sincity

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Window%208.1%20Taskbar-470-75.jpgAs Windows 9 slowly makes its way towards reveal, Microsoft is still working the kinks out of Windows 8.1. The latest fix? A potentially improved merge of Metro apps with the regular Desktop. Russian leaker WZor published some new screens possibly showing the upcoming Windows 8.1 Update 1. The grabs reveal Metro apps pinned to the taskbar, plus a new option to "Show Store apps on the taskbar." These Desktop additions aren't earth-shattering, but they do mark a shift to finally mash together the duality of Windows 8.1 and future Microsoft operating systems. Currently users have to pane back over to the tiled Start Menus to access apps like Calendar or Microsoft Word. Meanwhile, there's no way to simply create a desktop shortcut to Metro apps. Bringing back Windows to Windows Bringing more apps to the taskbar isn't the first desktop oriented transition we've seen Microsoft make to Metro. Back in December we reported the Start Menu would return with Windows 9 to show the old program list instead of the tiled look in 8.1. Codenamed Threshold, the new OS is also slated to allow users to display Metro apps in a windowed mode instead of always being full-screen. As it stands Windows 8.1 is two-part operating system. There's Desktop mode, which looks like good old Windows 7, and there's Modern mode to display full screen, touch-friendly apps off of the Windows Store. We're drawing ever closer to Microsoft Build 2014, where Windows 9 will likely be revealed. So far it looks like this odd-numbered OS is a keeper, so stay tuned as we draw closer to the dev conference. Looking back at Macs, here's 30 years of Apple's legendary PC lineage.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/363ac139/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/187556714259/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363ac139/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556714259/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363ac139/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556714259/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363ac139/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556714259/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363ac139/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187556714259/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363ac139/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/DzThw3F5uD4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Abstract/Lock%20on%20keyboard%20button/iStock_000002900430Small-bluestocking-470-75.jpgSplashData has released the 2014 edition of its list of the 25 most common passwords found on the internet this week. In a momentous victory, and having been in the shadow of 'password' since the data was first collated, '123456' has finally reached the top spot as most used password on the internet. Among the top ten are 'abc123', '123456789', 'iloveyou' and '111111'. A number in the top 25 are program specific, with registering consumers using passwords like 'adobe123'. Although SplashData's results offer a light-hearted look at the lethargic views some people have of their password-protected software and their use of overly simple codes like 'qwerty' and 'letmein', there should be a more important lesson for businesses. Common password, greater riskPasswords that are weaker are likely to be broken by brute-force attacks, where hackers gain access by rapidly guessing possible password combinations. When encrypted passwords are stolen, weaker ones are usually quick to follow as cracking software becomes more intricate and effective and hardware like GPGPU more powerful. Add in the potential use of cloud-based services and you have an explosive combination. The topic of rolling password updates in the workplace has been under debate recently, especially with the rise of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Employees losing their own hardware with sensitive data on them should be a real concern for businesses. Use of common passwords is one of the greatest risks to data security. Most people have one or two passwords they use regularly, usually with variations of numbers attached to the end when forced to renew them. All it takes is for a user to log into an unsafe conduit, such as a forum, and hackers might take their registered password, used for every account, and within a few hours have complete access to everything that was once secure. Operating a BYOD business? Here's some security tips from TechRadarhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/363483cd/sc/46/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/187556674318/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363483cd/sc/46/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556674318/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363483cd/sc/46/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556674318/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363483cd/sc/46/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556674318/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363483cd/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187556674318/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/363483cd/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/TLLISqDUkRI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Windows%209/windows-9-470-75.JPGInformation provided by Windows leaker WZOR claims that Microsoft will launch Windows 9 in October this year. This new hint contradicts previous rumours that suggested Windows 8.1 would get an upgrade called GDR1 and debut alongside Windows Phone 8.1 at the Build 2014 conference. Windows 9 was originally thought to be part of the a set of products to be released in Spring 2015 along with Windows Phone 9 and an upgrade for the Xbox One. Windows 8's final curtain?The new rumour throws into question the authenticity of the GDR1 upgrade for Windows 8.1 (which could have actually been Windows 8.2) if a whole new operating system is just around the corner. Equally, it signals that Windows 8 isn't working as a platform. With unremarkable sales, the enduring popularity of its predecessors and even its own employees lambasting it, the arrival of Windows 9 later this year will possibly be the death knell for Microsoft's experimental OS. There are no additional details regarding an October launch apart from the information provided by WZOR, but it is certainly a possibility. Microsoft communications chief Frank Shaw said in January that there was a "a cadence" to the updates, suggesting an October release might not be wholly out of the question. All of this information should be taken with a pinch of salt, obviously. Speculation and rumour will either be quashed or backed up when Microsoft steps up to the stage at Build in April. Via: Softpedia Has Microsoft been paying OEMs to support Windows Phone?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/362e82e4/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/186529306755/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362e82e4/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529306755/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362e82e4/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529306755/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362e82e4/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529306755/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362e82e4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529306755/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362e82e4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/YHheyJblijs

