Apple Store hints you shouldn’t buy a new MacBook Pro until after WWDC
If you're in the market for a new MacBook Pro, you may want to hold onto your money for a little longer. A ship date of June 5 for the base 13-inch Pro laptop model hints that Apple could announce an updated edition at the company's WWDC event on June 4. A processor refresh is expected on the new laptop.
Data-stealing bug prompts Comcast to shut down Xfinity activation website
Comcast shuts down its Xfinity activation portal after learning of a bug that may have displayed a customer's address, Wi-Fi name, and network password. Although Comcast claims that it doesn't believe any customer was compromised, it's probably best to buy your own router than to lease one from Xfinity.
Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 Insider Preview release all about fighting malware
Microsoft's latest Windows Insider Preview build places a heavy focus on fighting malware and virus. The biggest change with build 17672 is that third-party antivirus software must run as a system protected process. If it doesn't, then Windows 10's built-in Windows Defender Antivirus will be enabled.
Microsoft Build and Google I/O are over. Which came out on top?
Both Microsoft and Google offer competing visions on how computing can shape the future. Both companies used AI in their demos, but Google took a consumer approach while Microsoft is directing its efforts at developers and the enterprise market.
Need a nudge? Gmail’s new email reminder system goes live
Google's new Gmail Nudge feature is now live. Nudge leverages Google’s artificial intelligence scanning to gently remind you to reply to important emails so you don’t forget. We'll show you how to spot a nudge in your inbox, and how to turn it off if you don't want the feature enabled.
Chromebooks will start to feel more like Windows, but in a good way
Google adds more productivity features, improved app support, and better multitasking to Chrome OS to make Chromebooks a better alternative against systems running Windows 10 or MacOS. These new Chrome OS features make Chrome OS feel just as natural in notebook or tablet form factors.
Like the internet? Google wants to attach it to your face
Google announced the new WebXR APIs to help developers create augmented and virtual reality experiences for the browser. The move will create a more immersive web experience, allowing VR and AR content to be viewed on mobile VR headsets, desktop VR devices, and on the mobile web through Magic Window.
Microsoft is giving Always Connected PCs a performance boost and more apps
Microsoft is about to give its Always Connected PC platform a huge boost in performance. By allowing developers to create 64-bit apps that will run natively -- rather than through an emulator -- Windows 10 systems running on Windows on ARM will benefit from faster apps, and hopefully, see more apps.
Samsung’s wireless mixed reality headset could launch this year
Get ready to cut the cord to your mixed reality glasses! Samsung is reportedly working with Microsoft to launch a wireless mixed reality headset. The device will support both augmented and virtual reality technology, and it could launch this fall at the IFA show, ahead of Apple's rumored 2020 debut.
Microsoft wants Cortana and Alexa to be friends. Is that cool or just awkward?
Microsoft shows how easy it is to summon Alexa from your Cortana-enabled Windows PC. Even though Cortana may benefit from Alexa's skills, Microsoft still needs to figure out how to make its assistant easier to access on a phone, a challenge given that Microsoft doesn't have a smartphone platform anymore.
Windows is back on your phone, and this time it’s a good thing
Microsoft's new mobile strategy brings Windows 10 to your phone, enabling better integration of iOS and Android with the PC. The new Your Phone app lets you view your phone's content on your desktop, while the Timeline experience is coming to mobile, provided you use the Microsoft Edge browser.
Chrome’s search bar may soon display pictures for your browsing pleasure
Google is testing a redesigned search bar that features images in the search suggestions. The descriptive images and text shown in the auto-suggested results would make it more useful for users to find what they need, and you can try out this new experience on the Chrome Canary channel today.
Cambridge Analytica closes as former executives create another data company
The Facebook data breach scandal was too much for Cambridge Analytica to weather, and the company announced it is shutting down. After reports that Cambridge Anayltica had misused consumer data, the company says it was not able to attract new clients, and it lost existing business due to negative media coverage.
Consumers don’t have to use genuine parts to maintain a warranty, FTC says
In its review of warranty policies, the FTC slams six companies for forcing consumers to use genuine parts or obtain service from an authorized partner to maintain their warranty coverage. The FTC said consumers should be allowed to use their devices with any peripherals, accessories, or software.
Facebook’s F8 starts Tuesday. What do you want to hear about?
Facebook's reality has been plagued by questions on privacy and sharing, but it could turn to a brighter virtual reality with Oculus at F8 to appease users and developers. With Oculus, Facebook may give developers the tools to build virtual worlds without sounding the privacy alarm for consumers.
