sincity

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/DOWNLOADS/utilities/VirtualBox/Dotd-53-VirtualBox-470-75.jpgRunning another operating system alongside your primary one has plenty of uses, but there's no need to pay for emulation software, thanks to VirtualBox. Why you need itWith Windows 10 just around the corner, Microsoft are releasing 'Technical Previews' of the operating system to give people a glimpse of how it will function. Installing it comes with risks attached – it's unfinished software, after all – so if you want to try out Windows 10 before its general release, you'll need emulation software like VirtualBox. What this neat little program does is enable you to run a second operating system alongside the one already installed on your computer (provided you've paid for both, of course). That makes VirtualBox perfect for trying out different operating systems – if you want to run a Mac-only program on your Windows PC, for example. Unlike some rivals, VirtualBox is completely free, so you get access to the full feature set for an unlimited period of time, all without paying a penny. Available features include snapshots (which allow you to 'save' the virtual OS in its current state, to be returned to later), folders that can be shared between OSes, plus you can even remotely access your virtual OS from another computer. So whatever you want to do with a virtual machine, VirtualBox should be able to handle it. Key featuresWorks on: PC, Mac, LinuxVersions: FreeEmulate another OS: If you want to try out another operating system (or a program not available on your own OS), VirtualBox will allow you to run the OS alongside your current oneRich feature set: There's more than just a basic OS emulator, though – VirtualBox contains a range of features to help you do more with the second operating systemCompletely free: VirtualBox doesn't impose time limits on your use of the program, nor does it disable certain features – everything is available for free, for ever.You'll also likeTeamViewerClassic ShellSystem ExplorerFreeFileSyncRecuvahttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/43342aa3/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628919/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aa3/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628919/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aa3/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628919/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aa3/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628919/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aa3/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611628919/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aa3/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Generic/Stress/PCA176.hd_extra.istkcrsh-470-75.jpgThere is no doubt that technology has played an integral part in helping today's successful businesses reach the top of their industry. However, for many the IT department can be a barrier to innovation and technology change. This is a result of being indentured to legacy IT, which is having a huge impact on the ability to keep up with consumer and market demand. Budgetary limitations and the sheer challenge of upgrading or replacing an ageing system are often behind the reluctance to embrace change but, as with all big projects, if properly planned and approached, businesses can mitigate the perceived risks and issues and reap the benefits from better use of today's technology. How big is the problem?Rather than being seen as an add-on or limited luxury, technology has to be at the heart of a business to enable growth. Today, consumers expect to be able to interact with businesses in more ways than ever before – via a website, mobile/tablet device or through social media channels – at their convenience, any time of day, with no downtime or access issues. But with technology constantly evolving, keeping up with both the pace of change and user demand can be a challenge for many businesses. The expectations and pressures put on existing systems can cause them to fall over and buckle under the strain. Despite this, some CIOs still perceive the legacy systems of yesterday to be up to the demands of today. This inability to realise the bigger picture and introduce change in the right way can result in organisations relying on overly complex systems and processes, experiencing a slow rate of change. Legacy systems are also often badly documented and as a result, redesigning an IT system that only a few long-term IT team members know how to maintain can seem far too daunting – especially when the current system is deemed to be up to the job. In a bid to adapt and keep up with budget and time demands, many simply resort to relying on middleware as an alternative to replacing legacy systems. However, this hand-to-mouth approach will take its toll as speed-to-market is often prioritised over the appropriate due diligence and testing. Add the often strained and fractious relationship between the IT department and the rest of the business into the mix and it all amounts to a huge stumbling block in adopting a strategic transformation programme for technology change that will benefit the whole business. The impact of technology failures: why IT departments must step upOvercome the fearRegardless of the concerns and complexities associated with overthrowing legacy systems, if outdated technology is not replaced, many businesses face extinction, as demand on their systems outstrips capabilities. This makes it all the more important for CIOs to work closely with the IT team and put measures in place to instil confidence in the inevitable change. A stringent quality regime needs to be at the heart of the process of overhauling legacy systems and mitigating the risks associated with this. Therefore, we have identified six key steps to transforming the role of quality management within an organisation, to give it the confidence needed to shake the shackles of outdated technology and reap the rewards of IT change. Step 1: Identify who needs to be involved in the process – including staff and third parties – and immerse them in what you are trying to achieve. It is essential for everyone to understand that the risk is shared and what their roles and responsibilities are. Step 2: Get your people on board. It is important to understand what talent exists within the organisation and who will be involved in the transformation journey and quality management process. Large-scale education may be required and outsourced providers might be needed to supplement in-house skills. Step 3: Put the correct processes in place. To transform quality management, key roles need to be defined to carry out specific processes including: prioritising and leading IT change; health-checking the outsourcing candidates; identifying opportunities for optimisation and quick wins; engaging with and managing suppliers and defining governance models; operational management and service delivery. Step 4: Invest in the best products. Setting up contracts with third-party suppliers correctly and being crystal clear about the required level of application quality and how it will be measured is paramount. By taking this approach, vendors should be willing to share risk in return for generous rewards for success. Step 5: Bring it all together. The programme required to transform your quality management needs to bring together several building blocks. Some of these are more complicated than others (e.g. identifying outsourcing candidates in your existing IT estate) but everything can be addressed and you already have a lot of expertise in-house. Step 6: Conduct regular quality checks. At regular intervals on your transformation journey you need to prove that quality has been improved. A regular "heartbeat" of measurable value should be delivered to assure stakeholders of the return on their investment. This is relatively easy to do if you clearly articulate the outcomes and quantify the value at the outset to each "product", and reward your new multi-sourced suppliers in-line with the same, at agreed stages, along the way. David Rigler has over 20 years' experience in the software industry, and his expertise covers complex IT problems, multi-sourced environments and IT strategy. Ben Fry also has in excess of 20 years' experience in delivering successful IT projects, and is an industry recognised authority on IT delivery, with a string of published articles to his namehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/43342aae/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628918/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aae/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628918/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aae/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628918/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aae/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611628918/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aae/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611628918/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43342aae/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Software/Windows%2010%20Jan%202015%20Hands%20On/windows-10-jan-15-hero-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has re-ignited speculation that a subscription-based version of Windows is in the works after registering the trademark 'Windows 365'. First spotted by Neowin, the filing dated January 29 is listed under "computer software; computer operating system software; network operating software; computer programs; aforementioned goods". Just as Office 365 was launched as a subscription-based alternative to the desktop-based version of Office, the idea of a cloud-based version of Windows accessible for an annual fee has floated around for some time. At the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft's Terry Myerson said that the company plans to offer "Windows as a Service", raising the possibility that of a subscription-based offering. However, as he explained in a company blog post and reiterated in an interview to TechRadar Pro, this referred to free, continous upgrades to the platform rather than an entirely new way of charging for the OS. Future option?With Microsoft increasingly shifting its products to subscription-based services, the idea of a constantly updated and backed-up Windows paid for annually begins to make sense. But with Windows 10 yet to launch as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users for one year, it's difficult to see a subscription-based version of Windows gaining any traction in the near future. Office 365 explainedhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/43333d0c/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861344/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d0c/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861344/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d0c/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861344/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d0c/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861344/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d0c/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/219132861344/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d0c/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/AAvents/Windows%2010/windows10-hololens-sink-470-75.jpgFor the team at Dizmo.com, Microsoft's recent Windows 10 announcement has been of particular interest to our concept and software, and also poses questions about how other products may conceive of this new release, especially in the age of the Internet of Things. Free upgrade to Windows 10To begin with, a free upgrade for Windows 7/8 users is a fair move indeed. If Microsoft is to really pull consumers and developers into this new platform, this is an essential start. Working more efficiently and effectively with 'cloud-centric universal apps', engaging several devices and providing a consistent user experience across them, is something we also like. However, the idea may still be limited and just focused on ensuring such consistency instead of inventing a new