sincity

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Abstract/cloud%20arrow-470-75.jpgAccording to Symantec nearly half of all business data is now stored in the cloud. For businesses of any size, ensuring that high levels of security are maintained is a commercial imperative that cannot be ignored. The cloud is clearly transforming every facet of business. SMBs in particular are seeing the cost savings that can be obtained are flocking to cloud-based services. But in the rush to adopt these platforms, security must also be a top priority. Recent high profile news headlines about data breaches – most of which involve some form of cloud-based services – do little to instil confidence in a small business community that knows that more cloud services are their future. The good news is that many of the security concerns about the cloud that persist have been resolved and with a properly implemented security policy, any business can use the cloud safe in the knowledge that their data can't be compromised. SMBs wrestle with concernsLee Newcombe, chief information risk advisor at Capgemini said: "Small businesses vary widely in their appetite for risk. In some cases, small businesses are more open to risk because they don't have specialist compliance and security teams holding them back. In other cases the lack of specialist skills leaves the business behaving in an overly risk-averse manner." David Emm, senior security researcher at Kaspersky Lab comments: "Recently, trust in cloud storage has been undermined somewhat by the Snowden leaks and growing fears about privacy. "I think it's too early to say whether this will affect the take-up of cloud services significantly. Although, it may well ensure that security issues become a key part of the negotiations between cloud providers and prospective clients." According to research carried out by Microsoft, nearly half of SMBs surveyed believed that data stored in the cloud was as secure as data stored on their own servers. However, security concerns still continue. Follow these steps to ensure your business' use of the cloud is always safe and secure: 1. Assess the cloud services vendor Before committing to any cloud service provider take some time to assess their credentials, paying close attention to the security protocols they use. 2. Buy cloud services with standards Cloud security like most other business process has a number of recognised standards they should meet. Standards to ensure your cloud service provider meets include: ISO 27001, ISAE3402/SSAE16 and CSA STAR, which is the first internationally recognized cloud security certification program developed jointly by the CSA (The Cloud Security Alliance) and BSI (British Standards Institution). 3. Create robust password protection Many of the successful attacks on cloud services occur because users were careless in their creation and usage of passwords. Incredibly, people still use 'password' and '123456' as their password when accessing data according to research carried out by SplashData. Develop a robust password policy and ensure all of your business' employees adhere to its rules each time they access any cloud-based data. 4. Secure remote access As business is now transacted on the move thanks to the smartphone and tablet PC, it is vital that mobile access to cloud-based data is secure. Here, using a VPN or Virtual Private Network is critical to ensure data that flows to and from the cloud is always on a secure channel. 5. Encrypt all data By default all data that moves from your business to the cloud should be encrypted. The SLA (Service Level Agreement) your cloud service provider will want your business to sign should give details of the encryption being used. Dr Gerhard Knecht, head of global security services and compliance, Unisys says: "Even if dangers and concerns exist, the technologies, regulations and standards are there to minimise the security related fears. FEDRAMP is one such new US regulation that mandates cloud service providers to be assessed before serving Federal offices. This is a step in the right direction." Moving the perimeterThe approach that SMBs should take to cloud security is to simply view the cloud as an extension of their business. "In 2014 and onward, security professionals can expect to see entire corporate perimeters move to the cloud," said Cisco in its annual security report. "These network edges have been in the process of becoming far less well-defined in recent years. But with so many applications and so much data in the cloud, organizations are rapidly losing the ability to see who and what is moving in and out of corporate boundaries, and what actions users are taking." Kaspersky Lab's David Emm concluded: "Before out-sourcing to a cloud provider, businesses need to assess the potential risks in just the same way that they would if they were managing internal business processes and systems. This includes staff education about login details. "Other issues that need to be considered include where the company's data will be stored geographically, the legal jurisdiction that will apply to the data, what steps will be taken to secure the data on their provider's systems - including how it will be secured from other tenants of the cloud provider -and the logistics involved in migrating the data to another provider in the future." For most SMBs the cloud is their inevitable destination, but moving their businesses wholesale to the cloud is a step too far at the moment. Creating a hybrid cloud platform is delivering the benefits of more cloud services, yet maintains a level of in-house security that smaller enterprises in particular still need to remain comfortable about their use of the cloud. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e18e4f9/sc/30/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367250117/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e18e4f9/sc/30/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367250117/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e18e4f9/sc/30/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367250117/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e18e4f9/sc/30/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367250117/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e18e4f9/sc/30/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367250117/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e18e4f9/sc/30/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/UUaMjvdUtoM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Abstract/Binary%20code/iStock_000017708721Small-nadia-470-75.jpgBackup and disaster recovery company Acronis has acquired Dutch cloud backup company BackupAgent. As part of the acquisition, Acronis will acquire more than fifty thousand of BackupAgent’s customers. Clients should expect to gain access to Acronis’s AnyData Engine tool, which will allow them to deliver data protection technologies via a cloud backup solution. The acquisition allows Acronis to extend the network of service providers offering Acronis cloud solutions to include more than 900 currently affiliated with BackupAgent. All about the networkBenedicte Clemente, Global Media Communications Director at Acronis, says building out a network of active partners like the one BackupAgent provides would have taken Acronis “six to twelve months to build organically.” Clemente says customers will be “seamlessly migrated to Acronis powered solution” and “their data and service won’t be affected.” Clemente refused to reveal specifics, such as how much Acronis paid or how many people BackupAgent employs. However, BackupAgent’s LinkedIn profile says it employs fewer than 50 people. All BackupAgent employees will also be retained, including the entire senior leadership team, who will join Acronis to help lead integration efforts and participate in the management of the team, Clemente says. BackupAgent will maintain its brand under the Acronis brand umbrella. