Browse > Home /

Cloud Computing: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Predicts

Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff was on stage yesterday for his Dremforce conference, he used the opportunity to talk about a number of alliances that he has going on with his Cloud Computing Company. He has joined forces with a number of major companies; these include Amazon, Facebook, Harrah’s casinos in Las Vega, as well as Starbucks. Read more

Microsoft: Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework Upgrades

Microsoft has just made available for download Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework Upgrades plus other associated products. Below you will see what Visual Studio 2008 SP1 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 delivers.

First up is the Visual Studio 2008 SP1, the new upgrade will give you Improved WPF designers, SQL Server 2008 support, ADO.NET Entity Designer, Visual Basic and Visual C++ components and tools (including an MFC-based Office 2007 style ‘Ribbon’), Visual Studio Team System Team Foundation Server (TFS) addresses customer feedback on version control usability and performance, email integration with work item tracking and full support for hosting on SQL Server 2008 and Richer JavaScript support, enhanced AJAX and data tools, and Web site deployment improvements.

Next up is what the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 will deliver, it will deliver Performance increases between 20-45% for WPF-based applications – without having to change any code, WCF improvements that give developers more control over the way they access data and services, Streamlined installation experience for client applications and Improvements in the area of data platform, such as the ADO.NET Entity Framework, ADO.NET Data Services and support for SQL Server 2008’s new features.

All developers can download these new service packs, for Visual Studio 2008 download please visit here and for the updated .NET 3.5 Framework visit here.

Source

Three great tricks for your Apple iPhone

There is no denying that the iPhone from Apple has to be the greatest handset of all time. We all know that this cell phone can do a number of things that other phones can only dream of doing, but there is more to the iPhone than meets the eye, as it has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Here is a list of three tricks that the iPhone is capable of doing. We have to tell you that the first one will work with any phone, but works best with the iPhone. The second works with any iPhone and the third trick will work with iPhones and iPod touches, as long as they are running iPhone software version 2.0.

The first is that your iPhone is in fact a dictation machine. The thing is when it comes to writing a long email it can sometimes get a little boring on the touchscreen. But there is an easy way around this problem and that is to use a free voice-to-text transcription service.

The second trick is that your iPhone is an exit stratergy. There has been many times when I have been stuck in a meeting and I just feel the urge to get out of there. Well the iPhone is on hand to help as you are able to open your clock program and select the timer. You can then select say 30 minutes from now, then the iPhone will use your ring tone to alert. You can then pretend that you need to take this urgent call.

The third trick is that your Apple iPhone is a weather station. Just by using a free app from iTunes Store called WeatherBug, you are able to get the current temperature along with wind speed, wind chill temperature, humidity, dew point, precipitation level, and highs and lows for the day.

For all the details on these three iPhone tricks visit PC World

Xbox 360 System update now live: no new features

There are reports that the new Xbox 360 System update is now live, this has only just happened so we hope to give you more information a bit later. If you have not had the chance to update yet, I would not hurry as the system is probable under a lot of stress at the moment.

From what we have heard so far, the new Xbox 360 update has no new features or dashboard enhancements. What you do get is some code that prepares the system for growth of the service.

The new service is the new Xbox experience update; this is the live update that we are all waiting on. That system update has all the bells and whistles on; it should go live sometime in the fall.

That is as much as I can tell you for the moment. Once more people have had a chance to download the Xbox 360 System update, then we will be able to tell you a little more about it.

Source

If you have had a chance to try out the new update, please let us know what you think.

iPhone 2.0.1 update stops unlocked handsets working

We reported yesterday that there was a firmware update for the Apple iPhone. 2.0.1 Update was meant to fix some of the iPhones problems and in most cases it did just that.

Now we have learnt that several iPhone 3G owners are experiencing problems, mostly those who have paid to have their handset unlocked by Vodafone. Once iPhone 3G owners have updated to 2.0.1, they then receive a “0xE8000001″ error message. As a result they are not able to re-connect.

Apple already has a discussion on this problem, and it looks as if it is just specific to Vodafone. The problem is happening in many countries like, Italy Spain and Sweden.

If you have been affected by this problem, please let us know if you have managed to solve this problem.

The guys over at Phones Review have reported another problem with 2.0.1 firmware update. It seems that when you update your iPhone with Airplane Mode enabled, owners experience problems. In some cases, the iPhone stops working altogether.

Nokia to use Microsoft Zune software for iPhone battle

It seems that Microsoft has to team up with Nokia to try and take the fight to Apple with their iPhone. As we know Nokia is losing the battle when it comes to sales of handsets against the iPhone, the reason behind this is how good the software is on the all in one handset.

One of the greatest features of the iPhone is how you are able to use iTunes to access your music on the phone like an iPod. It is that feature where Nokia does not have an answer for.

