sincity

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Generic/Servers/Server%20A/iStock_000018878768Small-evirgen-470-75.jpgFujitsu has launched a storage architecture built to help companies simplify and reduce the cost of storing petabytes (PB) of data. The Eternus CD10000 solution, which combines hardware and software, supports up to 56 PB or 56,000 terabytes of data. Fujitsu says it will introduce higher scalability models next year, according to a statement. The system allows storage nodes to be added, exchanged and upgraded as needed, which allows new nodes and old nodes to function together in order to produce an integrated set of data. This unified cluster of data is designed to improve ease of manageability as well as complexity and cost. In partnership...The Eternus CD10000 system is based on Red Hat’s Inktank Ceph Enterprise open source storage solution. The system is available immediately. Prices vary by region, model and configuration. What are the best cloud services? http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fe003c7/sc/46/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902550/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003c7/sc/46/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902550/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003c7/sc/46/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902550/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003c7/sc/46/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902550/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003c7/sc/46/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596902550/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003c7/sc/46/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/zkMHRMjZyN4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Windows%2010/press/windows10-04-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has released more details about its latest Windows 10 build, version 9860 (the original one was 9841), a few days after it was rolled out. According to a chart posted on Twitter by the director of Windows program management, Gabriel Aul, 41% of users installed the build on desktops, compared with nearly a third on laptops and 22% choosing a VM as their default Windows 10 platform. Additionally, 5% installed Windows 10 "bleeding edge" on a tablet, all-in-one (AIO) PC or something else. We know already that one million people have signed up for Windows 10 preview which means that there's potentially just as many installs out in the wild. Upon release, 36% installed it in a VM, with 64% choosing an actual PC. What could that mean? Given that the build is a compulsory update, it is likely that it has been installed on a bigger user base. Early accessVMs are used mostly by early adopters, especially in enterprise setups, which are eager to get the OS on its toes without having to dedicate an extra computer to it. It is likely that most of the newcomers have opted to install it directly on their computer rather than on a VM which could indicate that this category of users is now comfortable with Windows 10 altogether and don't even mind using it as their primary OS. Check our hands-on of Windows 10 http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fe003cd/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902549/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003cd/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902549/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003cd/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902549/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003cd/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596902549/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003cd/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596902549/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fe003cd/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Jm42GYW6V1g

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Google/inbox_google-470-75.jpgGoogle launched its brand new Google Inbox service this week, and the app just became available through Google's Chrome web store - to users who have already received invites, at least. Inbox is Google's attempt to combine Gmail and Google Now and defeat email clutter once and for all. It's been available for two days on iOS and Android, as well as in browsers, but today marks the launch of the official Google Inbox web app. Saved for laterThe web app itself is pretty minimal, apparently acting as little more than a bookmark to take you to the existing site, but there's no telling how it will change as Inbox evolves. Currently the service groups emails by category, automatically highlights relevant info within messages, and tracks things like reminders, appointments, flights, and more. In TechRadar's hands-on time with Google Inbox, we noted that it's "a lovely service" that still has plenty of growing to do. Inbox users today received the ability to invite their friends to use it, according to Slashgear, so start hitting up your homies if you want in to. Gmail iOS update adds iPhone 6 support and a math jokehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fce19af/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596828847/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce19af/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596828847/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce19af/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596828847/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce19af/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596828847/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce19af/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596828847/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce19af/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/_lYtWoRsj_k

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/Apple%20Pay/Review/apple-pay-problems-470-75.jpgRite Aid is one of the retailers that supported Apple Pay when the service launched on October 20, but now the drug store chain has ceased accepting both that and Google Wallet. Customer service representatives confirmed with PC World that the retailer is no longer supporting either mobile payment method at its 4,600 stores in the US. Apple Pay has had its share of launch-window hiccups, but currently the reason for Rite Aid's decision is unknown. Broad strokesIt's also troubling that the store has apparently decided to paint Google Wallet, which has worked at Rite Aid locations for years, with the same brush. And it's unclear whether all NFC payment methods, such as those from credit card companies, are affected, or if it's just Google and Apple's options. We're not alone in noting the link between Rite Aid and the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a join effort among multiple retailers - the drug chain included - that aims to develop its own mobile payments network. Rite Aid has yet to issue a statement, but we'll update if that changes. Is the iPhone 6 the best iPhone ever?