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6 Things Missing in the New Windows 10 OS

Windows 10 has been out for a while now, and it seems as if Microsoft was actually listening to the consumers when it put it together because the operating system is certainly better than the previous version. That being said, with all the improvements and upgrades, there still seems to be certain areas where the Windows 10 operating system lacks. Here we’re going to talk about them.

Media Center

While we should give credit to Microsoft for coming up with a better version of the Windows OS, the Windows 10 OS cannot completely replace its previous version, the Windows 8. For instance, there is no Windows Media Center in the new Windows 10, a feature which was one of the main highlights of the previous operating system. What this means is that the device that is connected to your cable box will remain on the Windows 10 OS for the time being. There have also been some complaints reported on various applications, but they should be cleared out with the new updates.

On the bright side, the new OS starts faster and also uses less memory, two areas where Windows 8 lacked badly. The user preference can also be synced between machines, for instance, once the Start menu is set up on one device, it will show on all other connected devices as well, which is pretty neat.

DVD Player

According to the literature, Microsoft says that in the new Windows 10 OS, DVDs will require separate playback software for playing DVDs. For that you will have to download one of the many third party options that are available. While this is a major downside to the new OS, the easy availability of other media players doesn’t make the loss too painful to get over. Besides, most people normally use other media players anyway.

Desktop Applications

According to tech sites, with the new Windows 10 OS, prepare to say goodbye to some of the tools you were used to in Windows 7 and 8. For instance, the weather app, clock and notes app will get killed with the upgrade although you will be able to find suitable alternatives.

Games

Playing solitaire during breaks was a favorite pastime for many until now. The new Windows 10 OS does away with all of the popular games we have grown up with. For example, Hearts, Minesweeper and Solitaire are all gone. But, those who refuse to let go of old habits can install Microsoft versions of Minesweeper and Solitaire from Microsoft’s App Store apart from the many third party clones available online.

No Floppy Drive Support

Was that a gasp? Are you still using your floppy drive, because if you are, you have got some serious issues. Nonetheless, this is an important piece of info for those who have problems letting go. According to various tech sites, the new Windows 10 OS will not be supporting the ol’ floppy drive. If you do have an old document to access then you’ll have to download the driver from Windows Update.

Window’s Essentials

This is going to be replaced with the inbox version of OneDrive, which will probably be followed by the release of the OneDrive app later on. Needless to say, users will still be able to access OneDrive via the browser. For those who require less from the Essentials Movie Maker, the Movie Moments is a good alternative, which should take care of all your editing needs.

Ending Note

So, there you have it, while some old features will not be making the jump to the new Windows `10 Operating System, Microsoft has come up with quite a few ways to keep users entertained without them.

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The 5 Best Gaming Laptops

Gaming has indeed come a long way from its simple pixilated past. Nowadays, gamers look to find the best machines that will help them get their daily gaming fix, but without having to sacrifice their rent check. Keeping that in mind the following are the top 5 gaming laptops of our choice.

MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K

For those who thought that gaming in resolutions sharper than HD was only possible with gaming PCs, chip makers and hardware manufacturers such as MSI have now bestowed the same powers to gaming laptops as well. The company has taken its GT60 Dominator 3K and slapped a 2,880 x 1,620 IPS display on it so that gamers can now enjoy both form and function. MSI’s Ghost Pro 3K is dashing to look at and offers excellent 3K performance along with an Intel Core i7-4710HQ, 16GB of RAM and 1256 gigs of storage space. Users also get customizable backlighting, and a brilliant gaming keyboard with anti ghosting to sweeten the deal.

On the downside, this gaming laptop does run hot fast and has a relatively short batter life as compared to others in the market. But, the pros outweigh the cons with the Ghost Pro 3K making it a good choice for those who love gaming, but don’t quite consider themselves hardcore gamers yet.

Origin EON17-SLX

With great power comes great bulkiness, this seems to be the idea behind the Origin EON17-SLX (2014), because it is big and it is bulky too. But, don’t get fooled by the design and the basic black exterior. Inside, the Origin EON17-SLX (2014) operates like a roaring lion set loose after being starved for a month. What this means in English is that the 9.3 pounder, features a 17.3 inch display with 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, a Intel Core i7-4930MX, with a clock time of 3.0 GHz, 16 gigs of RAM, and not one but two Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M graphics cards in SLI configuration, with 4GB of dedicated memory each.

And if that hasn’t put a smile on that face, the Origin EON17-SLX also features two 128GB SSDs in a RAID 0 configuration along with 750 gigs of RAM at 7,200rpm, which offers a speedy performance and large storage space, two essential components of a kick ass gaming laptop. On the down side, the EON17-SLX does feature a somewhat odd touch pad design and is cursed with a short battery life.

Asus ROG G750JZ-XS72

The Asus ROG G750JZ-XS72 was one of the first top of the line gaming laptops to have had featured the GeForce GTX 880M graphics card. And while the 1,920 x 1,080 non touch display does feel locked in the past, this gaming laptop makes up for it by adding some very impressive features under the hood. First off is the Intel Core i7-4700HQ processor which does justice with its performance. The Quad core processor is clocked in at 3.4 GHz with 6 MB cache. The ROG also features a massive 32 GB of RAM and a spindle speed of 7200 rpm, which is plenty for enjoying just about any game you can think of. And you also get the usual bells and whistles that make the ROG special.

