Singtel TV celebrates 10th birthday with free previews, promotions, and prizes

Source: Singtel. Mr and Mrs Chua Boon Kwee were gifted with a Samsung TV and two years of set top box rental for being one of the longest-tenured Singtel TV subscribers in Singapore.

Singtel TV is celebrating 10 years of entertainment this July to August with a lineup of free previews, exclusive offers and prizes. The anniversary celebrations coincide with Singapore’s National Day (August 9).

Singtel TV customers will be able to enjoy 10 days of free previews of over 150 channels on Singtel TV from 4 to 13 August. The previews enable Singtel TV customers to watch the latest blockbusters like Doctor Strange, Moana and The Monkey King 2; dramas and live sporting action on channels such as AXN, Disney Channel, FOX Movies, as well as Jia Le Channel and more. The free previews will also be available on Singtel TV GO.

Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO, Consumer Singapore, Singtel said, “We are delighted to celebrate 10 years of delivering exciting programmes to our customers. Singtel TV has significantly expanded its Pay-TV offerings in the last decade, extending over 250 topnotch channels, live streaming on Singtel TV GO, as well as introducing our video portal app, Singtel CAST.”

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Singtel TV will also offer a free three months’ subscription* without contract, for selected packs to the first 1,000 new or existing customers who sign up for a new pack. The offer includes Starter Packs like Family Starter, Jingxuan Starter, Kondattam Starter, as well as Add-on Packs including Movie+, World Sports+ and more.

From 14 August Singtel TV customers can further look forward to winning 10 prizes, including a hands-on experience driving a Formula 1 car at the Monza circuit in Italy, tickets to the 2017 Emmy Awards and VIP visits to Cartoon Network Studios in California, US.

In addition, Singtel rewarded its 10 longest-tenured Singtel TV subscribers with a complimentary Samsung 55" UHD Smart TV and two years’ free digital video recorder (DVR) set-top box rental. “When Singtel TV first started, programmes were quite limited but now it’s so good. Good choice and right choice!” shared Chua Boon Kwee, one of the recipients. “I hope to have more programmes for my wife and children, something family-oriented so that we can watch TV together.”

*Terms and conditions apply.

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac does more, faster

Source: Parallels. A new virtual machine offered in Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac.

Parallels, a global player in cross-platform solutions and creator of software for running Windows applications on a Mac, today launched Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac. Parallels Desktop 12 is macOS Sierra ready, includes up-to 25% performance improvements, and features more than 20 simple single-function tools and utilities which are also available as a standalone Parallels Toolbox for Mac app. In addition, all Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac customers will receive a one-year subscription to backup solution Acronis True Image, which includes a fast incremental backup feature that reduces the time and size of subsequent backups ups and provides up to 500 GB of free online storage.

New utilities featured in all editions of Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac make it easy to perform common tasks with simple single-function tools for both the Mac and Windows virtual machines (VMs). Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Edition subscribers, and Parallels Toolbox for Mac subscribers, also receive free updates of additional tools which will be made available every quarter. Initial tools include:

· Distraction-free presentation modes for both Mac and Windows VMs, including:

o Hide Desktop Files
o Do Not Disturb
o Keep Mac Awake.

· Archive, encrypt and password protect all of your files.

· Capture screen shots or record video of a screen, window or area.

· Download videos from YouTube, Facebook and other websites with a single click.

· Time management tools—an alarm, timer, date countdown and stopwatch.

· Unpack files from ZIP, RAR and many other formats.

“Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac joins our long history of innovations in ease of use and personalization,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels president. “In addition to delivering our best Windows-on-Mac performance and experience, Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac simplifies a number of everyday tasks for millions of our customers in all walks of life.”

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac also adds the ability to purchase Windows 10 and simply install it via the Parallels Desktop Wizard, and a Scheduled Windows Maintenance option so Windows Updates and maintenance can take place overnight or at times when it is not disruptive to a user’s workflow.

PC and Xbox game players will get increased support in Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac. Parallels engineers worked with Blizzard Entertainment and optimised Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac to support Overwatch, a 2016 PC and Xbox game that has sold more than 15 million copies in just over two months. Parallels Desktop also supports the Windows 10 Xbox app, enabling people to stream and play Xbox games on their Mac devices.

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac feature highlights include:

· Parallels Toolbox for Mac: 20 tools that simplify everyday tasks on your Mac

· Simplified backup: One year of Acronis True Image 500 GB cloud backup storage, which can backup new incremental changes to a virtual machine (VM), instead of having to save an entire VM every time changes are made.

· Support for Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch PC game.

· Support for the Windows 10 Xbox app, for streaming and playing all Xbox games on a Mac

· Schedule Windows updates for an appropriate time at night to avoid time-consuming disruptions during the day.

· Control storage space used by VMs directly from the Optimized Storage feature in macOS Sierra.

· Store Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer passwords in Mac Keychain.

· Assign special behaviours to Windows apps, such as 'Always Open Full Screen' or 'Always Hide Other Apps,' so they play even better on the Mac.

· Cancel time-consuming VM actions.

