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http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Nokia/NokiaX/Nokia_X_Android_apps-470-75.jpgThe Nokia X, the company's first-and-potentially-last handset running the Android operating system, doesn't really have much to identify it as a handset running Google-based software. There's no access to core Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, Hangouts, Google Now and users are unable to download items from the Google Play store. Everything is decidedly Windows Phone flavoured. However, thanks to a little bit of ingenuity from one of the clever folks on the XDA Developers forum, anyone can access those Android essentials on the new handset. Forum member Kashamalaga has unveiled a pretty easy - the man himself called it rudimentary - method for restoring the phone to its Google roots. Holy GrailMicrosoft hopes the Windows Phone-style user-interface, with the likes of Skype and OneDrive front and centre will give users an incentive to jump on board with the company's own OS next time they're in the market for a phone. However, what users really wanted from this release was the smartphone Holy Grail of a Nokia handset running full-fat Android. This little exploit doesn't offer that, but it brings the dream a little closer to reality. Microsoft needs to stop worrying about Android and learn to love the Nokia X.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37acbbb5/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/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/9nViNspVNUE

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/oscars-live-stream-470-75.jpgZeebox, Awards Party and moreAs much as I know about movies, I've never won a betting pool for the Academy Awards. But I do make one Oscar prediction every year that is incredibly reliable. So much so, that it always comes true. The Oscars will be boring! Bet on it! Sure, the opening monologue can be filled with hilarious jokes or gaffes or better yet, both, but after that, it's a downward spiral of oh-so serious messaging about the importance of "the movies" and actors endlessly thanking people whose names we do not know. And there's often little surprise as to the winners. Yawn. This year's Oscar telecast is shaping up to be less exciting and more forgettable. But will a Twitter feed be enough to entertain us through the slogging speeches, musical numbers and montages-of-Hollywood-patting-itself-on-the-back? Fear not! As an Oscar Twitter veteran, I consider it my duty to entertain the masses of bored television viewers left underwhelmed by the show itself. So to add yet another distraction during your viewing of the awards, I present to you this list of apps that will enhance your Oscar-viewing experience. And the "Appscar" goes to… Zeeboxhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Zeebox-420-100.jpg If you're a "second-screen" experience guy like myself, you need a tablet in your lap in order to fully enjoy whatever it is that's on the television while you're texting and tweeting your thoughts about whatever it is that's on the television. Because everyone who watches the Oscars knows that complaining about the awards is as fun as watching it. That makes Zeebox the perfect app for our comment-crazy culture of folks like myself who think their insipid thoughts about what we just saw are worth sharing. You can do searches for keywords and you'll get a running social media feed about the TV program you're watching, like the Oscars! You can also login to your Twitter and Facebook and chat with your online pals. Even start a viewing party so your friends can join you as you complain away. Zeebox is the perfect Oscar companion and works in your browser or as an app. Get Zeebox on iOS, Android, Kindle and on the webLive From the Red Carpethttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/E%20Live%20from%20the%20Red%20Carpet-420-100.jpg Some of the most embarrassing moments of the Academy Awards do not happen on stage, but rather on the red carpet before the Oscars. You can count on names to be forgotten and fun fact mix-ups happening right outside the theater on the red carpet. Which is why E! Online's app is so entertaining as those awkward moments are preserved for your amusement and viewable via the app. Get Live from the Red Carpet on iOS and AndroidAwards Partyhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Awards%20Party%20app-420-100.jpg Don't like to write in analog with a pen? Do you want to easily keep track of your Oscar picks for yourself and everyone at your party? Have .99 cents that you just don't want? Then Awards Party for just .99 cents will help you keep track of each of your guests' predictions which makes collecting on that betting pool so much easier. Get Awards Party on iOSShazamhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Shazam-420-100.jpg I am ashamed and humiliated to admit to you that I found Frozen to be one of my favorite films of the year, due mostly to that excellent soundtrack and score reminiscent of a Broadway musical. (Feel free to mock me now.) Now the best way to discover exactly where that musical number is from and how to purchase it immediately, is with Shazam. The app simply listens to the music examining the .wav file to identify the tune so you don't have to ask anyone, which is a bonus because you won't look stupid. You don't even need to buy the musical track, you can just quietly name the song title and composers by using Shazam's simple interface. See? I just made you look smart. Get Shazam on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Windows and BlackBerryAction Movie, Run Pee and Watch ABCAction Moviehttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Action%20Movie%20app-420-100.jpg Made just for those times when the Oscars, or any awards show for that matter, get deadly dull. Action Movie allows you to take any short piece of video that you shoot, like some slow-moving drama scene from the latest Meryl Streep piece of Oscar-bait and add explosions or car crashes or aliens or flaming meteorites filled with tons of carnage and destruction. Just shoot anything off your television and enjoy watching Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres explode in a hail of rocket fire. Hey, if the Academy is not going to bestow good Hollywood movies where things blow up with awards, then we can do the next best thing and blow up the awards. Get Action Movie on iOS, Android and Windows PhoneRun Peehttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Run%20Pee%202-420-90.jpg If you're like me, you can't see an entire feature film without having to pee at least once. Damn large-soda-and-popcorn-deal! Start this app at the beginning of a three-hour Oscar movie like, say, The Wolf of Wall Street, and you'll receive an alert at the boring parts telling you the best times to make a run to the restroom. Once the show is over, check the app and you'll read a description of the boring parts you missed. While the app would be really useful during the Oscars, it's safe to say you can pee during commercials (unlike the Super Bowl) and during those over-the-top dance numbers. At some point there must be a Run Pee app for television, but for now enjoy this useful movie-going tip. Get Run Pee for iOS, Android and Windows PhoneWatch ABChttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Watch%20ABC-420-100.jpg While a recent update of the Watch ABC requires users to enter a US cable provider in order to access content, this second-screen experience app provides… oh who am I kidding? This app is crap and useless to those outside of the States. Just use Zeebox. If these apps fail to provide amusement, I find seeking out trailers for the Oscar porn parodies a very rewarding experience unto itself. Surprised? Yes, in fact, there are Oscar porn parodies and if the Academy ever decides to honor adult films, this year's winner should be 12 Inches a Slave. Chris Gore is the founder of Film Threat, a writer and comedian whose debut comedy book/album is titled Celebrities Poop. (www.celebritiespoop.com) Chris' Oscar Twitter feed can be read @ThatChrisGore. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37b4dc71/sc/38/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/ECJG3Zqzl3A

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/oscars-live-stream-470-75.jpgAs much as I know about movies, I've never won a betting pool for the Academy Awards. But I do make one Oscar prediction every year that is incredibly reliable. So much so, that it always comes true. The Oscars will be boring! Bet on it! Sure, the opening monologue can be filled with hilarious jokes or gaffes or better yet, both, but after that, it's a downward spiral of oh-so serious messaging about the importance of "the movies" and actors endlessly thanking people whose names we do not know. And there's often little surprise as to the winners. Yawn. This year's Oscar telecast is shaping up to be less exciting and more forgettable than the most recent Super Bowl. But will the Twitter feed that saved the big game be enough to entertain us through the slogging speeches, musical numbers and montages-of-Hollywood-patting-itself-on-the-back? Fear not! As an Oscar Twitter veteran, I consider it my duty to entertain the masses of bored television viewers left underwhelmed by the show itself. So to add yet another distraction during your viewing of the awards, I present to you this list of apps that will enhance your Oscar-viewing experience. And the "Appscar" goes to… Zeeboxhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Zeebox-420-100.jpg If you're a "second-screen" experience guy like myself, you need a tablet in your lap in order to fully enjoy whatever it is that's on the television while you're texting and tweeting your thoughts about whatever it is that's on the television. Because everyone who watches the Oscars knows that complaining about the awards is as fun as watching it. That makes Zeebox the perfect app for our comment-crazy culture of folks like myself who think their insipid thoughts about what we just saw are worth sharing. You can do searches for keywords and you'll get a running social media feed about the TV program you're watching, like the Oscars! You