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Blog Archive

Monday 30 December 2013

Repairing your iPhone: DIY or hire a pro?


Now that we’re all inextricably tethered to our smartphones, it’s especially frustrating when they break. Suddenly you’re cut off from the world, unable to talk, text, Google, and, perhaps worst of all, play Candy Crush Saga. So what happens when your iPhone hits the pavement and cracks like an egg? Or won’t turn on? Or goes for a swim? Maybe it’s something basic, or maybe not. Whatever the case, you might be thinking you can fix it yourself. After all, you’re handy with a screwdriver, and you’ve been known to pry open a malfunctioning PC. How hard could iPhone repair really be?

Sunday 29 December 2013

App Santa offers holiday discount on iOS apps


A group of independent developers is banding together to offer deep discounts on their premium iOS apps for the holiday shopping season.

Saturday 28 December 2013

BlackBerry CEO: We'd love to try iOS, Android


BlackBerry’s new CEO says he is “very interested” in trying to replicate some of the company’s signature security and enterprise productivity on rival platforms.

Thursday 26 December 2013

Researchers: Older Mac webcams can spy without activating warning light


Most webcams have a warning light that indicates when they’re active, but it’s possible for malware to disable this important privacy feature on older Mac computers, according to research from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore.

Wednesday 25 December 2013

The 12 streaming movies of Christmas


Christmastime is here, which means joyous excitement for some, and worry and dread for others. Fortunately, there’s a whole roster of streaming Christmas movies available to either enhance or counter your mood. These range from sweet, beloved classics to much darker, more modern movies, all the way to the simply bizarre. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Apple updates pro video apps with Mac Pro optimizations


Apple last Wednesday pushed out a few significant updates to its pro video-editing apps in a bid to take advantage new Mac Pro that the company started selling on Thursday.

Monday 23 December 2013

How to find free books in the iBooks Store


There are plenty of things to worry and stress over during this holiday season, but where you find your travel entertainment really shouldn’t be one of them. Here’s our guide to picking up some great free reading before you hop a plane, train, or automobile.

Saturday 21 December 2013

Apple releases EFI Firmware Update v2.0 for the new Mac Pro


Though the Mac Pro hasn’t even been available to the public for 24 hours, Apple has already released an update for the machine.

Friday 20 December 2013

Order your Mac Pro today, get it in February 2014


Apple’s new Mac Pro became available for orders after midnight on Thursday, but don’t expect your shiny new machine to be at your doorstep anytime soon—as of this writing, the Apple Store says that the new Mac Pro won’t be available to ship until February.

The new Mac Pro: First impressions


The new Mac Pro is here! Well, not everywhere, exactly—Apple’s shipping them out starting Dec. 19, but orders are already backlogged into February. We were fortunate to get our hands on an eight-core model (retail price of our configuration, complete with RAM, GPU, and SSD upgrades: a whopping £4999) today; it’s currently in the Lab undergoing as many tests as we can throw at it. In the meantime, here are our first impressions based on opening the box and seeing the thing in person for the first time since the few minutes we spent with it in June.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Apple to ship new Mac Pro on Dec. 19



Apple promised that it would ship the new Mac Pro in December, and it appears that it’s kept that promise: The distinctively cylindrical power machine will be available for order on Thursday, December 19, the company announced on Wednesday. Customers can place their orders via the Apple Online Store, at Apple retail stores,  and through Central IT.

Apple Releases OS X 10.9.1 With Several Mail Improvements

If “solutions for a buggy Mail app” was on your holiday wish list, Apple has delivered: The company released an update to OS X Mavericks Monday that it says fixes several of the Mail.app issues users have run into, including Gmail compatibility, search and Smart Mailbox reliability, and misbehaving contact groups.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Wireless 'Desk Free' Computer System with Projection Display Detailed in New Apple Patent

Apple has been awarded a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office detailing a wireless "desk-free" computer system that consists of only a computer housing with a built-in unique smart projector including advanced capabilities. 

Tuesday 17 December 2013

iCloud backup tricks for the iPhone and iPad



It’s important to back up your iOS device, just as you should your Mac. You can back your iPad or iPhone up to your computer using iTunes, or you can back it up to Apple’s iCloud. If you do the latter, the device backs up whenever you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, keeping your data well protected.

Don’t Wrap Your MacBook’s Cable Around the Power Brick

The Internet got super excited this past week after a photo of a MacBook brick with both cables wrapped around it emerged. It’s a nice, compact way of keeping everything together. It’s also horrible for your power cord.

Monday 16 December 2013

FCC moves toward in-flight mobile use; Transportation may ban voice calls



The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to move forward with a plan to allow airlines to permit passengers to use mobile phones during flights, but another agency may protect travelers from hearing the loud phone conversations of their seatmates.

Booq Boa Squeeze review: More bag than meets the eye

Much like the members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, Booq’s durable collections are named after snakes (Boa, Viper, Cobra, Python). The company, which specializes in robust outdoor gear, features seven satchels of various sizes and uses in the Boa Collection including an iPad sleeve, a laptop bag, and three backpacks—of which we tested one, the Boa Squeeze.

Sunday 15 December 2013

Google updates Gmail to always display photos embedded in emails

If your inbox looks anything like mine, it’s likely rife with newsletters from companies urging you to buy things. I know, I know—I could unsubscribe, but I love to look at the pretty things. Often times, I don’t let the images show up so that I’m deterred from actually buying anything, but Google’s announcement Thursday is likely to ruin me and my bank account.

Saturday 14 December 2013

Take that, Snapchat: Instagram Direct’s private messages stick around

Instagram is becoming very, very skilled at watching social media trends and finding ways to tailor what’s popular to the app’s own purposes. So it was with video, and so it is now with Instagram Direct, a new private messaging component.

