What happens when it’s easier to call tech support than to Google your
problem? Amazon might discover the costly answer to that question depending on
how much the owners of its new Kindle Fire HDX tablets use its Mayday on-demand
video customer support feature. And whether they behave themselves.
Mayday is available at the tap of a button in the Kindle HDX’s Quick
Settings menu. 24 hours a day, year round, it pops up a little video window
on-screen showing a support agent. They can’t see you but can hear you, talk to
you, draw on your screen to guide you, and even take control of your screen to
help you out.
As Farhad Manjoo notes, Mayday might not be able to solve one of the most
common types of tech problems: broken Internet. That won’t stop it from
answering plenty of other queries from the old, young, and frequently confused.
You can watch videos of Mayday in action here.
If Amazon can scale Mayday it would be amazing. Both in the sense that it
would make many people’s lives with technology easier, and it would be a
remarkable logistics feat. It could become an industry benchmark for premier
service. I’d love to see this succeed.
Today, most companies put lots of support info online, but if you want
handholding from a human, you have to work for it.
Look at Apple’s Genius Bars. You have to make an appointment, trek out to a
retail store, and show up on time. That erects a barrier to use while giving
people an option when they really need assistance.
With phone based customer support, you have to look up the number, wade
through phone menus, wait on hold, and then explain what you’re looking at to a
support agent that is essentially flying blind.
All this friction sucks. So why does it exist? It’s cost-effective.
Having tons of support people available on-demand straight from your device
would be awesome…and could be very expensive for Amazon. Mayday could become a
big selling point for the device and save the company from losing money to
returns, thereby paying for itself. But it’s a gamble on whether people will
bash that button too often.
The question is how much Amazon will have to compromise on its vision. The
company has told reporters it wants Mayday to let you get support within 15
seconds at any time, even on a busy Christmas morning, and have no limit on how
often you can call for help. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos went to bat for Mayday,
telling TechCrunch that it functions similar to the company’s other call
centers. He seemed confident Amazon could pull it off. After all, it’s managed
quite a few miracles in ecommerce scaling.
Still, it may need to include fine print that it can suspend Mayday service
for abuse. If you Mayday because you’re lonely, or want to show someone your cat
photos, it might need to cut you off. If you try to show the representative porn
through the screenshare or verbally terrorize them, it might need to ban you for
life. But what if you’re just really lazy and call in every day with
semi-legitimate questions? Amazon will need to determine where to draw the
line.
Maybe the fundamental challenges of scaling Mayday signals Amazon doesn’t
have a massive amount of active Kindle users today, as Benedict Evans wonders.
Amazon is notoriously secretive about Kindle sales and engagement numbers, so we
don’t know what level of HDX devices it might sell and have to support.
But if anyone can figure out how to make this all work and save us from
support call menu hell, it’s probably Bezos. Turning cost-prohibitive fantasies
into margin-less realities is his specialty. And if the problem isn’t the volume
of Mayday requests per customer but the total thanks to high Kindle HDXsales,
things could be worse. Just ask the Microsoft Surface.
2013年9月26日星期四
Microsoft is planting their flag firmly in assistance of 3D
A lot was going on at Microsoft's Maker Faire tent: massive robots were
hurling themselves at one yet another, puppets were crashing vehicles and gamers
were generating whole worlds. It was yet another innovation that took center
stage, nevertheless. That wild and crazy leap forward ?a none aside from Windows
eight.1.
On a offered day, the easy addition of your number a single behind a decimal point wouldn't trump giant robots. But that is not this day, for this specific update to Microsoft's OS actually brings us a thing amazing: 3D printing.
Bundled with bug fixes along with the like is definitely an interface that tends to make connecting and using your 3D printer as easy as plugging it in. Once your 3D printer is windows 7 home premium product key connected for your Windows Computer, the OS detects the device as if it have been some thing as old-hat as a traditional laserjet 2D printer. The acceptable drivers are downloaded and you're great to go. So toss out these software CDs and complicated setup instructions and join Microsoft in the future.
An already-available dev kit has an ever-widening array of 3D printing providers adding their names to the list of compatible devices. Even the indie 3D printing community has been less than shy in its support for the computer software. So no matter whether you've gotten your hands on a Makerbot Replicator 2 or are eyeing the newest 3D printer to hit Kickstarter, possibilities are your rig is supported ?a and that goes for all those of you with desktop milling machines too.