Maingear Pulse 15

Ultraportable gaming laptops have made their name in the gaming industry and the one name that stands out when there’s gaming and portability in the same sentence is that of Maingear Pulse 15. While its 15-inch size may seem a tad bit small for your liking, it is certainly no deal breaker for the gaming laptop. The best thing about the 15.3 inch (to be exact) 3K display laptop is that it has just about enough fire power to handle any game while still being small enough to fit in your bag. The Pulse 15 features a 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 processor along with 16GB of RAM (which is surprising for its size), and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 870M graphics card along with plenty of storage space (1 TB). On the downside, the Pulse 15 does offer low battery life and also runs hot at times, but is okay for a midrange gaming laptop which is actually able to rival some of the big names in gaming laptops.

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The Coolest Devices at Fortune Brainstorm Tech

Technology conferences come and go but Fortune’s Brainstorm Conference has been able to endure for around 14 years, mainly because of its unique blend of mega-cap executives and new products that are introduced year after year, making each event even more interesting than the last. Here we’re going to count down the major products that saw the light of day at this year’s Fortune Brainstorm Conference which was held in July at Aspen, Colorado.

Compact Drones- CyPhy Works

One of the headliners at this year’s Fortune Brainstorm Conference was the introduction of an apparently more stable drone, which was introduced by CEO of CyPhy Works, Helen Greiner, who was also co-founder of iRobot. On taking the stage, Greiner discussed about her company’s brand new LVL1 drone that flew across the stage during the event and landed in her hand.

Greiner came across as very bullish regarding the use of drones and some of the latest computer technologies that controls it, making strong arguments that these new autonomous robots that are capable of flight can be used for multiple functions, the most common of those being in industries such as real estate. That being said, Greiner was quick to mention that these new drones were also perfectly safe and legal to fly by hobbyists as well, although there will be some restrictions. But, they won’t be as easy for commercial users, although that could all soon change. In the long run though, Greiner was confident that the new drones can be very useful as they can be programmed to automatically follow a user and come along with cutting edge features such as, geo-fending and next-generation HD cameras as well, making them the ideal tool for surveillance.

Implantable Mini Pumps-Intarcia Therapeutics

Kurt Graves CEO of Intarcia Therapeutics presented a possible treatment for Type II Diabetes and other chronic illnesses. This unique treatment involved a use of an implantable mini pump that would be placed just under the skin, and would release medication after regular intervals over the course of a whole year.

Though still in its experimental phase, if successful, this treatment could one day do away with the need for pills and injections to cure some chronic diseases. According to Graves, the treatment of diabetes costs an estimated $3.4 trillion a year, but has yet to see major improvements in the successful treatment of patients. The highly anticipated project would help eliminate the issue of actually have to take the proper medication on time for a whole year.

Besides that, the implantable mini pump will also be used to stabilize peptides and protein at body temperature, which improves the possibility of a quick recovery. According to Graves, other applications of implantable mini pump also includes, being used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, and autoimmune disease. The device is currently undergoing phase three trials and is expected to roll out to markets sometime in 2017.

Unicorn Idol

Fortune’s Brainstorm Conference also featured a segment called Unicorn Idol for displaying the newest computer technology. This section was mainly for companies that have funded more than $100 million to certain technological projects get an opportunity to present their ideas. The audience then gets to vote for the company which looks more likely to reach the $1 billion mark.

During this segment, Natalya Brikner, CEO of Accion Systems talked about a new satellite propulsion system which could power satellites the size of small shoe boxes. The main highlight of the new technology is that it has been developed with a new kind of ion source that has been discovered at MIT.

Area 1’s CEO Oren Falkowitz introduced a new kind of cyber security system that has been designed by the company to prevent phishing attacks, while Scott Crouch, CEO of Mark 43 showed off a new cloud based system which has been designed specifically for public safety workers and offers a subscription model so police officers can focus more on what’s happening on the streets and less on paperwork. It was obviously hard to tell which one of these companies would first reach the $1 billion mark first as most of them were quite intriguing.

Ending Note

While most people focus on the truly transformational products coming out of companies such as Apple and so on, knowing that there are other innovative companies in the tech sphere is a breath of much needed fresh air for sure.

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Microsoft Finally Decides to Make Office Available on Android

Android has long been left out of the loop when it came to including the platform in the list for Microsoft’s mobile applications, while both Windows and iPhone users were enjoying all that the company had to offer when it came to the corporate side. Now, finally after years of promises, the next Microsoft Office release will come to Android.

This means that Android users no longer need to make do with Google Docs or other alternative tools to take advantage of the same services. This was put to an end recently after Microsoft launched its standalone Office app, which is now available on the Google Play Store, and it’s free of charge too. That being said, users of Android devices that do not have at least 1GB of RAM and the Android 4.4 KitKit OS will need to upgrade to take advantage of the application.

Having the ability to pen, edit and save files which can then be sent off to other users is a great feature to have for any employee, and now, Android users will also get the chance to use the service for the first time. The majority of the app services will be offered only to the subscribers of the Office 365 service though, which costs around $85 a year for those using a Mac or a PC, along with one phone and a tablet. But, it is important to note that the new features along with the old ones on the next Microsoft Office release have been redesigned smartly so that it makes sense to users on the smaller screen along with those using the standard monitor or tablet. For instance, the Word app has a similar default view which is easily recognizable to those that are already familiar with the platform. Apart from that, users also get to zoom in or out while making edits.

For the subscribers of the new service, a click of a button will take up the touch friendly device tray which allows users to tweak the various options in the format and layout of the document along with the picture and table settings.

The other two popular apps under the Microsoft Office platform also work similarly. But, users of the new applications will notice the redesigned layout which has been much improved this time around to cater to the needs of each user. The PowerPoint app this time around allows users to make edits to their presentations, but also makes it easier for them to carry out other changes to the file as well. Users of the new PowerPoint app get to make changes on the fly by flicking through slides.

