Rue Liu

Author Archive for Rue Liu

Microsoft unveils on{x} automation app for Android

Rue Liu, Jun 5th 2012 Discuss [1]

Microsoft has just introduced an exciting mobile automation platform called on{x}, which will be available only on Android smartphones initially, before even the company's own Windows Phones. The tool, consisting of a website and app, allows users to set automated tasks and reminders through the use of various scripts or "recipes." Read The Full Story

Microsoft extends $99 Xbox Kinect deal to Best Buy, GameStop

Rue Liu, Jun 5th 2012 Discuss [0]

Microsoft is extending its $99 Xbox and Kinect bundle to Best Buy and GameStop stores. The deal first rolled out in early May exclusively on Microsoft's online store, allowing customers to get the console and motion controller at a deep discount if they sign up for a two-year Xbox LIVE Gold Membership subscription. Read The Full Story

Netflix announces own CDN called Open Connect

Rue Liu, Jun 5th 2012 Discuss [1]

Netflix has announced that it is building out its own dedicated content delivery network called Open Connect. Despite some missteps last year, the company has seen continued growth, recently surging past Apple to take the lead in the online movie market. Read The Full Story

Microsoft fixes Windows flaw exploited by Flame

Rue Liu, Jun 4th 2012 Discuss [0]

Microsoft has issued a security warning and an emergency update over the weekend that fixes a serious flaw in Windows that was exploited by the Flame malware attack last month. Flame was massive and sophisticated but luckily a targeted attack. However, the same method could be exploited in a less sophisticated implementation for a more widespread attack. Read The Full Story

Internet Explorer heading to Xbox 360 in fall

Rue Liu, Jun 4th 2012 Discuss [3]

Microsoft has just confirmed that they will be bringing Internet Explorer to the Xbox 360 sometime this fall. The company has been full of announcements today thanks to its press event at E3 2012, where it's been revealing all sorts of new Kinect, Xbox, and Windows 8 integrations through a new SmartGlass feature. Read The Full Story

Ford unveils 2013 F-150 with MyFord Touch

Rue Liu, Jun 4th 2012 Discuss [0]

Ford has updated its popular F-150 for 2013, adding some new enhancement options, including its MyFord Touch system for voice, steering-wheel, and LCD touchscreen controls. The company's top-selling pick-up truck is also getting some minor exterior tweaks, such as a new grill design and HID headlamps. Read The Full Story

Sony refreshes VAIO lineup with Ivy Bridge

Rue Liu, Jun 4th 2012 Discuss [0]

Sony has refreshed its entire lineup of VAIO computers following Intel's official launch of Ivy Bridge laptop processors last week. Besides the new VAIO T13 Ultrabook being announced with Ivy Bridge today, Sony has gone ahead and refreshed the VAIO S, E, and luxury Z series as well as its L series all-in-one desktop. Read The Full Story

AT&T CEO predicts data-only plans in 2 years

Rue Liu, Jun 1st 2012 Discuss [10]

AT&T CEO Randy Stephenson believes that data-only plans will be coming to wireless carriers within the next two years. Stephenson did not confirm that AT&T had any such plans to offer data-only options, but he suggested that the industry is heading that direction. Phone calls and text messages would be considered other forms of data. Read The Full Story

Vizio to launch its first computers this month

Rue Liu, Jun 1st 2012 Discuss [0]

Vizio, popular for its stylish yet affordable TVs, is now diving into the PC market. When the relatively small and unknown company first popped onto the scene with its TVs, it took that market by storm, going head to head against major players like Sony to become the largest TV manufacturer in the US. Now, it wants to take on Apple by introducing its own line of ultra thin laptops and sleek all-in-one PCs. Read The Full Story

Netflix beats Apple in online movie revenue

Rue Liu, Jun 1st 2012 Discuss [4]

Netflix has become the the largest online movie service in the US, taking Apple out of the top spot. According to data collected by IHS iSuppli, Netflix's share of the online movie market surged to 44 percent in 2011 from 0.5 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, Apple's market share through its iTunes service fell nearly by half to 32.3 percent in 2011 from 60.8 percent in 2010. Read The Full Story

ETSI considering embedded SIMs for mobile

Rue Liu, Jun 1st 2012 Discuss [3]

Apple has reportedly been wanting to use embedded SIMs in its iPhones and now it looks like the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) may be leaning that direction. The ETSI just gave Apple a victory this morning, by approving the company's nano-SIM design as the new standard, snubbing the design submitted by Nokia and Microsoft. The organization is now deliberating over rules for an embedded SIM standard for M2M (machine-to-machine) applications that could eventually find its way to consumer products and mobile devices. Read The Full Story