Students of the world: here’s how to check if you can get Office 365 for free
Microsoft has announced today that students around the world can now use an online portal to easily check whether they are eligible to receive free access to Office 365 through their school.
Lollipop gradually rolling out to Android One phones in India
After a period of radio silence and a bit of a delay, Android Lollipop finally made an appearance on Android One devices in Indonesia, in fact the region is the first to receive Android 5.1. Android One’s biggest market, India, has been left waiting even longer for the sought after update, but that changes this week.
As promised a couple of weeks ago, Caesar Sengupta, Product Management Director at Google has announced that Lollipop has already begun to arrive on Android One handsets in India, but everyone won’t receive it at the same time.
Instead, Lollipop will be rolled out to Indian One handsets on a weekly basis, with random devices receiving an OTA update notification purely by chance. Bizarrely, apparently being connected to a WiFi network increases your odds of winning the Lollipop lottery, presumable as the update is quite large.
This rather unique update process will allow for Google to check for bugs as the update rolls out, as well as saving the servers from severe stress. Google hasn’t announced whether this update will be the same Android 5.1 version which landed the other week or if India will receive an earlier 5.0 build, but we can probably assume that it’s the former.
Have you been lucky enough to receive a Lollipop update on your Android One smartphone?
LG Watch Urbane is looking sexy in this new product video
LG took to heart the criticism that its first round smartwatch, the G Watch R, was too aggressive and masculine. That’s how the Watch Urbane was born, a device that drops the “G” from the name and the etched ring from around the screen, making for a more elegant and understated design.
We were already positively hyped about the Watch Urbane (which we expect to see in person next week at MWC), but now LG is giving us a better look at the device in this one minute promo video. There’s nothing new in the clip, but if you love watches and/or technology, it’s definitely worth a minute of your life.
So, what makes you tick? The sportsy G Watch or the lustrous Watch Urbane?
Xperia E4g brings LTE to Sony’s new form factor
The battery that could is a big marketing point.
Some weeks ago, we reported on a new device Sony had in store for the smartphone world, the Xperia E4. While the phone itself was little more than a mid-range device, the design is what actually turned some heads. With rounded corners reminiscent of something Nokia might release, Xperia fans began to wonder if the upcoming Z4 flagship might have a similar redesign.
Today Sony announced the Xperia E4g, an alternative build of the E4, featuring high-speed LTE data connectivity. The phone will be available in black or white, and cost €129 (approximately $146) when it releases this April. Curiously enough, the specs on this device are actually different than those of its brother, the E4. The E4g comes with a 4.7-inch (960X540) screen, 1.5GHz Quad Core CPU, and weighs only 135 grams. On the other hand, the E4 has a 5-inch (960X540) screen, a 1.3GHz Quad Core CPU, and weighs 144 grams. Both devices come with a 2300 mAh battery which Sony promises will last about 2 days, and thus it seems the LTE model needed a slight screen reduction to accommodate the demand. Rounding out the specs (for both actually) is a 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front camera.
Although these press renders are taken from the standard, larger E4, suffice to say the interface will probably look exactly the same.
The product website also uses the headline “Quality you can trust” which some long-time Sony fans (or opponents) might find somewhat amusing given the accusations some have made of quality control issues relating to a so-called “Sony Timer“.
As with the E4, the E4g will be sold in both standard and Dual-SIM variants.
London, 24th February 2015 – Earlier this month, Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) introduced Xperia™ E4; the affordable, easy-to-use smartphone with great battery life – in a quality Sony design. Now, Sony unveils the exciting Xperia™ E4g smartphone, offering the same ease-of-use and powerful battery performance – with fast 4G LTE connectivity.
“Xperia E4 set out to bring many of the premium features people expect of Sony to lower-tier devices; Xperia E4g brings that same quality and ease of use – but with super-fast 4G LTE connectivity” said Tony McNulty, Vice President, Value Category Business Management at Sony Mobile Communications. “With simple set-up and unrivalled 2 day battery life, we believe both models represent value for those who want premium Sony technology and experiences often only associated with high-end devices.”
Get started without the wait – speedy set up… just point and shoot!
Xperia E4g is built to ensure that you can set up and enjoy your new smartphone, from the moment you pull it out of the box. For those new to Xperia, migration from other Android, Windows or BlackBerry devices is super quick and easy. The Xperia Transfer app, allows you to move contacts, photos, bookmarks, apps, music, messages and much more securely, without the hassle – or worry of losing anything important.
Smartphone photography is made easy, with Auto scene Recognition automatically recognising and optimising capture settings for up to 52 scenarios for the perfect shots wherever you are. And, with NFC you can share your images easily with just one-touch.
Xperia E4g features Sony’s minimalist Android skin, but also brings the Simple Home interface providing larger icons and all your favorite apps on one screen, with those you don’t need stored neatly away in folders – perfect if you prefer to use your smartphone for specific functions.
Right on cue, with signature Sony design
Xperia E4g is Sony inside and out; rounded and robust, perfect for one hand usage. Available in classic Black and White, Xperia E4g retains that timeless Xperia form – a precision-cut power button, elevated mirror-finish logo and stainless steel camera ring and a scratch-resistant screen to add an extra layer of premium.
Built for speed – 4G LTE and two-day battery life, powered by a 1.5 GHz Quad-core processor
Xperia E4g is 4G LTE ready – which means you can enjoy the fastest news and information download, find your way using maps, check and send email, send pictures to friends and family in seconds, and enjoy lag-free music streaming on the go.
