Cortana heads to China, selected European countries in latest Windows 10 preview
With the latest built of the Windows 10 technical preview, Cortana is making her desktop debut in a bunch more countries. As of build 10041 Windows Insiders in China, UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy can use it.
Apple Stores will reportedly add try-on stations and appointments for Apple Watch
Apple will reportedly introduce a number of new elements to their retail stores for selling the Apple Watch.
Apple apparently has plans for appointments and stations for trying on the watch, as well as expert employees for the Apple Watch Edition. The appointments are said to be limited to 15 minutes per customer, and will be available to allow customers to try on the Apple Watch. The appointments are said to begin on April 10, the day watch pre-orders begin, according to 9to5Mac:
Starting on April 10th, Apple will allocate 15 minutes per customer for in-store try-on appointments, using 10 try-on stations to manage what’s expected to be a steady flow of customers interested in having hands-on time with the Watch. While customers will not necessarily be required to have an appointment, they will be time-limited and guided during the hands-on experience.
After they try on a watch, customers will also apparently be able to make a follow-up appointment to pick up their chosen watch when the device launches on April 24.
Retail staff will reportedly split into four groups to offer personalized attention to certain customers. One group is set to help with trying on the watch, one is for sales. The third set of employees will apparently answer questions about the watch. As to the fourth group, they will reportedly deal exclusively with the Apple Watch Edition:
Finally, a special fourth group of employees will be dedicated to assisting buyers of the gold Apple Watch Edition models. This group of employees will be made up of “Experts,” Apple Store employees who have worked at the company for an extensive period of time and have completed extra customer service training.
The supply of Apple Watch Edition will be limited only to certain stores, so Edition experts won’t be needed at every Apple retail store.
Other retail plans, reported earlier this month, are said to include a focus on fitness, bands, and the iPhone. Apple will reportedly utilize soft-sell tactics. Apple is also reported to be installing safes in some stores to house the Apple Watch Edition.
Source: 9to5Mac
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Windows 10 Fast ring preview members will get new builds once a month
Gabriel Aul, the head of the Windows Insider program at Microsoft, has stated in a new interview that new builds for Windows 10 will be released to members on the Fast ring once every month.
Kloudmix – The first native Mixcloud client for BlackBerry 10 arrives in BlackBerry World
We’ve followed Kloudmix, the first native Mixcloud client for BlackBerry 10, throughout the beta stages and now the time has come for it to be released on BlackBerry World. If you missed it during the open beta, Kloudmix taps into Mixcloud and allows users to login to their account, favourite mixes, follow other cloudcasters, as well as upload their own mixes to the service.
As it is a native BlackBerry 10 app, built completely with Cascades, Kloudmix is able to integrate with BlackBerry 10’s NowPlaying toast, music control shortcuts, and Extended Search, allowing users to search for mixes through the virtual assistant. As well, the app can be set as a default app for Mixcloud.com links giving Mixcloud users a high-quality listening and discovery experience.
LG G Flex 2 versus LG G3
It’s time to pit LG’s latest curvy handset against its 2014 flagship.
The LG G3 was one of our favorite Android devices of 2014, bringing a super-sharp Quad HD display resolution and a 5.5-inch screen size packed into a surprisingly hand-friendly smartphone. Even a year on, it’s a decent buy.
However the G3 has competition from a more recent LG phone. Even though the LG G Flex 2 isn’t usurping its predecessor’s position as LG’s flagship phone, it’s a natural rival for buyers looking to pick up a high-end phone — particularly those inclined to choose an LG device. These are two phones with many contrasting features, and we’ll break them all down in our G Flex 2 versus G3 comparison.
Apple mini-store opens inside B&H Photo in Manhattan
This week B&H Photo has opened an Apple-authorized mini-store inside their one and only Manhattan, NY location.
Mini Apple Stores have been found in big box retailer Best Buy for a few years now, but the opening of one in B&H Photo is much different. Unlike Best Buy, B&H is a single location, showing just how close the relationship between the two companies is. The mini-store features small facets of the Apple Retail experience, including the iconic wooden tables, AppleInsider notes:
The new Apple section of the B&H store features Apple’s iconic wooden tables, with one showcasing the full Mac lineup, including the new 13-inch MacBook with Force Touch trackpad. Another table showcases Apple’s iPod and iPad lineups, as well as Beats headphones.
B&H has been a go to location for photography nuts, and over the years they have expanded their product selection quite a bit. Currently they sell anything from camera gear to speakers and even Windows PC’s, so seeing this mini Apple location pop up inside makes it a complete one-stop-shop location now.
Source: AppleInsider
Best Buy’s selling Microsoft Band, Amazon and Microsoft Store have shipping delays
If you want to order the Microsoft Band online and want it shipped to you quickly, Best Buy is currently your best bet. The site currently shows that shipments are going out the next business day, while Amazon and the Microsoft Store site are currently showing shipments as going out in at least two weeks, if not longer.
Vine now lets you start watching videos faster, adds offline viewing
Vine has sped up the process of watching videos through its app, and made enhancements that allow you to watch videos while offline or on a slow internet connection.
Vine has made some important tweaks to allow you to watch videos offline. The app now works in the background to download content, including your home feed. Here are the major changes made to get the app up to speed, according to Vine:
- We’ve done a lot of work to make sure the app starts downloading content, including your home feed, your activity notifications and Vines in Explore, before you even open it.
- We’ve also implemented network caching and introduced a new, smaller video file size that can be downloaded much faster when someone has a slower internet connection.
You’ll need the latest version of Vine for iPhone, 3.2, in order to take advantage of these new background features and speed enhancements.
- Free – Download Now
Source: Vine
HTC One M9 to be available in U.S. starting April 10th
HTC announced earlier today that they were launching a new UH OH Protection program to help ease the mind of customers who invest in the new HTC One M9 smartphone. In a webcast announcing this new program, HTC Americas president Jason Mackenzie also took some time to field questions. During this stage of the webcast, he indicated April 10th is the date HTC has targeted to make the HTC One M9 available to U.S. customers.
Unfortunately, Mackenzie did not share any additional details, so it is not entirely clear what “available” might entail. The smartphone is slated to be offered by all of the major carriers. HTC likely hopes the devices are in retail stores and offered online by all of the carriers to compete with Samsung as the date corresponds with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S 6 and Galaxy S 6 edge.
HTC has already had trouble meeting their target release date for the HTC One M9 in Taiwan. They indicated that issue was related to a software glitch that had to be addressed. Mackenzie did spend time discussing reports about overheating issues with the Snapdragon 810 chips. He indicated any concerns had been addressed as HTC would not release a phone that it didn’t think would meet the quality expectations of its customers.
Now that an official with HTC has let a date out of the bag, we should probably see announcements from carriers in the very near future regarding their plans to offer the device.
Come comment on this article: HTC One M9 to be available in U.S. starting April 10th
A guide to lighting and Android photography
Lighting is the most important part of any good photograph. Getting it right makes all the difference.
Anytime you see a discussion about photography, or read a set of tips and tricks for better pictures, you’ll find talk about the lighting. It’s the most important factor in the picture-taking process, and unlike settings and sliders to adjust your exposure, oftentimes we have no control over it.
It’s possible to get great photos under almost any lighting conditions, but to do that you’ll need to know how to use the available light to your advantage. It’s not as hard as you might think, and by following a few simple guidelines you’ll get better results from your camera.