Friday 13 December 2013

Apple stealthily begins taking orders for iPad mini with Retina display

Apple pulled a rabbit out of its hat on Tuesday, silently beginning to take orders for its new iPad mini with Retina display. Announced on October 22 with a vague promise of availability “later in November,” the updated iPad mini is available to buy now online.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Twitter’s app update introduces a trio of swipeable timelines


Twitter version 6.0 is here, and the updated iOS and Android apps are another step toward making the social network a more mobile, more visual place to be.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Troubleshoot Apple's Touch ID fingerprint reader


There’s been a lot of talk about Touch ID troubles in the news lately. Ars Technica’s Christina Bonnington wrote an excellent explainer about the iPhone 5s’s sensor itself, along with some typical issues users might run into over time, while engineer and pundit Dr. Drang wonders if your recorded fingerprint data might decay after a few months of misreads, given that the Touch ID sensor is continually trying to improve the information it has on your fingerprint.

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Apple selling Sharp 4K monitor ahead of Mac Pro launch


Apple is selling a 4K monitor from Sharp that could allay concerns of users looking to buy the upcoming Mac Pro desktop for ultra-high definition content creation.

Monday 9 December 2013

iOS 7 is Apple's fastest growing mobile operating system


According to a chart posted on Apple's developer website, iOS 7 is now installed on 74 percent of all active mobile devices manufactured by the tech giant. iOS 6 still powers 22 percent of iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch models out there, while the remaining 4 percent—likely older hardware that can no longer be upgraded—are on “other” versions of the operating system.

Friday 6 December 2013

Mac buying guide: How to pick the right computer

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re thinking about buying a new Mac and may be in need of a little guidance. Fortunately, we’ve tested (almost) every standard-configuration Mac model currently in Apple’s lineup. We’re quite familiar with Apple’s Macs, and we’re happy to help you choose the right Mac for you.

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Apple seeks to bar key Samsung executives from licensing negotiations


Apple wants to bar Samsung Electronics executives with knowledge of leaked confidential information from negotiating any mobile device licenses for the South Korean company for the next two years.

Monday 2 December 2013

The new Mac Pro: Not for the faint of wallet


When I first gazed upon the radically redesigned, supercharged Mac Pro at Apple’s WWDC last June, my reaction was immediate: “This is my next computer.” The promise of lightning-fast speed combined with the allure of its futuristic cylindrical design seemed irresistible.

Apple on Black Friday: It's all in the cards


Apple doesn't really do sales. It certainly doesn't try to compete with other electronics retailers in slashing its prices on the day after Thanksgiving. But that's not to say it doesn't get into a little bit of Black Friday mania.

Friday 29 November 2013

Apple's new Mac Pro signals commitment to professional computing


Apple is sending a signal that it hasn’t abandoned the professional computing market with the latest Mac Pro, which will ship next month. But the workstation faces competition from its own sibling iMac as computer buyers weigh purchases.

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Setting usage boundaries for work, play remains a challenge


The K-12 private education Paideia School in Atlanta now hands out about 550 Apple iPads each year to students for classroom teaching and homework purposes. And while students love them, some parents are now pressing the IT department to restrict use of apps on the devices because they think there's too much game-playing.

Monday 25 November 2013

Apple issues firmware update for 802.11ac-equiped AirPort base stations


Apple on Thursday released firmware update 7.7.2 for both the new AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule that support the 802.11ac protocol.

Friday 22 November 2013

Find My Friends ditches stitched leather in iOS 7 update


Bid adios to stitched leather, friends who like to find other friends. Apple’s released an update for its Find My Friends application, giving it an iOS 7-style makeover that brings it up to par with the company’s other apps, including Remote, Podcasts, Find My iPhone, and iBooks.

Samsung must pay $290 million to Apple in patent case


A jury has ordered Samsung to pay $290 million to Apple for infringement of several of its patents in multiple Samsung smartphones and tablets.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Apple, Samsung rest case in multimillion-dollar patent fight


Experts hired by Apple and Samsung explained and justified their differing damages claims to a California jury Monday as the latest battle between the two smartphone giants moves closer to a conclusion.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

YouTube returns after a short, widely seen outage


A brief YouTube outage on Monday was the one of the biggest recent glitches for the popular video site, according to a company that uses complaints on Twitter and other sources to measure the impact of online outages.

Apple's rumored PrimeSense buy may open Siri's eyes


For years, technologies like Apple’s Siri and Google’s Google Now have been flying blind, awoken by the spoken command of their users. If Apple acquires PrimeSense, perceptual computing may finally open its eyes.

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Apple's Schiller testifies in case against Samsung

Apple’s global marketing chief told a California courtroom on Friday that Apple had a tougher time selling the iPhone after Samsung launched its own smartphones with a similar design.

Apple experts seek to justify $380 million damages claim against Samsung


How much value do you put on certain features in the cellphone you buy? Most consumers probably don’t assign a dollar value to specific items, but the detailed calculations handset manufacturers make were at the heart of arguments Thursday as Apple and Samsung fight over hundreds of millions of dollars in patent infringement damages in a California court.

Monday 18 November 2013

Apple's Aperture update fixes face detection


When Apple released Aperture update 3.5.1 late Thursday afternoon—an update to its pro photo management software—the fix was designed to solve face detection problems. The update is free for version 3 users.

Sunday 17 November 2013

Which iPad is right for you?


It used to be easy: Did you want an iPad? Which capacity? Need cellular networking? Done.
Now, though, we’re up to four different iPad models, each with several permutations. Then you have to think about what capacity, whether or not you want cellular networking, and even what color you want.

Friday 15 November 2013

Apple releases iOS 7.0.4 to fix FaceTime problem


If you like your software fresh and up to date, then it’s time to pay a visit to your friendly neighborhood Settings > General > Software Update on your iOS device. iOS 7.0.4 has arrived bearing gifts.