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Abstract/Laptop%20locked%20up/iStock_000015911331Small-Bet_Noire-470-75.jpgTo maintain relevance in a landscape where most workers are mobile, Data Loss Prevention technology must move from the server to the endpoint. If you are unable to monitor data movement because a device is off the network, then you put corporate data at a greater risk. Key ConsiderationsInvest in DLP technology that extends to the endpoint. Without it, you will only be able to secure a small subset of data stored on devices that are never off the networkKnow your users. Qualify user access to data based on their role within the company and investigate if someone is accessing data that is outside of their authority. Hopefully your DLP solution integrates well with Active Directory so that this organisational infrastructure can be easily importedKnow your data. Work with senior management, HR, legal, and any other stakeholders to determine the types of data that must be securedQuantify the risk. Once the different categories of data have been identified, rank each group based on sensitivity and potential impact to the organisationDesign appropriate security protocols. Some categories of data may require a cautionary approach from IT while other types of data may need to be locked down completely. Build a protocol that applies an appropriate response based on the significance of the dataAnalyse data activity. Patterns of activity may signal a potential security incident. Perform regular analyses of data movementRegulatory compliance. With the above criteria in place, you should be able to respond immediately (and appropriately) to any data security incident that may arise relative to data movement. It's important to record the response and the ultimate result to prove your compliance with corporate and government regulationsStephen Midgley oversees all aspects of global marketing and product management at Absolute Software including corporate communications, product marketing, demand generation, and the company's presence on the web.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/362de7cd/sc/46/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/186529302934/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362de7cd/sc/46/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529302934/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362de7cd/sc/46/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529302934/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362de7cd/sc/46/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529302934/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362de7cd/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529302934/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/362de7cd/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ZxBLLoOlq2I

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/features/Win%20Server%202012%20R2%20and%20BYOD/Windows%20apps%20remote%20on%20Android-470-75.jpgThe new version of Windows Server is designed to make BYOD less painful for businesses. That's not just about managing devices, though you can do that. From the servers you buy to how you put your IT together, R2 is trying to make it easier to give users what they want, so they don't start going around you. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/Win%20Server%202012%20R2%20and%20BYOD/Mike%20Schutz-420-100.jpg Every conversation with Windows Server customers ends up being about devices at some point, says Microsoft's Mike Schutz, General Manager, Server and Tools. "If it's not BYOD, because there are still some companies that don't believe in BYOD, there's no doubt that they have more types of devices entering their workforce. Whether they buy them or the employee buys them, the mobility trends are only accelerating." That's why the R2 release has a range of features focused on BYOD, from remote access to authentication. "We have the new RDS [Remote Desktop] clients for iOS and Android and Mac, and the modern domain join - that's what workplace join is, it's domain join for unmanaged devices - and then extending that with Windows Intune." So many new devices are showing up so often that the IT team wouldn't have time to set them up, even if that was what users wanted (and it's not); connecting has to be self service. "It's why MDM solutions become so important down the road, because it's so easy for me to get into a device that IT will never touch it. So I need to be able to enroll that device in my company, like with workplace join or with Intune so that I can get to the things I need to do. And I need to be able to do that in a self-service model, because that's how we're being trained; these new devices, nobody needs to come and set it up for me. I connect it, I hit next a few times. That's how we're used to getting software and that's how we're used to connecting devices. Things like Intune and workplace join that are using that same model mean that I choose to connect my device to work rather than it getting pushed to me." http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/Win%20Server%202012%20R2%20and%20BYOD/remote%20to%20ipad-420-100.jpg But delivering what users need goes further into the way you run your infrastructure than just connection and configuration. R2 is also full of features like the Windows Azure Pack that make it practical to build services so you can compete with the cloud services business users are trying out without you. "What customers are finding is that they don't have to wire it all together themselves and it doesn't take so much effort to build a private cloud. The benefit of us bringing Windows Azure capabilities that we've tested in our data centres and making that available to them is very appealing." Far ahead of VMware?Schutz sees Windows Server as already far ahead of what VMware is promising for private cloud. "I was talking to one customer; they're a VMware shop and they had been working on trying to build a private cloud using VMware and they had to build a self-service portal, they had to wire everything together. It took them four to five months. This guy put Windows Server, System Centre and the Azure Pack on his servers and created a private cloud in a day or two - when they'd been working on this formal project for months, trying to turn their VMware virtualised infrastructure into a private cloud." The plan is to make that even easier and faster. "We're going to get much more prescriptive and try to help customer get that more 'out of the box', so you could imagine us doing an unattended install of that whole system. And we want to help bring it together with reference architectures and hardware designs that embody the design point we have. We're working closely with HP, Dell and others to look at hardware reference architectures that leverage their innovations in networking or compute or storage or all three and bring those together in a way that makes sense and lights up in a Windows Azure Pack-like model. So they would look at lower cost storage options that leverage Storage Spaces that are file based using the SMB protocol, networking that supports NVGRE network virtualisation, in industry standard servers you buy a rack at a time." Storage SpacesStorage Spaces is proving more popular thanks to the addition of automatic SSD tiering in R2. "It was a question we got a lot with Windows Server 2012; it's great that you can pool disks, it's great that you can slice them up and allocate them as virtual disks, but unless you've got tiering it's only so interesting. Just buy more hard drives and let the algorithm take care of it." That speeds up any workload, including Exchange, and it gives you more options for SQL Server performance, Schutz points out. "SQL Server has great in-memory capabilities but it also can tier across SSD and spinning drives; you've got ultra-hot data in memory, hot in SSD and cooler in spinning drives. The app doesn't have to care, the IT pro doesn't have to care, you just throw in some SSDs and the system takes care of it." http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/Win%20Server%202012%20R2%20and%20BYOD/Windows%20desktop%20remote%20on%20Android-420-100.jpg That kind of automation frees up time you can use to set up workplace join and other self-service options, and get your information security right for BYOD, but it's all a different approach from traditional server management. Schutz says IT teams need to make that change in approach. "We've been trying to educate sysadmins to think about their roles as an infrastructure provider. You have customers and tenants that you need to satisfy, so let them do self-service… The idea of them delegating access is sometimes foreign, but that's where we see a lot of customers coming to us - because they're tired of