IT News Head Lines (Techradar) 6/26/2015

Warner Bros. has pulled the PC version of Batman: Arkham Knight from release

Following a disastrous launch for the PC version of Batman: Arkham Knight, publisher Warner Bros. has announced that it has suspended sales of the game for that platform until its various problems have been ironed out.
The PC port, which in some ways is out-performed by the PS4 version, was outsourced to Killer Instinct: Season 2 developer Iron Galaxy.
The game's most noticeable problems include a locked down frame rate of 30fps (check out our workaround, though there's no guarantee it will make the game perform any better), stuttering, and the lack of high performance visual effects, such as bokeh depth-of-field, ambient occlusion and transparency layers for rain and wet surfaces.

The night is darkest just before the dawn

In its statement, Warner Bros. told its customers that "if you purchased your copy of the game and are not satisfied with your experience, then we ask for your patience while these issues are resolved."
However, it went on to suggest that people could request a refund of the game on Steam or at the retail store they purchased it from, if so desired.
Batman: Arkham Knight director Sefton Hill tweeted that "WB Games is working with the PC developer Iron Galaxy to address the issues ASAP. Rocksteady will provide any support to get this resolved."
The Steam version of the game has so far received over 6000 negative reviews.

• See how technology influenced Batman: Arkham Knight

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Review: UPDATED: Stan

Introduction, Setup and Interface

UPDATE: Stan now has an app for Apple TV that allows its users to browse and watch its content library without the use of a smart device or PC – details below.
Now that Australians have spent some time with Stan, it's time to reflect on how well the final product has delivered in terms of its primary goal – to give Aussies the streaming video-on-demand experience that they've been clamouring for.
Since Stan's Australia Day launch, Aussies (who haven't resorted to proxies and VPNs) have finally had a Netflix-like taste of what instant streaming content is all about, but is the content up to snuff? And how does Stan perform now that it's out in the open and away from its preview phase?
Then comes the big question: does Stan have what it takes to keep Australians coming back for more now that Netflix is here?

Setting up Stan

Getting Stan up and running is a fairly straightforward process, though you will require a few things in order to view the service on your television at home.
At launch, a compatible iOS or Android smartphone or tablet was needed in order to browse Stan's content library, in addition to an Apple TV or Chromecast media streaming device so that you could AirPlay or Cast the content over to your television.
Thankfully, a Stan app has made its way to the Apple TV, allowing users to browse the streaming service's content library on their TV screens.
Alternatively, you can use your PC or Mac to view Stan's content on most browsers and stream it to your Chromecast from there.
Stan is compatible with iPads running iOS7 and above from the second generation onwards, as well as all iPad minis and iPhones from the fourth generation onwards.

Most Android phones from 4.2 onwards are supported, including recently added support for Sony's Xperia Z1, Z2, Z3 phones and tablets, HTC One M7, M8, M9 and Desire and LG's G2, LG Optimus L7II smartphones.
In terms of tablets, most Android units running 4.2 and above will work, aside from the HP 8 G2.
Once you've selected something to watch, you can start playing it on your phone or tablet, or tap the AirPlay/Cast icon to throw it to your Apple TV or Chromecast, at which point you can put your smart device to sleep.
It's fantastic to see that Stan has addressed initial criticisms of its service by releasing an app for the Apple TV platform, and we imagine StreamCo will eventually bring out some apps for smart TVs, consoles like the PS4 or Xbox One and media players.

Get that interface up in yo' face

Anyone who's seen Netflix's interface should know what to expect with Stan in terms of functionality. That said, Stan might just have the visual edge.
Movie and TV show publicity art is all over Stan, and it looks incredibly slick – Its carousel in particular is clean and image-driven, with over half of our iPad's screen displaying some of Stan's most exciting content, like its exclusive shows Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle as well as other premium dramas like Hannibal and Fargo.

Flicking up on the screen will show you a range of genres and collections below, such as Comedy Classics, Best of Australia and World Movies, with titles and poster art laid out horizontally for you to swipe across and browse.
Tapping on a show will let you choose the season and episode you want, while tapping on a movie will give you some information screen where you can press play and jump straight in.
Options can be revealed on the left side of the screen by tapping the icon in the upper left hand corner, allowing you to switch profiles, browse TV and movie genres, kids content, your watch history or your list of saved shows (just like on Netflix), and the upper right hand contains a search bar and access to your profile (again, just like on Netflix).
Stan's Apple TV app is slightly different to the tablet and smartphone version, in that it lists its sections along the top of the screen, with genres and content laid out in a style that's more consistent with Apple TV's other apps.

That Stan sure has some nice features

Unlike its competitors, Stan gives you the option to choose the image quality of your stream on smartphones an tablets via a cog icon at the bottom of your player window.
You can opt to use Stan's automatic setting for an adaptive bit rate that's tailored to the quality of your connection, or choose the SD or HD constant bit rate encode, depending on whether or not you have bandwidth to spare.

Curiously missing from Stan are options to change language or apply closed captions to the content you're watching – the lack of these options in Stan could be make or break for people who are hearing impaired or have a language barrier, so their omission seems odd.
At present, Stan doesn't have the ability to recommend movies and shows to you based on your movie habits, which is one of Netflix's best features.

Hopefully, a 'recommended shows' feature is somewhere in StreamCo's future pipeline.

Content, Performance and Verdict

That Stan sure is a content fellow

Recently, we posted a comprehensive rundown of all of Stan's confirmed content library, and now that we've used the service, we can confirm that there's plenty more content available that has yet to be announced.
When it came to the service's content ratio for television and movies, Stan leaned more on the television side at launch, however there have been some movie content announcements since then that have levelled the playing field somewhat.
One area where Stan is sure to shine above it's competitors, is in its Australian content, with a wide variety of quality Aussie television shows and movies on offer.

The service has quite a bit to choose from in terms of classic movies and back catalogue titles, like the entire James Bond collection, the entire Middle Earth saga (aside from the latest Hobbit film), a large range of foreign films and much more.
However, we do hope that more studios sign on, as the service could do with some more recent blockbusters like superhero movies and animated films – both of which Stan is almost entirely lacking in.
Netflix recently announced a content deal with Disney in Australia and New Zealand that gives the upcoming service access to a wide range of Marvel, Pixar and Disney Animation Studios content, which somewhat highlights Stan's shortcomings in this area.
With that said, if your interests are more in-tune with art house fare, then Stan is absolutely for you – the service's range of foreign films, indies and classics is unrivalled.

How does Stan perform?

Stan's buffering times will vary depending on your internet connection, however in our home and office tests, we were mostly able to start streaming HD content within 30-45 seconds of starting it.
Stan requires a minimum 1.5 mbps connection speed for the ability to stream, 2.5 mbps for standard definition, 3.5 mbps for 720p HD resolution content and a 6.5 mbps connection speed for full 1080p HD resolution.
The real test however, came with Stan's much-anticipated, fast-tracked streaming of Breaking Bad spin-off, Better Call Saul.
Obviously, Stan has a lot banking on the successful delivery of this hugely publicised new series, as much of its marketing has centred around its exclusivity to the service.
Tested only an hour or so after being put up on the service, the first episode of Better Call Saul started immediately in HD, playing almost flawlessly with the exception of a single moment of buffering around two thirds of the way into the episode.
One thing worth noting – while this is just speculation, we did encounter some fluctuating bit rate quality on an episode of Community that we were watching just before we moved on to Better Call Saul.

Whether or not Stan was prioritising its quality of service around Better Call Saul for its debut is uncertain, though we will continue to investigate the matter.
Since launch, we have encountered bugs from time to time – one occasion saw Stan continue to try and buffer The Wolf of Wall Street in the Safari browser for several minutes until we gave up and refreshed the window, at which point it worked fine on its second attempt.
Another occasion saw The Terminator randomly start again from the beginning after having already been on for a few minutes.
Also, Stan would sometimes forget where we were up to in an episode or movie when switching between our Mac browser window and iPad.
Switching between episodes on the computer would also cause each episode to go back to the beginning again, and episodes do not have progress bars when viewed in a computer browser window.
Finally, we did experience an instance where a paused episode of a TV show crashed, giving us an A11 error code, which Stan promises will be rectified in its next software update.

While these are by no means frequent occurrences, we hope to see wrinkles like these ironed out by Stan's development team in the near future.
Stan requires a minimum 1.5 mbps connection speed for the ability to stream, 2.5 mbps for standard definition, 3.5 mbps for 720p HD resolution content and a 6.5 mbps connection speed for full 1080p HD resolution.
We even managed to stream HD over our iPad's 4G connection during a train ride, though we wouldn't recommend doing this very often – two 22 minute episodes of Community in HD used up around 935 mb of cellular data.
One thing worth noting, is that Stan would sometimes forget where we were up to in an episode or movie when switching between our Mac browser window and iPad.
Switching between episodes on a computer would also cause each episode to go back to the beginning again.

Verdict

Now that we've spent some real time with Stan, we've come away largely impressed with what the service has to offer, delivering pretty much everything that Australians have been asking for since they first discovered what their friends overseas have had access to for years.
The ultimate test will be whether torrenting Australians will put their money where their mouth is and pay for the content when delivered in an affordable and convenient manner.
Stan's excellent execution of its streaming media service really leaves people with very little reason to take the illegal downloading route.

We liked

Stan's interface is immediately impressive, with an image-driven layout that's easy to navigate and aesthetically pleasing.
Content-wise, Stan impresses with its big library of quality television content and back catalogue of films, which includes big-time Hollywood productions, foreign cinema and home-grown Aussie content.
Delivering content in full high definition is also a big plus, and any competitors still sticking to standard definition content are going to find a tough road ahead of them.
Bonus points for allowing users to select the quality of their streams based on the quality of their available bandwidth.
Streams also start very quickly in full HD with minimal buffering instances experienced.

We disliked

While Stan mostly sails smoothly, certain bugs have marred the experience on a few occasions, either stopping the show dead in its tracks, or crashing the app entirely.
There's plenty of content on Stan, as mentioned above, however it could still do with more animated films and recent tentpole films – no Disney or Marvel content makes the service feel somewhat lacking.
We also think there should be some language and subtitle options available for the hearing impaired and those with language barriers.
Stan's Apple TV app is a step in the right direction when it comes to browsing the service's content library on our televisions, though we'd still like to see consoles and other media players added to Stan's list of compatible devices.

Final Verdict

The question of whether Stan will hold up well as a Netflix substitute in an important one, though we can say that Stan is certainly heading in the right direction, especially when it comes to its $10 a month subscription fee.
However, we do feel it needs even more content – Stan's recent content licensing deal with Roadshow is a step in the right direction, though Netflix's recent Disney announcement shows that Stan still has some way to go in terms of providing the kind of popular content that people want to see.
So long as StreamCo keeps working hard to fix its bugs and expand its content library, we can say that Netflix will have itself a worthy local competitor.
Stan may have lost its crown as the Australian king of streaming services since Netflix's arrival, but it's certainly a huge step above everything else.









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Review: UPDATED: Netflix

Introduction and User Experience

UPDATE: Check out the review's pricing and content sections for expanded information on the upcoming 'Netflix Tax' and the shows the service offers.
While Stan, Presto and Quickflix have done a good job of giving Australians a Netflix-like experience of late, we've all been waiting for the big one to arrive.
Now that Netflix Australia is here, there's one question on everyone's lips: how does it stack up to the US version of the service?

