Win prizes worth RM11,000 when you participate in TikTok’s #CampusIdol Campaign

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TikTok has recently partnered up with University Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and YouthsToday.com to launch its #CampusIdol Campaign. The campaign provides an opportunity to all Malaysian university students to showcase their creativity and talent to a global audience.

Other Universities such as Management & Science University, Aswara, University of Malaya, and Universiti Kuala Lumpurare are lending their support to this campaign by sharing this campaign with their respective art and creative student associations.

The campaign will be on going from the 20th of November till 4th of December 2018, where students who participates in this campaign could stand a chance to win prizes worth up to RM11,000, including 4 Honor Phones and exclusive passes to the TikTok year end party. Winning entries will be announced on 7th December 2018 at UiTM with celebrities including Arja Lee, Erma Fatima, Mawi, Rita Nadira and Farid Kamil.

For those who are interested to participate in this campaign, simply record your performance on TikTok, it can be a video of you singing, dancing, acting, playing a musical instrument and many other more. Once you’re done, submit your entry by hashtagging #CampusIdol followed by your University Hashtag (For example : #UniversityMalaya / #Aswara / #UiTMMusic / #MSU / #UniKL) in order to qualify.

You can submit as many entries as you want for a higher chance to win. Each winner must show a valid student ID from their respective universities or colleges to validate each winning entry. Fellow organizers will evaluate each video by the total video views, likes and shares for each category on TikTok.

The #CampusIdol initiative resonates with TikTok’s mission of capturing and presenting the world’s creativity, knowledge, and moments that matter by enabling everyone to be a creator. The company’s collaboration with renowned higher learning institutions in Malaysia underscores its commitment to furthering creativity across all industries, including education.

TikTok
TikTok x UiTM x YouthsToday
UiTM
YouthsToday


Win prizes worth up to RM100,000 by joining the Vivo V15 Pro Top Influencer – 32MP Perfect Selfie contest

309

It’s time to shine, beautiful people of Malaysia! The Vivo V15 Pro Top Influencer – 32MP Perfect Selfie contest may be a mouthful to say, but it gives you the chance to win prizes worth more than RM100,000; that’s right, vanity pays once again.

All you need to do is take a selfie with
any
phone, post it on your personal Facebook or Instagram accounts, and let the prying eyes of the public judge if you’re worthy of first place. For more details on the mechanics, visit Vivo’s official Facebook page
here
.

The contest runs from now until May 24, while top 30 participants will be announced on 25 and 26 May, while top 5 posters will get the juiciest prizes.

32mp
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selfie
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Win the ASUS Transformer Book Flip, join the #MyASUSWorkstation Facebook contest

351

On behalf of our friends at ASUS Malaysia, we would like to invite you fans to
stand
 a chance to win the powerful and flexible Transformer Book Flip from ASUS Malaysia by joining the #MyASUSWorkstation contest, the Transformer Book Flip is a convertible laptop that lets you work in a
tablet
 or laptop mode with its 180 degree rotating display, while we can’t confirm which model that ASUS Malaysia will be giving away, but hey, it isn’t too bad even if you get to win the lower end 13.3-inch model right?

To join the contest, simply take a picture of your workstation, you don’t necessarily need to have an ASUS product in the photo, just take that perfect shot and upload it on to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #MyASUSWorkstation and make sure that it is set as public. After that, do remember to like ASUS Malaysia’s Facebook Page and
leave a comment on this link here
. The contest will run through end of this month and the winner will be announced on December 1st, 2014.

Get your cameras working and skills brushed up, you gotta need it for winning the Transformer Book Flip.


Win vouchers and free gifts when you play Samsung’s newly launched AR Game : ManaBox

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If you didn’t know, Samsung has introduced its very first ever Augmented Reality (AR) mobile game app, called “ManaBox”. Its similarly like the Pokemon Go mobile game, but instead of catching Pokemons, you’re catching cute Mana boxes and instead of using Pokeballs, you use Mana Tapes.

ManaBox is not your ordinary AR game where you just play and collect points, its much more than that! While playing ManaBox, the points collected from catching the Mana boxes allows you to redeem real life awards such as movie tickets, Starbucks beverage, shopping vouchers, GRAB vouchers, and many more!

In the game, you will be able to identify different types of Mana Boxes such as Cheeky, Cutey, Feisty, Snobby, Charmy, Gutsy, Bitey, Rooky, Friendly and Fury. Catching them could be a tricky thing, but your hard work will definitely pay off once you’ve collected enough points to exchange for a reward that you want. So, the more you catch, the higher the chances of you getting more rewards. Other than that, rewards are extra exciting if you are able to catch the Golden Box.

The game is currently available for download only on Google Play Store, but don’t fret fellow Apple users, Samsung will be bringing this awesome mobile game app to Apple App Store very soon.

To learn more about Samsung’s ManaBox mobile game, log onto
www.samsung.com/my/offer/mobile/mana-box.

ManaBox
ManaBox mobile game app
Samsung ManaBox


Winamp teases come back as a purposeful media player

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For almost everyone who use to listen to music on their computers a decade ago, Winamp was a legendary music player that is able to play almost every file you throw at it, remember those cool community skins as well? Be prepared and feel the nostalgia as the music player is about to come back in a big way.

Why a dedicated music player you may ask? It is simply because Winamp isn’t just going to be a mere MP3 player, it is going to be a more complete music player that will support a variety of playback medium, which Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Radionomy said that you will be able to use it to play music on the cloud, streaming radio stations, and more.

While it does sound like the company’s goal is to make Winamp a universal player for popular streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music, Sabounjian has declined to comment on which platforms it will be working with, however we do assume that the company is sure to have challenges such as licensing issues while getting the approval for that.

Winamp 6 will be the version that we all should be looking forward, and the company is teasing for a 2019 release.

Apple Music
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Windows 10 1909 update will push notification and UI updates alongside support for ARM devices

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It’s time for another major Windows 10 update – this time, in the form of version 1909. The folks at Neowin have gotten an early look of the OS update via the insider program and it looks like a few nifty changes are in store.

Image credit: Neowin

One useful update for busy people is to the on-system calendar which now lets you add events and reminders that syncs with your Calendar app, so you don’t have to open a separate window for that anymore.

Image credit: Neowin

The notifications tray will see a small overhaul as well – you get a new “Manage Notifications link in the Action Centre which will give you direct access to the general notifications settings page. According to Neowin, once at that page, you will see a new option to trigger global notification sounds.

Image credit: Neowin

Smaller quality of life improvements include an options list that shows up when you hover over a side bar item like the power button; while File Explorer is bolstered with a better search engine that’s powered by Windows Search.

For certain CPUs, battery life will reportedly be better as well; while updates to the Windows Defender Credential Guard support for ARM64 devices will be a benefit to business systems. As reported by Neowin, there is no official date as to when we can see update 1909 roll out yet, but it’s likely to be by the end of the month.

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Windows 10 Anniversary Update arrives on the 2nd of August

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Microsoft’s first big update for its newest operating system, Windows 10, finally has a launch date. Come August 2, Windows 10 will be receiving the Anniversary Update.

With the Anniversary Update, Microsoft will be introducing a couple of new features to Windows 10. Chief among those features includes the introduction of Windows Ink, Microsoft Edge browser exxtensions as well as the Xbox App for Windows 10.

New features aren’t the only thing that will be coming to the Anniversary Update. Microsoft has also been hard at work improving Windows 10’s security features. In the upcoming update, Microsoft will be enabling Windows Hello support for both Windows apps and Microsoft Edge.

Improvements to Windows Defender are also available as the free anti-malware service from Microsoft will now sport an option to automatically schedule periodic quick scans of your PC, while also providing you with notifications and summaries when scans are complete. For enterprise customers, the Anniversary Update will bring with it Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP), a feature that detects, investigates and responds to advanced malicious attacks on networks by providing a more comprehensive threat intelligence and attack detection.

Cortana will also be getting an update as the Anniversary Update will be giving Cortana the ability to save and recall key information as well as give you notifications across all Cortana-enabled devices. Cortana will also be available above you lock screen, allowing you to use her without needing to unlock your computer.

If you’re already on Windows 10, you need only wait another month before the Anniversary arrives. If you’re still on older versions of Windows, here’s your reminder that the free Windows 10 upgrade offer lasts until the 29th of July.

Source:
Windows Blog

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Windows 10 Anniversary Update now available for participants of the Windows Insider program

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We’re one week shy until Microsoft releases the Anniversary Update for Windows 10. If you’re a Windows Insider participant however, you can gain access to the update right now.

The Anniversary Update, which is due on the 2nd of August, will bring with it improvements to various aspects of Windows 10. One of the sectors that will be improved with the update is stylus support, with Windows 10 now offering quick access to pen apps, a screenshot annotating app, a Cortana-integrated sticky note app, and the ability to use some pen apps above the lock screen.

Speaking of Cortana, the Anniversary Update will allow you to request Cortana to take notes or even ask her questions even when your device is locked. Furthermore, the Anniversary Update will introduce smartphone syncing using the Cortana apps on iOS, Android and Windows 10 Mobile, allowing you to see notifications, status updates, and alerts from your phone on your PC. The update will also bring HTML and JavaScript-based extension support to the Edge browser.

For those of you who are currently still on older Windows versions, here’s a reminder that the free upgrade period will be ending this Friday. After that, you’re going to have to pay for Windows 10.

Source:
Ars Technica

anniversaryupdate
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Windows 10 April 2018 Update brings productivity features to users

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Microsoft has announced that the Windows 10 April 2018 Update will be available for download starting today and will roll out to Windows 10 computers worldwide on May 8. This update will bring a slight change to how users interact with their operating system and change we view and find our files through the Timeline feature.

