Microsoft simplifies the PC with Windows 7

October 23, 2009 · Filed Under Software News, Utilities and Operating Systems · Comment 

New PC operating system available worldwide today.

Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of its new Windows 7 operating system. Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for people to do the things they want on a PC. The new operating system offers a streamlined user interface and significant new features that make everyday tasks easier and allow people to get the most out of computers of all styles and sizes.

“With Windows 7, there’s never been a better time to be a PC,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together with our partners, we’re bringing more choice, flexibility and value to the market than ever before. With Windows 7, you’re sure to find a PC that fits your life.”

Building Windows 7 has been a collaborative process from the beginning, with Microsoft’s engineers and designers working with customers and partners to build an operating system that delivers on the vision of the PC, simplified. In a speech in New York, Ballmer thanked the millions of volunteers who helped improve the product by testing early versions.

“A project with the global customer reach of Windows can only be done as a team,” said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft, speaking at a launch event in Tokyo. “We are grateful for the valuable contributions from customers, partners and developers around the world that helped make Windows 7 such a collaborative project.”

On Sale Worldwide Today

The global availability of Windows 7 is joined by an unprecedented array of new PCs and software programs. With more PC options available for customers today at a wide range of price points starting under $300, customers can choose the PC that fits their personality, style and needs, from netbooks, ultrathin notebooks and highly interactive multitouch laptops to all-in-one desktops and high-end, water-cooled gaming machines.

A newly launched section of Windows.com called PC Scout will guide users through selecting and purchasing the right PC. Customers can purchase PCs with Windows 7 or software upgrades online or in-store from technology retailers or at the new Microsoft Store, launching today in its first retail location in Scottsdale, Ariz., and expanded online. Retailers and technology partners are also featuring a series of limited-time offers for customers looking for great deals on Windows 7-based PCs, devices and software. Information on these offers can be found at http://www.windows.com/.

To show how Windows 7 simplifies the PC, today Microsoft is launching the next wave of its global “I’m a PC” campaign. The global enthusiasm of Windows users is also contributing to the way many people around the world will experience Windows 7 for the first time. Tens of thousands of customers have volunteered to host launch parties or meet-ups beginning today, showing off Windows 7 to friends and family members.

Simplifying the PC

Over the past 18 months, feedback from more than a billion opt-in customer sessions and 8 million beta testers validated Microsoft’s research on how to simplify everyday tasks. Here are a few of the many ways users will experience a more simplified PC with Windows 7:

Simplifies Everyday Tasks
Taskbar. The go-to spot for launching programs and switching windows, the taskbar has been completely redesigned to help users work smarter, cut clutter, and get more done, with features such as thumbnail previews of Web pages, documents — even running video.
HomeGroup. Users can easily share their files and printers with other PCs running Windows 7 in their home.
Windows 7 Device Stage. This shows the status of all connected devices such as cameras and mobile phones, and makes it easier to synchronize and manage them.
Photos and videos. Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker (available via download) offer customers great, free options to edit photos and videos and easily share them with loved ones.
Snap. Users can drag an open window to the screen’s border to automatically re-size it. Snap two different windows to the left and right borders for a perfect comparison.
Shake. Users can click on a window pane and shake the mouse to minimize all other open windows, then shake the pane again to restore the windows to their original sizes.
Internet Explorer 8. Microsoft’s fastest, easiest and safest browser ever offers smart new features such as Instant Search, Accelerators and Web Slices to help users get more out of the Web.

Works the Way Users Want
Faster on, faster off. Every Windows 7 user will benefit from the focus on underlying performance, faster startup, resuming and shut down time, and enhanced power management.
Mobile made easier. All of a user’s mobile computing settings are in one place with the Windows Mobility Center.
Protecting the PC. Safeguarding the data on a PC is easier with advanced backup capabilities and the free Microsoft Security Essentials download to help protect users against viruses, spyware and other malicious software.

Makes New Things Possible
Windows Touch. Users can interact with the PC with a touch-screen monitor, using their fingers and multitouch gestures.
PlayTo. Users can stream their digital music, videos and photos to other PCs or devices such as an Xbox 360 console connected to the TV.
Internet TV. New content providers and an improved interface make it even easier to watch TV on the PC.
Rich gaming and graphics. Windows 7 includes performance enhancements that take power gaming and entertainment to a new level, with 64-bit support and DirectX 11 graphics.
Location-aware printing. Documents are sent to the right printer whether it’s at home or at the office. And with Offline Files users can work offline and automatically synchronize between a PC and documents on their office network.

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U.S. ranks 9th in Global PC Infection Report, according to PandaLabs

September 29, 2009 · Filed Under Security Software, Software News · Comment 

Average number of worldwide infections grew 15 percent over last month – Global infection ratio hits all time high this year at nearly 60 percent

PandaLabs, Panda Security’s malware analysis and detection laboratory, announced that it has detected a 15 percent increase in the total number of malware-infected computers in September in comparison to the previous month of August. According to data gathered from users that scanned and disinfected their computers with the free Panda ActiveScan online antivirus, the average infection ratio rose to 59 percent, the highest rate this year.

