Hola responds to botnet accusations, doesn't really apologise
After being caught with its hand in the internet cookie jar, effectively selling its users’ idle bandwidth without being upfront about it, VPN service Hola has vowed to be more transparent about its dealings and what the bandwidth is being used for in a lengthy blog entry posted earlier today.
Beginning with a self-congratulating boast regarding the “innovation” and “freedom” the company has helped achieve since its inception, complemented by an inspirational Steve Jobs image and quote about admitting mistakes quickly and moving on, Hola CEO Ofer Vilenski has done just that – admitted his company’s recent failings and suggested that it will all be fixed immediately.
“There have been some terrible accusations against Hola which we feel are unjustified. We innovated quickly, but it looks like Steve Jobs was right. We made some mistakes, and now we’re going to fix them, fast. Since May 28, our people have been working literally 24/7,” said Vilenski.
Vilenski flat out denies that Hola makes its users part of a botnet, stating that the small amounts of user data that’s used (on average about 6MB per day) is sold for “legitimate commercial purposes, such as brand monitoring, self test and anti ad fraud,” among other things.
P2P service with all the fixin’s
Hola’s first order of business, is to let its users know exactly what they’re getting into when signing up with the service, stating that “We have changed our site and product installation flows to make it crystal clear that Hola is P2P, and that you are sharing your resources with others.“This information is now “in your face” - and no longer appears only in the FAQ,” further stating that customers who don’t want to share their bandwidth can instead opt for a Hola Premium package – ”purchase one month of Hola premium until end of June, and get 2 months free.”
Stating that many big companies and services, like Apple iCloud, Snapchat, Skype, Sony, Evernote and Microsoft, have also found themselves vulnerable to attack, Hola has assured its users that it has fixed the two vulnerabilities in its system “within a few hours of them being published” and that it will be “undergoing an internal security review, as well as an external audit we have committed to with one of the big 4 auditing companies’ cyber auditing team.”
The company will also be appointing a Chief Security Officer “in the coming weeks.”
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One of two rumored Apple streaming services may miss WWDC
Don't become a TV cord cutter just yet. Apple's long-rumored plans to put live television into a new Apple TV may not happen next week.
Apple's subscription TV service won't be announced on June 8, according to the report. The company's rumored Apple Music streaming service will have to a sing solo part.
When is it coming out? Predictions from industry executives give it a wide release window of later this year, or even as far as 2016.
What's the hold up?
It appears as if dealmaking, not chip making, is the problem behind the Apple TV streaming service.Although Apple is said to have wanted to launch in time for the new broadcast television season in autumn, everything is being held up by negotiations over financial terms.
Yes, other on-demand services have been able to launch live television programming, like Sling TV and Sony PlayStation Vue, but Apple doesn't want to stop there.
Instead, the new Apple TV streaming service is thought to include local TV stations, some of which aren't owned by broadcasters. That means lots of red tape to sort through first.
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Caitlyn Jenner bests Obama's Twitter record in just four hours
Caitlyn Jenner was introduced to the world today on the cover of Vanity Fair, and now she's taken the title of "fastest to a million Twitter followers" from one Barack Obama.
Obama, who held the title for a mere two weeks, gained a million followers on his personal Twitter account in five hours. Jenner made the ascension from zero to a million in four hours, confirmed by Guinness World Records.
Jenner's 22-page story in Vanity Fair, which includes photographs from Annie Leibovitz, has been met with encouraging words and praise, including from Jenner's children and step-children.
Kim Kardashian tweeted the cover image and wrote, "How beautiful! be happy, be proud, live life YOUR way!" Kendall Jenner linked to a video by Vanity Fair and said, simply, "now that's a cover".
Another record
Jenner was already a well-known figure thanks to her Olympic career (winning gold and setting a world record at the 1976 Games) and reality TV show fame. In an April 2015 interview with Diane Sawyer, Jenner, then identifying as Bruce, announced she was transgender.Jenner acknowledged her new hordes of followers, even bragging a bit.
"Another Jenner world record, and at 65? Who'da thought! Humbled & honored to have reached 1M followers in 4 hrs. Thank you for your support," she tweeted.
At the time of writing, @Caitlyn_Jenner has upwards of one-and-a-half million followers.
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Jawbone UP2 lets you witness your fitness, track your ZZZZZZs for less than some rivals
Fancy a fitness tracker but are a little short of funds? Well, the Jawbone UP2 may well be for you. The entry level fitness band launched a while back in the US and is available right now in Australia.
The Jawbone UP2 is $149 in Australia (it's US$99 in the States) and is a successor to the chunkier, now discontinued, Jawbone UP24. Jawbone is quoting a 45% reduction in size, and it's also a tad smaller than the forthcoming, rather-too-long-awaited UP3, although it lacks that model's heart rate monitoring abilities.
The Jawbone UP2 lasts up to seven days on one charge, counts your steps, has a stab at detecting more vigorous exercise, and will also inform you about how badly you're sleeping .
What now, coach?
Jawbone Smart Coach, part of the UP app for Android and iOS, is then on hand to offer up fitness tips like, "Put down the takeaway, get off the coach and get some exercise you lazy fool."We may be paraphrasing a little here, but it will seriously tell you to go to bed earlier, to eat better and to rehydrate more diligently.
If you want to see the competition that Jawbone is up against, then check out our Best Fitness Trackers article. Warning: it will make you feel even more unfit than you are right now.
- If the UP2 is a little on the pricey side, perhaps the Jawbone UP Move will be better suited to your budget.
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Review: Acer TravelMate P645 (2015)
Introduction and design
The updated Acer TravelMate P645 ($949, £645, AU$1,250) is designed specifically for the business user with ants in his or her pants. Stripped of the bells, whistles and heft of traditional mobile workstations, the P645 is a somewhat lightweight laptop with loads of ports, tremendous battery life and not much else.It's ideal for anyone who needs to grab their laptop and go, regardless of where they're headed or the type of work they're going to do. If Don Draper/Dick Whitman had a laptop, it would be the Acer TravelMate P645.
There are very few adequate comparisons for the P645 – which was recently upgraded with a fifth-generation Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor – because it is designed for the same user who might be interested in something ideally suited for business use, like the HP ZBook 17 ($4,630, £2,950, AU$5,500), or something portable and capable, like the Dell XPS 13 (starting at $799, £520, AU$980) ultrabook. Think of the P645 as a compromise between high-end consumer notebooks and low-end enterprise workstations.
However, unlike other laptops on the market, the P645 doesn't try to lure you in with a fancy touchscreen, a super lightweight frame, loads of storage capacity, or the versatility of a hybrid. In fact, it does little more than compute things for a long time on one charge.
If what you're after is a sexy device that can perform 3D modeling or play Call of Duty in stunning detail, check out something else in our Best Laptop roundup. If what you need is something easy to use that can be plugged in almost anywhere and won't die before the workday ends, you're in the right place.
Design
Built almost exactly like last year's P645, the 2015 model comes with a black, carbon-fiber chassis with silver-trimmed ports. Both the chassis and the silver hinges connecting the laptop's upper and lower panel are incredibly sturdy (although you won't want to perform any drop tests). The palm rest and bottom cover are reinforced by magnesium alloy, which should allow you to put a good amount of pressure on the device, but not enough to label this notebook rugged.The chiclet, spill-resistant keyboard features a left offset trackpad with a fingerprint sensor dividing the two-inch-wide left- and right-click buttons.
The P645, which prides itself on portability, weighs 3.31 pounds (1.5kg), which is superlight for a mobile workstation, but quite heavy when compared to consumer ultrabooks and Chromebooks, most of which probably weigh about 70% of what the P645 weighs. At just 0.8 inches slim (2 cm) and 12.9 inches (32 cm) wide, the P645 slides nicely into any backpack or desk space.
