Skype for iPhone Updated to version 3.5.117

Andrew Edney
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0
Skype for iPhone Updated to version 3.5.117

The Skype app for the iPhone has been updated for the second time this week – this time to version 3.5.117.

skype-for-iphone-hero-2_thumb1

What’s New in Version 3.5.117

* Bluetooth support for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 4th Generation, and iPad 2
* Incoming emoticons; outgoing emoticons displayed when entered in text form
* Enhanced video through image stabilization
* New easy-to-use interface
* Advertising will be shown to users that do not have Skype Credit, a calling subscription or premium subscription
* Bugfix for security vulnerability
* Bugfix for syncing issues

Congratulations to all MVPs Everywhere

Andrew Edney
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0
Congratulations to all MVPs Everywhere

If you have just been awarded an MVP or have just had it renewed, then congratulations are in order.

Today is one of those time sof the year when people all around the world are awarded, or rewarded an MVP (Most Valued Professional) award from Microsoft for work in the community,

I have been honoured over the last few years to be an MVP in Windows Home Server, and I have a lot of good friends who are WHS MVPs, along with Digital Media Experience and Small Business Server MVPs.

MVP’s are awarded four times a year so lets see who else will become an MVP soon.

To learn more about the MVP program, click here: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/

I have my fingers crossed for my renewal in January!

XBMC EDEN – Coming Soon

Andrew Edney
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0
XBMC EDEN – Coming Soon

The guys over at XBMC have started to talk about the next version of XBMC – EDEN!

confluence-horizontal

Here is what they said:

Today marks the first step in the long-awaited release cycle for Eden: soft-freeze. Other than what is already slated for entry, no new features may be added unless they’re deemed critical for release. After that comes a hard freeze, when all APIs are frozen and we prepare to release the first Beta.

So much has changed since Dharma, we’ll use this space over the coming weeks to discuss in more detail what you can expect in 11.0. For now, Here are a few things you’re sure to notice:

  • A new “Files” view in the video library in order to remove the notion of Library Mode vs. Files Mode that confused so many new users.
  • The default skin changed to a horizontal layout allowing for more useful information to be displayed on the home screen (vertical version is still available in Add-ons)
  • Efficiency improvements to reduce high cpu/gpu usage
  • Much improved touchscreen support to go along with the first major versioned XBMC release for the iOS (iPad, iPhone, AppleTv2)
  • Ability to customize the home screen by adding your favorite Add-ons
  • The usual smattering of visual improvements, playback improvements, new ways to stream and discover media.. the list goes on.

The last few days have been hectic as the developers have been working hard to get their last changes in, but we’ll be slowing things down now to begin cleaning up for release!

I’m very much looking forward to testing this out! How about you?

Files are available from here

WaterField Designs Announce Six Amazon Kindle Fire Cases

Andrew Edney
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0
WaterField Designs Announce Six Amazon Kindle Fire Cases

We have reviewed a few cases from WaterFeild Designs in the past, and we loved them. Yesterday WaterField Designs announced six new cases specifically for the new Amazon Kindle Fire.

MOD-26600_KindleUltimateSleeveCase_KindleFireCase

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – Sep 29, 2011) – WaterField Designs, the preeminent San Francisco manufacturer of custom laptop sleeves and distinguished bags and cases for digital gear, introduces an array of six cases for the hotly anticipated Amazon Kindle Fire™: the Kindle™ Smart Case, the Kindle™ Travel Express, the Kindle™ Slip Case, the Kindle™ Suede Jacket, the Kindle™ Ultimate SleeveCase, and the Kindle™ EXO SleeveCase. All six, custom-fitted Kindle Fire™ cases, along with several Kindle Touch™ and Kindle™ cases, are available for pre-order and will ship shortly after Amazon’s ship dates.

“We’ve created a line of cases with a variety of styles, levels of protection and functionality; there’s something here for everyone,” explained Gary Waterfield, company founder. “They’re protective, lightweight and travel easily.”

