sincity

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Facebook/new_facebook_ads-470-75.jpgLike most Facebook users you've probably learned to ignore whatever is in the site's right-hand column, because it's usually creepy ads targeted at random snippets from your profile or Google searches. But Facebook is hoping users will start paying attention again when it revamps those ads to be bigger. Facebook says the new ads will be more in line with the ads that now appear in users' news feeds, with larger images. At least there will be fewer of them now, the site said. Advertisers are people too"For advertisers, this offers a simpler way to create ads and an enhanced creative canvas on the right-hand column of Facebook," the social network wrote in a blog post. It continues, "Because the updated ads mirror the overall shape of desktop News Feed ads, marketers will no longer have to choose separate images for News Feed and right-hand column placements." Facebook also says the new ads will provide "a better experience for people." Apparently early tests have shown up to three times as much engagement with the larger ads, though whether that's really better for people - or just for advertisers - is a subjective matter. The new Facebook ads will roll out to users "in the coming months." Some advertisers will get the option in April, while others will need to wait until later in 2014. Facebook video ads are finally coming to your news feedhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/392df755/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479977047/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/392df755/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479977047/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/392df755/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479977047/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/392df755/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479977047/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/392df755/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479977047/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/392df755/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/oHLuro5gU-M

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Carousel%20app-470-75.jpgDropbox is unloading a number of additional services today, and one on its docket follows the photos-focused trend sweeping the tech world. Carousel is a new app anchored on storing, organizing and sharing photos and videos. It's available in the Apple App Store and Google Play right now. "The gallery for Dropbox" automatically stores and organizes pictures and vids from your phone's camera. Images are arranged by day, month and year, so photos from the hike you went on Dec. 17, 2013 are kept separate from a video of you blowing out your birthday candles on March 1, 2014. A wheel on the bottom lets you swipe through the illustrated timeline of your life. Once photos and videos are captured, they are automatically backed up on Dropbox. TechRadar's own test found users will need a Dropbox account to access the app, which is none too surprising. Somewhat annoyingly, those you share your images with will need the app to view them fully or do anything with them as well. Swipe to shareUsers can share photos privately with friends by swiping up on a single image. With a name, email or phone number, users can send one or more photos their friends' ways. There's also an option to share an entire event by tapping on the share icon in the top right-hand corner of a collection of snapshots. For items that are sent your way, you can choose to keep them in your own Carousel. The app is sleek and could pose a formidable rival to services like Instagram Direct. Consumers may not be receptive to yet another way to organize and share their precious memories, but Dropbox seems ready and willing to convince them otherwise. Was Dropbox affected by the Heartbleed bug?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/392df75a/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/fFfF91-Cvwg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Lightroom%20Mobile-470-75.jpgAdobe is bringing all the RAW image editing capabilities of Lightroom 5 to the iPad. The photo software giant has released Lightroom Mobile for iPad. While the app is free its also only usable by those already enrolled as a Creative Cloud subscriber. Adobe's new iPad app links directly to the desktop version and pulls images from any synced collections marked from your computer. From the iPad users will be able to adjust settings like Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Clarity, Sharpening, and all the usual tools seen on the full application. The best thing about the mobile app is Adobe has made it as iPad friendly as possible using very little RAM and the entire interface very touch friendly. Swipes, finger taps, and multitouch gestures do everything from adjusting saturation levels to peeking at the image before all your changes. Cloud poweredLightroom Mobile is powered entirely by Adobe's Smart Previews, which means users will have to be online all the time when using Lightroom Mobile. However, this also means the iPad won't have to be anywhere near your computer because it's using Adobe's cloud servers as an intermediary. Any changes that photo editors make on their iPad will be automatically applied to the original image the next time they start up the desktop version. What's more wedding and other professional photographers will be able to carry around their portfolio without having to load it directly onto the iPad or upload it elsewhere online. While the Lightroom Mobile requires a Creative Cloud subscription, there's a great cheap way of getting into the "cool club" through the Photoshop Photography Program. For $9.99 (about £5.96/AU$10.67) per month subscribers will get a copy of Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, and any subsequent updates Adobe comes out with. Lightroom Mobile also works on Apple's mini tablet, the iPad mini 2 with Retina Displayhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/39235884/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479898200/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39235884/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479898200/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39235884/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479898200/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39235884/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479898200/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39235884/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479898200/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39235884/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/zezr71-Uy8k

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/Watches/LG%20G%20Watch/LG_G_Watch_vs_Samsung_Galaxy_Gear_2-470-75.jpgThe coming of spring means we're inching ever closer to the upcoming Android Wear invasion, which gets a wee bit closer today thanks to a few additional launch details from manufacturer LG. Pocket-Lint was on hand earlier today in the Weybridge suburb of London to catch an up close and personal look at a final prototype for LG's forthcoming G Watch, powered by Google's Android Wear software. Although the device wasn't actually operational, LG did manage to confirm the G Watch would be available in the UK "before July," where it will sell for somewhere in the neighborhood of £180 (about US$301, AU$322). That may sound a bit on the pricy side considering many of us pay less for a more powerful smartphone (with a two-year contract, that is), but the report claims the device "certainly felt premium," which sounds like it may be worth the wait. Gee, watchThe non-functioning LG G Watch prototype is completely buttonless, which many observers noted after seeing mockup pictures at the Android Wear launch, but is described as otherwise having "a solid, seamless build." Like the latest Pebble Steel, G Watch owners will also be able to swap out the included strap for another more to their liking, and LG plans to follow up the squarish design with something more round further down the road. Judging from the hands-on photos, the LG G Watch is only a hair larger than the new Samsung Gear 2, which completely turned its back on the Android platform in favor of a wearables variant of the Korean manufacturer's own Tizen OS. Assuming the rough July timeframe pans out, LG has less than 90 days to nail down the details and whip the G Watch software into shape prior to release. Catch up on the Samsung Galaxy S5 in our full review!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3922f3d1/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479926004/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3922f3d1/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479926004/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3922f3d1/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479926004/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3922f3d1/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479926004/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3922f3d1/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479926004/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3922f3d1/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/vQqTmbQ1_S4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Netflix-houseofcards-470-75.jpgNetflix's venture into 4K content has begun in earnest, with the company confirming the second season of its flagship original drama House of Cards is now available at the improved resolution. Subscribers with a 4K television can now enjoy the underhanded antics of Frank Underwood, providing their next-gen set has a H.265/HEVC video decoder, which is built into most new 2014 models. Although that significantly limits the availability (yes, even further), it does represent the start of Netflix's pledged spring roll out for 4K streaming content, which it will do for all original content. Alongside House of Cards, there are also a 'few wildlife documentaries' that have been given a makeover, but there's been no indication of what'll be next. Breakthrough?As of today very few folks will be able to take advantage, given those 2014 models were only announced at CES back in January and very few of those have hit the shelves just yet. At the show, Netflix pledged to launch 4K friendly apps for sets from Sony, Samsung, LG and Vizio, meaning there'd be no need for specialist streaming devices. Does this announcement increase your immediate interest in picking up a 4K television or will it take a lot more than one series of one show on one streaming platform before you'll consider parting with the cash? CES 2014: Our top ten momentshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/39229289/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479886980/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39229289/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479886980/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39229289/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479886980/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39229289/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479886980/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39229289/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479886980/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39229289/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/CXbPUpKXO8I

