iPhone 8 latest rumors: Curved OLED, USB-C to replace Lightning

The iPhone turns 10 this year, and it's been widely speculated even before the release of the iPhone 7 that the tenth anniversary iPhone would be something special. That's why the iPhone 7 was only an evolutionary step for the series, and the third consecutive model on the same design as the two-year-old iPhone 6.

Come October, it's rumored Apple will show three new iPhones. One will be the top end model sporting a 5.8-inch OLED screen and a price tag closer to $1,000, while the other two will be updates to the current line. Some are calling that supercharged OLED handset the "iPhone X." No one really knows, but make no mistake, the iPhone is by far the company's most important product.

Samsung users and Android fans in general like to call it a bit differently. Apple will be playing catch up (not the first time) to many features already available in last year's flagship Galaxy phones. The iPhone just received the waterproofing treatment on its last iteration, the Galaxy got that back in 2014, and Sony phones have had it for even longer.

Nothing more than a fan render, of course

Business Insider has gone as far as saying Apple is turning the iPhone into a Samsung Galaxy phone. We've heard most of the information below, but you can call this double confirmation from two credible sources. The latest rumors stem from a new WSJ report:

Curved OLED The iPhone 8 is expected to be the first to feature an OLED panel, and a curved one at that. It's believed that the higher-end panel will be reserved exclusively for the premium "iPhone X." Samsung is supplying the panels to Apple.

No Home Button The edge-to-edge design in the iPhone 8 will see the Home button and Touch ID sensor replaced with a "function area" made up of virtual buttons. The Galaxy S8 coming out in April is expected to do the same.

Wireless Charging Several phones have offered wireless charging at one point. The Nokia Lumia family, the older Nexus phones before Google dropped it, and the most mainstream of all, the Galaxy series have had it for 2+ generations now. The iPhone 8 is said to use a new all-glass casing compatible with wireless charging. Not coincidentally Apple joined the Wireless Power Consortium recently.

USB-C Ditching the Lightning connector in favor of the standard USB-C port, would make sense considering all latest MacBooks predominantly use that port for connectivity and charging. Albeit a very un-Apple move, I'm sure even Apple fans would applaud this, if true.

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Source: iPhone 8 latest rumors: Curved OLED, USB-C to replace Lightning

Windows 10 wants to make Android its iPhone

One really addictive facet of Apple's device ecosystem is how they work together. AirDrop lets you move files and other data from a Mac to an iPad to an iPhone, in any combination of directions. Your Apple Watch can unlock your Mac. Any Apple device can control a Keynote presentation on any other Apple device. Apple's Handoff lets you start work on one Apple device and pick up where you left off on another. Bookmarks, contacts, email settings, passwords, and even credit card details can be synced automatically across all your devices.

Windows 10 was supposed to do the same, relying on Windows Phones to be take the role of the iPhone in this fluid ecosystem. But Windows Phone (renamed Windows Mobile) is in cryogenic suspension, waiting for a future miracle cure to bring it back to life. Thus, Microsoft's ambitions to copy Apple's liquid computing have gone unrealized.

But now, Microsoft is looking to Android to fill that mobile gap.

Microsoft has already implemented some Apple ecosystem features into Windows 10: It uses a Microsoft account to sync bookmarks and other settings across all your Windows devices, which Apple does via its iCloud accounts and Google via its Google accounts. (Google has also implemented some Handoff-like capabilities between Android and Chrome OS, but Chrome OS has a tiny market share.)

But the direct handoff of Apple's other liquid computing capabilities requires direct device communications over Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi Direct, not a cloud-mediated sync. Apple's devices all have this capability in their hardware and operating systems, which is why it can work so naturally.

Both Google and Microsoft are now bringing similar technology to their operating systems and devices to help create a Windows 10-Android ecosystem alternative to Apple. It won't be as seamless or consistent as in the Apple ecosystem because the devices comes from different manufacturers and often need special drivers installed. But it's at least coming.

Android users can already install Microsoft's Office Remote app from the Google Play Store to remote-control a PowerPoint 2013 or later presentation on a Windows PC, as long as you've also installed the Office remote plugin on your PC.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update brought authentication via other devices in its Windows Hello Companion Device Framework, which so far has seen little uptake. But Samsung says it will use the technology to allow its Galaxy S smartphones' to unlock compatible Windows 10 PCs via the Samsung Flow app, which uses the smartphones' fingerprint reader to transmit the stored password for the PC. You'll also need to install a companion app on your PC for this to work, however—Windows 10 can't yet do this out of the box. Some rumors suggest that the forthcoming Windows 10 Creators Update will make such remote unlocking a native Windows 10 capability.

Longer term, there's Microsoft's Project Rome, a series of Windows 10 enhancements and both Android and iOS apps meant to create an Apple-like ecosystem with Windows 10, not MacOS, at its center. A year after Microsoft announced Project Rome, it now has an Android SDK available at GitHub for developers to start using it. (Although Microsoft has described Project Rome for both Android and iOS, Android is the platform that it currently supports.)

At Microsoft's current pace, we're probably a good two years away from Windows 10 having Handoff-style functionality comparable to what Apple delivered to its ecosystem two years ago. But it's coming.

Source: Windows 10 wants to make Android its iPhone

The Nokia 3310 Is Back

"That's the unique opportunity we have here at HMD with the Nokia brand".

Now, the Nokia 3310 is back with a better battery and a sleeker design.

The launch wasn't unexpected. It can power through up to 51 hours of MP3 playback too, as well as up to 39 hours of FM radio playback. Not bad for a supposedly dead brand. This time the snake is smarter, faster, and more poisonous.

It's a clever strategy.

The predecessor of the famous 3310, the 3210 is one of the best-selling phones to date and was the first mass market phone to include the antenna inside the phone's body, rather than have it sticking out.

There's been an intense debate in my head ever since Nokia introduced the new iteration of its classic 3310.

There are also less logical reasons.

One seller sold their original 3310 which was in good condition, but had "minor marks from use - mostly on the back cover".

According to an in-depth report on PC Mag, "Nokia 3310, which is really a faithful retread of an old favorite with some new and improved features". The relaunched 3310 gets a bit of a makeover, but the $50 feature phone is still dead simple.

In countries like India, there is a huge population and target group that will see Nokia 3310 as their first phone or primary phone, he added. So long, the Nokia 6 was a Chinese affair, but with the Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 smartphones, the global variant of Nokia 6 was also unveiled.

"The launch of the new re-imagined Nokia 3310 feature phone threatens to overshadow HMD's modern smartphones", warned Ian Fogg, an analyst at HIS. However, these details are yet to be officially confirmed by Nokia and HMD.

Nokia's prominence stood in stark contrast to the nearly complete absence of any official BlackBerry presence at a similar event on Saturday. Both were dominant players in their field undone by aggressive competitors and strategic missteps. The company hopes the new phones will boost its fortunes.

While this is a comeback of sorts for Nokia, earlier, the company had tried its hand with global tech giant Microsoft, to jump on the smartphone bandwagon with Lumia devices, but in vain. These models are priced between 139 to 299 euros.

"HMD is not old Nokia". So is the Nokia 3310 a threat to the advanced smartphones in the market?

Do you know all about Nokia?

Source: The Nokia 3310 Is Back

Alcatel lights up MWC with its LED phone. Quite Literally.

In a move to stand out in the smartphone crowd, Alcatel, the Chinese subsidiary of TCL Corporation just unveiled an interesting smartphone in the form of A5 LED at MWC in Barcelona.

What's exciting about the Alcatel A5 LED is its rear panel which has an arrangement of LEDs that lights up to give you notifications, play games or simply act as your music visualiser. The company has provided an app that enables users to customise the functioning of the LED back. The LED cover can be taken off and be replaced with the 3,000 mAh battery cover which provides additional juice to the phone and then there is a speaker back cover as well.