· Open documents from SharePoint and Office 365 in Microsoft Office for Windows desktop applications directly from a favourite Mac browser.

· Keep Windows ready in the background, instead of suspending the VM, to instantly open Windows applications and documents.

· Outlook for Windows now features your recently accessed documents, both Mac and Windows, so they are conveniently available to select when you add attachments to your emails.

· Improved Retina support for resizing Windows VMs.

· Archive VMs to save space in the Pro Edition.

· Set resource usage limits for VMs in the Pro Edition.

· Network Conditioner in the Pro Edition now features preconfigured network profiles (including Edge, 100% loss, 3G, DSL, 'very bad network' and Wi-Fi) to make testing a breeze, as well as customisable settings.

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac performance improvements include: *

· Up to 90% faster Snapshot creation.

· Up to 60% faster suspend of VMs.

· Up to 25% faster Shared Folders performance.

· Compile Visual Studio projects on shared folders up to 25% faster.

· Up to 10% battery life improvement.**

· Enjoy improved VM responsiveness when your Mac is low on free memory.

Interested?

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac, Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition are available today for subscribers and upgraders from Parallels Desktop 10 and 11. General availability is August 23 online and at local retail and online stores worldwide.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac is S$108. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 10 and 11 for Mac perpetual license customers are S$68, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop Pro Edition subscription for S$68 per year for life.

Parallels Desktop Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop Business Edition are available to new customers for US$99.99 per year. Parallels Desktop Pro Edition and Business Edition include a complimentary Parallels Access subscription to remotely access up to five Mac or Windows PCs from any device.

Parallels Toolbox for Mac is a feature of all versions of Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac which will also be available as a standalone subscription product for US$9.99 per year, including all new tools and updates planned for release every few months. Starting August 23, download a full-featured trial for 14 days for free, or purchase a subscription

The top 10 companies Singaporeans want to work for

Source: JobStreet.com. From left: representatives from Changi Airport Group, ExxonMobil, and Procter & Gamble; Chook Yuh Yng,(Jobstreet’s Country Manager; Jake Andrews, Chief Product Officer of SEEKAsia, Madam Ho Geok Choo, CEO of Human Capital Singapore; representatives from Google, Keppel Corporation, Shell, and Singapore Airlines.

JobStreet.com, a major online employment marketplace, has announced the top 10 companies Singaporeans aspire to work for. Google, Apple and Singapore Airlines emerged tops in a survey* where the objective was to find out which companies Singaporeans dream of working for and the reasons behind it. The findings also serve to help other companies learn best practices on what attracts candidates to work with these top companies.

Google's Singapore office houses a cafeteria called the 'Goopitiam' (a pun on the local term 'kopitiam' or 咖啡店, literally ‘coffee shop’ in a Chinese dialect), and its extensive menu changes every day. The office space is designed to spur interactions between employees and even facilitate rest and playtime. Free meals, casual dress codes and extensive healthcare benefits are just some of the perks employees get to enjoy.

Next is Apple. New hires praise the extensive training they receive from management while long-time employees feel their careers constantly advance with the company.

National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) is third on the list. The world’s most awarded airline, SIA is synonymous with outstanding service excellence. “Employees are nominated to attend various courses to improve themselves,” says a former security supervisor of 12 years.

Others in the list are, in ascending order from no. 4, Facebook; Shell; ExxonMobil; Microsoft; the Changi Airport Group; Procter & Gamble; and Keppel Corporation.

What makes companies attractive

According to JobStreet.com’s survey, which involved Singapore respondents across different sectors such as administration, accounting, engineering and media communications, salary is no longer the most important factor that employees consider when deciding to take up a job offer - it is now rated third, ranked important by 70% of respondents.

Seven in 10 (72.1%) of the interviewees voted work environment and culture, management and leadership as the key factor when reviewing a potential company. In senior management, they are looking for more than a boss — they want a leader, one who can push them beyond their limits and help them make personal breakthroughs. The work culture also has to be aligned with their personal goals and wants.

Benefits and incentives are rated the no. 2 in decision-making (rated as important by 71% of respondents), including performance-based bonuses, healthcare insurance as well as car and housing loans. According to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore is the world’s most expensive city to live in. Hence, it stands to reason that Singaporeans value these incentives as they pursue a high standard of living.

Other factors include company reputation (69%); support and training (64%); promotion prospects (54%) as well as passion; flexible work hours; growing industry; work-life balance; and known standard work quality.

Championing human capital excellence

In producing this survey, JobStreet.com is aligning itself with the Ministry of Manpower’s vision to “develop a productive workforce and progressive workplaces for Singaporeans to have better jobs and secure retirement”. The company suggests that businesses can model themselves after Singapore’s top employers, learning from the best practices that make them so successful. Human resources (HR) professionals, in particular, can discover innovative, staff-centric HR strategies that boost morale and elevate workplace productivity. All these efforts will allow a company to achieve higher staff retention and groom happier, more fulfilled employees.

Helping job-seekers get insights into Singapore’s workplace reality

JobStreet.com also introduced the Company Reviews feature to facilitate the matching and communication of job opportunities between job-seekers and employees. Company Reviews allows current and former employees to comment on their workplaces, helping candidates make more informed career choices.

