Sharp makes 15.6-inch Windows 8.1 tablet

This 15.6-inch tablet from Japan-based Sharp promises to be a feast for the eyes.

Sharp's new RW-16G1 tablet also boasts of a laptop-grade Intel Core i5 processor, runs Microsoft's Windows 8.1 and can go up to nine hours on one charge, tech site CNET reported.

"The 2.7-pound, 0.5-inch thick Sharp RW-16G also packs 4GB of RAM, 128GB solid-state drive, a Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, and Windows 8.1 Pro," CNET's Brooke Crothers said.



Also, he said Sharp's tablet uses the IGZO display tech, which allows thinner, lower-cost displays.

The tablet will be sold starting in March, though Sharp did not immediately name a price.

Crothers said Sharp's latest offering - with a 3,200x1,800 (WQHD) display - could be the latest in a series of big tablets offered by other manufacturers.

He noted Samsung announced a 12.2-inch tablet at the Consumer Electronics Show, while Apple is reportedly working on a 13-inch class tablet. — KDM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Twitter working to make reporting abusive tweets easier

Micro-blogging service Twitter is working on a feature that will make it easier to report abusive tweets such as threats of harm or rape, a tech site reported over the weekend.

A report on CNET said the move, which seeks to simplify the procedure on various platforms, comes amid outrage over tweets that contain threats of rape.

"We're testing ways to simplify reporting, e.g. within a Tweet by using the 'Report Tweet' button in our iPhone app and on mobile Web," it quoted Twitter UK general manager Tony Wang as saying.

CNET also quoted a Twitter representative as saying the ability to report individual tweets for abuse is available on Twitter for iPhone, "and we plan to bring this functionality to other platforms, including Android and the Web."

Outcry
CNET said Twitter's moves may have stemmed from outrage over rape threats received by freelance journalist and feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez.

The abusive tweets reportedly came after she helped campaign to have novelist Jane Austen honored on England's 10-pound banknote in 2017.

Many scored Twitter's current requirement for users to search for details on how to report someone for abuse.

They called for a feature that should be available on each user's page.

CNET said Criado-Perez was pleased by Wang's tweets.

"I'm glad that they're looking into simplifying the report process. This is absolutely paramount. When you're under a sustained attack like I have been for the past 48 hours or so, you simply can't be expected to fill out forms, find the link for each tweet, and explain what is wrong with it. It needs to be a one-click automated process. Under the current system it would take me about a week to report the abuse," she said.

On the other hand, Twitter's representative said the site has rules people agree to when they sign up to use Twitter.

"We will suspend accounts that once reported to us, are found to be in breach of our rules," the representative said. — LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Apple releases 3rd beta of iOS 7 to developers

Apple Inc. has released to developers the third beta of its upcoming iOS operating system for mobile devices such as the iPhone and iPad.

The latest beta includes performance improvements and fixes for problems including issues with Messages, iCloud and AirPlay apps, tech site CNET reported.

“The user interface received a few tweaks as well, including more transparent folders, redesigned music controls, and the calendar now shows which days you have events on. The update also brought with it enhancements to FaceTime and a better Siri voice,” CNET said.

It said the latest beta came two weeks after the second beta of iOS 7.

CNET also said it is “standard practice” for Apple to release several beta versions of software before it rolls it out to the public.

Apple had four beta versions for iOS 6, it noted.

“So we can expect at least one more beta to arrive for iOS 7,” CNET said. — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Taking photos with a wink? There's a Google Glass app for that

Taking photos may soon be as simple as just winking, once this prospective app for Google's Glass platform makes it out of the laboratory.

Winky, code being formulated by developer Mike DiGiovanni, can do away with voice commands or tapping on the touchscreen to take a photo, tech site CNET reported.


"The current Google Glass Explorer Edition is geared toward developers, so DiGiovanni figures that most of them will know how to do this," CNET said.


DiGiovanni's code uses a wink option spotted recently by Reddit user fodawim Google Glass' MyGlass companion.

Google Glass is the search giant's newest attempt at wearable computing, integrating a camera, a computer and a heads-up display into an eyepiece.

But Winky isn't coming out as a polished app anytime soon - it's still pure Android source code and needs to be compiled and run as an APK (application package file).

"Google Glass owners can download the source code through DiGiovanni's GitHub site. After creating and running the APK, Glass users need only calibrate and then activate Winky to start winking away," CNET said. — TJD, GMA News

VIDEO

source: gmanetwork.com

Dropbox users get spammed, past hack eyed

Users of cloud storage service Dropbox are complaining of getting spam or unsolicited email, a tech site reported on Friday.

A report on CNET said Dropbox is not discounting the possibility the spam could be related to a hack attack last year.

"We've been looking into these spam reports and take them seriously. Back in July we reported that certain user email addresses had leaked and some users had received spam as a result. At this time, we have not seen anything to suggest this is a new issue, but remain vigilant given the recent wave of security incidents at other tech companies," CNET quoted a Dropbox representative as saying.

 

 

The Dropbox spokesperson added it has "taken these reports seriously and began our investigation immediately."

CNET noted hackers had accessed the system last July. Several Dropbox users received spam e-mails about online casinos and gambling sites.

It cited posts by users on the Dropbox forum as saying they were getting spam in e-mail accounts used only for Dropbox.

Since last year's attack, Dropbox has implemented additional security controls to avoid a repeat occurrence.

The security controls included two-factor authentication, mechanisms to identify suspicious activity, and password changes, CNET said.

"The company appears to be continuing with its investigation into the issue and will most likely figure out what's happening within the next few days," it added. — TJD, GMA News

 

source: gmanetwork.com