Archive for the ‘Reference’ Category

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3 Online mobile device security tips from Norton by Symantec

Saturday, February 23rd, 2013

The Norton Cybercrime Report 2012 showed an increase in new forms of cybercrime, such as those found on social networks and mobile devices, as cybercriminals focused their efforts on these increasingly popular platforms.

New forms of Cybercrime are targeting online activities accessed via notebooks, tablets and smartphones.

New forms of Cybercrime are targeting online activities accessed via notebooks, tablets and smartphones.

It is no surprise that 2013 promises to be the same – with mobile adware, or “madware”, with can expose location details and contact information, increasing by a significant number.

Such madware, which sneaks onto a user’s device when they download an app, has increased by 210 percent over the past nine months, a clear sign that cybercriminals are attempting to exploit the many mobile devices that consumers are using to access the Internet.

To protect ourselves from online mobile threats, here are three best practices to ensure that our personal details and information do not fall into the hands of those that might misuse them.

(more…)

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Posted in Desktops, Gadgets, Howtos, Norton, Notebooks, Phones, Reference, Software, Study, Tablets | 2 Comments »

Top 10 tips for a safer Internet – for our children and for us

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

Today is the Safer Internet Day, a global campaign that promotes for everyone a healthier Internet. Started in 2004, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the annual campaign that is held on the second day of the second week of February since 2004.

Effendy Ibrahim, Norton Internet Safety Advocate and Director for Asia, Norton by Symantec, has provided a list of top 10 tips for parents and caregivers for ensuring young people remain protected online. Click to view/download enlarged PDF version.

Effendy Ibrahim, Norton Internet Safety Advocate and Director for Asia, Norton by Symantec, has provided a list of top 10 tips for parents and caregivers for ensuring young people remain protected online. Click to view/download enlarged PDF version.

Safer Internet Day is organised by Insafe and co-founded by the European Union, in order to encourage safer and more responsible use of online technologies and services.

(more…)

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Posted in Howtos, Infographic, Internet, Norton, Reference, Security | 1 Comment »

Smartphones hungrier than tablets for data utilisation – Arieso says

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Arieso has just released the results of a study into recent trends in extreme data, revealing new challengers for Telcos and network operators.

The latest Hungry Handsets report by Arieso

The latest Hungry Handsets report by Arieso

This year’s Hungry Handsets study finds that:

  • Smartphones trump tablets in terms of data consumption and generation
  • Apple’s iPhone 5 and Samsung’s GALAXY SIII goes head to head against each other at the top of the data utilisation list
  • Data upload has grown, as users generate more data.

This latest analysis by Arieso into mobile data use also reveals that 40% of all data is consumed by only 1% of users, although LTE is starting to take the strain.

Interview with study author

Dr. Michael Flanagan, study author & CTO, Arieso

Dr. Michael Flanagan, study author & CTO, Arieso

I spoke with Dr. Michael Flanagan, the study author and Arieso CTO about the report.

He observed that the data crunch in the wireless industry started by the launch of the iPhone was not abating; and the study revealed that increasingly sophisticated devices are unleashing unprecedented levels of user demand.

He cautioned that the particular results in this study corresponded to the specific market that was studied, and that these results could vary depending on a number of circumstances (including morphologies, available devices, regional customer behaviors, and socio-economic user factors).

“Yet again we found that novel usage patterns, new technologies and regional idiosyncrasies are conspiring to make life increasingly difficult for mobile operators trying to meet evolving customer expectations,” said study author and Arieso CTO, Dr. Michael Flanagan.

As such, these results are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive.

Dr. Flanagan urged network operators to embark upon similar subscriber and network evaluation programs in order to determine the clear and present data demands being placed on their networks as well as the most appropriate response strategies to best satisfy this demand.

(more…)

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Posted in Announce, Apple, Enterprise IT, Figures, Gadgets, Galaxy, HTC, Infographic, Interview, iPad, iPhone, Opinion, Phones, Samsung, Study, Tablets, Tech news, Tickers | 4 Comments »

BlackBerry supports Singapore’s inaugural ‘Green Corridor Run’

Monday, December 17th, 2012

Spanning from the Tanjong Pagar Rail Station to the old Bukit Timah Rail Station, the ‘Green Corridor Run’ presented by BlackBerry’ aims to raise awareness of this historical stretch of greenery and woodland.

Green Corridor Run on Sunday 27 January 2013, presented by BlackBerry. Photo from www.greencorridorrun.com.sg.

