Software & Apps News - Page 71

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

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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)

Next Firefox release will make crashes, slowdowns a non-issue

Sean Ridgeley | Jun 8, 2016 3:31 PM CDT

Firefox will soon see what Mozilla developer Asa Dotzler calls "the largest [change] we've ever shipped": the public release of Electrolysis (aka E10S).

A fundamental design change, E10S splits Firefox into two separate processes: one for interface, and one for content. The benefit for the user is if there are any stability issues (slowdowns due to resource hogging, freezing, crashing, etc.), you'll still be able to use your tabs, buttons, and menus as normal.

E10S has been in beta for a long while now and Dotzler says it's finally nearing public release; the current plan is to launch it publicly on August 2. Only one percent of users will receive it immediately, but assuming all goes well, it will then gradually roll out to the other half in the weeks that follow.

Continue reading: Next Firefox release will make crashes, slowdowns a non-issue (full post)

Anniversary Update will let Windows 10 run on more devices

Sean Ridgeley | May 23, 2016 1:37 PM CDT

Microsoft has changed the hardware requirements of Windows 10 in light of the looming Anniversary Update. On the whole, these are for the better, allowing a wider range of devices to use the operating system.

Once the update is live, Windows 10 Mobile devices up to 9'' will be able to run it (versus the previous 7.99''), whereas the desktop version can be installed on devices with screens as small as 7'' (down from 8'').

RAM requirements are now up for 32-bit versions of the OS: 2GB versus the previous 1GB. As for storage, that's now at 16GB and 20GB for 32-bit and 64-bit devices, respectively.

Continue reading: Anniversary Update will let Windows 10 run on more devices (full post)

Spotify matches Apple Music family plan pricing

Sean Ridgeley | May 23, 2016 11:39 AM CDT

Apple Music has been growing thanks in part to its $14.99/mo family plan, and Spotify has taken notice. As of today, the Swedish streaming service offers the same plan except it does Apple one better and supports up to six people instead of five.

At last count, Apple Music sat at 13 million subscribers (up two million over the previous count), while Spotify sat at 30 million.

If Apple's service continues to pick up Steam, both services should improve all the more for the competition, which is great news for users.

Continue reading: Spotify matches Apple Music family plan pricing (full post)

Google Allo, Duo upgrade texting, video calling with unique features

Sean Ridgeley | May 19, 2016 9:34 AM CDT

Google has yet another messaging client in the works. Called Allo, it effectively replaces traditional SMS texting with a Facebook-like interface and features while still using phone numbers as the contact method. So, you can benefit from read message notifications, typing notifications, emojis, stickers, group chats, and improved picture display among other things.

In addition to that, there are some cool Google-specific features such as Ink (handwriting and drawing as seen in MSN Messenger many moons ago), Whisper Shout (increase text size for a given message to 'shout' at people -- great for arguments!), and smart reply (quick reply options that learn from your chat history).

And then there's Google assistant, which lets you do things like check sports scores, book dinner, play games, search Google, use Maps, share YouTube videos, look at photos from your Gallery, and so on, all without leaving Allo. Voice interaction is supported here, too.

Continue reading: Google Allo, Duo upgrade texting, video calling with unique features (full post)