An early build of Windows 10 Cloud has leaked, proving the new OS is no myth

Why it matters to you

A leaked build confirms that Windows 10 Cloud exists, and will lock users to the Windows Store

Oh boy. Critics, developers, and customers who oppose Windows 10 and Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform initiative are likely now gathering their pitchforks and torches, as a recent leak seemingly confirms that Windows 10 Cloud does indeed exist. Even more, the unannounced operating system is locked to the Windows Store, preventing users from installing traditional (Win32) desktop programs.

An early version of Windows 10 Cloud is now available as an ISO file via Twitter user @adguard. Those wanting to see what the fuss is all about should not install this platform on a machine, but create a bootable USB drive or run the ISO file through a virtual machine. The downloadable file resides on a cloud server located in Russia.

More: Epic’s Tim Sweeney isn’t thrilled about the locked nature of Windows 10 Cloud

The idea behind Windows 10 Cloud is to provide a lightweight, optimized version of Windows 10 for notebooks to compete directly with Google’s Chrome OS platform installed on Chromebooks. Following Google’s lead, Windows 10 Cloud will not allow users to install traditional desktop software, but force customers to rely solely on the Windows Store. Chromebooks are similar in nature, locking users to the Chrome Web Store.

That said, customers who try to install traditional Windows software will receive the following message:

This app you’re trying to run isn’t designed for this version of Windows. This version of Windows was made to help protect you and your device by exclusively running Windows Store apps.

What’s the difference between regular desktop software and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps available through the Windows Store? Traditional desktop software typically contains multiple components that may install in multiple locations on a PC, and can be freely downloaded and installed from any source. UWP apps are a single package installed in one location, and can only be obtained through the Windows Store, which is bundled into Windows 10 and controlled by Microsoft.

UWP apps are supposedly more secure than desktop software. That’s because apps sold through the Windows Store are “sandboxed,” meaning Windows 10 controls the environment and permissions apps need to function. If by chance an app is hacked, it will be unable to exit its sandbox and infect the entire operating system. Regular desktop software, however, can cause complete chaos.

Windows 10 Cloud does offer a way to use older desktop software, but the developer needs to take some action to make it possible. Microsoft offers a Desktop App Converter, which takes a desktop program and bundles all components into a sandboxed package that can be placed on the Windows Store. It’s still the same program, just in an app form — and upgraded to take advantage of special Windows 10 features only offered through the Universal Windows Platform model.

There are reports that desktop programs converted to Windows 10 apps and distributed through the Windows Store still can’t run on Windows 10 Cloud due to their Win32-based nature. But given that this is an early build of Microsoft’s “lite” platform, that will likely change in the near future. Windows 10 Cloud isn’t expected to launch until the second half of this year, at the earliest.

Apple has a great educational discount on Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, and more

Why it matters to you

If you’re a student, teacher, or staff member at an educational institution, you can save big on Apple’s professional-level apps.

Being a teacher, student, or employee at an educational institution brings with it a number of advantages. Not only do you have access to bountiful knowledge, but you can also purchase many technology products at steep discounts. Apple, in particular, is known for its aggressive educational pricing.

Now, Apple has announced a bundle of its professional-level creative apps for anyone who’s eligible for its educational discounts. If you’re learning or teaching how to use PCs as a creative tool and Apple’s best creative apps are in your space, then you’ll want to check out its Pro Apps Bundle for Education for a cool $200.

More: Apple updates GarageBand for iOS, adds Touch Bar support to Logic Pro X

The bundle includes the following apps:

• Final Cut Pro X (retail price $300): professional video editing application with extensive media organization and editing features like the Magnetic Timeline and full support for the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar.
• Logic Pro X (retail price $200): advanced music production application with a huge sound library and high-end features like Drummer, Flex Pitch, Smart Controls, and MIDI plug-ins. Logic Pro X also supports Touch Bar functionality.
• Motion 5 (retail price $50): motion-graphics tool for creating animated 3D titles, transitions, and effects for Final Cut Pro X.
• Compressor 4 (retail price $50): encoding application for Final Cut Pro X with customized output settings and the ability to package for the iTunes Store.
• MainStage 3 (retail price $30): live performance app for creating performances using output from Logic Pro X.

That’s a bundled savings of $430 compared to buying each app separately. Once you’ve swiped your credit card and completed your transaction, you’ll receive redemption codes in your email inbox. Download the apps, apply the codes, and you’ll be on your way to creating great things on your Mac — assuming you’re eligible for Apple’s generous educational discounts, of course.

Apple

Fire Emblem Heroes review: Shining brightly on Android

Nintendo proves they know how to bring their franchises to mobile with Fire Emblem: Heroes.

I should preface this review by saying this was actually my first Fire Emblem game, so I came into this game with fresh eyes on the entire franchise as well. As such I’m able to provide, I think, a truly honest opinion of how well this game works without being swayed by the fan service scattered throughout.

