The above headline should never need to be written. A company should never “brick” or render any product that a customer paid for useless. The company should replace the product if this happens accidentally and pay a fine for seriously inconveniencing the customer.
And exactly what mechanism is in the phone that “bricks” it and renders it useless anyway?
Much of the updating problems stem from the halcyon days of AOL, the company that perfected the slipstream update. Back in the 1980s and 90s, when AOL pretty much owned the online segment of the industry, the system would tell you that it needed to make an update when you tried to log off. For the next 15 minutes, AOL would be plugging in all sorts of new code.
I found that this process worked well.
Today Microsoft introduced a new line of wired mice called the Express Mouse. The Express Mouse is a sleek looking mouse that works on any surface with out the need of a mouse pad, and will eventually be available in five colors come June. The first two Express Mice will be available in Grey and Red starting in April.
They will be priced at $19.95 making them cute and affordable.
Microsoft today also announced that for $29.95 you can get your hands on the LifeCam HD-3000 which if I am not mistaken is the most affordable HD webcam on the market. The HD-3000 can shoot video in up to 720p format and with its TrueColor Technology can deliver vibrant colors in even the darkest or brightest of light settings.
For more information on both the Express Mouse and HD-3000 visit http://www.microsoft.com/hardware
Today HP announced it has revamped what I consider their stunning business notebook lineup.
The new EliteBook 8460p and 8560p feature a designed inspired by aerospace. The DuraCase design that meets military specifications enables the EliteBooks to withstand the toughest of conditions while maintaining a stylish yet work suitable design. In fact I have said in the past that the HP Business line of notebooks are even more elegant than their consumer line.
Microsoft announced Tuesday that Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is now available for download via the Microsoft Download Center.
Most people will get Windows 7 SP1 via Windows Update, Microsoft said. For those updating a single PC or a home PC, the company recommends that you wait for that update.
“Remember – for Windows 7, SP1 will help keep your PCs well supported by delivering ongoing updates, many of which have been made previously available through Windows Update,” Microsoft said in a blog post. “It does, however, include client-side support for RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory which are two new virtualization features enabled in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.”
Microsoft released the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 to its OEM partners on February 9, and they were made available to current customers of the Windows Volume Licensing program, as well as subscribers to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet, on February 16.
Dynamic Memory allows Windows Server Hyper-V administrators to increase virtual machine density without sacrificing performance, scalability, or security. RemoteFX allows for the virtualization of the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) on the server side to deliver next-generation rich media and 3D user experiences for VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructures).
Microsoft on Monday started rolling out an update to Windows Phone 7 devices, though it is not the larger update promised by Steve Ballmer during his CES keynote that will include features like cut and paste.
“This update is a relatively small one,” Microsoft said in a blog post.
Monday’s update – the first for the platform – “is designed to improve the software update process itself,” Microsoft said. “So while it might not sound exciting, it’s still important because it’s paving the way for all future goodie-filled updates to your phone, such as copy and paste or improved Marketplace search.”
Microsoft will send out the update in waves. When it hits your phone, the device will display a message that says a software update is available. Connect the phone to your PC or Mac and follow the on-screen instructions. Users that installed the Zune software or Windows Phone 7 Connector might have to update that program first and then use it to update the phone.
In January, Ballmer said the first major Windows Phone 7 update will add two components: cut and paste; and improved app performance when loading and switching apps. Customers can expect to see apps and games that load even faster, he said.
Today Symantec has announced the availability of version 5 of the Norton 360 security suite, and introduced its new Cybercrime Index.
Norton 360 Ver. 5 promises to deliver top notch security to its users, and the new Cybercrime Index will keep those same users up to date with what’s going on in the cybercriminal world, so that they can know what to be on the lookout for and how better to protect themselves.
Norton 360 Ver. 5 scored a 100% score for protection in a Dennis Technology Labs test. But since I didn’t perform the test I asked Norton if I could test out Norton 360 Ver. 5 for myself and see how well it protected me. They agreed and sent me a copy.
I am not one to really write a review on software let alone an app for a smartphone. But recently I was asked to check out the YP Mobile.
So I gave it a shot. I tend to travel a lot and I am always looking for an app that can help me easily find places, and I am a big guy I love to eat so I am also on the lookout for good restaurants and I like to see what others who have eaten at these restaurants think.
So I downloaded the YP App to my Blackberry. I have used similar apps like POYNT and YELP and while those apps were great I often found myself forgetting to use them, so I worried the YP app would just be another app that I forget to use taking up space on my phone. But I did want to try it out.
Last year there was so much hype over the D-Link Boxee Box that I had a feeling it was all talk, so of course I and every geek alive wanted one.
But one thing worried me, was all the hype for nothing? I didn’t get my Boxee Box on Launch day because D-Link said they would send me one to test out, it arrived a few days after Christmas and a day or two before my trip to CES. I was excited when I got it but because of the holidays and my upcoming trip I was unable to play with it until a few days after I got back from CES.
Today Segate announced that their Segate TV Remote Application has been approved and now appears for download on the iTunes Store. In order to use the new iPhone app you will need to download an updated firmware for your device from the Seagate.com support site.
The new App will allow for easy text entry for searching content on YouTube, Netflix and Pandora. You can also view files stored on hard drives connected to the device on your iPhone. You can even stream images on your iPhone now to your television.
The App is free so if you own, a GoFlex TV or FreeAgent Theater+ download it now!
From new notebooks to new phones HP released or announced pretty much every kind of product you would expect from them.
On Monday HP announced that it had redesigned the Touchsmart PC, for those of you unfamiliar with the Touchsmart PC it is an all in one computer with a Touch Screen PC. I have and the girls have CuteGeek.com have reviewed various versions of the Touchsmart and each time it has won us over.