Intel tempts Internet of Things developers with simple firmware engine

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Intel tempts Internet of Things developers with simple firmware engine" src="http://ift.tt/1aqTN9x"/><br/><br /><p>In an efforts to not be left behind in the fast-moving <a href="http://ift.tt/1vQG01m">Internet of Things</a> (IoT) sector, Intel has introduced a new universal firmware engine that helps developers get hardware using Atom or Quark chips off the ground quicker.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The new Firmware Engine, which was unveiled at IDF 2015 in Shenzhen, China, takes the form of a GUIthat that lets developers build custom firmware images for Intel-powered devices without needing to fiddle around with the source code.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Developers start off with an Intel-approved firmware image where they can then add or remove features to fit their needs. There is even the opportunity to add third party components and integrate custom boot payloads. The images produced at the end of the process are based on Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specifications and can be booted on compatible operating systems such as <a href="http://ift.tt/14ad0ox">Windows</a>, <a href="http://ift.tt/1sh4T3i">Android</a> and Linux.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>For any developers in the hankering for a little bit more, they can extend the firmware's usefulness by using the Firmware Engine SDK. The firmware itself supports reference boards based on Atom chips as well as the specialised Quark chips that are geared towards IoT devices. The first boards to be supported are the Intel Galileo Gen 2 and MinnowBoard, according to <a href="http://ift.tt/1aqTPOH?" rel="nofollow">The Register</a>.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Intel's IoT platform</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/16GyRsV">Intel unveiled an IoT platform</a> in December 2014 that combines software and hardware and is designed to allow its partners bring complete IoT systems to market that already take security and management capabilities into account.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Alongside this there is a solution from Intel-owned McAfee called Enhanced Security for IoT Gateways based on the platform and it's hoped this will assuage fears of IoT security becoming a problem.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><a href="http://ift.tt/1aqTPOK">Six things you should know about the Internet of Things</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1GtP5FR" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1FrvYXq" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1GtP5FT"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1GtP7h3" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FrvWie"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1GtP5G1" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FrvYXA"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1GtP7h7"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FrvYXC"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1GtP5G3" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1FrvYXE" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1OeL4WX<br/></div>

Intel tempts Internet of Things developers with simple firmware engine

In an efforts to not be left behind in the fast-moving Internet of Things (IoT) sector, Intel has introduced a new universal firmware engin...

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Buying Guide: The best iPhone 6 deals in April 2015