being gone around so now they're saying 'help me offer a viable alternative to the outside cloud'." http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/362bce51/sc/46/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/~4/2YRtjRr_ljw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/hp_windows7_populardemand-470-75.jpgHP is actively promoting Windows 7 over the newer, more controversial Windows 8, even going so far as giving customers discounts for buying PCs with the older OS. The PC maker has been emailing customers advertising the discount, saying that Windows 7 is "back by popular demand." Specifically, it's Windows 7 PCs for $150 (£91, AU$170) less than its Windows 8 machines. In addition HP's retail website currently features Windows 7 PCs much more prominently than Windows 8 PCs, in the laptop section and especially in desktops, where it's not displaying any Windows 8 machines at all. Time for a changeIt's unclear why HP is emphasizing Windows 7 over Windows 8 so adamantly. But it may be right about the "popular demand" thing; Windows 8 launched to severe criticism from all sectors of the tech industry, from consumers to reviewers to developers. Even Microsoft's own employees have admitted that Windows 8 is "the new Vista," referring to the oft-maligned Windows 7 predecessor Windows Vista. And a Samsung executive said much the same thing early in 2013. While in TechRadar's definitive Windows 7 review we called it "the best Windows operating system ever." Windows 9 is launching in 2015, and many Windows users are hoping for some drastic changes to Microsoft's OS. As recently as a month ago Windows 7 was still growing faster than Windows 8 in computing markets.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3625a811/sc/21/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/187556569994/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3625a811/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556569994/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3625a811/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556569994/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3625a811/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187556569994/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3625a811/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187556569994/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3625a811/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/kPDL-rs5Gb0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/tablets/Microsoft/Surface2/surface-purple-470-75.JPGWhen the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 firmware update resulted in a host of failed installation attempts and poor battery life for those who were able to nab it, the company pulled the update and promised a fix. One month on from the incident, it seems Microsoft has gotten its house in order and is rolling the update out to Intel-based Surface Pro 2 owners for a second time, hopefully this time with a little less drama. The firmware is available to those who were and were not able to download the initial update, although Microsoft hasn't yet acknowledged the launch on its Surface Pro 2 update website. According to ZDNET, the company is sending out the updates in waves, rather than all at once, and more updates may follow. More fixes to come?Judging by the report, some of the problems have been solved, with one user telling the site: "Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, pen & Type Cover 2 all functioning well." However, others have said that cold booting through a MicroSD card still "causes excessive CPU consumption." With that in mind, perhaps a further update is on the way. Have you received Surface Pro 2 firmware update this weekend? How is it performing? Let us know in the comments section below. A similar update for the Windows RT-based Surface 2 did cure some battery ills. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36179b85/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/186529210278/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36179b85/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529210278/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36179b85/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529210278/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36179b85/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529210278/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36179b85/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529210278/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36179b85/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/D0twZRrOS6s

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/laptops/Chromebook/chromebook_detail-470-75.jpgA recently spotted message has revealed that Google is working on a "Chromoting" remote desktop app for iOS. Chromoting is essentially a remote desktop client that will allow users to control their computers from their Android and, it seems now, their iOS devices. The message popped up on Google's developer site for Chromium, the open-source browser that's at the heart of Google Chrome. It appears to be from one developer to another, discussing the iOS and Android versions of the Chromoting app. Self-ChromotionThe Chromoting app is related to the Chrome browser's own remote desktop and screen sharing features, which as TechCrunch points out graduated from beta in 2012. There are plenty of similar services, like LogMeIn and TeamViewer, but Google's is free and works natively with Chrome. But according to the developer post, the iOS and Android apps are in need of an aesthetic overhaul. "As noted, the iOS version is very unpolished at this stage," developer Hannah S. wrote. Icons, toolbars and more apparently need to be re-designed and re-organized. In addition the iOS version is reportedly further behind than the Android version, which will ship first, though no time frame is given. TechRadar has asked Google to share any additional details about Chromoting, and we'll update this article if we hear anything useful. Here's 21 brilliant iOS 7 tips and trickshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/360b6697/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/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/fhZdyOkfAT4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/HTC/HTC_One/HTC-One_Silver_3V2-470-75.jpgWill it be called the HTC M8? Or the HTC One Two? Monikers aside, it seems certain more than ever that HTC is planning a follow-up to the HTC One for release early this year. Bloomberg has the word that there will be a new version of the HTC One released at the end of March (a release time frame we've heard before). The phone will retain the first One's well-received design, a source said, but offer some changes both inside and out. One of the more notable transformations will be a screen said to measure "at least five inches," according to the unnamed tipster who posses direct knowledge of the Taiwanese manufacturer's plans. Powered by a more recent flavor of Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, the new HTC One will reportedly be slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on the current One model, but smaller than the HTC One Max's 5.9-inches. Wonder twinsAnother area HTC appears to be targeting for improvement is the One's Ultrapixel camera, which is designed to take higher resolution images with a lower megapixel count. Bloomberg's source claimed HTC is planning to use twin sensors on the rear-facing camera for better focus, depth of field and image quality. Despite critical acclaim for last year's HTC One, the smartphone maker has floundered in the market against the might of South Korean rival Samsung, currently the 300-pound gorilla of Android handsets. HTC may need more than just a refreshed One handset to stave off the competition, as the big-screen HTC One Max failed to stem the tide of losses in the company's second quarter earnings. Is Apple's new Mac Pro right for you? Find out in our comprehensive review!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/360b5d9f/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/186529052545/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b5d9f/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529052545/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b5d9f/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529052545/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b5d9f/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529052545/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b5d9f/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529052545/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b5d9f/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/UtVL9c507_Q