The Smart Case™ for the Kindle Fire™ offers solid protection in serious style:

  • Vibrantly colored, water-resistant exterior
  • Richly bound by naturally-tanned, distressed, brown leather
  • High-impact, rigid insert for screen protection
  • Lined with scratch-free Ultrasuede® that helps protect and clean the screen
  • Six colors choices
  • Available for the Kindle Fire™ only

The Travel Express™ keeps the Kindle Fire™ and accessories organized and protected:

  • Kindle™-specific, scratch-free pocket for the Kindle™
  • Soft, padded, interior pockets for power adapter, USB, Quick Start Guide and/or other accessories like keys, phone and wallet
  • Domestically produced, 1050 denier, ballistic nylon exterior
  • YKK zipper opens case along top and side panel for easy access.
  • Two impact-resistant plastic inserts protect screen and accessories.
  • Bold stripe in choice of six earthy colors to match other WaterField Designs gear
  • Use alone — under an arm or in a bag — or with optional D-rings & strap — as a stand-alone bag
  • Also available for other Kindle™ models

The Slip Case offers simple, light and stylish protection for the Kindle Fire™:

  • Vibrantly colored, water-resistant fabric exterior
  • Plush, padded interior
  • Impact-resistant plastic insert for screen protection
  • Also available for other Kindle™ models

The Suede Jacket™ protects the Kindle Fire™ from dings and scratches:

  • Static-free, Ultrasuede® sleeve that can double as a screen cleaner
  • Small pull-tabs help ease Kindle™ insertion and removal
  • Optional stretch pocket for accessories
  • Also available for other Kindle™ models

The Ultimate SleeveCase™ offers multi-layer, scratch-free and compact Kindle Fire™ protection:

  • Nearly indestructible, ballistic nylon outer shell
  • High-grade, shock-absorbing neoprene
  • Interior lined with screen-cleaning Ultrasuede®
  • Impact-resistant insert to protects Kindle screen
  • Bottom loop to help ease Kindle removal
  • Lightly padded flap with Velcro closure
  • Customizable options: horizontal or vertical case orientation, brown leather or lead Indium trim, mini Simple or Suspension Shoulder Strap
  • Also available for other Kindle™ models

The EXO SleeveCase™ protects the Kindle Fire™ within a playthrough case:

  • Nearly indestructible, ballistic nylon outer shell
  • High-grade, shock-absorbing neoprene
  • Bottom loop to help ease Kindle removal
  • Lightly padded flap with Velcro closure
  • Customizable options: horizontal or vertical case orientation, brown leather or lead Indium trim, mini Simple or Suspension Shoulder Strap
  • Also available for other Kindle™ models

These TSA-friendly Kindle™ cases allow travelers to breeze through airport security. All can be used alone or in WaterField’s Muzetto, Cargo, Cozmo, VertiGo or other bags.

Pricing & Availability
Pre-order now from www.sfbags.com. Will ship within two weeks of Amazon ship date.
Smart Case Price: $59; Colors: Black, Copper, Flame, Green, Pearl, Pine.
Travel Express Price: $59; Stripe colors: Black, Copper, Flame, Green, Pearl, Pine. Optional D-rings and Simple Strap Mini ($12); D-rings and Suspension Strap Mini ($22).
Slip Case Price: $29; Colors: Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Silver.
Suede Jacket Price: $14; With pocket: $19; Color: Black. Vertical orientation.
SleeveCase with Flap: Price: $49. EXO SleeveCase with Flap: Price: $45.
Black with choice of lead Indium or brown leather trim (+$4). Options: Simple Shoulder Strap Mini ($12), Suspension Shoulder Strap Mini ($22), Piggyback accessory pouch with grey Indium trim ($25) or brown leather trim (+$27).

Compatible with WaterField’s Personal Muzetto ($239), Small Cargo ($179-$209), Small Cozmo ($169-$199), and Small VertiGo ($85). Available now at sfbags.com.

About WaterField Designs
WaterField Designs manufactures custom-fitted, high-quality cases and bags for a full-range of laptop computers, cameras, and other digital gear. All products are manufactured to exacting standards in San Francisco. More information is available at http://www.sfbags.com/aboutus.htm.

WaterField Designs, Smart Case™, Travel Express™, Ultimate SleeveCase™, EXO SleeveCase™, Suede Jacket™, PiggyBack™, Muzetto™, Cargo™, Cozmo™, and VertiGo™, are trademarks of WaterField Designs. WaterField Designs is not affiliated with Amazon, nor has Amazon endorsed these products. Other company/product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Expect a UWHS review soon!

