IT DEVICES

Samsung Galaxy S6 Sales Off to a Better Start Than Galaxy S5: Counterpoint

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Sales of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's flagship Galaxy S6 smartphones reached 6 million units at the end of April, less than a month after their launch, researcher Counterpoint said on Tuesday, suggesting a positive start.<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; width: 650px;">
Counterpoint said in a statement that combined sales of <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/samsung-galaxy-s6-2443" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Galaxy S6</a> (<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s6-review-the-gamble-pays-off-680804" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Review</a> | <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/photos/samsung-galaxy-s6-19604" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pictures</a>) and <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/samsung-galaxy-s6-edge-2444" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Galaxy S6 edge</a> (<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s6-edge-review-a-definite-style-upgrade-681482" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Review</a> | <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/photos/samsung-galaxy-s6-edge-19608" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pictures</a>) from the April 10 launch to April 30 were better than <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/samsung-galaxy-s5-1323" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Galaxy S5's</a> (<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s5-review-signs-that-we-may-have-reached-peak-smartphone-510448" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Review</a>) sales in the same period of 2014.</div>
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They were also the most popular smartphone models globally after arch-rival Apple Inc's <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apple-iphone-6-1973" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">iPhone 6</a> (<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/reviews/iphone-6-review-the-most-appealing-iphone-ever-616302" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Review</a> | <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/photos/apple-iphone-6-first-look-18620" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pictures</a>) and <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apple-iphone-6-plus-1974" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">iPhone 6 Plus</a> (<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/reviews/apple-iphone-6-plus-review-almost-too-much-of-a-good-thing-611060" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Review</a> | <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/photos/apple-iphone-6-plus-18695" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pictures</a>), the researcher said.</div>
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The data, which counts sales to customers as opposed to shipments, suggests the new flagship devices will help the world's top smartphone maker regain momentum following a disappointing 2014. The new phones were well-received by critics, buoying hopes for an earnings turnaround.</div>
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Though <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/samsung-phones" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Samsung</a> executives have maintained the S6 models would set a new company shipments record, the firm has not disclosed sales numbers so far. Investors have grown worried that sales may not meet expectations, which contributed to the stock's 7.3 percent decline in May.</div>
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While the flat-screen S6 sold more in April, the researcher said sales of the curved-screen S6 edge would have been higher had it not been for supply constraints. Samsung has said supply problems for the edge model will be resolved within the current quarter.</div>
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"The Samsung Galaxy S6 series has a chance to become the top selling smartphone overtaking <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/apple-phones" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Apple's</a> iPhone 6 series, if production issues are solved," Counterpoint Research Director Peter Richardson said in a statement, adding the window of opportunity for the Samsung devices to achieve that goal would be small given the intense competition.</div>
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Counterpoint said it expected sales for the new Samsung flagship phones to reach 50 million by the end of the year, better than what the firm estimates to be its current first-year sales record of 45 million units for the <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-542" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Galaxy S4</a> (<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s4-review-364068" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Review</a> | <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/photos/samsung-galaxy-s4-first-look-15138" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pictures</a>).</div>
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Samsung Galaxy S6 Sales Off to a Better Start Than Galaxy S5: Counterpoint

Sales of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's flagship Galaxy S6 smartphones reached 6 million units at the end of April, less than a month a...

Twitter Unveils Official Partner Program to Help Boost Social Engagement

8:08 AM Unknown 0

Twitter Unveils Official Partner Program to Help Boost Social Engagement

Taking its partnership with IBM for delivering better insights on customer data a step further, Twitter has announced the launch of the O...