With Windows eight.1, Microsoft is planting their flag firmly in assistance of 3D printing. Within the quite near future, 3D printing is going to be a basic suitable of Computer owners, not some thing reserved for early adapters. And Microsoft isn't stopping there.
Also on show at Maker Faire was 1 in the tricks Microsoft nevertheless has up its sleeve: a plan that turns your Kinect sensor into a extremely sensitive 3D scanner at the click of a button. Just wave your Kinect around the object you'd like to scan and you will be presented having a full-color, 3D printable onscreen version of it. Welcome for the 3D printing revolution, every person.
On a offered day, the easy addition of your number a single behind a decimal point wouldn't trump giant robots. But that is not this day, for this specific update to Microsoft's OS actually brings us a thing amazing: 3D printing.
Bundled with bug fixes along with the like is definitely an interface that tends to make connecting and using your 3D printer as easy as plugging it in. Once your 3D printer is windows 7 home premium product key connected for your Windows Computer, the OS detects the device as if it have been some thing as old-hat as a traditional laserjet 2D printer. The acceptable drivers are downloaded and you're great to go. So toss out these software CDs and complicated setup instructions and join Microsoft in the future.
An already-available dev kit has an ever-widening array of 3D printing providers adding their names to the list of compatible devices. Even the indie 3D printing community has been less than shy in its support for the computer software. So no matter whether you've gotten your hands on a Makerbot Replicator 2 or are eyeing the newest 3D printer to hit Kickstarter, possibilities are your rig is supported ?a and that goes for all those of you with desktop milling machines too.
With Windows eight.1, Microsoft is planting their flag firmly in assistance of 3D printing. Within the quite near future, 3D printing is going to be a basic suitable of Computer owners, not some thing reserved for early adapters. And Microsoft isn't stopping there.
Also on show at Maker Faire was 1 in the tricks Microsoft nevertheless has up its sleeve: a plan that turns your Kinect sensor into a extremely sensitive 3D scanner at the click of a button. Just wave your Kinect around the object you'd like to scan and you will be presented having a full-color, 3D printable onscreen version of it. Welcome for the 3D printing revolution, every person.
2013年9月10日星期二
AT&T pledges LTE compatibility, making way for smaller carriers
Small carriers around the US are likely rejoicing. AT&T announced it
was revamping its network for LTE compatibility on Tuesday. This means that
users will have far more options when choosing carriers for their LTE-enabled
phones.
"AT&T, for its part, has committed to investing considerable time and resources to the modification of its 700MHz LTE network through the implementation of a newly-standardized software feature," AT&T's federal regulatory vice president Joan Marsh said in a statement. "That effort will allow AT&T's network to support Band 12 capable devices."
In the US, a common problem with LTE technology is spectrum fragmentation. Because of the lack of consistent spectrum bands, carriers have built their networks using incompatible spectrum frequencies -- basically causing a lack of interoperability.
AT&T and Verizon actually run on the same frequency, 700MHz, but are in different parts of the band and can't work with each other. T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel are each using their own different bands.
The Federal Communications Commission has been pushing carriers to make their LTE networks compatible for years. And, regional and rural carriers have long complained to the FCC that the mobile giants were dragging their feet on the issue. So, it's no small feat that AT&T has finally agreed to modify its network.
"America's mobile consumers have a reason to celebrate today: After many frustrating years, wireless carriers have finally reached a voluntary industry solution that will resolve the lack of interoperability in the lower 700MHz band in the most efficient manner," acting FCC chairwoman Mignon Clyburn said in astatement. "This is a big win for consumers, especially in rural areas, who will see more competition and more choices. Also, by making it easier for small wireless carriers to compete, today's interoperability solution will spur private investment, job creation, and the development of innovative new services and devices."
While AT&T has pledged to make the switch, other carriers still seem reluctant. Verizon, for instance, has offered no indication that it'll alter its network to be more open.
In other AT&T spectrum news, the carrier also announced Tuesday that it completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of licenses covering Verizon's 700MHz B block, which the company will use for its 4G LTE deployment.
"AT&T, for its part, has committed to investing considerable time and resources to the modification of its 700MHz LTE network through the implementation of a newly-standardized software feature," AT&T's federal regulatory vice president Joan Marsh said in a statement. "That effort will allow AT&T's network to support Band 12 capable devices."
