Archive for August, 2009
Trend Micro’s 2010 suite is sharp at the top
August 27th, 2009 | 
Author: Trend Micro released its 2010 security products earlier this week, with three programs offering varying levels of security and service. The comparatively barebones Trend Micro Antivirus + AntiSpyware clocks in at $40, with the basic suite Trend Micro Internet Security available for $10 more and $70 for the premium Trend Micro Internet Security Pro. They all come with a full-feature 30-day trial.
There’s a lot that’s new in the Pro version and some of that filters down to the other editions. Users can expect to get full Windows 7 support, auto-run disabling for USB keys, gaming, and video-watching awareness so that scans don’t begin while you’re relaxing, and notably a behavioral detection engine that Trend Micro calls the Smart Protection Network.
Like its competitors Symantec and Kaspersky, Trend Micro’s engine utilizes anonymous data from its client base to determine when a program is behaving suspiciously. From there, it will either automatically kill the process or ask for user input. As malware and virus makers get smarter and find new ways to avoid detection, the need for behavioral monitoring will only increase.
There are a series of performance enhancements, too, at least according to Trend Micro. Trend Micro is claiming that boot times are 20 percent faster, that the programs use 40 percent less RAM, that the download itself is 25 percent smaller, and that the quick scan on Windows Vista and Windows XP is 20 percent faster.
Many of the other feature changes amount to tweaks. However, for the price it’s undeniable that you’re getting your money’s worth in the Pro version. Smartphone security support for Windows Mobile and Symbian, customizable data protection to keep names, phones numbers, and credit card numbers from leaving your computer, and a dynamic firewall make it a must-consider if you’re in the market for a robust suite. Full reviews for each product are available here: Trend Micro Antivirus + AntiSpyware, Trend Micro Internet Security, Trend Micro Internet Security Pro.
Do you use a security suite? Which one? Let me know in the comments below.
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10319963-12.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Posted in antivirus, software | 
Tags: antispyware, antivirus, security, Trend Micro | 
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Verizon gets top marks in call quality
Another day, another cell phone study from J.D. Power and Associates. This time, it’s not customer service–T-Mobile, Alltel, and Verizon Wireless tied for that honor earlier this month–but a survey of the all-important call quality.
Just like last year, Verizon was the overall winner this time around. The carrier ranked highest in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Southwest regions. According to the study, Verizon had particular success with limiting dropped calls, failed initial connections, and late or failed text and voice messages.
In the Western region, Verizon tied with Alltel and T-Mobile (in its press release, Verizon identified T-Mobile only as “one other carrier”–meow). T-Mobile performed well in reducing the number of problems with echoes and distortion, and Alltel performed well in limiting the number of late or failed messages.
U.S. Cellular rated highest in the North Central region. It had fewer customer-reported problems with initial connections, static or interference, and late or failed voice message notifications.
AT&T rated near the bottom in all regions but the Mid-Atlantic and North Central. Sprint rated in the middle or at the bottom in all regions. See J.D. Power’s chart for the full rankings.
So what do you think? Does Verizon deserve its award?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10319592-1.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Posted in cell phone, Communication, Verizon |
Tags: Alltrel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless |
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Windows 7 to get NY launch
Apparently Microsoft isn’t doing everything with Windows 7 differently from how it did Windows Vista.
As was the case with Vista, Windows 7 will get its formal launch< in the Big Apple. CEO Steve Ballmer will preside over the Oct. 22 event, with the usual array of hardware partners showing off their latest wares.
Microsoft used a human billboard to help mark the NY launch of Windows Vista.
(Credit: Caroline McCarthy/CNET News)
But that’s not the only Gotham event for Microsoft in October. The company is also doing a consumer open house at the Park Avenue Armory, led by Robbie Bach, on Oct. 6. Microsoft plans to highlight everything from the Zune and new phones to hardware products like keyboards and mice.
Microsoft is hoping to turn that event into an annual event.
New York was also the site of Vista’s launch, which included a fancy lunch at Cipriani with the press, a human billboard as well as a trip to Best Buy for Steve Ballmer.
Microsoft finalized the code for Windows 7 last month. It will hit retail shelves and start showing up on new PCs on Oct. 22, though some large businesses with volume licenses can already get the code if they wish.
Source :
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10319392-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Android apps show big potential for growth
Android, iPhone and iPod Touch users are all highly engaged with applications and frequently download them to their devices, according to a new survey from AdMob.
However, Android has a much smaller base of devices and thus has more upside ahead.
AdMob, a company that tracks mobile Web and application usage, found that Android and iPhone users download nine to 10 apps a month and iPod Touch users download 18 a month. More than half of the Android and iPhone users spend more than 30 minutes a day using apps, according to the survey results released Thursday (PDF).
That’s some serious engagement and a lot of runway for Android. Why? Android-powered devices–T-Mobile’s MyTouch is the headliner–are hard to come by. However, that’s changing as Motorola will be taking Android handsets to large carriers like Verizon Wireless in the fourth quarter.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10319403-94.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Posted in Android, cell phone, Communication, Google, iPod, Tech |
Tags: Android, apps, Google, iPod, iPod Touch, mobile web, Motorola, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless |
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Automatically translate documents into 42 different languages right in Google Docs
Translate documents: sharing across languages and generations
My cousin is in first grade and sometimes she writes short stories for class. I try to share the stories with her grandparents, but because Japanese is their first language and they don’t speak English very well, it’s been tough. Today we’re releasing a feature for Google Docs to make this kind of multi-lingual sharing easier — you can now automatically translate documents into 42 different languages.
So for my cousin’s latest story, I helped her type it up in Google Docs and then clicked “Translate document” from the “Tools” menu. In a matter of seconds, Google Docs has translated the whole story into Japanese using Google Translate’s technology.
You can replace the original document with the translation or make a new translated version. I like keeping an English version for friends here and creating a separate Japanese version for her grandparents. All the formatting and layout is preserved no matter what language it’s in — translations aren’t perfect, but we are continuously working on improving translation quality over time. We hope this new feature helps you more easily share information without worrying about language barriers.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/translate-documents-sharing-across.html
