February, 2013 - Softonic English

Apple pushes emergency iOS 6.1.1 patch, hitting iPhone 4S first

If you’re an iPhone 4S user who updated to iOS 6.1 and noticed a bunch of bugs, you’re in luck. Today Apple is pushing out an iOS 6.1.1 update to fix the major connectivity issues that iPhone 4S users were experiencing after the update.

The problems were so bad that Vodaphone urged iPhone 4S users not to update to iOS 6.1 until the problems were resolved by Apple. Problems included the inability to connect to 3G networks, make calls, or text. There were also reports of terrible battery life and overheating issues, probably from phones trying to connect constantly. This issue was wide spread enough to merit the carrier to issue a public statement.

Since iPhone 4S users are the ones affected by these bugs the most, the update will be rolling out to them first. The update will roll out over the air (OTA) so check your device’s software update section in the Settings to see if you’ve got the update. If you don’t have it pushed to you yet, you can download it update for the iPhone 4S directly from this link.

If you are going to install iOS 6.1.1 manually, you can follow the directions here.

Source: The Next Web

Google to host a Hangout with the President of the United States on Valentine’s Day, February 14th

Google will host its second Fireside Hangout on Google+ with the President of the United States, Barack Obama. The President has a history of answering questions from the public, like the time he took to reddit for an “ask me anything” thread.

Tomorrow, the President will give his State of the Union speech during a joint session of Congress to the American people. Two days later on February 14th, Valentines Day, the President will be taking video questions about his speech.

The Hangout is scheduled for 4:50PM, Eastern Time.

The public can submit video questions on YouTube, where they can be voted on. The most voted on questions will be presented to the Mr. Obama for the Fireside Hangout. Submissions will be taken until 11:59PM, Eastern Time on February 13th. There will also be a panel of selected participants who will ask the President questions live.

To tune into the this Fireside Hangout, go to the White House Google+ page or YouTube Channel.

Source: Google

MEGA releases Firefox add-on

Cloud storage service MEGA has released a Firefox add-on, which is supposed to improve download speeds, as well as removing any limits for file sizes. It also allows for multiple file downloading.

When launched, MEGA only worked properly in Chrome, and this extension fixes the service for Firefox. All the limitations of using MEGA in Firefox are removed with the add on. It also runs in the background, so doesn’t take up any space on the Firefox interface or get in the way at all.

Download the Mega Firefox Extension here.

If the future of games is online only, you can count me out

I’m not interested in online multiplayer games.

While I enjoy plenty of games, I’ve just never really seen the attraction of playing online with a bunch of strangers. Now, rumors suggest that all gaming might one day be 100% online. If that’s the case, I guess I’ll just stop playing.

My reasons for not bothering with online play are various but simple. I generally enjoy games as a solitary way to relax. Sure, I’ve done my time with Super Mario Kart, Wipeout, that sort of thing. But give me the far west of Red Dead Redemption to explore quietly on my own and I’m really much happier. Every time I’ve tried that particular game’s multiplayer, for example, I’ve ended up being shot by someone on a far away mountain with a sniper rifle, moments after spawning. It’s not much fun and it gets boring pretty fast. I’m also not that good at games and like the opportunity to go back and try again, a tendency which would render me a dangerous liability in any kind of team game like MAG.

So what is my point? Well, I’m worried that games seem to be heading towards a future where it’s online and multiplayer, or nothing. Rumors surrounding the PS4 and Xbox720 suggest that both systems ‘might’ use online-only DRM mechanisms to prevent game piracy, and reduce the alleged profit loss caused by second-hand games sales. Similarly, EA’s SimCity, launching shortly, apparently must be connected to the internet to run.

Continue reading “If the future of games is online only, you can count me out”

Score 25GB of free cloud storage from Box

Competition between cloud storage storage companies is fierce so many try offering free space to entice users. Box is using this strategy by offering new users 25GB of free space. This is much more space than what competitors like Google Drive, Dropbox, and SkyDrive offer for free. This promotion is called the “Gigs for Gameday Challenge,” which makes it seem like Box is trying to find any excuse to run this free storage promotion as the big game has already passed.

There are some caveats though. To get the 25GB for free, you must be a new user and must promise to use the storage for non-commercial purposes. Additionally, users who sign up for this promotion will still be subjected to the 250MB file size limit that free accounts offer. If that doesn’t bother you, hit up the source link to sign up for your free 25GB of space. There’s no expiration date listed on the site but it’s better to act now before it’s gone!

