"Instead of releasing a brand new version of its desktop OS every few years, Microsoft is taking a page out of Apple’s playbook as the company shifts focus to providing continuous updates to their software. Windows will become more of a service than something you have to go purchase at the store in order to upgrade. For the first time in Microsoft’s history, Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade this July for any current Windows 7 and up users. After upgrading to Windows 10, users will then be able to download regular updates from Microsoft and other sources."
Check out the full story here: http://news.filehippo.com/2015/05/microsoft-confirms-windows-10-end-line/
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Thursday, 14 May 2015
How to travel in 2015:
Travelling isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when
you’d wave goodbye to your family at the airport and not hear from them again
until you were back on home soil. And there is no longer any excuse to rock up to a hotel in the middle of the
night, hoping they have room for one more sorry traveller.
Perhaps most empowering about travel in 2015 is the fact
that we no longer have to rely on a travel agent to organise every second of
our trip. Thanks to technology, we can now plan our own adventure with the
scores of helpful websites and apps that are available for the well-informed
traveller. Here are some of the best:
A gift from the organisation gods, TripIt is our pick of
travel websites. The website and app allow you to keep all your travel-related
information in one place. Email TripIt (or manually enter) all your trip
details, including flight information, accommodation, activities and tours, and
TripIt will organise it all into one nicely organised itinerary. Save or print,
and you’re ready to go!
When you’re organising a trip, there are often so many
places to stay that the choices can be overwhelming. How do you know if you’re
staying in a nice area? Or your hotel has a nice swimming pool? Trip Advisor
offers useful advice from seasoned travellers for hotels, restaurants and
activities in the area of your choice. The reviews aren’t always fair (you will
hear from a number of fussy tourists), but do your research and it will pay
off. You can also leave your own reviews, and gain “badges” for the number of
reviews you’ve posted.
As we discovered on our Europe adventure, quality WiFi is
not always available when you’re travelling. Avoid the stomach-turning roaming
fees and download apps that can be used offline. The Pocket Earth app allows
you to download detailed maps for use offline, so when you get lost in the
middle of nowhere, you have a chance of finding your way back. No more carrying
around an oversized travel map, or stressing about access to Google Maps.
Want to live like a local? Check out Airbnb’s website and
app for short to long-term rentals. You can choose to rent a single room in the
premises, or rent the entire place. Airbnb is an affordable option if you want
something more than just a tiny hotel room. You will often be offered insider
knowledge into the place you are staying by the owner, gaining a glimpse into some
of its best-kept secrets. There are thousands of listings all around the world
with reviews from people who’ve stayed there.
Happy travelling!
Friday, 8 May 2015
Four Smartphone apps that will transform your photos:
.jpg) |
We don’t all have the cash or knowledge for an extravagant
DSLR camera. Luckily, in the age of technology, all you need to create
high-quality photos is a smartphone.
From cropping and filtering to sharing with your network,
these apps are a cost-effective way of taking your photography skills to the
next level. To help you transform your photos, we’ve compiled a list of some of
our favourite photo apps for your phone.
Instagram:
More than just a photo editor, Instagram is actually a
social network. It allows you to crop, filter, saturate and frame your photos
to transform them into something you can be proud of. You can then share your
photos with your network, and comment on and like photos that you’re impressed
with. If you’re looking to branch-out from your network, Instagram allows you
to search for users and hashtags that pique your interest. It is available on
IOS and Android.
 |
| Photo: App store |
Adobe Photoshop
Express:
If you have an interest in photography or design, you’ve no
doubt heard of Adobe’s highly successful photo editing and design tool,
Photoshop. A free version of the software is now available for IOS and Android.
The app is basic, but allows you to apply quick changes to your photos
including editing exposure and shadows, and applying filters. If you want more
out of the app, you can upgrade to Adobe Photoshop touch for $9.99.
 |
| Photo: App store |
VSCO Cam:
Available on IOS and Android, VSCO has a great reputation
among budding photographers. The app will let you take photos through different
grids and allows you to alter the white-balance (this affects the colours in
your photo). After you’ve taken the photo you’re then able to crop, sharpen and
alter exposure and saturation. Although it
offers a range of useful tools, I didn’t find this one particularly
user-friendly.
 |
| Photo: App store |
Snapseed:
Last but not least, Snapseed is a powerful app with a simple
user-interface. It offers the usual editing features including changing
brightness, exposure and saturation, plus some very attractive filters. This
app is very easy to use, and allows you to edit your photos by swiping right or
left.
 |
| Photo: App store |
What is your
favourite photography app?
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Refresh Your PC - May Newsletter
Our latest Monthly Newsletter has just been released for May, and can be found on our website here: http://www.jnhsoftware.com.au/CFHelp.html
Thursday, 30 April 2015
What is the future of wearable technology?
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The Apple Watch was finally released to excited tech fans
last week to mediocre reviews. Critics described the watch as
sleek in appearance, but lacking in the functionality to make it a necessity in
the same way that the iPhone is today.
Hype around the
release of the watch has sparked questions about the future of wearable
technology: will it ever be mainstream? How much are people willing to pay for
it? And how can we combine high-level technology with high fashion, to make
pieces that people with no interest in technology will want to buy?
Only time can give us the answers to these questions, but
the reception of the Apple Watch over the next few months may reveal much about
how the public will react to wearable technology in the future.
According to News
Limited, 1 in 5 Australians already own wearable technology, but to take a
closer look at the current climate, we’re taking a look at some of the popular
products already on the market.
Some of the
contenders:
Apple Watch: The
latest and greatest in wearable technology, the Apple Watch aims to combine
Apple’s sleek designs with a highly functional watch. The watch offers a range
of apps including fitness, email and maps, and allows you to choose from two
different sizes in three sleek designs. It sounds great, but first reviews
indicate that the first generation watch doesn’t quite hit the mark in the same
way that iPhones currently do.
Moto 360 watch: Motorola’s
answer to the Apple Watch, the Moto watch is a fully customisable smartwatch
that (for a price) allows you to choose the face, band and case of your watch. Reviews
have praised the watch on its looks and quality, but critics were disappointed
with the short battery life.
Fit Bit Charge HR: I'm currently testing one of these. Although
it looks a bit like a watch, the Fit Bit is (unsurprisingly) a fitness tracker.
If you’re looking to track how much exercise you do on a daily basis, the Fit
Bit is a great option for counting your steps, telling you how many calories
you’ve burned and tracking your sleep quality.
Critics
like it for its accuracy and subtlety, but dislike its display and tendency to
scuff.
Garmin Vivoactive:
Unlike the Fit Bit, the Garmin VIvoactive is a sports watch - a cross between a
fitness tracker and a smartwatch - that is supposedly more suitable to sport
than the Fit Bit. The Vivoactive allows
you to accurately track running, swimming, cycling and even golf yardages.
Despite its impressive features however, the Vivoactive has been criticised
for its bulky and unattractive design.
Google’s disappointing experiment has been met with scathing
reviews around the world. Worn as glasses, Google Glass responds to voice
command. It allows you to take pictures, access flight and weather information
(displayed in the right-hand corner of your vision) and undertake a range of
other tasks that you could do on your smartphone, all at your voice command.
It’s supposedly comfortable, but is very expensive, has a short battery life and
looks quite ridiculous.
Do you own any
wearable technology?
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