user experience for the post-PC age. So while we appreciate the move to provide smoother settings and additional menu simplification for example, we believe Microsoft's menu-driven UI still sticks to the fixed-screen, keyboard and mouse PC legacy that we're all very familiar with. Cortana voice recognitionHaving Cortana voice recognition for the PC, and integrating this into a brand new browser is fantastic – finally! We would need to take a look at this feature more closely before formulating a final opinion on this, but this definitely means easier and faster interactivity with web resources. Hands on: Windows 10 reviewWindows HolographicThe most amazing part of the announcement for me was Windows Holographic, though. This is a definitive attempt to move into the next age of IoT, distributed intelligence and augmented reality, through a set of new technologies, which completely breaks the PC paradigm. It is an insight into the future, and it opens up a space for imagination, newer applications and how we interact with digital resources – this is the inspiration we should follow. Some last thoughts As a final note, less astounding than the Holographic announcement, but still important to take notice of, I appreciate the introduction of the Surface Hub. This is a strong attempt to smooth over our tasks in business meetings, such as setting up devices and the connection with other participants, as well as allowing for mixing, matching and sharing data, content, notes with others, etc. However it still does all these tasks in a way that is linked to an expensive piece of hardware and in a relatively closed and confined workspace. True collaboration calls for much more – which is to engage with content from any source, to any device, and anywhere. In this case, this is not quite there yet. I am very intrigued to see were this goes, however, and how Dizmo can be implemented with this platform in the future! Luigi Mantellassi is CMO of Dizmo.comhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/43333d10/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861343/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d10/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861343/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d10/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861343/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d10/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132861343/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d10/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/219132861343/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43333d10/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/29th%20Jan%2015/6dealsmain-470-75.jpgEvery day, TechRadar brings you great deals on tech products from around the web and today we've got some excellent bargains for you. First up, we have two products that complement each other nicely, especially as St Valentine's coming up. You can currently get the 50-inch Panasonic TX-50AS520B home cinema TV, exclusive to Currys, for just £449. And while you're at it, why not get someone to play with it? The Nintendo Wii U Mario Kart Premium Pack is currently available at Amazon for £199. Valentine's Day: quick linksTechRadar: Valentine's Day Gift ideasJohn Lewis: Valentine's Day DealsAmazon: Valentine's Day DealsInterflora: Valentine's Day SurprisesHotel Chocolat: Valentine's Day GiftsToday's Hot Dealshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/deals/jan-09/1JBL-580-100.jpg Speaker: Want an audio device to rock your life, then check out the JBL Clip Portable Wireless Speaker, available in black and blue. It comes with a handy clip (hence its name), Bluetooth 4.0 and can run for up to five hours. Available for £23.99 at Currys. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/deals/jan-09/2ps4-580-100.jpg PS4: Christmas might be a long, distant memory, but now is probably the best time to buy a Sony PlayStation 4 gaming Console as retailers look to push some stock in order to get a half-decent February. Grab yourself one bargain at Simplygames where the PS4 costs just under £280 with free next day delivery. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/6th%20Feb%2015/1sam-580-100.jpg Hard drive: One can never be too thin or too rich, the quote says. The Samsung M3 USB 3.0 Slimline Portable Hard Drive is both thin and somehow managed to pack a whopping 1TB worth of storage. Oh and it is available in black for a mere £45.99 at Amazon.. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/deals/jan-09/5led-580-100.jpg Accessories: It's one of these gadgets that secret agents always seems to carry with them. The black LED Lenser T7 Tactical Torch (Black) comes in a gift box and may well be the perfect apparatus for your preferred male/female secret agent for this Valentine's day. Amazon has it on sale for £25.95. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/deals/jan-09/4roku-580-100.jpg Set top box The Sky-owned Roku 1 2710EU Streaming Player will allow you to access nearly 500 channels in HD video quality. It comes with a free iOS and Android App and rumour has it that it can be easily hacked into something more powerful. A bargain at £34 at Amazon. MORE HOT DEALSSamsung 4TB D3 Station External Desktop Hard Drive, £104.98 at Amazon NETGEAR GS208-100UKS 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps Switch, £12.99 at Amazon Lexar 32GB JumpDrive S70 USB Flash Drive, £8 at Ebuyer Acer Iconia One 7 Inch Tablet 16GB, £49.99 on eBay. BT Hub 4r Unlocked Wireless ADSL Modem Router N300 Dual Band, £29.99 at PCWorld Sony SBH50 Stereo Bluetooth Wireless Headset with NFC, Multi-Point Connectivity and FM Radio, Black - £37.98 at Amazon Logitech G502 Proteus Core Tunable Gaming Mouse, £45.53 at Amazon Kingston Technology MLW221 Mobilelite Wireless Reader - £14.99 at Amazon Anker Ultra Portable Pocket Size Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - £12.99 at Amazon Hot Deals on GamesDestiny (PS4) - £25 at Tesco Bayonetta 2 (Wii U) - £27.49 at Base 12 Month Xbox Live Gold Membership (Xbox One/360) - £23.99 at CDKeys Forza 5 Game of the Year XBOX ONE - £24.85 at ShopTo LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham - £16.85 at Amazon Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - £16.46 at Amazon inFAMOUS: Second Son - £14 at Amazon Murdered: Soul Suspect - £9 at Amazon Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare - £25 at Amazon Dark Souls II PS4 Pre-order Game - £31.99 at Argos

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Software/Windows%2010%20Jan%202015%20Hands%20On/windows-10-jan-15-hero-470-75.jpgThink back to 20 years ago and you'll remember Microsoft being the sole contender in the personal computing software market. In contrast to today, back then Apple was a boutique offering and others played second fiddle. But since the likes of Apple dazzled consumers with personal devices and the internet boom created strong rivals such as Google, Microsoft has needed to do more to keep competitive. Each new edition of Windows has represented a play for competitiveness, but until now progress has been somewhat directionless. The unsuccessful attempt at a breakthrough with Windows 8 became more of a setback, so with Windows 10 the market is expecting a vast revamp that really takes into account what both consumers and businesses want. Three central pillarsIt seems that with Windows 10 Microsoft has spent time getting to know the needs of the user, with the big themes for me being personalisation, collaboration and convergence, whether the use is for work or pleasure. Looking at personalisation, the biggest problem with Windows 8 was that it represented a huge change in the way the user interacted with Windows, but with a lack of choice. The Windows start menu option that we were all so familiar with disappeared and we were instead given a whole new concept to deal with. While some were fond of this change, myself included, many struggled or refused to adapt. With Windows 10, Microsoft seems to have learned from its mistake of pigeonholing users, by making the OS more configurable and allowing users to choose how they interact with the software. Also on the personalisation front, Cortana seems to be evolving into Siri's smarter twin – able to be integrated with other services, understand user context and recommend things personal or local to the user. I can see this being taken further and being used across all Windows devices in the future. On the collaboration front it's good to see the likes of the Microsoft HoloLens, which progresses the videoconferencing concept to a near virtual reality experience. With the use of holographic lenses, users can see and hear holograms. Ideal for the corporate world, a full boardroom can communicate digitally just as they would in each other's presence. Most of all, convergence is the key thing I'm hoping for with Windows 10. Microsoft's long-term vision is to allow for a single software platform to be available on an increasing array of hardware and devices. It's time Microsoft got rid of all the platform confusion with Windows, Windows RT, Windows Phone and so on. As a Windows-based product developer I see this as critical to Microsoft's viability as an enterprise platform in the future. It'll make app development and utilisation far simpler. True mobile synchronisation is also vital as part of this. To date Apple has beaten Microsoft to this level of unification, for example, Cupertino recently launched the ability for iPhone users to send SMS messages from a Mac, and the use of iMessage has become prolific across the Apple device landscape. Hands on: Windows 10 reviewEnterprise champion?Enterprises can easily implement Windows 10, as there is limited need to upgrade hardware to run it. This puts Microsoft on an equal footing with Apple on this front, which has traditionally not mandated a hardware upgrade with its new operating systems. Enterprise customers can enjoy the benefit of not having to buy a whole new set of PCs. Even with Microsoft facing competition in the market, there won't be a single person reading this who hasn't been a user of its hardware or software at some time. At Wax Digital, we developed our software on Microsoft's platform. It's good to see that Windows is moving forward with what users and businesses want and has learnt from the hiccups made with Windows 8. The gimmicks are bound to draw in many of us but need to be well applied to deliver value. By optimising Windows as an enterprise platform, Windows 10 can hopefully secure its long future in the corporate environment. It's been well-known for some time that Microsoft has been keen to go down the single platform approach with a view to migrating away from legacy desktop applications. This is sorely needed to break the ties to the rapidly declining x86-based PC desktop environment that was once its stronghold, and to keep up with or even speed past Apple and Google in the mobile market. Can Microsoft do it? It tried very hard with windows 8 and 8.1 but was knocked back by consumers. The hope with Windows 10 is, while it may be more focused on getting the basics right, it gives Microsoft new foundations to wean people off desktop apps and into the new 'Modern' user interface focused world. Peter Kinder is CTO of Wax Digitalhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/4329c9f3/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611557279/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4329c9f3/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611557279/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4329c9f3/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611557279/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4329c9f3/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611557279/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4329c9f3/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611557279/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4329c9f3/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Google/Chromecast/chromecast-470-75.jpgWhat's almost as good as free money? Store credit! And that's what Google is giving Chromecast owners this Valentine's Day. Some Chromecast owners - it's not yet clear how many - can redeem $6 (or £5 in the UK, according to some commenters) in Google Play Store credit between now and Valentine's Day. To check if you've received the gift, head to this website on a device that's on the same network as your Chromecast. We've asked Google whether the promotion applies outside the US, and we'll update if we hear. The idea is for you to rent a movie with your sweetheart, though we all know most people will probably spend this on Candy Crush lives. More blipsThis Valentine's Day, why not curl up with more of TechRadar's blips? Drones are trying to spoil Star WarsMadonna debuted her new music video on SnapchatWe need to talk about HTC's rap video