Source: Box

http://onsoftware.en.softonic.com/b/skydrive

Mac game of the week: League of Legends

League of Legends already has millions of fans on Windows and Mac users can now enjoy League of Legends for Mac. League of Legends for Mac is an epic MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) tower defense game played from a top-down perspective in two teams of five. Each team has a base, surrounded by lots of protective turrets. Outside that area is the opposing team’s area. Every player controls a “Champion” of which there are various kinds. These are supported by spawning minions who accompany players on journeys and suffer most of the hits.

Continue reading “Mac game of the week: League of Legends”

Video review: Surgeon Simulator 2013

Have you ever wondered whether you could perform major open heart surgery successfully? Or have you ever fancied playing the role of a surgeon? If so, you should check-out Surgeon Simulator 2013 for Windows and Mac which challenges you to make a life saving operation.

Continue reading “Video review: Surgeon Simulator 2013”

Final version of Origin for Mac released

Just weeks after releasing the Alpha version of games platform Origin for Mac, EA has released the final version. The Alpha version of Origin for Mac was limited to the UK and North America but the full version is a worldwide release.

At the moment there are 48 games to download including The Sims 3 (plus expansion packs), Harry Potter and Star Wars with the new SimCity expected to launch next month. There is no sign of FIFA 13 for Mac yet however and no word from EA on whether it will be released.

EA Origin for Mac will prove competition for Steam for Mac although the latter has already had a few years head start and has many more games to choose from.

You can download Origin for Mac here.

Emergency Flash update from Adobe for Windows and Mac

Adobe has quickly announced and released a patch for Flash on Windows and Mac operating systems, along with updates for Linux and Android. The exploit gives attackers the possibility of causing crashes or to take control of the affected system.

Since Adobe stopped Flash support on new Android installs, this only affect users who installed it before the cut off date.

On Windows, the exploit attempts to fool users into opening a Microsoft Word document in an email attachment that contains malicious SWF content, the format that Flash uses. Another exploit “targets the ActiveX version of Flash Player on Windows.”

The Mac exploit attacks through Safari and Mozilla Firefox, attempting to access the system through websites that use Flash Player.

The CVE numbers CVE-2013-0633 and CVE-2013-0634 are very similar, but it is very important that you update your Flash player as soon as possible.

Here are the recommended updates from Adobe.

Windows and Mac have the highest priority for updates with Linux and the various Android versions having a lower, but still important priority rating from Adobe.
To receive the latest and patched version for Windows and Mac, go to the Adobe Flash Player download page.
Users of Adobe Flash Player 11.1.111.31 and earlier versions for Android 3.x and earlier versions should update to Flash Player 11.1.111.32.
Users of Adobe Flash Player 11.1.115.36 and earlier versions on Android 4.x devices should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.1.115.37.
Flash Player installed with Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 8 will automatically be updated to the latest version of Internet Explorer 10, which will include Adobe Flash Player 11.3.379.14 for Windows.
Flash Player installed with Google Chrome will automatically be updated to the latest Google Chrome version, which will include Adobe Flash Player 11.5.31.139 for Windows, Macintosh and Linux.
Users of Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.261 and earlier versions for Linux should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.262.
Users of Adobe Flash Player 11.5.502.146 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.5.502.149.

Source: Adobe Security Bulletin

Google Hangouts updates with bandwidth slider and audio only mode

Trying to initiate a video call with a spotty connection can be frustrating. Google is making that a bit easier by introducing a bandwidth slider and an audio only mode for its Hangouts service, which is part of Google+. These features are great for users who have low or unreliable connectivity.

At the top right of the screen, users will notice a new icon that looks like Wi-Fi signal bars. Clicking on that will reveal a bandwidth usage slider. There are four levels of bandwidth to choose from, the lowest being audio only. While this isn’t ideal for a video call, having audio only as an option prevents your call from stopping all together. Users on the other line will see your profile picture and can still hear your voice.

Both of these features will be rolling out today in a staggered release. Don’t fret if you don’t see it appear in your Hangouts yet. There’s no word if these features will be coming to the Google+ for Android or iOS.

Source: Tim Blasi (Google+)