Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Microsoft details Windows 8 File History, takes us through a Time Machine

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/microsoft-details-windows-8-file-history/

Microsoft is still determined to explore every nook and cranny of Windows 8 on its way to the newly official October launch, and now it's swinging its attention towards File History, its revamped approach to preserving our data. The new component supplements Windows Backup, which Microsoft admits is "not a very popular" app, and is more than a little transparent in bringing OS X's set-it-and-forget-it Time Machine strategy to the Windows crowd. Not that we're complaining: the same basic philosophy of getting an automatic, version-aware backup of all our personal files is convenient on any platform, especially when we can get a temporary internal safeguard while we're on vacation. The differences in platforms have equal rewards and drawbacks, however. File History provides more control over backups than its Apple counterpart, including frequency (finally!) and backup age, but it can't be used to backup whole apps like with a Time Machine drive. As always with these in-depth Windows 8 explorations, there's much more to see at the source, so click on through if you've ever been worried about deleting a file by accident.

Filed under: Storage, Software

Microsoft details Windows 8 File History, takes us through a Time Machine originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Building Windows 8 | Email this | Comments

DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/darpa-innovation-house-project-imaging-data/

Where are the bad guys? The military has eyes and ears everywhere these days, including drones large and tiny, satellites, radar imaging, LIDAR, infrared, thermal and even the enemy's own cellphones. The problem is how to take all that imaging and create a single picture of the environment. To that end, DARPA and George Mason University in Arlington have created the first Innovation House Project, which will put eight teams together for eight weeks in a "crucible-style" living environment to try to invent new ways of crunching the diverse sensor info. The military's research arm wants those units to think way off-piste "without fear of failure" to dream up solutions, and will have access to specialists and mentors from the military and academia. Unlike DARPA's usual challenges which have a grand prize, all teams accepted to the project will receive $30,000 in funding, but groups who go on to survive a four week cut will get an additional $20K. Proposals will be accepted up to July 31 (with no academic credentials ! needed), and the competition will begin in earnest on September 17. DARPA will get a license of any software created, allowing teams to hold the rights -- and hopes to continue the concept down the road, with new themes for team-based research on a tight deadline. So, if you're a data, imaging or "geospatial" whiz -- and don't mind being locked in a house and put under the brainstorming gun by DARPA -- check the PR for all the details.

Continue reading DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture

Filed under: Science, Software

DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DARPA, George Mason University | Email this | Comments

Philips' unannounced 9 series flagship TVs get exposed by leaked document

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/philips-series-9-flagship-tvs-leaked/

Having already unveiled an entire set of HD, LCD televisions back at last year's CES, the next obvious step for Philips would be to work its way up the entertainment ladder and take the wraps off of its flagship 9 series. Fortunately for us (and you), though, a recently leaked document's giving us an early peek of what we can expect from the manufacturer as it tries to re-invade living rooms all over the globe. According to the revealing docs, Philips will be adding the 9707 and 9607 Smart TVs to its 9 series repertoire, offering viewers a choice between a relatively large 46-inch or a more colossal 60-incher -- both reportedly "very thin." Additionally, the intelligent couple's said to be loaded with 3D Max features, a 1200Hz Perfect Motion Rate system, and both are expected to be powered by the outfit's Perfect Pixel HD processing technology. Needless to say, given its Smart TV status, it's safe to say it'll come with the usual WiFi capabilities as well as a number of apps to pick from. If curiosity is taking over you, such exposing documents can be found at the source below in PDF form.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

Philips' unannounced 9 series flagship TVs get exposed by leaked document originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FlatpanelsHD | source

Leaked Phillips Document (PDF) | Email this | Comments

WD Red HDDs aim to improve company's NASty reputation, bolster reliability in networked homes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/wd-red-hard-drive-official-launch-nas-soho-storage/

Ever heard a story involving Western Digital Green hard drives within a NAS? It probably didn't end well. For whatever reason, the aforesaid outfit's Green portfolio never has been a hit in the network attached storage world, but the company's (in)directly addressing precisely that with its new line of WD Red HDDs. Specifically, these are called out as being "NAS hard drives" -- SATA interfacing spinners engineered to hold up under the continual pressures of serving information to home and small office NAS users. They're destined to end up in homes with "one to five drive bays," with the units available in 3.5-inch 1TB ($109), 2TB ($139) and 3TB ($189) capacities. WD's trumpeting the Red line's NASware technology, which is said to "reduce customer downtime and simplify the integration process." Those taking WD at its word can find 'em on store shelves this week; everyone else can hang tight for the eventual flood of torture test reviews.

Continue reading WD Red HDDs aim to improve company's NASty reputation, bolster reliability in networked homes

WD Red HDDs aim to improve company's NASty reputation, bolster reliability in networked homes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus 7 tablet now receiving Android 4.1.1 update

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/nexus-7-tablet-now-receiving-android-4-1-1-update/

Android 4.1.1 just made itself available on the AOSP servers yesterday, and evidently it's wasting no time in heading towards the world's first Jelly Bean tablet. The ASUS-built Nexus 7 is now receiving the update -- a 12.6MB download that boosts the version number to 4.1.1. Our in-house unit isn't pulling down the new edition just yet (nor is our Galaxy Nexus), so it seems to be one of Google's typical phased releases. At any rate, Android Central is reporting that the code "improves performance and responsiveness system wide," while also adding Google Wallet to your app library. Seeing anything else? Let us know in comments below!

Filed under: Tablet PCs, Software

Nexus 7 tablet now receiving Android 4.1.1 update originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid-Life, Android Central | source

Google Developers (1), (2) | Email this | Comments