Green Corridor Run on Sunday 27 January 2013, presented by BlackBerry. Photo from www.greencorridorrun.com.sg.

BlackBerry today announced it will be the lead supporter for Singapore’s inaugural 10.5 km ‘Green Corridor Run’, taking place on Sunday 27th January 2013 at 7.00am.

Date 27 Jan 2013 (Sunday)
Time 7 am
Venue Tanjong Pagar to Bukit Timah Rail Stations

The ‘Green Corridor Run presented by BlackBerry’ is the first race to be held entirely on the ‘Green Corridor’ taking participants through a green oasis within the heart of the city.

The event, which has already confirmed over 4,300 runners, aims to raise public awareness of this green pathway formerly known as the ‘Rail Corridor’.

The route will allow runners to experience one of Singapore’s least known natural wonders and show their support for keeping the area as natural as possible, benefiting many generations to come.

The Green Corridor Run follows the course of the old rail line, starting at the historic Tanjong Pagar Rail Station.

It runs parallel to the AYE before heading North via Buona Vista, passing near Holland Village and through the lush Clementi Woodlands, before finishing at the old Bukit Timah Rail Station.

Why conserve the Green Corridor?

Once the beginning of a rail network that was planned to extend all the way to Russia, this uninterrupted stretch of ecological and culturally significant land has been re-surfaced to allow the community access to a ‘Green Corridor’ through the city.

The rail corridor was once home to the KTM rail line that connected Singapore to Malaysia and was the beginning of the Oriental Express for those journeying into the heart of Asia.

It has been out of use for many years and this has allowed the surrounding area to flourish with greenery and natural habitat.

Now the line is an uninterrupted stretch of ecologically and culturally significant land.

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Posted in BlackBerry, Event forecast, Press Release, RIM, Sports | No Comments »

New camera in Singapore: Samsung GALAXY Camera with Android Jelly Bean

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

Samsung GALAXY Camera combines the image quality of dedicated compact cameras with the connectivity and apps of the smartphones.

Available in November, price TBA.

The Samsung GALAXY Camera is a camera that has the connectivities and funtionalities of a smartphone (minus voice calls).

The Samsung GALAXY Camera is a camera that has the connectivities and funtionalities of a smartphone (minus voice calls).

The GALAXY Camera made its appearance in Singapore during Samsung’s “Be Creative” gala event at the Ritz-Carlton, which also saw the debut of the GALAXY Note II LTE in Singapore.

Samsung GALAXY Camera
Megapixels 16 MP
Optical Zoom 21 x
Wide angle 23mm, F2.8
Max zoom 483mm
ISO ISO 100 – 3,200
LCD 4.77″, 308ppi, 921.6k dots, 1280×720 pixels, HD Super Clear Touch
Movie 1920 x 1080 px
OS Android 4.1, Jelly Bean
Processor 1.4GHz Quad-core
Connectivity 3G, Wi-Fi
Memory 8GB int + mem slot
Slow motion video 758 x 512 (120fps), 320×240 (30fps)
Vido output HDMI 1.4
Flash Built-in
RAW No
Image stabilisation Optical Image Stabilisation
Size /mm 128.7 x 70.8 x 19.1
Weight 300 g
Battery 1,650 mAh
Price TBA

Enjoy 21x long optical zoom and 16 megapixels, as well as WiFi/3G and the latest Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean operating system and apps.

The GALAXY Camera has a 16-megapixel 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor with 23mm lens for wide-angle shots.

It boasts a large and vivid camera display – a 4.8” (1280 x 720 pixels, 308 ppi) HD SUPER CLEAR LCD screen.

Smartphone technology, powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, provides the Voice Control for users to manipulate functions such as ‘Zoom in’ and ‘Shoot’ through voice.

The GALAXY Camera includes a comprehensive set of 35 powerful photo editing features within the ‘Photo Wizard’ – such as the “Auto Face Calibration” feature – allowing users to edit their photos on the go.

The “Movie Wizard” allows users to create and edit expert-quality videos easily using the touch screen.

The GALAXY Camera also features ‘Smart Content Manager’, which intelligently creates folders, tags faces, and even suggests which pictures to delete when they do not come out as desired.

Internet connectivity enables users to share their photos easily on the Web.

Users can share photos simultaneously as they shoot when they use the ‘Share Shot’ feature.

