Giveaway - ESET Smart Security 6 License

Hey friends here is a chance for you to win a license of ESET Smart Security 6. Just head over to the link below.
Link to the article

HTG Explains: How Android Manages Processes

Windows allows desktop apps to remain running whether they’re visible or not, while Apple’s iOS only allows apps to perform a few limited tasks in the background. Android sits somewhere in between — apps running in the foreground are prioritized, but apps have much more freedom to run in the background than they do on iOS.
You can view the post here.

Horsehead Nebula Sculpted in Dust (Caught in Amazing Infrared View)

The Horsehead Nebula is well known for its beautiful and distinctive look, making it a favorite subject among the many nebulae images taken over the years. As part of the celebration for the Hubble Space Telescope’s 23rd anniversary, a new image of the Horsehead Nebula has been captured in infrared and released. The new image is simply breath-taking with the amount of detail that can be seen…

You can read more about the anniversary photo as well as viewing/downloading a 1200*1254 pixel version of the image at the following link:

Hubble Telescope Snaps Stunning Nebula Photo for 23rd Birthday [Space.com]
Horsehead Sculpted in Dust [YouTube]

More Nebulae Goodness for You and Your Desktop

Desktop Fun: Nebula Wallpaper Collection Series 1
Desktop Fun: Nebula Wallpaper Collection Series 2


Source: howtogeek.com

Windows 8.1 Start button may not offer actual Start menu

Windows 8 users hoping for a return of the traditional Start button and Start menu in Windows 8.1 may be disappointed.

Rumors have floated recently that Microsoft may revive the familiar Start button in the Windows 8.1 update scheduled for release later this year. A new report today from The Verge claims that "sources familiar with Microsoft's plans" have confirmed the return of the Start button.

But -- and there always seems to be a "but" -- the new Start button apparently will not trigger a traditional Start menu but instead simply bounce users back to the Start screen, according to The Verge's sources. If true, that means the button would serve the same role as the Start screen thumbnail that appears when you move your mouse to the lower left "hot" corner.

Excuse me? Assuming The Verge's sources are correct, I guess such a Start button would benefit people who don't know they can access the Start screen thumbnail by hovering over the left corner. Otherwise, I don't see the advantage in a Start button that just brings you back to the Start screen.

Microsoft reportedly killed the Start button and Start menu from Windows 8 based on "telemetry" obtained from its Customer Experience Improvement Program. The company is now eyeing a return of the button for Windows 8.1 as a result of user feedback, according to The Verge.

But what about the user feedback clamoring for a true Start menu? There's a reason why Start menu replacements such as Classic Shell, Pokki for Windows 8, and Start8 have proven so popular. People clearly at least want the option to be able to access their applications, folders, and settings via an old-school but reliable menu.

Offering a Start button that just leads you back to the Start screen seems like a half-hearted effort at best. Or course, it's not fair yet to criticize Microsoft based simply on rumors of such a feature. But if the report is true, I think Microsoft needs to listen a bit more closely to its user feedback.

Source: cnet.com

From the rumor mill: Microsoft's Executives wanted the Start button back in Windows 8.1

A report recently suggested that Microsoft was considering bringing back the Start button in Windows 8.1, thanks to consumer demand. The report added that Microsoft may bring back the Start button as an option, along with booting directly to the desktop.

According to another report by Microsoft insider Paul Thurrott, Microsoft's Executives are the ones who are overruling objections from the Windows team about bringing back the Start button. "And I've separately confirmed that this is really happening, with the Start button, in particular, driven by upper management, which overruled objections from the Windows team," Thurrott added.

The Start button is likely to return in the upcoming Windows 8.1 update and it is unknown if the Start menu will make its return too. It makes no sense for the Start menu to return, since Microsoft is focused on shifting users attention towards the new Start Screen. However, having a Start button visible on the taskbar that leads users to the Start Screen might ease frustrations from many consumers.