“Company Reviews addresses the top questions that today’s jobseekers are asking. ‘What is the management like?’ ‘What sort of leadership styles do the bosses adopt?’ For job-seekers, the focus has shifted from ‘what do they do’ to ‘how they do it’. Company Reviews is a repository of such employees’ reviews, which will help other job-seekers better understand the workplace culture,” says Jake Andrew, SEEK Asia Chief Product Officer. The SEEK Group owns employment, education and volunteer businesses, including JobStreet.com.

JobStreet.com envisions that employers will receive applications from more engaged candidates who have decided the organisations are a good fit for them. Employers can also respond to the reviews, providing context as well as communicating their value propositions.

Reviews, received after Company Reviews was soft-launched, include:

“...Work culture that is pro self-management; company promotes internally instead of sourcing leaders from outside the company; great advancement opportunities…”
Assistant manager with four years of service and counting
Procter & Gamble

“…Good in work/life balance, excellent work environment, good management team…”
Former Marine Lubes Coordinator with four years of service
Shell 

“...What drives me to stay put in this organisation for all these years is the benefits/perks that they offer to us as employees...”
Senior Refinery Technician with over 12 yrs of service and counting
ExxonMobil

“...Environment supporting dynamic teamwork. Leader with bold and great vision, lots of opportunities within...”
Former safety officer with four years of service
Keppel Corporation

JobStreet.com covers the employment markets in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, servicing over 230,000 corporate hirers and over 15 million job-seekers in its database.

Interested?

Check out existing company reviews

*JobStreet.com ran an online survey from on January 2016, and received 1,265 responses from Singapore-based candidates, 30% of whom were junior staff with up to four years of experience, and another 30% were supervisor-level or people with over four years of experience. A further 23% were managers, and 13% were fresh graduates. The remainder were more senior. Survey results were validated against reviews of the companies.

First major update available for Windows 10

Source: Microsoft.

Microsoft has made the first major update to Windows 10 available for PCs and tablets. The update offers improvements in all aspects of the platform and experience, said the company in a blog post. Windows 10 also starts rolling out to Xbox One and is to come for selected mobile phones soon'.

".. With this free update we have reached the point in the platform’s maturity where we can confidently recommend Windows 10 deployment to whole organisations," said Terry Myerson, Executive VP of the Windows and Devices Group, Microsoft.

Improvements include:

Performance in everyday tasks, such as boot time now nearly 30% faster than Windows 7 on the same device.

Cortana to be available in Japan, Australia, and India (in English) with features and experiences customised for each market, Myerson said.

Microsoft Edge, the Windows 10 browser, offers improved performance and security, along with tab preview, which allows you to hover over your open tabs and get a preview of what’s on those websites without leaving the page you’re on.

Microsoft Edge now syncs your Favourites and Reading list items across devices.

The update to Windows 10 will also enable management of both corporate owned and BYOD devices. Windows 10 is already actively running on more than 110 million devices including 12 million business PCs, Myerson said.

Two free services have been introduced:

Windows Update for Business provides IT teams with controls over the deployment of updates within organisations, while ensuring devices are kept current and their security needs are met, at reduced management cost. Features include setting up device groups with staggered deployments and scaling deployments with network optimisations.

Windows Store for Business provides IT teams with a flexible way to find, acquire, manage and distribute apps to Windows 10 devices – both Windows Store apps and custom line of business apps. Organisations can choose their preferred distribution method by directly assigning apps, publishing apps to a private store, or connecting with management.

The update introduces two capabilities designed for IT teams to empower people to securely use multiple devices for work:

Mobile Device Management empowers IT teams to use the full power of Enterprise Mobility Management to manage the entire family of Windows devices, including PCs, tablets, phones, and devices in the Internet of Things.

Azure Active Directory (AAD) Join empowers IT to maintain one directory, enabling people to have one login and securely roam their Windows settings and data across all of their Windows 10 devices. AAD Join also enables any machine to become enterprise-ready with a few simple clicks.

Microsoft continues to strengthen Windows 10 as the most trusted platform ever with features like:

Credential Guard, which safeguards credentials inside a hardware-based virtualised environment and breaks the popular “pass the hash” method used in many major breaches.

Device Guard uses Trusted Boot to prevent intruders from installing malware, helping to keep company devices secure.

Windows Hello** enables people to say goodbye to passwords with enterprise-grade biometrics including fingerprint and facial recognition.

Microsoft is also working on 'enterprise data protection' designed to help protect corporate data by separating and containing corporate data from consumer data. "Currently in testing with a number of enterprise customers today, enterprise data protection becomes available to Windows Insiders soon," Myerson said. 

The update will also enable enterprise customers to turn off all telemetry data if they choose. "We strongly recommend against this, as this data helps us deliver a secure, reliable, and more delightful personalised experience. We’ll continue to work with third-party experts and incorporate your feedback on this important topic," Myerson added.

*Those already running Windows 10 will receive the November update according to your Windows Update settings. Those running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, can take advantage of the free upgrade offer and receive the November update as part of the Windows 10 upgrade.