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fcddd77/sc/36/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827415/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcddd77/sc/36/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827415/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcddd77/sc/36/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827415/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcddd77/sc/36/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827415/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcddd77/sc/36/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596827415/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcddd77/sc/36/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/s2HiHMf2-xc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Samsung/AtivS/review/Intro%20design/side%20leaning-470-75.jpgIt seems crazy now for anything other than a budget handset to release without 4G LTE, but back in 2012 the lack of 4G on most models of the Samsung Ativ S was only a minor point against it. Now the Ativ S has the same problems any other aging smartphone does, including outdated software - but that's about to change, at least in certain regions. The Ativ S was a relatively early Windows Phone 8 device, and soon some versions of it will be upgraded to Windows Phone 8.1. Wait and seeRumors that the Ativ S would be updated began over a week ago, reports Windows Central, but it turns out the update is only going to "a very select few" devices. Namely unlocked Ativ S smartphones in regions including Austria and possible Hong Kong are getting Windows Phone 8.1. There may be ways to downgrade your phone's firmware and switch its region, but in general those aren't recommended. The rest of us will just have to wait, it seems. Windows 10 just borrowed a feature from Windows Phonehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fce073d/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827015/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce073d/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827015/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce073d/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827015/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce073d/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596827015/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce073d/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596827015/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fce073d/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Z74h_qfuRDo

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Abstract/Keyhole%20binary%20code/Keyhole%20binary%20code%20abstract-470-75.jpgIBM has launched an analytics tool designed to help travel and transportation companies reduce security risks. The tool is designed to protect operating systems, databases, pricing systems and any other endpoint solutions travel and transportation companies use to store customer and corporate information. IBM says the tool is specifically designed for hotel chains, airlines, car rental agencies, and commercial freight, among other types of business. How it worksThe security software and services will be based on IBM's QRadar Security Intelligence Platform. The tool will integrate general security information, anomaly detection, incident forensics and configuration into one interface that can monitor vulnerable aspects of a company's enpoint data. In addition to data stored in databases and on-premise operating systems, IBM's Security AppScan software will work alongside QRadar to help businesses secure data on web and mobile apps. Clients will have access to an Emergency Response Team. If an attack occurs, the client will receive access to IBM security experts who will help end the threat. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fcbbeb2/sc/46/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596841328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcbbeb2/sc/46/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596841328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcbbeb2/sc/46/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596841328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcbbeb2/sc/46/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596841328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcbbeb2/sc/46/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596841328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fcbbeb2/sc/46/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/BeVU3qFCEsM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/digital_tv_boxes/YouView/YouView%20update/New%20BBC%20iPlayer-470-75.jpgYouView has today deployed a software update to set-top boxes in an effort to make the BBC's on demand TV content more accessible. The software refresh, which rolls out to Humax and BT's boxes from today and TalkTalk's "in due course," has redesigned the BBC iPlayer interface and added a new Red Button service for all BBC channels. YouView's main purpose, of course, is to provide a digital TV platform that blends live channels with catch-up services. The latest changes to the iPlayer app include a batch of new content categories including documentaries, food, arts, history and science and nature. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/digital_tv_boxes/YouView/YouView%20update/BBC%20CRB%20Launch-420-90.jpg The new Red Button features are perhaps a bit more interesting. Press the red button on your YouView remote while watching any BBC channel and you'll now be presented with a new homescreen which offers access to the new iPlayer app as well as new apps from BBC Sport and BBC News. You'll be able to stream live sports events that aren't necessarily being shown live on TV, watch recent news bulletins and access sports analysis previously only found on the BBC Sport website. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/digital_tv_boxes/YouView/YouView%20update/BBC%20CRB%20Sport%20app-420-90.jpg There's also a sports highlights section where you'll be able to catch up with Formula 1, and a weather section that will offer you forecasts for your local area. "We are delighted to give YouView customers the best in free-to-air functionality," said Richard Halton, CEO of YouView. "New BBC iPlayer and BBC Connected Red Button are just two of the many ways we're evolving and improving the YouView on demand TV service, ensuring seamless and easy access to great TV for everyone." Humax DTR-T2000 YouView review

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Microsoft%20cloud%20Oct2014/12-nadella-lookingatcamera-470-75.jpgAlthough Microsoft has struggled the past few years with both an outdated software business that depends on the sale of personal computers and a market-lagging mobile phone unit, Microsoft latest earnings report shows the company is regaining its footing under new CEO Satya Nadella who is pushing the software giant to embrace cloud computing. The Redmond, Wa. company reported fiscal-first quarter earnings of 54 cents per share on revenue of $23.20 billion, topping Wall Street estimates of 49 cents per share on revenue of $22 billion, according to a consensus estimate from Thomson Reuters. Check out what Windows 10 is likeCommercial cloud revenue rose 128 percent driven by Office 365, Azure and Dynamics CRM, the company reported. Microsoft said its Devices and Consumer operating unit revenue grew 47 percent to $10.96 billion. That included Surface revenue of $908 million and phone hardware revenue that exceeded $2.6 billion, with 2.4 million Xbox console units sold. As far as Windows Phones, Microsoft said it sold 9.3 million Lumia smartphones worldwide, which amounted to marginal growth in its 2.5% share of the smartphone market currently dominated by Google Android devices and Apple's iPhones. The company's results included $1.14 billion in "integration and restructuring expenses" related to the laying off of 18,000 employees, many of which are related to the acquisition of Nokia's handset and devices business. The positive results show that CEO Satya Nadella, who took over from longtime Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer in February, is making progress in helping shift Microsoft's strategy away from the PC business and toward the cloud, mobile, and subscription services. Investor confidence was also buoyed by Microsoft's announcement during the earnings call of a 2.9 billion stock share buyback, which CFO Amy Hood said "we are proud of because it shows how committed we are to increasing shareholder value." The company's shares are up 3.5% in after-hours trading. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fc58ecf/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596793210/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc58ecf/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596793210/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc58ecf/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596793210/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc58ecf/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596793210/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc58ecf/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596793210/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc58ecf/sc/21/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/dz8VrLPQN6c