Perhaps Microsoft made a decision to bring back the Start button to appease its consumers. Microsoft is expected to release a public preview build of Windows 8.1 during Build 2013 this June, so we may see the return of the infamous button then.

Source: winbeta.org

Search Charm in Windows 8.1 doesn't take up your entire screen, like it does on Windows 8

Currently on Windows 8, when you use the Search Charm, you are automatically taken to the full-screen Apps Search page. In this full-screen page, you have the ability to search for an app, file, or setting. With the upcoming Windows 8.1 update, things are changed for the better.

In the recent leaked build (9374) of Windows 8.1 Pro Preview, we catch our first glimpse of how the new Search Charm works. In essence, once you fire open the Search Charm, you will see a search pane on the right side of the screen. No matter what you are working on, you will no longer have to see a full-screen search page. Users can now search for something while working on another app.
It seems that Microsoft is shifting towards a 'universal search' feature that not only lets you search for a setting, app, or file, but also be able to search the web right from the Search Charm. Of course, the web search will obviously be powered by Bing. Having a universal search feature just makes things a bit more organized and easier to use, so it is a welcomed change.

Again, features can be added or removed before the update becomes final and we are expecting a public preview build to be released during Build 2013 in June. In the mean time, you can check out a video walk through of the leaked build

Soruce:winbeta.org

Windows 8.1 Pro Preview build 9374 makes it easier to customize apps on your Start Screen

With the recent leak of Windows 8.1 Pro Preview build 9374, we got to play with the upcoming update to Windows 8. The leaked build featured a few new features that were not seen in other leaked builds. One of the new features is the dimming of app tiles when you customize the Start Screen.
As you can see from the screenshot above, users will see all apps dimmed when they press the customize button on the Start Screen. In the past, users would simply see a checkmark on the app they right-clicked on. Microsoft has evolved this feature to make it a little bit easier to do all your Start Screen customizing.

In this leaked build, as soon as you right-click on the Start Screen, you can select a button called "Customize" from the app bar. Once you select this button, the entire Start Screen will dim, allowing users to easily select which app they want to customize. A selected app will no longer be dimmed, which is great because you can easily differentiate what app you are working on and what apps are dimmed.

You can also easily edit the name group of your app tiles, as well as adjust the tile sizes to your desired specs (either large, standard, wide, or small).
This feature is present in the leaked build of 9374 and hopefully it makes it to the final build. Microsoft is known to add features in certain builds and then remove them in subsequent builds. Do you like this feature?

You can check out a video walk through of the leaked build. In this build, we get our first glimpse of Kiosk mode too!

Source: winbeta.org

Windows 8.1 may make it easier to customize the Start screen

The latest Windows 8.1 build dims the Start screen to focus on a single app tile and offers a wider array of tile sizes, says blog site WinBeta.

Windows 8.1 will add new features to help you customize the Start screen -- at least it allegedly will, based on tidbits from the latest build.

The Windows 8.1 Pro Preview build 9374 recently leaked dims the entire Start screen when you click or tap on the Customize button, according to WinBeta. Selecting a specific app tile then turns its light back on, allowing you to modify that specific tile. The goal is to focus the attention just on the tile or tiles that you're tweaking.

Based on the new build, Windows 8.1 will also offer a wider variety of tile sizes: large, standard, wide, or small. Windows 8 currently limits tile sizes to either square or rectangular. Finally, WinBeta says that the latest build lets you more easily edit named groups of your app tiles, though it didn't specify exactly how the new editing process works.

Yet another improvement uncovered by WinBeta is a smaller search pane. Triggering the Search charm in Windows 8 opens a full-screen search page, obscuring and interrupting your current app or screen. The new build shows a much thinner search pane that leaves most of the space for your current screen.

The Windows 8.1 builds so far show that Microsoft is adding small but useful tweaks here and there. Collectively, those tweaks are designed to make the update to Windows 8 more customizable and more user friendly.