All these capabilities and more and available to users of Android devices along with access to Microsoft’s OneDrive, which is the company’s cloud storage service, but users can also edit the documents from Google Drive or Dropbox as well.

Ending Note

Now, with these new apps, users can be more productive while on the go. Read, review and make quick edits on the fly, or make PowerPoint presentations right from your phone.

[technogigs]

Bubbly - A Voice-Based Social Media Platform

This is an exciting year for being social, just like it was in 2014 and even before that. What makes this year unique is that it saw around 300,000 new apps being added to the Apple App Store (and the year hasn’t even ended yet). And there have been nearly 100 billion downloads since last October. Much of this growth has been due to the wide use of social apps, which are bringing people closer than ever before. And while we expect to see a host of new social apps come to the fore in future, there are many popular apps that are currently in use that have the capabilities to grow into the next Twitter, one name that comes to mind when thinking about emerging social media platforms is Bubbly, the voice based social media service.

Bubbly, is a Singapore-based company which is certainly not new to the social media scene, and is in fact considered as a pioneer in the voice based social media services. The service which previously went by the name Bubble Motion, started off its journey back in 2005 and has come a long way since. While the service initially allowed its users to record short voice clips and send them to friends via a simple SMS, the service has incorporated many other features which have made the service all the more interesting to the newer crowd, especially in Philippines, India and Indonesia.

Since its arrival, the social media platform has transformed into a service that has a membership of 30 million strong and is looking to grow even further as it slowly expands past the boundaries of Asia Pacific, which it will most probably do now that it has its own app version. The recent app release features various voice filters which allows the users to modify and enhance their voices, making for a more interesting experience for the user.

There’s a reason that some have named the service “Twitter with a voice” and that’s because it offers about the same amount of interaction amongst the users, with the only difference being that you are using your voice to share updates with your friends, family and even fans (if you have any).

While the service looks to be growing in popularity, it is true that the function which the service provides can be easily imitated by any of its larger competitors, which could make it even harder for the relatively small company to compete with the big fish. But for now, that seems to be the least of the company’s concerns as it looks to upgrade and enhance its services even further making it even more appealing to its user base.

Ending Note

In a world where more and more people are becoming increasingly isolated physically thanks to smartphones and other handheld devices, it is interesting to see how this unique social media service could connect near and dear ones in an era where people are slowly moving away from typing messages. The influence of our voice is incredibly powerful, and can even help shape the way our society express and share information. That being said, I think it’s safe to say that emerging social media platforms like Bubbly are only going to grow in user ship in the coming years.

[technogigs]

Nvidia Shield - Not Just for Gaming

A very extensive variety of set-top boxes is constantly being introduced to the market and each of them offers multiple options that few are even aware of. If you are looking for a high-quality content experience and a powerful device equipped to fulfill your gaming needs in one, Nvidia Shield Android TV is the device that you have been waiting for.

The Nvidia Shield is undeniably one of the most powerful set-top boxes available in the market, since it was probably created keeping “Gaming” in mind. This may also be the reason behind the console having the look of a miniaturized gaming console. It definitely can’t be compared the giant consoles of Xbox One or PlayStation 4.

The Nvidia Shield Android TV is very easily capable of blending in with the rest of an entertainment system. The aesthetics aren’t flashy, but the features do look good and serve their purpose seamlessly. The console has a green light bar that lights up when the device is on. When you flip the device over, you will find a number of ports to fit any and all needs. There is a microUSB port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, an Ethernet LAN port, HDMI, along with a microSD slot.

The whole bundle will include one controller which is used for navigation, controlling media, and gaming. Currently, Nvidia maybe the gaming king of the market, but we have started to overlook the features that it has to offer.

One of the best things that the device has to offer is an impeccable user experience, and the way the device handles the software. Any media content can be played with the Nvidia Shield Android TV and just like gaming experiences; the device enhances your viewing experience by leaps and bounds. Within the Android TV ecosystem, the Nvidia Shield has proven itself to be the top performer, and it can even support 4K resolutions, which means that it won’t be leaving the market due to compatibility issues any time soon. With amazing picture quality, surround sound and many extensive features, the Nvidia Shield is a complete device for some of the most conventional forms of entertainment.

For more updated gaming news you can click here http://www.technogigs.com.

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The New UHD TVs You Just Have to Have

Good news everybody! Ever since the CES event back in January, we’ve been hearing about a lot of good things from the world of technology, and more specifically UHD technology. Since the CES event saw a lot of well-known brands showcasing their versions of the UHD TV, this is going to be a list of the ones that stood out according to tech sites. But, don’t worry you won’t have to cough up the equivalent of a middle-class child's ransom for any of them.

LG 55EG9600, UHD OLED TV

LG seems to have really raised the bar with this UHD OLED TV, and it clearly shows, even though the TV isn’t perfect. This 55-inch OLED TV offers 3D compatibility and is able to deliver excellent picture quality in high definition. You will also possibly get the best black levels with the UHD OLED TV apart from the nearly unlimited viewing angles. Like the Samsung UN65JS9000, this TV also has a curved screen and features the company’s webOS smart TV platform which allows the user to access content through a row of graphics tiles which are arrayed across the lower portion of the screen.

The LG 55EG9600 features three HDMI inputs and comes with the company’s point-and-click magic remote control, which is an amazing piece of technology. Although the 55EG9600 does have its shortcomings, none of them are deal breakers. The TV set can be yours for $5,500 and is definitely worth every penny.

