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New Microsoft Remote Desktop App for Android Sports Better UI, Multiple Sessions

Posted: 22 Oct 2014 11:01 AM PDT

Microsoft Remote Desktop App for Android

While this is not exactly the first remote desktop app for Android developed by the Redmond giant, it features so many changes both in the user interface and functionality that it could be considered a new app entirely.

The first remote desktop app created by Microsoft for Google’s mobile OS was launched a year ago. The new app, which is currently in Beta stage, is listed separately in the Play Store, meaning that it’s more than just an update to the older one. Despite all that, a changelog from the stable version has been included, but maybe just to point out the improvements.

One of the main changes over the old app is the user interface, which went through a major overhaul. As all changes in this department, the new UI is meant to boost the app’s functionality by providing quicker access to essential controls and settings.

While still using the reliable RDP protocol, the new app now includes support for multiple sessions. In other words, you can have remote access to your work computer, along with the ones from home, all while being on the road (even though you probably shouldn’t run remote desktop apps while driving, no matter who developed them).

User accounts have also gone through a change, their management being now much improved over the previous version of the app. Regardless of the number of users, you must rest assured, as your connection to your computers will always be secure. Microsoft employs the Network Level Authentication (NLA) technology for that particular aspect.

Microsoft also tells us what to expect in the future releases. First of all, there’s access to Remote Resources via the Remote Desktop Gateway. Secondly, there will be Azure RemoteApp preview access.

The app is fairly new, so there aren’t that many reviews on the Play Store. In fact, at the time of writing, there were only three, and only two of them were favorable. Just a piece of advice for anyone writing reviews for an app store. Please state in your comment the reason you gave the app that rating, regardless if it’s positive or negative. A single word isn’t enough for summarizing why the app is good or bad. In the end, the device on which it’s used could influence the experience dramatically, and others may not have the same problem.

To install the Microsoft Remote Desktop Beta app, head over to Google Play Store and choose to have it downloaded to your devices.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Chrome Remote Desktop app for Android, and the way you can play Wii games on Android tablets.

Google Adds an Extra Layer of Protection with USB Security Key

Posted: 22 Oct 2014 09:49 AM PDT

Google 2-Step Authentication USB Security Key

Mountain View’s two-step authentication is about to get even better in Chrome, as the company announced the launch of physical USB Security Keys.

Until now, logging into your Google account while having the 2-step authentication active required you to enter either a code received on your phone via text message, or one generated by the Google Authenticator smartphone app (which in case you didn’t know, also works with Dropbox). Unlike Dropbox and other companies who have had security issues in the recent past, Google didn’t wait for its accounts to be compromised before beefing up its security measures, fact that should really be appreciated by its users.

In Google’s opinion, there are two reasons why the safety of the two-step authentication needed to be improved. First of all, there’s the risk of phishing. Hackers are able nowadays to replicate not only the login page to your Google account, but also the two-step authentication one. This way, if you’re not paying attention to what’s written in the address bar of your browser, you could become a victim and have your Google account compromised.

Secondly, there are situations when your smartphone doesn’t have a data connection, or when its battery runs out prior to using the Authenticator app. The USB Security Key, on the other hand, is always in your pocket, and can be attached to your keychain, so that you don’t misplace it.

The Google 2-Step Authentication Security Key isn’t pretentious in terms of the platform you’re using, as long as you have Chrome 38 or newer. In other words, it will work just fine on any device running ChromeOS, Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. Since both Chrome and the Security Key include the Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) open-standard developed by the FIDO Alliance, so any USB key compliant with this standard can be used.

Just to make sure that there are no misunderstandings, the Security Key isn’t here to entirely replace the codes that were used until now for the two-step authentication. As a matter of fact, you can continue using those, especially if you only use your Google account on mobile devices (even though USB OTG could be deployed in that case), or if you don’t use Chrome as your browser.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the 7 million Dropbox accounts that might have been compromised, and the Tuit security ring that uses NFC to unlock your phone.

