Redmond Pie

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Successor ‘Spartan’ Demoed On Video

Ben Reid·March 4, 2015

Microsoft's reputation in the software game took a bit of a self-inflicted beating back when Windows 8 launched, and since then, the software giant has been busily reminding consumers of why its flagship OS has commanded such a huge market share over the past few decades. Windows 10 is shaping up promisingly, with the Xbox maker looking to integrate its multiple platforms, products and devices under a more unified, cohesive umbrella. The new Spartan browser, which will eventually replace Internet Explorer, is at the heart of these efforts, and as we've already learned, will harness the power of the digital voice assistant Cortana. Now, we get to see the fruits of this endeavor in action, and as you'll fathom from the clip below, Spartan looks a clean, fluid and functional experience even at its current beta standing.

FREAK Security Flaw Leaves Both Apple and Google Devices Vulnerable To Attack

Ben Reid·March 4, 2015

Hackers and security experts make a living from sourcing bugs and vulnerabilities with our everyday software, but while the aim of the game is to find and patch these bugs as swiftly as possible, some lie dormant for many years before being discovered. Case in point: a long-standing flaw affecting both Google and Apple software has just been highlighted, leaving users vulnerable to attack when visiting a number of apparently secure websites including Whitehouse.gov, NSA.gov and FBI.gov.

Apple Overtakes Samsung In Global Smartphone Sales, Says Gartner

Ben Reid·March 4, 2015

Newly Announced Pebble Time Steel Smartwatch Looks Awfully Familiar [Video]

Ben Reid·March 4, 2015

Pebble has just taken the wraps off a new smartwatch that looks conspicuously similar to the Apple Watch, in an attempt, one suspects, to reel in potential consumers that may be swayed by the Mac maker's high-end finishes. After unleashing the Pebble Time only days ago, the Pebble Time Steel is essentially a redressed version, featuring a slick, metallic finish along with a premium-looking leather and steel strap.

128GB SanDisk iXpand MFi Flash Drive For iPhone And iPad Now Available

Ben Reid·March 3, 2015

USB flash drives are fairly cheap, and nowadays, you can pick one up online with capacities exceeding 100GB for next to nothing. In fact, 128GB thumb drives are fairly commonplace, and effortlessly convenient since files can be moved around without the need for hard drives or cloud storage, which requires a decent Internet connection when we're talking about the hundreds of gigabytes. Today, SanDisk has launched a variant of its existing flash drive that not only offers 128GB for an enticing sub-$150 price point, but it also packs its own Lightning connector that brings Apple's iPhone and iPad into play.

Comex Releases Cydia Substrate Alternative ‘Substitute’ In Alpha

Ben Reid·March 3, 2015

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Is A Cheaper Version Of Xperia Z3 Flaghship [Video]

Ben Reid·March 3, 2015

Sony's Mobile World Congress hasn't been as busy as Samsung's or HTC's, which both just took the wraps off their respective flagship handsets for 2015. But alongside the Xperia Z4 Tablet, a powerful slate boasting an eye-catching display, the Japanese firm has also unleashed a new handset in the form of the Xperia M4 Aqua. While not as grandiose as the aforementioned efforts of rivals, the M4 is a waterproof, mid-range device that packs quite a punch, and with a design that looks every bit as slick as some of its top-tier Xperia Z3, it may well hit the sweet spot with the consumer market.

Sony Announces Xperia Z4 Tablet With World’s Brightest 2K Display [Video]

Ben Reid·March 2, 2015

This week's Mobile World Congress is one of the biggest events in the annual tech calendar, and having already spawned the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9, Sony has also been busily making a few announcements of its own. Unlike the aforementioned, the Japanese company's most important mobile reveal isn't smartphone-related, but a tablet boasting a 2K display that it describes as the "world's brightest." Take a closer look at the all-new Xperia Z4 Tablet after the fold!

Microsoft Unveils Lumia 640, 640 XL Smartphones With Free Office 365 [Video]

Ben Reid·March 2, 2015

Clever New iOS 8 Keyboard Brings Visual Text Expansion To iPhone And iPad

Ben Reid·February 28, 2015

Apple's decision to open certain segments of its mobile platform up to developers with iOS 8 was much lauded by the tech community, and from a day-to-day standpoint, the introduction of third-party keyboard support has been something of a godsend. The likes of SwiftKey, Fleksy and Swype have undoubtedly made our lives a great deal easier, but even these long-standing utilities don't solve all of our issues and gripes with typing on a mobile device. Having to re-type the same phrases and words can prove tiresome, and even though AutoFill comes to our rescue at times, there are instances whereby we just repeat ourselves time and again. Luckily, though, there's an app for that.

VLC App Returns To iOS, Launches On Windows Phone / RT, Android TV

Ben Reid·February 28, 2015

VLC is rightly considered the best and most versatile video player of them all. Renowned predominantly for its ability to handle any and all file formats thrown at it, maker VideoLAN has been busily updating and improving its assortment of mobile variants, and today, has made a rather big announcement in this regard. The crux of it is that VLC will be returning to iPhone and iPad, having been in hiding since the launch of iOS 8; the Android version is now finally out of beta as VideoLAN also adds an app for Android TV (beta), and there are also new versions for Windows Phone and Windows RT - along with a few other notable updates across the wider VLC product range. So, not much, then.

Apple Stops Signing iOS 8.2 Beta 2 And 1; What Jailbreak Users Need To Know

Ben Reid·February 28, 2015

A Major TinyUmbrella Update Is On Its Way, Here Are The Details

Ben Reid·February 27, 2015

Back in the earlier days of jailbreaking, TinyUmbrella was an invaluable tool. Used to extract certain device-specific files and preserve them for safe-keeping, its primary use was to create pseudo servers from which iOS users could restore / update to software that Apple was no longer signing. Put simply, Apple stepped up to the mark, essentially nullifying the usefulness of TinyUmbrella almost completely, but now, its author has defiantly outlined his intention to restore it to its former glory.

Facebook Adds Features To Help With Potentially Suicidal Situations

Ben Reid·February 27, 2015

Social networks offer a means for folk to express their feelings on a public forum, but while, for the most part, status updates on Facebook consist of the odd gripe or in-depth detailing of one's daily schedule, there are occasions where those upset, depressed, or otherwise feeling low, may wish to share more ominous, worrisome sentiments. When this occurs, there's often that fear that an individual isn't in a well state of mind, and may be considering taking their own life, and with Facebook connecting well over one-sixth of the world's population, the Menlo Park firm has now added some features that may prove life-saving.

Wow: Apple Maps Now Offers Animated 3D Imagery Starting With London Landmarks

Ben Reid·February 27, 2015

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