can also login to your Twitter and Facebook and chat with your online pals. Even start a viewing party so your friends can join you as you complain away. Zeebox is the perfect Oscar companion and works in your browser or as an app. Live From the Red Carpethttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/E%20Live%20from%20the%20Red%20Carpet-420-100.jpg Some of the most embarrassing moments of the Academy Awards do not happen on stage, but rather on the red carpet before the Oscars. You can count on names to be forgotten and fun fact mix-ups happening right outside the theater on the red carpet. Which is why E! Online's app is so entertaining as those awkward moments are preserved for your amusement and viewable via the app. Get it on iOS and AndroidAwards Partyhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Awards%20Party%20app-420-100.jpg Don't like to write in analog with a pen? Do you want to easily keep track of your Oscar picks for yourself and everyone at your party? Have .99 cents that you just don't want? Then Awards Party for just .99 cents will help you keep track of each of your guests' predictions which makes collecting on that betting pool so much easier. Get it on iOSShazamhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Shazam-420-100.jpg I am ashamed and humiliated to admit to you that I found Frozen to be one of my favorite films of the year, due mostly to that excellent soundtrack and score reminiscent of a Broadway musical. (Feel free to mock me now.) Now the best way to discover exactly where that musical number is from and how to purchase it immediately, is with Shazam. The app simply listens to the music examining the .wav file to identify the tune so you don't have to ask anyone, which is a bonus because you won't look stupid. You don't even need to buy the musical track, you can just quietly name the song title and composers by using Shazam's simple interface. See? I just made you look smart. Get it on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Windows andBlackBerryAction Moviehttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Action%20Movie%20app-420-100.jpg Made just for those times when the Oscars, or any awards show for that matter, get deadly dull. Action Movie allows you to take any short piece of video that you shoot, like some slow-moving drama scene from the latest Meryl Streep piece of Oscar-bait and add explosions or car crashes or aliens or flaming meteorites filled with tons of carnage and destruction. Just shoot anything off your television and enjoy watching Oscar host Ellen Degeneres explode in a hail of rocket fire. Hey, if the Academy is not going to bestow good Hollywood movies where things blow up with awards, then we can do the next best thing and blow up the awards. Get it on iOS, Android and Windows PhoneRun Peehttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Run%20Pee%20not%2016x9-420-100.jpg If you're like me, you can't see an entire feature film without having to pee at least once. Damn large-soda-and-popcorn-deal! Start this app at the beginning of a three-hour Oscar movie like, say, The Wolf of Wall Street, and you'll receive an alert at the boring parts telling you the best times to make a run to the restroom. Once the show is over, check the app and you'll read a description of the boring parts you missed. While the app would be really useful during the Oscars, it's safe to say you can pee during commercials (unlike the Super Bowl) and during those over-the-top dance numbers. At some point there must be a Run Pee app for television, but for now enjoy this useful movie-going tip. Get it for iOS, Android and Windows PhoneWatch ABChttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/2014%20Oscar%20apps/Watch%20ABC-420-100.jpg While a recent update of the Watch ABC requires users to enter a cable provider in order to access content, this second-screen experience app provides… oh who am I kidding? This app is crap, just use Zeebox. And if these apps fail to provide amusement, I find seeking out trailers for the Oscar porn parodies a very rewarding experience unto itself. Surprised? Yes, in fact, there are Oscar porn parodies and if the Academy ever decides to honor adult films, this year's winner should be 12 Inches a Slave. Get it on iOS, Android, Kindle and WindowsChris Gore is the founder of Film Threat, a writer and comedian whose debut comedy book/album is titled Celebrities Poop. (www.celebritiespoop.com) Chris' Oscar Twitter feed can be read @ThatChrisGore. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37a919af/sc/38/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/186531243805/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a919af/sc/38/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531243805/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a919af/sc/38/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531243805/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a919af/sc/38/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531243805/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a919af/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186531243805/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a919af/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/B56_w6CiKJc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Chrome/chromewebstore-470-75.jpgChrome users are upset at changes being brought in to current and newer versions, according to posts on the browser's discussion forum. Google's new policy automatically disables most extensions downloaded from sources other than the company's official app store, the Chrome Web Store. With the update, the only apps that will be able to be installed on Chrome will also have to be from the store. The company has described the move as one for greater security, a protection against developers using loopholes to install malware-laden add-ons without user knowledge. The new policy has been turned on for the Windows beta version of Chrome, evidently surprising some of the millions who use the experimental version of Google's browser. GoogleNannyThe main complaint from most users was that the new version was holding their hands, telling them what extensions they can and cannot run. One user compared the new changes to someone installing training wheels on their BMX, while another decried the fact Chrome had removed their anti-virus extension. Despite these complaints, it seems that it's unlikely that Google will reverse these changes. A moderator of the same forums posted a message stating that the Chrome Beta will remain as it is. People who did not like the changes, they said, should simply move back to the stable version. It is likely that Chrome 35 for Windows will be the first stable build to enforce this new extension policy. Via ComputerWorld Malware-infected extensions take shine off Chromehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37b097fc/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.pnghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Z2HIO9V3BV4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/logos/blackberry_messaging-470-75.jpgBlackBerry has confirmed its ever-popular BBM platform will spread its wings to a new platform later this year when it joins the Windows Phone fray. On day one of MWC 2014, the company announced it will also support the new Nokia X Android/Windows Phone hybrid. BlackBerry said the Windows Phone expansion comes as a response to demand from users following the rollout on Android and iOS late last year. Currently, the company is hard at work on the new apps and said the Windows Phone version will arrive sometime this summer. BBM vs FBMThe rollout comes just 24 hours after Microsoft announced Facebook Messenger would be arriving on Windows Phone in the near future. During that event Microsoft promised a host more high profile apps would arrive to plug the gaps. It seems like BBM and Facebook Messenger will be the first of many. Still in deep with Android? Check out our Samsung Galaxy S5 hands onhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/377eb511/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/186530986974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377eb511/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530986974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377eb511/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530986974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377eb511/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530986974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377eb511/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530986974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377eb511/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/2j5b-oObgHo