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/xp-blue-gradient-470-75.jpgIt's hard to believe that Microsoft originally conceived Windows XP as the replacement of Windows 2000, squarely aiming at a business audience rather than a consumer market. "Whistler", as it was known prior to entering beta, was meant to improve the perception of Windows after what had been two mildly successful iterations on Windows 95. Windows 98 and Windows Me had been plagued by bugs, a resurgence of the blue screen of death and compatibility issues. Windows XP, which was launched in October 2001, was to change all that. Big spendingMicrosoft spent north of $1 billion on marketing to get Windows XP off the ground and the general public loved it. More than 400 million copies of Windows XP were sold globally in the first five years of exploitation with total number of licenses shipped likely to hover well above 500 million mark. It worked so well that the operating system is still popular with a bigger desktop market share than all the other versions of Windows put together, bar Windows 7. The latter had to wait till the end of 2011 to finally overtake Windows XP. The fact that Windows Vista was not well received by reviewers and the market at large allowed Windows XP to capture an even bigger market share, beyond its traditional US and European markets after Microsoft ceased to sell Windows XP licenses. Netbook dominanceWindows XP, not its successor, was the OS of choice for Intel's popular Netbook platform, one which sold tens of millions and asserted Windows XP's dominance over an entire decade. Even as Windows XP was retired and replaced, businesses demanded that Microsoft continued to ship it. For the first time ever, the software company offered two licenses for the price of one on selected devices in a bid to please its customers and allowing them to downgrade if they wished. Windows XP was also the first consumer operating system from Microsoft to ship in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. It allowed personal computers to support more than 4GB of RAM which allowed XP to move to workstations, essentially making Windows 2000 (workstation) obsolete. Moving onSome might argue that the global recession of 2007-2008 was what caused businesses to freeze their upgrade cycles and stick with what they had. Even as the recession receded, companies found themselves unwilling to upgrade, opting instead for a "don't break, don't change" approach, verging on procrastination. Still, Windows XP should have been laid to rest a long time ago, possibly as it reached its 10th anniversary. Trying to extend its lifespan has been a subject of controversy with companies like Panda Security pledging to provide security support for the geriatric OS for as long as it was needs, while Opera and Mozilla promised to support the legacy platform. Microsoft, on the other hand, has been courting companies to move away from it, even resorting to financial incentives to accelerate the transition. Otherwise, organisations will have to fork some serious money just to keep Windows XP running safely or face the consequences. Lest not forget that others are already luring prospective Windows XP transfers away from Microsoft Windows 7 or 8. Some have been considering Chrome OS, Google's operating system, or Linux as serious candidates to replace Microsoft's antiquated alternative. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/39211a8e/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479873583/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39211a8e/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479873583/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39211a8e/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479873583/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39211a8e/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479873583/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39211a8e/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479873583/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39211a8e/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/EKgqIuK_dKY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Twitter/Cover/cover_android_lockscreen-470-75.jpgTwitter has purchased the Android lock screen app Cover for an undisclosed sum, the two companies have announced on - where else? - Twitter. "Cover is joining Twitter! Excited for the future of Android and what's to come," tweeted Cover's official account. Twitter welcomed it "to the flock" in reply. But what exactly is to come? What does the future of Android involve, according to Twitter and Cover? And does Twitter really think it's this important to compete with Facebook Home? Cover upCover was created and launched by former Google employees in 2013. "We started Cover a year ago because we believed in two things: 1) the untapped potential of the supercomputers we carry in our pockets, and 2) the amazing power of Android," the company wrote in a blog post discussing the acquisition. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/Twitter/Cover/cover_twitter_android-420-90.jpg The lock screen replacement displays six apps contextually on users' devices based on their actions and locations. So if you're driving to work it might show Spotify and Google Maps, while if you're sitting at home it could swap Flipboard or Feedly in. The company says the app has been used by "hundreds of thousands" of people since October. Home sweet homeBut comparisons to Facebook Home are inevitable. The house that Zuckerberg built made a play at the Android lock screen early in 2013, turning users' lock screens into glorified Facebook feeds. It's not a bad-looking overlay, but its reception was not exactly overwhelmingly positive. It seems that won't stop Twitter from making its own play, though. "Twitter, like Cover, believes in the incredible potential of Android," Cover said. "They share our vision that smartphones can be a lot smarter - more useful and more contextual - and together we're going to make that happen. "We'll be building upon a lot of what makes Cover great, and we're thrilled to create something even better at Twitter." The existing Cover app will remain available in Google Play for now, but that might change as the companies' plans progress. These are the 10 best Android launchershttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/39170e98/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839892/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e98/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839892/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e98/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839892/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e98/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839892/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e98/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479839892/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e98/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ZPLnaAqodco

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Samsung/GalaxyF/Samsung_Galaxy_F_WindyLeak-470-75.jpgThe long wait for Samsung's latest flagship Android smartphone officially ends this Friday in select markets including the US, but the wait has only just begun for the company's next-generation handset with a 2K resolution display. BGR has rounded up some details on the so-called Samsung Galaxy F, which is widely rumored to become the Korean manufacturer's first foray into an ultra high-resolution screen capable of displaying 2560 x 1440 pixels. Although details have made the rounds prior to today, a pair of leaked images posted by Twitter user WindyLeak posted last Friday and yesterday would seem to confirm Samsung's plans for a 2K resolution display. While the actual device casing appears to be concealed from view, a fairly clear image posted Sunday nicely reveals the rumored 5.2-inch quad HD display expected to make its debut on the premium smartphone. F for fantasticSamsung's mythical Galaxy F first popped up on the radar last fall, when hopes of something other than a plastic shell for the new Galaxy S5 were seemingly dashed. That's because the Galaxy F is said to be housed in a metal frame housing a quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor and a whopping 3GB of RAM to help push all of those pixels onto the screen. Those specs, coupled with a rumored 16-megapixel rear camera, would make the Galaxy F a more premium device than even Samsung's coveted Galaxy S series, and presumably at an even higher price tag. Reports at the time pegged the Galaxy F launch for last month - a target date Samsung has clearly missed, but that could presumably be intended to provide the Galaxy S5 with a clear runway for its long-awaited April 11 release. Take a walk down memory lane with our review of the Samsung Galaxy S4!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/39170e9e/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839891/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e9e/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839891/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e9e/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839891/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e9e/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479839891/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e9e/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479839891/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39170e9e/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Ca07rofxxns