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Rooms-470-75.jpgFacebook has been aiming to become the center of all internet conversations and it's latest ploy to accomplish this goal is a new app called Rooms. The Rooms app aspires to recreate chat rooms and forum discussion boards of internet yore in which a community of like-minded users could talk about subjects through the anonymity of the web. Rooms not only allows you to take on a pseudonym, it also does not require users to log in with their Facebook account or even an email address. Once you're in the app you can create discussion rooms dedicated to any topic you want whether it's about sharing photos of home cooked meals, parkour videos or the finer points of good beat boxing.Through these rooms users will be able to communicate with photos, videos and text. Talk amongst yourselvesIf you're the owner of the room you can also customize the feel the room by adding a cover photo as well as changing the colors and text of the discussion board. Taking a page our of forums, the room administrator can also pin posts and assign users as moderators. Joining a room, however, is a slightly more complicated issue as invites are shared through a QR code. Unless the room has been set to public, the only way to join is to take a snapshot of QR code invitation or the owner sends you a message with the invite. Rooms can also automatically access the iOS camera roll for unscanned QR codes and sign you into the corresponding rooms. Freedom to be who you want to beJosh Miller and his team from Branch developed the Rooms app in Facebook's Creative Labs program after the social network acquired the company in January. Miller explained in a blog post he wanted to create a new space on the internet that allows everyone be whoever they want to be. "It doesn't matter where you live, what you look like or how old you are – all of us are the same size and shape online," Miller wrote. "From unique obsessions and unconventional hobbies, to personal finance and health-related issues – you can celebrate the sides of yourself that you don't always show to your friends," Miller expounded in the same blog post. Jumping shipRooms is an interesting new development from Facebook as the app exists completely outside of the social network. Creating trending topics hasn't produced intense community discussion as hashtags like gamergate on Twitter cultivates and so Rooms could be a new strategy. Rooms also provides Facebook a new way of getting away from itself as the company recently backpedaling on its real name policy. The social network has been under fire between apologizing to the LGBT community and the recent rise of Ello. Rooms is available for iOS in the App Store, though, there are reports the app has become unavailable and we ourselves had problems downloading it. Dislike buttons on Facebook? Never going to happenhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fc49933/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596790507/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc49933/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596790507/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc49933/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596790507/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc49933/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596790507/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc49933/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596790507/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc49933/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/bWJfT2dx71g

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Videoconferencing/Polycom/CX5500/CX5500%20camera%20application%20image-470-75.jpgUsing Windows? Then be wary of PowerPoint files sent to you as they might be a doorway for hackers to take control of your computer. Microsoft has issued a security advisory regarding a vulnerability in in its OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) feature that could allow a third-party to execute code remotely. OLE has been a very useful feature available in Microsoft Office applications for nearly a quarter of a century now and allows you to bring a file within another (e.g. a video in a document). While OLE-linked advisories have been issued in the past, what makes this one worthy of notice is the fact that it is unpatched and affects all versions of Windows bar Server 2003. Check out all that you need to know about Windows 10Not everyone however is convinced of its importance. Tripwire's Lamar Bailey reckons that it is not a major issue. He added "The vulnerability is just an escalation of privilege issue and requires a watering hole attack and/or persuading the victim to open a file to exploit." In other word, the target needs to do most of the leg work – and be gullible enough - in order for the trick to work. If you don't open PowerPoint files from unknown sources and have UAC (User Account Control), then it's likely that you're not a risk. Best free antivirus in 2014http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fc1585a/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596779976/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc1585a/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596779976/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc1585a/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596779976/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc1585a/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596779976/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc1585a/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596779976/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc1585a/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/RNKIiLRlxhs

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/broadcast/Sky/now_tv_lego-470-75.jpgSky has announced that special edition Now TV boxes will go on sale for Christmas, including a fetching Penguin, a Lego Movie tie-in and a glitter box that is possibly the worst looking electronic device known to man. The cheap little Now TV box continues to provide a great value streaming offering, with a host of offers from Sky to pick up a few months of its premium programming from sport to movies as part of a package. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/broadcast/Sky/nowtv_lightninggeo-420-90.jpg We were impressed with the Now TV when it arrived and that's still the case, although we are probably sizing up the glitter version as a potential secret Santa for our office nemesis. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/broadcast/Sky/nowtv_penguinandohmyeyes-420-90.jpg The boxes are available from http://www.nowtv/christmasbox and go on sale on November 24 for £9.99.

