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Google Updates Google Play

News

Jim McCarthy

-

Mar 7, 2012

0

Google announced some changes to Google Play today. Read on for details.

Google announced some updates to the Google Play service today. Here is what they had to say:

Entertainment is supposed to be fun. But in reality, getting everything to work can be the exact opposite—moving files between your computers, endless syncing across your devices, and wires…lots of wires. Today we’re eliminating all that hassle with Google Play, a digital entertainment destination where you can find, enjoy and share your favorite music, movies, books and apps on the web and on your Android phone or tablet. Google Play is entirely cloud-based so all your music, movies, books and apps are stored online, always available to you, and you never have to worry about losing them or moving them again.

With Google Play you can:

Store up to 20,000 songs for free and buy millions of new tracks

Download more than 450,000 Android apps and games

Browse the world’s largest selection of eBooks

Rent thousands of your favorite movies, including new releases and HD titles

Starting today, Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore will become part of Google Play. On your Android phone or tablet, we’ll be upgrading the Android Market app to the Google Play Store app over the coming days. Your videos, books and music apps (in countries where they are available) will also be upgraded to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books and Google Play Music apps. The music, movies, books and apps you’ve purchased will continue to be available to you through Google Play—simply log in with your Google account like always.
To celebrate, we’ll be offering a different album, book, video rental and Android app at a special price each day for the next week in our “7 Days to Play” sale. In the U.S., today’s titles include the collection of top 40 hits Now That’s What I Call Music 41, the popular game Where’s My Water, the novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and the movie Puncture for just 25 cents each. In addition, you’ll find great collections of hip-hop, rock and country albums for $3.99 all week, detective novels from $2.99, some of our editorial team’s favorite movies from 99 cents, and our favorite apps from 49 cents.

In the U.S., music, movies, books and Android apps are available in Google Play. In Canada and the U.K., we’ll offer movies, books and Android apps; in Australia, books and apps; and in Japan, movies and apps. Everywhere else, Google Play will be the new home for Android apps. Our long-term goal is to roll out as many different types of content as possible to people around the world, and we’ll keep adding new content to keep it fresh.

To learn more, head over to play.google.com/about or keep up with the latest on our Google+ page. If you’re headed to Austin later this week for South by Southwest, come to the Google Village to see Google Play in action. We can’t wait for you to try Google Play and experience a simpler way to manage your entertainment.

They also posted a nice introduction video about the service, and you can see it here:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdZxbmEHW7M%5D

Synology DiskStation Manager 4.0 Out Now

Andrew Edney

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Mar 6, 2012

0

Synology DiskStation Manager 4.0 Out Now

Back in January we told you Synology’s DiskStatation Manager 4.0 beta coming out. Well now the final version has been released.

In just 50 days the DSM 4.0 beta program hit a new record in excess of 90,000 downloads, achieving an average of one download per minute. Synology appreciated enthusiastic beta participants for their valuable feedback in contribution to a better NAS server experience.

“DSM 4.0 marks a significant milestone for Synology, representing its efforts to provide users with best-of-breed technologies, an easy approach to master their own clouds, and productive business solutions with no additional cost,” said Rosiel Lee, product manager of Synology Inc. DSM 4.0 offers:

● Easy-to-use cloud services – Cloud Station offers users a simple and auto way to keep their files in sync, including the change history for data recovery. QuickConnect allows users to sync without the hassle of port forwarding. Unlike licensed cloud services, Cloud Station can grow with users’ demands and there is no recurring fee. In addition, DSM 4.0 pushes event triggered notifications via Microsoft Windows Live Messenger^®, Skype^™ and DS finder, assuring effortless system monitoring.

● Robust business features – Users can now add a DiskStation to a VLAN environment, flexibly creating segmented networks on the same physical wire. A DiskStation can also work as a DHCP server to distribute IP addresses to different devices. DSM 4.0 supports iSCSI LUN backup, which features point-in-time technology, incremental backup and space reclaim to create instantaneous copies and optimize task efficiency. Synology’s complete VPN support allows for a cost-effective private network to securely share information across multiple locations. What’s more, Windows^® ACL settings can be edited quickly on the intuitive interface of DSM.