Unfortunately, what you're getting beneath the slim panels isn't very sexy. Packing a totally mediocre HD (1,366 X 768) resolution screen that features no touchscreen functionality, the P645 is not meant for viewing content. Seriously, you'd be better off watching Netflix on your smartphone than on this strictly utilitarian screen.
Not only is the screen image uncomplex given its low pixel count, it's also very grainy and dull. Pretend you're looking at the squishy plastic screen of an old 1990's desktop monitor: that's what looking at the P645 feels like. Yes, you can upgrade to a full HD (1,920 X 1,080) screen, but why should you even have to at this point?
Specifications and value
What Acer didn't provide in terms of sexiness, it certainly made up for in terms of connectivity. The P645 is one of the most port-heavy devices you'll find at this price point. And at just 3.31 pounds, that's a pretty impressive feat. Unfortunately, in an era when companies like Apple and Google are figuring out ways to do away with multiple ports, the P645 feels like a relic from a long forgotten time.
What it doesn't have is the storage capacity to rival the mobile workstations with which it's trying to compete. I suppose the increase in cloud adoption has made it acceptable to provide only 256GB of storage for an enterprise device, but it'll behoove anyone who deals with high resolution images to look for a device in the 1-2TB range.
Here is the Acer P645 configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
Spec sheet
- CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200U (dual-core)
- Graphics: Intel HD 5500
- RAM: 8GB (DDR3L SDRAM)
- Screen: 12.9-inch, 1,366 x 768 resolution
- Storage: 256GB Serial ATA/600 SSD
- Ports: 3 x USB 3.0 ports, VGA, RJ-45 ethernet, HDMI, Headphone jack, Microphone jack
- Connectivity: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Gigabit Ethernet
- Camera: Built-in 720P Video Camera
- Weight: 3.1 pounds
- Size: 12.9 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches (W x D x H) (32 x 24 x 2 cm)
Features
The keyboard, trackpad and display are the holy trinity of laptop features (in this humble journalist's opinion). When you sit down at your laptop to work or play, you interact with those features more than any others. Unfortunately, the P645 fails in each of these three categories.I've already discussed the putrid screen so I won't hammer that nail into the ground. The trackpad, which is equally abysmal, feels as if you're scrolling on ice. No, this isn't a symptom of high sensitivity calibration. No matter how much I toggle the tracking I feel like the pad isn't reading exactly what my fingers are trying to communicate.
Additionally, the left- and right-click buttons are utterly useless in this day and age. Anyone reading this has likely interacted with pads that let you left and right click on the pad itself, rather than requiring buttons to guide you on your journey. The buttons, which are thankfully the same height as the pad itself, are elegant enough to not provide too much of a physical distraction, but they are dreadfully ugly to look at.
The same goes for the fingerprint reader, which Acer has unthinkably placed at the center of the click buttons. Most manufacturers have wisely begun placing the reader at the right-hand-side of the keyboard, where it is out of your way once you're done scanning in. Acer has placed a feature you use only a few times a day at the very origin of your interactions with the P645.
Performance and final verdict
Benchmarks
Here's how the Acer TravelMate P645 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:- 3DMark: Cloud Gate: 5,197; Sky Diver: 49,661; Fire Strike: 702
- Cinebench CPU: 239 points; Graphics: 29 fps,
- PCMark 8 (Home Test): 2,579 points
- PCMark 8 Battery Life: 5 hours and 9 minutes
The P645 scored a 702 on the 3DMark Fire Strike test, which measures graphics rendering. The XPS 13 scored a 739 and the ZenBook scored a 594. The ZBook blasted all of these devices out of the park with a score of 4,385.
For gamers and designers, the Cinebench graphics test proved that the P645 was capable of producing 29 frames per second, which is slightly better than consumer hybrids like the Surface Pro 3 (25 fps) and the Chi (25 fps), but nowhere near as powerful as the HP ZBook 17, which was able to crank out an insane 118 FPS.
Battery life
Here's where the P645 shines. Not only did this notebook score a 5 hour and 9 minute rating on the PCMark 8 battery test, which is one of the top 10 scores we've ever recorded, it also played video for a whopping 12 hours and four minutes with the volume and screen brightness set at 50%. Other than the Toshiba Kirabook, which scored an 11 hour and 15 minute rating on PCMark 8, the P645 can hang around almost as long as any device on the market.Bundled software
The Acer TravelMate P645 is loaded with security software and hardware, which will entice IT decision-makers to purchase this device. However, these tools are likely to turn off the business user who shops for him or herself.For example: Acer ProShield Manager is a suite of security and management tools that encrypt data. If your device is lost you can set this software up so that no one can access your information without a passcode or without swiping the fingerprint reader. I don't know about you all, but for my typical day-to-day computing needs, a start-up menu password is secure enough. With that being said, I'm sure Future US, the parent company of TechRadar, wouldn't mind if my data had a second level of protection.
We liked
For a laptop with so many ports and such an impressive battery, the P645 is relatively lightweight and slim. Although its screen isn't much to look at, the laptop itself, built with carbon fiber and magnesium alloy is pretty and inoffensive.Battery life on this device is stellar. I've never achieved anything quite like the 12 hours of video streaming that I got on the P645. If all you need is something that can power through a workday, then this should be among your top considerations.
We disliked
The screen, keyboard and touchpad are just not up to snuff with other laptops in this realm. When you combine a jumpy touchpad with a low-quality non-touch HD screen, you're basically ruining any possibility for an enjoyable laptop experience. Sure, this won't serve as a bad backup laptop that you take on the road in a pinch, but it isn't enjoyable enough to use to make it your number one device.Final verdict
If your main concern is battery life, then you should totally spend almost $1,000 on this laptop. However, I highly doubt anyone really needs an extra hour or two of juice that badly. The P645 performs adequately, it looks okay and it's sturdy enough to withstand the bumps and thuds of constant travel. It's got so many ports that you'll be able to park yourself almost anywhere and get to work immediately. Unfortunately, what you do on this device won't be so pleasant. A wack HD screen and an inaccurate touchpad make for a clumsy and frustrating experience.
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Updated: Windows 10: release date, price, news and features
Windows 10: what we know so far
Update: It's official: Windows 10 is coming on July 29 as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users (for one year). Microsoft's latest OS will be available to pre-order in the coming weeks when it launches in 190 different markets around the world.With Windows 8 and today Windows 8.1, Microsoft tried – not entirely successfully – to deliver an operating system (OS) that could handle the needs of not only number-crunching workstations and high-end gaming rigs, but touch-controlled systems from all-in-one PCs for the family and thin-and-light notebooks down to slender tablets.
When Microsoft pulled the curtain back on Windows 10 back in September of 2014, it was clear that, with an operating system optimized for PCs, tablets and phones in unique ways, the Redmond, Wash.-based firm was onto something. Skipping the Windows 9 name entirely, Microsoft issued a public preview of the shiny new OS later that autumn, known as Windows Technical Preview (WTP).
- Is the new OS any good? Read our hands on Windows 10 review
Since its September 2014 reveal, Microsoft held a consumer-facing preview of the upcoming OS in January 2015, and shelled out even more details during its Build 2015 conference back in April. As the months have passed through those milestones, new features rolled in with each Windows 10 preview build update. And now, with a release date announced, the OS is mighty close to completion.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? A complete update for Windows
- When is it out? July 29
- What will it cost? For Windows 7 and 8.1 users, it will be free for one year
When is the Windows 10 release date?
Microsoft slated Windows 10 for a summer launch, and the company has stuck to its word. Following several leaks (and one giant snafu from US retailer NewEgg which published an inccorect launch date), it has now been confirmed that Windows 10 will launch on July 29.That said, it's unlikely that Windows 10 will release for all device types on this date. Judging from comments made by Microsoft Corporate VP of Operating Systems Joe Belfiore, the company has planned a phased approach to the launch. Windows 10 will release for desktop and laptop devices first, then trickle down to phones, the Xbox One, Arduino machines and its own HoloLens.