Now, these swappable back covers are in no way like the Moto Mods but rather a cheaper alternative as they lack both the quality and specs.

The A5 LED doesn't boast of high-end hardware and as such comes with a 5.2-inch HD IPS display and is powered by an octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor clocked at 1.5GHz. There is 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage to get you through the basic usage.

Alcatel A5 LED comes with a 13-megapixel rear and a 5-megapixel front facing camera. Additionally, it has the basic set of sensors and communication modules.

The Alcatel A5 LED is powered by a 2,800 mAh battery. The device runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Alcatel also launched a bunch of other affordable smartphones namely, the A3, A3 XL and the U3.

The Alcatel A3 features a 5-inch HD IPS panel and is powered by a 1.25GHz clocked quad-core Mediatek MT6737 chipset along with 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The device comes with a 13-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front snapper. Surprisingly, the Alcatel A3 has a rear fingerprint sensor. The device draws power from a 2,460 mAh battery.

The A3 XL is similar to the normal A3 but comes with a larger 6-inch IPS display and 3,000 mAh battery but a lesser 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage.

The Alcatel U3 is a low-end budget phone which has a 5-inch FWVGA (854x480 pixels) display and is powered by a quad-core Mediatek CPU along with 1GB RAM and 8GB of storage.

Apart from these smartphones, Alcatel went on to launch a Windows 2-in-1 tablet which it's calling the PLUS 12. As evident, the PLUS 12 features an 11.6-inch full HD IPS display.

The device runs on Windows 10 and is powered by Intel's Celeron N3350 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB onboard storage. The PLUS 12 comes with a fingerprint sensor, USB-C port along with USB-A port and micro-HDMI.

There's an additional keyboard dock which gives the tablet some major enhancements as it houses the SIM card slot and connectivity modules. The keyboard has its own battery capacity of 2,580 mAh. The PLUS 12 metal casing makes for a rather thin 7.9 mm footprint.

Source: Alcatel lights up MWC with its LED phone. Quite Literally.

Surface Phone News: How Microsoft Could Win 2017

Microsoft has largely been left behind the in the smartphone game for a while now, with the industry dominated by Android and iOS devices. As Windows 10 mobile continues to sing its death throes, the success of the long-rumored Surface Phone appears bleak. Despite this, however, the Microsoft Surface Phone remains as one of the most anticipated devices in the mobile industry, regardless of the lack of details about the upcoming flagship.

In fact, with recent rumors stating that the Surface Phone is set for a Fall 2017 reveal, the interest in the device has remained high. With its unique approach to the smartphone game, the Surface Phone might very well be the flagship mobile device to watch out for this year. Here are two reasons why this would be the case.

It Could Go Beyond Regular Mobile Devices

One of the reasons why Microsoft's previous mobile initiatives failed is because the tech giant attempted to topple Apple and Google at their own game. Windows 10 was a robust, capable system, but without the army of apps that characterize the iOS and Android ecosystems, Microsoft's mobile OS quickly ran out of steam. It did not take long before the Lumia 950 and the Lumia 950 XL, the tech giant's last W10 Mobile flagships, flickered out in the market.

Microsoft's Surface phone should be much more than just a 'phone' #Microsoft #SurfacePhone https://t.co/kwCoRdtZAz pic.twitter.com/WdHLGUg9c0

— Isnek Yann (@YannINK) February 21, 2017

The Surface series has largely been successful because it did not play by its rivals' rules. The Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book, two of Microsoft's most successful devices, are proof of this. Thus, true to its name, the Surface Phone must do something that would make it distinct from the competition.

The Surface Phone could do this by focusing on what Microsoft does best – desktop-grade computing. According to a Windows Central report, if Microsoft creates the Surface Phone as a device that is more than a conventional smartphone, it could very well put a very real dent in the mobile market. Instead of trying to make a Windows version of iOS and Android devices, Microsoft would be better off making a Surface-branded ultraportable PC with smartphone capabilities.

Doing so would allow Microsoft to play by its own rules and its strengths. After all, if there is anything missing from the smartphone industry today, it would be real enterprise-grade computing. Android and iOS provide some form of professional support, but the apps for these mobile operating systems remain inferior to Windows 10's desktop-grade applications. If the Surface Phone could perform more as a portable PC than a smartphone, it might very well be the most interesting flagship device of the year.

https://t.co/GvjD06tHSk : #SurfacePhone #Mobile – #Microsoft Surface Phone Release Date News: Surface Phone Canceled? #Nadella Says … pic.twitter.com/rkiZKKPxsy

— SndyAaron (@SndyAaron) February 26, 2017

It Could Be A Refreshing Take On Mobile Computing

The smartphone world is riddled with devices that look so alike, it is pretty difficult to tell them apart. Considering rumors about the Surface Phone, Microsoft would not be following the market's trends with regards to the upcoming device's frame. Instead, according to a TrustedReviews report, the Surface Phone might feature a unique design unlike anything seen on the market before.

Patents that were recently granted to Microsoft reveal a design for a mobile device with hinges that could be configured into different forms. Folded into itself, it would be a regular-sized mobile device. Once unfolded, however, the patent reveals a mobile device with a tablet-sized display. Considering that the Surface Series, especially the Surface Pro devices, have been quite innovative with their hinges, there is a pretty good chance that these patented designs would make it to Microsoft's flagship smartphone. A new design, if any, would truly be one of the market's most compelling devices.

The Surface Phone is rumored for a release later this year. While no details have been confirmed by Microsoft, rumors are high that the device would feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and up to 8GB of RAM, coupled with a very hefty 512GB of internal storage. The device is also rumored to feature full support for the Surface Pen.

[Featured Image by Andrew Burton/Getty Images]

Source: Surface Phone News: How Microsoft Could Win 2017

WhatsApp Status: How to add, delete, mute or unmute update on Android, iPhone and Windows phone

Earlier this week, WhatsApp rolled out a new Status update feature letting users share photos, videos and even GIFs with their contacts. WhatsApp's status update, similar to the Stories feature of Snapchat and Instagram, stays for 24 hours before it disappears. In other words, this feature is a real time indication of what you are doing to keep yourself up to date with your contacts.

If you want to see a particular contact's status, go to the Status screen, then tap that contact's status and tap Reply to reply to that contact's status update.

Below are a few tips on how to set, delete, mute and unmute WhatsApp status updates, irrespective of whether you are an Android, iPhone or Windows Phone user.

How to add WhatsApp Status update

Launch WhatsApp, then head over to Status icon and tap it

From here, either take a new photo or video or select the existing ones and then tap the Send button

To personalise your status updates, add caption, emojis or drawings to the photos and videos.

How to keep your status privacy secured

By default your status updates are shared with your contacts, but you can choose to share with selected contacts, just in case you want to do so. Check out the following steps to change your status privacy:

Launch WhatsApp then go to Status screen

Tap the Menu button, then Status privacy (iPhone users, tap on Privacy on the top left of the screen. If you are using Windows phone, then tap More, then privacy settings.)

From here, you can choose who can see your status updates

But note that if you have disabled the Read and Receipt option, then you won't be able to see who has viewed your status update.

How to delete status update

Your status update would automatically expire after 24 hours, but you can always delete it.

Go to Status screen

Tap the three dots next to My Status, then tap and hold your status update

Tap Trash can icon and finally Delete

If you are an iPhone user, after the first step do the following:

Tap the three dots menu next to My Status, then swipe left on the status update

Tap Delete.

If you have a Windows phone

Under Status screen, tap More, which is beside My Status

Tap Trash icon and tap Delete to confirm.

How to mute/unmute status update

You can even mute/unmute status updates of a particular contact, if you don't want it to appear at the top of the contact list.

Open WhatsApp, then go to Status screen

Tap and hold any contact's status update and tap Mute

iPhone users go to the Status screen, then swipe left on the contact's status update and tap Mute. Windows users from Status screen, long press a contact and then tap Mute

To unmute a status update, do the similar steps. Just go to the muted status and tap Unmute.

