Saturday, 15 September 2012
Apple vs. A.pl: Tech company sues online Polish grocer over logo
Mercalli Easy Video Stabilizer Removes the Shakes and Jitters From Footage
Though image stabilization in cameras and cell phones has come a long way, it's still got a long way to go. Video stabilizer Mercalli Easy ($20, free demo) is easy-to-use software for your PC that offers what some cameras don't: An automatic and effective solution for stabilization and other issues in your videos.
Make your Facebook news feed default to Most Recent
Oh, Facebook or myspace. I'm always establishing your information supply to Most Latest, and every few times you select I'd be more happy with Top Experiences.
(What exactly enables as a "top tale," anyway? Never been actual obvious on that.)
As complications go, it's a minimal one -- but still fairly frustrating. Fortunately, there's an simple way to strong-arm Facebook or myspace into displaying the Most Latest supply each and whenever you examine out the website.
All you do is modify your Facebook or myspace save to the following:
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=h_chr
That additional bit of value added onto the end informs Facebook or myspace to type stories chronologically -- in other terms, to always show the Most Latest supply. If you want Top Experiences, you can still click on Sort and select that choice.
While we're on the topic of Facebook or myspace complications, examine out "How to quit Facebook or myspace from discussing your place when you upgrade your status" and "Change your Facebook or myspace information picture." Of course, if you have any Facebook or myspace guidelines of your own to discuss, please do!
How to buy a smartphone for business
iOS
Traditionally, business users have not favored Apple’s iOS. However, in its latest iteration, iOS 5, the platform has expanded its business features.
Perhaps the biggest deal about iOS 5 for business users is the addition of iCloud, Apple’s cloud service that lets you sync and share documents (as well as photos, videos, and music) across multiple iOS and Mac devices.
In the iOS 5 mail app, you can add rich formatting, such as bold and italic text, to messages, as well as indent text. Mail now has a built-in dictionary, too. Another highlight is the iMessage app, which lets you send messages to any iOS device, regardless of whether it has SMS support.
Windows Phone
All mobile phone gadgets with BlackBerry 7 OS (the newest edition of RIM’s software) come outfitted with BlackBerry Stability, which helps you maintain your company and individual life on one phone. When your device is linked with your organization's BlackBerry Business Hosting server, Stability keeps your private details individual and your company details protected.
The amazingly useful BlackBerry Secure lets you back up your data and handle several gadgets. If your BlackBerry is thieved or lost, you can slightly identify it, remove it, protected it, or change the number of the ring. Like Stability, this service is no cost for BlackBerry 7 OS customers.
Last but not least, the top quality edition of Records to Go is available for no cost on all BlackBerry 7 OS mobile phone gadgets. Users can now write, modify, and view Word, Succeed, and PowerPoint data files. This addition is just one more excellent company feature that BlackBerry OS offers its enterprise customers.
The Specs That Matter for Business
The particular phone features described below are crucial to business users, but if you plan on using the same phone for your everyday life, check out our general cell phone buying guide too.
4G
Following a lot of buzz, the next generation of wireless networks, 4G, has arrived in the form of two main technologies: WiMax and Long Term Evolution. The main advantage of 4G lies in its faster download and upload speeds, which significantly improve streaming video and Web browsing, and allow features such as videoconferencing.
Currently AT&T and T-Mobile are promoting their HSPA+ networks--which essentially use a more advanced version of 3G protocols--as being capable of achieving 4G-like speeds. If you’re looking into buying a 4G phone on AT&T, verify whether it supports an LTE network or an HSPA+ network. Generally a 4G LTE phone will have faster data speeds, but it may also have limited coverage. We have seen “4G-like” speeds on HSPA+ phones in our tests.
HDMI/MHL
An HDMI port will let you hook up your smartphone to an HDTV, which is ideal for giving presentations on the go. Some phones have MHL ports rather than HDMI. The MHL specification (Mobile High Definition Link) is a 1080p HD video and digital audio interface for connecting smartphones and other portable devices (tablets, cameras, and the like) to HDTVs. So what's the big deal? It simultaneously provides power to your phone--something that HDMI cables don't do.
Front-Facing Video Camera
If you plan on making video calls or participating in videoconferences from your phone, make sure that it has a front-facing video camera. Front-facing cameras range from VGA video-only cameras to 2-megapixel cameras that can take still images as well. Video quality, however, won’t be as dependent on the actual camera as it will be on the app or network you are using to make the call.