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/gadgets/Dyson/Cinetic/PHOTO_DC54_DETAIL_15_MARCH13-470-75.jpgDyson's new cleaner won't lose suction for a decade, according to the company. Although the ubiquitous bagless cleaners removed the problem of the bags themselves getting clogged, cyclonic cleaners have still had the issue of filters getting clogged and needing to be cleaned. Dyson now believes its mini cyclones are so efficient at separating microscopic particles there should be no need for filter maintenance. It has included 54 separate cyclones within the new ball-based £419 (around USD $689, AUD $784) Cinetic cleaner, which features various technological enhancements and also features a carbon fibre turbine head. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/gadgets/Dyson/Cinetic/DC54_IRNK_13A5_REFW-420-90.JPG As is usual with Dyson's tech, it's happy to share some stats around testing. 29 Dyson engineers spent over 500 years of time in people's homes to estimate how much dust would be collected over the 10 year period, so it could ensure it could substantiate the claim about not losing suction. The cleaner was also prototyped around 2,000 times and includes an incredible total of 195 patented technologies, with other patents pending. Mini cyclonesThe UK-based company says that the smaller cyclones used in the Cinetic cleaner generate higher centrifugal forces and so are able to capture smaller particles of dust. But there is a disadvantage with this that Dyson's engineers have had to work hard to overcome; the tighter the cyclone, the more likely it is to block. So it created cyclones with flexible tips that are agitated by airflow, preventing dust from sticking to them because of the oscillation. Dyson went through 50 versions of the cyclone technology using different materials – some were too hard to move particles though, others were too soft and blocked the mini cyclones off. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/gadgets/Dyson/Cinetic/DC54_GENE_01A5_W-420-90.jpg Now why not read CES 2014: our top 10 moments

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/digital_tv_boxes/Freesat%20App/Freesat%20app-470-75.jpgFreesat has announced the launch of its long-awaited mobile companion app. Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, the app will act as a basic TV guide as well as a touchscreen remote control for your network-connected Freesat box. In the app you can also browse the Roll Back TV Guide which lets you check out the last seven days of TV to watch programmes you may have missed. It also offers TV recommendations, allowing you to browse through hot picks for the week ahead and set reminders if you see anything you want to watch. What's more, if you're stuck in traffic after work and find yourself destined to, heaven forbid, miss the latest depressing instalment of Eastenders, you'll be able to use the app to remotely command your Freesat box to record the episode. Just make sure you purge the recording once you've watched it, shower and say three Hail Dot Cottons. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/digital_tv_boxes/Freesat%20App/Freesat%20app%20tablet-420-90.jpg Whether you're a Freesat or Freeview viewer in the UK, you'll be able to search in the app and find programmes from the UK's On Demand players, namely BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5. Additionally, those of you with one of Humax's Freetime boxes will be able to launch these On Demand programmes from the app direct to your TV. Just make sure your partner is holding the standard remote control when you do it, ensuring maximum confusion and hilarity. Compatible with both iOS 6 and iOS 7, the new Freesat app is available to download from the app store now. Another way of saying this, of course, is that it's not available for Android devices yet. We asked Freesat what it's position on the most popular mobile operating system on the planet is, and this was the response: "We'll be using learnings, customer feedback and usage information to inform how we develop the Android version – there's no exact timescale as yet." Don't hold your breath for that one. Freesat, Freeview, Freetime and YouView reviews on TechRadar

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Chrome/chrome_mobile_data_compression-470-75.jpgGoogle has announced a new feature for the Chrome app on iOS and Android that it says can cut data usage from web browsing by up to half. The "data compression and bandwidth management" feature will compress mobile browsing data in real time as you browse, Google Software Engineer and "Data Squasher Extraordinaire" Matt Welsh wrote in a Google blog post. Welsh wrote that a fifth of U.S. adults do the bulk of their web browsing on mobile devices. He added that Google will be rolling the feature out to iOS and Android in updates arriving "over the next few days." Plus translationWhen the feature does arrive, you can enable it in the settings menu under "bandwidth management" and then "reduce data usage." From here you can also track how much data you're saving every month with the feature (hence the charts above). In addition to compressing web data on the fly, the feature will also enable mobile Chrome's safe browsing mode, which reportedly "helps protect you from malicious webpages." Welsh also discussed another new feature coming to Chrome on iOS "in the coming days:" Google Translate. The feature will work exactly as it does in the desktop and Android versions of Chrome: when the browser detects a page is in another language, it will ask you whether you want to translate it with the tap of a button. The next update to Chrome for Android will also allow users to save website bookmarks from within the browser itself with a tap of the toolbar menu. The latest Chrome browser update tracks noisy tabs and acts more like Chrome OShttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35f4b93b/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/186528914165/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f4b93b/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528914165/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f4b93b/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528914165/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f4b93b/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528914165/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f4b93b/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528914165/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f4b93b/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/zs1iWllVoPY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Google/Google%20Play%20Movies%20and%20TV%20for%20iOS-470-75.jpgThe awkward conundrum you find yourself in when you want to relax with your iPad and a flick purchased from Google Play is no more. Google has plopped an iOS version of its Google Play Movies & TV app in the iTunes App Store, meaning owners of devices with an "i" can now watch content purchased through Mountain View's virtual store front. While it sounds almost like a peace treaty between the two hardened rivals, don't unfurl the white flags just yet. Users can't actually purchase content from the app. Rather, they're left to make the buy through a web client before they can play it on their iDevice. What's more, streaming video content currently works over Wi-Fi only, and standard definition, not high-def, will play on the phone. Users will also be left without "info cards" that pop up when a video is paused. The app is compatible with iPhones, iPads and iPod touches running iOS 6 and up. So far, TV shows are only available in the US, UK and Japan. The Chromecast connectionGoogle posses quite the collection over on Movies & TV, but iPhone peeps who also happen to own a Chromecast may be leaving the happiest of all. Thanks to today's app release, those who stream to their Chromecasts from their iPhones now have access to content beyond Hulu Plus and Netflix. Google Play Movies & TV opens a world of new, often just-released content to Chromecasters who stream from their phones. Can you believe we're on Roku 3?