Samsung Galaxy Note 5 rumoured specs and renders leaked

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 rumoured specs and renders leaked

Amid speculation that it was moving the launch of its Galaxy Note 5 - and possiby S6 Edge+ - up in order to give some breathing room from Apple's iPhone 6S launch, Samsung finally announced its 'Unpacked' event, which will be held on August 13. The company is expected to launch its upcoming flagship and a possible larger version of the S6 Edge on that date. Earlier today, images of an alleged press render were leaked to the Internet.

Now, a leak from the ever-reliable Evan Blass (@evleaks) has outed the specifications of the device before the launch. The device is said to be sporting an octa-core Exynos 7420 processor, with 4 cores clocked at 2.1GHz and the other four at 1.5GHz in a typical big.LITTLE formation. Featuring 4 GB of RAM, it will also have a 5.66-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1440p.

Regarding the camera, Blass claims that the Note 5 will have a 16MP main shooter and a 5MP module for the front-facing camera. It will also run the latest Android 5.1.1, with internal storage starting at 32 GB but with no SD card support.
After another disappointing quarter and the release of its S6 and S6 Edge flagships not helping the company's bottom line significantly, the company is pinning its hopes on the release of new devices like these to turn its fortunes. 

Source and Image: @evleaks

Mozilla cries foul on changes to Windows 10's default browser settings

Mozilla cries foul on changes to Windows 10's default browser settings

In a recent blog post and open letter by Mozilla to its CEO, Satya Nadella, Microsoft has come under fire for the changes made to default settings in Windows 10, with Mozilla CEO Chris Beard going as far as to say that "user choice has now been all but removed [in Windows 10]."

He goes on to state:

The upgrade process now appears to be purposefully designed to throw away the choices its customers have made about the Internet experience they want...On the user choice benchmark, Microsoft's Windows 10 falls woefully short, even when compared to its own past versions. While it istechnically possible for people to preserve their previous settings and defaults, the design of the new Windows 10 upgrade experience and user interface does not make this obvious nor easy.

If the strong language used in this post wasn't enough, Mozilla has also penned an open letter to Satya Nadella, outlining all the issues they have with the new version of Windows. The company claims that changes to the default API settings are now less intuitive and make it harder for users to use third party apps, with changing your defaults requiring twice as many clicks compared to previous versions of Windows.

The letter ends with the following exhortation:

We strongly urge you to reconsider your business tactic here and again respect people's right to choice and control of their online experience by making it easier, more obvious and intuitive for people to maintain the choices they have already made through the upgrade experience. It should be easier for people to assert new choices and preferences, not just for other Microsoft products, through the default settings APIs and user interfaces.

It looks like Microsoft is under increasing fire regarding its new browser, Microsoft Edge, as Symantec - the company behind Norton Antivirus - have already taken issue with the lack of extensions, arguing that it leads to a less secure experience for users. Following that, we now have Mozilla, one of Microsoft's biggest competitors in the browser space, all but accusing the company of being anti-competitive.

Source: Mozilla

Major Android security flaw leaves 950 million phones vulnerable to being silently hacked

Major Android security flaw leaves 950 million phones vulnerable to being silently hacked

A huge security vulnerability in Android has been uncovered by a researcher, who revealed that devices can be hijacked using nothing more than a simple MMS message. The exploit is believed to affect almost all Android devices currently in use today, including those running all versions of the OS from Android 2.2 FroYo onwards.

Joshua Drake, VP of platform research and exploitation at mobile security specialists Zimperium, discovered several vulnerabilities in a core component of the OS called 'Stagefright', which is used to play, create and edit multimedia files. He describes this latest Android security flaw as "the worst Android vulnerabilities discovered to date", adding that "if 'Heartbleed' from the PC era sends [a] chill down your spine, this is much worse."

He found that some of these vulnerabilities could be exploited to remotely run code on the device, simply by receiving an MMS message, or by watching a specially constructed video file in a web browser, or even viewing a seemingly innocent web page with embedded media content.

As PC World explains:

The library is not used just for media playback, but also to automatically generate thumbnails or to extract metadata from video and audio files such as length, height, width, frame rate, channels and other similar information.
This means that users don’t necessarily have to execute malicious multimedia files in order for the vulnerabilities found by Drake to be exploited. The mere copying of such files on the file system is enough.