Samsung UN65JS9500, UHD LCD/LED TV

TV models from both LG and Samsung are among the best when it comes to UHD technology. They were also amongst the earliest to reach the shelves this year. Samsung’s 65-inch UHD TV is at the top of the list in UHD sets, and for good reason. The UN65JS9500 has descended from a long line of proud 4K sets that have made up the company’s flagship SUHD series. And while this particular set is pricey, it is the best that is available in the market currently.

The UN65JS9500 features excellent picture quality, along with UHD performance and sound. This UHD set also offers very good 3D and a full-array backlight with local dimming which enables it to produce excellent black levels as compared to other LCD TVs. The only downside to the UN65JS9500 is the limited about of viewing angle, but that is to be expected when it comes to LCD TVs. The Samsung UN65JS9500 can be yours for $5,000, and according to newest tech sites, offers great features and specs.

Samsung UN65JS9000, UHD LCD/LED TV

This 65-inch JS9000-series UHD, LCD TV by Samsung is a great TV which offers the user tons of features. The TV has a curved screen and is able to deliver HD picture quality as well as UHD performance along with very good sound. A step below the flagship JS9500 SUHD sets, the main difference in this model is that it has an edge instead of a full array. It also features LED backlights with localized dimming and a slightly different version of HDR technology. The only downside is that it lacks a built-in camera, that being said, it does accept an optional one. The Samsung UN65JS9000 UHD LCD/LED TV will put a $3,500 dent in your pocket, but if you’re looking for high-end premium quality, it’s totally worth it.

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Apple Watch Arrives to Retail Stores Mid June

The Apple Watch is going to hit retail store by June 26th and will also be released in seven new countries in the coming days after that. For a while, Apple was having trouble keeping up with the demand of the Watch, which was higher than anticipated. Apple had recently announced that its Apple Watch would be available during the second half of June. This news came as a welcome surprise to Apple customers who until now could only order the Apple Watch online.

Once the Watch is made available to Apple Stores and the company’s affiliate retailers around the world, users will be able to visit any Apple Store or affiliate outlet and purchase the coveted Apple Watch. According to one tech blog, Apple’s senior vice president of operations, Jeff Williams, said the response of the Apple Watch has surpassed all of their previous expectations in sales around the world. And while the company has not released the exact amount of watches they have sold since its launch, Apple is happy that the device is finally going to be available to customers at the Apple Store and other selected outlets.

In a statement, Apple has said that it is making progress with the backlog of the Apple Watch, and also thanks the customers for their continuous support and patience. Those who had placed their orders for the Apple Watch in May should expect to see the arrival of their wearable somewhere around mid June, and according to reports, the Apple Watch will also be made available to customers at the Apple Store and selected retail outlets as well.

This is a great relief for Apple customers who up until now could only order all three versions of the Apple Watch exclusively through the company’s website. With the latest announcement, it appears as if the company has been able to somehow ramp up the production of its Watch considering the way its supply was exhausted when the Watch was launched back in April, where within a few hours, the customers who were ordering their Watch online encountered estimated dates of delivery that were stretched all the way to July.

Apple also had another major announcement to make which had to do with the availability of the new Apple Watch. According to one tech blog, the Apple Watch will now be available in seven other countries as well. The countries where all three variations and the various specs of the Apple Watch will be available will be, Mexico, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Switzerland and Spain. These are the names of the new places which has been added to the list of countries where consumers will be able to purchase the Apple Watch from.

Apple had only recently updated the Watch with a new operating system, which is better than the previous version and offers much more features that will appeal to many users. The new OS update has now made it possible for third party apps to function smoother and without the sluggish performance of the previous operating system. According to reports, the Apple Watch is also able to monitor fitness activities better after the software update.

For those who are interested in buying themselves an Apple Watch, the device starts off from $349 and goes all the way up to $17,000, which mainly depends on the model and the customization preferences of the user. The Sport is the least expensive of the three, while the price of the Apple Watch starts at around $549. The Watch Edition is the most expensive of the three, since it’s made of gold and starts off at $10,000.

The success of the Apple Watch selling so many units bodes well for a niche that many analysts have been bearish about. With its clout, Apple is sure to carve out a sizeable piece of the wearables market revenue.

[technogigs]

Top DIY Gaming Computers Of 2015

If you are like anything even remotely like us, you prefer doing most things yourself. Whether it’s building a shed or fixing the car, going the DIY route is just your style. We dig it! The same also goes for computers as well. So, for those who suffer from a rational distrust of technology, here are some of the best way of getting yourself the best whether it’s a gaming PC AMD vs. Intel. So, if you are a gamer who also happens to have a good budget, these are the tips for you.

If you want to just dive into building yourself a kick-ass gaming system there are some parts that you will have to keep in mind to make sure your self-assembled gaming computer is able to withstand the pressure it’s about to experience.

Gaming Computers for $1,000

For a thousand big ones you can expect to get a good gaming system albeit not as good as some of the high end machines that are available in the market. For instance, you should be able to get a system that can work any game with a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1440. Apart from that, you can even also expect to get an entry level gaming system which will be able to work 4K graphics as well, which is not bad at all when you think about it.

Since $1,000 is the sweet spot when it comes to getting yourself an entry level gaming computer, here are some of the parts that you will need to combine to make up your system.

So, you’ll start off with an Intel Core i5-4690K, along with a EVGA GTX 970 GPU and a CM Hyper 212 EVO fan just to make sure the system stays cool. After that you can concentrate on getting Crucial Ballistix 8GB of RAM, and a Corsair CX600 PSU, along with a MSI Z97 PC MATE LGA 1150 motherboard, and a Western Digital Blue 1 TB HDD. With cash to spare you will have enough to buy a Crucial BX100 120GB SSD, a Samsung 24x SATA DVD Writer and close it all off with a Corsair Carbide SPEC-01 case.