Apple, Samsung spar over money, as iCourt resumes


While the impact of Apple’s iPhone is obvious to anyone who follows the tech industry, attorneys Wednesday took a California jury back to the phone’s 2007 unveiling to remind them just how important the device was, as Apple and Samsung began arguing over patent infringement damages that could run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

Adobe patches critical vulnerabilities in Flash Player, ColdFusion


Adobe Systems released security updates for Flash Player, AIR and ColdFusion to fix critical vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to take control of affected systems or read information from servers without authorization.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Bitcoin's potential devastation at the hands of a 'Selfish miner' attack


Bitcoin is vulnerable to an attack that could have devastating effects on the virtual currency, but it can be fixed with a software update, according to researchers from Cornell University.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

NSA-dodging services launch Dark Mail Kickstarter to create truly secure email


Two encrypted communication service providers are turning to you for help in building the next-generation of secure email services. Lavabit founder Ladar Levison and Silent Circle recently began a Kickstarter initiative to help fund the development and roll out of the first Dark Mail clients.

Monday 11 November 2013

Developers still think Windows 8 has potential


It’s safe to say Windows 8 hasn’t been the smashing success Microsoft hoped. After more than a year on the market and one major update, Windows 8 is just flirting with a 10 percent market share.  That’s higher than Vista or OS X, but dwarfed by Windows 7 and even (still!) Windows XP.

Sunday 10 November 2013

Hands-on: Apple's Remote app gets an iOS 7 makeover


Slowly but steadily, Apple has been updating its miscellaneous iOS apps to reflect the new design aesthetic of iOS 7. The latest to go under the digital knife is Remote, the app that turns your iOS device into a remote control for iTunes libraries on your Macs and PCs as well as for your Apple TVs.

Apple fixes trackpad and graphics issues on new Retina MacBook Pros


Owners of the newly release 13- and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro models may want to fire up Software Update for something even more important than a fix for Mail in Mavericks. Firmware updates for both models also released on Thursday take care of some potentially big problems with these latest laptops.

Saturday 9 November 2013

Hallelujah! Apple issues update for Mail in Mavericks


The complaints of Gmail users using Mail 7.0 in OS X Mavericks have been well documented, and it looks like Apple has finally come out with a fix. The company on Thursday released Mail Update for Mavericks 1.0.

Google's augmented reality game Ingress opens to everyone


Google's popular Android-centric "turf war" game, Ingress, has finally lost its invitation-only requirement and has entered open beta. Starting today, all Android users can download the massively-multiplayer game from Google Play for free.

Google's iOS search app gets improved reminders, notifications


Google has added new features to its search app on iOS, like updated reminders and hands-free search, designed to proactively deliver information to people at certain moments.

Friday 8 November 2013

Microsoft giving away free IT training -- and jobs -- to soldiers


On Monday, Microsoft said it will offer a free 16-week IT course for soldiers transitioning out of the US military into civilian life—with a guaranteed job at the end of it.

Apple plans Arizona factory that will run on renewable energy


Apple plans to build a components plant in Mesa, Arizona, that will run entirely on renewable energy.

iTunes 11.1.3 fixes 'so many' problems


On Tuesday, Apple boosted iTunes to version 11.1.3, in the process fixing some problems with equalization, large libraries, and other minor bugs.

Thursday 7 November 2013

Google+ gains new controls to give business users more privacy


Google has added some new privacy controls to Google+ to give business users a more secure way to share sensitive information on the social network.

iWork '13: A smart move?


From bloggers to everyday users, almost everybody seems to have reacted to the release of the latest version of iWork with overwhelming negativity, and a general feeling that Apple is “dumbing down” its apps to appeal to a broader audience.

Wednesday 6 November 2013

123456: Millions of Adobe hack victims used horrible passwords


The hacking of Adobe that compromised tens of millions of accounts is no joke, but at least we can enjoy a little dark humor over users' predictably awful passwords.

Google Maps could use more personalized data, present customized views


Google’s increasing use of users’ personal data in its services may in the future extend to Maps, where users could see more customized, individual views.

Apple in China: By the numbers


In the UK, it’s easy to get a feel for Apple’s success. Just go to any public place and look around at all the iPhones.

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Fact or fiction: What affects Wi-Fi speed?

Believe it or not, there was a time not long ago when surfing the Internet from your back porch required a very, very long ethernet cable. These days Wi-Fi seems to be everywhere, with inkjet printers, digital cameras, TVs, and even refrigerators connecting to home and office networks without the need for cables.

Monday 4 November 2013

Google to big ISPs: Fiber is good for you


Lest you’re holding on to any belief that big ISPs like Time Warner and AT&T care the least bit about making available the best technology at a fair price, just look at the situation in Austin, Texas, and Kansas City to learn otherwise. Before the threat of Google Fiber arrived, broadband in those places was as slow and expensive as it is everywhere else.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Google's Chrome will automatically block malware


A developer version of Google’s Chrome browser will automatically flag and block malware that the user’s anti-malware system wouldn’t otherwise detect, Google said.

Microsoft warns Windows XP users that malware will jump


Microsoft yesterday again but the scare into Windows XP users, telling them that after April 8, 2014, the chance that malware will infect their PCs could jump by two-thirds.

Saturday 2 November 2013

A roundup of Mavericks troubleshooting tips


Apple’s latest operating system update, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, is out. If you own a Mac that supports the OS update, you should get it. Now. You certainly can’t beat the price: free!

Friday 1 November 2013

What is Crystalwell?


One of the interesting things to come out of Apple’s recent MacBook Pro refresh was the inclusion of something called Crystalwell to the components list of the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro. What is Crystalwell?

Apple promises fix for keyboard, trackpad woes on 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro


If I haven’t mentioned it lately, thanks to all you early adopters: You guys get the fun job of finding all the slight wrinkles in new Apple products before the rest of us. Case in point, the keyboard and trackpad on the new 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro launched last week.

Thursday 31 October 2013

Ditch Mavericks's Mail: Other email apps you can try


Mavericks, the latest version of OS X, is named after a popular surfing location in Northern California, a place known for its gigantic waves. For some, using OS X Mavericks has seemed a lot like surfing—and not in a good way. Just when you feel like you’re having a rad run, you launch Mail 7.0, and suddenly your whole experienced is wrecked. Mail ends up being the massive wave that wipes out any good karma you had.

