Monthly Archives: October 2016

Microsoft has announced that they will be rolling out their next big update for Windows 10, sometime in Spring 2017.

The update is being called the Creators Update, with its main focus on enhancing creativity in its software. Microsoft is grouping their main features into three main categories:

• 3D
• Gaming
• People

3D will become an area open to everyone — creating this easy 3D world means bringing 3D support to a number of classic Windows programs.

The first programs that will have 3D features will be, Paint and Powerpoint. Microsoft will do this by introducing a whole range which will support 3D content. After scanning an image, and uploading to Paint, you can then tweak and examine it in augmented reality using Microsoft’s HoloLens. Microsoft is making it easier to navigate the 3D world as naturally as we scroll through a document.

To have users more readily able to use these new features, Microsoft is teaming up with a number of tech firms to make accessing VR (virtual reality) cheaper. Through developing affordable headsets, the aim is to make VR as accessible as possible.

For Gaming, the new game streaming service Beam will come built right into the Windows 10 Creators Update. Where users can watch other gamers’ broadcasts or set up their own live stream to share with others — as well as comes with a range of features to let broadcasters interact with viewers.

For a private gaming session with friends, Microsoft has also unveiled a new service to create your own tournaments with friends. Arena on Xbox Live software will handle administrative tasks like score tracking and leave users free to play.

Lastly, the People categoryr feature is most likely going to be the most useful right away. You will be able to pin icons for a select number of friends and family right to the task bar. You can then drag and drop files to these icons to share them as quickly as possible.

There is not yet a set date as to when the Creators Update will roll out but it said to be sometime this Spring 2017.

If you would like to learn more or have any concerns regarding Windows 10 and this update, please contact us at — [email protected]

Samsung’s successful and much-anticipated launch in August of their Galaxy Note 7 is shutting down all production, sales and replacement of their failed handset.

In the wake of a seemingly endless parade of bad news and damage control — due to their handsets exploding and starting on fire — Samsung has made the difficult and costly decision due to major safety concerns. The Galaxy Note 7 was supposed to be a massive step forward for Samsung as they were jumping straight from their previous Note 5 to the Note 7 — due to the impressive tech and fascinating new features.

Over a period of only two months, their exciting new handset is dead and leaving the company with a PR disaster and loss of ~17 billion dollars. On the 10th of October, Samsung officially asked retailers to stop sales and then officially on the 11th of October released their official statement.

In the interest of the public’s safety and pressure from the FAA and CPSC in the USA, Samsung had little choice but to close down production.

If you own a Note 7 and are wondering what to do next, please be in touch at [email protected]

We are pleased to announce the launch of the brand new website for the Wingate Business Exchange. Set in the heart of Clapham Old Town, Wingate Business Exchange provides small to medium offices with the capacity for between three – 11 occupants.

The design of the website is thanks to the talent at Metric who brought together the overall feel of work-life balance of the office spaces and their neighbouring area. We at DirectionForward are responsible for the build of the website and together with Metric are very happy to see this project come to fruition.

To check out this new website, visit here — wingatebx.com

If you are interested in more information regarding website design and build, please do get in touch with us at — [email protected]

Google has recently announced they have changed the name of their Google Apps — to G Suite. They say that the new name will better represent their ambitions for the future.

To improve their enterprise stakes, Google is leveraging one of their key strengths, which is G Suite (Google Apps) — and they will continue to improve and further infuse new machine intelligence.

Over the coming weeks, you will notice the new name and logo appear on familiar places. G Suite is still the same all-in-one solution that you use every day, with the same tools — Gmail, Docs, Drive and Calendar.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about what G Suite has to offer, please be in touch at [email protected]

Earlier this summer we announced that Instagram would be adding business accounts to their growing social platform. Instagram business accounts are now available and a valuable opportunity for businesses regardless of the size.

Instagram is an important and relevant social platform that shouldn’t be ruled out. The social platform is a growing resource for new products, businesses and inspiration for various needs.

Social media management is an important part of your company as it’s important to get the chosen social platforms up to date and to effectively and consistently portray your company on each platform.

Positives regarding having a business account on Instagram is that the format offers several bonus buttons, which allow users to easily contact and connect with the business from the profile page. The new contact button brings up options to call, email or receive directions — the directions brings up a map with your company pinned to your location.

Instagram insights (much like the Facebook insights) reports on critical information about post engagement and your follower demographics so that you can develop more applicable posts for your audience.

Impressions per post will show you which posts are the most popular and engaging over a seven – 30 day period. You can then find a high performing post and then easily convert it into an advertisement.

Overall, Instagram for business is a great opportunity for advertisement and to better compete and get exposure, for all business sizes but especially for new and small businesses.  It has the potential to drive traffic to your site, promote your business and generate sales.

As said previously, social media management can be an all-encompassing job. We offer social media management as one of our services as we understand it is an area that can get overlooked and requires extra time and detail to fully reap its benefits.

Please be in touch for information on this service or regarding Instagram for Business, at [email protected]