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/ecommerce/bitcoin%20pile-470-75.jpgIn the beginningBitcoin and other "crypto-currencies" have been touted by their followers as the money of the future. However, the last 12 months have shown the pluses and minuses of the technology. Crypto-currency is an attempt to replace money transactions with a digital medium of exchange using peer-to-peer networking. The first one, and still the most successful, was Bitcoin, which was created in 2009 by the mysterious developer "Satoshi Nakamoto." Bitcoin explained: what is Bitcoin?It was first suggested in 1998 by Wei Dai on the cypherpunks mailing list and it was built around a philosophy that money is any object accepted as payment. Virtual money, real impactThe idea is that you use cryptography to control the creation and transfer of money, rather than relying on central authorities. Since the success of Bitcoin, there have been others which are starting to make names for themselves such as Ripple, Litecoin, Peercoin, Mastercoin, Namecoin and Quarkcoin. Even publications like Arstechnica have come up with their own crypto-currencies. Many other crypto-currencies have just died because no one used them. Non-Bitcoin crypto currencies are collectively known as altcoins and they are more or less based on the same idea. Their success depends on how much "cash" (the total value of transactions) they have running around the peer-to-peer network (i.e the virtual economy). Since Bitcoin is open-source, anyone can develop their own crypto-currency using the same technology. A short lesson in scarcityBitcoins derive their value partly through their scarcity, which is defined by a cryptographic lottery. You can buy Bitcoins on online crypto currency exchanges or you can earn them through "mining." Bitcoin mining programs compute an encryption function called a "hash" on a set of random numbers. Coins are awarded every 10 minutes to whichever miner happens to compute a number below a certain threshold. A few years ago, Bitcoin mining was handled by standard PCs with powerful graphics cards, but as the hash difficulty has gone up, the only way to mine Bitcoins is to employ a Bitcoin ASIC, a chip that has been designed specifically for this task. This lottery favors those with the biggest and fastest machines and by 2014, there will be about 12 million Bitcoins in circulation. Note that the total number of Bitcoins in (virtual) circulation will never exceed 21 million because of the way the system was designed. As the Bitcoin network gets bigger, the hash gets more complex and miners, they get fewer Bitcoins for their trouble, hence they always need better hardware and higher Bitcoin prices to make it worthwhile. The running of this lottery is what powers the financial transactions behind the network. In theory, it means that it is highly secure, untraceable, fast, and practically free. Anonymity Guaranteed?However, the few years that it has been running as a currency have revealed a few flaws which show that Bitcoin is an efficient proof-of-work for transactions which is cheaper and faster than any other method. As a currency, it is not doing so well. For a currency to work, it needs to derive its value from efficiency and mainstream use. This is beginning to happen now with various online stores accepting Bitcoins and other crypto-currencies but is still widely regarded as a niche market. Unfortunately, it also makes it possible to launder money and buy illegal products. Since Bitcoins can be spent on the Internet without the use of a bank account, they offer a convenient system for anonymous purchases. Since there is no money stored anywhere, accounts can't be frozen by police or PayPal administrators. Nermin Hajdarbegovic, a freelance journalist and regular CoinDesk contributor, points out that Bitcoin should not be viewed as a currency, but rather as a low-friction payment technology that also happens to include its own currency. "As a payment service, as a decentralized network for low-cost transactions, it's pretty clever and promising for micro-transactions, remittances, content monetization and so on," said Hajdarbegovic. "As an everyday currency and a mainstream alternative to national currencies, Bitcoin has a fair share of shortcomings, especially on the regulatory front." Ideal for small transactionsThis makes Bitcoin useful for small electronic payments for things like magazines and in-app purchases, since it is difficult to transmit small amounts efficiently using existing payment systems. With a content monetization system based on the Bitcoin protocol, you could run up against a paywall, the site would display a WR code, and you would be able to scan it and pay $0.25 or even less to read to piece if you are interested. The same transaction with a credit card would cost a couple of dollars in fees. Goldman Sachs, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and UBS have published reports saying that the technology works, but implementing it without regulation is next to impossible. In its report entitled All About Bitcoin, Goldman Sachs said that crypto-currency was less vulnerable to cybercrime and was an "innovative payments technology but was unlikely to become a real currency unless it overcame some important problems." The biggest problem was the volatility of Bitcoin prices which exceeded the volatility of other currencies and gold. Because its supply was ultimately limited, prices will need to vary to accommodate shifts in demand, not the other way round. Unlike gold, Bitcoin also has no intrinsic value from alternative uses that could anchor its price. Goldman Sachs's view on the security of Bitcoin as a system also took a battering when in March, Mt. Gox, once the world's biggest Bitcoin exchanges, filed for bankruptcy after claiming it lost $400-million of its customers' Bitcoins following a hack attack. It turned out some were stored in an "old wallet". Not fit for business?As a currency, Bitcoin is not stable enough for most businesses. The value of a Bitcoin fluctuates dramatically and because there are no controls there is nothing to stop money vanishing if the price tanks. Bitcoin payment processors offer a way of getting around this problem, as they convert the transaction to hard currency almost instantaneously. Many companies want regulation to provide them with some security that they are not going to lose a fortune on it. The chief executive of the Bank of Montreal Bill Downe summed up the view of the financial industry that he would be open to dealing in Bitcoin transactions if the virtual currency becomes more clearly regulated. In Europe Yves Mersch, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank said digital currencies are still too small to have an impact on retail payments and central banks. The only danger to the financial system is that they do pose a risk for users, particularly those who have been using them for speculative investments. For now, the ECB is just keeping an eye on things rather than calling for new rules, Mersch said. European pressure for regulation appears to be coming from Europol, the European Union's top law enforcement agency. It wants greater powers to identify criminal activities online, including digital money laundering. Irish lawmaker Patrick O'Donovan has also called for a parliamentary probe into digital currencies and their effect on illicit financial transactions. Bitcoin's futureThere are some signs that governments are starting to look at regulations and this is clearly proving difficult. All these things will probably keep Bitcoin locked out of being a significant currency. Bitcoin's market capitalization currently stands at about $5.5 billion, which means the value of all Bitcoins on the market is less than the M2 money supply in Guatemala. Goldman Sachs thought it was more plausible that Bitcoin could have a significant impact in terms of its innovation on payments technology, "by forcing existing players to adapt to it or co-opt it." However, the report said that Bitcoin's "biggest hurdle" will be maintaining its cost advantage in the face of greater regulation, higher operating costs, and competition from entrenched players which are almost certain to come. Fitch Ratings came to a similar conclusion as It found that Bitcoin stands to lose much of its appeal if Bitcoin companies are forced to deal with the added cost of regulation, rendering the near frictionless Bitcoin network much less cost-effective than it is today. It seems that the sheer success of Bitcoin which seems to have jumped from a shadowy entity to an all-star one overnight has hurt its long term viability. Now read how the Internet of Things mines for Bitcoin rivalshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/391f2195/sc/36/mf.gifhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/YNgnNll6nSU

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/ecommerce/bitcoin%20pile-470-75.jpgIn the beginningBitcoin and other "crypto-currencies" have been touted by their followers as the money of the future. However, the last 12 months have shown the pluses and minuses of the technology. Crypto-currency is an attempt to replace money transactions with a digital medium of exchange using peer-to-peer networking. The first one, and still the most successful, was Bitcoin, which was created in 2009 by the mysterious developer "Satoshi Nakamoto." Bitcoin explained: what is Bitcoin?It was first suggested in 1998 by Wei Dai on the cypherpunks mailing list and it was built around a philosophy that money is any object accepted as payment. Virtual money, real impactThe idea is that you use cryptography to control the creation and transfer of money, rather than relying on central authorities. Since the success of Bitcoin, there have been others which are starting to make names for themselves such as Ripple, Litecoin, Peercoin, Mastercoin, Namecoin and Quarkcoin. Even publications like Arstechnica and local councils in the UK like Hull, have come up with their own crypto-currencies. Many other crypto-currencies have just died because no one used them. Non-Bitcoin crypto currencies are collectively known as altcoins and they are more or less based on the same idea. Their success depends on how much "cash" (the total value of transactions) they have running around the peer-to-peer network (i.e the virtual economy). Since Bitcoin is open-source, anyone can develop their own crypto-currency using the same technology. A short lesson in scarcityBitcoins derive their value partly through their scarcity, which is defined by a cryptographic lottery. You can buy Bitcoins on online crypto currency exchanges or you can earn them through "mining." Bitcoin mining programs compute an encryption function called a "hash" on a set of random numbers. Coins are awarded every 10 minutes to whichever miner happens to compute a number below a certain threshold. A few years ago, Bitcoin mining was handled by standard PCs with powerful graphics cards, but as the hash difficulty has gone up, the only way to mine Bitcoins is to employ a Bitcoin ASIC, a chip that has been designed specifically for this task. This lottery favours those with the biggest and fastest machines and by 2014, there will be about 12 million Bitcoins in circulation. Note that the total number of Bitcoins in (virtual) circulation will never exceed 21 million because of the way the system was designed. As the Bitcoin network gets bigger, the hash gets more complex and miners, they get fewer Bitcoins for their trouble, hence they always need better hardware and higher Bitcoin prices to make it worthwhile. The running of this lottery is what powers the financial transactions behind the network. In theory, it means that it is highly secure, untraceable, fast, and practically free. Anonymity Guaranteed?However, the few years that it has been running as a currency have revealed a few flaws which show that Bitcoin is an efficient proof-of-work for transactions which is cheaper and faster than any other method. As a currency, it is not doing so well. For a currency to work, it needs to derive its value from efficiency and mainstream use. This is beginning to happen now with various online stores accepting Bitcoins and other crypto-currencies but is still widely regarded as a niche market. Unfortunately, it also makes it possible to launder money and buy illegal products. Since Bitcoins can be spent on the Internet without the use of a bank account, they offer a convenient system for