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Adobe security breach worse than originally thought


This month’s security breach at Adobe is turning out to be much more widespread than the company first let on. At least 38 million users have been affected by the early October incident.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Benchmarks: Upgraded graphics boost new 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro


The first of the new MacBook Pros unveiled on Tuesday are in the labs, and the results show that the internal updates in new pro laptops help to increase performance in nearly every application.

This is Tim: Apple's CEO on New categories, China growth, and free updates


[During Apple's usual conference call with analysts after releasing strong fourth-quarter results, CEO Tim Cook took time to talk about the iPhone 5S, channel inventory, the difference between the iPhone 4S and the 5C, and more. Here’s an edited transcript of what Cook had to say on Tuesday about Apple’s most recent quarter. ]

Apple revenues up but net profits down in fourth quarter


Apple wrapped up its 2013 fiscal year Monday with a $7.5 billion profit on $37.5 billion in revenue, reporting accelerating growth buttressed by strong iPhone sales and growth in the Chinese market. Compared to the same quarter a year ago, iPhone sales were up, iPad sales were flat, and Mac sales were down.

Monday 28 October 2013

How to view the ~/Library folder in Mavericks


Inside your home folder is a Library folder—commonly written in Unix syntax as ~/Library, which means “a folder named Library at the root level of your home folder.” This folder is accessible only to you, and it’s used to store your personal settings, application-support files, and, in some cases, data.

Sunday 27 October 2013

Keynote for Mac, iOS, and iCloud


Along with a host of other updates this week, Apple shipped new versions of Keynote for both Mac (version 6) and iOS (version 2), and also added new features to the Keynote Web app available on iCloud.com. Here are some first impressions:

Saturday 26 October 2013

Nine out of 10 Macs are eligible for free Mavericks upgrade


OS X Mavericks, the Mac operating system Apple offered Tuesday as a free upgrade, could end up on more than 90 percent of Macs, according to statistics from a Web analytics company.

Friday 25 October 2013

Flash Player now sandboxed under Safari on Mac OS X


Adobe has worked with Apple to sandbox Flash Player under Safari in Mac OS X, restricting the ability of attackers to exploit any vulnerabilities they might find in the browser plug-in.

Blackberry sees 10 million BBM downloads in 24 hours


Blackberry says its new app that opens up the proprietary BBM messaging platform to Android and Apple users was downloaded 10 million times in just over its first 24 hours of availability.

Thursday 24 October 2013

Get your Mac ready for Mavericks (OS X 10.9)


Apple has released Mavericks (OS X 10.9), but before you rush out and install the new OS, you’ll want to get your Mac ready for the upgrade.

Wednesday 23 October 2013

How the iPad Air stacks up against its competitors


It's not even Hump Day yet and already we're salivating over Apple's new arsenal of gadget releases. The iPad Air made a particularly big splash in Apple’s hour-long event with the news that it features the 64-bit A7 processor and a 48 percent thinner chassis, while droping the weight to a measly one pound.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

iOS 7.0.3 is released with fixes for iMessage, accelerometer bugs


If other recent Apple announcements weren’t enough to get your head in a spin, Apple has pushed iOS 7.0.3 to iOS devices everywhere. The update adds support for iCloud Keychain and should provide two big fixes: both to the accelerometer calibration issue some users were seeing and recent iMessage bugs.

Full-sized iPad Air packs A7 processor into thinner design


Apple introduced the fifth generation of its full-sized iPad on Tuesday, re-naming its tablet the iPad Air. The new offering bumps up the speed and performance while slimming the bezels to give the iPad a sleeker look.

iWork apps get iOS and OS X overhauls, available now


During a presentation full of new Mac hardware and software, Apple senior vice president of Internet software and services Eddy Cue unveiled new versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote on both the Mac and iOS. All three apps will be available for free to anyone who buys a new Mac or iOS device; those with older devices will likely be able to purchase these applications, though Cue didn’t mention pricing on-stage.

Retina MacBook Pro gets major overhaul


Apple on Tuesday announced major updates to the Retina MacBook Pro, adding new processors and lowering the prices for its laptop lineup.

Cook: App Store, iTunes Radio sport prominent growth


Apple’s iOS App Store now holds more than 1 million apps. Tim Cook touted the milestone during Tuesday’s media event as part of an army of data Apple’s CEO unleashed to illustrate his company’s edge in the mobile market.

New 2013 Mac Pro to ship in December


Power users with money to spend will have a present to buy for themselves in December: That’s when Apple’s new Mac Pro, which the company previewed back in June, will finally be available for purchase.

OS X Mavericks launches, and it's free


Apple senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi announced at Tuesday’s special event that OS X Mavericks will arrive on the Mac App Store on Tuesday October 22. Even more significantly: It’s going to be free. Mavericks brings several key under-the-hood features to OS X, new versions of popular Apple iOS apps, and full support for multiple displays.

More than 40 percent of YouTube traffic now comes from mobile


YouTube’s presence on mobile devices has exploded in the past couple of years, Google said on Thursday.

PCs using Intel's Broadwell processor expected in second half of 2014


Although production of Intel’s next-generation Broadwell chip won’t begin until the first quarter of 2014, PCs using the chip won’t appear until the second half of 2014, Intel disclosed Friday.

Linksys to resume building network hardware for small- to medium-size businesses


If Cisco thought it was unloading a consumer brand that no longer fit with its enterprise focus by selling its Linksys business unit to Belkin, Cisco’s in for a surprise: Belkin is embarking on an ambitious campaign to once again make Linksys a major player in the SMB networking market.

Monday 21 October 2013

Microsoft temporarily pulls Windows RT 8.1 update due to 'a situation'


If you were looking forward to updating your Windows RT tablet to the fancy new 8.1 update this weekend, it's time to start looking for a Plan B. Microsoft has temporarily yanked the Windows RT 8.1 update from the Windows Store due to "a situation affecting a limited number of users," as first reported by WinBeta.

