The great thing about Apple operating systems is that they are always user friendly and easy to use. The bad thing is that each new release has a bit of a learning curve. If you are new to iOS 7 or already an expert, there are always a few things that can make your experience better and easier. Here are 10 tips and tricks to help you do a few cool things with iOS 7.

Tip #1: Turn-by-Turn Walking Directions

Turn-by-Turn driving instructions have long been a staple of modern living, but iOS 7 can get you where you want to go on foot, as well. Go to the map feature, select Directions, and then tap the walking icon. Enter your desired destination, and then select Route. Siri will tell you when to turn, just like in your car.

Tip #2: Take Burst Mode Pictures

When capturing quick moving subjects, burst mode allows you to take multiple photos in rapid succession by holding down the shutter button. To avoid saving all of the pictures you just took, select Favorites, and then choose the set of photos. At this point, you can choose to keep everything or only select your favorites of the set.

Tip #3: Block Unwanted Calls

If you want to keep the telemarketers at bay, iOS7 features a handy call-blocking feature. After an unwanted call comes in, go to the voicemail or recent calls list. Select the I button next to the offending entry, and then choose Block This Caller from the bottom of the screen. This also blocks unwanted texts from that phone number as an added bonus.

Tip #4: Get Siri to Wait Up

With iOS7, you don’t have to worry about Siri jumping the gun and cutting you off mid-question. To keep her quiet for a second (or more), simply keep your finger on the Home button and do not release until your question is complete.

Tip #5: Review Timing of Texts

To find out the exact time a certain text message was sent, swipe the conversation to the left and hold it. You will be able to view all of the individual timestamps.

Tip #6: Alter the Appearance of Text

Make the text larger or bolder by selecting Settings, then General, followed by Accessibility to find the adjustments you need. You can also increase contrast from this menu.

Tip #7: Get Siri to Find Your Friends

If you are looking for your friends, you can open the Find My Friends app, choose the friend you are seeking, and then get notifications when he or she arrives or leaves a particular destination. You can also tell Siri to let you know this information.

Tip #8: Search All Mailboxes

Unlike in the previous release, you can now search for a particular item across all of your mailboxes rather than just the one you are currently in. Simply enter your search string, pull down on the results, and you will see the option to search all mailboxes.

Tip #9: Read Your Mail

Siri can now read your E-mail aloud to you when you’re on the go. Just press the Home button and say, “Siri, read my E-mails.” She will tell you the details on senders, subjects, and times, and then she will ask you if want her to read out your E-mails. Say “yes.”

Tip #10: Video-free FaceTime

You can make cheap calls using FaceTime, but you don’t have to have the video on to do so. Choose the contact you wish to call, and then press the telephone icon. You will be connected without anyone being able to see your image.

iOS 7.1.1 Reviews for iPhone

Apple released the iOS 7.1.1 update recently that brought bug fixes and enhancements to Touch ID and security. This was not a major update, though many were hoping it would solve problems remaining from the previous iOS 7.1 update. Now we have iOS 7.1.1 reviews on the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 to share on video.

The first YouTube video shows a review of the update on the iPhone 5S with a first look at what’s on offer.

It notes that the update is 28MB in size compared to the update for the iPhone 5 which comes in at 18MB. It also shows GeekBench scores and Ookla Speedtest results, as well as speeds looking at various apps including the camera app.

The second YouTube video shows the review of 7.1.1 on the iPhone 5. As you might expect this covers much of the same as the first video review, although the Touch ID improvements don’t apply. To be frank you’re not going to notice significant differences as this is an incremental update, but we’d like to hear from readers about the iOS 7.1.1 update.

New SPASER Technology

If you are still not back from the awe of wearable technology, be prepared to have your mind blown with the latest research work in a new form of "spaser" technology. A research team from the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering (ECSE) at Monash University, Australia have begun investigation on a new kind of spaser technology that can develop really small and flexible, yet efficient mobile phones that can be printed on our t-shirts. Yep. That means the next time you hear a ringing, it could be your t-shirt and not the phone in your back pocket.
SPASER - which is short for "Surface Plasmon Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", is nothing but a nano laser technology. These nanoscale lasers can emit light beam from vibration of free electrons, instead of electromagnetic wave emissions. Chanaka Rupasinghe, the lead researcher on this project and a PhD student at Monash University, believes that a SPASER made entirely of carbon can bring about this revolution. Traditionally, all the spaser are created using gold or silver nanoparticles and semiconductor quantum dots. Whereas, the research team has developed their nano laser using a graphene resonator and a carbon nanotube gain element.

