Online Computer Tips Home
Home All Tips OCT Newsletter Free Tutorials Tech News Resources

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Google pitches Gphones to Verizon

Google is in discussing with Verizon Wireless options to put its mobile "GPhone" software on Verizon phones.

Most people believe that it's not a specific phone, but is more likely an operating system or software that integrates many of Google's mobile services, like Web search, Gmail, Youtube, and Google Maps, onto phones made by existing handset makers.

Google powered phones will be useless unless the company can strike deals with mobile operators to allow them on their networks. The most likely scenario is that Google is offering Verizon the ability to use its operating system to integrate any applications it wants into its phones.

Full Story

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Unlocked iPhones on the rise

Apple Inc. said that almost one out of every six iPhones sold may have been unlocked to run on unauthorized wireless networks. Chief Operating Officer Timothy Cook said Monday that 250,000 of the nearly 1.4 million iPhones sold may have been bought by users with the intention of unlocking them.

Some people have been buying five phones at a time at Apple stores in the U.S., modifying the software that locks it to AT&T's service, and then reselling the phones overseas.

Apple released an iPhone software update last month that rendered some unlocked devices inoperable. Apple said Monday that it sold 1.12 million phones in the three months ended Sept. 29.

Full Story

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Windows XP SP3 May Include Some Vista Features

A Web site that leaked details of Windows XP Service Pack 3 over the weekend claimed that the update includes several new features, including some borrowed from Windows Vista.

The service pack is said to include four new features among the 1,000 + individual hot fixes and patches that have been issued since SP2.

Windows XP SP3, which Microsoft has said will be released early in 2008, will be one more move by the developer to extend the lifespan of the 6 year old operating system.

Full Story

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Verizon Unveils iPhone Rival

Verizon Wireless unveiled three new cell phones including a high end handset named Voyager that will compete with Apple's iPhone.

The Voyager trumps the iPhone by offering faster wireless Web access. Butthe iPhone has a large touch screen and full Web browser. Verizon Wireless hopes the new phone will attract customers put off by the iPhone's lack of a traditional keypad. The Voyager hinges open to reveal a small computer keypad and a second screen.

Verizon also introduced Juke, an ultra narrow phone that comes in three colors and is shaped like a chocolate bar as well as the Venus, which comes in black and pink, and has a phone keypad that slides out from under a touch screen.

Full Story

Monday, October 01, 2007

Microsoft Allows Five More Months of XP Bundling

Microsoft is allowing OEMs and retail outlets to sell computers with Windows XP as customers continue to resist upgrading to Windows Vista.

Microsoft had planned to stop selling XP through OEMs and retailers on 1/31/08, while custom system builders have until 1/31/09 to pre-install XP on machines. But because sales of Vista PCs have not been as strong as expected, OEMs and retailers have asked Microsoft to extend XP's availability. OEMs and retailers will now have until 6/30/08 to sell PCs with Windows XP preinstalled on machines. Retailers also can sell XP out of the box until that time if they choose.

Microsoft had high expectations for customer adoption of Vista, and claimed the launch would be one of the most successful in Windows history. Unfortunately for the company, those predictions so far haven't panned out.

Full Story

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Microsoft's Stealth Updates Affect XP Repair Installations

The stealth update that Microsoft recently delivered to customers blocks 80 patches and fixes from installing after Windows XP is reinstalled using the repair installation feature.

The problem has been traced to the so called "stealth update" to Windows Update which Microsoft has acknowledged sending to users beginning in July. The updates were delivered and installed without prior notification, even when the PC's owner had told the operating system not to download or install updates without notification and permission.

This problem affects users who restore Windows XP using the setup CD's "repair" option, which reinstalls the operating system files without disturbing the applications and data already on the disk drive. Because a repair is essentially a rollback to Window's original state, XP must be updated with all subsequent patches and hotfixes.

Full Story

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Microsoft Quietly Lets Vista Users Revert to XP

Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Lenovo are just a few of the system manufacturers offering downgrades. Each of these PC makers offer an XP Pro recovery disc to those who request one that can be used to revert a Vista machine to XP Pro.

Customers who already have purchased a Vista-PC can request an XP Pro recovery CD for between $15 to $20 by calling technical support.

Additionally some customers and businesses have complained about Vista's lack of support for software and hardware designed originally for XP.

Full Story

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Alaska Airlines testing wireless Internet service

Alaska Airlines has announced that it will test a high-speed satellite wireless Internet service on its aircraft next year. The airline will be the first carrier in the US to offer such a service, and if the test is successful.

The broadband service is designed to work over water and internationally. Customers will be able to access the service from Wi-Fi hotspots within the aircraft cabin.

American Airlines have also announced plans to test a broadband service, though it will use air to ground technology, rather than satellites.

Full Story