How to recalibrate the motion sensors in your iPhone 5s


Lost your way? Recently, Gizmodo has been following a story about faulty motion sensors in the iPhone 5s. If you find yourself having problems with the motion sensors that power your iPhone’s Compass, Maps, or other third-party apps, there’s an easy way to try and fix the problem.

Sunday 20 October 2013

Europe claims satellites enable total broadband coverage


The European Commission claims that basic broadband is now available to everyone in Europe.

Direct Twitter messages with links fall prey to technical issues


Twitter’s direct messaging feature appears to be experiencing technical difficulties by not allowing certain messages to be sent if they contain links.

Saturday 19 October 2013

Apple to replace some MacBook Air flash drives


Is your 2012 MacBook Air’s drive on the fritz? You may be eligible to have it exchanged under Apple’s new Flash Storage Drive Replacement Program.

What's still to come from Apple this Autumn


Longtime Apple watchers know that the fall season usually brings a bountiful harvest of new and updated products from the company. Indeed, just two short weeks in September have ushered in new iPhones, iOS 7, a new version of iTunes, a modest bump to the iMac line, a nice update to the Apple TV software, and several minor changes to the company’s product lineup including iPhone docks and even new iPod colours. But we didn’t see lots of stuff in September that many had hoped for, and the rumour mill is churning away (as usual) about all the things Apple supposedly still has up its sleeve for the fall.

Friday 18 October 2013

Apple hires Burberry CEO as its new store chief


Apple has filled its need for an executive to oversee its stores, and in a big way: The company has hired Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts to the newly created position of senior vice president of retail and online stores.

Thursday 17 October 2013

Destructive malware "CryptoLocker" on the loose

If you're a daily computer user, you're likely aware of all the threats you face every day online in the form of viruses and malware.

Twitter feature opens direct message floodgates


If you keep a close eye on your Twitter settings—and who doesn’t, really?—you probably noticed a new option pop up Monday night: “Receive direct messages from any follower.”

Ten essential tips for searching the Web


Finding just the right page among the billions on the Web requires not only a search engine but also a bit of know-how. Here is a selection of my favorite tips for searching the Web.

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Why businesses are embracing iOS 7


Every now and again, somebody tries to tell Erik Frieberg the same story they told him six years ago—that the iPhone is made for play, and that the iOS operating system isn’t really built for business and enterprise use. Frieberg’s eyes tell him differently.

Twitter picks New York Stock Exchange for IPO


Twitter plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, it said Tuesday.

Apple announces Oct. 22 event, says it 'has a lot to cover'


What’s better than one autumnal Apple event? Two... Obviously. The folks from Cupertino evidently agree, for on Tuesday they dispatched invitations to the media for a gathering next Tuesday, October 22, in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater. The show kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Google Maps adds multi-destination directions and searchable reservations, events


On Wednesday google announced it is adding more smarts to its Maps software to incorporate personalized search results such as hotel, flight and restaurant reservations, as well as upcoming event listings.

Six quick Spotlight tips


Sometimes it can be just as challenging to find a file on your own Mac as on the Web. A few tips will put you on the right path.

Monday 14 October 2013

Adobe's source code was parked on hackers' unprotected server


Hackers capitalize on other people’s mistakes. But they make their own as well.

Sunday 13 October 2013

Secrets of the iOS 7 keyboard


iOS 7 packs a lot of changes: new icons, new app interfaces, and new features, such as Control Center. But you may not have looked closely at one part of iOS 7 that you’ll use a lot: its keyboard. Uncover hidden characters and handy shortcuts with this guide to the new keyboard on your iPhone and iPad. (Note that you’ll still see the older iOS 6-style keyboard in apps that haven’t been updated for version 7.)

Saturday 12 October 2013

Changing the signature in iOS's Mail app


'Sent from my iPhone' used to be almost as fashionable as holding the latest model of Apple's mobile communication device to your ear, while talking loudly and audibly in a crowded room. But times change... And these day we tend to look on those people with annoyance, rather than the green-eyed-monster of envy. If you want to reply with: 'so was this', here's how:

Friday 11 October 2013

'Office for iPad is coming', Ballmer says...


Microsoft tossed Apple users a bone when it released Office for the iPhone back in June. But it wasn’t a particularly appetizing bone, because when it comes to mobile productivity, most people want Office on their iPad, not a smartphone.

Thursday 10 October 2013

iPad event planned for October 22?


Looks like we’ll have some new iPads to talk about this autumn after all.

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Adobe reports massive security breach


Adobe reported what it called a “sophisticated” cyberattack on its network where hackers gained unauthorized access to confidential customer information including IDs and encrypted passwords. The hack affects some 2.9 million customers worldwide, the company estimates.

Apple and the quest for a bigger smartphone screen


With the new iPhone models firmly out the door and racking up impressive sales, it has become obvious that Apple isn’t in any rush to manufacture handsets that sport a bigger screen.

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Why businesses are embracing iOS 7


Every now and again, somebody tries to tell Erik Frieberg the same story they told him six years ago—that the iPhone is made for play, and that the iOS operating system isn’t really built for business and enterprise use. Frieberg’s eyes tell him differently.

Pay TV as we know it will be dead by 2025, and this is how it will happen


Look into your TV screen. You’re watching the 2025 Emmy Awards preshow coverage, and absolutely nothing looks familiar—unless you remember a pivotal moment from the 2013 version of the TV industry’s awards spectacle.

Benchmarks: 'Ultimate' iMac gets boost from PCIe flash storage, faster CPU


The new 2013 come in four standard configurations, two 21.5-inch models and two with 27-inch screens. As with most Macs, though, these new iMacs can be configured to order (CTO) at the time of purchase with an assortment of storage, processor, graphics and RAM options. Macworld Lab has an “ultimate” configuration iMac that combines most of these upgrades, promising higher performance for those willing to pay the price.