anonymous purchases. Since there is no money stored anywhere, accounts can't be frozen by police or PayPal administrators. Nermin Hajdarbegovic, a freelance journalist and regular CoinDesk contributor, points out that Bitcoin should not be viewed as a currency, but rather as a low-friction payment technology that also happens to include its own currency. "As a payment service, as a decentralised network for low-cost transactions, it's pretty clever and promising for micro-transactions, remittances, content monetisation and so on," said Hajdarbegovic. "As an everyday currency and a mainstream alternative to national currencies, Bitcoin has a fair share of shortcomings, especially on the regulatory front." Ideal for small transactionsThis makes Bitcoin useful for small electronic payments for things like magazines and in-app purchases, since it is difficult to transmit small amounts efficiently using existing payment systems. With a content monetisation system based on the Bitcoin protocol, you could run up against a paywall, the site would display a WR code, and you would be able to scan it and pay $0.25 or even less to read to piece if you are interested. The same transaction with a credit card would cost a couple of dollars in fees. Goldman Sachs, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and UBS have published reports saying that the technology works, but implementing it without regulation is next to impossible. In its report entitled All About Bitcoin, Goldman Sachs said that crypto-currency was less vulnerable to cybercrime and was an "innovative payments technology but was unlikely to become a real currency unless it overcame some important problems." The biggest problem was the volatility of Bitcoin prices which exceeded the volatility of other currencies and gold. Because its supply was ultimately limited, prices will need to vary to accommodate shifts in demand, not the other way round. Unlike gold, Bitcoin also has no intrinsic value from alternative uses that could anchor its price. Goldman Sachs's view on the security of Bitcoin as a system also took a battering when in March, Mt. Gox, once the world's biggest Bitcoin exchanges, filed for bankruptcy after claiming it lost $400-million of its customers' Bitcoins following a hack attack. It turned out some were stored in an "old wallet". Not fit for business?As a currency, Bitcoin is not stable enough for most businesses. The value of a Bitcoin fluctuates dramatically and because there are no controls there is nothing to stop money vanishing if the price tanks. Bitcoin payment processors offer a way of getting around this problem, as they convert the transaction to hard currency almost instantaneously. Many companies want regulation to provide them with some security that they are not going to lose a fortune on it. The chief executive of the Bank of Montreal Bill Downe summed up the view of the financial industry that he would be open to dealing in Bitcoin transactions if the virtual currency becomes more clearly regulated. In Europe Yves Mersch, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank said digital currencies are still too small to have an impact on retail payments and central banks. The only danger to the financial system is that they do pose a risk for users, particularly those who have been using them for speculative investments. For now, the ECB is just keeping an eye on things rather than calling for new rules, Mersch said. European pressure for regulation appears to be coming from Europol, the European Union's top law enforcement agency. It wants greater powers to identify criminal activities online, including digital money laundering. Irish lawmaker Patrick O'Donovan has also called for a parliamentary probe into digital currencies and their effect on illicit financial transactions. Bitcoin's futureThere are some signs that governments are starting to look at regulations and this is clearly proving difficult. All these things will probably keep Bitcoin locked out of being a significant currency. Bitcoin's market capitalisation currently stands at about $5.5bn, which means the value of all Bitcoins on the market is less than the M2 money supply in Guatemala. Goldman Sachs thought it was more plausible that Bitcoin could have a significant impact in terms of its innovation on payments technology, "by forcing existing players to adapt to it or co-opt it." However, the report said that Bitcoin's "biggest hurdle" will be maintaining its cost advantage in the face of greater regulation, higher operating costs, and competition from entrenched players which are almost certain to come. Fitch Ratings came to a similar conclusion as It found that Bitcoin stands to lose much of its appeal if Bitcoin companies are forced to deal with the added cost of regulation, rendering the near frictionless Bitcoin network much less cost-effective than it is today. It seems that the sheer success of Bitcoin which seems to have jumped from a shadowy entity to an all-star one overnight has hurt its long term viability. Now read how the Internet of Things mines for Bitcoin rivalshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3915ee9b/sc/36/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479835590/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3915ee9b/sc/36/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479835590/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3915ee9b/sc/36/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479835590/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3915ee9b/sc/36/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/194479835590/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3915ee9b/sc/36/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/194479835590/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3915ee9b/sc/36/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ZGX07FJFwrA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Android_TV_screenshot_leak_verge-470-75.jpgGoogle is preparing to put the Google TV era behind it and move forward with a new, more straightforward Android-flavoured venture, according to purported leaked documents published this weekend. The as-yet-unnanounced Android TV platform, according to the documents, aims to put content front and centre, rather than aim to transform television with the all encompassing bells and whistles approach. The documents obtained by The Verge, alongside images of the new platform, claim "Android TV is an entertainment interface, not a computing platform. "It's all about finding and enjoying content with the least amount of friction," which Google also claiming it'll be "cinematic, fun, fluid, and fast." Rejoining the packThe screenshots seem to show an interface that's similar to the Apple TV set top box, which runs on a version of iOS, with large, easy to navigate cards dominating the display. As well as the stock movie and TV apps, there'll also be all of those popular Android gaming and communication apps like Hangouts, according to the alleged screenshots. Judging by the images it appears Google has abandoned its plans to totally revolutionise television by integrating live TV and online on-demand content. If Android TV does come to fruition it seems Google is more than happy to rejoin the pack of streaming set top boxes. Hands on with the Amazon Fire TV set-top boxhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/390c4ea2/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360948789/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390c4ea2/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360948789/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390c4ea2/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360948789/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390c4ea2/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360948789/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390c4ea2/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360948789/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390c4ea2/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/FBt413VeE0k

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/What%20to%20do%20with%20an%20XP%20PC/feat_xp.eraser-470-75.jpgTime is fast running out for Windows XP. Microsoft is ceasing all official support for it from 8th April. What happens next? You can, of course, continue to use your PC and XP as before, but at increased risk to your security and privacy. Over time, support for your favourite apps will end too, so perhaps an alternative approach is called for. That approach obviously means moving on from Windows XP, either to a new version of Windows or even a completely different platform. But what does the future hold for your trusty old PC? Read on to find out what to do with it should you decide to finally part ways with XP. 1. Upgrade it to Windows 7 or 8If you're still attached to your old PC – perhaps for financial reasons – then ask if you might be able to upgrade it to a later version of Windows. The obvious candidates are Windows 7 and 8, because both will be familiar to you, and don't have demanding system requirements. If your PC has a 1GHz or faster processor, 1GB RAM, 20GB free hard drive space and a DirectX 9-compatible graphics card or chip, it'll work with the newer version of Windows. Performance won't be as fast as in XP, but it should be acceptable, particularly if you don't run too many programs at once. Before taking the plunge however, download and run either the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor or Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant to get a more detailed compatibility report – you may find the cost of upgrading or replacing different parts of your PC is more expensive than simply replacing it. 2. Replace itA new desktop PC with Windows 8 pre-installed can be purchased for under £265 (US$300, A$500). If you decide the end has come for your old Windows XP PC, make sure you dispose of it carefully and responsibly. Once your new PC is up and running, wait until you're happy you've transferred over all the documents, files and other data you need from your old PC before taking steps to securely shred all personal data from the drive. If you're planning to pass the computer on to someone else, use a free tool like Eraser to wipe sensitive files from the drive, then restore it to its factory settings before using Eraser to securely wipe any free space for added security. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/What%20to%20do%20with%20an%20XP%20PC/feat_xp.eraser-420-90.jpg If you plan to dispose of the computer, use Darik's Boot and Nuke tool to create a bootable CD that will completely wipe the drive of all data, allowing you to then either take it to your local recycling centre or pass it on to a charity such as Computers 4 Africa. 3. Switch to LinuxIf you're looking for a modern OS to replace XP that will run smoothly on your old PC, then Linux is the answer. We'd recommend that you choose Ubuntu as your Linux distribution of choice, and downloadthe latest LTS version, currently 12.04, which will be supported until 2017. It's relatively straightforward to install and you'll find our 25 Ubuntu tips for beginners piece a handy starting point. Look out for a switcher's guide in a future issue of Linux Format. 