13 Cutest Geeky Halloween Costumes For Pets & Their Owners

Posted: 22 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT

Batman & Robin

Couples costumes for Halloween? Fun to do, annoying for everyone else. Something with your children? Pretty sweet. Something with your pet? It doesn’t get any better, especially with some geek-oriented theme.

The Justice League

Batman & Robin

Mario & Luigi

Harry Potter & Fluffy the 3-Headed Dog

 

E.T. (And someone to carry him around)

Pokemon

The Cat in a Hat & Things

Lorax & Tree

Shaggy & Scooby Doo (But in a role reversal)

 

Big Bird & Oscar

 

Little Red Riding Hood & The Little Bad Wolf

The Wicked Witch & Glinda

 

King Kong & The Empire State Building

 

Hat Tip: LittleThings.com

For a bit more to get you into the spooky holiday spirit, check out these excellent DIY Halloween treats. If a tattoo is your best way of celebrating the holiday, this is the post for you.

A Microsoft Smartwatch Could Launch in November

Posted: 22 Oct 2014 05:00 AM PDT

Android smartwatch

As their competitors continue to take steps into the smartwatch market, according to reports, Microsoft could be set to launch a wearable of their own.

The Apple Watch; you might have heard of it? Apple’s shiny new wrist decoration is preparing to take the wearable market by storm at some point early next year. The problem is, the Apple Watch has yet to prove itself and the only ‘killer’ feature that it has is a navigational dial that lets you zoom in and out of its display. Hardly worthy of a back of the box mention. On the other hand, Android-powered smartwatches the Samsung Galaxy Gear and the Moto 360 boast fitness features and mobile phone interactivity for a much lower price but the awful battery life makes them a hassle. Leave to a Microsoft smartwatch to right their wrongs then as the company is reportedly set to launch a wearable soon.

According to Forbes we’ll see Microsoft’s smartwatch on the market soon and it will be packing some killer features too. Its biggest selling point will likely be its heart-rate sensor. Using technology similar to the Xbox One’s Kinect 2.0 camera add-on, the Microsoft smartwatch will reportedly be able to passively measure your heart-rate. Other than being a really nifty thing to show off to your friends, that sensor could lead to actual health benefits. If your heart rate has been a bit low and you want some tangible proof to show your doctor, if you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your workouts or if you just like to scare yourself silly by watching it rise and fall during the day, the sensor will allow you to do all of that.

Other key features include the fact that the device will work across many platforms including iOS, Android and Windows Phone. Given that the Apple Watch only works with iOS devices, a Microsoft smartwatch would certainly have a larger target market but it also means that we can sync our data no matter which phone we have. Microsoft’s rumoured device also wins in terms of battery life as it’s said to last for two days without being charged whereas the Apple Watch, the Samsung Galaxy Gear and the Moto 360 can only last for one. All good things to hear so we’ll keep you posted once the device is officially announced.

Source: Forbes

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories, Microsoft Announces Windows 10, Microsoft Fires 2,100 People in Second Round of Job Cuts

Terrifying Pieces of Jewelry Rely on Human Veins for Power

Posted: 21 Oct 2014 01:51 PM PDT

Kizhner Jewelry 01

Whether these pieces of jewelry qualify as wearables is debatable, but one thing is certain: they’re just in time for this year’s Halloween.

Most manufacturers of wearables made to look like jewelry are struggling to find more reliable power sources for their gadgets, so that wearers don’t end up disappointed. Come to think of it, not only wearables are susceptible to making us feel frustrated when their battery runs out. Smartphones, tablets, and other battery-powered gadgets can easily get us to our wits end. Naomi Kizhner, an Israeli graduate student, seems to have found a solution to that by powering pieces of jewelry with our veins.

OK. Just a little pinprick. There’ll be no more “Ah! I forgot to grab a power bank for my jewelry,” but you may feel a little sick. “Comfortably Numb” lyrics aside, the jewelry designed by Naomi uses your body’s electricity to run.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Naomi pointed out that “I wanted to provoke the thought about how far will we go to in order to ‘feed’ our addiction in the world of declining resources.” The designer confirms this way that it takes extreme actions to raise awareness nowadays.

