Windows XP is over

Windows XP goes. The operating system of Microsoft, launched on 25 October 2001 , we said goodbye. Redmond today issued a last fix pack (the famous patch Tuesday) and urges the ultimate users of the operating system to migrate to a newer version of Windows . Microsoft gave a press conference yesterday evening, while focusing on its plans for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 update, also reported on the risks faced by users who still use the old OS.

On April 8, 2014 therefore marks the end of support for Windows XP. Microsoft will no longer publish any update of its operating system. Only companies can obtain updates from Microsoft updates sold at exorbitant prices because they require costly development teams. For the general public, no further update will be not released, except that published today. Clearly, what does all this mean? Here's a little summary of what you need to know:

• If you still use Windows XP today, all is not lost. The latest patches from being published , you theoretically still a few days before the first security vulnerabilities of the OS will be exposed by hackers. But it is imperative to hurry.
• The risk that the victim OS are significant security vulnerabilities are enormous. Windows XP is still installed about 27% of users worldwide, hackers already grind brains to discover vulnerabilities in the OS, which their will undoubtedly infect a machine, take control, to retrieve personal information from the remote user, etc..
• It is imperative to migrate to a newer system . It may be Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Update (or even Vista, why not) or a Linux distribution. Note also that, to switch from Windows XP to a much more recent version of the system, and without loss of data, Microsoft recommends the application Laplink PCmover Express .
• If you wish to continue to use Windows XP temporarily, install a complete security solution. It will not protect you 100%, but will limit the damage until full migration.
• Finally, perhaps more anecdotal, Office 2003 is also patched today for the last time. The office suite can also be a victim of security breaches, it is strongly advised to migrate to a newer version of Office, or failing version to opt for a free solution as Appache OpenOffice .

Finally, for more details, please see our big file on the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows 8 , as well as our FAQs stop supporting Windows XP .

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Windows Phone 8.1 available from April 14th?

Microsoft has just to formalize Windows Phone 8.1 Build 2014 when being held in San Francisco, already, the new version of the system is about to be released. It is said that in fact the site Neowin.net, who managed to get their hands on an internal document from Microsoft and in which the OS is announced for 14 April . version 9651.12349 OS available since 26 March and accessible to partners through the Microsoft Connect, would not be the last. It remains to Microsofta few bugs to fix . In the document recovered by Neowin.net, the final version of Windows Phone 8.1 is entitled "Adaptation Kit Final build". Microsoft would set the date of April 8th to solve any problems identified, and April 14 for distribution to partners and developers. Note in passing that all devices currently on Windows Phone 8 will move to the free edition 8.1. However, it will still expect their deployment by the manufacturer of the smartphone. In some cases, it may take several weeks or several months. At least update the device manually, which is not without risk. Finally, the first Windows Phone devices sold 8.1 are meanwhile expected for the month of May.

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Facebook swallows Oculus VR

The  Facebook has secured the VR goggles manufacturer Oculus VR for 2.3 billion U.S. dollars and is the second billion purchase within just two months. The payment of the purchase price is 400 million U.S. dollars in cash and 1.6 billion dollars in shares. A bonus in the form of a 300 million U.S. dollar equity stake get the Oculus-founders, if the pre-set targets have been achieved.

The data glasses Oculus Rift has so far been sold to 40,000 developers and is not available for normal users. As Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg reported results for Oculus VR the opportunity to build the most social platform ever bringing the way of work, communication and playing would undergo a change. The data eyewear manufacturers traced to cause the target to experience the users the unbelievable. As applications for the Oculus VR games, movies and product advertising are conceivable.

When and at what price the data glasses will come on the market, also have no information known. In the mid-1990s, there were already attempts to establish similar glasses on the market but the demand was too low and the technology is not as modern as today.

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The main battle tank of the future will be invisible

Obrum, the Polish defense company is currently developing an invisible battle tank. Straight out of Tron universe, the concept is known as the PL-01. Vehicle futuristic fight can go unnoticed by changing the temperature at its surface.

The goal is to avoid visual detection, infrared or radar based on deception. To do so, the fictional battle tank is equipped with temperature controllers panels. With this system, the vehicle can adapt its shielded depending on the temperature environment, thereby making the invisible thermal imaging analysis.

Kind of vehicle chameleon, it can also use its panels to reproduce a camouflage pattern, allowing it to blend naturally in nature. With camera mounted on top, an operator can steer enjoying a 360 degree view.

The production of PL-01 is expected to begin later in 2018 and whose assembly is scheduled for 2022.

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This funny little animal hides a surveillance camera

The monitoring equipment is certainly convenient, but can be intimidating one. This is why anItalian design studio has revived day by customizing and making the pass for curious small animals. To lighten the mood, the concept into effect the cameras very endearing creatures. The studio Parson has appealed to Eleanor Trevisanutto designer to customize these devices. The collection called Animals includes a series of standard cameras, dressed in a molded aluminum housing . As the design and color is different for each element, you are entitled to a camera-chameleon disguised as another bird, in grasshopper or Squirrel. The aim is to provide an alternative and less intimidating rather fun to conventional surveillance systems. And perhaps more discreet, too. Finally, accessories are interchangeable for convenience. Such cameras of a new kind are reduced to the status of "concept". The realization is not yet on the agenda, at least for now.

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Electronic cigarette more than 1400 poisoning e-liquid

In an article published this week, the New York Times warning about the dangers of electronic cigarette and e-liquid nicotines with more than 1,400 cases of nicotine poisoning last year in the United States. If the electronic cigarette does not contain tar, cyanide, nickel or lead, e-liquids are also not without danger. It is recalled that on Monday New York Times in an editorial calling for vigilance . Besides flavors, propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin , liquid electronic cigarettes can indeed contain the nicotine , a chemical that is both a source of dependence and reported as'very toxic' by the European Directive of 27 June 1967. The New York Times reports that as of 2013, "calls to poison control centers in the United States related to e-liquids have greatly increased" . The number of calls for intoxication would indeed tripled between 2012 and 2013 to reach the number 365. That the total number of poisoning nicotine would rise about him in 1414 to 2013 from the American Association of Poison Control Centers . A figure which already stands at 651 for the first four months of 2014. According to the American newspaper, the case is color and attractive aromas bottles that attract young children. However, doses of nicotine contained in the e-liquid vials in Europe they are limited to about 20 mg per mL . A dose, according to the New York Times , "can make you sick, but is rarely fatal for the child" . Since the explosion of electronic cigarette in recent years, only one case of death caused by intoxication nicotine has been increased. It was the suicide of an American who decided to inject nicotine directly into the bloodstream.

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use your ring as a dock for smartphone

Even the media are intended for smartphones phones. Proof is the concept of Celltack, a new kind of magnetic dock . Its particularity? It takes the form of a ring to wear fingertips. Presented like a jewel in the design and functional time Celltack is compatible with any device and mobile gadget . It is composed of two elements: a small magnet that any dish is fixed on the back of the phone and the dock ultraportable itself. Available in several accessories, so it takes on the appearance of a ring, a bracelet or a variant for mounting on a bicycle. In this way, the user can easily manipulate its smartphone . In addition to viewing the mobile wrist, it may possibly perform other tasks with both hands free. Finally, the magnetic system is powerful enough to keep the unit in place. accessory is currently at the prototype stage and the realization of which depends on the outcome of a campaign on Indiegogo. It remains twenty days to raise the sum of $ 40,000.

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