How much will Windows 10 cost?
Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Operating Systems Terry Myerson announced in January that Windows 10 will be free for existing Windows 7 and 8.1 users for its first year. Microsoft also confirmed a while ago that the two most recent Windows versions will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 directly.However, if you're not eligible for Microsoft's upgrade program – those who upgrade after the first year free offer, or those running a non-genuine Windows version or one older than Windows 7 – Windows 10 Home will cost $119 (about £78, AU$156) and Windows 10 Pro will cost $199 (£131, AU$262) per license, Microsoft confirmed to TechRadar. Windows 10 Home users who want to upgrade to Pro will have to pay an additional $99 (£65, AU$130) for the Windows 10 Pro Pack.
The company promises that it will support those who scored a free upgrade to Windows 10 with security and system updates for the lifetime of those Windows devices.
Neowin reported back in February that Microsoft has trademarked the term "Windows 365," supposedly with the intent of it being a service. The news and speculation has sent folks buzzing about the possibility of a subscription-based Windows to come, though that's not likely to be Windows 10. Oh, we hope not.
How will I get to download Windows 10?
Confirming the rumors and leaks leading up, Microsoft has already started the upgrade process for current Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. If your machine is up to date today, you will soon see a small icon of the Windows logo on your task bar next to the internet status icon.Clicking it will open a window that details the upgrade process and will allow you to "reserve" your free Windows 10 download by providing your email address. Presumably on or in advance of launch day, Microsoft will download the OS to your device and notify you when it's ready to install.
What follows that prompt are a few bits of info to tease the new release and get users excited. It's that easy.
Seven shades of Windows 10
Windows 10 will be available in 7 versions, far more than one would have expected in the first place. While IoT, Mobile, Home, Enterprise and Professional were already confirmed, Mobile Enterprise and Education were unexpected. In comparison, there were only four versions of Windows 8.1 (five if you include Windows Phone 8) and one of them was Windows RT.Microsoft clarified the free upgrade offer for Windows 10, adding that Windows 10 Home and Pro will be available for free to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users that have appropriate licenses (presumably, Windows 8.1 Home users will only be able to upgrade to Windows 10 Home).
What's new in Windows Technical Preview?
The latest WTP build available for all testers is build #10074, released during Build 2015. The update builds on what was released in the last stable build, namely streamlining the Virtual Desktop experience and giving the Photos app some much-needed functionality.For the more experienced or foolhardy users in Microsoft's "Fast" ring, they're already up to preview build #10122. The new build is not as stable as the "Slow" ring's aforementioned latest release, but introduces new features like the New Tab feature in Microsoft Edge that the company showed off during its Build 2015 show. However, these builds are always less stable than the more tested "Slow" releases.
But back to build #10074, this version brings the debut of the resizable Start menu from "Fast" ring build #10056, not to mention the first look at Microsoft's new Mail and Calendar apps in a stable environment. Most importantly, this version gives users their first look at Microsoft Edge, the company's new default browser for Windows 10. The release also includes the translucent, resizable Start menu as well as deeper Cortana functionality and Live Tiles on the Start menu.
More importantly, Microsoft detailed how the Windows Technical Preview will end later this year. For build numbers 9841 through 9879, those already stopped booting on April 30. For build numbers 9926 through 10049, those will stop working on October 15 – well after the final release of Windows 10, of course.
What Microsoft hasn't seemed to address yet is how folks who installed Windows 10 outright on a machine will be able to "upgrade" to the final version once it launches this summer.
Further updates are in the works (already)
Before Windows 10 has even launched, Microsoft's upgrade plans for the OS have leaked. Operating under the codename "Redstone", the Windows maker will issue updates in two waves.According to Neowin's report, the first will come June 2016 and the other October of next year. But don't expect huge, sprawling changes from these updates – they're likely to be tweaks to the new OS for specific types of hardware and other improvements.
Move on to the next page to read about the biggest changes coming to Windows 10 in depth.
The biggest changes coming to Windows
Microsoft isn't exactly pressing the restart button on its operating system with Windows 10, but it's changing enough for the company to skip a number altogether. Features from the Start menu to better multitasking to a brand new browser are all on the table for the new OS. Here's a breakdown of the biggest new features coming to Windows 10.
The Start menu: bigger, better, stronger
The return of the Start menu that Microsoft teased during its Build 2014 conference and detailed in full at subsequent events has been available for testing in the WTP since October 2014. Replete with a merging of the traditional Windows 7-style interface and Windows 8 Live Tiles, the new Start menu is designed to please both camps: touch and mouse users."They don't have to learn any new way to drive," Belfiore said, referring to Windows 7 users. That said, customization will also be featured throughout, first with the ability to resize the Start menu itself along with the Live Tiles within.
The Start menu features empowered search capabilities as well, able to crawl your entire machine, not to mention web results. We know now that this is through Cortana, Microsoft's voice assistant, but more on that later.
Step into Microsoft's new Office
Back in February, shortly after a leaked video on WinBeta revealed Microsoft's Universal (now known simply as Windows) Office apps in detail, the company issued an update to the Windows 10 Technical Preview with just that. If you're not doing so already, WTP users can test out the new Word, PowerPoint and Excel Universal (or Windows) apps.Like the whole of Windows 10, these apps are designed to work on Windows 10 laptops, tablets and phones. This update comes in advance of Office 2016, Microsoft's desktop-based version of the suite, which we expect to see debut in the second half of 2015. It's likely that Office 2016 will interact with its Windows app counterparts through OneDrive and other solutions.
And back during MWC 2015, Microsoft squeezed out a few more details surrounding the touch-centric Office 2016, namely cosmetic makeovers for Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Also, Outlook will be more deeply integrated with its sister apps than ever before. Finally, the new Insights and Tell Me features will let users search the internet from within Office and create search-based command prompts, respectively.
Today, both general users and IT pros-slash-developers can preview Office 2016 on Windows and Mac OS X. Plus, we've finally got the skinny on what the differences are between the simply-named Office for Windows 10 and Office 2016.
Windows Phone fans get a sneak peek
After much teasing leading up to an event during MWC 2015, a Technical Preview of Windows 10 for phones was released to just about every Lumia device under the sun.Handled much in the same way as it is on desktop, the WTP for Windows 10 on phones has introduced alpha-phase features like the Project Spartan browser, the new Outlook and a much-improved camera app that borrows heavily from Nokia's camera app for its pre-Windows-buyout Lumia phones. Check out all the details here.
As for when it's coming to everyone in a final release, there have been far fewer rumors and scuttlebutt than we've seen around Windows 10 for PCs. It's assumed that Windows 10 will released simultaneously across all supported device categories, including phones, but Microsoft has yet to address that publicly.
In the meantime, we've learned quite a bit installing Windows 10 on the cheapest Windows Phone around. You can check that out right here.
Cortana is warping to the PC
That's right, Windows 10 will see the spread of Cortana, Microsoft's Siri and Google Now competitor, into Windows PCs and tablets in addition to phones. Microsoft's Joe Belfiore showed off the new PC-centric features within Cortana during its January reveal event.Namely, Redmond developed PC-specific functions into Cortana for easier access to files, apps and more. Belfiore demonstrated colloquial queries like, "Show me photos from December," to which Cortana summoned images within that time period immediately. The idea here is to make key pain points in interacting with a PC easier than before through voice.
Since then, Microsoft has gone on to discuss how Cortana is more about machine learning, or computer systems and services becoming smarter over time based on user behavior, than simply retrieving files and facts for you. Plus, it was recently reported by Reuters that Microsoft has aims to release the voice assistant to iOS and Android.