Timeline will allow users to go back and easily find their files that they were working on all the way back a few weeks. Timeline will also display what you were doing on Edge of Office 365 even when using it on your iOS or Android device. Next is Focus Assist, a feature that will mute selected notifications like social media and others when turned on. It can be scheduled to be turned on at a particular time like working time for example. The third is Dictation which Microsoft has claimed it will be easier for users to take notes or write a paper just by using their voice.

Finally, Microsoft Edge is getting an update which will bring features to the browser like mute-a-tab, full-screen reading, clutter-free printing, grammar tools and autofill on web forms.

10
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Windows 10 Creators Update can now be downloaded manually

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Microsoft really wants you to upgrade to the latest Windows 10 Creators Update, though it is already open for Insiders since last week, the company has made the update available for non-insiders, if you can’t wait to try out a 3D focused Paint app and some additional gaming features, all you need to do is to download the Windows 10 Update Assistant, run the program and you will be prompted to download the latest version of Windows 10, which you will be getting build 1703 in the case of the Creators Update.

The Windows 10 Creators Update is considered a major feature update from Microsoft that is made in conjunction with every anniversary of the operating system, the update will automatically be pushed to users starting April 11th if you have Windows Update enabled, users may not find too much difference in usability apart from the new features mentioned above, but the update should also introduce certain unmentioned improvements and security patches to the operating system. If you would like to always be updated to the most recent version of Windows and don’t mind facing bugs during usage, you can also opt to sign up to
Windows Insider
 and get to use some features that has not been released to the public. Do share with us your thoughts once you have updated to the Creators Update!

SOURCE:
Microsoft

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Windows 10 Fall Creators update brings TruePlay anti-cheat system for games

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Just like how Valve has the Valve Anti-Cheat system, Microsoft has also introduced its own version of an anti-cheat system called TruePlay that comes with the Fall Creator update that just released recently. This is not something that Microsoft has touched on but it is something that some of you need to be aware off if you are an avid gamer.

Microsoft explains, “A game enrolled in TruePlay will run in a protected process, which mitigates a class of common attacks.” They go on to add that the service will monitor gaming sessions for manipulations that are common in cheating scenarios and data will be collected when cheating behaviour appears to be occurring. Some of you might not like the idea that your game data is being shared with the game developer, but Microsoft has assured that they can turn off the monitoring system if they want too and they will still be able to run the game normally.

Another good thing is that it will be only integrated with games that are part of the Universal Windows Platform games, which could also be a sign that the company is slowly building itself up to be a proper contender to the Steam platform.

anti-cheat
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The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will arrive October 17th

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Its an exciting period in the tech world, and Microsoft is joining that excitement once again by confirming the release of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update on October 17th, it brings one important feature to the table – Windows Mixed Reality, which will definitely help push sales of Mixed Reality headsets that has been announced by OEMs in IFA 2017.

If you aren’t interested in Mixed Reality, then you should be glad that the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will bring a new feature to the People’s app that allows you to pin your favorite Skype contacts onto the taskbar, OneDrive is also updated with a OneDrive Files-On-Demand feature that lets you grab files without having to sync the entire folder, and you can finally pick an emoji by pressing the Windows Key + Period/Semicolon keyboard shortcut.’

Game Mode is also getting an update, which Microsoft claiming that it will take full potential of your device’s hardware power as if ‘it was an Xbox game console’, something similar to Apple’s Metal API, it will be supported on Xbox Play Anywhere games such as Cuphead, Forza Motosport 7, Super Lucky’s Tale and Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will also see a beta version of Microsoft’s integrated eye tracking software, and we might find some improvements on stylus input. If you have signed up for the Windows Insider Program, you should be receiving an update codenamed Redstone 4 very soon which will have most of the features of the Fall Creators update in place.

microsoft
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Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will bring a lot of changes

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A new test version of the latest version of Windows 10 is releasing today and if you are a Windows Insider on the Fast Ring, then its is available for download now and for the rest of us, we will see this new update and features in the official Windows 10 Fall Creators Update later in the year.

One of the changes comes in the form of a redesigned notification center which will split notifications into sections of their own, making it easier to see the notifications of a particular app without scanning through the wall of text. Next, is probably a feature that will be really helpful to those of us that frequent to the same website every day, you will be able to pin websites to the taskbar which will open up in Microsoft Edge. Cortana is also getting an update where the assistant can prompt reminders based on scanning images for events and stylus users can circle content to create reminders.

The biggest update comes directed at stylus support where the writing panel can support more gestures, better editing, emoji, and automatic handwriting detection. Handwritten text can be easily edited by strikethrough, scratch, joining or splitting the text using gestures

Lastly, is the addition of emoji panel inside email or social media messages, where hitting the Winkey and period/semicolon key will trigger the emoji panel. Microsoft is also updating the touch keyboard to support prediction, emoji suggestions, one-handed input, and shape drawing with your fingers or a stylus and dictation has also been added to the keyboard.

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Windows 10 Insider builds will be receiving Game Mode this week

309

Back when Microsoft announced the Creators Update to the world, one of the key features of the presentation was something the company referred to as “Game Mode”. This particular mode will soon be available for those who have access to the Windows 10 Insider builds as Microsoft has announced that Game Mode will be arriving on Windows 10 this week.

As the name of the feature implies, Microsoft is looking to optimise Windows 10 PCs for increased performance in gaming when Game Mode is enabled with said performance increase is expected to affect both legacy Windows games (Win32) and modern titles (UWP). Alongside the performance boost, Microsoft will also be introducing some of Game Mode’s visual elements to the Windows 10 Insider build. All of the elements are expected to be in place in future builds.

Beam will also be implemented with the next update, allowing you to stream your gameplay without needing to download additional software for it. In order to launch Beam, all you’ll need to do is to pull up the Game bar by pressing the Windows key and the G key at the same time.

Finally, Microsoft will be introducing some new upgrades to Xbox Live that will affect both the Xbox One and Windows 10. The upgrades will see Windows 10 get an improved Activity Feed, the Arena feature, as well as improvements to Clubs and Looking For Group.

Source:
Xbox

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Windows 10 is your next PC operating system

356

Instead of following the number sequence just like iPhones, Microsoft has decided to skip the 9 figure on its Windows platform and has introduced Windows 10, an all new built from the ground up PC operating system. The highlight of Windows 10 is that all devices will be sharing the same platform regardless of laptops, smartphones, tablets or desktops, Microsoft has made it very clear in the picture that there won’t be a separate version or app store for any of these devices and that’s one heck of a good news to everyone of us. But also, this could probably mean the demise of Windows RT in our opinion.

Windows 10 introduces a number of exciting features that will finally make users love Windows again, which includes the return of a proper and very nice look Start Menu that shows you your programs and live tiles instead of a full blown up Start screen.

Metro apps can also be launched in a windowed mode instead of full screen while users will have the flexibility to resize them in any way. Besides, the Snap feature has been improved to support up to 4 running applications, which makes it extremely useful and a good reason to invest on a high resolution display.

Switching apps on Windows 10 is also more streamlined and polished this time by utilizing a new task-view button on the taskbar will show previews of the working app, something similar to Mission Control on the Mac.

And finally, Microsoft did took a long time to support multiple desktops which is long available on the Mac since OS X, users will now be able to have multiple desktops on a single display that allows them to open and run apps simultaneously. Windows 10 will also enable users to find their files faster with a recent files feature in the File Explorer.

Windows 10 does introduce some really exciting features that has been long anticipated by many users, there’s still no news on when the new operating system will officially debut but this will definitely be a free upgrade for current Windows 8.1 users. So Microsoft, how about offering free
Office 365
 Personal for free in every new Windows PC next? We would really appreciate that!

Source:
Microsoft


Windows 10 Mobile upgrade delayed to 2016

271

With

the Lumia 950 and 950 XL out in the marke
t
, surely the release of Windows 10 Mobile is just right around the corner right? Well unfortunately, you’re going to have to wait a little while longer as Microsoft will not be releasing the Windows 10 update until 2016.

Originally scheduled
 to be released in December of 2015, Microsoft has confirmed that the upgrade

would not be rolled out
 until early 2016. In the meantime, Microsoft has released another new build for Windows 10 Mobile users participating in the Insider Preview program. This build will be the last Windows 10 Mobile build for 2015 as
Microsoft states
 that no new Insider builds would be released until January.

For the latest build of Windows 10 Mobile, 10586.36, Microsoft seems to have focused on fixing bugs in the software, with new features and design changes taking a backseat.

Mobile isn’t the only platform that has received a new Windows build. Build 10586.36 for Windows 10 desktop users, also known as Windows 10 Version 1511, will be rolling out to those who have applied the November update. A new Insider build for desktop, 11082, was also released recently.

Source :
Ars Technica

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Windows 10 newest update is incompatible with iCloud for Windows

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Previously when Windows 10 released their update version 1809, users reported several problems such as missing files after the update that cannot be revered and also the faster battery consumption of their devices. Since then, Windows 10 retracted the update and re-released it around a week ago. However, problems have been found again with the new update.

Users now face a bug that causes issue when it comes to iCloud for Windows. They are unable to update or sync their Shared Albums, and the attempt to install iCloud on Windows version 1809 is not supported, causing the installation to fail. Microsoft then placed a update block that prevents users from installing the update version 1809 and recommended that users do not manually install the update to prevent the bug from happening. Meanwhile, Apple and Microsoft are trying to fix the bug and provide a compatible version of iCloud in the next release.

This isn’t the only problem that was found in the update version 1809. It was also found that there were connectivity issues related to the VPN, drives connectivity with Windows device, and some others.

