices for consumers who want to stay off the grid without going offline. Leading the charge is the Blackphone, a $629 handset that prioritizes privacy over everything else. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Running a custom, secure version of Android and shipping with a wealth of privacy tools preinstalled, it claims to be an "unparalleled product" where data protection is concerned. Thanks to the awesome folks at online retailer GSM Nation, who were kind enough to send one for review, I've been getting to know the device and finding out how it keeps data safe from prying eyes.<br /> <br /> <b>PROS</b><br /> <br /> • Super secure OS<br /> <br /> • Bundled with various privacy-focused apps<br /> <br /> • Includes subscriptions to several encrypted services<br /> <br /> • Capable pair of cameras<br /> <br /> <b>CONS</b><br /> <br /> • Expensive<br /> <br /> • Generic design<br /> <br /> • Spotty performance and app compatibility<br /> <br /> • Bundled subscriptions expire in a year<br /> <br /> • Emphasis on security trumps convenient user experience</div> <div>  <b>SUMMARY</b></div> <div>  From a hardware perspective, the Blackphone is nothing to write home about, especially when you consider the $629 price tag. What you're really paying for, however, is a security-driven OS, complete with apps and one-year subscriptions to services that promise the same level of data privacy. And in that respect, the Blackphone is simply incomparable to anything else out there. </div> </div> </div>

Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy

Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy Whether it's government agencies, identity thieves, opportunistic hackers or marketers, everyone wants your personal data. Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy As we live more of our lives than ever online, we're increasingly aware of how much …

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<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs</span></h2> Since the launch of the Signature Touch, Vertu CEO Max Pogliani promised that "technology will be more a merging factor and not a differentiation point" for his phones.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPm4E3vjs13ygb2ac_ra0DqAiqOlPZmvh82gbjqjnhafy34uFnND9fa3RZKuaZGZa-eyeHz2xZ4YeuNoHH2TP86pmXkW0Er28DZaZNkrusnLMIZBIBwxHl67fX042t-Zp9kGMMvcIs1hU/s1600/Vertu-Aster-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPm4E3vjs13ygb2ac_ra0DqAiqOlPZmvh82gbjqjnhafy34uFnND9fa3RZKuaZGZa-eyeHz2xZ4YeuNoHH2TP86pmXkW0Er28DZaZNkrusnLMIZBIBwxHl67fX042t-Zp9kGMMvcIs1hU/s1600/Vertu-Aster-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> That's literally the case with the new mid-tier Aster launched today: This titanium Android device is every bit identical to its flagship sibling device internally, just wrapped within a more contemporary and unisex design.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> We're looking at a 4.7-inch 1080p display, a 5.1-inch 117 carat sapphire screen, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 chipset, a 13-megapixel Hasselblad-certified main camera with twin LED flash, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing imager, 64GB of internal storage, a 2,275mAh battery, front stereo speakers, NFC, Qi wireless charging and great LTE compatibility (though no love for China, for some reason). With the specs out of the way, let's look at why this swanky phone starts from $6,900 or £4,200.</div> </div>

Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs Since the launch of the Signature Touch, Vertu CEO Max Pogliani promised that "technology will be more a merging factor and not a differentiation point" for his phones. Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price,…

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Microsoft's Surface mini tablet is reportedly really real, but not really

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Microsoft's Surface mini tablet is reportedly really real, but not really</span></h2> <b>According to a report, the rumored 8-inch “Surface mini” tablet is indeed real—although Microsoft has no plans to ship it. And that’s probably because you wouldn’t be interested in buying it, anyway.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHit-LoMNYjGTDBkdnbTOfAxxEAK2T2H8iA5u22Ad3hqu20aWSi3xN4vxBcWpo8XXlAedtSZoEyFXGrzEuxuynQKUnP7L2KlaflzHzVH1brJdyMyVCSRDJ77w2B3SeKLvoadTTPYElfPZP/s1600/Microsoft's-Surface-mini-tablet-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHit-LoMNYjGTDBkdnbTOfAxxEAK2T2H8iA5u22Ad3hqu20aWSi3xN4vxBcWpo8XXlAedtSZoEyFXGrzEuxuynQKUnP7L2KlaflzHzVH1brJdyMyVCSRDJ77w2B3SeKLvoadTTPYElfPZP/s1600/Microsoft's-Surface-mini-tablet-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Microsoft's Surface mini tablet is reportedly really real, but not really</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Although Microsoft has marketed the Surface line of tablets as productivity devices, the Surface mini is powered by Windows RT, running on top of just 1GB of RAM. Those specs were provided by Neowin, which said it's actually held and tested as Surface mini—although Neowin's source forbade photographs.<br /> <br /> That would essentially make the Surface mini a device for consuming content—and in limited fashion, as there simply aren’t too many applications written specifically for Windows RT these days. Any available apps would have to run on that anemic 1GB of RAM, which is less than what you’ll find in some smartphones these days.<br /> <br /> The cut-down specs are also less powerful than what other tablet manufacturers announced earlier this year. At CES, for example, Asus announced the VivoTab Note 8, powered by an Atom processor, Windows 8.1, and 2GB of RAM, and costing about $250 online. Since then, however, the trend has been to use Intel’s Atom Z3735G processor on tablets like the Acer Iconia Tab 8W, which supports only 1GB of RAM. Although per-application performance may not suffer, there are sure to be limits on how many tabs or apps you can have open at any one time.<br /> <br /> The problem for hardware makers, however, is that even with Microsoft’s decision toeliminate licensing fees for sub-9-inch devices, Windows tablet makers face steep competition from Android tablet makers, who aren’t afraid to use inexpensive ARM processors to reduce prices further. <br /> <br /> Finally, there’s there the issue of demand. Lenovo recently discontinued its 8-inch Windows tablets in the U.S., noting stronger interest in larger-size models. The company emphasized it wasn't pulling out of the category permanently, so that could indicate a retrenchment. Other manufacturers, including Microsoft, could also be reassessing their options.<br /> <br /> A Surface mini wouldn’t be a single-purpose device, although Neowin approvingly mentions that a Surface mini would be an excellent OneNote machine—and it comes with a stylus, too. Netflix has written a version of its app for Windows RT machines, and web apps would make up for other deficiencies. Still, a small screen, limited memory, and the Windows RT OS would make for a tough sell. And with Microsoft’s recent efforts to trim the fat, it would seem that killing the Surface mini would be one of Microsoft’s easier decisions.<br /> <br /> Microsoft representatives declined to comment. </div>