Microsoft gets an Edge
During the Build 2015 conference, Microsoft's Joe Belfiore outed Project Spartan as Microsoft Edge, the official name for the company's Windows 10 browser of choice. The original details follow.Project Spartan, essentially the company's replacement for Internet Explorer, was revealed during the January event, too. Belfiore detailed unique features, like the ability to mark up webpages before sharing them with others, and to comment on those same pages at the software level.
Once pages are marked up with drawings and comments, that page is frozen in time with live links and open for sharing through Windows 10's built-in sharing features. Spartan will also support built-in offline reading and PDF support, not to mention Cortana.
Microsoft's virtual assistant will be baked into Spartan and pop in with recommendations and help based on your browser behavior. Belfiore in particular demoed a scenario in which a user is en route to a flight. Upon opening the browser to find flight data, Cortana will pop in with that info before the user even needs to look it up.
Since the big reveal, Microsoft's Group Program Manager for Internet Explorer, Jason Weber, confirmed one big question: Spartan is not a replacement for Internet Explorer, but rather a second browser. Weber went on to explain that, while his team is heavily focused on making Spartan work with the rest of the web, IE11 will be kept for compatibility with legacy and enterprise websites. (So, in reality, Spartan will effectively replace IE for the majority of users.)
Microsoft's @IE Dev Chat account on Twitter later confirmed that the Project Spartan team is working on bringing extension support to the new browser. Furthermore, Microsoft confirmed to The Verge that the team is also working on a way for users to import Chrome extensions directly to Spartan.
Finally, Microsoft recently revealed that the popular "Do Not Track" browser option will be disabled by default in Spartan. The company claims that the feature no longer complies with the Worldwide Web Consortium's standard on the matter. Regardless, Redmond promises that it will provide users with directions for how to enable the feature.
If you're not in it already, you can test out Project Spartan on Windows 10 PCs and Windows 10 for phones right now in the "Fast" ring of their respective WTP programs.
Windows 10 and Xbox unite
Microsoft's Xbox lead Phil Spencer took the stage during Microsoft's big January event, detailing the Xbox app on Windows 10. The app collects all games played on any Xbox or Windows 10 device, a universal friends list and an activity feed. Every Windows 10 device will have the Xbox app pre-loaded.Users will be able to record game sessions through the Game DVR tool and share them across the Xbox network. Essentially, Windows 10 will bring the automated recording featured in Xbox One to games played on Windows 10 – even those launched through other apps, like Steam.
Around the time of GDC 2015, Microsoft updated the Xbox the app for Windows 10 for testing in the WTP with just about everything teased during the January event, including access to Xbox One game clips and options to search for friends and interact with the Xbox Live activity feed. Plus, the app can now better deal with window size changes. Finally, users can control the Xbox One through a virtualized remote control within the Xbox One app on Windows 10.
But back to the January event, Spencer also briefly showed off Microsoft's next collection of graphics and gaming APIs, DirectX 12. Namely, support for the platform has expanded to the Unity game engine, and DX12 enables low-power graphics processing for Windows 10 mobile devices.
Plus, Spencer and a Lionhead Studios representative demoed what it's like to play the same game through a Windows 10 PC and an Xbox One with friends at the same time. Basically, cross-platform multiplayer gaming is coming to Xbox One and Windows 10.
Finally, Spencer demoed the ability to stream any Xbox One game to any Windows 10 device from within the home over Wi-Fi. The Xbox lead also teased that several Windows 10 features will find their way onto Xbox One, but was mum on the details.
During GDC 2015, the Xbox chief let loose even more details regarding the increasingly intimate relationship between Windows 10 and Xbox One. For starters, Spencer revealed that soon all wireless Xbox One accessories will work on Windows 10 PCs.
Later during the show, we learned that Microsoft is "investigating the possibility" of streaming PC games to Xbox One. Currently, Microsoft is only committed to allowing the inverse, for all Xbox One games to stream to Windows 10 PCs.
Microsoft's Universal approach
During the January reveal event, Microsoft's Joe Belfiore revealed exactly what the company meant by "Universal apps" (now known as "Windows apps") when it first showed off Windows 10. Basically, the company is developing special versions of its key apps, like Office, for Windows 10 phones and tablets under 8 inches.Apps like Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook will look and feel nearly identical to their desktop counterparts, but be optimized for touch and screen size. And through Microsoft's cloud infrastructure, all of your files will be accessible on those devices regardless of where they were created.
Belfiore also detailed a brand new Photos app accessible from any Windows 10 device, pulling down images from the company's OneDrive storage service. The new app aggregates images from both local and cloud storage, eliminating duplicates and enhancing photos automatically.
Finally, the universal Photos app will also automatically create photo albums based on not only when and where photos were taken, but the subjects of those photos. The idea here is for managing photos to be simpler and more automated, taking things a few steps further than rival solutions.
Following the January event, Microsoft went on to confirm that its most important suite of Universal apps, Office 2016, will launch in the second half of 2015. This potentially puts Office 2016 ahead of Windows 10 in terms of release.
Keeping in touch
During the January event, Belfiore demonstrated its "continuum" approach to computing with Windows 10 – not just through different devices, but 2-in-1 products as well. Using a Surface Pro 3, the OS chief showed off what it will be like changing use cases on a Windows 10 device.When the tablet was connected to its keyboard cover, the Surface Pro 3 acted as if it were a laptop, which it technically is. Then, as soon as Belfiore removed the keyboard, a small icon appeared in the lower right of the screen, asking him whether he'd like to activate tablet mode.
Doing so changed all of the apps to full screen, made icons slightly larger and allowed users to access the Start screen a la Windows 8, albeit much updated. As soon as he reconnected the keyboard, the device offered to revert back to its original mode, which then repositioned and resized the windows and icons as they were.
Paving the way for enterprise
Going way back to the first-ever Windows 10 reveal in September 2014, Microsoft spoke to enterprise users almost exclusively. "Windows 10 is a very novel approach of separating corporate and personal data across all devices," Myerson said on stage. "Windows 10 is going to be our greatest enterprise platform, ever."Microsoft didn't exactly please its enterprise audience with Windows 8.1 – adoption has been awfully slow. (And now will likely halt with this new version on the horizon.) To that end, Belfiore even noted that the company is "looking to find the balance, so that all the Windows 7 users get a familiar experience on the devices they already have."
As of early February, Microsoft issued its plans for rolling out Windows 10 to enterprise users: through Windows Software Assurance program. While this program will offer several methods for enterprise users to upgrade their fleets of systems to the new OS, that also means it will not come free like it does for consumer versions of Windows 10.
The SA program is designed to give enterprise customers more control over when and how updates are pushed to their range of machines. Of course, the idea here is a focus on security and flexibility for IT through additional Long Term Servicing branches that provide security and critical updates only – barring new feature updates.
Shooting for security
Running the world's most ubiquitous OS, Microsoft has always taken security quite seriously, often releasing patches daily to its various versions of Windows. Now, the company looks to take its security measures for Windows 10 to the next level, with two-factor authentication (2FA) coming standard on enterprise versions of the OS, the company announced during its September 2014 reveal.Microsoft also intends to protect user identities by storing user access tokens in a secure container that runs on top of Hyper-V technology, isolated from the rest of the OS. Windows 10 will also offer a data loss prevention solution that will allow users to separate their corporate personae from their non-work ones.
... and for your data?
Short after the release of the Windows 10 WTP, the OS was pegged for collecting user data. While this is a beta preview, and as such should be collecting feedback data, claims from a number of news outlets pointed to more even more sensitive information.The Technical Preview reportedly has the capability to track and log keystrokes, capture voice data and more. This may be cause for caution, but keep in mind that almost all, if not all, modern operating systems track and log some level of usage data. Though, it's almost always anonymized.