● Smart management – DSM 4.0 provides a more efficient approach to software installation and upgrade by turning applications, such as Photo Station and Download Station, into packages that can be added in need. Integrated with HTML5 and CSS 2D Transforms, Pilot View and Instant Preview helps users easily switch between applications. Desktop widgets display a variety of system resources to simplify server management.

● Powerful surveillance solutions – Surveillance Station now supports over 1,000 IP cameras and streams surveillance footages faster. In addition, users can deploy a single fisheye camera to cover all the angles without blind spot. Live-view Analytics carries out real-time analysis on multiple channels to keep them alert with critical events.

● Enriched mobile support – Synology takes the lead to support Amazon^® Kindle Fire and bring DS finder to Windows Phone 7. DS photo+ and DS file are also available for Android^® tablets. More mobile users can carry terabytes of data stored in their DiskStation on-the-go.

Additional new features include application portals, proactive virus scan, hotspot support, configuration backup enhancements, Picasa Web Albums^™ and Twitter^® support on Photo Station, etc. Please visit http://www.synology.com/dsm/index.php for more information.

Availability

Synology DSM 4.0 is free to download for users who own a DiskStation x08 series and onward. Supported models include: DS712+, DS212, DS212+, DS212j, RS212, RS812, DS1512+, DS1812+, DS3612xs, RS3412xs, RS3412RPxs, DS3611xs, RS3411xs, RS3411RPxs, DS2411+, RS2211+, RS2211RP+, DS1511+, RS411, DS411, DS411+II, DS411+, DS411j, DS411slim, DS211+, DS211, DS211j, DS111, DS1010+, RS810+, RS810RP+, DS410, DS410j, DS710+, DS210+, DS210j, DS110+, DS110j, DS509+, RS409+, RS409RP+, RS409, DS409+, DS409, DS209+II, DS209+, DS209, DS209j, DS109+, DS109, DS109j, DS409slim, DS508, DS408, RS408, RS408RP, DS108j

The download is available at http://www.synology.com/support/download.php

We spent some time with Synology in January at CES, having seen a demo, it’s really good (check out this video).

My Movies for iPad version 1.80 Released

Andrew Edney

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Mar 6, 2012

0

My Movies for iPad version 1.80 Released

Brian has also released an update for My Movies for iPad – its now version 1.80 as well.

What is My Movies for iPad?

My Movies for iPad allows you to catalog your entire movie collection (maximum 50 titles in free version) from our high quality online data service containing data for more than 500,000 DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD titles from various countries. If you have one or more titles that is not in our service, you can report it and it will be created within 48 hours by our staff – a service you will not find elsewhere.

You can use My Movies for iPad as a standalone product, or use it as a companion to our My Movies software packages for your desktop computer, allowing you to keep your movie collection synchronized between clients.

My Movies for iPad requires you to create a user account, or log on to an existing My Movies account to be able to use the program. Your collection will follow your user account through our online servers, allowing you to switch between different clients without ever losing your data – we have clients available for iPhone, iPad and Mac OS X. If you log in to an existing My Movies account, your current collection will automatically be synchronized to your phone.
You can within the program activate an online collection website of your movie collection, allowing you to send friends and family a website that allows them to browse your entire collection.

With My Movies for iPad, you can keep track of movies you own, previously have owned, rented or movies you wish to purchase. Never again will you have to purchase or rent a movie twice.

What’s New in Version 1.80

NOTICE! The update will upgrade the internal database, which includes loading more data from the online service, a process that can take a while.

– Users with My Movies for WHS 2011 can now connect to the home server and download movies onto the device.
– The movie wall view can now be configured to a wooden look.
– Watched functionality have been extended to not only have an on/off marking, but lets you track who watched and when.
– The filter functionality have been adjusted to include a quick filter option, as the filter save option added in 1.72 was not always ideal.
– Various minor adjustments and fixes.

It is well worth the $6.99 asking price, but if you are still not convinced you could try the Free version here.

Download My Movies for iPad from the Apple App Store

My Movies for iPhone Pro 1.80 Released

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 6, 2012

0

The latest version of My Movies for iPhone Pro, version 1.80, has been released.

What is My Movies for iPhone?