**Hardware dependent

posted from Bloggeroid

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac runs Windows better than ever

Source: Parallels. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac.

Parallels, a global provider of cross-platform solutions, today launched Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac. The release includes a new version of the software for developers, designers and power users, Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition. It also includes Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition, previously known as the Enterprise Edition.

The new editions of Parallels Desktop for Mac benefit from speed improvements of up to 50%, Travel Mode which extends battery life by up to 25% while on the go, support for Windows 10 along with OS X El Capitan readiness.

Jack Zubarev, Parallels President, noted that the company has made it easier than ever to run Windows on a Mac. “Developers, designers and power users are one of the biggest audiences among our millions of Parallels Desktop for Mac customers,” said Zubarev. 

"We’ve created Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition specifically for them and will continue to quickly innovate to help them stay more productive in their day-to-day work. Seamless experience has been the hallmark of Parallels Desktop since its inception. Today we further our commitment to innovation with Parallels Desktop 11—from Windows 10 and El Capitan integration to making Microsoft’s Cortana available on Mac."

Parallels Desktop 11 empowers Mac users to run Windows 10 and leverage the advantages of Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant, Cortana, when using both Windows and OS X. This is the first time that Parallels Desktop has ever made a Windows feature available for OS X applications. Parallels Desktop 11 also provides experimental support for OS X El Capitan prior to its launch, and will fully support the platform shortly after its release to give users a seamless experience with the latest operating systems.

“As Windows 10 and OS X El Capitan enter the market, it is essential for businesses, developers and consumers that need to be productive to use virtualisation software to easily run both operating systems, so they can work effectively, regardless of their platform,” said Laura DiDio, Strategy Analytics Director of research and consulting. “All three Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac editions provide the best tools to address respective customer audiences and deployment scenarios that seamlessly enable people to use the applications they need, regardless of platform.”

New Parallels Desktop 11 ease-of-use benefits include improved performance and battery life with the use of Travel Mode, which can easily be activated to optimise performance. When users are on the go and not connected to power, Parallels Desktop Travel Mode will automatically extend battery life by up to 25% by temporarily shutting off resources that drain power.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac offers significant speed performance improvements over the previous version for an even faster work experience, including*:

· Windows launch and shutdown is up to 50% faster

· File operations inside of Windows are improved by up to 20%

· Virtual machine suspend is up to 20% faster

· Travel Mode can increase battery life up to 25%

· Improved network performance

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition 

This is a new version of the software specifically designed for developers, designers and power users, giving them the powerful tools they need for maximum productivity. The Pro Edition supports integration with popular developer tools including Docker, Visual Studio (plug-in), Chef and Jenkins, Vagrant, Guest OS debugging and network simulation. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition empowers users to run preview Windows machines and use nested virtualisation for both Windows and Linux guests, making it the perfect tool for developers, power users and testers who need a variety of virtual machine environments, including simulation of more complex deployments.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Business EditionPreviously known as Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition, Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition includes all Pro Edition features, offering IT admins the most efficient means to enable their employees with Macs to run Windows applications.

The Business Edition builds upon Parallels Desktop by adding administrative features that enable IT departments to control and manage end user virtual machines as well as manage and administer licenses via the new Parallels License Management Portal. This feature provides IT administrators with vital information, such as license expirations, usage statistics, and real-time visibility into licensing activities, to easily manage all of their deployed licenses. Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition also supports business cloud services including Box, Dropbox for Business and OneDrive Business.

Highlights of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac include:

· Always on Cortana enables customers to use Microsoft’s virtual assistant with Mac applications, even when Windows 10 is not the forefront application

· Travel Mode extends the battery life by up to 25%

· Quick Look for Windows extends this cool Mac convenience to Windows documents and files

· New Force Touch gesture support enables a quick preview of files with Quick Look or the ability to look up the definition of an unknown word

· Improved Mac Window Controls include a new Coherence mode button

· Most recently used files list now can be viewed on the Mac regardless of where those files are stored: on the Mac, in a virtual machine, in the cloud or on a file server

· New easy printing with all Mac printer options support saves time with an intuitive solution for OS X users

· “New Item” support for creation of new files in Windows apps including Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word

· Now users can easily cancel time-consuming virtual machine actions

· Mac location services are now available to Windows applications

· Automatic synchronisation of the volume setting of a virtual machine with that of the Mac

· Enhanced file associations with smart notification messaging helps change file association in OS X

· Improvements in the setup and use of a virtual machine to directly access a Boot Camp Windows partition—without rebooting

· One-time opportunity to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition from Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for S$49.99 per year

· Improved Japanese keyboard—specific to the Japanese language edition only

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition includes all of the features of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac, as well as the following new and key features:

· Integration with key developer tools, such as Docker, Visual Studio (plug-in), Chef and Jenkins

· Support for Vagrant and other developer tools

· Additional user profiles for developers, power users and testers for optimal configuration for their particular scenarios

· Advanced networking tools and configuration for virtual networks to test complex networking scenarios, including the ability to simulate some network instabilities

