Easily fix PC boot problems with Boot Repair Disk
If your PC won’t boot properly then running Startup Repair from the Windows DVD will fix many common problems.
But if you can’t find your disc, or you never had one, or you run Startup Repair and it just doesn’t work, then you should take a look at Boot Repair Disk.
First major update to Windows 10, 'Redstone', reportedly coming next year
Windows 10 -- the forthcoming operating system for desktop, mobile, gaming console, and IoT devices -- will hit the shelves this summer. While there is still some time left for it, according to a new report by Neowin’s Brad Sams, the Redmond-based software giant has already started to work on the "next Windows update". Codenamed "Redstone", it is the first major update to Windows 10 and will be released in 2016, ZDNET’s Mary Jo Foley confirms, citing her sources.
We don’t know what exactly this update will add to the operating system, but one thing is pretty evident: Microsoft is gearing up its update cycle. The company is now providing major updates to its operating system on a yearly basis, while also providing security patches on the second Tuesday of every month.
Ad-free version of YouTube on the way -- for a price
Google is on the verge of launching an ad-free option for YouTube users. An email sent out to 'YouTube Partners' (or content creators) reveals that the company has plans to unveil a paid-for version of the video service that enables viewers to avoid the irritation of ads.
For content creators, YouTube says the plans offer a new way to pull in the cash: "we'll generate a new source of revenue that will supplement your fast growing advertising revenue". While there is yet to be an official public announcement, the news comes just days after Google came in for criticism for showing "unfair and deceptive" ads in its YouTube Kids app.
LG 'Split Screen' software disables UAC
Back in January we wrote about the malware "Easy Disk Drive Repair", and how we first realized that something was wrong when it blatantly turned off UAC on launch.
It seems it isn’t only malware which weakens system security in this way, unfortunately. Blogger Christopher Bachner has reported that LG’s "Split Screen" software (a split screen display manager) appears to do the very same thing.
The Internet of Things will aid criminals and burglars
The billions of interconnected devices, which are expected by 2020, could be an invaluable tool in the hands of ‘offline’ criminals, a new study suggests.
The main reason behind this claim is the fact that these devices are not designed with privacy or data security in mind.
Apple releases iOS 8.3, OS X 10.10.3 Yosemite -- here's what's new
Apple today released the third round of major updates for iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 Yosemite. As expected, there are lots and lots of bug fixes in iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3 Yosemite, as well as new features, performance improvements and many other changes.
With regards to performance, iOS 8.3 claims to improve app launch times, responsiveness, messages, Wi-Fi, Control Center, tabs in Safari, and keyboards -- both built-in and third-party. OS X 10.10.3 Yosemite, on the other hand, touts improved Wi-Fi performance. As seen in beta builds, iOS 8.3 also features a refreshed Emoji keyboard with more than 300 new characters, and OS X 10.10.3 Yosemite adds the much-awaited Photos app.
Facebook Messenger breaks away into a brand new dedicated website
Today Facebook launches a new standalone website for its Messenger service. The separate interface means that it is now possible to chat with your Facebook contacts without having to visit the main Facebook website where you might run the risk of whiling away too much time reading through your timeline as well.
On mobile devices, Facebook has moved users to a dedicated Messenger app rather than allowing them to chat within the main app. By bringing the web-based version of the social network's chat tool in line with the iOS, Windows Phone and Android versions, Facebook has made chatting a distinct feature that can now be conducted completely separately in its own tab.
Google needs to streamline its TV product line
Initially, Google’s new Chromebit add-on appears hugely impressive. The HDMI dongle simply plugs into the back of your TV and provides you with a fully-fledged Chrome OS computer for less than $100.
However, when you line up Chromebit next to the search engine giant’s other products, it looks like another piece in an increasingly confused jigsaw puzzle. Google’s product line-up includes Android TV, Chromecast, the Nexus Player and now Chromebit.
To store or not to store, that is the cloud question
Eighty feet below street level, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York holds one the world’s most secure vaults. With a comprehensive multichannel security system, tons of steel, concrete and a 24-hour monitoring service, the gold housed within is virtually theft-proof.
With such stringent security measures, it would be foolish to store items less precious than gold inside. However, when it comes to storing personal items on the cloud, 'precious' is a highly subjective notion. Although the items stored within a safe and on the cloud are often similar, there is no universal code for what users should be storing and digitally encrypting. What’s important to one user may not be so important to the next, and, with such unpredictable tendencies, cloud storage providers should allow users to decide what needs the most protection.
Space Combat is a fun TIE FIGHTER-style space game
Hobbyist programmers have been producing their own games since the very first computers appeared, but the professional products are now so hugely impressive that it’s almost impossible for a single developer to compete.
Still, if you can live without photo-realistic graphics and a soundtrack by Hans Zimmer then there are still plenty of smaller projects worth exploring, and Space Combat is a great place to start.
New aluminum-ion battery can be fully charged in a minute
A new fast charging battery tech could mean the end of inconvenient waits when it comes to juicing smartphones up.
It’s always a major pain when you realize you forgot to charge your handset, and haven’t much time before you leave the house -- meaning you will likely run out of battery well before the day is out. And while there are quick-charge technologies out there, the new battery -- an aluminum-ion affair rather than lithium-ion power pack -- can be charged in just a minute flat, as opposed to a matter of hours.
HDMI Forum releases finalized 2.0a specification
Video connections are constantly changing, which can be frustrating for consumers. While some will interpret it as a money grab, the evolution is necessary to push boundaries. One of the most significant changes was the move to digital, with HDMI ultimately becoming a huge success.
With DisplayPort starting to grow in popularity, the HDMI Forum is still looking forward and constantly improving the standard. Today, the HDMI Forum releases the finalized 2.0a specification.
Intel's RealSense 3D camera could be in your next smartphone
Intel has managed to shrink its depth-sensitive RealSense 3D Camera to the extent that it could be used in the next generation of cell phones. This is about more than just 3D photography, this is about taking photographs and changing the focus afterwards, as well as bringing Kinect-like gesture support to mobile devices.
Talking at an event in Shenzhen, China, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich demonstrated a much smaller version of its existing technology. So far we have only seen the RealSense 3D camera in laptops such as the Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro, but the miniaturization means that it could be a feature of your next phone or tablet.
Logitech brings Keys-To-Go Ultra-Portable Keyboard to Android and Windows
Typing on a glass screen is OK for Twitter and short text messages, but if you want to write longer pieces, a physical keyboard is ideal. Not only does it offer a more comfortable experience, but potentially more accurate too.
Unfortunately, many keyboards for tablets and phones are clunky affairs, leading to a poor overall experience. Logitech is known for its great mobile keyboards, so when its svelte Keys-To-Go was released, I was excited, but also dismayed as it was an iOS focused product. While I do use an iPad, I use Android and Windows far more often. Today, the company brings the awesome typing solution to Android and Windows too.
Microsoft announces OTA TV Tuner for Xbox One-owning cord-cutters
These days Xbox is about much more than just gaming and it's a platform that is increasingly appealing to cord-cutters. Microsoft and its partners have gradually increased the number and variety of apps that are available for a diverse viewing experience, but now things have taken a new twist. If the likes of Netflix and HBO are not enough, there's now an over-the-air TV tuner available.
Live TV is something that Xbox One users have been asking for for some time, and Microsoft has teamed up with Hauppauge to come up with the goods. Anyone who is a member of the Xbox One Preview is able to buy the Hauppauge WinTV-955Q and gain access to a wealth of free networks such as NBC and CBS.
© 1998-2026 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.