Source: WhatsApp Status: How to add, delete, mute or unmute update on Android, iPhone and Windows phone

Exhibition restores pioneering light artist to his rightful place in history of modern art

NEW HAVEN, CONN.- The Yale University Art Gallery is presenting Lumia: Thomas Wilfred and the Art of Light, the first exhibition devoted to this pioneering artist in more than 40 years. Beginning in the 1920s, the Danish-born American artist Thomas Wilfred (1889–1968) forged an international reputation as a radical innovator by creating kinetic abstractions with light. Wilfred designed and built an array of sophisticated mechanical sculptures to produce vibrant, multicolored displays, realizing a new art form—which he collectively called lumia—that was among the first successful fusions of modern art and technology. Recognized as a pioneering mode of artistic expression throughout Wilfred's decades-long career, lumia has been a critical touchstone for later generations of light and media artists, and yet, has remained unexplored and largely unknown since Wilfred's last retrospective, held in 1971 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), in New York.

An assemblage of electric, mechanical, and reflective elements, the projection machines invented by Wilfred employ a technique akin to painting with the rays of a lightbulb. The beam that originates from this source first passes through a rotating, transparent disc with hand-painted color, known as a "color record," and is then transmitted onto the mirrored surfaces of moving structures. After wending through this virtual obstacle course, the refracted and reflected light ultimately reaches the back of a flat screen, which varies in format and size between artworks; some of these screens are housed in small cabinets that resemble early television sets, while others are of cinematic scale, with only the face of the screen visible from the viewer's vantage point. The resulting brilliantly colored compositions, changing in palette and pattern as forms emerge and are then transformed into new shapes, call to mind the aurora borealis as it shimmers acros s the night sky. New York Times reviewer Edward Alden Jewell wrote in 1939 that the spatial-temporal experience of lumia was "as if one were witnessing a kind of sidereal choreography—a dance of comets and galaxies with the boreal aurora as backdrop and, beyond that, the velvet blackness of infinite, universal space."

Enchanting in their effects, lumia works are all the more remarkable for their dates of creation. When Wilfred began in 1919 to produce large-scale light projections with the aid of his "Clavilux," an organlike instrument controlled by several banks of sliding keys, lumia were ephemeral performances that could only be viewed by live audiences in concert halls. Today, apart from some disassembled equipment, the Clavilux models no longer exist, but their compositions survive through black-andwhite photographs taken of the screen during performances and through the keyboard notations that Wilfred read like musical scores to conduct the light's rhythm, m ovement, and color sequences. On view in the exhibition, these rare materials represent this largely lost period of the artist's early practice.

The Gallery's presentation focuses primarily on the subsequent phases of lumia's development, featuring about half of the extant light works by Wilfred, including three from the Gallery's permanent collection. Organized chronologically, the exhibition tracks the evolution of lumia in format, size, setting, and aesthetic experience, from at-home instruments made for individual viewers in the 1920s and 1930s to a late, culminating installation, Lumia Suite, Op. 158. Commissioned by MoMA in 1963, Lumia Suite was a popular favorite during the 16 years it remained on almost continuous view at the museum, before being dismantled and stored in boxes after 1980. In anticipation of the present exhibition, conservators from the Gallery and MoMA partnered to restore Lumia Suite to its original spellbinding effect; it is presented in a vi ewing room to the specifications that Wilfred stipulated in his original plans. The exhibition also highlights a selection of drawings and diagrams from the Thomas Wilfred Papers, housed in the collection of Manuscripts and Archives at Yale's Sterling Memorial Library. These documents reveal additional aspects of Wilfred's career, such as the public courses and demonstrations on lumia that he led between 1934 and 1943 at the headquarters of his organization, the Art Institute of Light, in New York.

After it closes at the Gallery on July 23, Lumia: Thomas Wilfred and the Art of Light travels to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, in Washington, D.C., later this year. The accompanying illustrated catalogue includes a foreword by the contemporary light artist James Turrell and a number of insightful essays that explore lumia's dialogue with science, technology, abstraction, and the moving image. Together, the exhibition and its publication help to secure the rightful place of Wilfred's work within the history of modern art.

"This exhibition gives visitors multiple avenues through which to approach Wilfred's work," explains Keely Orgeman, the Alice and Allan Kaplan Assistant Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture and the curator of the exhibition. "It revives his analog form of light art, allowing viewers to study lumia's impact during both Wilfred's own time and today. Simultaneously, it offers a pure aesthetic experience that will resonate with viewers—lumia's slowly unfolding compositions and constantly morphing patterns evoke something different to everyone, whether it be deep space, the Northern Lights, or psychedelic light shows. Whatever we might see, the works transport and transfix us the longer we linger before them."

Jock Reynolds, the Henry J. Heinz II Director states, "This notable exhibition and publication are the result of several years of dedicated scholarship by Keely Orgeman and are a fruitful partnership between curators and conservators, including the Gallery's team, led by Carol Snow, Deputy Chief Conservator and the Allan J. Dworsky Senior Conservator of Objects, and our colleagues at the Museum of Modern Art, whose conservators worked with us to restore Wilfred's magnificent Lumia Suite, Op. 158 for this exhibition. The Gallery is grateful for MoMA's generous collaboration and is honored to be able to share the exhibition with a wider audience when it travels to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the fall. The attendant publication is distinguished by fresh insights on Wilfred's work from art-historical and technological perspectives, and especially by a foreword written by the celebrated contemporary light artist James Turrell, who describes his first, transformative encounter with lumia at MoMA in 1957. It is the Gallery's true pleasure to help bring Wilfred's work to life for a new generation."

Source: Exhibition restores pioneering light artist to his rightful place in history of modern art

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Gets Improvements for Mobile Users

Microsoft and Mojang are once again making moves in the mobile industry, by announcing that the Windows 10 Edition of Minecraft will be shipping to Windows Phones. Previously, players weren't able to play the Windows 10 Edition of Minecraft on their Microsoft-powered smartphones, and this led to a large fallout with the Minecraft mobile community, or at least the ones that were playing on that platform.

Before the Windows 10 Edition came out, players were able to play the most up to date version of Minecraft on their Windows phones in the form of the Pocket Edition. Support for that game has been since terminated. To be more specific, it's been that way since October 2016. If you've purchased the Pokect Edition in the past, you will get a free upgrade to the Windows 10 Edition. If not, you will have to buy it for $7.

Microsoft is making moves

Talks about Microsoft's mobile business plummeting have been around for a while now, with the platform sinking deeper each day. This is a good strategy which will allow the Windows developer to keep a large portion of its mobile user base by offering them support for Minecraft, one of the most popular games available.

A report shows that Microsoft only held 0.3% of the sale shares last quarter with their Windows Phones, meaning that the company is hardly pressed to bring some innovative or enticing elements to the platform.  By offering users Minecraft in its most up to date form, the company is looking to give them an extra reason to continue using Windows phones. It is worth noting that the game only works on Windows 10 devices (hence the name), so if your phone uses the older Windows 8.1 operating system, you won't be able to rock this new edition.

It will be interesting to see if Microsoft can maintain its customer base with the addition of Minecraft, or if the mobile OS will continue to descend and get discontinued as predicted. Microsoft has announced earlier that it is in no way considering that possibility and reassures the community that it is working on new updates that will improve the platform.

Source: Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Gets Improvements for Mobile Users

Video shows iPhone 7 Plus smoking and melting case, Apple says it's investigating

As we learned with last year's Galaxy Note 7 disaster, smartphones can be dangerous little devices if there's an issue with the lithium ion battery packed inside of them. And now one user may have run into one such issue with their iPhone.

Brianna Olivas recently posted a video to Twitter (explicit language) that shows her iPhone 7 Plus smoking and melting the case that it's inside. Olivas says that she took her iPhone to an Apple Genius Bar the day before because it stopped turning on, but the employee told her that everything was fine. The next morning, though, the phone began smoking.