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Nokia/NokiaX/Nokiax-5-470-75.jpgThis week's launch of Nokia's new X handsets has generated more headlines than you'd expect for a family of fairly low-end devices. That's because the Windows Phone-supporting, soon-to-be-part-of-Microsoft phone firm has embraced Android. Here's what you need to know: tech first, and then what it means for Nokia, Windows Phone and Microsoft. Which Nokia phones are running Android?So far we've seen three. The four-inch Nokia X and X+, and the Nokia XL – which is a five-incher. What does the X represent?It's the cross between Android apps, Microsoft services and Nokia hardware, apparently. What's the pitch?Nokia design for cheap-Android money. How much will they cost?The Nokia X is €89, the X+ €99 and the XL €109. Are they any good?They're not going to delight specs fiends - you're looking at 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragons with 512MB of RAM (768MB on the X+ and XL), and you can forget about PureView cameras or wireless charging - but that's not who they're aimed at. They're perfectly decent phones with rock-bottom prices and nice design. Where will they be sold?For now, the X range will be sold in Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. There are no current plans to bring it to Western Europe, North America, Australia, Korea or Japan. Is Nokia using the same Android as Samsung?No. There are actually two Androids: the one we're all familiar with that comes with Google Maps and various other Google services, and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which doesn't. AOSP is available to anybody who wants it, and they can do what they like with it - but if they want to include key Google services such as Google Maps or Chrome, they need to pay for a Google Mobile Services (GMS) license. Nokia is using the AOSP version of Android. Has Nokia paid for a GMS license?No. Instead of Google services, the X phones will use Nokia and Microsoft services such as Skype, Here Maps, Bing, OneDrive and so on. Which version of Android is Nokia using?Nokia's fork is based on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. The skin is based on FastLane, the interface already used in Nokia's Asha devices. It looks rather like Windows Phone, which is entirely deliberate. Jelly Bean? That's quite old, isn't it?It is: it's been out since late 2012. The more recent KitKat, Android 4.4, has been specifically optimized for low-end hardware and would run better: we found the phones were "a little jittery". The use of a comparatively old Android suggests that Nokia has been working on this for a while. Do the phones use Google Play?No. Nokia has its own app store. Will it be a crap app store?Nokia says no: it promises hundreds of thousands of apps. Will there be lots of third party apps to choose from?Nokia says developers will find it simple to port their apps to its flavor of Android. It's produced three APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for maps, app notifications and payments to replace the Google services its version of Android lacks. Can I get apps from elsewhere?Yes. In addition to the Nokia store you'll be able to download apps from third-party app stores, and you'll be able to sideload apps too - although of course, as with any sideloading it's important to make sure you're getting your apps from trustworthy sites. Has Nokia basically 'done an Amazon' here?Yes, it's the same thing Amazon did with the Kindle Fire. It's an interesting move, because a forked Android is essentially yet another mobile OS for customers to consider. Has Nokia dumped Windows Phone?No. The official line is that the low-cost Android devices will introduce "the next billion" users to Nokia kit and Microsoft services. The reality is that Windows Phone is getting stuffed in the low end market by increasingly impressive and affordable Android devices, and that's still an important sector for Nokia. By making low-cost Android devices, Nokia believes, it can get new phone buyers to develop a Nokia habit. How does Microsoft feel about it?That's a very good question. Windows Phone vice president Joe Belfiore was asked specifically about it at MWC, and after an awkward pause he said that as far as Microsoft was concerned, "some things [Nokia does] we're excited about, some things we're less excited about." If this were Old Microsoft, we'd expect Nokia's Android adventure to end as soon as the ink was dry on the contract making Nokia a Microsoft subsidiary. Now that Microsoft's under new management, we're not so sure. These phones might not be shipping Microsoft operating systems, but they will be connecting to Microsoft services such as email, messaging and search. If they prove to be a hit, killing the range might not be the best move for Microsoft to make. That's a very big if, however, and the X range could end up as not just the first Nokia phones to run Android, but the last too. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/377a6aae/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/186531039189/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377a6aae/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531039189/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377a6aae/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531039189/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377a6aae/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531039189/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377a6aae/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186531039189/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/377a6aae/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/dvFMmiaPDMM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Nokia/nokia_here_maps_windows81-470-75.jpgNokia's Here Maps app will soon become available as a free download on every Windows 8.1 device, including tablets, laptops and desktops in both Pro and RT configurations. The Here app for Windows 8.1 has so far been exclusive to Nokia's Lumia 2520, but it will become available as a free download in the Windows Store app marketplace "in the coming days," says a post on Nokia's Here blog. The app will roll out beginning in North America and Europe, presumably continuing in other, undisclosed countries later. Here Maps is already widely available on Windows Phone 8 smartphones, where it serves the same purpose that Google Maps does on iOS and Android: being the "all-in-one mapping solution," as Nokia puts it. Faster maps and moreNokia promises improvements in this newly updated version of the Here Maps app for Windows 8.1. City pages will load as much as four times faster, among other improvements to overall speed, the company said. Being that it's soon to become available for desktop and laptop users, they've also added mouse and keyboard controls. The app's satellite image resolution has been increased as well, making satellite view easier to read even as you zoom in. And Here Maps keeps a record of your searches and routes. We've asked Nokia to clarify where and when the Here Maps app will launch outside the US and Europe, and we'll update this article when we hear back. The gorgeous new Google Maps will soon be available to allhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37638aa6/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/186530946448/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37638aa6/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530946448/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37638aa6/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530946448/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37638aa6/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530946448/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37638aa6/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530946448/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37638aa6/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/onquCYyAR9E

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/fingerprintscan-470-75.jpgPieces of the Windows Phone 8.1 puzzle continue to fall into place with reports claiming the big mobile OS update will bring fingerprint scanning technology into play. WindowsPhoneLovers has been trawling through the latest Windows Phone 8.1 SDK and found evidence that Microsoft plans to match the iPhone 5S in the security stakes. Within the code, the site spotted a line reading: "To allow the app to access your private key, scan an enrolled finger on the fingerprint scanner." Whether that means an onscreen reading or, a la Apple's solution, a physical fingerprint scanner remains to be seen, but we're likely to find out for sure at Build 2014 in April when Microsoft unveils the new OS. Make or breakThe code also suggests there'll be better customisation options when it comes to start screen themes and improved messaging options for dual screen phones. Today's report is the latest in a long line of feature leaks, for the new OS, which is increasingly becoming make or break for Microsoft. We've already heard plenty about the Cortana personal voice assistant tech, as well as the new Action Centre, which promises to bring users more control over their notifications. Speaking of Action Centre, here it is ... erm ... in action, courtesy of UnleashThePhones.com. With the Centre, it appears customizing app interaction and choosing what goes in the toggles and notifications are the name of the game. " width="420">YouTube : Did you know Windows Phone may be MIA at MWC?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/374de487/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/186530723741/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374de487/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530723741/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374de487/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530723741/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374de487/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530723741/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374de487/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530723741/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374de487/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/S8adanh4qD8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/features/car%20tech/LA%20Auto%20Show%20top%20tech/Chevy%20MyLink%20Siri-470-75.jpgThere are only two weeks left to submit an entry in Ford's OpenXC Traffic Tamer App Challenge, a competition to build an app that can help alleviate traffic congestion. To be considered for the prize, each entry must feature a working open source app that addresses the problem of bumper-to-bumper traffic. The app must be safe and non-distracting to drivers. A demonstration video and an explanation of how the app helps road users is also required. Apps can be for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry OS, Windows, or Mac OS. Everyone from college students to big business teams can enter. Traffic costWhile most drivers are well aware of the frustration of traffic congestion, the problem can also have a huge impact on the economy. A whopping £4.3 billion was lost to congestion in the UK in 2012, with the average car commuting household taking a £491 hit, according to INRIX. Transport for London predicts that there will be six million more journeys per day in London by 2031, making the need for a solution to congestion a big priority. Prize moneyThe grand prize is $10,000 (£6,000, AU$11,000). Second and third place prizes are $7,500 (£4,500, AU$8,300) and $5,000 (£3,000, AU$5,500) respectively. Judges will also award a $1,500 (£900, AU$1,650) prize for the app that best integrates with OpenXC, and another $1,000 (£600, AU$1,100) for the popular choice app. A final recognition award, with no cash prize, will be awarded to a large organisation. Judges include K. Venkatesh Prasad, senior technical leader of Open Innovation at Ford, and Andreas W. Schäfer, Professor of Energy and Transport at University College London, among others. Our very own Désiré Athow, editor of TechRadar Pro, is also on the judging panel. The deadline for submissions is March 4 2014. Winners will be announced on 25 March. Click here to enter. The 9 oddest apps in the worldhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/374889ff/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/186530827766/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374889ff/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530827766/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374889ff/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530827766/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374889ff/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530827766/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374889ff/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530827766/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374889ff/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/LwJFfDltg7o

