Getting a Logitech G510's Windows key to work as the command key on OSX

So the G510 has a joystick stick on the upper row of the keyboard next to mute and MR button. If this is on the Logitech Gaming software doesn't detect the Command key when you try to detect the button.

Click the plus sign next to the word 'Command', detect it and add it to your keystrokes list. Its also worth saving it to a separate profile if you switch between PC's a fair bit.

Android and Windows to get 'kill switch' as well.

This should have been done years ago! Hopefully it won't be circumvented anytime soon. 

"Google and Microsoft will add a "kill-switch" feature to their Android and Windows phone operating systems.

The feature is a method of making a handset completely useless if it is stolen, rendering a theft pointless.

Authorities have been urging tech firms to take steps to help curb phone theft and argued that a kill-switch feature can help resolve the problem."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27935972

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS desktop arrives this week as Windows XP alternative

Good timing. The OS as a whole could do with a fair amount of polish for the mainstream but it's still an awesome alternative.

The alternative versions are better if your constrained but older hardware though. Try Xubuntu for that.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2340343/ubuntu-1404-lts-desktop-arrives-this-week-as-windows-xp-alternative

I've tidied up my awesome freeware page!

I've tagged the suggestions with their OS specific platforms and actually proof read it so it should make a bit more sense thing time around.

http://blog.alpagot.net/p/awesome-freeware.html

Windows 8.1 update arrives April 8th and everything else you need to know

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-81-update-is-a-mandatory-update-for-windows-81-users

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-81-update-1-everything-you-need-to-know

Not what you expect to hear at the start of a new consoles lifespan, usually midway or at the end when PC graphics are performing a fair bit better with some stand out titles. Then again Microsoft have always struggled with PC gaming and pushing the limits of game developers in fear of cut out large chunks of their market who wouldn't be able to run the games at full spec (and thus feel disadvantaged).

Also they don't have any massive PC only games like others such as Blizzard, Value, etc 

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-it-has-renewed-focus-on-pc-gaming-details-coming-this-summer

One Note for Mac and standalone for PC.

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-rumored-to-have-plans-for-free-onenote-for-mac-and-desktop-windows

Windows 8.1 Spring update reportedly signed off to RTM

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-81-spring-update-reportedly-signed-off-to-rtm

Dual sim & Facebook messenger coming to Windows Phone 8.1

Exciting times! This could be perfect as I hate carrying two phones and this looks clean and simple.

Unless Samsung or HTC do something very interesting with the new Android phones I think I'll be switching over for Windows Phone 8.1. 

Next up is Facebook messenger. The platform already has a Facebook app and Whatsapp so like with all the other ecosystems wondering what's next for this dual WhatsApp/Facebook messenger world, we'll have to wait. 

Windows Phone. You've now got a fighting chance! (Windows 8.1 feature set post)

• Swype support (Sorry iOS, your now out in the cold).
• VPN (Er... the business phone with Office and Exchange support but no VPN till now!!!)
• Rotation lock. ( Reading emails in bed will no longer be infuriating).

You've finally listened!

Now all I need is Sky Go but I can live without while I still have a tablet!

http://www.wpcentral.com/windows-phone-81-features

Other notable mentions:

Media

• Audio/video transcoding, Hardware accelerated

System

• Bluetooth 4.0 LE
• Chkdsk for SD cards to ensure card health
• Miracast, PlayTo, mirror and project via wireless display or USB-out
• Mouse and keyboard support (HID)
• Stereoscopic 3D support
• Wi-Fi Direct

Recovering unallocated space of a USB flash drivE (Windows)

You know that annoying problem where a disk has been formatted strangely and you can't get the disk manager to delete all the partitions so you can merege them.

This is how you fix it.

Check this disk number in disk manager first:



Then open CMD, type: diskpart . Now your in the right utility. 
Now type: select disk <disk number>
Then Clean and your all done!

You can also do create partition primary from here or just use the GUI. 

Windows Phone getting VPN support in 2014

So the Enterprise update will add some much needed features. The ecosystem still has a way to go but it's getting there. Custom keyboards please !

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-to-beef-up-windows-phone-enterprise-features-in-2014

BioShock Infinite + Columbia’s Finest DLC PC - £7.50

BioShock Infinite + Columbia’s Finest DLC PC - £7.50

Apply code 9to5Mac @ checkout. 

Support these features suggestions on Windows Phone!

These really need implementing on the Windows Phone platform! Vote!

3rd party keyboard support:
http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/forums/101801-feature-suggestions/suggestions/2128113-support-swype-for-alternate-keyboard-entry

rotation lock:
http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/forums/101801-feature-suggestions/suggestions/4877486-rotation-lock-and-others-on-the-multi-task-screen-

Third Windows Phone update supports 1080p screens, quad-core CPU

All they need to add is a 64bit OS, add a rotation lock and allow for customisable keyboards. I'd consider switching back then possibly... actually I'm not even that fussed about the 64 bit support...  I hope those dual booting options have some weight with Sammy and HTC...

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/third-windows-phone-update-supports-1080p-screens-quad-core-cpus/

Rumor: Microsoft working on "Cortana" personal assistant

I hope so. Windows 8 voice control is shocking.

http://www.neowin.net/news/rumor-microsoft-working-on-cortana-personal-assistant

Parallels Desktop 9 runs Windows on Macs

The video is cheesy as hell but all the new details are in there:

Former Valve business head now at Microsoft to lead PC gaming division

 Lets hope he gets the support he needs. Microsoft have never really been good at pushing the PC as a serious gaming platform (apart from all their work on DirectX). Its weird as this is where some of the biggests RTS's and MMO's are and generally the platform pushes graphics forwards in the later years of the console markets life-cycles.

http://www.neowin.net/news/former-valve-business-head-now-at-microsoft-to-lead-pc-gaming-division

Windows Phone update in testing, includes rotation lock and text syncing to PCs

About time for the rotation lock. That was so annoying I gave up on the platform. What a pain trying to check your emails in bed when you woke up.

Also I welcome the feature that we had BACK ON WINDOWS MOBILE CE, which was to be able to send SMS from a PC. It'd be better if we could have it emulate the display like we used to. (With the MobileMe app (program as they were known back then)).

If it gets swype / Swift key then I might even go back to the platform, dodging Nokia unless they have a think high spec model that doesn't fall over at the sight of a bit of dust.

I tried to love the platform.... see historic posts. It just didn't love me... 

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/9/4604990/windows-phone-update-rotation-lock-text-sync-features

Nokia blames Microsoft for poor Windows Phone app selection- The Inquirer

Good to see someone trying to give them a kick up the ass. I'm not going back until there is a decent rotation lock and the high end Nokia phones don't kamikaze them selves at the sight of a bit of dust near the ear piece.  

Nokia blames Microsoft for poor Windows Phone app selection- The Inquirer