Windows Blue Hit M1

Not even one year Windows 8 is released, Microsoft is now preparing the latest version of it called Windows Blue. This is the first update of Windows 8 in full by the Bill Gates company. Microsoft is working towards a public preview version of Windows Blue.

Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans have revealed that the software giant is aggressively targeting a summer launch date for Windows Blue, ensuring its development cycle is short. Microsoft recently passed Milestone 1 (M1) for Windows Blue, but the company is now readying a Milestone Preview which will form the basis for a public preview. The second stage is called Milestone 2. While the final version will be launched in June 2013.

According to leaked acquired from ZDNet technology site to one of the screen shot leakers, the WZor team (via Winaero.com), there's a rumor that Windows Blue is based on Windows 6.3. I'm hearing from one of my sources that this information is correct. It's version 6.3 for the same reason Windows 7 was version 6.1: It's the version number reported to apps when they query the new platform so that apps know they are running on a new Windows release.

Windows Blue will be an update for Windows 8. (Picture from: http://news.softpedia.com/)

Windows Blue is believed to be the first of a number of annual operating system updates to Windows 8. There also is a Windows Phone Blue in the works that is expected to have the same core code as Windows Blue. (But, just like the Windows Phone 8 operating system, which was version 8.0, the Windows Phone Blue core build number will likely be something different from Windows 6.3.)

Blue is expected to be made available to existing Windows 8 users by the end of the summer, with support for new 7- and 8-inch devices and Internet Explorer 11 built-in. Microsoft is also preparing a Blue update to its Windows Phone operating system and other services as a project to further integrate all of its software offerings.

Traditionally, Microsoft is updating its operating system every three years. Some of the company's engineers to post their status on Linkedln accounts that they are working on the Windows operating system 9. Towards the end of last year, Microsoft launched its Windows 8 operating system, which replaces Windows 7. Windows 8 is the latest version that had a major refurbishment, such as touch screen technology and using box shaped icon. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZDNET | BUDI | KORAN TEMPO 4154]

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New iOS 6.1.2 Released Soon.

Apple had recently released the iOS 6.1 which did not function as smoothly as the company had expected. The Cupertino-based manufacturer had confirmed that it takes the issues related to security of its users very seriously and thus was expected to soon deliver a fix through software update.

The release of iOS 6.1 initially brought to attention not only some security issues, but also also some battery problems that the users were facing. In addition to these troubles, users were also facing some 3G connectivity bug problems on the iPhone 4S. Further adding to the user woes, the newly launched iOS 6.1.1 that the company assured would fix these issues, introduced some new defective issues

Apple promised to repair the iOS 6.1 operating system, which is known to contain bugs. As a result, the intruder can know the passcode and access some areas on the iPhone. The most rapid improvement made ​​this week. One tech site in Germany, iFix, claiming that iOS 6.1.2 will be available for download on February 20, 2013. Even so, there has been no official statement from Apple about the exact date. Apple is aware of the dangers posed by the gap.

Earlier this week, a video was uploaded on an online site showed a fairly complicated set of buttons can take the passcode and open the photo album, call history, voicemail, even allowing hackers to mess up the phone book on the iPhone. Apple claimed to have been aware of this issue, the problem is similar to what happened in 2010. Currently, Apple is trying to fix this.

"Apple is responding to user security very seriously," said Apple spokeswoman, Trudy Muller, last Thursday. "We are aware of this weakness and promptly update the existing operating system." *** [FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FIRMAN | KORAN TEMPO 4146]

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Guest Post: Why do Users Still Prefer Windows 7 over Windows 8?

Since the release of Windows 7, the computing field has changed significantly. In the past, desktops and laptops differed from smart phones and tablets considerably.

In the past few years, however, the lines between these device classes have been blurred. In response, Microsoft has attempted to create an operating system that bridges this gap.

However, the release of Windows 8 has been met with poor reviews and little enthusiasm. Here are a few of the reasons why people prefer Windows 7 to Windows 8.

- Familiarity
While Windows Vista was unpopular, it came with many new computers. As a result, people became used to the interface. Windows 7 was similar, and the differences between it and Windows Vista were minimal. Windows 8, however, has departed from the paradigm established in the previous two iterations of Windows, and many users are reluctant to make the switch.

This is not a new trend; many people were uncomfortable with Windows Vista partially because it differed significantly from Windows XP. If Windows 9 implements some of the interface features of Windows 8, people may be more comfortable with it.

- Strange user interface

Windows, Mac and even Linux distributions share a number of user interface similarities. Programs are accessed on the desktop or through a drop-down menu, and programs are organized in a logical manner. On smart phones and tablets, however, this paradigm does not work well, and a number of different paradigms are used.

Windows 8 implements the Metro interface, which breaks from the traditional desktop metaphor. Despite the availability of this interface on Windows mobile devices, few are familiar with it, and many elements of this paradigm seem unfamiliar on desktops and laptops.

- Two user interfaces

Because Metro differ so greatly from the traditional desktop paradigm, developers have to code specifically for it. As a result, developers have to make significant changes to their code, and many are unwilling to make the change unless Windows 8 proves to be a success. Because of this, users often have to deal with two separate interfaces when using Windows 8.

The lack of seamless integration between these two user interface paradigms makes Windows 8 awkward and clunky. With the lukewarm reception Windows 8 has received, many development companies have stated that they will not implement a Metro interface unless sales improve in the future and Microsoft commits to the Metro interface wholeheartedly. Users are reluctant to upgrade from the seamless Windows 7 interface to one that is unproven and ungraceful.

- Few advantages

Because Windows 7 and Windows 8 run similar code bases and offer similar features, most programs developed for Windows will continue to support Windows 7. In fact, many still support Windows XP.