My Movies for iPhone allows you to catalog your entire movie collection from our high quality online data service containing data for more than 475,000 DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD titles from various countries. If you have one or more titles that is not in our service, you can report it and it will be created within 48 hours by our staff.

If you would like to evaluate the application, you can install My Movies for iPad Free, which is a freely available identical version with the exception of it being limited to 50 titles, and only 10 items in release and trailer lists.

You can use My Movies for iPhone as a standalone product by adding titles by barcode or title searches, or use it as a companion to our My Movies software packages for Microsoft Windows, allowing you to keep your movie collection synchronized between clients.
My Movies for iPhone requires you to create a user account, or log on to an existing My Movies account to be able to use the program. Your collection will follow your user account through our online servers, allowing you to switch between different clients without ever losing your data. If you log in to an existing My Movies account, your current collection will automatically be synchronized to your iPhone.

You can within the program activate an online collection website of your movie collection, allowing you to send friends and family a website that allows them to browse your entire collection.

With My Movies for iPhone, you can keep track of movies you own, previously have owned, rented or movies you wish to purchase. Never again will you have to purchase or rent a movie twice.

Features:
– Add titles by barcode, title search, manually or scan barcodes with the camera on your device.
– Preview titles with complete details before adding to your collection, or quickscan a title to view details without adding it.
– Add titles to different groups (Owned, Wished, Rented, …), and move titles between groups.
– Report missing titles to our staff to have the titles created in our service.
– Report incorrect data to our moderation team if you find an error in our database.
– View movie trailers for titles in your collection, or scan and quickly view a movie trailer for titles when in the movie store.
– Management loans to friends and family.
– Search your collection.
– Sort titles by title, collection number, rating, running time, production year, release date, parental level or added date both ascending and descending.
– Filter titles by type, genre, group, watched status, parental rating, production year, running time, personal categories or online status. (Watched status, Categories and Online status requires My Movies software suite for Windows).
– View movie details, including synopsis, cast list, audio tracks, subtitles and much, much more.
– View full screen or zoom-able high resolution front and back covers.
– View actors and directors with photos, biography and list of titles the person stars in.
– Create an online collection website to share with friends and family.
– Update movie profiles from our service to always have the latest, most complete and accurate data.
– Upload your collection directly from My Movies Windows software suite as an alternative to synchronize through our online servers.
– See weekly releases of titles on Blu-ray and DVD including all details and trailers. (Release lists are not complete in all countries).
– Keep collection synchronized between different devices.

What’s New in Version 1.80

NOTICE! The update will upgrade the internal database, which includes loading more data from the online service, a process that can take a while.
– New icon.
– Data storage area changed due to problems with loss of collections.
– Users with My Movies for WHS 2011 can now connect to the home server and download movies onto the device.
– The movie wall view can now be configured to a wooden look.
– Watched functionality have been extended to not only have an on/off marking, but lets you track who watched and when.
– Changed Twitter framework, due to problems in prior used framework.
– Updated Online Collection option, including link to an all new online collection.
– Actors lists were not always sorted correct from online service.
– Added option to launch app from other applications.
– Added Blu-ray 3D information.
– Added edition information.
– Added data import section on settings page, referencing to online option.
– Added generate report option on settings page, to create PDF reports.
– Extended filter function to contain more informations.
– Added option to save filters for quick access.

Download My Movies for iPhone from the Apple App Store

My Movies for Android 1.80 Now in Android Market

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 6, 2012

0

As well as an update to the iPad version of My Movies, Brian has also released version 1.80 of My Movies for Android.

My Movies for Android is the fastest, easiest and most impressive way you have ever kept track of your movie collection. Using our high quality movie database of more than 350,000 titles on DVD and Blu-ray, you quickly get access to a large quantity of details of the titles in your movie collection, including movie trailers, high resolution covers and much, much more.

What’s in this version:

Users with My Movies for WHS 2011 can now connect to the home server and download movies onto the device.
The movie wall view can now be configured to a wooden look.
Various minor adjustments and fixes.

You can find My Movies for Android in Android Market in two editions, My Movies for Android Free and My Movies for Android Pro – the applications are identical with the exception that the free version is limited to maximum 50 titles, and only 10 items in trailers and title release lists.