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Writing-software/1_sigil-470-75.jpgDownload Sigil and you'll be able to create a professional-looking ebook in no time, no matter what your experience level is. Why you need itThanks to the connected nature of the world today, publishing your own ebook and getting your work seen by readers across the world is a real possibility. And if that's something you aspire to, downloading Sigil is a great start. That's because Sigil is a free ebook creator that can be used by beginners and experts alike. The WYSIWYG ('what you see is what you get') interface allows novice users to dive straight in and create an ebook, while expert users can get extra control by tweaking the ebook code directly. Sigil is packed with features that give you plenty of control without bewildering the user. The interface is clean and clear, with a book browser on the left, a document viewer in the middle and a screen displaying the table of contents on the right. Icons are similarly intuitive, while a range of tools allow you to check spelling, insert chapters and images, check HTML for errors and more. So if you're looking to create an ebook and get your work seen by a wider audience, Sigil is an excellent free tool to help you along the way. Key featuresWorks on: PC, Mac, LinuxVersions: FreeCreate ebooks: Sigil can help you get your written work ready for distribution in ebook formatCan be used by all: Whether you're a novice or a seasoned expert, Sigil has features to suit all usersHandy features: From a spell checker to a chapter creator, Sigil has all the tools you'll need to create a professional-looking ebookYou'll also likeLibreOfficeEvernoteFreeMindScribusWriteMonkeyhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/431f4426/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132772274/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431f4426/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132772274/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431f4426/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132772274/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431f4426/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132772274/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431f4426/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/219132772274/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431f4426/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/valentines_best_tech_v3-470-75.pngValentine's Day Gift IdeasValentine's Day is a week tomorrow so not long to get yourself sorted! Never fear though, there's still plenty of time to buy online and we've got a whole raft of Valentine's Day gift ideas and deals to help you find the perfect present for your perfect person. We've created the ultimate Valentine's Day gift ideas hub. From cards to gadgets, chocolates, flowers, jewellery, weekend breaks and more - it's all available online! Valentine's Day: quick linksJohn Lewis: Valentine's Day DealsAmazon: Valentine's Day DealsInterflora: Valentine's Day SurprisesHotel Chocolat: Valentine's Day GiftsLingerie and sex toy: quick linksAnn SummersAgent ProvocateurDebenhamsAsosLovehoney Deal of the Dayhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/valentines_best_tech_v3-200-100.png Valentine's Day Gift IdeasBelow you'll find separate sections on where to order specific product types online, but first here's a rundown of some item suggestions to kick us off... John Lewis: Valentine's Day cards John Lewis: Valentine's Day flowers and plants John Lewis: Gift goodies and lots of yummy treats | Boxes of chocolates John Lewis: Champagne gifts London theatre tickets: Buy your loved one two tickets to see a show! There's some great deals at Amazon Local Activities and experiences: Buy a track day, go rock climbing, fly a plane! Great deals at Amazon Local Health and beauty: Buy a spa day, a make-over, yoga lessons, massages, and all sorts of other pampering from Amazon Local! Champagne: The world's most romantic drink! The best deals are online Perfume and fragrance: Amazon has up to 60% off for Valentine's Day Lingerie and underwear: Buy something sexy for after dinner http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/techradar/Best_2015-200-100.png Valentine's Day DealsHeadphones: Beats by Dre Solo Over-Ear Headphones - Now only £79.99 Camera: Nikon COOLPIX S9300 - Now only £149.79 Board games: Monogamy game for couples - Now only £9.99 at Amazon.co.uk Board games: Cards against humanity - Now only £20.00 at Amazon.co.uk Board games: Fifty days of play - Now only £12.95 at Amazon.co.uk Chocolate: Valentines Day Goody Bag - Now only £18 Chocolate: Continental Tasting Heart - Now only £20 Helicopter ride: 12 mile helicopter ride - Now only £59 Mood lighting: Mathmos Jellyfish - Now only £88 Tablet: Kindle Fire HD 6 - Now only £69 Television: Panasonic 32" Viera - Now only £99 Fragrance: Emporio Armani Black Carat EDT - Now only £25 Flowers: 12 Red Roses - Now only £21.99 Puschair: Mamas and Papas Tour pushchair - Now only £49.99 Flowers: Valentine's perfect gift - Now only £34.99 Hair straighteners: - GHD IV - Now only £89 Coffee Machine: Tassimo Vivy - Now only £34.50 Personalised Phone Cases: ASDA Photo Personalised Phone Cases: Photobox Personalised Phone Cases: Vista Print http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/card-150-100.JPG Valentine's Day CardsLoveRadar says: Clearly a Valentine's Day card is the bare minimum for anyone in a relationship who still wants to be in it on the 15th February. And it's even more fun to send a card to someone you're not in a relationship with - you know, that person you've fancied for ages. And while you could look to the highstreet to supply your card, there are actually some pretty great online options too. Online you get more selection and total control over appearance, images and words. Moonpig: Buy cards, flowers and gifts Not On The Highstreet: Buy your cards and a whole range of gifts Scribbler: Specialises in online card creation and delivery http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/FLOWERS2-150-100.JPG Flowers for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: Probably one for guys to buy rather than the ladies, this one. And you might think it's cheesy as all hell to send flowers on Valentine's Day, but the ladies love a beautiful bouquet and for good reason - it really shows how special you think she is to buy her flowers. But don't be lazy and pick some up from the petrol station on the way home! Plan ahead, order online and get them delivered to her as a special surprise! Flying Flowers: Flowers for all occasions with plenty of delivery options Amazon: Yep, you can even buy flowers on Amazon and there's some great deals too Interflora: Possibly the best known flower brand, get any flower any time! Serenata Flowers: All sorts of flowers and bouquets http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/plane-200-100.jpg Holidays for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: OK, so not all of us can afford to buy a holiday for Valentine's Day. But if you CAN afford it, there is surely no better gift. And the great thing is that the internet makes finding the right choice - whether it's a quick city break or a trip to a tropical paradise - extremely easy. And there are always some interesting last minute deals to be had. Thomas Cook: Find a cheap holiday for you and your loved one Lastminute.com: Great for finding a last minute surprise weekend away http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/chocs-200-100.jpg Chocolates for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: Everyone loves chocolates. Whoever you're buying for this year, you could do a lot worse than a really nice box of chocolates. And we don't mean a tin of Quality Street - proper, quality, delicious, amazing chocolates. There are plenty of brands that you can buy from online as well - here are the four key chocolate shops to order from: Amazon: Not the most obvious chocolate retailer, but there are some brilliant deals on all sorts of top brands Thorntons: The highstreet chocolate chain has a lot of options for online chocolate purchasing Hotel Chocolat: Everyone loves Hotel Chocolat! Cadbury: Britain's favourite chocolate brand has an online store too Green & Black's: Organic Valentine's Day chocolate is the best Valentine's Day chocolate http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/jewellery-200-100.JPG Jewellery for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: Jewellery is super hard to buy for someone else, or it is for some people anyway. Others find it very easy, and to make things even easier - you can buy online! Amazon actually has a great jewellery section on its website, and there are plenty of other buying options as well. So whether you're looking for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, rings or whatever - consider the internet your buying companion: Amazon: Amazon is actually a great place to search and find jewellery The Jewel Hut: Lots of great options for Valentine's Day Goldsmiths: One of the biest known highstreet brands also has a website http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/FWG17.foodmatch.trappist_fish-200-100.jpg Restaurants for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: If you work long hours and don't get out much, it can be hard to work out where to take your loved one for that special Valentine's Meal you promised you'd book. Luckily there are some online services that make such things very easy indeed, and you don't have to be living in a big city to do it, either... Amazon: Use Amazon Local to find a great deal on a meal for you and your special one BookATable.co.uk: Lots of good deals at lots of great UK restaurants Lastminute.com: Yep, this site even does table bookings http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/NIK31.zone_5.pose2_kiss-200-100.jpg Single? Online Dating!LoveRadar says: If you're single and resenting all the happy people who're planning a fun Valentine's Day treat, it could be the perfect time to get on the internet dating. Everyone's doing it these days! Match.com: The world's number one dating website eHarmony: Another popular option - it's now free to communicate with your matches Plenty of Fish: Plenty of Fish is 100% free and very popular with the under-40s OK Cupid: Another free option for online dating in the UK Tinder: For Android | For iPhone - finding a date is as easy as swiping a screen, and it's free

