Thursday, 28 November 2013

Microsoft Xbox One launch marred by disc drive glitch

Still, the Xbox One glitch hasn't stopped Microsoft's new console from getting off to a strong start.

By Matthew Shaer / November 28, 2013

It wouldn't be a big-budget gadget launch without at least one glitch.

It happens to Apple. It happens to Sony. And now its happening to Microsoft, which last week officially launched the Xbox One in 13 markets around the world. According to a handful of reports from across the Web, a small number of consoles are hobbled by a mechanical glitch that affects the disc drive, yielding all sorts of crunching and grinding noises when a game is loaded. (This video sums it up pretty well.)

For its part, Microsoft has said that the problem affects a "very small amount" of devices – although the company did not specify the precise number.

"We're working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange program," Microsoft says in a statement. "Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers. While a replacement console is on its way, we want to ensure our advance exchange customers can stay in the game. We will provide each of them with a free digital download of one of the launch titles published by Microsoft Studios."

A broken console, in other words, earns you a free game.

Of course, there are alternatives, if you're feeling impatient. VentureBeat has a report on a fix that requires users to turn your Xbox One upside-down before giving it a few whacks on the underside. (The evidence of the efficacy of this cure is anecdotal at best; we echo the warning given out by VentureBeat: "Keep in mind that you are performing physical abuse upon a piece of consumer electronics and that you do so at your own risk.")

The Xbox One has sold strongly out of the gate: 1 million Xbox One consoles in the first 24 hours the device was on sale. In a blog post, Microsoft called it "the biggest launch in Xbox history," and a "new record" for the Washington-based company. Still, the Xbox One doesn't have the market to itself: The PlayStation 4 also sold to the tune of a million units in 24 hours.

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By: Success Manual On 22:35

Sunday, 10 November 2013

Apple Reportedly Developing Large Curved Screen iPhones For Late 2014, Better Touchscreen Sensors

Apple is said to be working on two curved display iPhone models for the “second half of next year,” according to a source speaking toBloomberg, with a likely released planned for the third quarter, and building better touchscreen sensors that introduce fine pressure sensitivity for later devices to be introduced after that.

These new iPhones for 2014 would come in 4.7 and 5.5-inch flavors, according to the report, meaning that Apple would be introducing not one, but two different models at the same time, in theory. We’ve seen reports of Apple working on different models of large-screen devices in the past, including one from the Wall Street Journal that suggests it’s been working on different tests of devices with screen sizes between 4.8 and 6 inches. This is the first time we’ve really heard firm information about a possible release date for said devices, from a source as generally reliable as Bloomberg. A Japanese iOS rumor site claimed a September launch for a large-screen iPhone late in October, however, and two reliable analyst sources predict a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 bound for stores in late 2014. Read More

By: Success Manual On 08:39

Sunday, 3 November 2013

How Google is beating Apple in the fight for emotions

You may well have been having conflicted feelings over the last couple of years.

On the one hand, you know that Google is, at its core, an engineering company whose aim is to get your hands off the steering wheel and implant its search engine into your brain.

On the other, you're finding yourself feeling rather warm about Google, as if whatever the company says ultimately sounds mellifluous -- even if, at heart, it's menacing to your very being.

There's a reason for this. A company that once derided advertising as something beneath dwarf-tossing has embraced various facets of it, in order to make itself seem far warmer and more human.

Think of the doodles, which pop up at unexpected time to celebrate bizarre, quirky and often humorous anniversaries. They're involving, amusing and even educative. You love them, don't you?

Then there's Google's sudden and widespread embrace of conventional advertising. You know, the things that Eric Schmidt once referred to as "a video."

Three years ago, an ad called "Parisian Love" ran during the Super Bowl. At the time, Google advertising during the Super Bowl was as bizarre as Facebook respecting your privacy.

By: Success Manual On 23:29

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

The iPad Air: Apple's Latest Tablet

Apple has officially announced the latest version of its iPad tablet. The newly named iPad Air features a design that's reminiscent of the iPad mini released last year. It's thinner and lighter than prior versions, and features a smaller bezel, which shrinks the footprint of the tablet down without compromising on screen size. Apple says it's 20 percent thinner at only 7.5mm thick, and weighs just 1.0 pound (28 percent less than the previous iPad). The screen remains the same; it's a 9.7-inch Retina Display with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. This is the first major redesign of Apple's flagship tablet since the iPad 2 was released in March 2011.