Basically, even when the newest version of Windows 10 is re-released, it’s not advisable for users to update their Windows yet as it still comes with bugs that have no immediate fixes yet.

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Windows 10 on a Xiaomi Mi 4? Here’s how it looks like in real life.

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Microsoft and Xiaomi has become great buddies recently in their recent partnership on testing Windows 10 on a selected number of Mi 4 smartphones, while we are expecting the ROM to surface in MIUI forums or XDA-Developers really soon, here are some really clear images and a video on YouKu showing off how Windows 10 will look like on a Mi 4. To be honest, I really want Windows 10 to run on my Mi 4 if Microsoft decides to allow Xiaomi users to flash it, bring it on Microsoft and Xiaomi, enjoy the video down below folks, just look how beautiful and smooth the transitions are.

小米手机4 windows10 内部尝鲜版体验视频


Windows 10 PCs can now play 4K Netflix content

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Good news to all you Windows-based Netflix junkies! Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will now be able to support 4K content from Netflix via Microsoft Edge? There is a catch however, and it comes mostly in the form of hardware.

For the most part, streaming Netflix’s 4K content will require two basic things: a Netflix Premium account and a 4K-ready screen. If you fulfill these two requirements, the one last thing you need to play 4K content is a computer that is powered by a seventh generation Intel Core processor.

Microsoft’s Kaby Lake requirement is rather surprising considering that there are very few devices out in the market that has both a 4K screen and a Kaby Lake processor. As desktop Kaby Lake processors aren’t available yet, it seems that streaming 4K content from Netflix will be limited to certain devices for now. Of course, using a battery-powered device to stream 4K videos off Netflix will probably lead to heavy power consumption, so 4K Netflix and Chill sessions will probably be out of reach for many.

On the bright side, you now know the requirements from 4K content on Netflix, allowing you to build the machine needed to support it. Once the desktop Kaby Lake processors are out, you’ll be able to experience 4K Netflix without needing to get a laptop or 2-in-1 just for it.

Source:
Microsoft

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Windows 10 has a pre-installed software that allows hackers to fully control your PCs

1.8K

Windows 10 is undergoing some serious threats from an exploit broker called SandboxEscaper and while we’re expecting a solution to come up soon, Microsoft’s partner SafeBreach just made it worse.

Not only can SandboxEscaper provide anyone with access to a Windows 10 and Server 2019 machine permissions, SafeBreach revealed that the pre-installed software on PCs are faulty and exposes users to being hacked.

Apparently, the software known as PC-Doctor Toolbox has a huge flaw that lets hackers replace harmless DLL files with malicious DLLs resulting in hackers gaining full control of users’ computers. PC-makers also gave Toolbox high-permission level access which allows the computer’s hardware and software to be modified.

Simply put, if that malicious code is inserted into your PC, hackers can just do anything they want. Even PCs like Dell, Alienware and Corsair has the PC-Doctor Toolbox pre-installed in them, so we can only hope that somehow Microsoft has a solid solution to this.

microsoft
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Windows 10 Pro to sport Ultimate Performance power scheme in new Insider Preview

333

You are probably familiar with the power scheme in Windows if you are conscious about the performance and efficiency of your system, and Microsoft has added a new power scheme for Windows 10 Pro users called the Ultimate Performance in the new Insider Preview. Users who have opted to receive Insider build versions of Windows 10 will find this feature when their systems are updated to build 17101 Fast or 17604 Skip Ahead.

Windows 10 Pro has always been an operating system that focuses on mission critical scenario, having the Ultimate Performance scheme allows users to get the absolute maximum performance out of high performance computers. While this power scheme is build upon the current High Performance scheme, it goes one step further to eliminate micro latencies associated with fine grain power management techniques. Microsoft hasn’t specifically mention how much performance gain that Ultimate Performance will offer over the existing High Performance policy, OEMs can choose to enable this scheme with shipped machines and it is currently not available for laptops as for now.

Apart from that, the new Windows 10 Insider Build will also come with updated emoji designs, improved control on file access permissions for Universal Windows Programs, and a number of bug fixes and performance improvements as usual. Meanwhile, do hit up Windows Update if you are on the Insider Preview program and let us know if you do find any performance gains when enabling Ultimate Performance.

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Windows 10 "Redstone 2" to arrive with the announcement of new Microsoft hardware

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Microsoft is said to delay the Redstone 2 updates of Windows 10 till early 2017. The rumored delay of the second wave of Redstone updates will supposedly coincide with Microsoft’s next Surface lineup in 2017.

Microsoft’s next hardware lineup, which will most likely be the Surface Book 2 and the Surface Pro 5, is tipped to be announced in Spring 2017. By then, those devices should be rocking Intel’s next-gen Core processors in them, codenamed Kaby Lake.

While the Kaby Lake processors are said to be launched by Intel later this year, Microsoft still has a lot of fixing up to do in its current iteration of the Surface line – the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 as users have seen various hardware and power management issues with the devices, mainly related to the Surface-Skylake combination. Nevertheless, we are still expecting Microsoft to launch a non-Pro version of the Surface tablet and possibly, Microsoft’s own Surface handset as well. The rumored phone however, has to be taken with a huge grain of salt in case of disappointment.

Fortunately, Windows 10 users will still be receiving the first wave of Redstone updates this June. Among its features are better integration within the operating system, and having more apps on the Windows 10 store. Will Redstone 2 updates be too long of a wait? Let us know at the comments section below.

Source:
ZD Net

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Windows 10 could soon be re-installed from cloud servers – making process faster and safer

293

Resetting your Windows PC is pretty easy nowadays – we do it to clear out old machines that may be slowing down, or to just prep it for a new user. All you need is either an external or local backup of the operating system and you’re set. But a recent report say that you will soon be able to restore Windows 10 from cloud servers!

Local backups may be infected with malware, while not everyone has an external source to load from. This new online-based option will apparently be available via the ‘Reset this PC’ option in your Windows Settings – and will prompt a download of Windows 10 from the cloud.

Image credit: How To Geek

With high-speed internet now becoming more widely available, users would be able to download a clean copy of Windows 10 in no time. As usual, the resetting process will remove user data and apps if you choose the ‘Remove everything’ option and should give you a clean slate.

It is unsure when the feature will be rolled out, but keep an eye out on our website for updates.

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Windows 10 Spring Creators Update might release on April 10

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Windows 10 Spring Creators Update is coming to our PCs very soon as Windows Central reported that the update has an April 10 rollout based on anonymous sources. The sources also mentioned that Microsoft is now going through a last check of the code for the update and will be rolled out as Build 17133.

However, if you expect some major changed to the OS, you might be disappointed as the update comes with fixes for minor problems that were in the previous release. Nevertheless, Spring Creators Update will bring about some changes to the OS which includes a Timeline feature that was supposed to come with last year’s Falls Creators Update as well as the Fluent Design look. Other than that, we are expected to see the new Share feature, which is similar to Apple’s AirDrop alongside faster Bluetooth device pairing. Lastly, Microsoft Edge will be getting progressive web apps which is Microsoft’s answer to Chrome’s web store.

April 10 falls on a Tuesday which follows in-line to when the company releases OS updates for their Windows platform. Make sure you save all your work and backup important documents before you start the update when it rolls out.

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New Windows 10 update kills your network card and lowers video game volume

406

Microsoft is at it again with faulty Windows 10 updates – their latest September 10 update, KB4515384, has been acknowledged by the American company themselves as being the culprit to several issues.

After installation of the update, some users will experience lower than normal volume levels in certain video games, and the bigger issue is that it kills your device’s network card when you attempt to do a search with Cortana in the start menu and task bar.

Image credit: Microsoft

Ironically, the patch was introduced to fix issues in SearchUI.exe where by Cortana utlizises high CPU usage. Funnily enough, Microsoft notes in the patch notes that this issue is experienced by a “small number of users” only, but the patch seems to have affected even more.

As of now, Microsoft has only provided a workaround for the audio issue, which you can read up
here
. As for the network problem, users have shared that there’s no other option but to roll back to an older patch and wait for a proper fix.

Oh Microsoft, when will you learn. In the meantime, if you see that update popping up, we suggest staying clear of it until things get sorted out.

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Windows 10 users can now try Office 2019 before it releases

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Microsoft Office 2019 is on its way to consumers soon, but if you are thinking of upgrading or buying it, you can try it out before making a decision. You can preview the latest version of Office on your Windows 10 desktop now.

The preview version, which was only available to Office 365 subscribers, can be used by anyone for a limited time. Office 2019 which succeeds Office 2016 is targeted at enterprises that are not using Office 365. Microsoft has a
page
 with details on how to join the Office 2019 Commercial Preview programme, which will only run on Windows 10. Some of the changes you will be seeing in Office 2019 is, PowerPoint will come with the ability to manage icons, SVG, and 3D images, Word adds learning tools captions and audio description and more, Excel will offer better data analysis and finally Outlook will manage emails more efficiently.

Microsoft is changing their support for the latest version of Office. They will provide five years of mainstream support and two years of extended support, where previously they offered five years for each support.

10
2019
365
microsoft
office
preview
windows


Windows 10 variant of Alcatel Idol 4S spotted

390

Windows Mobile, or Windows 10 for mobile phones have been left biting the dust in a world where the dominance and competition of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms are prevalent. There is however, a small number of manufacturers that still show a hint of faith in Windows 10, allowing Microsoft’s operating system run on one or two mobile devices, mostly tablets. Having said that, there are talks of an Alcatel Idol 4 Pro operating Windows 10 out of the box, and it has been spotted, in packaging form.

