Office for iPad now lets you print documents
Microsoft vowed that Office for iPad users wouldn’t always have to track down a PC just to print their files, and it’s making good on that promise with a slew of app updates. The tablet-sized versions of Excel, PowerPoint and Word now let you make hard copies of documents so long as you have an AirPrint-friendly printer on hand. The move tackles one of the biggest gripes we had with Office when it launched last month; it’s at last possible to skip the computer entirely when producing that class report or family budget.
Printing isn’t the only upgrade in store. Excel now has auto-resizing for columns and rows, while PowerPoint gets Keynote-style guides that help align all the graphics just so for your big presentation. All told, these refinements are huge if the iPad is your productivity center — head over to the App Store source link to start updating.
Filed under: Tablets, Software, Microsoft
Source: Office iPad Blog, App Store
Spotify update rolling out that brings new Dark UI and new Features
One of my personal pet peeves, and one that I know plagues many of you, is the constant barrage of white, or light, backgrounds and app UI’s. It is one reason that Team Black Out is such a great themer group as they take those apks and black them out for us all when the app doesn’t give us the option. They always work in free apps and keep their nose clean. It would appear that Spotify is finally jumping on the bandwagon and offering up a dark UI overhaul for the Android app. The update also brings in new fonts, icons and a few tweaked features.
Interestingly enough this news was pushed out back on April 2nd, but was limited to laptops, PC’s and iOS. Now the update is finally making its way to Android users. We will take it none the less. The new darker UI is pretty slick looking. Mixed in with that you will also find a new Your Music section that is aimed at helping you better save, organize and browse all your favorite tunes. To round off the update Spotify is also improving their Browse feature for a better experience in finding exactly what you are really looking for.
Spotify says the update is rolling out now and will complete over the next few weeks. We assume that means they are using the stage roll out option to push the update out to users. The Play Store lists the app for April 29th so we expect it to go out slowly to users to keep tabs on issues.
Source: Spotify via AndroidPolice
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LastPass updates with support for Galaxy S5 fingerprint Authentication
LastPass is an all in one password managing app that securely syncs all your passwords across all your browsers and devices. I am sure many of you out there have so many accounts set up with so many login details and passwords that you might already have this installed to help you get trough your day. If not, you might want to give it a whirl when you have chance. Especially if you are a Galaxy S5 owner. Today LastPass has announced a new update to the app. They partnered with Samsung to help bring the security of the app to the next level with fingerprint authentication.
To put it simply, you can set the app to open only with a successful scan of your fingerprint. It really kicks up the access to the app, and therefore all your passwords, a bit more secure.
The update is out now for users to utilize at their leisure. If you have never used LastPass you get a 14 day free trial to play about and see if it is something you can use in your life for that added bit of security. Once the 14 days expires you will be required to pay $12 a year for the service. That is just $1 a month, not a bad price really.
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What you need to know to keep the Feds out of your phone
If you’re arrested for overdue speeding tickets, is it acceptable for the police to search the phone on your person? How about if you’re arrested for drug trafficking? In the eyes of the law, there is no difference: If you’re arrested, you’re arrested, whatever the crime. Isn’t that an invasion of privacy? That depends on your interpretation of the US Constitution’s Fourth Amendment, which states:
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
That’s why two cases being heard at the United States Supreme Court today are of such importance. Both cases hinge on whether police are legally allowed to search the contents of mobile phones confiscated from arrestees, and the decisions leveled by the Supreme Court will impact every citizen in the United States.
WHAT IS IT?
Across two hours this morning, the Supreme Court will hear the cases of David Riley and Brima Wurie. In the case of Riley (Riley v. California), a smartphone is at the heart of the battle. Wurie’s case, United States v. Brima Wurie, involves a flip phone (or “dumb” phone, if you’d prefer).
Currently, police are able to search the person of an arrested individual: pockets, socks, etc. The frisking you’ve see on TV? Yeah, those. It’s called the “search incident to lawful arrest” doctrine. “The area into which he might reach,” is the specific phrase used to allow this warrantless search, with the intention of preventing suspects from either reaching a weapon or destroying/hiding evidence. Pretty simple! “Make sure the arrested person doesn’t have a secret weapon and/or doesn’t destroy the evidence” is a solid argument for police to enact said search.