Monday 7 October 2013

Get your Mac ready for Mavericks (OS X 10.9)


Apple has released to developers the golden master ofMavericks (OS X 10.9)—the final non-public version, and most likely the build that will become the official 10.9.0. That means that the official public release of Mavericks isn’t far off. We’re still waiting on a specific date for that release—at WWDC earlier this year, Apple said only "this fall"—but for those aiming to upgrade as soon as the new OS drops, the golden master means that now is the time to start getting your Mac ready for Mavericks.

Apple's Schiller, Forstall set to testify in retrial over Samsung damages


Apple and Samsung Electronics will return to a Silicon Valley federal court on Nov. 12 for a retrial of their billion-dollar 2012 patent battle, and Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller may come back to testify.

Sunday 6 October 2013

What's still to come from Apple


Long-time Apple watchers know that the autumn usually brings a bountiful harvest of new and updated products from the company.

Saturday 5 October 2013

Behind the lens: A look at the technology inside the iPhone 5s camera


When it comes to taking pictures on the go, it’s hard to beat the convenience of a smartphone: It’s lighter than a bulky SLR camera, and, unlike your typical point-and-shoot, it’s in your pocket even when the idea of playing photographer is furthest from your mind.

Apple ends Coca-Cola's reign as the world's most valuable brand


Apple has emerged as the most valuable brand in the world, passing Coca-Cola which held the top position for 13 years, according to a report released by brand consultancy Interbrand.

Friday 4 October 2013

How to delete or disable your Facebook account


Privacy concerns surrounding Facebook have been well documented, but you may have other reasons for wanting to walk away from the social network. Perhaps you don't find it all that useful, or you've gotten one too many FarmVille requests. If this sounds like you, you might consider deactivating or outright deleting your Facebook account.

Apple and the long campaign


Apple may have sold a record 9 million new iPhones during their first weekend on sale, but where’s the excitement, where’s the pizzazz, where’s the innovation that the pundits demand?

Thursday 3 October 2013

Windows 8 users now outnumber Mac addicts


It took 11 months, but Microsoft's Windows 8 has passed Apple's OS X in market share, according to StatCounter.

Google adds search by image to Chrome browser


Google’s latest Chrome browser update fixes 50 security problems and gives users the capability to use images as search queries.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Apple releases updates for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro


Did you buy a new MacBook recently? If so, Apple has something for you: SMC Updates. There are three separate updates, one each for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Retina MacBook Pro.

The 7 best crime-fighting features of iOS 7


Let’s be honest: Security isn’t sexy. iPhone and iPad users are understandably enamored with iOS 7’s photography features and Siri’s new voice and likely haven’t given a thought to the host of security additions under the hood. But iPhone theft is on the rise everywhere, and your device could be next.

Friday 27 September 2013

OS X update doubles 802.11ac Time Capsule's performance


Well, it took a while, but Apple has finally resolved whatever problem was causing wireless file transfers using its new 802.11ac MacBook Air and Time Capsule to be so slow. If you haven’t already updated to OS X 10.8.5, do it now.

iOS 7 adds support for zipped attachments in Mail, Messages with Quick Look


Despite all you can do with an iOS device, certain features that are standard on a Mac or PC have been elusive on Apple’s smartphones and tablets. With iOS 7, however, it looks like we can cross one of those omissions off the list: You can now unzip and view compressed files from within Mail.

Thursday 26 September 2013

Apple revamps processors, graphics, storage, and Wi-Fi in iMac update


If you thought Apple only had “i’s” for its smartphone line-up, think again. On Tuesday, the company announced that it had updated its iMac consumer desktop line, bringing new processors, improved graphics, better Wi-Fi, and enhanced storage options—all in the same thin package it introduced last October.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

iPhone 5s, 5c rack up 9 million sales, 200 million users update to iOS 7


Speculation about poor iPhone sales appears to have been just that—speculation. Apple on Monday announced the figures for the first weekend of sales for its latest smartphones: The company racked up 9 million in the three days after launch, which Apple says is a new record.

Apple's Touch ID may not be bulletproof, but it's still useful


As you’ve probably heard by now, Apple’s Touch ID—the technology behind the iPhone 5s’s new fingerprint scanner—was circumvented over the weekend by a group of German security researchers. With little more than the kind of supplies you’d find in the home of your average computer enthusiast, the hackers claim to have fooled the sensor on their brand-new handsets into accepting a fake fingerprint that had been photographed at high resolution, printed out, and transferred to a piece of latex.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

iCloud.com gets the iOS 7 design treatment


iOS 7 may not arrive until Wednesday, but iCloud is getting the iOS 7 facelift tonight: Visit iCloud.com, and you’ll find the simple layered touches of Apple’s newest mobile operating system waiting for you to explore.

10 tips for managing minimized windows


Do you minimize your windows with abandon, crowding your Dock with miniature documents? Do you rarely minimize anything, crowding your screen with multiple windows? Knowing the big and small options for this basic window-wrangling feature can save you both time and space.

Global LTE roaming no-longer a pipe dream, thanks to the new iPhones


Apple’s new iPhones show how smartphone vendors are overcoming the technical hurdles that have limited roaming using LTE.

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Apple surpasses itself with the iPhone 5s hardware design


Like most midcycle Apple smartphone releases, the new iPhone 5s doesn’t lookthat different from its predecessor: A few improvements to the finish, new color combinations, and some minor cosmetic changes are all that separate it from the iPhone 5—at least on the surface.

Saturday 14 September 2013

iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, or neither: Which new iPhone should you buy?


Okay, let’s all breathe: We’re going to get through this together. Apple unveiled not one, but two brand-spanking new iPhones on Tuesday. You’re now faced with the question that could lead to sleepless nights, recriminating self-doubt, and worse. But I’m going to help you get through it. I’m going to help you answer the day-old question: Should you buy a new iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, or neither?

Friday 13 September 2013

Apple sneaks in changes to AppleCare+


Alongside Tuesday’s iPhone 5c and 5s announcements, Apple snuck in some changes to its AppleCare+ protection plans—some for the better, some not so much.