The Pro version is available for DKK28 (~$5) + VAT in Europe. The free version allows you to fully evaluate the software before buying the pro version – if your collection already contains more than 50 titles, the free version simply only lets you synchronize the first 50.

Click here to open the pro application on Android Market.

Click here to open the free application on Android Market.

My Movies for iPad Free version 1.80 Released

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 6, 2012

2

Brian has just released an update for My Movies for iPad Free – its now version 1.80.

What is My Movies for iPad?

My Movies for iPad allows you to catalog your entire movie collection (maximum 50 titles in free version) from our high quality online data service containing data for more than 500,000 DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD titles from various countries. If you have one or more titles that is not in our service, you can report it and it will be created within 48 hours by our staff – a service you will not find elsewhere.

My Movies for iPad Free is your chance to evaluate the full feature set of My Movies for iPad Pro. This free version is limited to 50 titles and only 10 items in trailer and release listings, but otherwise contains the full featureset of My Movies for iPad Pro.

You can use My Movies for iPad as a standalone product, or use it as a companion to our My Movies software packages for your desktop computer, allowing you to keep your movie collection synchronized between clients.

My Movies for iPad requires you to create a user account, or log on to an existing My Movies account to be able to use the program. Your collection will follow your user account through our online servers, allowing you to switch between different clients without ever losing your data – we have clients available for iPhone, iPad and Mac OS X. If you log in to an existing My Movies account, your current collection will automatically be synchronized to your phone.
You can within the program activate an online collection website of your movie collection, allowing you to send friends and family a website that allows them to browse your entire collection.

With My Movies for iPad, you can keep track of movies you own, previously have owned, rented or movies you wish to purchase. Never again will you have to purchase or rent a movie twice.

What’s New in Version 1.80

NOTICE! The update will upgrade the internal database, which includes loading more data from the online service, a process that can take a while.

– Users with My Movies for WHS 2011 can now connect to the home server and download movies onto the device.
– The movie wall view can now be configured to a wooden look.
– Watched functionality have been extended to not only have an on/off marking, but lets you track who watched and when.
– The filter functionality have been adjusted to include a quick filter option, as the filter save option added in 1.72 was not always ideal.
– Various minor adjustments and fixes.

Download My Movies for iPad Free from the Apple App Store

StableBit DrivePool Moves to Beta M4 Build 5831

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 6, 2012

1

There has been another beta build from CoveCube! StableBit development marches on – now its beta M4 build 5831.

Here is how CoveCube describes this application:

Combine all your hard drives into one big storage pool (except the system drive with the OS).
Add and remove drives from the pool at any time without re-partitioning or manually moving folders.
Create duplicated folders on the storage drive pool that are protected against single drive failure. If a drive fails on which a duplicated file was stored, the contents of that file will remain readable even without the drive.
All your data is stored in standard NTFS files. You can always access your files even if the Windows Home Server completely crashes or this add-in can’t be used.

This version’s change log:

1.0.0.5831 ———-

* [D] Proper oplock cancellation support.

* If the user cancels disk removal, abort immediately, even if we’re in the middle of copying a large file

Get More Information About the Beta Here Download Stablebit Drivepool build 5831 here

Samsung Announces the Galaxy Pocket Android Smartphone

Andrew Edney

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Mar 6, 2012

0

Samsung Announces the Galaxy Pocket Android Smartphone

Samsung Electronics today announces the latest addition to its Android powered Galaxy portfolio, the Galaxy Pocket. Featuring Android 2.3, this new smartphone offers those on the lookout for a new handset, a stylish portable option.

The Galaxy Pocket’s slim design makes it ideal for use whilst on the move and features a 2.8” display so that content and images can be viewed easily. The device features an upgraded TouchWiz user interface making menu navigation a smooth and efficient experience.

Connecting with others and sharing content is quick and easy thanks to the Galaxy Pocket’s social networking and communication features. Samsung’s ChatON cross-platform communication service connects all phone users into a single community, enabling spontaneous messaging, group chatting and content sharing so customers can stay in touch more easily.

In addition, the Galaxy Pocket’s Social Hub enables owners to see their Instant Messaging, social network and email communications in a single inbox for added convenience when they are travelling to and from work or out shopping.

