Windows 10 free upgrade ends July 29; now installed on 300M devices

This means that what you can get completely free of charge today will cost no less than $119 (€110) in just a few weeks, so there's clearly no better time to install Windows 10 right now.

According to a post on the official Windows Blog, around 300 million devices are already enjoying the improvements of Microsoft's latest OS offering, with homes, schools, businesses and more taking to the new software. For example, did you know that people spent over 63 billion minutes on Microsoft Edge in March?

While anything's possible, and Microsoft could extend the free upgrade offer, even indefinitely, the data hints that doing so would not continue to dramatically boost Windows 10 adoption. Windows 10 finally provides a Microsoft-made place to download music, games, movies and apps.

"You will not be able to send or receive Outlook.com email from Windows Live Mail 2012 after your account is upgraded [to the new experience]", Soltero adds.

Microsoft also recommends using AppLocker to block Windows Store access by Windows 10 Mobile users. The Windows 10 Mobile OS and the Windows Phone devices will never be the same again after the Surface Phone comes out.

Finally Microsoft is making small strides towards reaching the ultimate goal of 1 billion Windows 10 devices in three years time.

Windows 10 Home will retail for US$119 (about R1800), with Enterprise and other features likely fetching a premium. This could be great news if you have an ageing PC, and could give a fresh lease of life to it for the time being. Microsoft has confirmed that Windows users who haven't upgraded yet will soon have to pay up. We've known from the beginning that Windows 10 would only be free for the first year.

Mehedi claims that Windows 10 has the highest customer satisfaction of any version of Windows and says that more innovations are coming in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

In order to take advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer, ensure Windows Updates is enabled from inside the Control Panel on your device.

Source: Windows 10 free upgrade ends July 29; now installed on 300M devices

Grab the Windows 10 upgrade soon, because free is better than $119

Starting today, the company is enabling the option to sell paid apps in volume through Windows Store for Business, simplifying the process of managing and distributing Windows apps across an organization. For now, Microsoft has not cleared that whether it will expand the scheme or not.

This is good news for numerous businesses as they not only get the awesome features from Microsoft they have been getting.

It has been noticed that developers have been slow in adopting the Windows Store.

In a blog post, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group, announced that Windows 10 is now running on 300 million devices around the world, along with some other interesting - but not hugely revealing - statistics.

However, it turns out that Microsoft has rolled out another update that enables KB3035583, which in its turn activates the "Get Windows 10" app and displays upgrade nags on Windows 7 and 8.1 computers.

Those who would like to upgrade after the given deadline, they will be required to shell out $119.

In the past, only the Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL, Lumia 550 and Lumia 650 were the Microsoft made devices which enjoyed this new OS. If you stick with Windows 10, files and features related to Windows 7 and 8.1 will be permanently removed.

In its January announcement, Microsoft noted more than three-quarters of its enterprise customers were running active pilots of Windows 10. Late past year, the share of Windows 10 in the smartphone OS market dropped 1.10%. Just like the Windows 10 Mobile version, the PC version is also available only for users who signed up for beta testing. If you change your mind at a later time and want to go to Windows 10, it'll be there waiting for you at no additional cost. Microsoft did note at launch that it would give users a full year to upgrade, a promise it has seen through. Microsoft Australia's web site is still now running the free upgrade promotion, because it's not past 29 July yet, but indicates that the USB or download versions are priced at $179, which will presumably also be the "upgrade" price.

Source: Grab the Windows 10 upgrade soon, because free is better than $119

Windows 10 Is Now Running On 300 Million PCs, Tablets And Smartphones

Redmond first released Windows 10 as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users on July 29 a year ago.

But that deal is running out and the United States tech firm has now Microsofts-latest-plan-to-conquer-smartphones/articleshow/52100426.cms" target="_blank">revealed just how much the software upgrade is going to cost once its free promotion ends on July 29th. The home computer version will be priced at $119, it said. Now, nine months after the operating system was released, Microsoft is announcing that Windows 10 has crossed the 300 million threshold and is still climbing.