"The next morning I was asleep with my phone charging next to my head, my boyfriend grabbed the phone and put it on the dresser," Olives told Mashable. It was then that the device allegedly started steaming and squealing, and when Olivas' boyfriend took the phone into the bathroom, smoke purportedly began pouring out of the side of the device.

Following the incident, Olivas says that she turned her phone into Apple, who told her that they're running tests on the device and expect to know more about it within a week. "We are in touch with the customer and looking into it," said an Apple spokesperson.

A smoking iPhone that melts the case that it's in is dangerous and could seriously hurt a person carrying the device, so this is a big deal. Whatever caused this iPhone 7 Plus to begin smoking and melting its case is still a mystery, though, so we'll have to wait and see if there was a defect with the iPhone or if something is up with the charger or something else entirely.

Source: Video shows iPhone 7 Plus smoking and melting case, Apple says it's investigating

You Will Soon be Able to Turn Your Android Phone Into a PC with Remix Singularity

Our smartphones have become very powerful but boring at the same time. We see new specs, new tweaks on the operating system here and there but nothing revolutionary really – smartphones are just a block of computing power with limited productivity capabilities.

Probably for this reason, Microsoft introduced the Continuum feature with Windows 10 Mobile, which allowed Windows Phone users to use their phones as a fully fledged PC, once they connect it to a dock with peripherals (mouse, monitor and keyboard). It has also been rumoured that Samsung could be working on a similar feature, for their Galaxy phones, dubbed DeX dock.

Remix Singularity (which will be a feature of Remix OS), is Jide's take on the mobile-desktop hybrid OS space. The technology is simple to explain, you have an Android device running Remix OS on Mobile (ROM). You can use this phone as you would any traditional Android smartphone, but things get interesting when you connect the device with a monitor and peripherals, whereby the device starts working in "PC mode".

In an interview with The Verge, Jide's co-founder David Ko, explained that when running on a smartphone, ROM will be "as close to stock Android as possible, but imagine when you get back to your office, you connect your phone and it turns into a PC mode, just like a laptop or desktop". The device in PC mode starts off exactly where you left on your phone. ROM will also give you an "Android on TV" experience, which means you can simply switch to TV Mode by plugging it into a monitor (or TV) without the other peripherals.

Remix Singularity is said to launch in the second half of 2017. Jide is looking for OEM partners to sell phones that support Remix Singularity out-of-the-box, and it does have experience in this area, having previously worked with Chinese companies (e.g. Tecno with the DroidPad 10 Pro II) to release all-in-one devices powered by Remix OS. The Verge notes that, Remix OS will continue to be available for free, to download on supported devices such as the Nexus 6P.

This sort of excites me, as it is an indication that in the near future, I will not need to carry my laptop to the office, I will simply need my phone and a monitor with Peripherals. I am not exactly sold on Android on PCs though, I wish Microsoft would find a way to make the Continuum work with Android devices, don't ask me how, I am the consumer and the consumer wants what the consumer wants!

Source: You Will Soon be Able to Turn Your Android Phone Into a PC with Remix Singularity

Microsoft Surface Phone release date, news & update: Poor performance of Windows mobile operating system a cause of worry

If latest reports are to be believed, the Windows-powered Microsoft Surface Phone could be cancelled, owing to the poor performance of the Windows platform. Reports about the highly-anticipated device have been making rounds for quite some time now. However, the latest reports on device cancellation have naturally filled fans with utter disappointment. Microsoft, of course, hasn't confirmed anything yet and that is a good thing, as it will keep hopes alive. If Microsoft loses hope in its Windows Phone, the Surface Phone may never see light of the day.

According to Tech Times, a report by Gartner has revealed that sales of Windows devices have been almost non-existent in the fourth quarter of 2016. Windows mobile OS accounted for only 0.3 percent share of the total smartphone sales during the fourth quarter. This is a clear sign of the death of Windows mobile operating system. This seriously puts the Microsoft Surface Phone at risk. There have also been reports of Microsoft discontinuing Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL.

Thus, things look very bleak at the moment for Surface Phone because of the dismal performance of the Widows-powered phones. Microsoft could first aim to maximise sales of Window-powered phones and then think of a Surface Phone possibility. However, fans are still hoping against hope, keeping in mind Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's words, who confirmed in 2016 that the company has started working on a revolutionary mobile device. Everybody thought of this as the Microsoft Surface Phone.

Nadella also hinted at innovative research that could boost the alleged Surface Phone's presence in the smartphone market. As a counterview, certain tech experts and Surface fans have pointed out that the Microsoft Surface Phone could be the company's best shot at reviving its smartphone business. Interest in the device has been overwhelming and it will be as shock to many if Microsoft does not come up with the device. The phone can seriously help the company to revive its depleting fortunes.

Originally it was thought that the Microsoft Surface Phone will look very much like Surface tablet with a squared metallic design. It may also have a screen similar to the Nokia Lumia XL. Fans believe that the device will come in three variants, one for the consumer and the other two for business professionals and enterprises. There is a possibility that the Surface Phone will be more enterprise-oriented than previously thought, if it comes out at all. Certain unconfirmed reports speculated a 5.5-inch HD display with 1,440 x 2,560 pixels resolution.

Source: Microsoft Surface Phone release date, news & update: Poor performance of Windows mobile operating system a cause of worry

Microsoft Surface Phone Release Date Rumors: Will Windows Mobile OS Poor Market Performance Affect Next Smartphone Launch?

Microsoft has yet to announce the highly anticipated Surface Phone. However, reports already fear that the poor market performance of the Windows Phone operating system might make Microsoft decide to cancel the project.

REUTERS/Thomas MukoyaA Microsoft delegate checks applications on a smartphone during the launch of the Windows 10 operating system in Kenya's capital Nairobi, July 29, 2015.

In recently released statistics from research firm Gartner, the Windows Phone OS holds a measly 0.3 percent market share translating to around 1.09 million devices worldwide.

The report was rounded up in the fourth quarter of 2016 where Google's Android remained strong on top with an 81.7 percent market share that is equivalent to more than 352 million mobile devices. Apple's iOS sits on the second spot with a 17.9 percent market share or more than 77 million units.

While the dominance of Android and iOS is quite expected, it is not still a justification for Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. Their 2016 statistics are worse than their 2015 marks where there used to be more than 4.3 million units installed with the said OS from Redmond, Washington. Gartner reported that Microsoft used to hold 1.1 percent of the global market share last year. 

Reports like those from Auto World News and Tech Times present the possibility that the poor performance of the Windows Phone OS in 2016 might convince Microsoft to ditch their smartphone plans all at once and just focus on areas where the company is performing better.

However, it is important to note that these reports are contrary to the latest official statement of Microsoft chief executive officer Satya Nadella about the company's prospects in the field of mobile devices.

Back in November 2016, Nadella told the Australian Financial Review that they do not intend to leave the phone market, saying, "We will continue to be in the phone market not as defined by today's market leaders, but by what it is that we can uniquely do in what is the most ultimate mobile device."

Added to that, there are surrounding rumors that a 2017 announcement of the Surface Phone is still possible. There have been reports that Microsoft is wisely taking their time before they let their "ultimate mobile device" into the wild. And with the stiff competition in the field of phone market, that decision is highly understandable.

Source: Microsoft Surface Phone Release Date Rumors: Will Windows Mobile OS Poor Market Performance Affect Next Smartphone Launch?

T-Mobile planning to increase LTE capacity with launch of LTE-U this spring

T-Mobile today announced some major network news.

T-Mobile plans to launch LTE-U (LTE for unlicensed) this spring. The network equipment and devices will utilize the first 20 MHz of spectrum on the 5GHz band and give T-Mo additional LTE capacity, helping it to boost speeds. LTE-U will also aid in T-Mobile's upcoming Gigabit LTE efforts, the carrier says.