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Buying Guide: The best iPhone 6 deals in April 2015" src="http://ift.tt/1F8mDqI"/><br/><br /><h3>Best iPhone 6 deals</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Apple's <a href="http://ift.tt/1uj411Y">iPhone 6</a> has, as silly as it may sound, revitalised Apple's smartphone. It may not have looked like it was in danger from the outside, but a lack of new features would have been a disaster for Apple.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Compare and filter:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1EXQna9">use TechRadar's iPhone 6 comparison charts</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p>Now though, the iPhone is stronger than ever. Two new phones in two new sizes, both with some great capacity options including 16, 64 and 128GB capacities.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The new sizes are great, but it does add a bit of complexity to picking the best deal. As always, we'd advise you go into your purchase knowing how much space you're going to need, and don't be swayed when it comes time to spend your money.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Want the iPhone 6 Plus or the cheaper iPhone 5C? We've got you covered:</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><a href="http://ift.tt/1tlvjRv">Best iPhone 6 Plus deals</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><a href="http://ift.tt/1HDEa9k">Best iPhone 5C deals</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><img class="lft" src="http://ift.tt/1ce7da8" width="150"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><h3>The UK's best iPhone 6 deal:</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The best deal, with no up-front cost is currently on O2. You get a free phone for £36pm with unlimited calls, texts and 3GB of data. That makes your total contract cost £864 over 24 months.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1Oeucj2">direct from The Carphone Warehouse</a> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Now let's break down the best iPhone 6 deals by network...</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="iPhone 6 deals on EE" class="lft" src="http://ift.tt/18hWV6x" width="150"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Best iPhone 6 deals on EE</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>EE is the network to go to if you want high-speed 4G</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 1: Free phone, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 2GB data, £36.99pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Honestly, unless you're watching all the YouTube then 2GB of data is more than enough, and this deal has unlimited calls and texts too. This is EE's cheapest deal for the iPhone 6 without you needing to pay up-front for the handset.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £887.76</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1F8mFiu">direct from Mobiles.co.uk</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 2: Free phone, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 4GB of data, £38.49pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>As long as you like gold - and honestly, it is the best colour - then this is the deal for you. The free phone means there's nothing to worry about in advance of getting your phone and the generous calls, texts and data are all ideal for heavy users.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £923.76</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1ce7dac">direct from BuyMobiles.net</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 3: £200 phone, 500 minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB of data, £18.49pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>This deal is for those who have a little bit of money up-front and want to save on the total 24-month ownership. Unlimited texts is handy if you're using SMS these days, and 500 minutes of calls is sufficient for most people. The 1GB of data is also ample for all but the heaviest users.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £643.76</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1Oeuaru">direct from Mobiles.co.uk</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Compare and filter:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1EXQna9">use TechRadar's iPhone 6 comparison charts</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="iphone 6 deals on o2" class="lft" src="http://ift.tt/18hWV6z" width="150"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Best iPhone 6 deals on O2</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>O2 is the network with extras, including the popular O2 Priority service</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 1: Free phone, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 1GB of data, £32.50pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>As with most entry-level tariffs, the up-front phone cost is zero, but you only get a modest 1GB of data. In truth though that's enough for most people and the unlimited calls and texts mean you can stay in touch with modest cost.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £780</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1Oeucj4">direct from Mobiles.co.uk</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 2: Free phone, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 3GB of data, £36pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Here we've attempted to balance a decent amount of data with the lowest possible monthly cost. £36 isn't bad, considering the free Space Grey iPhone 6 and the total lifetime cost isn't an outage either.