Roland Quandt from WinFuture has uploaded an image onto his Twitter feed of the alleged box of the Windows 10 Alcatel Idol 4S, not the Pro. He explained alongside the image that the Windows 10 Alcatel Idol 4 Pro will be marketed as the Alcatel Idol 4S instead, exclusive to major US carrier T-Mobile. Seen on the box is also an included VR headset along with the phone itself, reminding us of the pre-order bundles that came with the Android variant of the Alcatel Idol 4S, which had the VR headset bundled in.

Honestly, there isn’t much else apart from just the boxes seen in the above image. It is hard to say whether or not the Windows 10 Idol 4S will retain the same internals from its Android counterpart if this turns out to be true. The Android model features a mid range Snapdragon 652 SoC underneath the hood with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. It is highly likely that the rest of the hardware will remain the same.

Do take whatever that was mentioned above with a huge grain of salt, but if Quandt’s claim is true, this will probably be Alcatel’s way of showing some form of support for Microsoft’s mobile operating system. Anyone here using a Windows mobile device? Let us know at the comments section below!

Source:
Roland Quandt (Twitter)

10
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Windows 10 version 1809 faces another issue, this time with Intel drivers

320

Microsoft’s newest update continues to show problematic issues, and the latest problem found is regarding the Intel drivers.

According to Microsoft, the Intel display drivers automatically release versions of the display drivers that cause unsupported features to be turned on in Windows. This means that the audio playback will not function properly or might not function at all when devices are connected to PCs via HDMI, USB-C and DisplayPort.

Microsoft also placed an upgrade block to prevent more users from being affected with the same issue. Currently, Microsoft is already trying to terminate the display drivers with Intel and they will announce an update when they’ve resolved the issue.

The Windows 10 version 1809 has been very problematic since its initial release, causing a retraction before it is re-released. Even then, a number of issues were discovered by users, which caused Microsoft to put several upgrade blocks. The best decision right now is to put the update on hold and update your Windows at a much later period when everything finally stabilises.

Intel drivers
microsoft
version 1809
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windows 10


Windows 10 will also be available for non-Genuine users

302

We are very sure that out of 10 households, every 9 of them at least run on a pirated version of Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, pirates have updated their KMS Tools and Windows Activators every now and then, Microsoft could finally put an end to this madness – by offering non-genuine users a free upgrade to Windows 10. Shocked? Surprised? We are.

This move is specifically targeted at the Chinese market, as Microsoft is intending to strengthen its presence in China and wants to grow its overall market share, which includes
joining hands with Xiaomi
 to have its phones run Windows 10, the firm has plans to convert 75% of pirate Windows users in China into legit versions of its software, which is an extremely bold and generous move by getting support, other parts of the world are also said to be receiving such offer from Microsoft itself.

There’s no specifics on which version of Windows will be eligible for the free upgrade, however Enterprise version users should not enjoy this benefit from the company. For the first time, this is the software giant’s first move to offer free desktop operating system licenses to everyone, after so many years of fighting piracy using its own efforts, it seems that Microsoft have realized a smarter way to move on.


Windows 10 will be coming to Snapdragon-powered devices

325

Microsoft and Qualcomm has just announced a partnership that would see Windows 10 being made available on the next generation Snapdragon mobile processors.

While details on this partnership is still rather vague, Microsoft and Qualcomm confirmed that the full version of Windows 10 will be present on Snapdragon-powered devices. This means that support for legacy Win32 software and universal Windows apps will available. As far as the devices are concerend, these Snapdragon Windows 10 devices will be light and power efficient. In addition to that, these devices will also include Gigabit LTE connectivity. If you aren’t convinced, Microsoft has releaesd a video linked above that showcases a Snapdragon-powered device running various applications on Windows 10.

As for availability, Qualcomm has mentioned that the first Windows 10 Snapdragon PCs could arrive “as early as next year”. Let’s just hope that Microsoft’s attempt to bring Windows 10 to the Snapdragon fares better than its flirting with ARM via the Surface RT.

devices
microsoft
pc
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Windows 10 will protect your files from Ransomware in the Falls Creators Update

319

With Ransomware floating all around the Internet, Microsoft is taking out a new feature that will protect your folders from these attacks with a new controlled folder access feature set to release with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. The update is expected to release in September but testers can access a preview of the changes. The protection works by allowing specific apps to access, read and write the files, enabling this will prevent apps from accessing the desktop, pictures, movies and document folders.

The feature will monitor changes that apps make to the files in the protected folders and if an app attempts to make changes and is blacklisted by the feature, a prompt will appear notifying you which program is trying to make the change. With the recent WannaCry and the new Petya Ransomware affecting machines all around the world, the feature will prevent this attacks from locking you out of your folders and files. Microsoft is also adding an exploit protection to its Windows Defender software in Windows 10 which is the first line of defence from viruses and malware exploiting vulnerabilities.

If you are using the preview of the Falls Creators Update, then its best you enable this feature under the Windows Defender Security Center to keep yourself protected from any attacks.

10
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Windows 10 will receive a second major update in late 2017

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2017 will see Microsoft release two major updates for Windows 10. The first is the upcoming Creators update that is due in April, while the second is the rumoured Redstone 3 update that will be coming later this year.

Windows 10 release lifecycle, cadence
pic.twitter.com/NxSB9wE2PY

— Rafael Rivera (@WithinRafael)
February 20, 2017

Recently, a image making its way around the internet showing off Microsoft’s planned timeline for Windows 10 up until 2017. This image shows that Microsoft will be rolling out an as yet unnamed Windows 10 update that will be available in late 2017. While Microsoft has yet to name the update, many believe that this will be the update currently known as Redstone 3.

While Redstone 3 is still months away from getting its first Insiders Build, we do know that Microsoft will be introducing its
Project NEON
 design update to Windows 10 with Redstone 3. On top of that, Microsoft will also lay the foundations of its
Windows Home Hub
 project with the update. We expect more details about Redstone 3 to be revealed at the upcoming Build event.

Source:
Digital Trends

creatorsupdate
hub
insider
microsoft
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redstone3
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Windows 10’s October 2018 update causes some users’ files to disappear

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Microsoft recently released their Windows 10’s October 2018 update, version 1809, which includes several new features such as Your Phone app, an app that lets you text from your PC, and a dark theme for your File Explorer. There’s also improvements to Notepad and the built-in touch keyboard which works with SwiftKey.

Despite the new features, it is not advised for Windows users to upgrade their PCs for now, as many who updated their Windows stated that their files disappeared. Users posted on their social medias and forums that files such as documents, music and photos are erased.

A twitter user named Kevin Quintero suggested that this issue happens to those who saved their documents in the local storage instead of OneDrive. Reverting to your previous Windows version will also be ineffective as your files will not be recovered. It will be advisable for users to always remember to backup their files before any updates on any devices.

Microsoft, on the other hand announced that the Windows 10 PCs will not prompt its users to install the update till 9th October, so users who have been affected are most likely users who have initiated the update manually. There is also the issue of faster battery consumption which is caused by incompatibility of Intel Display Audio driver with the processor, and Microsoft is looking into the issue. Microsoft also stated that they have started blocking downloads of the new updates until the issues are resolved. In short, if you are somehow still able to update your Windows 10, don’t.

microsoft
Windows 10 1809
Windows 10 update


Windows 11: 5 new and important updates you should know

2.8K

It’s been 5 years since Microsoft had a major system revamp, but here we are today, looking at the brand new Windows 11. This system update comes with some really cool features – here are the ones that we think you should check out!

New Start Menu

Windows is now bringing its Start Menu to the center of your focus by literally placing it in the center when you click on the Start Menu. It’s not just that; the search bar on the Start Menu is now upgraded, so when you look for a keyword, it’ll automatically search through your PC, OneDrive and the web.

The Start Menu also comes with a recommended section now, and if you’re a Microsoft 365 user, Windows will utilise the cloud to show you your recent apps no matter what device you were using previously to access your documents.

Snap – Snap layouts & Snap groups

Windows 11 users will be getting multiple split-screen layouts called the Snap layouts. They basically come in different sizes to suit different needs and screen sizes, so you can have up to four different app in a single screen.

With Snap groups, your collection of apps will be kept together, so if you were using and external monitor and you unplugged it, the collection of apps will be minimised. The moment you plug your monitor back in, these apps will automatically resume their previous positions.

Android apps, finally!

This is my personal favourite – more Android apps will finally be available on Windows 11. We’re talking about apps like Netflix, TikTok, Disney+ and more. However, you will need to access these apps via Amazon Appstore, so you’ll need to have an Amazon account.

This also means that only the Android apps that are available on the Amazon Appstore will be brought over to Microsoft Store. We still won’t get some of the apps that are found on the Google PlayStore.

Integrated Microsoft Teams

Windows 11 will have built in Microsoft Teams, much like what Apple did with FaceTime and iMessage.

“Now you can instantly connect through text, chat, voice or video with all of your personal contacts, anywhere, no matter the platform or device they’re on, across Windows, Android or iOS,”
says
 Microsoft.

Perhaps this is Microsoft’s way of introducing Teams for personal use instead of just portraying it as as messaging app for businesses and organisations.

Gamers, rejoice!

When you use Windows 11, you’ll get to enjoy better graphics, higher frame rates, faster loading times and more vivid colours. This is because Windows 11 is bringing in DirectX 12 Ultimate, DirectStorage and AutoHDR technologies.

Windows 11 will also have the Xbox Game Pass built right into the system via the Xbox app. Once you’re subscribed to the game pass, you’ll be able to access over 100 games available on the app.

microsoft
Windows 11


Windows 11 available in Malaysia; Windows 10 PCs can be upgraded for free

904

As Microsoft announces the availability of Windows 11 in Malaysia, new PCs are coming in with Windows 11 pre-installed. Malaysians can also upgrade their existing Windows 10 PCs to the new software update.