Microsoft Lists Features You'll Lose When Upgrading to Windows 10

8:07 AM Unknown 0

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After announcing a slew of new features and the <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/news/windows-10-launch-date-revealed-by-microsoft-698434" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">launch date</a> of Windows 10 as July 29,<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/microsoft" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Microsoft</a> posted the system requirements of the OS on its website. The firm also listed the features users will be missing when upgrading to the new OS, and what software or hardware would be required to use other Windows 10 features. It also detailed how updates will work for Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Enterprise users.</div>
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In its 'Feature deprecation section', the Redmond-based tech firm lists several features not present in Windows 10 that most Windows users are used to. This includes the removal of the Windows Media Centre for those users upgrading from Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8 Pro with Media Centre, or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Centre operating system on their PCs. They would also need "separate playback software" to watch DVD content.</div>
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For Windows 7 users, there will be no desktop gadgets with Windows 10. Games including Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts will also be removed in the new OS and will be replaced by "Microsoft Solitaire Collection" and "Microsoft Minesweeper."</div>
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Floppy disk users would need to install extra drivers from Windows Update or from the manufacturer's website. Also, Windows Live Essential users would see their OneDrive application replaced by the inbox version of <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/onedrive" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">OneDrive</a>.</div>
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Windows 10 users would also need some "additional requirements to use certain features." Not all users will get <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/cortana" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Cortana</a> on day one, as it would be available with the OS in United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain initially. Also, for better speech recognition, the PC device should include a "High fidelity microphone array" and "Hardware driver with Microphone array geometry exposed" as per Microsoft. A specialised infrared camera would be needed for facial and iris detection unveiled with Windows Hello, alongside a fingerprint reader that supports Windows Biometric Framework in the new OS.</div>
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While the Continuum feature will work automatically on tablets and 2-in-1's with GPIO indicators or those who have laptop and slate indicator, users without these would have to manually turn on the "tablet mode" via the Action Center. Furthermore, Music and Video streams of Xbox Music and Xbox video will stay limited to <a href="http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-on-other-devices/windows/xbox-on-windows-features#cfd2f5416ec04d64b77aeee6d8d9e02a" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">select regions</a>.</div>
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(<b style="outline: 0px;">Also See:</b><a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/features/how-to-reserve-your-free-windows-10-upgrade-698762" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">How to Reserve Your Free Windows 10 Upgrade</a>)</div>
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For two factor authentication security, Windows 10 would demand a finger print reader or illuminated infrared camera, or a phone with WiFi or Bluetooth capabilities, and would use a PIN. The Device Guard would need certain requirements. List of requirements for W-Fi printing, Bitlocker, device encryption and more <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">can be viewed</a>on the website.</div>
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As for updates, in case of <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/windows-10" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Windows 10</a> Home users, updates from Windows Update service would be installed automatically with the new OS. Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise users would however have the option to defer the updates.</div>
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Microsoft has also detailed the system requirements for Windows 10 PCs and tablets. The devices should be running the latest version of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 Update to upgrade. The list also mentions 1GHz or faster SoC; 1GB RAM for 32-bit or 2GB RAM for 64-bit OS version; 16GB of inbuilt storage for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit; DirectX 9 or later version with WDDM 1.0 driver, and a display resolution of 1024x600 pixels.</div>
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Microsoft Lists Features You'll Lose When Upgrading to Windows 10

After announcing a slew of new features and the launch date of Windows 10 as July 29, Microsoft posted the system requirements of the...

BlackBerry Settles Patent Dispute With Ryan Seacrest's Typo

8:07 AM Unknown 0

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BlackBerry and television host Ryan Seacrest's keyboard company <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/typo" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Typo</a> Products have agreed to settle a patent dispute over the sale of smartphone keyboards of a certain size, the Canadian smartphone maker said on Monday.<br style="outline: 0px;" /><br style="outline: 0px;" />Under the terms of the settlement, Typo will stop selling keyboards for smartphones and other devices with screens smaller than 7.9 inches, <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/blackberry" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">BlackBerry</a> said. It can continue selling keyboards for larger devices.<br style="outline: 0px;" /><br style="outline: 0px;" />In February, a US district court <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/seacrests-typo-products-fined-over-blackberry-injunction-657371" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">sanctioned</a> Typo, co-founded by "American Idol" host Seacrest, for violating an <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/blackberry-wins-court-order-to-ban-typo-from-selling-iphone-case-502318" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">injunction</a> that barred it from selling a $99 iPhone keyboard case that BlackBerry said infringed its patents.<br style="outline: 0px;" /><br style="outline: 0px;" />The court ordered Typo to pay BlackBerry $860,600 (roughly Rs. 5.3 crores) in sanctions, plus attorneys' fees and costs as it said that Typo had blatantly violated the court's initial injunction.<br style="outline: 0px;" /><br style="outline: 0px;" />Physical keyboards have remained a key selling point for BlackBerry, loved by many of the company's most loyal fans, as it loses market share to Apple's iPhone and phones that run on Google's Android operating system, which typically have touchscreen keyboards.<br style="outline: 0px;" /><br style="outline: 0px;" />In February, BlackBerry ratcheted up its fight with Ryan Seacrest's Typo, filing <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/blackberry-ratchets-up-fight-vs-seacrests-typo-with-new-complaint-661802" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">a new complaint</a> that alleges that the company's new keyboard case for the iPhone also infringes on its patents.<br style="outline: 0px;" /><br style="outline: 0px;" />BlackBerry, in the new complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleged that the company's redesigned Typo 2 case for the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 models, also infringe on its patents, disputing the startup's claims to the contrary.</div>
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BlackBerry Settles Patent Dispute With Ryan Seacrest's Typo

BlackBerry and television host Ryan Seacrest's keyboard company Typo Products have agreed to settle a patent dispute over the sale...

