News…Reviews…all about tech!

AshMan says…

At the Mobile World Congress Microsoft revealed the much anticipated latest release of Windows Phone/Mobile (whatever you want to call it). This particular version has been considered long over due by many users. Windows Phone 7 had also been delayed numerous times, and also the original version of WP7 was scrapped completely and a rework was created.

The new OS is a completely different approach to any other phone operating system including older versions of Windows Mobile. WP7 moves to a tile based menu/group of icons which can be customised by the user with contacts or applications.

From the various demo’s which have been uploaded to the internet shows WP7 to be a very responsive and pleasant experience. This is helped by the applications like the contacts application to be loaded like a panoramic image which the user creates gestures to move across the menu.

A big announcement for the OS was the integration of the Xbox Live service and the ability to have your avatar and gamerscore available on your device. At the event they also mentioned the ability to play online with users around the world on other WP7 devices, PC’s and Xbox 360’s, which means that it will be interesting how the experience will be for all users across the platforms.

Microsoft is also taking a stronger position on the hardware which its partners are producing, by creating a list of requirements which each device must have including for touch based devices a large capacitive screen, minimum 5 mega-pixel camera with LED flash and three dedicated hardware buttons (back, home and Bing search). This means a more consistent user experience across all devices available.

With all of this announced Windows Phone 7 Series is looking to be a very strong competitor in the mobile arena, and be sure to look out for more info at Mix2010 coming soon.

AshMan says…

Apple has confirmed the much anticipated event on January 27 2010 by sending invitations to select media.

It has been rumored for a very long time that Apple will reveal a tablet device named “iSlate”.  The invitation gives no hint of the product however except for the tag line “come and see our latest creation”.

Stay tuned for more information!

AshMan says…

A little while ago I posted some leaked screen shots from Halo Reach, which promised a even better graphics, and a new story set before the original trilogy. A new trailer is now available.

Halo is one of those video games which has reach legendary status and raises the bar every time a game is released. Halo is known for how fantastic it looks graphically, the story which not only is fantastic but makes you want to look deeper into the universe and the multiplayer.

A World Premiere trailer has been released and gives a brief look into the new set of characters which you will possibly be playing in the game.

Linked below is the trailer in HD, so feel free to sit back and watch this fantastic trailer.

The BETA for Halo Reach Multiplayer also goes live next year, to be apart of that you need a copy of Halo 3:ODST so if you don’t have it grab a copy from below!

AshMan says…

The web page for the Office 2010 Beta has gone live and is showing three different versions which will be available for test.

Office 2010 Beta Page

Home and Business is one of the versions available and probably will be the most popular of the downloads, and it includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote,Outlook, and Office Web Apps.

Professional is the next version available offering Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, Publisher and Office Web Apps.

The final version which is available of the three is Professional Plus which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook with Business Contact Manager, Access, Publisher, Infopath, Communicator, SharePoint Workspace, and Office Web Apps and it mentions that it is only available to Volume License Customers.

All three are expected to be offered in both 32 and 64 bit, and if you  are a MSDN or TechNet subscriber you can already get access to the download from your normal download area. I am downloading my copy and will report back with a review shortly.

AshMan says…

Not too long ago a hacker from the Netherlands found a simple exloitation that allowed him to take control and read the files of jailbroken iPhones.

The hacker didn’t do any permanent damage to the devices he accessed, he demanded for money to restore and give control back to the owner. He then gave up the hacking spree and informed the community on how to block the exploits.

This was only just the beginning of what is seeming to be a string of problems for jailbroken iPhones. Australian users have become the recipient of the first iPhone virus according to Mashable.

iPhone's first Virus spreading through Australian and Japanese jailbroken phones.

The virus is called ikee, and like before is non-destructive but changes the background of the device to an image of Rick Astley.

This virus has spread in the same manner, by exploiting unsecured SSH access. iPhones share the same root password for SSH access as part of Apple’s factory settings.

However if you are the owner of a locked handset, Apple switched off SSH access as a default setting, and users of jailbroken iPhones are urged to turn SSH off when not in use, or to simply change the root and mobile passwords.

This new virus has only attacked so for a range of IP addresses in Australia, though there is word that it is filtering through a number of Japanese iPhones.