Cleanup Your Outlook Inbox with Xiant Filer

Earlier this week, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen introduced a new software company called Xiant that will focus primarily on desktop productivity tools. The first product offered by the company, Xiant Filer, is an email sorting program designed to help users organize and better manage their Outlook inboxes. 

A beta test version of Xiant Filer is currently available as a free 60-day trial, and it can be downloaded directly from the Xiant website. Within the next few months, the company plans on selling the software to consumers for approximately $39. 

Although Allen left Microsoft more than 25 years ago, he came up with this product on his own, as he’s supporting an effort to improve Microsoft Outlook. When he thought up the idea, Allen was searching for a more efficient way to manage his daily flood of emails. 

Xiant Filer can be programmed to automatically route incoming emails to particular subfolders. These folders can be labeled, of course, which will help users retrieve older messages and eliminate clutter. By remembering users’ preferences, the software can also suggest where you may want to send your files. According to Xiant, this feature becomes more accurate with increased use. 

Xiant is expected to launch several more products in the near future, including one that speeds up the rate at which you can transfer large digital files over the Internet. The software company has already been developing more programs that will help users be more organized and productive.

How Does Server Technology Work?

When dealing with computers, the term “server” is actually quite broad. It can refer to any type of technology that provides services on the Internet or to other devices. For instance, server hardware might have software running on it that enables it to act as Web server, an FTP server, or an email server.

So how exactly do servers work? Basically, there’s a quick process that takes place behind the scenes while users surf the Web. First, the browser communicates with the Internet’s domain name server to translate the name of a website into an IP Address. Next, the browser establishes a connection to the server hardware at that specific IP Address. The server must then send the HTML text for the Web page to the browser, so that it can read the HTML tags and format the page onto your screen.

In order for this process to work, each individual computer that’s hooked up to the Internet has a unique IP address, while the server itself has a static IP address that does not change on a regular basis. Most companies today use either a shared server to keep costs down or a dedicated server, which hosts one main website. With dedicated servers, companies do not have to share their hosting with other companies. Instead, businesses have complete control over the security of the server as well as any other features, including storage capacity and data encryption.

Recent advancements in server technology have made it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to use IT in a big way. Essentially, server hardware allows companies with limited resources to manage its network with the stability, speed, and data protection that the market currently demands.

Apple’s New-and-Improved iPhone 3G S

Earlier this week at the World Wide Developers Conference, Apple revealed its next-generation iPhone, the iPhone 3G S. The new smartphone is rumored to be twice as fast as the current model, thanks to an improved battery life and a multitude of new features. Some of these include a better digital camera, voice controls for music playback or phone calls, a built-in digital compass, plus the ability to shoot and edit video. The iPhone 3G S is also expected to deliver graphics that are superior to that of the Sony PSP Go. 

According to the ad copy on Apple’s Web site, “the first thing you’ll notice about iPhone 3G S is how quickly you can launch applications. Web pages render in a fraction of the time, and you can view e-mail attachments faster….Everything you do on the iPhone 3G S is up to two times faster and more responsive than iPhone 3G.” 

So where does this new-and-improved device get its speed? Experts claim that Apple is using a new chip to enhance the performance, but the company has not yet released chip-level hardware specifications. The new model will cost $199 with the standard two-year AT&T contract, and it will be available with either 16-GB or 32-GB (the latter costing $100 more). Meanwhile, consumers can now purchase the existing 8-GB iPhone for only $99. 

The new smartphone will hit stores next Friday, June 19. Apple has also indicated that the upcoming 3.0 software, coming June 17, lets you connect the iPhone to a PC or Mac, allowing your computer to piggyback on the phone’s wireless connection when Wi-Fi isn’t accessible.

Social Networking Doubles in One Year

We’re all aware of the recent explosion in online social networking. In fact, you probably have an account on at least one social networking site or perhaps even run your own blog. Well, you’re not alone. Words like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter are becoming part of our daily vocabulary. So where are most people spending their time and what exactly are they doing on these sites? 

According to web traffic reports, the number of minutes that people spend on social networking sites in the United States has increased more than 80 percent in just one year. Facebook currently enjoys the top spot, with users spending a total of 13.9 billion minutes on the site in April alone. Compared to the amount of time spent on Facebook last April, this number has multiplied a whopping 700 percent! The 200 million active Facebook members now comprise a list of world leaders, including as Pope Benedict himself. 

Of course, Facebook isn’t the only site that’s experiencing rapid growth. The minutes spent on Twitter skyrocketed 3,712 percent to almost 300 million, versus approximately 7.8 million from the same month last year. Myspace still holds the number two spot, but the number of minutes spent on this site fell 31 percent in the past year, logging only 4.9 billion minutes instead of 7 billion. The features keeping Myspace on the map right now seem to be its music and video streams.   