Pinterest Adds Shopping With New 'Buyable Pins' Feature

8:06 AM Unknown 0

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Pinterest said Tuesday it is diving into e-commerce with "pins" that let people buy items they like at the popular online bulletin board.<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; width: 650px;">
"Pinterest is already designed to work like a catalogue, so we wanted to find a way to weave buyable pins into the pages people already know," co-founder and chief executive Ben Silbermann said during an event at the company's headquarters in San Francisco.</div>
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"Buyable pins are a simple and secure way to buy the products you love right from inside Pinterest," he said.</div>
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<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/Pinterest" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</a> buy buttons will debut on iPhones and iPads in the United States later this month.</div>
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No timeline was given for when buy buttons might be available in Pinterest applications for Android powered devices or when they might go international.</div>
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"Believe me, we want to make sure that any pinner in the world can buy anything they want on Pinterest," head of core products Jack Chou told AFP.</div>
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"We wanted to start with a beautiful experience on iPhone and iPad; this is just a big first step."</div>
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<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/apple-pay" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Apple Pay</a> or credit cards will be the options for paying at Pinterest, which built the service with partners including Shopify.</div>
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Pinterest announced in March that it had raised $367 million in new capital, pushing its valuation to $11 billion.</div>
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The new funds will help fuel global expansion plans for the fast-growing social network which calls itself a "visual bookmarking tool."</div>
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Pinterest has become one of the Internet's hottest new websites, particularly among women, by giving people virtual bulletin boards that they can decorate with pictures showcasing interests in anything from food to sports, to fashion or travel.</div>
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"Buyable pins will allow us to not only find the right audience and convert them faster, but they will be able to buy in-the-moment as they are discovering our products," said Sumeera Rasul, founder of Madesmith.com, which showcases items made locally and sustainably by hand.</div>
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"I am super excited for buyable pins to be launched soon."</div>
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Pinterest sells advertising in the form of "promoted pins," but did not plan to charge fees to buyers or sellers using the coming buy buttons.</div>
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People interested in buying items they see posted at Pinterest are referred via links to outside websites.</div>
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Silbermann said the number of "pins" at Pinterest has grown by 75 percent annually and now tops 50 billion.</div>
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<b style="outline: 0px;">More ads on Instagram</b><br style="outline: 0px;" />Pinterest's move into e-commerce came the same day that Facebook-owned Instagram <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/instagram-takes-steps-to-open-platform-to-advertisers-699159" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">announced</a> plans to open its advertising platform at its popular photo and video sharing service to marketers big and small.</div>
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<a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/Instagram" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Instagram</a> had been working with a few selected brands to experiment with weaving money-making ads into streams of imagery served up on smartphones or tablets.</div>
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"Later this year, we will continue to connect businesses to the right people through expanded targeting options," Instagram said in an online post.</div>
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"Working with Facebook, we will enable advertisers to reach people on Instagram based on demographics and interests, as well as information businesses have about their own customers."</div>
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Instagram promised users controls to tune the relevance of ads displayed.</div>
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There are more than two million advertisers actively using <a href="http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tags/facebook" style="color: #006699; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a>, and marketers will be able to spring off the leading social network's platform to get into Instagram, according to the online post.</div>
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Instagram planned to start working selectively with Facebook marketing partners and then expand globally through the year.</div>
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"People want to connect with businesses of all sizes on Instagram, from their favorite local clothing stores and restaurants to the largest brands in the world," it said in the post.</div>
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Pinterest Adds Shopping With New 'Buyable Pins' Feature

Pinterest said Tuesday it is diving into e-commerce with "pins" that let people buy items they like at the popular online bulle...

Microsoft Confirms Acquisition of Wunderlist To-Do List App Maker

8:05 AM Unknown 0

Microsoft Confirms Acquisition of Wunderlist To-Do List App Maker

Microsoft on Tuesday said that it has bought 6Wunderkinder GmbH, a Berlin-based startup behind the Wunderlist to-do list app. "The...

Instagram Takes Steps to Open Platform to Advertisers

8:05 AM Unknown 0

Instagram Takes Steps to Open Platform to Advertisers

Instagram said on Tuesday that it is taking steps to make its ads available to all types of businesses, not just hand-selected brands. S...