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e15f5e2/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367236820/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e15f5e2/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367236820/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e15f5e2/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367236820/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e15f5e2/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367236820/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e15f5e2/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367236820/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e15f5e2/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/af-FpAsQ7FA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/haier_w81-470-75.jpgThe world's largest white appliance brand, Haier, has announced an 8-inch Windows-based tablet at IFA, called the HaierPad W81, one that carries a suggested retail price of 199 Euros (about £180, $280, AU$300) Like a number of recently announced, affordable tablets, this one runs on Intel hardware with Microsoft operating system rather than an ARM/Android combination. It seems that Intel's interest in Android has waned, at least when it comes to tablets. The tablet is made of a white TP and silver metal shell and has a 8.5mm profile, making it one of the slimmest Windows tablets on the market. More of the sameOther specs include 2GB of RAM, 32GB onboard storage, an 8-inch IPS display with a 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution, a quad-core Intel Atom processor (probably the Z3735E), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a microSD card slot and a microHDMI one as well. The HaierPad W81 will be available in Europe later this year where it will face competition from the likes of the Acer Iconia W4, the Pipo W2 and the Dell Venue Pro 8. Haier will also launch a number of Android-based tablets including one that has an 8-core processor coupled with Android 4.4 and a QXGA display. TechRadar at IFA 2014: There's actually a lot going on http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e1569c6/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234317/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c6/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234317/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c6/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234317/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c6/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234317/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c6/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367234317/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c6/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/7en4WS6Oc3g

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/homedepot-470-75.jpgHome Depot is investigating a possible credit card breach that may have occurred across the company's 2,487 global stores. It is immediately unclear how many consumers would be impacted by the possible breach. However, tech site Krebs on Security, which first reported the Target security breach, posted a story today citing evidence that Home Depot was hit by "a massive new batch of stolen credit and debit cards." Home Depot has said it is looking into "some unusual activity" and that it is "working with … banking partners and law enforcement to investigate." The company said it would notify affected customers if it determined a breach had occurred. Krebs on Security speculates the perpetrators of the possible breach might be the same group responsible for recent Target and P.F. Chang breaches. Home Depot is a $78 billion a year company with more than 330,000 employees. Sixteen-year Home Depot vet Craig Menear was recently appointed the company's CEO, replacing Frank Blake who'd served as the company's chief executive since 2007. Could this be one of the top 10 data breaches of the past 12 monthshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e1569c7/sc/30/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c7/sc/30/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c7/sc/30/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c7/sc/30/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367234316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c7/sc/30/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367234316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e1569c7/sc/30/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/rNNu1UCzngk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/tablets/Google/Nexus%207%202/hands%20on/DSC_0778-470-75.jpgJust when you thought the world was out of Nexus 8 rumors a new leak has outed a very Microsoft Surface-esque keyboard case for designed just for HTC's forthcoming tablet. The Android Police reports HTC will introduce a keyboard folio that will both act as a wireless Bluetooth 4.0 keyboard and folding cover for its first Nexus tablet, thus far known as both the Volantis and Flounder. Supposedly the case will come as one piece that folds in half while the Nexus 8 tablet's backside will sit on top of the keyboard when not in use. Meanwhile, the cover for the 8.9-inch screen could be segmented and lined with magnets similar to the smart covers designed for the iPad Air and iPad Mini 2. Users should be able to fold up the segments into a triangle and use it to prop up their tablet for watching media or using the keyboard. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/other/Onetimers/Nexus%208%20Keyboard%20folio-420-90.jpg Another key piece of the keyboard folio's design docket also reveals it could come with an integrated 450mAh battery plus a charging port built into the hinge. While it would be nice to use the case's battery to keep the Nexus 8 tablet topped off with energy, sources claim it will more likely be used to power the keyboard itself. Nexuses are a changingRumors have speculated Google is planning a major shake up of its Nexus tablets. Now the possible existence of an official keyboard case could signal the search company's desires to produce a more productivity focused slate. Android Police also speculates that the Nexus 8 will come with 4:3 aspect ratio. This change could also make the slate better tuned for word processing and other content producing applications rather simply viewing Google Play and streaming video. Otherwise early reports have suggested the Nexus 8 tablet may come packing a QHD screen driven by a 64-bit Tegra K1 processor and 4GB of RAM. The tablet could also boast an 8MP rear camera paired with a 1.6MP front snapper, and be the first Android slate preloaded with Android L. We bet will see the tablet this coming October, until then stay tuned to this space for the latest news. Google wants to change the wearables world with Android Wearhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e151aef/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367155778/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e151aef/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367155778/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e151aef/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367155778/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e151aef/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367155778/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e151aef/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367155778/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e151aef/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/E2QpavyrR3o

