* Posts by turnip handler

104 publicly visible posts • joined 10 Nov 2010

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How good are selfies these days? Good enough to fool Samsung Galaxy S8 biometrics

turnip handler

Using biometrics requires you also set up a PIN which is used to unlock the phone for the first time after the phone is restarted, to perform certain setting changes and as a back up to the biometrics.

Time for a brutal TELLY-OFF: Android TV versus Firefox OS

turnip handler

Multi user

In order to be truly useful the smart TV needs to be able to provide a multi-user experience. I have different film, tv watching and app preferences to my wife and if a visitor comes round it should be simple to allow them to log in and use their preferences and subscriptions to show content.

It often feels like we are all expected to have one laptop, tablet and TV each and never share.

IT knowledge is as important as Maths, says UK.gov

turnip handler

Re: Great...

" an IT professional with a related degree."

I like the qualification of IT professional. Unfortunately there are a large amount of IT professionals who only really have knowledge of looking at PowerPoint slides and do not have any interest in IT, technology or sorting algorithms.

Microsoft patch batch pre-alerts now for paying customers ONLY

turnip handler

Re: Bloody nonsense

I know it's a shock to most of the IT world but cars are not like software.

BUT even with your case the car companies do not instantly offer a fix to everyone, they only do that when forced; either by millions of people complaining or multiple incidents in the press.

Apple gearing up for Watch BONANZA

turnip handler
Headmaster

Re: Not an unreasonable number

"Just my personal opinion, don't take it serious . . ."

Seriously.

UK superfast broadband? Not in my backyard – MP

turnip handler

Re: He cited a computer programmer who had reported that it took three days to download a program

"However, the biggest problem I have in my house is that the builder didn't see fit to install a power socket anywhere near the master telecomm socket, making the installation of fibre broadband equipment problemmatic."

One of the best parts of signing up to BT infinity is that the engineer visit to set up the service includes moving the master socket closer to a plug socket.

Will.i.am gets CUFFED as he announces his new wristjob, the PULS

turnip handler

Fashion

"You don't have one pair of shoes or jeans." Really???

I'm not sure that he is trying to reach The Register audience...

Yes! New company smartphones! ... But I don't WANT one

turnip handler

HTC suprise

I'm surprised that HTC One was discounted because of poor battery life. It was the one thing I was concerned with about switching to HTC but have actually found that I can easily last a full day of heavy use, a couple of days with medium use and if I'm away for a weekend with no power then activating the power save mode means I can last from Friday to Monday.

I also really like the forward facing speakers - makes a big difference when you are playing music or watching youtube and you don't spray the sound out the back.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Once, twice, three times - a Very Large Phone™

turnip handler

Re: Why?

Turns out a lot of people carry their phones in bags. Which means that a bigger phone is quite helpful, and when the phone is used mostly for email, text and internet browsing then a big screen is helpful too.

You put up with CRAPPY iOS 7. You can put up with Obamacare too, says prez

turnip handler

Re: Facinating

"And ask yourself this: if it's so great, why is congress exempt?"

I'm not sure that I would be the best person to answer that...can I ask someone else? Or google it to find whether it is actually true...

http://thedailybanter.com/2013/10/that-thing-about-congress-being-exempted-from-obamacare-huge-whopper-lie/

One day we'll look back and say this was the end of the software platform

turnip handler

What shifted Apple into the mainstream?

"integrating its software into its hardware"

Whilst Apple do this, the iPod did not - iTunes given away for free on Mac and PC to create your own digital music library. This turned Apple into the major consumer company.

Verizon offers Motorola mobe with 48-HOUR battery life

turnip handler

Re: No SD slot?

Many Android handsets do allow the use of USB storage, which can be a good way of carrying around movies and music.

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Ultrabook: Your new summer convertible?

turnip handler

Re: oh, ffs

"... and it weighs more than the Macbook Pro!?"

And the keyboard detaches so that it becomes a tablet!!!....it is not a direct comparison for a Macbook Pro or Air.

Fitbit Flex wristband: What to wear out when wearing yourself out

turnip handler

Re: you're an idiot....

A quick search reveals that a symptom of Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) is weight gain but it also states that; "However, with treatment, the outlook is excellent. With treatment, symptoms usually go, and you are very unlikely to develop any complications."