Microsoft Borrows A Few Tricks From Apple For Windows 10 Operating System

8:04 AM Unknown 0

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<span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 1.4;">Microsoft's Windows latest operating system (OS) only really has one major competitor and that's Apple's OS X. Granted OS X is usually only found on Apple computers whereas Windows is found on, well, nearly every other computer on the planet; the two are still competitors nonetheless. With Windows 8 failing to make the impact on consumers that Microsoft wanted the company has turned its sights to Windows 10, the newest iteration of the operating system. With Windows 10 being in direct competition with Apple's OS X 10.10 Yosemite, it's interesting to see how similar the two operating systems are to each other.</span></h3>
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Desktop-Dedicated OS</h2>
Microsoft released a preview version of Windows 10 and a lot of the reviews are in. Interestingly enough, a lot of reviews are saying how similar Windows 10 looks to OS X Yosemite! One of the big changes and perhaps major faults Microsoft made with Windows 8 was trying to combine their desktop OS and mobile OS. Apple has always done a nice job of keeping iOS, their mobile operating system, and OS X separate. Windows 10 looks to change that and get back to being a truly desktop-dedicated operating system.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.rentacomputer.com/rentals/computers" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbmAdYLP2edR63Yj_69OxIAhDbjHQzRdYcUIHKCzvSsCUt_sRXaI3iNSEmrTqaiZyq6uaOxk1D-LibcSQWeQEosZIqHOEexs35aYjxWLQlFsfoABaw6Rq3VQozVh29NcZ5AyD0Q1Ocp7j/s1600/Windows_Product_Family_9-30-Event-741x416.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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Task View</h2>
Windows 10 and OS X 10.10 Yosemite do look very similar, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. One feature that the two operating systems seem to share originated with Apple: OS X's Mission Control <i>(Bottom Image)</i>. Mission Control allows you to see every running program window in an organized, heads-up way. In addition to that, it also allows you to view multiple desktops and add additional desktops with a click of a button. Windows 10 has a nearly identical feature known as Task View <i>(Top)</i>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2014/09/30/announcing-windows-10/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRh9HE8-nGRSa8GxIgj_BiEYTPc0oJG4mKgUkRBIkC7c_53KRJ1M1B-jC3G2CbVBxyAr8-EEShBIR0cWhaYNoSdLHHBt_EA1JcKxPLlKRiBQHCVYMq_lgg7SLWhpoxfySJ3mElBXyrn2Q/s1600/Tech-Preview_Virtual-desktop-500x281.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.apple.com/osx/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YP1W0fSQov9xiGoNtur6WNKwA0LPMPMweSb8k8p1i8p2g-gOaBkBcvO4JoSvO2kS1FyViF3Qbf6bCU94JSZNEDCJ3al2YoKy8vSABPimV2V4he01LlyHIrCLeUadWcUIfQD9UuDXtodc/s1600/mission+control.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Clicking or tapping on the Task View button on the Start menu brings up each and every app window in the heads-up mode in a grid. From here you can view other virtual desktops or create your own which means virtual desktops are back. What's even more interesting is the gesture shortcut for bringing up Task View is identical on Windows 10 to that of OS X. Simply swipe three fingers up on a trackpad and the mode is exposed. Sure this is a complete rip-off from Apple's OS X, but also a very smart decision by Microsoft.<br /><br /><h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
Start Menu Back & Better</h2>
One of the biggest things users didn't like with Windows 8 was that the Start menu was essentially gone, replaced by the Metro Live Tiles. The good news is that the Start menu is back and not at the expense of the tiles, essentially making everyone happy. The tiles are now able to be attached to the Start menu and can also show updates in real-time. This is also similar to what OS X Yosemite is doing with its Notification Center. OS X Yosemite offers customizable widgets on the Today screen like it did in iOS 8.<br /><h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
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<h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
OneDrive</h2>
However, Microsoft can take the credit for the similarities between OS X Yosemite and Windows 10 in terms of OneDrive and iCloud Drive. In both operating systems, user login accounts can be tied to the respective drives. When this happens, iCloud and One Drive integrate seamlessly with the desktop experience, making it easy to access files and folders from the cloud or to save files that are then synced with the cloud. Apple users have been after a more Dropbox or OneDrive approach to cloud services and now they are getting their wish.<br /><br />The fact that Microsoft is borrowing from Apple and vice versa is most definitely a good thing. Sure being unique sets you apart from the competition but for the user, having more cohesive desktops allows for more seamless transitions between devices. At least this way users have the opportunity to have the best of both worlds when it comes to features of Windows 10 and OS X Yosemite.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin: 0px; position: relative;">
BONUS: <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-how-to#how-to=tab0" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">How to use Windows Technical Preview</a></h3>
</div>

Microsoft Borrows A Few Tricks From Apple For Windows 10 Operating System

Microsoft's Windows latest operating system (OS) only really has one major competitor and that's Apple's OS X. Granted OS X is ...

Custom Lego Computer Brings Out the Kid in All of Us

8:03 AM Unknown 0

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<tr><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lego Computer"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzldvPBrmertoPx5zXtl2JvZ5klFZzKxficm1928B3U97A4aUx4bjTvdaM9J1wheP0Oi-6T-je_zLd0bAvWENwoCEtROxORbKJykLOChei4lQma5gMqr1s8ufVwwuLWEO3vv2Eaj_HUHs/s1600/Lego-Computer-.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.5600004196167px;">Image Courtesy of <a href="http://www.totalgeekdom.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Total Geekdom</a></td></tr>
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Legos have been a staple of childhood for years. Unlike some toys that come and go with the times, Legos have always reigned supreme and shown incredible longevity. Legos are so popular and so iconic, in fact, that Mike Schropp over at Total Geekdom created an entire computer out of Legos.....an entire, real, working computer.<br /><br />Now this concept isn't new. Schropp made his first Lego computer back in 2011 but has since had tons of requests to reproduce the concept. People really took to the concept and inquired about getting one of their own and even asking Schropp about custom variations. However, the original concept wasn't one that was easily replicated.<br /><br />With all the interest in the computer, Schropp has been trying to figure out a way to make one that wasn't hard to reproduce and one that could be purchased by anyone looking for a new computer with a unique twist. The challenge was to make a Lego computer that was compatible with a wide array of devices and one that is also capable of meeting the needs of modern users. This new device needed to be advanced in 2015 and still relevant in 2017 but could also be upgraded so that it might last as long as 2020.<br /><br />With all this in mind, Schropp fine tuned the guidelines for his new Lego Computer System:<br /><br />  <strong>Design</strong><br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Small Form Factor Design</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Intuitive Features</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Thermal Management Control</li>
</ul>
<strong>Connectivity</strong><br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Fully Wired Connectivity (USB 3.0, DisplayPort, HDMI, LAN, Audio)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Wireless Connectivity (Wireless AC, Bluetooth)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Optical Drive (DVD/CD Combo Standard, Blu-Ray Optional)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Front USB 3.0 Ports</li>
</ul>
<strong>Powerful</strong><br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">[Memory] Minimum 8GB RAM with 16GB RAM Support</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">[Processor] Latest Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 Processors</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">[Storage] Multiple SSD Drives (Optional HDD Storage Drive)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">[Graphics] Intel HD4600 Graphics</li>
</ul>
<strong>Efficiency </strong><br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">High Efficiency Energy Star Level 5 Rated Power Supply</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Low Energy Usage</li>
</ul>
<strong>Capabilities</strong><br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Multi-Tasking (Office, Internet, Video)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">HD 1080p Video Playback</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">4K Resolution Support</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Multi-Monitor Setup</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Light-Medium Gaming Capabilities</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Built-In, Intuitive System Backup</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Supports Windows 7/8/10 & Linux</li>
</ul>
<br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"></ul>
With these guidelines, Schropp went on to create a completely new system unlike anything currently available on the market today. If you head on over to Schropp's post about the computer on <a href="http://www.totalgeekdom.com/?p=1725" rel="nofollow" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Total Geekdom</a> you can see a very, very in-depth and detailed article that goes through the entire process of building this new Lego computer. In the post Schropp adds tons of photos of different variations as well as customization and even internal pics of the building process.<br /><br />This is definitely an incredible idea and one that a lot of people all over the world would be more than willing to get their hands on. I'm half tempted to get one right now! Truly an amazing accomplishment.</div>