I have been running Windows 10 full time on my laptop and Surface Pro 3.

If this is the case, you should upgrade. Anytime you need to reinstall Windows 10 on that machine, just proceed to reinstall Windows 10, it will automatically reactivate.

We were wrong to think that to attract more users Microsoft might extend the free upgrade. Microsoft said the free upgrade offer has been a success. In a blog post today, Microsoft confirmed the free upgrade offer will end on July 29.

Windows 10 users are also playing more games than ever, Microsoft notes, with over 9 billion hours of gameplay having been racked up since the OS was launched (with DX12 support, of course).

But on the other hand, users blame Microsoft for its aggressive Windows 10 push and the nags that are displayed on Windows 7 and 8.1 computers in order to force the upgrade even if users refuse to do it.

Finally, he noted that the baked-in apps for Windows 10, namely Photos, Groove Music, and Movies & TV, are reeling in millions of active customers each month. It has driven more people to upgrade to a new version of Windows than ever before, including home users, schools, small businesses and organisations.

"This list includes a limited set of Windows Phone 8.1 devices and does not include some devices that are now running Windows 10 Mobile in the Windows 10 Mobile Insider program". But now that freebie is coming to an end, and from 30th July onwards Windows 10 will cost new users a whopping £100 to get in on the action.

It is a significant number for Microsoft considering the plethora of issues that have surrounded Windows 10.

Five-Year-Old Android Flaw Exposes SMS, Call HistoryAs this is an open source software package, it affects a variety of projects that use the said APIs, including Cyanogenmod. The vulnerability seems to affect all Android devices with Qualcomm chips and run with Qualcomm code.

Source: Windows 10 Is Now Running On 300 Million PCs, Tablets And Smartphones

Microsoft Lumia 950, 960 XL get massive price-cut on Flipkart in India

[Representational Image] Microsoft Lumia 950, 960 XL get massive price-cut on Flipkart in India. In Picture: Microsoft Lumia 950 (left) and 950 XL (right)Official Microsoft Windows Blog (Press note)

Microsoft has reportedly slashed the prices of the company's flagship Lumia 950, 950 XL series phones in India.

The Lumia 950 and 950 XL originally cost Rs 43,699 and Rs 49,399, respectively, when they were launched in November 2015 in India. Now, they can be grabbed for just Rs. 29,999 and Rs. 34,999, respectively on Flipkart.

The e-commerce website is also offering exchange deals on the Microsoft marquee phones, thereby further reducing the new price of Lumia 950 from Rs. 29,999 to Rs.12,999 and the Lumia 950 XL's price of Rs.34,999 will drop to Rs.17,999.

As of now, there is no official word from either Microsoft or Flipkart whether this discount offer is temporary or not.

Considering specifications of the Lumia 950 series, this is a great deal for anybody planning to buy a pocket-friendly feature-rich phone.

Rival e-commerce site Amazon India is not offering any price-cuts on the Lumia 950 series. So, we believe this promotional discount-cum-exchange deal is limited to Flipkart only.

Microsoft's Lumia 950 and 950 XL come with pretty much the same hardware but differ in three aspects. The former sports a 5.2-inch WQHD (2560x1440p) screen and run on the Snapdragon 808 Hexa-core processor with 3,000 mAh battery, whereas the latter boasts bigger 5.7-inch WQHD screen and houses Snapdragon 810 Octa-core CPU backed by 3340 mAh cell. Rest of the specification of the devices remain the same.

They both come packed with Windows 10 Mobile OS, 3GB RAM, 32GB inbuilt storage, wireless charging ability.

The Lumia 950 series phones boast top-of-the-line camera hardware. They house a 20MP PureView primary camera with Carl Zeiss lens, 6-lens optics, 1/2.4-inch sensor, 26 mm camera focal length, f/1.9 aperture, natural flash, fifth gen OIS (Optical Image stabilisation), autofocus (two-stage capture feature), 4K video recording.