As for how LTE-U works, here's T-Mobile's explanation:

"LTE-U devices and equipment intelligently tap into and share underutilized unlicensed spectrum without affecting other users on the same band, including those using conventional Wi-Fi. LTE-U constantly seeks the least utilized channels to maximize efficiency and performance for everyone. As demand on the Wi-Fi network increases, LTE-U backs off, and as Wi-Fi demand wanes, customers can tap into that unused capacity for LTE."

More LTE capacity is always a good thing, as it enables you to get faster speeds while you're out and about. Just keep in mind that you're going to need a device that supports LTE-U in order to take advantage of its benefits. T-Mobile hasn't said which devices it plans to offer with LTE-U support.

Source: T-Mobile planning to increase LTE capacity with launch of LTE-U this spring

How To Use Mi Band With Windows Phone Explained - All You Need To Know

How Do I Change The Settings of the Mi Band 2?

Once you hit 'device' on the burger menu you are led to the most important part of the menu, the menu that lets you control the Mi Band 2. Here you can check the battery percentage and last charged date on the top.

Next, you have the firmware update option that was introduced on the latest version of the Bind Mi Band app. Firmware update does not seem to bring you the latest firmware as I noticed the firmware got updated to 1.0.1.34 on the Mi Fit app latest update but sadly that did not come on the Bind Mi Band app. You can still update the firmware if you are stuck on the factory version. A handy guide on the firmware update and problems associated with this issue can be found in this link.

Next, on the list, we have the wear location, you can set whether you wear the Mi Band on the left hand, right hand or neck (which is nearly impossible).

You have the display setting just below that, where you can configure what items you want to display on the Mi Band 2. Since I like all the information, I have selected all the options, you can choose to select or deselect any display items of your choice. The new setting here is the ability to toggle the date display on or off on the home screen o f the Mi Band 2.

Next, on the dossier, you get the activity reminder. Remember in the Mi Band 2 article we had mentioned that the Mi Band 2 reminds you if you have been sitting idle for over an hour or more. This setting relates to that. You can set it on and set the times in the day between which you want the get reminded to walk. The do not disturb option comes next where you can ask the Mi Band 2 display to switch off whenever you want it to. This is particularly useful during the night where you do not want the OLED display to shine bright in your face. The do not disturb mode fires up on its own when the Mi Band 2 realises you are asleep. A moon icon lights up on the Mi Band 2 to let you know that the mode has been switched on. You can also configure the times in which you want the Mi Band 2 to get into this mode. You can change if you want the watch to highlight on wrist lift action which comes next in the menu. Finally, you have the flip display on wrist rotate, show goal reached notification and measure heart rate during sleep. The flip display on wrist rotate lets you switch you between screens on the Mi Band 2 with the flick of the wrist instead of touching the sensor button. You got the "goal reached" notification that alerts you when you have completed your daily quota of steps. Finally, you have the measure heart rate during sleep which enhances the reading on the sleep data by analysing your heart rate. On the profile menu its lets you change any of the personal data that you entered during app start. The settings menu is next which we talked about earlier.

Finally, you have got the about menu, which lists the app version and changelog.

Source: How To Use Mi Band With Windows Phone Explained - All You Need To Know

Qualcomm will add support for Android Things to the Snapdragon 210 later this year

"We are very pleased to add support for Android Things OS on Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon 210 processor and bring these exciting new development options to our IoT customers," said Jeffery Torrance, vice president, business development, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "Integrated 4G LTE, a first for Android Things, combined with our other wireless technologies, brings comprehensive connectivity and capabilities to the Google Cloud Platform. Developers are now able to create cost-effective, innovative connected devices and applications for both consumer and industrial IoT segments, which will help accelerate and expand the development of the overall IoT ecosystem."

Manufacturers will be able to use their expertise in Android and Snapdragon processors to help them quickly create and commercialize a variety of connected devices. They will have access to familiar connectivity environments, including cellular, Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth®; support for a wide array of sensors; camera, graphics, multimedia and rich UI capabilities. Additionally the platform offers hardware-based security; Google services and cloud integration; well-known development tools such as Qualcomm Technologies' development platforms, Android Studio and the Android SDK; widely-available test and optimization tools, and more, allowing for rapid development of scalable, cost-effective and security-focused IoT solutions.

The Snapdragon 210 processor is a cost-effective solution capable of extending 4G LTE connectivity more broadly, making it ideal for high-volume consumer and industrial IoT applications. The processor features integrated 4G LTE-Advanced Cat 4 connectivity with carrier aggregation, high-quality multimedia experiences with Full-HD (1080p) playback with hardware HEVC, high performance and power efficiency with quad-core CPU and Qualcomm® Adreno™ 304 graphics, and superior camera capabilities with up to 8 megapixel camera support and leading enhanced computational camera functionalities.

Support for Android Things on Snapdragon 210 processors is anticipated to be available later this year.

Qualcomm Technologies will demonstrate the Android Things platform running on the Snapdragon 210 processor at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, February 27 – March 2, Hall 3, Stand 3E10.

About QualcommQualcomm's technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. We pioneered 3G and 4G – and now we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries, including automotive, computing, IoT, healthcare and data center, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio.  Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, our QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages

Qualcomm, Snapdragon and Adreno are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Qualcomm Snapdragon, Qualcomm Adreno and the Qualcomm Smart Home Reference Platform are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Source: Qualcomm will add support for Android Things to the Snapdragon 210 later this year

Original Langsdom E6C Patent Half In-ear Stereo Bass Earphone Headset with Microphone 3.5mm Earphones for Xiaomi iPhone Samsung

Original Langsdom E6C Patent Half In-ear Stereo Bass Earphone Headset with Microphone 3.5mm Earphones for Xiaomi iPhone Samsung | Techshop Store 4.7 Buyer Protection

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♪ Impedance: 16Ω ± 15%♪ Sensitivity: 116 dB ± 3dB♪ Driver Size:10mm♪ Frequency Range: 20Hz-20000Hz♪ Plug-Type: 3.5MM Gold-plated♪ Cable Length:1.20m♪ Cable Feather: Wound Built-in♪ Resistance to pull classic fashion appearance What Include: 1 * In-ear Headphone1 * Earphone storage box2 * Pair Different Size Silicone Ear Buds

Q: Can we use these to phone call? A:Yes, they have Built-in mic on the wire and it works great. Q: What devices it is compatible with? A:The Headphones compatible with kinds of Media Devices which have 3.5mm Jack as Apple Devices | Androids Smartphone | Windows Phone | MP3/MP4 Player | Portable Music Player(Remote control can't work for some MP3/MP4 Player)Q: Does it work for Hifi Music?A:Yes,with High Quality Driver and Suitable Sound Chamber, it has good sound performance.Q: What is the remote for?A: The remote answers phone calls for the Phone. It can pause/play/skip for music. High sound quality for the price. Nice packaging. Excellent bass without compromising clarity of the vocals. If interested, don't hesitate to have a try.

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Source: Original Langsdom E6C Patent Half In-ear Stereo Bass Earphone Headset with Microphone 3.5mm Earphones for Xiaomi iPhone Samsung

Surface Phone With Microsoft Windows 10 Folding Tablets 5

Microsoft has always treated its Windows Surface Phone with many surprises, but now news has surfaced that points to rumors that the company itself is now planning to eliminate some devices for a foldable tablet with the official retirement of the Lumia lineup.

We recently reported news about the HP Elite X3, and users say it's the best Windows phone to date, and not even a Lumia can match its performance. It's kind of ironic that the number one Windows phone is not manufactured by Microsoft, but Redmond itself said on several occasions that it plans to work with partners on building "great devices."

But despite the HP Elite X3 being a hardware monster, the software side of the device is simply dragging it down, and I'm saying this as a big fan of Windows phones. It's nearly impossible to come from Android or iOS and be happy with Windows phones (although I've personally seen people doing this, but you can count them on the fingers of one hand), and there are three main reasons for this.

