Apple Sapphire Partner Accuses Apple of Bait-and-Switch

TECH NEWS:

Wall Street Journal
Apple Accused of 'Bait and Switch'
Wall Street Journal
Apple sapphire partner GT Advanced accuses the iPhone maker of a “bait-and-switch” strategy. Above, the new Apple Watch, which is expected to use ...In a motion seeking to keep Mr. Squiller’s declaration under seal, Apple said the filing was intended to “vilify Apple and portray Apple as a coercive bully.” Apple said Mr. Squiller’s statements were untrue and defamatory...

New York Times
Microsoft, Changing Tack, Makes Office Suite Free on Mobile
New York Times
SEATTLE — Few golden geese in technology have survived as long as Office ...Microsoft's Band contains a display that shows text messages from a cellphone,Facebook alerts and ... A version of Microsoft Excel for the iPad. ... And the company's about-face comes after rivals like Apple and Google and ...
Microsoft Office Offers Free Content Creation And Editing For iOS And Android Apps - Forbes
Microsoft Office gives away apps for iPhone, iPad - CBS News
Microsoft Word mobile app shoots to tops of Apple's charts - CNET


The Fuse Joplin
Apple Pay Vs. Google Wallet: A Digital Wallet Guide
Hartford Courant
What's in your digital wallet, Apple Pay or Google Wallet? ... code readers instead of NFC chip technology favored by Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

CNET
First Microsoft Lumia phone to be revealed next week
CNET
"Microsoft is delivering the power of everyday mobile technology to ... In comparison,Google's Android OS runs on nearly 85 percent of mobile devices ...

TechCrunch (blog)
Unfollow Your Most Annoying Facebook Friends And Pages With “News Feed Settings”
TechCrunch (blog)
Face it. You've accepted friend requests from some weirdos and over-sharers. Luckily, today Facebook's launched a News Feed Settings tool that ...

MIT Technology Review
Google Wants to Store Your Genome
MIT Technology Review
“The opportunity is how to apply breakthroughs in data technology to help with this transition.” ... “Google or Amazon is a back end. They are saying ...

Mashable
Amazon Echo is another step toward commoditizing your personal life
Mashable
The 4-minute video introducing Amazon's Echo seems at first like a parody or a glimpse into some dystopian vision of the near-future. The premise: A ...

more technology news below ( @ web version--link below)
Follow @expricom

Tech News, Orbital Sciences Rocket, Catastrophic Anomaly Video

An unmanned Orbital Sciences Corp. rocket burst into an orange fireball on Tuesday above NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s eastern shore. Orbital is leading an investigation into the cause of what NASA described as a “catastrophic anomaly.” (Oct. 29 Bloomberg)

TECH NEWS:

New York Times
FCC Considering Hybrid Regulatory Approach to Net Neutrality
New York Times
The future of protecting an open Internet has been the subject of fierce debate, and potential changes to the rules by the Federal Communications Commission could impact your online experience....


PCWorld
Michael Bastian Creates a Smartwatch That Looks Like a Watch
Wall Street Journal
High-tech meets high-style in the MB Chronowing from Michael Bastian and Hewlett-Packard. MB Chronowing Smartwatch. A look at the MB Chronowing, a smartwatch designed by Michael Bastian and Hewlett-Packard. fullscreen. <strong>FUTURE ...


Wall Street Journal
Amazon is largely white and male, according to company diversity data
Washington Post
Amazon.com on Friday released a report on its employee diversity that shows its workforce is mostly white and male, a finding that mirrors similar disclosures by high-tech companies such as Google and Facebook. Amazon said its total workforce is 63 percent ...


Forbes
This Man's Betting On The Technology Behind Apple Pay - And Even He Says...
Forbes
When Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled Apple Pay in September, he predicted that it would “forever change the way all of us buy things.” As I wrote in a recent post, while he ultimately might be proven right, Apple's mobile wallet is likely to take years to catch on ...


