Keeping Your Treasured Photos Safe

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Just imagine all the thousands of photos stored in phones, digital cameras and laptops. The Daily Mail estimates that almost 40 percent of such individuals have no backup of those files. 

These devices break, wear out or are damaged every day, and with them thousands of photos are lost. Make sure you have backup plan for your treasured memories. Those moments in time can be lost forever if you don't protect them.

Local Backups and Broken Hard Drives

Most people know they should back up their files regularly. This often happens at home to a computer hard drive or maybe to an external drive. Local backups are a good idea because it does make a copy of the files. However, it's not such a good idea for long-term storage because hardware does break.

Backblaze estimates that 22 percent of hard drives, on average, fail in the first four years of use. The failure rate is higher if the computer or hard drive is used continually, or is used in hot, dusty environments. You also could experience a failure if there is a sudden spike on the electric circuit, such as during a lighting storm. You could lose years of photos on one failed drive.

While there are recovery services who will attempt to retrieve files off of a dead hard drive for you, these are expensive with no guarantee the recovery will be 100 percent successful. A better option is to have multiple ways of backing up your photos.

Backing Up to the Cloud

Cloud Storage Services have matured into an easy way for people to save all types of files, including photos. Most are easy to set up. Some offer automated backup, so you don't even have to remember to do the backup yourself. Some vendors require you to load small programs onto your computer to do the backup while others rely on a browser-based online application.

Having a combination of backups is safest. Do a local backup of your photos from your phone or camera to the computer and a regular backup to your cloud storage. One way to use your cloud storage is as an archival system.

Since your files are in the cloud, you have access to them anywhere. For example, photos you take during a vacation can be uploaded to your cloud storage from your hotel room and then you can access them again when you get home. Or you can check on photos you took during your last trip to your destination to see if you already have photos of certain scenic spots.

The Safety of Your Photos

USA Today finds that cloud storage is as safe as other storage options. Most cloud service providers use encryption to store your files so they can't be viewed by others. Data is stored on huge disk farms, which are constantly monitored for potential disk failures. The systems cloud providers use allow the replacement of disk drives without creating any downtime. You don't have to worry about a drive failing and losing photos.

Keeping Those Non-Digital Photos Safe

If you have a number of regular film photos, you can keep them save as well. CNET shows how you can scan those photos to create digital copies. Or you can have a service do that for you. A digital copy of a film photo is easier to store, doesn't fade, or get damaged by water or fire. You could scan your print photos and store the originals in a fireproof box or in a safe deposit box with your bank.

RECOMMENDED: 5 Ways to Preserve Precious Family Photos

We'd like to take a moment to thank everyone here for being a member of THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY club! It's because of your great feedback and constant support that we're able to continue as a powerful community. More will come. 😊😊

*by andreascy*

CNETTV : Wi-Fi Routers Susceptible to Hacking

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. 

It is commonly used to provide access to the Internet or a computer network and it does not require a wired link, as the connection is made wirelessly, via radio waves.

On today's video CNET's Kara Tsuboi and Seth Rosenblatt discuss the vulnerability of wireless routers. To the shock and dismay of many, they're far more hackable than initially thought which can leave personal and financial information exposed. 

Find out why router manufacturers are slow to make security changes and what you can do to protect yourself.

Learn more on CNET's full review.

*by andreascy*

CNETTV - Ballmer: How Windows Can Capture Smartphone Middle Ground

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The Microsoft CEO talks to venture capitalist and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman about how Windows can win the middle ground in the smartphone wars, at a Q&A session sponsored by the Churchill Club in Santa Clara, Calif. 

"It is absolutely clear that there is an innovation opportunity on the scene between hardware and software and that is a scene that must not go unexploited at all by Microsoft," Ballmer said.

Ballmer said he still expects Microsoft's partners to build the bulk of new Windows-based machines, but this is the firmest comment the top Microsoft executive has made regarding more company-developed devices.

I see some truth in the "wild west" and "highly controlled" analogy about ecosystems. But can Microsoft really get the middle ground? Sounds promising if they can. 😊

*by andreascy*

CNETTV: iOS 6 Makes Some Big Changes - First Look

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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Apple this morning confirmed iOS6 will begin rolling out in Australia sometime today (Wednesday), ahead of Friday's launch of the iPhone 5. 

iOS users will be prompted to update their devices to the newest iteration of Apple's mobile operating system. As difficult as it is to believe, we're already onto the sixth version of the OS, which continues to be updated with new features on a yearly basis.

iOS 6 is not a drastic overhaul, but it comes with app improvements that make common actions more accessible, sharing easier across devices, and tons of welcome tweaks to the interface.

Apple says iOS 6 will be available for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, new iPad, iPod touch 4th generation, and the new iPod touch 5th generation which also was announced last week. 

While we wait, here on THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY we will share on the video below the nitty-gritty details of what you are getting from this new upgrade. 

Jason Parker, Senior Associate Editor at CNET, has a first look on the new mobile operating system.

Here are just some out of 200 new features you can expect including Maps App, a Smarter Siri, Facebook & Twitter Integration, Photo Stream over iCloud, Passbook App, Better FaceTime, Enhanced Phone App, VIP Mail, Safari's iCloud Tabs and much more.

Update As Of 6th of February, 2019

iOS 12.2 (second public beta) is now available. You can download it by signing up for the beta program, which gives you access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas.

RECOMMENDED READ:  How Mobile Technology Has Enhanced Everyday Life

If you like our article feel free to share it with your friends and comment below what you think. Read other CNET related News and Exclusives. 

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CNETTV : Robots Pivot Solar Panels to face the Sun by QBotix

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Robots have proven themselves in extreme and diverse environments from the surface of Mars to battlefields and ocean depths. 