Gaming Computers for $1,500

If you have an extra $500 to spare, then you pretty much have enough to build yourself a great gaming computer. $1,500 bucks will get you an upgraded motherboard, which is always good, especially when it comes to gaming PCs, along with the components that have some extra kick in them, which will come in handy while playing some of the heavier gaming franchises.

The reason why you should probably go for a Core i7 is because if you think you’re going to be using up extra threads (and you probably will!) then the i7 will be able to go the distance. Without getting into a war on which is better when it comes to gaming, a gaming PC AMD vs. Intel, here are some of the components that should come in your budget of $1,500. We should also probably mention here that this budget will make it possible for you to max out anything on a 2560 x 1440 resolution monitor, and will also serve as your entry-level 4K gaming computer.

Okay, so you’ll be getting an Intel Core i7-4790K processor with a Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 graphics card and an ASUS Z97 PRO LGA 1150 motherboard, and a Western Digital Blue 1 TB of HDD. You will also get a Corsair Carbide 200R case with a CM Hyper 212 EVO fan to keep things cool inside. You will also get a Crucial Ballistix 8GB of RAM, plus Crucial MX 200 250GB of SSD, a Samsung 24x SATA, and a Corsair CX600 PSU which total to around $1,500.

Ending Note

While the prices of the components, as is the case with just about everything else fluctuates, we didn’t find it necessary to include the actual price of the hardware.

[technogigs]

Serious Security Flaw Exposes Lenovo

It seems like geek technology is wrecking havoc in surprisingly alarming ways, and to be fair, while most of the stories out there can be described as nothing but alarmist garbage, every once in a while, we come across some stories about technology that can simply be described as grimy and un-American.

As many of you (pretend to) know that Lenovo is the world’s largest PC maker. The company has also been recently involved in some unethical behavior, which falls under the list of the un-Americanism we had previously mentioned. The news of the newest technology security flaw comes only three months after the company found itself in hot water for being implicated in pre-installing dangerous adware onto their own systems.

Once again, the manufacturing giant has been accused of putting its users at risk with a serious security flaw which has been discovered only recently. The flaw in question allows Lenovo’s own product update service to enable hackers to download malware onto their computer system via a MiTM or man-in-the-middle attack. The recent gaps in the security of Lenovo’s devices was found just weeks after the controversial “Superfish” malware was found on Lenovo’s systems. Surprisingly, the well-documented Superfish security flaw had also led to many systems being attacked with the same MiTM.

The security flaw was revealed by two researchers from a security firm IOActive, Sofiane Talmat and Michael Milvich, who both stated that the recent security flaw that has been found in Lenovo’s systems is very serious since high severity vulnerabilities were found on the system’s own update service. According to Talmat and Milvich, while the update feature allows users to install the latest drivers along with other software for their system, it also includes a security gap which enables hackers to take advantage of the system.

Both security analysts found the flaw in Lenovo back in February and waited for the company to take action by patching up the very serious vulnerability. But, after months of waiting, the two decided to come out with their findings after Lenovo showed no signs of fixing the security flaw in their system. And while Lenovo provided a security patch last month which addresses the issue, Lenovo users are still complaining that while the patch does fix the issue, it has to be downloaded to protect their systems.

And that’s not all. The two security experts found not only one security flaw in Lenovo’s system, but two. The first one codenamed CVE-2015-2219 is a general weakness in the core of Lenovo’s security system, which allows least privileged users to gain access to Lenovo computers at a high level, and then runs malware commands and programs without the user ever knowing what happened.

The second security flaw which was found by the two has been codenamed CVE-2015-2233 and allows not only local but also remote hackers to easily bypass the system’s signature security checks and replace the validation checks with malware that infects the whole system. And it only gets worse for Lenovo, as a third security flaw codenamed CVE-2015-2234 was also revealed by the security firm, which allows unprivileged users to execute commands as a system administrator. All of these problems affect Lenovo’s  new technology 2015 system update 5.6.0.27 along with earlier versions of system updates as well.

According to the researchers, the attackers are able to create a fake security certificate which is then used against the system since Lenovo doesn’t perform a thorough check on the executables after they have been downloaded through the system update.

Remote hackers who are able to perform a MiMA attack, which is more popularly referred to as a coffee shop attack can then exploit this to swap the system’s executables with the executable containing the malicious software. The company has been plagued by security issues that don’t seem to go away, and these recently found flaws aren’t doing much to help Lenovo win back the trust of their faithful users. In recent months, the company has been criticized by users as well as security experts due to the many security related flaws that have been found in Lenovo’s computers.

[technogigs]

New Solar Power Storage Technology Helps Reduce Costs

The solar energy that’s shining down on us today has been around since the times of the homo sapiens, but it was only until recently that man has managed to put all that solar energy to some good use. And while the technology has helped reduce the cost of electricity, there is still much to do done when it comes to reducing the cost of the apparatus for storing the solar energy. Well, it looks like Odin has finally answered our prayers because newest tech has been developed which could cut the costs of storing solar energy by half, which is quite a lot considering the amount we have to chug out today.

It is true that the increasing share of power that is based on solar power technology results in an ever increasing load of distributing that power and developing special transmission lines to transfer power from one place to another. At the Helmholtz Institute for Electrochemical Energy Storage, the KIT is demonstrating just how cutting edge technology is being used to develop modern batteries which are able to outperform their present counterparts when it comes to storage capabilities, along with new ways in which the raw solar energy can be transformed to fit in the grid, reducing the need for expensive equipment that does about the same thing in most grids today. As part of a study, the unique solar power storage system which house a 76 kWh battery unit began operating at the Helmholtz Institute for Electrochemical Energy Storage and supplies the institution with renewable energy.