· Cloud storage access through Box.net, Dropbox for Business and OneDrive Business, for sharing from Windows to Mac

· Headless mode for running virtual machines in the background without user interface

· Ability to create linked clones to conserve disk space and optimise installations

· Enhanced memory (64 GB RAM) and processing power (16 vCPU) for improved performance

· Nested virtualisation for Linux guests

· Modern.IE test environments in the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard provide access to free trials of browsers for testing

· 24/7 phone and email support

The Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition has all of the features of the Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition, as well as the following additions:

· Centralised administration and management capabilities to keep IT in control of virtual machines

· Web-based Parallels License Management Portal with a single activation key to eliminate manual management of individual license keys

· Business-level support, including prioritised 24x7 phone and email support options

· USB devices policy enforcement for additional security

Interested?

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is available now to both current and new Parallels Desktop for Mac users at www.parallels.com/desktop worldwide, and at local retailers in Singapore including Challenger, EpiCentre, Harvey Norman, iStudio, NuBox and other Apple resellers.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition is available online and at the Apple online store. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition is available through commercial resellers.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is S$108.00. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for Mac customers are S$68.00, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for S$68.00 per year available from www.parallels.com/desktop.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition are available to new customers for S$134 per year. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition includes a complimentary Parallels Access subscription to remotely access their Mac from any device.

*Based on Parallels internal testing

Excitement marks Windows 10 launch in Singapore

The Windows 10 launch fan event in SIngapore was very well attended. 

Microsoft's Windows 10 is now available as a free upgrade¹ or with new PCs and tablets across 190 countries. Windows 10 includes innovations such as Windows Hello², Cortana³, an Xbox app and the Microsoft Edge browser for a familiar, yet more productive experience.

“Windows 10 is built to enable people and organisations to do great things and the launch of Windows 10 today marks a new era for computing in Singapore and around the world. New innovations on Windows 10 make computing more personal, productive and secure whether you are a consumer, student, professional or business," added Jessica Tan, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore.

"Microsoft is excited that Windows 10 is resonating well from the feedback of over 5 million Windows Insiders and the overwhelming reservations from users. We are also looking forward to the opportunities to work with our developers, retail and devices partners to create new apps, services, devices and experiences for Windows 10. Starting from today, Windows 10 is available as a free upgrade for all Windows 7 and 8 users for one year and we encourage all to upgrade today.”

Quek.

Joy Quek, Windows Business Group Lead, Microsoft Singapore, said Windows 10 will bring more personal computing for all Windows users. "Most of us have more than three devices. Windows 10 brings that experience to all the different form factors. We're really focusing on the user experience and the mobility of the experience," she said.

The most secure Windows ever, Windows 10 is delivered as a service and kept automatically up-to-date with innovations and security updates. Windows 10 offers one experience that will become available on the broadest range of devices, including PCs, tablets, phones, Raspberry Pi, Xbox One, HoloLens and more — with more than 2,000 devices or configurations already in testing. The new Windows Store and Windows Software Development Kit are now available as well, opening the door to more new app experiences on Windows 10.

“A new era of Windows starts today. From the beginning, Windows 10 has been unique — built with feedback from over 5 million fans, delivered as a service and offered as a free upgrade,” said Terry Myerson, Executive VP, Windows and Devices Group, at Microsoft. 

“Windows 10 delivers on our more personal computing vision, with a natural, mobile and trusted experience. Along with our partners, we’re excited to deliver the best Windows ever, which will empower people and organisations around the world to do great things.”

Windows 10 is the "best Windows ever", with voice, pen and gesture input support for natural interaction with PCs and the return of the Start menu plus Live Tiles for instant streaming updates. Windows 10 is also the most secure Windows Microsoft has ever released, with enhancements to Windows Defender and SmartScreen to help safeguard against viruses, malware and phishing. It comes with innovations such as Windows Hello, which offers a fast, secured, password-free way to log in. 

Keeping up-to-date is also simple, as free updates will help people stay current with the latest features and security updates for the supported lifetime of the device.

Highlights include:

Cortana, the personal digital assistant, which makes it easy to find the right information at the right time. Cortana is presently available in Australia, China, India and Japan.

It is now possible to make notes on top of web pages with the Edge browser and a touch screen, and then share that information.

The new Microsoft Edge browser lets people quickly browse, read, annotate and share.

With Windows 10, it is possible for two people to play the same Xbox game with a laptop in one room and the Xbox device in another.

The integrated Xbox app delivers the Xbox experience to Windows 10, bringing together games and accomplishments across Xbox One and Windows 10 devices.

Continuum, which optimises apps and experiences across touch and desktop modes.

Built-in apps including Photos; Maps; Microsoft’s new music app, Groove; and Movies & TV. With OneDrive, files can be easily shared and kept up-to-date across all devices.

A Microsoft Phone Companion app enables iPhones, Android or Windows phones to work seamlessly with Windows 10 devices.

