Category Archives: Windows

Twitter $10 billion IPO approaches

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

Twitter over the last year or so has started to reign in its business and prevent third party twitter apps from being developed. And there was good reason for this. It needed control of its business and the potential revenue to follow.

So with the IPO set at $10 billion that’s a substantial number and assuming the IPO succeeds monetary returns are going to be expected.

So what could this do to twitter ? You could see an increase in advertising, selling and maybe a small charge to use service. Perhaps, different tiers that offer different levels of services and access.

So how would you feel about see more advertising between your tweets or even paying for the service?

Win $100,000 with Microsoft

Tech News, Windows, ,

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Microsoft is offering three new programs to encourage and compensate researchers who find vulnerabilities in the company’s software.

The programs include a $100,000 payout for mitigation-bypass vulnerabilities uncovered in its software products, a $50,000 payout on top of this for a solution that will fix the vulnerability, and $11,000 for any bugs found in the preview release of its upcoming Internet Explorer 11 browser software.

There is probably better odds at winning with Microsoft than winning the lottery. Bugs are always present. Winning the lottery is a rare event, unfortunately.

Did Microsoft release Office for the iPhone?

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

Microsoft has brought Office to the iPhone, but so far the app’s limitations and costs are creating a negative reaction. More than 55 percent of the 747 reviewers have rated the app one star out of five, and there are 56 pages of comments, many from users angry that Microsoft requires them to have an Office 365 Home Premium subscription to use it.

Home Premium starts at $100 per year and includes access to cloud-based versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and other apps for up to five devices.
Microsoft is entitled to charge for its app, but users are angry that they are being asked to pay an annual subscription when the iPhone app only includes a slimmed-down set of features.

Many reviewers also pointed to the absence of an iPad tailored version of the app which would have been more useful but then put it in competition with its own tablets.

My view is why bother with Office. There are many office apps already on the Apple app store or just use Google docs. Or use Apple’s own editing apps.

The Quest for the Best Maps is Underway

Apple, Tech News, Windows

Bing updated its Maps by adding on a whopping 270TB of high-res flyover images to their database. Some of the more notable additions include overviews of Rome and Milan in Italy, Stavanger in Norway and Kaanapali in Hawaii. Aside from the new visuals, Bing also added a couple of improvements to its Venue Maps with an expanded points of interest list and a new “Report a problem” system so users can inform Bing if a location is marked incorrectly.

Bing is starting to show signs of massive improvements and in iOS 7 is the default search engine for Siri.

Is Windows Phone 8 about to get a notification centre?

Tech News, Windows,

When I used my Nokia Lumia 620, the one omission was notifications. Once they had appeared they disappeared unless you had a live tile with an update showing. Based on the leaked screenshot by a reddit user it looks like that will be addressed on a software update.

With the improvements in the quality of apps this piece of the jigsaw will make the platform a decent option. I really enjoy using Windows Phone with Nokia hardware.

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Instagram coming to Windows Phone 8 but there’s a catch

Tech News, Windows, ,

Instagram is rumoured to be coming to Windows Phone 8 soon, but only sadly on Nokia Windows Phone, and the latest models.

I would imagine this might just be a limited time period before it becomes available on other brands.

Finally, Windows Phone is starting to get more decent apps, even games are now improving. And with the upcoming Nokia Lumia 925, 928 and EOS the combination of this hardware and software, shows real signs of promise.

Buying the latest game consoles? Just how expensive will the games be?

Tech News, Windows, , ,

So are you going to be buying a new Xbox One or PS4 ? Personally I’m not as I would never have the time free to spend playing.

But let’s hope the games don’t turn out as expensive as FIFA 14 which is on pre order by Amazon at £90. Amazon do say they will only charge you the lowest price available at the time when it’s available to order.

Only one problem, Amazon have wiped out the high street and competition is considerably less online too. It won’t be long before Amazon will be the only option and will be able to charge whatever it likes.

iOS or Android or Blackberry or Windows Phone

Android, Apple, RIM, Tech News, Windows

Have you ever visited a website that has the word mac, or Apple, or android, or windows or Blackberry used in its title, or that promotes one operating system over another. It is rare to find a site that isn’t biased towards one system or one manufacturer.

Why does this happen? Fact of life. Advertising. Appealing to get more views and more advertising. PR companies send free phones to a lot of these websites, with NDA agreements and such like. If a manufacturer is spending thousands or more on advertising you are not going to slate their new phone.

That’s why Gavin’s Gadgets is so non biased. Look around. No advertising. And any devices reviewed have been bought from my pockets so far. I genuinely love tech and everything with a pulse. That is anything with a on / off button that does something techie. Even my vacuum cleaner is a gadget. It’s a Sebo. It has sensors that detect thickness of carpet or floor covering and raises or lowers the height from the floor. It flashes as it adjusts the height. Hoovering is so much more fun.

So what operating system do I use or prefer. Well believe it or not I currently have every operating system in the house and love them for what they are. I also am not afraid to move to something else if it is better. I want the best or the best compromise for a certain situation. I am also not afraid to mince my words if I don’t agree with something.

Currently my phone of daily choice is the HTC One. My backup phone for when my daily adventures may be more rough and tumble due to the outdoor weather environment of Dartmoor, is the Nokia Lumia 620. In fact I have a weak spot for this phone and the operating system. iPad Mini for tablet viewing and for work I have a Blackberry Curve.

My phone and tablet choices change quite a lot, but I have to say I don’t dislike any platform. I like to find the positive attributes of each platform, and apply them to a given situation.

My dream smartphone doesn’t exist yet but it is getting close. My key ingredients for this phone would be practically unbreakeable, water and dust resistant,a 5 inch 1080p screen, week long battery life with auto charging via light, stunning audio quality and speakers and pureview 808 camera quality or higher, all in a 9mm body with expandable memory and replaceable battery.

Problem is that if a company manufactured the perfect smartphone as described above, nobody would really need to buy another. And that is why you will never get to this stage as companies need you always to have and want an upgrade path.