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Microsoft acquires New Zealand-based cloud computing company GreenButton

May01
by on May 1, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, greenbutton, new zealand

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Microsoft is stepping up its cloud computing game after acquiring GreenButton, a New Zealand-based startup that uses its Azure platform and has an existing relationship with the Redmond company. The deal was first revealed on a New Zealand government website, which shows that Microsoft is now the company sole shareholder, and Microsoft has since confirmed the deal to TNW and it has been officially announced on its blog. The value of the deal has not been made public. GreenButton provides ‘on-demand’ cloud solutions, based around a high-intensity cloud burst technology — for example, customers can use its products to run high performance computer, or big data analytics in…

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Aviary upgrade focuses on user requested features

May01
by on May 1, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Product Updates

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Aviary has let loose a major new update of its free mobile photo editing app for iOS, which is popular both as a standalone image editing tool and as an SDK powering other image editors. Some of the headlining new features include a new suite of—yup, that’s right—selfie tools, undo-redo, and an improved one-touch enhancement. New selfie tools feature a new Blemish tool, letting you remove imperfections in your self portrait with a tap. The Blur tool lets you mask lines and wrinkles and subtly soften edges. The Red Eye tool has been overhauled for processing harshly lit scenes. New selfie tool The new version…

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This leaked image reportedly shows what Amazon’s first smartphone will look like

May01
by on May 1, 2014 at 3:04 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Gadgets

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After a string of leaks and rumors, Amazon’s long-awaited smartphone appears to have been revealed in a leaked image obtained by BGR. The photo, which the outlet reports was intended for Amazon’s in-house graphic designers, shows a fairly traditional handset design with curved edges, a rear-facing camera and rectangular home button. A twin speaker grill is located on the bottom edge, while a power button and volume rocker rest on the side. The smartphone is jet black, with soft-touch sides and the Amazon logo shown prominently on the back. Almost a month ago, BGR posted a series of photos showing…

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Google Drive for iOS gets a 4-digit passcode lock, but loses support for document editing

May01
by on May 1, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Google, Insider, Mobile

Google today updated Google Drive for iOS with an optional passcode lock. The feature means you can now protect your documents with a 4-digit code. You can download the new version now directly from Apple’s App Store. Unfortunately, the update also strips out support for document editing. When you tap the pencil icon, you’re presented with a “Trying to edit?” splash screen that prompts you to download the new dedicated Google Docs and Sheets apps for iOS, which arrived yesterday. If you have the apps, you’ll be redirected to the correct one, but it looks like Google Drive itself is…

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IE11 market share passes IE10 and IE9 combined, Chrome cements its lead over Firefox

May01
by on May 1, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Google, Insider

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April saw the sixth full month of IE11 availability with Windows 8.1, as well as the release of Chrome 34 and Firefox 28. The latest numbers from Net Applications show that Chrome was once again the only major winner last month, cementing its second place position over Firefox. Between March and April, IE dipped 0.08 percentage points (from 57.96 percent to 57.88 percent), Chrome gained 0.40 percentage points (from 17.52 percent to 17.92 percent), and Firefox fell 0.26 percentage points (from 17.26 percent to 17.00 percent). Safari meanwhile slipped 0.02 percentage points to 5.66 percent and Opera slipped 0.06 percentage…

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