In today’s hearings, information obtained from the cellphones of arrested individuals is at the heart of the matter. To search a cellphone, the law states that authorities must first obtain a search warrant. In both of today’s cases, the US government is arguing in favor of authorities being allowed to search arrestees phones without a warrant.
The rulings of the two cases — however they’re decided — will be comprehensive in the context of available phone technology. The rulings will not cover wearables, watches, or any other form of personal electronics that’s used for communication.
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
You’ve probably put it together already, but you should care because modern phones are more than just phones. They contain banking and medical information, location tracking, access to email, and tons of other info otherwise physically incapable of being kept on your person.
In so many words: we’ve got little computers in our pockets and most of us allow those computers access to a mess of personal information. If authorities want to access your computer, it requires a warrant. Should the US government’s stance be upheld in these cases, the computer in your pocket could be searched without such a warrant.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
There are big picture questions of personal freedoms at play here, as well as the rights of the arrested:
- Are smart phones considered phones or computers by the US legal system? Aren’t they both?
- If you’re arrested and your phone is password-locked, are you obligated to release the password?
- Doesn’t the fourth amendment specifically protect the kind of information that US citizens keep on smart phones?
WHAT’S THE ARGUMENT?
In Riley’s case, he was convicted in California — based on evidence obtained from his smart phone — and the decision was upheld based on the aforementioned “search incident to lawful arrest” doctrine. In Wurie’s case, his case was overturned by the US First District Court of Appeals, which argued police aren’t legally allowed to search an arrestee’s phone without a warrant.
That disparity in interpretation is the focal point of today’s two cases.
WANT EVEN MORE?
We sure hope you do, because this one’s dense and there’s plenty of legal minutia to dig through (if you’re into that kinda thing). First up, the SCOTUS Blog has a great, lengthy recap of both trials and an argument preview right here. The New York Times also has a piece breaking down more of the case, such as the impact of signal-blocking Faraday bags on the technical arguments.
Should the police be able to search a person’s phone without a warrant?
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Source: United Stats v Wurie, Riley v California
Firefox gets a big redesign that’s all about customization
Firefox has had a tough time standing out among browsers — Chrome gives you Google’s ecosystem, while both Internet Explorer and Safari have the luxury of being system defaults. Why would you choose Mozilla’s software over the others? As of today, customization may be the answer. The organization has just released the finished version of Firefox 29, a major overhaul that makes personalization easy on the desktop. Its new customization mode lets you put any feature or service in the toolbar or menu bar; if you just have to keep a Pinterest add-on available at all times, you can make it happen. It’s quicker to customize your bookmarks, too.
The redesign minimizes clutter beyond just the new menu bar, with an overall slimmer design that hides tabs you’re not using. Syncing between devices is also simpler — whether you’re using the browser on the desktop or an Android device, you now just have to sign in to get your open tabs, bookmarks and login details from other devices you use. There’s no certainty that the Firefox makeover will tempt you away from competing web clients, but it may be time for another look if you haven’t checked out Mozilla’s work in a while.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Mozilla, Google Play
Facebook Messenger now lets you share videos and photos in an instant
Just weeks after notifying its users that Messenger will be a standalone app, Facebook has updated it with a slew of new options that makes it a whole lot faster to send a media file. Now when you start a message with someone, you’ll see an array of options underneath the text entry field that’ll allow you to snap a photo, select an image or video from your camera roll, choose a sticker, or record a voice message to include in your conversation. You can view that video and listen to the recording within the app as well.
But here’s the catch — almost anything that you choose will be sent instantly with no chance for you to preview it beforehand. For example, snapping a photo will send that pic immediately, as will recording a voice message or picking a sticker. This is pretty counterintuitive to most messaging apps — even Snapchat lets you preview a pic before transmitting it. In our few minutes testing the app, we’ve already accidentally sent selfies and voice recordings to people without realizing it. The one exception seems to be when choosing a photo or video from your phone’s Camera Roll, where it’ll at least prompt you to press and hold the image to preview it. We can foresee this being a problem, at least initially, as users get acquainted with how the new Messenger app works.