Custom Lego Computer Brings Out the Kid in All of Us

Image Courtesy of Total Geekdom Legos have been a staple of childhood for years. Unlike some toys that come and go with the time...

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Interest in Big Data Increasing

7:56 AM Unknown 0

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Big data, as we know it, hit the scene in about 2001 so it is nothing new. Companies have been gathering this data for years, but recently there has been an explosion of interest in it like it's a brand new thing. This is mainly due to the fact that there are now new ways of analyzing the data.<br /><br />Big data started out as a way to store a ton of information, but now it has transformed into something where companies are trying to use it in any way they can to benefit from it in different ways. So here is a list of a few reasons why this is happening.<br /><br /><b><u>1. Unstructured data is now readily available</u></b><br /><br />Unlike traditional business insight that analyzes structured data, big data focuses on the unstructured data. This includes emails, videos, photos and posts on social networking sites. Millions of photos get uploaded to Facebook, millions of tweets go out every day, and businesses can use this information to understand their customers better. This helps with suggested sales and such.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Looking for a <a href="https://www.rentacomputer.com/quote?sRequest=Interested%20In%20A%20Laptop%20Rental%20For%20My%20Busienss%20Event" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Quote on an Laptop Rental</a> for your next event or conference? Check out Rentacomputer's huge line of <a href="https://www.rentacomputer.com/rentals/computers/laptops" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">laptop rentals</a> from all the top brands!</i></div>
<br /><b><u>2. It has become incredibly cheap to store huge amounts of data</u></b><br /><br />Unstructured data is becoming more pervasive, but tools like Hadoop, which is an open-source framework for storing large scale data, have developed so much in the last ten years or so. These type of tools underpin data processing for some of the worlds largest businesses with the most amount of data to store. It can take care of unstructured data way faster and way cheaper than the generation of tools that came before them.<br /><br /><b><u>3. Not only is it now cheaper to process all of this data, but companies are getting usable information out of it</u></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Companies usebig data to gather information on customer trends"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYtlc5URlmlT8bww8MeKhyYNaa5TrZrCwcr3ICjE20wtbajsoruRvcQIoP3B3gxUy2nqs7Wms_HeG-IEJTglGnv_Lo6wYUg4K_Oxis-WVrmE3XT28MZLQeFzQDZ06-Yyin0_bKP_MSco/s200/ThinkstockPhotos-175224020.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
Retail stores are really taking advantage of big data right now. You might ask what they are getting from it. Good question. They are using customer loyalty cards to gather information. This is a really good way to figure out what they sell and what to stock. Like for example, they might not stock a whole lot of low cost generic food brands... But if they see that their customers who spend the most at their store tend to buy it, then guess what they are going to stock more of? Low cost generic foods.<br /><br />Loyalty cards and even debit cards really give a huge insight to each individual customer. There was a huge story about this last year actually. A Target customer got really mad when they sent his young daughter coupons to buy baby clothes. Because of the things she was buying, when they processed the data, it seemed like she might be expecting a baby soon. It seems like kind of a mess up on their part, but it's actually really smart overall.<br /><br /><b><u>4. Big data analytics could lead to productivity gains in four sectors</u></b><br /><br />If big data analytics go mainstream then retail chains and manufacturing companies could see a huge increase of $325 billion to their annual GDP thanks to increased efficiency. Healthcare and other government services could also see a ton of productivity gains as well, as much as $285 billion in the next five years.<br /><br /><b><u>5. Big data analytics saw a huge increase in venture capitalist funding in the last 12 months</u></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Big data assists in company feedback gathering"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IKEbkuk-fDRx19IqfbMqzFxE4vsso_Y6pOyMMlEk-uZSR9L5-HcbchyphenhyphenylxCSvOrSipr9mHtVoMuoeTEpOJ5Warlf-OxlmfrUyb9eCHLMBMNKEqDqaT3xeLmdqPRBgqn-_T9-55V2RZU/s200/ThinkstockPhotos-451250157.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
Venture capitalists have started to check out the possibilities with big data analytics as well. In the last year alone, they have invested about $1.37 billion into different companies. This is an increase of 217% above the last period. This is because big data is now enterprise ready, analytics tools are open to pretty much anyone and can be used very easily, and all of the analyzing can be done in real time.</div>

