The iPhone reigns supreme in the smartphone category nowadays. They are definitely in a different class of its own. With its superior features, svelte aesthetics, and comfort and security it offers, their Mac counterparts are struggling to beat Windows PC in gaining the trust and thumbs of approval of the public. Well, it is true what they say that you can’t have the best of both worlds. What’s with a Windows 10 PC that everyone keeps on raving about it and got even Mac users converted into Windows users? Microsoft wasn’t able to keep up in the highly competitive smartphone market but it has proven that it definitely knows what it does by giving us a platform that has the answer to all our computing needs on different computing platforms whether on computers, laptops, or tablets.

Considering that most people are Windows users these days, some experts claim that the Windows 10 is closing the gap and can be likened to the iPhone of the PC world. Windows 10 is really out there and conquer the world while nothing special is happening to Macs. The hardware is deteriorating as compared to today’s standards that require for faster and more efficient computing power in order to keep up with the myriad of functions and features that people these days consider as the new norm. Even previous Mac users point out the more advanced and relevant features of Windows 10 as compared to existing Mac devices and it is easy to see why despite the touted seamless synching between Apple mobile and computing devices, their computer line still pales in comparison to the major advancements that Microsoft is now implementing with the Windows 10 rather than just making false promises.

Microsoft famously missed the boat on smartphones, and officially closed the book on Windows 10 Mobile just recently. This has turned into somewhat of a blessing in disguise for the Windows PC: With no new platform to jump to, Microsoft basically has no choice but to improve Windows 10 across both PCs and tablets.

This refocusing on software has resulted in something of a Windows renaissance. Windows 10 has embraced touchscreens, styluses, and even virtual reality. It's made Windows 10 more flexible, and more useful, than any MacBook I've ever owned.

And while Microsoft's own Surface computers are still the best place to experience all the benefits of Windows 10, the Dells and HPs of the world have followed in Microsoft's footsteps, and released nifty, imaginative new devices. Apple is known as the designer of the slickest devices in the world, but the Windows ecosystem is closing the gap.

(Via: http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-windows-10-vs-apple-macos-2017-11)

Touch screens are a common thing now with some Windows 10 devices. Meanwhile, the Mac only has the touch bar but only on its high-end models that only the rich and the affluent can afford because of its ludicrously high price tag. On the other hand, it is common to see Windows 10 PCs with this feature that the masses can actually afford, a reason why the Windows 10 is fast becoming everyone’s favorite for all the right reasons.

Companies and workers are constantly reshaping how they get work done, as users get new technology tools that allow them to be more efficient and collaborate in novel ways.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 platform helps organizations of all sizes manage the evolving nature of work — where and how it gets done and on which devices — by giving them more benefits via mobility, cloud tools and security. Windows 10 also helps organizations secure collaborative work environments.

Windows 10 and Microsoft’s Office 365 productivity suite have helped companies like Wind River Environmental, the Northeast’s largest full-service liquid waste management company, expand in sustainable ways. However, Windows 10 can bring benefits to a wide variety of businesses. 

(Via: https://biztechmagazine.com/article/2018/01/4-industries-can-use-windows-10-boost-productivity)

It is inevitable for Windows 10 to be the operating system of choice of most computer users because it boasts of tools that will allow for efficient collaboration and performance especially now that big data makes the world go round and almost everything has gone digital. Access to the cloud is so convenient because of the could-based tools present in Windows 10. Regardless of what device you are using (computer or mobile gadget), you can count on Windows 10 to give you the best user experience without compromising quality and productivity. Big industries and corporations can also benefit the most from Windows 10 as it allows for the full expression of creativity without curtailing the productivity of employees.

While we can’t help but rave about the Windows 10, it still is not exempted from the usual computing issues we experience from time to time. Hard drive issues are the most troublesome and costly and sad to say you may still have hard drive problems even if you are a Windows 10 user. Better equip your knowledge on https://www.harddriverecovery.org/pricing.html and https://www.harddriverecovery.org/clean_room.html so you get the issue fixed the soonest without these services leaving a big dent in your wallet.

The post Why A Windows 10 PC Is Better Than A Mac was originally published on http://www.harddriverecovery.org

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Who can live without their smartphones? Almost no one, right? In this modern day and age, we can’t live without our smartphones with us. Many will even decide to go home once they realize that they left it after leaving the house. It contains almost all of your most prized data that you’d cry a river in the unfortunate event that you lose it, which can happen at times. While Apple may have introduced the smart technology to mobile phones with their breakthrough iPhone at the time, it was Android that really made it more accessible to the majority of the population. Android phone makers were free to exploit the technology which is like a knockoff of the iOS version courtesy by Google. You basically get to enjoy the same user interface features but at a more competitive price.  There are also more choices to choose from, so you’d definitely find something that meets your needs.