It's still all about unity
Windows 10 will be "one application platform" for all the devices that run Windows, Microsoft Windows head Terry Myerson declared during the September 2014 reveal, with one store to rule them all. (So to speak.)While on stage at the event, Microsoft showed images of the new operating system running on everything from desktop PCs to smartphones. In fact, Myerson confirmed that Windows 10 will be the driving OS behind its smartphone platform as well.
Myerson was mum on the naming conventions (e.g. whether Windows 10 on phones would be known as Windows Phone 10, et. al). But what matters is this: Windows 10 will be behind every device that Microsoft has a hand in.
Yes, that includes the Internet of Things
Based on CEO Satya Nadella's recent comments during Gartner's Symposium ITxpo in October 2014, Windows 10 is almost certainly being developed with the Internet of Things in mind."Windows 10 is a very important step for us." Nadella said on stage. "It's the first step in a new generation of Windows as opposed to just another release after Windows 8. General purpose computing is going to run on 200 plus billion sensors. We've architected Windows where it can run on everything."
Click on through for a detailed look at the rumors and leaks leading up to the first and second Windows 10 announcements. On the third page, we projected what Windows 9 – err – Windows 10 would be like, or at least what we had hoped. Read on to see how much we got right.
- Read all about Windows Phone 10 and Office 365 right here
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Mac Tips: Mac Terminal trick: How to list your apps
Every week we'll bring you a how-to guide to do something quick and cool with Mac OS X. Sometimes it will be a tutorial on a lesser-known feature, other times it'll be a trick that uses built-in functionality such as Terminal, but either way, these simple tips can make life better and easier, and they don't require any special knowledge. All you need to do is follow the instructions!
Sometimes it's handy to have a list of all the apps installed on your Mac. For instance, if you need to cleanly reinstall OS X, and then add your apps and data back afterward to make the Mac run faster, it's easier to have a list than to rely on your memory. In this article, we'll show you how to easily make a list of the apps that are installed on your Mac for backup purposes.
To begin, we'll open the Terminal (located in /Applications/Utilities), and then type the following command (all on one line):
find /Applications -path '*Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt' -maxdepth 4 -print |\sed 's#.app/Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt#.app#g; s#/Applications/##'
This command will find and list all of the files matching the name ending in ".app" on your Mac that have been downloaded from the Mac App Store.
If you wish to save this list to a text file for printing or other purposes, then type the following command (all on one line) instead:
find /Applications -path '*Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt' -maxdepth 4 -print |\sed 's#.app/Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt#.app#g; s#/Applications/##' > /Desktop/apps.txt
This command will create a file called "apps.txt" on your Desktop listing all the apps on your Mac that have been purchased from the Mac App Store, allowing you to use it for any purpose you may have.
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12 best PC games: the must-play titles you can't afford to miss
Introduction
The PC is either making a comeback or never went away in the first place, depending on who you ask.
Whichever camp you're in, a deluge of triple-A titles, virtual reality and (whisper it) decent console ports make picking the PC over the Xbox One or PS4 a no-brainer.
Whether you're a mouse-and-keyboard diehard who mutters "boom, headshot!" in their sleep, or a joypad-wielding adrenaline junkie, the PC has no shortage of blockbuster and indie titles to help you waste away the hours.
We've rounded up the best games currently available for the PC. If you don't agree, let us know in the comments below. So here we go - click on for best 12 PC games currently available today.
1. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is SimCity updated for the modern era, proving a breath of fresh air for would-be mayors. Its core gameplay lets you dig deep into the various aspects of running a sprawling virtual city - from economics to macro and micro management and land planning. But Cities: Skylines really shines when it comes to mods, which allow you to create custom maps, assets and tools to share with other online players.
2. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition places you in the heart of a huge, vibrant world on a far greater scale than its predecessors, and it does an excellent job of making you feel in command. Packing in a huge 90 hours (and the rest) of gameplay into its storyline, Inquisition's smart dialogue, compelling plot, savvy progression system and massive sandbox world will have you engrossed for months on end. Think the Elder Scrolls games meets the Diablo franchise and you're halfway there.
3. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
A card game from the makers of World of Warcraft, Hearthstone is easy to learn, but hard to master. Like Blizzard's famous MMO, Hearthstone combines classes, characters and a bit of tactical luck when throwing you into battle against computerised or online opponents. Stick with it and you'll be rewarded by its tactical, deep gameplay. Though available on iOS and Android, its low system requirements, excellent presentation and great sound effects mean it's best experienced on the PC.
4. Pillars of Eternity
Pillars of Eternity is a sprawling RPG in the vein of Diablo or Baldaur's Gate that combines highly detailed technical combat with hundreds of hours of gameplay. It has refreshingly low system requirements on the PC but still looks incredible thanks to its simple but effective art style, which harks back to those aforementioned isometric fantasy RPGs of the 2000s. But it's not all about nostalgia: Pillars of Eternity has enough interesting characters, baddies and clever writing to make it a modern classic of its own.
5. Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most anticipated console ports to ever hit the PC. You probably didn't need telling twice to head back into Los Santos's hugely detailed and interactive world, but it's ten times more fun with the PC's richer graphics and smooth 60 frames per second gameplay. Once you're done with its 31-hour storyline or had your fill blazing around the city causing chaos, an ever expanding list of GTA V mods - from ones to fine tune cars or throw vehicles around with a Gravity Gun - are bound to keep you entertained for some time.
6. Alien: Isolation
Set in the future but based on the past, Alien: Isolation is the suspense-packed game that Alien fans have been crying out for. Inspired by the first Alien movie, Isolation is first and foremost a stealth game that pits you against an Alien on the Nostromo deep into space. A distinct lack of weaponry, particularly excellent graphics on high-end PCs and clever AI all help ramp up the dread, leaving you to quiver when turning every corner.
7. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter Strike: Global Offensive remains a fantastic update to a timeless classic that continues to live on thanks to its vast online communities. A well-rounded tactical shooter that builds on the simple Terrorists vs Counter-Terrorists gameplay mechanics of Counter Strike 1.6 and Counter Strike: Source, CS: GO updates classic maps such as Italy and Dust while keeping adding new modes in Arms Race and Demolition. Simpler than Battlefield but more nuanced than the Call of Duty franchise, it's a shooter for those who like to run, gun and think - if only a little bit.
8. Far Cry 4
Far-Cry 4 is Far Cry's most beautiful outing yet. Its graphically-rich world is eye-popping on high-end PCs, which helps make the gameplay more believable when you're dodging bullets, avoiding being trampled by elephants and tearing it across the savanna in a rickety car. It's brash, in your face and not afraid to make you take tough choices if you want to survive.
9. FTL (Faster Than Light)
FTL (Faster Than Light) puts you command of running a spaceship and looking after its crew. Featuring a complex game mechanism that involves maintaining weapons, engines, shields and other areas, in addition to tactical combat, FTL can get extremely in-depth over time. Whether you're ordering your crew to quite literally put out fires on deck in the heat of battle, or are navigating through asteroid fields, FTL is as much about long-term progression and satisfaction as it is quick fixes. Don't let its indie stylings fool you: this is game with untold depth and scary levels of addictiveness.
10. Grim Fandango Remastered
A 90s classic brought back to life (unlike its main protagonist), Grim Fandango Remastered is a successful attempt at bringing back one of the PC's best adventure games of all time. Combining writing that matches the funniest dark comedies with clever puzzles and a still-impressive art style, Grim Fandango was the most entertaining work of art to take place in a Mexican setting for years until Breaking Bad came along. Now with updated graphics, sound and better controls, Manna Calavera's adventure has never looked so good.
