Computer Support Blog

A new smartphone will thrill game system customers. Sony Ericsson launched Xperia Play recently, which acts both as a smartphone and as a game playing device. Gamers only need one device to play and talk while away from home.

Xperia Play runs the latest in Android technology, Gingerbread, giving customers the best technology to play games on small devices. Games and other applications perform well using a 1 gigahertz processor and an extra game processor. Images in the games are easy to see, and the colors are bright. The games also respond to control commands better than on most phones.

The most interesting part of the phone is how it physically adapts to allow gaming. The bottom half of the phone slides out for playing games and looks like a PlayStation control. Direction pads, control buttons, and pads in place of thumb sticks let gamers play as if at home. This game controller bottom makes the device bulky compared to other smartphones, but gives gamers a good hold while playing. The need for few devices excuses the larger size, as does the user’s hands not blocking the game view.

Six games come packaged on the phone already. Game titles include PlayStation favorites like Sims, Madden NFL 11 and Crash Bandicoot. The Xperia play does not offer PlayStation games exclusively. Different producers offer 60 titles for the Xperia. Sony Ericsson plans to increase the number to 150 game titles by the end of the year.

The process of getting new games on the phone will take time and some effort. Each game on Xperia Play must configure to fit into the processors used on the phone, so games cannot be transferred from other portable devices. Sony Ericsson assures game developers that existing mobile games can add the necessary support programming for the control pad easily.

Xperia Play also remembers to function as a phone. The actual telephone feature on the Xperia Play is a touchscreen system which behaves like most other Android smartphones. Sony Ericsson offers seven hours worth of talk time, or five hours worth of play time, before the battery needs recharging. Familiar applications like Twitter or Facebook links are still available for gamers who want to share scores.

Verizon Wireless started selling Xperia Play the last week of May for $199.99. Customers who like PlayStation and similar games will enjoy using the Xperia to continue the fun while away from the home game system. Sony Ericsson has added great gaming ability onto the networking capacity of the smartphone.

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

Cool Product: Attractions Application for iPhone and GPS

Vacation is more exciting and much easier when travelers do not dread planning the trip. Now, a helpful guide in finding the best destinations can come along. Fun attractions across the country now appear on Apple iPhones and GPS. RoadsideAmerica.com, known for suggesting oddities and attractions, has connected with Apple and Garmin to offer travelers mobile information on 6,000 or more national attractions and oddities.

RoadsideAmerica.com for iPhone users can get 6,700 places by choosing one of six geographic regions for $2.99, or the entire United States for $5.99 a year. Application users can plan trips around personal interests by browsing through favorite categories like music, technology, atomic, big, or 70 others. Travelers interested in the newest attractions can find “research” locations that do not appear online yet. Users can be the first visitors to the newest attractions.

Travelers can submit tips about the best parts of each attraction for future application users through the iPhone. Users can share pictures of attraction visits to the application, too.

Other fun features for the new application include

·         Been There!– The feature lets travelers mark visited sites and keep track of every trip and location.

·         Call attractions– One touch to a phone number lets the user call the attraction ahead with questions or to make reservations.

·         Save directions– Travelers can save directions to attractions to use again if the wireless connection is lost. Even if the phone is not working, visitors can have fun.

·         Editor ratings– Travelers can see what other users think about each location, and get help deciding about visiting.

·         Current information – Users can continually get updated information about hours, prices, and new places to visit.

RoadsideAmerica.com for GPS offers access to 6,000 roadside locations across the United States. Travelers can access directions to locations, attraction hours, available phone numbers for locations, and pictures of the attractions.  

Like on the iPhone, travelers can arrange a personalized journey with the lists based on each person’s favorite things to go see. Lists of interesting locations include statues, natural wonders, museums and architecture.

Garmin GPS devices and some TomTom devices accept the application from RoadsideAmerica.com. Every roadside location in the United States can appear on a GPS device for $19.99. Once the application is added to the GPS device, users can find any oddity or attraction in the country.

Both RoadsideAmerica.com for iPhone and RoadsideAmerica.com for GPS let travelers find great places to visit. The applications let users take a road trip without having to plan ahead. Fun can be found anywhere and now no one has to stop to find it.

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

A recent survey has revealed some troubling data for corporate technology users when it comes to Internet security.

According to the Sixth Annual Enterprise IT Security Survey, conducted by Amplitude Research, 67% of large companies (minimum of 5,000 employees) reported at least one significant security intrusion.

That was over 25% higher than the year before.

Companies cited various potential reasons for the increase, ranging from significant Internet security weaknesses to employee Internet usage.  No matter the reason, one thing is clear:  large corporations are coming under increased attack. Read more »

It’s been a good news-bad news week so far for Microsoft.

On the positive side, the company announced a launch event for its Windows Phone 7 line of products, to be held on October 11.  Windows Phone 7 devices are expected to be released next month.

Within twenty four hours, Microsoft’s news had soured somewhat.  For the first time in years, Internet Explorer, Microsoft’s web browser, saw its market share drop below 50%.  At the same time, Google’s Chrome saw continued growth, tripling its market share from the same time last year. Read more »

Phishing attacks threaten our Internet security and can be hard to detect.  They can lead to identity theft, viruses, or the need for computer repair.  To help protect your Internet security, RESCUECOM’s computer repair experts offer five simple tips for detecting phishing attacks.

•1.) Avoid Action – Phishing attacks work when you take action.  An email that requests information or features clickable links may be an attack against your Internet security.  Legitimate emails include cut and past style links to help you avoid clicking.  If there are only clickable links, the email is likely a phishing scam. Read more »

RESCUECOM reminds users to utilize only legitimate anti virus software, such as our Internet Security Suite.

A common cyber attack uses fake anti virus software as a means for infecting computers with malware.  These attackers rely on fear to trick users into violating their own Internet security.  Read more »

RESCUECOM offers suggestions to prevent browser hijacking, protect your computer, and utilize computer support.

A common Internet security threat is browser hijacking.  Malware programs can hijack your Internet browser, changing your home page, altering your settings, and decreasing functionality.   There are ways to prevent this Internet security violation.  Read more »