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Software/Microsoft/Office%20365/office%20365%20interface-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has teamed up with DocuSign to launch eSignature apps for Office 365, allowing users to digitally sign their documents without leaving Microsoft's applications. The partnership will mean streamlined administration for adding DocuSign apps for all users from an admin console, a single sign-on via Windows Azure Active Directory, automatic storage in Microsoft OneDrive for Business, and self-service access to the Office Store. Users will also get access to upcoming additional features from Microsoft and DocuSign. The integration of eSignature will apply to Outlook, Word, SharePoint Online and SharePoint Server 2013. Cloud momentum"We're excited about the momentum behind Office 365 and customers making the transition from their traditional Office applications to all-new scenarios enabled by cloud services," said Keith Krach, chairman and CEO of DocuSign. "We believe Office 365 customers of all sizes will appreciate the seamless availability of DocuSign integrated into the applications they use every day. The combination of Microsoft and DocuSign further helps organizations keep business digital, and leverages the power of the cloud to help them focus on business results." DocuSign will be demonstrating the new features at Microsoft's SharePoint 2014 Conference in Las Vegas, which runs from March 3-6, as well as the DocuSign Momentum event on March 4-6 in San Francisco. eSignature for Office 365 will be available in March. How to move to Office 365http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37488a03/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/TI8KyBYBuyk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/windows_logo-470-75.jpgIt seems that Windows 7 will remain on sale to business users until at least early 2015, if not longer, following a change to Microsoft's Windows lifecycle. As spotted by ZDNet, the updated lifecycle indicates that Microsoft has not yet decided on an end-date for the OS and could be a long way off yet. Microsoft has promised to give businesses at least a year's warning before it kills off Windows 7 Professional. Doing a 180In 2013, the company announced that it was forbidding new PCs to be preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium and Ultimate after October 31 2014. This would mean that any new hardware customers would be pushed onto Windows 8. Microsoft hinted that end-of-sale date was the same for Windows 7 Professional. Later it backtracked when business customers threw up their hands in horror. According to ZDNet, Microsoft has now said that anyone buying a PC with Windows 7 Professional installed would receive extended support via the OEM to cover any gap after the end of mainstream support, which is due to come to an end on January 13 2015. Extra timeIt is possible that Microsoft could end mainstream support for Windows 7 Professional on that date even if it was allowing OEMs to sell the operating system on new machines. A Microsoft spokesperson told ZDNet that OEMs offer free warranty support for usually a year. This usually means that there is a small difference between mainstream support and extended support that Redmond would give anyway. This does mean, however that consumers will have had to have bitten the bullet and gone to Windows 8.1 by then. Of course they could just move to Linux. Now might be the time to read our Windows 8.1 reviewhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3733c937/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/186530745621/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3733c937/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530745621/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3733c937/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530745621/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3733c937/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530745621/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3733c937/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530745621/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3733c937/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/oa0wOx97FHc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Generic/Stress/PCA176.hd_extra.istkcrsh-470-75.jpgApplication Administrators aren't developers and they're not users, but they are critical to keeping the applications your organization relies on running. They install, update, tune, diagnose, and babysit both internal and third-party applications. The applications they support can include ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), POS (Point of Sale), BPM (Business Process Management), budgeting and forecasting, HR (Human Resources), legal matter management, AP (Accounts Payable)/ AR (Accounts Receivable), payroll, general ledger, SOX (Sarbanes Oxley) compliance tracking, training, time tracking, supply chain, database engines, and messaging, i.e., e-mail. While software can be readily licensed from a vendor, it still requires a significant amount of effort on the part of the acquiring organization. Someone has to prepare the servers that it will run on. Then someone has to install it, configure it, load data into it, tune it, upgrade it, and generally keep the package up and running. If errors occur, someone has to report them to the vendor and work with vendor technicians to correct the prob- lems. These are all tasks that an Application Administrator handles. In many cases, corporations are absolutely dependent that these applications be kept running. What would be the response of employees if the payroll application broke down? What would happen to the organization's financial situation if invoices weren't sent out to customers? What if new employees couldn't be added to the HR system? The importance of Application Administrators and their level of expertise shouldn't be over- looked. Since the trend of relying upon third-party software isn't going to decrease in the foreseeable future, the role of Application Administrator won't be going away either. Every company employs them even if their official job title doesn't sound at all like "Application Administrator." A job title of "system application administrator" might be for a position that covers both application administration and systems administration. Since there is a significant degree of overlap between these two positions, this isn't uncommon. Any software the organization relies upon is almost certain to have an Application Administrator supporting it. This includes software acquired from a third-party vendor or from an internal development team. Development teams typically develop the application and then hand support responsibilities off to another group within the organization. For better or for worse, they don't tend to stick around indefinitely to provide ongoing production support. Application administrator backgroundsThe background of IT professionals working as Application Administrators varies widely. Some have a back- ground in software development. Others became Application Administrators because an administrator was needed and they were in the right place at the right time. Individuals without formal education or training in IT will benefit the most from this book. It will provide hands on advice on how to administer applications, troubleshoot them, and establish best practices for keeping applications running smoothly. But even the most experienced Application Administrator has weak areas that this book can help shore up. Potential skillsetThe list of potential skills that an Application Administrator might be required to have can be long and diverse. The skills that are being sought range from very specific technical skills to skills that are considered "softer." Virtually every posting requires some variation of excellent communication skills, troubleshooting ability, problem solving and/or analytical skills, flexibility, and understanding business needs. Some examples of requested skills are: Expertise and experience in XYZ application is a must.Strong experience on failover, high availability, disaster recovery, business continuance.Strong experience in XYZ version control tool.Good knowledge and demonstrated troubleshooting abilities on connectivity issues due to firewall, load balancer, proxy, and others.Experience with SOX compliance and methodologies.Hands on experience in process automation, best practice approach, technology efficiency, and effectiveness.Knowledge of Web Services and Services Oriented Architecture is desirable.Requires extensive knowledge of Windows 2000/2003 Server.Should be experienced with SQL Query Development as it relates to XYZ databases.Must demonstrate strong experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining current Windows server products including Microsoft SQL 2005, IIS, Windows Clustering, Network Load Balance, Net Environments, and ISA.Strong Linux experience including shell and Perl scripting for administration tasks.Experience with monitoring tools is a plus.Knowledge of Oracle Application Server, Apache Tomcat, and Microsoft IIS a plus.Excels at the highest technical level of all phases of applications systems analysis and programming activities.Understands software and hardware requirements of varied departmental systems.Understands the workflow and process requirements of complex application systems.Demonstrated ability to be the subject matter expert in supporting, maintaining, and administering complex applications.Excellent problem solving/analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools.Display and execute logical and complex troubleshooting methods.Excellent verbal, written communication, and negotiations skills.Demonstrated soft skills required such as presentation of ideas and clearly articulate the concepts to senior management.Ability to effectively interface with technical and nontechnical staff at all organizational levels.Strong customer services and problem solving skills.Ability to provide outstanding customer service, be a good listener and work well with others.Self-motivated, able to work independently, and takes initiative.Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.Outstanding attention to detail with superior time and project management skills.Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a diverse group of customers.Ability to learn new content areas and new skills quickly and well required.Professional attitude and work habits.Understands business function related to the application.Ability to work through ambiguous work situations.Duties and responsibilitiesThe list of duties and responsibilities described in some job postings is as broad and diverse as the technical skills that are required of prospective job applicants. It wouldn't be realistic to expect a single candidate to be responsible for this entire list of duties, but don't be surprised if your initial job description gets widened to include more and more responsibilities as time goes by. Some of the duties and responsibilities that an Appli- cation Administrator might be given include:The candidate shall monitor the XYZ software application, document and analyze problems, and publish maintenance scheduleSets up administrator and service accountsMaintains system documentationInteracts with users and evaluates vendor productsMay program in an administrative languageProvides advice and training to end-usersMaintains current knowledge of relevant technologies as assignedThe candidate shall serve as part of a team responsible to maintain an XYZ system availability rate of 99%Troubleshoot, and resolve any reported problemsProvide application performance tuningThe candidate shall review the governing regulations to ensure proper program supportThe candidate shall monitor, update, and maintain existing legacy environment software systems interfaces to ensure that the interfaces exchange data properly and to support the current legacy environmentThis is a hands on senior technical position with Subject Matter Expertise (SME) on XYZ appEnable best practicesProcess automationMaintain SLA, System Availability, Capacity management, and Performance KPICollaborate with hardware, OS, DBA technical teams to ensure proper integration of the environmentWork closely with application development teams and vendors to tune and troubleshoot applicationsPlan and coordinate testing changes, upgrades, and new services, ensuring systems will operate correctly in current and future environmentsProvides second level of technical support for all corporate systems and software componentsProvide Level 3 support for the application. Must be able to support 24 x 7. Also enable production support team to tackle Level 2 support and issuesLeads and participates in efforts to develop and implement processes for application and system monitoringLeads and participates in efforts to implement application updates to include upgrades, patches, and new releasesTests, debugs, implements, and documents programs. Assists in the modification of company products and/or customer/internal systems to meet the needs of the client and/or end-userDevelops test plans to verify logic of new or modified programsDevelop and maintain the reporting and dashboard infrastructure for the organizationDevelop work plans and track/report status of assigned projects/tasksLiaise with vendor support on all issuesFully responsible for problem management activities such as issue resolution and root cause analysisDaily monitoring and maintenance activitiesAssist in the day-to-day operations of Operations departmentThis is an edited extract from Application Administrators Handbook: Installing, Updating and Troubleshooting Software by Kelly Bourne, published by Morgan Kaufmann Publishers (RRP £33.99)http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/371a0208/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/186530582360/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0208/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530582360/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0208/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530582360/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0208/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530582360/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0208/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530582360/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0208/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/i1oNYEP72xw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/Sochi/sochi%20credit%20to%20ATOS-470-75.jpgIf this week has taught us anything, it's that tech's biggest firms have are determined to make 2014 the year that wearable tech goes mainstream. HTC's competing, with promises of a wearable device this side of Christmas. Apple's at it, with rumours suggesting that sleep monitoring will be part of the functionality of its much-hyped iWatch. And of course Google's at it, with ever more uses for Google Glass. Google's next customer could well be Robocop: this week we discovered that the NYPD is experimenting with Google Glass in a move Chris Smith describes as "the Five-O going AR." Don't get too excited, though: the number of headsets the NYPD has ordered currently stands at a massive, er, two. The NYPD wants to see if Google Glass can make its people more efficient, and so does Virgin Atlantic: this week the airline announced a trial of Google Glass for its Upper Class customers, and Virgin hopes that the technology will speed checkin, deliver more personalised service and generally make its customers feel more pampered. Working wearablesThere may be a downside to that, though: as Gary Marshall imagined the various real-world things Google Glass would be brilliant for - engineers looking at blueprints, mechanics looking up manufacturers' tolerances, drivers checking itineraries and so on - a worrying thought occurred to him. "Such uses will make wearables like the Windows PCs of yore: the kit you associate with boring stuff you do in your day job. If we're strutting around wearing Glass all day, will we still want to wear it when we get home?" The answer might be yes if your day job is being an athlete: It turns out that one of the most important training regimes an Olympian can do involves, er, staring at a screen. While all kinds of firms have been trying to take the gold in gadget garb, the world has been cheering on the athletes at the Winter Olympics and we've been discovering the apps that help to give them the edge. As Hugh Langley explains, "if the US bobsled and skeleton team win big at this year's Winter Olympics, they'll have more than their coaches to thank… [they] have been perfecting their technique using free video analysis app Ubersense Coach on the iPad." That isn't the only app helping to shape the Olympics, either: Coach's Eye is helping freestyle skiers, and can be used for all kinds of sports - especially ones involving swinging things at other things. We'll find out the results in just a few days time. A cold climate for 4KThe Sochi Olympics are being filmed in Ultra HD, aka 4K, but it isn't being broadcast to ordinary sports fans using the technology. Kevin Lee uncovers a complex tale of new technologies and private viewing parties, and notes that the "elephant in the room slowing Ultra HD 4K TV's growth and its support" is good old HD with its ever-bigger screens and ever-smaller price tags. 4K sales have been fairly small so far, but "there is a fighting chance 4K coverage may be available by the time the next Olympics rolls." As Steve May suggests, manufacturers waiting for 4K to save their businesses may have to wait for a rather long time, because another sales boom probably isn't coming. "The hard truth is that TV has turned int a penguin business," he says. "It's unlikely to fly again, despite huge technology leaps." Ultra HD and 4K: everything you need to knowhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/371a0218/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/186530582359/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0218/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530582359/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0218/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530582359/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0218/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530582359/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0218/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530582359/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/371a0218/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/V4ygYYY5-FI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/tablets/Microsoft/Surface2/surface2review/prod_surf2d_Print-470-75.jpgMicrosoft may have a solution in the works for its Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 app deficit, but some inside the company reportedly aren't on board yet. It's simple: Microsoft's desktop, tablet and smartphone operating systems lack the bustling app ecosystem of a platform like, say, Android - so why not enable Android