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/games_consoles/Xbox%20music/Xbox-Music-6_Web-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has announced that Xbox Music users will no longer be able to stream tracks for free from December 1. Currently a free ad-supported version of the service is available over the internet and on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 devices, while an £8.99/$9.99/AU$11.99 monthly subscription will give you ad-free access on all your devices, allow for offline listening on PC, tablet and phone, and give you access to over 90,000 music videos on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. So if you want access on your console or your phone then you already have to pay anyway, but from December 1 the more limited free version won't even be an option. Making music ultimateBy way of an explanation for the change, a new FAQ states that "we are focusing Xbox Music to deliver the ultimate music purchase and subscription service experience for our customers." Current subscribers will be unaffected by the change and any songs you've bought outright will of course still be available, but if you're a free user you might want to start looking for an alternative service, such as Spotify, which still offers a free option - or get ready to stump up some monthly cash. Google's got a rival streaming service.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fc047b2/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795408/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b2/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795408/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b2/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795408/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b2/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795408/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b2/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596795408/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b2/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/eaWv0yPwVew

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Windows%2010/press/windows10-family-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has announced that Windows 10 will include two-factor authentication, commonly known as 2FA, as default. A blog post published by Jim Alkove, who leads Windows' Enterprise Program management team at Microsoft, shed more light on other security features which will be available on any device running a business version of Windows 10. 2FA is an enhanced security solution already used by the company for some services (e.g. for some administration tasks on your Windows account) and uses the user's smartphone as a remote smartcard. Microsoft used the authentication standards from the FIDO Alliance to deliver an interoperable, open, industry-backed solution. Microsoft also intend to protect user identities by storing user access tokens in a secure container that runs on top of Hyper-V technology and is isolated from the rest of the OS. Windows 10 will also offer a data loss prevention solution based around the containment solution that will allow users to separate their corporate personae from their non-work ones. Other features discussed include super-charged VPN capabilities as well as threat resistance techniques that can be implemented by businesses themselves. You will probably still need some antivirus thoughhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fc047b4/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b4/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b4/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b4/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596795407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b4/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596795407/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fc047b4/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/EhyFSTC5ao8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/windows_81_rtm/win81%20startscreen-470-75.jpgSince the start of the new millennium, we have witnessed the rise (and in some cases fall) of six Windows operating systems, six service packs and three significant "point one" upgrades. Now, one year on from the release of Windows 8.1, the launch of Windows 10 is set to redefine the OS market once again. Throughout this evolution, the 10-year shelf life that defined operating systems such as Windows XP has quickly become a thing of the past. With an increasing pace of change, there has been ever less time for operating systems to infiltrate and impact the wider market in any meaningful way. While we all witnessed the 10-year influence of Windows XP, can we justifiably say what the role of 8.1 has been in its meagre 13-month existence? To us, every operating system has come to play its own little part in a much broader evolution. Working on application rationalisation and portfolio management we have witnessed first hand the role that these operating systems have played within the IT and business sector – some far more so than others. When it came to the end of XP, the number one operating system that businesses were looking to adopt was Windows 7. Offering a shift from the well-publicised mistakes of Windows Vista, 7 encouraged improved productivity through ease of use, along with enhanced performance, security and virtual hard disk support. While Windows 7 remains the most popular replacement for XP, it was not without it's faults. As is often the case with OS migrations, some software applications are no longer supported on the new platform. In the case of Windows 7 this lack of support proved a particular issue, with many organisations losing the use of customised programs and bespoke databases. While the inclusion of a virtual sandbox helped to overcome this issue for small businesses, large organisations with unmanaged application portfolios suffered significant costs from the switch. In terms of its wider impact upon the market, one of the most vital changes brought by 7 was a renewed focus on application security. Learning from Vista's over-reliance on UAC security prompts, Microsoft succeeded in building a new operating system that alerted users to potential security risks on a non-invasive app-by-app basis. This system not only improved individual knowledge of application security, but also helped kick-start the view that system control should be decentralised away from the IT department and back to the individual user. Three years after the launch of Windows 7, Microsoft unveiled its new operating system, Windows 8. A mere twelve months later this was updated once again (some might say 'rolled back') to 8.1. While not the most popular OS, 8.1 did provide a vital stepping-stone and a key influence in the future direction of the OS marketplace. In terms of application management, 8.1 represented an open acknowledgement of the importance of multi-platform support; attempting to harmonise applications across desktops, laptops, tablets and mobiles. Additionally, Windows 8.1 also encouraged the mainstream usage of Cloud computing. By adding tighter integration with OneDrive and permanently linking applications to the user's Microsoft account, Windows 8.1 helped to acclimatise users to working in the Cloud. In both of these cases, 8.1 was used to encourage a sharp learning curve across the market. Through the inclusion of multi-platform apps and in-built cloud storage facilities the OS boldly forced these concepts upon its users, proving that Microsoft is no longer willing to wait 10 years for customers to adapt. This is the truly defining aspect of both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. As the OS product life cycle shortens, OS developers can no longer wait for their customers to catch up. Unlike the simple software upgrades that preceded them, broad concepts such as mobile and Cloud computing are providing an essential infrastructure upon which the next generation of operating systems will be built. This was the great success of Windows 7 and 8 - that they laid the foundations for the next generation of mobile operating systems. By building awareness within the public mind they readied us for Cloud computing, remote storage, portable applications, and multi-platform use. It is these systems that will represent the future of the OS marketplace. How? Only Windows 10 will tell. Adrian Foxall is the CEO of Application portfolio management