Spoiler alert: Windows phone fans aren't going to like this, but as always, head to the comment section if you think I'm wrong. I'm preparing my argument bag as we speak, so let's have a conversation.

News of Buggy operating system

Windows 10 Mobile phone has improved a lot since the first preview builds were released a long time ago, but after using it for so long on the Lumia 950 XL and then on the HP Elite X3, it's more than obvious that it still has a long way to go before it becomes a strong rival to Android and iOS.

Bugs are still there, and it goes without saying that these easily ruin the experience with a powerful phone like the HP Elite X3. The "Resuming" bug is still there, and so are crashes that occur every once in a while when using various apps.

Source: Surface Phone With Microsoft Windows 10 Folding Tablets 5

Windows 10 Mobile news recap: AT&T removes listings, builds after Creators Update and more

Welcome back to our weekly Windows 10 Mobile news recap series, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft's mobile operating system. Let's get started.

AT&T Removes listings for Windows Phones on its website

If you were looking to pick up a Windows handset through the AT&T website, it's not going to happen. The company has removed almost all of their listings for phones running a Windows operating system, with the only two handsets remaining being certified like-new listings for the Lumia 640 and the Lumia 950. AT&T hasn't commented on the seeming drop of support for the platform.

Microsoft restates commitment to builds after Creators Update

With the Windows 10 Mobile community frustrated about the recent lack of updates and the PC-focused nature of the Creators Update,  Microsoft felt the need to say something. Bill Karagounis, Director of Program Management, Operating System Group stated that "We are still flighting Mobile builds, subject to quality, subject to those release promotion criteria, and we fully expect to keep doing that beyond the release of the Creators Update."

February's Patch Tuesday coming in March

Windows 10 Users who like to follow new builds are usually excited to receive new cumulative updates on "Patch Tuesday," a monthly occasion where these builds drop and make everyone a particularly happy camper. Unfortunately, due to unspecified technical issues, February's Patch Tuesday was delayed to March 14th – the next schedule Patch Tuesday. Users on Mobile and PC can look forward to an exceptionally large update on that day, but will have to hold out until then.

Amazing Weather app shutting down March 17th

A concerned Windows 10 Mobile user tweeted to the developers of Amazing Weather about the state of the app, and got a confirmation that the app is, in fact, shutting down. The developers said that the "agreed stop date is 17th of March." If you're a user of Amazing Weather, it's probably a good time for you to either find another third party weather app, or get cozy with the Microsoft one.

We reflect on the "death" of Windows Phone

It doesn't take an expert analyst to say that Windows 10 Mobile is currently dead as a doornail.  Microsoft couldn't sell 1 million units last quarter, and that's compared to hundreds of millions of devices from its "competitors" in Android and iOS. We talked a bit this week about the death of the platform, and what it would take to perform the resurrection so many people are waiting for.

Thanks for joining us. If you want all of the news as it happens, keep an eye on our Windows 10 Mobile tag.

Further reading: Amazing Weather HD, AT&T, Creators Update, Microsoft, Windows 10 Mobile
Source: Windows 10 Mobile news recap: AT&T removes listings, builds after Creators Update and more

AT&T removes all Windows phone listings from its website

AT&T removes all Windows phone listings from its website | On MSFT

AT&T removes all Windows phone listings from its website

If you were looking to get a new Windows Phone from AT&T, it's not going to happen (via Neowin). The only listings for Windows phones remaining on the AT&T website are two certified like-new listings for the Lumia 640 and the Lumia 950 – everything else is nowhere to be found.

That's not to say that you can't pick up your Windows phone of choice elsewhere. You can grab pretty much any phone you like from one of several third party retailers, and the Microsoft Store remains to be an excellent choice if you're looking to order online. While AT&T's apparent drop of support for the operating system is disheartening, it's not stopping anyone from picking up their handset.

We don't have any comment just yet from AT&T regarding the lost listings for all of the Windows handsets, but we'll be on the lookout if they start explaining themselves.

Further reading: AT&T, Microsoft, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1

Windows 10 news recap: Adguard comes to Microsoft Edge, city of Munich may return to Windows 10 and more

Microsoft news recap: enhanced parental monitoring tool, Build 2017 sold out, 15 years of .NET and more

Project Scorpio may have a different design language than that of the Xbox One, called Motion

Xbox Insiders complain of issues with Multiplayer since latest build, calls for a rollback option to be added

Nothing in the pipeline for Crimson Skies, but "definitely could do more with it" says Xbox exec

Phil Spencer in Japan next week talking to third-party publishers to bring more to Xbox

Alcatel IDOL 4S unlocked running Windows 10 Mobile now available at Amazon US

Microsoft helping those with ALS by creating app that allows speaking with their eyes

Source: AT&T removes all Windows phone listings from its website

Without the Surface Phone, Microsoft is Irrelevant in Mobile

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is in trouble in the smartphone market and it needs the Surface Phone to save its ship from sinking. It is no longer news that Microsoft missed the mobile revolution when it focused all its energy on the PC market. The firm has tried getting a foothold in the smartphone market with its Windows phones and its ill-fated purchase of Nokia. Of course, the firm wrote off its Nokia expense and it has killed its Lumia line of Windows phones.

Microsoft has consistently maintained that the death of the Lumia line doesn't mean its (the firm) exit from the smartphone market. Of course, the firm has refused to reveal its plan for staying relevant in the smartphone market and it has deflected questions about its smartphone plans to the HP Elite X3. Interestingly, there's no shortage of rumors and 'leaks' on the Richmond's firm plan to build a Surface Phone. This piece seeks to explore why Microsoft must launch the Surface Phone and fast, if it wants to remain relevant in smartphone market.

Microsoft Windows Mobile OS is almost dead

Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS operates at a distant third behind Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s iOS and Google's Android OS. The latest market report from Gartner however suggests that Microsoft is only struggling to score a toehold presence in the global mobile market. Gartner's report on worldwide smartphone sales to end users by OS in 4Q16 shows that Android OS now has an 81.7% market share. Apple's iOS has a 17.9% market share. Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS has a measly 0.3% market share.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is losing market share in the global smartphone market at an alarming rate. In Q4 2015, the firm had a 1.1% market share; hence, its current 0.3% market share. In Q4 2016, OEMs sold Android 353M devices, Apple sold 77M iOS devices, and Microsoft only sold a measly 1.92M devices.

The rumored Surface Phone can however help the firm halts its alarming decline in the global smartphone market. Rumors about the Surface Phone suggests that the device will come in three variants to appeal to the Enterprise, Premium consumer, and mid-level consumer markets.

CEO, Satya Nadella has also revealed that he wants the Surface Phone to be the "ultimate mobile device". He notes that he is not planning to build another run of the mill smartphone. In his words, We don't want to be driven buy just envy of what others have… What can we bring? That's where I look at any device form factor or any technology, even AI."

When can we expect the Surface Phone?

The Surface Phone appears to have the makings of an incredible smartphone that could improve the fortune of the firm in the global smartphone market. The problem however is that the firm has refused to confirm or deny any of the rumors about its plan for the Surface Phone. The rumor mill once submitted that the Surface Phone will debut t this year's WMC but the device ended up being a no-show at the event.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) needs the Surface Phone if it wants to remain relevant in the smartphone market. Yet, the fact that the firm hasn't been able to articulate its plan suggests that Surface Phone might be suffering from an 'expectation paralysis.' Microsoft wants the Surface Phone to be a game changer and its fear of making mistakes seems to be stalling the debut of the device.

Source: Without the Surface Phone, Microsoft is Irrelevant in Mobile

Windows 10 on the Surface 'coffee table' works surprisingly well

Windows 10 is everywhere these days. You can find it on phones, PCs, tablets, Xbox consoles, mirrors, toasters, even tables.

