The Amazon Kindle app for Android has been updated again.
I use the Kindle app all the time on my iPad to read books and I know a number of people who use it on their Android devices, so it is really good to see that real page numbers are finally being used!
In the next in their series of Windows 8 articles, Microsoft talks about enabling accessibility in Windows 8.
Here is how this latest article begins:
Windows 8 is a product we design for an incredibly broad spectrum of people around the world. One of the areas where we have worked to deliver an even greater level of innovation is in ensuring that Windows 8, particularly the new Metro style experience, is accessible to everyone regardless of their physical abilities. In this post we will talk about the engineering work that goes into the features we refer to as “accessibility” – though as you will see, many of these features are broadly applicable and just make the product better for everyone. If you are interested in Microsoft’s overall efforts in accessibility and related topics, please be sure to check out www.microsoft.com/enable. This post is especially important for developers building Metro style apps for inclusion in the Windows Store, as we are asking you to test the accessibility of your application prior to submission. I encourage folks who have never seen these tools in action to learn about them through the video. The upcoming beta will be a great chance for everyone to experience the product.
An important note. With the next public release of code (later this month) we will see a significant improvement in the capabilities described in this post, but we still have work to do between beta and RC especially with regards to working with the latest releases of third party tools. I just want to make sure folks know that this post talks about improvements in the next release as well as functionality that will still be improving as we get to the release candidate.
To read the rest of the article, click here.
Not long now until the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 ships!
The Facebook app for Windows Phone has been updated to version 2.3.
Facebook for Windows Phone makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends. You can post status updates, check your news feed, review your upcoming events, manage your inbox, upload photos, publish notes, accept friend requests, and look at your friends’ photos, walls and info.
The updates include:
• News feed performance improvements
• New panorama design.
• New profile design.
• Banner Images.
• Improved navigation.
• Pages
• Groups
• View “likes”
• Feed filters.
• Posting privacy.
• Bug fixing
Google have just updated it’s Google+ app for iOS devices.
![G_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thum[2]](https://i0.wp.com/moviesgamesandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/G_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thum2.jpg?ssl=1 "G_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thum[2]")
– Instant Upload
– See Who +1d a Post
– What’s Hot Stream
Go get it now from the Apple App Store.
QNAP has updated the TurboNAS software to version 3.6. Read on for details.
QNAP has released the new version of the software powering their TurboNAS range, now at version 3.6. Here is what they had to say:
QNAP Announces Availability of New NAS Management Software, V3.6, Featuring VPN, LDAP, and Proxy Servers, and Cloud Photo and Music Sharing Capability Taipei Taiwan, February 13, 2012 – QNAP®Systems, Inc. today announced the availability of its latest NAS management software for its Turbo NAS series, providing highly anticipated business features such as VPN LDAP and Proxy Servers. V3.6 NAS management software also adds support for cloud photo and music sharing, a new version of MyCloudNAS 1.2, and QPKG center, and several enhanced backup features.”The new business-class features have received really positive feedback from beta users,” said Jason Hsu, product manager of QNAP. The VPN Server offers businesses a cost-saving way to create a secure private network with up to 256-bit encryption. The LDAP Server simplifies mass account management and reduces business’ IT hardware expenditure. The Proxy Server provided together with the “Squid” QPKG provides IT administrators with a great solution to manage network loading, whilst maintaining network security.”We have also strived to simplify the process of sharing photos and music over the Internet and made it easier to install ‘add-ons’ onto the Turbo NAS,” added Hsu. The brand new Music Station turns the Turbo NAS into a ‘cloud music center’ capable of hosting terabytes of songs and the Photo Station makes online photo sharing simple and fun. The QPKG Center significantly simplifies QPKG installation and management.The V3.6 NAS management software also includes several backup enhancements for RTRR and rsync backup, and third-party cloud backup, as well as introducing the new NetBak Replicator 4.The full list of new and enhanced features of the V3.6 NAS management software is as follows:
- VPN Server: A cost-saving way to create a secure and private network;
- LDAP Server: Simplifies mass account management and reduces business’ IT hardware expenditure;
- Proxy Server (Squid QPKG): Provides the IT administrator with a great solution to manage network loading, whilst maintaining network security;
- Bandwidth control for RTRR and rsync backup: Provides flexibility for IT administrators to manage business bandwidth use;
- New NetBak Replicator 4: Adds email notifications;
- Symform® cloud storage backup: Offers up to 200 GB of free cloud storage space;
- Music Station: A web-based cloud music center with terabytes of songs;
- Photo Station: A web-based online photo sharing center that makes photo sharing simple and fun;
- QPKG Center: Simplifies QPKG installation and management;
- MyCloudNAS 1.2: Enables email notifications giving invited friends and family members guidance on how to access the Turbo NAS remotely;
- MyCloudNAS Connect: A Windows-based application that allows friends and family to easily connect to the Turbo NAS and manage files remotely with 128-bit encryption;
- Web File Manager cloud sharing: Web File Manger now provides a quick way to share files with a public link or via email that does not require login;
- Storage Plug & Play: a new feature in QNAP Finder that provides a fast way to create shared folders and iSCSI target/LUN, and then map network drives or connect to an iSCSI target and LUN for storage expansion;
- Newly Support for TS-x79 series: Multimedia Station, Photo Station, Music Station, UPnP Media Server, and iTunes Server.