Cheapest stream around

Netflix Australia starts from $8.99 per month for the entry-level, single-stream standard definition package, all the way up to $14.99 for the deluxe, 4K quality, four-stream package.
While not everyone is going to be able to take advantage of 4K streaming quality, either due to the resolution capabilities of their TV set, or the bandwidth quality that's available to them, the package is unquestionably great value.
If you're worried about the kind of stream quality you're going to get from the service, never fear: you can try Netflix out with an obligation-free 30 day trial period.
While we can't really recommend the standard definition package to anyone who can help it, it is a nice option for those with poor quality internet connections.

Most people will want to opt for the middle range package, giving customers access to two simultaneous streams of 1080p content for $11.99 a month.
We have to applaud Netflix for keeping its pricing in line with its other territories, however, the implementation of a 'Netflix Tax' by the Federal Government will see those prices rise in the near future, as Netflix will have to charge a 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax.
Please note, If you plan to stream Netflix on an Xbox 360 or Xbox One, you'll need to have an Xbox Live account. That isn't a Netflix thing; it's a Microsoft thing, and it applies to Netflix's rivals, too.
There's also an added bonus for Optus and iiNet customers – Netflix usage is completely unmetered for those internet service providers.

Compatible devices

Unlike its local competitors, Netflix will work on pretty much everything.
Like Stan and Presto, Netflix can be viewed with the use of a Google Chromecast, Apple TV, iOS device, Android device or on a PC.
But unlike those services you can also view it on the Sony PS4 and PS3 consoles, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Xbox One, Nintendo's Wii U, a range of set-top boxes and media players like Roku player and WD TV Live, Fetch TV, and a wide range of Smart TVs from Samsung, Sony, LG, Philips, Panasonic and HiSense.

Setting up Netflix

Getting Netflix up and running is remarkably straightforward, and should be easy enough for even your tech-illiterate mum and dad to set up without any problems – simply create an account and use your login details to sign in to any of the devices listed above.
The signup process involves the usual entering of your details, moving on to choosing one of the three packages Netflix offers.
Because Netflix prides itself on its recommendation algorithm, you will be asked to pick three shows or films that you'd like to watch or know that you enjoy from a range of options.
Choose carefully, because these choices will form the foundation of your Netflix recommendations experiences for the foreseeable future.

While Netflix will continually tailor its recommendations for you based on what you actually watch, your initial choices will still be used to recommend you stuff years later.
Once you've created a profile, you can start adding shows and films to your Netflix 'My List'.
You can make multiple profiles of course, so everyone in your household can get a personalised set of recommendations and keep their own queue of shows.
There's even a ready-made profile exclusively for kids, with all the inappropriate stuff filtered out.

The Netflix user experience

Those who've used an overseas Netflix service before can rest assured that Netflix Australia's interface is completely identical (aside from its content selection).
Those who are using Netflix for the first time shouldn't have any trouble navigating its user-friendly interface, which separates Netflix's content into a number of different genres and categories that you can swipe through to see what's on offer.
The shows and movies you've watched most recently are at the top of your Netflix screen, allowing you to jump right back in and continue watching, and following right after is the 'My List' category, giving you easy access to all of the shows you've queued up for later perusal.
From here, you'll get categories that show you what's currently popular on Netflix, the service's 'Top Picks' for you, and a stack of other genres that become more specific to your interests as you continue to watch different kinds of programmes and movies.
It should be noted that Netflix on Apple TV has its own method of presenting its content library that's more in line with the device's overall UI, with genres clearly listed on the right and movie poster art that you can scroll through on the left.

Admittedly, it can be annoying to have to scroll through several layers of categories to get to the sections you actually want to browse.
We also wish we could just see everything that Netflix has to offer in each genre, though that's not how Netflix works – the service would rather maintain a level or mystery surrounding the size of its library, opting instead to give you a taste of what it has, and then keep springing new suggestions on you based on what you watch.
The constantly shifting nature of Netflix's suggestions gives the service the illusion of having more content than it actually does – it's like this in every territory.
Hop into a programme and either choose a specific episode from a specific season, or continue from where you were last at – Netflix will always remember your spot.

Unlike Stan, Netflix gives you subtitle options on pretty much every single show in its range, as well as different language tracks where available – this is a huge win for the hearing impaired and those with a language barrier.
When it comes to actually watching content however, Netflix completely outclasses its competitors.
Even on a moderate broadband connection, our streams began almost immediately after hitting the play button – we only ever experienced two or three seconds of loading before the start of a show, and within ten seconds of it starting, Netflix's variable bit rate had already cleared the image up into a pristine, high-definition presentation.
That variable bit rate is the truly what makes Netflix so special, allowing the quality of your stream to seamlessly go up and down depending on your connection, rather than stopping your show dead in its tracks in order to buffer.
While watching Netflix through a VPN and Smart DNS has always been a fast and smooth experience, local Netflix feels even faster and smoother.

Content and Verdict

Are you content with its content?

By now you've heard all about how Netflix's content library doesn't quite have the breadth of its US counterpart.
It's true that as of launch, our Netflix has roughly an eighth of the content of the US service. This will surely bother people who've been experiencing US Netflix through a VPN or Smart DNS service, but for those jumping on board now, Netflix Australia still has a better variety of content than its local competitors.
Browsing its content offerings, it becomes evident that Netflix is running fairly light on content, especially as you scroll through each category and notice that each one ends prematurely. However, this is offset by the fact that the quality of stuff on offer is genuinely high.
In terms of local content, Stan definitely has Netflix beat, with a hefty range of Australian shows and movies on offer due to the service's Channel Nine, ABC and SBS content deals, which provides Stan's customers Aussie classics like Underbelly and Rake.
However, there's still a nice selection of Aussie shows and films to choose from, as well as a range of stand up comedy specials from local comedians like Kitty Flanagan, Jimeoin and the Umbilical Brothers.
Documentaries are plentiful though, and there's a good range of overseas TV shows to choose from – we've even put together a list of the 25 best Netflix shows streaming right now in Australia.

While there's still room to grow in terms of Netflix movie selection, that's not to say that it's lacking – you will find that many of the biggest blockbusters of the last few years are ready to stream, including a large range of Disney films and superhero movies.
Still, there's no denying that Netflix Australia's content offering is small compared to what's available on the US version, though you can rest assured that its content library will continue to grow in the coming weeks – our Netflix content line-up feature is regularly updated with announced additions to the service's catalogue, so make sure to keep an eye on it.
Regardless, Netflix's subscription price is worth it for its original content alone – instant access to entire seasons of brilliant Netflix Originals like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Marco Polo, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, BoJack Horseman, Marvel's Daredevil, Bloodline, Between and many others make joining the service a no-brainer.

Verdict

After anticipating the arrival of Netflix to our shores for what feels like an eternity, the service has managed to deliver the flawless streaming experience we've all heard about for so long.
Where it falls down in terms of its content selection, it makes up for in terms of speed and the quality of its streaming.
While other streaming services are still trying to find their footing, Netflix Australia delivers a perfected streaming experience right out of the gate – we've not encountered a single error or buffering problem in any of our tests, and streams always began immediately and cleared up into full HD in a matter of seconds.
We liked
Netflix Australia's user experience is identical to that of its overseas counterparts, so if you've already been experiencing the service through a VPN or Smart DNS service, you'll feel right at home.
While we've never had a problem watching an overseas version of Netflix, the local version of the service is even faster and smoother, delivering high definition quality in a matter of seconds.
Our time with the local version Netflix has been completely free of bugs or buffering problems, as the service has had plenty of time to mature and iron out any problems before reaching our shores.
This might be a matter of taste, but the service's range of Netflix Originals are fantastic, even rivalling the best shows that HBO has to offer in terms of quality, and in a delivery format that is unmatched in the television industry.
Best of all, we love that we can watch Netflix on a large variety of devices, without having to be tied down limited number of devices.
We disliked
There's no denying that Netflix Australia's content line-up is well behind the US version in terms of sheer quantity, so we hope that its library continues to grow with time.
We also wish we could see everything Netflix has to offer in each of its genres, without having to take wild guesses in its search bar to see if the service has a particular show or movie.
Final Verdict
When we first published our Stan review, we claimed that it was the best streaming service that Australians had to date.
Well, consider that statement redacted – Netflix has taken Stan's crown as the best streaming service in Australia.
Featuring flawless, fast streams in high quality and without any buffering problems or errors to speak of, Netflix delivers the gold standard when it comes to its streaming experience.
While its content library is undeniably lacking compared to its US version, the Australian version is still in line with what its local competitors are offering.
We believe that Netflix Australia's content selection will only continue to grow in time, and even with its current content line-up, its range of excellent Netflix Originals shows makes signing up an absolute no-brainer.









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Samsung made sure its laptops wouldn't run Windows Update

An active debugger in the Microsoft community has made a startling discovery: a program in Samsung's SW Update software, which can be downloaded on Samsung laptops, blocks Windows' own updating software, leaving users with a potential security flaw.
Windows Update is responsible for installing updates for the operating system, drivers and software, along with patches and security updates, so blocking it is obviously a bad idea.
Patrick Barker, the Microsoft "MVP" who made the discovery and who is not a Microsoft employee, explained the program responsible for disabling Windows Update was 'Disable_Windowsupdate.exe,' and was found to be a part of Samsung's SW Update software.
"SW Update is your typical OEM updating software that will update your Samsung drivers, the bloatware that came on your Samsung machine, etc," Barker wrote on his blog.
"The only difference between other OEM updating software is, Samsung's disables [Windows Update]."

Problems with bloatware

After discovering the issue, Barker got in touch with a Samsung customer support rep to ask why the program was disabling Windows Update. Barker posted the response on his blog:
"When you enable Windows updates, it will install the Default Drivers for all the hardware no laptop which may or may not work. For example if there is USB 3.0 on laptop, the ports may not work with the installation of updates. So to prevent this, SW Update tool will prevent the Windows updates."
Since the issue came to light, Microsoft said in a statement that it's now in contact with Samsung to address the issue.
"Windows Update remains a critical component of our security commitment to our customers," Microsoft said. "We do not recommend disabling or modifying Windows Update in any way as this could expose a customer to increased security risks."
Samsung has also said in a statement it's investigating the claim and will be "working with Microsoft to address this matter".
Barker, on the other hand, recommends users uninstall the SW Update tool.

• Read up on the latest Windows 10 developments

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Facebook friends HBO's newest shows, but it won't last

HBO today announced that the premiere episodes of its two latest shows will stream on Facebook starting today.
While both Ballers and The Brink premiered on HBO last Sunday, you'll now only be able to watch the episodes on either HBO Go, HBO Now or Facebook.
So if you're a Facebook user, you can catch up on Ballers on Dwayne Johnson's (who stars in the series) Facebook page, while The Brink can be seen on the show's own Facebook page. It's important to note, however, that these premiere episodes will only be made available for a limited time.

A new streaming venue

Tapping into Facebook's massive user-base (and with direct access to fans), this exclusive partnership is a first between Facebook and HBO, though HBO could turn to the social media giant for other streaming partnerships in the future.
This is the second time in as many weeks Facebook has become the medium for streaming new episodes of new shows.
Last week, Facebook users were treated to the pilot episode of Amazon's Catastrophe for a couple of days before it was available on Amazon's own streaming service, Prime Instant Video.
We've asked Facebook and HBO for a comment on the partnership and will update this story if and when we hear back.