And on the front, they come packed with 5MP wide-angle camera with f/2.4 aperture and full HD camera.

Microsoft Lumia 950XL used as a PC using Display PortMicrosoft

They also boast state-of-the-art technology dubbed as Windows Hello (Beta). It uses infra-red camera technology to automatically authenticate user to unlock the phone, thus providing an additional layer of security for the phone.

Other notable feature of new Lumia 950 series is the Continuum.It works with the help of Microsoft's proprietary display dock accessory; Lumia 950 user can convert the phone in to a mini-computer via Continuum feature. It is a new adaptive user-interface offered in Windows 10 OS that optimizes the look and behavior of the phone's apps to provide PC like experience.

Interested buyers can now log in to Flipkart to buy Lumia 950 (HERE) and Lumia 950 XL (HERE).

Key features of Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL:

Models Microsoft Lumia 950 Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Display 5.2-inch WQHD (2560x1,440p) TrueColor AMOLED screen with ClearBlack technology and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection

Pixel density: 564 ppi (Pixels per inch)

5.7-inch WQHD (2560x1,440p) TrueColor AMOLED screen with ClearBlack technology and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection

Pixel density: 518 ppi (Pixels per inch)

OS Windows Phone 10 Mobile Windows Phone 10 Mobile Processor 64-bit class based 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 Hexa-core (ARM Cortex A57 dual-core +ARM Cortex A53 quad-core) CPU 64-bit class based 2.0GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810-core (ARM Cortex A57 quad-core +ARM Cortex A53 quad-core) CPU GPU Adreno 418 Adreno 430 RAM 3GB 3GB Storage capacity 32GB, expandable up to 200GB 32GB, expandable up to 200GB Camera

Main: 20.0-Megapixel PureView camera with Carl Zeiss lens, triple-LED flash, 6-lens optics, 1/2.4-inch sensor, 26 mm camera focal length, f/1.9 aperture, natural flash, fifth gen OIS (Optical Image stabilization), autofocus (two-stage capture feature), 4K video recording,

Front: 5.0-megapixel wide-angle camera with f/2.4 aperture, full HD camera,

Main: 20.0-Megapixel PureView camera with Carl Zeiss lens, triple-LED flash, 6-lens optics, 1/2.4-inch sensor, 26 mm camera focal length, f/1.9 aperture, natural flash, fifth gen OIS (Optical Image stabilization), autofocus (two-stage capture feature), 4K video recording,

Front: 5.0-megapixel wide-angle camera with f/2.4 aperture, full HD camera,

Battery 3000 mAh; (Qi wire-less charging standard and fast charging feature)

Maximum standby time with dual SIM: 12 days

Maximum talk time (2G): 23 h

Maximum talk time (3G): 18 h

Maximum music playback time: 67 h

Maximum Wi-Fi network browsing time: 9.5 h

Maximum video playback time: 10 h

3340 mAh; (Qi wire-less charging standard and fast charging feature)

Maximum standby time with dual SIM: 12 days

Maximum talk time (2G): 25 h

Maximum talk time (3G): 19 h

Maximum music playback time: 75 h

Maximum Wi-Fi network browsing time: 11 h

Maximum video playback time: 11 h

Network 3G & 4G-LTE (Cat. 4 with 150/50 mbps- download/upload speed) 3G & 4G-LTE (Cat. 4 with 150/50 mbps- download/upload speed) Add-ons Nano-SIM (Single/Dual-SIM slots depending on markets), Bluetooth v4.1, Wi-Fi (WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; MIMO), NFC, FM radio, USB Type-C v3.1, Nano-SIM (Single/Dual-SIM slots depending on markets), Bluetooth v4.1, Wi-Fi (WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; MIMO), NFC, FM radio, USB Type-C v3.1, Dimensions 145.0 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm Weight 150 g 165 g
Source: Microsoft Lumia 950, 960 XL get massive price-cut on Flipkart in India

Windows Live Mail 2012 will no longer work with Outlook.com accounts after June 30

Microsoft says that users of the free Windows Live Mail 2012 on Windows 7 who have an Outlook.com account won't be able to send or receive emails from that app after June 30.