The first thing you’re going to notice about Fire Emblem: Heroes game is just how beautiful everything is. The artwork, animation, and sound design here is on point. From the opening cut screen to the menu screens to the fantastic battle transitions and animations, this game just has a really great flow to it and played smooth as butter on the Google Pixel I reviewed it on. Fans of the series are really going to appreciate the loving care that the developers put into this — while folks like myself who are new to the series get a faithful adaptation to introduce them to the franchise’s lore.

From the opening cut screen to the menu screens to the fantastic battle transitions and animations, this game just has a really great flow to it.

There are multiple modes of play, but the main one you’ll start with is Story Maps — the main campaign for Fire Emblem: Heroes. As the story goes, the noble heroes of the Askran Kingdom are putting up a fight against Princess Veronica and the Emblian Empire, which seeks to to rule all worlds. A powerful summoner (you) arrives just in the nick of time, with the ability to summon and control Heroes from across all worlds to join the Askran army. You set off to different worlds to free the heroes who have been cast under Princess Veronica’s spell by defeating them on the battlefield.

If you’re familiar with Fire Emblem’s battle mechanics already, you’re going to love how well they work on a full touch screen. There’s a lot of strategy and tactics to learn and master in Fire Emblem, but fortunately the learning curve is gradual for beginners. There are several different types of heroes, but the main three are red, green and blue, with colourless heroes thrown in as well. The first few chapters in the story mode really help to establish the basics of combat, while you learn the Rock, Paper, Scissors-style battle and figure out how to best position your heroes around the battlefield. It’s simple and easy to grasp, and before too long I was developing my own strategy for moving my heroes into the best position to defend and attack.

Arena Duels are especially intriguing, as you’re able to test your mettle against other players in quick battles, though it certainly won’t feel like a PvP experience.

Once you’ve worked your way through the first few chapters in Story Maps, you’ll unlock other modes: Special Maps, Arena Duels, Training Tower and a fifth mode you unlock once you’ve completed the main campaign. These modes allow you to train and level up your heroes and offer you more ways to play beyond the story mode. This really adds some much needed depth to the game, as you’re also able to go back and replay chapters of the story mode with a new lineup of heroes if you wish to test out new battle strategies and tactics. Arena Duels are especially intriguing, as you’re able to test your mettle against other players in quick battles, though it certainly won’t feel like a PvP experience.

Nevertheless, if you manage to link enough Arena Duel wins together, you can work your way up the global player ranks. It definitely feels like this will become the centrepiece of the game once you’ve worked your way through the main storyline. If you’ve got friends who are playing, you can add each other by tapping the glowing stone in the bottom left corner of the home menu and adding them via their unique friend ID.

A big part of this game, as your role of summoner would suggest, is summoning other heroes to join your cause. This is done, first and foremost, by collecting Orbs by completing chapters in story mode — or through in-app purchases, though it is much more satisfying to unlock them through the spoils of victory. From the Summon menu, you’re able to choose the color of hero you wish to summon, which certainly helps to balance out your army’s hero types. You’re able to assemble and swipe through five assembled teams of heroes — a mix of new characters alongside fan favorites from previous titles.

One of the only complaints I’ve had with the game so far is the lack of explanation for everything you can do from the main menu before heading into battle.

One of the only complaints I’ve had with the game so far is the lack of explanation for everything you can do from the main menu before heading into battle. Perhaps I’m just the type to rush into battle, but I was completely unaware how valuable it would be to upgrade my castle, which is hidden in the Shop menu. Doing so greatly increases the amount of experience points your heroes earn in battle, and is something you’ll probably want to do early and often when you’re first starting out. Beyond the previously mentioned Orbs, there’s also a ton of other items and different currency items that you’ll collect and have no idea what to do with them. Maybe that’s just my own ignorance from being new to the series or not spending enough time digging through the menu system, but I’d much rather spend my time battling.

Battling is limited by your stamina meter which automatically refill, but you’re also given 50 stamina points and missions costs are low, meaning you really won’t run out too often unless you’re really grinding hard. When that does happen, you can simply spend some time tweaking your teams and upgrading your heroes in the shop menu while you wait for the meter to recharge. There’s always something to do.

After seeing mixed reviews from the iOS release of Super Mario Run, I must admit I was somewhat skeptical of what we were going to get with Fire Emblem: Heroes. There’s many ways for a free-to-play game to be bogged down by lame mechanics that either force you to wait or pay to progress, but Nintendo has done a great job of keeping everything balanced and fun. From all that I’ve read and my own experience playing the game, this feels like a really pure entry into a franchise that so many people adore. It would have been easy to give us a direct port of one of the handheld Fire Emblem games or, worse yet, a watered down game that’s been “optimized for mobile” (and profits).

Perhaps most important of all, it’s clear even to someone with no previous experience with the Fire Emblem franchise that a lot of thought and care went into creating a fully fleshed out gaming experience for the mobile audience. In the relatively short time that I’ve spent playing Fire Emblem: Heroes since its release, I’m finding myself loving it more and more. Having not bought into the pre-release hype at all, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I’m enjoying this game.

