Microsoft Adds More Nifty Features To SkyDrive

3581.skydrive logo Microsoft Adds More Nifty Features To SkyDriveMicrosoft is starting the year with a bang by updating its very own file hosting service, SkyDrive. Microsoft is basically announcing three major updates. First is the improved sharing capabilities. With the new update, users can now have a single and unified view of their files for easy sharing and access. “We’ve unified all sharing-related info and tasks into a single screen. So now when you select a document and click Share in the command bar, you’ll see all the different ways to share the item as well as who has access,” says Omar Shahine, Group Program Manager for SkyDrive. (more…)

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Dropbox Announces Tighter Integration With Samsung

dropbox feature Dropbox Announces Tighter Integration With SamsungFollowing the release of Dropbox for Windows 8 a couple of days ago, the insanely-popular file-hosting service announced today a tighter integration with Samsung. The new partnership will expand Dropbox’s cloud storage into Samsung’s portfolio of products, including cameras and televisions. Do note that the two companies have already forged a special partnership together last year, when Samsung offered 50GB of free Dropbox storage for every Galaxy S3 purchase. At CES 2013, Dropbox says that the “deeper integration” will include Samsung’s latest products, such as the Galaxy Grand smartphone and smart cameras. (more…)

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Ooma Office Business Phone Service Targets Small Startups

ooma office with linx 640x198 Ooma Office Business Phone Service Targets Small Startups[CES 2013] When a company is fledgling, it needs all the help that it can get – whether it is from people or from tools to help run a business as efficiently as possible. Ooma is here to help with the Ooma Office, a business phone solution that would normally be the domain of a more expensive end of a quotation. In fact, Ooma Office has been specially primed to to address the needs of small businesses. As it prepares to ship sometime in the second quarter of the year, expect Ooma Office to offer business phone service to small businesses with advanced features as well as the kind of quality of service which can normally be found in far more expensive options.

Instead of spending more than $100 each month for each line of phone service, Ooma Office slashes that amount by 80%, meaning it costs just $19.99 per line each month for unlimited calling within the US and Canada. This would definitely go a long way in helping Ooma Office assist small businesses to communicate more effectively via features which inspire confidence and professionalism.

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By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Katana Bookends Makes Your Book Collection Look Sharp, Microsoft Adds More Nifty Features To SkyDrive,

Motorola Withdraws Part Of Its ITC Complaint Against Microsoft

MicosoftVSMotorola 610x426 Motorola Withdraws Part Of Its ITC Complaint Against MicrosoftSome of you guys might recall that early last year, Motorola and Microsoft were still at war against each other with regards to alleged patent infringements. By all appearances Motorola appeared to be in the lead having won injunctions against Microsoft’s Windows 7 and Xbox 360 in Germany, although interestingly it seems that Motorola has since filed a motion with the US ITC today, asking for the withdrawal of two patents from the ongoing lawsuit against Microsoft. These two patents are in relation to the H.264 video patents which are considered to be industry essential standards, meaning that Motorola is required to license them out on FRAND basis. Microsoft’s complaint was that Motorola was asking for too much and that based on their actions, it was not considered to be on a FRAND basis.

However it should be noted that while these two patents will be withdrawn, there is still one patent that Motorola has left in their ITC complaint which is regarding wireless peer-to-peer networking technology, possibly because it is not an industry standard. Microsoft naturally welcomed this withdrawal and stated that they hope Motorola will be doing the same with the lawsuits pending in other jurisdictions, such as in the US District Court of Western Washington where Motorola is demanding royalties that could go as high as $4 billion.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Windows Live Messenger To Be Discontinued March 15, Chinese Man Found Guilty Of Selling Pirated Software Worth $100 Million,