The Samsung GALAXY Camera has 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity on to the Internet, as well as apps running off the latest Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.

The Samsung GALAXY Camera has 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity on to the Internet, as well as apps running off the latest Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.

The camera’s convenient ‘Auto Cloud Backup’ feature will automatically save photos into the cloud via Samsung’s AllShare the instant they are taken.

Infographic showing features of the Samsung GALAXY Camera.

Infographic showing features of the Samsung GALAXY Camera.

In addition to sharing photos on social networks and cloud services, users can also connect to a range of GALAXY devices including the GALAXY S III and GALAXY Note II.

In addition to the pre-installed applications from Samsung, users can browse the web and enjoy any application from Google Play or Samsung Apps stores.

‘S Suggest’ will also be able to recommend a new photo editing app or fun game to download if users are spoilt for choice.

The GALAXY Camera enables connection to 3G networks (HSPA+ 21Mbps on 850/900/1900/2100 MHz) via a micro-SIM, allowing photo sharing and browsing anywhere.

The GALAXY Camera also functions on Wi-Fi with Dual Band and Channel Bonding for extra speed.

Connectivity is supported by a 1.4GHz Cortex-A9 quad-core processor that enables fast web-browsing and multitasking, as well as high-speed image processing without significant impact on battery life (1,650 mAh).

The camera comes with 8GB internal memory, with a memory slot for additional external memory (SD card, micro SDHC, micro SDXC).

Cameras crossing into smartphone territory

Nikon launched its COOLPIX S800c back in August – with Android 2.3 and Wi-Fi connectivity.

It had 16 megapixels and 12x optical zoom.

I had mused about when a camera would get 3G connectivity as well.

So it is opportune that Samsung is going to deliver that in the form of GALAXY Camera in November.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

The 3G-capable GALAXY Camera will have the same 16 megapixels but will come with 21x optical zoom and Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.

What’s next?

A camera that you can press to your cheeks to call someone?

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Posted in Android, Cameras, Compact camera, Events, Gadgets, Galaxy, Infographic, Launch, Operating Systems, Phones, Photography, Samsung, Specifications | 2 Comments »

New company byte: OpenNet

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Here’s a new Company Byte – for OpenNet, the Singapore company responsible for the building, managing and operating of the fibre-optic platform for Singapore’s Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN).

OpenNet is responsible for the building, managing and operating of Singapore’s Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN).

Read a byte-sized profile and background information of OpenNetfor quick reference here.

You can also read articles related to OpenNet on tech4tea.com here.

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Posted in Enterprise IT, Network, OpenNet, Profile, Reference, Wiki | No Comments »

Infographic: Red Hat started from a spare bedroom

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

Did you know Red Hat started out in a spare bedroom in Tim Burke’s (current Vice President, Linux Engineering, Red Hat) house?

Here’s a tech byte about the software company that provides open source software to the enterprise community.

Red Hat started out from a spare bedroom. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source software.

Red Hat started out from a spare bedroom. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source software.

Red Hat Linux first appeared in 1994, with an October release called Halloween. It also started the Fedora Project in 2003.

Red Hat believes in community-led innovation. That’s why Red Hat is the leading corporate contributor to the kernel, with 70,790 changes, making up 16.3% of contributions to the GNOME project.

The Top 5 Asia Pacific stock exchanges are powered by Red Hat.

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Posted in Figures, Infographic, Linux, Operating Systems, Reference, Software | No Comments »

Infographic: Linux turns 21

Saturday, September 8th, 2012

Do you know that Linux has turned 21 years old on 25 August 2012? Here’s a tech byte about the open source operating system.

Linux is now twenty-one years old. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source.

Linux is now twenty-one years old. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source.

The initial announcement from Linus Torvalds was posted on 25 August 1991.

The kernel which forms the core of the Linux system is the result of one of the largest co-operative software projects ever attempted.

Almost 8,000 individual developers contributed to each kernel release between ver. 2.6.11 to 3.2, and the numbers continue to increase.

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Posted in Figures, Infographic, Linux, Operating Systems, Software, Technology | 1 Comment »

New Android tablet: Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

Having created a niche with the 5-inch GALAXY Note that straddled between a 7-inch tablet and a 3.5-inch smartphone, Samsung has introduced the 10.1-inch version of the GALAXY Note.

There will be three configurations: the WiFi/16GB (S$798) and 3G+WiFi/16GB (S$998) versions will be available on 25 August, while the LTE+WiFi version will be released later in the year.