QBotix is a robotics company that is bringing the innovations of last several decades to the operation and management of solar power plants.

Their mission is to leverage their expertise in rugged and intelligent robotics to create breakthrough products that offer a compelling combination of competitive cost, high reliability, easy installation, superior performance, universal compatibility and unprecedented system level intelligence. 

With their products, customers reduce cost of ownership while increasing their profit margins and investment returns in solar power plants.

QBotix has invented the paradigm of Solar Robotics™, where autonomous, rugged and intelligent robots replace hundreds of conventional electromechanical components, and also reduce structural material requirements. 

The use of their paradigm allows the creation of fundamentally new system level architectures that reduce cost and increase performance and reliability.

Their first product is the QBotix Tracking System™ (QTS™), which delivers dual axis tracking at single axis installed price. 

The QTS works with all existing photovoltaic modules, inverters and foundations to increase energy production and decrease installed costs, providing the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of any mounting or tracking system.

Just like a sunflower turns its head toward the sun, smart and efficient solar panels must do the same for maximum energy absorption. CNET's Kara Tsuboi visits Qbotix in Menlo Park, Calif., where the company introduced such a robotic tracking system that mechanically pivots solar panels, saving energy and money.

If you liked our article read also :
Solar Energy Panels vs. Solar Electricity Plants
Natcore Technology achieves the Blackest Solar Cell ever designed to absorb 99.7% of all light
MIT 3D Stacks of Solar Panels increases their Power output by up to 20x
TED : Donald Sadoway - The missing link to renewable energy
Japan : Rallying for Solar expansion

*by andreascy*

Introducing Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 - Official Hands on Video

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is here : the latest high - profile tablet from the Korean tech giant, and one that sits across many intersections of what's fast becoming a complex Samsung family tree. 

While the Galaxy tag is a given for any Samsung mobile device nowadays, the Note range is also now seemingly becoming a separate line of its own.

The video below is the official hands-on video of Galaxy Note 10.1. 

Learn more about the exciting features that enhance productivity, creativity and learning capabilities. 

The Galaxy Note 10.1 is outfitted with the functionality and precision of a pen and paper on a 10.1-inch-large-display.

Featuring an intuitive user experience and armed with superior hardware performance, Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed to simplify idea capturing, information access, and multi-tasking, making each easier and faster. 

For more information visit Samsung's official page.  
Don't miss also Tech Republic's Bill Detwiler who disassembles the Galaxy Note 10.1 and shows why it's easy to service and represents an improvemevent over the 10-inch Galaxy Tab. Find out more on this at CNET.
For even more information on the Galaxy Note 10.1, including real-world use and performance tests check out, Eric Franklin's full CNET review.

*by andreascy*

CNETTV : 4G Networks - How they're Tested

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Based in the Seattle area, a few miles away from Microsoft, a small company called Root Metrics (formerly Root Wireless) is a data company dedicated to helping improve your Mobile experience. They’re finding ways to use Technology on your Smartphone so that the carriers hear your concerns, can make smarter decisions on how to upgrade their Networks, and connect with consumers. 

They’re gathering accurate, trusted data that helps you find the Products and Services that best fit your unique needs 

They send out some testers called scouts to independently test carrier networks, and they do it using little more than a Garmin GPS unit and a briefcase full of phones.

Inside the briefcase, one phone per carrier runs through the battery of tests. Every 5 minutes, the phone tracks calls, upload and download speeds, and texting. 

After the weeklong-testing period (or longer,) RootMetrics crunches the data. Twice a year, the company compiles a larger report on the health of each Network around the Country.

Together, the scouts that form the backbone of the operation clock 20,000 hours of testing and calculate information from 100,000,000 data points in a single year. Network testing is serious stuff. 

It takes about a month for RootMetrics analysts to crunch the numbers and compile them into meaningful reports. Free reports appear online every six months for consumers, and the numbers also feed into free apps that you can download for Android and iPhone. 

In addition to drawing from RootMetrics' database, the apps also combine crowdsourced results from phone owners' real-time tests.

Revenue comes from syndicated reports that the device-makers and carriers buy. The four major national carriers are all RootMetrics clients, and use the tests to compare their strengths and weaknesses against their competitors. 

"We offer carriers the opportunity to see what they get in terms of network performance and signal strength," said RootMetrics' Doehne.

In the future, RootMetrics plans to move into device-specific tests, perhaps for individual tablets, and may license their testing software directly to phone-makers and carriers so they can perform their own in-house testing using some of RootMetrics' methods. The Company also partners with 3rd parties like CNET, to provide interactive coverage maps.

More than ever, a carriers quality, especially 4G data speed is very critical in choosing one provider over another. Companies like RootMetrics although they're not the only ones in the game, offer a useful Service to consumers seeking independent information about carrier performance in their cities and towns.
Discover more CNETTV Topics and let us know what you think below.

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CNETTV : Apple TV earns Editors' Choice Award

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The new Apple TV with 1080p HD gives you access to the best content - blockbuster movies, TV shows, sports, your music and photos, and more - right on your widescreen TV. 

You can even play content from your iOS devices on your TV using AirPlay. Best of all, Apple TV is just $99.

Learn more >>

Great HD Content :

The hottest movies and your favorite TV shows from iTunes. The entire Netflix

catalog of streaming titles. Live sports. 

And that’s only the beginning. 

Learn more >>

AirPlay :

Wirelessly stream content from your iOS device to your HDTV.

Or mirror the screen of your device on your TV. 

Learn more >>

With the release of all these features the Apple TV is now a must-have gadget for any Apple fan. Enjoy the video!

Discover more CNETTV topics on our Blog by clicking here. Let us know what do you think below.

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