Built-In Storage
Keyboard
If you simply cannot modify to a touchscreen display screen key pad, consider a cell phone with an real QWERTY key pad. Mobile phones with physical QWERTY computer keyboard are an vulnerable varieties these days, but you can still find a few out there. You might opt for a candy-bar design, such as the BlackBerry Strong 9790 or the Samsung XPRT, or a cell phone with a slide-out key pad, like the New samsung Entertain Move.
Applications
Once you’ve picked out your phone, you’ll probably want to start downloading some apps. Dozens of useful business apps are out there, and we’ve tested almost all of them.
Security Apps
Productivity Apps
From making simple to-do lists to sketching new ideas, hundreds of apps promise to save you time and help get the job done. The best way to get started is to look in your phone’s app store under the productivity category and search for the top-rated apps. Some of our favorites are Remember the Milk (task list manager), Evernote (note syncing), SketchBook MobileX (drawing app), and Instapaper (Web bookmarking).
Cloud-Sync Apps
Accessories
Other than the requisite protective case, quite a few useful phone accessories are available for professionals. Here are some you might consider purchasing alongside your new phone.
Portable Outlets and Chargers
Bluetooth Headsets
The market has a ton of Wireless headphones to choose from; currently PCWorld's top-rated ear phones is the Jawbone Era. With a Wireless ear phones, you can perform meeting phone calls on your day travel (just keep your eyes on the road!) or prudently check your voicemail messages while you’re on vacation with the family.
Pico Projectors
More than likely, you will want a phone that can serve both your business requirements and your personal needs. And thankfully, most smartphones will be able to do just that--with the help of some apps and accessories.
French piracy law claims first (innocent) victim
Prevost was in jail for not able to effectively efficiently effectively successfully effectively effectively effectively properly secured his Wi-Fi program, and was punished a sleek fee of 150 money ($200). The assess did not move to quit his Online accessibility definitely, a move which is actually a provide of the third hit of HADOPI law. In the third hit, after the described infringer's ISP suspends their Online problem (for a period of between two a few a few a few a few a few a few a few a few a few several weeks to one year), the person can also be punished from determining upon up with other ISPs.
Six strikes law set for US in 2012
Amazon Web services simplifies private cloud configuration, adds SQL server
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made it possible to get connected to its Exclusive Personal Reasoning (VPC) assistance using fixed redirecting, while also enabling businesses to run SQL Hosting server within the individual cloud, the organization said on Friday.
Using a VPC organizations can set up a person, separated area of Amazon's cloud. Managers can, for example, use subnets, routers, and accessibility control details to make the same type of system that one would find in a conventional information middle, according to Amazon.
Encrypted VPN relationships are used to connect with the VPC circumstances. To make these relationships simpler to set up Amazon has included the choice to make IPsec-based components VPN relationships using fixed redirecting, instead of having to use BGP (Border Entrance Protocol).
The BGP redirecting method can be difficult to set up and to control, and Amazon doesn't want to power customers go through the stress if all they want to do is set up a VPN relationship to a VPC. It could also improve the prospective industry for the VPC assistance, as some fire walls and entry-level routers don't assistance BGP.
Amazon has examined the fixed redirecting choice with gadgets from 'cisco' Techniques, Juniper, Netgear, and Ms, and released a list of the products on its website.
Enterprises can set up two VPN relationships by using two gateways at their end to enhance redundancy.
But even though using BGP can be more complex, it is still the recommended way to hook up, according to Amazon. That's because the method does a liveness check on the IPSec tube and makes simpler the failover process that is invoked when one VPN tube goes down, it said.
Besides the use of fixed redirecting, Amazon now also allows customers release RDS (Relational Directories Service) circumstances operating Ms SQL Hosting server inside of their private cloud assistance. The organization did the same for Oracle's database last 30 days. This time around Amazon included a function known as Data Push, which allows fast information exchanges between Oracle databases.
The function can be used to rate up exchanges between an on-premises Oracle database and an RDS instance; between an Oracle database operating on an EC2 example and an RDS Instance; or between two RDS circumstances, according to Amazon.
A private cloud is usually seen as something that operates within an enterprise's information middle, but that isn't always the case, according to general industry trends organization Gartner. Personal cloud processing is determined by comfort, not place, possession or control liability, and while a lot of personal atmosphere will be on-premises, a increasing amount of personal atmosphere will be contracted, it said.
On Friday, Amazon also released the newest version of the AWS International Start-Up Task, which will prize four champions US$50,000 in cash, $50,000 in attributes, one year of AWS Business Support, and four one-hour specialized guidance classes from Amazon.