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hypothyroidism-underactive-thyroid

As @dogged points out though I don't imagine that you gain weight magically...just more that a 'normal' person.

turnip handler
Paris Hilton

Re: I'm guessing the software is not the point to this device.

@John 110

"You do realize that not all "fatness" is about eating, right?"

Really - what else is it about? People come in all different sizes but it is pretty clear if someone is 'big' or 'fat'.

turnip handler
FAIL

Re: What a worthless toy.

"...so just getting more exercise and eating less do not guarantee fitness or weight loss."

What nonsense. Of course exercising more increases your fitness and will help weight loss. Calories may not be perfect enough for you but it's not a bad start, and apps such as myfitnesspal do take into account the breakdown of carbs, vitamins etc if you want to go that deep in to it.

If you are looking to loss weight and get fit, keeping a log of exercise and calories is a good way to focus your mind and is pretty simple to do.

Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone

turnip handler
Facepalm

Re: er, why not the iPad

People already use the iPad as a camera, using it as a phone probably looks more reasonable.

What do you mean WHY is Sony PS4 so pricey in Oz?

turnip handler
Happy

Re: I read as far as

I managed as far as:

" the rush of blood to the head from spending your lives upside-down"

Great stuff.

Google seeks to calm facial recognition furor with app block for Glass

turnip handler

Re: WTF?

How do you opt out of having a picture of your face posted to Flicker? Your face can't be recognised without reference data to match you against and this has to come from somewhere. Either someone else uploads pictures of you (in to a reference database) or you upload your own image (linkedin / facebook / Google+). The privacy controls should be everywhere you upload data to enable you to lock down reference access.

As others have said Glass is bringing these issues to the fore but examples of privacy issues with data already captured exist.

Microsoft links Skype to Lync

turnip handler

Re: My sole experience of Lync

Your phone only works if your phone is on...most office workers have their computer on all day and you can get a Lync / Skype clients for your smartphone too.

Facebook Home phone plans canned in the UK

turnip handler

Who is the market?

If you are into social media then chances are you have multiple social media accounts. If you've got multiple social media accounts then what you really want is to have updates brought together in a single feed, or single place for notifications so you don't need to check multiple sites.

Apps with notifications work well for this, but a dedicated Facebook phone seems to miss this completely instead assuming everything a user does is via facebook.

Cook: Apple has 'no current plan' to pull profits out of Ireland

turnip handler
Happy

Re: At the end of this..

"Apple could buy the White House, the Senate and every member of Congress for , oh about $5bn and have change left over for streamers."

That is either the plot for a great film or a great way for Apple to get some smart looking East Coast offices.

HTC woes prompts 'leave now' tweet from former staffer

turnip handler

HTC One - a turnaround for HTC

My most recent mobile choice was between Sony Z and HTC One, having read the reviews on The Reg the only handset really making a difference for me was the HTC One, one of the key features being forward facing speakers.

The HTC One is so much better than previous HTC models that I've used - my main concerns where the battery life and camera quality. The battery life easily lasts two days with moderate usage and the camera quality is great too, with the 'Zoe' feature enabling me to get some improvements on people shots over previous phone cameras.

Unfortunately I did have to wait about 4 weeks longer than I was expecting to get the phone due to supply but it was worth the wait.

I hope that HTC is able to capitalise on their recent handset improvements as it is good to have as many manufacturers coming up with new ideas as possible. The worst case will be a Samsung vs Apple smartphone choice both fighting with minor incremental updates.

Google 'DOES DO EVIL', thunders British politician

turnip handler
Coat

Re: An open letter

"If you're going to talk language, get it right."

Agree - you could even try using Google:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=somantics

Did you mean: semantics ?

Canadian TV station wails: NFC bonking... it's not SAFE

turnip handler
Meh

Re: No Chip and Pin in America?

If you made less money selling fraud insurance than you lose to fraud then you shouldn't be in the business of selling insurance.

Kindlevision? Amazon reportedly developing set-top tellybox

turnip handler
Coffee/keyboard

Hey guys, maybe we could do watches too!

I'm sure there will an announcement in the next three months on this...good for el Reg to get in early.

