Pear OS 8 Linux Will Imitate iOS 7

Pear Linux is an Ubuntu based distribution that imitates Mac OS. Loosely it could be dubbed as the Mac OS for Linux. Even the logo of Pear OS (a missing bite from a pear) resembles Apple’s logo,  Don’t believe me, look at the screenshot of Pear OS 7below:

Like most of the other Linux OS, Pear Linux is free to use. Since it is based on Ubuntu, it is easy to use with lost of applications available (from Ubuntu repository) and thus creates a good environment for beginners. For those users who are die hard fan of Mac OS, this could be an ideal combination of Linux+Mac. The operating system does not demand a high end hardware but it is only available for 64 bit processor.

The new Pear OS 8 will look like iOS 7

As Apple has released iOS 7 last week, Pear Linux is hinting that Pear OS 8 will be based on iOS7′s looks. In a image shared on Google Plus  the new look of Pear OS has been revealed. I leave up to you to decide how good it looks:

In case you want to try your hands on Pear OS 8, you can download the image of the beat version from the link below:

Download Pear OS 8 Beta

Honestly, I don’t understand the craziness about Mac OS looks. We haveElementary OS Luna which is also hailed for its Mac-like looks. Anyways, this Linux distribution may serve a niche userbase. What you say?

#http://itsfoss.com/pear-os-8-linux-will-imitate-ios-7/

French National Police Switch 37,000 Desktops To Linux

Linux is not “geeks only” anymore. It is also “suits friendly” or at least “uniform friendly” in France. French national law enforcement agency Gendarmerie is now running over 37,000 desktops on Linux. Interestingly, Gendarmerie uses a custom Linux based on Ubuntu, GendBuntu.

Gendarmerie has been adopting Open Source approach for some time now and as per Lieutenant-Colonel Xavier Guimard, this switch to Open Source has cut 70% of their IT budget this year. As per the report:

Most of these savings are on proprietary software licences. Up until 2004 the Gendarmerie acquired 12,000 to 15,000 licences annually. In 2005 it bought just 27. “Since July 2007 we have bought two hundred Microsoft licences. If one of us wants a new PC, it comes with Ubuntu. This encourages our users to migrate.” Guimard estimates Gendarmerie since 2004 has saved 50 million euro on licences for standard office applications, hardware and maintenance.

This is not the first, this won’t be the last

This is not the first time that a government agency has switched to Open Source. In past few months we heard the news where State of Valencia in Spain switched to Linux completely and thus saved millions of Euro. State administration of Berlin started distributing free Ubuntu CDs to Windows XP users. China is already betting heavily on its own Chinese version of Ubuntu Linux: Kylin. And we have more Ubuntu powered desktops in India. Altogether a good news for Open Source lovers.

#http://itsfoss.com/french-national-police-switch-37000-desktops-to-linux/

Argos announces new £99 Android tablet

With just 70 days until Christmas, Argos has released its own budget and family-friendly tablet that the retailer hopes will pop up on Christmas lists. See also: The top 10 best tablets: What's the best tablet you can buy in 2013?
Priced at £99.99, digital, catalogue and high-street retailer Argos' MyTablet is now one of the least expensive tablet on the market, undercutting similar low-cost models including the Tesco Hudl (£119), Google's Nexus 7 (£199), Apple's iPad mini (£269) and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD (£159).
The 7-inch MyTablet features 8GB of storage and runs Google's Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 operating system. It also comes pre-loaded with 19 free games and apps, including the Argos app, BBC iPlayer, Facebook, Twitter and Angry Birds.
Argos says the tablet was designed with families in mind with built-in parental controls for younger users, but still offer all the functionality of a comprehensive tablet.
The MyTablet is available in pink or silver metal cases and has a built-in 2 Mp rear-facing camera, as well as a front-facing camera. It's also Wi-Fi-enabled, Bluetooth capable and features a 1.6GHz dual core processor and 1024x600 resolution LCD glass screen. The device's memory can also be expanded to 32GB with a mini SD card.
Joe Walden, Managing Director of Argos said, "Millions of people bought a tablet last year but there's still around 75 per cent of the UK population who do not yet own one. We know that tablets will feature heavily on Christmas lists again this year."
“Customers have never had such a good quality tablet at such an affordable price,” Walden continued. “At just £99.99 the Argos MyTablet is highly competitive with a great specification, and fits neatly in the range of tablets we have on offer.”
The MyTablet comes on the heels of a similar low-cost tablet from Tesco released earlier this fall, the £119 Hudl.
On sale Wednesday, 16th October, Argos' MyTablet can be purchased at argos.co.uk, via the Argos app or in stores.