What makes this threat particularly troubling is that it doesn't require any authorizing action on the part of the user at all. Drake points out that your phone could receive an MMS while on silent as you're sleeping, execute malicious code on the device, and then set the MMS message to delete itself, so you'd never even be aware of the fact that your device just got pwned.

However, attackers are limited in the capabilities that can be exploited using this vulnerability; some devices afford higher privileges to the Stagefright framework than others, so the extent of the vulnerability will differ between devices. On most of them, the camera, microphone and and external storage partition will be vulnerable - but Drake believes that around 50% of affected devices run Stagefright with higher privileges, making it easier to gain root access and fully take control.

Drake didn't only publish information about the vulnerabilities - he also created patches and gave them to Google in April. He says that Google added the fixes to its internal Android code base within 48 hours.

However, the rate at which Android updates roll out is notoriously slow - eight months after its launch, Lollipop had only reached 12% of current devices. Drake believes that around 95% of Android devices in use today - around 950 million in total - are still affected.
You might want to blame the carriers for that, but even Google's own Nexus devices remain impacted today, as the company has not yet patched all of them against this vulnerability. Drake told PC World that the Nexus 6 was the only device in Google's range to have received fixes so far, and on his blog post, he even includes screenshots (shown at the top of this article) captured on a hijacked Nexus 5 running the very latest Android release, 5.1.1 Lollipop.

And because many manufacturers and carriers abandon their devices after 18-24 months, rolling out no further updates after that initial period, he believes that it's optimistic to believe that even 50% of Android devices vulnerable to this threat will actually be properly patched, which - if accurate - will leave a huge number of users at risk.
Drake will present more details on his research into the vulnerability at the Black Hat USA security conference on August 5, and at DEF CON 23 on August 7.

Source: Zimperium via PC World

Sony Xperia Z5 could launch with Spectre movie... and keep current CPU

Sony Xperia Z5 could launch with Spectre movie... and keep current CPU

No Mr Bond, I expect you to upgrade!
One of the benefits of being a multinational conglomerate with both a movie studio and a mobile phone division is that you can use one subsidiary to promote another - and it sounds like that's exactly what Sony plans to do.

Leaked images from China suggest the upcoming Sony Xperia Z5 is going to be "Made for Bond" - in other words, the company's next flagship phone will feature heavily in the Spectre movie and launch alongside it.
That means an arrival in late October or early November depending on where in the world you are. Intriguingly, the images blur out the "Z" part of the Z5, suggesting Sony might be ditching its long-time naming strategy.

Out with the old?

The images may have been mocked up by a bored Bond fan in Photoshop but the timing and the strategy make sense, so we thought they were worth reporting. They're not the only Xperia rumours doing the rounds this weekend either.
User agent profiles spotted on the Sony website suggest there are indeed two new flagships coming this year - potentially the Z5 and Z5 Compact - but these profiles keep the Snapdragon 810 CPU of existing models, and the same screen resolutions too.
Would Sony bother with such an incremental upgrade for its next flagship phones? Or does it just want new handsets to tie in with the upcoming Bond film? Our spies will keep their ears close to the ground.

Intel and Microsoft are working on a fixing a bug that reduces battery life in Windows 10

Intel and Microsoft are working on a fixing a bug that reduces battery life in Windows 10

As Microsoft is getting closer to the finish line, the company is becoming increasingly vigilant about squashing any and all bugs they can find. To that end, the company has already released numerous hotfixes and security patches since last Thursday, when build 10240 hit RTM. A bug that is currently affecting the battery life of some laptops running Windows 10 is being worked on by Intel and Microsoft.

Intel confirmed the existence of the problem and stated:

Intel and Microsoft are working to optimize drivers for battery performance on Windows 10 across Intel platforms. While we are working on technical optimizations, we have seen very minor hits to battery life but even the upper end of what we have seen is below 10 percent. Do know that we expect battery life on Windows 10 systems to be nearly the same as on Windows 8.1 systems once the final Windows 10 drivers have been updated and released.

Microsoft isn't alone in ramping up optimizations as the launch of the highly anticipated OS draws closer. Several OEMs, such as HP, Dell and Acer, and readying their supply chain and distribution channels for shipping Windows 10 PCs; enterprise-oriented partners and accessory makers are also tuning their wares to better support the new OS.