In the US, a common problem with LTE technology is spectrum fragmentation. Because of the lack of consistent spectrum bands, carriers have built their networks using incompatible spectrum frequencies -- basically causing a lack of interoperability.
AT&T and Verizon actually run on the same frequency, 700MHz, but are in different parts of the band and can't work with each other. T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel are each using their own different bands.
The Federal Communications Commission has been pushing carriers to make their LTE networks compatible for years. And, regional and rural carriers have long complained to the FCC that the mobile giants were dragging their feet on the issue. So, it's no small feat that AT&T has finally agreed to modify its network.
"America's mobile consumers have a reason to celebrate today: After many frustrating years, wireless carriers have finally reached a voluntary industry solution that will resolve the lack of interoperability in the lower 700MHz band in the most efficient manner," acting FCC chairwoman Mignon Clyburn said in astatement. "This is a big win for consumers, especially in rural areas, who will see more competition and more choices. Also, by making it easier for small wireless carriers to compete, today's interoperability solution will spur private investment, job creation, and the development of innovative new services and devices."
While AT&T has pledged to make the switch, other carriers still seem reluctant. Verizon, for instance, has offered no indication that it'll alter its network to be more open.
In other AT&T spectrum news, the carrier also announced Tuesday that it completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of licenses covering Verizon's 700MHz B block, which the company will use for its 4G LTE deployment.
Microsoft stated that it would phase out the $199 service
Microsoft stated Monday that it would offer early access to the release
version of Windows eight today, through its MSDN and TechNet services, reversing
a previously-held stance that had angered developers.
Microsoft's decision was revealed Monday within a weblog post, together using the disclosure that the Windows 8.1 bits will be accompanied by tools made to spur app development. The current Windows eight.1 Enterprise RTM make will probably be readily available by means of MSDN and TechNet for enterprises "later this month". Microsoft will make the Windows eight.1, Windows eight.1 Pro, and Window Server 2012 R2 builds out there, Microsoft stated.
The Visual Studio 2013 Release Candidate is also reside, Microsoft mentioned, and may be downloaded from this internet site.
"We heard from you that our choice to not initially release Windows eight.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM bits was a large challenge for our developer partners as they?ˉre readying new Windows eight.1 apps and for IT pros that are preparing for Windows eight.1 deployments," Microsoft chief evangelist Steve Guggenheimer wrote. "We?ˉve listened, we worth your partnership, and we are adjusting based on your feedback. As we refine our delivery schedules to get a a lot more speedy release cadence, we are working around the best approach to assistance early releases to the numerous audiences within our ecosystem.
Microsoft had previously revealed that Windows 8.1 would roll out to consumers on the morning of Oct. 17, having a retail launch per day later. Late in August, Microsoft started shipping the final version of Windows eight.1 to OEM prospects. However the release was accompanied by howls of outrage by developers who would happen to be forced to wait for the October launch date, exactly the same as shoppers.
In quick, that would have meant pretty much no time for developers to ensure that their applications ran properly beneath Windows 8.1. Historically, developers have had weeks or months to execute their testing, a practice Microsoft's release schedule would have broken. ?°Most of us actually want to help Windows 8.1, a lot of us need to get apps ready for the awesome eight.1 capabilities, but we can?ˉt correctly do that unless we get the RTM bits just before the public gets the Windows 8.1 update," 1 developer wrote in comments attached for the original Microsoft announcement.
But Microsoft undoubtedly sat back, examined the relatively little variety of Windows apps (about 115,000, as outlined by MetroStore Scanner) and decided that they needed each one.
For all those who have subscribed towards the TechNet service, the Windows 8.1 bits will likely be certainly one of its last hurrahs. In July, Microsoft stated that it would phase out the $199 service, and replace it with a new TechNet Evaluation Center supplying free of charge evaluation application for limited periods of 90 to 180 days. Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscriptions for software developers start off at $699 per year.
If you're not a TechNet or MSDN subscriber, you could nonetheless try out Windows 8.1, by means of PCWorld's guide to installing the Windows eight.1 preview, prior to October rolls around. Microsoft can also be releasing new Windows Server 2012 R2, Method Center 2012 R2, and the latest update to Windows Intune.
http://www.windows7prokeys.com/windows-7-ultimate-product-key-p-3528.html
Microsoft's decision was revealed Monday within a weblog post, together using the disclosure that the Windows 8.1 bits will be accompanied by tools made to spur app development. The current Windows eight.1 Enterprise RTM make will probably be readily available by means of MSDN and TechNet for enterprises "later this month". Microsoft will make the Windows eight.1, Windows eight.1 Pro, and Window Server 2012 R2 builds out there, Microsoft stated.