According to Simone Schwanitz, Director General of the Baden-Wurttemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Arts, the new transformation of energy in Germany and Europe as a whole is a big challenge for every country in the EU, but with a modern approach, and by using new storage technologies, it could one day solve the problem of storing solar energy efficiently and in a way that is cost effective to both the grid and the consumers.

The recently developed solar power technology which is currently working in the Institute in Ulm, Germany is testament that by the use of future oriented technologies, it is possible to transform the way in which solar energy is stored and used by people who are interested in a green way of living.

According to Karl Joachim Ebeling, President of Ulm University, the new solar power storage capabilities which have been demonstrated in the KIT project is proving to be very useful in gaining important insights on the ways in which solar energy can be stored and used. Apart from that, the KIT project is also playing its part in the Energiewende, which is Germany’s green energy campaign and is something that the country is particularly keen on.

Joachim also stated that the new solar energy storage system offers multiple benefits for the institute. For instance, the KIT project is designed to study the amount of consumption and come up with intelligent control strategies which ensures compatibility with the grid through which the energy is transferred to the building. Secondly, the KIT project is currently being used to test novel batter materials which can improve storage efficiency under real operation conditions, which only helps in determining the best storage strategy. Apart from that, the new KIT solar power storage system is working as a test laboratory and as a research facility, along with supplying the building with the energy its needs to function normally.

According to energy analysts, the KIT solar power storage system is equipped with a smart control unit that has been developed by KIT researchers and ensures that the electricity which is being generated is not fed into the public distribution grid for now. The grid load has also been reduced by cutting the supply of the solar power storage system during supply peaks, as well as the load peals of the consumers of the Helmholtz Institute for Electrochemical Energy Storage.

In short, the KIT solar power storage system is an autonomous, self-learning system which is able to optimize solar energy storage, which is the future of power generation.

[technogigs]

What You Don’t Know About the Apple Watch

Few would deny that the much-hyped and recently launched Apple Watch is the golden monorail to a bold new era of technological advancement (in wearable technology). Over the past 15 years no one has changed the way we use technology like Apple has with the iPhone, the iPod and the iPad, and the now released Apple Watch is no exception.

When it comes to top-end technology, no one does it better then Apple, even if we can only use their products along with their other products, we don’t really care, all we want is a stylish and easy way of using the technology we need all of the time. The Apple Watch has brought much to the table as far as wearables are concerned, but even with all of its popularity, there are still many things that most people do not know about, until they wear the device, and this is going to be a list of all of those things which have been covered by technology magazines.

The Hardware is Great

First off, the cleverness of the hardware is commendable. For those who have been skeptical about the product’s hardware, they will be pleased to know that although the Apple Watch comes in three variations, and makes sense when it comes to fashion-minded products. With the Apple Watch, no matter which variation you go with, whether it’s the normal version, the Sport of the Edition, everything with the Apple Watch seems to be in place. With an exception that the Apple Edition is a bit chunkier than you’d expect it to be.

Apart from that, every tiny detail of the Apple Watch, for instance, the band options that you can use to secure them on your wrists exemplify the sleek and ingenious design choice. And when it comes to customization, the Apple Watch offers a whole range of band styles, colors and case materials to go with the sleek time piece, making it the most customizable device we have seen in a long time.

The Size is Right

Although the company has not marketed any one of the three designs exclusively for either men or women, it is obvious that most men would go for the 42mm size, while most slender-wristed women will prefer to use the 38mm option. That being said, even Apple’s 42mm option which is considered the larger of the two is not by any means a big watch, when compared to other watches in the wearable market. For instance, the Samsung Gear S, which is considered as a monster when compared to the Apple Watch. But, even with its smaller design, the Apple Watch has managed to pull off looking larger than it actually is. The device manages to do this because of the genius of Apple’s designers who gave the Apple Watch a black bezel, while making the software and interface with bright colors. Thus making the line between the bezel and the screen almost seamless, and allows the screen to appear much larger.

Great Resolution

The very small, but very high resolution display manes that app developers have the same opportunities for designing apps as they do with the tablet and the smartphone. Apple knows that every pixel matters, which is why they have focused on the screen’s design apart from its functionality.

Customizable Watch Faces

Apple isn’t known as a company that allows its users to tinker around with the interface. But, with the Apple Watch, that mindset has definitely changed. Almost all of the ten watch faces that Apple has offered for the new Apple Watch allows the users to tweak with the colors and various other design elements. According to technology magazines once you’ve mastered force touch, the Apple Watch becomes pretty easy to use.

Bottom Line

It’s the dawn of a new age. And thanks to new technology 2015 such as the Apple Watch mankind is no longer subject to the tyranny of having to wait in line, or having put up with any of the inconveniences which have plagued us for eons.

[technogigs]

Gates Turns His Specs Towards The Verge for the Whole Month of February

At Technogigs, we love technology, especially the kind which leaves us in such awe that we realize that we’ve come a long way from our primitive ancestors. Since we live, eat, and breathe technology, it also means that we don’t treat other tech sites or technology blog of our kin with cold, dead silence (that would be wrong! Right!). There is plenty of originality and creativity in the world when it comes to the job we do, you just need to do a bit of digging to find them.

Created by Joshua Topolsky and Marty Moe, and founded in 2011 in partnership with Vox Media, the Verge is one such website where humanity's collective desire to introduce and nitpick products for the greater good has been noticed. The website is featuring Bill Gates as its guest editor for the whole month of February. The founder of Microsoft and the richest man in the world (2009) will be illustrating his vision of the future and will be discussing various subjects such as banking,technology, farming, education and so on. Here’s what you’ll be hearing from the Rocky Balbo of the business world.