Source: PCWorld

After 360 content, YouTube is now introducing 360-degree ads

After 360 content, YouTube is now introducing 360-degree ads

Most of us don’t yet own a virtual reality headset, but that hasn’t stopped Google from already starting to populate YouTube with VR-compatible content. And, of course, first came the content, now come the ads.
Google recently introduced 360-degree videos, which are compatible with its Cardboard VR headset, and offer users a more immersive and unique experience. And now the company is introducing ads in the same format, which could capture the viewers’ attention much more easily than traditional ads.

Luckily, these 360-degree videos and experiences aren’t entirely limited to VR headsets. Instead, they also offer something to all of us with a simple browser, iOS or Android YouTube app. Regular users can still use their mouse or tilt their phones around to explore the whole 360-degree scene.

It’s a really cool way to explore something, and it also makes people much more likely to rewatch your content to see the parts they may have missed. As for ads, it’s normal to see Google want to expand its ability to make piles of cash. Plus, at least these new ads may be a bit more interesting and appealing than your regular text pop-ups.

This is a 360-degree promotional video for Warcraft. Make sure to click and drag across the video!

Source: Google AdWords

What it's like to use Samsung's Tizen-based 4K TV (in a non-4K world)

What it's like to use Samsung's Tizen-based 4K TV (in a non-4K world)

It's not easy getting a massive 65-inch TV inside a Brooklyn apartment. But, oh, is it worth the trouble. In this case, I'm talking about the Samsung JU6500, a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) smart TV powered by the company's newly minted, homegrown Tizen OS. Unless you were dead-set on Android TV, the set comes with most everything you would want in 2015: support for Ultra High-Definition media, access to entertainment apps and an actually reasonable price point. Although it's listed at $2,800, you can get one for around $2,100 from retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, Adorama and Samsung's own site. Unfortunately for the company, its JU6500 seems expensive compared to Vizio's cheap 4K series -- which makes the buying decision harder for people who want a UHD TV.

Beyond that, the JU6500 delivers stunning picture quality, with bright colors, deep blacks and true whites, while a contrast enhancer gives you a sense of depth when you're looking at the LED display (think: a bit like 3D). Additionally, there's a quad-core processor, 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI inputs, three USB ports, Bluetooth, Ethernet, WiFi and DTS Premium Sound 5.1. At 2.5 inches thick and 60.6 pounds (with the stand), it's relatively thin and light too, but then again, most high-end TVs are nowadays. You'll also find video and music apps, an upscaling feature that takes 720p and 1080p content to near-4K resolution and PlayStation Now, Sony's game-streaming service. What you won't see here, however, is a 3D mode; Samsung says that's an omission it made to keep the cost down.

Running down the spec sheet, Samsung's JU6500 easily stands out as a top-of-the-line TV. That's because it is. Watching movies and shows and playing video games on it is a pleasure; everything looks and sounds crisp; totally immersive. I'm not just talking about enjoying 4K content, either, which is obviously one of the main strengths of this TV. To give you an example, I started watching HBO's The Wire again, and it's as if I had never seen the show before -- the remastering helps, naturally, but I also watched it on my 42-inch, 1080p TV and the experience wasn't as enjoyable. The same goes for gaming on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One or Wii U; graphics look incredible on everything from FIFA 15 to Battlefield Hardline, Titanfall and Mario Kart 8.

One of the few times I felt disappointed was while using PlayStation Now. Granted that wasn't the TV's fault. Even though I have internet speeds capable of handling the streaming service, the visuals from PlayStation 3 games don't cut it anymore. This is particularly true on a 65-inch device, where you can easily notice just about every dropped frame -- and that happens often on PlayStation Now. If you're willing to deal with this, you can still have plenty of fun playing old-school titles, including Batman: Arkham City and the Uncharted series. The TV's streaming functionality also extends to smartphones, since Samsung lets you pair it with some handsets for AirPlay-esque features.

It's also worth noting that, since the day I've had it (close to a month now), the JU6500 has lost its cool on me a few times. In more than a couple of occasions, it froze as I tried to stream a 4K movie via Amazon Instant Video. The same happened while I was browsing Samsung's smart TV app store, becoming unresponsive and requiring a hard reboot (read: disconnecting the power and plugging it back in). Sure, bringing it back to life isn't hard, but you shouldn't have to worry about that with a $2,000-plus, high-end TV.


