There seems to be a lot going on in the tech world at the moment although it may be that I’m a little more tuned in than normal. Here are a few things I found in the last 24 hours.
The growth of mobile messaging and automated text messages: Control Shift
Andrew Sadauskas, in Smart Company, Australia wrote asking: “Would it be handy to receive a text message from your oven notifying you that your dinner’s ready? How about the ability to use a text message to instruct your air conditioner to switch itself on before you get home?”
Andrew asked this question presumably because earlier this week, LG revealed it will give users the ability to add their appliances as contacts to selected mobile messaging apps, including What’sApp. After adding an appliance as a contact, you will be able to send it instructions as a text message, while the appliance can send you notifications as a message.
LG hopes the new feature will help set its products apart in an increasingly crowded marketplace. As Chinese manufacturers flood western markets with low-cost white goods, LG hopes smart technology will help to differentiate its product offering.
The big question, however, is whether this is a feature anyone will actually bother to use. What do you think? Often, the crazier something sounds, the more successful it turns out to be.
Zoho Revamps Online Accounting Software
In a story on accountingTODAY, here, I see that Zoho has refreshed its Zoho Books online accounting software for small businesses. There’s a new user interface and more than 100 new features, along with new mobile apps for Apple iOS, Google Android and Microsoft Windows devices. Analytics features are available via an online dashboard to answer key questions about business performance and cash flow. The banking module now automatically identifies uncategorised transactions from bank feeds and matches them with existing transactions in Zoho Books. New calendar and weekly timesheet views make it easier to bill time to clients. New customisable invoice templates have also been added to the system.
Is Cloud Migration Right for Your Business?
The move to the cloud is happening – and it’s happening now, says a pro.techtarget.com article, here. But before you jump start your cloud migration project, be sure you understand how to adequately prepare your existing infrastructure for the transition. You can download this free E-Guide now to ensure success on your cloud migration. Registration is required.
In this E-Guide you’ll get tips on:
- Assessing existing infrastructure resources
- Retrofitting networking to your cloud
- Implementing security safeguards
- And much more, all focused on preparing your data centre for cloud’s demands
Thinking outside the ‘box’ for cloud orchestration strategies
Sticking with the cloud, another article on pro.techtarget.com, here, says that for most of the history of IT, building an application was done in a “box-based” model. In this model, components are linked into a machine image, and the image is hosted on a static server in a data centre. The cloud, with its goal of resource flexibility and agility, demands a more dynamic association among app components and their resources. Cloud orchestration is the way that’s achieved – but only if planned and implemented correctly:
- Orchestration is the process of automating deployment and redeployment of app components so that inter-component and inter-application links are correctly established and maintained. In practice, orchestration will involve two fundamental elements:
- Deploying application components, including software components and database components; and
- Creating network connections to allow for inter-component communication and connections to users and other apps.
To read the full story you will need to register here.
Prescription Version of Google Glass Revealed
You’re vision isn’t as good as it used to be. You have to wear prescription glasses. Don’t worry, Google has announced that it will start selling prescription versions of Google Glass via its new Titanium Collection. Google quotes: “If we had a nickel for every time someone has asked about prescription lenses for Glass… well, we’d have a lot of nickels,” the Glass team said on Google+. “So we want you to be the first to know that the Titanium Collection is here, with a handful of new styles for Glass so you can make it your own.”
Titanium is for those who need prescription lenses, as well as those who might just want a new look, Google said. The search giant is offering four feather-light titanium frames, “and if you need prescription lenses and have vision insurance (such as VSP), your policy might even help cover your new frames,” Google said.
“Explorers can access the Titanium Collection [tomorrow afternoon], along with two new styles of twist-on shades,” Google said on Tuesday of this week.
Google Glass, still in beta, will set you back $1,500, and it’s not generally available. To be considered, sign up on the Google Glass website (or sign up for Google Play Music All Access).
For more, check out Google Glass: Everything You Need to Know.
Full story and other information, here.
Was your account hacked? How to find out
This is worrying – particularly as there was some fraudulent activity on one of my credit cards recently. I read a story on pcmag.com, here, which says that credit card hacks and other data breaches have made headlines on an almost daily basis lately. With so many attacks at major national chains, from Target to Neiman Marcus to Michaels, affecting millions of customers, it’s very possible that your credit card has been compromised just as mine has.
The FBI has said that more hacks are likely to surface, due in part to the accessibility of malware as well as the potential profit.
You could, of course, simply eschew modern technology and only use cash, but for many, that’s not an option. So what should you do if you are worried that your credit card might have been compromised, and how do you keep yourself safe going forward?
Here are some tips from the article:
- Check your statement.
- Call your credit card company and your bank.
- Set up fraud monitoring.
- Stay informed.
- Get organised about your personal finances.
For more tips, check out PCMag software analyst Jill Duffy’s tips on organizing your personal finances.
Excerpted from full story at: Pcmag.com
Carphone set to run 60 Samsung stores in Europe
Apple stores need to watch out – Samsung and Carphone Warehouse have signed an agreement for the high street retailer to convert 60 of its stores across Europe into dedicated Samsung stand-alone stores.
Of the 60 stores, that will stock only Samsung products, around 20 will be opened in the UK with the others spread across Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the Netherlands over the next three months.
“The stores will have a premium look and feel and will sell Samsung mobile communications products across Samsung’s full range of mobiles, tablets, laptops and wearables,” said Carphone Warehouse.
Smartphone rival Apple already has around 100 stores in Europe that it owns and operates. Samsung’s deal with Carphone Warehouse – along with its own retail stores – will increase Samsung’s European retail presence to roughly the same number of stores as Apple.
The story is here.
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