11. Skyrim
Four years after its initial release, Skyrim is going as strong as ever thanks to a vast selection of mods and high-resolution texture packs. Even if you're only interested in playing the vanilla version of the RPG, it still offers more than 100 hours of gameplay.
12. Day-Z
Originally launched as an Arma II mod, Day-Z is a zombie shooter with a difference. Not only do you have to mind the undead when wandering around its sprawling maps, but other online players too. Armed with nothing but a lead pipe and carrying nothing but a backpack and a flashlight, you'll need wits to survive.
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Netflix is testing ads, but only for its own shows
Are you tired of plowing through those pesky shows without the interruption of advertisements? Netflix could be answering your call.
The streaming company has confirmed to Cord Cutter News it's testing advertisements to play both before and after your favorite shows and movies. The good(ish) news? Netflix has no plans to air third-party ads like Hulu does and will instead test ads for its original programming.
The ad testing could be meant to explore new pricing tiers, such as a cheaper subscription with advertisements. A price cut or multi-tiered subscription options could undercut the competition and help the service give more exposure to its lesser-known original programming through ads.
Brought to you by
The formula of advertising in-house content isn't revolutionary. For example, HBO Now subscribers are already used to watching a spot for Silicon Valley before diving into Game of Thrones. It's an easy and relatively painless way for a network or service to promote its other material, though that doesn't mean it's not a wee bit annoying.It's possible these ads will never see the light of day outside of testing grounds. A Netflix representative noted, "We are always testing new things via the service, many of which never see a rollout." It's possible you'll be able to binge through the third season of Orange is the New Black this summer without Netflix lobbying its other shows.
Only time will tell if Netflix will roll ads out to users, create a separate payment tier, or drop the idea altogether. But worst-case scenario, you will watch a spot for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt while you're burning through Daredevil, which might not be so bad.
- Here are our 25 favorites shows on Netflix
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Updated: E3 2015: the hardware and games we want to see
E3 2015 Press conferences and streams
Update: Check out page three for games we expect to see at E3, including a teaser for Rise of the Tomb Raider.With a whopping total of eight E3 press conferences this year, it's going to be hard keeping tracking of what to watch and where.
That's why we've stuck all the info in one place. If you're wondering what time the E3 press conferences are or how to stream them, you can find all the times and places below.
Keep checking back as we'll update all the unannounced streams with links.
Bethesda - June 14
7pm PT, 10pm ET, 3am BST, 12:00pm AEST (June 15)Stream will be available via Twitch, both links found on the Bethesda blog
Microsoft - June 15
9:30am PT, 12:30pm ET, 5:30pm BST, 2:30am AEST (June 16)Stream the briefing live via Xbox.com, the Xbox Live Events Player, on Xbox One or Xbox 360 and on Windows Phone globally
EA - June 15
1pm PT, 4pm ET, 9pm BST, 6:00am AEST (June 16)Stream TBA
Ubisoft - June 15
3pm PT, 6pm ET, 9pm BST, 8:00am AEST (June 16)Stream TBA
Sony - June 15
6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am BST, 11:00am AEST (June 16)Stream TBA
Nintendo - June 16
9am PT, 12pm ET, 5pm BST, 2:00am AESTStream from the Nintendo E3 website at e3.nintendo.com
Square Enix - June 16
10am PT, 1pm ET, 5PM BST, 3:00am AESTStream from the Square Enix Twitch or YouTube
PC Gaming Show - June 16
5pm PT, 8pm ET, 1am BST, 10:00am AEST (June 17)Stream TBA but will be through Twitch
Hardware we're excited to see at E3
By the time E3 rolls around players will be a year and a half into the new console generation, so publishers, developers and platform creators need to bring their A-game to LA.Here's what we'd like to see - and believe us when we tell you, this is simply a starting point for an ever-growing list.
Console craze ... and PCs now too!
We don't expect to see very much in the way of hardware at the 2015 expo. Both Sony and Microsoft will have gaming platforms in the market that are under two years old and if Nintendo's past form is anything to go by, it's doubtful it's ready to throw in the towel on the Wii U just yet.Nintendo's only just launched its new 3DS and 3DS XL and Sony continues to support the PS Vita platform, so new handhelds probably aren't on the agenda.
But the notion of a slimmer, more svelte Xbox One wouldn't be unappreciated. On the other hand, if the PS4 loses any more weight it may disappear under your television altogether. What's more likely is that both Microsoft and Sony will make attempts to better utilize their mobile device gaming platforms. A price cut for any of the home consoles wouldn't be completely unexpected either.
An area of hardware we do expect to see plenty of is virtual reality. The Oculus Rift is officially expected to touch down next year, though pricing is still up in the air. But now that we know when to we'll see a more finalized version, we expect it to be at the LA expo with guns blazing.
Microsoft teased the HoloLens at Build 2015 developer conference though we're sure all the juicy info will pop up in June. The HoloLens site even lists the following blurb: "Holographic computing promises whole new ways for us to create, collaborate, work, and play. We look forward to showing and telling you more at E3, the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products."
Sony's Project Morpheus still has some way to go, but Sony's made big leaps forward with the second generation of the headset, and we expect to see more games for it shown off at E3.
Finally, Valve used GDC 2015 to announce its new (and finalized) lineup of Steam Machines, which will launch later in the year. And if we're being incredibly optimistic for a moment? Half-Life 3, Portal 3 and Left 4 Dead 3 announced all at the same time. Imagine. Just imagine.
Speaking of imagining, year in and year out, our friends at PC Gamer would look on at the biggest gaming expo with wanting eyes. While Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony get to show off their wares with bombast, the excellent games and infinitely more powerful hardware on the PC received no such spotlight. But that's all about to change.
Presented by AMD and sponsored by Blizzard Entertainment, Bohemia Interactive, Tripwire Interactive and Digital Storm, the PC Gamer will play host to the first E3 conference all about PC gaming.
Hosted by StarCraft 2 e-sports commentator Sean 'Day9' Plott, the PC Gaming Show will be live streamed in partnership with Twitch from the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles on June 16.
Let's talk E3 games
Update: Here's a teaser of the upcoming Rise of the Tomb Raider game, which we're sure to see more of at E3.It's hard to predict at this stage what developers and publishers will have in store for the E3 shop floor. But there are a ton of titles in 2015's pipeline we desperately want to see more of.
One publisher we're hoping will recapture some of its E3 glisten is Bethesda. The publisher's E3 2014 showing was tepid to say the least; showcasing The Evil Within and BattleCry failed to set the world alight. However, 2015 is set to be extra special - Bethesda has invited us to its first ever E3 press conference, which will take place this year. One game from Bethesda we know we'll be seeing is Doom, after the publisher released a very, very short teaser ahead of its big event.
We'd also be quite pleased with a sequel to Dishonored, or if there was any news about the undeniably intriguing Prey 2. But on the very top of our wish list is an announcement about Fallout 4. They've got to at least give us a tease, right?
More rumors about Fallout 4 spilling out with the conference inching closer. IGN reports that behind the scenes gameplay sessions of the next Fallout game will be held in LA.
Other hopefuls include the Warner Bros Mad Max game, one of the belle's of the E3 2013 ball that we saw neither hide nor hair of it at E3 in 2014. We'd like to see a lot more of that now it's been given a September release date.
Elsewhere, it'll be interesting to see if Activision has more in store for the world than another Call Of Duty, another Skylanders or more bolt-on parts to Destiny. The normally reserved publisher introduced one of this year's biggest and best new IPs. We'd love to see them repeat that trick - even if the odds on it happening are slim.
Square Enix could do with some regrouping. Aside from Final Fantasy XV, which is receiving a mixed reception at best, and the upcoming sequel to the Tomb Raider reboot Square doesn't really have much beyond games with niche appeal. Why is this? This is the publisher that holds the rights to both the Hitman and Deus Ex franchises.