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35f4b93f/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.pnghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/w8k1goPhph0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/magazines/Linux/Issue%20176/LXF176.feat_uphone.ubuntuphone1calendar-470-75.jpgThe road to Canonical's Ubuntu smartphone has been long and it seems to only be getting even longer as the open-source software company makes a play for the major leagues. Canonical's Community Manager Jono Bacon (yes, that is a real and awesome name) admitted that the first Ubuntu Touch smartphone for major OEMs and carriers is unlikely to appear until next year in a Reddit AMA. "Longer-term we would love to see the major OEM/Carriers shipping Ubuntu handsets," Bacon said. "This is a long road though with many components, and I would be surprised if we see anything like this before 2015." Bacon continued to say that Ubuntu phones will likely first ship to smaller OEMs looking for lower cost and risk trial devices. As for the buyer, Bacon believes "the ideal customer today is someone who wants a dependable device but does not require a large catalogue of specific apps (as we don't have many of them yet)." Starting off with small beginnings and high sales, Canonical hopes to send a strong message to OEMs and build from there. So for now it seems that Ubuntu is still on track to release a smartphone by this year as Canonical Founder Mark Shuttleworth promised in December, albeit with a small mobile net. Swing for the fencesAs for what the Ubuntu phone will actually be able to do, Bacon did not confirm many features that users can expect. Instead, during the course of the AMA, there were more items that we can expect to be missing. Bacon answered another question pertaining to CDMA support on the Ubuntu Touch OS to which he responded that it is not on the current Ubuntu phone plan; meaning Sprint and Verizon customers won't be able to jump on board with Canonical in the foreseeable future. Similarly, there aren't any extra touches to add integration between Ubuntu computers and phones on the docket. As Bacon explained, "[t]he primary integration will be getting content and syncing it Ubuntu One, which syncs across devices." Expect forthcoming changes coming to the Steam controllerhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35f45fee/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/186528952064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f45fee/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528952064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f45fee/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528952064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f45fee/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528952064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f45fee/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528952064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35f45fee/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Ks5L13tIneA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/May%20on%204K/4k_tv_week1_v3-470-75.png If 2013 was the year of the 4K Ultra HD TV, then 2014 (or as I now like to call it 2014K) is fast shaping up to be the year of 4K content. Whether you want to create your own or kick-back and watch something rather more professional, it's all going down this year. The Sony AX100E 4K Handycam, unveiled at last week's International CES and due this summer priced just under £2,000, looks sensational. Dramatically smaller than its pro-centric FDR-AX1E predecessor, it shoots Ultra HD in XAVC S, which is a derivation of XAVC, the 4K video format developed by Sony for TV production. Panasonic is also prepping a 4K consumer shooter, a lightweight wearable action-cam styled on its head-mountable A100. Perfect for skiing apparently, which I will obviously do never. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/televisions/May%20on%204K/Sony%204K%20Handycam-420-90.jpg Netflix in 4KOf course, the biggest 4K content news hails from Netflix. The non-contract streaming outfit has confirmed that it will be launching a UHD service this spring. "We are at the forefront of 4K," proclaimed Netflix director of corporate communications Joris Evers when I met him in Vegas. "TV manufacturers are not going to sell any TVs unless there's stuff to watch on them, that takes advantage of the technology advances built into them. This is the first time that the best video quality possible is only going to be available through the internet. We believe Netflix will be the way most people will get 4K content." Evers is probably right. 4K Blu-ray was notable only by its absence on the CES showfloor. Although the Blu-ray Disc Association had been talking up plans to upgrade their disc spec beforehand, there wasn't a peep to be heard from any peeps. Not that I was surprised. A senior engineer at a large Japanese electronics company had already warned me that behind the scenes the 4K BD situation was "chaos!" It's important to realise that 4K Netflix will only be available on Ultra HD screens sporting an integrated HEVC h.265 decoder. That rules out all of last year's TV launches, including the forward-facing HDMI 2.0 compatible Panasonic WT600. New 4K TVs are hereNot that there's going to be any shortage of new HEVC-enabled tellies to choose from. But you might need to learn to love the curve. Curling screens littered the Las Vegas convention centre like week-old sandwiches. Thankfully most appeared a good deal more appetising than stale bread. I'd even go so far as to say the prototype 105-inch 21:9 ratio curved Ultra HD screens from LG and Samsung looked drop-dead amazing, although even Peter Andre and his 60 Minute Makeover team would struggle to find a way of getting them into my living room without demolishing most of the house. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/televisions/May%20on%204K/Samsung%20105%20UHD-420-90.jpg Samsung's amazing new 4K technologyAway from the CES showfloor, Samsung previewed upcoming tech for future 4K lines. This proved to be pretty fascinating. One engineering team is working out ways to improve the dynamic range of 4K sets, showing a prototype high-brightness 85-inch panel which peaks at 1000 nits of brightness. A side by side comparison of current and next-gen panels used a sequence from J.J. Abrams Star Trek: Into Darkness for illustration. Both displays looked superb, but unfortunately when Abrams' trademark lens flare hit the high-brightness prototype my retinas exploded. The brand's boffins have also developed a high contrast image processor which uses object-based contrast enhancement to give even greater delineation with 4K sources. The aim, I was told, is to help create an almost tangible 3D effect. "It helps create that sense of immersion," I was told. Perhaps bizarrely, the engineers responsible said there were no plans to offer similar immersion on flat 4K screens. Disappointing perhaps, but salvation could be at hand. Both LG and Samsung also teased prototype flexible 4K UHD screens at CES which allow users to remotely alter the degree of curvature. So thanks to some ingenious over-engineering, the world's biggest TV brands have made it possible to make curved screens flat again. Remember when I said we were entering a new Age of Stupid? Well that. Again. Read more about 4K http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/televisions/May%20on%204K/4k_tv_week1_v1-430-100.jpg 4K and Ultra HD: everything you need to know11 reasons Why your next TV simply must be 4KWhy Curved 4k OLED TVs are a really bad idea