The competitors is divided into four categories: big information, game playing, customer programs and business programs. Due date for posting an accessibility is Nov. 9 and the champions will be declared in Jan.
Do I have to worry about viewing angles when buying a HDTV?
Whether or not extreme viewing angles affect your television enjoyment depends on a lot of things, including the TV's basic technology, the quality of your specific model, and how extreme of an viewing angle you're talking about.
LCD televisions have a viewing angle problem. So do LED TVs, which are really LCDs with LED backlighting. As you move farther Dhiren11 is considering purchasing a 3D HDTV, and requested the HDTV & House Cinema if a category of six can sit around it and all have a excellent perspective.
Whether or not excessive watching perspectives impact your tv entertainment is determined by a lot of factors, such as the TV's primary technological innovation, the excellent of your particular design, and how excessive of an watching position you're referring to.
LCD tvs have a watching position problem. So do LED TVs, which are really LCDs with LED backlighting. As you shift further to the part and away from the main lovely identify, the image gets deeper and along with less vivid.
However, there have been large developments in this technological innovation over the decades, and watching position is no more the big problem it once was. In most places, you have to get to a very excessive position, so that you're almost looking at the part of the TV, to get noticable a actual problem. When you come right down to it, looking at the TV from that position isn't maximum anyway; any image will look better when considered from near to go on.
If you're really concerned about watching perspectives, buy a lcd set, where there are no watching position problems. (Of course, the frame distortions brought on by the position itself will still be there.) Plasma tv's places have their own issues--burn-in and hefty energy consumption--but these too have been decreased nowadays by enhanced technological innovation.
These problems are the same with 2D and 3D. However, if you're seated at a really excessive position, a 3D image may look more altered than a 2D one--even on a lcd set.
Fortunately, watching position is just about the only tv image-quality problem you can assess in a shop.to the side and away from the central sweet spot, the picture gets darker and the color duller.
However, there have been huge advances in this technology over the years, and viewing angle is no longer the big problem it once was. In most sets, you have to get to a very extreme angle, so that you're almost looking at the side of the TV, to notice a real problem. When you come right down to it, looking at the TV from that angle isn't optimal anyway; any picture will look better when viewed from close to head on.
If you're really worried about viewing angles, buy a plasma set, where there are no viewing angle issues. (Of course, the distortion caused by the angle itself will still be there.) Plasma sets have their own issues--burn-in and heavy power consumption--but these too have been reduced in recent years by improved technology.
These issues are the same with 2D and 3D. However, if you're sitting at a really extreme angle, a 3D image may look more distorted than a 2D one--even on a plasma set.
Fortunately, viewing angle is just about the only television image-quality issue you can judge in a store.
How to choose a laptop for your small business
Form/Laptop Type
Durability
You don't want your significant investment breaking down or dropping apart on you after only limited use. A steadily constructed computer will conserve your funds in the long run.
Case: How durable your computer needs to be relies on its size and how you use it. Nasty is fine for a computer that doesn't travel much; however, plastic tends to fold too much--especially on Ultrabooks and thin-and-lights. Most providers will buzz the use of metal and mineral magnesium, which are indeed more durable and harder to prevent inner element bending. Materials also shed chip-killing heat far better than plastic.
Hard Drive: The element most vulnerable to damage is the difficult drive--a sensitive procedure, and especially insecure when rotating. Any business computer using a traditional disk generate should provide surprise insulating material, as well as a indicator that can identify a fall and park the leads on the disk generate before impact. In some cases, such as with Seagate's Momentus FDE pushes, this realizing occurs within the generate itself.
Security
Security is important, but don't overbuy if you don't have anything to protect. If you do have sensitive data on your laptop, which most business users will, consider one or a combination of the following features.
TPM:
BitLocker: With this standard, data is encrypted at the volume level (such as the C: drive). It's available with Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise, and works on its own or in conjunction with a TPM.It's the industry problem that effects larger organizations If you use nothing but peer-to-peer public networking and apply your own back-up system, the House modifications are possible, if not highest possible.
There is also a very real snob element in play. If you're trying to fantastic a business possibility, don't let them see you with your home or home version of Microsoft windows seven. Ms took advantages of the person scenario with the brands conference.
Self-Encrypting Drive (SED): These drives perform their own hardware encryption but rely on the TPM, BIOS, or a software component for a password.
Smart card: A Smart card is basically the same thing as an entry card for an office building, only in this case it's for your laptop. It's about the most secure way of locking down your notebook, but you must remember to remove that card and carry it around with you for it to be effective.
