Archive

Netflix Finally Launches in the UK

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

Today saw Netflix finally launch in the UK, and you can get a free trial now.

This is part of what Netflix posted on their blog:

Today we’re bringing Netflix to the UK and Ireland. I am Neil Hunt, chief product officer at Netflix. I’m proud to have led the product team that brings Netflix to the country where I grew up, after spending most of my career in California.

Click-to-Watch TV Programmes and Films Over the Internet

Netflix is available now, and anyone can get a one month free trial: click-to-watch TV programmes and films streamed instantly over the Internet to your smart TV, game console, computer, tablet, or mobile device. After the free trial, it costs just £5.99 or €6.99. Our catalog is full of complete TV programmes such as The Only Way is Essex, Prison Break, and Damages (watch from the pilot episode all the way through the last complete season) and great films such as 3:10 to Yuma, Blitz and The English Patient, with new content added continuously.

Streaming to TVs, Computers, Tablets, and Mobiles

We have spent the last four years building and refining streaming players for the major game consoles, smart TVs, Blu-ray players, tablets, and mobile phones, as well as Mac and PC-based computers. We have honed and refined the apps based upon our experience in the Canadian, US, and Latin American markets. The current versions have some cool streaming technology that starts streaming the video instantly and quickly scales up to high definition with surround sound when your broadband connection supports it. If you don’t have a game console or smart TV, there are nifty smart TV adaptor products on the market that convert a regular television to an Internet-connected television starting at around £50.

So why not sign up for a free trial here.

Are you going to give it a try? Let us know….

CES 2012: Acer Preview AcerCloud for Anytime, Anywhere Access to Digital Media and Data

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 8, 2012

0

CES 2012: Acer Preview AcerCloud for Anytime, Anywhere Access to Digital Media and Data

Acer also announced their AcerCloud, which Connects All Personal Devices Securely for
Anytime, Anywhere Access to Digital Media and Data.

Intelligent connectivity and storage — in a personal cloud space

Acer today previewed its upcoming AcerCloud, which securely connects all personal smart devices for anytime, anywhere access. Featuring Acer Always Connect technology, users can retrieve multimedia and data files anytime, even when their main PC is in sleep (standby/hibernation) mode. Users can enjoy these advantages knowing that their information is stored and transferred securely via strong encryption and authentication. Bringing users tremendous functionality and value, Acer will include the AcerCloud, without additional cost, on all new Acer consumer PCs.

Acer reduces the complexities of today’s fast-paced lifestyles by developing solutions that enable devices to communicate, simplifying the process of content sharing. With the ever-growing number of smart digital devices, users need to share and back up their multimedia and data files in a simple, smart way.

Create, acquire and consume on different devices

AcerCloud makes it easy to take photos on a smartphone while on the go, and then view them on a main PC at home or in the office, without the delay and complication of manually transferring files. It also allows users to purchase a movie from an all-in-one PC, and then watch it on a tablet or smartphone on a train or airplane. As long as the main PC is in sleep (standby/hibernation) mode, Acer Always Connect technology can wake it up through Wi-Fi® so media can be retrieved via a mobile device. AcerCloud, meanwhile, intelligently uses local and cloud storage together so all data is always available. Other features of AcerCloud include:

PicStream

Through PicStream

, users can take holiday snapshots on their smartphone, back them up on the main PC, and share them efficiently with other smart devices. Users can stream photos via clear.fi in the Cloud to PCs and other devices; photos are backed up permanently on their PC, and temporarily accessible for 30 days in their personal cloud and on other devices.

AcerCloud Docs

Professionals can update sales documents on a PC and save them, and the documents will be put into the personal cloud and streamed to other devices. They can then go to their meeting with their notebook or tablet PC and have immediate access to all the updated files. The files will be temporarily accessible for 30 days in the personal cloud and on the devices, or they can choose to download the files on to other devices for long-term storage.

clear.fi Media

With Acer’s unique clear.fi Media application, users can also access all their multimedia at any time. They can use clear.fi to connect to the personal cloud and stream live, or download and enjoy content offline for convenient on-the-go entertainment.
Acer Inc. President Jim Wong stated, “AcerCloud not only provides the simplicity and efficiency when accessing and sharing data, but it’s also free with a new Acer PC and gives our users peace-of-mind, knowing that their data is safely transferred in a personal cloud space.”