The all new Office Mobile apps for Windows 10 tablets are available in the Windows Store⁴. Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps offer a consistent, touch-first experience for small tablets. For digital note-taking needs, OneNote comes pre-installed with Windows 10. The upcoming release of the Office desktop apps (Office 2016) is designed for the precision of a keyboard and mouse, but will also be optimised for large-screen PCs, laptops and 2-in-1 devices such as the Surface Pro.

Open for business
Windows 10 is also the most extensively tested version of Windows ever. The operating system will help companies protect against modern cyberattacks, deliver better experiences for employees and enable continuous innovation with a platform that keeps companies up-to-date with the latest technology. Businesses will be able to control the frequency of their updates and select the features and functionality that are right for each group of their employees.

Windows 10 includes built-in, enterprise-grade security, so customers can replace passwords with more secure options, protect corporate data and corporate identities, and run only the software they trust. New management and deployment tools simplify device management, help lower costs, and enable companies to power their business with the enterprise strength of the Microsoft Azure cloud.

Apps at the Windows Store
The new Windows Store is now accepting new apps for Windows 10. The new Windows Store is the only store where people can use Cortana to control apps with their voice⁵ and get real-time notifications on their app tiles. All Windows Store content is certified by Microsoft to help keep devices safer. In addition to existing Windows 8.1 apps such as Netflix, Flipboard, Mint.com, Asphalt 8: Airborne and The Weather Channel, the Windows Store provides a constant stream of new and updated Universal Windows Apps and games, including Twitter, Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition beta, Hulu, iHeartRadio, Candy Crush Saga and others including WeChat and QQ, which will launch soon⁶.

Guenter Weimer, General Manager, Windows and Surface, Microsoft Asia Pacific said: “We have a bold vision for Windows 10, where it provides consumers and enterprises with one platform, one store and one experience that extends across the broadest range of devices. In the era of more personal computing, Windows 10 users can expect universal apps delivering seamless and new experiences across devices."

Upgrading tips
Upgrading to Windows 10 is easy for customers running a genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC or tablet. Those who reserved their upgrade to Windows 10 will be notified in waves when their upgrade is ready to be installed. For business customers, Windows 10 is available to start deploying within their work environments, and starting August 1, organisations that have volume licensing subscriptions can upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education.

Retail partners are ready to help people upgrade to Windows 10 with the largest tech bench programme ever, including more than 100,000 trained retailers and tens of thousands of stores around the world. Free upgrade programmes are now available, with Windows 10 software becoming broadly available in retail stores around the world between mid-August and September. Devices running Windows 10 will be available in some retail stores, with more devices to become available in the weeks and months ahead.

“We are committed to bringing Windows 10 to as many consumers and organisations as possible in Asia Pacific in the coming months. In addition to the online upgrades, we are working with over 50 leading IT retailers in the region to set up more than 800 Tech Bench locations where consumers can look forward to getting help to migrate from Windows 7 and 8 to the best Windows ever. For consumers and businesses looking for the latest Windows 10 devices, we are excited to announce that we will have the widest range of Windows hardware ever available by this holiday season,” said Weimer.

Bryan Ma, Vice President of Client Devices, IDC Asia/Pacific and Worldwide, was upbeat about the new launch. “Microsoft has really gotten its act together with Windows 10, and we think Microsoft can beat its self-stated goal of reaching 1 billion Windows 10 devices in two to three years. Not only is the user interface (UI) much more polished and intuitive for consumers, the company has also worked very closely with the critical commercial user segment to get the OS to where it needed to be,” he said.

Joe Sweeney, Advisor at IBRS, was also very positive about Windows 10, but cautioned that businesses need to rethink the way they work to really benefit from a version of Windows that works anywhere and everywhere.

“Microsoft’s consumer-led strategy will likely be successful migrating the public to Windows 10 more rapidly than previous Windows releases. In turn, this will drive the demand for enterprise IT groups to support Windows 10 in 6-18 months’ time. While Windows 10 is a relatively painless update from a technical perspective, a simple upgrade is not IBRS’ recommendation," he said.

"Instead, enterprise IT groups should fundamentally rethink the idea of a desktop-centric work environment, and develop a digital workspaces strategy that embraces all the places, devices, and times where work is done. Armed with this knowledge, the scope of Windows 10, among other tools and technologies, can be used to transform the business, rather than simply repeating the past practices.”

#UpgradeYourWorld

As part of the Windows 10 initiative, Microsoft is encouraging people to share how they plan to #UpgradeYourWorld and to vote for a global nonprofit to receive a cash donation by simply mentioning the nonprofit in a post on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and using the hashtags #UpgradeYourWorld and #vote. 

Nine nonprofit organisations have been chosen to receive a donation from Microsoft. These include Code.Org, The Nature Conservancy, Save the Children, CARE, the Malala Fund and the Special Olympics. 

Based on everyone's votes, the 10th nonprofit will receive US$500,000 as well as Microsoft technology and services—part of US$10 million that Microsoft investing in organisations that are upgrading the world. Nonprofits which have at least one branch outside of their home country will be considered, and everyone may vote once a day per social platform, up till the end of August. From September 1, Microsoft will consider votes for a local nonprofit.  

Interested? 