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/desktop_pcs_and_macs/Raspberry%20Pi/B+-470-75.jpgCute as a button and only the size of a credit card, Raspberry Pi delivers a lot of computer functionality on the cheap, but web browsing hasn't historically been one of its strongest selling points - until now. The Raspberry Pi Foundation announced in a blog post Monday that the popular hacker-friendly computer finally has a more capable web browser option, one which will eventually become the default option with future software releases. Named Epiphany, the optimized replacement web browser is the work of Collabora, who based the software on Gnome Web, itself a variant of WebKit 1 that brings a raft of improvements for all but the most JavaScript-heavy sites. First announced at the end of last year, Epiphany promises to deliver "much-improved" support for HTML5, along with faster scrolling and better interactivity while web pages are actually loading. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/desktop_pcs_and_macs/Raspberry%20Pi/Raspberry_Pi_Epiphany_browser-420-90.jpg Out with the oldRaspberry Pi hobbyists who watch a lot of online video content will be most interested in Epiphany's hardware-accelerated video encoding, which removes most of the heavy lifting from the software while playing HTML5 video content. According to Collabora software engineer Marco Barisione, this accomplishment also enables better support for YouTube video playback, as well as hardware scaling and faster fullscreen playback of video content from anywhere on the web. Epiphany should also deliver a 3x improvement in startup time as well as a more responsive user interface, along with the same type of progressive, tiled rendering now common with most mobile web browsers. The browser installation requires only three simple command line prompts to install (hit the blog link to find them), a task that will be made easier in future Raspbian and NOOBS releases thanks to the inclusion of Epiphany as the default web browser. We go hands-on with the new Nokia Lumia 530, so sit back and enjoy!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e14c8ff/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201355/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c8ff/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201355/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c8ff/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201355/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c8ff/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201355/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c8ff/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367201355/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c8ff/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/V2ZEHzp7CRo

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/google-android-wear-google-now-470-75.jpgGoogle has promised that it will release frequent updates to Android Wear, the smartwatch OS being adopted by companies like Asus, Samsung, Motorola, LG, and others. Smartwatches will change much more rapidly than smartphones, the company said, and Google wants to stay at the forefront and actively shape how Android Wear evolves, according to CNET. And unlike in smartphones, Google can reportedly push out Android Wear updates without having to run them by carriers first, a step that makes the smartphone update process take longer than it otherwise would. Google reportedly has several Android Wear updates scheduled to arrive before the end of the year, with the first coming this week. Future watchThese Android Wear updates will add features like the ability to pair smartwatches with Bluetooth headsets and the ability for smartwatches that have GPS to use geolocation to track users' fitness sessions. Google also plans to add a streamlined way for third-party developers to design their own Android Wear watch faces that users will be able to swap in and out on a whim - to display live sports game scores, stocks or other specific data. Google's Android Wear Engineering Director David Singleton told CNET that thousands of existing Android apps have already been updated to support Android Wear. He added that Google will enable other connection types besides Bluetooth as its Android Wear hardware partners start expressing the desire to build watches that use them. Meanwhile Android Vice President of Engineering Hiroshi Lockheimer said the company wants to keep updating Android Wear as quickly as possible. He said "it's a lot simpler on watches," where there are less steps in the update pipeline. Here's everything there is to know about Android Wearhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e14c903/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201354/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c903/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201354/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c903/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201354/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c903/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201354/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c903/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367201354/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c903/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/d8CULcd9U7M

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Lumia%20730%20Selfie-470-75.jpgMicrosoft's Lumia 730 selfie phone is nearly here and now the Windows Phone maker has sent out press invites featuring, what else, but a selfie. According to the invite the Redmond company has more Lumia in store of us on September 4 at 10am eastern time. Considering the image on the invite is a selfie we will likely see a newly announced Lumia 730, which may prominently feature a 5MP front snapper. Aside from taking gorgeous pictures of yourself, early reports surrounding the Windows Phone 8.1 handset have suggested it will be a middle range successor to the Lumia 720. The mobile device will purportedly arrive in black or white sporting a 4.7-inch HD ClearBlack display. As for internals the Lumia 730 has been said to carry a quad-core Snapdragon chip, 1GB of memory, 8GB of storage with microSD support as well as a 6.7MP rear camera. Middle range through and throughWhile most of the Lumia 730's specs might sound a step up from a mid-range handset, the smartphone will supposedly only operate on 3G bands even though there's room for a dual-SIM. According to another rumor, though, Microsoft will also introduce a Lumia 735, which supposedly will also ride on 4G LTE wireless networks. Stay tuned to this space as we bring you all the latest announcements from Microsoft's big Lumia event in Berlin tomorrow. We've got a long IFA 2014 week ahead of us that will include a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 announcementhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e14c90a/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201353/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c90a/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201353/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c90a/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201353/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c90a/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367201353/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c90a/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367201353/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e14c90a/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/hnssun2A8fg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Google/Chromecast/Review/chromecast-470-75.jpgThe Now TV streaming service has arrived on yet another device, with Sky's subs-free offshoot now ready for Google's TV gizmo. Now TV has been a big hit for Sky, allowing people to access its premium content without signing up for a satellite subscription. Already making its mark on consoles and its own Roku-like low cost Now TV box, the service is now hitting the likes of Chromecast. Those with Chromecast and Now TV entertainment passes will also be able access the new ITV Encore channel which is rolling out to all Now TV devices from today.