Windows Live Messenger To Be Discontinued March 15

Windows Live Messenger 640x351 Windows Live Messenger To Be Discontinued March 15I have personally not logged into Windows Live Messenger for at least a year, or maybe even longer, but the point is that it has been a while. Skype is now my main mode of communicating with friends and family, and it looks like Microsoft plans to move all their users onto Skype – unsurprising given the Redmond company’s acquisition of Skype awhile back. Microsoft has since sent out an email to its Messenger users, informing them that come March 15th 2013, they will be discontinuing the Windows Live Messenger service and that users will have to upgrade to Skype if they wish to continue using their IM service. However fret not because from now until then, Windows Live Messenger will continue to operate as per normal. Interestingly it seems that this will affect everyone around the world except for those living in mainland China. Back in November it was rumored that such a move could be taking place which then confirmed a day later, but at that time only a rough timeframe of Q1 2013 was given, but at least we have a fixed date now which Windows Live Messenger users will probably want to mark down on their calendars.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Motorola Withdraws Part Of Its ITC Complaint Against Microsoft, Chinese Man Found Guilty Of Selling Pirated Software Worth $100 Million,

Chinese Man Found Guilty Of Selling Pirated Software Worth $100 Million

piracy Chinese Man Found Guilty Of Selling Pirated Software Worth $100 MillionA Chinese businessman in the U.S. was found guilty of selling stolen software reported to be worth $100 million. U.S. officials say that the stolen software was to be used in programs related to space technology, defense, and engineering. The court filing reveals that the software was stolen from an estimated number of 200 manufacturers in the U.S. They were eventually sold to around 325 black markets in 61 countries between the year 2008 to 2011. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Motorola Withdraws Part Of Its ITC Complaint Against Microsoft, Windows Live Messenger To Be Discontinued March 15,

Google Launches Free Wi-Fi Service In Chelsea Neighborhood Of New York City

 Google Launches Free Wi Fi Service In Chelsea Neighborhood Of New York City

Google has been an official ISP only in Kansas City for a couple of months now, but its Google Fiber service is one many people are dying to get a slice of in their neighborhood. It looks as though Google’s ISP offerings will be hitting a major metropolitan area as they are announcing today the launch of a free Wi-Fi service in the Chelsea area of New York City.

The move to offer free Wi-Fi in a neighborhood in New York City was done in order to encourage tech growth in the area, which coincidentally Google is a part of as their New York HQ is located in Chelsea. If you’re a New Yorker and are interested in checking out Google’s free public Wi-Fi service, you’ll be covered between Gansevoort Street and 19th Street from 8th Avenue to the West Side Highway. If you’re familiar with the area, you’ll know that’s quite the chunk of land to offer free Wi-Fi to.

We’re hoping this is a step into the direction of offering Google Fiber outside of Kansas City, or at least I am seeing as I’ll hopefully be able to access it within the New York City area.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Chinese Man Found Guilty Of Selling Pirated Software Worth $100 Million, Sony CES 2013 Press Conference Live Blog,

Sony CES 2013 Press Conference Live Blog

sony live Sony CES 2013 Press Conference Live BlogInterested in checking out what Sony has to offer consumers for CES 2013? We’ve heard that Sony could be announcing new phones, one of which is a phablet by the name of the Xperia Z amongst other devices. Unfortunately for PlayStation 4 hopefuls, we doubt that CES 2013 will be the platform that Sony will be using to launch the console, but if you’re interested in checking out what Sony has to offer, check out our live blog at live.ubergizmo.com for the blow-by-blow updates!

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Samsung Press Conference Live

samsung logo Samsung Press Conference Live[CES 2013] How has your day been so far? We did cover our fair share of press conferences today, among them being Huawei, Panasonic, Monster and LG, and now is the time to cramp in with the rest of the world’s journalists to see what kind of magic does South Korean conglomerate Samsung have up their sleeves. Just what kind of new goodies do you expect to be unveiled? Follow us on our live blog to see what’s the latest and greatest.

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AT&T To Launch Home Monitoring Service In March

ATT AT&T To Launch Home Monitoring Service In MarchAT&T will not just be offering telecom services in the future as it plans to launch a home monitoring service to eight markets in March. Via press release, AT&T announced its intention to offer an Internet-based nationwide platform that will allow users to monitor and protect their homes using smartphones, tablets, and PCs. The company calls it “AT&T Digital Life, ” and it is basically an all-digital and wireless-based home security and automation service that will work regardless of wireless carrier or broadband provider. The AT&T Digital Life package includes cameras, windows and door sensors, smoke and motion sensors, door locks, thermostats, moisture detection and water shut-off, and appliance and lighting controls. (more…)

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