More Info and Application

By: Success Manual On 11:53

Sunday, 20 October 2013

Apple Employees Jokingly Referred To Gold iPhone 5s As ‘The Kardashian Phone’

Internally, the gold iPhone 5s was jokingly referred to as ‘The Kardashian Phone’ by some Apple employees. This fact was tweeted out by the NYT’s Nick Bilton today and we confirmed the nickname with our sources. Yes, we asked this question of our sources.

Apparently this was not a serious ‘code name’ or anything, just an internal joke. Kim Kardashian, of course, has a well-known connection to gold iPhones. The reality star actually had an iPhone 5 that was anodized gold long before Apple’s ‘champagne’ device hit the market, as you can see in the image below.

The thing is, it’s a joke right? I’m sure that people in Apple know Kim loves a gold iPhone just as much as the rest of us. It was a fairly unpopular stance for quite a while to say that the gold iPhone might actually be…pretty hot.

More Info and Application

By: Success Manual On 09:49

Monday, 14 October 2013

Iran wants to hammer out a nuclear power 'roadmap' with P5+1

Iran has struck up a new, conciliatory chord on negotiations about its nuclear program. And its leaders say it's eager to get down to business.

Foreign minister Javad Zarif reiterated Iran's apparent haste to reach an international agreement on its energy program in a statement Monday.

Zarif hopes that together Iran and the West will be able to work out a "roadmap" a day after Iran presents its latest plan at the U.N. to secure its energy independence and build international trust.

He would like an additional meeting on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland, with ministers from the countries from the P5+1 in order to hammer out the details, he said on his Facebook account.

By: Success Manual On 23:33

Business Rebuilds in a Thriving City in Iraq

ERBIL, Iraq — Perception is not always reality with emerging business travel destinations. That’s especially true for Erbil, the political and business capital of the autonomous Kurdish region in the north of Iraq. The city is becoming an alternative to Iraq’s southern provinces to tap into the country’s oil wealth and other business opportunities.

The city has endured violence at times, most recently bombings on Sept. 29 in front of the regional Kurdish government’s security service that killed at least six people and wounded dozens. Al Qaeda later claimed responsibility for the attacks. They were seen by some as an outgrowth of the conflict in Syria, where Kurdish militias have been fighting groups linked to Al Qaeda.

It was the first significant bombing since 2007 in Erbil, which has mostly avoided the violence that has plagued the rest of the country. Thanks in part to the stability, the Kurdish economy has grown at about 10 percent annually in recent years.

By: Success Manual On 23:29

Sunday, 13 October 2013

From the Start, Signs of Trouble at Health Portal

WASHINGTON — In March, Henry Chao, the chief digital architect for the Obama administration’s new online insurance marketplace, told industry executives that he was deeply worried about the Web site’s debut. “Let’s just make sure it’s not a third-world experience,” he told them.

Two weeks after the rollout, few would say his hopes were realized.

For the past 12 days, a system costing more than $400 million and billed as a one-stop click-and-go hub for citizens seeking health insurance has thwarted the efforts of millions to simply log in. The growing national outcry has deeply embarrassed the White House, which has refused to say how many people have enrolled through the federal exchange.

By: Success Manual On 20:37

The most tax-friendly states for business

Taxes are necessary for a functioning government, but according to one group, many states are crippling regional business growth with tax structures that are too expensive or complex.

The Tax Foundation's 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index graded all 50 states based on more than 100 measures that reflect how competitive a state's tax policies are to both large and small businesses. The report considered state income, corporate, property, sales, and unemployment insurance tax policies. As was the case last year, Wyoming had the best business tax climate in the country, while New York had the worst. Based on the Tax Foundation's report, these are the most tax-friendly states for business.

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By: Success Manual On 20:10

Google Ads May Now Feature Your Face Without Compensation

Google+ users may now see their pictures plastered next to advertisements for a range of products, without compensation.

The company announced on Friday that users' names, profile photos and endorsements may appear on "reviews, advertising and other commercial contexts" by default, under the new terms of its service that kick in on Nov. 11.

The policy changes mean that every time a user over 18 reviews an album or bakery online for example, they may become brand ambassadors for their recommendations, which are then broadcast to others within their Google+ network.

Google explained that "shared endorsements" help people "save time" and improve results.

By: Success Manual On 20:03

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Investors Asking Bill Gates to Quit Microsoft Chairmanship

bill gates under pressure to step down as microsoft chairman

Bill Gates under pressure from investors to step down as Microsoft chairman

Three of the top 20 investors in Microsoft Corp are lobbying the board to press for Bill Gates to step down as chairman of the software company he co-founded 38 years ago, people familiar with matter told Reuters.

While Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer has been under pressure for years to improve the company's performance and share price, this appears to be the first time that major shareholders are taking aim at Gates, who remains one of the most respected and influential figures in technology.

From the telegraph

By: Success Manual On 00:24

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Congress Discloses Bill to Limit NSA's Powers.

Senators introduce a bill that prohibits the bulk collection of e-mail and phone records of US citizens.

Senators are vexing to clamp down on the activities of the National Security Agency through a new bill in the US.

The bill would end a loophole for the hindmost door searches, which allow the government to access the records of American citizens without a warrant. The government would only be allowed to gather records that are to or from a suspected terrorist, rather than those that are simply "about the target."

On Wednesday in the unveiled Congress, the Intelligence Oversight and Surveillance Reform Act aimed at ending the NSA's loose collection of the records of US citizens.

Explicitly, the bill wants to improve certain sections of the Foreign Intelligence Services Act (FISA), which the NSA has used to justify its data gathering.

The bill would also allow companies to a forced providence of customer information to the government, and hence the freedom to divulge more details about their roles in the process.

Further, the bill was to strengthen the prohibition against "reverse targeting," which accesses the records of a foreigner only as a means to investigate an American who has been communicating with that foreigner. It would also impose a statute on the use of unlawfully collected facts introduced by US Senators Ron Wyden, Mark Udall, Richard Blumenthal, and Rand Paul.

One amendment to FISA would prohibit the bulk collection of phone records, while another would prevent the bulk gathering of e-mail records. In the case of phone records, the government would still be able to get the records of anyone suspected of terrorism or anyone in contact with a suspected terrorist.

The bill is a reaction to criticism that the NSA's bulk data snooping unconstitutionally targets all Americans rather than just those suspected of terrorism.

By: Success Manual On 06:58

Monday, 30 September 2013

Apple is Now World's Most Valuable Brand

APPLE is the new most valuable brand in the world, according to a closely followed annual report.

The report, to be released on Monday, is from Interbrand, a corporate identity and brand consulting company owned by the Omnicom Group that has been compiling what it calls the Best Global Brands report since 2000. The previous No. 1 brand,Coca-Cola, fell to No. 3.

Not only has Apple replaced Coca-Cola as first among the 100 most valuable brands based on criteria that include financial performance, this is the first time that the soft drink known for slogans like “It’s the real thing” has not been No. 1.

By: Success Manual On 14:05

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Fairfax to pay $4.7Bn for Blackberry Takeover

fairfax to pay $4.7bn fo blackberry takeover

Fairfax could be the best option for the struggling smart phone giant.

This follows a deal reached in which a consortium under the lead of Fairfax financial

offered a $4.7bn deal to Blackberry.

Fairfax is the largest shareholder of the company with about 10%, according to a statement by Blackberry, and had agreed to offer cash payment of $9 per share of the company.

Blackberry is however going ahead to look for other options as negotiations are still in progress with Fairfox.

This comes at a time when blackberry is struggling financially. On Friday about 4,500 employees were dismissed in bid to manage losses.

For more Information (BBC)

By: Success Manual On 06:24

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Old App Versions now Available to Older Apple Devices

old app versions now available for older apple devices

Old iOS device owners now need not to worry much. This is because Apple has started to offer older application versions for those that are not compatible to higher versions. This could be a relief to owners of gadgets like the iPhone 3g which cannot install newer versions of applications like instagram and twitter. When the owner tries to download the app, will get a dialog that prompts him to get an older version since the newer is not compatible.

Engadget has confirmed installing an older version of instagram on to an iPhone 3GS with iOS 4.3.3 and twitter to an iPhone 3G with iOS 4.2.1. Installed versions could possibly be those that can run without issues.

This is more of a remedy to users with older versions of the brand to enjoy applications that were earlier not compatible due to iOS version issues.

By: Success Manual On 10:39

Saturday, 14 September 2013

Apple Receives Pre-Orders for the new iPhones

Reports currently indicate that apple has already received orders for their newly release iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. this is mainly done at their website Apple

This follows a major launch they had on Thursday which left some of their competitors like google and Microsoft excited. Customers who are ordering now are expected to receive the gadgets by 20 of September.

Apple’s new prices pose a question whether it will be able to increase their sales through all sectors of the market. This basically due to their introduction of the iphone 5c that starts at only $99 yet running the latest iOS7 while iPhone 5s now runs for $199. This new iPhone is the first of its kind with several colors.

Only the future can tell what is in store for the tech giants.

By: Success Manual On 15:43

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