The Galaxy Pocket offers 3GB of user memory, which can be expanded by a SD memory card up to an additional 32GB, for applications, MP3 files and photos, as well as an in-built FM radio which can be tuned into a favourite station. Integrated high-speed Wi-Fi and HSDPA 3.6 connectivity mean multimedia content can be downloaded fast and keep owners entertained whilst they’re out and about.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division: “With the Samsung Galaxy Pocket, we are building on the features we know our customers enjoy and get the most out of. This new device adds further breadth to the choice of smartphones we currently offer and provides a smartphone experience for even more customers at an affordable price.”

The Galaxy Pocket will be available in the UK later this year.

Samsung Galaxy Pocket Product Specifications:

Network	HSDPA 3.6UMTS 900/2100 EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
Processor	832MHz Processor
Display	2.8” QVGA(240×320) TN LCD
OS	Android 2.3(Gingerbread)
Camera	Main(Rear): 2 Megapixel Fixed Focus Camera
Video	Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264 Playback: WVGA@30fps Recording: QVGA@15fps
Audio	Codec: MP3, OGG, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, WAV, MID, IMY 3.5mm Ear Jack , Stereo FM Radio with RDS
Value-added Features	Samsung TouchWiz UX
	Samsung Apps
	Samsung Kies
	Social Hub -Integrated Messaging(Email, SNS), Contacts, Calendar Sync
	Samsung ChatON mobile communication service (Downloadable via Samsung Apps)
	Google^TMMobile Services – Android Market™, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Maps™, Syncing with Google Calendar™, Google Search, Google +
	A-GPS
Connectivity	Bluetooth® technology v 3.0 USB 2.0 Wi-Fi b/g/n
Sensor	Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Memory	3GB User memory microSD (up to 32GB)
Size	103.7 x 57.5 x 12 mm, 97g
Battery	Standard battery, Li-ion 1,200 mAh

How WHS 2011 works in My Movies for iPad, iPhone and Android 1.80

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 6, 2012

2

How WHS 2011 works in My Movies for iPad, iPhone and Android 1.80

We are big fans of My Movies here at UWHS, and while we are awaiting the iOS and Android updates which should be out today, Brian has posted an article on how WHS 2011 works with My Movies for iPad, iPhone and Android 1.80.

This is what Brian just posted:

Question:

How does the movie download option from My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 function in My Movies for iPad, iPhone and Android?

Answer:
The download function allows your iPad, iPhone or Android to connect to My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 either in-house, or out of the house.

Requirements:

My Movies for iPhone, iPad or Android, running at least version 1.80.

My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011, running at least version 2.11.

Remote Web Access must be enabled on the Windows Home Server, which is done through the Dashboard, the “Server Settings” button, and the “Remote Web Access” link on the left side of the settings screen.

The movies must be pre-converted to MP4 format using the Video Converter function in My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011. You can read more about the video converter here: http://kb.mymovies.dk/KnowledgebaseArticle50053.aspx

A wireless network connection is required to avoid high bandwidth usage on mobile plans. This wireless network can be either on your home network, when connected in-house, or a wireless network in another location when connected out of the house. Be aware that the sizes of the converted videos will require a fast internet connection when connecting to a wireless network out of the house.

Steps:

Follow the below steps to prepare your movies for download from your Windows Home Server 2011 to your mobile device.

Ensure that you are running at least version 1.80 of My Movies for iPhone, iPad or Android. This information is available in the bottom of the applications settings area.
Ensure that you are running at least version 2.11 of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011. This information is available in the dashboard, under the “Add-ins” tab – the version must show 2.1.1.X or higher. Notice! The 2.11 version is currently in Pre Release, but is expected to be available as a final release soon.
Ensure that “Remote Web Access” is enabled on your Windows Home Server. You can find this option in the dashboard, under the “Server settings” button, and the “Remote Web Access” area.
Ensure that you are logged in with the My Movies user account you use on mobile device on the Windows Home Server. You can find this in the dashboard, under the “My Movies” tab, and the “Settings” link in here, on the opening “General” page.
Configure the video converter in My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 to your preferences. You can find this in the dashboard, under the “My Movies” tab, and the “Settings” link here, on the “Video Converter” page. You can configure the video converter to convert either one universal format for both iPad or iPhone, which equals Android devices with high or low resolution screens, or you can configure it to convert one format for iPad, and another for iPhone. If you set the video converter to convert two formats, it is important that the primary format is the highest quality (iPad profile) and the secondary format is the lowest quality (iPhone profile), as this allows the mobile device to pick the higest quality video that the device supports for downloading.
Depending on your preference, you can configure the video converter, to automatically add disc copied with the fully automated disc copier to the video converter queue, or you can select from the disc copier tab, or the monitoring tab to add a movie to the queue manually. You can also in the “Video Converter” tab select to add all movies in your library for conversion. Notice!
The video converter puts a high pressure on the CPU in your server, and conversion on Atom or other low-spec CPU’s servers will take a long time. We recommend to take this into account when purchasing your Windows Home Server.