Xbox 360 Gears of War 3 Competition Supported by Hauppauge

Andrew Edney
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Xbox 360 Gears of War 3 Competition Supported by Hauppauge

Sign up now to the Gears of War 3 Release Event sponsored by Hauppauge.

GoW3Event

London, September 30, 2011: Hauppauge Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAUP), the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of TV tuner products for personal computers, teamed up with FraggedNation to launch a Gears of War 3 gaming contest taking place this October. The online gaming event will see teams of four play against each other in the Gears of War 3’s battle between locust and mankind. The top team and video contributors will get prizes of HD PVRs from Hauppauge as well as XSplit Premium Accounts. The Hauppauge HD PVR allows recording of video game play in HD from a Microsoft® Xbox® 360 or Sony® PlayStation®3 onto PC in a compressed high definition H.264 format. Gamers can upload their favourite games to YouTube in HD and share them with other gamers online as well as create high definition movies of game play to share with friends or use it to train and  discuss tactics with  clan members!

Registration deadline is October 6th. Sign up now to the event which will take place from 7-24 October. Show off your gaming skills and get a chance to win the great prizes up for grabs.

Final games will be recorded with the Hauppauge HD PVR, the world’s first High-Definition video recorder for making real-time H.264 compressed recordings.

More about the event: http://www.fraggednation.com/content.php?k=gearsofwar3

Sign up your team: http://www.fraggednation.com/forum/topic/PlayerTeam-Creation-and-Ladder-Joining-Questions-20404

Event rules: http://www.fraggednation.com/standings/xbox360/gears-of-war-3/Gears-of-War-3-Prized-Rel-5067?ql=standingsTabs:2::ladderDetailTabs:3

About Hauppauge

Hauppauge Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAUP) is a leading developer and manufacturer of digital TV and data broadcast receiver products for personal computers. Through its Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc., PCTV Systems Sarl and Hauppauge Digital Europe subsidiaries, the company designs and develops digital video boards for TV-in-a-window, digital video editing and video conferencing. The Company is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, with R&D offices in New York, Braunschweig, Germany and Taipei, administrative offices in New York, Singapore, Taiwan, Ireland and Luxembourg, and sales offices in Germany, London, Paris, The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Singapore and California. The Company’s Internet web site can be found at http://www.hauppauge.com. Hauppauge and WinTV are registered trademarks of Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc. Other product or service names herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

StableBit DrivePool Moves to Beta M3 Build 3959

Andrew Edney
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0
StableBit DrivePool Moves to Beta M3 Build 3959

There has been another beta build from CoveCube! StableBit development marches on – now is build 3959.

600px-Stablebit_drivepool_screen_thu16

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:

1.0.0.3959 ———-

* When FolderLinks had no security set, setting permissions on a folder issued an access denied error. Now fixed.

Get More Information About the Beta Here Download Stablebit Drivepool build 3959 here

The Home Server Show Episode 154 Out Now

Andrew Edney
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0
The Home Server Show Episode 154 Out Now

Dave at the guys at the Home Server Show have released episode 154.

home_server_show_small_thumb_thumb_t[2]

Here’s what Dave has to say about this weeks show:

This episode has a little of everything. Skype bugs, Home Server news, Drive Extender Add-In’s, RAID, Amazon Fire, MyMovies speculation, Windows 8, and more Media Center talk than normal.

As usual you can listen to the show from here.

Office Web Apps Updated

Jim McCarthy
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0
Office Web Apps Updated

Microsoft update their Office Web Apps today, adding some nice features.  Check them out!

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Microsoft’s Office Blog announced some updates to the Office Web Apps.  Here are highlights:

OneNote Web App Ink display. We’ve heard from our OneNote customers who like to use pen-input devices on Tablet PCs to draw and write notes, and we’ve heard from others who enjoy using the Draw tools in OneNote to add ink and highlighting with the mouse or trackpad when working on PC. You’ve told us that you’d like to be able to view your handwritten notes and drawings in the OneNote Web App. With today’s update, the OneNote Web App now displays ink.

Merge and Autofit cells in Excel Web App. Many Excel Web App customers have requested enhanced cell formatting in the Excel Web App, including the ability to merge cells, and to automatically fit cell sizes based on the content the cells contain (AutoFit). With today’s update, you can now do both in the Excel Web App.