The new Surface lineup will be shipping with Windows 11, but the first Windows 11 laptop to arrive in Malaysia is actually the HONOR MagicBook V 14.

You should also expect your new PCs to come pre-installed with Windows 11, but if it isn’t, the existing Windows 10 devices will also be eligible for a free upgrade through local retailers or
Windows.com

To find out whether your PC is eligible for the free upgrade, you can use the PC Health Check app which can be installed
here
.

What to expect from Windows 11

Windows 11
 will be featuring a brand-new Start Menu with updated search bar and a new recommended section.

You’ll also get a new split-screen feature called Snap; Snap layouts comes in different sizes to cater for different screen sizes and different apps while Snap groups gathers your apps together so you can minimise and relaunch them anytime you like.

Another exciting feature to look out for is Android apps; apps like Netflix, TikTok, Disney+ and more will be available on your Windows PC, but these apps are only available on Amazon Appstore so you’ll need to have an Amazon account.

microsoft
Windows 11


Windows 11 will officially be available this October 5

560

Microsoft has
confirmed

that Windows 11 will officially be available to the masses this October 5 – the catch is, it will roll out in batches to newer devices first.

The brand says that it’s doing so as a way to ensure the process is measured, allowing Microsoft to focus on “quality”. They also say that all eligible devices is expected to eventually receive the free upgrade by mid-2022.

To find out if your device is eligible, it needs to have a
TPM 1.2
-2.0 module installed, use these processors (
Intel
,
AMD
,
Qualcomm
), and enabled; and meet these system requirements:

However, devices that don’t meet the requirements can still install Windows 11, but you have to do it manually via an ISO file – but again, there’s a catch.
Reports

have stated that Microsoft will not roll out important security and Windows updates on these devices as they’re running the OS in “unsupported state”.

If you’re certain your device meets all the requirements, you can check for the update through the Windows Update tab in your settings menu.

microsoft
update
Windows 11


Windows 11 requires at least 8GB RAM to run Android apps

687

We reported last week that Windows 11 has finally receive a major update that runs Android apps along with other updated features, and Microsoft has just published a support article detailing the minimum system requirements you need in order to run Android apps on your PC.

As you would have already known, Windows 11 requires at least an 8th Gen Intel processor or AMD Ryzen 3000 series processor to run properly, and to run Android apps, Microsoft requires that you have at least the mentioned processors along with minimum 8GB RAM and solid state drive of any sizes, you will also need to have virtualization turned on for your system which can be enabled on your system’s BIOS settings.

Once you are all set, make sure you install the cumulative update KB5010414 from Windows Update and install the Amazon Appstore from the Microsoft Store, you will also need to have an Amazon account and set your region to United States (English) to get access to over 1000 apps on the Amazon AppStore.

If you prefer, you can also sideload APKs manually as this is a system-wide update that enables running Android apps supported by Intel Bridge Technology, hence you are not limited to just apps on the Amazon AppStore if you want to install other Android apps.

Head
here
 to learn more about it.

Amazon Appstore
android
Windows 11


Windows Defender is now Microsoft Defender on macOS devices

331

Its great to see Microsoft and Apple play nice with one another – earlier this year, the former introduced the Microsoft Office 365 program for the macOS, bring more cross-platform support for users.

To keep in this vein, Microsoft’s popular antivirus software Windows Defender will also be making its move onto Mac devices. The program will instead be called Microsoft Defender, and not Windows Defender for obvious reasons; it’ll bring the program’s Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) platform.

The introduction of the app will also bring along with it the Threat & Vulnerability management built-in feature which discovers and fixes endpoint vulnerabilities in the system.

Navigation of the macOS app will be similar to the original Windows version – quick scan and full scan options, detection history, threat lists and more. As of right now, devices running macOS Mojave, High Sierra and Sierra will have access to Microsoft Defender.

Image credit: Microsoft

Not that macOS’ really need antivirus software, but the occasional ransomware as well as other malware does appear, so its good to keep your system protected with a reliable antimalware program.

antivirus
macos
malware
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update
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windows defender


Windows Holographic to be available on all Windows 10 PCs next year

296

If you already have, or are planning to get, a VR headset, we have some good news for you. At the Intel Developer Forum, Microsoft’s Terry Myerson announced that Windows Holographic will be made available to all sometime next year.

For those who do not know, Windows Holographic is a version of Windows 10 that is tailor-made for both virtual reality and augmented reality headsets.
As mentioned previously
, this version of Windows will utilise various components such as a custom shell, human-interaction systems and spatial mapping to create a mixed-reality computing experience.

Windows Holographic will be made available as an update to the standard Windows 10 desktop operating system for everyone, regardless of whether or not they have a VR or AR headset. This feature will be available for the Oculus Rift, the HTC Vive, and the Microsoft HoloLens, with potentially mode devices being supported as time goes by.

In the meantime, Microsoft and Intel have also announced that they will be working on a specification for PCs and head-mounted displays that are able to support mixed reality applications. Said specification is due to be announced in December.

Source:
Ars Technica

idf2016
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Windows’ latest update comes with DirectX Ray-Tracing API

463

If you own a Nvidia RTX graphics card and are disappointed that you cant experience Ray-Tracing, be sad no more as Microsoft is releasing Windows update that will bring DirectX Ray-Tracing API that will unlock the feature in games that support it.

The Windows 10 October 2018 update will bring other features as well, such as dark theme for File Explorer, send texts from your PC via the Your Phone app, see clipboard history and sync them across devices, new Snip & Sketch screenshot tool and SwiftKey Virtual keyboard on Windows. There are also other bug fixes and optimations but the star of the show is obviously DXR which will enable you to play RTX supported games as well as an improved setup processor for HDR displays.

The update has arrived in Malaysia and if you have not been prompted by Windows to install the update, you can go to the Update section in Settings and press the Check for Updates button.

DXR
ray
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Windows Mixed Reality headsets will not support SteamVR at launch

313

Microsoft previously announced that the upcoming mixed reality headsets for Windows 10 will be able to support SteamVR content and this blew up as it would allow more people to access VR content easily. However, it would seem that Steam support will not be seen in time for the launch.

These MR headsets will be arriving in time for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update which is set for 17 October but Microsoft’s Greg Sullivan mention during IFA that it will take some additional time before we see the support. He did not give a time frame but he did say that they have only just begun to bring SteamVR support to the headsets and there could be a chance that we will only see the support next year.

If you still want to try the headset out with VR content, there will be several games and experience on the Windows Store that will support it at launch, however, dont expect too much as the content is not up-to-par with what Steam has to offer.

headsets
microsoft
mixed
mr
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Windows Phone 8.1 and Microsoft Cortona announced in Microsoft’s Build Conference

366

After months of waiting and anticipation, Microsoft has finally announced Windows Phone 8.1 happening in San Francisco at the moment.

Announced in the event is Microsoft Cortona, a personal voice assistant to compete with Apple’s Siri, Samsung’s S Voice and other voice assistants in the market, it will be able to perform the usual commands and answering questions such as weather, traffic etc. Cortona will also pull search results from Bing if it can’t understand you.

Windows Phone 8.1 also introduces a new Action Center, which basically acts as a notification centre for Windows Phone and a feature missed since the introduction of the operating system. There’s toggles on the top and you are able to configure which app notifications are able to show up at the Action Center.

Good news for business users, Microsoft is finally adding support for enterprise VPN and S/MIME which allows encrypted emails. The Windows Phone Store and calendar have also been updated to integrate user feedback asking for alternative views and generally aiming to delight users, claimed Joe Belfiore.

After data sense, Windows Phone introduces Wi-Fi Sense that will automatically connect users to free wireless hotspots nearby (does it work in Malaysia?), and shares your home wireless network with friends without giving them the password. A new version of Skype is also available to easily convert a regular phone call into a Skype video call.

And finally, the Windows Phone 8.1 keyboard finally supports a “Swype” feature, which let’s you perform gestures on your typing experience and enters text faster.

Windows Phone 8.1 will be available as an update to consumers to current Windows Phone 8 customers in coming months and brand new Windows Phone 8.1 phones will be on sale earlier than the update, which Microsoft promises to be available around late April or early May. We hope our Windows Phone gets the update really soon and we’ll be doing a first look on it. So stay tuned.

Source/Image Credit:
The Verge


Windows recalling Surface Pro power cords due to overheating issues

312

Those of you who own a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet take note, the company is issuing a worldwide recall for the device’s power cords due to potential overheating issues.

According to
Channelnomics
, Microsoft is expected to issue a statement on Friday surrounding the faulty power cables. The statement mentions that “as a result of damage caused by AC power cords being wound too tightly, twisted or pinched over an extended period of time, a very small proportion of Surface Pro customers have reported issues with their AC power cords”.

This problematic power cord affects the Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and the Surface Pro 3 models sold before July 2015. The Surface Pro 4 and the basic Suface models aren’t affected by this issue.

In line with the recall, Microsoft will be offering free power cord exchanges for owners of any of the Surface Pro models affected by this issue in the US. Currently, there is no word on whether or not Malaysia Surface Pro owners would also be offering free power cord exchanges.

Source :
Channelnomics
,
ZDNet

overheating
powercord
recall
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Windows security updates are causing freezes on startup thanks to antivirus software

358

At this point, Windows users are probably now in a love hate relationship with their beloved OS and its creator, Microsoft. For every good that the company does with the OS, there’s a bad – and in most cases, the bad comes in the form of buggy updates.

A new security patch released for Windows 7,8 and 10 have been reported to cause freezes on startup – here we go again. This time however, the bug only happens if you have these third-party antiviruses installed – for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, Avira, Avast, Sophos and ArcaBit; while for Win 10, only ArcaBit causes the freezing.