Christian Science Monitor
Microsoft to release a new version of Office for Macs
Christian Science Monitor
Microsoft promises to release a new version of its Office software for Apple computers next year. There hasn't been an update since 2010. By Associated Press October 31, 2014. close. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks during a Microsoft cloud briefing ...


Android Headlines - Android News
Phone Comparisons: Motorola Droid Turbo vs. Moto X (2014)
Android Headlines - Android News
Motorola has really been busy this year releasing new flagships – a new Moto X, a new Nexus 6 for Google and now a new Motorola Droid Turbo for Verizon. Each device is unmistakably a product of Motorola, yet each one different in its own way. The Droid ...


CBS News
HP's Sprout is like no computer you've ever seen
CBS News
It has a touchscreen all-in-one monitor running Windows 8, but that's about where the familiar part of the new Sprout by HP ends. Where your keyboard should go, HP has placed a capacitive touch mat. Arching up and over the 23-inch HD screen is the Sprout ...


New York Times
Andy Rubin, Former Leader of Android Division, Leaves Google
eWeek
Andy Rubin, who was the chief developer of Google's Android mobile operating system, and who most recently headed the search giant's robotics and drone programs, is leaving the company. By Jim O'Reilly. Andy Rubin, who led the Android division of ...


Detroit Free Press
Ferrari fined $3.5M for failing to report safety issues
The Hill
Ferrari was hit with a $3.5 million fine Friday for not warning federal regulators of potential safety issues with its sports cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Ferrari's parent company, Fiat, failed to file early warning reports with ...


Computerworld
Hands on: Getting to know Google's new Nexus 6
Computerworld
The Nexus 6 is big, beautiful, and full of sweet Android Lollipop flavor. Here's an early hands-on look at Google's new flagship phone. Computerworld | Oct 31, 2014 10:15 AM PT. Google · Nexus · Motorola ...

more technology news below ( @ web version--link below)

Follow @expricom

Alibaba IPO Friday, Biggest IPO in History, Investor Risks (video)

Alibaba IPO: Are the Risks Too Big to Ignore?

Regulators haven’t done enough to protect investors from a risky corporate structure Chinese companies including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd are using to go public, U.S. Senator Robert Casey, said in a letter to the SEC. Bloomberg's Leslie Picker and Mia Saini have more on "Street Smart." (Source: Bloomberg-Sept17)

Reuters
Alibaba's top brass can't lose, even if shareholders suffer
Fortune
If you're thinking about buying Alibaba shares once they start trading on September 19, keep this warning in mind: The management of the Chinese ...
Alibaba's Billion-Dollar Winners: Who's Selling In The Biggest IPO Ever - Forbes
5 Winners and 5 Losers of the Alibaba IPO - TIME
What time is the Alibaba IPO? - Fortune


NBCNews.com
Yahoo's Stock Rises Even More As Alibaba Revises Its Offering Price
Forbes
In anticipation of the Alibaba IPO, Yahoo stock has risen over 20% in the past month or so. Given the strong reception to the roadshow, Alibaba ...
Chinese Giant Alibaba Is Ready to Become the Next Google - Wired


BBC News
NewsCorp: Google is a 'platform for piracy'
BBC News
It calls Google a "platform for piracy" whose power "increases with each ... Google is in a long-running dispute with the Commission over competition ... But competitors, includingMicrosoft, German publisher, Axel Springer, and ... Yahoo! Finance UK and Ireland Murdoch renews hostilities with Google ...
News Corp Calls Google a 'Platform for Piracy' - Wall Street Journal


DailyTech
Facebook discusses new location-privacy settings in Apple's iOS 8 (Q&A)
CNET
Apple's new mobile OS gives you more control over when an app can access your device's location. Facebook says it wants to make sure users ...


Opposing Views
Facebook's Name Policy Won't Accept Chase Nahooikaikakeolamauloaokalani Silva
Huffington Post
Last week, the social media platform froze Silva's account because of a policy that suspends accounts suspected of fake names. Facebook says they ...


ABC News
Despite Facing Backlash, Facebook Refuses To Change Controversial Policy
Huffington Post
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco drag queens are sparring with Facebook over its policy requiring people to use their real names, rather than ...