Using carbon, the team has made sure that the new SPASER is more flexible and robust enough to operate at really high temperatures, all the while being super eco-friendly. The transistor-based devices in use today such as displays or microprocessors could soon be a thing of the past, if we do happen to launch all-new spaser based components and devices. This also means that this research work has the capability to remove the bandwidth limitations. The results of their research work showed that carbon nanotubes and graphene can transfer energy to each other through light. And since these optical interactions are so fast and energy-efficient, that they are best-suited for developing computer chips.
Not limiting the applications of their research to just the techno-gadget world, the team went on to share that it has really good use in medical field too. Some researchers have proved that there's a way to guide nanoparticles to destroy cancer cells, and that too without harming the healthy cells in the body. How awesome is that?

You can find more information on their research work by reading the findings they have published in the journal ACS Nano. What do you think about the research work surrounding SPASER technology? Share with us in comments.

Many smartphone users enjoy looking ahead to operating system updates, and Now we have a BlackBerry 10.3 sneak preview on video that shows a hands-on look at the beta build and some of the new features.

BlackBerry 10.2.1 is the newest official version of BlackBerry's mobile operating system, having been announced back in January and rolled out to consumers in the months since. BlackBerry fans that like to live life on the bleeding edge now have a new OS to tinker with, though, as BlackBerry 10.3 has leaked out.

However, we must remember that this is BB 10.3 in its early stages so not everything is exactly polished, although speeds look pretty nifty.

Screenshots of the OS 10.3.0.140 update for the BlackBerry Z10 have been posted on the internet showing changes like a slightly flatter, more minimalist design and new black and red user interface elements that take the place of some of the blue accents found in previous versions of BB10. The (roughly translated) overview of tweaks found so far in BB 10.3.0.140 is shown on this page

:For example the virtual personal assistant dubbed Intelligent Assistant is shown, but in its current state it has a long way to go before it can match the likes of Apple’s Siri, Windows Phone Cortana or Google Now. A video also shows a look at upcoming camera features including the panoramic feature, self-timer, new photo gallery and Automatic Stories feature.

If that all sounds like something that you'd like a piece of, well, I've got some good news if you're rocking a BlackBerry Z10. The BlackBerry 10.3.0.140 update has been posted online and can be installed right now, provided that you've got the correct Z10 model on hand.

What do you think of BlackBerry 10.3 so far?

List of Samsung Galaxy S3 models that will get KitKat Update

There has been a lot of confusion about which versions of the Samsung Galaxy S3 will get the update to Android 4.4.2 KitKat but we finally have some firm information on which specific versions of the device will get the update once Samsung starts rolling it out. Fortunately for all you Galaxy S3 users out there, there are a lot of devices on the list so chances are that you’re a lucky user. This is a leak, so please take its validity with care

.Android 4.4.2 is going to be rolled out in May on the following devices:

GT-I9300, GT-I9305, SHV-E210K, SHV-E210L, SHV-E210S, SGH-T999/L, SGH-I747, SGH-N064, SGH-N035, SCH-J021, SCH-R530, SCH-I535, SCH-S960L, SCH-S968C, SPH-L710, SCH-I939, SCH-S968C

These represent almost all of the Galaxy S3 devices in circulation but as far as the ones that have been left out, we do not know whether they have been forgotten or they won’t get the update at all. Some have used the excuse that the S3 cannot get the KitKat update due to having only 1GB of RAM onboard but according to Google, KitKat only needs 512MB in order to run which should not be a problem for a flagship phone which was released in 2012.

The lack of updates is due to the manufacturer of the phone preferring to focus on newer iterations of its lines and hoping that the consumer updates to a newer phone instead.

If your phone is on the above list, then you can rest assured that you will get KitKat, if not you should be worried and you should continue to check back for more news on the update. Once updates start rolling out, we will inform you so you can get your phone to look for an OTA manually.