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £864</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1ce7fyH">direct from Mobiles.co.uk</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 3: £100 phone, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 1GB data, £27.50pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Ignoring the deals with pitiful sub-1GB data allowances and factoring in a reasonable up-front cost, the Mobiles.co.uk deal for a £100 handset with 1GB and unlimited calls and texts has a pretty good lifetime cost, if you can find that hundred quid up-front.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £760</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1Oeuarz">direct from Mobiles.co.uk</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Compare and filter:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1EXQna9">use TechRadar's iPhone 6 comparison charts</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="iphone 6 deals on Three" class="lft" src="http://ift.tt/18hWV6F" width="150"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Best iPhone 6 deals on Three</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Three is one of few providers that offers unlimited data, and Feel at Home is amazing for regular travellers.</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 1: Free phone, 600 minutes, unlimited texts, 2GB of data, £39.00pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Three offers some good deals for data but it's rarely the cheapest - if you want a good deal, buy your own phone and get one of its SIM only tariffs. Here though the data is reasonable at 2GB and calls at 600 minutes are probably more than most will use.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £936</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1OeuarB">direct from BuyMobiles.net</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 2: Free phone, 600 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited data, £42pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Three is the only UK provider to offer truly unlimited data, and this tariff - while expensive - means you can download as much as you like. Here you get 600 minutes too, but that's a side issue in many ways given the move to WhatsApp for both calls and texts.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £1,008</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1ce7dai">direct from BuyMobiles.net</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 3: £159.99 phone, 600 minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB of data, £31.00pm</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>If you have some up-front cash to spend, the BuyMobiles deal for £159.99 offers you reasonable data and unlimited texts with that 600mins of calls.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Total cost over 24 months:</strong> £913.99</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1Oeucja">direct from BuyMobiles.net</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Compare and filter:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1EXQna9">use TechRadar's iPhone 6 comparison charts</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="vodafone" class="lft" src="http://ift.tt/1F8mDHf" width="150"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Best iPhone 6 deals on Vodafone</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Vodafone prides itself in coverage and quality, it's often a bit mean with data, but there are extras like Spotify and Sky Sports Mobile thrown in.</strong> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 1:</strong> As of now, Vodafone is the best iPhone 6 deal of any of the networks. The iPhone in 16GB and silver is jus t£249 upfront then £22.50 per month. For that, you get 100 minutes of calls and unlimited texts but data is capped at just 100mb - not really enough for even light users. <strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1F8mDqL" rel="nofollow">direct from Vodafone</a> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 2:</strong> For those who need more data, Voda's best deal is for 4GB and that costs £35 per month with an up-front cost of £29.99. As with most high-limit data tariffs, calls and texts are both unlimited. <strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/18hWV6D" rel="nofollow">direct from Carphone Warehouse</a> </p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>Deal 3:</strong> If you want the cost of your handset rolled into each month, rather than paying for it up-front, take a look at theiPhone 6 16GB in silver for £30.50 per month. That includes 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 250mb of data. Again though, Vodafone can be properly stingy with its data, and 250mb is really nowhere near enough. <strong>Get this deal:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1F8mDHk" rel="nofollow">direct from Mobiles.co.uk</a> </p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><strong>Compare and filter:</strong> <a href="http://ift.tt/1EXQna9">use TechRadar's iPhone 6 comparison charts</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1GtP7gZ" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1FrvWic" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1OeL4WQ<br/></div>