'You can keep it' - Brit's nicked laptop turns up on Iranians' sofa

turnip handler

Re: How did they manage to log on?

The least 'techy' person does not use encryption. The least 'techy' person you know uses encryption just means that you know a lot of technology aware people. I don't know anyone who uses encryption on their home computer even the most 'techy'. The least 'techy' person I know regularly presses the WiFi button on their computer in an attempt to turn it off and then wonders why the internet doesn't work next time the machine is switched on; they haven't considered encryption...

The additional point is that even if everyone you know does use a feature such as encryption it doesn't mean everyone else does. An encrypted machine is definitely a techy thing to have.

turnip handler
Headmaster

Re: How did they manage to log on?

"...even the least techy person uses full hard disk encryption these days on laptops."

Really?

Still pitching to CIOs? You're living in the PAST

turnip handler

And yet...

"Managing directors of small businesses do not lay awake at night worrying that they are not on the latest version of a software suite"

And yet this is one of the big advantages sold for any cloud based application.

Half of US smartphone owners have no idea which mobe to buy next

turnip handler

Also depends on what the phone shop staff choose to sell...

"The conventional wisdom is that once users are locked in an online software store they will never leave."

This is partly due to phone staff selling what they what to and as fast as they can. Basically if you walk in with an old iPhone they will try to sell you a new iPhone. Anything else and they will try to sell you an iPhone or Samsung S3. And if you actually want to test any of the phones then you'll struggle in most shops.

Wanna put your toaster and fridge online? Over to you, Ofcom

turnip handler
Terminator

Oh no - it's all coming true...

...toasters will fight back on command! Time to start training some guinea pigs to save the day.

G-Force: http://www.imdb.co.uk/title/tt0436339/

"A specially trained squad of guinea pigs is dispatched to stop a diabolical billionaire, who plans to taking over the world with household appliances."

If Google got a haircut, a tie and a suit, would it be Microsoft?

turnip handler

Re: Listening to your customers....

"Technology companies don't listen to their customers "

Tech companies tend to listen to those that actually pay them. If you are in the top 10 customers list for a tech company they will do all sorts of crazy things to add colour, menu items and hold off retiring applications that only you use.

How the iPad ruined the lives of IT architects

turnip handler

Whilst I agree that business users now expect services to be running 24*7 or more likely just when *they* are awake...the current trend in news reporting of network outages means that people are generally more aware that Twitter, Amazon, Blackberry and mobile networks are not 100% reliable and so that expectation has slightly lessened.

Also, even those Apple devices (iPads, iPhones) need software updates and so the explanation that the system needs an update is actually understood and appreciated by users rather than them demanding a non-critical system stay available whilst updating.

Medicos hack iPhone into lab 'scope

turnip handler
WTF?

Am I missing something?

When saying that poverty is an issue in not having the best equipment it seems a little strange to then develop a tool for the most expensive phone available...

El Reg contemplates the ultimate cuppa

turnip handler

Re: options

"cofftea" I've always called it a nice cup of toffee...good to hear others enjoying the beverage.

Reg Hardware Awards 2012: The Winners...

turnip handler

Re: The Apple what?

I wondered if it were mainly for the Apple Maps - the only real Apple product that could be thought of as 'rusty'.

But maybe it just shows that more people dislike all Apple products en masse.

Apple releases iOS 6.1, adds LTE carriers, tweaks security

turnip handler

Re: THEY RELEASE THE UPDATE (@Mark)

"I've seen some security researchers be quite concerned about the slow proliferation of Android updates too, and I'm pretty sure they're not motivated by iPhone fanaticism."

They do tend to be motivated by selling their security products though...

Former CEO John Sculley: Apple must adapt or die

turnip handler

Re: @Steven Roper

"making computing accessible" != "dumbing down"

Absolutly agree - but it's a shame that it comes at such a high price. Accessible to me includes those that don't have £1,000's to spend on a machine.

Licensing the Apple OS would go a long way to making computing accessible.

After December surge, Apple has sold 40 BEEELLION iOS apps

turnip handler
Joke

You don't know you've been born!