Please leave your comments below and we will get back to you.

A Letter From Nokia To Its End Users

Privacy, Data Protection and Service Terms Information Regarding the Sale of Nokia’s Devices & Services Business to Microsoft 

Hello,

We wanted to share some important information about your data privacy and contracts.

Nokia currently expects to complete the sale of its Devices & Services business to Microsoft in April 2014. With the completion of this transaction, a Microsoft Finnish affiliate* assumes responsibility for your personal data and the contractual relationships for the products and services related to this business. Microsoft cares deeply about your privacy and the protection of your personal data and will continue to collect and use your personal data in the same ways and for the same reasons as Nokia, and you should experience no difference as a result of the sale.

Also, please note that Nokia will continue to run its businesses, including HERE location-based products and services, which are not part of the Microsoft acquisition. The responsibility for your personal data and your contractual relationship relating to these Nokia products and services remains with Nokia. Nokia continues to be committed to the highest standards to protect your privacy and your personal data.

We wanted to give you notice of these changes. Our commitment to your privacy remains paramount. To learn more about Microsoft’s and Nokia’s privacy policies and service terms,click here. You may also contact us at: Microsoft Mobile Oy, c/o Privacy, Keilaranta 7, 02150 Espoo, Finland or Nokia Corporation, c/o Privacy, Keilalahdentie 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland.

Sincerely,

Chad Fentress

Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

Nokia

Brendon Lynch

Chief Privacy Officer

Microsoft

* With the completion of this sale, the Nokia Devices & Services business will be part of this Finnish entity, Microsoft Mobile Oy, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. 

You are receiving this email because of your relationship with Nokia's Devices & Services business. 

The post Nokia to complete sale of its Devices & Services business to Microsoft in April 2014 appeared first on jonesarena.blogspot.com

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie is just around the corner, with the action game slated to hit the market on May 2. 
To celebrate the action packed movie, Gameloft on Monday launched the official Amazing Spider-Man 2 game, which would be made available for the iPhone/iPad, Android and Windows Phone.

 The game developer has been teasing the game for a while, and now it's time to download it starting April 17 and 18

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 game will be made available on leading mobile platform this Thursday i.e. April 17th and 18th No word on pricing yet.

Gameloft is promising something exceptionally big for the game. The detailed trailer showcases the open world of the new title. So far, the game looks pretty intriguing. According to Gameloft: 

"The first intensive-look at The Amazing Spider-Man 2's official mobile game. Featuring a massive open-world New York, become Spider-Man in a combo-focused, action-packed adventure! Experience web-slinging, wall-crawling, and fluid aerobic combat like never before on your mobile device! And check out the sneak previews of the special Spider-Man suits: Symbiote Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Scarlet Spider, Iron Spider, and Superior Spider-Man!" 

Here's a statement issued by Gameloft on March 12 during the unveiling of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 game. 


"Players can expect to web-sling through a free-roam Manhattan that increases the city size and detail of the first game, making it the ultimate playground to show off Spider-Man's impressive web-swinging, wall-climbing, web-shooting and fighting abilities. Combined with an original story inspired by the film, the stage is set for Spidey's greatest battle against film villains Electro and Green Goblin, as well as other iconic foes inspired by more than 50 years of comics" 

Tizen phone to debut in Q2
Yoon Han-kil, senior vice president of Samsung's product strategy team, in an interview said Samsung was working to introduce at least two smartphones running on its own Tizen operating system, a major step in the market leader's bid to break out of the Android universe.

Samsung wants to build its own ecosystem around Tizen to reduce its heavy reliance on Google Inc's Android, which powers majority of the South Korean firm's mobile devices.

It also wants to open its own stream of revenue from sales of third-party apps and services on its devices, challenging the mobile software duopoly of Android and Apple's iOS.

But expectations for the platform have sharply weakened after a series of delays in product launches. A global patent cross-licensing agreement between Samsung and Google in January further dampened prospects for a Tizen phone, as the deal was seen by some as locking Samsung deeper into Android.

Yoon said that although Android "still needs to be our main business", Tizen or Windows would be used for markets that Android could not address.