specialist, Camwoodhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fbf360b/sc/46/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596767652/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbf360b/sc/46/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596767652/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbf360b/sc/46/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596767652/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbf360b/sc/46/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596767652/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbf360b/sc/46/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596767652/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbf360b/sc/46/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/iYpaWiHOLG4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/drop_trio_split-470-75.jpgJawbone made music mobile with the Mini Jambox and now it's trying to make it social too with the help of a new app called DROP. At its core it's a one-touch player which streams an endless playlist of music from Spotify or Rdio based on songs you like - great if it's just you listening. But tie it to your Twitter account and suddenly your friends can get in on the action too. All they have to do is tweet you the name of a song that they want to hear and DROP will automatically update its playlist based on requests, so it could be a great way to discover new music and an even better way to make sure everyone gets to hear what they want without having to spend the whole time manually taking requests. Free but notThe app itself is free, though currently only available on iOS and it requires a Spotify Premium or Rdio Unlimited subscription to use. The Twitter implementation is a great idea but there could soon be any number of apps with enhanced Twitter features thanks to Twitter Fabric, its new mobile development platform which DROP seemingly makes use of. Plus we've met our friends... and they're not the type of people to recommend new music. It's going to be wall to wall Bieber and Daphne & Celeste before you know it. Jawbone is about more than music, as the Jawbone Era shows.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fbf9ae4/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/TUcbSkOUMUk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Twitter/twitter_techradar-470-75.jpgPasswords? Those are old hat, according to Twitter, which just launched a new service called Digits. The service, announced at Twitter's first developer conference in San Francisco, lets users sign in to apps using their phone numbers. Instead of having to use email and password combinations or sign in with Twitter, Google, Facebook, or another service, Digits lets you simply enter your phone number when signing up for a new app or service. You're all set after you enter a confirmation code sent to you via SMS. Back to one-stepIt's like the two-step authentication offered by many apps and services, which asks users to enter a code sent by SMS when they sign in on new devices - except Digits skips the first step. Twitter says Digits uses the social network's own security infrastructure and that signing in is both "simple" and "safe." But other than that Digits appears to have no tangible relationship with Twitter's other products; it's a standalone service that developers can implement in their apps independently of any Twitter support. It's actually part of Twitter's Fabric, a mobile development kit also announced at the Twitter conference. Among other new features Fabric brings are system-level sign in on Android, letting users sign in once to access all Twitter-enabled apps on their devices, and the ability for devs to let users send tweets directly within apps, Engadget reports. Google reinvents email again with Inboxhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fbb5d33/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596772285/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbb5d33/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596772285/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbb5d33/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596772285/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbb5d33/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596772285/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbb5d33/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596772285/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbb5d33/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/VP2Ufuv0Uf0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Google/inbox_google-470-75.jpgGoogle is currently sending out invites to a new service, called Inbox, that combines elements of Gmail and Google Now. Despite its name Inbox isn't just for emails - like Google Now, Inbox also handles things like flights, package deliveries, reminders, and more, according to a Google Blog post. "Inbox is by the same people who brought you Gmail, but it's not Gmail: it's a completely different type of inbox, designed to focus on what really matters," Google Senior Vice President of Android, Chrome & Apps Sundar Pichai wrote on the blog. To-do: download InboxInbox bundles emails together by category, highlights key info in important messages, and automatically gives you relevant info for items on your to-do lists. The service is reportedly designed to give you the information you need up front so that email feels like less of a chore. " width="420">YouTube : Check out the video above for a demo of Google's Inbox in action. Google is sending invites to "select" Gmail users, but you can also email the company at inbox@google.com to try and get one. Inbox will ultimately be available for Android, iOS and browsers, reports Reuters. Android Lollipop's Gmail app might handle non-Google emails toohttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fbaa49d/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748707/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49d/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748707/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49d/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748707/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49d/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748707/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49d/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596748707/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49d/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/3HpuukU-otk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Apple-sept2014/screengrabs/applepay-addcard-26-470-75.jpgFancy paying the correct amount for good and services? Apple Pay might not be for you, then. The new point-of-sale payment method equipped on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is supposed to make paying easier, but some users, including a reporter at CNN, are reporting that they've been charged twice for the same transactions. The site's reporter experienced the bug himself when he was double-charged for every transaction he completed with Apple Pay on a single day. Bank of America is to blame, according to Cult of Mac, and they've issued a statement promising refunds to all affected parties. Telephone gameIt's worth noting, though, that the bank referred CNN's reporter to Apple, saying it wasn't a problem on their end. And guess what Apple said? Apple's policy of not keeping any transaction records may be in the best interest of consumers, but it also makes it impossible for the company to rectify situations like this. It's a good thing BoA has taken responsibility, but one has to wonder where the trouble really lies. TechRadar pits the iPhone 6 vs Samsung Galaxy S5http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fbaa49f/sc/36/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748705/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49f/sc/36/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748705/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49f/sc/36/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748705/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49f/sc/36/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/211596748705/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49f/sc/36/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/211596748705/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fbaa49f/sc/36/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/sVS7uRUplOQ