China’s new sci-fi amusement park is powered entirely by virtual reality rides
You won't find traditional roller coasters and games at China's new Oriental Science Fiction Valley amusement park. Instead, the theme park, which cost $470 million to develop, is powered by 35 virtual reality attractions, giving you an immersive experience and offers a glimpse at the future of amusement parks.
Comcast looks to protect cable business with new deal on faster internet speeds
In an effort to protect its cable business, Comcast is wooing customers by giving them a boost in internet download speeds if they subscribe to a package that includes cable TV and internet. The move could be seen as an offensive as Comcast faces increasing threats from streaming services.
Tim Cook says people don’t want iOS and MacOS to merge. What do you say?
Despite Apple's insistence on keeping iOS and Mac OS separate, combining the two operating systems could result in a powerful, new MacBook. Apple could bring LTE and touchscreen support from iOS to create an always-on laptop that supports touch and pen inputs, opening the doors to more computing possibilities.
HoloLens virtual touchscreen is the futuristic tech we’ve been waiting for
Add touchscreen as another way to interact with the environment using Microsoft's HoloLens mixed reality headset. Thanks to researchers at Microsoft Research, you can overlay a virtual touchscreen onto any flat surface while using HoloLens, giving you another way to visualize information and make inputs.
Apple stops making AirPort base stations, exits Wi-Fi router business
Apple is officially leaving the Wi-Fi router business and will stop making the AirPort base stations. The company will continue to sell remaining inventory of AirPort Express, Extreme, and Time Capsule models. Unless you're sold on the Apple AirPort brand, you may want to check out a mesh router instead.
IBM’s blockchain for jewelry will steer consumers clear of blood diamonds
Outside of cryptocurrency, IBM's use of blockchain in jewelry manufacturing will give greater transparency to this business and help consumers choose ethically sourced gems. Consumers will soon be able to scan a QR code using their smartphone to see the origins and manufacturing of their jewelry.
Best Buy knocks up to $265 off the MacBook Pro in one-day sale
If you've been eyeing the 13-inch with MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, Best Buy has a sale that knocks off up to $265 on Apple’s notebook. The one-day deal is good for a variety of configurations with up to 512GB of solid-state storage, and students get additional savings with their educational discount.
20 million Chrome users are fooled into downloading fake ad blockers
Even though Google had removed five ad blockers from its Chrome stores for using malicious code to harvest your browsing data, the lesson is to beware of fakes! These ad blockers, combined, generated more than 20 million downloads. Just remember to only download software from authors and sources you trust.
Would you buy a Pixelbook if it could boot into Windows and Chrome OS?
Newly discovered code reveals that Google could allow Chrome OS users to dual-boot into a secondary operating system. This potentially means that Pixelbook users could run Windows 10 in addition to Chrome OS, or Google could use the feature to allow users to test its unreleased Fuchsia OS prior to launch.
Porsche’s Design Book One sale makes this luxury laptop more affordable
Thanks to a $1,000 price drop, the Porsche Design Book One is an affordable competitior to Microsoft's Surface Book. It's unclear what Porsche Design's plans are for its notebook, but the huge discount could signal a refreshed model is incoming, which could deliver even better performance and battery life.
Localblox data breach is the latest nightmare for Facebook, LinkedIn
An ethical data breach hunter may have stopped the leak of personal data from 48 million people from Localblox’s unsecured locker, but the fact that this data exists creates a new headache for Facebook. Localblox claims that it used data scraped from LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for its database.
Microsoft Windows Defender extension offers Chrome users extra protection
Chrome users will have a little bit of extra protection when they surf the internet. Microsoft has brought its Windows Defender protection to Chrome as a browser extension in a bid to help users identify malicious websites and thwart phishing. Microsoft notes that Windows Defender is 99 percent effective.
Ad-free Facebook access could cost as much as $168 a year
Seeing ads on Facebook may be annoying, but the alternative could wind up costing you up to $168 per year. Even though Facebook hasn’t commented on its subscription plans, an analysis suggests that the feature could come as high as $14 per month, a pricey sum to pay for those of us accustomed to free.
Tech companies pledge to not help governments pull off cyberattacks
Some 34 technology companies have signed the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, pledging to help keep the internet safe from cyberattacks and committing to not helping any government from carrying out attacks This may be the first step in creating a digital Geneva Convention, even if a few big names are missing from the list.
What kind of mouse do you use most on a daily basis?
When you're shopping for your next laptop, don't forget to consider the venerable mouse! Even though your next notebook may come with its own touchpad, an external mouse can deliver more precise tracking, come with additional buttons for customization, and bring improved ergonomics.