The Latest in Computer News

[Poke]

Pre-orders now available at Amazon for Microsoft's new Surface Dock

http://www.neowin.net/news/pre-orders-now-available-at-amazon-for-microsofts-new-surface-dock

Alongside the many devices it announced earlier this month, including the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, Microsoft also unveiled a new version of its Surface Dock. Today, the Pro 4 and Book officially go on sale in the US and Canada, but while the Dock won't be available until later this week, you can pre-order it now.

 

[Poke]

The $99 InFocus Kangaroo is a pocketable Windows 10 mini PC with an internal battery
This is kind of cool.

http://www.neowin.net/news/the-99-i...e-windows-10-mini-pc-with-an-internal-battery

We've reviewed our fair share of mini PCs and while a majority of these devices offer similar specifications at a fair price, they don't really tend to have defining features that allow them to differentiate themselves amongst the pack. That's where the InFocus Kangaroo mini PC comes into play as it offers expandability and true portability.

 

[Poke]

MagicStick Windows 10 mini-PC offers impressive specifications in a small package

http://www.neowin.net/news/magicsti...-impressive-specifications-in-a-small-package

Another new entrant into the new form factor of very small, fully featured Windows PCs is the MagicStick Wave, a pocket-sized Windows 10 PC with an Intel Cherry Trail Z8700 up to 2.4Ghz and 8GB of RAM, along with 64GB of eMMC storage.

The MagicStick Wave is currently being offered through IndieGogo for an early-bird price of $249 US + shipping, with an expected retail price of $399. The early-bird price seems to offer a good value for the computer being offered, but at nearly $400 the device is reaching into price points occupied by even higher powered Core or AMD based mini PCs.

 

[Poke]

Microsoft opens the doors to its New York City flagship store

http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/26/9617520/microsoft-store-nyc-opening-fifth-avenue-flagship

Microsoft chose a busy day to hold the grand opening of its Fifth Avenue retail store. Today marks the launch of the company's new Surface products, including the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4. And later, the new Microsoft Store (and countless other retailers) will hold a midnight launch for the release of Halo 5 for Xbox One. On hand for the store opening and ribbon cutting ceremony were Surface boss Panos Panay, Microsoft COO Kevin Turner, store manager Bill Madden, deputy mayor Richard Buery, and New York City's first-ever chief technology officer, Minerva Tantoco.

 

[Poke]

Microsoft will deliver new Surface Book inventory to stores 'nearly daily'

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsof...e-book-inventory-to-stores-039nearly-daily039

Microsoft's new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book - which it unveiled earlier this month - both went on sale today in the United States and Canada.

However, the latter device has been in particularly high demand, and the company said today that only limited stocks were available to purchase in stores. Customers placing orders for the Surface Book today face a wait of up to 7 weeks for some models.

 

[Poke]

Videocon teams up with Microsoft for 'world's first Windows 10 TV'

http://www.neowin.net/news/videocon-teams-up-with-microsoft-for-worlds-first-windows-10-tv

Videocon unveiled the "world’s first hybrid Windows 10-powered LED TV" in partnership with Microsoft. The set comes in two variants: 32-inch, which is priced at Rs. 39,990 ($610), and 40-inch, which costs Rs. 52,990 ($810).

The smart TV, which the company is referring to as “One Touch PC, One Touch TV,” sports a full-HD (1,920x1,080) display. It is powered by 2GB of RAM, and features 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded up to 128GB using a microSD card. On the connectivity front, the device comes equipped with HDMI ports, and supports Wi-Fi.

 

[Poke]

Android and Chrome OS may be combined as early as next year

http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/29/android-chrome-os-merger-coming-next-year/

For years, people have wondered if Google would merge its Android and Chrome operating systems, and the company has steadfastly held to them important but distinctpieces of its strategy. That might be changing: The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google has been working for two years to merge Chrome OS and Android. The results of that unified operating system is expected to be officially released to the public in 2017, but we may see an early version as soon as next year.

 

[Poke]

Microsoft Band 2 is now officially on sale

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Microsoft-Band-2-is-now-officially-on-sale_id75282


Microsoft is serious about health and fitness with its wearables.
The original Microsoft Band, released last year, packed some 10 sensors, the most in any mass market consumer wearable device, and this year's Band 2 adds a few more, including a sophisticated VO2 Max gauge that will allow athletes to measure their lung capacity. It's also hugely redesign, and while it's not a beauty in its own right, the new bracelet now has nice curves and a more comfortable fit.

