Microsoft officially announced its Windows Phone 7 OS on Monday and, by doing so, put itself firmly back into the smartphone market.
Totally disconnected from Microsoft’s previous phone OS offerings, Windows Phone 7 continues the pattern first displayed in the Internet Explorer 9 Beta – a product more in line with the competition than the company’s previous work. Read more »
As Apple continues to aggressively market the iPad, one of its expected competitors has dropped from the race.
This past summer, LG announced plans to build and release a tablet device running Google’s Android OS. LG’s Android tablet was expected to be released this year, as a competitor for the iPad.
LG announced today that will not happen. Read more »
Research in Motion (RIM), the company behind the BlackBerry line of products, has announced the impending release of a tablet style device known as the PlayBook.
The PlayBook will feature a 7 inch touchscreen, front and rear facing HD cameras, and will run on a new OS developed around QNX’s Neutrino software.
While RIM has yet to announce a firm release date or price point for the PlayBook, the announcement of the device’s specs was major news. Unlike the recently released BlackBerry Torch, which featured a touchscreen but still ran the BlackBerry OS, the PlayBook is being viewed as a major step for RIM. Read more »
Samsung has debuted their Galaxy Tab, one of the first of the so-called “iPad Killers” from a major manufacturer.
The Galaxy’s specs will vary slightly from carrier to carrier, but all versions will run Google’s Android 2.2, the same OS that has helped propel some smartphones – including Samsung’s Galaxy class devices – into direct competition with the iPhone. Read more »
In news that’s sure to stoke the Apple vs. Android fan battles on messages boards across the Internet, Android has cut into iOS’s market share and is threatening to become the number two ranked mobile operating system.
According to comScore, Apple’s market share 1.3% this summer, as opposed to the significant 5% increase for Android. While Google’s mobile OS still trails both Apple and RIM, Android has made massive gains and has the top spot in its sights.
Obviously, this is a significant moment for Google and Android. As the only mobile platform to grow this summer, the popularity of Android cannot be questioned. In terms of bragging rights in the ongoing battle with Apple, Google has struck a major blow.
However, while the numbers appear, on the surface, to be a major win for Android, Apple has no reason to concede anything yet. As the company’s supporters would be quick to point out, Google has several key advantages in generating market share:
Regardless of the caveats, Android’s growth is still worth noting. Apple’s supporters have long pointed to the company’s significant head start in both mobile operating systems and tablet computers as reasons why the competition will never catch up.
If the latest figures are any indication of what the competition can do when they’ve got the right product, Apple is going to have far more of a fight on its hands than it, or its fans, may have expected.
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RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
Apple has announced a media event for September 1, at which the company is expected to announce a new iPod Touch and a refresh of Apple TV, which launched three years ago but never truly caught on.
While most expect Apple CEO Steve Jobs to downplay the Apple TV angle and instead focus on video playback on the iPod, iPad, and iPhone, there is reason to think that Apple TV could be a more long term play for the company.
Jobs has said that until such time as end users could stream television, movies, and other video content from their computer to their TV, with little or no need for tech support or elaborate hook-ups, he didn’t expect Apple TV to be mainstream hit. That, apparently, still holds true.
What’s interesting to note is that most pre-event reports have indicated that Apple TV is expected to run the same iOS as the iPad and would have access to the iTunes App Store.
Such access could allow Apple TV to be used for games and apps, turning into Apple’s entry into the home gaming market as well. With television rentals set to be available from Disney, ABC, FOX, FX, and others, Apple could be positioning itself nicely for the long term as an all-in-one home entertainment delivery system.
For now, Apple is expected to put its emphasis on the iPod Touch and watching video content on the other i-devices, ideas general users could grasp without needing tech support. But, as with everything Apple, a newly refreshed – and more useful – Apple TV is sure to attract attention and could appeal to a more mainstream audience.
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
Users of Apple’s iTunes store have been victimized yet again, but not because of Apple.
A series of ongoing phishing scams have tricked users of Apple’s online service into revealing login information. In turn, this has allowed hackers to bypass the Internet security of those users with ease.
Once logged into the account, hackers have rung up hundreds or even thousands of dollars in charges.
Most of the attacks have happened with accounts linked to PayPal. In many cases, hackers have used the stolen funds to purchase iTunes gift codes – online gift cards – which they can then resell on the Internet for a profit.
Unlike many Internet security attacks which originate with a security breach on the part of the vendor, this attack seems to be largely caused by trusting users being victimized by phishing emails.
These sorts of fraudulent emails are sent to users, often requesting that they verify login information. Because the emails appear to be legitimate, many users click on the links within them or enter their private account information.
Once hackers posses that info, they simply log in. The account, and everything linked to it, is easy pickings.
To protect yourself and your iTunes and PayPal accounts, follow these simple Internet security tips:
For more information on protecting yourself, read Rescuecom’s 5 Tips to Detect Phishing.
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
For users of Windows and its associated applications, the news is not good this morning.
Noted Internet security researcher HD Moore, of Rapid 7, reported Wednesday that 40 different Windows applications have serious security vulnerability.
The vulnerabilities are, according to Moore, similar to one found in Apple’s iTunes for Windows. Apple has patched the vulnerability in that program. Read more »
As part of its continued efforts to catch up to Apple in the mobile technology market, Microsoft has announced that it will directly connect new Windows Phone 7 smartphones with its Xbox Live service.
The move was announced at the Game Developers Conference Europe, in Germany. There, Microsoft revealed a list of Xbox Live games coming to the Windows 7 Phone platform, and reiterated their intent to make portable gaming a focus. Read more »
After release date delays, Dell’s Streak is finally ready to hit the market.
The smartphone-tablet hybrid will be available to customers who pre-ordered on Thursday, with general online availability on Friday.
The Streak is Dell’s first entry into the smartphone/tablet market and is the first contender to directly attempt to compete with Apple’s iPad. Read more »