Celebrating the holidays is definitely made better when you know that you got a great price on your gifts, even if they were for yourself. Theres hardly a time, during this season, that you should be walking away from buying something and thinking you paid too much. If youre in the market for the gift of home security or home entertainment for someone on your list, we have deals that will blow you away. With the latest one-day sale from Woot!, youll be so amazed at how low these prices have gone, youll think theyre a holiday miracle.

Just for today, youll be able to nab either a Blink XT Home Security Camera System or an Amazon Fire TV with 4K and an Alexa Voice Remote for crazy low prices. The Blink system starts at only $59.99 and the Amazon Fire TV costs a mere $24.99! Our favorite deals site has done it again with one of their fantastic daily sales. Both of these are brand new and are just two of the amazing deals that are available today on Woot!

When you pick up the Blink XT Home Security System, youll be getting a wireless camera meant to keep your home safe. It can be placed either inside or outside and the system can be expanded to up to 10 cameras. It features a built-in motion detector that sends an alert to your smartphone when its triggered. A short clip will also be recorded to the cloud, allowing you to see exactly what caused it. Speaking of the cloud, there arent any monthly fees for cloud storage when you have this security system.

For the Amazon Fire TV, youll be able to experience life-like picture quality in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. With the Alexa-enabled voice remote, youll be able to just talk and tell it what you want to watch next. You can even check local movie times or order a pizza using this device. Youll have access to all of your shows and streaming apps and Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV episodes. It also gives you access to live sporting events and shows.

Here is the important product information from the Amazon pages:

Make sure you dont miss these deals, as theyll only last today. Keep checking throughout the week and every day on Woot!, as theyre continuing to blow out items like sunglasses, apparel, cookware, laptops and tablets all holiday season long.

Follow @BGRDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest deals we find around the web. Prices subject to change without notice and any coupons mentioned above may be available in limited supply. BGR may receive a commission on orders placed through this article.

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These shockingly low prices on Blink security systems and Amazon Fire TVs only last one day - BGR

Technology has transformed the way that businesses are run and led to the emergence of a new type of company think about the likes of Uber, Netflix and Citymapper. These disruptors have pushed the boundaries of whats possible, appealing to consumer expectations for joined-up services and a seamless experience.

These agile start-ups have changed the way the market works, sending a message to the rest on the need to innovate. One reason the disruptors can do this is they dont have to worry about data stacked anywhere other than the cloud, meaning they can focus on the here and the now. However, the established players have a wealth of historic information thats been built up over the years and which is spread across the cloud, at the edge or on-premise. Building a company fit for the 21st century requires a holistic view of the business, presenting companies with unique challenges in that there is a need to integrate all of this disparate information.

And so, in the context of todays landscape, how can the established players disrupt the disruptors?

For consumers of the digital era, experience is everything. They expect newfound convenience and flexibility and will have no problem looking elsewhere if this cannot be provided. This begs the question: how can the traditional players hope to keep up if this is the case?

However, things arent as complex as they seem. One reason these new companies can drive such positive results comes down to the fact there is no reliance on legacy databases, and they can take advantage of existing third-party systems. For example, Citymapper leverages open data from the Transport of London to retrieve journey information and provide real-time visibility over transport schedules, allowing customers to make the best choice of journey based on timings. Meanwhile, Uber uses Googles APIs to run their mapping software and match customers with the drivers closest to them. From there, the data is stored and used to predict supply and demand, as well as set fares.

In both cases, these services have been built on existing integrations, meaning they dont run into the same problems as many of the established players. On the other hand, heritage companies rely on systems that they have created over the years which are stored and siloed across multiple data sources, meaning innovation is blocked as a result. Ultimately, organisations must integrate if they are to drive innovation after all, why reinvent the wheel?

Were living in a period where information is key, and where companies in every industry are inundated with data from all sides. And this is only set to rise, with IDC predicting that the global datasphere will grow from 33 zettabytes in 2018 to 175 zettabytes by 2025. In terms of how this is stored, many organisations have initiated cloud-first policies, meaning no new data should be stored in their data centres. The reasons for this drive to the cloud are numerous given the number of business benefits. For example, the cloud provides unlimited storage and accessibility from anywhere in the world.