apps to run on Windows and Windows Phone devices? That's exactly what the company is considering, according to The Verge, which supposedly spoke with "sources familiar with Microsoft's plans." But these sources report that Microsoft executives are torn, with some of the mindset that the long-term risks might outweigh the benefits. Besides, as The Verge points out, this has been tried before - by BlackBerry - and it didn't work then. Why would it now? Forking Android overOf course, Microsoft is not BlackBerry. That much is obvious. And if Microsoft is really letting Nokia, which it bought in 2013, go ahead with the Finnish phone maker's "Normandy" Android device, then the Windows company is clearly not totally repulsed by the idea of using Android for its own means. Of course, the most recent report suggests that the Nokia Android phone will ship without many of the Google apps and services typically found on Android devices - including the Google Play store itself - in favor of Nokia- and Microsoft-built alternatives. But The Verge's sources say Microsoft doesn't want to deal with the hassle of creating its own "fork" of Android, and that simply enabling Android apps to run on Windows might be an easier solution in the short term. To that end the site suggests Microsoft might work with BlueStacks, a company that for years has been enable Android apps to run on Windows devices. Whatever happens, it seems Microsoft is at least considering taking drastic measures to solve its app deficit, which may be a sign of just how desperate things have become for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Here's what TechRadar thought of Microsoft's latest OS update, Windows 8.1http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3707e759/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/186530567931/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3707e759/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530567931/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3707e759/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530567931/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3707e759/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530567931/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3707e759/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530567931/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3707e759/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/pIH-SoF4K44

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/printers_and_scanners/Toshiba/toshibaerasableprinter/scanning%20and%20erasing-470-75.jpgDell has revealed that it will be offering a new piece of software along with its imaging portfolio, PaperCut print management. The new software promises to help business of all sizes manage their printing environment, use their resources and improve security. PaperCut can be used as a monitoring service to track, control and record printing tasks. New "Pull Printing" options can be used to hold a printing task in a server and release it on any device that supports Dell's software. The feature hopes to attract businesses with large buildings and staff worried about leaving valuable documents on display. Sharp securityDell has also geared PaperCut towards the education sector, implementing features such as top-up cards and scripting capabilities like free printing during class times. An audit trail, according to Dell, is also recorded onto the software, enabling customers to check whether guidelines in their businesses have been adhered to. Dave McNally, marketing director for Dell Imaging, said that the solution gives businesses increased control over printing policies and capabilities including security, cost and waste. PaperCut software has full support for Macs, Windows, Linux and Novell network environments ands available complete with support via Dell in the UK. Best business printerhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/370112a9/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/186530538327/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/370112a9/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530538327/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/370112a9/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530538327/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/370112a9/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530538327/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/370112a9/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530538327/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/370112a9/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/3JNqj54fg_0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%208/windowsphone81_sdk_leaks-470-75.jpgMore than a year after its launch, Windows Phone 8 will finally get its first major update in the form of Windows Phone 8.1. Now that the update's release is imminent, developers have begun getting their hands on the new version's software development kit, and they're reporting on the improvements Microsoft has made. The biggest news is that one important Windows Phone 8.1 change points to the possibility that the smartphone operating system may finally be merged with the tablet OS Windows RT. It seems Windows Phone 8.1 includes support for universal apps built using a shared HTML and JavaScript language that can be used between Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8, one supposed developer revealed on Reddit - most likely breaking his or her NDA in the process. The first step is most importantIn addition, with Windows 8.1 Microsoft will begin using the same .appx package for apps that Windows 8 apps already use. Although it's not a full unification yet, this could be the first step toward merging the operating systems for good. If Windows Phone and Windows RT are using the same apps, there's little reason to keep them separate, after all. And if iOS and Android can be more or less the same between smartphones and tablets, then so too should Windows be able to. The Windows Phone is 'a changingThe unification of Windows Phone and Windows RT may be the most exciting part of these Windows Phone 8.1 leaks, but there are plenty of other features being revealed by developers too. For example, Windows Phone 8.1 appears to let users choose different default messaging apps for the first time. There's also a "Battery Power Sense" feature to monitor battery life, VPN support, a "Storage Sense" feature for installing apps to SD cards, newly separate video and music apps, a new podcast app, and the rebranding of SkyDrive to OneDrive. Multitasking is different in Windows Phone 8.1 too, according to this developer. Pressing the back button now sends apps into the background instead of closing them, while swiping downward closes them, much like Windows RT. The camera app has a new layout as well. Finally the browser has been updated to Internet Explorer 11, Facebook account and photo integration appears to be gone (though Twitter is still present and iCloud has been added), and there's support for on-screen buttons, possibly to accommodate future phones without physical buttons. Notably, two important Windows Phone 8.1 features are missing from this SDK: the new "action center" notification center, and the "Cortana" virtual personal assistant and Siri rival. But those are expected to appear before Microsoft sends the final version of Windows Phone 8.1 to developers around April. Before there was Windows Phone 8.1, there was Windows 8.1! Read TechRadar's review for everything you need to know about Microsoft's last OS update.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36fb1d40/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/187557674757/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36fb1d40/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557674757/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36fb1d40/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557674757/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36fb1d40/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557674757/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36fb1d40/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187557674757/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36fb1d40/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/n82YBtQAxNk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Nokia/Nokia-Android/NokiaAndroid-LEAK-01-470-75.jpgThe Nokia "Normandy," the long-rumored Nokia Android phone, will be officially announced at MWC 2014, says a new report. The Nokia Normandy will also be released in February, The Wall Street Journal reports. But apparently the Normandy will be specially tailored so that some Google features won't be promoted as heavily as they might be on a traditional Android phone - you know, one not made by a company now owned by Microsoft. That means no Google Play store, and the Normandy will instead feature a selection of apps created by Nokia and Microsoft, like Here maps and Mix Radio, plus a Nokia app store full of Android apps, the site's sources said. Let's be practicalNokia has long been focused on Windows Phone, but its work on an Android handset has been rumored for months. The Normandy's debut at MWC has even been touched on before. However, ever since Microsoft picked up the Finnish phone maker for $7.4 billion (about £4.4 billion, AU$7.9 billion) in 2013, the Nokia Android phone's fate has presumably been up in the air. Considering it was never officially announced to begin with, it seemed Microsoft could put its foot down at any time and cancel it altogether. But the WSJ report says Nokia's engineers were working on the Android phone long before Microsoft began conducting due diligence leading up to the purchase, and the Windows company will reportedly let it continue all the way to retail. The reason for that? Pragmatism, apparently. If the phone is debuting in a matter of weeks, then the legwork was likely completed months ago, and Microsoft would likely rather make some money off of it - even if it does run Android - then scrap it entirely and throw away all of Nokia's hard work. Speaking of Android, here's everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy S5http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36f01550/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/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/XFTczZs_8T4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%208/Windows_Phone_81_Action_Centre-470-75.jpgIt has been rumoured for a while that the Windows Phone 8.1 update will have a notifications centre to catch-up with iOS and Android and now we know it's going to be an all-action solution. According to the first leaked screenshots, Microsoft's interpretation of an all encompassing notifications portal will be called the 'Action Centre.' For a start, isn't that way better than Notifications Centre? Secondly, judging by a 'Microsoft Confidential' email obtained by Winphollowers, it actually looks kinda neat too. The Action Centre shows applications segregated by icons, while there's also a 'Clear All' option and a chance to access 'All Settings' within the portal. Intelligently managedAccording to the screenshot, and accompanying text, Action Centre is a "central location to surface missed notifications," while apps can "intelligently manage notifications," meaning you can choose which apps you wish to receive them from and silence others. There's also a toolbar offering quick access to Bluetooth, Driving Mode, Airplane and Wi-Fi settings with a single tap, much like the Android OS. Windows Phone 8.1 is expected to be detailed at Microsoft's Build conference in San Francisco on April 2. Windows Phone 8.1 is probably going to have a Siri rival too...http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36e5e163/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/186530422405/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36e5e163/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530422405/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36e5e163/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530422405/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36e5e163/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530422405/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36e5e163/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530422405/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36e5e163/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/DFL7EVutGJo

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/people/Steve_Wozniak_Steve_Jobs-470-75.jpgApple co-founder Steve Wozniak has suggested a novel way for the company to combat the march of the Android army... start building Android phones! Speaking to Wired, the flamboyant computing whiz Wozniak said there's nothing keeping Apple from making Android phones that would out-style options from best-selling manufacturers like Samsung. "There's nothing that would keep Apple out of the Android market as a secondary phone market," he said. "We could compete very well. People like the precious looks of stylings and manufacturing that we do in our product compared to the other Android offerings. We could play in two arenas at the same time." Being Steve WozniakNaturally, there's no chance of that ever happening unless things take a serious turn for the worst at Cupertino, or Eric Schmidt totally Tim Cook. It's also unlikely the brazen statement will bother too many folks at Infinite Loop. Wozniak, whose only real involvement with Apple these days is collecting his dividends cheques, is known for his occasional jaunts to the other side of the tracks when it comes to towing the company line. In the past, he's urged Apple to bring iTunes to Android, criticised the new range of iPads, asserted that the iPhone had fallen behind the competition and called Windows Phone 'more beautiful' than iOS. Beyond his latest wind up, Woz was super positive about the company's recent times, refusing to criticise the company's decision for the slow bleed of new iPhone features, amid Samsung's desire to cram their handsets with everything but the kitchen sink. "If you have something really good, don't change it; don't screw it up. You pick up a Samsung phone and say smile and it takes a picture, but how much innovation is that? That's just throwing in a lot of features, he said. Woz loves a wind-up. Here are six of the best we pulled together way back in 2009.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36ccc8e7/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/186530319477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ccc8e7/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530319477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ccc8e7/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530319477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ccc8e7/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530319477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ccc8e7/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530319477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ccc8e7/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/IuJvArSXUfY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/bing-470-75.jpgSymbiotic relationships can mean life or death in the animal kingdom, but tech companies aren't immune to the primal draw of such set-ups. Case in point: Microsoft and Foursquare have announced a deal that should help them both ride the rising tide of competition. But even more importantly for uses of Windows, Windows Phone and Bing, it means richer location-based services are on the horizon. First reported by the Wall Street Journal and backed up by Foursquare itself, Microsoft plans to invest $15 million (about £9m/AU$16.7m) in the location-based social network so it can "continue to build out our product, and, even more excitingly, make sure more people get access to the power of Foursquare." That's well and good for Foursquare and its users, but Microsoft's end of the bargain is ripe with data. Mayor of Microsoft Microsoft which just appointed a new CEO earlier today, will license Foursquare's data for use in its operating systems and search engine. With info on more than 60 million restaurants, retailers and other points of interest culled from Foursquare's 45 million users, Microsoft's services should become smarter and savvier on the navigation front as they pull up user-submitted data from around the world. It also means Microsoft can gain ground against competitive maps services from Google and Apple. Will the deal make Microsoft mayor of the mobile world? Unlikely, but it shouldn't hurt. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36b83f67/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/186530170026/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b83f67/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530170026/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b83f67/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530170026/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b83f67/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530170026/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b83f67/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530170026/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b83f67/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/kCcBjr2ODNE

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/desktop_pcs_and_macs/Asus/Asus%20Chromebox/Asus%20Chromebox-470-75.jpgGoogle's Chrome OS continues to show up one more devices and it's marking another notch on the desktops category with the new Asus Chromebox. The most compact Chromebox yet, Asus revealed a new mini-PC measuring a scant 4.88 x 4.88 x 1.65 inches. The small, fan-less PC comes packed with an Intel 1.4GHz dual-core Celeron 2955U Haswell processor for the base end model. As an Intel powered box, it comes with integrated graphics, plus 2GB of RAM, 16GB of solid-state storage, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 4.0 and an SD card reader for media as well as expandable storage. Power squared For a little more power customers can bump up the specs to a 1.7GHz Core i3-4010U and 4GB of RAM. Asus' Chromebox will also come in a 2.1GHz Core i7-4600U powered variety but this model won't be available on American shores. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/desktop_pcs_and_macs/Asus/Asus%20Chromebox/Asus%20Chromebox%20Ports-420-90.jpg The three boxes come with four zippy USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, plus HDMI and DisplayPort out for dual-monitor setups. Asus also claims that the Intel i3 and i7 powered units will be able to support Ultra HD 4K TVs. The cloud platformThe Asus Chromebox joins the likes of other cloud platform Chrome desktops including the ill liked Samsung Chromebox and recently debuted LG Chromebase. But with a $179 (about £109/AUS $200) starting price, the Asus Chromebook is already looking much more affordable than Samsung's model - and even more than the similarly outfitted Intel NUC. You'll be able to can snag your own Asus Chromebox soon in March. Are traditional PC operating systems more your speed? Then you might be happy to know Windows 8.1 is not completely terrible in our review.Via PC World http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36b64fa2/sc/23/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/187557395749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b64fa2/sc/23/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557395749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b64fa2/sc/23/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557395749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b64fa2/sc/23/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557395749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b64fa2/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187557395749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b64fa2/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/PMDtk3e_HKw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/people/Microsoft/Satya_Nadella/Satya5_web-470-75.jpgContrary to popular belief, Microsoft is doing very well indeed. You've only got to look at the last financial results for that. Revenue of $24.52 billion in a single quarter. This is an immensely strong corporation. That strength has come from its previous two CEOs – one the founder, the other appointed from within. And it's why I believe Satya Nadella is the perfect fit to lead Microsoft into a new era where it fixes the issues it has experienced in the recent past. And, my, there have been issues. Nadella is inheriting a changing and challenged Microsoft. Just think of the problems with Xbox One: that kerfuffle over DRM and the lack of detail in graphics compared to PS4. And then think of Windows 8 and the fact that, 14 months after launch, the app ecosystem is still poor. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8JwNZBJ_wIAnd that's before we talk about Windows 8's suitability for tablet use. Or the fact 20% of PC operating systems worldwide are still the soon-to-be-defunct Windows XP. Oh, and the small matter of Windows RT, the OS that should die. Nadella is the guy to fix these problems. Despite numerous rumours and the Nokia acquisition, it doesn't seem Microsoft were keen to bring Stephen Elop back into the fold, and in the end the radical change proposed by Ford's CEO Alan Mulally just seemed a step too far. Accelerating to succeedInstead, the board went for continuity in Nadella - a guy who has had recent success in furthering Microsoft's cloud interests as well as building the infrastructure to make it happen. As Bill Gates says: "Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together." Nadella clearly believes there's plenty of opportunity for Microsoft too - he says potential prospects are "vast" yet the company must focus clearly and continue to change in order to continue to succeed. He acknowledges that he has a big challenge on his hands to accelerate product delivery to counter the regular updates to the likes of iOS, Android and even OS X while focusing on devices as well as services http://cdn4.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/people/Bill%20Gates-420-100.jpg We also shouldn't be fooled by the return of Gates to a more regular role. It's surely just a show to investors that the original Microsoft's strengths are still there, but really Gates has always been a supreme influence over Microsoft even since his semi-retirement and has had more than enough to say during his one day a week when he's not flying around the world battling Polio and meeting world leaders. We're looking forward to hearing Nadella deliver the kind of keynote speeches we've heard from Gates and Ballmer in the past – hopefully at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and pushing through to a leaner, faster and more efficient Microsoft. I reckon he'll do just fine. And I've only got one piece of advice for him: kill Windows RT and get tablets running Windows Phone instead. Like, yesterday. Now why not read Microsoft's new CEO: meet Satya Nadellahttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36b5342c/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/187557391909/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b5342c/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557391909/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b5342c/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557391909/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b5342c/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557391909/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b5342c/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187557391909/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36b5342c/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/I7q_toM-orM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/WP8/WP8-470-75.jpgRumors abound that the next big update to Windows Phone 8 will include a notification center and Siri-like voice assistant, but users can also expect Bluetooth 4.0 support as well. Nokia Power User reported Saturday that Microsoft's upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update has crossed yet another certification hurdle, this time for Bluetooth 4.0, which is already supported on competing iOS and Android devices. According to the listing on the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (BSIG) website, Microsoft received Bluetooth 4.0 certification for Windows Phone 8.1 last Friday, January 31, more than five months after submitting the mobile OS on August 5, 2013. The BSIG certification page twice specifically includes mention of Bluetooth low-energy (LE) support, a feature that has been widely expected given the increasing popularity of devices coupled to mobile apps which support such technology. Great, but when?The first major update to Windows Phone 8 is shaping up to be quite a doozy, with new notification center settings, separate volume control and improved multitasking also tipped for release this year. When the update might start landing on user handsets is anyone's guess, but with Microsoft's annual Build Developer Conference kicking off April 2 in San Francisco, we wouldn't be surprised to see at least a preview version land in the hands of developers during the event. Previous sources claim that Windows Phone 8.1 will be released to manufacturers next month, with a final release to end users sometime in May, assuming Microsoft has all of its ducks in a row by that time. It's important to note Microsoft's BSIG listing only covers the "mobile phone operating system" itself, although Nokia has already confirmed Bluetooth 4.0 support for its Lumia line, and all Windows Phone 8 devices are expected to be eligible for the update to 8.1. Relive the excitement of Windows 8.1 all over again in our full review!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36ab3b35/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/186530111385/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ab3b35/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530111385/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ab3b35/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530111385/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ab3b35/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530111385/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ab3b35/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530111385/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36ab3b35/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Bmoxzz_r5K8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Archos/Archos_Titanium_series-470-75.jpgFrench mobile manufacturer Archos plans to throw its beret in to the Windows Phone arena. CEO Loic Poirier said the company will launch a handset on Microsoft's gradually improving platform, joining its budget offerings on Android. Nokia is currently earning a whopping 90 per cent of Windows Phone sales, with big hitters like LG, Samsung and HTC focusing all of their attentions on the Android operating system. That means a potential opportunity for manufacturers a little lower on the totem pole, like Archos, outside of the densely populated Android market. New breed rising"We will launch a Windows Phone handset when the time is right," he told TrustedReviews before explaining its primary focus would remain with Android. "Before anything else we are focussed on Google," he added. Other manufacturers like Alcatel and ZTE are also planning to jump in on Windows Phone. Could we be seeing a new breed of handset makers rising on Windows Phone? Have you checked out Archos' latest range of budget Android tablets?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36a16024/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/186530066362/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a16024/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530066362/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a16024/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530066362/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a16024/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530066362/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a16024/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530066362/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a16024/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/9_j-cM5bVc0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Software/Parallels/Active/parallels-access-switcher-470-75.jpgParallels has launched a major update to its Access for iPad app, which lets users remotely run Windows and OS X programmes as if they were native iPad apps. The new features include a UI redesign for iOS 7, support for 11 languages, and a new single port connection designed to simplify working over corporate networks. Windows support is now out of beta. Users can remotely connect to Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 computers, as well as Mac computers powered by OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion and Lion. Users want desktop app featuresParallels also conducted a survey of Mac and iPad users, discovering that 90 per cent want fully-featured apps for iPad. 93 per cent believe fully-featured Mac and PC programmes ported to the iPad would improve their productivity. 85 per cent said they bring both a laptop and iPad on personal trips, while 60 per cent said they bring both on business trips. This shows that while tablets might be popular, they often lack the functionality of traditional devices powered by desktop operating systems. Parallels announced new subscription prices for the product: £2.99 per month or £34.99 per year. This is cheaper than its launch price, and each subscription covers 10 computers. There is also a 14-day trial available. Learn how to access devices remotelyhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/367d636f/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/186529957328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/367d636f/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529957328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/367d636f/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529957328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/367d636f/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529957328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/367d636f/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529957328/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/367d636f/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/yEtd1NELDg8