In comparison to the infection rates of 29 countries, the U.S. ranks ninth with an infection ratio of 58.25 percent, just below the worldwide average. Taiwan has the most infected PCs, with a 69.10 percent corruption, followed by Russia and China at 67.99 percent and 61.97 percent, respectively. The country with the least infections is Norway at 39.60 percent. To view a table that outlines the percentage of infected computers by country, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/panda_security/3963144168/.

According to Luis Corrons, Technical Director of PandaLabs, “There is a false sense of security, as users perceive there to be no real danger at the moment. When their computers get infected, they rarely notice any symptoms.”

Panda’s study revealed that U.S. computers are infected by the most dangerous malware strains: Trojans, followed by adware, worms and viruses. To see the number and types of malware on infected computers in the U.S., please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lithium-/3963437003/sizes/o/.

“This is a clear sign that hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated,” explains Corrons. “Cybercriminals have found news ways to spread their creations, frequently exploiting the latest news stories to launch attacks through social networks, videos, and email. The huge amount of Trojans in circulation is due to the spectacular increase in the number of banker Trojans aimed at stealing user data.”

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85 percent of US organizations hit by one or more data breaches within the last twelve months

July 14, 2009 · Filed Under Security Software, Software News · Comment 

Latest Research from The Ponemon Institute Shows Data Protection is Part of Overall Enterprise Risk Management Strategy

PGP Corporation, a global leader in enterprise data protection, announced the results from The Ponemon Institute’s fourth annual study on encryption usage in the enterprise – The 2009 Annual Study: U.S. Enterprise Encryption Trends. This year’s study surveyed 997 IT and security practitioners and identifies the trends in enterprise encryption planning strategies, budgeting and spending, deployment methodologies and impact on data breach incidents. While 78 percent of organizations have an encryption strategy in place and are moving toward a more consistent approach to data protection, data breaches continue to rise across the board. 85 percent of survey respondents experienced at least one data breach in the last 12 months, consistent with 84 percent in 2008, and the number of companies experiencing more than 5 data breaches in one year rose to 22 percent, up from 13 percent last year. For the first time, fifty-eight percent of the respondents reported that data protection is a very important part of their overall risk management. Additionally, as organizations increasingly rely on mobile technology and PDAs as their primary computing platform, 26 percent indicate they encrypt a smartphone or PDA most of the time, 51 percent said they never do.

“In our fourth year of conducting this study, we are consistently breaking new ground in identifying new data protection trends to help enterprises as they assess their risk posture,” said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of The Ponemon Institute. “Organizations are looking for more complete solutions that can protect their data wherever it may reside. The focus for 2010 needs to be on applying a strategic approach to data security across the enterprise.”

The following list summarizes key findings from the study that included nearly 1000 U.S.-based enterprise IT leaders, analysts and executives:

  • Data protection is an important part of an organization’s risk management efforts. For the first time, Ponemon asked how data protection relates to an organization’s risk management efforts. Fifty-eight percent report that is a very important part of risk management and 22 percent say it is an important part.
  • Encryption of data on mobile data-bearing devices used by employees is very important or important. More than 59 percent of respondents say it is very important or important to encrypt employees’ mobile devices – a sign that organizations recognize that valuable data is more mobile than ever.
  • More than 70% have fully executed or just launched data encryption strategy in their organization. Once again data encryption strategies are being implemented across a majority of the respondent participants. The majority of organizations, 78 percent, have some type of encryption strategy, up from 74 percent in 2008 and from 66 percent in 2007.
  • Data Breaches continue to be a huge problem: Eighty-five percent of organizations surveyed had had at least 1 data breach in the last 12 months, demonstrating that there is no let up in breaches as this is consistent with 84 percent sited in the 2008 report. Companies suffering more than 5 data breaches rose to 22 percent in 2009 up from 13 percent in 2008.
  • Encryption is mostly used to mitigate data breaches and comply with privacy and data protection regulations. In addition, there was an increase in the percentage of respondents who reported that encryption is also important to preserving brand and reputation.
  • The percentage of organizations using the platform approach to managing encryption solutions has increased. Additionally, 76 percent would strongly recommend or recommend the platform-based approach if it reduced the cost of acquiring, deploying and managing encryption applications.

“This year’s research clearly demonstrates that compliance, breaches and brand damage are driving companies to deploy more data protection solutions,” said Phillip Dunkelberger, president and CEO of PGP Corporation. “The risk migration goal is clear; take a more strategic approach to protect your data – at rest, in motion and in use.”

The 2009 Annual Study: UK Enterprise Encryption Trends was released last week and reports in Germany and Australia will be released in the coming months.