 

[Poke]

Unboxing the Core i7 Microsoft Surface Book

http://www.windowscentral.com/unbox...=slider&utm_campaign=navigation&utm_source=wp

Man this is a nice device...

We roll hard.

Although we plan on reviewing this impressive hardware next week, for now we'll do a quick unboxing and hands-on of the latest Surface. Have you pre-orderd? Still deciding which Surface to get? Sound off in comments and let us know what you think!

 

[Poke]

Which should you buy? Surface Pro 4 vs. Surface Book

http://www.windowscentral.com/should-you-buy-surface-pro-4-or-surface-book

Up until recently, if you wanted to get a device running Windows to that you can also hold in your hands as a tablet, the answer would have been almost unanimous: get a Surface Pro 3. But then, Microsoft said here's the new Surface Pro 4, which is the updated version of the best productivity tablet. Not only that but the company also unveiled the Surface Book, which is a gorgeous laptop packing some serious horsepower with a sleek and compact design.

The new devices are amazing, but making the decision on which one to buy could be a difficult task. Today we're going to go back and forth between the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book to settle once for all, which one you should get.

 

[Poke]

Second teen arrested after TalkTalk hack; company admits some bank details unencrypted

http://www.neowin.net/news/second-t...-company-admits-some-bank-details-unencrypted

Last week, TalkTalk - one of the UK's largest providers of broadband, landline and pay-TV services - revealed that its website had been targeted by a "significant and sustained cyberattack". It also said that some customer information, including banking details, "may have been accessed".

 

[Poke]

FCC Fines Another Company for Blocking Convention Center Wi-Fi

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/...ny-for-Blocking-Convention-Center-WiFi-135540

The FCC has fined yet another company for blocking Wi-Fi at convention centers in order to drive visitors to its own more expensive service. According to the FCC announcement, the agency has fined a company by the name of MC Dean $718,000 for blocking consumers’ Wi-Fi connections at the Baltimore Convention Center. According to the agency, MC Dean blocked personal hotspots and tethered modems to drive exhibitors and visitors toward its own Wi-Fi access, which cost as much as $1,095 per event.
The company used technology that sent de-authorization packets to user devices, kicking them off of their own personal hotspots or tethered smartphones.
“Consumers are tired of being taken advantage of by hotels and convention centers that block their personal Wi-Fi connections,” said Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau. “This disturbing practice must come to an end. It is patently unlawful for any company to maliciously block FCC-approved Wi-Fi connections.”

This isn't the first company to enter the FCC's crosshairs on the matter. The agency fined Smart City Holdings $750,000 for the same offense back in August, and it fined Marriott for the same behavior in late 2014.

 

[Poke]

Microsoft releases firmware update for Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 to fix screen flickering

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsof...ok-and-surface-pro-4-to-fix-screen-flickering

With any new product launch there are sure to be some bugs. With Microsoft's new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book entering their second week of availability, some users have been reporting several problems. The most common of these was related to an unresponsive display driver which caused sporadic screen flickering as well as some issues with external monitors.

Just days ago we reported that Microsoft was working on fixes for these various issues and today it looks like they have released a firmware update for these devices along with the corresponding change log:

• HD Graphics 520 driver update (v20.19.15.4308) addresses some display issues, including some scenarios that result in screen flickering.
• Display audio driver update (v8.20.0.659) supports compatibility with the updated graphics driver.
• Surface Embedded Controller Firmware update (v103.855.257.0) improves system stability.
• Surface Pen Settings driver update (v10.0.302.0) adds support for future functionality on Windows 10.

 

[Poke]

Get up to $800 off when you trade in your Surface tablet, for a limited time

http://www.neowin.net/news/get-up-t...ade-in-your-surface-tablet-for-a-limited-time

For a limited time, Microsoft is currently offering a big discount towards its Surface products. If you trade in any Surface device on a Microsoft Store, you can get as much as $700 towards the purchase of a new Surface tablet. You can also grab an extra $100 if you opt for a purchase of the company's latest device, the Surface Pro 4.

