activity

Microsoft 'very surprised' by Google's Exchange ActiveSync ouster

Microsoft and Google are having a war of words on their respective blogs.

Google last week announced in a blog post entitled "Winter cleaning" that on January 30, it will be shutting down Google Sync -- a feature that allowed Gmail users to sync their mail, calendar, and contacts through Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync protocol -- for consumers who use the company's free e-mail application. Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education users will still have access to Google Sync.

Google Vice President of Engineering Venkat Panchapakesan said the decision was made after the company adopted CardDAV, … Read more

Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys

Windows 8 PCs now embed their product keys in the BIOS, a move that offers both pros and cons.

In the past, a new Windows PC would display its product key on a sticker, usually on the side of a desktop and on the base or the bottom of the battery compartment on a laptop. But with Windows 8, Microsoft has switched gears and now stores and encrypts the key in the BIOS instead.

A response to a question on Microsoft's Answers Web site confirmed the details earlier this month:

One of the improvements Microsoft is making to Activation … Read more

Google Map Maker goes hyper-local with Activity Stream

Google's Map Maker goes local by amplifying its service with information on neighborhood hot spots, cafes, gyms, and more. The Web giant announced today that it's doing this with a new Map Maker feature called Activity Stream.

Google Map Maker is a crowd-sourced mapping Web app that lets users create and customize maps on Google by adding locations and details on roads, businesses, landmarks, and other spots. It launched in 2008 and is available in most countries throughout the world. It's an important addition to Google's mapping services because it makes maps far more detailed.

In … Read more

Keep several eyes on things with Active WebCam

Welcome to my underground lair, Mr. Bond! How clever of you. But perhaps you didn't realize that I am watching your every move on multiple cameras at once, thanks to PY Software's Active WebCam? It monitors and displays multiple video capture streams simultaneously, and it records video at up to 30 frames per second. And I can use it to stream live video of your impending doom on the Internet! Too bad you didn't know that this versatile Webcam manager is free to try with nothing more than a nag screen, and affordable to any international supercriminal!… Read more

Make non-Airprint printers accessible with handyPrint

Airprint Activator, now known as handyPrint, is an app that lets you put Airprint support on older printing devices that do not natively support this protocol. Designed to run on iOS and Mac OS X, handyPrint may be a great solution for those who either have older printers, or find that Airprint support has been lost during an OS upgrade. We couldn't find handyPrint on the App Store, but there are several sites, including the publisher's (netputing.com), that offer downloads.

handyPrint installs on your favorite iDevice easily enough. It integrates with the menu bar, adding a new &… Read more

Pinterest rolls out user blocking, flagging, and reporting

Despite Pinterest's clean image, some smut does work its way onto the site -- and now the company is doing something about it.

The social network announced today that it's rolling out a new feature that lets users report and block questionable activity. People will be able to block other users, flag certain pins, or report an entire user profile for review.

Here's more from a blog post by Pinterest software engineer Dannie Chu:

Blocking prevents both of you from being able to follow each other's boards as well as like, repin, and comment on each … Read more

Capture screen views and create e-learning and e-training materials with ActivePresenter

Atomi's ActivePresenter captures and saves onscreen video and images and audio narration, but that's just the start of what it does. Another way to describe it is as a free tool for creating e-learning materials, manuals, presentations, screencasts, and demonstrations for training, education, business presentations, customer support, and similar applications. It's compatible with SCORM and handles a wide range of file types. ActivePresenter's free version is fully functional. It's also available in Standard and Pro editions that add features such as export capability, definable events, and Office compatibility. We tried the free edition.

ActivePresenter's … Read more

AT&T may have sent the most bizarre iPhone 5 activation ever

The iPhone 5 has caused a significant level of human heart palpitation.

Well, it's new and it's an iPhone and if you can get one quickly, then you can show it off to the envious or the mere tasteless.

So please imagine the feelings of one Katherine the Great.

This is not a pseudonym. This is a high-schooler whom I think of as the niece I've always forgotten to meet. She really does go by that name in her more intimate circles. (Though I'm pretty sure she's not on Google+)

Katherine was terribly excited about … Read more

Verizon ponies up $250M to settle with TiVo

Verizon has agreed to pay DVR specialist TiVo at least $250.4 million to settle all litigation between the companies.

Separately, Verizon also reached an agreement with privately held ActiveVideo for at least $260 million, resolving its suit related to on-demand video

"We are pleased to have reached settlements with both TiVo and ActiveVideo in these two matters," a Verizon spokesman said today. He declined to comment further.

According to a regulatory filing, Verizon will give TiVo an upfront cash payment of $100 million by September 28, followed by 25 recurring quarterly payments totaling $150.4 million. The … Read more