We all know how most brands release new models each year. With just a few upgrades compared to the previous model, it tempts the public to shell out cash and purchase a new smartphone even if their older one is still working perfectly. Now that it has been months after the New Year, we can expect companies to roll out new smartphone releases. If you are an Android user, what can you expect from these new models especially that the Samsung S9 is almost within reach of many? Some of these Android innovations are pretty similar to the ones you can see on the iPhone X that will take phone displays to a whole new level and a pretty awesome user experience. The trend is easy to tell, Android makers simply just follow suit whatever new feature is rolled out in the

In its new developer preview of Android P, Google pulled the lid off a few tasty new things you’ll start to see on Android phones in the next year or two. As usual, Google's Pixel phone will get these features first, and the next Pixel is likely coming out around October. Once the new features launch on Google's flagship device, they'll start to trickle out to other phones.

To start, Google is adding support for Wi-Fi 802.11mc, which will let it give more accurate indoor mapping directions in places like museums, casinos, universities, and malls that have shared their indoor layouts. New Android devices that support the wireless protocol will be able to ping nearby networks of Wi-Fi hotspots to pinpoint your position indoors and give more precise guidance. Google Maps may soon be your go-to app when you need to navigate an unfamiliar airport.

(Via: https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-expect-from-android-phones-in-2018/)

Edge-to-edge screens will soon become the norm. That is if you can afford to purchase the new smartphone releases this year. It’s a luxury, for now, so only those who can afford get to enjoy all these perks. However, the upgraded screens will definitely bring to life the cute and equally upgraded emojis in the form of the “AR Emoji”, the knockoff of iPhones Animoji, and make your conversations with family and friends more alive than ever. Navigation will also be made so much easier as Google maps will provide more accurate direction instructions, so don’t be scared to go out and travel the world because you’ll surely not get lost as long as you can connect to the web.

As time goes by, smart phones powered by Android Operating System has increased its capabilities. The more powerful these phones are built with each passing day to cater what most people bought these phones for; gaming. With a gaming smart phone people are wanting to relive the old games built by Nintendo like Super Mario, Duck Hunt, and Pokémon Red. Playing these games is made possible with the use of a Nintendo Android Emulator, Drastic DS Emulator. This android emulator can be searched and downloaded by looking it up on your preferred search engines using "Drastic Ds emulator Apk" or simply open Google Play on an android phone and search for Drastic DS Emulator.

(Via: https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/14/1422651/0/en/Drastic-DS-Emulator-Makes-Nintendo-Gaming-Possible-For-Android-Smart-Phones.html)

Smartphones aren’t just made for communications, though. With the Internet of Things growing its influence over the world, everything is almost interconnected now. Gaming on your smartphone is no longer a novel idea since we’ve had it even before smartphones came into the scene. However, it is easy to see the difference what newer and more powerful hardware and software can do to elevate the entire gaming experience. There is even this thing as the Nintendo Android Emulator or the Drastic DS Emulator that will allow you to relive Nintendo games that were popular in your childhood such as Super Mario and Duck Hunt among a few. The experience is unparalleled aside from giving you all the feels.

Aside from the ones mentioned here, there are so much more new features to watch out for among Android smartphones and it is just the start of the year. There are definitely more to come. Even with computers, there are so much in store. Yet don’t let your excitement get the best of you because the risks have increased as well and the threat from hackers and other cybercriminals just looming on the horizon. Be prepared for these dangers and the possible data loss and device malfunctioning that follows with this helpful information: https://www.harddriverecovery.org/clean_room.html and https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/hard-drive-failure-recovery-three-major-user-mistakes/.

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It may seem that everyone is pretty savvy in using the computer seeing how it has invaded the planet. It is the case if you live in progressive countries or bustling cities like most people who are active online but unfortunately, these modern contrivances are still unheard of or just a dream in some part of the globe where food, water, shelter, and safety are of utmost importance and the only thing that matters to them. Kids grow up not knowing how a computer looks like or stay virtually clueless about the inner workings of the web. But we all know that we can’t stop technology from progressing. The rest of the world can do the impossible while these underprivileged people remain in the dark and stay rooted deep in poverty.

Meanwhile, it does not mean nothing can be done about it. If one or more people stand up and take actions about this continued ignorance and hopelessness, then these people may be able to change the course of their lives. Such is the case of a really creative and passionate teacher who took the initiative of drawing what an MS Word screen on a blackboard to show his students that they can still learn about computers despite its absence. And seeing how powerful a platform social media has become, his story trended and caught the attention of many.

With just a blackboard and a talent for drawing, a Ghanaian teacher has explained in detail to his students the secrets of Microsoft Word, earning numerous headlines and worldwide admiration.