 

[Poke]

Samsung's latest ATIV laptop gets a 4K screen, discrete graphics

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/04/samsung-ativ-book-9-pro/

Samsung's ATIV Book 9 series has mostly targeted Ultrabook buyers with lighweight, powerful and pricey models like the ATIV Book 9 Plus. However, the company's latest model, the ATIV Book 9 Pro is now suited for demanding users like gamers and graphics pros, thanks to workstation-class specs. It's equipped with the latest sixth-gen Intel Core i7 CPUs, a 15.6-inch 4K display with optional NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M graphics and 6.5 hours of battery life, all squeezed into a 4.45 pound all-aluminum body. Like other ATIV Book 9 models, it also features a slim, tapered front profile.

 

[Poke]

New BBC Store lets you buy and keep TV shows; includes Windows 10 app with Cortana support

http://www.neowin.net/news/new-bbc-...-includes-windows-10-app-with-cortana-support

The BBC has launched a new digital store in the UK, intended to make it easier for viewers to buy and keep episodes and series of new shows and TV classics, from a library of over 7,000 hours of content.

 

[Poke]

AMD face lawsuit after falsely advertising the number of cores in their chips

http://www.neowin.net/news/amd-face...advertsing-the-number-of-cores-in-their-chips

Chip-maker AMD has been struck by a class action lawsuit, after it was revealed that they falsely advertised the number of cores in their Bulldozer processor range. The lawsuit from San Jose’s district court claims that while a Bulldozer processor may offer eight cores, these only function as four. AMD’s micro-architecture is largely to blame; due to how separate cores operate within the unit. While each processor may indeed offer eight cores, these cores have been modified, and cannot work independently as a result.

 

[Ilya]

AMD face lawsuit after falsely advertising the number of cores in their chips

http://www.neowin.net/news/amd-face...advertsing-the-number-of-cores-in-their-chips

Chip-maker AMD has been struck by a class action lawsuit, after it was revealed that they falsely advertised the number of cores in their Bulldozer processor range. The lawsuit from San Jose’s district court claims that while a Bulldozer processor may offer eight cores, these only function as four. AMD’s micro-architecture is largely to blame; due to how separate cores operate within the unit. While each processor may indeed offer eight cores, these cores have been modified, and cannot work independently as a result.

Interesting!
Now, can someone please sue JVC for advertising e-shift projectors as 4K ?!!

 

[Poke]

The best hidden features in Windows 10's major update

http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/13/9727870/microsoft-windows-10-november-update-hidden-features

First update for Win 10 more to come..

Microsoft's first major Windows 10 update debuted yesterday with some new features and changes. Most of the additions are obvious, but there are a few hidden away. Here are several Windows 10 features you might not have discovered yet.

Find my device

You're probably used to using a find my device feature on your phone, but what happens if you lose your laptop? In most versions of Windows you'd have to settle for a third-party app to trust and track your laptop's location, but Microsoft has decided to add this functionality straight into Windows 10. Just like the mobile equivalent, you can enable find my device and it will track the last known location of your laptop or PC.

It's linked to your Microsoft Account so you can sign-in on the web from another device if you lose your laptop or it gets stolen. You can find the setting to enable it in settings > update & security > find my device.


Cast media to device

Microsoft already supports DLNA and Miracast streaming inside Windows 10, but the latest update makes it a lot more discoverable. If you're using Microsoft Edge then there's a new option to "cast media to device" and elsewhere there's a little cast icon in apps like photos or videos. The cast media feature lets you send photos, video, and audio to compatible devices with no setup required. It's a lot like Google's Chromecast feature now.

 

[Poke]

Gmail will soon warn you when an unencrypted message arrive

This is good..

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/13/gmail-will-soon-warn-you-when-an-unencrypted-message-arrives/

n its on-going quest to lock down your email communication, Google is working on a new notification system for Gmail. The alerts will let you know when you receive a message from an incoming mail server that's not encrypted. Mountain View continues its work on email security, partnering with researchers to analyze changes since 2013. Amulti-year study found that while email security improved over the last two years, threats from those tampering with SSL requests and malicious DNS servers. The issues don't impact Gmail to Gmail messages, but they could cause issues with correspondence from outside email providers. So, to combat the issue, Google came up with the warning system. Those Warnings will alert users to potential dangers, and they're expected to roll out in the months to come.