Interest in Big Data Increasing

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<tr><td width="50%">10) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/010.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">To Catch a Plagiarist</a></td><td width="49%">How to use the internet to catch plagiarists</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">12)  <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/12.htm" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Password Pandemonium</a></td><td width="49%">Practical advice for creating secure passwords</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">17) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/017.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Store it in Your CyberCloset</a></td><td width="49%">How to save files using your email account</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">18) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/018.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Type in Your Phone Number</a></td><td width="49%">Online privacy issues and your phone number</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">19)  <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/19.htm" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Think You're Having a Bad Day?</a></td><td width="49%">Online streaming webcams</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">21) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/021.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">¿</span>Qué tú dijo?</a></td><td width="49%">Online language translators</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">22) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/022.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Go to M.I.T. for Free</a></td><td width="49%">Free online college courses</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">23) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/023.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Shiny Happy Emails</a></td><td width="49%">Email etiquette</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">24) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/024.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">eBook'em Danno?</a></td><td width="49%">Online books</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">26) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/026.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Marking Your Internet Turf</a></td><td width="49%">Setting bookmarks in Internet Explorer</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">28) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/028.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Why don't you email me the link?</a></td><td width="49%">How to email a hyperlink to someone</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">29) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/029.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Teens, The Internet & Education</a></td><td width="49%">Recent studies concerning teenage internet usage</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%"><div align="left">
30) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/030.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Lost in Town?</a></div>
</td><td width="49%">Using online maps to get directions</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">31) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/031.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">More Stuff for Geography Junkies</a></td><td width="49%">Getting and using Google Earth</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">32) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/032.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Rating My Teachers Online</a></td><td width="49%">How students are rating teachers online</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">35) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/035.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">How to catch BIG images</a></td><td width="49%">Ways to find only large images online</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">36) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/036.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Current Event Me Please</a></td><td width="49%">Online news resources</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">39) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/039.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">I can't believe it...</a></td><td width="49%">Fact checking online</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">41) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/041.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">New World for TV News</a></td><td width="49%">Online TV news video</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">44) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/044.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">It Can Even Predict the Weather</a></td><td width="49%">Online weather prediction resources</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">49) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/049.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">What's so Suite about Office?</a></td><td width="49%">Information about Microsoft Office programs</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">52) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/052.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Broadcasting to the World</a></td><td width="49%">The possibilities and perils of online video</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">53) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/053.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Why not Learn to Sign?</a></td><td width="49%">Learn American Sign Language online</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">55) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/055.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Leveraging Discipline Based Articulation</a></td><td width="49%">Online education jargon generators</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">56) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/056.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Gone Phishing?</a></td><td width="49%">Understanding some common email scams</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">57) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/057.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">So what's Vishing?</a></td><td width="49%">More about online scams</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">59) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/059.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Getting Lawyered up Online</a></td><td width="49%">Online legal resources</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">61) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/061.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Keeping Kids Safe Online</a></td><td width="49%">Some resources for online safety</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">65) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/065.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Feeling Old Yet?</a></td><td width="49%">A review of old and new technology</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">66) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/066.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Try Picturing the News</a></td><td width="49%">Online news pictures</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">69) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/069.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Coming to a Computer Near You</a> </td><td width="49%">Some technology vocabulary</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">70) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/070.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Calculate it Online</a> </td><td width="49%">Online calculators</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">73) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/073.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Some Educational TV For a Change</a></td><td width="49%">Online educational video resources</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">76) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/076.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Technology Tutorials All Around</a> </td><td width="49%">Websites to help teachers learn technology</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">84) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/084.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Browsing the Web with a Browser</a> </td><td width="49%">Understanding what an internet browser is</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">85) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/085.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Keeping Teens Off-task</a></td><td width="49%">Some online games sites</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">86) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/086.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Do You Know Your Policies</a></td><td width="49%">Online resources for rules and regulations</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">88) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/088.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Saving Gas With Online Data</a></td><td width="49%">Online resources for fuel economy</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">89) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/089.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">So Where's the Fun Stuff?</a></td><td width="49%">Recreational activities online</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">90) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/090.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">The Top 20 Tech Tips</a></td><td width="49%">A review of the most popular technology tips</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">91) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/091.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Cite me a Citation Online</a></td><td width="49%">Websites for writing a citation</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">92) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/092.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">More Map Resources</a></td><td width="49%">Online geography and map sites</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">94) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/094.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Online Classified</a></td><td width="49%">Internet classified ads</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">96) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/096.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Who Are You?</a></td><td width="49%">Identity theft</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">98) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/098.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">What Does "BETA" Mean?</a></td><td width="49%">How websites are developed and tested</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">101) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/101.