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/windows_7_ultimate-470-75.jpgI still remember the first time I interacted with Windows 3.1 back in 1992. It was so refreshing to work with something other than CLI (Command Line Interface), which dominated personal computers in the mid-to late eighties. A lot has changed for Microsoft since those days. When I was invited to ask this column, I had to double check that it has been five years since Windows 7 was released. Time certainly has passed by quickly. As for the one-year anniversary of Windows 8.1, that, I can easily accept. Its troubled start (particularly around refreshing the look and feel of Microsoft's consumer operating system) did not result in the adoption rates Microsoft was hoping for. Historically, organisations have not adopted the latest operating system in fear of impacting their application landscapes. For instance, there are still thousands of systems out there running Windows XP although Microsoft has discontinued support for it. Hands on: Windows 10 reviewHowever, Microsoft has adapted to this reluctance for change, delivering Windows 7 in 2009 (which remains the Microsoft operating system of choice today, despite the availability of Windows 8.1). It is mature and it is trusted. So, while I am quick to say that Windows 7 is a significant player in the history of operating systems, Windows 8.1 is decidedly not. If you do a quick web search, you will find many articles detailing how Windows 8.1 is a flop, and the demise of Windows XP has actually increased sales of Windows 7. Nevertheless, I see Windows 10 as a distinct departure from these previous operating systems. Whereas Windows 8.1 has been merely patched up to survive in today's ultra-fast changing OS landscape, Windows 10 appears to fully embrace the world of mobile computing and cloud computing from the ground up. With Satya Nadella at the helm, Microsoft has been remarkably open towards Windows 10. Before the release of Windows 8.1, Microsoft surveyed the market and then decided what needed to be developed, but on this occasion, Microsoft has invited the community to influence the eventual release of Windows 10 by deploying a technical beta version of the code. To date, over 1 million users are evaluating Windows 10, with Microsoft receiving 200,000 distinct pieces of feedback already. This is a clear indication from Microsoft that they are looking to get back in the game with old adversaries (Linux vendors), as well as new competitors (Amazon, Google, and Apple). Although Windows 7 certainly has been the staple OS of choice for most enterprises, in terms of the desktop as well as the server/infrastructure, what Microsoft delivered was fit-for-purpose in the period that it was released. 10 great new features in Windows 10Given that Microsoft was largely dependent on the hardware capabilities of the time, they now have their work cut out for them to ensure that Windows 10 will be flexible enough to accommodate the next wave of computing revolutions. The market has changed significantly in the past five years in terms of smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, servers, and most recently public/private/hybrid cloud and the IoT (Internet of Things), but these considerations were not nearly as critical for the success of Windows 7. Given the importance of the huge variety of computing platforms, Microsoft now needs to be more agile with respect to cloud and mobile readiness, the development of applications, and integration with non-Microsoft-based platforms. The major difference between the releases of Windows 7 and 8.1 and the release of Windows 10 is the expectation. In 2014, there is no room for error (an impossible feat for software development). This day and age requires immediate fulfilment and zero tolerance for product delays. While the public may once have more readily accepted earlier OSs, the onus is now on Microsoft to ensure its platform is flexible, high performing, scalable, and secure if they are to compete and lead the way for computing platforms in the future. Since it is assumed that Microsoft will deliver consumer-grade experiences with next-to-zero failure rates across the platform, Microsoft will need to meet and exceed the high bar set by their competition in order to be seen as an innovator and leader in software development. Asad Malik is Product Manager, Managed Services for MTIhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fb4c075/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474609190/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb4c075/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474609190/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb4c075/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474609190/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb4c075/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474609190/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb4c075/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/210474609190/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb4c075/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ZwiPF3PDIzw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Windows%2010/windows10_actioncenter-470-75.jpgThose using the Technical Preview build of Windows 10 are in for a treat today, as the first update since the preview began has arrived. And what does it add? None other than the "action center" found in Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system, the Windows Blog has revealed. The action center is essentially a notification center where alerts from all your device's apps appear in one handy location. As a whole Windows 10 may be getting closer to resembling a desktop OS once again, but it's clear that Microsoft isn't forgetting the lessons it's been learning on other platforms. Lesson learned"We aren't limiting our view to one specific device type. We are looking across our entire product family to look at ways to bring great experiences to our customers across different devices," Microsoft Director of Windows Program Management Gabe Aul wrote in the blog post. "This build is focused ONLY on enabling basic notifications - quick actions and cleaner UI will come later," he continued. "You'll see notifications from the system and apps - from new emails and invites to IMs, Facebook posts and more - all in one place, so you don't miss a thing. Click on the new Action Center icon in the notification area of your taskbar to check it out." The update also adds an animation for switching desktops an easier way to move apps between monitors. Windows 10 Build 9860 will download automatically for users who are in the Windows Insider Program. Windows 10 is still a work in progress, and some elements are still missing or broken even as Microsoft adds new features, but for users eager to try out the new OS the program is a boon. Here's how you can download the Windows 10 Technical Previewhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fb1b9f7/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474582647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb1b9f7/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474582647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb1b9f7/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474582647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb1b9f7/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474582647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb1b9f7/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/210474582647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fb1b9f7/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/xwwho8cF3Wg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Generics/networks-470-75.jpgIntroduction and Business Plan ProBusiness planning is critical for an organisation to be successful. A business plan outlines a company's mission, goals and means of operation, as well as its financial, marketing, HR and operational needs. A good business plan should provide a clear and detailed description of the organisation, crystal clear enough so that someone unfamiliar with the company could quickly gain a comprehensive understanding. Naturally, business planning can be a lot of work, requiring lots of information and data to be pulled together and presented. Business plan software is able to help with this process. At its simplest, business plan software helps to take all of the information required for a business plan and put it into a suitable format. Good business plan software will also walk an individual through the process of writing a business plan, providing guidance throughout the process. It