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/windows-8-chrome-os-update-470-75.jpgGoogle continues to update Chrome with common sense features that its internet browsing rivals return a 404 Not Found error over, like the ability to see which tabs are playing sound. The latest version of Chrome launched today with a speaker visual cue that appears in the righthand portion of the tab whenever, say, a YouTube clip is blaring audio. It's also easy to track down which tabs are using your webcam or being cast to a bigger screen via the Chromecast tab extension thanks to a red record icon and blue screencasting icon. Two months ago, the Chrome beta premiered these helpful tools to developers and early adopters, and now they're available to everyone using Google's browser. Three months ago, the company enhanced the Chrome beta's malware-blocking software and added ability to create supervised users for family members. Both features exited beta today as well. Chrome OS-like Windows 8 Metro modeGoogle is also giving Windows 8 users a taste of Chrome OS with a Metro mode redesign that takes on the look and feel of its standalone operating system. It features a new Chrome Metro default interface and an integrated app launcher. Users can easily access an app-filled taskbar at the bottom and also manage multiple Chrome windows. This W8 Chrome Metro redesign confirms earlier reports that Google was building a version of Chrome OS to sit within Windows 8. By giving Microsoft users a taste of its open-source operating system and making its hardware like the Samsung Chromebook dirt cheap, Google may succeed with Chrome OS after all. Read: If Motorola returns to tablets, look for it to flaunt Moto Maker customizationhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35e94162/sc/21/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/186528872303/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e94162/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528872303/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e94162/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528872303/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e94162/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528872303/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e94162/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528872303/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e94162/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/41HlznCi9Vk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Generics/Flipboard%20with%20logo-470-75.jpgImagine rolling over in bed each morning, awakening your phone and turning to a Facebook product to get caught up on the morning's happenings. Sounds like something most of us do anyway, right? In the very near future - as soon as the end of the month, actually - Facebook's long-rumored news reader may finally become part of our information consumption routine. According to sources speaking with Re/code, Facebook's news reading service is known as "Paper." It takes cues from Flipboard, one source said, and will either be a standalone app for mobile or a web experience designed to fit smaller screens. Like Flipboard, Paper sounds to be an aggregator for content including news stories from the likes of the New York Times and Washington Post as well as status updates from other Facebookers. It will all be arranged in a eye-popping "paper-like" format, one hard-copy news readers cling to fondly. Facebook Paper-less postPaper's launch timeline may change, according to one source, so there's no guarantee we'll be turning to Facebook for all our newsy needs (beyond baby bump updates) come February 1. The first inklings of a Facebook reader first popped up in June 2013, but apparently the project has been years in the making and started, as many other FB products have, as an idea to overhaul the News Feed. We saw some of the News Feed redesign come to life in March 2013, but the other parts left unfinished have found their way to Paper. If and when Paper makes its way off the virtual presses, users won't be the only ones to benefit from the rich reading experience; engagement and user eyeballs so valuable to advertisers are certainly a driver for Facebook to finish the project. Facebook has already tried to emulate Flipboard, folks.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35e89afa/sc/21/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/186528822624/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e89afa/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528822624/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e89afa/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528822624/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e89afa/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528822624/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e89afa/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528822624/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e89afa/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/gnBZKu_5KWQ

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/BlackBerry/P9982/HandsOn/P9982-HandsOn-29-470-75.JPGBlackBerry has reportedly begun approaching Android app and game developers about getting their native Android apps directly into the BlackBerry World app marketplace. Apparently the next BlackBerry firmware update will support native Android apk files directly, and porting them over will require very little work from developers, according to Good e-Reader. The digital publishing news site reports that it spoke with at least four Android app developers at CES 2014 who confirmed that BlackBerry had approached them about publishing their apps directly to BlackBerry 10. According to the site, these developers need do nothing more than make BlackBerry World profiles and submit icons, screenshots and app descriptions for their existing Android apps to appear in the BlackBerry 10 app ecosystem. A whole new worldBlackBerry 10 users will reportedly be able to download these apps directly to their devices, just as if they were normal BB10 apps. These devices are said to include the BlackBerry Q5, Q10, Z10 and Z30. BlackBerry stands to benefit enormously from its app ecosystem being inundated with Android apps, and if it really is that easy for Android developers to expand to BlackBerry World then that could very well happen. Good e-Reader claims this feature will become available in the BlackBerry 10.3 update, but users in a CrackBerry forum thread discussing the article claim that it will actually be in BlackBerry 10.2.1. In either case, it seems the feature could arrive soon. We've asked BlackBerry to provide a statement and clarify when BlackBerry devices will support native Android apps, and we'll update here when possible. Android vs BlackBerry: which is the best smartphone for your business?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35e7fa3f/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/186528817754/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e7fa3f/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528817754/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e7fa3f/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528817754/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e7fa3f/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528817754/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e7fa3f/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528817754/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e7fa3f/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/SEX_ZeJtPAA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Abstract/Keyhole%20binary%20code/Keyhole%20binary%20code%20abstract-470-75.jpgAn investigation into the numbers of PCs, conducted by The Register, in the public sector still running Windows XP has revealed that many thousands will still be using the operating system, even when its end-of-life expires. HMRC and NHS Scotland said that they both had migration plans in place to replace their XP systems, moving to Windows 7 in most cases. Those plans, however, will not be in place when Windows XP's end-of-life deadline passes on April 8. Microsoft offer a subscription service for companies still on its old operating system to receive relevant security updates. HMRC, nor NHS Scotland, however, will pay for this protection. NHS England, however, when asked how many of the 1 million PCs and laptops at trusts, GPs