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">A New Age of Advertising</a></td><td width="49%">New ideas for advertising on the internet</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">102) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/102.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Volumes of Online Population Data</a></td><td width="49%">Examples of online statistics</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">104) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/104.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Take Me to My Home Page?</a></td><td width="49%">Resetting your home page in i.e.</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">105) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/105.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Puzzle Me This...?</a></td><td width="49%">Links to puzzle websites</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">109) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/109.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Just the Basics Please</a></td><td width="49%">Some real basic computer tutorials</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">112) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/112.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">See the Universe for Free</a></td><td width="49%">Free astronomy software, Celestia</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">113) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/113.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Astrophysics Online</a></td><td width="49%">More online astronomy resources</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">115) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/115.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Easy Math With Google</a></td><td width="49%">Other features in Google</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">117) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/117.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Ignorant of Geometry?</a></td><td width="49%">Geometry and math websites</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">119) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/119.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Your Local School Report Card</a></td><td width="49%">Online school performance data</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">120) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/120.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Teenage Multi-Media Tasking</a></td><td width="49%">Kaiser Family Foundation report on teens</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">121) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/121.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Searching for a word on a webpage</a></td><td width="49%">How to search text on a webpage</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">123) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/123.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Discounts for Educators</a></td><td width="49%">Online discounts for teachers</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">124) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/124.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">The Bogus Internet</a></td><td width="49%">Examples of fake websites and false information</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">125) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/125.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Making a Photo Story</a></td><td width="49%">Using Photo Story 3</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">126) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/126.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Take me to your leaders</a></td><td width="49%">Online US Government Resources</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">128) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/128.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">But I can't see the screen!</a></td><td width="49%">Computer technology for the visually impaired</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">129) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/129.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Is it a TV or a Computer?</a></td><td width="49%">Online video news resources</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">131) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/131.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">How Stuff Works?</a></td><td width="49%">Great website:  <a href="http://www.howstuffworks.com/" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Howstuffworks.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">137) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/137.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Type it, Speak it, Listen to it</a></td><td width="49%">Website that says what you type</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">138) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/138.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Operating Tablet Computers</a></td><td width="49%">Information about the Android system</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">140) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/140.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">More Puzzling Sites</a></td><td width="49%">Websites for making puzzles online</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">141)<a href="http://www.180techtips.com/141.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;"> Learn Italian from the British</a></td><td width="49%">Free online language tutorials</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">143) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/143.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Zapping Email Legends</a></td><td width="49%">How to check an email for authenticity</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">145) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/145.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Teachers Paying Teachers</a></td><td width="49%">Open marketplace for teachers</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">146) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/146.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Study Education with George Lucas</a></td><td width="49%">George Lucas' free education technology info.</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">148) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/148.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Kids and Drug Use Prevention</a></td><td width="49%">Websites dealing with drug use prevention</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">149) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/149.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Learning through a hole in the wall</a></td><td width="49%">Studying unsupervised learning and computers</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">150) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/150.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">DY undRst& dis msg?</a></td><td width="49%">Understanding text messages</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">152) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/152.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Online Gas Price Help</a></td><td width="49%">Websites that can help you find cheap gas</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">154) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/154.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Internet English?</a></td><td width="49%">How the internet is spreading the use of English</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">155) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/155.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">How to Make a Tech Tip</a></td><td width="49%">How screen shots are used to make tech tips.</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">158) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/158.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">What's Up With Wikipedia</a></td><td width="49%">A practical review of <a href="http://www.wikipedia.com/" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">159) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/159.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Blog Some Sense Out of This</a></td><td width="49%">Ideas about using blogs in education</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">163) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/163.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Frugal Teacher Tips</a></td><td width="49%">Learn how teachers get by</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">166) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/166.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Internet Spring Cleaning</a></td><td width="49%">How to clean up cached web pages</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">167) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/167.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Is "Malware" Malicious</a></td><td width="49%">Understanding computer viruses</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">168) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/168.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">How About Online Programs?</a></td><td width="49%">Using free online programs</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">170) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/170.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Copyright and the Internet</a></td><td width="49%">Some problems with copyrights and the internet</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">171) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/171.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Rubric Me Please</a></td><td width="49%">Free websites fro making a rubric</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">172) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/172.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">How Many Words Per Minute</a></td><td width="49%">Free typing tests and practice software</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">177) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/177.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Ah, Where's the Menu Bar?</a></td><td width="49%">Making changes to Internet Explorer</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">178) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/178.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Why Should I Care About HTML?</a></td><td width="49%">Hypertext Markup Language</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">179) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/179.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">How does 180techtips.com Work?</a></td><td width="49%">A review of how these tech tips work</td></tr>
<tr><td width="50%">180) <a href="http://www.180techtips.com/180.html" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Life Long Learning is for Everyone</a></td><td width="49%">Ideas for learning more about computers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>