While some companies already do everything in the cloud, the vast quantities of data collated by heritage organisations is stored across multiple data sources. It is therefore likely that these organisations will always have some systems stacked in heritage servers as a result of the costs involved, the datas complexity and the inability to replicate it in the cloud.

This means there is a need to integrate data and applications stored on-premise, in the cloud and between the two. This is where hybrid integration comes into play. It removes the need to relocate legacy information from on-premise sites and creates new systems to enhance efficiencies.

Clearly, hybrid integration must be on the agenda for established companies if they are to drive success in the digital world. But for all the benefits, there is no shortage of challenges that organisations must overcome when it comes to hybrid integration.

For a start, connecting existing systems with cloud applications is highly complex for established companies, whose applications are spread disparately. For example, these companies have data stored on-premise, in SaaS applications and are sharing data and documents with partner organisations. With the majority of integration platforms lacking the capabilities to integrate all of these sources, companies must ensure they invest in solutions which can connect their existing applications to a cloud landscape.

Elsewhere, the proliferation of connected devices brings new challenges in itself. With organisations estimated to manage over 50 billion devices by 2020, businesses must ensure their integration technologies can link IoT devices directly with business applications and the workflows they connect. Whats more, these technologies need to be able to quickly connect devices over any network and provide device conditioning, real-time analytics and dashboards.

Hybrid integration presents businesses with newfound opportunities by enabling them to connect existing data sources with cloud applications. Those companies which fail to act risk falling behind as agile start-ups leverage existing APIs to enhance their products and services.

The challenge therefore centres around how heritage companies can keep up with the competition. These businesses must think about the long-term issues if they are to overcome their integration challenges. Companies that adapt quickly will not only avoid being disrupted by nimble competitors but will truly benefit from these changes. By combining hybrid integration platforms with enterprise integration technologies, organisations can succeed in addressing the complex issues they run into on their integration projects.

Sue Cameron, Head of Integration, Software AG

The rest is here:
Disrupting the disruptors: The power of hybrid integration - ITProPortal

Liverpool FC has welcomed global leader in cyber storage, Acronis, to the Reds family in a new multi-year partnership.

The technology company, which provides hybrid cloud solutions for backup, disaster recovery, and secure file sync and data access, will now become LFC's official global cyber backup and storage partner.

The partnership will see the Swiss-Singaporean technology leader provide LFC with innovative cyber backup and cloud solutions to improve data storage and access and create a more efficient and collaborative workflow.

Being able to efficiently back up and safeguard huge volumes of important information using cloud-based storage solutions from team data to day to day business operations will significantly help LFC optimise its data management in the increasingly digital world.

The ability to securely sync files will enable departments to easily share a range of documents and collaborate on important tasks, making for more efficient, streamlined ways of working.

Partnering with high performance organisations in the sports industry, Acronis aims to continue to build brand awareness, recognition and visibility across global markets.

Billy Hogan, managing director and chief commercial officer, Liverpool FC, said: We are always looking for ways to enhance the way we store and share important files and information across the business, so were looking forward to working with Acronis as our new official global cyber backup and storage partner.

"Our data is incredibly valuable, and safely and efficiently storing and accessing that information is critical to the way we operate as a business and a football club."

Enrico Tizanno, senior vice president of technology and transformation, Liverpool FC, said: We look forward to working closely with Acronis to utilise its expertise and innovation in data storage, backup and disaster recovery solutions to help us meet our modern data needs.

"From how to best protect our valuable data assets, to how we can make the best use of the petabytes of the data we have and securely distribute it.

The Five Vectors of Cyber Protection that make up the backbone of Acronis' solutions include safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security (SAPAS). Using this approach will help the club to ensure easy, efficient, and secure management of data, applications, and systems.

Serguei Beloussov, Acronis founder and CEO, said: At the highest level of competition, data is a critical asset. Acronis technology is perfectly suited for helping organisations get #CyberFit in high-pressure, digitally intensive environments.

"We are proud to partner with this great club and look forward to our joint projects in the future.

Acronis is already a part of the FSG family and the sporting world, through its current partnership with the Boston Red Sox and Roush Fenway Racing.