4. Your personal cloudOne way to keep your old PC working for a while longer is to convert it for use as a dedicated server of some kind. If it's a low-powered laptop, then a great use for it would be as your personal cloud device, allowing you to back up, archive and store documents and other files away from your new computer. Check out our guide to building a low-powered Linux-based file server, or take a look at ClearOS. 5. Build a media serverAnother possible use for your old PC could be as the focal hub for your videos, photos and music, collecting them together in one convenient central location and then piping them over the network (and wider internet) to other devices, including computers, tablets, phones and even smart TVs and set-top boxes. Check out our guide to building a Raspberry Pi server, substituting your old PC for the Pi. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/What%20to%20do%20with%20an%20XP%20PC/feat_xp.media-420-90.jpg 6. Convert it into a home security hubIf you've got a big hard drive installed and are willing to shell out £40-50 for a wireless security camera, you could convert your old PC into a dedicated CCTV system using Ubuntu Server and the free Zoneminder CCTV software following our guide. It's designed to run headless, which means you won't need to connect a monitor or keyboard/mouse to use it; instead you'll access the system through a web browser on another device to remotely administer it as well as take a peek at what the cameras have recorded. 7. Install a cloud-based OSThese days you'll find most of the apps and services you need for your day-to-day computing life can be found on the internet, so why not transform your ageing laptop, desktop or netbook into a cloud-based terminal using Joli OS? You can install it alongside Windows, but if you're ditching XP you may want to go the whole hog and download the ISO file for burning to CD. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/What%20to%20do%20with%20an%20XP%20PC/feat_xp.jolios-420-90.jpg Installation is simple, and you'll soon have access to all the services and apps you need through a lightweight, user-friendly alternative to Windows or Linux. 8. Host websites yourselfIf you're happy to leave your old PC on 24-7, you could turn it into a web server, letting you avoid the expense of paying for a web host and serving your website directly over your home internet connection. A tool like Turnkey Linux would allow you to do this without any software cost, but bear in mind you'll need a fast, unmetered broadband connection. You should also check your Internet Provider's T&Cs to make sure they allow this kind of use. 9. Gaming serverIf you're into your network gaming, pressing your old PC into service as a dedicated gaming server will take the load off your main PC and let it concentrate on delivering the best possible performance. A gaming server doesn't require any meaty graphics or much RAM, but a fast processor will be helpful if you plan to play against lots of other users. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/software/What%20to%20do%20with%20an%20XP%20PC/feat_xp.gaming-420-90.jpg Depending on the age of your PC, you may find it's not capable of handling large numbers of players, while the speed of your broadband connection (as well as your ISP's T&Cs) may hobble any plans you have to play over the internet. But for small-scale gaming parties where three or four of you fancy shooting the heck out of each other using a classic game like Counter-Strike or Unreal Tournament, your old PC may be just the ticket, particularly if the game in question runs on Linux, allowing you to ditch XP at the same time. 94 Windows 7 tips, tricks and secretshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/39043a54/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360648983/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39043a54/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360648983/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39043a54/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360648983/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39043a54/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360648983/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39043a54/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360648983/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/39043a54/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/vSBkjAU33D0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Samsung/Samsung_Windows_Phone-470-75.jpgApparently not content with its wide lead in the Android Market or having its own Tizen OS backup plan, Samsung appears to be making up for lost time with a second new handset, this time running the latest version of Microsoft's smartphone operating system. SamMobile caught wind today that Samsung plans to follow up its just-announced ATIV SE Windows Phone 8 flagship smartphone for Verizon Wireless with a second device a little further down the food chain. Billed as the Samsung ATIV Core, the as-yet unannounced handset is said to be the Korean manufacturer's first to run the forthcoming Windows Phone 8.1, which Microsoft finally made official during this week's Build developer conference. The handset is reportedly far enough along the supply chain that it could land in stores around the same time as Nokia's latest devices next month - but unless the pricing is rock-bottom, the specs may keep Windows Phone 8.1 fans from jumping on board. Fair to middlingWhile Samsung's ATIV SE offers Verizon customers a pretty sweet assortment of Windows Phone 8-enabled technology, ATIV Core appears to be aimed at the less-discriminating buyer. The report details a 4.5-inch display with a 720p resolution, 1GB of RAM and 2100mAh battery, although there's no firm details on what kind of processing power is behind ATIV Core. ATIV Core's camera may hold more promise, with tipsters offering contradicting claims of either 8MP or 13MP resolution, which will probably wind up on the lower end of that spectrum. No word on carriers, pricing or other launch details have turned up yet, but with Windows Phone 8.1 apparently headed to developers on April 14, these details should start rolling out in short order. Don't forget to check out our review of the new Samsung Galaxy S5!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/390029ea/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360632080/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390029ea/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360632080/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390029ea/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360632080/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390029ea/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360632080/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390029ea/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360632080/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/390029ea/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/SkyyqKXDGIs

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/AU%20News/GoogleOpinionRewards-470-75.jpgGoogle has finally opened up its Google Opinion Rewards app for Aussies, Canadians and those in the UK, letting you earn Play store credit by answering surveys. The app first appeared in the US late last year, offering users Google Play store credit for every survey completed. The surveys are pretty quick with between one to three questions asked, and for every survey completed, Google Play store says you can receive up to the local equivalent of US$1, though you'll mostly encounter rewards of about 25 cents. Cheap moneyAfter downloading the app, the setup is fairly quick, with the app asking you to log in with your Google account. Then you'll need to enter your gender, age group, post code and occupation, as well as a handful of other questions before you can start earning Play credit. The app will send you a notification when a new survey becomes available, but with surveys appearing about once a week, don't expect to earn enough credit to, for example, offset your in-app purchasing habits. Still, it's a nice way of getting some Google Play credit by doing very little. The app can be downloaded in Australia, Canada and the UK from today. Here's what you should expect from Google in 2014Via: Ausdroid http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38fe462e/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.pnghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/giLPPgGUHzM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Novauris%20works%20on%20Siri-470-75.jpgApple must be feeling some pressure from Cortana's big reveal at Microsoft Build as it has now bought Novauris Technologies to help improve it improve Siri. Apple quietly acquired Novauris Technologies, a company specializing in the automatic speech recognition field, which originally spun off from the team that developed Nuance's Dragon naturally speaking software. TechCrunch reported that the Cupertino company actually bought up Novauris last year but the purchase was not publicly announced until now. Since last fall the team has been working to improve Siri, Apple's speech-based personal assistant. Before being acquired the Novauris team was already working on its own large-vocabulary, automatic speech recognition technology to access information stored on mobile devices themselves or remote servers. This same system is likely being integrated into Siri for an improved version we might see come with iOS 8 at WWDC 2014 this June 2. The best virtual secretaryApple later confirmed that it did purchase Novauris with TechCrunch. However, the iPhone maker also noted that it buys smaller technology companies from time to time but it had no interest in discussing the purpose or plans behind the acquisition. What comes out of Apple bulking up its team of voice recognition experts remains uncertain, but it's becoming clear that Apple's virtual assistant is lagging behind the competition. With Google Now on Android, and now Cortana, it's becoming plainly obvious a digital assistant needs to do more than understand a users voice command and reply with punchy one-liners. The software also needs to learn to adapt to your schedule and life style. Google Now cards already predict information you need ahead of time such as commuting times and spotting restaurants around the corner. Cortana, meanwhile, made its debut overshadowing Windows Phone 8.1 with its ability to plug into third-party apps – an ability Siri does not have. What's more the "UNSC battle AI" from Halo will check back with your calendar and note any scheduling conflicts rather than listening and marking down every appointment without another thought. Cortana also let users set people reminders such as a note to ask about their sister's dog the next time she calls. Meet the Nokia Lumia 930, one of the very first Windows Phone 8.1 deviceshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38f67753/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360852326/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f67753/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360852326/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f67753/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360852326/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f67753/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360852326/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f67753/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360852326/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f67753/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/bE_pOyeqG24