The Visual Studio 2013 Release Candidate is also reside, Microsoft mentioned, and may be downloaded from this internet site.
"We heard from you that our choice to not initially release Windows eight.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM bits was a large challenge for our developer partners as they?ˉre readying new Windows eight.1 apps and for IT pros that are preparing for Windows eight.1 deployments," Microsoft chief evangelist Steve Guggenheimer wrote. "We?ˉve listened, we worth your partnership, and we are adjusting based on your feedback. As we refine our delivery schedules to get a a lot more speedy release cadence, we are working around the best approach to assistance early releases to the numerous audiences within our ecosystem.
Microsoft had previously revealed that Windows 8.1 would roll out to consumers on the morning of Oct. 17, having a retail launch per day later. Late in August, Microsoft started shipping the final version of Windows eight.1 to OEM prospects. However the release was accompanied by howls of outrage by developers who would happen to be forced to wait for the October launch date, exactly the same as shoppers.
In quick, that would have meant pretty much no time for developers to ensure that their applications ran properly beneath Windows 8.1. Historically, developers have had weeks or months to execute their testing, a practice Microsoft's release schedule would have broken. ?°Most of us actually want to help Windows 8.1, a lot of us need to get apps ready for the awesome eight.1 capabilities, but we can?ˉt correctly do that unless we get the RTM bits just before the public gets the Windows 8.1 update," 1 developer wrote in comments attached for the original Microsoft announcement.
But Microsoft undoubtedly sat back, examined the relatively little variety of Windows apps (about 115,000, as outlined by MetroStore Scanner) and decided that they needed each one.
For all those who have subscribed towards the TechNet service, the Windows 8.1 bits will likely be certainly one of its last hurrahs. In July, Microsoft stated that it would phase out the $199 service, and replace it with a new TechNet Evaluation Center supplying free of charge evaluation application for limited periods of 90 to 180 days. Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscriptions for software developers start off at $699 per year.
If you're not a TechNet or MSDN subscriber, you could nonetheless try out Windows 8.1, by means of PCWorld's guide to installing the Windows eight.1 preview, prior to October rolls around. Microsoft can also be releasing new Windows Server 2012 R2, Method Center 2012 R2, and the latest update to Windows Intune.
http://www.windows7prokeys.com/windows-7-ultimate-product-key-p-3528.html
2013年9月1日星期日
Americans hurt by server outages: We need to shop! We need to Facebook!
When all else fails, we always assume our favorite Web sites will be
there.
We feel reassured that we'll have the comfort of sitting on our sofas, clutching our little iPads and communing with the same outside world that doesn't always like us in person.
Yet, for one reason or another, sites are going down. Sites are being attacked. Servers go down for reasons that don't always seem understandable.
Which means that Americans are beginning to realize that the fundaments of their lives are being assaulted and insulted.
I lean on my exclusive possession of new research that asked Americans whether outages were upsetting them and why.
You will end this post prostrate at the way respondents bared their souls. Did they declare that server outages were hurting them because this was a serious threat to their way of life?
In a way.
Fifty-two percent said that their biggest concern about server outages was that it would affect a time-sensitive commercial transaction.
Please imagine the pain if you've been waiting for that one moment when you can buy One Direction tickets and the ticket site gets attacked by miscreant Belarussian teenagers or the server is overloaded with, oh, people trying to buy One Direction tickets.
Some might never, ever get over it. The hospital and psychiatric systems of America would grind to inertia.
Still, perhaps this particular 52 percent are the 52 percent that have skewed principles.
Perhaps there is still a large section of the populace that has greater security concerns. Well, the next biggest worry when a server goes down belonged to the 35 percent of respondents who screamed: "WE CAN'T FACEBOOK!"
Well, they did add Twitter and other forms of social media as they screamed.
Life without these essences is like life without eyes and lungs. It is not life at all.
Because we're always skeptical about research here, might I reveal that this survey was performed on behalf of Linode.
This, quite coincidentally, is a cloud services company whose very purpose in life is to ensure that servers run more smoothly than Bentleys on a sunny day in the English countryside.