All business laptop vendors include utilities on their machines for setting up various security features.
Next page: Graphics, Peripherals, and More...
Graphics, Ports, and Connectivity
GPU: In most cases, a discrete graphics chip isn't necessary; the graphics integrated into the latest CPUs offered by Intel and AMD are more than adequate for business tasks. The exceptions are some of the weaker Atom processors found in netbooks, which aren't up to rendering 1080p video smoothly.
Video Output: If you're looking to perform presentations with your notebook, both the graphics and external monitor ports must match up with any projectors or displays you'll be using.
WiDi, Intel's Wireless display interface can also be handy for presentations as it obviates the need for running cables, something that can be awkward in many circumstances. It also frees you from having to wait in the queue for a particular meeting room.
An external WiDi adapter for the TV is required, and there is a small lag between what you'll see on your laptop and what you see on the display, but the convenience can be addicting.
Data Ports: An eSATA or USB 3.0 port will drastically speed up backups to an external hard drive, or loading or offloading large amounts of data. If you deal with large files or data sets, look for such ports. Otherwise, USB 2.0 is fine, if not optimal, especially with the plethora of online backup solutions available.
Ethernet: 10/100 ethernet is still found on laptops, and in most cases is perfectly viable, but it is rapidly disappearing. Gigabit is faster, and can help streaming HD video on busy networks as well as making network backups faster--look for it.
Broadband: If you're regularly out of reach of Wi-Fi, a broadband connection like the one on your phone is a good thing to have. Some laptops have integrated broadband antennas so you can use an internal adapter. Otherwise, you'll need a USB dongle for the service you use.
PC Card, Express slots: While PC Card and Express slots have largely vanished from mainstream laptops, they are still widely available in business models. If you have legacy card devices such as a smart card reader, or a Firewire card, make sure the laptop you buy has the slot you need.
SDHC/MMC: This slot allows for superportable removable storage as well as making it easy to load photos and video from digital cameras. If you rely heavily on photos or video in your business, a SDHC/MMC slot is a must-have feature. A MemoryStick or MS might also be useful if you're a Sony user, as Sony uses proprietary memory formats.
Port Adapters: All of the above ports are certainly more convenient when integrated; however, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and SDHC/MMC (as well as other cards) can also be implemented easily via appropriate USB adapters.
Peripherals
Travel mice and headphones, as well as flash and optical drives, are items you should consider carrying around with you on your travels. Most laptop vendors will be happy to sell them, but they're readily available online at vendors such as Newegg, Amazon, and elsewhere in more variety.
Travel Mouse: If you spend a considerable amount of time using your laptop, a mouse goes a long way towards achieving that desktop feel and speeding up your workflow.
Headphones: Headphones or ear buds are essential to being able to hear what's happening on your laptop when you're on a plane or other noisy vehicle.
Optical Drive: Some laptops still offer internal optical drives, and they're a must for installing some software or watching movies on DVD or Blu-ray discs. That said, the technology is fading, and with streaming media services and broadband connections proliferating, you can probably meet your entertainment and software installation needs without one.
Unless you regularly burn disks for clients, you're probably better off with an external USB optical drive that you can leave at home when you don't need it.
Parts Availability, Platform Stability
Mainstream consumer laptops are produced, then set adrift whenever the next best thing shows up, even when styling or technology take only a minor step forward. It can be very hard to find a replacement laptop or parts for a consumer machine just a short time after you buy one.
Vendors take special care with business laptops to make sure that parts are readily available for an extended period of time and that models don't change drastically. Typically, basic designs won't alter all that significantly over three to five years, and specific models can remain available in production for as long as two years.
Dell's Latitudes and Lenovo's ThinkPads are good examples of corporate laptop lines. If you desire this kind of stability, you'll pay quite a bit more, but the peace of mind can be worth it.
Warranty
Most business laptops offer warranties that go far beyond the usual one year offered on consumer units--usually, three years standard with options up to five years. Three years is about the average lifespan for a small business notebook, as SMB users are more apt to retire them in lieu of something more modern.
However, five years is not beyond the service life of corporate units, especially these days, with performance having long ago exceeded "fast enough" for everyday business tasks.
Service
The key to buying the correct level of service is matching it to your worst-case scenario. If it's possible you could be stuck in a strange city where you don't speak the language or know your way around, on-site service is invaluable. Alternatively, overnight shipping of a replacement or of parts would be adequate if you have decent technical chops. If you never leave town and there's a repair center nearby, then buying such service levels would be massive overkill.
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