Image credit: Avira

These issues were detailed in the respective OS’s  update history pages; and credit to Microsoft for identifying the issue and are temporarily blocking the update on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 systems.

The updates causing the issue are the KB4493472 and KB4493448 on Windows 7, KB4493467 and KB4493446 on Windows 8.1, and KB4493509 on Windows 10. If you’ve installed these updates and are encountering the issue, boot your system into safe mode and uninstall the update.

By the way, here’s an
excellent best free antivirus software
 that you might want to check out.

antivirus
iwnodws 7
microsoft
update
windows
windows 110
windows 8


Windows update makes safe USB removal as default protocol

518

It’s one small step for man, and a giant leap for mankind – gone are the days where we fear of corrupted files due to unproper USB ejecting procedures. Microsoft have included in their latest Windows 1809 update a change in how USB drives are ejected.

With the Windows 10 update, the default removal procedure for USB drives will be set to “Quick Removal” which removes the need for the “Safely Remove Hardware” process, and allows you to unplug your device just like that.

A report by MS Power User explains that there are two protocols that the OS can run when reading and writing on a USB drive – Quick removal and Better performance. The Quick removal policy makes it so that the system is always in a state that’s prepared to eject a USB drive , but at the cost of speed as Windows cannot cache disk write operations.

Meanwhile, Better performance is just that – this policy caches write operations, making data transfers faster, but users must perform the Safely Remove Hardware process to protect the integrity of the data within the drive.

With the default option set to Quick Removal with the new update, users can still opt for Better performance by following these steps: When a device is connected, right click on Start and select Disk Management. Right click on the desired drive and select properties. In the Policies tab, select Better performance in the Removal policy options. Your system will now default to Better performance when writing on USB drives. Just be sure to safely remove your disk before ejecting.

microsoft
safety removal
usb
windows


Windows will no longer automatically restart to install updates with the Creators Update

303

Every single Windows user has probably experience the frustration of having Windows automatically restart in order to install an update. Well, that problem will soon become a thing of the past as the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update will be making some changes to how updates are installed.

Once the Creators Update has been installed, Windows users will now alert you whenever an update has been downloaded. This alert will give you the option to either install the update and reboot the computer immediately, schedule a time within the next three day for installation, or to snooze the update for the next three days, allowing them to pause the update process completely for three days.

Besides the changes to Windows 10’s update system, the Creators Update will also bring with it a new privacy setting experience. Those interested in getting a first glance of the new privacy hub can do so via a
Quest
 found on Windows 10’s Feedback Hub.

Source:
Windows Blog

automaticupdate
creatorsupdate
microsoft
privacyexperience
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Samsung files patent for a self-powered wireless charging ring

335

Samsung recently filed a patent to produce a new wireless charging ring that allows user to charge their phones just by wearing the ring and holding their phones.

This wireless charging ring charges through the user

The ring will be powered in two ways — user’s movement and body heat. The magnetic disc inside the ring will generate electricity via hand motions while the ring will also convert body heat into electricity.

According to
PhoneArena
, the generated electricity will be gathered in a tiny battery inside the ring before it charges your device. However, you’ll also need to position the ring properly so that the ring matches the wireless charging coils in your phone.

Is it practical?

We’re not going to deny that this is an innovative way to charge your phone, but there are many other factors to reconsider. For example, there has to be different ring size to fit different individuals and with different sizes, it may be hard for
Samsung
 to fit in the batteries and magnetic disc in smaller rings. There’s also the question of how quick the ring can charge a phone and if there are any safety issues.

Either way, this is only a patent and it may not become and actual product. Still, this concept points towards more innovative charging devices in the future.

samsung


Wireless tech that’s faster than fibre optics: Terragraph pilot tests launched by YTL and Facebook in Georgetown

331

YTL Communications, in collaboration with Facebook have just launched a pilot test campaign to use the new Terragraph wireless technology in Georgetown, Penang.

Terragraph is a street-level broadband infrastructure that utilizes nodes to connect an area with high-speed internet. These nodes are box-like devices that does not require trenches or groundwork, which our current standard of optical fibres do. This allows the implementation of Terragraph more cost-efficient and quicker to install compared to its wired counterpart.

These nodes will be placed on structures such as buildings, lampposts and more – signals will ping off one another – effectively making it a large-scale mesh WiFi system. Doing this bypasses large obstacles, which allow quicker connection speeds. The tech leverages V-band spectrum at 60GHz allowing for ridiculous speeds.

Image credit: Facebook

Terragraph feeds off of existing fibre optic bandwidths, redirecting it to deadzones, spreading coverage in areas that may lack cable infrastructure.

The pilot test will be launched by YTL’s YES and Facebook this March 1 in Georgetown, where fibre optic coverage is sparse. YES will be the telco carrier to support Terragraph throughout the six-month pilot, giving Penangites 5G connections via services like public WiFi and Fixed Wireless Access.

However, only a quarter of Georgetown will receive access to Terragraph during the pilot’s initial stages.

Facebook announced Terragraph in 2016 and implemented it in the States while Europe has also had a taste of this tech, namely in Hungary. Minister of Communications and Media YB Gobind Singh, who was present at the launch, said that the move to introduce Terragraph in Georgetown is the first large-scale implementation of the technology in the country.

Head of Connectivity Ecosystems Programs of Facebook APAC, Bryan Tan said that Terragraph will far exceed broadband speeds allowed by fibre optics. During a speed test carried out during the event, Terragraph was shown to achieve download speeds of 1.3GB and upload speeds of 1.7GB, which far exceeds the speeds of any consumer-level wireless broadband.

Bryan Tan also believes that because of Terragraphs cost effectiveness, he aims to also implement the technology in rural areas, namely near schools so the communities can receive Internet-assisted learning.

“The pilot serves to test usability and effectiveness, and when all the kinks are ironed out, Terragraph will be implemented in consumer levels”, said Gobind Singh.

Not much has been said about when Terragraph will be implemented in the Klang Valley, but if we suspect if the pilot in Georgetown is successful, we can see Terragraph rolled out across all urban areas in the country.

broadband
internet
terragraph
wifi


Woman caught smuggling 102 iPhones strapped to her body

353

While phone smuggling has become quite common, having 102 phones strapped to your body while going through airport security sounds pretty absurd, not to mention illegal. That is exactly what this Chinese national did in an attempt to smuggle iPhones from Hong Kong to China.

Customs officials in the Shenzen entry point discovered bulges around her torso before singling her out for a body searched. It was then when they found a total of 102 iPhones and 15 luxury watches strapped onto the smuggler’s body. They all weigh over 44 pounds, which is pretty heavy to be worn around the body. The officials were also reportedly suspicious of the woman’s clothing which seemed a little too much for China’s summer weather.

iPhones are sold relatively cheaper in Hong Kong compared to China, hence the reason why smugglers can afford to make a living until they’re caught. The 102 iPhones still did not break the 146 smuggled iPhones record set by another man back in 2015.

Just for calculations’ sake, 102 iPhones cost at least RM 32,000, if you factor in the base model of the iPhone 7, and that is excluding the price of the luxury watches.

china
hong kongs
iphone
smuggle


Woman successfully sues Microsoft for unwanted Windows 10 upgrade

318

Microsoft’s aggressive approach in pushing Windows 10 has finally bit them in the rear as a woman in California has successfully sued Microsoft over an unwanted Windows 10 upgrade.

As reported by the Seattle Times, a woman by the name of Teri Goldstein sued the makers of Windows when her computer started trying to download and install Windows 10. According to Goldstein, the update to Windows 10 had failed and resulted in her computer to slow down and crash frequently, affecting her California-based travel-agency business. After a failed attempt to solve the issue by contacting Microsoft support, Goldstein resorted to the courts, seeking compensation for lost wages as well as the cost of a new computer.

Goldstein would win the court case against Microsoft. Microsoft was looking to appeal the court decision, but has decided last month to drop said appeal to avoid the expense of further litigation. In the end, Goldstein managed to collect a USD 10,000 judgment from Microsoft. While Microsoft has dropped the decision to appeal the court’s decision, a Microsoft spokesman states that the company denies any wrongdoing.

This is the first case where Microsoft has been brought to court over its at-times intrusive attempt to get people to install Windows 10. Seeing as the free Windows 10 upgrade offer will run until the 29th of July, we expect a few more lawsuits to be aimed towards Microsoft during the next month or so.

Source:
Seattle Times
,
Ars Technica

lawsuit
microsoft
windows10


Woman sues Airbnb after finding hidden cameras installed in her rental

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It seems that Airbnb is in hot soup as a woman who has rented a place is suing them because she found hidden cameras installed at her lodging.

Based on the lawsuit
, it seems that the plaintiff, Yvonne Schumacher, claimed that the camera captured “personal and intimate” conversations with her partner Kevin Stockton. Besides Airbnb, Schumacher is also suing Fariah Hassim and Jamil Jiva, the residents who listed the Irvine, California property on the website.

The hidden camera was discovered by Stockton as he noticed a light coming from a living room shelf. According to the complaint, Stockton found a remote-controlled camera hidden between some candles. Stockton noted that the camera was turned on, fully operational, and had a wide-angle view of the living room. The movement of the camera indicates that it was being remotely controlled by its operator.

This camera was used to capture Schumacher numerous times as she walked naked to use the guest bathroom rather than using the master bathroom which was “filthy” according to her.

According to the lawsuit which was filed on Monday in San Francisco federal court, Schumacher is suing Airbnb for negligence as she claims that the company doesn’t do any kind of vetting or background checks on its hosts. She is also suing Hassim and Jiva for violating privacy laws and infliction of emotional distress. Damages were not specified on the suit.