• What's new on Netflix this month

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Seagate's 4TB hard drive fits in your hand, stores 800 DVDs

Just days after its subsidiary launched a 4TB external hard disk drive that is powered by USB, Seagate unveiled its own.
Samsung HDD was the first to come out with these high capacity drives, the M3 Portable and the P3 Portable, both in a 2.5-inch form factor and now Seagate has outed the Backup Plus Portable.
The latter is likely to use the same Spinpoint M10P drive, a 5-disk platter (800GB per platter), which is thicker than standard 2.5-inch drives and will not therefore fit into game consoles or laptops.
At 4TB, it is likely to have the highest storage density of any drives on the market; meaning that no drives beat it when it comes to cramming more bytes per cubic inch.
Seagate has bundled Microsoft's OneDrive cloud-based online storage service with the drive and it will remain free for two years allowing the users to get 200GB as backup.
That carries a cost of $3.99 per month (although the next tier, which costs $6.99 per month and comes with Office 365 and unlimited storage, is an arguably better bargain).
The drive will go on sale in a few weeks in the US and carries a suggested retail price of $240.

• Check out the best internal desktop and laptop hard disk drives

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Upgraded Chromebox for Meetings brings bigger presence to larger conference rooms

If your team is growing, and you need a better video conferencing solution to collaborate with external clients and remote workers, Google's updated Chromebox for Meetings promises better audio, camera and display support than the original version.
Priced at $1,999 (£1,272, AU$2,594), the new hardware package costs twice as much as the original solution Google unveiled earlier this year. The new package includes a Chromebox, two USB microphones, support for dual displays and an camera with tilt, pan and zoom support.

Even though the cost may sound steep, especially for small businesses, Google is also throwing in the first year of support and management fees into the price.

Going big

Google says that the secondary microphone and the new cameras will be a great addition for larger conference spaces, allowing everyone to be seen and heard.
"Chromebox for meetings now supports larger meeting rooms, so groups of up to twenty can seamlessly sync with colleagues around the world and still feel like they're in the same place," Google said in a statement.
Additionally, with a full screen mode, presentations can take center stage with Chromebox for Meeting. With dual displays, you can have the presentation take up one entire screen. This eliminates the problem of having participants' Hangouts icons obscuring the view of the bottom of a presentation slide.
IT administrators can also delegate administration duties and remotely monitor the health of Chrome devices.

Small meeting spaces become big battleground

Small conference rooms are becoming lucrative markets for video conferencing solutions. While Google's solution uses Chrome OS on the Chromebox, HP recently unveiled a similar package with a Windows-powered mini Collaboration PC and the appropriate audio and video hardware required to get a conference call started.
Microsoft is another big name in the field. The company recently launched the all-in-one Surface Hub, which comes with its own stylus, display and conferencing peripherals built into an 84-inch screen. Powered by Windows 10, the Surface Hub is priced at $19,999 (£12,733, AU$25,959). Microsoft also has a smaller 55-inch version of the Surface Hub that costs $6,999 (about £4,600, AU$5,350).
There are also smaller players, such as Aver and Logitech, which builds integrated cameras, speakers and microphones, but don't include the Chromebox or mini PC or NUC boxes. These solutions are more affordable alternatives, starting at $500 (£449, AUD$633).

• Read our Surface Hub review

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Amazon, not Netflix, is first to serve up HDR content

HDR is considered the wave of the future for television (sorry, 4K), and Amazon just took the biggest step yet towards bringing high dynamic range content to viewers.
Mozart in the Jungle (Season 1) and the Red Oaks pilot are stepping out in HDR starting today on Samsung SUHD TVs, Amazon announced. It plans to make more Prime series available in HDR soon as well as add more compatible devices throughout the year.
The HDR shows are available to US Prime members at no extra cost. In addition to a Samsung SUHD TV, users will also need the Amazon Video app to stream in HDR.

Full HDR ahead

While Netflix has promised to deliver HDR content this year, Amazon beat it to the punch by bringing the first HDR TV or movie to the masses.
Samsung plans to offer up UHD movies at some point, though specifics are sorely lacking as to when that will be, how much it will cost or what movies will be available. LG also announced today it will add Amazon HDR streaming to its 2015 OLED 4K Utra HD TVs "in the coming weeks."
Whereas 4K focuses on pixels, HDR provides better contrast, enhances highlights and deepens shadows for richer colors. But like 4K, content is a sticking point, though that's starting to turn around somewhat given today's announcement.

• The 25 best Netflix shows

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CE Week 2015: Watch out, Surface Hub: you just got undercut big time by the Smart Kapp iQ

The dry erase board's days are nearly over, but judging by Microsoft's five-digit asking price for the 4K Surface Hub, its replacement doesn't come cheap. Cue the inevitable, enterprising startup out to make the tech more accessible: Smart with its Smart Kapp iQ.
Making its debut at the 2015 CE Week show in New York City, the Kapp iQ is a 4K smart display-meets-whiteboard that comes in 55- and 65-inch varieties. Launching this month (as of this writing), the displays go for $3,999 (about £2,546, AU$5,187) and $4,999 (about £3,183, AU$6,485), respectively.
Considering that the 55-inch Microsoft Surface Hub goes for $6,999 (about £4,600, AU$5,350) and only pumps out 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, that's not a bad deal at all. Unfortunately, Smart was mum on availability outside of the US.

How does it all work?

Granted, Microsoft's 4K smart display comes in a whopping 84-inch model ($19,999, £13,000, AU$15,000), and both of its screens offer the deep Office functionality that only the Redmond campus can provide. That said, based on some brief time checking out Smart's alternative, the Kapp iQ has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
Like the Surface Hub, the Kapp iQ is designed to expand the whiteboard's reach beyond those in the room. Using an included Pen iQ stylus, users can write on the Kapp iQ like they would any whiteboard, only it will naturally feel a bit different. This is a 4K LED panel, after all.

The Kapp iQ is accessible by up to 250 remote meeting participants at a time through a URL that the device creates. (The display can broadcast to five folks by default via URL – the 250 figure is gated by a $1.99/month or $19.99/year subscription to the Smart Kapp Plus service.)
Once connected via a browser, remote viewers can see notes drawn on the Kapp iQ display in real time. Better yet, you can even draw on the display while watching in the browser with different-colored inks through in-browser tools.
The display is also Bluetooth enabled, able to wirelessly connect to a phone, tablet or laptop. From there, the connected user can easily email whatever is on screen to as many team or class members as he or she so chooses through the free Smart Kapp app on Android and iOS.

The devil is in the details

There's just one catch to the Smart Kapp iQ that I've found so far: while this is a 4K panel, the whiteboard mode brings the resolution down to 1080p full HD. It's only through an HDMI source that the display pumps out a 3,840 x 2,160, Ultra HD pixel count.
So, it's not that big of a catch – more than 8 million pixels is not necessary for a whiteboarding tool. Besides, during a demo of the device, I saw that any image displayed through HDMI can be scrawled over in 4K resolution, and it looked sharp.
Regardless of the details, the Smart Kapp iQ looks to be a worthy Surface Hub competitor in both the office and the classroom. If your office or class runs on Google apps or another productivity suite, then it's time to throw out the old whiteboard for one of these.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu5wy7Y-ago

• Here are 9 things to know about the Surface Hub

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Review: UPDATED: Moto 360

Introduction

Update: Android 5.1 was released with the LG Watch Urbane first and now it's starting to roll out to a few other Android Wear smartwatches.
The Moto 360 has finally received its update meaning it can now connect via Wi-Fi so you're not stuck with your phone everywhere, scroll hands free with a flick of your wrist, access contacts quicker, doodle emojis and have the face always on. The interface has also been tweaked for a better Android watch experience.
The update should have downloaded over the air but if not, go into the settings on your phone to check.
Review continued below ...
Moto 360 proves that smartwatches can be as fashionable as its Google Now-integrated software is functional, making it the first Android Wear watch worth strapping to your wrist.
Its circular watch face takes cues from stylish designer wristwatches with analog tickers, not square-shaped smartwatches. The very computerized-looking Pebble Steel, Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch are no match for what Motorola had up its sleeve.
There's a certain beauty to outer Moto 360 build quality too, not just its form. Its stainless steel housing and genuine leather default wristband make it appropriate for almost any occasion. It's enough to make it rank second in our best smartwatch list.
The specs on the inside, however, do leave the smartwatch feeling a little hollow. Poor battery life and an underperforming processor don't do Moto 360's good looks justice. The watch's charm is shortened by its lack of longevity, but Motorola clearly shaped a winner that's more ambitious looking than the overly boxy Apple Watch.

Release date and price

Moto 360 launched in the US on September 5, and it's currently on sale (but sold out) at select UK stores while on pre-order at others. Expect it to ship again with a late October release date from O2, Clove, Amazon, John Lewis and Tesco. In Australia, it's still on track for the vague fourth quarter.
The Moto 360 price in the US and UK is on par with its all-metal construction and leather strap. It costs a reasonable $250 (£200, likely AU$275). That's $100 cheaper vs the entry-level Apple Watch.
That's only a little more expensive than the extremely limited Android Wear smartwatch pickings from Samsung and LG, none of which can compare to Motorola's stylish design. Moto 360 may be cheaper than rival round smartwatch competitor LG G Watch R too, so it's reasonably priced.

Display

There are few sharp-edged downsides to the Moto 360, and none of them can be found on its round, 1.56-inch LCD display. In fact, Motorola's enterprising circular screen is so attractive it instantly became the antithesis of the "smartwatches look like a miniaturized cell phone worn on your wrist" argument when Google first announced Android Wear in March.
Complimenting this traditional watch appearance is Moto 360's always-on screen. It tells the time even when its backlit LCD kicks into a power-saving dimmed display mode. It shares this feature with the Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch along with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. All three watches remained scratch-free during our week-long testing periods.

Moto 360 further draws circles around its competition with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the LCD brightness. It's especially convenient when you need a bright screen in sunny conditions or want to reduce battery life consumption in dark environments without having to manually adjust the setting. Walking and fiddling with a tiny touchscreen you can't even see outside is a wearables world problem that Moto 360 solves. Pebble has this bonus feature sans a color-rich screen, while the colorful Galaxy Gear and G Watch do not.
This does mean that the Moto 360 LCD isn't a full circle. Its ambient light sensor and display drivers are housed inside a blank horizon line that sits at the bottom of the watch face. While the black bar doesn't ruin the analog watch experience, the screen is cut off and it has allowed the LG G Watch R to tout itself as the first "full circle" Android Wear smartwatch. LG is hiding the components inside the outer bezel, masked with second-hand tick marks, while Motorola chose to extend the screen pixels to the edge. It's really a matter of preference.

Filling that nearly perfect circle is 205 pixels per inch with a 320 x 290 resolution. That's roughly the same resolution as the smaller Gear Live but fewer pixels vs Samsung's 278ppi. Doing the math, this means Moto 360's bigger LCD has stretched pixels and there's a noticeable "screen door effect" in a side-by-side comparison. Moto 360 also forgoes a fancy OLED screen like Samsung's smartwatches and sapphire glass like the forthcoming Apple Watch. But it's a better trade-off given the on-point price.
Hands and wrists down, Moto 360 has the best-looking smartwatch design thanks to its circular display that other smartwatches are clearly looking to mimic.

Design and comfort

Update 3/10/2015: Moto Maker is the tool that lets users in some regions and on certain carriers customize the Moto X, and now, you'll be able to use a new version of the program for your Moto 360.
Starting in March, the Moto Maker will let you design a 360 with the following options: silver, black and champagne gold casings, two sizes of leather or metal bands and 11 different default watch faces.
You'll be able to pick your favorite configuration, seeing the watch's look update in real time - and once your custom 360 arrives you'll be able to freely exchange it for a different design if you don't like it after seeing it in person.
Review continued below ...
There's more to the Moto 360 design than its disk-shaped display. Stainless steel surrounds the screen with very little bezel and this all-metal frame is smooth and undecorated. It's only interrupted by a microphone hole on the left and single button on the right. Stainless steel can also be found in the traditional watch clasp with an identical silver finish.
Matching that quality is a genuine leather strap made by the Chicago-based tanner Horween, the company known for being the exclusive provider of NFL footballs. The Moto 360 strap not only feels durable, the leather has been devoid of the typical stretch marks and wrinkles that, after a few fastens, so often mar other smartwatch bands including the Pebble Steel.