Print directly from Excel Web App in the browser. One of our top requests from Excel Web App customers is to print Excel spreadsheets directly from the Excel Web App. We think this enhancement will be a great time-saver when you need to print a spreadsheet by accessing your Excel documents stored on SkyDrive when you’re away from your main PC.

Right-click menus in Excel Web App. We have also heard from Excel Web App customers that you’d like to be able to be able to use some of the same right-click short-cuts that are in Excel for the desktop. Now, you can right-click on cells in the Excel Web App to Cut, Copy, Paste, and work with HyperLinks.

Other improvements to make the Web Apps faster and more reliable. One of the most important things you’ve requested from us is to make the Web Apps faster and more reliable. Today’s update includes a lot of behind-the-scenes improvements that do just that.

I like to use the Office Web Apps for personal stuff, and use inked One Note notebooks for work all of the time.  I really like the inking updates, and would also use the Excel updates mentioned as Excel is my second-most-used Office Web App after One Note.  This is good news!

Microsoft Office Blog Post

Skype for Android Updated to Include Video Calling

Andrew Edney
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0
Skype for Android Updated to Include Video Calling

Earlier in the week we told you about Skype for iPhone being updated, now it’s the turn of Skype for Android!

skype-for-android-hero-image-2

Show a friend your new haircut, or your five-year-old’s latest painting. Have a face-to-face meeting with far-off clients. With Skype on Android, you can make mobile video calls*** to other Skype users on Android and iPhone smart phones, MAC and Windows PCs and TV too.

What’s in this version:

  1. 14 additional devices whitelisted for video calling.
  2. Video calls now supported in portrait and landscape. Double-tap to zoom.
  3. Revised Recent view – conversations now grouped around your contacts.
  4. Improved support for Bluetooth headsets.
  5. In-client advertising. (Advertising will not be shown to users that have Skype Credit, a Calling or Skype Premium subscription.)
  6. It is possible to edit and delete IM messages.
  7. Skype will no longer restart in the background when you sign out.

LOVEFiLM Player for iPad Now Available

Andrew Edney
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0
LOVEFiLM Player for iPad Now Available

LOVEFILM have release the LOVEFILM Player for the Apple iPad.

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The official LOVEFiLM Player iPad app. Requires iOS 4.3 or above to watch instantly.
Watch films instantly as part of your LOVEFiLM membership, and browse the UK’s largest selection of DVDs and Blu-rays.

Features

– Stream films instantly (wifi and iOS 4.3+ only)
– Watch trailers
– Rate movies
– Read user reviews
– Add, remove and prioritise DVD rental titles
– Browse the UK’s widest selection of DVDs & Blu-rays
– Browse by genre, new releases, most popular and coming soon
– Customise your search results to return only the formats you’re interested in

DVBLogic Release DVBLink v4 Suite RC2

Andrew Edney
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1
DVBLogic Release DVBLink v4 Suite RC2

DVBLogic have just released DVBLink v4 Suite RC2.

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Here is what DVBLogic say RC2:

What is new and fixed since RC1:

General
– Fixed: DVBLink sources/Connect server cannot be uninstalled if DVBLink server was uninstalled before them
– Fixed: Incorrect handling of <previously-shown> and <premiere> flags in xmltv
– Added: Categories to xmltv channels based on xmltv file name
DVBLink Connect Server
– Fixed: DVBLink server crash when playback of non-DVBLink channel is started from the DVBLink client
– Fixed: PlayReady error on DVBLink MediaCenter client when client is woken up from standby
– Fixed: DLNA server hangs on DVBLink server stop (server will stop correctly although DLNA server will not function)
– Fixed: IPhone/IPad cannot play HD channels
– Fixed: Incorrect video aspect ratio on Android client
– Fixed: Starting channel playback on Android hangs DVBLink server
– Added: Possibility to play channels via http url
– Fixed: Empty channel list in XBMC when connected do DVBLink DLNA server
– Added: Support for DVBLink Boxee client

