Software & Apps News - Page 71

The latest and most important Software & Apps news - Page 71.

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Windows 10 is now the most used OS with gamers on Steam

Anthony Garreffa | Jul 3, 2016 8:06 AM CDT

It's always an interesting time when the Steam survey rolls around, with Valve using its extensive network of gamers to provide it with data to display how many gamers are using NVIDIA or AMD video cards, or what operating system the majority of gamers are using.

Windows 10 is now the most used operating system on Steam, where 40.53% of gamers are using Windows 10 with a DX12-capable GPU. Another 29% of gamers are using a DX12-capable GPU but with a version of Windows that's before Windows 10, such as Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 - or even Vista.

It's an interesting statistic to see, as Windows 10 seems to be quite popular with nearly half of the gamers on Steam using Microsoft's latest DX12-powered operating system.

Continue reading: Windows 10 is now the most used OS with gamers on Steam (full post)

GeForce Experience beta features new interface, ShadowPlay upgrades

Sean Ridgeley | Jul 1, 2016 11:12 PM CDT

NVIDIA users can test drive a new version of GeForce Experience today, which brings a brand new interface, ShadowPlay improvements, and more.

The new look takes inspiration from digital distribution platforms like Netflix and Origin and is said to be much faster. It also features gaming tech news from NVIDIA itself.

As for ShadowPlay, features new and old include 60FPS and 4K recording, fullscreen and windowed mode recording, YouTube uploading, livestreaming support, and game joining via Chrome.

Continue reading: GeForce Experience beta features new interface, ShadowPlay upgrades (full post)

Starting this week, declining Windows 10 upgrade will actually work

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 29, 2016 1:49 PM CDT

To say Microsoft has been aggressive with encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 10 would be an understatement. Finally though, it says it will tweak the prompts to be more straightforward. By the sounds and looks of it, declining the offer will actually decline the offer now, instead of scheduling it without you knowing.

"Since we introduced a new upgrade experience for Windows 10, we've received feedback that some of our valued customers found it confusing," says Windows chief Terry Myerson. "We've been working hard to incorporate their feedback and this week, we'll roll out a new upgrade experience with clear options to upgrade now, schedule a time, or decline the free offer."

The cynic in me says this is Microsoft's calculated attempt at buying back some of the goodwill it's lost in recent months over this issue just before they were about to stop the prompts anyway, but hopefully it's a genuine move. In any case, be sure to keep an eye out this week for the change.

Continue reading: Starting this week, declining Windows 10 upgrade will actually work (full post)

Microsoft's new tool fixes Start Menu issues in Windows 10

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 27, 2016 3:34 PM CDT

If you've ever experienced issues with the Start menu in Windows 10 (won't open, tiles disappearing, etc.), Microsoft has a cure for what ails you. The newly released Start menu troubleshooter will automagically check for and repair any issues it finds.

To download it, click here for the direct link or here for the indirect link if you're the cautious type. And if you're having trouble with the Store or your printer, official troubleshooters exist for that too and can be found with a simple search on the Microsoft support website.

Continue reading: Microsoft's new tool fixes Start Menu issues in Windows 10 (full post)

You can now link your Windows 10 license with your Microsoft account

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 23, 2016 9:44 AM CDT

If you're a Windows Insider, starting with yesterday's Build 14371 you can link your Windows 10 license with your Microsoft account (MSA). The feature is already activated if you use your MSA to login to Windows 10. If you don't, simply do so and you should be on your way.

The change solves two issues: needing to keep your license key stored somewhere and being unable to activate Windows if you've lost your key. It also pushes the operating system even further into the digital realm for the better.

The bad news is licenses are still limited (how much exactly we don't know yet), but it's an understandable necessity given how easy it would be to share a license infinitely with your login details.

Continue reading: You can now link your Windows 10 license with your Microsoft account (full post)

Amazon said to be launching Spotify, Apple Music competitor

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 10, 2016 5:10 PM CDT

Amazon is planning to launch a standalone music streaming subscription service late this summer or early autumn, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The service will cost $9.99 per month and will offer a competitive catalogue.

The online shopping giant already offers a limited streaming music service to its Prime customers, and recently offered a monthly fee Prime option, so a full catalogue standalone service based on the subscription model would be a natural leap. With the success of Spotify and Apple Music (which collectively serve about 43 million subscribers and many more non-subscribers), it makes even more sense.

Although Amazon would enter the game a bit late, it has the clout and financial power to significantly alleviate that disadvantage.

Continue reading: Amazon said to be launching Spotify, Apple Music competitor (full post)

VLC nightly build includes Chromecast support

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 10, 2016 12:55 PM CDT

The latest nightly build for popular catch-all media player VLC bakes in Chromecast support. A long anticipated feature, it enables users to view virtually any kind of video content, live or recorded, on their TV. While such functionality has been possible through other avenues, none are as convenient as what VLC offers.

Head here for the latest nightly builds. The Chromecast-enabled version (3.0) may not be ready until later tonight (June 10/11), so keep checking back if necessary. Or if you're not the early release type, take this as news that public Chromecast support is not far away.

Continue reading: VLC nightly build includes Chromecast support (full post)

Tinder about to be 18 and up only

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 9, 2016 2:33 PM CDT

Tinder has been available to 13 year-olds and up since the app launched four years ago, offering minors the opportunity to date and/or hook up with other minors. That's going to change next week though when it goes 18+ only.

"On a platform that has facilitated over 11 billion connections, we have the responsibility of constantly assessing our different user experiences," reads the company's statement. "Consistent with this responsibility, we have decided to discontinue service for under 18 users. We believe this is the best policy moving forward."

Tinder's underage users currently represent three percent of its userbase.

Continue reading: Tinder about to be 18 and up only (full post)

WhatsApp to add GIF support

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 8, 2016 4:16 PM CDT

Facebook, Twitter, and Tinder, among other services have enabled GIF support in recent times, and now WhatsApp is joining the party too.

The changelog for the latest iOS 2.16.7.1 beta, as interpreted by @WABetaInfo, indicates GIF support is indeed on the way. Unfortunately direct importing of GIFs doesn't appear to be apart of the deal (at least not yet), but you can link to GIFs and they'll show up as intended. Other GIF-related features include GIF saving to your camera roll, autoplay, static image conversion, direct reply, encryption, and peek and pop actions.

Look out for the new goods when the beta hits. Or if you're not the beta type, sit tight and wait for the public release, which shouldn't take long.

Continue reading: WhatsApp to add GIF support (full post)