This also contrasts with the Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch even more because they use plastic casing and rubber straps out of the box. Motorola is making leather the default strap in the US and UK. The first colors introduced are black and gray, while an even lighter stone leather option is listed as "coming soon." Falling under the same here-but-not label are light and dark stainless steel bands that are going to cost extra $299 (likely north of £224, $299) when they launch with the watch.
You can always upgrade to the metal straps later, as they'll be sold separately too, or add a third-party 22mm band. But be warned: Motorola doesn't guarantee all 22mm off-the-shelf bands are compatible with Moto 360. Plus, its own custom-made leather slips out of the rear of the stainless steel housing without lug ends or visible spring bars. It looks elegant, but requires patient digging in order to successfully swap out what's already a great default strap.

Even with the premium materials on-board, Moto 360 weighs 1.7 oz (49g) with its genuine leather strap. That's actually lighter than both the Samsung Gear Live at 2.1oz (59g) and LG G Watch at 2.2oz (64g).
Motorola comes up a little light in the specs, as we look beneath the stainless steel facade.

Specifications

Update 12/15/2014: Motorola has stated that all Moto 360 devices should now have received the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, bringing all of the cool new features of Google's latest mobile operating system to its wearable.
Smartwatch specs are often considered boring because they're filled with small numbers and purposefully underperforming processors next to today's monster PC components. That's why a lot of manufacturers are quick to tout the outward appearance before hastily glossing over the lightweight internals. Moto 360 takes this to a whole new level.
There's a Texas Instruments OMAP 3 processor making this digital smartwatch tick, and it's about four-year-old technology that can also be found in the MotoACTIV and Moto Droid X. Maybe Motorola had to burn through these 45nm chips instead of opting for the more efficient, yet capable Qualcomm-made 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 found in the LG G Watch and Gear Live.

The TI OMAP 3 translates into occasional lag when swiping through Android Wear menus, almost as if you didn't apply enough pressure on the touchscreen. It's not you, though, it's the the turn-of-the-decade chip. Just as frustrating is that the watch's connection to our phone (and therefore the internet) was lost several times, more than with its Google-powered rivals.
Even with a decently sized 320mAh battery listed on the specs sheet, the inefficient Moto 360 processor taxes its - at best - day-long battery life before it shuts down. That shouldn't be. Our Samsung Gear Live ran even longer with a Super AMOLED display with a 300mAh battery. Likewise, we got a day and a half out of the LG G Watch with a 400mAh battery.

Moto 360 does come with 512MB and 4GB of internal storage, exactly like the Samsung and LG watches, so the blame lies squarely on the round watch's inferior chip. It does lack the GPS capabilities being introduced with the Sony Smartwatch 3 later this year and offline music playback that is expected to be a part of future Android Wear watches.
However, Motorola managed to make Moto 360 somewhat workout-worthy thanks to a built-in optical heart rate sensor and pedometer neatly integrated into its first-party fitness app.

Interface, apps and fitness

Update 12/12/2014: Along with two new band colors - silver and the new champagne gold - Android Wearhas been updated with Android 5.0 Lollipop meaning the Moto 360 should have some nifty new functions coming soon.
The update is focusing on watch faces which you can download from the Google Play store. Designs are centered around PAC-MAN, Despicable Me, Plants vs Zombies (which you can check out below) and much, much more thanks to a new Watch Face API now available to developers.
The Android Wear app has also been updated to make browsing, downloading and switching watch faces simpler - plus you can now view your apps' battery usage and storage. You can also quickly bring a card back if you've accidentally dismissed it, quickly access various settings by swiping down from the top of the screen, easily block notifications from any app directly from your watch and recently used actions now appear at the top of the list when you tap the watch face.
New modes include Theater Mode which lets you keep the screen off and mute vibrations when you're in a dark room, and Sunlight Mode which temporarily boosts the screen to maximum brightness.
With the update, users can add and swap out Android Wear watch faces using the companion phone app.



Original review continued below ...
Moto 360 runs the same Android Wear as every other Google-powered smartwatch. It has a familiar card-based interface lifted from Google Now and Google Glass, and it often slides contextual information onto the screen in addition to text messages and important email. This time, however, it's all done on a circular screen.

The round display doesn't really change swiping up and down between different notifications and flinging them to the right to clear them. Sliding your finger left still explores the pop-ups a little more, whether you want to transition from today's weather to a full five-day forecast or access messaging options like "reply with voice," "delete" or "open on your phone."
Most of information is actually "glanceable" with little touchscreen interaction needed. Android Wear is designed to predict what you want to know, meaning commute times to places you've searched, frequently visit and add to your calendar appointments should automatically slide into view. Same goes for friends' birthday reminders, stock data and tracking of packages. It all sits right under the current time without you needing to set anything up.

That came into play when I searched for the nearby Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field after touring Motorola's headquarters. Sure enough, right before I left for the ballpark, it listed the commute time complete with traffic. When I got to the game, Moto 360 followed along in near real-time with score updates. Gray clouds gathered during the seventh inning and Moto 360 beamed me a timely severe weather alert about three minutes before rain suddenly whipped through the historic stadium. Everyone else, including the grounds crew, was caught by surprise.

That rain delay gave me an opportunity to test out Android Wear's voice recognition feature by saying the magic words "Okay Google" whenever the screen is active. Dictating texts messages to friends without retrieving my phone with my slippery hands made the 30 minute wait a little more Chicago bearable. When the game was officially canceled, saying "Okay Google, call a car" summoned Lyft. Uber is still missing out on the novelty of having its users summon a car sort of like Batman can do with his Batmobile.
Google's software picks up the right words most of the time, though it doesn't work well in noisy crowds or give you much time to think. A one-second pause transitions to the "sending" menu on its part and initiates frantic canceling on yours.

Apps and fitness

Moto 360 launches with a few more apps than early adopters who bought the Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch had access to on July 7. There are now 44 "featured" apps that are part of the Google Play Store's Android Wear section, up from the original 35 apps.
Eat24 makes sure that food delivery is within arm's reach, Wunderlist lets you organize a better to do list and Tinder lets you swipe left and right on potential dates that you'll never actually go on. These new Moto 360 apps join existing top names like Groupon, IFTTT, All the Cooks recipes, American Airlines and Glympse.

Glympse is particularly useful on a watch because it sends your location to contacts of your choosing. Meeting up with someone while you're busy walking or driving? Say "Okay Google, start Glympse" and send them your real-time GPS coordinates in an instant. They can follow you for a set period of time on their phone, taking the guessing game out of that meet-up time.
Google Maps is still one of the most useful Android Wear apps. Asking Moto 360 to "navigate to..." initiates turn-by-turn directions on the watch while starting the full route mapping on your phone. It beats having to deal with the normal phone interface that's dangerously complex and takes too many presses in order to get where you're going.

Moto 360 doubles as an activity tracker, and it's a slightly better workouts companion than the Gear Live or LG G Watch. That's because Motorola goes a few pedometer steps further with a heart activity app that tracks how you're performing against daily and weekly benchmarks. My custom goals require 30 minutes of running and the watch counts down the minutes over the course of the day while also adding up all of my steps. Swiping to the left, I can then see a (hopefully) built-up streak Sunday through Saturday.
Google Fit is here too. It uses the watch's built-in pedometer and heart rate monitor whenever I ask "Ok Google, show my steps" or "Ok Google, show me my heart rate." It counts up the metrics on small-scale graphs and timelines, which isn't enough to compete with the Jawbone Up 24, Basis Carbon Steel Edition and Fitbit Force. There's also no way to see this data on a phone or tablet just yet. That may come with the Android L launch.
Motorola also promises more functionality in future software updates including the ability for the Moto 360 to recognize when your transition from running to cycling without your manual input. That's a rare feature among watches, and one we liked from the brainy-but-ugly Basis Carbon Steel fitness tracker.

Compatibility and battery life

Moto 360 is compatible with all Android smartphones that run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, Android 4.4 KitKat and the not-yet-delicious-named Android L beta. The requirement is in place due to the fact that Google introduced Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy support in its July 2013 update. You'll find this is demanded by almost all modern smartwatches and fitness trackers.
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean users are out of luck as are loyal iPhone owners. Neither the iPhone 5S nor the flashy new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus can sync with the Moto 360, as much as Apple fans may envy the round smartwatch that outclass the newly unveiled Apple Watch. So far, no Android Wear watch is compatible with iPhone.

As for its compatibility with water, Moto 360 isn't completely waterproof, but it did receive an IP67 water and dust resistance rating. It can be worn in the shower, rain and when you sweat, and can survive one meter down for about 30 minutes before you run into trouble. Keep in mind, none of these scenarios will bode well for the default leather strap.
Our first week of Moto 360 battery life tests always gave us a few hours shy of a full day per charge. Its 320mAh battery is better than the 300mAh battery found in Samsung Gear Live, yet it actually lasted less time than the Samsung's smartwatch.
Three weeks in, a Moto 360 firmware update extended the battery life and we became more diligent at turning off the screen and ambient light sensor sometimes. We didn't quite see the two days that others have reported, but the battery finally bested previous its 24-hour mark with a solid day-and-a-quarter of moderate use. Better, but still not good enough.
The LG G Watch leads the Android Wear lineup with a still-unacceptable day-and-a-half of battery life, and LG may retain that honor with a 410mAh battery in the LG G Watch R. Pebble Steel and the original Pebble remain the overall smartwatch kings of longevity with up to seven days between charges.
At least there's a novel way to recharge the Moto 360. It comes with a Qi charging dock that is perfect for resting the watch on a nightstand and instantly turning it into a small bedside clock. It dims the display so that you can still see both the clock in the dark and the energy ring that completes the battery's circle of life by reaching 100%. This takes about two hours before the Moto 360 is ready for another 24-hour day.

Our tests have found that Moto 360 is compatible with other chargers like Google's own Nexus Qi charger meant for the Nexus 5 smartphone and Nexus 7 tablet. The included Qi charger is small enough to tout around in a backpack, but its major drawback is that you have to remember to pack it. Spontaneous daytrips will often leave you without a way to juice it up again and, in effect, turn Moto 360 into a paperweight that can't even tell you the time of day.
It doesn't have the more practical micro USB port that the newly announced Sony Smartwatch 3 is going to have, but the Moto 360 charging method is much more futuristic and cool. That better fits the stylishing theme that Motorola is going for with its watch.

Verdict

Moto 360 is the Google-powered smartwatch that early adopters have been holding out for, and it has finally started ticking. Motorola is just in time too. Less than a week after it launched, the fabled iWatch turned into the real 2015-bound Apple Watch. The full-circle LG G Watch R also went into production for a fall release.
But now that it's here, Moto 360 is the best Android Wear smartwatch next to the slim pickings from Samsung and LG. Its cut-off bottom that houses the screen tech doesn't bother us, and we kind of like the fact that this pushes the pixels out to the edge in place of an ugly bezel. It's a nice effect that compliments the overall design that's fashion-forward, specs last.

We liked

Moto 360's circular display is attractive, and it outclasses every other smartwatch with more than just that thanks to its premium build. Stainless steel casing and genuine leather straps really contrast with the plastic and rubber-constructed Gear Live and G Watch. The ambient light sensor, a first for an Android Wear watch, gives its almost full circle screen an edge too.
Its Qi inductive charger is leagues better than the proprietary Pogo pin chargers used by both Samsung and LG. Rounding out its attributes, Moto 360 is lighter, more comfortable and has better fitness tracking capabilities for a price that isn't much higher than its rivals.