Other features of the new Messenger include improved search and the ability to download a sticker pack by pressing and holding a sticker someone sent you. Right now Facebook Messenger 5.0 is only available for iOS, but the update should be rolling out to Android this week as well.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Apple, Facebook
Source: Facebook Messenger (iTunes)
KitKat update heading out to Verizon Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition
Owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, the 2014 edition, on the Verizon network are in for an update to their tablet. Verizon has announced that Android 4.4 KitKat is headed to consumers in a typical staged roll out fashion starting today. The update brings in software version KOT49H.P605VVRUCNC2. Along with the bump in Android OS versions, you will also see the following:
UPGRADE THE OS TO ANDROID 4.4 (KIT KAT)
• Immersive Mode automatically provides full screen viewing
• Faster multi-tasking
• Print services for HP ePrint, Google Cloud Print and
other printers in the Google Play Store
• Multi-User Mode allows you to create user accounts and permissions
for others to set up and customize their apps, wallpaper and so on
KEY DEVICE ENHANCEMENTS
• Delay in opening S-Note file from Home screen widget fixed
• Tab bar in portrait mode flicker issue in Google Chrome fixed
• Fixed Google Account sign in error during Setup Wizard
• Fixed access limit for enforcing PIN or Pattern attempts when
unlocking the tablet
• Fixed issue where decryption password failure did not erase SD card
Like all staged roll outs, you may or may not see the update hit your device right away. you can head into the settings > about device > software update > check for new software update to see if it is there waiting for you right now. Before you do that though, make sure you have some time to kill on a solid Wi-Fi connection and over 50% battery life. nothing is worse than seeing the update but not being able to do anything about it right now.
Via Verizon G+ Page
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Sprint’s LG G Flex starting to receive KitKat update Today
Following a few short weeks behind AT&T, the Sprint LG G Flex is starting to see their dose of KitKat goodness. The update carries a version number of LS995ZV6 and is going out in the typical staged roll out that begins today and is supposed to finish by May 7th.
Sprint’s update about the software is pretty bleak. They simple say:
Enhancements/Fixes
– OS upgrade to Android 4.4 (Kit Kat)
That is it. We expect some similar changes to the Sprint version that the AT&T version received though, like an updated user interface, improved battery efficiency, faster processing speed printing in the cloud and the Knock Code. That could be wrong though. Anyone with a Sprint branded LG G Flex see the update yet and want to confirm some of those things?
Source: Sprint Via AndroidPolice
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Skype now offers free group video calls on desktop and Xbox One
In order to compete with Google Hangouts, Skype has made group video calls free on the desktop and Xbox One consoles. Previously, the multi-pal chats were available via a premium subscription on the aforementioned platforms, but it’s now accessible at no extra cost. And Microsoft’s video-chatting service says its going to be free on more platforms “in the near future.” Now that those visual conversations won’t mean a hit to your wallet every month, Skype could be an attractive alternative to Mountain View’s offering.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Xbox Entertainment Studios has at least 12 projects in production, committed to half
There’s a lot to know about Microsoft’s push into original programming with Xbox Entertainment Studios. Why now? Why carry Xbox branding? Will XES content only run in certain regions? Is it free to all Xbox Live members, or only Xbox Live Gold? Will XES content also head to other digital video services, like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant and elsewhere? What about other Microsoft platforms, like Windows Phone and Windows 8? How will interactivity with the content work?
Much of that information is still up in the air, according to XES president Nancy Tellem (former president of CBS Television Studios, among other accolades) and executive producer Jordan Levin. The duo walked us through Xbox Entertainment Studios’ first projects last week, and left us with more questions than answers.
Here’s the high level: there are at least 12 projects in the works, and Microsoft’s only “committed” to half (full list below the break). That means that six are paid for and in production, while the other six are in various stages of creation and may never make it to our eyeballs. The first, a multi-camera, multi-stage, interactive version of Bonnaroo, premieres this June.
The six committed projects include announced works, like Steven Spielberg’s Halo project and the E.T. documentary, as well as new stuff like a Ridley Scott-produced Halo “digital feature” (due later this year, alongside the launch of a still-unannounced Halo game we’re betting) and a co-production with the UK’s Channel 4 of Humans (an adaptation of Swedish show “Real Humans“). There’s also Every Street United, a documentary TV series about street soccer (aimed at South American and European Xbox owners), and the aforementioned Bonnaroo experience.