Google lets Apps users bypass admins and install third-party Marketplace tools
PCWorld
In a move that could prove unpopular with IT administrators, Google has granted rights to end users of its Apps workplace email and collaboration ...


NDTV
Reports of another wave of layoffs rekindle bad press for Microsoft
PCWorld
Microsoft's massive staff reduction, which shocked many when it was announced in July, is back in the spotlight with a pair of reports that the ax will ...


The Hindu
Google's Android One Platform About More Than Just Phones
Forbes
Google announced the launch of its Android One platform on Monday, September 15, targeting the low-end smartphone segment in emerging markets ...

Forbes
Apple TV Is Now Armed And Ready To Be The Hub For The Smart Home
Forbes
Apple Apple is getting close to rolling out its smart home plans in a big way. The company today pushed out a little noticed update to its set-top box, ...
Apple Puts Focus on Security - Wall Street Journal
Apple will no longer unlock most iPhones, iPads for police, even with search warrants - Washington Post
Bug forces Apple to delay launch of HealthKit fitness apps - CNET

IBNLive
With new tablets and e-readers, Amazon smolders
Fortune
Amazon Fixes The Biggest Problem With Kindle - Huffington Post
Amazon Unveils Seven New Kindle Tablets and E-Readers - NBCNews.com

Chinese Hackers Infiltrate U.S. Military Contractors - Businessweek: "Chinese-backed hackers infiltrated the computer networks of airline, shipping and information technology companies responsible for transporting personnel and weapons for the U.S. military, a Senate investigation found."

First Look At The Next Version Of Microsoft Office
Microsoft is working on its next version of Microsoft Office, and screenshots of the software have ...

more technology news below ( @ web version--link below)

Follow @expricom

BlackBerry slides, "we were once a $20 billion company"

“We were once a $20 billion company,” Mr. Chen said. “It’s not out of the question that we could go back and recapture old ground. That may sound a little funny to you right now, but you never know.”--BlackBerry CEO in NYTimes.com

BlackBerry revenue falls below a $1 billion - CBS News: "The Canadian company said it lost $423 million, or 80 cents per share, on revenue of $976 million -- down from $2.7 billion in revenue the fourth quarter last year. Analysts expected a loss of 56 cents per share on revenue of $1.1 billion. It's the first time the company has reported less than $1 billion in revenue since late in 2007."

Microsoft unveils Office for iPad, free for reading and presenting | The Verge but read the fine print

Google mandates ‘Powered by Android’ branding on new devices | Android | Geek.com  this mandate is now a part of the Google Mobile Services agreement for new Android phones. This logo placement has its own separate set of guidelines from Google, and must be present in order for manufacturers to gain access to the Google Play Store on new devices.

Microsoft finally unveils Office for the iPad
San Jose Mercury News
SAN FRANCISCO -- In his first news conference since becoming Microsoft's CEO, ... onApple's iPad, a move critics contend should have happened years ago. ... Google's Web browser Chrome has become a popular alternative to ...

Facebook looks to drones, lasers and satellites for Internet access
CNN
Facebook already has more than a billion users on its service, but before it can sign up the ... Google announced plans to tackle the issue last summer with its own ... Microsoftchairman Bill Gates dismissed some of these efforts in an ...

Amazon Considers Streaming Media Service
Wall Street Journal
Facebook; Twitter ... Amazon Considers Streaming Media Service ... like those made by Roku Inc., PCs, videogame consoles such as Microsoft Corp. ... to better compete with Roku, Google's Chromecast and Apple Inc.'s Apple TV.

Google Wins In Amazon Cloud Price Battle
InformationWeek
Let's put this week's cloud price cuts in context. Cash-rich Google has made it harder forAmazon to profit on AWS. Whether or not Google steals a ton ...

Google, Yahoo report government data demands
San Jose Mercury News
Yahoo and Google both saw a decline in demands for users' data from U.S. law ... orgoogle.com/+BrandonBaileyOnline or on Facebook at ...