We've already had a good glimpse at Uncharted 4, and we expect the game to have a big presence at E3, although it has now been pushed back into 2016. It's shaping up to be one of the most "next gen" games yet - have you seen the detail in Drake's chest hair?
There are also rumours that United Front is working on a new Sleeping Dogs title and we'd love to see that. Oh, and Sony could 'fess up and tell us whether we'll ever see The Last Guardian in this lifetime.
As for Nintendo, it's bad news: we won't see Zelda Wii U at E3. In fact, Nintendo announced that it's pushed the game back beyond 2015. We're still expecting Star Fox Wii U this year, however, so hopefully that will be flaunting its stuff on the E3 show floor. Perhaps Nintendo might give us a glimpse of something else?
We don't want to start any rumors, but the recent release of the Metroid Prime trilogy on Wii U could be a sign that another franchise might eventually make a glorious return to the home console ...
We'll find out on June 16 at 9 am PST during another Nintendo Digital Event followed by an extended Nintendo Treehouse Live at E3 stream, which will feature "even more games and guest appearances by developers."
Check out the video below of Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé "training" for the first Nintendo World Championships in 25 years. Fans will be able to participate via various Best Buy locations around the US where the winners from different regions will compete in LA during E3.
Additional writing by Lily Prasuethsut
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Apple's new music service could cost as much as Spotify
Apple's new music streaming service will be announced next week at WWDC 2015, according to a new report.
The word from The Wall Street Journal isn't surprising given this is Apple's typical platform for unveiling new software and services, but there's something else eye-catching: a price.
According to the Journal, Apple's new tune service will cost $10/month (about £6, AUD$13) for unlimited, on-demand streaming. That would put it in direct competition with Spotify, which charges $10/£10 for its Premium service.
The new Apple music service reportedly won't have a free tier, though it will apparently put channels with selections from human DJs, who will also play host, on its free, ad-supported internet radio service.
More Apple music details
A few more details about Apple's new music moves also stick out.For one, Android users will apparently have access to Apple's music offerings. A software update to iOS (perhaps iOS 9?), will update the Music app, presumably to deliver the new goods.
Apple may also offer a free trial period for the subscription service, as we've heard about before. Artists and record companies could make songs free as well.
Finally, channels featuring well-known industry folks and run like traditional radio stations may also be on tap. Producers from BBC Radio 1 and famous DJs are reportedly helping create this service, and rappers like Q-Tip, Drake and Dr. Dre are said to be in talks to host shows. Custom channels will reportedly run alongside these pre-set stations.
All may not come to pass next week at WWDC, however. The Cupertino firm is reportedly still waiting to wrap up deals with the three biggest music companies (Sony Music Entertainment, the Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group), and if it can't reach agreements, it may shelve the announcement until a later date. Sources say it's unlikely Apple will delay the announcement, but the clock is ticking.
According to the Journal, Apple is not only looking to get more bang for the buck from its current iTunes customers but also draw in more users, especially in regions outside the US who don't have the some of the music services available there.
If you're one of the 303,000 or so paying Beats Music subscribers, Apple will let you be for the time being, though you'll likely have to move to the new service once it's perfected.
- The best music streaming services compared
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Updated: Windows 10 gets official pricing and July launch
The rumours and leaks were true: Microsoft has confirmed that its next flagship operating system, Windows 10, will launch on Wednesday, July 29.
The operating system will be available in 190 territories globally with existing Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 users having one year (i.e. till 29 July 2016) to upgrade to the new operating system.
The current build, 10130, could well be to be the penultimate one with Microsoft likely to launch one or more builds before the final version.
In addition to improving Cortana's interface, the latest build introduced keyboard shortcuts for the Charms bars and new ways to customize the Start menu.
Pricing
Microsoft stressed the fact that users who update during the promotional period will be able to use Windows 10 at no cost forever (or as the company puts it, for the "supported lifetime of the device").Microsoft has confirmed that those wanting to download the free Windows 10 upgrade can reserve a free copy in the coming weeks.
For users who are not eligible for Microsoft's upgrade program – those who upgrade outside the first year free offer, or those running a Windows operating system older than Windows 7 – Windows 10 Home will cost $119 (£78, AU$156) and Windows 10 Pro will cost $199 (£131, AU$262) per license, Microsoft confirmed to TechRadar. Windows 10 Home users who want to upgrade to Pro will have to pay an additional $99 (£65, AU$130) for the Windows 10 Pro Pack.
- Check out our hands-on review of Windows 10 (build 10074)
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Windows 10 Enterprise brings update flexibility to IT administrators
We're starting to learn more about how Microsoft will be making the Windows 10 upgrade appealing to enterprise and business users. Through information shared with Windows reseller partners, we've learned that the biggest change to the operating system is that IT administrators will have more control on when to roll out new features to users.
Unlike other editions or versions of Windows, Windows 10 Enterprise will only be available as part of Microsoft's volume licensing program. As such, it won't be available in traditional retail channels. Enterprise users with volume licensing contracts and Software Assurance will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 when it is ready.
We learned previously that enterprise users won't be able to participate in the free first year upgrade program for consumer editions of Windows 10.
Windows upgrade
According to a Microsoft presentation slide that was shared with partners, IT administrators can delay new Windows features from being pushed out to enterprise users for up to ten years. Through Microsoft's Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) support, a feature exclusive to Windows 10 Enterprise, IT managers can now delay the delivery of new features for up to ten years. Regular security updates and bug fixes will still be available to users.
For large organizations, administrators can also put different enterprise users on different Windows 10 servicing branches. There are three branches to choose from – LTSB, Current Branch and Current Branch for Business.
Free add-ons
With Windows 10, Microsoft is said to be dropping the fees for some of its software add-ons.The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) will be free for new and renewing customers with Software Assurance, but not retroactively. MDOP gives users access to virtualization, management and recovery tools.
Side-loading is another capability that will be available for free for Windows 10 users. Current Windows users have to pay for a side-loading license, but Microsoft will be building that capability into Windows 10 so a separate add-on license will no longer be needed.
Downgrading
If you're not keen on keeping your Windows 10 license because of your enterprise environment and compatibility issues, Microsoft is also offering free downgrade rights.Windows 10 Enterprise users will have the option to move back to Windows 7 Enterprise or Windows 8.1 Enterprise if they choose.
Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will be available to Home and Pro customers starting on July 29. It's unclear when Windows 10 Enterprise will be available. For consumers not eligible for the free update program, Windows 10 Home will cost $119 (£78, AU$156) and Windows 10 Pro will cost $199 (£131, AU$262) per license, Microsoft told TechRadar. Windows 10 Home users who want to upgrade to Pro will have to pay $99 (£65, AU$130) for the Windows 10 Pro Pack.
Via: ZDNet
- Read our Windows 10 review
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This new HTC One M9 update could fix one of its most critical flaws
Infamous information leaker LlabtooFeR has struck again, tweeting two screenshots of the upcoming HTC One M9 software update, showing that HTC is striving to improve its battery capability.
The update, version 1.40, is aiming to improve a variety of battery issues that have plagued the handset thus far. HTC has struggled to make a phone that can do menial tasks, like browsing the web, without chewing up the battery life.
According to the PCMark battery test, the HTC lasted 5 hours and 12 minutes, actually less than the M8.
According to the pair of screenshots leaked, it looks like users will be able to use their phones for more than a day on a single charge, as long as they're not watching all six Star Wars films in a row on their handset.
Unfortunately, there's no word on whether or not this update will resolve any other bugs or annoyances with the phone at the time of this writing. The update could roll out as soon as early next week, so we shouldn't have too long to wait for more answers.
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QNAP unveils quad-core-powered network-attached storage
QNAP Systems unveiled its latest network-attached storage (NAS) solution at Computex 2015. As an upgrade to the QNAP TS-470, TechRadar's top-rated NAS pick, the TS-563 Turbo NAS comes with a faster quad-core processor.