In My Movies for iPhone, iPad or Android, open the “Settings” page, and click the “Connect to My Movies for WHS 2011” option. You can here provide the IP address of your Windows Home Server on the internal network, or on Android, the name of the server, and you can provide the external address for your server as a secondary option. You can choose to only add or change only the internal or the external address, leaving the other as it is – as an example, depending on your router configuration, you may not be able to connect to the external address of your home server on your internal network. Notice! For users on iPad or iPhone, we recommend configuring a fixed IP adress for your server in your router configuration, avoid that it changes the stores IP address.
Having connected to your Windows Home Server, you will see a “Downloads” tab on your device, which on iPhone or iPad will be hidden behind the “… More” tab icon (you can use the Edit button to drag preferred tabs to the main screen). From the movie details screen, by clicking the “Actions” button, you will now have a “Download” button, which starts the download from the server – the download will be placed under the “Downloads” tab.
Movies downloaded will in the “Actions” button on the movie details page have a “Play” button, or you can click the movie in the list in the “Downloads” section to play it. Be aware that movies on iPhone or iPad is stored in the applications internal memory, and therefore is not available in the “Videos” section on your device, due to access limitations on the platform. Therefore, we recommend that you delete movies that you do not need, to avoid it taking up space on your device.Plans:

The next version of My Movies for iPad and iPhone will contain an option to add items to the video converter, and view the progress of disc copies and video conversions directly a mobile device connected to the Windows Home Server. This option is planned for the Android version as well, but we do not yet know the time frame for Android. The functionality for iPad and iPhone is planned for April 2012.

The download option is currently only available in My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011. Users of My Movies Collection Management and My Movies for Windows Media Center will unfortunately have to wait for My Movies 5 before the functionality will be available in a standard Windows installation, where My Movies 5 will bring both the Video Converter and the download back-end option to the Windows release. It is not planned to add the functionality to My Movies for Windows Home Server V1, which is for future development considered deprecated.

Due to the fact that our software for Mac OS X does not have the fully automated disc copy functionality and video converter functionality available in our Windows Home Server software, the functionality is currently not planned for Mac OS X.
While our priorities have been on bringing a download option that places the movies on the devices prior to playback, we are working on adding direct streaming options as well, allowing the device to stream the movies from the server without the requirement of downloading the file to the device. The reason we found the download option to be of a higher importance is that once the movie is downloaded to the device, you can watch it in locations where a stable network connection is not available, where a direct streaming option often would not function due to internet connection speed or stability.

So watch out later today for the update!

Update for Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac Supports Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Andrew Edney

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Mar 5, 2012

0

Update for Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac Supports Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Parallels just released an update to Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac, which includes experimental support for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview and more.

Today Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac was updated to provide experimental support for Windows 8 Consumer Preview , including simple download and automatic installation of Windows 8 via the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard. The update also adds experimental support for OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview as both a host and guest.

Now Mac enthusiasts and developers alike (not to mention tech journalists), can safely try Windows 8 Consumer Preview and OS X Mountain Lion in Parallels Desktop 7 virtual machines to protect their Mac from potential mishaps or corruption of important files that can occur with preview versions of software. Additionally, Parallels Mobile users can remotely access and control their Mac as well as its Windows 8 and OS X Mountain Lion virtual machines, applications and files, via their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

This update comes it at just over 304 MB.

I’ve just updated and it’s running great.