and hospitals run Windows XP, answered that they simply do not know. Each GP, hospital and trust region is treated as a separate entity, and therefore NHS England do not know how much of their IT infrastructure may be vulnerable after April 8. "Acutely aware" of missing the deadlineApplication migration specialist Camwood, heavily involved in helping customers move from Windows XP, said that it has several "large" customers paying Microsoft for support after 8 April rather than go without protection. "It was cheaper for them to pay Microsoft than to accelerate migration," Camwood chief executive Adrian Foxall told The Register. Despite the fact Windows XP support is due to finish in three months, Camwood is still picking up new business from organisations in the public sector to start migrations, it says – many of them within the NHS. "We are still winning new projects now. They will miss the deadline and they are acutely aware of that," Foxall said. TechRadar's guide to migrating to Windows 8http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35e61459/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/186528806528/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e61459/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528806528/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e61459/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528806528/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e61459/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528806528/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e61459/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528806528/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e61459/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ws-qigkAKEg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Motorola/Moto%20G/Boost_Mobile_Moto_G_logo-470-75.jpgIn the market for a new Motorola handset but your carrier of choice is Boost Mobile? As the saying goes, you truly can have it all, now that the latest Moto-flavored smartphone has arrived at your favorite no-contract provider. Sprint-owned Boost Mobile today announced the arrival of the Motorola Moto G smartphone as part of the carrier's online product offerings, with nationwide availability in Boost retail stores starting Monday, January 20. Moto G marks something of a celebration for Boost Mobile, whose cupboards have been barren of Motorola-branded handsets for the last three years, when the iDEN walkie-talkie equipped Clutch + i475, Theory and i412 models hit store shelves back in May, 2011. Making up for lost time with a vengeance, Boost's Moto G is priced to move at only $129.99, available contract-free on the carrier's $55 Monthly Unlimited plan for unlimited talk, text and data - although only the first 2.5GB of that will be high speed. Bonus perksAs a refresher, Moto G delivers a 4.5-inch HD display protected by Gorilla Glass, powered by a quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. That is, until early February, when the handset is expected to start receiving a guaranteed upgrade to Android 4.4 KitKat, making the Moto G one of the most up-to-date Android smartphones around. To sweeten the deal, Boost Mobile has preloaded NextRadio, a free, interactive radio app which taps into the built-in FM tuner and promises to use three times less battery life than competing music apps. Last but not least, Boost is throwing in an extra 50GB of Google Drive cloud storage for two years, and the carrier will reward your responsible fiscal management by shrinking your Monthly Unlimited plan by $5 for every six on-time payments made. Fresh from CES 2014, our hands-on look at LG's 105-inch curved Ultra HD TV!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35e7fa41/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.pnghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ThRkaLPwcEg

Microsoft and GoDaddy announced on Monday that are forming a "longer term strategic partnership" under which the web hosting provider will pitch Office 365 to its small business customers in the U.S. and Canada. The partnership will let small businesses buy and run bundles of Office 365 and cloud storage under their own domain name. Customers that buy Office 365 bundles will also get access to GoDaddy's 24/7 customer support. There are three packages, the cheapest of which, Email Essentials, include3s domain-based email and document storage and is priced at $3.99 (£2.43, $AU4.42) monthly. The other two, based on Microsoft's Small Business and Small Business Premium subscriptions, are priced at $8.99 (£5.47, $AU9.97) and $12.49 (£7.61, AU$13.85) per user per month respectively. PerplexingMicrosoft and GoDaddy are targeting a portion of the market that until recently would have been served by Microsoft's Small Business Specialist partners, which Microsoft discontinued last year. Spencer Ferguson, president and CEO of Wasatch I.T., a Salt Lake City-based partner, said while the Microsoft-GoDaddy partnership won't have much impact on his business, he's still "perplexed" by the move. "While Microsoft continues to be our core vendor, I can see why solution providers are seeking alternatives," Ferguson said in an email. "It is hard to understand why Microsoft continues to make moves that alienate its OEM and VAR partners." Another factor behind the Office 365 partnership is that GoDaddy CEO Blake Irvin spent more than 14 years at Microsoft and was vice president of the Windows Live Platform group. "The relationship between GoDaddy and Microsoft executives certainly helped start the conversation," Steven Aldrich, senior vice president of GoDaddy, told the Seattle Times. Should you choose Office, Google or OpenOffice?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35e5bcb4/sc/46/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/186528850455/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e5bcb4/sc/46/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528850455/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e5bcb4/sc/46/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528850455/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e5bcb4/sc/46/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528850455/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e5bcb4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528850455/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e5bcb4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/iZma7-Mlkeg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%205S/Hands%20on/HandsOn3/iPhones5S-HandsOn-07-470-75.JPGA report from security assessment firm IOActive suggests that most mobile banking apps for iPhone and iPad are full of flaws. IOActive researcher Ariel Sanchez recently studied the security features of 40 mobile banking apps for iOS, including the apps used by some of the world's leading financial institutions. All of the apps that Sanchez tested could be installed and run on jailbroken devices, which have been modified by the user to accept apps unauthorized by Apple. Running an app on a jailbroken device lets attackers circumvent the security features built into iOS and access the restricted resources of other apps on a user's device. In an IOActive blog post outlining his research, Sanchez noted that 40 per cent of the apps tested had compromised transport mechanisms and 90 per cent had non-SSL links. This leaves app users susceptible to 'man-in-the-middle' attacks. In such attacks, users may be redirected to malicious sites where their login information can be stolen. Attacks at the coffee shop?These attacks are more likely to happen on untrusted networks like WiFi hotspots, which makes mobile banking from public locations like coffee shops less of a convenience and more of a nightmare waiting to happen. In his blog post, Sanchez notes that phishing attacks that utilize cross-site scripting have become very popular lately, often resulting in the theft of a victim's login credentials. In a typical attack, the user might be asked to re-enter his or her username and password "because the online banking session has expired." Such an attack can give cybercriminals full access to a customer's bank accounts. Sanchez offered some recommendations for developers of mobile banking apps to consider in the future. These include tightening the security of transfer protocols for all connections made, enforcing SSL certificate checks by the client application, encrypting data using iOS's own data protection and removing all development code from the released application. Are smartphones a weak link in security?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35e4a636/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/186528841484/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e4a636/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528841484/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e4a636/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528841484/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e4a636/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528841484/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e4a636/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528841484/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35e4a636/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/YCwEOk0jcQU