Apple releases OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5


OS X Mavericks may be coming later this fall, but in the meantime, there are still bugs to fix in Mountain Lion. As such, it’s no surprise to see Apple releasing 10.8.5, an update that improves stability and security for Mountain Lion users.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Apple's 'budget' iPhone 5c costs over $700 in China


Apple unveiled its long-rumored “budget” iPhone on Tuesday, but it’s not as cheap as some had expected.

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Apple unveils powerful iPhone 5s and entry-level 5c


Apple on Tuesday unveiled two new iPhones: the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5C. "iPhone 5 was instantly the most-loved iPhone ever, and it had the most successful first year of any iPhone we've ever done," Apple CEO Tim Cook said.

Apple reinvents the iPhone iSight camera with the 5s model


Apple wants what you want: better pictures. And with that, it has debuted some brand new technologies for the new iPhone 5s model's iSight camera.

iPhone 5S will let you use your fingerprints for easier security


Everyone knows passwords suck. iPhone users are about to get a nice alternative: As widely predicted, Apple’s new iPhone 5S model includes a fingerprint scanner that provides users with new security features tied to their biometric identity.

Apple to make iWork, iLife apps free to new iOS customers


Apple is mixing business with pleasure, and turning them into a great gift for buyers of the company’s new hardware.

iOS 7 lands on September 18


After a summer of hard work, iOS 7 is almost ready for you to take home: Apple CEO Tim Cook announced at the company’s special Tuesday event that its newest mobile operating system would be available on September 18 for free.

Get ready for Apple's September 10 event


Tuesday’s the big day for Apple and anyone who’s interested in seeing the latest products coming out of Cupertino. The company is hosting a product event at its headquarters on September 10, with the proceedings kicking off at 6pm GMT.

Microsoft adds a wing, to the homes of SharePoint Online tenants


To prevent SharePoint Online customers from feeling boxed in, Microsoft wants to improve the way they upload and store documents in the platform, Office 365’s cloud collaboration server.

Monday 9 September 2013

Beijing event suggests imminent iPhone launch in China


Apple is holding perhaps its first ever media event in China on Sept. 11, signaling that the U.S. company is paying greater attention to the nation’s thriving tech market.

Sunday 8 September 2013

Adobe launches Photoshop Photography Program for Creative Cloud


Heeding the call of photographers since the dawn of Creative Cloud, Adobe has launched a new photography program specifically targeting Photoshop and Lightroom users. It offers an extremely sweet deal to photographers who have no use for 80 percent of what the current Creative Cloud subscripton provides.

Saturday 7 September 2013

Barely changed logo obscures Yahoo's radical transformation


Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has achieved dramatic results since signing on to overhaul the stumbling Internet giant last year. A new look, new products, and a new focus on mobile have catapulted Yahoo back to the top—at least for now. But the company’s new logo doesn’t reflect those changes at all.

Friday 6 September 2013

Twitter revamps timeline with new conversation view


One of Twitter’s defining characteristics is its conversations. People can gather in the Twitter public square and talk to each other about politics, current events, sports, and emergencies. But it hasn’t been all that easy to follow those conversations.

Thursday 5 September 2013

Apple announces colorful Sept. 10 event in Cupertino


Y’all ready for this? Apple has invited press to a media event next week, on September 10, at Apple headquarters’s Town Hall in Cupertino, CA. The shindig kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific time/1 p.m. Eastern.

Wednesday 4 September 2013

How Apple is improving mobile app security


In a much-publicized recent case, scientists at Georgia Tech managed to get a specially crafted app that could perform all sorts of malicious activities app—aptly named Jekyll—onto the App Store, bypassing every single security measure put in place by Apple to protect its users.

Friday 30 August 2013

Why wearable computing will win over the wavering

Most of the criticism about wearable computing technology is about social acceptability. "Nobody wears a watch anymore." "I wouldn't be caught dead wearing Google Glass."

Thursday 29 August 2013

Android becomes Windows' equal as a target for hackers

The capabilities of malware targeting the market-leading Android platform are mimicking those of Trojans that have wrung profits from Windows PC users for years, a new study shows.

Wednesday 28 August 2013

Chrome to win over worried parents with 'supervised user' accounts

Android 4.3 isn't the only Google-made software getting a child-friendly makeover. This weekend, traces of a "Supervised user" mode appeared in Chrome Canary, the early, oft-unstable preview build for the popular web browser.

Tuesday 27 August 2013

Twitter the 'trendsetter' gives you a chance to catch up

Twitter is like a runaway train. If you jump on midway through an event or a news cycle, you may as well hop right off again—there’s no way you’ll catch up, or at least there wasn't.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to retire within 12 months

Call it the end of an era. Friday, Microsoft announced that Steve Ballmer will be retiring within the next 12 months, bringing his 13-year run as CEO of the company to an end.

Monday 26 August 2013

When speed is all you care about in a browser, turn to Chrome for Mac

The Mac browser market might be better off if Google applied some of the innovation it touts in other areas of its business to its Chrome Web browser.

Google buys augmented reality display patents from Foxconn

Google has bought Foxconn's Hon Hai Precision Industry display patent portfolio as the search company ramps up its development of Google Glass.

Intel previews multimode LTE chips

Intel will ship multimode LTE capabilities by the end of the month, Intel executives said Monday. It’s a technology the company is throwing its weight behind, to compete in the U.S. market.

Sunday 25 August 2013

Google Street View to include Britain's historic canal network

Google's Street View backpack has ascended Dubai's record-breaking Burj Khalifa skyscraper, hiked Arizona's Grand Canyon, and climbed Mount Everest. Now it's coming to capture the U.K.'s canal network in pictures.

Saturday 24 August 2013

The smartphone's battle for global domination is over; and won

According to the latest research from Gartnersmartphone sales have surpassed feature phone sales for the first time, with smartphones accounting for 51.8 percent of all mobile phone sales in the second quarter of 2013.