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/6th%20Feb%2015/6deals-470-75.jpgEach day TechRadar brings you great deals on tech products from around the web and today we've got some excellent bargains for you. First up, we have two products that were made for each other. You can currently get the 50-inch Panasonic TX-50AS520B home cinema TV for just £449. And while you're at it, why not get someone to play with it? The Nintendo Wii U Mario Kart Premium Pack is currently available at Amazon for £199. Valentine's Day: quick linksTechRadar: Valentine's Day Gift ideasJohn Lewis: Valentine's Day DealsAmazon: Valentine's Day DealsInterflora: Valentine's Day SurprisesHotel Chocolat: Valentine's Day GiftsToday's Hot Dealshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/6th%20Feb%2015/3moto-580-100.jpg Smartphone: If you're looking for a cheap and cheerful Android smartphone either for you or for a family member, this is a great deal. The Motorola Moto E is available online for just £60 - it would make a great first mobile for someone! http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/6th%20Feb%2015/4xbox-580-100.jpg Xbox: Got an Xbox One and need another controller? The average price for a spare pad is £40 but Zavvi currently has an Xbox One pad and a copy of Minecraft all for jsut £29.99. Do not though, that this is a wired pad, not a wireless one. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/6th%20Feb%2015/5noook-580-100.jpg eReader: Want an eBook reader that's powered by Android and doesn't cost the Earth? You can currently get a Nook HD 8GB, compatible with Google Play and the games and apps that come with it, for just £49. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/6th%20Feb%2015/1sam-580-100.jpg Storage: Need some external storage for all your photos, music and/or files? Get the excellent Samsung M3 drive with 1TB (1000GB) capacity for just £45.99. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/6th%20Feb%2015/2thumb-580-100.jpg Storage: Or if it's a USB stick you want, this one will happily sit on a key ring and stay out of the way until you need it - it's a 16GB drive for just £5.90. MORE HOT DEALSAnker® Ultra Portable Pocket Size Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with 12 Hour Playtime - £12.99 at Amazon.co.uk Nokia Lumia 630 UK SIM-Free Smartphone - Black (Windows, 4.5-inch, 8GB) - £77 at Amazon.co.uk PortaPow 15W Rainproof Foldable Dual USB Solar Charger with Fast Charge USB sockets for Portable Electronics - £36.49 at Amazon.co.uk Brother HL-L2340DW A4 Mono Laser Printer - £79.20 at Amazon.co.uk Sonos BRIDGE - Expand your Wireless Hi-Fi - £29 at Amazon.co.uk Pure Jongo A2 Wireless Hi-Fi Adapter with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth - Piano - £34.99 at Amazon.co.uk Microsoft Arc Keyboard - UK Layout - £19.97 at Amazon.co.uk Hot Deals on GamesMurdered: Soul Suspect - £13.85 at Amazon.co.uk Evolve (Xbox One) - £42 at Tesco Dead Rising 3 - Xbox One - £21 at Tesco Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare - £25 at Amazon.co.uk Alien: Isolation - Nostromo Edition (PS4) - £17.99 at Base.com Metro Redux (PS4) - £16.99 at Base.com The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (Nintendo 3DS) - £25 at Amazon.co.uk Football Manager 2015 - £18.49 at Amazon.co.uk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/hotspotshield-470-75.jpgIt doesn't take long for a PC to fill with unwanted programs: depending on who you believe, a brand new PC will be infected with malware within 4, 7 or 8 minutes, before you get it out of the box or before you even get it home. While some of the threats are massively overhyped, malware and other online problems are extremely irritating and, in many cases, major time thieves. These apps will keep you and your PC happy. Avast Free antivirusAvast is one of the most downloaded programs of all time, with good reason: it offers effective anti-virus protection without slowing your PC to a crawl or making you install security modules you're unlikely to ever need. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/avast-420-90.jpg The free version doesn't have all of the security features of its paid-for siblings, which add anti-spam and phishing protection, but it covers the basics brilliantly and can remove unwanted browser add-ons. Ad-Aware FreeLavasoft's malware protector Ad-Aware has been on our essentials list for years, and once again the free version offers more than enough security features for everyday PC use. The main attraction here is Ad-Aware's superb anti-spyware protection, which can find malware and adware and banish it forever. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/adaware-420-90.jpg There's something of an arms race going on between security firms and malware developers, but Ad-Aware's automatic updates should keep your software current and capable of spotting even the most obscure malware. The program can also protect you from fraudulent websites and dodgy downloads, and Game Mode keeps it quiet when you're gaming. CleanMail HomeIf our inbox is anything to go by, approximately 99.9% of all email is spam – and that means 99.9% of our email time is spent getting rid of it. CleanMail has a better idea: if you use POP3 mail it uses the award-winning SpamAssassin anti-spam engine to identify incoming junk mail and get shot of the lot. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/cleanmail-420-90.jpg It's always learning, analysing junk messages to help it become even better over time. It can whitelist specific senders so the boss's mails never end up in the bin, and it can block entire domains of known spam senders. GhosteryYou may not realise it, but your surfing habits are probably being tracked by dozens of websites keen to sell you their products. These tracking cookies are not malicious, but you may not want Amazon and friends collecting your data and knowing exactly what you're thinking of buying. If not, try Ghostery – available for Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and more. It's available for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Android and iOS, and its job is to block the various tracking systems that attempt to follow you around the internet to sell you stuff. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/ghostery-420-90.jpg You can simply install it and let it get on with its job, but looking at each site's Ghostery report is a real eye-opener: some sites have so many different trackers and advertising networks it's a miracle their pages ever load. Ghostery also tells you exactly what each company is looking at and likely to do with your data, so if you'd rather not share every click with marketers, its a must-have. AdBlock PlusAdBlock Plus is a controversial one. Publishers of ad-funded websites say it's depriving them of income and putting their sites in danger; fans of AdBlock Plus says that if publishers didn't make ads so invasive and annoying, we wouldn't need to block them. Not only that, but AdBlock Plus automatically blocks sites known to serve malware, so it keeps you both safe and sane. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/adblockplus-420-90.jpg It also features a URL typo corrector, ensuring you don't accidentally visit malware sites with vey similar names to famous brands.So if you want to control what kinds of content appear on web pages, adding Adblock Plus to Firefox, Chrome, Opera or Internet Explorer can make the web a much quieter place – and its Acceptable Ads list means you can whitelist the sites that don't go out of their way to yell at you. LastPass Password ManagerWe know that our passwords probably aren't tough enough – although at least we don't use the UK's favourites, "123456" and "password" – but remembering unique passwords for stacks of sites and services is a nightmare. Thank heavens, then, for LastPass – available for Firefox, Google Chrome and more. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/lastpass-420-90.jpg LastPass creates a vault for your passwords and bank cards, generating really strong passwords and recalling them when you need them. It syncs via the cloud, too, so it's available not just in your browser but on your phone or tablet too. It even generates one-time passwords for logins you don't intend to use again or sites you're not sure you can trust. Hotspot Shield VPNSometimes other people's networks just aren't good enough. Your ISP may block perfectly legal websites with overzealous filters, the site you want to see might use geotagging to lock out people from particular countries, or you might be in a coffee shop where you're pretty sure the Wi-Fi hotspot isn't secure enough to make online banking a good idea. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/hotspotshield-420-90.jpg Enter Hotspot Shield, a virtual private network (VPN) that can disguise your real IP address, secure other people's hotspots, bypass censorship and make your own internet connection more secure. That makes it a useful tool for protecting both your privacy and your computer. The free version is ad-supported, but you can pay for an ad-free version if you prefer. UncheckySoftware developers need to feed their families, we know, but sometimes their attempts to earn a few coins are way over the top: if you've ever installed a trial program and discovered it's stuck another eleventy-three unrelated and unwanted programs onto your PC, you'll know exactly what we mean. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/unchecky-420-90.jpg Unchecky prevents that from happening and ensures that when you install a minor app you won't suddenly find your home page and default search engine have changed. It's available for any Windows from XP onwards, and if you install a lot of demos, you'll soon be shouting its praises from the rooftops. EraserMost of us have some things on our PCs we don't want others to access: our finances, perhaps, or our disturbing fan fiction about Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh. Even when you think you've safely deleted sensitive files, that's not necessarily the case. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/eraser-420-90.jpg Because if you're using public computers or selling a PC and need to be sure that your sensitive data is deleted, emptying the Recycle Bin doesn't cut it: all that does is hide the files and tell Windows it's safe to overwrite them when it needs the space. Recovering those files is a doddle unless you use a proper file eraser such as Eraser, which thoroughly overwrites deleted files and destroys them properly, keeping your private files private for good. WindowsUnlocker Kaspersky Lab's WindowsUnlocker exists to fight one of the most awful kinds of malware: ransomware, which locks up your PC and threatens to keep you locked out - or worse, to delete your files - if you don't pay a ransom. It's a growing problem, but it's easy to ensure your PC won't become a victim: just download and install WindowsUnlocker to keep the bad guys out. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/DOWNLOADS/roundups/2015-Jan/Security-software/windowsunlocker-420-90.jpg If it's too late and a stranger's already demanding money with menaces, the same firm's Rescue Disk 10 acts as an emergency locksmith, getting you into your PC from a CD/DVD or USB device. Don't give up and pay the ransom – Kaspersky's software can get you out of trouble. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/431d699b/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611506297/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431d699b/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611506297/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431d699b/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611506297/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431d699b/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611506297/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431d699b/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611506297/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431d699b/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/LG/LG%20G3/HandsOn/lg-g3-review-19-470-75.jpgSprint launched Android 5.0 Lollipop for both the HTC One M7 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 this week, and it looks like the HTC One M8 and LG G3 are next. Lollipop adoption is finally on the rise, after all, and US carriers don't want to be left behind. Is the Surface Pro 3 a laptop killer?The HTC One M8 will get Lollipop on February 13, and the LG G3 will get it February 16, according to an alleged leaked document obtained by Android Police. Healthy doubtThe document also noted that Lollipop would arrive on the M7 and the S5 today, but other than that there's no proof of its veracity. This is such a tame rumor, though, that you have to wonder why anyone would bother to fake it. On that note, One M8 and G3 owners should watch out for their Lollipop updates to start arriving in waves over the next two weeks or so. The Roku streaming stick is a cord cutter's dreamhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/431839bc/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611499003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431839bc/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611499003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431839bc/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611499003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431839bc/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611499003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431839bc/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611499003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431839bc/sc/28/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/OSX/apps/iphoto-470-75.jpgiPhoto is a bloated, slithering mess of an application, and Apple is finally putting it out of its misery. The company promised last June that both iPhoto and Aperture would be replaced with a new application called Photos for OS X come Yosemite, and now that change is almost upon us. The Apple Watch is almost hereA developer version of the new Photos app is going out today, according to The Verge, which got its hands on it and published some impressions. The Photos app apparently has a cleaner, more intuitive interface - like the iOS Photos app - and it's tied closely to the cloud and your other Apple devices, although its editing tools aren't as advanced as Aperture's. Who's next?Photos will soon enter into public beta, followed by a full release as part of a free update before Summer, the site says. However, users will still be able to keep iPhoto and Aperture on their machines. It's great to see Apple actually replacing some of its outdated software instead of just slapping a new, even crappier coat of paint on it. OS X users can only hope that iTunes and Mail are next. Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 was big before it was coolhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/4317147b/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501902/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4317147b/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501902/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4317147b/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501902/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4317147b/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501902/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4317147b/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611501902/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4317147b/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/valentines_best_tech_v3-470-75.pngValentine's Day Gift IdeasOnly 9 days to go until Valentine's Day! Never fear though, there's still plenty of time to buy online and we've got a whole raft of Valentine's Day gift ideas and deals to help you find the perfect present for your perfect person. We've created the ultimate Valentine's Day gift ideas hub. From cards to gadgets, chocolates, flowers, jewellery, weekend breaks and more - it's all available online! Valentine's Day: quick linksJohn Lewis: Valentine's Day DealsAmazon: Valentine's Day DealsVery: Valentine's Day DealsInterflora: Valentine's Day SurprisesHotel Chocolat: Valentine's Day GiftsLingerie and sex toy: quick linksAnn SummersAgent ProvocateurDebenhamsVeryAsosLovehoney Deal of the Dayhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/valentines_best_tech_v3-200-100.png Valentine's Day Gift IdeasBelow you'll find separate sections on where to order specific product types online, but first here's a rundown of some item suggestions to kick us off... John Lewis: Valentine's Day cards John Lewis: Valentine's Day flowers and plants John Lewis: Gift good and lots of yummy treats | Boxes of chocolates John Lewis: Champagne gifts Very's gifts for Her: Save up to 50% on gifts for your special lady Very's gifts for Him: Save up to 50% on gifts for your special man London theatre tickets: Buy your loved one two tickets to see a show! There's some great deals online Activities and experiences: Buy a track day, go rock climbing, fly a plane! Great deals on Amazon 50% off experience days: Very has a good deal on some great days out | Adventure days | Driving Days | Flying and Adrenaline | Food and drink Health and beauty: Buy a spa day, a make-over, yoga lessons, massages, and all sorts of other pampering! Champagne: The world's most romantic drink! The best deals are online Perfume and fragrance: Amazon has up to 60% off for Valentine's Day Lingerie and underwear: Buy something sexy for after dinner http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/techradar/Best_2015-200-100.png Valentine's Day DealsHeadphones: Beats by Dre Solo Over-Ear Headphones - Now only £79.99 Headphones: Skullcandy Over-Ear headphones - Now only £18 Camera: Nikon COOLPIX S9300 - Now only £149.79 Camera: Samsung SMART bridge camera - Now only £129 Laptop: Lenovo Flex 2 - Now only £369 Board games: Monogamy game for couples - Now only £9.99 Board games: Cards against humanity - Now only £20.00 Board games: Fifty days of play - Now only £12.95 Chocolate: Valentines Day Goody Bag - Now only £18 Chocolate: Continental Tasting Heart - Now only £20 Helicopter ride: 12 mile helicopter ride - Now only £59 Mood lighting: Mathmos Jellyfish - Now only £88 Tablet: Kindle Fire HD 6 - Now only £69 Television: Panasonic 32" Viera - Now only £99 Fragrance: Emporio Armani Black Carat EDT - Now only £25 Flowers: 12 Red Roses - Now only £21.99 Puschair: Mamas and Papas Tour pushchair - Now only £49.99 Flowers: Valentine's perfect gift - Now only £34.99 Hair straighteners: - GHD IV - Now only £89 Coffee Machine: Tassimo Vivy - Now only £34.50 Personalised Phone Cases: ASDA Photo Personalised Phone Cases: Photobox Personalised Phone Cases: Vista Print http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/card-150-100.JPG Valentine's Day CardsLoveRadar says: Clearly a Valentine's Day card is the bare minimum for anyone in a relationship who still wants to be in it on the 15th February. And it's even more fun to send a card to someone you're not in a relationship with - you know, that person you've fancied for ages. And while you could look to the highstreet to supply your card, there are actually some pretty great online options too. Online you get more selection and total control over appearance, images and words. Moonpig: Buy cards, flowers and gifts Not On The Highstreet: Buy your cards and a whole range of gifts Scribbler: Specialises in online card creation and delivery http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/FLOWERS2-150-100.JPG Flowers for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: Probably one for guys to buy rather than the ladies, this one. And you might think it's cheesy as all hell to send flowers on Valentine's Day, but the ladies love a beautiful bouquet and for good reason - it really shows how special you think she is to buy her flowers. But don't be lazy and pick some up from the petrol station on the way home! Plan ahead, order online and get them delivered to her as a special surprise! Flying Flowers: Flowers for all occasions with plenty of delivery options Amazon: Yep, you can even buy flowers on Amazon and there's some great deals too Interflora: Possibly the best known flower brand, get any flower any time! Serenata Flowers: All sorts of flowers and bouquets http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/plane-200-100.jpg Holidays for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: OK, so not all of us can afford to buy a holiday for Valentine's Day. But if you CAN afford it, there is surely no better gift. And the great thing is that the internet makes finding the right choice - whether it's a quick city break or a trip to a tropical paradise - extremely easy. And there are always some interesting last minute deals to be had. Thomas Cook: Find a cheap holiday for you and your loved one Lastminute.com: Great for finding a last minute surprise weekend away http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/chocs-200-100.jpg Chocolates for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: Everyone loves chocolates. Whoever you're buying for this year, you could do a lot worse than a really nice box of chocolates. And we don't mean a tin of Quality Street - proper, quality, delicious, amazing chocolates. There are plenty of brands that you can buy from online as well - here are the four key chocolate shops to order from: Amazon: Not the most obvious chocolate retailer, but there are some brilliant deals on all sorts of top brands Thorntons: The highstreet chocolate chain has a lot of options for online chocolate purchasing Hotel Chocolat: Everyone loves Hotel Chocolat! Cadbury: Britain's favourite chocolate brand has an online store too Green & Black's: Organic Valentine's Day chocolate is the best Valentine's Day chocolate http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/jewellery-200-100.JPG Jewellery for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: Jewellery is super hard to buy for someone else, or it is for some people anyway. Others find it very easy, and to make things even easier - you can buy online! Amazon actually has a great jewellery section on its website, and there are plenty of other buying options as well. So whether you're looking for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, rings or whatever - consider the internet your buying companion: Amazon: Amazon is actually a great place to search and find jewellery The Jewel Hut: Lots of great options for Valentine's Day Goldsmiths: One of the biest known highstreet brands also has a website http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/FWG17.foodmatch.trappist_fish-200-100.jpg Restaurants for Valentine's DayLoveRadar says: If you work long hours and don't get out much, it can be hard to work out where to take your loved one for that special Valentine's Meal you promised you'd book. Luckily there are some online services that make such things very easy indeed, and you don't have to be living in a big city to do it, either... Amazon: Use Amazon Local to find a great deal on a meal for you and your special one BookATable.co.uk: Lots of good deals at lots of great UK restaurants Lastminute.com: Yep, this site even does table bookings http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/Valentine's%20Day/16x9/NIK31.zone_5.pose2_kiss-200-100.jpg Single? Online Dating!LoveRadar says: If you're single and resenting all the happy people who're planning a fun Valentine's Day treat, it could be the perfect time to get on the internet dating. Everyone's doing it these days! Match.com: The world's number one dating website eHarmony: Another popular option - it's now free to communicate with your matches Plenty of Fish: Plenty of Fish is 100% free and very popular with the under-40s OK Cupid: Another free option for online dating in the UK Tinder: For Android | For iPhone - finding a date is as easy as swiping a screen, and it's free http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/43171489/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501901/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43171489/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501901/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43171489/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501901/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43171489/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611501901/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43171489/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611501901/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43171489/sc/28/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/desktop_pcs_and_macs/Mac/iMac%2021%20and%2027%20inch%20Sept%202013/21inch%20iMac/IMG_0337-470-75.jpgWave goodbye to emailing photos, documents and other files, because there's now a better way: AirDrop. It sends files between nearby Macs and iOS devices over the air using an encrypted connection. What's great is that, unlike traditional methods of sharing files, there's no tricky setup. The devices involved in a transfer don't need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (though AirDrop still works if they are), as it establishes a direct connection. They just have to be close. On a Mac, when you select AirDrop in a Finder window sidebar or choose Go > AirDrop, you'll see a window with icons for nearby people who can receive files. Control your own visibility at the foot of the window. When you drag files and folders and drop them onto someone's icon, the recipient is prompted to accept or reject the transfer. If their iOS device has no app capable of reading what you're sharing, it will direct them to the App Store and a list of apps it thinks can handle the item. AirDrop is available in other places besides Finder. Click the Share button that appears in Safari, Preview, Maps, and many other apps to share whatever it is you're looking at. Using AirDrop in this way opens a sheet that again lists nearby people. Click one to send to them. Wherever you access AirDrop, the words "Don't see who you're looking for?" appear below the list of people. Clicking this and then "Search for an Older Mac" switches to an older AirDrop that works only between Macs running OS X Lion or later. This version of AirDrop can't talk to iOS devices, but it works with many more models of Mac - you can check whether yours is compatible by referring to Apple's list at support.apple.com/kb/PH18947. Here's how to AirDrop files to and from a Mac: 1. Start AirDropOn the devices you'd like to transfer files between, open the AirDrop window. On a Mac, click it in a Finder window sidebar, or choose Go > AirDrop, or press Command + Shift + R. If Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is switched off, click the button to turn it on so AirDrop can work. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Airdrop%20files%20feature%202015/Airdrop%201-420-90.jpg 2. Send a fileOn your Mac, locate the file you want to send. Drag its icon onto the icon for the other person's device. "Waiting" will appear under that icon, and a pop-up will appear on the receiving device so the recipient can accept or decline the item. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Airdrop%20files%20feature%202015/Airdrop%202-420-90.jpg 3. Receive filesA blue arc grows around the edge of the person's icon to indicate progress (click for an estimate of remaining time). Files you receive are saved to your Downloads folder, which is accessible from the Finder sidebar, the Go menu, or by pressing Command + Option + L. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Airdrop%20files%20feature%202015/Airdrop%203-420-90.jpg Next up: the best iOS board gameshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/4316d47d/sc/4/mf.gif

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/tablets/iPad/iPad%20mini%203/Hands%20on%202/iPad%20Mini%203%20review%20(3)-470-75.JPGBoard games are enjoying a renaissance. It's well deserved, given the wealth of original ideas and remarkable designs they've been showing off. Simply rolling dice and moving counters is a thing of the past, and not only is the iPad one of the best ways to play new games, it's also one of the cheapest. Here are six of the best iOS board games. Pandemic: The Board GamePandemic: The Board Game ($6.99, iPad) is a race against time to beat the spread of sickness (as people the world over crawl into bed with OJ and Netflix). It tasks one to four players with saving the world from dangerous diseases. You work as a team, dividing up roles such as Scientist or Quarantine Specialist, and face a difficult game that requires diligence and forethought to avoid being overwhelmed; you get four actions per turn to try to cure epidemics and save the world. The only downside is that you and your friends have to share the same iPad, as there's no online play. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/games/Best%20iOS%20board%20games%202015/ios%20board%20games%20Pandemic-420-90.jpg BattleLore: CommandIf your preference is for the combative, BattleLore: Command ($9.99, universal) is the cousin of tabletop miniatures games such as Warhammer. It pares things down considerably, giving you dozens of units instead of hundreds, controlled by straightforward orders according to which flank they sit on. Nevertheless, it's still all about rolling lots of digital dice and casting lots of spells. The game has capable AI and offers a respectable amount of skirmish and campaign battles. Surprisingly, the game is not tied in with Game Center. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/games/Best%20iOS%20board%20games%202015/ios%20board%20games%20BattleLore-420-90.jpg SuburbiaSuburbia ($2.99, iPad) is more considerate and constructive. Imagine SimCity with hexagonal tiles, specific objectives, and much tighter budgets. It's a game of city-planning that has you fitting together high-rises and highways as you try to build a town both profitable and attractive. It's a balancing act, as the more popular and more populated it becomes, the less appealing it looks. As well as online play, a series of single-player challenges will keep you hooked. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/games/Best%20iOS%20board%20games%202015/ios%20board%20games%20Suburbia-420-90.jpg Galaxy TruckerThen there's Galaxy Trucker ($7.99, iPad). Any game that starts with you assembling your vessel from a pile of spare parts is never going to be a space opera. Head out into space and you'll face pirates, smugglers, meteors and more. The iPad version is an impressive translation of an often ridiculous game and, while luck certainly plays its part, that doesn't make it any less fun, or any less funny. Summoner WarsPart card game, part board game, part abstract experience, Summoner Wars (free, universal) is almost chess-like in its precision, yet packed with possibilities. Two players take control of armies represented by decks of cards, but using cards to fight requires spending others as a resource. The strategy is in what you sacrifice. The base game is free, but additional factions (each with their own unique powers) will cost you. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/games/Best%20iOS%20board%20games%202015/ios%20board%20games%20SummonerWars%20-420-90.jpg CarcassonneCarcassonne ($9.99, universal) is one of the pricier iOS board game adaptations, but is absolutely worth it. There's canny AI and single-player challenges, but this simple yet devious turn-based game of building and seizing towns and roads is best played with friends, and there's a strong online community. Up to five can play, but two-player, head-to-head games tend to be best. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/games/Best%20iOS%20board%20games%202015/ios%20board%20games%20Carcassonne-420-90.jpg Next up: how to edit photos in iOS 8http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/431693a3/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611415473/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431693a3/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611415473/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431693a3/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611415473/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431693a3/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611415473/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431693a3/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611415473/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431693a3/sc/21/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Windows%2010/Windows%2010%20for%20phones%20leak%20Kiran%20Kanade%20NPU-470-75.jpgWe're still waiting to get a first-hand look at Windows 10 for Phones, but in the meantime a few screenshots, purportedly from the technical preview, have been leaked. While they show an interface that looks somewhat similar to Windows Phone 8.1 there are a number of differences too. The images, which were shared with NokiaPowerUser by Kiran Kanade, show a tiled interface with a new notifications system which in this shot looks similar to the existing one, but which according to Microsoft will allow for synced notifications across different devices, so if you clear one on your phone it will also clear it on your desktop. Above that you can see new quick settings toggles, with far more options than are found in Action Centre on Windows Phone 8.1, including the likes of VPN and quiet hours. There's also a link to the main settings screen for anything not covered there. Similar settingsSpeaking of the settings screen, an image of that has emerged too, showing a slightly new look with blue icons, but all the options you'd expect, including system and personalisation settings. The final screen simply aims to confirm that we are indeed looking at the Windows 10 Technical Preview for Phones, with the apparent build number of 8.15.12493.42. Of course it's not hard to doctor an image, so we can't say with any certainty that these are the real deal and even if they are this will be an unfinished version of the software. But they seem convincing, with a similar look to Windows Phone 8.1 but different enough that it could conceivably be a whole new version. We already know a whole lot about Windows 10 for desktops.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/431338d9/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720324/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338d9/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720324/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338d9/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720324/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338d9/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720324/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338d9/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/219132720324/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338d9/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Windows%2010/press/windows10-carousel2-470-75.jpgDid you know that licensing could help with security – and that app stores could be enablers for licence compliance? In this article, we're going to discuss the impact software licensing will have on enterprise IT this year, with six main predictions for 2015. 1. Licensing will become a potent security weapon helping software vendors/intelligent device manufacturers reduce hacker risk. Also, pushing software updates will be key to defending against IoT hackers According to a recent BSA Global Software Survey, 43% of the software installed on PCs around the world, totalling more than $62 billion (around £40 billion, AU$79 billion) in value, was not properly licensed last year. In 2015 producers will start implementing advances in tamper-resistant software licensing to reduce hacker risk and protect their intellectual property. Techniques such as tamper resistance, code obfuscation and hacker detection are a few of the licensing strategies that will be deployed to reduce software piracy. In the context of the Internet of Things, one of the primary concerns associated with internet-connected devices is the risk from hackers exploiting vulnerabilities and using applications on device as a vector for malware. Because defending against hackers is a continuous cat-and-mouse game, once patches to hacked software are created, device makers will need the ability to automatically push those patch updates to the product to ensure installation – and ensure the manufacturer and customer are protected. By the end of this year, more than 10% of device makers will have added automated firmware/software updates to their capabilities in order to defend against Internet of Things hackers. 2. More software renters than owners in 2015 This year, enterprises will increasingly see renting software (software subscriptions) as being advantageous over owning software (purchasing perpetual licenses). The reasons for this shift vary from organisation to organisation – ranging from the ability to shift software expenses from CAPEX to OPEX, better aligning cost to value, and reducing up-front licensing costs. But the trend is real and in 2015 the number of subscription deals will likely exceed perpetual license deals for enterprise software vendors. 