Hi everyone, and welcome to a new feature which I am trying out called “Adi’s Week in Tech News”. This is where I tell you about the technology news stories that have happened this week.
It’s been quite an interesting week in technology news this week.
Facebook had announced that it would be releasing a new type of profile page to replace your old one, called “Timeline”. Essentially, you will be able to see all the things you have posted on Facebook in the time you have been on Facebook. This is not just photos text or videos, it will also be things you have done within the applications on facebook. They also announced that the like button is going to be changed with verbs, so you can say that you read a book instead of “liking” a book or liking a movie.
Microsoft announced new requirements for PC manufacturers, if they want a sticker that says that their PC was designed for Windows 8. Essentially, manufacturers like Sony, Acer, HP, Dell, Lenovo and others will have to use the new UEFI software that will eventually kill off the old BIOS software. The new UEFI has a feature called secure boot. Essentially, it will only allow operating systems with verified code to load. If you try and put Linux on one of these systems, then it will not run. If you want Linux, then you will have to use VirtualBox or VMWare Player.
For those of you who don’t know it, google has their own social network called Google+. Before, the only way to sign up for it, is if someone had sent you an invite to sign up. However, Google+ is now available to everyone. You can now go to plus.google.com and sign up for your free Google+ account.
In the USA, New York City’s subway train platforms will be equipped with some hardware which will allow the people of New York to use their mobile phones whilst waiting for a train(I am so jealous!).
Finally(and whilst we are on the topic of tech in the USA), users of the Eau Claire Wisconsin Public Library will be able to borrow one of 44 iPads available. These iPads will come loaded with 1000 eBooks, 10 audio books and some applications. If you are a user of this library who has a library card with less than $10US of fines to be owed, then you may want to consider taking this offer.
However, there is one more thing! I have received word from a source that reports that Apple may be hosting a media event on October 4th 2011. This is where we could see Apple announcing the much anticipated iPhone 5.
So, there you have it. Those were a few of the stories making the technology news this week.