AcerCloud will be bundled on all Acer consumer PCs starting Q2 2012. It will support all Android devices, while future support is planned for Windows-based devices. The service will be available in America, Europe, Asia and China.

Having just sat through a live demo, which for the most part worked very well, AcerCloud looks very interesting.

CES 2012: Acer Announce Aspire Timeline Ultra

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 8, 2012

0

CES 2012: Acer Announce Aspire Timeline Ultra

Acer has announced the newAspire Timeline Ultra, featuring long battery life, high performance, and Acer Green Instant On and Acer Always Connect technology.

LAS VEGAS, USA (January 8, 2012) — Since Acer rolled out the first Ultrabook in September 2011, the company has extended the product’s unique features across its mainstream line of notebooks with 14-inch and 15-inch models. Acer today unveils the Aspire Timeline Ultra featuring 8 hours of battery life, high performance and a 2-spindle design in an Ultrabook. They feature Acer Green Instant On for fast boot and resume, and Acer Always Connect technology, which lets users manage their multimedia and data on all their devices at anytime, anywhere —even from sleep.

The new Aspire Timeline Ultra are slimmer and lighter than earlier generations of the Timeline series, which reach a delicate equilibrium between computer lightness and battery life, providing an entire day of computing on a single charge. Aspire Timeline Ultra measure just 20 mm thin, boast more than 8 hours of battery life,1 the latest Intel® Core™ i processor performance, dedicated graphics for intensive 3D gaming, and even a slim DVD-Super Multi optical drive.

Instantly on and always connected

Innovative Acer Green Instant On and Acer Always Connect technologies enable data upload and retrieval anytime, anywhere, and deliver power-saving features as well.

Acer Green Instant On provides instant-resume functionality (in 1.5 seconds) and ensures battery life that lasts several weeks.

Acer Always Connect gets users online faster than conventional connections for better productivity and infotainment enjoyment. With their Facebook, Twitter and Outlook email accounts open, users can see updates instantly upon resuming. Furthermore, Acer Always Connect can wake up the Timeline Ultra from a remote device like a smartphone. Access to all documents, music, pictures and video files is fast and always available.

Performance and Timeline design heritage

The Aspire Timeline Ultra features the latest Intel® Core™ i Series processors, an SSD/HDD storage option, professionally-tuned Dolby® Home Theater® v4 surround sound, as well as HDMI® and USB 3.0 ports. They also retain the Timeline design heritage of more than 8 hours of battery life via the PowerSmart long-life battery pack (with a 3X longer life cycle than traditional batteries2) and a thermal technology that keep users comfortable even when the Timeline Ultra is placed on their lap.

The Aspire Timeline Ultra will start shipping in Q1 2012.

CES 2012 : Acer Unveils World’s Thinnest Ultrabook: Aspire S5

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 8, 2012

0

CES 2012 : Acer Unveils World’s Thinnest Ultrabook: Aspire S5

Today at CES 2012, Acer unveiled the world’s thinnest Ultrabook – the Acer Aspire S5, and it has a very cool hidden I/O panel to boot!

Acer unveiled the world’s thinnest Ultrabook with the Aspire S5, an ultra-slim device that measures only 15 mm at the maximal point. It weighs less than 1.35 kg (less than 3 lbs.) and is built with a 13.3-inch (34 cm) LCD. In addition, it features the unique Acer Green Instant On technology for fast boot and resume, and Acer Always Connect, which lets users manage their multimedia and data on all their devices at anytime, anywhere — even from sleep.

“The Ultrabook is much more than just a product segment,” said Jim Wong, president of Acer Inc. “It’s a new trend that will become the mainstream for mobile PCs, and customers will see the unique features gradually extended across Acer’s notebook family.”

Instantly on and always connected

Innovative Acer Green Instant On and Acer Always Connect technologies enable data uploa and retrieval anytime, anywhere, and deliver power-saving features as well.
Acer Green Instant On provides instant-resume functionality (in 1.5 seconds) and ensures battery life that lasts several weeks.