Buying Guide: The best iPhone 6 deals in April 2015

Best iPhone 6 deals Apple's iPhone 6 has, as silly as it may sound, revitalised Apple's smartphone. It may not have looked like it ...

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Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition release brings Broadwell power boost

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition release brings Broadwell power boost" src="http://ift.tt/1a2bHyR"/><br/><br /><p>Dell has updated its range of XPS 13 Developer Edition Ubuntu Linux-ready laptops with a speedy Broadwell chip that elevates it above the heavily praised consumer edition</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The new machines start off at $949 (around £639, or AU$1,240) and come with Ubuntu 14.04 installed in addition to an Intel Core i5 Broadwell processor and 8GB of RAM that offers a boost compared to the XPS 13 range.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Dell's XPS 13 Developer Edition entry level machine also has a 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 pixel matte display, and a 128GB SSD as standard. For those that want more power, it can be upgraded with up to 512GB of storage, a Quad-HD (3,200 x 1,800) touchscreen display and an Intel Core i7 chip.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Each one also has a backlit keyboard, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, weighs in at just 2.8lbs and is half an inch thick.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>High praise</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>In comparison, the XPS 13 starts off a shade cheaper at $799 (£520, AU$980) and users could conceivably install a version of Ubuntu Linux and benefit from the saving, however, the lower price means a less powerful Intel Core i3 processor and just 4GB of RAM.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>That version can also be equipped with a Quad-HD display that presents a serious challenge to the <a href="http://ift.tt/1pEpM64">Asus Zenbook</a> and <a href="http://ift.tt/1a2bHyV">MacBook Air</a> and all that resulted in it achieving a perfect rating in a recent TechRadar review.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Check out: <a href="http://ift.tt/1BwMC9x">Dell XPS 13 (2015) review</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1IoAxrQ" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1IoAxrS" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1IoAxrU"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CjDZvN" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1IoAxI8"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1IoAuME" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1CjDZvU"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1IoAxIc"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1IoAxIe"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1CjDYI8" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1IoAuMI" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1H2ugjP<br/></div>

Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition release brings Broadwell power boost

Dell has updated its range of XPS 13 Developer Edition Ubuntu Linux-ready laptops with a speedy Broadwell chip that elevates it above the he...