For more information or to receive a copy of this study, visit: http://www.encryptionreports.com/

Source: PGP Corporation

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New technology assists independent seniors

June 18, 2009 · Filed Under Communications, Software News · Comment 

Modern technology is affecting the lives of everyone, not just the young and the trendy. The unique needs of elders and their sometimes faraway caregivers presents opportunities for the unique application of new technologies. Consider the problem of an elderly person living independently but still requiring occasional reminders to take medication, to visit the doctor or to eat a meal. Family members or other caregivers aren’t always available to provide these timely reminders.

Priority Computer Services, Inc. of South Bend, Indiana, has created a way to bring the elderly and their caregivers together and maintain a personal touch. Priority Time Reminder is the innovative new product that allows a caregiver to remotely remind and care for a loved one’s needs via software that’s located right in the loved one’s home and speaks in the caregiver’s actual voice.

Priority Time Reminder is convenient and simple to use. The software is installed on any PC or comes installed on a mini notebook computer with a speaker attached using a standard USB cable. Pre-recorded messages and reminders in the caregiver’s own voice can help remind a senior to take medicine, keep an appointment or anything that comes up. Messages can be scheduled to repeat at regular intervals ranging from minutes or hours to months or years. Each day can start and end with personalized messages of “Good morning” and “Good night,” while special reminders like doctor visits can easily be changed to fit a specific date and time. The personal voice application of this software allows for a loved one to feel like the caregiver is in the same room while decreasing the feeling of disconnect that so many seniors experience when a caregiver is far away.

In addition to this cutting-edge technology, Priority Computer Services also provides cutting-edge simplicity and ease of use. With remote access to make changes or updates to the calendar of events, caregivers can provide pleasant reminders throughout the day and relieve seniors of the hassle of following a calendar and the stress of nagging phone calls. Priority Time Reminder helps create the personal freedom that the elderly need to remain independent in the home while assisting the caregiver with the flexibility needed to balance life.

How good does Priority Computer Services think this product is? Company owner Ben Hahaj has a Priority Time Reminder installed in his own mother’s home.

Source: Priority Computer Services, Inc.

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Autonomy iManage first to deliver mobile document management on the iPhone to legal market

June 8, 2009 · Filed Under Business Software, Communications, Productivity Software, Software News · Comment 

iManage WorkSite, the De Facto Standard for Law Firms, Provides Full Access to Matter Files Anywhere at Anytime

Autonomy Corporation plc (LSE: AU. or AU.L), a global leader in infrastructure software for the enterprise, announced that its flagship document management solution, iManage WorkSite, now supports the Apple(R) iPhone(TM). With this announcement, Autonomy is bringing the legal industry’s leading document management solution to users of the iPhone, which is increasing adoption within law firms.

The seamless integration with the Apple’s popular mobile device provides users with powerful, easy and secure access to information in WorkSite repositories. It is designed as a native iPhone application leveraging ground breaking technology in the iPhone, including the Multi-Touch interface, the real-time 3D graphics, and 3D positional audio over Edge/3G/WiFi, to provide for the first time a rich user experience for secure mobile access to corporate repositories. This marks the latest addition to iManage’s extensive list of mobile support, including the BlackBerry, Palm, Windows Mobile, and Symbian. The integration allows WorkSite users to effectively access and manage their emails and matter related content from anywhere and enable them to stay productive and responsive to client needs.

“Information is the lifeblood of a professional services organization and having secure and easy access to it from anywhere is critical to delivering the service levels our clients expect,” said Lorey Arthur Hoffman, Chief Information Officer of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, one of the world’s largest law firms. “The integration between iManage WorkSite and the iPhone will enable us to leverage the popular convergence that is happening with smart phones and PDA devices to help our more than 800 lawyers increase productivity and improve their ability to serve our clients.”

Autonomy iManage is the undisputed leader in the legal and professional services market place with over 75% of the Global 100 and 73% of AmLaw 100 law firms as customers. Built on Autonomy’s unique Meaning Based Computing technology, iManage WorkSite provides a shared environment for storing business content and a system for tracking updates, milestones, and communications. Documents-both paper and electronic-records, e-mail messages, and other media are consolidated in a central library, making them easier to find, share, and reuse. Version control, automated notifications, and advanced search options streamline execution and simplify the handoff of work among team members. Business users and professionals manage access and security to workspaces, reducing the demands on the IT organization. The iPhone integration now enables users to interact with their client files, search and view documents, and send and attach files to e-mails to collaborate with colleagues and clients from anywhere at anytime.

“iManage WorkSite is the de facto standard for law firms for good reason – we are constantly innovating to help firms improve productivity, responsiveness, and client satisfaction,” said Anthony Bettencourt, CEO of Autonomy Interwoven. “The iManage WorkSite’s integration with the Apple iPhone is a yet another significant innovative achievement by leveraging ground-breaking technology in the iPhone to provide lawyers with secure mobile access to corporate repositories. We recognized early on the growing importance of the iPhone as a mobile device within law firms, and true to form we are the first in the industry to deliver such a powerful, enterprise-class solution for the iPhone market.”

The iPhone integration for iManage Worksite is available as an optional add-on product now. Please visit http://www.autonomy.com/iPhoneDemo to find out more.

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