Source :
Ars Technica

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Work easy with Logitech Bluetooth keyboard and mouse

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Nowadays it is common for people to work remotely at any given time and place, so it is no wonder that companies like Logitech place importance in Bluetooth devices, hence the announcement of its latest Bluetooth keyboard and mouse – the Logitech K380 multi-device keyboard and Logitech M337 Bluetooth mouse.

The Logitech K380 is a multi-device keyboard, hence you can pair to either your computer, smartphone or
tablet
 via Bluetooth. You can connect up to three devices and switch between them using Easy Switch buttons. The keyboard will recognise your connected devices and automatically map keys to supported functions and shortcuts. The Logitech K380 keyboard comes with two years battery life with just two AAA batteries which is included with the keyboard.

With a wireless keyboard, you would also need a wireless mouse. The Logitech M337 Bluetooth mouse has programmable navigation buttons allowing you to switch between applications, change
desk
tops, drag-and-drop files and images, replicate three-finger swipes for Macs and brings up Task View on Windows 10. It can be used on any surface smoothly, whether on metal to tile countertops or your
desk
, by using a laser-grade optical sensor.

The Logitech K380 keyboard is priced at RM129 while the Logitech M337 mouse is priced at RM109. They are both expected to be on sale at the end of September 2015.


12 Must-Have Work from Home Tech for Malaysians

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During this COVID-19 pandemic, which is predicted to last for at least another year, many Malaysians have started to work remotely. Throughout this period,
many also learnt that having a simple desk and laptop setup simply is not as efficient as working in the office.

There are many other ‘little’ things that you need to seriously consider having. After all, you spend most of your time
working from home
 (WFH) now. You may need that little extra to make your working environment more conducive.

The right technology is going to be a huge help in this situation. With this in mind, here’s a list of
12 must-have gadgets and tech to boost productivity
 for those who work from home.

1. Wrist Rest

Image source: Amazon.com

Wrist rest are like a pillow for your wrist to rest while working with a set of keyboard and mousepad rests.

Why we recommend it?

For those who use the computer for long hours, wrist rest is cheap yet effective to reduce wrist fatigue. It supports your wrist while typing or using a mouse.

They are usually made of comfortable material, namely memory foam cushion or gel padding that fit your wrists. Wrist rest is designed to take the extra weight off your shoulders and arms, reducing muscle strain.

They help prevent unwanted injuries by maintaining proper wrists alignment. This safeguards your wrists, hands and palms and avoids Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Link

2. Laptop Stand

Having a flexible multipurpose laptop stand is helpful to elevate your laptop to ensure you get a better and more comfortable viewing angle at all times throughout the day.

Why we recommend it?

Multipurpose laptop stands are foldable and light, thus easy to carry around. You can choose to work in any part of your house so it is very convenient.

A good laptop stand is designed ergonomically with several height adjustments, this stand relieves your neck, shoulder and spine discomfort by allowing you to adjust the optimum viewing angle that safeguards your posture and spine.

It helps to elevate the neck to maintain the right posture. This is essential especially when you work at your computer for long hours.

Also, elevating your laptop above the desk also ensures your laptop will not suffer from overheating. An ergonomic laptop stand can help reduce screen glare, which can lead to eye strain and headaches.

You may find that the laptop stand is very handy and useful in other ways, as it can be used to hold books, tablets or even music sheets.

Link

3. Ergonomic Office Chair

Image Source: IKEA

Sitting in the same position for a long time exerts excessive pressure on your spine. This is where an ergonomic chair comes in.

An ergonomic chair is different from a traditional chair. It is specially designed to provide complete rest to the main structures of your body that are prone to get stressed while working.

Why we recommend it?

Working at home without a good chair that supports your posture is harmful to your health and increase fatigue exponentially. A great office chair choice would be the Ikea Markus

It is an ergonomic office chair with all the necessary features including headrest and lumbar support that maintain your body in a good posture while sitting.

It greatly reduces the risk of neck problems and backpain. Many suffers from stiff neck and shoulder due to improper sitting posture.

Furthermore, an ergonomic office chair reduces pressure on your hips too with a good lumbar support.

Less fatigue definitely equals to higher productivity!

Link

4. Adjustable Standing Desk

Image source: flexispot.my

Standing desk is getting popular than ever in recent year. The height can be adjusted to best fit your sitting/standing position.

Why we recommend it?

Adjustable standing desks are great as they are flexible. It is up to users to switch to the preferred mode of working, either standing or sitting.

We all know sitting for long hours is bad for health (even if you use the best ergonomic office chair).

Being able to switch between standing and sitting position, let you enjoy the best of both worlds. When you’re tired standing, you can sit down. And if you’re sitting too long and feeling sore at the back, just go back to standing position.

Provided that you have enough budget, it is definitely one of the best investment for your home office setup.

Link

5. Kneeling Chair

Kneeling chairs have garnered much attention lately. It forces users to sit in the proper posture.

Why we recommend it?

First thing first, kneeling chairs are not meant to be your permanent working chair. It should be interchanged with your normal sitting chair periodically.

Kneeling chairs encourage ‘active sitting’.Users have to keep the pelvis tilted forward and the spine upright. So the core muscles are actually working to maintain that posture.

Study
 found that kneeling posture improves breathing and digestion as well. Because the internal organs of the abdomen have to contend with less compression when the pelvis is in this open position.

It is also found that with continued use of the kneeling chair, your core and back muscles gradually strengthen.

When we’re trapped in the house, working on a kneeling chair is such a fun way to integrate some form of “passive exercise” into the daily routine.

Link

6. Wifi Mesh Router

Mesh WiFi is a set of routers (minimum 2 or more) that put in place to increase the range of your home network. Having a WiFi mesh router setup in your home is one of the best things you can do to improve your work flow.

Why we recommend it?

Having a mesh network is better than having only a single point of access as you can get better coverage area and you won’t have to rely on one router for your WiFi.

We do aware that many Malaysians stay in a double-storey terrace which often the WiFi signal is extremely poor on the second floor.

Hence, we have produce a guide on
how to choose the right mesh WiFi router
 for your home.

A mesh network minimizes dead zones (areas where there are no WiFi signals) as there is a continuous link no matter where you are at home. Most mesh systems come with a user-friendly smartphone App which gives you more control over your system.

Working from home would increase the chances of having more smart devices in your home, which could be scattered throughout your house. A mesh network can help cover all these devices no matter where they are with minimal disruption.

Stable WiFi enables you for better online conference experience, improved video quality, faster browsing and much more benefits.

Your workflow should not be limited by poor WiFi coverage!

7. Wireless Mouse and Keyboard

Wireless mouse and keyboard usually work as good, if not better than the wired counterpart. And they are more portable and less clutter.

Why we recommend it?

Wireless mouse and keyboard gets rid of the troublesome cord! Regardless of whether you’re using a PC or laptop, they are definitely your best working companions

If you’re working on a PC, wireless keyboard reduces the clutter and wireless mouse free you from the limitation of movement.

If you’re working with a laptop, a combo of wireless keyboard and mouse plus a laptop stand is the right way to go. So the laptop screen is at the correct eye level, and your wrist can rest properly while typing.

There’s literally no excuse to be stingy on these stuff as we are using them 24×7. A great wireless mouse and keyboard make a huge difference. Try it and believe it.

Link

8. Big monitor (or extra monitor)

Generally, a bigger monitor screen equals to more viewable real estate.

Why we recommend it?

Today’s monitor price is cheaper than ever. And
research
 shows that working with dual monitors increases the overall productivity by 9 to 50%.

The core benefits of dual monitor can be summed up as below:

Easier navigation
–
Can view documents side by side, easier for comparison and copy pasting

More effective
 –
Display more content, more windows, less swapping of windows

Better for eyes
 –
 Bigger windows, photo and text

More productive
 –
More concurrent applications on a screen

Based on my personal experience, working with a big monitor or a dual monitor is day and night difference compared to working on a small laptop screen. Plus, it is backed by science and study.

We have
 reviewed BenQ monitor
 and think it is definitely worth checking out to add to your work from home essentials list.

9. Good Webcam

With the advent of the pandemic, many have resorted to having online lessons and meeting. A good webcam gives your better video quality so online communication can be done better.

Why we recommend it?

Webcams make it easier to illustrate and explain things visually to the person you are talking to.

For example, during online classes, the teacher can explain certain concepts visually using diagrams or even sketches.

And video conferencing is so common nowadays. You can have online meetings any time of the day.

A good webcam simply enhances the overall video conference experience and making it more pleasant for both parties.

A good communication is the key to better teamwork so we think it is good to have a high quality webcam.

Usually, people think of webcam will relate to Logitech but
we found that Ausdom is equally good
 yet at a much affordable price point

10. AirPods Pro

Apple’s AirPods Pro is admittedly, the most well known wireless headphones in the market. But why AirPods?

Why we recommend it?

There are times even at home when we need to focus on working. Tune in to your favorite music is a great way.

Having an AirPods Pro ensure you can listen to music to your heart content without disturbing your family.

Due to its clever design, the AirPods Pro fits snugly into most ears and doesn’t easily fall off from your ears. Its has active noise cancellation so you don’t get disturbed by the surrounding sounds.

Getting focus is one of the biggest pain for the work from homes, active noise cancellation helps to resolve this issue by providing users with a less noisy environment.

11. Reliable Internet Service

The internet is now an integral part of almost every work we do. The big three broadband providers in Malaysia is Unifi, Maxis Fibre and Time Fibre.

Why we recommend it?

Everything we do now relies heavily on the Internet, ranging from business, shopping, research, online meetings or to simply catching up on news.

Without a reliable Internet, you’ll realize that you just can’t get things done in a proper manner.