Throughout the month of February, Bill Gates will be narrating episodes of The Verge’s animated series. The in-depth features have examined how the rapid change in fields of medicine, science and technology and agriculture are improving the lives of those who are living in some of the most impoverished parts of the world. The features have all been backed up by some serious independent journalism to bring the readers a wider perspective on the diverse subjects.

In health, Gates believes that making some drastic improvements in the core infrastructure will have a positive impact, especially in developing countries. Some of the medical problems which Gates has touched upon thus far are elephantiasis, river blindness, blinding trachoma and the guinea worm. Eradicating polio for good has also been an area where Gates has been focused on.

While the former CEO of Microsoft has predicted the end of diseases such as polio within the next 15 years, he warned that violence in countries such as Nigeria and Pakistan could hamper the eradication of polio, and could delay the polio-free goal of the Gates foundation. Bill and Melinda’s Gates Foundation has spent around $85 million for the eradication of polio in Pakistan.

As guest editor, Gates has also touched upon some pressing issues that the world is facing, such as, will mobile banking be able to revolutionize the lives of those in third world countries? Are virtual classrooms the answer for improving the illiteracy rates of developing countries? Gates has also shared his thoughts on the importance of advanced farming techniques and the growing importance of mobile banking?

Those who are interested in tech sites and what Bill Gates has to say should check out the news features by The Verge’s first-ever guest editor.

[technogigs]

New Gaming PC - Six Core Alienware Area-51

When it comes to gaming PCs, the argument is always about Intel vs AMD, but when it comes to Alienware, does it really matter? Alienware has been known for giving us some of the most over powered and outrageously designed systems ever. Now the company has rolled out its new 6-Core, Alienware Area-51 gaming PC which is outrageous as a heavy metal band.

Area 51 rose to fame right from its announcement back in 2014 mainly because of its outrageous and other worldly design. While the use of sharp lines and the hexagons are a standard fare when it comes to gaming PCs these days, the thought of designing the entire chassis of the CPU as a hexagon was unheard of, and up till now, unthinkable too. The radical hexagon design is really what drove gamers wild about the new gaming PC by Alienware.

One thing which you will notice from the get go is its shape which is surprisingly large considering previous Alienware rigs. And with LED lights lining around the frame and on both sides, the new Area-51 chassis is all about attracting attention. Another thing which users will notice is that it weighs as much as a small cow. The company isn’t taking any chances this time around either, and has admitted that each side of the new Area-51 case has been tested to withstand up to five times the weight of the entire gaming rig. Right at the top of the chassis is the carrying handle, and under that you’ll find the latches to open the panels on either side.

Moving over to the inside, you will find an entire section which houses the hard drives, which is located directly behind the PC’s 2.5GHz Core i7 CPU motherboard (which has been unlocked for over-clocking). And even has extra room if one wants to expand their storage capacity. The opposite side of the CPU houses the three Radeon R9 290X graphics cards, and are fixed on specially designed support structures within the case. Apart from that, the Area-51 gaming PC features 4GB of RAM, which is placed in a quad-channel configuration and the CPU itself is liquid cooled.

Input and output ports are located at the back and are easy to reach because of the new upward orientation of the chassis, while the PC’s power supply is nicely fixed in one corner of the rig, with all the internal parts conveniently accessible thanks to some good wiring arrangements.

It is clear that the new Area-51 machine has been designed with both performance and speed in mind, it also features the Alienware Command Center software which enables users to customize the LED light configuration according to their liking. You can also adjust and monitor the fan’s speed through the Alienware Command Center software as well.

Forget about Intel vs AMD, in the end, the Alienware Area-51 gaming PC is for a limited crowd of gamers who love their high-end specs. If you got the coin to pony up, the new six core Alienware Area-51 gaming PC is the one for you. The new Alienware Area-51 gaming PC is great to look at and offers some awesome features which makes it a winner when it comes to gaming PCs.

[technogigs]

MineCon Returns in 2015

As you all know, the very popular Minecraft is a videogame which was created by a Swedish developer and developed by a Swedish company called Mojang. The game is all about placing and breaking blocks, but it is also about going out on adventures through the blocky terrain and even battling creatures in “The Nether.”

For those who like to play Minecraft, MineCon is a big deal event where fanboys get to meet and find out more about the game and find out about best upcoming video games characters. After skipping the Minecraft fan convention back in 2014, Mojang, who are the developers of the Minecraft game have decided that they are going to be taking part in this year’s convention.

According to gaming news, the studio has already announced that MineCon 2015 is going to take place this summer in UK. To be more specific, the event which is slated to take place at the ExCel London Exhibition and Conference Center will start from 4th of July. According to insiders, over 10,000 tickets to MineCon 2015 will be sold in two separate batches of 5,000, both on the same day.

While the exact day and the time that the tickets to the event will be on sale have not been announced as yet, reports have been surfacing that purchasing the tickets will enable visitors to access a discounted hotel booking system, which is good news for many who are probably going to be at the event from out of town.

Furthermore, those who wish to host their own panel at the MineCon event will have to submit their ideas by March the latest, while exhibitors have been encouraged to contact the developers Mojang with their requests for booth space at the event. For those who are interested in volunteering to be MineCon agents, the application process has already begun.

The first ever Minecraft convention took place back in 2010, where only a small gathering of 50 fans had gathered with Markus “Notch” Persson the founder of Mojang. The following year, the event was able to congregate around 5,000 attendees, which is also called the first official MineCon convention. This was followed by two very successful MineCon events in 2012 and 2013, both of which were successful.

