by admin | Feb 28, 2015 | Tech Talk
Google, Inc. announced Android for Work in June 2014 and has officially launched the platform that will allow a company to securely install work related apps on a personal Android device of its employees. Because of the increasing popularity of Android devices being used at work, Android for Work is a great way for companies to ensure its employees are using the correct apps and versions for work on a secure environment within the device.
The employees, on the other hand, are assured that the non-work apps will not be eavesdropped by the company. In work environments where the employees are allowed to “bring your own device” or BYOD, Google for Work will be an indispensable tool by companies.
Android for Work is already enabled in the latest version of Android, version 5 nicknamed “Lollipop”. For older versions of Android, the user can install the app in order to use its features.
On its website at https://www.google.com/work/android/, Google says that Android for Work ensures separation, data protection and app security of work related apps. By running the Work apps on a separate profile, they are separated from personal apps and data. In case of device loss or termination of employment, the company can wipe out the Work data and apps. Apps are secure because the company approves them and are distributed on Google Play for Work.
Tablet and phones using Android for Work. Photo grabbed from www.google.com/work/android.
by admin | Jan 10, 2015 | Tech Talk
The past few years, solid state drives or SSD have gradually become optional or even standard storage device on laptops. SSDs have data input/output speeds of several hundred megabytes per second and virtually no delay on first time access to the device. This is many times better than the traditional hard disk drives or HDD which also have a big disadvantage: moving parts. The spinning media on the HDD limits its I/O speed, requires much more power than SSD and is often the reason for HDD failures.
Photo credit: Samsung
SSDs are manufactured using integrated circuit technology that require no moving parts. When SSDs were new in the market, they were quite expensive and the storage capacities were only in the megabytes range. They also suffered reliability issues and have a limitation on how many times write operations can be done on each memory cell.
The current capabilities of manufacturers such as Samsung have lowered the cost of SSDs, improved its reliability and greatly increased the capacity.
Currently, 4TB capacity SSDs are already available, although the commonly available capacities would range from 128GB to 512GB. Most computers would have significant performance improvement just by replacing the HDD with an SSD.
Samsung recently announced its latest SSD technology which has an I/O speed of 2.15GB per second while using very little power. Imagine data on a single DVD being copied on an SSD in about 2 seconds. It is that fast. Because of the very low power consumption, mobile devices would definitely benefit and allow more battery life.
Cloud computing service providers are offering SSDs on its virtual private servers which has greatly improved application performance. With cloud computing industry currently growing and the popularity of mobile devices, SSD technology will surely continue to improve in performance and capacity, while getting cheaper.
by admin | Dec 13, 2014 | Tech Talk
The Department of Justice issued a warning to the country’s telecommunication companies for their “misleading” and “unfair business practice” because of their imposition of data throttling when customers avail of unlimited Internet access packages.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima warned telcos that the imposition of fair usage policy (FUP) on unlimited internet service may be considered as a form of misleading or unfair business practice. It is punishable under the provisions of Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines. A fine of Php10,000 or imprisonment of five months to one year or both may be slapped.
“The imposition of data throttling on unlimited internet could also be regarded as a violation of the provisions prohibiting false, misleading or deceptive advertisements, hence, deemed punishable in accordance with law,” De Lima said.
The advisory was issued after the DOJ-Office for Competition received a complaint with regard to Touch Mobile’s “Astig FB” promo, which is marketed as unlimited access to Facebook.
by admin | Dec 13, 2014 | Tech Talk
Youtube announced earlier this month that Youtube videos may now be watched offline using Youtube mobile apps in the Philippines, India and Indonesia. The new feature allows users to download videos even on slow connections and watch it later without buffering issues.
Youtube offline view is now available on its mobile app.
This is a welcome move by Youtube in our country where reliable and high speed Internet connection is limited to certain areas.
Youtube also still makes advertisements to appear but the statistics about the ad views are stored on the device and transmitted later to Youtube servers when the device is online again.
by admin | Dec 6, 2014 | Tech Talk
Auza.Net, an IT firm based in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, has started supplying original and certified network cabling systems ma
nufactured by Vivanco. The company recently signed an exclusive dealership agreement with D-Flex Strategic Solutions, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Vivanco GMBH Structured Cabling Systems in the Philippines. Auza.Net will be the sole authorized dealer for all Vivanco products in Bohol.
Finding original and certified Cat5e cables, patch cords, connectors and data outlets is a major challenge in the province because the local shops are flooded with fake products. For example, many of the Cat5e cables sold locally would have the correct popular brands but one would be surprised at the extremely low price. However, when you inspect the material used, it is obvious that the cables are of low quality and are easily damaged. Copper wires would be very thin and will not pass electrical performance tests.
D-Flex and Auza.Net are committed to supplying only original Vivanco products in Bohol and the rest of the country. Network installers will find that Vivanco products allow for predictable and efficient installations. End users will find that networks built with Vivanco products are reliable and convenient to use. D-Flex will also provide certification services if required.
Auza.Net will also organize seminars and certification trainings in the first quarter of 2015 to help educate installers, users and building designers and builders on the proper installation of Vivanco structured cabling systems.
Initially, Auza.Net will stock Cat5e cables, patch cords and data outlets and later on, data cabinets, patch panels and other accessories. Vivanco has a complete line of products for structure cabling and data center installations. For inquiries, please email info@auza.net. Computer supply shops may apply for retail sales agreement with Auza.Net.
A complete line of original and certified network cabling products are now available in Bohol through Auza.Net.
by admin | Nov 22, 2014 | Tech Talk
By: Jerome Auza
As a Linux enthusiast, I had tried to encourage people to use Linux for the very obvious cost benefits. Unfortunately, Microsoft Windows has been embedded in many computer user’s habits that most wouldn’t even think of looking at a Linux desktop because it is “hard” or “difficult”. Of course, hard or difficult is relevant to your willingness to try new things.
Encouraging the use of Linux was a matter of principle for me because there is a proliferation of improperly licensed Microsoft software and by using Linux instead, one can avoid engaging in software piracy.
I had a personal challenge since some of the jobs I perform require me to use the Microsoft Windows operating system. So I ended up using a MS Windows laptop as my primary computer then when doing software development or system administration of our remote Linux servers, I use an ssh client to connect. For a few years, I was on a desktop environment that wasn’t my preference.
Android emulator on Windows.
Then here comes Android on mobile devices. If you didn’t know yet, Android is using the Linux operating system. My wish from a decade ago that people should be using Linux has come true. People embraced Android on mobile phones and tablets. Android has become so popular that Microsoft changed its stance towards open source software (of course Apple’s iOS and MacOS X also played a part).
Microsoft recently announced that it has made its .Net software open source and will have support for .Net on Linux very soon. This is a welcome development for many Microsoft .Net developers who may now be able to support more options for the end-user environment.
On top of the .Net software being open sourced, Microsoft also released an Android emulator on Windows which is intended to support developers creating apps on the Android platform but are using the Microsoft development tools.
Microsoft has changed its attitude towards software. It now wants users to be able to use its software no matter what operating system is preferred by the user. While it remains to be seen how the whole thing plays out for Microsoft, I think the company made the right decision to embrace the open source community. It also made itself operating system agnostic which means they can continue to sell their software like the MS Office Productivity Suite no matter what device the user wants to use.
Oh, by the way, I am now using a Mac laptop most of the time. I find it closer to Linux rather than Windows. After all these years, I realize that we should no longer play the Windows vs. Linux vs. MacOS game. The right thing to do now is to be flexible and work on any operating system and device available. And I think Microsoft wants to do that also.