For the most part, though, the JU6500 presents a seamless experience, and that's thanks to the work Samsung's done on Tizen OS. The menu system is simple and straightforward, allowing you to quickly find any setting you may want to change, like your picture and sound modes as well as network connectivity and power options. On the big screen, Tizen OS relies on a card-based system that never lets you feel lost as you're browsing the menu. Say you end up jumping into the wrong option; you can easily get back to the previous window by simply clicking the left arrow. If you've ever used a TV (smart or otherwise) with a tedious menu, then you'll definitely appreciate this.

Speaking of Amazon Instant Video, you're going to need it if you want to get the most out of this (or any) 4K TV. At the moment, that's one of the few applications actually offering UHD content, and even then, its selection is quite limited. The others are Netflix and M-Go, a video app developed in part by Samsung, both of which have a small library of 4K movies and TV shows to stream and buy or rent, respectively. Amazon does deliver its latest original series in 4K (Bosch, Transparent, Mozart in the Jungle and Alpha House), but Prime members also get access to some movies at no cost. Netflix's 4K programming, on the other hand, includes House of Cards and Breaking Bad, as well as films like Philadelphia, Jerry Maguire and The Smurfs 2.

Want to buy movies or TV episodes instead? Don't fret -- Amazon has you covered there as well. But do keep in mind they won't be cheap and that, again, you won't have many options to choose from. For example, one of my UHD purchases was Pineapple Express, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco -- which costs $25, whereas the Blu-ray is $10. Still, you get what you pay for. In general, there are too many details in the 4K picture quality that can't be ignored, such as a facial pore on Franco's face you wouldn't normally see in the 1080p version. Here, it's exposed for your viewing pleasure. That's not to say 1080p video doesn't display well on this UHD TV; the upscaling feature works great across the board, like when you're watching Blu-rays or streaming content from non-4K apps such as HBO Go or Hulu Plus.

Ultimately, what holds back the JU6500 isn't its hardware or software, but rather the shortage of Ultra High-Def content currently available. The good news is that, if you spend the money on it right now, you're setting yourself up for the future -- everyone's working hard to make 4K a reality, so it's only a matter of time before the technology becomes the norm.

SOURCE: Engadget

Apple already took 75 percent of the smartwatch market

Apple already took 75 percent of the smartwatch market

The official numbers for Apple Watch sales are still a mystery. But, according to a report by research firm Strategy Analytics, the Cupertino company shipped an estimated 4 million units during the second quarter of 2015. As a result, Apple's already captured 75 percent of the smartwatch marketshare across the world, despite only being available since late April. Strategy Analytics also points out that, thanks mostly to the Watch, global smartwatch shipments saw a remarkable 457 percent growth year-over-year. Meanwhile, Samsung was the big loser in Q2 2015, as it fell to second place and is said to have shipped a mere 0.4 million devices during that timeframe.

While Apple hasn't been clear-cut about how its Watch business is doing, Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri did reveal yesterday that the product was responsible for around a billion dollars in quarterly sales. A billion dollars doesn't sound half-bad, sure, but wouldn't it be much better if Apple just told us how many wrist wearables it has sold so far? 

SOURCE: Strategy Analytics

Here's your clearest look yet at the next Moto G

Here's your clearest look yet at the next Moto G

If there was any doubt left that Motorola will unveil a new Moto G at its July 28th event, Swiss retailer Digitec just removed it. The store has posted listings for a "3rd gen" Moto G that offers the clearest look yet at what this budget smartphone will likely deliver. Besides a fresher design, it could be far more potent than its predecessor

Digitec claims that the new G touts :

• 5-inch 1080p display, 
• 2GB of RAM, LTE and 
• 1.7GHz quad-core chip (likely the 64-bit Snapdragon 610). 

If it weren't for the 8GB of expandable storage, this could easily pass for a mid-range phone. You probably won't have to pay mid-range prices, though, since the G tentatively costs $245 off-contract in Switzerland. We'd still take the listings with a grain of salt, since retailers occasionally botch specs. If they're accurate, though, they suggest that you're in for a treat if you want an affordable, near-stock Android phone this summer.

VIA: Giga.de (translated) 

SOURCE: Digitec (translated )

Google Drive syncs files directly from Windows Office apps

Google Drive syncs files directly from Windows Office apps

Google already added tools that help Drive play nice with Office files, and now it's offering easy access from inside Microsoft's apps.