Social networking sites such as these, however, are not the only platforms increasing at an incredibly rapid rate. Blogging sites have expanded at three times the speed of global Internet growth. The amount of time spent on these online networks has repercussions for how people interact, share, and behave within their regular daily lives. 

And we’re not just talking about kids and teens here. These sites consist of an extremely varied and diverse group of people. In fact, the greatest increase among Facebook users has come from the 35- to 49-year-old crowd. This shouldn’t be surprising though, since members from this age-group have many more people to network and communicate with.

Twitter and Facebook to Integrate with Xbox

This week at the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, Microsoft announced that both Twitter and Facebook apps will soon become available to Xbox 360 users via the Xbox Live Interface. Members can simply download the applications to the gaming console, and then engage in a variety of features including status updates, photo browsing, and viewing friends’ profile “streams.”  

 Some of the most recent Xbox games are already geared up and ready for the interactive upgrade, such as the new Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and the latest version of Halo. The Facebook integration will enable users to remove and add friends, update their statuses, and browse news feeds. Player scores can also be updated directly onto Facebook, and participants will be able to invite friends to join in their games. Similarly, Twitter on the Xbox 360 will allow users to post status updates and view the live twitterstream of those you follow. 

Facebook platform program manager Gareth Davis has commented on this recent breakthrough: “We’re constantly looking at ways of improving the user experience or the developer experience with Facebook credits.” 

Rumor has it that we can expect to see these applications on the Xbox console early this fall. Soon you’ll be able to play games, tweet, and update your Facebook status all at the same time—without ever leaving the comfort of your chair.

Epson Adds Four New All-in-One Printers to its Stylus NX Series

Earlier this month (May 2009), Epson introduced four new printers to its Stylus NX Series of multifunction devices. These all-in-ones deliver a better combination of print quality and features than competitive products available at the same price. Below you’ll find specific details and descriptions for each device. 

Epson Stylus NX115 ($70)—Printing up to 30 pages per minute, the Epson Stylus NX115 is an entry-level device that delivers rich feature sets at a reasonable price. Ideal for the home or business office, the NX115 is designed to meet a wide range of copying, scanning, and printing needs. 

Epson Stylus NX215 ($90)—The Stylus NX215 all-in-one provides USB connectivity and a multi-format memory card slot that allows users to print without a computer. This multifunction device is the industry’s first AIO in its class with a built-in a 1.5-inch LCD screen and a built-in card reader. It also supports borderless photo printing and operates at up to 32 pages per minute. 

Epson Stylus NX415 ($100)—Besides a 2.5-inch color LCD screen and PictBridge support, the Epson Stylus NX415 is the perfect device for producing both high-quality documents and breathtaking photos. The Epson NX415 comes with many of the same features as the NX215, but it offers a few more as well. Some of these include WiFi connectivity and faster print speeds for both documents and photos. 

Epson Stylus NX515 ($150)—The Epson Stylus NX515 prints up to 36 pages per minute in smudge-free black and white ink, making it two times faster than most other printers in its price range. Featuring built-in Ethernet and WiFi printing, this multifunction device is the ideal solution for multiple users within a single household or office. After a simple four-step setup process, users can perform high-quality scanning, printing, and copying at ultra-fast speeds.   

On top of those features mentioned above, each addition to the Epson Stylus family of printers includes one-touch red eye removal, instant-drying ink, two-sided printing, and image correction to fix digital photos. Rumor has it these new Epson multifunction printers will be available early next month (June 2009).

LG Introduces “World’s Thinnest” LCD TV

LG has allegedly built the world’s thinnest LCD television, measuring only .23 inches (5.9mm) thick. Available in either a 42- or 47-inch model, LG has succeeded in developing a lighter, thinner design with a 120Hz refresh rate. This will improve the quality of fast-moving images, such as sports—especially if the action was shot in HD at 60 frames per second. 

Rumor has it that the new LCD TVs will feature an 8ms response time along with LG’s TruMotion video smoothing technology. It has also been reported that the ultra-slim displays are full HD (1920 by 1080 pixels), providing a color saturation level of roughly 80 percent (NTSC). Compared to other LCD TVs, this color saturation level is only considered average, since many displays now deliver an impressive 92 percent color representation. 

The Executive VP of LG’s Display Business has commented on the much-anticipated debut: 

“The world’s first Trumotion LCD TV panel is planned to hit the market in the second half of 2009. LG will provide its customers with unique, high-end products while delivering crisp picture quality for fast moving images.” 

The price of the displays has not yet been released, and there’s still no word yet on when the TVs will ship. However, given their slim and light attributes, the new LG models will most likely be marketed as premium televisions.