Learn about upgrading, new and compatible devices, and apps for Windows 

Find out more about Upgrade Your World 

¹ Limited time free upgrade offer for qualified and genuine Windows 7 and 8/8.1 devices. Hardware and software requirements apply; see http://www.windows.com/windows10upgrade for details.

² Windows Hello requires specialised hardware, including fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors.

³ Cortana available in Australia, China, Japan and India in Asia Pacific. Experience may vary by region and device.

⁴ An Office 365 subscription is required to edit Office apps on Windows 10 PCs or larger tablets.

⁵ Hardware dependent.

⁶ Some apps and content sold separately. App and content availability and experience may vary by region and device.

Free upgrades to Windows 10 from July 29

Source: Windows blog.

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be available July 29 in 190 countries. Windows 10 will help people be more productive and have a more personal and natural experience across all their devices, the company said. Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade to people using Windows 7 and Windows 8.1¹, in effect enabling most existing Windows users to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. 

"Windows 10 is a new generation of Windows designed to empower you to do great things," said Terry Myerson, Executive VP, Microsoft. "Windows 10 starts to deliver on our vision of more personal computing, defined by trust in how we protect and respect your personal information, mobility of the experience across your devices, and natural interactions with your Windows devices, including speech, touch, ink and holograms."

With Windows 10, Microsoft returns to the Start menu as an easy access method for files, pinned applications and favourites. Windows 10 is also expected to start and resume quickly while extending battery life. It also has increased security features such as Windows Hello, Microsoft Passport and Windows Defender for anti-malware protection, as well as a commitment to deliver free, ongoing security updates for the supported lifetime of the device. Optimised for both keyboard and touch, the Windows 10 upgrade is designed to be compatible with Windows devices and applications. The experience will remain consistent across devices through Continuum technology, which enables tablets or Windows phones to act like PCs⁴.

The "more personal" part of the experience includes Cortana, a personal digital assistant that helps people get things done across all their devices². Cortana learns individual preferences to provide relevant recommendations, fast access to information and important reminders via talking or typing. Windows Hello³ greets people by name and lets them log in to their PC without a password with the help of biometric authentication. Windows 10 also lets people interact with their device via the traditional mouse and keyboard or through more natural ways such as voice, pen or gesture.

Microsoft Edge, the new browser, offers built-in inking, sharing and reading views. Integrated with Cortana, Microsoft Edge offers quick results and content based on individual interests and preferences.

In addition to the Office 2016 full-featured desktop suite⁵, new Universal Windows applications for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook will offer a consistent, touch-first experience across a range of devices. With new touch-first controls in Excel, people can even create or update spreadsheets without a keyboard or mouse.

On July 29, Windows users can get Windows 10 for PCs and tablets by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer, or through new Windows 10 devices. Windows 10 for other devices will be available later this year. New Windows 8.1 devices will also easily upgrade to Windows 10, and many retail stores will help upgrade new devices. 

Interested?

Reserve a free upgrade at Windows.com. Consumers will have one year from 29 July 2015 to take advantage of the free upgrade.

Read the official blog post

1 Free upgrade available for qualified devices. See http://windows.com/windows10upgrade.
2 Cortana available in select markets at launch; experience may vary by device.
3 Windows Hello requires a specialised illuminated infrared camera for facial recognition or iris detection or a fingerprint reader that supports the Windows Biometric Framework.
4 Continuum for phone available on select models at launch. 
5 Office sold separately.

Acer introduces three 2 in 1 notebooks

Acer has expanded its 2-in-1 notebook line with the new 11.6" Aspire Switch 11 series and a new Switch 10 that boasts a 1080p Full HD 10.1" display. The Aspire Switch 2-in-1 lines combine a Microsoft Windows-based notebook and tablet in one flexible device.

Source: Acer. The Aspire Switch 10.

Thin, lightweight and durable, the Aspire Switch series was made for work and on the road. Four modes are enabled for touch, typing, viewing, and sharing. The magnetic detachable Acer Snap Hinge has two hooks to firmly connect the tablet to the keyboard and a two-way connector that holds the tablet for two-sided viewing. This design enables easy transitioning between modes, latch-free keyboard docking and additional storage capability.

Source: Acer. The Aspire Switch 11.

"Our new models sporting larger 11.6" screens with durable Corning Gorilla Glass 3, an anti-fingerprint coating and a responsive Chiclet keyboard should be a hit with both students and professionals alike,” Jerry Kao, GM of Acer Notebook Business Group said.

“2-in-1s offer a great value proposition to consumers who want a laptop and a tablet in one device,” said Navin Shenoy, VP of Intel PC Client Group and GM, Mobile Client Platform Division. “Acer’s new line of 2-in-1s provides more compelling choices that elegantly work, share and play in a variety of modes – all powered by the outstanding performance of Intel processors.”


Two models are available in the Aspire Switch 11 series. Engineered for power users, the Aspire Switch SW5-171 features a Full HD 1080p display and a HD webcam for enjoying images and videoconferences in sharp detail. Up to a fast 4th generation Intel Core i5 processor delivers plenty of power for multitasking and fueling casual games and movies. It’s also outfitted with 4GB memory and up to a 128 GB* SATA hard drive for storing a large archive of data and applications. Connectivity to external storage, peripherals and other digital devices is provided via full-sized USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.

