Microsoft must release email data held on Dublin server

Hopefully Microsoft (Who isn't exactly fond on the EU with the amount they've been fined) will turn to the EU for help on this one. US law should not apply to non US citizens outside of the US where the data has not been stored in the US.

Even if it was a US citizen doing something illicit outside of the US they should request the data via the judicial body where the activity happened.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27191500

Nokia to be rebranded as Microsoft Mobile

I hope they co-brand for a while like AMD did with ATI or this could go badly for them. Also they could do with having a better marketing brand... i.e. shortening Microsoft Mobile to 'MM'. It's going to look a bit ugly having that branded across devices. 

http://www.ebuyer.com/blog/2014/04/microsoft-to-rename-nokia/

New FreeNas release

I love FreeNas but they don't half release on an almost too regular basis.

They are planning a auto-update feature in their next major update which might be nice as long as they put some good QA in place before releases.

Anyway:

Release announcement:
http://www.freenas.org/whats-new/2014/04/announcing-freenas-9-2-1-5-waking-up-edition.html

Bug fixes:
https://bugs.freenas.org/projects/freenas/issues?query_id=75

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS desktop arrives this week as Windows XP alternative

Good timing. The OS as a whole could do with a fair amount of polish for the mainstream but it's still an awesome alternative.

The alternative versions are better if your constrained but older hardware though. Try Xubuntu for that.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2340343/ubuntu-1404-lts-desktop-arrives-this-week-as-windows-xp-alternative

Sky, TalkTalk and CityFibre to Launch 1Gbps FTTP Broadband in York

From ISP review. 

UPDATE 9am

After a bit of digging we’ve managed to learn that ownership of the joint venture does indeed split three ways, with Sky and TalkTalk both putting £5 million into the roll-out (CityFibre’s contribution is through their existing network / assets). Apparently none of BTOpenreach’s infrastructure will be used (i.e. no use of their cable ducts via PIA). The new network will thus remain entirely separate, with micro-trenching being part of the process to help build it.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2014/04/sky-broadband-talktalk-cityfibre-launch-1gbps-home-broadband-york.html

First Earth-size planet that may hold water confirmed

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/first-earth-sized-planet-that-may-hold-water-confirmed/

Microsoft, Apple and Google pledge to offer smartphone 'kill switch' programs in 2015

Wonder if this will be linked to proof of purchase / the serial. Manufactures have been making millions if not billions of those unfortunately enough to have been robbed.. Hopefully this will make insurance premiums go down as well. 

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-apple-and-google-pledge-to-offer-smartphone-kill-switch-programs-in-2015

I've tidied up my awesome freeware page!

I've tagged the suggestions with their OS specific platforms and actually proof read it so it should make a bit more sense thing time around.

http://blog.alpagot.net/p/awesome-freeware.html

HTML5 Video at Netflix

http://techblog.netflix.com/2013/04/html5-video-at-netflix.html

HTML5 should hopefully mean ease of use on any compatible browser. I.e. Sky Go on Windows Phone if they switch to HTML5 as well !

Windows Phone 8.1 finally makes the OS feel whole

Couldn't have summed it up better myself.

VPN, a Swype style keyboard and dual sim support all make this a nicely rounded phone. All it needs is Sky / Now TV!

http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/14/windows-phone-8-1/

Heartbleed vendor notifications

https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Heartbleed+vendor+notifications/17929

LastPass and the Heartbleed Bug

http://blog.lastpass.com/2014/04/lastpass-and-heartbleed-bug.html

Broadband Forum CEO Claims 800Mbps G.Fast Is Not Just Another DSL Tech

The G.fast standard (ITU G.9700) is currently going through its final approval process and many expect this to be completed by around Q3 2014 (here). Meanwhile BT has already confirmed the first Huawei-based trials of G.fast at its Adastral Park facility near Ipswich in Suffolk (here) and they’ve had it in the labs, touching 800Mbps+, for even longer.

The new technology is similar to BT’s existing up to 80Mbps capable Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) service, which is currently being rolled out across the United Kingdom, although it’s designed to operate over much shorter copper lines (below 250 metres) and will utilise more radio spectrum (17 – 106MHz+) with improve noise cancellation (vectoring). Target speeds from 150Mbps and up to potentially approaching 800 – 1000Mbps are frequently talked about.
Full article here:
http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2014/04/broadband-forum-ceo-claims-800mbps-g-fast-just-another-dsl-tech.html

PluralSight Buys Digital-Tutors For $45 Million To Add Media Software Training

http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/09/pluralsight-buys-digital-tutors-for-45-million-to-add-media-software-training/

Windows 8.1 update arrives April 8th and everything else you need to know

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-81-update-is-a-mandatory-update-for-windows-81-users

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-81-update-1-everything-you-need-to-know

GTC and Sky Sign 300Mbps FTTH Broadband and TV Deal for New UK Builds

OpenReach look to be cut out the picture on this one unless GTC are using them in the background. The market will be getting ultra competitive if OpenReach doesn't push FTTH properly. Doesn't look like the other large ISP's are going to sit idle. Virgin will have competitive options with the DOCSIS hybrid fibre network as well.

Would be surprised if TalkTalk started signing whole sale deals with developers putting in fibre deployments as well.

I'm sure Hyperoptic wouldn't mind teaming up with someone.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2014/04/gtc-sky-sign-300mbps-ftth-broadband-tv-deal-new-uk-builds.html

Prime Minister confirms BT asked to provide more detail on roll-out.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/6401-prime-minister-confirms-bt-asked-to-provide-more-detail-on-roll-out.html

UK tourist (data) roaming in Turkey

Going to do some digging but it really doesn't look like there are many good options for temporary data sims whilst out in Turkey.

I'll post my findings here as I'm off to Antalya in the Summer (Typically go to Bodrum so this will be a nice change).

Turkcell - Not ideal as a pay and go service as it's pay-as-you-go.
http://www.turkcell.com.tr/en/aboutus/visiting-turkey/tourist-tariff

EE - Europass does not cover Turkey.

On a side note this can't be good for business between the EU and Turkey with such data / call rates.


According to this link, http://www.prepaidsimmax.com/turkey-prepaid-sim-card/ it might be best to try and get a Turkcell nano sim and then load the prepaid sim with 4GB / 8GB of data (depending on how much you want to spend and how good your hotel WIFI is). The issue is getting the sim. Seems near impossible to get them abroad without knowing someone out there.

"Tablets and 3G modems do not require registration"  Seems to be a key point here for reusablity if you go back.

UK gets simultaneous Game of Thrones when it airs in the US.

If you have Sky Atlantic go to the following link and hit the remote record button:

http://www.sky.com/tv/show/game-of-thrones/article/season-four-simulcast

Or wait for on demand on Monday (3am onwards).

Openreach launches new 40Gbps & 100Gbps optical capability for uk communications providers

BT Press release:

http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/ShowArticle.cfm?ArticleID=8F009284-A81F-4AF9-8F6B-5DB8E133A8DA

Seems a bit slow with this release if you ask me. Vendors such as Alcatel Lucent have had the tech at that capacity ready and out in the field for ages!