Source: cnet.com

How to Recover Your Lost Windows 7 or Windows 8 Product Key

If you have lost your Windows 7 or Windows 8 license key, you can still recover it from the computer or device where it is installed. Many programs were developed for recovering Windows 7 product keys but not that many work on Windows 8. That’s why I decided to test a couple of programs, identify those that work also with Windows 8 and share them with you. You never know when you need to recover your lost license key.

Click here to view the full post.

Source: 7tutorials.com

Google Tests New Interface for Related Image Searches

Google Image Search tests a new interface for related searches. Instead of displaying a list of thumbnails when you mouse over the related searches, this experimental interface shows a small collage of images above the queries.

 

 

Here's the standard interface:

 

In other related news, search by subject no longer works. Hopefully, it's just a bug:

 

 

 

 

Source:googlesystem.blogspot.com

 

 

Swipe Navigation in the Mobile Gmail Site

 

 

One month ago, Google updated the Gmail app for iOS and added a swipe gesture that lets you move between conversations without having to return to the inbox. At that time, the mobile Gmail site didn't have this feature, but now it's available.

If you like to use Gmail in the mobile browser and you don't want to install a special app for Gmail, you can now swipe left or right to the previous or the next conversation. Unfortunately, this feature is more difficult to use in Chrome because Google's browser has a similar gesture for navigating between tabs. You should avoid swiping from the edge of the screen when you open mobile Gmail.

 

It's interesting to notice that the "swipe to archive" feature of the mobile Gmail site doesn't work in Chrome for Android, but it works in the stock browser, in Safari and Chrome for iOS.

 

Source: googlesystem.blogspot.com

Google Now for Google's Homepage in Testing

It looks like Google Now won't be limited to Android, iOS and Chrome, it will also be added to Google's homepage. Some code from a page that's tested by Google offers more information about this feature.

You can view the whole post here.

Source: googlesystem.blogspot.com

Microsoft offers Xbox LIVE Gold subscription free for this weekend only

 

 

Microsoft is feeling gracious this weekend by offering a Xbox LIVE Gold membership free for the weekend, ending Monday morning April 22nd. If you ever wanted to explore the features that come with a Gold membership, now is your chance!

Microsoft typically charges $59.99 for a 12 month membership or $9.99 for a monthly membership. Those of you who reside in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Japan can snag this offer and have access to entertainment apps like Netflix and enable features such as Video Kinect. Hit the source link to find out how you can obtain this offer.

The Xbox 360 remains the top-selling gaming console in the United States for another month, marking 27 consecutive months of success for the company. This trend of dominance continues over competitors like Nintendo and Sony.

Source: http://majornelson.com/2013/04/18/free-xbox-live-gold-weekend-for-us-canada-latin-america-and-japan/

Windows 8.1 Pro Preview build 9374 leaks onto the web

Another leak! We have another leak! This time it's Windows 8.1 build 9374, our first leak which actually calls itself Windows 8.1. So far, it is unknown what changes this build includes, but we do know it dubs itself as the Windows 8.1 Pro Preview.

The leak comes from the same guys who leaked build 9369, the only difference this time is that this leak is a newer build and is a 32bit ISO. We are yet to confirm this leak as real, but many who are already testing the build are saying that the leak is indeed legitimate. As per usual, we will not be linking to any download links. Posting download links in the comments is also strictly prohibited.
Again, it is unknown what new features this build includes, if any. There isn't a huge jump between 9369 and 9374, so it's possible that this build won't see anything astonishingly new, keep your fingers crossed though!

Check back at The World Of Techs for more on this new leak!

First Look: Windows 8.1 Pro Preview Build 9374 (video)

With a new leak comes a new video demoing some of the new features Microsoft are working on. This time, we have a new search experience 'thing', as well as a new Kiosk mode that doesn't work properly as of yet. The Kiosk Mode is interesting, as this may be the option that locks the user down into the desktop app.