With a new plug-in, you can open files for Word, Excel and PowerPoint from Drive. When the time comes, you'll be able to save them in Google's cloud-based repository, too. It seems simple enough to use, and it's sure to come in handy for folks who prefer Google's storage option over Microsoft's, but still use Office to get work done. For now, the add-on works for Office on Windows machines, and there isn't any mention of when or if we can expect the same tool to arrive for the productivity suite for Mac.

SOURCE: Google

Apple's Home Sharing for music returns in latest iOS 9 beta

Apple's Home Sharing for music returns in latest iOS 9 beta

Well, would you look at that. Not long after it was reported that Apple had killed Home Sharing for music in iOS 8.4, the company appears to be ready to bring the feature back to life. As MacRumors points out, Home Sharing for music is now included in the fourth beta of iOS 9 for developers -- sorry, public testers, this isn't for you.

Apple's SVP of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, said earlier this month that his team was working on restoring the feature, even though there was no indication of when that would be happening. But now it's here, so go have at it if you're part of the iOS dev program.

SOURCE: MacRumors

Google+ Photos is shutting down on August 1

Google+ Photos is shutting down on August 1

Earlier this year, big changes were announced to Google+, as the search giant broke the platform down into smaller components, including Photos, Streams and Hangouts. Following up on that announcement, the company launched a new Google Photos app in May, and it's now ready to retire its predecessor.

The older Google+ Photos app will begin shutting down on August 1 - first on Android, before web access and the iOS app are killed off later. Users of the old app on Android should soon see a prompt encouraging them to download the new Google Photos app instead. As Google explains:

Don’t worry, all your photos and videos will still be saved and available after you switch to the new, stand-alone Google Photos app. With the new app you’ll still be able to backup, edit, and share your photos and videos, with unlimited storage, automatic organization, and more.

f you don't update to the new app, the company says that "Google+ Photos on Android will soon stop working, but your photos and videos will still remain safely stored and available via http://photos.google.com or for export using Google Takeout."

Download: Google Photos (Google Play)

Logitech wants to turn your iPad into a Surface

Logitech wants to turn your iPad into a Surface

When it first unveiled the Surface line three years ago, Microsoft marketed its first foray into manufacturing PCs as a productivity powerhouse, giving you the best of both worlds; the mobility of the tablet and the productivity of the PC. The iPad, on th other hand, was the king of consumption but, to this day, lacks in the productivity department - so much so that rumors of a larger, Surface-esque iPad Pro just will not cease. Logitech wants to change that.

It looks like the designers of the accessories mainstay saw the Surface and just fell in love. Their latest keyboard cover is all but an imitation of the Surface.

The cover goes round your iPad Air 2 and, due to extra cushions embedded within the walls, protects your device in the case of a fall. What makes this cover unique, however, is what's round back: an "any-angle" kickstand to support your device. Furthermore, if you opt for the Keyboard Case, you also get a magnetically detachable keyboard, making your iPad the Surface Pro's long lost twin. It connects by Bluetooth, like any other third-party keyboard.

Logitech recently announced Logi, a sub brand with an emphasis on design and colour, and you can see it in their first offering. The keyboard comes in black or a combination of teal/blue or red/violet. It sells for $129 - or you can buy just the kickstand cover for $69, excluding the keyboard.

Source: Logitech| Thanks for the tip, George!

Microsoft delays feature to install apps on an SD card with Windows 10

Microsoft delays feature to install apps on an SD card with Windows 10

Later this month, Microsoft will be delivering Windows 10 to consumers around the world but one feature that was previously announced, will not be ready on July 29th. With Windows 10, there is an option to install apps on an SD card but that feature has been postponed.
Microsoft says that the feature is not ready for prime time and will be rolled out later this year. We suspect this means that the feature will arrive in October, with Threshold Wave 2 and will be released likely along side the Skype messaging app.

The good news here is that this delay does not impact those using Windows 10 Mobile. But the bad news is that for those who are planning on buying a lower-end Windows 10 tablet, you won't be able to install apps on an SD card until later this year. While this delay may not be an issue for everyone, it does limit Windows 10's appeal at launch.
Still, the feature is coming to the OS sometime later this year and while we work to dig up the rest of the features that should arrive in this same update, just know that SD card app support is still coming, just not at launch.