But where will you watch these shows? For now, the only option is on an Xbox 360 or Xbox One, but support for other Microsoft platforms is in the works. How about competing services, like Amazon Instant Video or Netflix? Never say never, but there aren’t any plans to distribute XES content outside of Microsoft platforms just yet (either individually or in an XES app of some sort). Both Tellem and Levin repeatedly spoke to the 84 million strong worldwide Xbox userbase (the collective number of Xbox 360s and Ones sold), though they recognized that only about half of that group pays for Xbox Live Gold membership.
it’s still unclear which content will be free to all Xbox owners versus what’s locked behind the Xbox Live Gold paywall. The only certainty right now is that all Xbox Live Gold members will get all Xbox Entertainment Studios content for free (er, included in the $60 annual membership).
Tellem said that the content is being aimed at “millenials” (18-35 year-olds) especially the male portion of that group. That’s reflected in the selection of projects: two Halo-based shows, sports, and sci-fi. There was also a smattering of game universes mentioned: Halo, Fable, Gears of War, State of Decay, Age of Empires, and Forza Motorsport. The project list diversifies somewhat when looking beyond the six committed works.
Optioned or Given a Pilot:
- Deadlands: Xbox Entertainment Studios has committed to a script based on the successful pen-and-paper role playing game created by Shane Lacy Hensley. “Deadlands” is a genre-bending alternative history of the Weird West, filled with undead gunfighters, card-slinging sorcerers, mad scientists, secret societies, and fearsome abominations.
- Extraordinary Believers: Xbox Entertainment Studios is developing an innovative, hybrid stop-motion show dubbed “Extraordinary Believers” (working title) with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, creators of the Emmy-Award winning “Robot Chicken,” the longest running stop-motion show on television. The executive producers on the project are Seth Green, Matt Senreich, and creators/writers/executive producers are Eric Towner and John Harvatine IV.
- Fearless: “Fearless,” (working title) is an unscripted series currently in pilot production starring Paul de Gelder, an Australian Navy bomb clearance diver and shark attack survivor who takes on an adrenaline-fueled quest to aid individuals who risk their lives to make the world a better place. “Fearless” will be produced by Australia’s International Emmy-Award winning production company, Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder (CJZ).
- Gun Machine: Xbox Entertainment Studios acquired the rights to “Gun Machine,” a hardboiled detective thriller based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Warren Ellis. Ellis will executive produce with Brett Conrad (“The Killing,” “Sons of Anarchy,” Netflix’s upcoming “Marco Polo”) who has signed on to write the pilot script about a detective tracking a serial killer who is tied to a mysterious collection of guns used in infamous New York murders.
- Untitled JASH Comedy/Variety Half Hour: In this unique comedy format developed by Xbox Entertainment Studios with JASH (a comedy collective founded by Sarah Silverman, Michael Cera, Tim and Eric and Reggie Watts), the biggest names in comedy will showcase the people that make them laugh. Each week, a different comedian will host/curate a show featuring new and unsung talent, in various video formats. Sarah Silverman will host the pilot episode and Daniel Kellison (“Late Night/Late Show with David Letterman,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Crank Yankers”) will executive produce. The series has a pilot commitment and will begin shooting in June.
- Winterworld: Xbox Entertainment Studios and IDW Entertainment are co-developing a limited event live-action series based on Chuck Dixon and artist Jorge Zaffino’s seminal graphic novel series “Winterworld,” in which our world has been encased in ice from pole-to-pole. The surviving humans have formed tribes that war, enslave and trade with one another in an effort to survive the infinite winter. Ted Adams and David Ozer from IDW Entertainment, and Rick Jacobs and Dave Alpert from Circle of Confusion (“Walking Dead”) will executive produce.
As for interactivity, it varies dramatically from project to project. In the case of Bonnaroo, users can jump between stages, different camera views, and even head backstage to participate in a Q&A with the musicians performing at the show. Tellem said that interactivity isn’t her priority with XES content, but that it’s actually entertaining. Functionality will also vary depending on the system you’re using — as every Xbox One comes with Kinect, there are opportunities there that may not exist on the aging Xbox 360.
It’s early days for Xbox Entertainment Studios, as you can tell by the previous 900 words explaining how little about the group and its projects is set in stone. Microsoft certainly has the resources and leadership pedigree to make XES a serious contender with the likes of Amazon and Netflix, but whether it has the execution and content to contend remains to be seen.
AIVAnet 