Microsoft's Surface mini tablet is reportedly really real, but not really

Microsoft's Surface mini tablet is reportedly really real, but not really According to a report, the rumored 8-inch “Surface mini” tablet is indeed real—although Microsoft has no plans to ship it. And that’s probably because you wouldn’t be interested in buying it, anyway. Microsoft's Surface mini …

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Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October</span></h2> <b>With all the iPhone 6 hoopla, Google must be eager to get its newest Nexus devices and Android L out into the wild. If another rumor is to be believed (this time from Android Authority), we could see an HTC-built Nexus tablet by October 16 and Android L on November 1.</b><br /><br />The story behind the story: Google typically unveils its newest Nexus hardware to showcase a major Android update. Nexus phones and tablets run an unskinned version of Android, free of hardware and carrier bloat, and are free from carrier lock-ins. Google partnered with Asus on the first two generations of the Nexus 7 tablet, butall rumors indicate that this time it's HTC's turn.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPXvrOKTN5OEYNyM9NfvY6Sbqdqc8deaO1oCQOD9Ab4FJqpzX8H7FGQatpMNKyS2js_9-9bz_iFgK-B9kmF7XslB_7mU4G36ZrMeqt0GwJsVPlWgBJKcjJvgVWosjWsSxD9CIPr-xajDy/s1600/Android-L-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPXvrOKTN5OEYNyM9NfvY6Sbqdqc8deaO1oCQOD9Ab4FJqpzX8H7FGQatpMNKyS2js_9-9bz_iFgK-B9kmF7XslB_7mU4G36ZrMeqt0GwJsVPlWgBJKcjJvgVWosjWsSxD9CIPr-xajDy/s1600/Android-L-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nexus tablet</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> With HTC making the newest Nexus tablet, we may soon hear more about the follow-up to the Nexus 5. Google is reportedly partnering with Motorola on a whopper of a phone, a 5.9-inch phablet codenamed Shamu. <br /><br />Google could go with an enormous device, given there are plenty of non-supersized Android phones out there, but it's hard to see something close to the Galaxy Mega held up as the latest and greatest of Android. Some rumors put the newest Nexus phone at a more modest 5.2 inches.</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUj-9LR2_FhO3vndwiLW3tnROeagTiPFfbkE4DFsuLnyu7rvwHVPgkv2yB_QJ0tBva974VcmQlvdTZ0BaLo0nMtCOFxq9mbjoqOXGeMQvurnpWR5CCgVjtsMvqft2XZQ4CbFcBeqM5ahW/s1600/Android-L-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUj-9LR2_FhO3vndwiLW3tnROeagTiPFfbkE4DFsuLnyu7rvwHVPgkv2yB_QJ0tBva974VcmQlvdTZ0BaLo0nMtCOFxq9mbjoqOXGeMQvurnpWR5CCgVjtsMvqft2XZQ4CbFcBeqM5ahW/s1600/Android-L-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Android L</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Regardless of the specifics, we are definitely getting close to seeing how Google is going to step up its game in the face of record-setting iPhone sales. Though iOS 8's troubles could leave an opening in the minds of many who had thought about abandoning their larger Android-powered devices for the not-so-bendproof iPhone 6 Plus.<br /></div>

Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October

Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October With all the iPhone 6 hoopla, Google must be eager to get its newest Nexus devices and Android L out into the wild. If another rumor is to be believed (this time from Android Authority), we could see an HTC-built Nexus tablet by Octo…

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