Originally posted here:
Reds team up with leader in cloud storage Acronis - Liverpool FC

Whether you want to back up your photos or sync files between devices, cloud storage space is always useful. Here are the best deals on cloud services this holiday season at the XDA Developers Depot now with 15% off when you use code MerrySave15 at checkout.

Based on Amazon Web Services (AWS) technology, Polar Backup provides a generous 1TB of secure backup. Your files are protected by AES-256 encryption, and you can back up any PC, Mac, or external drive.

Worth $390, lifetime backup is now $34 with the code MerrySave15.

With more space than Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive combined, Degoo Premium gives you plenty of backup space to play with. The platform automatically backs up your data, and you can share files securely with friends and family. Worth $900, lifetime 1TB backup is now just $42.50. You can upgrade to 2TB for $51, get 3TB for $59.50, or grab the 10TB plan for $85.

Koofr keeps things simple. The platform is easy to use, with no razzle dazzle. It also allows you to connect your other cloud accounts, so you can see all your files in one place. Better still, there is no file size limit.

Worth $270, the 25GB lifetime plan is now $17. You can upgrade to 100GB for $30.66, 250GB for only $59.50, or 1TB for just $110.50.

Running on powerful Tier IV data center facilities, ThunderDrive storage is six times faster than Amazons. You can access your files via any desktop or mobile device, with 256-bit AES encryption for complete peace of mind. Normally $1,200, lifetime 2TB subscriptions are now only $33.15. If you prefer, you can get the lifetime Personal plan (500GB) for just $24.65.

Combining cold storage and instant access storage, Zoolz offers incredible value. The Instant Vault is perfect for the files you use every day, while the Archive Backup is suited to family photos and other precious files. You can get lifetime 1TB cold storage with unlimited users for $101.15.

Prices subject to change

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The 5 Best Deals on Cloud Storage and Backup This Holiday Season - XDA Developers

Riksbank is first central bank to exit negative rates

Sees benchmark rate on hold at 0.0% through 2021

Swedish crown strengthens

Adds background, currency reaction

STOCKHOLM, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Sweden's central bank hiked its benchmark repo rate by a quarter point to zero as expected on Thursday, defying a slowdown in the economy and global uncertainty to draw a line under five years with negative interest rates.

The hike from -0.25% means the Riksbank becomes the first central bank to inch its way back up to what was long considered the floor for interest rates. Rates are still negative in the euro zone, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland and Hungary.

"The Riksbank assesses that conditions are good for inflation to remain close to the target going forward," the central bank said in a statement.

"Therefore, in line with the assessment in October, the Executive Board has decided to raise the repo rate from 0.25 percent to zero percent."

The central bank as before said it expected the repo rate would remain unchanged through 2021.

All but one analyst in a Reuters poll forecast a hike.

The Swedish crown was slightly stronger against the euro after the decision. EURSEK=

The world's oldest central bank cut rates to -0.10% in 2015, worried that the euro zone crisis would hit already weak prices and lead to a Japanese-style deflationary spiral.

It was forced to go further, with rates dipping as low as -0.50% in 2016 before ultra-loose policy gained traction, weakening the crown, pushing up import prices and boosting the export-reliant economy.

Few would argue that policy has been too tight. But many question the timing of the hike - only the second since mid-2011 - as the economy is slowing.

However, the Riksbank is worried that negative rates are damaging the economy in other ways, boosting asset prices and debt and increasing the risk for a financial crisis.

GRAPHIC: Sweden economy: http://tmsnrt.rs/2bylYpf

GRAPHIC: Riksbank rate, inflation and the Koran: http://tmsnrt.rs/1qEN4Rz

GRAPHIC: The Scandinavian housing market interactive: http://tmsnrt.rs/2k1TfAt

Sweden economy:http://tmsnrt.rs/2bylYpf

Riksbank rate, inflation and the Krona:http://tmsnrt.rs/1qEN4Rz

The Scandinavian housing market interactive:http://tmsnrt.rs/2k1TfAt

(Reporting by Stockholm newsroom; editing by Niklas Pollard)

((simon.c.johnson@thomsonreuters.com; +46 8 700 1045; Reuters Messaging: simon.c.johnson.reuters.com@reuters.net))

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Swedish c.bank ends five years of negative rates with hike to zero - Nasdaq