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/Windows%209/Windows9Logo-LEAK-470-75.jpgMicrosoft's China branch may have jumped the gun on a bit of Windows 9 information - with a number logo sneaking onto its Weibo feed. Of course, it may not be the finished article - or even the beginning one for that matter - but it's an official source and we're only 28 days away from the official launch of the next generation of Windows that still hasn't been named by Microsoft. Windows 9 is a big deal for Microsoft after a difficult Windows 8 launch, and will bring a slew of changes aimed at winning back both consumers and manufacturers. Big changesSeptember 30 will see the debut of the software for developers and manufacturers, with talk already suggesting that Microsoft will be offering out the upgrade for free to its Win 8 users when it launches to the public next year. Other headline features include the ability to boot straight to desktop - rather than the Modern touch interface - the return of shutdown and, of course, the inclusion of Microsoft's answer to Siri - Cortana. But obviously the logo's the biggest deal. Obviously. And it's Windows in the shape of a 9. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e11ac27/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367142235/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e11ac27/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367142235/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e11ac27/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367142235/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e11ac27/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367142235/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e11ac27/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367142235/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e11ac27/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/vvcevAOGDNE

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/iCloud%20Hack-470-75.jpgApple says it's now actively investigating an embarrassing security breach of its iCloud service that allowed hackers to post dozens of celebrity nude photos to the web this weekend, "We take user privacy very seriously and are actively investigating this report," said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said in a statement to Recode. The response was prompted after an alleged exploit using iCloud's "Find My iPhone" feature allowed users to break in to steal passwords, view images and other data stored in a users' iCloud accounts. As a result of the security breach some of the hackers posted nude photos, both real and some said to be fakes, of Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, Kirsten Dunst, as well as other actresses, athletes, models and other celebrities. Of course, since this exploit affect all iCloud accounts, the security hole could have effected every user on Apple's cloud service. How could this happen!?The Next Web reports the issue may have stemmed from Apple leaving allowing for an unlimited number of password attempts to access the Find My iPhone service. Supposedly hackers took advantage of this vulnerability by using iBrute to repeatedly try different password combinations until it broke the code. Apple claims it has since fixed the issue by limiting the password attempts to five. The Cupertino company also advises users to add an extra layer of security for themselves by adding the two-step verification process to their iCloud accounts. Still we'd advise users to change their password in light of the recent exploit. TechRadar has reached out to Apple for a comment on the security breach and will update this article once we hear back. Keep your fingers crossed for more security features in iOS 8http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/WCdNlqcSg40

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Moto%20G-470-75.jpgWe're merely three days away from the Moto X+1's big reveal in Chicago on September 4 and yet another tidbit about the rumored handset has leaked out. Another set of brand spanking new photos of the handset sent over to TK Tech News reveals the back Moto logo on the X+1's backside might actually be a button a la the LG G3. Supposedly this small recessed dimple houses the phone's power button, which could also be used for other functions within apps. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/other/Onetimers/Moto%20X1%20back-420-90.jpg Aside from the button it seems users can expect the Moto X+1 to arrive with an aluminum frame and a variety of finishes including wood, plastic, leather and denim. Later this holiday Verizon will purportedly release an exclusive carbon fiber version. Here's looking at youhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/other/Onetimers/Moto%20X1%20front-420-90.jpg A close look at this new set of high-resolution image reveals four camera-esque sensors on the front face of the Moto X+1. These sensors purportedly will work in conjunction with a new software feature called Moto Aware. But, according to Phone Arena, Moto Aware has been all but removed on from all of Motorola's handsets due to an Apple lawsuit blocking the feature. Before it's removal, Moto Aware supposedly would have automatically adjusted phone settings on the fly. This includes security settings and the UI tweaks based on the user's location, as well as the lighting and ambient noise in the user's vicinity. Meanwhile, another TK Tech News source has explained these sensors will actually be used as part of the X+1's faux 3D interface. From the sounds of it, the shifting UI interface would be very similar to Dynamic Perspective on the Amazon Fire Phone. The price is rightAlong with the new details of the Moto X+1 it seems the Moto G2 has begun shipping internationally. Import codes picked up by Pricebaba reveal the Moto G2 with 16GB of storage space will ring up to $175 (about £105, AU$187). Previously, we heard some worrying figures, which placed a €250 (about $335, £200, AU$360) price tag on Motorola's affordable mid range handset. With these latest reports we can breath a sigh of relief that the handset will still be priced within the same ballpark as the original Moto G. We expect the Moto G2 will be announced right alongside the Moto X+1. Check back in with TechRadar soon as we bring your more from Motorola's Chicago show this Thursday. Will Motorola also announce a release date for the Moto 360?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e0cb1e2/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367092853/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0cb1e2/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367092853/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0cb1e2/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367092853/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0cb1e2/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367092853/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0cb1e2/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367092853/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0cb1e2/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/mcTzi5L3Pvc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Google%20IO%202014/phone-470-75.jpgGoogle has been working hard to introduce a new Android One platform of low-cost smartphones to developing markets like India and very soon we could see the fruits of its labor. Google will purportedly hold an event in India on September 15 to introduce the first crop of Android One, according to NDTV. So far three phone manufacturers including Micromax, Karbonn Mobile and Spice Mobile have all signed on with Google to produce sub $100 (about £60, AU$107) smartphones. Other than an affordable price, there aren't any many solid details on what each smartphone maker has in mind. However, Google did highlight a Micromax phone would feature 4.5-inch screen, dual-SIM, an SD slot and FM radio at its Google IO 2014 developer conference. There's nothing too dizzying about these specs compared to the rumors of the supremely powerful Samsung Galaxy Note 4, but keep in mind this is the search company's sub $100 smartphone model. Androids everywherehttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/other/Onetimers/Google%20Android%20One%20Invite-420-90.jpg Google plans to fill in the affordable, low-end smartphone market with its Android One initiative. As part of the program Google has oversight over what software goes into each Android One handset. As such each device will come running stock Android with very few "locally relevant" apps preloaded on the handsets. In exchange for great control over the software on Android One handsets, the search company promised smartphone makers it would share resources to reduce costs. Android One handsets will also receive updates much more quickly just like the search company's Nexus and Google Play devices. On top of this Sundar Pichai also said Google is also working with local Indian carriers to provide users affordable plans. If everything goes as planned Google could use its new platform to get Android smartphones in the hands of many more people around the world. Chances are we could see some of these more affordable Android One smartphones come to the US, United Kingdom and elsewhere. Here's everything to know about Google's other mobile OS, Android Lhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e0c4df5/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367117525/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c4df5/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367117525/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c4df5/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367117525/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c4df5/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367117525/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c4df5/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367117525/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c4df5/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/LgXg7rJaaDw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/Watches/Asus/Asus_smartwatch_IFA_sketch_2-470-75.jpgIFA 2014 is still just days away but it seems the tech world has fallen fully into wearable fever. The Central New Agency, a Taiwanese newspaper, has the scoop on Asus' first smartwatch called the ZenWatch and reports it will come to market for less than $199 (about £119, AU$212). If the rumors are true this would make the ZenWatch extremely competitive with the Pebble Steel and LG G Watch and droves of other more expensive wearables. Aside from the price, the Taiwanese paper also reported Asus' smartwatch will be available later this October. Even then the ZenWatch's release will be limited to the US and a few other markets. Technological zenYouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvzkwpQbO50As for new features, the ZenWatch will purportedly include a few more voice controls on top the ones that come preprogrammed into Android Wear. Supposedly the watch will also be able to functions in some capacity even without pairing with a smartphone. For now details are still sketchy even with Asus recently releasing a new teaser video giving us a better look at the watch We're just days away from the ZenWatch's reveal, which is rumored to take place ahead of the IFA 2014 festivities this Wednesday. Until then stay tuned to TechRadar as we bring you the latest news before and during the big German tech conference. Will Apple finally jump into the wearable game with an iWatch?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e0c076e/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367160822/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c076e/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367160822/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c076e/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367160822/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c076e/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367160822/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c076e/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367160822/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0c076e/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/5OiTgrJigHA

The Chinese body in charge of antitrust matters, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), has confirmed that Microsoft has 20 days to provide answers to a list of questions. These cover the relationship (or as Reuters puts it, compatibility) between Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows operating system and its equally popular Office operating system. SAIC questioned David Chen, Microsoft' Vice president, and hinted that it suspects that the world's largest software company did not disclose all the information it needs to about the two products. Microsoft said it was "serious about complying with China's laws and committed to addressing SAIC's questions and concerns". Follow the whole saga between Microsoft and the Chinese government in 2014As for the SAIC, it confirmed that a "special investigation team conducted an anti-monopoly investigation inquiry with Microsoft Vice President Chen Shi (David Chen), and required that Microsoft make a written explanation within 20 days". Why exactly SAIC is investigating Microsoft over Windows and Office remains unclear as the two can be used independently from each other. Past anti-competitive investigations focused mostly on how Microsoft tied its browser, Internet Explorer, and media player, Windows media Player, with Windows. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e0b91f6/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367089151/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0b91f6/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367089151/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0b91f6/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367089151/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0b91f6/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367089151/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0b91f6/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367089151/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0b91f6/sc/21/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/CtLhJAAEbjQ

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Google/Project%20Glass/Pandora%20for%20Glass-470-75.jpgSay what you will about Google Glass, but it continues to rack up third-party support. Pandora is the latest to throw its hat in the Glass ring. Hatched at a recent company Hack-a-thon (we're getting a lot of those lately), Pandora for Glass arrives today. Taking advantage of Glass's hands-free controls, Pandora for Glass can get Explorers into their favorite stations via voice controls. But voice controls aren't limited to accessing existing stations; users can also create new ones using just their vocal cords. The touchpad offers more advanced functions, not only letting users jump into their stations but also granting them thumb-ups and thumb-downs powers as well as pause, skip and stop. Listening options include the built-in speaker plus bone conduction method, the mono earbud included in the Explorer kit or a double earbud accessory. To get Pandora for Glass, Google Glass owners can head to google.com/myglass, sniff out Pandora, turn it ON on the detail page (sign-in required), and give the requisite basic info approval. From there, Pandora will arrive over the air and you can start streaming to your ears' content. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3dea902c/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366972472/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dea902c/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366972472/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dea902c/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366972472/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dea902c/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366972472/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dea902c/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366972472/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dea902c/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/loofRmPOa_w