Availability:
The new V3.6 NAS management software is available immediately for the following QNAP Turbo NAS models:
TS-EC1279U-RP, TS-1279U-RP, TS-879U-RP, TS-1079 Pro, TS-879 Pro, TS-809U-RP, TS-859U-RP+, TS-859U-RP, TS-859 Pro+, TS-859 Pro, TS-809 Pro, TS-659 Pro+, TS-659 Pro II, TS-659 Pro, TS-639 Pro, TS-559 Pro+, TS-559 Pro II, TS-559 Pro, TS-509 Pro, TS-459U-RP+/SP+, TS-459U-RP/SP, TS-459 Pro+, TS-459 Pro II, TS-459 Pro, TS-439U-RP/ TS-439U-SP, TS-439 Pro II+, TS-439 Pro II, TS-439 Pro, TS-419U+, TS-419U, TS-419P II, TS-419P+, TS-419P, TS-412U, TS-412, TS-410U, TS-410, TS-259 Pro+, TS-259 Pro, TS-239 Pro II+, TS-239 Pro II, TS-239 Pro, TS-219P II, TS-219P+, TS-219P, TS-219, TS-212, TS-210, TS-119P II, TS-119P+, TS-119, TS-112, TS-110, SS-839 Pro, SS-439 Pro.
Newly supported IP cameras:
- ACTi: ACM-1231/ 1232, ACM-4200/ 4201, ACM-5601/ 5611, ACM-8201/ 8211, ACM-8511, TCM-4301;
- AXIS: 214 PTZ/ 215 PTZ(-E), 241S, M1054, M5013, M5014;
- Brickcom: CB-100Ae, CB-100Ap, CB-102Ap, FB-100Ae, FB-100Ap, FB-130Ap, FB-300Ap, FD-100Ae, FD-100Ap, FD-130Ae, FD-130Ap, MD-100Ap, OB-100Ap, OSD-040D/E, PZ-040D/E, VD-100Ap, VD-130Ae, VD-130Ap, WCB-100AP, WFB-100Ae, WFB-100Ap;
- D-Link: DCS-942L;
- iPUX: ICS-2230;
- LevelOne: FCS-3061;
- Linksys: WVC54GCA;
- Panasonic: BB-HCM705, BB-HCM715/ 735, BL-C1, BL-C10, BL-C20, BL-C30(K1), BL-C131, BB-HCM371, BB-HCM311, BB-HCM331, BB-HCM381, BB-HCM403;
- Toshiba: IK-WB21A;
- VIVOTEK: FD7131, IP7131/ 7132, IP7133/ 7134, IP7135/ 7137, PT7135/ 7137, IP7138/ 7139, IP7142, PZ7151/ 7152, IP7160/ 7161, IP7361, MD7530, MD7560, SD8111/SD8121 FD8133, FD8134, IP8151, IP8161, FD8161, IP8162, IP8330, FD8361, FD8362, IP8362.
The NetBak Replicator 4 will officially replace QBack with immediate effect.
For more information, visit http://www.qnap.com/fw_v36/index.asp
I’ll be loading this soon and I’ll update you as soon as I can get it loaded and tested.
Find Out More About TurboNAS 3.6
Microsoft have just published an article detailing how you can submit your apps for the Windows Store for Windows 8.
This is how they start the article:
Apps – your apps – are the heart of the Windows Store. When we set out to design the app submission experience, we wanted developers to be able to get their apps into the Store as easily and quickly as possible. We thought a lot about reducing friction, inspiring confidence through transparency, and bringing predictability and consistency to the app submission process.