The TS-563 is designed as a solution for small and medium businesses to build their own secure private cloud. It supports VMWare, Citrix, and Microsoft virtualization solutions along with file sharing, backup and centralized storage.
The NAS system is powered by a 64-bit AMD Embedded G-Series quad-core 2.0GHz processor along with either 2GB or 8GB DDR3 RAM that's upgradable to 16GB. This is an upgrade from the dual-core 2.6GHz Celeron processor that powers the four-bay TS-470. The TS-563 supports five drive bays with SATA 6Gb/s support, two 1GbE LAN ports and AES-NI hardware encryption engine with AES-256 bit full NAS volume encryption for storing sensitive data.
Applications
The TS-563 can run multiple Windows, Android, Linux and UNIX virtual machines with the AMD-V technology support. The virtual machines are accessible by a web browser or remote desktop viewer."The cross-platform file sharing for Windows, Mac, and Linux/UNIX users makes the TS-563 a high-performance centralized storage solution for business entities," QNAP said in a statement. "Windows AD, LDAP directory services and Windows ACL support improves the efficiency of permission settings. The TS-563 can also act as a domain controller for Windows, and offers flexible backup solutions for Windows and Mac users and disaster recovery solutions including Real-Rime Remote Replication (RTRR), rsync and cloud storage backup."
Additionally, for businesses with surveillance needs, the TS-563 Turbo NAS can also be used with the QNAP Surveillance Station to record live feeds from up to 40 camera channels.
Users can attach expansion enclosures to expand the storage to 168TB, distributed over 21 drives with each drive housing an 8TB drive. The TS-563 can accommodate hot-swappable 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch solid state or hard disk drives.
Pricing and availability
QNAP did not announce pricing for the TS-563, but we don't expect the system to be cheap given its features. For comparison, the TS-470 is priced at $1,180 (£700, AU$1,270). The TS-563 Turbo NAS is expected to be available in the next few weeks.The TS-563 will compete in the same space as the Western Digital Sentinel DX4200 ($1,693, £1,080, AU$2,036), Western Digital DL4100 ($529, £499, AU$689) and Netgear ReadyNAS 716 ($2,800, £1,666, AU$3,000)
- Read our picks for the best NAS
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Hands-on review: Lenovo Magic View smartwatch concept
Since the inception of smartwatches, the design concept has been fairly straightforward – a touchscreen watch face, a strap that wraps around your wrist and a button or two around the sides. Lenovo, however, has come up with something a bit different with its Magic View Smartwatch concept, the first wearable with two displays.
One of the biggest problems with smartwatches today is their screen size. While giant watch faces can offer a great experience, they can also be too bulky, as we've seen with the Samsung Gear S. Conversely, a small screen can make it so that text is unreadable and the interface is too tiny to navigate.
With the Magic View concept, Lenovo plans to tackle all the display problems smartwatches face with a second screen that produces an image 20 times larger than the main display for a more immersive experience, while offering users more privacy for sensitive notifications.
Design
On its face, the Magic View concept has a lot in common with the Moto 360. In fact, I'll hazard a guess that the two wearables are sporting the same exact round watch faces as they both share the same black bar on the bottom chin of the screen (which is there to make room for an ambient light sensor).Right beneath this very familiar watch face is the Magic View's defining feature, a second virtual display. While it might look like a simple second LCD, this additional piece actually contains a prism and a "virtual projection optical engine" you have to bring your eye up to in order to actually see a picture. In this way, the second display is less of a traditional screen and more like a miniature Oculus Rift you need to peer into.
Strange as it might sound, to look at this display, you'll have to bring the watch up to your eye and peer into it from there. Sure it'll get you a couple of more stares as you look into your watch like a kaleidoscope, but this more personal screen offers up an image that Lenovo claims is 20 times larger than any smartwatch display. In case you get any sensitive messages, this second display could also be a boon for those who want to keep their notifications private from screen watchers on the train and in public.
Picture imperfect
While the image appears to be larger, it also looks unnatural, as if you were enlarging an LCD screen with a magnifying glass. You can clearly discern the separation between the pixels. What's more, on the corners of the virtual picture you'll notice some off-color blue-green corners, an issue that spreads to the rest of the image if you try to stare into the second screen at an off angle.Even if you were to look inside the second display at the perfect angle and perfect lighting conditions, there are still two black bars at the top and bottom of the virtual image. Imagine peeking into a movie theater designed for ants – that's exactly what the Magic View portion of Lenovo's concept looks like.
It's not a problem unique to Lenovo's Magic View concept, I've seen the same issue with the Avegant Glyph and other less immersive head mounted displays.
There are a lot of kinks to be worked out and, to be fair, this is only a concept. In the tech world, it's a pleasant surprise to see a concept at all, let alone one that works in public. Meanwhile, most prototype devices from tech companies often never see the light of day.
Android Wear at heart
As a concept, the Magic View comes with a surprising amount of functionality that actually works. To use the Magic View's second display, all you need to do is swipe down on the main screen with two fingers. Whether it's a short video on Snapsee or checking out buildings in Google maps, you can bring it down to the second display with a quick finger swipe, which also animates as the item crumples into a ball before falling down to the wearable's lower section.For now it requires specific apps, but it works smoothly with displaying SnapSee videos snapped down below to a 3D render of a building when exploring in Google Maps.
The Magic View concept also came running Android Wear, so fans of the Google-developed wearable platform will feel right at home even with the extra appendage beneath the main display. Hitting the side button brings up the apps menu or returns you to the watch face from an open app. A long press on the touchscreen brings up a set of colorful watch faces to choose from.
Early verdict
The first question that comes to mind with the Lenovo Magic View concept is "Are smartwatch wearers really hurting for another screen?" The answer is probably no. However, the Magic View could be the first real shake-up for smartwatches. Since their inception, the wearables model has largely followed a simple model of functionality, including near-identical notifications, remote cameras and fitness trackers.The Magic View could be a uniquely different product if it takes flight. I want to see it happen, but only after a long series of fixes to improve the virtual image. If all goes well, Lenovo will have created a wearable that combines the elegance of the Moto 360 with Lenovo's desire for privacy and immersive experiences.
Even if Lenovo does perfect the functionality, only time will tell if you'll be laughed at and shamed for staring into your wrist.
- Lenovo had a few other concept devices announced at Tech World
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Internet of things gets massive boost with Intel-Altera deal
After the acquisition of Broadcom by Avago a few days and that of Freescale by NXP a couple of months ago, Intel has announced that it is buying Altera for a cool $16.7 billion (about £11 billion, AU$22 billion).
The deal, which began life as a rumour back in March, dwarfs Intel's previous big acquisition (that of McAfee five years ago)
Altera is an important player in the field of IoT (internet of things) although it is particularly active in the less visible (but more lucrative) markets like Smart City, Industry 4.0, Smart Grid, Healthcare and Connected Car.
So no, Intel didn't buy Altera for its wearable assets.
Already partners
Intel already uses Altera technology in a range of semi-customised Xeon processors that have been snapped up by big iron hardware manufacturers and hyperscale customers as these CPUs can be customized to their own needs. Altera manufactured its top-of-the range Stratix 10 SoC using Intel's 14nm 3D Tri-gate fab.It's worth noting that just a couple of weeks ago, Intel announced a partnership with fabless semiconductor company, eASIC to bring ASIC technology to its Xeon processors.
It will allow reinforce its data centre and internet of things business units by using Altera's recognised expertise in FPGA (field programmable grid array) and CPLD (complex programmable logic device).
Will Altera move away from MIPS and ARM now that it has been acquired by Intel (and will become a business unit)? That is the question.
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