Microsoft explained what is going on in a blog post:

To provide you an email experience with enhanced performance, security and reliability, the new Outlook.com has been built upon our latest Office 365 infrastructure. Because the Windows Live Mail 2012 email application doesn't support the protocols used by this new infrastructure, you will not be able to send or receive Outlook.com email from Windows Live Mail 2012 after your account is upgraded. This means the time has come for you to upgrade to a new email application.

Microsoft says that Windows 7 users of Windows Live Mail 2012 will be able to use the included Mail app to keep getting their Outlook.com messages if they upgrade their OS to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. If they don't want to upgrade just yet, they can still access their Outlook.com emails via a web browser in Windows 7. Microsoft will also provide those users a free one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal. It includes Outlook 2016, which can send and receive Outlook.com messages.

Source: Windows Live Mail 2012 will no longer work with Outlook.com accounts after June 30

You can now buy the Lumia 950 for ₹29,999 on Flipkart, Lumia 950 XL down to ₹34,999

Amazon India is still selling the Lumia 950 for ₹42,099, but if you're looking to get the phone for a discounted price, you're in luck. Flipkart is offering the phone for ₹29,999.

The retailer also has the Lumia 950 XL for ₹34,999. Both listings are by Flipkart's in-house WS Retail, and come with one-day delivery options. You can also exchange your older phone for Microsoft's latest.

Check out the phones at Flipkart from the links below. What do you guys think of the retailer's prices?

Lumia 950 at Flipkart Lumia 950 XL at Flipkart

Thanks Ankush Jain!

Source: You can now buy the Lumia 950 for ₹29,999 on Flipkart, Lumia 950 XL down to ₹34,999

Windows 10 Installed on 300 Million Devices

On June 30th, one year after the release of Windows 10, anyone who hasn't already upgraded will have to shell out $119 to move up to the latest and greatest.

We encourage you to test across browsers and devices, including Microsoft Edge-the default browser for Windows 10 - with free tools; including F12 developer tools - seven distinct, fully-documented tools to help you debug, test, and speed up your webpages.

Finally, he noted that the baked-in apps for Windows 10, namely Photos, Groove Music, and Movies & TV, are reeling in millions of active customers each month.

Microsoft said it is on track to meet its goal of 1 billion users of its newest operating system.

For almost a year Windows 10 has been a free upgrade for users of Windows 7 and up, but that promotion is coming to an end on 29th July.

On Netmarketshare for instance, Windows 10 rose from 9.96% in December 2015 to 15.34% in April 2016.

The Swipe Gesture will allow users to navigate easily between webpages on Windows 10 mobiles and touch enabled devices.

"We're seeing people at home, at schools, at small businesses, at large companies, and other organizations adopt Windows 10 faster than ever, and use Windows 10 more than ever before".

Windows 10 will only be available as a paid upgrade or a full retail copy after the one year free upgrade offer promotion ends. In view of the reports that Microsoft's smartphone line will be preceded by the software, the Microsoft Surface Phone should see the light of day around that time as well.

Over 63 billion minutes were spent on Microsoft Edge in March alone, with 50% growth in minutes since the last quarter. Because the Windows Live Mail 2012 email application doesn't support the protocols used by this new infrastructure, you will not be able to send or receive Outlook.com email from Windows Live Mail 2012 after your account is upgraded.

There are chances that Microsoft is aiming for a different strategy aimed at overhaul the mobile efforts of the company and change the way Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile are now regarded. So if you've been on the fence about Windows 10, and you've been ignoring the company's nagging pleas to upgrade, it might be now or never.

Source: Windows 10 Installed on 300 Million Devices