Month: January 2019

Microsoft suggesting migrating to other cell platforms as Windows 10 Mobile support en

Dan Uff January 18, 2019 0

Microsoft is recommending users of Windows 10 Mobile devices migrate to other platforms, including iOS, after the software giant confirmed the end of support for the mobile operating system by the end of 2019.

Microsoft Lumia 950

A new support page advises the end of support for Windows 10 Mobile will occur on December 10, 2019, a date when security patches and other updates will cease being distributed by the company. While third-party services may provide support for affected devices, Microsoft itself will not publicly provide any more updates.

The end of support also only applies to smartphones running Windows 10 Mobile version 1709, reports Thurott. For users of the Lumia 640 and 640XL smartphones, the last supported version was 1703, which will reach the end of support at the earlier date of June 11.

After the end of support, the automatic and manual creation of new device backups for settings and some applications will continue for three months until March 11, 2020, Microsoft advises. Some services, such as restoring a device from a backup or photo uploads, could continue for a further 12 months after each end of support date.

Under a section asking "What should Windows 10 Mobile customers do now?," Microsoft offers the frank suggestion to switch platforms, advising "we recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device."

"Microsoft's mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our mobile apps on those platforms and devices," the firm adds.

The end of the Windows Mobile and Windows 10 Mobile platforms has slowly rolled long for quite some time, with the platform losing market share to cheaper alternatives. Organizations that have relied on Windows Phone have shifted away to other mobile platforms, such as the NYPD which rolled out 36,000 iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus handsets in May 2018 following its use of Windows Phone hardware.

In October, Windows experience head Joe Belfiore confirmed time was effectively up for Windows 10 Mobile, noting it was hard to incentivize app developers due to the low volume of users. Belfiore also admitted Microsoft wasn't focused on building new features or hardware for the platform, another sign that it was to be abandoned.

In July 2017, Microsoft performed a similar announcement for the end of support for Windows Phone Version 8.1, the previous version of its mobile platform before Windows 10 Mobile.

Via: AppleInsider.com

Verizon’s Spam and Robocalling Features to be offered FREE to all customers

Dan Uff January 18, 2019 0

A message from Joe Russo, senior vice president of network operations for Verizon:

Whether you’re one of our wireline or wireless customers, Verizon has been on your side taking a stand against robo and spam callers. Now we’re about to take it one step further by offering our third party rated number one spam and robocalling protection features to our customers for free.

Here’s what we’ve done so far for our customers:

• More than a year ago, Verizon added call and spam screening at no additional charge to wireless customers subscribing to our Call Filter service (formerly Caller Name ID). This service identifies spam callers and unknown numbers by name and shows an innovative risk meter that displays the level of spam risk associated with a call. If a call meets Verizon’s spam criteria, the incoming call screen will display a spam label.

• Verizon also offers free alerts about potential spam calls to customers on a number of Android phones. And in March, we will begin rolling out our free spam alerting and call blocking tools to all of our customers whose smartphones support these features.

• On the wireline side, all Verizon customers with Caller ID service, whether they are served over fiber or copper, receive Verizon’s Spam Alerts service for free. The caller ID displays show “SPAM?” before a caller’s name if the incoming number matches Verizon’s spam criteria. Since its launch last year, this feature has alerted Verizon customers to nearly 1 billion potentially malicious robocalls.

What’s new?

• We are continuously updating our algorithm and to date have identified nearly 300 million numbers associated with spam and robocalling.

• In March, we will be rolling out our free spam alerting and call blocking tools to all of our wireless customers whose smartphones support these features, including iPhone and Android devices. There will be more information on how to sign up for the free service as we get closer to launch.

While call blocking features are one answer to this problem, they aren’t the sole solution. That’s why Verizon is an industry leader on multiple initiatives to address the spoofing problem and to root out illegal robocallers at the source.

Typically robocallers hide their identities by using fake or “spoofed” numbers. Verizon cannot always identify the illegal robocaller because the spoofed robocalls typically start with Internet-based providers (often based outside the United States), and then pass through several other companies’ networks before reaching us. We have no way to tell who made the calls unless each of those “upstream” carriers agrees to provide information about where the calls are coming from – and often those attempts to trace back suspicious traffic dead-ends when one of those upstream companies in the call path refuses to cooperate.

We’ve taken numerous steps to take on these problems:

• We’ve implemented programs to prevent our services from being used by illegal robocallers. And we’re encouraging other voice service providers to implement similar “know your customer” programs.

• We have committed to and support the new “STIR/SHAKEN” call authentication technology which will visually alert consumers to spoofed calls and we support legislation requiring service providers to deploy the STIR/SHAKEN call authentication technology.

• Verizon is also a founding member of the US Telecom Industry Traceback Group, an industry-led organization that traces back suspicious robocall traffic, stops many illegal robocalls and helps enforcement agencies catch the bad guys. Since being a founding member two years ago, more than 20 other organizations have joined the initiative. Without these activities, the flood of illegal robocalls would be even greater.

• Lastly, we support stronger federal laws to outlaw spoofing and to shut down illegal robocallers. Few robocallers get charged with illegal spoofing because the Truth in Caller ID Act defines “spoofing” narrowly. The government currently must prove the caller intended to defraud, cause harm, or illegally obtain something of value. Verizon supports a simple rule that would make it illegal for any caller to use any phone number that it is not authorized to use. Verizon also supports legislation, including the TRACED Act, to strengthen enforcement against illegal robocallers and to require other service providers to join us in implementing the STIR/SHAKEN call authentication technology.

More info via Verizon here.

How to use Emoji icons on a Mac

Dan Uff January 18, 2019 0

Using Emoji icons on an iPhone or iPad is very popular especially when you're texting someone.

But what if you'd want to use them on your Mac? It's very easy to:

1. Open a text document using either Text Edit, Pages, etc.

2. With the blank document open, press Command + Control + Spacebar.

3. A drop down window will open.

4. Drag and drop the Emoji(s) into the document.

5. That's it.

How to watch Star Trek: Discovery – Season 2

Dan Uff January 17, 2019 0

Earlier today, we reminded you that season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery starts.

Now you maybe wondering how you can view it. Well, that depends on where you are in the world.

For people in the United States:

Unfortunately, if you live in the United States, you must be a subscriber to CBS All Access (http://www.cbs.com). The service offers monthly or yearly subscription plans. For more information, click here.

For people outside of the United States:

People outside of the U.S. have other options other then subscribing to CBS All Access. If you're a member of Netflix, then you'll be able to get Star Trek: Discovery. If you can get a TV Network called "Space" then it'll be on there.

If you don't have access to any of these, you can always purchase season 1 by going here.