Okta adds two-factor authentication

Okta has recently made three major announcements. First, it introduced new developer product toolkit capabilities, allowing developers to add Okta’s identity-driven security solution to their own applications with ease. This has been announced during Oktane, its user event in Las Vegas. New features include easy and secure authentication, rapid customization and branding, out-of-the-box workflows, as well as securing APIs that are exposed to third-party developers. "Millions of new applications are built every year. Identity components like authentication and user management are required for every single one of these experiences -- be it a web app like MGM Resorts International’s MLife website,… [Continue Reading]

What you need to know about AWS RDS

Traditional systems administration of servers, applications, and databases used to be a little simpler when it came to choices and costs. For a long time, there was no other choice than to hook up a physical server, put on your desired OS, and install the database or application software that you needed. Eventually, you could choose to install your OS on a physical server or on a virtual machine running on a hypervisor. Then, large companies started running their own hypervisor and allowed you to rent your VM for as long as you needed it on their servers. In 2009,… [Continue Reading]

Ubuntu 17.10 Artful Aardvark Beta 1 is here -- download the Linux distro now

Ubuntu 17.10 should be available in October. With Canonical making GNOME the default desktop environment, and killing the much-maligned Unity, this will be the most exciting release in years. Quite frankly, the operating system had been feeling sort of stale lately, so a new default DE should shake things up. Today, the first official Beta of Ubuntu 17.10 becomes available. This pre-lease version of the operating system, codenamed "Artful Aardvark," does not include the GNOME desktop, unfortunately. Instead, it includes several other spins, including Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and more. "The first beta of the Artful Aardvark (to become 17.10) has now been released!… [Continue Reading]

MK Plex add-on for Kodi killed off by legal letter to TVAddons

Kodi has been in the news a great deal recently, thanks largely to a surge in interest in addons for the media center software. High profile addons like Phoenix disappeared, as did (temporarily) the addons site TVAddons. The latest victim is a Plex addon from MetalKettle -- MK Plex. Eager to avoid legal action after receiving a letter from Plex's legal team, MetalKettle decided to shut up shop rather than continue to provide an addon that could be used to access Plex through Kodi without a paid-for Plex Pass subscription. See also: Kodi users now need to turn to VPNs… [Continue Reading]

Lenovo Explorer Windows Mixed Reality headset arrives this holiday season

We've known for quite some time of Lenovo's Windows Mixed Reality headset, but it is not until today that we learn more about what it will bring to the table when it will finally arrive later this year. First, let's talk about the name. Unlike ASUS, which calls its offering the Windows Mixed Reality Headset, Lenovo has come up with a more fitting name for its first device: the Explorer. This will surely make it more appealing in the eyes of early adopters. The Explorer, which is similar in design to the Windows Mixed Reality Headset and Dell's Visor, is… [Continue Reading]

Apple sends out invites to September 12 iPhone 8 launch

The launch of the iPhone 8 has been awaited with bated breath, and this time around there have been rather more leaks than normal. We've not only seen suggestions of what the new phone will look like, but also heard strong rumors about features such as wireless charging and Face ID 3D facial detection. What we have not known for sure is just when Apple will reveal all. Now the wait is over. The company has just sent out invites to an event to be held at the Steve Job Center in Cupertino ("let's meet at our place"). The date:… [Continue Reading]

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update launches October 17

Microsoft has confirmed what leaks have suggested for a little while (thanks, Lenovo!). The launch date for Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is October 17, 2017 -- and no, there is no Autumn Creators Update! This will be the fourth major update to Windows 10, and it is one that has been keenly awaited by users of the operating system, although it's not going to be without its share of disappointments. Microsoft confirmed the release date at IFA today, and pointed out two of the update's key new features: eye-tracking and Windows Mixed Reality. See also: Microsoft brings Fluent Design… [Continue Reading]