We disliked

It's clear that the later-than-expected Moto 360 release date wasn't enough time to perfect the first circular Android Wear smartwatch. Battery life is often 18 to 24 hours with normal use and the LCD isn't as crisp as the Super AMOLED displays found in Samsung's never-ending lineup of smartwatches.
The Texas Instruments OMAP 3 processor doesn't do it any favors either. It's underpowered in terms of performance, yet requires more actual power than the efficient Snapdragon 400 chips used by Samsung and LG. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
The small Qi charging dock, while a step in the right direction, may leave you stranded without a way to charge and leave you out of luck. Completely missing the boat are envious iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners, as even the new iOS 8 isn't compatible with the stylish Moto 360.

Final verdict

Moto 360 has been on our wrists for a week and, unlike its short battery life, it has become an undying source of questions from tech-savvy and fashion-focused admirers alike. It's not always functional to show off to these folks. That constantly draining battery and archaic processor means the watch occasionally fails to respond. Nevertheless, its round design really does bridge the gap between geeky smartwatches and traditional watches.
That's to be expected. Motorola's marketing team likes to tell a story about how the company asked a group of children to draw a watch. Almost every youngster drew a circular watch. It's the iconic watch design that Samsung and LG didn't tackle, and Apple Watch misses entirely. Motorola, of all companies, comes through with a real winner. It's ready for the Apple Watch vs Moto 360 watch face-off.









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Windows 10 European pricing finally revealed

Europeans who aren't qualified for the free Windows 10 upgrade during the first year now know how much to save in order to get Microsoft's latest desktop operating system.
The Windows-maker had previously announced that US customers who are ineligible for the first year free promotion would have to pay $129 for Windows 10 Home and $199 for Windows 10 Pro.
For eligible Windows customers in the UK, Microsoft is running a similar Get Windows 10 campaign, announcing that users in that country could "Enjoy Windows 10 for free," with the price of £99.99 crossed out. Similarly, in countries that use the Euro, the price of €135 was crossed out. When converted, European prices are slightly higher than US pricing, with UK customers paying the equivalent of $155 and Europeans paying $151 for Windows 10 Home.

The fine print

The UK £99.99 and Eurozone €135 prices are for Windows 10 Home. We still do not have the price for Windows 10 Pro in those regions. In the US, users who have Windows 10 Home either through a free upgrade or paid license and wish to switch to Windows 10 Pro will have to pay an extra $99 (equivalent to £63, €88). It's unclear how much a similar upgrade to Pro in the UK or Europe would cost.
Even though Microsoft is listing those prices currently in its campaign, the company discloses in fine print that this is only the "estimated retail price of Windows 10 Home licence; actual prices may vary."
Unfortunately, we still haven't learned pricing for Windows 10 in other markets outside the US, UK and Europe.
However, since Windows 10's pricing in the US, UK and Europe seems comparable to the cost of Windows 8.1, it's likely that pricing for Windows 10 in other markets will be similar to Windows 8.1's current price.

Windows 10

For Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 owners, the biggest appeal of Windows 10 will be the re-introduction of the familiar Start menu. The OS will also bring several new features, including a new Microsoft Edge browser, more multitasking capabilities, Cortana digital assistant and Continuum, a feature that allows the user experience to automatically adapt to tablet or notebook mode for owners of hybrid convertibles.
Even though the consumer versions of Windows 10 for desktop will debut on July 29, Microsoft hasn't announced when Windows 10 Enterprise will debut. Similarly, Windows Phone users still don't know when Windows 10 Mobile will arrive.
Source: Neowin

• Read our Windows 10 review

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CE Week 2015: The Polaroid Cube+ is the world's cutest pocketable, connected camera

Last year Polaroid came out with an adorable little pocket camera called the Cube, and now a year later the camera company has introduced a new model at CE Week called the Cube+.
Just like the previous model, the Cube+ is a dinky little thing that measures just 1.4-inches (35mm) square. Despite its small size, the pocketable device packs a sensor, lens and a shutter button – pretty much all the bare necessities of a digital camera except for a screen to review your images.
However, the biggest new feature behind the Cube+ is Wi-Fi connectivity that allows users to connect the camera to an Android or iOS devices. A new Cube+ smartphone app also allows you to use your device as a viewfinder to compose their shot and change the settings of the Polaroid Cube+.
Additionally, as a connected camera, the Cube+ transfer video and photos to the users' devices for quick editing and sharing.

Bigger and better

Aside from the new Wi-Fi capabilities, the Cube+ features a higher-fidelity 8MP sensor while the original Cube was limited to capturing 6MP files. The sensor has also been upgraded with electronic image stabilization, which should help out with pictures taken in the dark as well as some more extreme shots taken while adventuring.
Of course, all these little extras come with a cost when it releases this August. The Cube+ will come come at a higher premium of $129 (about £82, AU$167), quite a bit pricier than the $99 (£89, AU$149) Polaroid Cube.

• How smartphones have made cameras better

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Review: Updated: Microsoft Band

Introduction and display

Update: Microsoft has rolled out a new June update for the Microsoft Band. So far, it seems like a small firmware update with the description stating "general fixes and improvements."
The April update saw a much more significant change to the wearable with the sleep function automatically able to track you amongst the upgrades.
Review continued below ...
Microsoft quickly and quietly launched its Microsoft Band when no one was really expecting a wearable. The company promptly released the sensor-intensive Microsoft Band after its announcement (without much fanfare, with a price tag of $199 (£170 when it launches in the UK on April 15, around AU$230).
Despite the high cost, the ninja release and the Microsoft brand seemed enough to keep people curious and ravenous for the Redmond ware, which sold out quickly at its initial US launch.
Sneaking into a growing ocean of wearables, Microsoft has a long way to go if it wants to remain a top contender in the fitness tracking competition.
Jawbone already has the successful UP24, plus the UP3 coming out soon. Fitbit also has a lineup that's gotten the masses in a running frenzy, including the newest three of the brood - the Fitbit Flex, Fitbit Charge (and Charge HR), and Surge. Whew. Not to mention every smartwatch has some version of fitness tracking built in.
With the space inundated, what's to keep everyone interested in the Microsoft Band other than brand name recognition? The answer is health, health, health.

• How does the Microsoft Band stack up against the Apple Watch so far?

Display

The 1.4-inch TFT (320 x 106 pixels) full color display screen is crisp and bright with no pixelation in sight. Its 11mm x 33mm is much smaller than the Samsung Gear Fit's curved 1.85-inch AMOLED screen.
But you don't need a huge screen, since the fitness tracker isn't going to be showing off any intensive graphics. If you want this to be your smartwatch for reading and responding to emails, however, that display real estate might be a bit limiting.

The Band's display is big enough that I can read everything clearly but small enough to remain unobtrusive. Not many fitness trackers even have screens, let alone colorful screens - except the aforementioned Gear Fit.
The Fitbit Force, Surge and Razer's Nabu have simple OLED displays which are far less fancy than the Microsoft Band's. In most cases, this is perfectly sufficient considering a lot of fitness trackers are also simplified notification hubs. The Band also fits in this category but like the Gear Fit, it lets you read and reply to messages with generic pre-written responses - but not on the iPhone.

Design and comfort

The Microsoft Band isn't going win any prizes for being the most attractive fitness tracker - the display is rigidly flat, while the band isn't - but it's not the most hideous either. It could just do with being a bit more comfortable.
However, despite the amount of tech packed inside and its 11mm x 33mm screen, the band retains a relatively slim form factor. It's a little thick where the clasp is, but it doesn't jut out too far. The Band also looks bulkier and feels heavier in the hand than it really is, mostly because of the sensors taking up a lot of space.
There are only two buttons on the device - a power button and an action button. I'm used to just tapping on the center portion or touch screen of other fitness trackers, so pressing the power button took some getting used to.
I found myself wishing that a simple tap could activate the band. The action button, however, isn't too bad. Basically, it starts or stops workout session timers, sleep tracking and the stopwatch.

So far, the band only comes in black and isn't interchangeable. It's made of a thermal plastic elastomer material and is pretty comfy against the skin. The band can get a bit linty, and became annoying to dust off, while the screen can be easily scuffed up.
Unfortunately, the bezel around the display has taken most of the damage, and I honestly don't even know how. Despite that it doesn't feel delicate - it could probably survive a few drops.

Almost all the trackers in the wild have their own unique way of fastening around your wrist, and the Microsoft Band is no exception. So far I've seen a simple wrap-around like the Jawbone, pinholes like the Misfit Flash and different variations of both. The Band has chosen a sliding clasp route that is both easy to use and easy to adjust.

Comfort

The Microsoft Band fits on the wrist like a Jawbone UP24 in the sense that both are a little rigid, and don't completely wrap around small wrists. But the adjustable clasp helps the Band fit better; people with larger wrists shouldn't have this issue.
There are three base sizes (small, medium, large) that fit snugly once you fiddle around with the clasp.

There are two ways you can wear the band, and I found myself switching between both. When typing at my desk, if I wasn't charging it, I would have the screen on top because I didn't want it constantly hitting the desk. When I wear it out and about, I like to have the clasp on top with the screen on the inside of my wrist.
Admittedly, I can see people feeling annoyed at switching, but I enjoy that you can wear it whichever way you want. For some people, wearing the Band on the inside is much more comfortable, though seeing the clasp on top isn't as visually appealing.

Specs, performance and interface

As I mentioned earlier, the Microsoft Band has a whopping ten sensors: an optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, capacitive sensor, microphone and a galvanic skin response sensor.
To crunch the data from the sensors, the band has 64MB internal storage and an ARM Cortex M4 MCU processor.
Sadly, the band isn't waterproof, though it claims to be "splash resistant" meaning light rain and hand washing it is A-OK. Everything else, showering, swimming and submerging it in water is off the table.

Performance

The sensors are pretty self-explanatory, but accuracy is a whole other story.
The heart rate monitor has worked consistently for the most part. I've only experienced one occasion so far in which it randomly spiked from 75 to 140 beats per minute, then back down to 78. I wasn't doing anything but sitting on a stool watching the most boring concert of my life, so I'm not sure why it would have suddenly jumped.

The sleep tracking has felt consistent as well. The first night I used it, my "actual sleep" was five hours and I woke up only twice. I felt great the next day despite the short duration. The next night I slept for eight hours and felt horrible. The app told me I woke up 10 times which seems like an accurate assessment of why I was so tired even though I had a full night of sleep.
I think I would have to keep using it more and comparing the graphs - which incidentally are really easy to read - and all the metrics. The sleep function has now been updated to automatically track you without needing to push the button.
Step tracking, like the other pedometers in all the fitness trackers and smartwatches out there, is dubious at best. There were times when I felt like it wasn't tracking my steps because the counter wouldn't change. But for the most part, the band's sensor kept up with my mental calculations. I reset the steps and walked the same distance - one block - at about the same speed - two steps per sidewalk crack - with the resulting number remaining consistent every time.
On the whole, the band runs quite smoothly with its platform-agnostic operating system. Interestingly, Microsoft decided to use a wearable architecture that has been optimized for low-power micro-devices, instead of Windows 10 or a modified version of Windows.
There's been no lag, and the touchscreen is super responsive. At times, it was actually a little too sensitive; I would be scrolling through the apps and it would open one, falsely registering that I had selected it.
Two of the best features of Microsoft's wearable are the GPS and the band's ability to download workouts. This basically means you don't have to lug your phone around if you're exercising or going for a run. You still need a phone at the end of the day to sync your info though. Still, I liked how I didn't have to worry about carrying around a phone for the band to function.