Acer Always Connect gets users online faster than conventional connections for better productivity and infotainment enjoyment. With their Facebook, Twitter and Outlook email accounts open, users can see updates instantly upon resuming. Furthermore, Acer Always Connect can wake up the Aspire S5 from a remote device like a smartphone. Access to all documents, music, pictures and video files is fast and always available.

Ultra-fluid contours

Adorned with a delicately curved chassis in Onyx Black, the Aspire S5’s cover rim wraps around the system body like a protective shell. A magnesium-aluminum alloy cover and palmrest provide a slimmer and sturdier form, while the metallic brushed detail presents subtle elegance. The clean and ultra-fluid contours seen from all angles make the S5 a vision of beauty.

Magical I/O port panel

The Aspire S5 is Acer’s first Ultrabook to feature a smartly designed MagicFlip I/O port panel concealed just below the hinge. This design feature enhances the overall slenderness and streamlined form of the S5. When needed, a press of the MagicFlip key opens the panel to reveal a selection of I/O ports: HDMI®, USB 3.0 and 20 Gbps Thunderbolt.

Performance and eco-friendly features

The Aspire S5 features an Intel® Core™ processor, SSD storage for speed and increased shock resistance, professionally-tuned Dolby® Home Theater® v4, long battery life via the PowerSmart battery pack (with a 3X longer life cycle1 than traditional batteries), and is equipped with a chiclet keyboard.

The Aspire S5 will start shipping in Q2 2012.

LG’s Cinema Screen Design Reduces Cinema 3D Smart TV Bezel to One Millimeter

Andrew Edney

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Jan 8, 2012

1

LG’s Cinema Screen Design Reduces Cinema 3D Smart TV Bezel to One Millimeter

LG have made yet another announcement for CES – this time about their new Cinema 3D Smart TV and it’s impossibly thin 1 mm bezel.

Here is the press release:

SEOUL, Jan. 8, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) will introduce the CINEMA SCREEN Design at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Featured in the new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs for 2012, CINEMA SCREEN Design reduces the bezel to just 1 mm, creating a more optimal and comfortable environment for immersive 3D viewing.

“The 3D experience is still evolving and we at LG intend to push the limits of what 3D can deliver,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. “With our 2012 CINEMA 3D Smart TVs, we have been able to take a significant step forward, thanks to a series of new and upgraded 3D features led by the CINEMA SCREEN Design.”

The CINEMA SCREEN Design translates the latest advances in LG’s display technology into an aesthetically superior form. Bezels that surround the new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs have been slimmed down to negligible levels, removing physical obstructions to allow greater immersion of 3D effects, reminiscent of movie screens at cinemas.

The CINEMA SCREEN Design is accompanied by new CINEMA 3D glasses for 2012. Presented in three elegant models, the new CINEMA 3D glasses are 20 percent lighter than the previous ones, increasing their comfort to allow longer 3D viewing.

Such optimal setting for immersive 3D viewing is complemented by a range of new 3D technologies. Using the theory of 3D TV technology, Dual Play is the solution for an ultimate gaming experience. With LG’s Dual Play function and the special Dual Play glasses, players see two entirely different full images, as opposed to the traditional split screen, where each player has to focus on half the screen. Meanwhile, 3D Sound Zooming generates audio output that is synchronized with the location and movement of the various on-screen objects, so immersive sound can complement immersive visuals.

As always, the new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs come equipped with LG’s Smart TV function. Featuring over 1,200 apps, LG’s Smart TV offers a variety of premium content services, including 3D World, where viewers can access a growing abundance of 3D content. Furthermore, the built-in 2D to 3D conversion engine makes 3D content practically limitless.

Expect more information and pictures from CES.

Twonky Unleash Twonky Video for iOS

Andrew Edney

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Jan 8, 2012

0

Twonky Video is a new way to discover interesting videos using your mobile device and “beam” them to your connected TV.

With one search, play videos from multiple websites and save your search as a channel that automatically updates with new content. You can also customize your channels with other search terms, see what’s new and popular across the web, and access videos stored on your home network. If you want to view all of these videos on a larger screen, you can beam them to a TV, Apple TV or other compatible device on your Wi-Fi network.