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Twitter/Vine/vine_private_message-470-75.jpgVine has pushed out a new feature that lets users send one another private, direct messages. Given that Vine is owned by Twitter, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Now users can communicate directly with their friends using short videos and text messages without needing to broadcast their karaoke night or striptease to everyone who follows them. Because sometimes, just sending someone a text isn't enough, and you need to say it with video. Tap and holdTo reply to a Vine video message you only need to tap and hold on the screen, much like recording a Vine in the first place. With the privacy conversation more heated than ever its no surprise that Vine is following the lead of services like Twitter and Instagram in setting up private messages. Interestingly, Vine users can send private videos to anyone in their Vine network or contacts list, even if the recipient doesn't use Vine. But you need to verify your phone number with Vine to send messages to users who don't follow you, and they'll be able to easily ignore those messages, as they appear in a separate inbox. And you can send a private Vine message to multiple users, but the service currently does not support group messaging, so you'll get multiple one-on-one convos instead. Vine messaging is available now in the latest version of the Vine app on iOS and Android. 'Post your porn elsewhere,' says Vinehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38f669b2/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360850576/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f669b2/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360850576/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f669b2/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360850576/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f669b2/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360850576/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f669b2/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360850576/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f669b2/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/pyP89dFc__c

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Sony/XperiaZ2/Xperia%20Z2%20hands%20on/SonyXperiaZ2%20(34)-470-75.JPGThe launch of any new smartphone is newsworthy, but when it's the followup to one of Sony's most popular Xperia models, the arrival is likely to be hailed by Android fans even in far away lands such as Singapore. Sony Mobile Singapore announced on their Facebook page this week that the manufacturer's latest Xperia Z2 smartphone will be touching down at three different carriers this Saturday, April 4. The shiny new handset will be available in Singapore this weekend from M1, Singtel and Starhub, who will all be offering a free Sony Smartband wearable for each customer who picks up an Xperia Z2, while supplies last. While the announcement likely comes as good news to Xperia fans, exactly how much the devices will cost remains a mystery until the Saturday launch, when each of the three carriers will reveal pricing details. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/Sony/XperiaZ2/Xperia_Z2_preorder-420-90.jpg World tourAccording to Sony Mobile's Singapore website, the Xperia Z2 will be available locally in May unlocked and carrier-free for SG$998 (about US$790, UK£476, AU$856) through Sony Stores and Sony Centres. On Monday, Sony announced plans to bring the Xperia Z2 to North America, but curiously left Americans out of the picture with its plans to launch on Canada's Bell network next month. The US delay appears to stem from manufacturing problems that have kept the Xperia Z2 from rolling out globally as quickly as Sony would probably prefer, much to the frustration of Xperia fans everywhere. Sony launched the Xperia Z2 at this year's Mobile World Congress, following up the success of the earlier version with a tasty new 5.2-inch model a mere five months after debuting the Xperia Z1. Get your game on with our full review of Sony's PlayStation 4!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38f54f78/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360847140/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f54f78/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360847140/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f54f78/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360847140/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f54f78/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360847140/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f54f78/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360847140/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38f54f78/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/V4QDjCu-NCI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/av_accessories/AmazonFireTV-470-75.pngAmazon Fire TV: UK detailsYou can ignore the name - the Amazon Fire TV is not a TV, it's a set-top box that brings smart TV-like features to any screen. The name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it, but the new box is currently rolling off the assembly lines and shipping to customers in the US of A across the pond. It's not out in the UK yet though, but we'll get to that. The device was announced by Amazon in New York on April 2, and a significant amount of time was spent demoing its 1080p capabilities while Amazon compared its creation favourably against its direct competitors - namely the Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku 3 and Roku Streaming Stick. Here's everything we know so far about the UK version of the Amazon Fire TV: Amazon Fire TV: UK priceAmazon Fire TV is currently on sale in the US for $99 which is precisely £59.60 in the olde worlde. Frankly, though, we doubt this price conversion will hold up when it comes to the UK. As a direct competitor to Apple TV and Roku 3, it's far more likely to be priced a little closer to the £99 that it costs to buy one of Apple and Roku's set-top boxes. That's still the sweet spot for new streaming platforms shared by everyone except the Google Chromecast right now. Chromecast, of course, costs just £30 but it's a far more basic proposition to the Amazon Fire TV, so whether you end up deciding to buy one or the other will absolutely depend on what you're specifically looking to get out of it. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/av_accessories/AmazonFireTV_Side_Popcorn-420-90.jpg Amazon Fire TV: UK release dateAmazon surprised pretty much everyone when it annouced that the Fire TV would launch immediately in the US. It's currently available to buy and can ship to any State-side address with Amazon's convenient Prime two-day free shipping service. However, there's no word on a UK release date yet or any hint at when we might be treated to such details by Amazon. TechRadar has been invited to an Amazon Kindle/Prime event in London on April 16 so it's possible we'll hear more then, but we're not holding our breath. Amazon Fire TV: specsAmazon Fire TV has the same compact form factor as the Apple TV and Roku 3, but it's reportedly packing three times as much processing power and four times as much memory. It's powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8064 system-on-a-chip which is coupled to a Krait 300 1.7 Ghz quad-core processor and a dedicated Adreno 320 GPU. That's quite a lot of power for what is essentially a little streaming box So that'll be good for full HD video without breaking a sweat, then. 4K though? Unlikely in version 1, sadly. Along with 2GB of RAM, these components will of course also be able to play any 3D Android game to the best of Android's abilities and the Amazon Fire TV also includes dual-band MIMO WiFi for super-speedy streaming, a feature matched only by the dual-core Roku 3. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Amazon%20April%202014%20video%20event/amazon-fire-tv-dimensions-420-100.jpg Amazon Fire TV: connectivityAmazon chose to launch its first streaming hardware as a set-top box instead of going with the emerging trend of designing a thumb-drive-sized stick like Chromecast or the Roku Streaming Stick. There are some advantages to this decision. On the outside, Amazon is able to fit more ports and supply living room dwellers with more connectivity options. HDMI-out, optical audio out, Ethernet and a USB port adorn the back of the Amazon Fire TV. You won't find an Ethernet port on a dinky streaming stick which could be a problem for anyone without a robust wireless network at home. Amazon Fire TV: uk appsAmazon Instant Video will obviously be leading the way, which is a big deal for subscribers to the service as its not available natively on Apple TV or Chromecast. But Amazon is also inviting outside competitors into its "open ecosystem." In the US this equates to Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Crackle, iHeart Radio and YouTube. The US version does also have Showtime Anytime (but not HBO Go) so when Amazon Fire TV launches in the UK, you can probably expect the likes of BBC iPlayer and 4OD to be part of the package. But until we get word from Amazon, we can't say for sure. http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/av_accessories/Amazon%20Fire%20TV/Review/amazonfiretv-6-420-100.jpg Amazon Fire TV: remoteAmazon has proven that the TV remote control isn't going extinct just yet, despite the fact that Chromecast does away with the accessory in favor of an iOS or Android smartphone. Amazon Fire TV sticks with the physical remote control while taking the age-old accessory to the next level with voice search, similar to what the likes of Sony was doing with the Google TV platform before it sank without a trace. A tiny dual digital microphone with noise suppression technology has been integrated into the remote, enabling you to call out TV shows, movies, actors, directors and genres. Amazon's "less search, more watching" mantra does away with the need to hunt down every letter in a movie title or person's name, though that's still available via its 5-way directional button remote. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/av_accessories/amazon%20fire%20tv%20controller-420-90.jpg Amazon Fire TV: gamingAnother Amazon-exclusive is game support with an actual controller and the promise of thousands of games by the time it comes out in the UK. The dedicated Amazon Fire TV controller looks quite similar to an Xbox One gamepad. It's slightly elongated and contains video playback buttons in addition to game buttons. This dual analog controller is priced separately at $39.99 in the US, which works out at about £24. Word is that games will be (almost?) as cheap as they are on mobile devices. Minecraft Pocket Edition, Asphalt 8, The Game of Life and Amazon Game Studios' own Sev Zero are being highlighted by the company for the device's launch. Amazon is also touting partnerships with EA, Disney, Ubisoft and Double Fine Productions so that it can take its 100-plus launch games to 1,000 in a matter of 30 days. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Amazon%20April%202014%20video%20event/sev-zero-amazon-fire-tv-game-420-100.jpg Amazon Fire TV: what about the kids?The Amazon FreeTime feature which comes built in to the Fire TV is designed to limit content that children can access, and it will go beyond just filtering out 18-rated movies. These kiddie custom profiles encompass movies, TV shows, apps and games and parents are able to set daily screen limits. Kids are about to grow up with parents insisting "I didn't turn off the TV, Amazon did it." Interestingly, Amazon has chosen to charge $2.99 a month (about £1.80) for what it calls an "enhanced FreeTime Unlimited service". Intended for kids ages 3 to 8, it supplies content from Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, PBS Kids and other similar stations. Whether this service is part of the UK package remains to be seen. Amazon Fire TV: UK reviewWe'll bring you a UK review of the Amazon Fire TV just as soon as we're able, but in the meantime if you want to get a flavour of how the device works in the real world, check out our first look review of the US version: Hands on: Amazon Fire TV review