Well there might be some hope for the phone maker, as they are getting together with Microsoft to integrate the Zune software on to Nokia phones. This news has come as a bit of a shock, considering Nokia support every operating system except Windows.

Microsoft knows that they are taking a beating from Apple, which is why they have to support more than one platform now.

Many had expected Microsoft to launch their own phone to rival Apple’s iPhone, but it does make sense to partner Nokia who is the largest cell phone provider in the world.

So could Nokia and Zune be enough to kick the iPhone of its throne?

Source

iPhone 2.0.1 firmware update fixes handset bugs

iPhone users can feel a little better in the knowledge that Apple has released iPhone 2.0.1 firmware update. I know that you wish that the update was version 2.1, but this is better than nothing.

For those of you who popped on to iTunes last night, they would have noticed that there was an update waiting for their handset. There is not much to this update, all iPhone 2.0.1 firmware is about is bug fixes. There is nothing wrong in that though, it shows that Apple have been working hard to solve the issues with the handset software after their last update.

My iPhone did have a few problems like thousands of others, when I used to try and open something it would take about four seconds to do so.

There were reports that some iPhone owners had to return their handsets to Apple stores to be replaced, as their iPhones had stopped working altogether.

iPhone 2.0.1 firmware update is almost 250MB in size, but once you install the software onto your handset you will notice the difference right away. Hey I don’t even get that dreaded keyboard bug anymore.

Life with PlayStation 3 not in Firmware update 2.42

We spoke this morning about the new Sony PlayStation 3 Firmware update 2.42; well many of you would have had the chance to check it out by now.

The first thing you will notice is that the update does not feature Life with PlayStation. Many had hoped that this news and weather information would have been included with the PS3 update 2.42.

It seems that this new firmware was more about fixing known security issues, instead of giving users what they really want.

There is a positive side to us not getting Life with PlayStation just yet; at least we know that they are spending more time solving issues which could arise with an early release.

It seems as if PlayStation 3 firmware update 2.42 is yet another let down. Have you had a chance to download the update yet, if so what do you think?

What’s new with Sony PS3 Update 2.42?

It seems as if Sony is releasing new updates thick and fast, the latest firmware update is 2.42. So what is new on this new software update?

Once you switch your PlayStation 3 on you will be meet with a message letting you know that there is a new download. We will be taking a look a little later just to see what Sony are giving us with the Firmware Update 2.42 update.

One thing that we do know is that the new software improves the quality of playback for some PS3 and Playstation format software. Until we have a closer look, we can’t really tell you much more.

Let us hope that this update fixes a few security issues, oh and those Call of Duty 4 issues that some gamers had complained about.

If you have had a chance to download the latest Sony PS3 Update 2.42, let us know what you think.

Source

Leaked video of New Xbox 360 Dashboard

We have all seen what the new Xbox 360 Dashboard is going to look like, but they were shiny images and you can never take any notice of those.

It is so nice to see the first leaked video of the new dashboard, while looking blurry thanks to some dodgy camera work.

We have learned that there are a few places online where you are able to install this new Xbox 360 Dashboard, but I am finding it a bit hard trying to find the download.

If you were able to find this update online, just remember that it will only work on a modded console with an Infectus 2 Chip in the system.

Check out the video below and get to see what the new dashboard looks like.

HP Introduces New Software Services

HP today announced new solutions that help chief information officers (CIOs) prioritize and align their IT investments to deliver better business outcomes.

Part of the broader HP Business Technology Optimization (BTO) software portfolio, the new release of HP Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) Center 7.5 delivers integrated IT management capabilities that span project and portfolio management, application lifecycle management and IT service management Read more

iPhone 3G Software 2.0 Fix in 3 Weeks

The Apple iPhone 2.0 software has been a nightmare for thousands of phone users since the day they updated, with many problems including the extreme lag that we have had, friends, Product Reviews readers have had and hundreds on the Apple official forum.

While we all want our problems to go away from the nice new iPhone 3G or first generation iPhones that got the 2.0 update, it is not that simple.

When will we see another firmware update to fix the many reported problems and complete slow down of the iPhone?

Today one Product Reviews reader claims to have been told that an update is coming in 3 weeks:

My iPhone 3g is much slower than my wife’s iPhone 1. It also fails to make calls and when I switch from wireless to Edge or 3G I have to reboot in order to get any eMail to work.

I went to Apple and they have heard all this before and say a new update should be available in 3 weeks. I’m not holding my breath.

Lets hope it comes in no longer than 3 weeks, although personally many iPhone owners want the next firmware now. If you have an update from Apple, please let us know in the comments or view more iPhone 3G news here.

