Hello again, welcome to Technology News March 2015 edition.
Microsoft
Microsoft have been working out ways to make sure Windows 10 is as full functioning as its predecessors but at a fraction of the data size. They want to leave you with more space on your Hard Drive for more important things to you. They have also been working on a “rebuild” structure for when things go wrong, a fresh install may not be as required. This would mean it can rebuild Windows fresh without making you install EVERYTHING over again. As a IT Support Business, it can be frustrating to clients to have to start again.
Microsoft have been working on security, by putting effort into Consumer Biometrics (Fingerprint scans etc) with “Windows Hello”. Not only that, but they have built “Microsoft Passport”, which stores your passwords so you don’t have to remember many different passwords to places, therefore, stop using the same password across the board. Hackers know many use the same password and soon as they nab yours, they’ll find every single password protected, important website and attempt to gain access with your details. With Windows Hello, remembering and inputting yet another password can be made redundant by allowing your biometrics handling the access. Here is a video about it:
Microsoft have been trialling a service with a Chinese phone manufacturer that deals with Android to allow overwriting and installing the Windows 10 Phone OS upon their phones. This is to allow consumers test out a preview of Windows 10 on their phone. This is only available in China but talks say Microsoft may just put more effort into this advancement to allow many Android devices move to Windows 10 without buying a new phone.
Windows 10 is still going through its trial and error method of building. A new build has popped up for those who have set their computers to get the updates that haven’t been stabilized, also known as the “Fast Ring”. It has brought many improvements to performance and visuals.
Microsoft plan to phase out Internet Explorer and allow Spartan to take over IE’s legacy. Spartan has been used in a deal with Adobe to implement Adobe features which speculate that Spartan will have some great visual experiences. Internet Explorer had gained a severe paddling over some years now for how much of a bad Internet Browser it was. Firefox gained traction in this department before Chrome came to raid on its parade. Google built a Browser that is now considered the most popular used, more so due to the interconnections of other Google products, fuelled the love from Android devices. When IE10 was introduced, it saw a significant improvement that IE11 now has. In fact, users of IE11 from Firefox or Chrome (including us) have seen a better experience than the others, more so with the Windows 8.1/Phone 8/Microsoft Account interconnection that Google doesn’t actually have weight on due to the Chromebooks not making heads turn, instead relying on Windows Users to use Google products on a Windows based PC with harder integration. Firefox and Chrome have had bad user rating due to things like “daily updates that disturb the session” and “bugs that slow or kill the browsers experience”. IE’s bad rep has and will never gain traction in the Browser Market EVER, but Spartan can come from out the rubble and bring a matching or better experience that Chrome has.
Apple
Back on the 9th (our 10th), Apple had a Special Event Presentation. Lets go through each of the keynotes throughout the session. They did go through a deal with HBO and Health/Fitness/Research, but you can watch that if you want in the video below.
New MacBook
First thing you will notice is how thin it is. It’s highest point is 13.1mm thick compared to MacBook Air’s 17.3mm. It is 2 pounds (907g) in weight. It’s case is fully metal.
It has a redesigned full sized Keyboard with keys that have been redesigned that instead of using the “Scissor” style mechanism, uses a “Butterfly” mechanism, so it is practically wobble free or x4 more stable than regular keyboards.
The Trackpad had to be redesigned. Instead of a plate that sits on a diving board like mechanism, it has force gauges to detect clicks.
The Screen is a 12″ Retina that is only 0.88mm thick.
A redesigned Motherboard that is smaller than before, and now fanless. All that extra room was fitted with custom Battery Packs to bring 8 hours battery or more (depending on use).
Implementing the new USB Type C, (Read our Technology News January 2015 for more info on Type-C) the Mac can be powered or send information or even video thanks to its new innovative design, allowing the Mac to send and receive USB/Display Port/Charging/HDMI/VGA from the one plug. All computers will benefit from this new design and MacBook is making sure its implementing it straight off the bat.
The new Mac’s start at $1299US with 1.1Ghz Duel Core Intel Core M, Intel HD 5300 Graphics, 8 GB Memory & 256GB SSD. The second is at $1599 with 1.2Ghz & 512GB SSD upgrades.
Release: April 10
Apple Watch
The second biggest thing out of the whole presentation was Apple’s “Apple Watch”.
It allows control and interaction that your iPhone gives, right on your wrist.
You can choose from different Time Faces, glance important info just by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Read text, email, Facebook statuses. Make and take phone calls. Watch to Watch connection that allows you to have close proximity engagements like drawing pictures or tapping on the screen to show a screen tap on the other to grab your attention. You can download apps for the Watch from your iPhone using iOS8.2’s Watch Store App.
It is best to see the watches in action by watching the conference video below that we could show.
Apple Watch “Sport” is $349US for the 38mm or $399US for the 42mm.
Apple Watch (Standard) is between $549-1049US for 38mm or $599-1099US for 42mm.
The Limited Edition Apple Watch “Edition” with 18 carrot Gold frame start at $10,000US and only a limited amount will be made.
Pre-order: April 10
Release: April 24
To get a better insight of the new product, the video of the event is your best bet to have a look and see them in action.
(YouTube Video Deleted)
Google opened up a Google Store online where you can buy Google related goods.
The new Google Chromebook “Pixel” will include the newly designed USB Type-C as part of the new kick devices for USB C.
Google Browsers, along with Apple Safari had to deal with a security threat that popped up called “FREAK Attack” which allowed websites make users of the browsers have weak encryption when using the sites allowing the break in take hours rather weeks – months – years. Important sites like banking were compromised but it is unclear how many sites or if this flaw has been used. Patches were being made as soon as it was found by researchers.
A man named Justin Hook has created a site that taps into Google’s search engine and allows questions that people type in show results that Google Autocompletes, named “Google Feud”.
Example: “I think you…?” then you would type in something like “awesome” and see if that is apart of the autocomplete google has, if you are correct, the boxes below the textbox reveal your answer one by one as you answer correctly. Get it wrong, you get a big red X. 3 X’s, your round is over. The rounds consist of questions from the categories you have, “Culture, People, Names, Questions”. Go try it out now, its free.
Google have been implementing what is called “Project ARA” which is basically, a modular phone. With a modular phone, you an mix and match technologies to suit your needs. Want a better camera? switch it out for something better. Want more storage space, put in a bigger drive. Don’t want something, replace it.
Well that’s it from us. Hope you enjoyed the read. Comment below and have a great April!
See you again for Technology News April 2015.