Read: Microsoft | 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 launch slated for next week, with new image

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 launch slated for next week, with new image

And the iPad's glancing nervously over its shoulder

In recent months hardly a week has gone by without a new Galaxy Tab S2 rumour or three: the next-generation slate is expected to pick up where the Galaxy Tab S left off and give the iPad a run for its money.

Well now there's word from Tabletmonkeys that the tablet is finally going to see the light of day on Monday, and there's a new press image to add some credibility. Tabletmonkeys isn't particularly known for its scoops so don't book the day off work yet, but it seems a plausible prediction.
If the rumour mill is to believed, Samsung's next premium tablet will come in both 9.7-inch and 8-inch models, with a thickness of just 5.4mm. A 64-bit octa-core Exynos 7420 processor and 3GB RAM are the likely specs.
Slate expectations

That's quite a switch from the 10.5-inch and 8.4-inch models that we saw last time around - it would seem that nobody wants larger tablets any more (though Apple doesn't appear to be listening).

This isn't the first time we've seen an image purporting to show the Galaxy Tab S2, as it was also spotted making its way through FCC approval last month. The fact that it's at that stage suggests a launch is indeed close.
Even Apple is struggling to sell tablets these days, with longer upgrade cycles and larger smartphones squeezing the market, but if any Android slate can hit the right spot it's going to be the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2.

Microsoft opens Xbox-to-Windows game streaming up to everyone

Microsoft opens Xbox-to-Windows game streaming up to everyone

Microsoft's removed the Xbox-to-PC game-streaming restrictions and now anyone with Redmond's latest console and Windows 10 can play Sunset Overdrive or attempt to jump into a few online Halo: The Master Chief Collection matches on their device. More than that, some pretty big new features are hitting the Windows 10 Xbox app including party chat and tweaks to how screenshots and video clips are shared via the Game DVR.

Perhaps most impressive is how the My Games functionality within the application works now. Sure, your games purchased from the Windows Store automatically populate under the banner as you'd expect, but that's extending to "a large number" of older games you might've bought from other sources too. You can manually add titles if they don't appear as well, and Microsoft says it'll keep track of what you're adding so the automation improves with time. Of course there are plenty more new additions to the service, so be sure to check out the Xbox Wire post to read all about 'em. 

SOURCE: Xbox Wire

Yahoo released a video message app, but not everyone can use it

Yahoo released a video message app, but not everyone can use it

Text with video, but only in Hong Kong

You've probably not heard about Yahoo's newest messaging app, and you probably won't for a while, as the Yahoo Livetext app is only available in Hong Kong.

Yahoo's new offering, which launched last week, gives a new spin to the usual messaging apps, allowing users to send a short live video with text, though without audio.
The app's description on the Hong Kong iTunes store says that Livetext is "...the most natural way to have 'real' conversations. It's live video texting, without sound. You will feel like your friends are right there with you."
"Livetext transforms simple conversations into rich, fun, and memorable experiences. It's an entirely new way to stay in touch."

A new way to message?

The app uses a cellular data connection or Wi-Fi, and is restricted to one-on-one conversations. As you enter text, a live video of where you are will appear, and as soon as your contact enters the chat, you'll be able to see their reaction.
Audio has been removed, because Yahoo says, "it's rarely convenient in today's fast-paced world."
As we said earlier, though, the app is only available in Hong Kong, likely being tested in the region before Yahoo releases it worldwide.
And we do assume it will be released globally, because the app does support a large number of languages from around the world - we just have no idea where, yet.

Via TechCrunch

Microsoft combines OneNote for iPhone and iPad, updates Android app too

Microsoft combines OneNote for iPhone and iPad, updates Android app too

Hot on the heels of releasing a new version of OneNote for the Mac, Microsoft is pushing out some updates to its corresponding iOS and Android apps. For starters, there are no longer separate applications for the iPhone and iPad; in fact, iPad users will be prompted to re-download the app the next time they launch it.

The main benefit here seems to be that Microsoft has an easy way of porting over all the features from the more advanced iPhone app, without having to re-code them for the tablet version. That means, for instance, that you can now access OneNote from the Notification Center on the iPad, the same way you already can with the iPhone. Microsoft also brought over the "recent notes" view, along with the ability to see page previews in landscape mode. Lastly, this update fixes a bug that caused problems with the whiteboard camera.