Nearly 1mb download! - you lucky lucky person, some of us have to struggle with 0.5mb

iPhone 5 launches in China, late and expensive. Chinese say 'meh'

turnip handler
FAIL

Re: Why the subtitle?

"But... Android also suits a lot of people - it's cheaper (usually) and I guess a lot of people just do not care as they use their phone as a phone / for texting. I know plenty of people with Android phones who have setup no email accounts on it and some do not even have data tariffs."

You were being so calm until you said this...this strange theme that says just because Android has more market share people people really would get iPhones if they had more money or used email. It would be far better to focus on things that the Apple eco-system does provide than say that poor people with no care for mobile email get by using Android.

Microsoft’s so.cl network now open to all

turnip handler
WTF?

But where do I get a cool t-shirt??

My fav bit from the about page: http://www.so.cl/about

==================

How do I get the cool Socl t-shirt I see in many of your profile pictures?

Socl t-shirts are available for purchase here.

http://www.zazzle.com/soclfuselabs

==================

Did anyone really ask that??

Facebook proposes killing off user voting on policy changes

turnip handler

Re: Funny thing...

"I had friends being mad at me for having the temerity to object of them putting up a picture with me in it, and worse, TAGGING it. And they were mad at ME?"

It's their picture - not yours. If you didn't want them doing what the hell they like with the picture then you should object to them taking it! At least they did tag you so you could see it, what if they just posted around their neighbourhood as "Watch out for this dofus!" posters.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review

turnip handler
Joke

"Perhaps Apple should let people use the iPad as a phone - then they could look equally as daft."

People have already managed that one by using the iPad as a camera.

Euro bigwig turns heat on 'unacceptable' Apple warranties

turnip handler

Re: Try looking!

I don't think that really clarifies the situation - examples of potential defects would be nice, I'm not clear how defects to my sealed consumer electronic product would not be present before shipping. The only defect I can think of post shipping would be damage rather than defect...

Plus in the small print it states useful information, like that the UK may actually allow for longer than 2yrs.

iPhone 5: skinny li'l fella with better display, camera, software

turnip handler
Joke

Re: Nfc

You've got to save something for the iPhone 5S...

Windows 8 tablets unwrapped in Berlin: Dell goes keyless for ARM

turnip handler
Joke

Re: Sony Tap 20

A 20" tablet - so you can see an 10" tablet user and say, "Call that a tablet, THIS is a tablet."

Girls tricked by STEAMY message: Webcam spyware student jailed

turnip handler
FAIL

Re: Well

"The US is the only country where more men are raped than women because of assaults in American jails: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/feb/21/us-more-men-raped-than-women"

Actually the article disagrees with that conclusion, although it admits it is an open question:

"And I don't think it's possible to conclude from these numbers that the US is 'the first country in the history of the world to count more rapes for men than for women.'"

Microsoft posts first-ever quarterly loss

turnip handler
Windows

Re: Past the peak

"You can be as productive on Office 2003 and XP."

I used to think the same until I actually started working with Win7 and Office 2010. Vista and Office 2007 were ok but an annoyance - the ribbon on Office 2007 didn't quite work as promised and I still find now that I struggle to work well on Word 2007.

However - Office 2010 really seems to have got it right the Ribbon has been in improved in little ways, File menu for example, and to me those little changes that make applications easier to use are what it has made a big difference to actual productivity. In terms of nice little basics in Win7 then windows snapping to half the screen and the screen grab tool make everyday tasks much easier than in XP / Vista.

In XP I have to have little applications installed to perform these tasks and in my corporate environment I'm not allowed to install those anyway. Building basic helpful tasks into the OS really helps productivity.

And for any accountant out there, Excel with more rows than the 66k limit definitly helps productivity.

Seize your moment, Microsoft: iPad is RUBBISH for enterprise

turnip handler
Joke

"Why is the windows user icon a tramp?"

I always assumed it was because windows users are too cheap to buy a Mac...

Samsung fails to stall Galaxy Nexus sales ban

turnip handler

Re: This has got to stop

As much as I agree with your statements regarding Google's business methods, I feel it should be pointed out that Apple built and released a mobile phone without securing FRAND agreements with companies such as Nokia and then later had to pay up in court.

Like you say they are both businesses, but Apple has not been playing by all the rules either.

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