Of course, as this is a leaked build expect to see bugs. Sadly, the desktop app isn't listed when selecting an app for Kiosk Mode, hopefully it shows up in future builds. In the meantime however, Kiosk mode does allow you to lockdown a user into a selected Metro app. Watch the video for a demonstration!


 

Windows 8.1 Kiosk mode lets you automatically launch an app on login

Windows 8.1 Pro Preview Build 9374 leaked today and it seemed to be similar to the previous leak of build 9369, except for one big noticeable difference. Build 9374 contains a new feature called Kiosk mode. So what exactly does this feature do?

As you can see from the screenshot above, Kiosk mode is available under the Users setting, in the Lockdown category. Kiosk mode allows for the system to be locked down to a single immersive app. Users can set this app to launch automatically when the system logs on. The operating system can also be locked down to specific features. This feature is not yet fully complete in this build.
Recently, we learned about the possibility of Microsoft creating an option to allow users to bypass the Start Screen and boot directly to the desktop. That rumor also indicated that we would see a boot-to-desktop feature via a 'Kiosk mode.' While Microsoft may be working on a boot-to-desktop feature for future builds, as of this new leaked build, it is not present. Nor does the Kiosk mode allow for a boot-to-desktop feature in this leaked build.

You can check out the video highlighting the leaked build here. In the video, you will see how Kiosk mode is set up. Unfortunately, the feature is still buggy and not yet complete.

Source: winbeta.org

Microsoft's Surface tablet sells more units than Google's Nexus 10, still behind the Apple iPad

According to analyst Benedict Evans, sales of Google's Nexus 10 tablet isn't doing that great, especially compared to sales of Microsoft's Surface tablet. Everyone has been quick to criticize the Surface tablet, but these unique devices from Microsoft are actually doing better than Google's current Nexus tablet.

According to Evans, there are just 680,000 Nexus 10 tablets in use and around 6.8 million Nexus 7 tablets in use. This data comes extrapolated from Google Play to provide a rough estimate of total devices in use.

Google's Nexus 10 tablet was released in November of 2012, around the same time as the release of the Surface RT device back in October of 2012. Evans mentions that Surface tablets have sold only 1.5 million units, which is still more than the Nexus 10. Google's Nexus 10 tablet features a 10.1 inch, 2560x1600 pixel display, and was considered as the world's highest resolution tablet display during its debut.

The Apple iPad mini has apparently sold 10 million units in just the last two months of Q4. In fact, Apple sold 36.9 million iPads in the second half of 2012, just to put things in perspective.
While many of us are quick to criticize sales of Microsoft's Surface device, we must not forget one important thing. The Surface has sold more than Google's Nexus 10! With Windows 8.1 coming soon, perhaps Microsoft will boost its Surface sales and perhaps become a viable competitor to the iPad as the device matures.

Visiting Bing.com over a secure web connection results in a SSL error

If you head over to Bing.com using SSL, you will notice a security certificate error. Users can still proceed to view Bing.com but this error is obviously something that shouldn't be present.
Heading over to https://bing.com/ will result in a SSL error which tells you that you are most likely visiting a malicious website. "An attacker on your network could be trying to get you to visit a fake (and potentially harmful) version of bing.com. You should not proceed, especially if you have never seen this warning before for this site," Google's Chrome browser warns.

Typically, HTTPS is used to encrypt communication so malicious eyes cant see network activity to see what users are searching for. In order for this to work, there needs to be valid and updated security certificates. Looks like Microsoft dropped the ball on this one. Microsoft has yet to release an official statement on the matter or an explanation.

Microsoft's Azure cloud-based computing platform experienced an outage back in February 22nd, which was a result of an expired SSL certificate. As a result, services were either offline or suffered from poor performance due to the expiration.

Update: It appears that the certificate issue has been resolved. Microsoft is using Akamai for the certificate service, where the problem had originated from. "We're working with Akamai on that. It should be fixed soon," Microsoft had stated before the issue was eventually resolved.