Meanwhile, the Android version adds what was apparently a much-requested feature: the ability to move or copy a note from one section or notebook to another. To do this, just press and hold on whatever it is you want to copy, select the action (move or copy), and then choose the destination. 
If you want, that destination can actually be the home screen instead of another OneNote notebook. Basically, it's like creating a shortcut to a specific note. Other than that, it's mostly bug fixes for Android, though Microsoft says that a meaty Android Wear update is also on the way. You can get a sneak peek of that if you join the beta community.

SOURCE: Microsoft, iTunes, Google Play

Google continues to make money thanks to mobile and YouTube

Google continues to make money thanks to mobile and YouTube

While Google has been enjoying consistent financial growth for quite some time, it was dinged the last two quarters for not living up to Wall Street expectations. But in today's Q2 earnings announcement, the Mountain View firm has made significant strides in rectifying that reputation. It reported a revenue of $17.7 billion this past quarter, which is an 11 percent growth year over year and a 3 percent growth since Q1. This has beat Wall Street estimates handily, causing its stock to climb by 11 percent at closing. What's contributing to this success? As CFO Ruth Porat puts it, it's all thanks to mobile, with YouTube playing a star role.

Though Google won't reveal specific numbers, Porat said that "the gap between mobile and desktop continues to narrow" when it comes to the money it makes from advertising. There's apparently been a particularly strong surge in mobile search, which is a significant contributor to ad revenue. Chief Business Officer Omid Kordestani said on the earnings call that "more searches happen on mobile than computers in 10 countries." It's why the company is putting even more resources behind creating a better mobile experience. He says that around 30 percent of mobile searches are location-related -- perhaps they want to know what's around them or where's the closest gas station. "When people search on mobile, they want immediacy and action," he said.

It's not just search either. Google has also invested in other key mobile experiences, especially in a world where people are less likely to head directly to google.com to search. Kordestani states that efforts like Google Photos, Now On Tap and Android Pay all factor in to making Google's mobile presence more widespread. He also credited deep linking -- where users are led to install new apps from links within other apps -- for a boost in traffic. Indeed, Porat said that Google Play "continues to grow at an impressive clip" and is the "fastest growing mobile gaming platform."

What's particularly impressive is that YouTube ad revenue has also blossomed, particularly in mobile. The "Trueview" ad format -- basically all those pre-roll ads you see before YouTube clips -- has really grown of late. Porat said that YouTube has experienced an accelerated 16 percent growth rate and that "mobile watch time has more than doubled." Cost per clicks have gone down, but that's alright as those aforementioned Trueview ad hits have increased. A new feature of Trueview that automatically adds product information and pricing in video ads is cited for the growth.

Indeed, the number of advertisers running ads on YouTube has gone up by 40 percent and the average spend is up by 60 percent. Kordestani said that the average viewing time on YouTube is also more than 40 minutes and that more 18 to 49 year olds watch YouTube on mobile than any cable network. He said YouTube is great for content creators too, as the number of channels making six figures is up by 50 percent from this time last year.

As for Google's other projects -- Nest, Fiber and Google Life Sciences -- those are now under "tighter governance" and are seen as more longer-term sources for revenue. Which basically means that they're not quite making money hand over fist from those units just yet, but the potential is there.

SOURCE: Google

Windows 10 is ready for new laptops and PCs

Windows 10 is ready for new laptops and PCs

Windows 10 is on the fast track for its final release just weeks before its official release on July 29.

After months to years of teasing and demos, Windows 10 has finally gone gold and is ready to release to manufacturing (RTM). The Verge reports Microsoft has released a new build designated as RTM 10240, which will be making its way into new laptops and PCs from Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Don't get too jealous though, because only a very limited number of these machines preloaded with Windows 10 will actually hit the streets on July 29.

Tiny test group

For now, build 10240 is only available to Windows 10 testers, which includes a small group in Microsoft Insiders program.

The RTM release also spells the end of Windows 10 preview builds. Gabe Aul, engineering general manager for Microsoft's OS group confirmed that Microsoft will focus on working with Insiders to use, stress, and validate the new operating system's distribution and upgrade processes.

As the final version of Windows 10 will release to retail in a digital form later this month, its likely that build 10240 will become outdated come July 29. In the event that were to happen, there very well could be a Day One update for these new machines.