Designed for mainstream users, the Aspire Switch SW5-111 is outfitted with a 1,366 x 768 resolution display. It offers an Intel Atom Z3745 quad-core processor, 2GB memory and up to 64GB* eMMC storage. Two USB 2.0 ports – one full sized and the other micro – provide connectivity to peripherals and digital devices. A 2.0MP front camera with Full HD 1080p audio/video recording enables videoconferences and capturing images on the fly.

Both models include Microsoft Windows 8.1 for full PC productivity, micro HDMI for connecting a full-size display via just one cable and MicroSD for reading a wide variety of SD cards. Wireless connectivity is enabled with Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11 a/b/g/n.

The Aspire Switch 10 offers a new model, the SW5-012 that features a Full HD 1,920 x 1,200 or a HD 1,280 x 800 10.1" display. One of the thinnest 2-in-1 devices on the market, it measures less than 8.9 mm thin in tablet mode and 20.2 mm with the keyboard dock.


The tablet weighs 0.585 kg while the combined tablet and keyboard is 1.17 kg. It delivers battery life of up to 8 hours** (HD) and 7 hours** (Full HD) for almost a full day of computing. This model provides solid performance offering up to 32/64GB* of storage, 2GB of RAM and an Intel Atom quad-core processor. It offers a 2MP HD webcam with 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and 1080p Full HD audio/video recording. The Switch 10 SW5-012 also comes with Microsoft Windows 8.1 with Bing and Microsoft Office 365 Personal*** at no additional expense, so users can create and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents virtually everywhere.

Zero Air Gap technology delivers sharp images, while Acer LumiFlex optimises screen visibility during outdoor activities, even in bright sunlight. IPS technology provides wide viewing angles and accurate colors from edge to edge. The Precision Touchpad supports six touchpad gestures and delivers greater sensitivity and palm rejection by distinguishing between intentional finger gestures vs. accidental contact by the palm of the hand.

Built-in Acer BYOC**** means users can easily access and manage their data anywhere. Acer BYOC Apps offer real time information, data management, and data security across multiple devices for immediate synchronising.

Optional accessories include an Acer Active Pen that provides fast, precise input for those who prefer to handwrite notes, an Acer Snap Case that protects and packs the tablet and keyboard for easy carry, and a micro USB cable that serves as a connection and charging hub.

The Acer Aspire Switch 11 series will be available in October in EMEA with prices starting at €399. The Acer Aspire Switch 10 series will be available in September in EMEA with prices starting at €329. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via www.acer.com.

*Accessible capacity varies: (MB = 1 million bytes; GB = 1 billion bytes)
**Actual battery life varies depending on product specifications, computer settings and applications or features launched. Maximum capacity for all batteries diminish with time and use.
***Office 365 Personal one-year subscription must be activated required within a limited time. Specifications vary depending on region.
****Acer BYOC is supported on Windows 7 and Windows 8 Desktop, Windows RT, Android 2.3 or later, and iOS 5.1 or later. To set up your personal Acer BYOC service, you'll need at least one PC and one mobile device with the Acer BYOC Apps installed and must designate one PC as your Personal Cloud Storage.

Parallels launches Desktop 10 for Mac Enterprise Edition

Parallels has updated Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac Enterprise Edition, which provides Windows applications on Macs in a corporate environment.

“Millions of Parallels Desktop for Mac customers have come to expect ingenuity, ease of use and speed from Parallels and they will not be disappointed with Parallels Desktop 10,” said Parallels President Jack Zubarev. 

“With Parallels Desktop 10 customers can enjoy new levels of productivity without having to worry about whether the app they need is available on a specific operating system — Parallels creates a world of compatibility at home, work and on the road.”

Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac Enterprise Edition allows IT managers to support Windows applications for Mac users with a configurable, policy-compliant solution that easily fits into existing IT business processes. New built-in intelligence and support for Apple’s latest operating systems – including OS X Yosemite* – improves ease-of-use for business users. 

Enhancements have been made in particular to the areas of management and security, including for:

 

• USB devices policy enforcement

• NetBoot

• FileVault

• A Customizable Parallels Control Center feature, which allows the company logo and some text to be incorporated

Source: Parallels. Screenshot of the software.

New features allow administrators to select and enforce a USB device policy, so that only allowed devices may be connected. OS X guests can be installed using a NetBoot image from a server on the corporate network, and OS X virtual machines can be encrypted with the help of the FileVault encryption feature that is built into OS X. Centralised administration and management capabilities have been added, as well as enhanced security to keep IT in control of virtual machines. With Update 1 of the software, administrators can also and check the status of licenses and reclaim seats directly. 

Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition software is available via www.parallels.com/products/business. 

*Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac Enterprise Edition has experimental support for many of the features of OS X Yosemite Developer Preview, bringing them to Windows and Windows applications. However, Parallels does not provide technical support for it at this time. Parallels plans to fully support OS X Yosemite in Parallels Desktop 10 when Yosemite becomes commercially available.