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/cortanaleak2-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has finally unveiled Cortana, it's Siri-competitor, but we won't see her pop up in devices until some time in 2015. Named after the artificial intelligence character in the Halo video game series, Cortana goes up against Google Now and Apple's Siri, sitting somewhere between the two. It is powered by Bing, has a bit of a personality like Siri, and can pull data from resources like Foursquare and elsewhere for contextual awareness like Gogle Now. You'll be able to use Cortana to schedule reminders, set alarms and translate voice to text, but it will also have support for third-party apps like Facebook and Skype. Cortana will even show emotion. Windows Phone 8.1But while Cortana looks to make Windows Phone platform rival the prowess of Android and iOS, it will only begin to start rolling out in beta form as part of the Window Phone 8.1 update in the US from April or May. A full version of Cortana will roll out in the second half of the year, with Microsoft only saying that the release will expand into the UK and China by the end of 2014. As for when we'll see it in Australia, it likely won't be until 2015. That said, we probably won't be the last country that Cortana rolls out to, but with Bing not having the strongest presence in Australia, the wait could end up being over a year long. Thankfully, we will at least see Windows Phone 8.1 on Aussie shores sooner than thathttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38ed8f0d/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360879064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38ed8f0d/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360879064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38ed8f0d/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360879064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38ed8f0d/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360879064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38ed8f0d/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360879064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38ed8f0d/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/6gcaYJ4GCXA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Google/nexus5/Nexus%205%20Review/nexus-5-review-50-470-75.jpgGoogle may be plotting a new premium support initiative centred around selected Android devices, according to rumours on Wednesday. AndroidPolice has obtained internal Google documents explaining an 'Android Silver' programme, which could feature a maximum of five devices running the latest version of Android, and very few UI changes. Those who sign up, according to the report, would be entitled to set-up support from well-trained staff at carrier stores, as well as help transferring data and making their first purchase on the Play Store. After leaving the store, Android Silver members would have access to a Hangout Assistant (like Amazon's Mayday) who could answer questions and troubleshoot problems 24/7, the leaked document says. Never LostThe rumour, which purportedly originates from documents shown to Google employees in December, also speaks of a Never Lost feature, which would allow Android Silver members to track and wipe their device. Beyond that, the suggested Never Lost feature would help users navigate back to their lost device, remote back up data and even offer a loaner phone until the old one could be found or replaced. The concierge-style service is by no means certain to happen. The originator of the report gives it a "6/10" in the rumour stakes, but it's certainly interesting to see Google thinking about upping its support game. The insistence on up to date Android and limited UI changes could perhaps encourage OEMs to act promptly when pushing updates, in order to be part of Google's premium range. That of course, would help to ease Android's problem with crippling fragmentation. Right now, it all remains conjecture. Interesting conjecture, but conjecture nonetheless. Android is coming to your wrist, so you better get learned on Google Wearhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38eb2207/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869496/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb2207/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869496/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb2207/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869496/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb2207/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869496/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb2207/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360869496/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb2207/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/_0XXXX1nnO4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/WP8/In%20pictures/Win8_05_Press-470-75.jpgDuring the Build 2014 conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Microsoft CVP Joe Belfiore pulled the curtain back on the much-rumored, long awaited Windows Phone 8.1 update. Set to launch in the coming months on existing handsets and packed into upcoming models, Windows Phone 8.1 looks and sounds like much more than a "point update." This could have easily been dubbed "Windows Phone 9." Here's what's new and different in Windows Phone 8.1: Cortana jacks into Windows PhoneWindows Phone 8.1 marks the launch of Microsoft's voice recognition and Bing-powered mobile personal assistant, Cortana. Named after the artificial intelligence that has followed the titular Halo protagonist, Master Chief, around for years, Cortana is basically Microsoft's answer to Google Now on Android 4.4 Kitkat and Siri on iOS 7. On stage, Belfiore pitched Cortana not only as the most important change to Windows Phone, but as "the world's first truly personal assistant," with an emphasis on "personal". Cortana is designed to use both Bing and your phone's internal data – such as contacts, calendar and more – to build a personal relationship with users, to get to know them. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%208/windowsphone8-1cortana-420-90.jpg Cortana can handle all the basic tasks you would expect from a voice-powered tool, like scheduling reminders, setting up alarms and translating voice to text. But Microsoft has baked in support for third-party apps, too, like Facebook, Hulu and Skype. Now, you can check in on Facebook friends, load up your Hulu Plus queue and initiate calls with your voice. When Windows Phone 8.1 launches, Cortana will have a "beta" tag until Microsoft sends Cortana to UK and Chinese Windows Phone devices in the "second half of 2014." Action Center leaps into … you knowAt last, Windows Phone catches up to the competition with its very own drawer of quick settings. Microsoft calls this the "Action Center," but it's essentially an answer to what Android has offered for several versions and what Apple introduced with iOS 7. This settings drawer of sorts offers simple access to control over Wi-Fi, Flight Mode, the Bluetooth radio and interface rotation lock. You'll also see notifications from all of your apps within Action Center, in case you missed them on their Live Tiles. Even more personal Live TilesMicrosoft has finally opened up support for three columns of Live Tiles, Microsoft's name for the interactive elements of its mobile operating system, to handsets of all sizes. But more importantly, you can now choose a "Start background." http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%208/windowsphone8-1livetiles-420-90.jpg This feature allows users to choose a single image that will appear across and behind all of their Live Tiles, sort of like a sliced up photo. However, this effect only applies to a certain number of tiles. Nevertheless, "Start background" makes for a super stylish look to your home screen. Swyping a winning keyboardThanks to a tool that Microsoft has dubbed its "Word Flow Keyboard," Windows Phone now support swipe typing. Popularized by the fan-favorite Swype keyboard on Android, this allows you to more easily type one-handed by gliding your fingers along the virtual keys rather than tap. This might have earned Redmond campus the Guinness World Record for swipe typing – do these give these out for anything these days? – but Android still did it first. Regardless, there's clearly some merit to second place. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%208/windowsphone8-1skype-420-90.jpg Skype meets FaceTime head-onWith Windows Phone 8.1, you can start a Skype video call right from within a standard phone call just by tapping the corresponding icon. It seems quite similar to what iOS users can do through Apple's FaceTime, though it works with Cortana as well. Regardless, we'll have to see how this works when calling Android and iOS users. Action shots get easier with Burst ModeJust like on some Android phones, Windows Phone devices can now shoot images in Burst Mode, meaning the camera can take several shots with a single button press. Given the focus on the camera for many of these handsets, this should provide a much-wanted boost to Microsoft's mobile camera software. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%208/windowsphone8-1lockscreen-420-90.jpg Additional improvementsOn top of these marquee upgrades, Microsoft fleshed out its Data Sense, Wi-Fi Sense, Storage Sense and Battery Saver tools to grant more control over those aspects of your phone. Of course, they're all designed to save, whether that be saved battery life, saved storage, or saved data. Plus, you can now project the contents of your phone's display to a PC, TV or projector over USB as well as Miracast on some supported devices. Xbox Music has been refreshed as well, separating music, video and podcasts into dedicated apps with additional functionality. There's plenty more to see in Windows Phone 8.1, like improvements to Internet Explorer 11 (such as InPrivate browsing), Calendar (like a week view option) and further syncing between your Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices (right down to the color scheme). So, yeah, it will be worth the upgrade. Check out the rest of our Build 2014 coveragehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38eb220c/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869495/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb220c/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869495/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb220c/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869495/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb220c/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360869495/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb220c/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360869495/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38eb220c/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/GFQ_F1jR8hg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Microsoft%20Build%202014/Keynote-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has taken the wraps off Windows Phone 8.1, the next edition of its mobile OS, at Build 2014. The update comes complete with an Action Center, as was widely rumored. CVP Joe Belfiore introduced the new center, highlighting its ability to keep users informed of what's going on with their phone, such as better battery life readings. Perhaps most importantly of all, Windows Phone 8.1 breathes life into Cortana, Microsoft's new personal assistant. She's powered by Bing, and replaces the search function on Windows Phone. Belfiore demoed Cortana on stage, showing off her ability to set reminders, read text messages, find search results (like the best Mexican restaurants in Palo Alto) and much more. Belfiore explained that with user permission, Cortana will read users emails, gaining access to info like flight schedules. Personalizing Windows PhonePersonalization is clearly a big focus with the update, and Belfiore even said that the changes in store are all about personalizing the mobile phone experience. Users will also be able to customize their lock screen as well as their live tile themes. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Microsoft%20Build%202014/live%20tiles-420-90.jpg With Windows Phone 8.1, users will also be able to choose what they're on-screen start screen look like. There are also a number of apps getting an update with Windows Phone 8.1, including Skype. We're getting details as they come in, so stay tuned for more. More to follow... http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38e892d8/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860941/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d8/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860941/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d8/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860941/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d8/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860941/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d8/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360860941/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d8/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/RvYRV4HsHOw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Microsoft%20Build%202014/Cortana1-470-75.jpgMicrosoft began its Build 2014 conference with an announcement that we've been expecting for a while: there's a Siri rival built into Windows Phone 8.1, and its name is Cortana. Cortana is also the name of the artificial intelligence character in the Halo video game series, of course, and Microsoft is taking full advantage of that fact. Corporate Vice President of Operating Systems Group Joe Belfiore introduced the virtual personal assistant, asking her whether she likes her name and her appearance, to which she replied that she resembles, among other things, "a halo." Good one, Microsoft. Cortana gets her own live tile in Windows Phone 8.1., but that's only one way to access her - she also replaces the search function in the mobile OS. A leg upUsers interact with Cortana with natural voice commands and requests, Belfiore demonstrated. You can also type complex requests directly to her. "Like a real personal assistant, she's good at handling your communications and your calendar," he said. "She's also good at helping you learn things." He asked her about calendar entries and added items to his to-do list, and she informed him about a conflict in his calendar. Cortana even asks your permission to read your email, Belfiore said - unlike the NSA. More importantly, Cortana can also be "extended" by third-party apps - unlike Siri. Belfiore asked Cortana about Mexican restaurants, to which she replied using data from Yelp. He also showed off "people reminders," by which the virtual assistant can identify certain people and perform contextual functions. For example Belfiore asked her to remind him of something whenever he talks to "my sister," and said Cortana would then pipe up if he texted, emailed, called, or otherwise interacted with the person she identifies as his sister. Beta bluesBelfiore revealed that Cortana will launch as a beta - there were a few hiccups during the demo, when she misinterpreted or misheard some of Belfiore's commands. So maybe she's not all that different from Siri after all. Developing… http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38e892d9/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860940/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d9/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860940/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d9/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860940/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d9/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360860940/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d9/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360860940/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38e892d9/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/VMtSNggUYXQ

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/HTC/HTC%20One%20Mini/Hands%20on%202/P1010956-470-75.JPGGoogle has been steadily improving the camera for the Nexus 5 and soon it might turn its attention to give all Android users some much-needed improvements. An insider aware of Google's plans confirmed with Engadget that the search company is testing a new version of the built-in camera app. The source said the new camera will come with a refreshed user interface and a 100-percent viewfinder. This means users snapping away smartphone photos and videos will be able to see a completely uncropped version of exactly what they're capturing through the sensor on the screen before they hit the shutter button. The camera app Android deservesThe same source also highlighted several improvements including one that will add a background-blurring effect for portrait pictures. In this effect, Android phones will create photos that simulate the shallow depth of field and bokeh effect of large aperture lenses. Higher-resolution panorama and Photo Sphere modes are also purported to be included with this next camera update. What's more the search company will supposedly open up the camera app with support for third-party filters. If it really happens, this would allow developers and die-hard smartphone shooters to create and import custom effects to the official camera app. Camera Improvements for allWhile the spread of different Android versions is still pretty mixed with some devices still running older versions of Android KitKat, the Google insider indicate that the new camera app will come separately. Supposedly any non-Nexus owners using an phone running Android 4.4 or higher will be able to take advantage of the improvements. The alleged software patch for the camera will come sepearte from the rumored Android 4.4.3 update we reported on last week. Last Thursday, we heard the next version of KitKat would only provide a small fix to remove the Nexus 5's blue tint issues with many other features still remaining unknown. The new HTC One (M8) has a pretty nifty dual-sensor camera, see what it can do in our reviewhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38deca54/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360742904/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38deca54/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360742904/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38deca54/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360742904/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38deca54/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193360742904/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38deca54/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193360742904/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38deca54/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/qT4JZO5Gy9Q

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/App%20Store%20apps-470-75.jpgiPad Air and iPhone 5S owners, you might want to go and binge at the app store today. Apple has sent an email to developers that it is increasing the pricing tiers for apps in several countries, including Australia. The increases, according to Apple, are to account for changes in foreign exchange rates, and will also hit the Indian Rupee, Indonesian Rupiah, Turkish Lira and South African Rand. On the upside, Israeli Shekels and some price tiers in New Zealand dollars will actually see a price drop. 24 hours to bingeApple has stated that the changes would happen within 24 hours, meaning there isn't a huge amount of time for iOS users to save money at the current rate. It's the first change we've seen in Australia since 2011, when the price of apps dropped due to the strong Australian dollar. While there's no indication of exactly how much of a price increase we can expect to see, it's unlikely to be a substantial shift given the relative value of the Australian dollar at the moment. Via: MacRumors http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/38d663e8/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193359644316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38d663e8/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193359644316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38d663e8/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193359644316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38d663e8/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/193359644316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38d663e8/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/193359644316/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/38d663e8/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/d18MbJbQHjs