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Software/windows-9-new-start-menu-470-75.jpgFor my first TechRadar Pro article, I thought it would be appropriate to look forward, towards the future and a piece of tech that's soon to be coming down the line. Over the years I've spent a lot of time focusing on helping people with productivity. Whether it's at talks and events, in videos or through other mediums, such as this article, productivity is at the core of what we all need to get out of our PCs, and it's for this reason that the next version of Windows (codenamed Threshold) is getting me very excited. I've written a lot about Windows over the last few years: how to get started with it, how to customise it and exploit its hidden functionality, and how to repair problems if everything goes horribly wrong. I'm in contact almost every day with people who have used Windows for work, study or play for years now, but still I encounter many who struggle to make the most productive use of their time. Part of the problem is the complexity of an operating system the size of Windows, and more problems arise because of Windows' need to be something for everyone. Windows 8 was an interesting step in a new direction (though it didn't go without a few hiccups) and Windows 8.1 has refined the idea further. Focusing on productivityHowever, with Threshold – bearing in mind we don't know the full story concerning this OS yet, by any means – it looks like Microsoft has put the entire focus on productivity, and Redmond's engineering teams are working on nothing but. There also looks to be something for everybody, from programmers able to save valuable time by having a unified code base for Windows Phone, Modern apps, Xbox and, perhaps, even the desktop, with apps that can scale and change dynamically to fit the device you're using, to talk of major productivity enhancements for desktop Windows users (who felt a little left out last time around). When I give talks I regularly extol the virtues of features such as Workplace Join, Work Folders and Windows To Go, just a few of the plethora of productivity features that Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 introduced. Not to mention enhanced multi-screen desktop support, Miracast, mobile tethering, Powershell 4, Wi-Fi direct and NFC pairing, InstantGo, gesture control and everything else that makes up the productivity enhancement package. Much awaited OSWith a renewed focus on the desktop, and how we use it day to day, it's looking like Threshold will be the Windows release that I personally have been expecting for many years now. So what do I know that's got me all excited? In truth, not a huge amount, but there are nuggets in all the right places. It's long frustrated me that so many aspects of the Windows UI date back to early versions of NT, especially the Control and Management functions. The introduction of Windows Server 2012 with its "live tile" interface shows the way forward, and what can be done with the expected overhaul of all these systems. Without a doubt, I am very excited about the features that Threshold can deliver in terms of helping everybody from developers, through system administrators, to end users get done what they need to do in less time than it's taken before. After all, this is what progress is all about, right? http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3de6800d/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367012094/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de6800d/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367012094/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de6800d/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367012094/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de6800d/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367012094/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de6800d/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367012094/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de6800d/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/WIfu1jj2UU0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/tablets/Archos/80Titanium/Page%201%20Overview/Archos%2080%20Titanium_1-470-75.jpgArchos will unveil a new Windows 8.1 tablet at IFA called the 80 Cesium and will be launched alongside the company's first Windows Phone, the 40 Cesium. The 80 Cesium will cost £129 (about $200, AU$ 220) making it the cheapest Windows tablet ever launched (although we don't expect that to last for long). Perhaps even more significant is that it is the cheapest Windows computer on the market and it even comes with a display. Simply plug in a keyboard and mouse and you have a fully functional computer. Not only does it come with Windows 8.1 (with Bing) but it will also almost certainly come with a 1-year license for Microsoft Office 365. Deja VuNot much is known about the specs. Archos only confirmed that it will be running a quad-core Intel processor (probably the popular Baytrail-based Atom Z3735D) with an 8-inch 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution. The rest of the specification, I believe, will be made up of a front and a rear camera, a microSD card slot, 2GB of RAM, 32GB onboard storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a micro-HDMI and a micro-USB port. In other words, the same components that power many other - more expensive - Windows tablets on market. Expect many similar-priced tablets sharing almost the same configuration to hit the market pretty soon. A number of little-known Chinese brands are already selling Windows 8.1 tablets for around £100 (about $160, AU$ 180). · IFA 2014: what to expecthttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3de627c0/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366954077/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de627c0/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366954077/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de627c0/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366954077/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de627c0/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366954077/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de627c0/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366954077/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de627c0/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/s5TXqdOsNIY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/windows_81_rtm/customise%20start%20screen-470-75.jpgWindows 9 news is coming at a faster clip now that we're drawing closer to its likely September 30 debut, and the latest concerns the new OS's price. According to Russian leaker WZOR (via Myce) Microsoft is planning some nice incentives to get folks to upgrade to Windows 9. For Windows 8.1 users who want to make the jump, WZOR reports Windows 9 will either come free or be available through a special offer. We'd put our money on it going the free route since Windows 8.1 arrived at no charge for Windows 8 users. If you bought a retail or OEM flavor of the Windows 8, Microsoft will apparently throw you a Windows 9 upgrade for around $20 (about £12, AU$21). Finally, since Windows XP holdouts are still numbering more than Microsoft would like, despite the company ending support earlier this year, the firm is said to be planning an "awesome" incentive to get XP users to cave in to Windows 9. Starship enterpriseWZOR's leak didn't stop at pricing details. According to the Russian crew the enterprise version of Windows 9 will leave the Metro interface at the door. Microsoft won't release a test version of Windows 9 Pro OEM, though there is a Windows 9 Enterprise technical preview out in the wild, apparently. Despite many calling the death of Windows RT all but complete, Microsoft apparently isn't ready to give up on its much-maligned OS. Instead, the firm is prepping Windows 9 RT and in fact already has a test build made. As you might expect, Windows 9 RT will arrive on the unannounced Surface 3. There were also a few rumored Windows 9 features to be had as well. WZOR maintains the system will support 3D-mode Ultra HD TVs and allow for cloud data back-up and restoration. Last but not least, Microsoft is said to be creating a feature for virtualizing physical system backups in the cloud. Sounds pretty nifty. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3de1c099/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366962885/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de1c099/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366962885/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de1c099/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366962885/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de1c099/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366962885/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de1c099/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366962885/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de1c099/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Ya1Fc9uAORA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Windows%209%20Live%20Tile%20Start%20Screen-470-75.jpgAn interactive user interface looks to be a major part of Windows 9 along with reviving the desktop. Winbeta reports Microsoft's next operating system, codenamed Treshold, will include Live Tiles and a notification center. While we've already seen Live Tiles incorporated into the returning mini-Start menu, Winbeta suggests this functionality could extend to the Start Screen as well. Supposedly these interactive Live Tiles will let users view information such as email without actually having to open the application itself. The feature was previously seen this April at Microsoft Research's TechFest 2014 event but now it seems the feature could become an experimental reality. Live Tiles will also be purportedly incorporated into some, but not all, of Windows 9's main apps. Third-party application could also get support for the interactive functionality but developers will have to update their software accordingly. A notification center could also be another new feature coming to Windows 9. Much like the notification center Windows Phone 8.1 introduced, this panel could give users a quick overview of new messages, app updates and the like. In or outSources in the know of Microsoft's Windows 9 plans also are unsure whether these two features will appear in the technical preview rumored for a September 30 unveiling. All the news we've heard about Windows 9 suggests Microsoft is taking a hardline stance on bringing back an OS designed for desktops. This includes doing away with the Charms bar on PCs and laptops, as well as the Start Menu coming back. It's becoming clear Microsoft wants to separate the Modern UI from the desktop version of Threshold. With this mind users may not see these new features or even the Start Screen in the preview build of Windows 9. Will Windows 9 include Cortana as rumored?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3de05e40/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133493/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e40/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133493/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e40/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133493/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e40/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133493/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e40/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157133493/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e40/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/RswdF7ajY0g

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/HTC/OneTimers/HTC_64-bit_invite-470-75.jpgNever mind the fact that Apple lobbed the opening 64-bit smartphone salvo nearly a year ago with the iPhone 5S - HTC plans to stake claim to a first of its own next week with a presumed successor to its Desire line. HTC (via The Next Web) announced Tuesday plans to introduce what the manufacturer calls the "world's first" Android smartphone powered by an octa-core, 64-bit processor in Berlin next week. Judging from an official teaser posted on HTC's Weibo page, the event will take place a day before the annual IFA consumer electronics event kicks off on September 5, where many of the company's rivals are expect to also hold new product launches. Aside from the September 4 media event and the "world's first" claim, little else is known about the mystery HTC handset, although it's not hard to connect the dots and come to a few logical conclusions about what the Taiwanese smartphone maker could be up to. I Desire?In a previous Weibo posting late last week, HTC more or less confirmed plans to introduce a new device codenamed 820, which sounds more than a little like a followup to the company's Desire 816 handset. The same post confirmed all the requisite 820 specs, including a 1080p display with UltraPixel and Duo Camera 3D technologies on board, which could be bound for emerging markets, if the GSM and WiMAX 4G connectivity is any indication. Needless to say, emerging markets typically nab less expensive, underpowered handsets, so it's a bit of a mystery why HTC would be touting an octa-core 64-bit chipset for a handset like the 820. We'll only have a little over a week to ponder what this all means, but HTC's bold claims should be worth paying attention to in the hours leading up to IFA 2014, so check back for all the details on September 4. Find out what the Sony Xperia T3 has up its sleeve in our full review!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3de05e44/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133492/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e44/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133492/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e44/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133492/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e44/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157133492/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e44/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157133492/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3de05e44/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/mcJX9RgZyDc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Abstract/CRM/iStock_000013899741Small-MacXever-470-75.jpgA long time ago enterprise use of technology was clearly defined – accounting software for the finance team, and security software for the IT team. Now CRM applications are blurring those boundaries, and with Salesforce.com revenue predicted to reach $10bn in just a few years, along with an IPO buzz surrounding SugarCRM, Zendesk, and Atento, CRM is evidently just getting started. We spoke to Marcin Malinowski, Director of International Services at leading European CRM Consultancy Outbox, to discuss how developments in social, mobile and cloud are continuing to transform enterprise interaction with technology, which will inevitably open up massive opportunities for a raft of startups. TechRadar Pro: How does the CRM market look to you at the moment? Marcin Malinowski: The CRM market is very interesting at the moment, there are a few big players all hungry for the top spot – including Salesforce, Microsoft, SAP and Oracle. But we're also seeing a lot of room for competition for the newcomers and challengers that are taking advantage of the market created by the bigger companies. For example SugarCRM is starting to get quite a lot of traction, and I'm sure they won't be the last to make a splash in the market. TRP: How is technology affecting CRM? MM: The last ten years in CRM has sped up significantly thanks to technology. The narrowing gap between IT and the rest of the business means CRM is easier to use, and can easily be adjusted to fit the needs of those using it. One of the biggest leaps in CRM has been in terms of the UI, as people find it much easier to use software effectively when it isn't just an ugly lump of text on a blue screen. The smartphone revolution has also been a huge factor in user adoption and expanding the value of CRM. Being able to work effectively or update opportunities from anywhere is a big selling point for a lot of vendors at the moment. TRP: How are the big players defining the space, and what challenges do you think they face at the moment, and in the future? MM: Right now it's all about delivering CRM via the cloud, and the big players are really trying to get that right – we're seeing a lot of changes due to the cloud delivery model and the consumerisation of IT. Business expectations of technology, and what IT departments can deliver are now closer than ever. This also means the big CRM providers are having to work closely together as well as compete fiercely. For example, Salesforce requires signed agreements with Microsoft to ensure SF1 is accessible on Windows Phone handsets. There are also a lot of heads turning towards marketing automation and social tools, so we're seeing a lot of CRM providers focusing on extending their offering to include these capabilities too – this is pushing the drive from simply 'CRM' into 'Customer Experience'. In terms of challenges, some are trying to maintain their impressive growth and others will be trying to optimise their cloud delivery model to cater for enterprises. TRP: You mentioned Customer Experience. We're seeing a lot of new categories within CRM emerge, which are going to stick and why? MM: Everyone involved in CRM is pushing for tighter integration with the relatively new marketing and social tools that are so hot at the moment. This behaviour is broadening the scope of CRM into wider categories like Customer Experience and Customer Excellence – this customer-centric approach to investing in technology will pay off heavily for those who adopt it. TRP: Who do you think