will help to calculate financial figures, make forecasts and do research. It should also help to educate an organisation's relevant staff members about good business planning. Choosing which piece of business plan software is right for an organisation will depend very much upon the organisation's requirements. Some packages may be better suited to different sized business, or to organisations that are in specific industries. This article provides an overview of some of the most popular business plan software packages available. Business Plan ProWeb: http://www.paloalto.com/uk/business_plan_software Price: From £79.99 (around US$130, AU$145) Business Plan Pro is widely regarded as one of the leaders, if not the leader, in the business plan software market. Its manufacturer, Palo Alto Software, claims that it has been the highest selling business plan software package for the last ten years, and that over one million businesses have used the software since 1991. Amongst its users are said to be Walt Disney, Microsoft, AT&T, Harvard and Yale, whilst Palo Alto says it is recommended by Inc., Entrepreneur, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Businessweek. The software itself includes over 500 sample plans for users to view to give them an idea of what should be included in any section of a business plan. The package's clear instructions are very helpful, and every step and piece of guidance is provided by business planning expert Tim Berry. Business plan figures are automatically calculated from business figures provided by the user, and a plan review feature checks for any errors. Charts and graphs are also automatically created. A variety of tools and features to help with business funding are provided with Business Plan Pro. The software uses the preferred format of banks and investors, whilst it's also possible to export a presentation version of a plan for meetings with investors. Real-world financial data is provided as a means of comparing the user's business against competitors. There is also a plan dashboard that shows an overview of how your plan is living up to real-world results. Research resources include legal guidance, business planning literature and information about funding options. There are two version of Business Plan Pro available. The Standard version is aimed at those looking to deliver a business plan quickly, put together financial projections for startups or deliver business planning for friends and family. The more expensive Premier version is aimed at helping individuals to find funding from investors, deliver ongoing business planning for an existing company with existing financial data, and manage their business using the business plan. Both versions are offered with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Ultimate Business Planner, Plan Write and LivePlanUltimate Business PlannerWeb: http://www.abs-usa.com/business-plan-software/overview Price: From US$99 (around £60, AU$110) Atlas Business Solutions (ABS) has been operating since 1991, producing what it calls, "easy-to-learn, easy-to-use, and affordable business management software." According to ABS it was named as one of Software Magazine's Top 500 Software Companies in 2004 through 2007, and then again in 2010 and 2013. Its Ultimate Business Planner software is said to be used by over 250,000 clients and aims to help organisations minimise time spent on business planning. ABS says that Ultimate Business Planner walks its users through the process of creating a business plan with instructions in plain English, as well as additional tips and guidance provide throughout. Profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, financial ratios and other financial documents can be created quickly and "hundreds" of business startup resources are provided. Over 1,000 samples of business plans are here, along with 25 complete business plans. The software splits the business planning process into two sections, namely forecasting business financials, and writing the plan itself. Users need only input their income and expenditure and Ultimate Business Planner will deliver a complete set of financial projections automatically, including the associated graphs and charts. For writing the plan, the software provides a step-by-step walkthrough with instructions and advice aplenty, and the sample plans are referenced to provide examples. In addition, Ultimate Business Planner includes a variety of other resources to help businesses, including a list of loan programs and economic development departments. The package is compatible with Word, Excel, Adobe PDF, and QuickBooks, and it outputs business plans in the preferred format of banks and investors. Also check out our feature: Creating a business planPlan Write for BusinessWeb: http://www.brs-inc.com/pwb.asp Price: US$229.95 (around £140, AU$260) Business Resource Software is another provider of software for businesses. It was set up in 1989 and boasts clients including American Express, AT&T, Boeing, Ernst & Young, Federal Express, IBM, Pfizer, Shell and Toyota. According to the company, Newsweek calls its business plan software its "top choice," most closely meeting the criteria that experts define as being critical. Like other business plan software, Plan Write for Business provides examples of other business plans in the form of extracts for reference, and also a number of full, real plans. Financial figures are calculated automatically once some initial figures have been input, and a PowerPoint slideshow can be generated using built-in templates should the plan need to be presented in a meeting. In addition, the software includes a "Business Plan Wizard" to guide the user through the process and tailor the plan to the shape and goals of their business. The package uses the preferred layout of banks and investors, and content can be exported to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and HTML. A QuickBooks Pro interface is also included. Phone support and industry insights are also provided. LivePlanWeb: http://www.liveplan.com Price: From US$11.66 (around £7, AU$13) per month (billed annually) Like Business Plan Pro, LivePlan is owned by Palo Alto Software, but instead of being an on-premise piece of software, it is delivered online. LivePlan is designed to work using newer technologies and a newer approach. The aim of the software is to simplify "business planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance tracking for small businesses and startups." LivePlan splits the business planning process into three sections: planning the strategy, pitching for funds and then tracking the organisation's progress. To begin with, LivePlan asks the user for some of their organisation's financial data, which is then used to calculate financial forecasts. All the financial information that would be expected from a lender or investor is included, and graphs and charts are automatically generated. Key business figures are then compared against industry averages with guidance on how the user's business can be improved. LivePlan can be used by businesses in any country with currency being set accordingly. A selections of themes from which users can choose are included and the plans produced both look professional and are formatted in the manner that banks and investors prefer. Plans can be easily exported to Microsoft Word and PDF. Over 500 sample plans are included for users to compare with their own plan. Users can create a one-page pitch for providing key information about their business to banks, investors and other key individuals. Information covered includes a summary of mission and goals, sales and marketing approaches, market and competitor research, milestones and financial projections. LivePlan can be accessed from any internet browser and works on both Macs and PCs. It can be shared with collaborators for joint input. The company says it uses the same security and safety measures as the world's top financial institutions and undergoes regular security audits. Plans are saved every few seconds to avoid any work being lost, and data is backed up. Google Apps for Business 2014 reviewhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3facc24e/sc/36/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474594422/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3facc24e/sc/36/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474594422/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3facc24e/sc/36/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474594422/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3facc24e/sc/36/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474594422/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3facc24e/sc/36/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/210474594422/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3facc24e/sc/36/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/U2otP_WYMWw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%208/ios-8-release-date-470-75.jpgApple started making 64-bit smartphones last year with the iPhone 5S, but to date we've seen few tangible improvements as a result, with many developers still building 32-bit apps. That's all about to change though, as Apple has mandated that from February all new iOS apps must include 64-bit support and be built with the iOS 8 SDK. That includes any updates to existing apps, though apps that are currently available won't be removed. We imagine that not all developers will be happy about this change but it should be beneficial to users. Power upUsing 64-bit architecture can lead to faster performance both in terms of speed and graphics and could also be beneficial to specialist applications such as those used by designers, artists and musicians which may require extra computing power. But even if developers don't initially tap into the full capabilities of the 64-bit architecture, an environment where only 64-bit support is needed, rather than both 32 and 64-bit, will likely lead to slicker performance all round. In the short term, apps will still support 32-bit hardware as well, but with the latest two generations of Apple hardware now on 64-bit it's likely that Apple will drop 32-bit support altogether before long and then we might see the real benefits of its 64-bit chips. Android is pushing 64-bit support as well.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fac2e35/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474535480/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fac2e35/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474535480/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fac2e35/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474535480/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fac2e35/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474535480/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fac2e35/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/210474535480/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fac2e35/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/PhipCEp8NU0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Google/Nexus6/Press/Nexus6-Press-06-470-75.jpgIn these busy modern times, who can be bothered to manually wake up their phone? Not us (even though we do) and luckily Google feels our pain because with Android 5.0 Lollipop it's adding a new feature called 'Ambient display'. Although the feature hasn't made it in to the developer preview it has been spied in an image taken from the full Android 5.0 ROM and leaked by developer Prashant Gahlot. The image not only shows the setting toggle, but also an explanation that it will "wake screen when device picked up or notifications arrive." http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Android/ambient%20display-420-90.jpg This follows a similar but not identical piece of text on the official Android Lollipop page, which says "where supported by the hardware, your device will wake up as soon as you pick it up or tap the screen twice." Smart screenSo it seems clear that whether it happens automatically or with a quick double tap, turning the screen on could become even faster and more intuitive than it is now. It's a feature that's clearly inspired by Moto Display on the Moto X, but it's a good idea so we're happy to see it make its way to more phones. As to which phones specifically will support it that's less clear, presumably it simply requires the right selection of sensors, which hopefully means most recent handsets will support it, but that remains to be seen. Wondering when you can get Android Lollipop? We've got the answer.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fab1dd2/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474571647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fab1dd2/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474571647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fab1dd2/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474571647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fab1dd2/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474571647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fab1dd2/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/210474571647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fab1dd2/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/91Vz-1wXS6E

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/logos/skype_rainbow-470-75.jpgWhile many apps - including Microsoft's own OneDrive and Skype itself - are getting updated with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus support, Microsoft has granted the Windows Phone version of Skype an exclusive feature. Skype for Windows Phone is now the only version of the service that lets users draw and doodle, then send their creations to friends and other unwitting recipients, the Skype blog reveals. To access the new Skype drawing tool in the WP app tap the "+" symbol in a chat window, followed by "drawing." It looks like a very simple tool - maybe even a stripped-down MS Paint - but there's nothing wrong with that. However it does let you draw on top of images and Bing maps. Getting high (res)The Skype app for Windows Phone also gained HD screen support in this latest update. Skype reports that the app is now faster on Windows Phone 8.1 as well, with improved resume time, and that you can now sign in automatically using the Microsoft account linked to your WP device. Finally Skype is also now letting users sign in with their native Skype accounts instead of having to link them to their Microsoft Accounts, though they still encourage you to do so. This is Skype Qik, Microsoft's new Snapchat rivalhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fa78f97/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474545253/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa78f97/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474545253/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa78f97/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474545253/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa78f97/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474545253/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa78f97/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/210474545253/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa78f97/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/DlHcUggeO_c

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/FingerScanner/tap-470-75.jpgDropbox had a rough first date with iOS 8, but it looks like it's smoothed things over - and added an important new security feature. The cloud storage service is the latest to gain TouchID support in its iOS app's most recent update. Like other recent updates to iOS apps including Facebook, Chrome and YouTube, OneDrive, Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, and Skype, Dropbox's version 3.5 update also adds compatibility with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Touch and feelThankfully the app's fingerprint security features aren't limited to the newest Apple iPhones, but they are exclusive to devices with iOS 8. Lastly the Dropbox update also includes performance, stability and bug fixes, including a fix for an issue with previewing RTF files in iOS 8. Millions more Dropbox leaks could be on the wayhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3fa6e423/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474541158/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa6e423/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474541158/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa6e423/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474541158/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa6e423/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/210474541158/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa6e423/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/210474541158/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3fa6e423/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/xIzFheXgQSU