Somehow, though, the results do ring a bell of authenticity.
Indeed, the survey also examined human feelings about mobile apps. Humans are becoming aware that the more apps are used by other humans, the more they slow down and the more they crash.
Humans want apps now -- and just for me!
This last thought might, for many, sum up the state of the Web-connected mobile soul.
It's a soul that wants what it wants and it wants it now. Otherwise, it'll be very lonely indeed.
We feel reassured that we'll have the comfort of sitting on our sofas, clutching our little iPads and communing with the same outside world that doesn't always like us in person.
Yet, for one reason or another, sites are going down. Sites are being attacked. Servers go down for reasons that don't always seem understandable.
Which means that Americans are beginning to realize that the fundaments of their lives are being assaulted and insulted.
I lean on my exclusive possession of new research that asked Americans whether outages were upsetting them and why.
You will end this post prostrate at the way respondents bared their souls. Did they declare that server outages were hurting them because this was a serious threat to their way of life?
In a way.
Fifty-two percent said that their biggest concern about server outages was that it would affect a time-sensitive commercial transaction.
Please imagine the pain if you've been waiting for that one moment when you can buy One Direction tickets and the ticket site gets attacked by miscreant Belarussian teenagers or the server is overloaded with, oh, people trying to buy One Direction tickets.
Some might never, ever get over it. The hospital and psychiatric systems of America would grind to inertia.
Still, perhaps this particular 52 percent are the 52 percent that have skewed principles.
Perhaps there is still a large section of the populace that has greater security concerns. Well, the next biggest worry when a server goes down belonged to the 35 percent of respondents who screamed: "WE CAN'T FACEBOOK!"
Well, they did add Twitter and other forms of social media as they screamed.
Life without these essences is like life without eyes and lungs. It is not life at all.
Because we're always skeptical about research here, might I reveal that this survey was performed on behalf of Linode.
This, quite coincidentally, is a cloud services company whose very purpose in life is to ensure that servers run more smoothly than Bentleys on a sunny day in the English countryside.
Somehow, though, the results do ring a bell of authenticity.
Indeed, the survey also examined human feelings about mobile apps. Humans are becoming aware that the more apps are used by other humans, the more they slow down and the more they crash.
Humans want apps now -- and just for me!
This last thought might, for many, sum up the state of the Web-connected mobile soul.
It's a soul that wants what it wants and it wants it now. Otherwise, it'll be very lonely indeed.
And I heard from more than a handful of customers
I've been seeing some posts more than the past week that may possibly be
giving some Windows XP users false hope that they're going to nevertheless be
capable of get patches for the operating technique soon after April 8, 2014.
I believe it was this statement from a Microsoft spokesperson that might have raised some expectations.
"After April eight, 2014, Windows XP users will no longer get new safety updates, non-security hotfixes, absolutely free or paid assisted support solutions, or on line technical content updates from Microsoft. Third parties may give ongoing help, but it?ˉs essential to recognize that support is not going to address fixes and security patches inside the core Windows kernel. If an organization continues to use Windows XP and purchases Custom Support, they are going to obtain critical security updates as new threats are discovered, as well as technical assistance by way of their Premier contract." (Emphasis mine.)
It's worth repeating these patches aren't for everyone, or, in truth, pretty much anybody. To acquire these custom patches, users need to have an active Premier Help agreement, a Microsoft spokesperson reiterated. On major of that, you need to acquire Custom Assistance. The combo is costly. For many, besides these in Fortune 500 providers, who're still operating Windows XP, it is possibly outside the realm of possibility.
In case you had been wondering, this kind of custom assistance selection is not new. Microsoft also created custom patches for XP SP2 readily available to these with Premier Support contracts when SP2 was moved to finish of help (EOS) in 2010.
But back to the sorts of prospects who are holding onto Windows XP in spite of potential new vulnerabilities which may arise immediately after Microsoft stops making all patches -- such as safety patches -- out there just after April 8 , 2014. Who're those inside the 35-plus % group plus operating XP as their desktop OS?
I asked readers lately to clarify why they aren't willing and/or able to get off XP. I heard back from a variety of individuals by means of email, as well as the answers sprinkled through the hundreds of (sadly, mostly off-topic) comments on this post.
As has been noted many instances just before, quite a few these nevertheless running Windows XP in their organizations are carrying out so mainly because they've written custom, internal-facing applications which can be dependent on IE 6. Some of these shops also are operating custom-built apps that don't use IE, but which they have not had time/money to rebuild to run on newer versions of Windows.