Friday 23 August 2013

German government okays Bitcoins for private transactions

The German Federal Ministry of Finance said on Monday that Bitcoin is not a full-fledged currency but that it is permissible to use it in private transactions.

Apple acquires Embark, another public-transit app developer

Apple is once again on the acquisition train. The company confirmed to former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin that it has bought Embark, a Silicon Valley-based maker of public transit apps.

Thursday 22 August 2013

Can anyone tweet to inspire stock market confidence in Apple? Icahn can!

In the past months, Apple chief Tim Cook has had to deal with an increasingly indifferent press and an outright hostile stock market that pummels the company’s every move, despite its stellar success.

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Facebook uncurls it's corporate fist, ready to plant a finger in the e-commerce pie

Over the next month, Facebook is expected to roll-out a mobile payment system that will allow users to make purchases with just their Facebook login on partnering e-commerce mobile apps.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Adobe After Effects CC needs no touching up

With the Edinburgh arts festival around the corner, Adobe won another 'Amused Moose Award' nomination with After Effects CC, expanding the software’s capabilities and refining the tools that professional filmmakers and motion-graphics artists depend on. Further enhancements in performance make After Effects CC a must-have partner for animators and video editors working with Premiere Pro CC.

Thunderbolt takes off (finally), but USB still reigns

Though still a small part of the overall interconnect market, Thunderbolt-equipped hardware shipments surged 300 percent over the past year, according to IDC.

Monday 19 August 2013

Skype: Still the go-to app for Internet communications

A Microsoft acquisition and several user-interface faux pas haven’t stopped Skype for Mac 6.7 from continuing to be the go-to personal communication app for many OS X users.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

It's not all about Flash... Yet.


Some of the biggest names in hard disk drives will band together this week to remind the world that storage isn’t all about flash.

Sunday 11 August 2013

A 'sneak peek' at OS X Mavericks: Power, apps, and other details

WWDC is a far distant memory. The long awaited autumn releases it foretold are inevitably just around the corner. Now it’s time to wrap up our own foretelling of what those releases will mean to us too. Specifically the forthcoming new OS X: Mavericks. Here are a few of the best features the OS we're all waiting to operate has to offer.

Saturday 10 August 2013

Publishers say e-book restrictions would hurt them, not Apple

Five book publishers have objected to restrictions that would be placed on Apple’s business after it was found guilty last month of conspiring to fix prices for ebooks.

Friday 9 August 2013

New SATA spec paves way for even faster SSDs

On Thursday, the SATA-IO group paved the way for SATA Express, putting PCI Express speeds over a SATA interface for the next generation of ultrafast solid-state discs, or SSDs.

Older adults embracing social networking


A rising percentage of older adults are using social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, according to a Pew study.

Thursday 8 August 2013

Firefox 23 kills of 'the blink tag'


When Mozilla released Firefox 23 on Tuesday, the updated browser put an unofficial end to one of the annoyances of the early Web—the “blink” tag.

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Editing and annotating PDF files with Preview

When you double-click a PDF file, it opens, by default, in Preview. The first time you launch it, you’ll see the first page of the file (if it has multiple pages). You can navigate through the document by scrolling down or by dragging the document’s scrollbar, but there’s an easier way to make your way through it.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Analyst argues for Office on the iPad


Armed with a $900 million argument, an analyst has raised the Office-on-iPad banner, saying that the flop of the Surface RT gives Microsoft a chance to make billions in lemonade from its lemon.

Monday 5 August 2013

Major overhaul modernizes the QuarkXPress 10 publishing package


Quark has let loose QuarkXPress 10, a massive overhaul of its cross-media publishing package for both Mac and Windows. QuarkXPress has been revamped from top to bottom, starting with an under-the-hood conversion from the Carbon to the Cocoa programming frameworks and ending with a new cutting-edge graphics engine and a refreshed user interface. More than 50 feature enhancements promise to streamline the design process and improve the user experience.

Sunday 4 August 2013

Bento database app for iOS and Mac is 'discontinued'


FileMaker has announced that it’s discontinuing Bento, its consumer-level database for the Mac and iOS. The app will be available for purchase until September 30.

Saturday 3 August 2013

NSA’s XKeyscore program has nearly limitless access to all Internet activity

The Guardian has detailed new revelations from NSA-leaker Edward Snowden about a program known as XKeyscore that has been described as the agency’s “widest-ranging” tool for online data collection.

Friday 2 August 2013

Global cybercrime costs billions

Cybercrime and espionage could be costing the world between £45 billion and £260 billion a year from a total global economy of £45 trillion, a new estimate by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has calculated.

Apple acquires wireless chip-maker to bolster Bluetooth

Like celebrity deaths, Apple acquisitions seem to come in clumps. Last month the company acquired two mapping-related companies, Locationary and HopStop; on Thursday, Cupertino mixed it up by snagging a maker of low-energy computer chips, Passif Semiconductor. News of the deal was first reported and confirmed by former Wall Street Journal writer Jessica Lessin.

Thursday 1 August 2013

Review: Illustrator CC


Illustrator CC is the first release of the famous illustration and vector graphics app under the company’s new Creative Cloud subscription-based brand. With this latest iteration—the 17th version of the software—the company puts greater emphasis on improving existing tools than on rolling out new ones, and the application is better for it.

Some privacy advocates question mobile apps agreement

A proposed code of conduct for mobile app developers intended to make them explain how user data is collected and used does not have a clear enforcement mechanism,  one privacy advocate said.

Wednesday 31 July 2013

Robot on Earth controlled by Astronaut on ISS

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station used an extraterrestrial remote control system on Friday to manoeuvre a robot rover at NASA’s Ames Research Centre in Silicon Valley.

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Enable parental restrictions on your iOS device

For parents and others handing iOS devices over to kids, it might be wisest to lock down certain features so that children don’t stumble across things they shouldn’t, or accidentally wreak havoc upon your own device. Here’s how.

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