You can continue reading the article here.
Only a few more weeks until we get our hands on the Windows 8 Consumer preview.
Our friends at Fractal Design have given us an Array R2 case to giveaway to one lucky reader – and here is the result.
We reviewed the Array R2 case last year, and we loved it. You can check our our review here.
We asked you to like both us and Fractal Design on Facebook and attend the event page we set up.
We had 236 entries, so thank you to everyone who took the time to enter.
And a very big thank you again to our friends at Fractal for the case.
So, the winner of this amazing case is Alexa Welch.
Congratulations Alexa!
And for everyone else, keep checking out UWHS as we have a lot of giveaways planned this year!
Samsung expands the GALAXY Tab range with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) powered by Android 4.0 and a 1GHz dual core processor.
This is what Samsung said today:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today introduced its first line-up of tablets for 2012 with the launch of the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0), expanding the choice of tablets to customers. Light and portable, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) is the ideal personal on-the-go device, available in 3G and WiFi versions. Starting from UK, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will be launched in global market from March.
“Two years ago, Samsung GALAXY Tab began to offer customers more possibilities on the go. Since then, Samsung has actively enhanced our tablet line-up with several tablets in different sizes,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “The new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will provide people with delighted multimedia experience and allow efficient communication.”
Samsung’s first Android 4.0 Tablet
Samsung’s first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets. Furthermore, a more intuitive user interface includes the ability to swipe-control applications as well as a wholly redesigned app gallery for easier sharing of content. The new OS’s vastly faster performance and response times across multiple applications is further enhanced by HSPA＋ 21Mbps or WiFi connectivity.
Additionally, Android 4.0 includes a selection of embedded Google applications that enables users to quickly launch sites and applications that they use frequently; meanwhile, the innovative Face Unlock feature unlocks the tablet through unique facial recognition software.
A complete experience with enriched multimedia content
The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers users easy multimedia access, playback and sharing experiences with Samsung Hub services. Samsung’s Music Hub provides a full music store solution with access to over 17 million tracks. Additionally, the Readers Hub provides the user with access to over 2.3 million e-books, 3,500 magazines and over 2,000 newspapers in 51 languages, while the Game Hub instantly connects users to the latest game titles. Samsung is also introducing the Video Hub, which offers over 1,000 film titles for purchase or rent, and provides reviews, trailers and recommendations for easier content selection using the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0).
Complementing the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s multimedia offering is Samsung’s upgraded Touchwiz user interface that features Hub widgets for one-step access to users’ content in Hubs; the device also presents S Suggest, a new service offering recommendations of apps suited to users’ tastes directly on a home screen.
The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s superb multimedia experience is further boosted by Samsung’s AllShare Play, a new content-sharing service available for the first time on any Samsung mobile device. AllShare Play allows users to play or live-stream their multimedia content on their GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) from PCs, other Samsung smart devices as well as third-party web storages. Users can also easily transfer content to other devices or directly to web services.
Better Communication Capabilities
Connecting socially has never been easier with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s built-in powerful communication capabilities.With the voice call capability, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) can be used just as easily as a phone, affording users the handy convenience of a second device in case they misplace their primary phone. It also lets users to spontaneously arrange multi-party video calls via Google＋ hangouts, as well as engage in group chats or micro-communities to collectively chat or share content. In addition, ChatON, Samsung’s cross-platform communication service, connects all phone users of any platform into a single community. ChatON uses phone numbers instead of ID and passwords, and provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in various formats-images, video, voice, contacts-to make messaging simple and intuitive.
So are you going to get one?
YouTube are getting some updates for Google TV.
This is what Google posted today:
In the next few days we’re releasing an update to your YouTube experience on Google TV making it faster and easier to find great content, adding YouTube channel pages, and giving you more control over your experience.
You’ll be able to update your app through Android Market, and you’ll see some big improvements. First you’ll notice the app works faster with smoother navigation for a better experience. Next, we’ve added a new feature called Discover, which lets you browse YouTube channels by categories. Whether you’re looking for hilarious comedy, delectable cooking content, or the latest news, you can find great channels for any of your interests.
We’ve also updated the YouTube app with new channel pages. You can navigate through playlists and videos in your favorite channels, and you can subscribe to channels from the YouTube app with just a click.