The second function allows you to "download" workouts from the Microsoft Health app to your phone over Bluetooth. Similar to the GPS, you won't have to carry around your phone to start exercising.

Interface

The set up is easy enough on the band, but you'll have to sign up for a Microsoft account right off the bat if you don't already have one. This made for extra faff, but it's necessary for Microsoft to glean all that Health data from you that will be constantly syncing with the Cloud.
It takes an extra five minutes or so and then another couple of minutes for the band to sync and pair up with your phone over Bluetooth. I used my iPhone 5S to start with, which worked perfectly fine. We also tried it with Android Lollipop - no problems.
If you don't like the thought of using anything remotely Lumia-esque or reminiscent of the Windows 8 tiles, you're out of luck. The interface of the Microsoft Band is essentially a simplified Windows platform. But instead of a bunch of resizable, colorful squares you get… a fixed number of small, non-resizable, colorful squares. It's not as awful as it sounds, though. The interface actually works really well with such a small amount of real estate.

If you've enabled the always-on watch face, it will show the time and date. Pressing the power button takes you to the home tile which displays the time in color; you can replace the date by pressing the action button and customizing it to show your heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, or miles from the day.
You can also pick from 12 different wallpapers for the home tile alone, with 10 colors that will also deck out the tiles, plus three "discreet" options - or dark grey solid colors with three different font colors.

Scroll horizontally to go through the list of apps and vertically to read messages. Tapping on the main watch face (after pressing the power button) takes you to a list of your fitness goals, like steps taken, miles walked/run, calories burned and the heart rate monitor. Holding down the home watch face and pulling to the right will display battery life (no percentages though), show whether you've enabled the heart rate monitor and your Bluetooth connection.

Notifications were easy to read, but if someone sent an extra long text message, you'd have to read it off your phone. You can't reply with non-Windows devices; all you can do is read social media messages, texts, calls and so forth delivered to your wrist, which I guess is sufficient enough for a fitness tracker.
Though a little unsettling at first, Quick Read has become a staple in my daily Microsoft Band usage. Essentially, any message you get can show up as fast one word messages on the screen so you can quickly eyeball without needing to scroll.
All you need to do is simply press the action button and incoming texts, emails and other notifications, like Facebook and Twitter, will be scanned and "read" to you.

It's an extremely straightforward interface that isn't hard to grasp at all, which I appreciate since I find Microsoft's Windows 8 interfaces tend to be cluttered and difficult to figure out. The only change I'd make is to include the option for continuous scrolling.
It's a little thing, but it would have been ideal if I didn't have to scroll all the way back to the home screen to see the time or another feature. I can also see the perk of having vertical orientation like the Gear Fit but reading messages wouldn't work well on the band's small screen.

Apps and fitness

More apps would be a boon for the Microsoft Band, because there aren't very many right now. It's nice how you can sync up so much data from other apps, but do I really want to have five different app accounts along with all my Band fitness data? Not really. I wasn't using the partnered apps in the first place and I didn't really feel like downloading them.

Microsoft offers 17 stock tiles, or apps, you can mix and match from the Microsoft Health app. Of the 17, you can choose 13 to display on the band.

Your options are the run of the mill apps: messaging, mail, calls, calendar, run, exercise, sleep, alarm/timer, guided workouts, cycling, weather, finance, UV, Starbucks, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter and a notification center. You can also sync up the UP by Jawbone app, Runkeeper, MapMyFitness and MyFitnessPal so Microsoft Health app has more info on you.

There are a few random ones, like UV which takes a reading - low, moderate, high, very high, no UV - of the UV rays when you're outside. While fun to try, it gets old after using it once. It seems a little unnecessary since it doesn't really do anything - it's pretty obvious if you're being exposed to too much sun.
The Starbucks app is pretty neat in that it stores the barcode of a gift card for easy access when you're the cafe. You can only store one card at a time though.

Fitness

This wearable was basically made to make you an exercise machine. There are so many sensors and apps dedicated to fitness, it's kind of crazy, if verging on excessive. However, it's definitely been fun using them all (and painful realizing how out of shape I am).

My favorite fitness feature is the guided workouts app. In the US Microsoft partnered with Gold's Gym, Shape, Men's Fitness and more to compile a series of workouts that you can "download" to your band. For the UK it's teamed up with Nuffield Health.
It's not as fancy as it sounds, but it gets the job down. Essentially you pick whatever workout you want from the Microsoft Health app under "Find a workout." These range from activities under running, bodyweight and strength categories that last for five minutes to an hour and incorporate different reps.

I chose a 14-minute beginner's crunch and plank routine to start with. The app synced with my band and after choosing the tile, it would start the timer and I would begin the workout. After each rep, the haptics would buzz, letting me know there would be a moment to rest, then it would buzz again beginning the next set.
If you aren't sure how to do an exercise, there are short videos that accompany each workout that you can watch from you phone beforehand. It's a barebones way to exercise, but easy and great for people like me who prefer to keep an already arduous chore as hassle free as possible.
Since launching, five new indoor biking workouts have been added to the Guided Workouts app, including: Indoor Bike Tabata Sprints, Indoor Bike Hour of Sweat, Indoor Bike Total Body, Indoor Bike Pyramid and Indoor Bike Intervals.
A completely new Bike app has been added to the band's exercise-heavy roster as well. It lets you track your rides outdoors, or indoors if you prefer, hence the new guided workouts. When the Bike tile is active, the heart rate monitor becomes "optimized specifically for biking activities."
It can also track elevation and elevation gain, distance and duration and calorie burn which is viewable in the Microsoft Health app. Plus, you map out your ride via GPS, track your current and average speeds both on the band and in the mobile app, and review your custom splits and see an estimate for how long it will take your body to recover from the ride.
The running app is even simpler. All you have to do is select it, and it begins a timer. Keeping the GPS on measures the distance you've run and tracks your pace and route. the app can also retrace your steps, so you can challenge yourself later. The metrics then show up on the band under the Run app and on your mobile device.
You can also measure yoga sessions, weight lifting and cycling. Basically, Microsoft is trying to say the Band can do everything to make you the most macho, buff, fit person ever.
In fact, the Microsoft Health platform has been touted as being an actual service that uses a series of algorithms to collect the data you input from the Band, and even Jawbone or Runkeeper, etc. It then continuously changes up routines, tells you different things and so forth to help motivate you.
Most of the sensors are used when you're exercising to give you the fullest picture of well, you. But it's not quite there yet … I was expecting a lot more from what Microsoft has plugged about the platform. I even downloaded and signed up for the partnered accounts, but it's been disappointing so far.

Just like the lack of apps, it's too early for the Health app to really work. Where are the suggestions to help motivate me? I was expecting some sort of creepy AI to be my personal trainer and yell at me (through haptic feeds and text messages or something) to get my lazy bum away from Netflix binging and into a pair of running shoes. OK, maybe that's wishing for too much, but Microsoft did promise "valuable, personal insights" to help me reach my fitness goals.
The Microsoft Band webpage reads, "Built in the cloud, Microsoft Health will continually evolve to offer you better experiences and more valuable data over time. The more you share with Microsoft Health, the more accurate and helpful your insights will become."
Again, what insights? The graphs that charted my sleep and exercising have been great so far, but where's the part where Microsoft said it would help me be a healthier person? Apparently it's not ready yet.
I spoke with Zulfi Alam, General Manager of Personal Devices at Microsoft about the lack of solid data from insights. He said that the new update with the Band is the first step in creating a wider net to catch more information because the "back engine needs rich data, and thousands of users are needed to generate this." In other words, the more people who use the fitness tracker and fill it with data, the more we'll actually see the insights with heightened accuracy.
One of the ways Microsoft plans on helping you glean more information? The Microsoft HealthVault - which is now connected to your Band. Data from the wearable, including workout and sleep info, is automatically uploaded to the HealthVault account - which you should be able to log into with the same credentials used for the Band. According to Microsoft, the HealthVault is supposed to help you organize your health information in one place, and help gather, store, use, and share information and records with healthcare providers. To link a Microsoft HealthVault account to Microsoft Health data, simply go to "Connected Apps" in the menu of the Microsoft Health app.

Microsoft Health Web Dashboard has also been added as an upgrade. The web dashboard is basically a bigger version of the information stored in your mobile app but it can be accessed through any web browser.

Compatibility and battery life

It's such a little luxury, but the first world problem of having too many devices really is a hassle. That's why it's fantastic that the Microsoft Band is compatible with iOS 7.1, iOS 8, Windows Phones 8.1 and Android 4.3-4.4 devices through Bluetooth. Most fitness trackers are cross-platform, but there are still a few out there that aren't. The majority of smartwatches are in the Android Wear camp, meaning you can only use Android phones. Then there's the Samsung-only Gear series.

Despite the cross-platform support, the band works best with Windows Phones, thanks to Cortana. Using the Halo-inspired virtual assistant requires a data or Wi-Fi connection, but with it, you can use voice commands to set alarms, dictate short voice notes, create time/location/people based reminders, ask Bing questions, create calendar events, play music through your phone, and tell it to call or text message people.
You can also respond to notifications with short, pre-written responses but again, the band only lets you do so with Windows Phone devices.

Battery life

Microsoft says the band should last two days with regular usage; prolonging battery life means going into your settings and turning off watch mode (so the display is blank), setting the brightness to auto or low, shutting off the GPS when running and toggling off the display when exercising.

Despite the recommended settings, I was actually able to get two full days with almost everything on after fully charging the band. I received notifications from Facebook Messenger, Twitter, other app notifications (Instagram likes, LinkedIn requests, etc), phone calls and text messaging. I kept the heart rate monitor running, left the GPS on, had the brightness on high and had the clock face showing constantly - except at night when I was sleeping though the band was still on tracking my sleep. I didn't exercise for long amounts of time during the first two days though.
I attached the little magnetic end of the USB charger in the afternoon on Monday for a full charge and, like clockwork, it died at the same time on Wednesday. The band powered down a bit sooner from Thursday to Friday after using it for multiple exercising sessions - two 20 minute guided workouts - and having the GPS on while running, but it still managed to last a day and half, opposed to a full two days.
Microsoft says it takes about an hour and a half to get a full charge. This matches up well with my experience. The band was in the red low battery warning stages when I plugged it in after the first two days of usage, and after 60 minutes it was at 80% which was faster than I expected. It took the full hour and a half after exercising and using more of the band's features.

At the end of my week, I was pretty pleased with the band's battery life and charging time. It did what I expected, and there are reasonable ways to conserve its energy.
Trying to figure out how to keep the batteries alive as long as possible is a huge sore spot for wearables, but something a lot of companies are making headway in solving. Misfit's Flash and Shine fitness trackers last up to six months and the Garmin Vivofit lasts a year by using old fashioned watch batteries. However, both are pretty simple devices, with neither screens nor the ability to give you notifications.

Using Cortana with Microsoft Band

Since the Band is slightly different with Cortana, I decided to add an extra page dedicated to the little voice assistant.
As I mentioned before, you can do several things with a Windows phone and Cortana, like use voice commands and respond to notifications with short, pre-written responses.
For Cortana to work with your Microsoft Band, it needs to be installed on both your Windows Phone and our Microsoft Band, though it should show up automatically on the wearable if you have Cortana.
After holding down the Action button for a couple of seconds, Cortana uses the mic on your Microsoft Band to "listen" when you speak, and it displays answers and requests on the phone. I noticed shorter responses can be displayed on the actual band.
Asking "What's the weather in San Francisco?" will pull up the full report on the phone and a short "Right now, it's 62 degrees and sunny in San Francisco" from Cortana directly on the band.