Now Richard Appiah Akoto, who gained fame last month for teaching computer technology without computers at Betenase M/A Junior High School in the southern Ghana town of Sekyedumase, is starting to appreciate the fruits of his unexpected media attention.

People and organizations are donating desktop computers and laptops to his school. And, as part of Microsoft's promise to offer him free training, Akoto was flown to Singapore to attend the annual Microsoft Educators Exchange.

(Via: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/15/africa/ghanaian-ict-teacher-donations-intl/index.html)

He passionately taught about technology even if they themselves lack it. It only goes to show that everything is doable once you set your mind and heart into it. And his great efforts worked. They captured the attention of almost the entire world and got the donation they so desperately need. Everyone should have a fair chance of keeping abreast with the many changes going around us and the teacher’s effort is commendable in so many levels.

Owura Kwadwo Hottish, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teacher in Ghana who became a twitter sensation in February after drawing Microsoft Word interface on a blackboard continues to get support.

Hottish’s innovative teaching method in the face of lacking teaching and learning materials earned him lots of commendation on social media.

Microsoft’s Africa office also promised to equip him with a device to help teach his children. This was after a tech entrepreneur Rebecca Enonchong tweeted at the company seeking support for him.

(Via: http://www.africanews.com/2018/03/15/ghanaian-blackboard-computer-teacher-gets-microsoft-and-local-support/)

And today, this teacher hasn’t just opened up a whole new world for his students for them to see a computer for real despite their dire circumstances but also gave him a chance to learn more about his craft by being sent to a Microsoft Exchange Summit in Singapore, an opportunity that he could’ve missed if he wasn’t so brazen in his efforts to educate the ignorant and share his knowledge about computer to students who never knew these things existed when barely surviving is what they can only think of almost every single time.

For many of these kids, this just the beginning of something better in their lives and a chance to break out of the poverty and hopeless situation they are in. They have a lot to learn too. Not only it is a must to learn the basics but on what to do when things don’t turn out as planned considering that they are so far away from civilization and they can only often count on themselves to troubleshoot for potential PC issues such as https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/data-recovery-tools/ since professional services like https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/how-to-choose-a-hard-drive-recovery-service/ are unheard of and something they can definitely not afford. It is refreshing to come across stories such as theirs because it shows us that not all hope is yet lost and faith in humanity is once restored.

Computer Education Is For Everyone Read more on: HDRG Blog

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Technology is the most dominant feature of today’s world. Everything is almost digital now and machines are all around us. They perform all sorts of functions and promises to make life easier and more convenient for everyone. If only they can stay that way, unfortunately, these devices are also subject to normal wear and tear and can break down when abused or not cared for properly. Now, things get more complicated once malicious outsiders get into the picture. Examples of which are malware attacks that threaten devices from all over the world with just a click of a button. These modern advancements are really a double-edged sword that will keep us on our toes if we are not careful enough about what we do.

Knowing how much digital data man saves today, encountering malware attacks is proving to be more costly. Add to that the fact that you can never really tell what hackers will do with your information is also rather scary. They can steal from you especially that many people are doing online banking now and they can easily lose a fortune once their accounts get hacked or end up with so much debt from credit card purchases they did not make. Aside from that, your device also suffers as malware introduced to your system significantly affects performance and ends up corrupting your hard drive and thereby requiring replacement.

A nation-state developed a piece of malware so powerful that it can steal everything that’s happening on a computer without even being installed on the target device itself. Instead, it resides on a router. It’s called Slingshot and it was recently discovered by Kaspersky Labs. Incredibly, the malware is so powerful and sophisticated that it hid in routers for six years before finally being spotted.

That’s likely why a nation-state is behind the attack. And while the infected routers that have been identified will be fixed via software updates, there’s no telling how many machines may have been affected.

(Via: https://nypost.com/2018/03/14/evil-new-malware-steals-everything-on-your-computer-without-being-installed/)

You may think only private individuals who consider themselves as hackers or cybercriminals would do such a thing but there are actually rumors of governments funding these things. Atrocious as they may seem but they aren’t entirely proven yet but it also gives us an idea that we aren’t safe, so we must beef up our precautions or end up regretting simple acts like backing up data or installing a firewall or antivirus software. You should also be wary of opening unsolicited emails as they may be the reason for your undoing by introducing a malware that can give you lost of headaches in the coming days or years what with professional repair services like https://www.harddriverecovery.org/repair-hard-drive.html costing an arm and a leg when done by others or the need to purchase replacement hardware parts like the hard drive. Malwares these days are getting smarter and more difficult to address that it takes multiple software updates before the damage can be reduced to the minimum.

"The discovery of Slingshot reveals another complex ecosystem where multiple components work together in order to provide a very flexible and well-oiled cyber-espionage platform," the researchers reported.