"We had tried to launch (Tizen) with DoCoMo and Orange but couldn't because of poor market conditions. We have changed our strategy and will release the phones in a few countries where we can do well," he said, adding that he thought Tizen would have to account for up to 15 percent of Samsung's total smartphone shipments to become a successful platform.

Samsung's first Tizen phone, which will launch around the end of the second quarter, would be a high-end model and the second would mainly be aimed at the middle of the market to drive volume growth.

Wearables

The renewed Tizen campaign comes as Google steps up its own efforts to push Android in wearables, underscoring the high stakes in the next promised frontier in computing.

The two tech giants are close allies and fierce competitors in the emerging wearable market.

Samsung dropped Android and switched to Tizen for the second version of its Gear smartwatch which went on sale last week, and the company wants its Gear smartwatches eventually to become compatible with all Android-based smartphones built by other companies, which will put Tizen directly up against Android.

Even so, Samsung plans to introduce Android-based smartwatch later this year, Yoon said.

Searching for a breakthrough
Slowing growth in the high-end smartphone market has been a source of consternation for manufacturers like Samsung and Apple amid intensifying competition from Chinese upstarts like Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Lenovo Group.

"The slowing high-end market is indeed a concern for most manufacturers," Yoon said.

"But we're trying out a lot of new things like wearables, convergence with home devices and cars. I think there'll be synergies here some day and it'll eventually help us increase premium product sales longer term."

In the meantime, Samsung is hoping multiple variations of its flagship products will hit as big an audience as possible, while Apple sticks to the premium segment.

Apple is said to be preparing two devices with larger screens, at least one of which is expected to launch in the latter half of the year.

Yoon said Samsung was also planning to launch a new version of the Galaxy Note with a "new form factor" in the second half, without elaborating.

"Our ultimate goal is to make products that consumers really aspire to have. This is how we are trying to find a breakthrough in the stagnant premium market," he said.

Mac Vs PC

It is well known that there is a long-standing rivalry between lovers of Mac and lovers of the good old PC, rarely do the two cross over. Researchers over at Hunch put together a heap of data to try and define the Mac and PC stereotypes, concluding that Mac users tend to be younger, while PC users avoid the party scene.

Now, I am well aware that this will no doubt create some controversy among many of you but let’s have some fun here. Check out the infographic and let us know – are you a Mac person or a PC person?

Xbox One Login Hacked By 5-Year-Old

We all know kids are smart. Just how smart? Well, many are smart enough to figure out how to get into cookie jars, behind locked doors, and they always figure out where you’re hiding the candy. I’m never very amazed when I hear that a young child figured out how to do something that was “childproof”. 
That was impressive, but it’s not quite as impressive as a 5-year-old figuring out a way to get into the family’s password protected Xbox One account.

Kristoffer Von Hassel, who is only 5, decided he wanted to play some of his dad’s more mature games. His dad thought he had covered all the bases by protecting his account with a password, but young Kristoffer found a way around it. Once he entered the wrong password, he simply hit the space bar until the account unlocked. And then he played some big-boy games. He later told a news reporter that he was pretty excited about his discovery.

Kristoffer must’ve eventually fessed up to his dad because they eventually made Microsoft aware of the security flaw. Instead of being angry with the boy, though, they rewarded him for bringing the issue to their attention. Aside from making him a “security researcher”, they also gave him $50, some games, and Xbox Live Gold for a year.

I’m not sure how many times he exploited the password glitch, but one would assume he probably did it several times. Smart kid – maybe there’s an IT future ahead for him.

Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner hacked

One of the main new features on the Samsung Galaxy S5 was the fingerprint scanner that is fitted to the handsets home button, but we now have news that this has been hacked already.

A few days ago we heard how US carrier Verizon Wireless had disabled the PayPal payment feature via the Samsung Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner, and it seems as if this may not have been such a bad move by the network.

In testing the feature has been found to work quite well but a German security website H Security has found a way to hack the fingerprint scanner and have provided a YouTube video to prove it, which can be seen below.

They tricked the device by using a lifted print to create a dummy finger that allowed unauthorized access to the Galaxy S5. A similar thing was done to the iPhone 5S but it is more serious on the Samsung handset as no password is needed to access it.