Apart from a good WiFi router, good broadband service is the root and key to a fast internet connection. Hence, we recommend you to check whether you’re getting the internet speed that you pay fir.

If you’re dissatisfied with your current broadband service provider,
check out this guide on how to choose the best broadband for your home
.

12. Google Workspace

Everyone knows and loves Google. Most are aware of Google Search and Gmail. But many do not realize other great google apps like Drive, Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sheets and others. All these are found in Google Workspace, a secure integrated cloud-based collaboration and productivity solution.

Why we recommend it?

Google Workspace is essentially the collaboration and productivity tool that helps teams collaborate efficiently and better, by openly sharing information and communicate effortlessly.

Google Sheets and Google Docs allows team to edit document simultaneously. And sharing of these document are super easy and almost immediate.

Then, Google Calendar captures everyone’s schedule, synchronizes everyone’s activities, including events, meetings, holidays, off days, on leave.

This provides a good bird’s eye view of the team’s schedule at a glance to help manage and plan work better.

If you have not checked them out before, quickly check out all these useful free tools on
Google Drive
.

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#WorkFromHappyPlace – restore your happiness from restrain work

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Out of two in three Malaysians pick happiness over salaries and job titles and Intel took this opportunity to release the #WorkFromHappyPlace campaign. This campaign invites Malaysians to restore their work-life balance, redefine productivity and strengthen their creativity with Intel Powered Devices.

The HP Stream 8 and Pavilion x2 can deliver superb speed and responsiveness to support anywhere, anytime productivity which will become an ideal companions for a mobile, connected and dynamic workforce driven by passion, freedom and good old-fashioned fun.

Don’t ever underestimate the HP Stream 8 because it comes with a single-SIM (micro-SIM)
tablet
 powered by an Intel Atom Z3735G processor with 1GB of RAM and has an 8-inch IPS display with 1280 x 800 resolution. One of the benefit is you are also able to get one-year subscription to
Office 365
 and 1TB of Microsoft OneDrive storage which indirectly will let you enjoy the tablet with better experience.

In addition, the HP Pavilion x2 is a 2-in-1 PC that features 10-inch diagonal
Windows tablet
 that capable to transform to a full-featured laptop with a detachable dual-purpose keyboard that can protects the screen and serves as a multi-position
stand
. The HP Pavilion x2, powered by an Intel Atom Z3745D processor with 2GB of RAM and has a 10.1-inch LED display with 1280 x 800 resolution.

The HP Stream 8 will be available at RM 847, meanwhile the HP Pavilion x2 will be available at RM 1377.

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Working from home may increase productivity, says a study by Lenovo

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A recent research by Lenovo has revealed that working from home may not as bad as some may expect. It’s now the fourth week since we Malaysians are working from home and based on the research, some employees think that their productivity may have increased.

With research subjects from the U.S., Italy, Germany, China and Japan, 48% have reported that their productivity remained at the same level when they’re working at home, while another 15% reported an increase in productivity.

On the other hand, 95% of the companies are also trying to ensure that their employees can carry out their daily work tasks at home by providing them with the necessary equipment. As the pandemic continues to restrict everyone from traveling, majority of the respondents (77%) believe that this will change employers’ perception of remote-work policies.

After all, if employees are capable of working from home without affecting their productivity, it could also boost their morale in the future if employers are more receptive towards the idea of remote working.

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Working From Home – what the MCO has taught us

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The Movement Control Order (MCO) has been in place for over a month now – and it has prompted many of the blue-collar workforce to function from within their own domiciles.

As remote working has become the new normal for many, we’ve come to learn the positives and negatives of working from home (WFH) – this is what I think it
has taught us.

Technology has made WFH accessible

Image credit: Forbes

Should the industry you’re in allow it, then WFH could prove to be the most efficient way to work – take the creative field for example; the key aspect to working in this field is communication – with Skype, Facebook Messenger, and
WhatsApp
; getting into group discussions with face-to-face
presence
 is very easy. There’s no need to worry about messages being lost in translation, because video calls are the next best thing to talking in person.

Then there are apps like Trello and the sort – workflow management can be taken onto the online sphere as well. In fact, it’s likely you and your team at work were already using this before the MCO started anyways. For the uninitiated, Trello is a platform that lets you organize tasks and group them in neat tabs – from there, files, documents, and
media
 can be uploaded onto its corresponding tab to keep workflow organized. Multiple users can be in the same group and can all get access to the files too.

Image credit: Twist Article

And then there are free file sharing services like WeTransfer, Dropbox and Google Drive that’ve been around for so long but are so underrated in the work helping you get work done. With internet speeds reaching gigabit speeds, sharing files online has become effortless with speedy upload and download times.

A research done by
Lenovo
 on subjects working from home its effectiveness showed that 15% of the
respondents
 showed an increase on productivity, while 48% showed no change in that aspect; from what we can observe here is that for most people, working from home is either more productive or is just as productive than if they were to go back to a traditional office setting.

Hypothetically, should WFH continue to be accepted in more organizations post-MCO, think of the diminishing carbon footprint it would eventually cause; think of the how traffic and public transport would be less congested. I’m not saying that people who work from home should never see the light of day again – a good middle ground would be to have a weekly team meeting that requires all members to convene

Privacy is serious business

Although free video conferencing apps are generally good as I’ve mentioned before, you have to make sure your go-to app is safe to use.

You have heard in the news of Zoom’s security blunders that compromised hundreds of thousands of accounts, which were taken onto the
black market
 to be sold. Another notorious security
flaw led to ‘
Zoombombing
’ which entails strangers
interrupting
 video calls to broadcast explicit content.

Image credit: Mozilla

The global lockdown has exposed the many flaws Zoom had – and thankfully, many of its competitors seem to be staving off security issues well – the likes of WhatsApp, Skype and Microsoft Teams.

Mozilla recently released a
guide
 on which video conferencing apps employ the best security measures which could be useful – but they also gave Zoom a high rating, so maybe take their guide with a grain of salt. But the reason I’m mentioning the guide is because for each app included in there, Mozilla goes into greater detail the kind of technology each brand uses for their video call software – you can
read up
 on the one you plan to use and see if that’s meets your standards.

Working from home is a privilege

Image credit: Harvard Business Review

During the MCO, HP Malaysia communicated with us their thoughts on WFH during a campaign collaboration we had, which you can read up
here
; they believe that working from home is a privilege; and that got us thinking – and we too agree that it’s something that we cannot take for granted.

There are many breadwinners in the country that have to leave their homes and families behind to earn a living – often times, your household requires the utmost of attention and care, and being away from it can be difficult for some; take for example busy mothers, individuals with sick family members, folks who commute great distances each day, like our
neighbours
 in Johor who travel to Singapore for work.

Although working from home does sound
glamorous
, to some, it would be a godsend to be able to be closer with their loved ones.

Image credit: RTM

At the time of writing, the MCO looks to be nearing its end – most business sectors can resume operations on May 4 2020, with the MCO lift expected to happen on May 12. But with many companies around the globe now having a taste of WFH – its benefits could sway the powers that be to consider working from home a viable option in the long run.

But at the same time, we will see the tech that we use
every day
 go through more
robust
 changes in security implementation and usability to make adoption easier. With this, we could see a new breed of apps and programs that implement all the innovations that arise during the MCO, which will further improve the experience of remote working.

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World Emoji Day: Apple previews new emojis and Memoji

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In conjunction with World Emoji Day,
Apple
 has revealed new Memoji and emojis that match the current trends and situation of the society.

World Emoji Day: New Memoji

In
iOS 14,
 you’ll get more options to personalise your Memoji. There will be new hairstyles such as man bun, top knot and waves, in addition to new headwear that includes a nurse cap, swim cap and cyclist helmet.

Our lifestyle has changed due to COVID-19; in response to that, Apple is adding face coverings so you can accessorise your Memoji to match the reality. Apple is also redesigning the facial and muscle structure for users to create more expressive Memoji characters. Your Memoji stickers will also be increased to 39 with the addition of three new ones.

New emojis including bubble tea, ninja and more!

Finally, there’s an emoji for bubble tea. Bubble tea became so viral last year that Apple probably believes it needs a spot in the world of emoji. Other than the new bubble tea emoji, Apple added emojis including a boomerang, anatomical heart, ninja, nesting dolls and more. There’s even a transgender symbol to show support for the LGBT community.

These emojis will be available this fall in a
software update
 for iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches.

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World Emoji Day


World Esports Association founded as a governing body for eSports

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Today marks a big day for eSports in general as the scene now has its own regulatory body.

Founded by the Electronic Sports League as well as other leading eSports teams such as Virtus.Pro and Faze, the World Esports Association (WESA) is a new regulatory body tasked with governing and standardizing one of the fastest growing sports on the planet.

A statement on the WESA website states that the organization will “introduce elements of player representation, standardized regulations, and revenue shares for teams”. Simply put, WESA will be to the eSports scene what FIFA is to the football scene, but hopefully without the huge corruption scandals.

WESA will be run by a five men executive board that will manage the day to day running of WESA. Out of these five members, two will be appointed by ESL, two will be appointed by member teams, and the fifth member, the board chairman, will be chosen by all four members. The board chairman will serve WESA for no longer than three years. As for tournaments, the first tournament that will abide by WESA rules will be the ESL Pro League’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament.

Of course, WESA’s formation does not mean that all eSports leagues must now adhere to its rules as the governing body is still in its infancy. Whether or not WESA will become the official governing body of eSports in general depends on whether or not non-ESL run leagues will agree to the rules and systems laid out by WESA. If enough leagues are agreeable to WESA’s systems and requirements, WESA may be able to standardize eSports globally.

Source:
Gamasutra
,
ESL
,
WESA

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