Sony’s latest smartphones are recognised for unrivalled battery life. Xperia E4g is no different, packing a powerful 2300mAh battery that gives you up to two-day’s battery life[i]; eliminating the need for regular charging. If that isn’t enough, one click activates Battery STAMINA Mode to regulate power management, and Ultra STAMINA Mode keeps your phone running on its core functions for a week.
Supporting slick and fast performance, Xperia E4g has a highly-tuned 1.5 GHz Quad-core processor, meaning that you can run multiple apps, surf the web and stream videos all at once.
Xperia E4g launches from April for around €1292. It will also be available in a Dual SIM variant – for full specifications please visit: http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-e4g/specifications/
[1] Based on multiple battery performance tests conducted between December 2014 and January 2015 in a laboratory under an active use conditions reflective of the Typical Smartphone User by Sony Mobile Communications Inc. For more information go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults
2 Timing, availability and price may vary by market and/or operator.
Samsung brings Lollipop’s missing Mute feature to the Galaxy S5
Silent or Mute volume modes are being sorely missed by some Android Lollipop users, but Samsung has heard the complaints and has rushed to reintroduce the feature with a small update for its Galaxy S5 smartphone.
The build, labelled G900FXXU1BOB7, has only been released for the G900F handset variant in the UK at the moment, that’s the one with the Snapdragon processor. However, it should be heading out across Europe and then to other regions in the near future. You can always hammer the manual update button under Settings > About phone > Software update to see if the update has arrived yet.
For Lollipop users who don’t own a Galaxy S5 and are still missing Mute functionality, we took a look at the SoundHUD app yesterday, which can bring back more familiar sound controls to Lollipop devices.
Have you been missing a standard Mute feature or are you finding Lollipop’s interruption controls more useful?
Watch us play three exciting Windows games from 10tons
You probably already know that Windows Central streams Xbox games every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night via Twitch. We even give out free copies of the games we stream on the weekends. We’ve built up a loyal community who tune in to see us play games, enjoy the commentary of the hosts, and chat with their fellow readers and viewers.
What you might not know is that I also stream non-Xbox games every Monday, just for fun. But tonight’s stream will be special because we’re streaming three games from popular Windows developer 10tons! We’ll be playing Sparkle 2 and King Oddball (both for Windows Phone and Windows 8) and Crimsonland, a twin-stick shooter for Steam that will be coming to mobile Windows platforms soon.
Update: The stream has ended. Continue reading to see the full video replay, my impressions of each game, and a list of tonight’s winners!
Denim update rolls out to the Lumia 1020 in India
Heads-up to those in India with a Lumia 1020: your Lumia Denim update has arrived. This comes after a previous rollout last week to a swath of other Lumia devices in India.
Apple reportedly rolling out significant changes to Genius Bar
Apple Retail is reportedly in the process of overhauling its Genius Bar experience. In a bid to better serve customers, starting from the week of March 9, a new initiative dubbed “Concierge” will be rolled out to replace walk-in appointments. The program involves Apple Store employees using an algorithm-driven iPad app to provide priority-assessed wait times for a customer’s query. According to 9to5Mac:
The customer then provides a phone number, which Apple uses to send three text messages with wait time updates:
- An initial text message confirming the Genius Bar request and providing the wait time
- A text message telling the customer to start heading back to the Apple Store
- A final text message telling the customer that their technician is ready to help and where they can be located in the store
Online bookings are said to remain the same.
The program is reportedly being spearheaded by senior vice president of retail and online stores Angela Ahrendts, who has introduced several changes since joining Apple last year. These including an increased focus on China, new measures to safeguard the upcoming Apple Watch Edition smartwatches within retail stores, as well as retooling the retail experience to aimed at “surprising and delighting” customers.
The Concierge program, however, would be one of the most significant changes, would allow store employees as well as customers to manage their time better.
Apple reportedly acquires digital audio instrument maker Camel Audio
It looks like Apple acquired digital audio instrument and plug-in maker Camel Audio, according to the company’s corporate information listed in the UK government’s Companies House website.
The new address for Camel Audio is listed as 100 New Bridge Street in London, which is the address of Apple’s London office. MacRumors also highlighted the change in directors for the company, which currently includes one name: Heather Joy Morrison, who is a member of Apple’s legal team.
Camel Audio shuttered its doors earlier this year, leaving the following message on its site:
We would like to thank you for the support we’ve received over the years in our efforts to create instruments and effects plug-ins and sound libraries. Camel Audio’s plug-ins, Alchemy Mobile IAPs and sound libraries are no longer available for purchase.
We will continue to provide downloads of your previous purchases and email support until July 7, 2015. We recommend you download all of your purchases and back them up so that you can continue to use them (Instructions: How to Download and Backup Your Products).
The plug-in vendor is best known for its Alchemy VSTi (Virtual Studio Technology Instrument), a digital instrument that allowed musicians to create a wide range of sounds. It is possible Apple will be looking to integrate Camel Audio’s technology into its own music creation software, Logic Pro X.
Source: MacRumors
WhatsApp Video Optimizer update allows you to fine-tune settings for video conversion
Third-party conversion app WhatsApp Video Optimizer offers a quick way for users to convert videos to conform to WhatsApp’s 16MB threshold for videos. The app picked up an update that gives users the ability to select the output folder as well as the resolution, audio and video bitrate.
AIVAnet 