We’ve made improvements to allow even more interaction with your favorite channels. You can now see related videos and more videos from the same user by pressing the up or down arrows on your remote.
Once you’ve found a great video, continue to use the up and down arrows on your remote to find the Info screen where you can give the video a thumbs up, add it to one of your YouTube playlists, or leave a comment for the YouTube community.
We hope these new features in the Google TV YouTube app help you discover even more entertainment you love!
Are you using Google TV? Let us know what you think of it.
We first told you about the SteelSeries Kinzu V2 Pro Edition gaming mouse back in January. We have been using it for a few weeks now and so it’s time for our hands-on (literally) review.
The Kinzu v2 Pro Edition is built to kill (and win). It features, tournament grade Omron button switches which are recognized by the industry and the community as reliable, high-end hardware components that deliver ‘best-in-class’ performance and feedback.
• Tournament-grade Omron button switches which are recognized by the industry and the community as reliable, high-end hardware components that deliver ‘best-in-class’ performance and feedback.
• Ambidextrous shape with 4-button layout including the CPI toggle
• Tournament grade optical sensor operating at 3600 Frames Per Second
• Supports stable movement speeds at 65 Inches Per Second.
• UPE Teflon glides and a double-braided nylon cord with 2.0 USB connector
• Three colour options: Glossy Black, Metallic Silver and Red
From their website:
From day one, SteelSeries has been focused on making high performance gaming gear used by the most demanding, top professional gamers worldwide and peripherals that provide superior quality and a competitive edge to gamers of all skill levels. We believe, as most gamers do, in winning, not trying!
What originally began with two people who recognized the need for superior, high-quality/performance gaming gear that would give gamers a competitive edge, has grown into a global leader in gaming and entertainment gear sought after for their high performance capabilities.
Fast-forward to today, and we’ve come a long way since our first glass mousepad. We have global offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, providing an integrated portfolio of products designed specifically for gaming. Fueling our growth is you, the gamer!
While we are proud of our technology and product innovation, we are even more excited about how these products are developed to meet the needs of gamers. Many companies may claim to develop superior gaming products but few actually do. Instead, they spend countless hours with lab engineers trying to force fit a new technology with bells and whistles and mediocre functionality for the end-user.
At SteelSeries, we develop our products with a small internal team and a vast network of technology partners, channel partners, game publishers, and gaming communities around the globe. We aren’t afraid of being challenged and implementing new ideas. Our main goal is to always to listen to the collective feedback of our professional gaming community.
For those of you who are really into your gaming mice, here are some more specific numbers:
The box contains the mouse and a quick start guide.
Earlier this week we told you the Star Wars Kinect game was coming in April, and Jim told you about the Star Wars Kinect bundle. Now we can reveal some more information and images from the game.
With five dynamic modes – Jedi Destiny: Dark Side Rising, Podracing, Rancor Rampage, Galactic Dance Off and Duels of Fate – “Kinect Star Wars” makes it possible for Star Wars fans of all ages to delve into immersive Star Wars experiences. In addition to the previously announced Jedi, Podracing and Rancor modes, Xbox 360 and LucasArts have today unveiled new additions to the game, including:
New experiences within Jedi Destiny Mode, including:
Space battles: As you travel the Galaxy to face an evil that threatens to undermine the fabric of the Republic, you’ll engage with forces of the Empire in intense space battles
Speeder Bikes and Landspeeders: Pilot iconic Speeder Bikes and Landspeeders on your epic journey
New duels: Battle opponents like Count Dooku and Darth Vader on your journey to become a Jedi
New Duels of Fate mode, a battle-by-battle experience to sharpen your Jedi skills against the Dark Side.
New Galactic Dance Off mode loaded with Star Wars-themed pop tunes where those still honing their Jedi skills can take a break to battle Darth Vader on the dance floor or bust a move “Solo style.”
I’m not sure if I am excited or scared by the Galactic Dance Off mode though!
Expect a full review soon.
Here are some more images – I think you will agree it looks very cool!
Would you like to control your Media Center with your Kinect device? Well now you can with this piece of software.
Kinect for Media Center is an application that interacts with my Media Center Remote Command Listener to control a Media Center computer using Hand Gestures and Voice Commands, utilizing the Kinect for Windows hardware. The Hand Gestures and Voice Commands control the Media Center interface, as well as any add-ins running inside Media Center. This includes popular add-ins such as Netflix, MyMovies, Media Browser, and Heatwave.