As I teased in my Surface 'coffee table' review, I've managed to get Windows 10 running on a 10-year-old table, with everything pretty much working as you'd expect. I bought the table with the intention of running Windows 10, and in this article I want to detail the experience of how awesome it is running Windows 10 on a table!

Retro review: Microsoft's 2008 Surface 'coffee table' in 2017

It's worth noting that getting Windows 10 running on the Surface 1.0 is more of a project rather than an actual thing you should do if you own one of these. Due to iffy drivers, touch doesn't work all that well, plus a few other issues. This is more of a proof of concept, showcasing what it would be like running Windows 10 on a table.

As a recap, here are the specifications of the Microsoft Surface table. It's 10 years old, so they're nothing spectacular.

Surface Table specifications

Display and vision-input technology: Rear projection DLP with cameras

Weight: 198 lbs. (90 kg)

Physical dimensions (L × W × H): 42.5 in. × 27 in. × 21 in. (108 cm × 68.6 cm × 53.3 cm)

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz processor

Graphics (GPU): ATI Radeon X1650 – 256 MB

Memory: 2GB DDR2

Storage (hard drive): 160GB hard disk drive (HDD)

Display size: 30 in. (76.2 cm) diagonal

Display resolution: 1024×768 – 4:3 aspect ratio

Extensions (ports): XGA (DE-15) video out, RGB analog component video out, RCA analog component audio out, 4 USB ports

Networking: Wi-Fi 802.11g, Bluetooth and Ethernet 10/100

OS: Windows Vista (32 bit)

It's worth noting that these specifications are pretty weak by 2017 standards. For example, 2GB RAM, a 160GB HDD and an Intel Core 2 Duo don't come across as "blazing fast" in my head. But you'd be surprised.

Process

Getting Windows 10 installed on the Surface table was somewhat more difficult than your usual Windows 10 installation process. Sure, getting the actual OS installed was like any other PC. I simply set up a dual-boot system and installed Windows 10 on a second partition. This way, when I turn the table on, I get the option of booting into Windows 10 or going back to the original Windows Vista installation and shell.

Out of the box, nothing worked. No WiFi, Bluetooth, touch or sound. At most, you get a basic display driver and an Ethernet driver. So I plugged in an Ethernet driver and hit Windows Update to see if Microsoft had any drivers for me. Surprisingly, it did. I was able to get sound, WiFi and Bluetooth working straight through Windows Update, which made my life a little bit easier. Unfortunately, there was no graphics driver and certainly no touch driver.

So to get the graphics driver working, I had to extract the driver from the Windows Vista installation, this took much longer than I anticipated because none of the programs I used to extract the driver worked properly. When I tried to install the driver on Windows 10, I got an error saying certain files were missing. I eventually ended up checking the error logs and manually searching for the missing files on the Windows Vista drive. This took about 30 minutes, but eventually it worked.

Next up was getting touch working. Now since the Surface table uses a unique approach for touch, there aren't really any "drivers" for Windows. The original Surface Shell on Windows Vista worked with touch, but Windows Vista itself didn't. There's no touch driver, but there is good news. Someone much smarter than me worked on a project called Multi-Touch Vista which can get touch working on Windows 10 with the Surface table. It's amazing!

The difficult part of the process was getting the Surface-table drivers and SDK installed on Windows 10. Microsoft did a dumb thing and told the original Surface SDK installation files to refuse install if it was attempted on anything but a Windows Vista install. Luckily, a few people ventured out and installed Windows 8 on their tables prior to me trying Windows 10 on mine, and an author by the name of Rajen actually blogged about his method. I followed his guide for getting the Surface install files up and running on Windows 10, and it worked just fine.

After I followed the steps on Rajen's blog, I was up and running and ready to go.

The Windows-10-on-Surface-table experience

So what's it like running Windows 10 on the Surface table? In short, it's quite good. You do lose out on the unique user-interface design choices made by Microsoft with the original Surface shell, but if you really want that back you can boot into it once you've installed the Surface SDK. Windows 10 itself is designed to cater to people facing the screen head on, and not from all sides of the display. As a result, the table is only really useful if you're sitting on one side.

That's okay for me, as my couch is pretty close to the table anyway and nobody else will be playing with the table on the other side. You can flip the screen in the Settings app if you need to.

Windows Store apps on the Surface table make it so much more useful. I have my Groove Music collection, I can watch Netflix, and I can even play games. I've got access to my notifications, email, I can browse the web, and I can even use Cortana, although there's no built-in mic.

The touch experience is somewhat finicky. It works, but it's not perfect. Tracking is a little laggy, and more often than not it'll take two tries to actually hit a target. That's due to the old touch technology, however. The WiFi driver is also a bit finicky sometimes. Roughly 80 percent of the time it works great, but 20 percent of the time it crashes and causes the whole system to restart.

I love being able to play music on my table with Groove while doing something else entirely in the same room. My table is fast becoming a pretty neat little media center where I store podcasts, music and even movies. I've installed Netflix and it works great. Sure, it's gimmicky, but it's also great.

You can use the Xbox app to stream your Xbox to your table. Yes, you can play Xbox One games on your Surface table thanks to the Xbox app, and it's really fun. Again, this is another gimmick rather than anything useful, though I'm sure it could be handy with multiple people when playing a game like an RTS and planning your next move.

I can even control my lights with the Hetro for Hue app, directly on my table.

You've also got the ability to run slightly newer Microsoft Surface apps that were designed for version 2.0, now that Windows 10 is running. Downloading the Windows 7 touch pack introduces some nice updated apps for the Surface table that all work great, as well.

Performance

Multitasking and using the Surface table with Windows 10 is actually rather impressive. As noted above, this isn't a new machine as it's using specs from 10 years ago, but Windows 10 works absolutely fine. In fact, I'd say it works great. Opening apps and switching between them is about as fast as I'd expect. I don't find myself waiting around for any of the normal UWP apps to load, as they're pretty lightweight and work really well. Booting up older Win32 apps can take a few seconds, but it's nothing crazy.

The real performance test is gaming. I didn't try any modern games, as they just won't run anyway. However, I did try games from the Windows Store. Angry Birds runs great, Halo Spartan Assult runs well, outside of odd graphical glitches. Minecraft is also another great Windows 10 game that runs perfectly on the table, and then I tried GTA San Andreas.

To my surprise, GTA San Andreas worked perfectly fine. It works even better when you plug in an Xbox One controller! The AMD X1650 in the Surface table is no slouch. Sure, it wouldn't put up with today's modern games, but when you consider the fact that the Surface table uses a resolution of 1024x768, the graphics card really doesn't have to push many pixels. As a result, lighter games and older games run great.

Booting the table up takes about 30 to 40 seconds once you select Windows 10 from the boot menu. Once on the desktop, it oddly takes another two minutes before touch starts working correctly. That's because the Multi-Touch Vista service needs to kick in, along with the Surface Input program and the touch driver itself. They take time, but they do eventually come on and work.

Things that don't work

Nothing "doesn't work" per say. You've still got the original Surface Shell there if you need it, which supports object tracking and a UI that's accessible no matter what side of the table you are on. But when you're using Windows 10 all of that goes away. You have to use the table from one angle for the best experience, and the Windows 10 shell and apps don't support object tracking for obvious reasons.

There's also no palm rejection, which isn't a surprise. Not that it's an issue for me, but for those who might want to lean on the screen when using it, you can't really do that unless you lean off to the side of the screen.

It's also worth noting that the Surface Shell and the Windows 10 Shell don't talk to each other at all. You can't easily enter or exit the Surface Shell and the Windows 10 Shell, and as far as I'm aware there's no way of getting normal Windows UWP apps into the Surface Shell app launcher. You can launch the Surface Shell from the Windows Start Screen, but not vice versa.