Update (4 January, 2013): 

The Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 LTE will hit the shelves in Singapore from 5 Jaunary 2013. The tablet will be available at S$998 (without contract), in deep grey.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 was launched in Singapore today.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 was launched in Singapore today.

Hitherto, most people have used tablets as a content consuming tool – checking emails, surfing the Web, viewing photos, reading documents and ebooks, playing back videos and music.

I tried out the GALAXY Note 10.1 during its launch in Singapore today. I found it to be extremely responsive, comparable to a Wacom graphics tablet. The Photoshop Touch was also fast and easy to use, making photo editing pleasant and fun on a tablet.

In terms of content creation, some type short notes and emails using the onscreen keyboard, while those who write longer text documents type them out by connecting an external keyboard.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1
OS Android 4.0.4 (ICS)
Screen 10.1″ WXGA LCD +Digitizer
Resolution 1280 x 800
Battery 7,000 mAh
Processor 1.4 GHz Quad-core
Camera Rear: 5mp
Front: 1.9mp
Video Full HD(1080p)
Memory Int: 16 GB,
RAM: 2 GB
Ext: Up to 32 GB microSD
Size /mm 262 x 180 x 600
Weight 597 g

Price

3G/WiFi: S$998,
WiFi: S$798

The GALAXY Note 10.1 tries to make possible serious content creation using a tablet.

From note-taking via typing or handwriting with a stylus, research and clipping from the Web using S Note app, to powerful photo-editing using Photoshop Touch.

What differentiates the GALAXY Note 10.1 from the GALAXY Tab 10.1? It’s the combination of the stylus (S Pen) and the user interface that integrates with the stylus.

The GALAXY Note 10.1 comes with 2i-screen multi-tasking, where two apps are displayed running side-by-side on the screen, and videos can be displayed on a floating window for a picture-in-picture effect.

As for other Samsung products, users will be able to access the edutainment content and apps available on the Samsung Learning Hub.

For more details about the Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1, read the press release below.

(more…)

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Posted in Adobe, Android, App, Events, Gadgets, Galaxy, Launch, Operating Systems, Press Release, Prices, Samsung, Software, Specifications, Tablets | 4 Comments »

Maximising unused TV frequencies for wireless broadband communications

Saturday, August 11th, 2012

Utilising unused TV frequencies to provide wireless broadband connectivity increases the range and and penetration of coverage through foliage and reflective water surfaces that traditional Wi-Fi simply cannot penetrate.

Squeezing more more channels from the electromagnetic spectrum.

Squeezing more more channels from the electromagnetic spectrum.

Currently, the radio spectrum in the TV broadcast bands have been reserved for use by licensed broadcasters and are out-of-bounds for wireless broadband networks.

“Broadband connectivity is the ‘oxygen’ to today’s digital economy, and is fundamental to the wide adoption of cloud computing services that are already part of our daily lives, whether at work, home or play,” observed Jessica Tan, General Manager, Enterprise & Partner Group, Microsoft Asia Pacific.

However, much of these reserved radio spectrum remain unused and are called TV White Spaces (TVWS).

For instance, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia shares out the TV broadcast bands in the region and there are certain bands allocated to Malaysia and Indonesia that Singapore cannot use for TV broadcast.

If these TV White Spaces can be harnessed effectively for wireless broadband connectivity without interfering with the quality of TV broadcast, it will translate to better coverage, lower power consumption and reduced network costs.

“TVWS radio technology will create a new generation of wireless connectivity by unlocking these large, unused chunks of spectrum that will enable more ubiquitous and affordable wireless broadband for all,” said Tan.

The physical characteristics of the 700 MHz band (as compared to the higher-frequency 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands used by traditional Wi-Fi), for example, means that it can reach further, penetrate thick foliage, and transmit across reflective water surfaces with less interference.

In terms of bandwidth, however, both TVWS and Wi-Fi are capable of roughly 2Mbps per MHz. It is the penetrative and low-power attributes of the former that makes it an attractive supplement to the latter.

The spectrum as a precious commodity

Globally, explosive growth of wireless data traffic is putting a severe strain on today’s mobile and Wi-Fi network infrastructure, signalling the need for more efficient management of the spectrum, through policy and technology innovations.

The exploitation of TVWS turns unused TV broadcast frequency bands into premium wireless broadband delivery channels.

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Posted in Figures, Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Network, Reference, StarHub, Technology | 1 Comment »

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