You will find other folks who say they do not have the money to get new software and hardware. This involves retirees; some government users, noting their organizations and agencies haven't got funds to upgrade; and other people who are just going to help keep running XP machines until they die.
I heard from a single user who mentioned his XP Pc is not connected for the World wide web, so he feels no need to upgrade. I heard from a few folks who stated they may be counting on their firewall and safety software, coupled with typical sense, to protect them once Microsoft stops issuing security patches. And I heard from more than a handful of customers who cited their dislike of Windows eight as a purpose to avoid moving off XP -- in spite of the truth users still can come across PCs running Windows 7.
Microsoft has produced it clear to its reseller partners that one of their greatest priorities in fiscal 2014 must be to have XP users to migrate to a much more current version of Windows. Microsoft recently warned XP users they'd danger becoming inside a "zero day forever" state right after April eight, 2014.
All this said, there won't be any type of global meltdown happening on April 9, 2014. PCs operating XP will not just stop operating or burst into balls of flame. Even so, it is still worth noting, points will likely get worse for XP customers more than time, as ZDNet's Larry Seltzer noted. With no far more safety patches for XP, 1 crucial layer of defense might be weakened. Windows XP users will put far more anxiety on antivirus software and firewalls so long as they continue to stay on the OS.
http://www.windows7prokeys.com/
I believe it was this statement from a Microsoft spokesperson that might have raised some expectations.
"After April eight, 2014, Windows XP users will no longer get new safety updates, non-security hotfixes, absolutely free or paid assisted support solutions, or on line technical content updates from Microsoft. Third parties may give ongoing help, but it?ˉs essential to recognize that support is not going to address fixes and security patches inside the core Windows kernel. If an organization continues to use Windows XP and purchases Custom Support, they are going to obtain critical security updates as new threats are discovered, as well as technical assistance by way of their Premier contract." (Emphasis mine.)
It's worth repeating these patches aren't for everyone, or, in truth, pretty much anybody. To acquire these custom patches, users need to have an active Premier Help agreement, a Microsoft spokesperson reiterated. On major of that, you need to acquire Custom Assistance. The combo is costly. For many, besides these in Fortune 500 providers, who're still operating Windows XP, it is possibly outside the realm of possibility.
In case you had been wondering, this kind of custom assistance selection is not new. Microsoft also created custom patches for XP SP2 readily available to these with Premier Support contracts when SP2 was moved to finish of help (EOS) in 2010.
But back to the sorts of prospects who are holding onto Windows XP in spite of potential new vulnerabilities which may arise immediately after Microsoft stops making all patches -- such as safety patches -- out there just after April 8 , 2014. Who're those inside the 35-plus % group plus operating XP as their desktop OS?
I asked readers lately to clarify why they aren't willing and/or able to get off XP. I heard back from a variety of individuals by means of email, as well as the answers sprinkled through the hundreds of (sadly, mostly off-topic) comments on this post.
As has been noted many instances just before, quite a few these nevertheless running Windows XP in their organizations are carrying out so mainly because they've written custom, internal-facing applications which can be dependent on IE 6. Some of these shops also are operating custom-built apps that don't use IE, but which they have not had time/money to rebuild to run on newer versions of Windows.
You will find other folks who say they do not have the money to get new software and hardware. This involves retirees; some government users, noting their organizations and agencies haven't got funds to upgrade; and other people who are just going to help keep running XP machines until they die.
I heard from a single user who mentioned his XP Pc is not connected for the World wide web, so he feels no need to upgrade. I heard from a few folks who stated they may be counting on their firewall and safety software, coupled with typical sense, to protect them once Microsoft stops issuing security patches. And I heard from more than a handful of customers who cited their dislike of Windows eight as a purpose to avoid moving off XP -- in spite of the truth users still can come across PCs running Windows 7.
Microsoft has produced it clear to its reseller partners that one of their greatest priorities in fiscal 2014 must be to have XP users to migrate to a much more current version of Windows. Microsoft recently warned XP users they'd danger becoming inside a "zero day forever" state right after April eight, 2014.
