When Apple seeds new versions of OS X to its employees, then you know a public release is just around the corner. In this case, reports are coming in that Apple has recently seeded OS X 10.9.1 to AppleCare employees, which means you should prepare yourself for the update to come any time now. (more…)
OS X 10.9.1 Seeded Out To AppleCare Staff; Public Release Imminent original content from Ubergizmo. 
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It certainly does not make much sense at all if a particular website looked the same all the way from 1995 until today. Surely there needs to be a redesign from time to time to keep things fresh, just like how software would be a whole lot better with updates and such. Well, it does seem as though Microsoft has just rolled out a new Surface campaign with discoversurface.com. This particular webpage was registered on December 3rd, and it is in some way connected to Microsoft, that makes it seem to be a legitimate site and not some sort of misdirection.
The entire website looks rather modern, and it concerns discovering the Surface brand as well as the kind of features that it carries. Microsoft, too, wants to promote the hashtag #uncompromise, and chances are they would make full use of it to track metrics in order to check out just what kind of positive potential does this campaign have. There is a high degree of interactivity with this website, and it certainly jives in tandem with Microsoft’s connection to ‘modern’ design alongside live-tile like components. Do you like what you see in the new website itself, or do you think that it is too much to take in? [New Surface Website]
Microsoft Launches New Surface Site original content from Ubergizmo. 
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So what do you want to see under your Christmas tree this holiday season? We had heard reports of how Apple’s iPad Air managed to lead tablet sales during the holiday weekend, but it seems that iPad Airs aren’t the only Apple product that are highly desired for the holidays. According to a new survey conducted by market research firm, Parks Associates, it has been found that Apple’s desktop computers, like the iMacs, have managed to become the most sought after desktop computers for this particular holiday season. What’s even more spectacular is that Apple has for the first time managed to beat out the competition, such as Dell, HP, and Acer, with the former typically holiday the number one spot.
According to John Barrett, director, Consumer Analytic, “Apple topped the list of intended brands for desktop purchases for the first time this year […] In 2011 and 2012, Dell was the top desktop brand, but Apple has displaced it, making Apple now the most popular brand across even more key CE categories.” Other Apple products, such as the Apple TV, managed to nab the number one spot for the most sought after streaming media device, topping the likes of the Roku TV. It was not mentioned as to why Apple is suddenly seeing such popularity, but what do you guys think? Why does Apple seem to do extra well for itself during the holiday season compared to other brands?
Apple Beats Out Dell For Most Sought After Desktop Computer For The Holiday Season original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Microsoft’s Windows XP has been hanging around for a fair number of years already, so much so that Microsoft has finally made the decision to stop supporting the venerable desktop operating system after more than a dozen years. Of course, I am quite sure that many Windows XP loyalists and fans would see this as inevitable, but it is a rite of passage in life that one has to go through as well. China, however, (or at least in this case, the government) would like the software giant to continue supporting Windows XP. Basically, a country is asking a corporation to make another round of consideration over the intended support cut off date of April 8th, 2013.
The Chinese language TechWeb site reported that Yan Xiaohong, deputy director of China’s National Copyright Administration, was quoted as saying that shutting down support for Windows XP could eventually result in additional security threats as well as a possible escalation in the use of pirated software. He was quoted as saying, “These practices affect the smooth operations of genuine software in China.” It remains to be seen whether the Chinese government sent in a formal request to Microsoft for an extension for Windows XP’s support, or was it something more casual.
China Wants Longer Windows XP Support From Microsoft original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Schools are a place of learning and growing, but if there is a way to make things faster and more efficient, why not? The Internet can be said to be an indispensable part of life these days, so much so that having a fast connection would make perfect sense in order for students to take advantage of the top tier electronic learning tools on hand that are in the market. A non-profit organization known as EducationSuperhighway claims that majority of schools out there do not have decent connections that would be able to teach students digital skills such as basic computer programming, and hence they are collaborating with K-12 school districts in order to deliver fast Internet to the forefront.
This program was recently launched nationwide, where it was also the recipient of an unspecified amount of funding from the Gates Foundation. Facebook’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg’s very own $100 million fund known as Startup: Education, will also play a role in this. Zuckerberg mentioned, “When schools and teachers have access to reliable Internet connections, students can discover new skills and ideas beyond the classroom. The future of our economy and society depend largely on the next generation using and building new online tools and services, and I’m glad to support EducationSuperHighway’s work.”