Final thoughts on Windows 10 on the Surface table

I really like the Surface table. I also like it so much more now that I've got Windows 10 on it and can use it as a media center or a hub for my home. I honestly think there's a market for these, but there's work that needs to be done. Of course, Windows 10 needs to support object tracking in apps like the Surface Shell does, and it also needs a UI that can be used from any angle. Unfortunately, none of that is going to happen anytime soon, which is why I think the Surface table project is dead and buried for the time being.

That could change in the future, but it's definitely not going to happen anytime soon. For now, the Windows 10 experience on the Surface table is good enough for one or two people at a time sitting on the same side. It's also still an amazing table, that houses objects on top of it really well, even when it's turned on. I reckon the Surface table version 2.0 that was released in 2012 would house Windows 10 much better, but since they're even more rare to come by, that's not something I've had the pleasure of trying out just yet.

Source: Windows 10 on the Surface 'coffee table' works surprisingly well

Samsung is developing an e-Ink Display

Samsung has just been granted a patent by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, for an e-ink accessory for an upcoming smartphone. It is very likely that this screen will display a series of widgets and not be true screen mirroring. You can expect it to display missed calls, the weather, time and photographs.

Samsung will be debuting a new smartphone in the next few months, likely going to be called the Galaxy S8 and this new flip cover will save on battery life. It is rumored that this cover will be an optional accessory.

It remains to be seen if Samsung will generate a commercial product or if they are just looking to secure the patent. In 2016 Microsoft filed a patent for a secondary e-ink screen that they were developing for the Lumia smartphone, but it looks like nothing is going to come of it.

Michael Kozlowski (6847 Posts)

Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about electronic readers and technology for the last four years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the Huffington Post, CNET and more. Michael frequently travels to international events such as IFA, Computex, CES, Book Expo and a myriad of others. If you have any questions about any of his articles, please send Michael Kozlowski an email to michael@goodereader.com

Source: Samsung is developing an e-Ink Display

WhatsApp Beta updated for Windows Phone Devices

WhatsApp Beta for Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile updated once again. The app has been updated to new version 2.17.74. The company released two updates this morning and the latest version is 2.17.74. The changelog of the update is still not available.

WhatsApp Beta seems faster than before. However, the app is still based on Silverlight and the loading-resuming screen still exists. You may need to perform a soft reset to get rid of any annoying bug. If you find any other noticeable change after installing the update, then do let us know in the comments below.

The new update for WhatsApp Beta App is currently live and if you are interested you can get the update by clicking the below link.

Download WhatsApp Beta for Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile.

Source: WhatsApp Beta updated for Windows Phone Devices

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After Microsoft, AT&T Also Fuels Speculation of Lumia Brand Demise

XYZ is a technology company that provides domain names and related services to individuals and businesses worldwide. As a leader in the industry, XYZ has a wide span of products, from its flagship domain .xyz to category specific domains such as .rent and .College.

XYZ was founded in 2011 in order to bring innovation and choice to internet users seeking a web presence. By connecting generations X, Y, Z we have given all age groups the opportunity to grow their projects, brands and businesses with new domain names.

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Source: After Microsoft, AT&T Also Fuels Speculation of Lumia Brand Demise

Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile Support Continuing Beyond Creators Update

Microsoft's mobile strategy had come under scrutiny in recent months after the company stopped making hardware. However, Microsoft has continued to insist it fully supports Windows 10 Mobile. At the Ignite Australia conference today, Microsoft's Bill Karagounis suggested the company will continue to back its mobile platform.

The Windows 10 OS Fundamentals Director of Program Management opened the floor to a Q&A session after announcing the Windows Insider Program for Business. He was asked: "What's the direction for the [Windows 10] Mobile component of the Insider Program?" He replied:

"We've been flighting Mobile builds now for– actually, since the November Update in 2015. We do not plan to change that, or to stop that.

And you'll see – today, we are still flighting Mobile builds, subject to quality, subject to those release promotion criteria, and we fully expect to keep doing that beyond the release of the Creators Update."

The Windows 10 Creators Update will be launched this spring, with April the most likely month. Microsoft has already confirmed that it will release a Windows 10 Mobile build of the Creators Update.

Last year, the company decided to stop making its Lumia smartphones. This move put serious doubt over Windows 10 Mobile as a platform. Lumia handsets made up over 90% of total Windows Phone sales, so without them the platform would lose market share.

More worryingly, if Microsoft was not making hardware, why would OEMs have faith in an OS that is failing? Those concerns have been shown to be largely accurate. Windows 10 Mobile continues to bleed customers and OEM support was stagnant during 2016.

Windows 10 Mobile Support

Karagounis confirms Microsoft's continued support beyond the Creators Update. However, he doesn't actually say how long the company will keep maintaining the platform.

Worried Windows 10 Mobile users may be able to rest easy. As we have mentioned before, the company has plans for the platform beyond its current situation. Indeed, Microsoft is willing to have a losing OS as it attempts to create something that will appeal to the next generation.

As we reported last October, Microsoft Executive Vice President of Windows and Devices Terry Myerson explained why Windows 10 Mobile remains an important part of the company's plans.

"Technically, there are really two things that are unique about Windows Mobile," Myerson said at the time. One is cellular connectivity and the other one is the ARM processors that are there. And I think both cellular connectivity and ARM processors have a role in the technical landscape of the future.

So we're going to continue to invest in ARM and cellular. And while I'm not saying what type of device, I think we'll see devices there, Windows devices that use ARM chips. I think we'll see devices that have cellular connectivity."

Source: Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile Support Continuing Beyond Creators Update

Redstone 3 Could Be the Last Update for Windows 10 Mobile - Report

A new report that's making the rounds lately, and which cannot be verified right now because it points to early Microsoft plans for its phone platform, indicates that Redstone 3 could be the last update for Windows 10 Mobile.

There's a lot of speculation right now, and this is why it's very important to take everything with a pinch of salt for the time being, but Spanish website OneWindows writes that Microsoft is currently discussing several changes aimed at its mobile platform that would make Redstone 3 the last major update for Windows 10 Mobile.

While at first glance this could sound like the end of Microsoft's smartphone platform, there are a few other details that seem to point to a change of strategy rather than to a complete demise of mobile.

Windows 10 Mobile support

First and foremost, what we know for sure is that Windows 10 Mobile will still receive support until at least October 2018. According to Microsoft's own data, Windows 10 Mobile build 10586 (also known as Threshold 2) will receive updates until January 9, 2018, while build 14393 (Redstone 1) will reach end of support until October 9, 2018.

With the Creators Update also landing on mobile devices, Windows 10 Mobile should be safe until at least early 2019, but specifics will be announced by Microsoft after the launch of the OS. Redstone 3 would obviously extend support for Windows 10 Mobile, but again, no details are available.

If the aforementioned report is accurate, then Redstone 3 would be specifically focused on improving the UI, performance, Continuum, Cortana, and other new features, but what's yet not clear is who exactly is going to get all these features. Microsoft released Windows 10 Mobile only for half of its Windows phones, and it's clearly too early to tell whether everyone on Windows 10 will get Redstone 3 as well.

What's next?

So if Redstone 3 is indeed the last major update for Windows 10 Mobile, does this mean that Microsoft is done with phones? Not necessarily, as Microsoft could pursue other opportunities, including Windows 10 on ARM.

This implementation makes it possible for Microsoft to run full Windows 10 on ARM chips, and it's believed that the company's upcoming Surface Phone, if it really exists, could make full use of this technology. As a result, Surface Phone could unleash the full power of Windows 10 when connected to an external display with Continuum.

Windows 10 Cloud, a recently discovered SKU of Windows 10 and limited to UWP apps, could also play a role in Microsoft's mobile strategy, but for the moment, it's all about guessing and it doesn't make sense since we don't know for sure if this report is true or not.

But in the end, although Windows 10 Mobile might reach its end in the coming users, this doesn't mean that Microsoft is leaving phones. For what it's worth, it just seems to be a change of strategy and nothing more.

Source: Redstone 3 Could Be the Last Update for Windows 10 Mobile - Report