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Industry Voice: There is no cord: free your TV and innovation will follow

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Industry Voice: There is no cord: free your TV and innovation will follow" src="http://ift.tt/1BUEJYU"/><br/><br /><h3>Introduction, challenges</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>In the 1999 film "The Matrix," the lead character, Neo, encounters a teenage boy effortlessly bending and modifying the shape of a spoon with only his mind. When Neo unsuccessfully attempts to do the same, the boy advises Neo that bending the spoon is impossible. Instead, he should try to realize the truth, that "there is no spoon," and "it's not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself." Similarly, consumers are gradually coming to the realization that <em>there is no cord</em>.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>As more and more consumers grow increasingly discontent with rising cable costs and channel packages that don't align to their preferences, cable companies are seemingly attempting to resolve the issue by doubling down on the very same legacy business practices consumers are rejecting. With that said, where do you get your television shows and movies?</p><br /><br/><br /><p>If you answered Netflix, Hulu Plus, or any other online streaming service, you're certainly not alone. In fact, a recent <a href="http://ift.tt/1r1Ck8m">ComScore</a> survey found that 24% of TV viewers ages 18 to 34 don't subscribe to a traditional pay TV service. Nearly 46% of those viewers indicated that they never even had cable to begin with, while the rest simply cut the cord.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The fact of the matter is, traditional TV is being replaced with video on demand (VOD) applications at a very rapid rate. This shift is fueled in part by ubiquitous connectivity, internet bandwidth improvements and a proliferation of online content providers.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>For the IT industry, this shift in content consumption represents a tremendous opportunity, but also a number of challenges.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Challenges</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>High-definition content takes up a lot of space. With the growing number of users cutting the cord – and the high demand for content that needs to be stored online – we must consider that it will not only affect the service of internet providers, but the big data houses that store this content and their ability to meet the current and emerging demands of viewers.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Furthermore, cable is extremely reliable and can consistently deliver high quality, regardless of the package purchased by the consumer. The same can't be said for internet service. With the internet, there is a direct correlation between the internet package purchased and the consumer's viewing experience.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Higher cost internet packages provide a better viewing experience, while lower cost packages can subject consumers to frustrating buffering delays, poor video quality and other random streaming errors. This is a challenge for consumers who reside in distant or rural suburbs where only low speed packages are available.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>As this cable-cutting phenomenon continues, CIOs and IT managers will face the challenge of adjusting their infrastructure to have the ability to store an exponential amount of growing data, large format content, and the capability to deliver HD content consistently and reliably to consumers with varying types of internet connections.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Big data, replacing the cable box</h3><br /><br/><br /><h3>Big demands for big data</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Several television series are developing new content at a rapid pace. This requires a place to store not only existing content, but tons of new content as well. As more cable television subscribers cut the cord and content demand increases, technology professionals are faced with the perpetual challenge of scaling storage infrastructures to meet storage requirements as well as extracting value from the volume, velocity and variety of viewer data.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Every time you access any content on the internet – including the article you're reading now – your computer retrieves it by pinging a server housed in a data center. This can be attributed to the work of big data and big data analytics – and the marketers who care about this data.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>These little things that go unnoticed by most of us are the work of big data and IT companies. These companies are constantly striving to develop servers, storage systems and other network products that are reliable enough to meet the surging demand for bandwidth-hogging content like HD video.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>In order to make big data even bigger, innovators are coming up with solutions that provide unlimited, modular scalability of storage capacity and performance at zero downtime for instant and cost efficient online access to extensive data volumes – a necessity for the inevitable onslaught of cord cutters. New content is constantly being generated and data loads are only getting bigger, making service providers rethink the use of words like "unlimited."</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>The cable box is the new landline</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Cable TV is quickly becoming similar to the home phone/landline many of us had, but never used and eventually got rid of. If you still have a home phone, it's not because you need it, but most likely because it's part of your cable bundle.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The fact of the matter is that most consumers' communication happens on a mobile device via any number of apps, like Facebook, SnapChat, Twitter and Instagram.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The recent popularity of inexpensive streaming services - such as Netflix and Hulu Plus - and devices that beam content to TVs - like Google Chromecast, Roku and Apple TV - lets viewers watch movies and even current-running cable TV shows on-demand without paying high cable fees. Because of this, it has never been easier to cut the cord on cable and rely solely on network-based technologies for first-rate entertainment.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Television networks such as HBO and CBS are also developing content that needs to be stored online, with several other providers likely to join the trend – giving millennials and other demographics alike all the more reason to cut the cord. But as a result, the demand for readily available high-definition content is at an all-time high.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>In 2014, a study by Frank N. Magid Associates found that 2.9% of cable TV consumers are very likely to cancel their cable service in the year ahead. That's up from 2.7% last year and 2.2% two years earlier. The numbers are growing slowly but surely, and as more premier providers offer alternative online options, those numbers will undoubtedly spike.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>It's safe to say that in the not-so-distant future, it will no longer be about cable, but broadband. Cisco's Visual Network Index (VNI) indicates that by 2018 global consumer video on demand (VoD) traffic will double to the equivalent of six billion DVDs per month. The <a href="http://ift.tt/1fz8RCC">Cisco VNI</a> also forecasts that in the same time frame, IP video will become 79% of all consumer traffic. Given these predictions, how can Internet providers support the switch from cable to broadband?</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>All is fair in the cable versus internet war</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>It's clear that millennials are driving IT, with enterprise IT helping to drive the consumer revolution. As we move forward in this technology-driven world, and continue to enjoy our television and movie content no matter how way we decide to receive it, remember: be nice to your IT guy. Though almost always behind the scenes, they've got all the power in work and in play.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Robert Ryan is the Chief Innovation Officer at <a href="http://ift.tt/Kewe27" rel="nofollow">Fujitsu Americas</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0AJP" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gkq3at" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0AJR"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gkq3av" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0xOc"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0LU" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0AJV"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0LW"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0AJX"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0LY" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/J6PNTxHCfQo" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1IVeN4m<br/></div>

