Poor #Siri, now even Mac users may experience #Cortana! - http://clapway.com/2015/08/19/mac-finally-gets-cortana-support-thanks-to-parallels-desktop-11-113/

Parallels, a company well known for its cross-platform solutions, has a surprise for Mac users: they’ve managed to bring over Windows 10’s virtual assistant software, Cortana, to their Parallels Desktop 11 users.

Cortana Gets More… Virtual

Parallels has been in the business of bringing OS-virtualization software for many years now, and they’ve grown to be quite good at it. Version 11 of their newest software is bringing a host of new features to the platform, but Cortana might be the most noteworthy, if not the most novel one.

Now, anyone familiar with Parallels, or their products, knows there is one caveat to this: Parallels Desktop is a virtual machine. That means that you won’t be installing the Cortana software directly onto your Mac computer in the same way you might install Photoshop. Instead, the software creates a virtual instance of a licensed version of Windows 10 in a blended sort of way.

This means that you are essentially running Windows 10 inside a window on your Mac. It’s a confusing concept to understand when you’re not experiencing the software yourself.

Read more about Cortana here!

When Worlds Collide

Parallels is most notably known for the way they’ve been able to seamlessly blend virtual machines into Mac OS, and they’ve done some cool stuff with Cortana, too. For instance, Cortana will pop up from the OS X dock if you say “Hey, Cortana,” similar to how it works on Windows 10. It can also launch Mac apps in addition to its normal functions like checking the weather, searching the internet, and the usual.

Cortana aside, Mac users can also use features from OS X on Windows apps. For instance, Macs that sport Force-Touch touchpads can use them to look up word definitions in Microsoft Word.

Get it Now

Parallels Desktop 11 will be available on Wednesday, so if you’re reading this article then you can go check out their site now to pick it up. You will need a Windows 10 license though, and if you don’t already have Parallels Desktop then the standalone will set you back $79.99. Current users will have to pay a $49.99 upgrade fee. There is also a Pro edition, which features developer tools and cloud storage for $49.99 a year.

Here’s the link for the new Cortana-wielding software.

---

Now, you can get the latest tech reviews from Clapway Trends:

Mac Finally Gets Cortana Support Thanks to Parallels Desktop 11

How do YOU feel about the new #Windows10 and #Microsoft"s changes to the #privacy policies? - http://clapway.com/2015/07/30/windows-10-launches-with-a-bang-and-a-few-privacy-issues-245/

Microsoft has finally launched the newest iteration of its operating system, Windows 10, and the reception has been largely positive. But as with most new things, a little change comes along with it. So, with the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft also saw fit to update their Privacy Policy and Service Agreement with a few modifications that users might find a bit worrisome.

Data Syncing

As soon as a user signs into Windows, the operating system begins syncing data to Microsoft’s servers. Most users might not think this is a big deal, and many people knowingly allow their data to be access by companies all the time. The issue is that Microsoft automatically opts all users in without giving them a choice before doing so.

The data being stored on Microsoft’s servers include browser history, favorites, passwords (even website and Wi-Fi passwords), apps currently opened, and more.

Advertising Profiles

Microsoft isn’t using Windows 10 to collect and store user data on its servers just for the heck of it. Signing into Windows 10 also generates an advertising ID unique to each user. This identifier is a way for Microsoft to allow developers and advertisers to build a profile about users in order to tailor advertisements for specific users. This can easily be turned off in the settings, but again, this is another option that should be opt-in rather than opt-out.

Cortana: Friend or Foe?

While some of these concerns were known about prior, the amount of data Cortana, Microsoft’s Windows 10 equivalent to Apple’s Siri, can accumulate and share about a user is certainly surprising. Fortunately, Cortana is an opt-in feature, and the disclaimer text fully discloses the software’s intention of collecting data ranging from voice input to communication data all upfront.

This issue is more ambiguous than the others because a virtual assistant can’t operate without these details. Cortana needs to be able to have access to this information in order to provide contextual answers to user queries.

Microsoft Owns Your Data

Most of these privacy concerns boil down to the fact that a user is essentially signing their data over to Microsoft.

“We will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to protect our customers or enforce the terms governing the use of the services.”

That last bit of text, in tandem with the extensive amount of data Cortana can collect, is a bit worrisome, however. Microsoft certainly isn’t the only company who wants users to sign over all of their data, but consumers have a right to know what these companies plan to do with the data once they have it.