Twonky Video users have access to millions of Internet videos with thousands more added each day! Watch these videos on your iOS device when you’re on the go or play them on one of the hundreds of video players available for your home network (such as Airplay, UPnP, or DLNA-certified TVs and other devices). When you find a video you like, bookmark it for later viewing or share it with your friends through Facebook, Twitter, email, or mobile messaging.

Features:

• Search for Internet videos or view popular and featured videos directly from the home screen
• Create/edit channels to match your personal preferences
• Register with Twonky.com to personalize your channels and save your preferences
• Watch videos stored on your Android device or home network
• Beam videos wirelessly to compatible video players connected to your home network
• Bookmark videos or share them through Facebook, Twitter, email, or MMS.
• Parental control filtering

Download from the App Store now

AntiVirus for WHS 2011 – G Data InternetSecurity for HomeServer

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Jan 8, 2012

8

AntiVirus for WHS 2011 – G Data InternetSecurity for HomeServer

Well after nearly a year of being available, it seems that WHS 2011 has finally got a supported AntiVirus product in the shape of G Data InternetSecurity for HomeServer.

G Data InternetSecurity for HomeServer protects your home server and all PCs connected to it (up to 5 PCs). Protection is controlled centrally on the home server and is completely transparent on the PCs connected to it.

The price for the software is $99 which includes 5 PC licenses.

Here is how G Data describe the software:

Award-winning technology

Award-winning virus detection thanks to two virus scanner modules
Secure protection against viruses, worms, rootkits, spyware, diallers, Trojans, adware and other riskware
Instant protection against new viruses: email and web-based CloudSecurity blocks infected emails or websites in real time
Integrated rootkit blocker / special module for discovering rootkits

G Data ManagementServer

Easy setup: installation, virus scan, updates, settings and reports are remotely controlled using the home server
Seamless integration into the Microsoft HomeServer 2011 console
Automatic distribution of updates in the network
Also central administration of clients that are not always connected to the home server (notebooks, netbooks, tablet PCs)

G Data AntiVirus and AntiSpam client

„Invisible“ client protection in the background, including for computers that are not permanently connected to the home server.
Mail protection for Outlook, Outlook Express, Mozilla and POP3 / IMAP mail clients
CloudSecurity: Instant protection against new viruses and spam
Fully functional when working offline
If desired, independent settings and virus scans on the client are possible

G Data Firewall client

Remotely controlled installation and configuration
Simple administration using individual learnable access rules on the client
Monitors all incoming and outgoing connections
Blocks and reports DoS attacks, port scans and much more.
Four security levels or expert mode
Invisible stealth mode

Learn more from the G Data website

via: WGS

BYOB Podcast Episode 73 Out Now

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 8, 2012

0

The guys over at the BYOB podcast, including our very own Tim Daleo have just released episode 73.

Here is what is included in this weeks show:

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Data Recovery, Encryption, and Hard Drives. Tonight we have the pleasure of being joined by Scott Moulton owner/founder of myharddrivedied.com. We had a blast and learned an incredible amount about data recovery, hard drives, SSDs, and encryption. We would like to thank Scott for spending time with us and for doing a fantastic job educating all of us. Get comfortable as this 2:10 minutes and every minute is a learning experience. A special thanks to DVN (Rich O.) for the suggestion.[/box]

As usual you can listen to the show from here.

Kinect for Windows SDK v1.0 Beta 2 Refresh

Andrew Edney

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Jan 7, 2012

1

Kinect for Windows SDK v1.0 Beta 2 Refresh

This week saw Microsoft fresh it’s Kinect for Windows SDK v1.0 beta 2.

What is the Kinect for Windows SDK?

Gives Kinect for Windows developers easy access to the capabilities offered by the Microsoft Kinect device. This SDK is designed for non-commercial purposes only; a commercial version will be available at a later date.

It includes drivers, rich APIs for raw sensor streams and human motion tracking, installation documents, and resource materials. It provides Kinect capabilities to developers who build applications with C++, C#, or Visual Basic by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.

Download the SDK from here

Using Windows Home Server at CES 2012

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 7, 2012

0

CES 2012 starts on Tuesday (well it actually sort of starts tomorrow) and UWHS will be there covering as much as we can!