Argos MyTablet Specs:

• Price   £99.99
• OS       Android Jellybean 4.2.2
• Software         Google Android
• Screen size     7 inch screen
• Resolution      1024 X 600 resolution
• Screen type    LCD
• Processor speed        Dual core 1.6ghz
• WiFi    Yes
• Bluetooth       Yes
• Camera           2 MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera
• Battery life     Up to 5 hours
• Standard memory     8GB
• Extended memory    32GB - with mini SD
• Micro SD slot  Yes
• Parental control settings      Yes
• Output ports  HDMI, Micro USB
• Colours           Silver & Pink
• Other features           19 pre-loaded apps and games Customisable home screen

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/tablets/3473754/new-argos-tablet-budget-family-friendly-option/

Nexus 5 release date, price, photos, and specs rumours

Nexus 5 leaks have reached a new high with the phone shown off in a lengthy video (see below). We've rounded up all the possible release date, price and specs for the Google Nexus 5. Updated on 14/10/13.
See also: Android 4.4 KitKat release date, features, photos and rumours.
The Nexus 5 will be Google's next flagship Android smartphone. It will probably be joined by a new version of the Nexus 10, too. So naturally, we're keen to know what it will offer and when it will be available.
Although the Nexus 4 has had issues with stock shortages, it's been well received and popular with punters. A high-end smartphone for £239 is a bargain even if it's a bit limited on storage.
See also: iPhone 6 release date: When will Apple's next iPhone arrive?
Thoughts are turning to the Nexus 5 and what it has to offer to rival the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z and HTC One. LG is the most hotly tipped manufacturer to make the Nexus 5 but Google is also considering other vendors.
See also: Google Nexus 5 prototype leaks online.

Nexus 5: Release date

Google has announced that the next version of Android will be 4.4 KitKat, not 5.0 Key Lime Pie. We still expected the Nexus 5 to come with the latest version but there has been no hint as to when KitKat will arrive.
Google hasn't announced when the new Nexus 5 will be revealed, or even if it is making one but here are the rumours on when it will arrive.
The first possibility was that Google would announce the Nexus 5 at its Google I/O (input/output) developer conference which takes place in May in San Francisco. However, the event came and went with no Nexus 5 or even Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie.
At last year's Google I/O which took place in June, the firm unveiled the Nexus 7, its first tablet running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It seemed likely new hardware would be revealed at this year's conference but this wasn't the case - unless you include the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition.
Google announced an updated Nexus 7 tablet with Android 4.3 but there was no mention of a new smartphone at that launch event.
So, it's highly likely that we'll see the new Nexus 5 arrive around a year after the Nexus 4, in October or maybe November. The Galaxy Nexus was announced in November and the Nexus S in December.

The Nexus 4 price has been reduced from £239 for the 8GB model to just £159 signalling that Google wants to shift remaining stock before the Nexus 5 arrives. In fact, the smartphone is 'out of inventory' on the US Play Store.
The Nexus 4 is now out of stock in the 8 GB and 16 GB models and Google is reportedly not planning to restock the device. Another hint that the Nexus 5 is near arrival.
Meanwhile, Droidlife is hinting at a release date of 31 October citing anonymous sources.

Nexus 5: Is this the Nexus 5 in the flesh?

In Google's unveiling video of the Android KitKat statue, an unknown device with a Nexus logo was spotted (below left). Google has taken down the clip only fuelling the suggestion that the smartphone was the unannounced Nexus 5.

Following the KitKat statue unveiling, the Nexus 5 has been spotted in the wild. The owner happily left it charging in a bar unattended but a keen eyed employee snapped it up.
See also: Nexus 4 selling out and Nexus 5 spotted in bar.

The Nexus 5 has been spotted once again, looking exactly like the photos from the bar . The lucky handler said the rear cover feeling similar to that of the Nexus 7 and the device is smaller than the recently launched LG G2.
"The screen was ok, didn't wow me like the Note 3. The bezel is very small." he added.

Nexus 5: Price

Sources suggest Google will keep the price of the Nexus 5 the same as the Nexus 4. That's £239 for 8GB and £289 for 16GB.
However, the price of the Nexus 7 went up from £159 to £199 for the cheapest model so there's no guarantee.