Also implemented are advanced Voice features such that audio coming from Media Center will not interfere with your Voice Commands, nor will the playing audio accidently trigger any commands, within a reasonable volume level. Also, there are commands that can temporarily turn off the gesture and voice recognition until you turn them back on.
There are also configuration tools to tweak the settings. One such setting is the ‘Dominant Hand’ (left or right), as certain commands rely on this. Other settings allow you to invert the horizontal, vertical, and pinch/zoom actions, as well as their sensitivity.
Extenders such as the Xbox 360 are not supported. Please see the FAQ for more information.
Functionality
Gestures
Voice Commands
General:
Basic Media Center:
Navigation:
Media:
Requirements
Kinect for Media Center has the following requirements:
Hardware
Here is a video of it in action:
We talked about this a while ago on the DLS podcast, and while it’s cool, I’m personally not convinced that I would be able to use it all the time instead of using the remote control.
Still, the only way to be use is to try, and for $6.99 I am happy to give it a try.
Learn more about Kinect for Media Center here
Drive Bender, the add-in for Windows Home Sever 2011 that replaces Drive Extender, has a beta for it’s forthcoming Tomcat release taking it to version 1.2.4.5.
![DriveBender_thumb1_thumb_thumb_thumb[1]](https://i0.wp.com/moviesgamesandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DriveBender_thumb1_thumb_thumb_thumb1.jpg?ssl=1 "DriveBender_thumb1_thumb_thumb_thumb[1]")
Drive Bender is state of the art, single point storage pool technology for Microsoft Windows. Drive Bender presents multiple hard drives as a single pool of data storage, either as one or more drive letters, or a network shared drive. Drive Bender is able to do this with any drive recognized by Windows, including external drive such as USB, Firewire etc.
Drive Bender also provides the user with the ability to seamless expand their storage pool by simply adding a new drive. Adding a new drive expands the pool by the size of the new drive. Existing data within the pool is redistributed to the new drive to ensure the pool remain balanced.
Drive Bender also offers a merge capability, allowing users to take a drive that contains data, and merge that drive (and data) into the pool. In addition there is also a drive conversion feature. This can take and existing drive letter (mounted against a physical drive) and convert this into a pooled drive. Once completed, new hard drives can be added to expand the once fixed drive.
To further ensure data safety, Drive Bender can automatically duplicate any file added to a Drive Bender pool. File duplication is determined at the folder level and occurs on the fly as data is being written to the pool. More importantly, files are only duplicated across physical drives ensuring maximum safety and data redundancy.
One of the key Drive Bender features is its non-destructive file system technology. In short, this means that all drives within a Drive Bender pool are utilizing standard NTFS format and file structures. This is to such an extent that a drive can be pulled from the pool and read on any machine capable of reading an NTFS formatted drive. More over, drives attached to the pool can be done so without modification, if a drive is added (not merged) that contains existing data, that data will remain untouched.
Because of our non-destructive file system, taking Drive Bender for a test drive is easy. Simply specify the drives to be included in the pool, and you are ready go. The drives are not formatted (unless specified), the only change made to the drive is the addition of a folder that holds the contents of the pool and a small number of configuration files.
Drive Bender employs existing, proven kernel mode file system technology. Having spent many years developing kernel mode drivers, we are able to use this experience to great extent. The end result is a product whose performance will closely match that of the underlying drive.
Early in 2010 we prototyped a Drive Extender style application with the view of releasing a product that would work with all versions of Microsoft Windows. However soon thereafter, Microsoft announced Vail (a new version of Windows Home Server) and a small business server product, codename Aurora, both of which contain their Drive Extender technology. Given this, and the possibility that Drive Extend may well make its way to other Microsoft platforms, we shelved the project.
However later that same year, Microsoft announced that they would be dropping Drive Extender from all their products (including Windows Home Server 2011), leaving the door open for Division-M to resurrect the Drive Bender project!
Download the Windows version
Download the WHS version
Download the client version
Have you tried the new beta?
HP is now selling the ENVY 14 Spectre ultrabook Stateside. Read on for details!
Andrew told you about the SPECTRE here and went hands-on at CES with it here. Now, HP will actually sell you one! Here is what HP has to say about the SPECTRE:
HP is now taking orders for the SPETRCE here. Pricing for a Core i5 and 4GB of memory starts at $1,399.99 USD. Wow, this is a really nice laptop. Hmmm….
Order Your HP ENVY Spectre Ultrabook Today!