"The malware is highly advanced, solving all sorts of problems from a technical perspective and often in a very elegant way, combining older and newer components in a thoroughly thought-through, long-term operation, something to expect from a top-notch well-resourced actor."

Slingshot worms its way onto a machine by replacing the legitimate Windows dynamic link library with a malicious version. Once done, it connects to a hardcoded IP and port, found to be a router's IP address, and then uses the connection to download other malicious components to carry out its espionage, hence why it forms a malware platform.

(Via: https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3028277/sophisticated-state-sponsored-slingshot-malware-has-been-lurking-on-routers-for-years)

Unlike other malwares that target the device itself, this one, Slingshot, heads straight for the router, in a way acting more like a worm. It introduces a kernel-mode and user-mode module to your PC so they can work hand in hand in corrupting your system and at the same time stealing your data and basically do all sorts of spying aside from eventually ruining your device: https://www.harddriverecovery.org/errors/disk_read_error.html. The way it works, no wonder a government is interested in it because it can prove handy in warfare and a big boost in intelligence gathering. Also, it is interesting to note that infected routers are located in most war-torn countries but with a complexity and sophistication that screams superior and definitely prove to be a big pain to anyone who will catch the online bug and compromise their data security to who knows who.

The following post Your Hard Drive Doesn’t Stand A Chance With This Modern Headache was originally published to The Hard Drive Recovery Group Blog

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Mac computers are undeniably expensive but definitely superior too. Apple has invested a lot in it over the years and it has garnered many of the most loyal Mac computer users for several decades now. Most Mac users did not switch to Windows PC even if their Mac line has not seen significant improvements in its hardware during the past few years while Microsoft has thrown in a lot of upgrades to a variety of Window PCs especially with the arrival of Windows 10. Despite the relative hiatus in Mac development, the fact that very few bugs and malware affect the Mac line is one factor why Mac users remain loyal to Apple computers over the passing of time.

Unfortunately, things have significantly changed and many online bugs are now affecting Apple PCs and devices. As if the existence of Meltdown and Specter is not enough of worry for all of us who live and breathe technology, we now have “text bomb” that threatens your device and the security of your data simply by just opening a single message. The good thing is that it’s not really directed as a threat but more of a wake-up call for the tech giant to beef up its cybersecurity defenses or risk angering millions of their consumers from bugs that can cost them thousands of dollars and not to mention the inconvenience of having no working device for days on end until the problem has been fixed by an expert.

A so-called text bomb bug that can crash an iPhone with a single message has been discovered by a security researcher.

Software developer Abraham Masri revealed that sending a message containing a link to the bug's code was enough to crash an iPhone or Mac computer, and in some cases cause it to restart.

Masri initially posted a link to the code on programming site GitHub but has since removed it, saying: "I made my point. Apple need to take such bugs more seriously."

He had reported the bug to Apple before releasing it online, but its removal means malicious messages can no longer be sent linking to it.

(Via: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/text-bomb-bug-hits-iphone-mac-computer)

This issue may seem petty for some but it is actually capable of stealing your personal data. And knowing how most things have gone digital these days, you have a lot to lose since most of your transactions are now done online. Even businesses and government offices have their files in the digital format for fast and easy transactions. Hence, the risks have increased and hackers found the World Wide Web a great place to build their fortune. Even Macs that have remained invincible for years are now the target of countless bugs and malware that is sure making life difficult for everyone at Apple.

Renowned security expert Graham Cluley said the newly discovered bug did not represent a major security threat. Instead, he said the "text bomb" was merely an annoyance to Apple consumers.

"Something about the so-called ChaiOS bug's code gives your Apple device a brainstorm," he said in a blog post published late Tuesday.

"Nasty. But, thankfully, more of a nuisance than something that will lead to data being stolen from your computer or a malicious hacker being able to access your files," he added.

Late last year, Apple was scrambling to fix another glitch. The tech behemoth apologized to consumers in November after users of its latest Mac operating system were able to gain entry to the computer without the use of a password.

(Via: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/18/apples-latest-security-flaw-is-a-text-bomb.html)

Security is fundamental to everyone who is using the web especially on a daily basis like the majority of us who can’t live without going online every day because of our #FOMO and undeniable addiction to our smartphones and social media. Apple devices are no longer fool-proof as we used to think it is but is just as vulnerable as any device out there. Just don’t be surprised if you see a rise in complaints from Mac users as we are already starting to see now because there are definitely more to come as hackers give Apple a hard time over the past few months. Services such as https://www.harddriverecovery.org/mac-data-recovery/ will likely increase as users struggle to salvage their precious data and big servers will also do the same thing https://www.harddriverecovery.org/raid-data-recovery.html in order to save and protect the data of all users in the network. At least, Apple still has time to improve their existing security measures to discourage criminals from their endless attempts at sabotaging the company and their services.

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