Facebook Founder Wants To Deliver Fast Internet To High Schools original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Chromebooks – hate them or love them, they do seem destined to stay. In fact, we ourselves have had taken a close look at several Chromebooks in greater detail in the past, having reviewed the Chromebook Pixel, the Samsung Chromebook Series 3, and the Samsung Chromebook Series 5. Having said that, Chromebooks might not end up in the same vein of best sellers such as the iPad, but it does seem to be a niche market that is picking up steam. Google has decided to make several optimizations to Chrome OS in order to keep up with the times, and that would include making touch actions a whole lot more simple and intuitive.
To take advantage of touchscreen Chromebooks, where does one start? Well, the folks over at Acer has recently announced that there is a new Acer C720P Chromebook that will feature a multi-touch screen, where this would be the second touch-enabled Chromebook from the computer manufacturer. The asking price for this new device will definitely not burn any hole in your pocket, as it retails for a mere $299 a pop. If you are interested in picking up the Acer C720P, why not place a pre-order over on Amazon? [Press Release]
Touchscreen Chromebooks Coming Your Way, Acer C720P Leads The Way original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Unitcom offers you their newest compact gaming PC, the GSC100-i7-VXB. Adopting BitFenix’s Prodigy M PC case, the system comes with a 3.40GHz Intel Core i7-4770 processor, an Intel Z87 Express Chipset, a GeForce GTX 780 3GB graphics card, an 8GB DDR3 RAM, a 1TB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a 700W 80PLUS GOLD certified power supply and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS. The GSC100-i7-VXB is available now for 209,980 Yen (about $2,052). [Product Page]
Earlier this year at WWDC 2013, Apple took the wraps off their brand new Mac Pro which featured a rather interesting design, but we suppose it was a welcome update as the previous generation Mac Pro had not been updated in quite a while. The computer has been scheduled for a release at the end of the year, but Apple has not given a specific release date yet, leaving many to wonder if they might be able to expect it in time for Christmas, or perhaps in time for New Year’s Eve. Well according to a German retailer, Conrad Electronic, they have started to take pre-orders for the new Mac Pro and have given it a release date set for the 16th of December.
We’re not sure why they would think it’s the 16th, but so far we have heard multiple dates being tossed around. For example French website, MacGeneration, mentioned that the Mac Pro would see a launch on the 18th of December, while there have also been reports of the 13th of December being a possible date as well. Since none of this is official information, do take it with a grain of salt for now. It has been speculated that Apple is trying to delay the launch as much as possible (within reason, of course) due to Intel’s Ivy Bridge-EP processors experiencing relatively slow production. Either way our eyes and ears will be peeled for an official date, so check back with us later for the details.
German Retailer Accepting Mac Pro Pre-Orders Set For 16th December Release original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Security on your computer is of utmost importance, but as we have mentioned many a time, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In fact, it was just yesterday when we talked about how researchers have managed to come up with a proof-of-concept malware that can spread through audio signals alone, putting to death the notion that a computer that is not linked to the Internet or network in any way is safe from such malicious programs. Earlier this morning, a botnet attempt managed to see the leak of over 2 million passwords that could offer access to multiple online services. Well, Google must have security weigh pretty heavily on their minds, as they finally tightened Chrome security so that user passwords would be better protected.
Chrome enthusiast François Beaufort claims that the tighter Chrome security is no longer limited to just Mac OS environments, but this feature has now arrived on the Windows platform as users are asked to authenticate themselves prior to accessing saved credentials within their browser. In the past, users were only able to access a plaintext list of saved passwords through pointing the browser at “chrome://settings/passwords”, which made it all too easy for someone to gain access if one’s computer was left unattended. [Francois Beaufort Google+]
Chrome For Windows Gains Additional Password Security original content from Ubergizmo. 
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NORAD might have worked with Microsoft to deliver a Santa Tracker to the masses, but this does not mean that it is the only service in town for the masses to choose from. No sir, Google too, has joined the fray, except that this time around, there is the Google Santa Tracker app which will be able to help you keep track of Santa’s magical sleigh. After all, Santa has had a good 11 months of rest, and December is a frenzied time in his life alongside those of his elves over at the North Pole.
With the Google Santa Tracker app, you will be able to visit Santa’s Village every single day through December 24. Apart from that, you will also have the opportunity to link up with the elves as they catapult presents while racing with reindeer. Have you thought of someone whom you have not kept in touch with for the longest time? Fret not, you can also send holiday wishes to friends and family from Santa himself. December 24th would allow you to trot the globe with the Santa Tracker, as you can have a real-time representation of Santa’s whereabouts, and the total number of presents he has already dispatched. [Press Release]
Google Santa Tracker App Announced original content from Ubergizmo. 
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