Industry Voice: There is no cord: free your TV and innovation will follow

Introduction, challenges In the 1999 film "The Matrix," the lead character, Neo, encounters a teenage boy effortlessly bending and...

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Best Xbox One apps: 10 Xbox One apps you need to download

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Best Xbox One apps: 10 Xbox One apps you need to download" src="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0vj"/><br/><br /><h3>The best apps on Xbox One</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1jESeby" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Sure, technically you can use your <a href="http://ift.tt/10fKbsb">Xbox One</a> without connecting it to the internet, but if you did you'd be missing out on tons of great apps. Want to watch the latest movies and TV shows? The Xbox One has an app for that. Want more free games or a way to make your existing ones even better? There's an Xbox One app for that, too.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>However, with over 75 apps to choose from (many of which require additional subscription fees), picking the right ones can be daunting. This is why we've created the TechRadar guide to the best Xbox One apps in the world right now. We'll keep this best-of list constantly updated with the newest apps you should download, and if we've left off your favorite, let us know in the comments section.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Without further ado, let's dive right in.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Netflix</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0Atl" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>If there was a Mount Rushmore of video streaming apps, <a href="http://ift.tt/11atV9p">Netflix</a> would be George Washington. The formerly mail-only DVD rental service has grown astronomically in the last half-decade, and now the video streaming service works with almost every new device that has (or can connect to) a screen. Of course, it works with the Xbox One and is available to download via the Xbox Marketplace.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Nowadays, Netflix offers so much more than just thousands of classic movies and TV shows: it's a network unto itself premiering new shows on a near-weekly basis. The best part? You never have to wait a week to watch the next episode!</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> New streaming-only subscriptions run $8.99 per month (£5.99 for standard definition in the UK, £6.99 for high definition), but you're bound to get dozens of hours of entertainment for your dollar. Looking for suggestions? Check out our list of the <a href="http://ift.tt/1HhumCo">best Netflix TV shows</a>.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Hulu Plus (US only)</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0Atn" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>If you're thinking of cutting the cord and letting cable television drift away forever, Hulu Plus is a great way to supplant that DVR full of modern shows. While a large amount of Hulu Plus' content is network shows you can pull down with an external antennae, if you want the content on demand without the worry of a weak signal, you can use Hulu Plus to catch up on the best shows from NBC, ABC, Comedy Central, USA, SyFy and much more. There are a handful of BBC programs, though Hulu Plus is only available in the US. It also offers some of the greatest movies of all time due to owning exclusive streaming rights for the Criterion Collection.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br /><strong>What's it cost?</strong> While you can watch plenty of shows for free on Hulu's website, getting access to Hulu's content on devices like the Xbox One will run you $7.99 per month. Hulu Plus does air ads during its programming, with the average program showing about 3 minutes of commercials per half-hour show. That said, it's far less than you'd have to deal with watching live TV.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>NFL on Xbox One (US only)</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/18Omt4Z" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Short of NASCAR and the PGA Tour, every major American sport has a streaming service where you can watch live and archived versions of previously completed games. While we very well might add some of the other major leagues to this list at a later date, we have to give props to the best service for the US' most popular sport: the NFL on Xbox One. While you are occasionally subject to blackouts when local teams are playing a nationally-televised game, NFL on Xbox One is pretty thorough otherwise.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>With live games airing via NFL Sunday Ticket alongside constantly updated scores, standings, and stats, plus some pretty robust fantasy football integration, you can get a lot of awesome football action from your Xbox One via this app.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br /><strong>What's it cost?</strong> Get ready for a bit of sticker shock. A subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket (which lets you stream full games on Xbox One) starts at $240 for a season. If you want to stream on more than just your Xbox One, it jumps to $330. However, when you consider that you get dozens of hours of entertainment every week for four months, it will easily pay for itself if you're a big NFL fan.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>WWE Network</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0vn" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Back in the day (and by that we mean early 2014), watching the biggest WWE matches on pay-per-view was a major financial investment that only the most hardcore fans would take. The three-hour monthly shows would run in the $45-$55 range, so most fans had to pick and choose their pay-per-views. Perhaps realizing the PPV model was becoming outdated, WWE established the WWE Network, an online-only channel that streams every previous PPV event (including WWE, WCW and ECW), original programming like documentaries and reality shows, and, of course, WWE's monthly extravaganzas like WrestleMania, Summerslam and the Royal Rumble.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> WWE doesn't hide its pricing structure in the slightest. Rare is it that an hour goes by on WWE programming without a single utterance of "$9.99" (£9.99 in the UK), the monthly cost of a subscription. If you're a huge wrestling fan, it pays for itself, but that low price point without any long-term commitment makes the WWE Network a pretty fantastic value for lapsed fans as well.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>YouTube</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0Atp" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>The original and best video streaming service has become more than just three-minute videos of cats yawning and people falling. YouTube has grown immeasurably since it started a decade ago, to the point where artists are able to make a living by creating long-form programming on the world's most popular video site. From video podcasts to "Let's Play" walkthroughs of video games, there's plenty of stuff you can watch for long periods of time on any device ... including Xbox One.