Source: winbeta.org

App roundup: Turn it up! Music apps to rock out to

For all those people who love listening to music and for all those people who are still using Windows 8 (even I am). Here is a list of some music apps to check out:-

1. Nokia Music
2. iHeartRadio
3. Audials Radio
4. KEXP Artist Discovery
5. Shazam

Here is the link to the post which contains detailed review about the apps. Click here to view the post

Microsoft's Online Store receives a new redesigned look

Click to Enlarge

Microsoft has rolled out a new redesigned look for its online Microsoft Store, now featuring a much better way to shop for Microsoft's products and services. The new design allows consumers to easily browse and purchase products, find help, and search for a store location near you.

The new design also showcases the top product categories, as well as new products and popular touchscreen computers like the Surface Pro, right on the front-page of the online store. The new design also highlights the online store's everyday free shipping feature, as well as support on downloading and installing any software purchased from the store, and help from a "handpicked" expert.

For example, searching for the Surface Pro on the new Microsoftstore.com site, you will not only see the devices categories and prices, but also "what's new" about the device. Microsoft also showcases accessories available for the device as well as what makes the device so great. The bottom line is this new design offers more information in an organized and modern fashion.

The new look is viewable by everyone at http://www.microsoftstore.com/

Source: winbeta.org

Twitter kills support for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 and 7 starting May 13th

Twitter has announced that they are killing support for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7 starting May 13th. Twitter's Tweet button was first introduced in 2010 and was built around Internet Explorer 6.

"When the Tweet button was introduced in 2010, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 6 was our baseline. Now, most users have upgraded and we see IE6 usage dwindled. On May 13th 2013, we’re going to prune our support for that browser and its successor, IE7," Twitter stated in an official blog post.
In essence, the Tweet button, Follow button, embedded Tweets, and Twitter timelines will no longer work in Internet Explorer 6. "The script will detect the unsupported browser and silently exit. The content from the embed codes will remain in place," Twitter adds. The framework that allows developers to respond to user interactions with Twitter widgets will no longer work in IE6 and IE7.

In Internet Explorer 7, however, widgets will still be rendered but only for the time being as the browser is now given "limited support" and future features may not be implemented. Although support for IE6 and IE7 is dead, “Tweet” links will still share your page, “Follow” links will still point to a users’ profiles, and embeddable timeline codes will link to the main timeline on the Twitter website.

Again, this does not take affect until May 13th.

Source: winbeta.org

How to Add Dropbox (and other cloud services) to Office 2013

 

 

Out of the box, Office 2013 is designed to integrate seamlessly with the cloud – just as long as it’s Microsoft’s SkyDrive service.

If you use other cloud services such as Dropbox or Google Drive you can obviously browse to your local folders in the Open and Save As dialogs but you cannot Add a Place (other than the two Microsoft services) to Office’s open and save dialogs.

Instead of just copying and pasting others blog I will provide the link to their blog so that there bandwith is unaffected and even you get most of the information at my blog. And ofcourse all this without any ads.

Here is the link to the post.  Click to see the post

Introduction

Hey friends, this is my very first post of this blog and I wanna tell what are my aims for this blog. This blog will NOT AT ALL SUPPORT PIRACY but rather will contain links to several blogs, posts, reviews to software. Rather than surfing various websites and subscribing to newsletters and RSS posts you could get the most info here and within 24 hours of the event (there are limits which just can't be unseen).

Maybe you could be the one who is seeing this post due to unpopularity of this blog but believe me, you are the luckiest one. This blog is going to be a real hit and this month would be high time as I will post the most and the best posts in order to increase the page views.

This blog will be a non-profit blog for a complete year and mainly for the first semi-year and hence you wont see any disturbing ads or pop ups. In case of any downloadable content I will try to upload on as many resume supported servers as possible and ofcourse direct link will be included.


HOPE YOU WILL LIKE THIS BLOG
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