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/features/nest/tony_fadell-470-75.jpgGoogle has confirmed its acquisition of smart thermostat maker Nest, the company founded by Tony Fadell, a former Apple employee referred to colloquially as the "father of the iPod." Fadell worked at Apple from 2001 to 2008. After leaving Apple, he and a partner founded Nest in 2010 - and now he works for Google. The acquisition cost Google $3.2 billion (about £1.95 billion, AU$3.53 billion). It's unclear whether Google will leverage Fadell's talents in any other ways, but statements from Google CEO Larry Page and Fadell himself make it clear that Fadell and his Nest co-founder, Matt Rogers, will stay on at Google. Self-congratulations all around"Nest's founders, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, have built a tremendous team that we are excited to welcome into the Google family," Page said in a statement. He continued, "They're already delivering amazing products you can buy right now--thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe. We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!" "We're thrilled to join Google," Fadell said in the same announcement. "With their support, Nest will be even better placed to build simple, thoughtful devices that make life easier at home, and that have a positive impact on the world." http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/nest/protect-black-pathlight-420-90.jpg Nest will continue to operate under its original leadership and with its own brand, distinct from Google. The transaction between the two companies just needs to be finalized, which includes regulatory approval from the U.S. government. Google expects that to happen "in the next few months." Loving 'those unloved things'As 9to5Mac points out, Google had previously invested in Nest, which launched a smart thermostat in 2011 and a smart smoke/CO detector in 2013. Google was also rumored to be working on its own smart thermostats in 2013. "Nest is all about getting those unloved things in your home, reinventing them and making you reawakened to them and [making] you embrace them in a whole new way," Fadell told TechRadar late in 2013. Nest Protect also won TechRadar's best in-home product award at CES 2014. From Apple to appliances: how Nest is making everyday items relevent again

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Beats_Music-470-75.jpgBeats Music, the new streaming service from the popular headphone manufacturer, will open for business on January 21 in the United States, it was announced this weekend. The platform, which aims to provide custom album and playlist recommendations to subscribers every day, will be available for Android, iOS and on the web immediately upon launch with Sonos support. There'll be a free trial period for sign-ups, but after that there'll be no ad-funded free-listening option a la Spotify, but a single monthly subscriptions fee $9.99 (around £6, AU$11). That'll allow users to stream on multiple devices and also save playlists for offline listening. There's also a family plan exclusive to mobile network AT&T while will bring access to 5 users on up to ten devices for a one-off payment of $14.99 a month. (around £9, AU$16) All 'Right Now'The new service, spearheaded by Beats boss Jimmy Iovine and NIN frontman Trent Reznor, will aim to attract users with its new approach to music selection. One of the key elements is the Right Now mood music option. It will allow users to fill in the blanks of a sentence like "I'm cold and feel like cuddling with my wife to hair metal" in order to spawn an instant playlist fulfilling the criteria. Subscribers will also get a handful of 'Just For You' albums and playlists recommended to them each day, depending on their previous listening habits, the time of day and current activity. There's still no word of a launch outside of the United States at present. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35cdf914/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/186528681656/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf914/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528681656/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf914/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528681656/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf914/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528681656/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf914/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528681656/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf914/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/y5_2UWaUGes

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/windows_81_rtm/win81%20startscreen-470-75.jpgMicrosoft will cause a major surprise at its annual Build conference in April by revealing the Windows 9 operating system, according to reports this weekend. Well-connected Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott claims the company plans to release Windows 9 (codenamed Threshold) in April 2015, less than three years after outing its revolutionary Windows 8 OS. The new OS will not be a huge overhaul, but the fast transition is aimed at leaving behind some of the criticisms associated with the Windows 8 moniker, allowing Microsoft to move forward with a clean slate. "To distance itself from the Windows 8 debacle, Microsoft is currently planning to drop the Windows 8 name and brand this next release as Windows 9. That could change, but that's the current thinking," the report claimed. Windows 8 Vista?Recent reports have suggested that the Threshold update will see a full return of the Start menu, while also allowing users to run 'Metro' apps in desktop mode. "Maturing and fixing the "Metro" design language used by Windows will be a major focus area of Threshold," Thurrott added. "It's not clear what changes are coming, but it's safe to assume that a windowed mode that works on the desktop is part of that." Microsoft will pitch this change as Windows 8 laying the groundwork for change, rather than acknowledging it has failed to resonate with traditional PC users and the new tablet-friendly audience it has tried to snare. Build 2014, Microsoft's annual developers' conference, was expected to focus on Windows Phone and Xbox this year, but the launch of a major new PC operating system would surely trump anything. Is Google building a version of the Chrome OS to sit within Windows 8?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35cdf915/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/186528681655/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf915/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528681655/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf915/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528681655/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf915/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186528681655/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf915/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186528681655/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/35cdf915/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/NPaRgy8DFvA