Coupled with the lack of other advantages, there is little incentive for current users of Windows 7 to make the upgrade. Upgrading is relatively expensive, and Microsoft has not provided compelling reasons to make the transition. Almost all users of Windows 8 use it simply because it came with their computers. *** [By: ANDI G | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]
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About the author:

Andy G is 28 years old geek from Austria. He maintains http://www.helpjet.net website dedicated to free firmware and drivers updates.

Ford's Smart Car Software Launchs

Not only smart mobile phones, now there's smart cars too. Ford, one of the American's car manufacturer announced at 2013 CES the auto industry’s first open mobile app development program, called the Ford Developer Program, making it easier for developers to create apps for drivers to use safely from behind the wheel.

The software is named OpenXC. The aim is to facilitate developers to create applications that can be installed on an operating system that has been mounted on the Ford cars.

The CAN translator with plug.  
(Picture from:  http://techcrunch.com/)

The OpenXC is a combination of Arduino and the Android operating system, which is installed on smart phones and tablets. The platform collects the recorded data from multiple sensors attached to the car body.

The boxed CAN translator.  
(Picture from:  http://techcrunch.com/)

Based on these data, developers could design the commercial applications to be offered to the car owners. Meanwhile, the car owner could get the readable information that displayed by the application.

The developers will also get hardware in the form of CAN translator, which could translate data from various sensors in the car, such as speed sensors, in order to be understood more easily.

The OpenXC architecture. (Picture from:  http://techcrunch.com/)

According to K. Venkatesh Prasad, Ford's Head of Vehicle Design, the OpenXC is open source software. And Ford also cooperates with another vehicle manufacturers to make these devices more adept at helping the driver to drive their vehicle with more safer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TECHCRUNCH | BUDI RIZA | KORAN TEMPO 4109]
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Computer Virus Could be Rampant in Medical Equipment

Computer experts from the UK found that there are more than 8,000 types of viruses ready to attack computers and medical equipment health. They revealed that viral infection may be so severe that patients may ultimately died of a computer system in a medical analysis can not be changed, because the virus attacked software section.

Computer experts at one of the leading hospitals in the United States revealed that the experts managed to remove a virus attack in a week on two machines computer center. This warning has been given as part of a panel discussion in Washington DC, as reported by Technology Review of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Mark Olsen, chief security officer at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said the hospital has 664 medical devices that operate on older versions of the Windows operating system. This means that medical devices have drawbacks because it can be attacked by a virus on its Windows system.

Experts say it can be difficult to upgrade 
old software on medical devices due
to regulatory restrictions. (Picture from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/)

Professor Kevin Fu, a leading expert in medical technology from UK explained that when the machine is infected with the virus do not always have updated equipment because of fears the threat. However, if left unchecked, it means breaking the rules imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Where is the FDA approved the use of technology for security testing, the software against cyber threats needs to be improved. Imagine if we had a medical monitors that run with Windows systems that have been infected by a computer virus, it will slow down operations.

"Conventional malware rampant in hospitals because of medical equipment using un-patched operating system. There is little way to the hospital when the producers refused to allow the (operating system) update or security patch," said Prof. Fu. There are also concerns, medical devices could even end up being part of a botnet (a huge network of hijacked computers that are often used to send spam email).

Medical devices can be affected by the slow performance when infected, Prof. Fu told the BBC. "Imagine if you had a heart monitor device that runs Windows system and infected by a virus, the computer slows oprasional. Slowing computer course can lead to death. Sensor readings, and even analysis can be chaotic."

He said that there was no evidence of malware attacks on medical machines as a result of being targeted by hackers. Instead, he said it was more likely due to "collateral damage" of conventional malware designed to infect normal PC. "What we found is that the medical computer software has brought tremendous benefits for treatment. However, we forget that there are other threats that attack the risk of software," he said. *** [BBC | DEDI RISKOMAR | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 22112012]

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Anti-Theft Alarm for iPhone

The owners of the iPhone is certainly a little more worried if their expensive gadgets was stolen. Well, Apple has now patented anti-theft mechanism that will sound an alarm if the smartphone is stolen.

Explanations related technology patents filed with the Patent and Trademark Office of the United States last week (11/11) revealed that the anti-theft system that Apple works by detecting motion patterns of smartphones.

The title of the patent is "Acceleration-based theft detection system for portable electronic devices" or based theft detection system motion speed ​​for portable electronic devices. According to sources in the patent office, the alarm will be active once the smartphone is concerned detected a "condition of theft". These conditions are determined by the built-in accelerometer, combined with software that will decide whether a condition fit the "profile characteristic of theft" or not. Of explanation, imagine that the iPhone will be equipped with this technology "scream" when taken from their owners by violence, such mugged.

Apple is looking for a patent on a automatic alarm for the Apple iPhone. (Picture from: http://www.phonearena.com/)

Accelerometer itself used to detect how users holding his smartphone, so it can be used to detect join other matters related to the movement of the phone. Why did Apple feel necessary to patent this technology? The reason, according to Apple, is that miniaturization electronic device trend. "Rightful owners become increasingly easier to bring the device to all places, as well as thieves," wrote Apple in patent filings.

"An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present," Apple explains in its patent application. "If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware/software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface."

In order to prevent or reduce false alarms, the security mechanism would filter out acceleration signals corresponding to shock or impact, which would occur if you drop your device. There's a special signal filter and theft detection circuitry to address false alarms. If a possible theft is detected, the user has a set amount of time to enter an alphanumeric passcode before the alarm sounds and/or the user is locked out of the device.

In the last two weeks, Apple has been granted the rights to at least 34 patents, including 3D video applications on mobile devices, how to play the content on the Apple TV, and the background changes to Apple's iChat video conferencing applications. However, a patent will not necessarily be realized in the finished product. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TRIBUN JABAR 18112012]

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