Microsoft had acquired Minecraft last year for $2.5 billion, which is one of the reasons why there was no MineCon event in 2014. But with this latest announcement, all those who love Minecraft will finally get to see their favorite Mojangstas up close and personal at the upcoming video games event.

Ending Note

MineCon 2015 is scheduled to take place at the ExCel Exhibition and Conference Center in London this July. Tickets to the event will be available for sale next month. And for those who are wondering, does anyone even play Minecraft nowadays, you can refer to YouTube’s gaming section for the answer.

[technogigs]

Top Five Computer Games for this Month

With a plethora of some of the best computer games being released almost every month it is getting harder to make out the hot ones from the not-so-hot ones. So, here we have attempted to name the computer games that have managed to pierce through the noise and make an impact.

Sunless Sea

Sunless Sea lets you take the helm of your own steamship and set sail into the unknown. The captivating PC game is essentially about discovery and loneliness, lots of it. Set in the Victorian Gothic universe of Fallen London, in this game you will find sentient icebergs, crabs the sizes of double-decker buses and cannibalism which is all beautifully packaged in an ambitious game of adventure. Sunless Sea has been developed and published by Failbetter Games and is in stores right now.

Total War: Attila

Total War: Attila takes us back to the dark ages, where famine and disease were common place and the thirst for war had left civilizations in ruins. Sure, this sounds like the backdrop of most apocalyptic war games, but what makes this one unique is that it not only introduces us to brand new gameplay mechanics, but also shows us a vast and terrifying landscape of destruction and death the likes of which we have never seen. Published by Sega and developed by Creative Assembly, Total War: Attila is able to encompass the life of one of the most blood thirsty individual in history and give you an entirely new experience.

Evolve

From the developers of Left 4 Dead, comes the next generation of multi-player shooters, Evolve. In this PC game four shooters face off against a single player who controls a Monster, which the other four have to destroy. The 4 versus 1 formula seems to work out just fine for Turtle Rock Studios, who are the developers of this FPS. Players are able to level up to new characters in hunters and monsters as well as unlock other perks and upgrades as well.

Apotheon

Developed and published by Alien Trap, Apotheon is an action RPG which is set in ancient Greece. In the game you will find various characters from Greek mythology such as, Hera and Zeus. The player (that’s you) enters as humanity’s last hope for survival after Hera, the queen of Olympus overthrows her husband Zeus, and calls for an all out war against mortals. Will humanity survive the wrath of the gods? Play the game and find out for yourself.

Raven’s Cry

Released in January, Raven’s Cry is one of those dark action adventure games which will force you to question the image of pirates in pop culture. Developed by Reality Pump and Octane Games and published by TopWare Interactive, Raven’s Cry is able to immerse the player into a world of pirates, treachery and of course, treasure. Surprisingly, the PC game is also able to capture 17th century architecture in detail, which gives it an authentic look. If you are a fan of dealing with miscreants in dark alleys and cobbled roads then Raven’s Cry is definitely for you.

So, if you’re looking for the best computer games or upcoming video games try out these new PC games for the month of February and discovery the true meaning of mortal danger.

[technogigs]

Say Hello to the Apple Watch

With the wave of new fitness-centered technology being introduced to the wearable market, according to fitness and technology blog, now is the perfect time to try out some of these wellness products, one of which is the new Apple Watch. If you were wondering if the Apple Watch should replace your current wrist worn fitness device, read on.

First off, the Apple Watch is available in three different styles, the Sport, Stainless steel and an 18-karat Gold Edition. But, for those inclined towards reaching their fitness goals, the Sport version of the Apple Watch would be more suitable. Another reason for choosing the Sport version is because its waterproof and comes in five different colors, so users have a variety of options to choose from. The different colors that the Sport edition is available in are green, blue, black, white and pink. The Sport model Apple Watch is also 30% lighter than the other two models which makes it great for those who want a wearable for their workouts.

Much like the current trope of activity trackers, the Sport edition will track the user’s movement throughout the day, and will also keep the user moving at the same time. The new Apple Watch Sport is said to work good in all kinds of activity because of its ability to track data. The Sport edition smartwatch can measure workout intensity, body movement, heart rate, the number of calories burned during workout and even the distance that the user has travelled. That being said, the Apple Watch uses the GPS and WiFi capabilities of the iPhone for some of its features, such as, tracking distance, which is why your iPhone will have to be connected to the Apple Watch at all times during your workout.

According to a technology blog, the Apple Watch Sports edition also features some cool new apps which allow users to track the progress of their workouts. There is a special workout app which allows users to track their activities and display the goals which the user has set out to achieve.

 During workouts, the Apple Watch will provide encouragement and updates on when the user has reached a mile or when they are halfway to make sure that the user remains motivated. A workout summary app displays some of the details of the workout after the user is done for the day. Some of the information which the user gets from this feature is the amount of calories that they’ve burned during the workout and how many miles they have travelled along with the time it took them to reach there.

A goals app makes sure that the user knows their last best workout for a number of activity types from running to cycling. The user can either repeat that time, increase it or decrease it according to their progress. With this app users can also choose different goals that are based on their speed, distance, calories burned and time.

And that’s not all; the Apple Watch Sport edition also features a heart rate sensor which does not require the user to have an additional strap to wear over their chest like some of the sensors that are currently available in the market. This not only makes it more comfortable but also more convenient when it comes to tracking your heart rate. In the end, Apple seems to have stayed true to its motto of designing user friendly devices that are easy on the eyes as well.