Nexus 5: specs

Rumoured specifications for the Nexus 5 include a Full HD screen either 5in or 5.2in in size, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz and a whopping 3GB of RAM.
A line-up similar to LG's recently announced LG G2 smartphone, so we could see the Nexus 5 based on this stunner.
There's also been suggestion it will feature a 16Mp camera made by Nikon. Other sources suggest a smaller 4.5in screen with a 720p resolution.
There are fresh rumours about the camera on the Nexus 5, suggesting it could use a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) module. That might mean it can shoot first and focus later like the Lytro camera.

A service manual for the LG D-821 (aka the Neuxs 5) has been leaked online showing full specifications of the smartphone and a blueprint (above). The document is 281 pages long but here are the key bits:
•    4.95 in Full HD (1080x1920) IPS display
•    16/32 GB internal storage
•    2 GB RAM
•    2.3 GHz Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor
•    8 Mp OIS rear camera, 1.3 Mp front camera
•    2300 mAh battery
•    Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity/Ambient Light, Pressure
•    Slimport compatibility
•    Micro SIM slot
•    Notification light
•    Wireless charging
•    NFC
•    Bluetooth 4.0
•    4G LTE support
•    133.9x68.7x9.1 mm
•    139.5 g


# http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/mobile-phone/3437472/nexus-5-release-date-price-photos-specs-video/

Enhanced Previews, Scope Toggles Added to Unity Testing PPA

It might not have been mature enough to ship in Ubuntu 13.04, but work on enhancing the Smart Scopes Service for Unity continues apace.
Over in the more ‘development-y’ of the development PPAs enhanced previews are now available for most results, including those from DeviantArt, Launchpad and Wikipedia:

It’s also now possible to see what ‘Scopes’ – thinks ‘content-specific search engine’ plugins – are installed by way of Applications Lens > Filters > Search Plugins (see image at top of post).
Right-clicking on one of the Scope results shown opens a Preview with further details and, more interestingly, a toggle for enabling/disabling it.

Install Smart Scopes in Ubuntu 13.04

Installing the Smart Scopes Service and upgrading the various bits and pieces that are needed to make use of it, is easy to do but not recommended.
It didn’t make it into 13.04 for a reason. Parts of it are buggy, slow, and in varying stages of completion. If you value a stable, productive desktop (or you’re allergic to web results appearing in the Dash) you’re better off sticking with stable Unity.
Stern talk over, upgrading to the smarter version of Unity requires the addition of one of two PPAs.
The first is called ‘experimental-unvalidated’. This is the most frequently updated but also the one most likely to break your desktop. It’s the pre-validation PPA that the above changes are currently in.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-unity/experimental-prevalidation

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

sudo apt-get install unity-lens-* unity-scope-*

The second, much safter option is ‘experimental-certified’. While this is generally more robust to use as packages are tested before being pushed to it, it is also updated far less regularly. The features mentioned above are yet to land in it at the time of writing.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-unity/experimental-certified

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

sudo apt-get install unity-lens-* unity-scope-*

 #http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/05/unity-previews-enhanced-toggles

Unity 8 Available in Ubuntu 13.10 – But Don’t Expect Too Much

A ‘Early Alpha’ of Unity 8 is available to install and test in Ubuntu 13.10 from today – just don’t expect too much from it quite yet.
Unity 8 is not set to be fully integrated into Ubuntu desktop until around 14.10. So while you can install and run Unity 8 on the desktop of 13.10 it is not yet a desktop interface; the look, layout and experience are not yet tailored for mouse + keyboard use.

What Works, What Doesn’t

Unity 8 runs as a windowed app on the Ubuntu 13.10 desktop. This window can be resized, allowing you to switch from ‘phone’ layout to ‘tablet’ layout.
Applications, files and folders all show up in their respective lenses, though many have broken or distorted icons. Clicking on a desktop app or file icon will open it as normal on your desktop. Those for Ubuntu Touch apps you don’t have installed open up image place-holders.
Indicators, the HUD & – for me at least – menus don’t yet work in this port. But, again with the disclaimer: this is very much work in progress. Don’t judge it as a final, finished piece of software.

Install Unity 8 in Ubuntu 13.10

If you’re running Ubuntu 13.10 and want to toy with Unity 8 you can install it by running the following command in a new Terminal window:

sudo apt-get install unity8 unity8-fake-env unity8-private

# http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/08/unity-8-ubuntu-13-10-arrives