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> YouTube is free to download and watch, though some creators (mostly movie studios) do charge rental fees for their programming. Be warned: YouTube video creators have the option to attach advertising to their content, which they often exercise.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>HBO Go (US only)</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0vp" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>You'd be hard-pressed to find a network with the programming pedigree of HBO. While the channel is still a haven of recent hit movies, Home Box Office's real draw is the many amazing shows it's aired over the years.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>HBO Go is a service that collects a good swath of recent movies and almost every major program that's aired on the channel since the late '90s. From classics like The Sopranos and The Wire to modern hits like Girls and Game of Thrones, there may be no greater collection of on-demand TV shows than what you can find on HBO Go. Now if they could just add Mr. Show...</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> We've got a bit of bad news for you. HBO Go for the Xbox One is currently only available to US customers who subscribe to the HBO channel on cable. Fortunately, most cable operators offer basic packages that carry local broadcasts networks and HBO for a reasonable price (usually in the $20-a-month range). HBO has announced a standalone option called HBO Now, set to debut exclusively on <a href="http://ift.tt/XWnfwK">Apple TV</a> in April, but it won't be available on non-Apple devices until July at the earliest.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>FXNOW (US only)</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0xxC" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>The streaming service for Fox's popular cable network offers access to many episodes of modern hits like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Justified, as well as classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and How I Met Your Mother, but let's be real: the big draw for FXNOW is Simpsons World, an archive of the 560-plus episodes of the Simpsons, dating back from the 1989 premiere to last week's new episode. A backlog that big can be daunting, so thankfully there's curated lists from The Simpsons' top writers and clips to get a feel for specific episodes.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> Unfortunately, FXNOW and Homer Simpson's vocabulary have one thing in common: lots of "D'oh!" If you want to access FXNOW on Xbox One, you have to subscribe to the cable channel, which typically involves a mid-tier subscription running $30-$50 per month, depending on the cable provider. Still, it's an attractive alternative to buying every new season of the Simpsons on DVD.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Twitch</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0vr" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Streaming video games can be fun, but it's often a lot harder than it looks. At the very basic level, you need to find a computer powerful enough to multitask both a resource-intensive game and a high-bandwidth stream. If you want your voice and image included, you need a pricey camera and microphone. Fortunately, there's an easier way to get a decent-quality stream running without ever leaving your couch. If you've got a Kinect attached to your Xbox One, all it takes are a few button clicks and voilà! You'll be uploading picture-in-picture broadcasts of playthroughs for almost any Xbox One game you own.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> You can watch other ad-supported streams live on Twitch via Xbox One for no charge, though if you want to stream yourself, you need to be an Xbox Live Gold subscriber ($60/£40 per year). Twitch also has a premium subscription service called Twitch Turbo that eliminates ads for anything you watch and maintains a deeper archive of streams you make for a few dollars a month.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>EA Access</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0xxG" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>As long as you're not a stickler for getting new titles on their release dates, you can get plenty of amazing ones for the cost of a used game by subscribing to various services. For example, subscribers to Xbox Live (Xbox's online play service) get a new Games With Gold release each month that's free to play as long as they continue paying for Xbox Live.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>However, this isn't the only publisher giving out bonus games. EA Access gives subscribers full downloads of a majority of games from Electronic Arts' Xbox One catalog (usually every game that's more than six months old), and those games not part of "The Vault" can be purchased at a 10% discount.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> If you want to test the waters of EA Access, you can subscribe to the service for a $5/£4 a month, but you can score a pretty substantial half-off discount if you sign up for a year because a 12-month commitment is only $30/£19.99. Considering that many of the games in The Vault sell for $30 alone, it's an app worth paying for if you're a fan of EA's sports games and shooters.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>TrueAchievements</h3><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Best Xbox One apps" src="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0vt" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>If you're a long-time Xbox user, you know how addictive Achievements can be. When they're used properly, they can add a lot of variety to your favorite games, challenging you to tackle them in a brand new way.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Unfortunately, developers still screw up Achievements from time to time, giving outrageous amounts of Gamerscore for performing simple actions or doling out a pittance for true tests of gamer skill. Fortunately, the 100G you won for a single level or the 5G you earned beating a game on Extreme Mode is equalized when you load up TrueAchievments. Using data mined from millions of gamers, TrueAchievements gives extra points to tougher Achievements and less for the cakewalks.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><strong>What's it cost?</strong> TrueAchievements is free, though the cost of seeing how little those Avatar: The Last Airbender "Achievements" actually matter might tax your ego.</p><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0xxI" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gkq2TZ" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0xxK"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NL0xxM" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0Atr"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gkq0vv" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0Atv"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NL0xxR"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NL0xO6"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1Gkq2Ua" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/0U8FrL4RNvE" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1ELVcEZ<br/></div>

Best Xbox One apps: 10 Xbox One apps you need to download

The best apps on Xbox One Sure, technically you can use your Xbox One without connecting it to the internet, but if you did you'd be m...

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