“There are lots of developments of renewable energy resources, but the human body is a natural resource for energy that is constantly renewed, as long as we are alive. I wanted to explore the post-humanistic approach that sees the human body as a resource… Will we be willing to sacrifice our bodies in order to produce more energy? My intention is to provoke a discussion,” added Naomi.

As interesting as these pieces of jewelry may be, I really hope that they don’t become a thing. Naomi’s Energy Addicts project was simply created as a statement, and things that connect directly to your veins should remain in hospitals. I also fear there’s a risk of infection, but then again, piercings have gone a long way since they were invented, and these are not that far off.

Do you want to learn more about Naomi’s designs? Then head over to her website, to see her take on industrial design. She is without a doubt talented, even though some might dismiss her project simply because they are different.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Intel MICA luxury smart bracelet for geeky women, and the artist who had a robot print a selfie with blood.

Hendo Hoverboards: this time it’s the real thing

Posted: 21 Oct 2014 01:21 PM PDT

Hendo Hoverboards

You know the formula: us, tech websites discuss hoverboards, we mention Back to the Future, and show you a hoverboard concept. But what if one of them actually was getting things right?Are hoverboards about to become mainstream? We don’t know, but we hope they do.

The Hendo Hoverboards team was set on making hoverboards a thing, and after 18 prototypes, they’re closer than anyone has ever been. Their current model is capable of floating 1 inch above ground on any non-ferromagnetic conductor. The Hendo team hopes they’ll get around this by creating hoverboard parks around the country where users will be able to enjoy their boards and, who knows, even compete. Wouldn’t that be a sight to behold?

These hoverboards use four disc-shaped hover engines to stay afloat by creating a special magnetic field which literally pushes against itself. Then, just like with a regular skateboard, users only need to propel themselves with their legs, and that’s that. Turns out just making a pledge of $699 USD can already get you one of these babies. If the number is not tempting enough, you might want to rethink it after watching the video below.

Via Kickstarter

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories at Floating hoverboard from Back to the Future arrives right on time and Hoverboard Project by Nils Guadagnin is Really Really Cool.

The Worst Batman in History Keeps Apologizing For It

Posted: 21 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT

Batman nipple suit

Despite being one of the biggest stars in the world when it comes to film, George Clooney will forever be remembered as the worst Batman in history. He’ll never stop apologizing for it.

In 2002, George Clooney talked to the New York Times about the low budget for Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. He mentioned Batman & Robin as well.

I’ve been in those Pluto Nash kind of movies — Batman & Robincost $160 million — and you know they’re a waste of money.

A few years later (2006) Clooney had an interview with Barbara Walters. Maybe because of Brokeback Mountain’s success or maybe some other reason, Clooney decided to say his Batman was a gay one.

I was in a rubber suit and I had rubber nipples. I could have played Batman straight, but I made him gay.

In 2011, he had an interview with Total Film, and had a lot to say about the movie that killed the franchise, forcing it to be re-invented.

With hindsight it’s easy to look back at this and go 'Woah [sic], that was really shit and I was really bad in it. It was a difficult film to be good in. I don’t know what I could have done differently. But if I am going to be Batman in the film Batman & Robin, I can’t say it didn’t work and then not take some of the blame for that.

In 2012 he appeared on Inside the Actor’s Studio and also talked about the failed endeavor.

They put nipples on the Batsuit. I didn’t know they would do that, If Batman had to wear the suit that [I] had to wear, everyone [in Gotham City] would die.

In 2013, when promoting Gravity, he had another thing to say about the film and also the new casting for the Superman-Batman upcoming movie.

I am the least qualified person to comment on anyone playing the role of Batman since I so terribly destroyed the part. The spacesuit [in Gravity] was just uncomfortable for me; the Batsuit was uncomfortable for all of the world.

Most recently, at the 2014 New York Comic-Con, Clooney wouldn’t let the subject rest and disappear.

I just met Adam West and I apologized to him. Sorry for the nipples on the suit.

For a bit more on the caped crusader, check out these awesome Dark Knight graffiti works of art.

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