This will also mean that PayPal accounts will also be at risk but we can expect to hear something from Samsung about this, and surely some kind of update to prevent this from happening.

It’s been in the rumor mill for about a year now: Microsoft has been planning to release Age of Empires for both iOS and Android. It is only now, though, that we have official confirmation that, indeed, we are going to see the popular game on mobile. It even has a real title now: Age of Empires: World Domination.

The game franchise is developed by Ensemble Studios, with Microsoft Studios as publisher. First released in 1997, the game has grown so big, so much so that seven other titles have been shipped to market, not to mention three spin-offs.

With the mobile gaming market growing ever bigger, taking Age of Empires to the mobile platform is the logical step for Microsoft, and that is indeed what they are doing.

Age of Empires: World Domination is being developed by KLab, and the game is supposed to be released by this summer. Mobile devices running on Windows (of course), iOS, and Android will be able to run the game.

Unfortunately, this is all the information that has been given to the public at the moment. Even the details of the game play have not been revealed, so if you have been a long-time Age of Empires player, you probably should not expect that it’s automatically going to be what you’re used to.

They did release an announcement video for Age of Empires: World Domination, one that – I suppose – serves both as an announcement and a teaser.

As you can see, all that we can gather from the video is that players can “relieve history’s greatest battles once more”, this time on mobile. Additionally – and obviously – the new game features “an all new battle system reimagined for mobile”. So there goes your “it’s going to be just like the old games” idea. Also, we get to know that the battles will be among Celts, Huns, Vikings, and Franks.

I have to admit, the trailer does make me look forward to the release. You?

Well this is a simple tutorial for everyone who have got almost 
expired whatsapp installed on their smartphones or Tablets. If you don't 
need this post now, I bet 6months plus from now, you'll be looking for 
this particular post to read because by then, your installed whatsapp 
must have expired or approaching expiry date

How Can I Get Whatsapp For Free A Lifetime? 
I'll share only two steps here. For the first steps, you need the 
following requirements; 
Requirements 

==>A device running AndroidOS ==>Another device running iOS e.g iPad or iPhone.

This is how it works. 

1. If you've already installed whatsapp on your android device, delete 
your account completely 

2. Look for an iPhone or iPad that whatsapp has not been install and 
download it afresh from iTunes 

3. Install it, activate your mobile number and verify it

4. Now, use your activated number on your android device or any other 
device and Check your Service time it is extended to Lifetime or 10 years. 

Method Two
=>Open Whatsapp on your Device 

=>Go to settings, click on Account 

=>Click on delete account 

=>Enter your mobile number in the given field and then click on delete 
my account. 

Now that you are no more on Whatsapp, Follow below steps to get 
whatsapp back with extended validity. 

==>Now again open whatsapp and create a new account with new information 

==>Now check your Whatsapp expiry date by navigating to 
>Settings>Account>Payment info. 
You should see extended trial period of your whatsapp account. 

Enjoy! and leave your comments below

New Prototype Battery

Recharge Your Phone In 30 Seconds

An Israeli startup company claims to have created a smartphone battery that can charge in just 30 seconds, thanks to the use of nanotechnology. StoreDot revealed its prototype battery at Microsoft’s Next conference on Monday.

They showcased how a smartphone that has 0% battery, can be revived to 100%, in just 30 seconds. The battery, which is currently about the size of a laptop battery, contains bio-organic nanodots, which are miniscule conductive crystals that aid this super quick charge.

SuperDot is hoping that with further development, it can reduce the size of the product so that the final result will be more like the size of a normal smartphone battery.

Word is that production will begin in late 2016 but Dr Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot’s CEO and co-founder, said that “The only disadvantage is that the industry is not ready for it. “We are talking about a new type of materials that can be introduced into different types of devices.”

So from that you can conclude we won’t be seeing the charger commercially available for some time yet but when it does the company says to expect the charger to cost around double that of a normal smartphone battery.

SOURCE: via YouTube

Help Wanted: computer programmers needed to code and maintain Linux systems.

The Linux operating system and Linux servers are so widely used today that not enough Linux-trained coders and system techs exist. Software developers and enterprise IT departments have jobs but no takers.