will be successful newcomers? MM: As I mentioned before, SugarCRM seems to be increasingly popular with the medium-size companies and is delivering a lot of value for its customers, so we could see it continue to grow. I also see a lot of attention on Hybris at the moment, it will definitely help SAP widen its footprint in the market. TRP: How can businesses get the most out of a CRM solution? MM: Without a doubt, user adoption is the most important facet of CRM. If no one is interacting with the software, no one is getting any value out the other end. To tackle this, businesses should make sure their solution is totally customised and integrated to suit the needs of their business. Every relevant part of the business, and its processes, should touch CRM to completely maximise value. TRP: What can we expect to see from CRM in the next ten years? MM: I think we can expect an explosion of customer data to occur, and more importantly the ability of CRM to capture all that data effectively. CRM databases will hold all information about customers, based on online and offline activity – this will be accelerated massively by technology like wearables. Using this information, CRM solutions will be able to create personal bundles of offers depending on the specific customer's precise needs. Most importantly, all of these capabilities will be completely automated. It's plain to see that the next decade in CRM is set to be a very exciting one. About Marcin Malinowski Marcin is Director of International Services at leading European CRM Consultancy Outbox, a company which combines world-class technical skills with a high-integrity work ethic to capture the real value of the latest applications fast. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3ddea1ab/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949733/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ab/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949733/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ab/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949733/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ab/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949733/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ab/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366949733/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ab/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/VSpMzK4SUK0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/tablets/iPad/Best%20iPad%20apps%202012/MAIN-470-75.jpgEighty percent of businesses work with private developers to create applications, according to an IBM report. These developers work independently, outside of the scope of enterprise IT, and help to close the skills gap that currently exists in most organizations, the survey states. Forty percent of organizations say they have moderate-to-major skills gaps across cloud, analytics, mobile and social technologies. The same number of organizations say the aforementioned technologies are driving their company's business innovation. In order to ensure applications are developed, respondents say enterprises turn to private developers as well as start-ups and academics. Seventy percent of respondents say they are likely to engage with start-ups for application development. Why it's necessaryIn addition to developing consumer-facing applications, organizations would like to develop applications that simplify business processes, take better advantage of company data and improve employee productivity. However, working with third-party developers can be costly, and can expose company data. By working with independent developers, organizations can save money and gain control of the app-making process. The IBM report is based on responses from more than 1,400 IT and business decision makers in 15 industries across five continents. Developing your own apps: A guide for SMBshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3ddea1ae/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949732/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ae/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949732/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ae/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949732/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ae/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366949732/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ae/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366949732/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddea1ae/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/zVGAvARwzMI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/microsoft_chinese_office-470-75.jpgThe Chinese government is zeroing in on Microsoft as its State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), headed by Zhang Mao, confirmed that it is probing the company over its web browser, Internet Explorer, and Windows Media Player. Both applications are tightly integrated with the operating system and were also the target of antitrust cases in the US and Europe in the 1990s and early 2000s. Microsoft was ordered to pay billions of dollars worth of fines as a result and required to offer a choice of browsers on its Windows operating system. The chequered relationship between Microsoft and the Chinese stateA few weeks ago, the SAIC raided Microsoft's offices in China as part of the antitrust investigation but didn't provide any further details; at the time, it was posited that the move was to find out about any illegal tie-in between Office and Windows. Earlier this year, the Chinese government banned Windows 8 on public sector computers and some wondered back then whether that was linked to the Windows XP end-of-life deadline. But it looks like it might have something to do with China's decision to develop its own OS instead. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3ddd5bfb/sc/2/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366967467/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddd5bfb/sc/2/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366967467/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddd5bfb/sc/2/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366967467/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddd5bfb/sc/2/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366967467/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddd5bfb/sc/2/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366967467/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddd5bfb/sc/2/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/aa31F83YHW8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/laptops/HP/hp-elitebook-folio-1040-g1_6-470-75.jpgHP is continuing to push Windows 7 in its business portfolio with a whopping 40 out of 54 laptops on its UK website sold with Microsoft's popular operating system. A number of websites highlighted the trend in the US and we can confirm that the same is happening in the UK with businesses apparently driving the decision. Seven out of the top 10 most popular laptops at HP come preloaded with Windows 7 Professional (available through downgrade rights from Windows 8.1 Pro). Windows 7 still alive and kickingAnd to sweeten the deal, HP is also offering a number of cashback deals ranging from £50 to £200, depending on whether businesses are purchasing other accessories (docking stations, monitors) or not. It's worth noting that the push in the US appears to be geared towards consumers, which is not the case in the UK where HP doesn't sell laptops running Windows 7. The operating system is still the most popular on the market with more than half of the Windows OS market. Windows 8 and its variants account for about one-eighth of that market, even less than the unsupported Windows XP. Top 10 Windows 8 business desktop PCshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3ddc1ff0/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366909726/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddc1ff0/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366909726/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddc1ff0/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366909726/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddc1ff0/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366909726/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddc1ff0/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366909726/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ddc1ff0/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/4e1NPjw9TdU