---

Tech news in a fun way on Clapway Trends:

 

Windows 10 Launches With a Bang and a Few Privacy Issues

iOS 9 Public Beta Tips - http://clapway.com/2015/07/12/ios-9-public-beta-tips456/

You don’t have to wait until the fall to experience what Apple’s iOS 9 feels like on iPhone or iPad, because the public beta is offering all a sneak-peek. The public beta was announced not long ago at WWDC 2015, and last week the iOS 9 was officially launched therein.

BETA THE BETA

This beta will be an opportunity for iPhone users to flag residual bugs that Apple may have missed. You can participate in the beta in a number of ways, i.e. the OS X El Capitan is free, but you need to have an iOS device compatible with it before trying out the iOS 9.

COMPATIBLE PLATFORMS

If you use iPhone, keep in mind that iPhone 6 Plus, 6, 5s, 5c, 5, or 4S are compatible. iPads include the Air 2, Air 3, Air 4, Mini 3, Mini 2, and Mini. Also, the 5th-gen iPod touch works just as well.

BETA LOGIN

Once signed in with your Apple ID, you must then agree to the license. Then you may enroll your device in the program. Afterwards, the beta (along with necessary updates) will appear in the Software Updates part of iOS settings. But, as is the case with all betas, you should remember a few things if you want to reduce your OS woes as time goes on.

MALHEURS TO AVOID

I mean it’s obvious that installing beta software on your most loved, privileged, and primary device sounds like the perfect way to not only frustrate yourself, but a way to make your entire day enslaved to vituperative, stubborn errors, e.g. missed calls, texts, upload/download failures, et al. So if you have a spare, use it. Another concern for beta-users is the effect such things inevitably have on performance and battery life. Many others have tested the beta without such malheurs, but your mileage could mayhaps differ.

However you choose to use the beta, you need to do a full backup of your phone first. This way no matter what happens, you’re not ruined by an iOS 9 beta. To do this you simply plug your iPhone or iPad into your Mac or PC, load iTunes, and instruct it to perform a full backup. This may seem like a hassle, especially since one usually has much on one’s device, but trust us; it’s much less of a hassle than starting from scratch.

---

 

Keep your bike looking slick with the afterburner and aviator lights from fortified bicycle.

iOS 9 Public Beta Tips

An early peek at IOS 9"s security improvements and more! - http://clapway.com/2015/06/09/ios-9-to-have-six-digit-passcode-default-for-touch-id-devices-123/

This fall, IOS9 brings the trend of six digit passwords and some more improvement in the operating system.

Apple is bringing immense improvements in its mobile operating system, IOS 9. The changes can be seen in various ways. IOS 9 is launching this fall and the most striking development is the passcodes, or passwords. No more four digit password now! The length of the passwords now will comprise six digits. Though it is already possible to put more than four passwords, Apple plans to enforce stronger policies keeping security in full mind.

Showcased at the ongoing WWDC 2015, IOS 9 is available for the developer preview. As per reports, it shall be launched in July as a public beta. Apple vastly recognizes the places that people put their data at the iDevices. So when the passcodes are changed in terms of length, the possibility of password combinations go from 10,000 to 1,000,000.

IOS 9 is expected to be more efficient with the perspective of its striking features.

Apart from the development in passcodes, there is a lot to look at in Apple’s IOS 9. What is more striking is the intelligent Siri. Not only that. You can also find a higher storage efficiency as well as optimized battery life. This will give more efficiency to multitasking. To learn more about WWDC 2015, go here.

Technology experts are expected to speak at this event.

If you are thinking what was the reason behind such a change in passwords. As per Apple, it will be tougher to crack the passcode and that the user is going to be at much safer side. Though, there are still questions on why alone the security feature has been implemented in the Touch ID devices. It will be easier for the iPhone and iPad owner to protect themselves from any unauthorized access.

A few of the most striking highlights of IOS 9 in review: space, compatibility, battery improvement and much more. Find out more highlights of IOS 9 here.

If you are an IOS fan, just a bit more time until Fall 2015! The operating system is to come with much more than you are expecting. Just wait an watch for all that is coming your way.

In time for IOS 9’s release date, watch this to learn more about Halo Black, the world’s first smart screen protectors for iPhone 6 users!:

IOS 9 To Have Six-Digit Passcode Default for Touch ID Devices