Apple Transparent Texting: Faceplant Prevention?
InformationWeek
Apple filed a patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office for something called "transparent texting." First spotted by AppleInsider, the idea is quite ...

Facebook, Sony make a play for virtual reality
Fortune
With Facebook purchasing Oculus VR for $2 billion and Sony readying ... "Oculus might be the equivalent of what Glass is for Google (GOOG)," said ...

True Player Gear - Virtual Reality for everyone: Oculus competitor -- probably many more to come

MAP: Here Are the Countries That Block Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube | Mother Jones
By Dana Liebelson
The Twitter and Facebook bans took place after a peaceful protest by Uighurs, ... The block has continued through March 2014, according to Google.
MoJo Articles | Mother Jones

Apple reportedly looking to expand sapphire glass plant — Tech News and Analysis - Gigaom
By Alex Colon
Although construction on the initial plant is still not complete, Apple is already said to be looking at building an expansion.
Mobile

Microsoft Office Mobile is Now Free for iPhone and Android Phones - Lifehacker
By Eric Ravenscraft
In addition to releasing Office for the iPad, Microsoft made one more ... Google Play Music Now Allows Uploads via the Web, Has New Mini Player ...
Lifehacker

Apple To Announce WWDC April 23? -- AppAdvice
By Bryan M. Wolfe
Developers and Apple enthusiasts, take note: Cupertino is likely to announce this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in the coming ...
App Advice

ROKU CEO: Apple Is Losing Money On The Apple TV - Business Insider
By Jay Yarow
Apple typically makes money selling hardware. Not with the Apple TV, ...
Business Insider

Google Code-In 2013: RTEMS project report | Google Open Source Blog
By Mary Radomile
Today's post comes from RTEMS, an open source Real Time Operating System that supports a variety of open standard API's. They have participated ...
Google Open Source Blog

more technology news below ( @ web version--link below)

Follow @expricom

Working Without Microsoft Office

Businesses, Schools, Consumers -- moving away from Microsoft ecosystem poisoned by Windows 8 and new schemes to gouge users of  Microsoft products and services --

The Best Way to Work Without Microsoft Office - WSJ.com: "....Google Docs, Quip and free software called Kingsoft from Kingsoft Office Software Corp. are options for people who are happy with fewer features. The newest version of Office to install on your computer costs $140 or more; Microsoft recently started selling a Web-friendly subscription edition for about $100 a year. And the stripped-down Office Web Apps is free...."

Box goes after Microsoft Office with new productivity tools | Business Tech - CNET News: "In addition to unveiling its integration of the recently acquired HTML5 document tool Crocodoc, Box boasted a ''dramatically improved" iOS app that allows for working off line, new photo-viewing abilities, a new way to capture and share ideas, and a way to add context "to get more out of your information.""

The Best Way for Companies to Stay Secure Without Passwords - WSJ.com: "Here's the fundamental problem with passwords: They are most effective in protecting a company when they are long, complicated and changed frequently. In other words, when employees are least likely to remember them...."

The Best Way to Set Up Video Conferences - WSJ.com: " . . . . Some of these software services are free, including ooVoo's service of the same name, and Google Inc.'s Hangouts, part of its Web-based Google+ suite that includes Gmail. As many as 10 devices can link up using Google Hangouts, and 12 using ooVoo. Both have screen sharing that shows documents on your device to fellow video chatters, and both can be used on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows, Apple Inc.'s Mac and mobile iOS, and Google's Android platforms. Skype, now a Microsoft division, has been synonymous with video calling for a decade. It offers free video sessions for two people, but a session between three or more requires that one person subscribe to Skype Premium. . . Other popular software video programs include the free iChat and the 99-cent FaceTime for Mac for Apple fans....

Microsoft updates display 'worrisome' decline in quality
Computerworld
Computerworld - Microsoft on Friday acknowledged it had rewritten four of its security updates issued just three days earlier after customers reported never-ending demands that they be installed, even though they had been. The flawed updates were just ...