Last year was a busy few days full of 3D televisions, media streamers, shooting hard drives, and more.

This year, I suspect there will be a lot more 3D televisions, tablets, streaming devices and of course Ultrabooks.

So I will be wondering around the show, we have plenty of meetings arranged, and some surprise events, and we will take pictures, shoot video and generally do our best to get you all the news from CES as quickly as we can.

Jim and Tim will be covering the fort from home so expect to see posts from them as well.

And if there is something specific you want to see just let us know and we will do our best to cover it for you.

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and also on Facebook.

Serviio Add-in for Windows Home Server V1 and WHS 2011 Updated to Release 0.6.1

Andrew Edney

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Jan 6, 2012

0

Serviio WHS was today updated to version 0.6.1 and now also includes add-ins for both WHS v1 and WHS 2011.

In addition to the new 2011 add-in, Serviio 0.6.1 includes a lot of new features (including streaming web-based media to your DLNA device) and stability improvements.

This is what Paul said:

The add-in manages (and optionally installs) Petr Nejedly’s excellent and free Serviio DLNA media server. If you’re not familiar with Serviio, it is a transcoding-capable media server that “just works.” It streams just about every media file out there to any device, and based on a device profile, transcodes the media only if necessary for that device. it was recently recommended by Sony as “the” server to use for it’s TV’s, Blu-Ray players, and game console.

Download the latest build here

Samsung Launch ChatON App for iOS for Free Chat to Android and Others

Apple

Andrew Edney

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Jan 6, 2012

0

Samsung Launch ChatON App for iOS for Free Chat to Android and Others

Do you have an iOS device and would like to chat with your friends on Android? If so, then you should take a look at a free app from Samsung called ChatON.

At the moment ChatON only supports iOS, Android and Bada, but other smartphones are coming soon, along with a promise of Windows Phone and BlackBerry.

What is ChatON?

ChatON is a Global Mobile Communication Service that enables you to have better relationships with your buddies or groups.

ChatON brings together all of these methods of communication, expression, and sharing in one place.

1) ChatON supports multi platforms and devices. Users can chat freely through ChatON.
– Currently, ChatON supports iOS, Android, Bada, Samsung Feature and will support Blackberry, Window mobile, web soon.
2) ChatON provides multi ways to make your communication richer.
– 1:1 Chat, Group Chat, Broadcast, Drawing Message, Picture, Video, Voice, Location, Contact, Calendar.
3) Using ChatON, create your own unique drawing message by hand drawing etc.
4) ChatON provides group management feature for easy group chat
5) ChatON provides Interaction rank which informs you how often you chat with your buddies.
6) For every chat room, you can easily see all sent images and videos in a Trunk.
7) Something to say for your buddies? Use ‘Buddies Say’!

Download ChatON from the App Store

Sony to Deliver BBC News App to 2011 BRAVIA TV Range in UK

Andrew Edney

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Jan 6, 2012

0

Sony to Deliver BBC News App to 2011 BRAVIA TV Range in UK

Sony have announced that it is bringing the BBC News App to its 2011 BRAVIA TV range here in the UK.

Watch news from the UK and around the world on-demand, at the touch of a button
The app joins iPlayer on Sony Entertainment Network
24/7 dedicated editorial news team updating content throughout the day

Sony is proud to announce that the new BBC News app will be joining the iPlayer on the Sony Entertainment Network, providing UK consumers with news from the UK and around the world, straight to their living rooms, at the push of a button. The application provides viewers with news throughout the day, selected and constantly updated by a dedicated team in the newsroom.

The app is designed to give the viewer an on-demand TV news channel experience, presenting video and text content in an easy-to-view TV friendly format, with content drawn from BBC News operations in the UK and around the world.

Edd Uzzell, Sony category development manager, said: “The News app provides another great way for people to keep on top of what’s going on at a time that suits them. We continue to add new and exciting partners to the Sony Entertainment Network, ensuring there is always something great to watch.”

This app will be available on all Sony BRAVIA Internet TVs (CX520, CX523, EX320, EX523, EX524, EX723, EX724, NX723, HX723, HX823 and HX923 models)