DVBLink TVSource
– Fixed: Stuttering playback of RTL4 (HD), TV2 Nyhetskanalen and TV4 Sport channels
– Fixed: Weak signal tuner message in MediaCenter when DVBLink configuration page is opened or playback is started on another tuner
– Fixed: High CPU load (compared to v3) on some encrypted and HD channels
– Fixed: DVBLink server crashes in tvsource.dll or tvsource_info.dll when system has more than 8 tuners

Notes:
– Access to DVBLink configuration web-page is protected with a password. The defaults are: login: user, password: admin
– all 8 DVBLink Tuners must be configured during TV Setup phase in MediaCenter (even if you have only one physical tuner/source)
– If you see incorrect/corrupt things in DVBLink configuration – do refresh of a browser page
– DVBLink Configuration web page is compatible with the following Browsers: IE9, Mozilla, Chrome, Opera. Please note that IE8 is not (and will not be) supported.
– DVBLink Connect! Server does not have Web interface for live TV / EPG management. It will be included in v 4.1.
– DVBLink Connect! Server includes support for Android, WinPhone and IPhone/IPad apps. Availability of apps is different for each platform. more information is available in a separate topic: viewtopic.php?f=52&t=14263
– Versions of all binaries should be 4.0.0.3

How to install
There is no update possible for those who have installed beta1, beta2 or RC1. You must uninstall everything and install new version from the scratch. Please do backup of your configuration before uninstalling so that you can restore it later. Also think about the contents of your plugins and xmltv folders.
There is no need to delete Mediacenter database. Just re-do TV Setup after DVBLink installation.

For additional information please refer to the release notes of beta1, beta2 and RC1:
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=13822
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=13660
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=14262

DVBLink v4 RC2 products can be downloaded here:
DVBLink TVSource: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … ce_rc2.zip
DVBLink Connect! Server: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … er_rc2.zip
DVBLink for IPTV: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … tv_rc2.zip
DVBLink for Dreambox: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … ox_rc2.zip

Twonky Release TwonkyServer 6.0.367

Andrew Edney
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0
Twonky Release TwonkyServer 6.0.367

This week saw Twonky release an update to its TwonkyServer software, bringing it up to version 6.0.37.

What is TwonkyServer?

Here is how Twonky describe it:

Is your Playstation® 3 connected to your home network? Do you have a digital photo frame with a wireless Internet connection, or what about an Internet radio? Provide your favorite devices with that missing link to your computer’s music, video and photo collections. Download the popular, powerful TwonkyServer and truly experience the connected home.
TwonkyServer makes it possible for your devices to retrieve your media files from wherever they’re stored. Using your device’s remote and menu system, view your computer’s media library, or an online media feed, and just press play.

TwonkyServer is available for Windows®, Mac® and Linux, so it will work for any connected home.
If you have Windows Home Server, you can still use TwonkyServer. View this install guide to see if it’s the right option for you.

We even offer a mobile version of our server. Currently available free in the Android™ app store, TwonkyServer Mobile lets you serve music, photos or video from your phone to devices all around the home.

TwonkyServer is part of our TwonkyManager, so if you have a Windows PC and want many amazing features beyond what we offer in TwonkyServer, please see TwonkyManager.

You can choose your platform and download the updates from the Twonky website.

Here is what is included in the update:

Fixes serveral sync-related issues

The Digital Lifestyle Show #322 – Time Traveling Home Servers

Andrew Edney
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0
The Digital Lifestyle Show #322 – Time Traveling Home Servers

This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 322.

DLS Show

Here’s what Ian says about this week show:

We are back for another show and this week Andrew joins me to talk Windows 8, Acer’s time traveling home server, DVBLink updates, Windows Phone, My Movies update and Amazon tablets. We almost get through a full show without Andrew getting on a Windows Home Server rant.

You can listen to or download the show from here.

StableBit DrivePool Moves to Beta M3 Build 3955

Andrew Edney
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0
StableBit DrivePool Moves to Beta M3 Build 3955

There has been another beta build from CoveCube! StableBit development marches on – now is build 3955.

600px-Stablebit_drivepool_screen_thu16

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:

1.0.0.3955 ———-

* [D] Fixed Fast I/O issue that was causing system crashes. (As reported: uTorrent, iTunes on Mac, etc…)

* [D] Update current file position after successful Fast I/O call.

Get More Information About the Beta Here Download Stablebit Drivepool build 3955 here
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