Apple stays mum on iPhone 5C preorder numbers
CNET
For the first time since the 2009 introduction of the iPhone 3GS, Apple appears to be keeping quiet on just how many devices it presold in the first 24 hours. In the past, the company has published the first-day figures in an early-morning press ...

Microsoft+Nokia -- Everyone wins in the user experience stakes
ZDNet
Ecosystems are strange things. They're completely necessary for the user experience of post-PC computing (smartphones and tablets), but they're hard to define, relatively nebulous, and probably don't work in the way they think you do. Start with Apple ...

Happy Birthday Google (again)!
Irish Independent
Search trends in Ireland over the last decade have been analysed and compiled to create an interactive site showing the stories that have evolved since Google set up shop on Irish shores. From a workforce of just five people in a cramped office on ...

Apple, Burberry show off iPhone 5S photo, video technology
CNET
Last week Apple made big claims about the photo capabilities of its new flagship phone the iPhone 5S, and Monday was one of the first chances to see it in action outside of Apple's press event. Fashion brand Burberry used the phone...

Could Apple's next 'special event' be Oct. 15?
Los Angeles Times
Apple could also announce a handful of new Mac computers and release OS X Mavericks — the latest version of its computer software — next month. For now, the focus is on ... Microsoft will pay iPad users at least $200 to switch to Surface...

Google Nexus 7 (2013) review: Improved spec, great screen, top value
ZDNet (blog)
Summary: The 2013 Nexus 7 is a sleeker, lighter and better-specified device than last year's model. There's still no Micro-SD card support, but good all-round performance and battery life, plus a competitive price, add up to superb value for money.

Google's Bet On Native Client Brings Chrome And Google+ Photos ...
By Frederic Lardinois
Indeed, most of the innovation on the company's social network so far has been around photos, including the #AutoAwesome launch at I/O. Last week, Google stepped up its efforts and launched a set of new photo-editing tools, including the ability to fine-tuneGoogle+'s Auto Enhance feature, apply new ... Microsoft, on the other hand, is betting on hardware acceleration (and WebGL) in IE11 to make web apps run faster in its browser. ... Apple's M7 Motion Coprocessor's Potential.
TechCrunch

Apple Clearly Doesn't Care At All About Winning Smartphone ...
By Jay Yarow
I think there are two reasons people are so fixated on Apple's smartphone market share — they believe Apple is about to be destroyed by Android like it was destroyed by Windows and they see Apple has $145 billion in cash, so it shouldn't be trying to protect its profits. ... Google gives away its operating system, and has always made its products free. ... In an era of economic instability, and income disparity, Amazon's willingness to redistribute its wealth seems breathtakingly fresh.
Business Insider

Report: Sprint to launch early smartphone upgrade plan
USA TODAY
Starting this Friday, all four major wireless carriers in the U.S will reportedly offer plans to customers seeking to upgrade their smartphones early. Sprint becomes the final carrier to join with its ...

Did life on Earth come from a comet?
Christian Science Monitor
An icy comet collision billions of years ago might have spurred life on Earth, a new British study suggests. How comets may ...

Google buys Bump for app to share content with a tap
CNET
The Android operator picks up a 5-year-old startup that makes a smartphone app for exchanging files, photos, videos, and contacts with a bump...

Major Belgian telco targeted by a foreign state, Brussels says
Ars Technica
Belgium's largest telecom, Belgacom, was hacked for at least a few years, according to national newspaper De Standaard. The paper wrote on Monday that “everything suggests” (Google Translate) that the culprit was the National Security Agency (NSA).

Get ready to provide iOS 7 support
ZDNet
Summary: iOS 7 is coming, and if you are the sort of person who friends and family turn to for support, or support is your job, then you need to get ready....

Tropical Trees 'Fix' Themselves After Being Logged or Cleared: Capturing Nitrogen
Science World Report
Tropical forests may be making a comeback, and it could be their own doing. Scientists have discovered that trees "turn up" their ability to capture nitrogen from the air and release it into the soil as the forest makes a comeback after being logged or cleared for ...

more technology news below

Follow @expricom