Using Cortana hasn't become something that's completely necessary to fully enjoy the band especially since my usual handset is an iPhone.
Notes I've created are also stored in OneNote, another service I don't always use. Now if I was able to choose where my notes went (say, Evernote?), I'd feel more inclined to use it.
Telling Cortana to send someone a text has been handy (or relatively handless) as well as vocally inputting calendar reminders. The AI will listen for a certain amount of time then revert to "thinking" as it processes your request. It will then ask if your message is correct to send, prompting you to press the action button.
A tiny keyboard pops up as another option you can use to send messages, or to correct your voice dictated one. It actually works pretty well and has been quite intuitive. Compared to other itty bitty wearable keyboards I've typed on, this one has been the best.
If Cortana makes it to other devices, I'd definitely use it all the time. It's a service that puts the Microsoft Band on a higher level compared to other fitness trackers but it still seems firmly stuck in the Microsoft ecosystem. I've already become surprisingly dependent on my wrist for notifications so performing tasks, even simple ones, would be an amazing bonus.

Verdict

Time and again, Microsoft has been known to throw curveballs, or enter markets prematurely - Microsoft Tablet PC, anyone? - and it's rarely been good for the company.
The Microsoft Band didn't necessarily release prematurely, but there's definitely work to be done. None of this is to suggest that the tracker won't be excellent one day, but this is what you should know before hitting up the Microsoft Store.

We like

The battery life isn't spectacular, but for something running a lot of programs, lasting a full two days, or nearly so, isn't too shabby. The fitness-centric ecosystem is also so intensive, you probably wouldn't need any other fitness tracker after the Microsoft Band.
It's also been a really comfy device to wear - it has practically become an extension I don't even notice anymore.
The GPS function also helps the band be a little more independent and helps it feel untethered even though it's not.

We dislike

I really wish the Microsoft Health app was as good as it claimed to be. I was looking forward to a device that could send me motivational messages or tips straight from the tracker. A variety of apps is also sorely missing from the band.
Having Cortana and quick replies on iOS or Android would have been really neat too, but the appeal of cross-platform has been slightly squashed because of the Windows Phone favoritism. That said, this is also likely because the CPU inside the Band likely isn't capable of running Cortana on its own.
Also, for how jam packed the band is for active types, I'm really surprised it's not waterproof.

Final verdict

There is so much potential here it's killing me. I love the Microsoft Band, but it's breaking my heart knowing it can do so much more.
It seems as if Microsoft thought cramming fitness, fitness and some more fitness would make the band a feasible tracker. It's not a bad idea, but it would be nice to do something with all that data. I can see the Microsoft Band reaching Jawbone UP24 levels of awesome once the Health app really gets going.
The company has struck a fine balance between fitness and functionality, but I'd like to see it executed better, and I feel like Microsoft can definitely be 100% amazing - heck, it's practically 80% there in my book.
For now, the price is a little too high a price to pay for a fitness tracker. That's especially knowing you can find a device among the hordes of other trackers out there that is, dare I say, just as good as the Microsoft Band in a lot of ways.
With more improvements to Microsoft's Health platform, the Band could easily become one of the strongest contenders on the market. There's promise inside, Microsoft just needs to make it happen.









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You no longer need Facebook to use Messenger

Facebook has announced it's now giving users the option to sign up for its Messenger chat app without needing to have a Facebook account.
"If you're in Canada, the United States, Peru or Venezuela, we are starting to roll out a new way for you to sign up for Messenger - without a Facebook account," the social network said in a blog post.
You will, however, need a phone number (and to live in the above mentioned countries, until Facebook rolls out the new feature to the rest of the world).
After opening up the app on a phone, tablet or the web, you'll be asked if you want to sign up with a Facebook account or if you're "Not on Facebook."
If you don't have an account, you'll be given the option to upload your phone contacts. Messenger will then match users that have their numbers linked to their Facebook (or Messenger) accounts.

A Messenger for all?

The new update to the chat application will give Facebook-less users regular Messenger features, like photos, videos, group chats, voice and video calling and stickers.
However, if you don't have a Facebook account, you will miss out on things like syncing across phones, tablets and web as well as accessing Facebook friends' contacts and older messages.
Still, by opening up Messenger to people who don't want a Facebook account should put the company's chat app in a better position against its competition, like WhatsApp and Viber.
Will you be signing on to a Facebook-less Messenger?

• Facebook is creeping on your News Feed habits

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Updated: Microsoft Office now available for free on Android smartphones

Update June 24: Microsoft's Office suite is now officially available for Android smartphones. The gamut of Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps are available for download (for free) from the Google Play Store.
Original article below...
After having been available for Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad and Android tablets, an improved Office experience is now headed to Android smartphones. In this initial release, Office for Android phones is only available as a beta, or preview, with three apps in the Google Play Store – Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
"The Office for Android phone apps are modern, optimized for touch and designed for work on the go," Microsoft said of the experience in a statement. "Familiar navigation and menu options in the ribbon are placed at the bottom of the screen within reach of your thumbs so you can easily review and edit documents on your phone."

How to download

In order to download the app, you must join Microsoft's Office beta program for Android devices. You'll need to join the community, and opt to become a beta tester for Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
It may take up to a few hours for your beta request to register, but once that happens you'll be good to download the apps from the Google Play Store.

Collaboration and sharing

According to Microsoft, you can create, open, edit and save files in the cloud from your Android phone so you can access them through services like OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox, Google Drive and Box. If you're collaborating with others on a project, Office for Android phones allows you to track changes, comment and markup documents.
Office for Android smartphones will compete with Google's Docs, Sheets and Slides apps along with a number of third-party Office alternatives.
During this preview period, the Office Mobile app for Android phones will continue to appear in the Play Store. "We will disclose more about our plans for this app later in the year when we announce general availability of the new Office for Android phone apps," Microsoft said.

• Read our review of Office 2016

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CE Week 2015: Meet the gadget that makes cheap beer taste like craft beer

There are many booths to see while walking around the CE Week 2015 showfloor. Some have headphones, others have wearables. But one stuck out as being the only booth that was serving beer at 9AM.
Fizzics, a Manchester, NH-based company, displayed its product of the same name, which is coming to market later in 2015. It's a glorified beer dispenser that utilizes proprietary fluid and gas technology to enrich the pour, aroma, mouth feel and, of course, the taste of your favorite beer, no matter the quality.

Using Fizzics is simple: flip up its top and insert your beer of choice into the canister. It supports any type of beer, so long as it's carbonated and no larger than a 64oz growler. Hanging down from the lid is a tube that feeds into the beverage. Shut the top and pull the lever toward you and the Fizzics machine will begin to go to work on the beer.
After a few seconds, your beverage will begin to pour slowly from the spout. Once you've filled your glass, switching the lever in the opposite direction activates the machine's secondary feature, dispensing a creamy, delicious and foamy head. To me, the head of a beer is usually the worst part, but coming from the Fizzics, the head of a raspberry porter, one of the samples, tasted as lively as the beer itself. While India Pale Ales are my preference, this fruity option Fizzics had on deck was delicious, full of flavor and enlivened with a fizz that was satisfying and clean.

Coming off of a successful crowdfunding campaign, the Fizzics team seemed confident at CE Week 2015. The reps said very little, leaving most of the talking to the device itself. It makes sense. The beer that I tried got a hearty kick in the pants with Fizzics' fizzy wizardry and I'm keeping this device on my watch list.









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Toshiba readies uncrackable encryption

Toshiba wants to create a level of encryption technology that absolutely no-one can crack.
First reported by the Wall Street Journal, the quantum-cryptography system, which has been tested on Toshiba's labs and sites, uses photons sent over a custom-made fibre-optic cable that isn't connected to the internet thus making any spying incredibly difficult.
As for the particles themselves, Toshiba has stated that any attempts to change the code or wiretap the cable would alter the data and mean that eavesdropping or spying would easily be detected.
It is launching a two-year test of the system in August to see if it will work and Toshiba has stated that its photons will be able to travel 100km without a repeater and the experiment, if successful, will lead to long-term commercial use in the future.

Wait for 2020

Anyone getting excited about the new level of encryption being available soon should hold onto their hats. The start-up costs, including $81,000 for servers, and the vulnerability of photons mean that the technology won't be surfacing any time soon.
Toshiba doesn't expect to be able to provide the service to governments and enterprises before 2020 and the cost of development will need to tumble even further before consumers gain access to it.

• 7 criteria for data encryption

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Exclusive: Unity CEO: 'VR? People look silly having sex, but they still do it'

Unity Technologies CEO John Riccitiello doesn't entirely agree with Deus Ex creator Warren Spector's opinion that VR is a fad.
Spector recently told Gamesindustry: "I don't think most humans want to look stupid (everyone looks stupid in a VR headset) and they don't want to isolate themselves from the world.
"I mean, if someone's sneaking up behind me with a baseball bat, I want to know about it, you know what I mean? And let's not talk about nausea."
However, former EA CEO Riccitiello, who took up the reins of the game engine company in 2014, told TechRadar that looking silly in a headset won't be the defining criteria for VR in the near future.
"He's right for the moment, but it's not because people don't want to look silly," he said. "You look silly having sex for God's sake, but they still do it - and who doesn't look an idiot dancing in the disco with the sound off?"

Confundrum

Riccitiello reckons figuring out what's fun or not when it comes to VR is the more pressing issue, one that he believes will become clear when mainstream laptops gain the power needed to run demanding VR games and applications.
He said: "The reality is that VR will be done in 2016 on water-cooled, high-end PCs, but by 2017 it'll be mainstream devices - and no longer a rich person's game.
"Players will already have the portable that they want to plug their Oculus Rift or Vive or HoloLens into. That's the time that we'll solve the problem of what's fun."
The Unity boss also reflected on his own previous prediction that gaming in mobile was a fad.
"I remember when I said mobile gaming was a fad, but that was long before smartphones," he said. "Warren's an awesome guy, so I'd never want to contradict him, but he's right for 2016 and wrong for the time frame after.
"But he created Deus Ex, so he's a God. What else can I say? Even Gods can be wrong."

• Developers must forget the desktop to succeed in VR, says Unity

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Updated: 9 best 2-in-1 laptops 2015: top hybrid laptops reviewed

Best 2-in-1 laptops

Microsoft's Windows 8 didn't just shake up the company's entire software empire, but the mobile computing industry as well.
Given the dualistic nature of the new Windows, laptop and tablet makers responded in kind with devices commonly known as 2-in-1 laptops, or hybrid laptops.
These are devices that are able to serve as both a laptop and a tablet, either in a detachable design that sees the touchscreen doubling as a tablet, or a convertible approach in which the notebook's hinge rotates 360 degrees for a similar effect. In the past, neither have been all that successful in providing both experiences in equal measure, but that's slowly changing.
Considering their similarity to Ultrabooks in terms of build quality, thinness and lightness, 2-in-1 laptops are generally priced in the same range: between $700 (about £450, AU$800) and $2,000 (around £1,169, AU$2,131). However, some manufacturers, like Acer, make budget hybrids, and there are even 2-in-1s designed specifically for the business user, like the Dell Venue 7000 series. However, the hybrid market is almost entirely catered toward consumer needs.
These are sleek, powerful devices that look good and serve multiple use cases to varying degrees of success. Obviously there are a ton of solid devices out there that narrowly missed the cut, such as the Asus Transformer Book Flip TP300LA, so there's no shortage of great devices for you to choose. As Microsoft's release of Windows 10 draws near, expect an even greater selection of these devices to pop up in due time.
With that, here are the best 2-in-1 laptops that we've reviewed thus far.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 3

The best of the best

CPU: 1.9GHz Intel Core i5-4300U (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.9GHz with Turbo Boost) | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4400 | RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 | Screen: 12-inch, 2160 x 1440 multi-touch (ClearType, 3:2 aspect ratio) | Storage: 256GB SSD | Optical drive: none | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: Two 5MP webcams (1080p HD video) | Weight: 1.76 pounds Dimensions: 7.93 x 11.5 x 0.36 inches (W x D x H)

See more Microsoft Surface Pro 3 deals

Sharp display

Perfect as laptop and tablet

Mediocre battery life

Runs hot at times

This is not only Microsoft's most striking and versatile device to date, but the most convincing poster child for the hybrid category yet. And this ringing endorsement comes from a long-time skeptic of such devices.
This version of the tablet comes in cheaper than the most affordable iPad Air and 13-inch MacBook Air combined, even with the Type Cover, and that's the point. On paper, this slate is more powerful than either Apple device, not to mention most other comparably priced laptops and tablets. The Surface Pro 3 might not be perfect, but it's far and wide the brightest shining example of a potential tablet takeover. If you're not concerned about a downgraded performance, consider the new Surface 3, which doesn't provide as much kick as the Pro, but is lighter and a lot cheaper.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 3

2. HP Spectre x360

Sublime. Near-perfect.

CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200 (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.7GHz with Turbo Boost) | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 8GB DDR3 (1600Mhz) | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 FHD Radiance LED-backlit touchscreen | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac (2x2) and Bluetooth 4.0 combo | Camera: HP TrueVision Full HD WVA Webcam (front-facing) | Weight: 3.26 pounds | Dimensions: 12.79 x 8.6 x 0.63 inches (W x D x H)

See more HP Spectre x360 deals

Superbly thin

Vibrant, bright display

Excellent performance and battery life

Too heavy to use as a tablet

Weird, wide trackpad

Buy the HP Spectre x360. It easily comes as one of my most recommended machines, with an excellent 1080p screen, solid performance, good battery life, and sturdy build quality; all for an excellent deal at $999 (£899, AU$1,899).
If it weren't for a few missteps with the trackpad and being too hefty for tablet use, this laptop would have easily stood amongst the most highly rated laptops TechRadar has ever reviewed. Despite its flaws, though, the Spectre x360 is one of the best-looking and powerful devices HP has ever produced and well worth a look over many, many other 2-in-1 laptops.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360

3. Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 12

A versatile hybrid ideal for those who work as hard as they play

CPU: Intel Core i5-5300U (2C, 2.30/2.90GHz, 3.0MB, 1600Mhz) | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 1920x1080 | Storage: 180GB SSD OPAL2 | Optical drive: None | Connectivity: Intel Dual-Band Wireless – AC 7265 + Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD 720p | Weight: 3.48 pounds (1.5kg) Dimensions: 12..44" x 8.70" x 0.74" (31 x 22 x 1.8 cm)

See more Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 12 deals

Solid performance

Versatile design

Slightly heavy

No ethernet port

The Yoga 12 is a versatile bulldog of a device. You can use it as your work laptop. You can use it for play. It won't be the best pick for either of these tasks, but it won't stray too far from the upper tier either. At 3.4 pounds and 0.74 inches thick, it's just light and slim enough to claim portability. With more than seven hours of video playback, its battery is good enough to get through a workday, and it's affordably priced starting at just $845.
Packing a full HD display that can bend into four different modes, you'll enjoy this device's flexibility, even though it isn't the lightest or sexiest device on the planet. With that being said, it performs on par or better than any of the devices on this list.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 12

4. Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

Lenovo's former-flagship Ultrabook is a real stunner

CPU: 1.6GHz Core i5 4200U | Graphics: Intel HD 4400 | RAM: 4GB of DDR3 | Screen: 3,200 x 1,800 IPS multi-touch display | Storage: 128GB SSD | Optical drive: None | Connectivity: Intel Wireless-N 7260 Wi-Fi | Camera: 720P front-facing camera | Weight: 3.06 pounds Dimensions: 13 x 8.66 x 0.61 inches

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Unique flexible design

Top-notch QHD IPS display

No 802.11ac wireless adapter

Keyboard complicates tablet mode

With the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro (starting at $1,099, £999, AU$1,599), we can now confirm that 3,200 x 1,800 pixels is delicious indeed. On top of the winning Yoga form factor, we loved the solid performance, backlit keyboard, and the snappy SSD, creating mobile device-like response times.
At the $1,000 price point, you could put the Yoga 2 Pro in just about anyone's hands and make them quite pleased.
For those of you who crave portability more than anything, Lenovo recently unveiled the new LaVie Z, which the company claims is the lightest convertible on the market. For those who want more power and don't mind a little heft, you could also check out the Lenovo Yoga 3 2014.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

5. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S

The laptop that will bend over backwards for you

CPU: 1.5 GHz Intel Core i7-3689Y | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 (integrated) | RAM: 8GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz SODIMM | Screen: 11.6" HD LED Multitouch 1366x768 | Storage: 128GB DDR SSD | Optical drive: none | Connectivity: Lenovo 802.11 b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 1.0MP 720p HD integrated webcam | Weight: 3.10 lbs Dimensions: 11.73" x 8.03" x 0.67"

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Extremely portable

Strong hinges

USB 2.0 not 3.0

Tablet mode leaves keys exposed

Yes, another Lenovo hybrid! The 11.6-inch Lenovo Yoga 11S (starting at around $799, £599, AU$1,299) laptop is a flexible machine that can fold over from a typical laptop stance to a stand position, to a position with the keyboard behind the screen, ready for delivering presentations.
It comes with HDMI, SD card and USB ports, and boasts a surprisingly impressive Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for storage. The screen is sharp and bright, though not full HD, and works well with Windows 8. It's also nicely light and small for portability. You can easily use the Yoga 11S as you would any other laptop, replete with a full QWERTY keyboard.
Read the full review: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S

6. Asus Transformer Book T200

Another excellent transforming tablet-laptop from Asus

CPU: 1.46GHz Intel® Bay Trail-T Quad Core Z3775 | Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 2 GB LPDDR3 | Screen: 11.-inch 16:9 IPS HD (1366 x 768) with multi-touch screen | Storage: 32GB eMMC With 500 GB HDD | Optical drive: None | Connectivity: Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth V4.0 | Camera: Front 2 Mp and rear 5 MP | Weight: 1.71 pounds Dimensions: 12 x 7.6 x 0.47 inches (W x D x H)

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Great value hybrid

Good connectivity

Low resolution screen

Fairly bulky

If you are looking for a combination of Windows laptop and tablet, the Asus Transformer Book T200 is a very appealing option that offers a fair amount for only $539 (£349, or AU$690).
The T200 is quiet, light, well built and feels responsive during normal usage. Battery life is excellent, so you won't find yourself hunting obsessively for charging points throughout the day. Its "smart" hard drive bay adds plenty of storage space alongside the speedy 32GB SSD, and despite having a disappointing resolution, the IPS display is at least vibrant with good viewing angles. Good connectivity in the form of USB 3.0 and RJ45 ports are welcome additions, with a reasonable pre-loaded software set finishing off the package nicely.
Read the full review: Asus Transformer Book T200

7. Dell Venue 11 Pro 7130

A powerful, small tablet that wants to play in the big leagues

CPU: Intel Core M-5Y71 vPro | Graphics: Intel Gen7 graphics | RAM: 8 GB | Screen: 10.8-inch FHD 1920 X 1080 IPS display | Storage: 128 GB SSD | Optical drive: None | Connectivity: Intel 7265 dual-band 2X2 802.11 ac WiFi & Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 2-megapixel webcam; 8-megapixel rear camera | Weight: 1.6 pounds (0.72kg) Dimensions: 11.01 x 6.95 x .42 inches (27.97 X 17.65 X 1.07 cm)

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Performance

Battery life

Cramped screen

Modest battery gains over i5 model

At the $700 (£437 and AU$800) entry price, the Venue Pro 7000 offers a nice balance of performance and portability in a travel-friendly size. However, unless you find yourself accessing CPU and GPU taxing apps, you might find more value in an Atom-based convertible. Going with Atom will lower your cost and give you better battery life.
For those who need power and performance, the confines of a 10.8-inch display may be too rigid to maximize productivity. Opening more than a few tabs or windows on the small display will trigger claustrophobia. If you need to be more productive, there are bigger convertible options, like the Surface Pro 3, to choose from that may fit that need better.
Read the full review: Dell Venue 11 Pro 7130

8. Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi

This 2-in-1 laptop takes thinness to a new level

CPU: 1.2GHz Intel Core M 5Y71 processor (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.9GHz with turbo boost) | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5300 | RAM: 8GB DDR3L (1600MHz) | Screen: 12.5-inch, 2,560 x 1,440 (WQHD) capacitive multi-touch IPS display | Storage: 128GB SSD | Optical drive: None | Connectivity: Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7265 + Bluetooth 4.0 LE | Camera: 2MP 720p webcam | Weight: 3.14 pounds Dimensions: 12.5 x 7.5 x 0.65 inches (W x D x H)

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Vibrant display made for media

Flexible use cases

Colors a touch too saturated

Unimpressive battery life

The Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi is one of the first laptops to finally get the hybrid form factor right. Thanks to the use of a magnet latching system and Intel's fanless Core M processor, Asus has been able to produce a lighter tablet-laptop hybrid that's thin to boot.
The detachable Bluetooth keyboard also opens up a few alternative ways to use the device. Over the last few weeks, I propped up the screen while I used the keyboard as a remote for Netflix and stood the screen on its side, using it as a makeshift vertical screen. The best thing about all this is it's entirely seamless, letting you easily switch between tablet and laptop modes with ease.
Read the full review: Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi

9. Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2015)

Steep price, great performance

CPU: Intel Core M-5Y71 | Graphics: Intel HD5300 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 11.6-inch 1920 x 1080 Multitouch | Storage: 128GB SSD | Connectivity: Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 5MP front, 2MP rear | Weight: 1.75 lbs. | Dimensions: 11.85" x 7.57" x 0.37"

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Excellent battery life

Great screen

Expensive

Slightly outperformed by other laptops

One more Lenovo! With a well-built dock featuring physical buttons and a large trackpad, very good performance, superb battery life and lashings of storage, memory and connectivity options, the Helix goes a long way towards justifying its considerable price.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2015)
Joe Osborne and Kevin Lee contributed to this article









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Windows XP bags multi-million dollar US Navy contract

Windows XP remains popular among government agencies after details emerged of the US Navy paying millions to extend support for the outdated OS.
First reported by PC World, a declassified Navy document detailed a $30.8 million (around £19.5 million, or AU$39.95 million) contract signed with Microsoft to continue supporting the OS until 2017 at a cost of $9.1 million (around £5.78 million, or AU$11.81 million) per year.
"The Navy relies on a number of legacy applications and programs that are reliant on legacy Windows products," according to a statement from Steven Davis, a spokesman for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in San Diego. "Until those applications and programs are modernized or phased out, this continuity of services is required to maintain operational effectiveness."

Expensive security updates

Alongside Windows XP, it is also receiving support for another soon to be extinct product, Windows Server 2003, as well as Office 2003 and Exchange 2003, although Davis failed to disclose details of the systems that are still using the software.
The US Navy is by no means the only governmental organization running Windows XP long after its expiry date. The UK government, for one, relies on keeping Windows XP going and that's even with the per-PC price for Microsoft's custom support agreements (CSAs) for XP, which are on track to rise to $400 (around £259, or AU$511) in the coming months.

• End of support for Windows XP: what are the options?

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