To fill this shortage, the Linux Foundation has partnered with edX to offer a free online course to help computer engineers learn Linux.

The growing shortage of Linux-capable programmers is a big contributor to the general unawareness of open source procedures in the software developer community. On the academic front, some universities and secondary school systems are introducing courses developed by the Stem Education Coalition. STEM's mission is to inform federal and state policymakers about the critical role that science, technology and engineering play, and the benefits available to schools from open source technology.

On the job front, some industry leaders are joining forces to jumpstart a Linux of Learning movement to help ease the growing shortage of qualified programmers to take waiting jobs.

"This shortage goes beyond merely not having enough Linux programmers. It is pervasive and goes across every sector of technology -- mainly because Linux is pervasive. Part of the issue is that you can not just take programmers proficient in one area, such as Windows, and have them work on Linux code," Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, told LinuxInsider.

Historically And Accidentally

Today, Linux and the Linux platform are running society. It is staggering how the demand for Linux is growing, noted Zemlin.

For example, literally thousands of televisions sold every day are controlled by Linux. It runs financial systems. It runs the Internet and air traffic control systems. High performance computing -- you name it -- all of this runs on Linux, he explained.

"This is an accident of history. For many years, Windows dominated enterprise technology. Linux has grown so quickly that it caught IT people off guard," said Zemlin.

Growth Factor

Enterprise and software developers are facing a growing shortage of software engineers who know Linux coding. The adoption of Linux and open source software has outstripped the supply of people trained to innovate, create and service these systems.

The Linux Foundation's surveys among enterprise respondents show the No. 1 hiring priority for IT managers is Linux skills. Linux programmers also get paid more than other programmers, according to Zemlin.

"This is a critical shortage. Any scalable way we can lower that market, the Linux Foundation wants to get behind it," he said.

MOOCs to the Rescue

One of the first solutions the Linux Foundation is backing involves bringing free introductory training directly to potential job takers worldwide. If the online learning method proves successful, advanced course offerings will follow.

The Linux Foundation and edX are partnering to develop a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) program that will help to bridge the training gap for IT talent. The basic Linux training course and materials will be available to all enrolled students for free. So will be the cost of taking what, until now, was a US$2,500 course.

EdX recently open-sourced its online education platform and will host the Linux Foundation course. edX is a nonprofit online learning destination created by MIT and Harvard University.

The free Linux course will be paid out of the group's own funding. For example, MIT and Harvard have invested $15 million in edX, and there are other funding streams, according to Anant Agarwal, CEO of edX.

Crowd Interest

"The Linux course the Linux Foundation is offering is fast becoming one of the five most popular courses we offer," Agarwal told LinuxInsider.

The 170 other online programs edX hosts completely online serve more than 2 million students from 196 countries and that number is growing dramatically. The Linux course had 100,000 students sign up in the first 10 days, he said.

The online course approach is making a huge impact on the world. So it is a very natural progression to offer the Linux course. The idea was to experiment with this one, Agarwal added.

Reasons For Learning Linux Lessons

Many computer users and some enterprise executives are not aware of the proliferation of Linux and open source. That is part of the education process the Linux Foundation is addressing. People who do not know about the Linux OS or Linux servers are generally clueless about open source software as well.

Still, the demand for Linux and other open source tools has been growing for years. As a result, there is a need for developing associated skills across multiple industries, said Shravan Goli, president of Dice.

"There is a shortage of software developers in the U.S. The employment rate for these jobs is down to 2.3 percent in the last quarter. The opportunity for jobs is now there for people who come in to get this training," Goli told LinuxInsider.

Linux Driving Jobs Opportunities

That is part of the motivation behind getting more training available online. The need is not just for open source training but for other aspects of software programming as well. These MOOC courses will put a lot of emphasis on open source, the data cloud and Linux, Goli said.

"We are starting to see an increased awareness for the opportunities in the field for learning about software programming. But initiatives are also starting for grass roots efforts to get more people involved, excited and learning coding at a very early stage and ultimately to develop those skills," he noted.

Job ads on Dice are showing career paths for a widespread adoption of technologies at all sorts of companies. Whether it is a retail company or telecom, finance company or automobile company, all kinds of companies beyond the traditional technology firms are leveraging software technologies, Goli explained. That is heightening demand for Linux skills.