Confirmed: Major iPhone software problems including 3G

After the post earlier today about our first generation Apple iPhone being very slow after the software 2.0 update, we can now confirm this is a major issue affecting most or maybe even all iPhone owners.

Every iPhone that has the software 2.0 update installed seems to be affected by a few issues, including being extremely slower compared to the previous firmware. This is affecting both iPhone 3G’s and first generation devices that have the new software.

Product Reviews has had a few iPhone users comment about this problem, this includes the below:

Mine iPhone has been very slow since upgrading to 2.0. A reboot helps for a few hours, and then you must repeat it I’d put up with delays scrolling, entering text (passwords show the last 1 or 2 characters typed for a second or two), and frequent browser crashes. I would like to restore back to version 1.

My iPhone is now very sluggish after upgrading to 2.0. I am not happy about it at all. Sometimes the phone is almost unusable. I would seriously entertain the idea of downgrading back to 1.0 if I knew how.

At first I thought it just might be me, with a large address book (2,500 contacts). But it seems to affect most everyone, even the 3G phones.

Even Apple’s website has posts about this slow problem with the iPhone 2.0 software and some other problems, this is what one user posted:

After upgrading my iPhone to 2.0, I found the following main issues;
1. Battery life is much shorter, perhaps 2 days at the most instead of the previous 4 to 7 days on normal usage
2. Having almost the same number of contacts than before the upgrade (about 1750), the iPhone becomes much slower than before when starting the Phone application, looking for names, scrolling, etc. It seems worst after a few hours of usage or when using EDGE instead of Wi-Fi. Slow behavior doesn’t seem to follow a pattern or have a repetitive and demonstrable reason that triggers it, looking almost as random
3. Behavior of Maps varies pending on either EDGE or Wi-Fi, turning it specially slow/random on EDGE
4. Browsing while switching cells on EDGE is now much slower than before the upgrade

It now looks pretty much conclusive that this is a major problem with both versions of the iPhone that have the latest firmware, lets hope a fix is coming soon.

Pwnage jailbreak’s iPhone 3G 2.0 software: does not unlock yet

The new version of Pwnage has just been released and it jailbreak’s iPhone 3G 2.0 software but does not unlock yet, although it will unlock older iPhones.

This new version of iPhone-dev team’s jailbreaking and unlocking software will jailbreak the iPhone 3G, but it has limitations, this is what was said in their blog post

Yes, it jailbreaks and unlocks older iPhones, and jailbreaks iPhone 3Gs and iPod Touches. We only support the 2.0 firmware’s

If unlocking the iPhone 3G is what you want then you may have to wait a little longer but this software is a step in the right direction for some, you should also read the statement below about an Error you may get

If you get Error 1600 from iTunes (or if you see in your log a failure to prepare x12220000_4_Recovery.ipsw), try: mkdir “~/Library/iTunes/Device Support”; if that directory already exists, remove any files in it. Then re-run Pwnage Tool

We have heard from users that have tried Pwnage 2.0 on their iPhone 3Gs and original iPhones that run iPhone OS 2.0, it seems that most people are not having any problems, other than the above.

Google Mobile App for iPhone and iPod Touch

The rush of Friday June 11th is well and truly over but people are still trying hard to get their hands on the new iPhone 3G, while all this is happening things are still all go with the new App Store.

Today we hear that Google has launched their new Mobile App for iPhone, this application makes it easy to search the web on the move and find your contacts even faster.

The Google Mobile App is currently only for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users in the US, although other countries will also get this application soon on their App Stores.

When you search results will appear right away as your typing. The slick interface will learn what you do over time and will place your frequently clicked results on the first search page.

The main features of the Google Mobile App include search history, My Location and Google Suggest. Will you be using this new powerful application?

Source: Read

How did iPhone 3G Friday and software 2.0 turn out?

The plans for July 11th were put in place over a long time and a lot of planning, when the day came not only was the demand for the Apple iPhone 3G more than what the stores could deliver, but also the iPhone 2.0 software update ended up causing major problems for users.

We had over 500 comments on Friday and over 80% of these were directly about iPhone problems, if it was not buyers outside stores being told they could not upgrade, it was iTunes and connection problems,

We heard directly about iPhones turning into bricks thanks to iTunes breaking connection half way through installing and these users could not get reconnected for many hours after.

It seems most users managed to get connected in the end and also get updated to the new firmware, personally we were able to update with no problems but this may be because we were one of the first to get connected. When everyone heard the update was ready, the demand was too much for iTunes to handle and many errors started to happen.

Late on Friday we heard that Apple’s stock dropped 2.2 percent thanks to the chaos on Friday and some blogs are going as far to say “Should Apple be sued for compensation over iPhone 2.0 and iTunes problems?”