TIPS Internet Tips

Technology Tip Description 2) Just Google It! Using various Google sites to search 7) Anatomy of a Web Address The parts of a web s...

A Short History of Windows

7:52 AM Unknown 0

<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; width: 560px;"><tbody>
<tr><th scope="col"><h1>
<br /></h1>
</th></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#C8BFE7"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top"><br />
<div>
An operating system is the collection of software that controls how the computer works.  If you have a PC or IBM format computer chances are pretty good that you are running a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows Operating System</a> from a company called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Microsoft</a>.  Windows Operating Systems have been around since th's and you should be familiar with some of the names and chronology of their development.</div>
<div align="left">
Below is a diagram showing the basic development of the Windows operating system from 1990 to 2013.</div>
<table align="center" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><h2>
<strong>Windows Operating Systems</strong></h2>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>1990</strong></div>
</td><td rowspan="5"><div align="center">
<h2>
<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_3.0" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows 3.x</a></strong></h2>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>1991</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>1992</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>1993</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>1994</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>1995</strong></div>
</td><td rowspan="3"><div align="center">
<h2>
<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_95" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows 95</a></strong></h2>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>1996</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>1997</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>1998</strong></div>
</td><td rowspan="2"><div align="center">
<h2>
<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_98" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows 98</a></strong></h2>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>1999</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>2000</strong></div>
</td><td><div align="center">
<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_me" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows Me</a></strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>2001</strong></div>
</td><td rowspan="6"><div align="center">
<h2>
<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_xp" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows XP</a></strong></h2>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2002</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2003</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2004</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2005</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2006</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>2007</strong></div>
</td><td rowspan="2"><div align="center">
<h2>
<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_vista" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows Vista</a></strong></h2>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2008</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>2009</strong></div>
</td><td rowspan="3"><div align="center">
<h2>
<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows 7</a></strong></h2>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2010</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td><div align="center">
<strong>2011</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><strong>2012</strong></td><td rowspan="2"><div align="center">
<h2>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Windows 8</a></h2>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><div align="center">
<strong>2013</strong></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The most recent Windows operating system has the unique feature of being designed to run on desktop computers, laptops, tablets (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Surface_(tablet)" style="color: #000068; text-decoration: none;">Microsoft Surface</a>) and even smart phones. This concept could have many advantages in a technology world where the proliferation of different devices and operating systems can seem overwhelming. Unfortunately, this has required a fundamental shift in the user experience which resulted in a difficult backlash from many consumers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>

TIPS A Short History of Windows

An operating system is the collection of software that controls how the computer works. If you have a PC or IBM format computer chan...

Indian Mobile Phone Sales Drop For First Time In 20 Years: Study

11:04 PM Unknown 0

<img alt="INDIA MOBILE" data-img-path="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2961630/images/n-INDIA-MOBILE-Pinterest.jpg" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2961630/images/n-INDIA-MOBILE-large570.jpg" /> <br />
NEW DELHI — Indian mobile-phone sales have dropped for the first time
 in 20 years, raising the question: Is a slowdown at hand for the 
world's fastest-growing smartphone market?<br />
Mobile sales dropped 
14.5 percent the first quarter (Q1, January-March) 2015, on a 
quarter-to-quarter basis, compared to Q4 (October-December) 2014 — from 
62 million handsets in Q4 2014 to 53 million handsets in Q1 2015, 
according to a report of CyberMedia Research, a consultancy.<br />
The 
decline in smartphone sales from quarter-to-quarter was 7.14 percent. 
Cheaper "feature" phones performed worse, with an 18.3 percent sales 
decline over the same period. <br />
India became the fastest-growing 
market for smartphones in Asia-Pacific in 2014, and is supposed to 
overtake US as the second-largest smartphone market globally, with 204 
million smartphone users by 2016, according to a study by eMarketer, a 
research firm.<br />
Is this a cyclical issue or a larger problem? Does 
the data indicate that India's mobile-phone growth is topping out? 
Experts believe cyclical glitches account for the downturn in 
mobile-phone sales: Unexciting phones, tax issues, increased competition
 and even extended Chinese new-year festivities.<br />
"With major 
announcements of new handsets and entry of some new brands happening in a
 big way in Q4 2014, there wasn't really something very exciting in the 
market for customers that could push up sales in Q1 2015," said Faisal 
Kawoosa, lead analyst, Telecom Research at CyberMedia.<br />
"At the 
same time, a change in duty structure and the longer continuation of 
Chinese new year festivities which generally conclude by mid-February 
each year, affected the supply chain and inventories."<br />
In an 
attempt to push local manufacturing, the government, in a budget 
announcement, increased the excise duty on mobile handsets to 12.5 
percent from 6 percent, pushing the cost of handsets by around 4 
percent.<br />
Experts said there were two more reasons: First, sales 
have fluctuated for vendors, with one vendor dominant in one quarter and
 another in the next. Second, as Kawoosa put it, "a maniacal focus" on 
online flash sales.<br />
"Though there is an Internet revolution in 
India and brands do need to focus on building their online base, it only
 works well for new brands (for example, Xiaomi) willing to enter the 
Indian market," said Kawoosa. <br />
"Established brands, such as 
Micromax and Samsung, should focus on their existing legacy. The 
differentiating strength of these brands lies in their distribution 
network, built and invested in over the years across India, which they 
should leverage to increase sales."<br />
Overall, the industry will get used to changes (such as the increase in excise duty) and pick up again, he said.<br />
The
 year 2014 saw the entry of many new players in the mobile market, 
especially Chinese firms. With an 18.5 percent market share, Samsung 
continues to occupy the top spot, followed by India's Micromax with 12.1
 percent and Microsoft with 9.6 percent.<br />
Within the smartphone 
segment, Samsung has an even bigger lead, a market share of 27.9 
percent, followed by Micromax with 16.2 percent and Intex, an Indian 
brand, with 9.2 percent.<br />
<em>(In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a
 data-driven, non-profit, public-interest journalism platform, with 
which Chaitanya Mallapur is a policy analyst).</em>

Indian Mobile Phone Sales Drop For First Time In 20 Years: Study

NEW DELHI — Indian mobile-phone sales have dropped for the first time in 20 years, raising the question: Is a slowdown at hand for the w...