Amazon Designs Larger Screen Kindle

Last week, Amazon announced the release of their newer and larger Kindle E-Book Reader, the Kindle DX, which is available in early fall. According to several credible sources, the big display has a 9.7-inch screen, a more reliable built-in PDF reader, and the ability to add personal notes and commentary. All of these features are designed to make browsing a bit easier for the user. Also, the keyboard is slightly larger than the earlier model, allowing for more space between the keys. The Kindle DX can store up to 3,500 books—more than twice the capacity of their previous E-Book Reader, the Kindle 2. 

 

 The larger Kindle will certainly appeal to the textbook industry and to university students as well. Essentially, it will allow college students to easily carry and access their course materials. Amazon has also labeled the Kindle DX as the ideal solution to large-format periodicals, such as magazines and newspapers. Some critics are even saying that the Kindle could help revive this seemingly outdated industry. The New York Times writes: 

Unlike tiny mobile phones and devices like the Kindle that are made to display text from books, these new gadgets, with screens roughly the size of a standard sheet of paper, could present much of the editorial and advertising content of traditional periodicals in generally the same format as they appear in print. 

There are still a few things that the new Amazon Kindle lacks. For instance, there’s been no word of any color versions in the near future. Plus, it still doesn’t have a backlighting feature, which makes reading a bit difficult on the eyes. 

The bigger news is actually the $489 price tag, which may seem rather high to us realistic consumers. However, rumors are now surfacing that Amazon will offer financial support to consumers, given that they sign some sort of authorized contract.

Verizon Expected To Launch Netbook This Week

On May 17, Verizon is expected to release its much-anticipated Netbook from Hewlett-Packard. The 1151NR Netbook from HP will come with wireless broadband capability and it will be available for $199 after a mail-in rebate. 

According to BoyGeniusReport, this HP Mini 1151NR price tag also comes with a 2-year contract for the data service. Although Verizon refused to comment on these recent rumors, the company did confirm earlier this year their plan to launch a Netbook on its wireless network. 

The big question seems to be whether consumers will actually purchase the portable PC and agree to a hefty service contract. With monthly charges of $40 or $60 per month, you’re looking at paying between $960 and $1,440 over the course of your contract. 

The HP Mini 1151NR Netbook is expected to be a fairly basic model, with 1 GB of RAM and an Intel Atom N270 1.66Hz processor. Network connectivity will most likely include WiFi and possibly even Bluetooth. Plus, the device comes with a 2-in-1 memory card reader and two USB ports. 

Verizon isn’t the only company in the cell phone market to offer consumers a subsidized Netbook. AT&T has already been offering Netbooks on its wireless broadband network, which also costs about $40-$60 a month. Verizon customers will have a few other data service plans available to them, such as a 24-hour day pass that can be purchased for $15.

Dive Into Google’s New Chrome Browser

At first glance, Google’s Chrome may seem like a stripped down, unsophisticated version of a browser. However, this kind of thinking is far from the truth. There are plenty of secrets hidden underneath its minimal design. Google Chrome features highly advanced technology that makes the web safer, faster, and easier for users. 

Address Bar 

When typing your search query in the address bar, Google Chrome automatically suggests related searches and popular websites, based on your previous input. The drop-down menu shows you the number of matches, and then you simply click the arrow icon or press Enter on the keyboard to load the webpage of your choice.   

New Tab Page 

Every time you open a new tab, Google Chrome preloads it with links to pages you’ve recently viewed or saved. You’ll see up to nine thumbnails of the websites you visit the most. You can either click on a thumbnail to open that particular page, or right-click it to view it in another tab. Plus, if you want to reload the tab you just closed, press Ctrl+Shift-T, Google Chrome with open it back up for you. 

Application Shortcuts 

With Google Chrome, you can quickly and easily create an application shortcut for any website that you’re on, just like the desktop shortcuts you make for the actual programs on your computer. All you have to do is 1) click on the Page menu on the top right hand of your screen (it has a picture of a folded piece of paper as its icon); 2) select Create application shortcuts; 3) in the “Google Gears” dialog box, check the boxes where you want the shortcuts to appear on your computer; and then 4) press the OK button. 

Simpler Downloads 

When downloading a file from a website, you can monitor and manage its progress by clicking on the download bar at the bottom of the tab. From the menu that appears, you can pause or cancel a download in progress, you can see the amount of time remaining, and you can even drag the file to your desktop or a folder in Windows Explorer. 

These are only some of the many features you’ll find on Google Chrome. To learn more about the new browser, you can read about it on Google’s website or just download it free of charge. Keep in mind that Chrome is still in early beta, so there’s a possibility that additional features will be added in the near future.