The most popular line we heard on Friday was “I am going to be late for work now”, it makes you think about many hours companies lost thanks to users trying to update their iPhones.

Were the iPhone 2.0 software update problems really that bad?

Downloaded iPhone v2.0 Software: how good is it?

First up we would to note that a lot of Product Reviews readers have been complaining of massive problems with the iTunes store and getting the iPhone v2.0 update.

As we were one of the first to download the official Apple iPhone 2.0 software, we had no problems updating at all, the only issue was how long it took to install.

This is not saying that there are not problems, because clearly there are listening to what users are reporting; one person has had an iPhone go dead on them. Half way through the updating process he lost connection to iTunes and now has a phone that’s not working, just a black screen.

After downloading iPhone v2.0 software we found that everything looks just the same as the last iPhone firmware apart from a new icon saying App Store.

First impressions of the App store – we are very impressed, just like YouTube, you have one click access to the App store and lots of applications to choose from. Some are free and others are to buy, and you will find some of the paid ones very impressive.

Our favorites are “Super Monkey Ball” and iLoveControl”, classic gaming and a way to make the iPhone control your entire home.

There are many other features, most of these have been reported before by us and other sites, although first impressions show some cool updates we will use often like saving images from web pages. We will update you when we have had more of a play.

Sony PS3 Update 2.41: New firmware to overcome problems

Just last week Sony released firmware update 2.40, but just a day after Sony had to withdraw the update following some problems. However PS3 Update 2.41 is now availble, which Sony say will overcome all the problems from 2.40.

The short lived 2.40 firmware update was meant to allow in-game use of the XMB, along with support for trophies, which was going to be PlayStation 3’s answer to Xbox 360 achievements.

2.40 had to be withdrawn as there were major configuration problems with the update, Sony are still not clear where the problem came from, however they do say that 2.41 will overcome all those problems.

Many people will now be wondering if they should update to 2.41, many gamers might be playing chicken with others, just to see if they get the same troubles as the previous update gave them.

If you are one of the first to update your PS3 to 2.41, then please comment below and let us know if it all worked fine for you.

Source

Do you think that Sony will get it right this time?

Sony PS3 2.40 Firmware disaster

Sony have now confirmed that they have pulled PS3 2.40 Firmware Update, it seems that this most recent update did not live up to its promise, in fact we can safely say that it was a bit of a disaster. We first learned of the trouble from the guys over at PS3 Daily, when they had been contacted by a few of their friends saying that they had tried to download the new Sony PS3 2.40 firmware update, only to learn that it was not there anymore.

Sony has since commented on this, saying that they had pulled the latest firmware update for the PlayStation 3; this was the result of many customers reporting that the new update had caused their system to stop working. Firmware update 2.40 was only released on Tuesday, and it was not long before the problems started for many and they posted their trouble on the official PS3 message board.

My brother has Metal Gear Solid 4, he decided to have a game last night, only to be met with a blank screen, even his demos have a blank screen. A spokesperson for Sony has said that they had pulled the latest update of their servers while they investigate the problem; this is why we now have to stick with 2.36 just for now. Sony said “We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up.”

For those of you who did not manage to download Firmware Update 2.40, do not worry too much as the update was a little short of a few of its promises. So were you one of those who had troubles with firmware 2.40, if so please let us know what problems you experienced.

Mozilla Firefox 3.1 alpha July, beta version August, final release 08 or early 09

We all know about the brand new Mozilla Firefox 3.0 and of course have downloaded it myself and must say it is great, well just weeks after the Firefox 3.0 the open-source developer has just put across new ship dates for the all new version, obviously if approved, they are hoping to produce an alpha release next month and the final no later than early 2009.

Mozilla are hoping to have the first Firefox 3.1 developer preview, or alpha, ready by July and then want to move to beta by august, A month ago, when Mozilla first started discussing Firefox 3.1 internally, the company’s vice president of engineering, Mike Schroepfer, said the upgrade’s target ship date was the end of 2008. Hopefully if Mozilla keeps with that plan Firefox 3.1 would be its first fast-track update of course with a development timeline much shorter than usual. The all new Firefox 3.1 will have so many new features that did not make it into the recent Firefox 3.0.

Some of the new improvements they hope to include into Firefox 3.1 are that of changes to the revamped book-marking that debuted in 3.0 plus some modifications to a brand new amped-up location bar. Some of the changes do in fact rely on improvements to the Gecko engine that underpins Firefox plus of course other applications, applications like Mozilla Messaging Thunderbird e-mail client, the devs are working on Gecko 1.9.1 at the same time as Mozilla Firefox 3.1.

Oh just a recap on Firefox 3.0 downloads, since the 17th of June launch more than 21.8 million copies of Firefox 3.0 were downloaded.

Source

Next Page »