3. Vendor software audits will continue unabated – adding to corporate risk Software vendors' ability to hit their bottom-line revenue targets will continue to rely upon true-up fees extracted from customers via software license audits. Consequently, the common vendor practice of conducting these audits will continue unabated in 2015, impacting the cost and risk profile of companies of all sizes. According to a recent survey, in 2014 21% of these audits yielded fees to vendors of $1 million (around £650,000, AU$1.3 million) or more. The number of audits, and fees generated from them will continue to rise. 4. App stores will become key enablers for IT services delivery and license compliance As organisations accelerate their adoption of enterprise app stores, the utility of these self-service stores will expand beyond that of simply providing employee access to company apps. IT will discover that app stores are an ideal environment to consolidate disparate and separately managed systems, such as mobile and desktop application management. App stores will also be used to enable proactive license management by tying application requests into existing Software License Optimisation processes, and enabling employees to partner with IT in managing application usage, reclaiming unused applications, and minimising waste. 5. Enterprises will get "predictive" and start analysing the future impact of potential environment/licensing changes on software budgets – before those changes are made Software license management has historically been a reactive, retrospective corporate practice. Organisations fearing software license audits (and the resulting true-up penalties) started implementing processes and technologies to understand their license position. They looked at current and past licensing positions to determine a current state. This year, organisations with sophisticated Software License Optimisation infrastructures in place will get more proactive about license management. They will start analysing the potential impact of changes to their licensing positions or IT environments – such as virtualisation – and proactively examine the impact of those changes on software licensing costs. By getting predictive, organisations will be able to strategically manage complicated software assets, and significantly reduce costs and corporate risk in the process. 6. Mobile apps in the enterprise will become less risky As mobile apps and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) become embedded in enterprise cultures, in 2015 IT will rein in the "wild west" risky behaviours that mobile apps introduce into the corporate environment. IT will focus on the two big thorny questions. Firstly, how will the mobile app break the environment (i.e. identify mobile apps that display behaviours that may introduce risk to corporate security and data privacy – such as social media or GPS apps), allowing management to enact appropriate policies around those apps. Secondly, how might the corporate environment break the mobile app (i.e. determine whether an upgrade to critical mobile software – like a stock trading app – is compatible with the enterprise environment, enabling IT to warn employees ahead of time when an upgrade will break the app). By addressing these issues, mobile apps within the enterprise will become a far less risky proposition this year. Mark Bishof is President and Chief Executive Officer of Flexera Softwarehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/431338e4/sc/46/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338e4/sc/46/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338e4/sc/46/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338e4/sc/46/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132720323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338e4/sc/46/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/219132720323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/431338e4/sc/46/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/office-touch-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has rolled out its cross-platform, finger-friendly build of Office for Windows that you can grab by heading to the Microsoft Store. Available to download on the preview build of Windows 10, the Universal Office apps include Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Like Windows 10, they have been designed to work on a wide range of devices with different resolutions, screen sizes and ratios, allowing you to continue working on documents and presentations when switching between mobile and desktop platforms. Looking to banish Windows 8 from memory, Microsoft's upcoming OS is due to land later this year and will come pre-installed on all Windows Phones and Tablets. Office 2016 incomingWhile the touch-optimised offerings are meant to be used without the use of a mouse and keyboard, Microsoft confiirmed in a blog post that its desktop-based version of Office, called Office 2016, is expected to be available in the second half of 2015. The company added that some users have been experiencing problems downloading the apps and should check back later. Check out our Office for iPad reviewhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/43127ac6/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611475231/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43127ac6/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611475231/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43127ac6/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611475231/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43127ac6/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611475231/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43127ac6/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611475231/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/43127ac6/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/5th%20Feb%2015/6deals-470-75.jpgEach day TechRadar brings you great deals on tech products from around the web and today we've got some excellent bargains for you. First up, how about a mammoth 85-inch Ultra HD TV from Panasonic? The astonishingly good Panasonic TX-85AX942B has got every feature you'd expect from a modern TV and you can currently get it for a bargainous... £10,999. OK so that's not exactly cheap, but you are at least saving £4000 on the original price! Don't have ten grand to spend today? Oh alright, here's some more reasonably priced gear just for you... Gifts for your perfect person: Valentine's Day gift ideas: the ultimate guide Gift cards: Amazon gift cards | Gift card store | John Lewis gift cards|Currys gift cards|PC World gift cards | GAME gift cards Today's Hot Dealshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/5th%20Feb%2015/2lg-580-100.jpg LG is making some of, if not the best, Android smartphones right now and the LG G3 is top of the pile. It's an almost perfect handset with a brilliant super high-res screen and a great camera. What's more, this flagship handset is currently going online for just £229.99 and it's fully unlocked! http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/5th%20Feb%2015/5lumsing-580-100.jpg For many of us, our smartphones sit at the centre of our lives and that means our phone batteries take a beating. You need a portable power pack to give yourself a boost and this Lumsing has plenty of juice - it'll charge an iPhone 6 five times over without needing a recharge! And the best news is that it's now just £16.99 at Amazon! http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/5th%20Feb%2015/3ps-580-100.jpg Need better sound from your PS4? Or does someone in your family make too much noise when playing Little Big Planet 3? Sony's official PS4 headset could be the answer. 7.1 surround sound and just £39.99, saving £30. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/5th%20Feb%2015/1nikon-580-100.jpg Or is it a digital camera you need to buy today? Nikon is about as good as it gets in the camera world and you can currently get a big saving on the the Nikon Coolpix S9300 compact camera - now available for just £149.79. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/TechRadar%20Deals/5th%20Feb%2015/4beats-580-100.jpg Finally, how about some Beats headphones today? You can currently make a saving at Argos with the Beats by Dre Solo over-ears - down to just £79.99. MORE HOT DEALSiPad case: Belkin Chambray Cover for iPad Air 2 - Black/Grey - £16.99 SD card: Komputerbay 128GB SDXC Secure Digital Extended Capacity Ultra High Speed Flash Memory Card - £30 Portable charger: Lumsing® 10400mah Harmonica Style Portable Power Bank - £16.99 Bluetooth speaker: TDK T79074 A26 Trek Weatherproof Wireless Speaker - Black - £40 Clock radio: Philips AJ3200/05 Clock Radio Universal charging - £19 USB stick: SanDisk 64GB Cruzer Extreme USB 3.0 Flash Drive - £24.99 Hard drive: 1TB Intenso Portable External Hard Drive - £39.99 Bluetooth speaker: AVES Aqua Portable Bluetooth Speaker w/ Noise-reduction Mic Handsfree Phone Kit - £9.95 iPad case: Kensington Protective Back Cover for iPad Mini - Purple - £3.57 Hot Games DealsKillzone Shadow Fall - £13.50 Infamous: Second Son (PS4) - £14 Battlefield 4 - £26 Mario Party 10 (Wii U) - £27.99 Murdered: Soul Suspect - £8.26 Thief - £14.99 Beyond: Two Soul - £7.91 Perfect gifts for your perfect person: Valentine's Day gift ideas: the ultimate guide

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/wwdc/2014/screengrabs/OS%20X%20Yosemite-470-75.jpgThe Dock has been a mainstay of OS X since the start, a place to stash apps and documents as well as easily see what's running on your Mac. Visually, the Dock has seen big changes over the years. Initially it was a semi-transparent white rectangle with subtle pinstripes, which were eradicated as of OS X 10.2 Jaguar. In OS X 10.5 Leopard, the Dock turned into a 3D glass "shelf" when at the bottom of the screen, which gradually got frosted as the operating system was upgraded further. In OS X 10.10 Yosemite, we've almost come full circle, with the Dock reverting to a simpler semitransparent rectangle. If you're not thrilled with the new Dock, you can use the free cDock (sourceforge.net/projects/cdock) to make changes. The app is capable of updating a number of aspects of the Dock, including the addition of spacers, creating a "recent items" folder and dimming hidden apps. Note that on first launching cDock, you may get a security warning; if so, open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy > General, and click Open Anyway. Now let's take a detailed look at how cDock can enhance the functionality of your Dock. 1. Make the Dock 3DLaunch cDock and select the Dock theme menu. If you'd like your Yosemite Dock to resemble the one from Mavericks, select Yosemite 3D and click Apply. cDock will quit, the Dock will relaunch, and a few seconds later it'll be a 3D shelf again. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%201-420-90.jpg 2. Update its themeTo update the theme, relaunch cDock and choose a new option from the menu. The Fullscreen options make the Dock fill the screen edge; Transparent removes the background. To go back to OS X's default theme, select Restore > Apply. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%202-420-90.jpg 3. Add Dock spacersSpacers can help you organize multiple items in your Dock into groups. Use the spacers menus in cDock to add items on the "app" and "doc" sides and click Apply. Drag to move your spacers; to remove one, right-click and select "Remove from Dock." http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%203-420-90.jpg 4. Add a recents stackSet "Add recents folder" to Yes > Apply. A new stack appears in the Dock, with quick access to recent apps. Right-click to switch this to documents, servers, or favorites. Run it again to add another stack (it won't replace any existing ones). http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%204%20copy-420-90.jpg 5. Show only active appsThe Dock, by default, shows both stashed and running apps, but to only show running apps and the Trash check "Show only active applications" > Apply. This makes your Dock into an app switcher. To revert, uncheck the option in cDock and Apply. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%205-420-90.jpg 6. Mouse over highlightsIf you've added one or more recent folders, try selecting "mouse over highlight" in cDock. On restarting your Dock, you'll see a highlight behind any app you're hovering the mouse cursor over, which helps make your selection easier to spot. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%206-420-90.jpg 7. Lock the DockIt's easy to add stuff to the Dock by mistake, but cDock can help: check "Lock dock contents" > Apply. You'll no longer be able to add items to it by dragging them, and options to remove items will be gone. Uncheck the box and click Apply to revert. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%207-420-90.jpg 8. Custom themeFor a more personal take on the Dock's appearance, select Custom from "Dock theme" > Apply. It will load settings.txt and an instructions document. Edit and save settings.txt, and click the cDock icon in the menu bar to refresh the Dock. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Apple/Yosemite/Customize%20dock%20feature%202015/customize%20dock%208-420-90.jpg http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/430f2f7e/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132701810/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430f2f7e/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132701810/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430f2f7e/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132701810/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430f2f7e/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/219132701810/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430f2f7e/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/219132701810/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430f2f7e/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/Fitness_tech/Under%20Armour/Under_Armour_E39_shirt_sensor-470-75.jpgUnder Armour today continued its push beyond nice workout digs and into the world of fitness tech with the acquisition of health and fitness companies Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. Endomondo is a fitness-tracking platform and social network, while MyFitnessPal is focused on helping users achieve their fitness goals. The former was bought for $85 million (about £56m, AU$109m), the latter for $475 million (about £313m, AU$612m), reports TechCrunch. Is the Surface Pro 3 a laptop killer?Under Armour began its movement into the health tech space when it acquired the MapMyFitness app network in 2013. The company also partnered with HTC in early 2015 for its multiplatform UA Record tool, and they'll reveal an HTC and Under Armour fitness tracker wearable at MWC 2015 in March. With the new purchases, Under Armour now claims it has the biggest digital health and fitness community in the world, with 120 million registered users total. Under Armour seems to be setting itself up as a major player in the digital health and fitness world, with wearables, apps and a platform where all these gadgets and services are synced and connected. Keep in mind this is a company that until a couple of years ago primarily made socks. It's unclear how far they'll go with this, but the Under Armour brand does carry some weight and the purchase of Endomondo and, in particular, the popular MyFitnessPal prove the company is in it to win. For now both newly acquired companies will continue to operate out of their current headquarters. These cool gadgets will get you through 2015http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/430ea6f3/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611381407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ea6f3/sc/21/kg/392/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611381407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ea6f3/sc/21/kg/392/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611381407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ea6f3/sc/21/kg/392/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611381407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ea6f3/sc/21/kg/392/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611381407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ea6f3/sc/21/kg/392/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/donorschoose-470-75.jpgThe saying goes: All politics is local. DonorsChoose.org - a non-profit organization devoted to raising money for teacher-led projects at underfunded schools - discovered that the same can be said for charitable giving. In partnership with Salesforce.com and subsidiary ExactTarget, DonorsChoose was able to create a campaign devoted entirely to requesting donations that would go directly to classrooms within the geographic vicinity of the email recipient. In other words: emails were personally tailored to request funds for schools near the donors' zip codes. Rather than sending out a spray-and-pray campaign asking donors to give money for teachers at schools halfway around the country, DonorsChoose Chief Marketing Officer Katie Bisbee wanted to personalize and localize the giving process. "We thought this would give [donating] a one-to-one feeling," Bisbee says. "It makes giving seem doable as opposed to [when we request] for 500 teachers." How Salesforce ExactTarget helpedSince 2009, DonorsChoose has worked with ExactTarget, and now Salesforce, to trigger automated email campaigns based on its database of contacts, previous donors, and institutional partnerships. Each night DonorsChoose synchronizes data to Salesforce's CRM and Sales Force Automation tool, in addition to the ExactTarget Marketing Cloud. For the "Never Before Funded" campaign, potential donors were not only targeted based on their zip code, they were also provided with dynamic content. For example: previous donors were sent a photo of a teacher the recipient had funded in the past. In previous years, DonorsChoose would have sent a text-only generic email to initiate contact, and then a followup email that included a link that would populate a photo in the email. But with Salesforce's data and ExactTarget's marketing tools, DonorsChoose was able to customize and personalize this interaction to give it a more intimate feeling. The results From December 2 to December 31, DonorsChoose emailed more than one million potential donors, asking them to give money to a teacher who'd never had a project funded on the site. The dynamic, location-based emails generated $450,000 from approximately 4500 donors. This total is roughly 1.9% of DonorsChoose's revenue for the first half of their 2015 fiscal year. It wasn't just the sum that was a success. Of the million emails sent, 25% were opened, 5.5% generated a click-through to the DonorsChoose website, and 0.4% converted. Compared to text-based emails that did not contain dynamic content, emails with photos and zip-code data were clicked at a rate of 36.5%, more than five percentage points better than text-based messages. Because Bisbee's hunch was that DonorsChoose would generate more interest this year than last year, the company sent out more emails for this campaign (as well as its other December initiatives). As a result, some of its performance metrics tumbled slightly compared with last year: open rates decreased 1%, and click-through rate decreased 0.3%. However, the big ticket numbers improved: conversion rate increased to 0.19% compared with 0.17%. Revenue for the first half of the year is up to $23.3 million, a 38% increase compared with last year. December 2014 constitutes 25% of total contributions for the 2015 fiscal year, compared with December 2013, which constituted only 15% of the 2014 fiscal year. What's next? Bisbee and her team on working on learning more about how donors give money based on gender and A/B testing. "Last year we learned that men constitute 25% of our giving on our website," Bisbee explains. "We looked and saw that then 10 days of the school year when men gave the most aligned with holiday email reminders [we sent]. The conclusion we drew is that men are responsive to these holiday email reminders." http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/430ccc59/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431049/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc59/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431049/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc59/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431049/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc59/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431049/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc59/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611431049/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc59/sc/4/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Apple/apple_maps_streetview_vans-470-75.jpgThere were plenty of reasons to get upset when Apple replaced Google Maps with its own, inferior Maps app in iOS, one of them being the Apple service's lack of Street View. Now Apple might be working to remedy that - "might" being the operative word. The PlayStation 4 is a strong consolePeople in multiple cities, including around the San Francisco Bay Area and in New York, have reported seeing mysterious camera-equipped vehicles being driven around, and the cars are reportedly being operated by Apple. In other words, Apple might be working to get its own street-level images of major cities for an Apple Maps Street View feature. There are drivers, thoughThe Bay Area vehicle's appearance was documented on Claycord.com (the source of the image above), which reports that the minivan was unmarked - unlike Google's imaging cars - and that the driver refused to explain what he was doing. The site also speculates that the minivan was a self-driving vehicle, though that seems unlikely - Apple doesn't have a license to test driverless vehicles, and there's literally no evidence that the people in these vans aren't pushing the pedals themselves. However the van is definitely Apple's - 9to5Mac called the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which confirmed it. It does seem that Apple is preparing to launch its own Apple Maps Street View feature, even if it only covers major cities when it arrives - maybe in iOS 9? Microsoft is catching up with the Xbox Onehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/430ccc5b/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431048/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc5b/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431048/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc5b/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431048/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc5b/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/218611431048/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc5b/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/218611431048/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/430ccc5b/sc/15/a2t.img

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/office-touch-470-75.jpgA video of Microsoft's recently-announced-but-yet-to-be-launched Office 2016 Touch (or Office for Windows 10) has surfaced. Uncovered by Winbeta, the 12-minute clip shows the author interacting with the four components of Office Touch, as it is likely to be known when released. They include Word Preview, PowerPoint Preview, Excel Preview and OneNote -- but no Outlook. Calling it a preview is likely to indicate that the applications are cut-down versions of their full-fledged cousins. The build filmed is certainly not representative of the final version. Rough and readyDescribed as "a little rough around the edges" and lacking some features, this build of Office Touch gives a good indication of what lies ahead. It works on all Windows 10 form factors including high-end desktops and entry-level smartphones which leaves us to believe that it will be available at launch for ARM and x86 architectures. Its apps have been designed to work on a wide range of resolutions, screen sizes and screen ratios. Like Microsoft's Office Online Apps, they save to the cloud by default while keeping a local copy, which means you will need to have a Microsoft account as well. Check out our coverage of Windows 10http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/430af547/sc/4/mf.gif