Halo 4 makes an appearance at the Microsoft Spring Showcase

Andrew Edney

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Mar 5, 2012

0

Halo 4 makes an appearance at the Microsoft Spring Showcase

Today was the Microsoft Spring Showcase, and during it Microsoft showed off a bit of Halo 4.

Halo 4 is the next blockbuster instalment in the iconic franchise that’s shaped entertainment history and defined a decade of gaming. Set in the aftermath of Halo 3, Master Chief returns to confront his own destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Halo 4 marks the start of a new trilogy that begins with its release in 2012.

How cool do the screenshots look above!

I want this game and I want it now!!!!

Get an exciting first look at this year’s most anticipated blockbuster, “Halo 4,” through a behind-the-scenes video on HaloWaypoint.com.

Facebook Messenger for Windows Released

Andrew Edney

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Mar 5, 2012

0

The Facebook Messenger app for Windows has been released enabling you to chat while you do other things.

Chat while you do other stuff

See and respond to chats right from your desktop. Whether you’re browsing other websites or using another app, you don’t have to click away to stay connected.

Get notified instantly

Find out about new comments, photo tags and more as soon as they happen.

Download Facebook Messenger for Windows from here

Microsoft Flight adds Alaska DLC

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

2

My friend and fellow MVP Nick Whittome has some news on the first downloadable content (DLC) for Microsoft Flight.

This is what Nick posted:

Microsoft Flight have announced the very very excellent Alaska downloadable content pack that will be available for Microsoft Flight sometime in the future. I have to say that what I saw of this at the Game Studios simply amazed me, and it will amaze you too! The content is over 1.2 Million square miles of amazing scenery, with new missions and new aircraft!!!

Learn more from the Microsoft website

HIS Launch 7870 IceQ X 2GB, the HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB and the HIS 7850 IceQ 2GB Graphics Cards

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

HIS Launch 7870 IceQ X 2GB, the HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB and the HIS 7850 IceQ 2GB Graphics Cards

Hightech Information System (HIS) today launched three brand new graphics cards, the HIS 7870 IceQ X 2GB, the HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB and the HIS 7850 IceQ 2GB.

Equipped with the legendary IceQ cooling technology, the cards are up to 26°C cooler than the reference models as well as substantially quieter to create a silent atmosphere.

Additionally all three cards feature innovative overclocking software by HIS – iTurbo. The iTurbo software allows users to control the temperature, speed and power of the GPU, ensuring maximised OC capability and a longer lifespan of the card.

The 7870 IceQ X and the 7870 IceQ feature clock rates of 1000 MHz, offering superb quality for the most demanding games and applications.

Main Features:

Cooling

7870 IceQ X:

Up to 26°C cooler than the reference cooler due to a super large 9.2cm axial fan which is equipped with 2 ball bearings and is extremely durable with a life span of 70,000 hours. 2x 6mm plus 2x 8mm wide heatpipes optimise the cooling performance by removing heat from the core of the GPU.

7870 Ice Q:

Up to 20°C cooler than the reference cooler thanks to the super large 80 x 21.5mm single blower fan which is equipped with 2 ball bearings and is extremely durable with a life span of 50,000 hours! 4 wide heatpipes optimise the cooling performance by removing heat from the core of the GPU and the extra large 35 x 30mm copper heatsink provides a large heat dissipation area. The card also features fan control and fan monitoring, which allows users to read the fan speed & Asic temperature.

7850 IceQ:

IceQ X is significantly cooler than the Reference Cooler. Thanks to the 9.2cm silent fan large amounts of cool air is drawn from the central fan to cool down graphics card directly. 2 wide heatpipes optimise cooling performance by removing heat from the core area, providing ultimate solution for professional gamers and HTCP users.

Quieter

IceQ X is one of the quietest coolers, which means that all three cards are below 28dB. Whether surfing the web, watching movies or gaming, the cards will always remain quiet.

iTurbo

The iTurbo’s Fan Control and Fan Monitoring allow easy adjustment to achieve maximum cooling performance. By using the powerful Overclocking software you can run your card quietly and environmentally friendly. With the smart auto overclocking function, users can experience a performance boost with just one click.

HIS 7870 IceQ X 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP

http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-689.shtml

HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP

http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-684.shtml

HIS 7850 IceQ X 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP

http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-690.shtml