All this said, there won't be any type of global meltdown happening on April 9, 2014. PCs operating XP will not just stop operating or burst into balls of flame. Even so, it is still worth noting, points will likely get worse for XP customers more than time, as ZDNet's Larry Seltzer noted. With no far more safety patches for XP, 1 crucial layer of defense might be weakened. Windows XP users will put far more anxiety on antivirus software and firewalls so long as they continue to stay on the OS.
http://www.windows7prokeys.com/
2013年8月13日星期二
North Korea 'makes home-grown' Arirang smartphone
North Korea says it has produced its first home-grown smartphone, but
experts have disputed its origins.
The Arirang handset, described as a "hand phone" in state media, was shown to leader Kim Jong-un during a factory tour.
The country has had a mobile network since 2008, but activity is heavily monitored and restricted.
Last year the country launched a tablet, but it later emerged it was likely to have been made in China.
Clues to the tablet's origin were uncovered by Martyn Williams, an expert on North Korean technology, who noted that parts of the tablet's software code suggested links to a manufacturer in Hong Kong.
The Arirang smartphone, named after a popular folk song, was unlikely to have been made in the country, Mr Williams added.
He noted that no actual manufacturing was shown, and that the device was "probably made to order by a Chinese manufacturer and shipped to the May 11 Factory where they are inspected before going on sale".
The leader was accompanied by the Korean Workers' Party propaganda chief and the head of the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a hint that the devices could be used for widespread dissemination of government information.
Illegally owned mobiles
Mr Kim was seen to be demoing the device, which appeared to be running a version of Google's Android mobile operating system.
There are no further details available about the smartphone's exact specifications, but the KNCA reported that the leader praised the "high pixels" of the built-in camera.
The article said Mr Kim had high hopes for the "educational significance in making people love Korean things".
He advised that factory workers should "select and produce shapes and colours that users like".
Mobile phones in the secretive country have been available since 2008. The national network is maintained thanks to a joint operation by the North Korean government and Egyptian telecoms company Orascom.
Phones on the network are heavily restricted. They cannot access the internet and can only make calls within North Korea.
For a short time, foreigners in the country were able to use mobile internet, but this access was later revoked.
It is believed that many in North Korea, particular those near the borders, use illegally owned mobiles to contact people outside the country.
One man, a 28-year-old who left North Korea in November 2010, told aresearch paper: "In order to make sure the mobile phone frequencies are not being tracked, I would fill up a washbasin with water and put the lid of a rice cooker over my head while I made a phone call."
Being found in possession of a foreign phone would be a very serious crime, the paper's authors said.
The Arirang handset, described as a "hand phone" in state media, was shown to leader Kim Jong-un during a factory tour.
The country has had a mobile network since 2008, but activity is heavily monitored and restricted.
Last year the country launched a tablet, but it later emerged it was likely to have been made in China.
Clues to the tablet's origin were uncovered by Martyn Williams, an expert on North Korean technology, who noted that parts of the tablet's software code suggested links to a manufacturer in Hong Kong.
The Arirang smartphone, named after a popular folk song, was unlikely to have been made in the country, Mr Williams added.
He noted that no actual manufacturing was shown, and that the device was "probably made to order by a Chinese manufacturer and shipped to the May 11 Factory where they are inspected before going on sale".
The leader was accompanied by the Korean Workers' Party propaganda chief and the head of the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a hint that the devices could be used for widespread dissemination of government information.
Illegally owned mobiles
Mr Kim was seen to be demoing the device, which appeared to be running a version of Google's Android mobile operating system.
There are no further details available about the smartphone's exact specifications, but the KNCA reported that the leader praised the "high pixels" of the built-in camera.
The article said Mr Kim had high hopes for the "educational significance in making people love Korean things".
He advised that factory workers should "select and produce shapes and colours that users like".
Mobile phones in the secretive country have been available since 2008. The national network is maintained thanks to a joint operation by the North Korean government and Egyptian telecoms company Orascom.
Phones on the network are heavily restricted. They cannot access the internet and can only make calls within North Korea.
For a short time, foreigners in the country were able to use mobile internet, but this access was later revoked.
It is believed that many in North Korea, particular those near the borders, use illegally owned mobiles to contact people outside the country.
One man, a 28-year-old who left North Korea in November 2010, told aresearch paper: "In order to make sure the mobile phone frequencies are not being tracked, I would fill up a washbasin with water and put the lid of a rice cooker over my head while I made a phone call."
Being found in possession of a foreign phone would be a very serious crime, the paper's authors said.
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