Linux Leanings Advantage

Two other technology developments are driving the need for Linux programmers. One is the availability of -- and the ability to collect -- lots of data. The other is the growth of mobile devices, Goli said.

When you combine mobile with data collection and the idea that all kinds of devices need to be available for enterprises all the time, it also is spurring the movement toward cloud technology, he added.

"All of these components have both a combination of a proprietary platform and open source. All of these new demands are consuming the existing computer engineers, so there is a growing vacancy for replacements and new positions," he said.

What You Should Know

The shortage in computer programmers for open source software development and Linux programs is not all that surprising. Any time you have a change in the technology landscape, professionals have to change their skills, noted Zemlin.

"Really, it's the changing of the guard. It is a pervasive changing of the guard -- not just limited to the skills needed for Linux. We are also seeing a demand for a second set of skills. This involves what it takes to work across companies and across industries," he added.

This new skill set is needed for those programmers already in the industry, as well as those looking to start their programming careers. It involves how you present your skill sets in a resume when you participated in open source projects.

"If you are able to get your patch in for the Linux kernel, the odds are you are going to get a job. That requires not only knowing the programming skills to get that code into the kernel, but also knowing how the open source development process works. It also involves knowing how to collaborate with others, which is equally important," Zemlin said, noting that is what Linux of Learning is all about.

Where It Is Headed

The response to the Linux Foundation's first free course offering through edX surprised both Zemlin and Agarwal, and both said the results would need solid analysis before they could point to what should happen next.

"That is very cool. It is not that often we get to fill several football stadiums with Linux fans. I do not know where we will go after this. We will cross that bridge when we get to it," Zemlin said.

Success will be measured by looking at three factors, according to Agarwal. The first one, the volume of people signing up for the course, clearly has already been met.

The next step is to determine whether students feel they have learned significantly from taking the course and can pursue job opportunities. The third part is learning what potential employers feel about the qualifications of the students who have completed the course.

"The hope is that more of the Foundation's Linux courses will be added to our platform," said 

Predicting The Result

The MOOC model has not been proven yet. Ultimately, its success will depend on the end-users' motivation to learn and apply themselves and then to go find the opportunities, said Dice's Goli.

The availability of an online medium to learn Linux is definitely providing the opportunity to many more people than five years ago. Still, it is going to take time to see an impact, he cautioned.

"I do not see this as a perfect solution. It is more of a ground level, grass roots, cultural movement that is happening," Goli remarked. "Ultimately, we are going to see the benefits -- but the overall shortage of professionals, I think, we are going to continue to see

NEW FLAGSHIPS

If you’re in the market for an Android phone, the range of options is rather wider than it was a month ago. Tomorrow Samsung’s S5 will start to sell what will surely top 50m units; HTC’s new One is already on sale; and Sony’s Xperia Z2 has just landed on my desk for review, signalling impending public sales.

None of these devices is, unfortunately, a great leap forward. HTC’s camera appears impressive initially, but ultimately lets it down, Samsung’s plastic design is a problem that many can’t get over, and Sony’s screen is not as good as the other two. That said, the Sony is a lovely looking piece of rectangular design and a superb compromise between all the best options on the market.

If I were to be buying one myself, I’d probably go for the Samsung because it offers the option to connect to the new generation of wearable devices that the South Korean giant is pioneering. But even then, Google’s own Android Wear devices will be out in July.

The point, however, is not which Android phone is best: we are currently on an innovation plateau before the next stage of devices, so they are all simply iterative improvements on their predecessors.

Two points, therefore, arise: if you want a new phone, the reasons not to go for last year’s model at a bargain price are fewer than ever (and don’t forget Google’s Nexus 5 by LG).

But there’s a much bigger theme, too: mobile phones have driven huge profits but are no longer at the cutting edge. Over the next decade there will be a process of making almost every device smart. It’s starting with washing machines and thermostats already, and plant sensors are easily available to put your window box online. The phone is not an end in itself; it’s becoming ever clearer it is only a gateway to an internet of things. Worth noting that Samsung is the company that already makes most of those things and is poised to have the first stab at smartening them up.