Download: Fire Emblem: Heroes (Free w/IAPs)

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So now the LG G6 will apparently have a matte metal back?

A photo of the LG G6 leaked on Thursday, revealing a glossy, shiny rear. Now, a new leak has emerged, leaving us all perplexed.

Tracking the rumours on LG’s upcoming flagship has been interesting. What will the phone look like? Who knows. While yesterday’s leak showed a glass-like jet black back, new photos posted by Mydrivers, which has a decent record when it comes to mobile news leaks, show the LG G6 with a matte metal back. Is one of them fake? Or will LG launch the phone with several design options?

• Mobile World Congress 2017: Nokia, Sony, Huawei, and more

The few things that seem to be consistent so far is that the phone will sport dual cameras and a fingerprint sensor on the back. Also, LG is definitely not going with the modular phone strategy it introduced last year with the LG G5. Other than that, from these new images, we can see that the LG G6 features a USB-C port and a headphone jack, both of which have been rumoured in the past.

MyDrivers

Another rumour that seems to be sticking around (and hinted by LG) is that the LG G6 will boast a 5.7-inch screen with a 2880 x 1440 resolution. Check out Pocket-lint’s round-up for details on more leaks. We’ll know for sure in a couple weeks, as LG is set to announce the final details ahead of Mobile World Congress on 26 February.

We’ll be there to bring you the news as it happens.

PS4 system software update 4.50: What’s new in the update?

Sony is planning a new update for the PlayStation 4 that will included some much-requested features.

The updated, called version 4.50 (codenamed Sasuke), will bring things like external hard drive support for games and the ability to view 3D Blu-rays via PSVR. PS4 Pro owners may even get some goodies. Here’s everything you need to know, including when it’ll be out.

PS4: What is system software update 4.50?

Update 4.50 is exactly what it sounds like: an update to the PlayStation 4 system console. The last update, which released 8 December, is called 4.07. You should always update your PS4 to the latest version to enjoy new features, improved usability, and enhanced security.

PS4: What does update 4.50 include?

The PlayStation 4 has supported external hard drives for a while, but Sony limited it to system upgrades and media like videos and music. Games were left out of the loop. However, with 4.50, Sony will let you download and install games directly to USB 3.0 hard drives up to 8TB in size. That’s really handy for those of you who have a digital library but only own the base 500GB console.

The 4.50 update will also let you pick an in-game screenshot for you home screen background. You’ll be able to add effects like drop shadows to text and darken the Function Area to make your icons visible. Another upgrade includes improvements to Quick Menu, which now covers less of your screen and lets you easily access stuff like Party features via Online Friends, so you can create new parties, invite friends, etc.

The Notifications app has condensed all tabs to a single simplified list, making it easier to see all of your notifications all at-a-glance, Sony said. To quickly access your Notification settings, go to the Options Menu, and you will see options to turn off or customize which pop-up appear. Sony has also added the ability to post directly into the Activity Feed, which appears in places like What’s New.

Speaking of What’s New, you’ll see a new option to post text, screenshots, and GIFs directly into your Activity Feed. You may also see screenshots that users upload, because Live from PlayStation will now show screenshots uploaded to PSN as a Public Activity. And finally, you can now view 3D movies in stereoscopic 3D directly on the PS VR headset. To read more about these feature, check Sony’s blog.

Oh, one more thing: Thanks to NeoGAF, Sony may have also added a Boost Mode that forces the PS4 Pro console to support higher frame rates for games that aren’t yet 4K-optimised.

PS4: When will update 4.50 be available?

Starting Friday, if you signed up for PlayStation’s beta program and were chosen, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and get started with an early peek at update 4.50. Sony said more features are included in 4.50, but isn’t announcing them right now. For everyone else not in the beta, additional features and launch timing will be revealed “in the weeks to come”.

PS4: How do you update your console?

There are several methods available for updating your PS4 system. Go to Sony PlayStation’s support page (here too) to learn more about how.

Medium hopes subscription plans can save it

Popular blogging platform Medium is launching a consumer subscription service, just one month after firing a third of its staff.

The first version will launch later this quarter as “an upgrade to your Medium experience.” Although Medium CEO Ev Williams didn’t offer any additional details yesterday at the Upfront Summit in Los Angeles, he simply encouraged people to, “Please subscribe.”

Medium saw impressive growth last year as it shifted focus from independent writers to established brands like The Awl, Think Progress, and The Ringer. Readership and published posts were up approximately 300 percent last year. But the company also struggled financially. It eliminated 50 jobs last month and closed down offices in New York and DC. At the time, Williams claimed advertising-focused business models aren’t serving content makers or consumers.

He added, “The current system causes increasing amounts of misinformation…and pressure to put out more content more cheaply — depth, originality, or quality be damned. It’s unsustainable and unsatisfying for producers and consumers alike … We need a new model.”

A subscription-based service is obviously Medium’s first step toward finding a new model. If successful, it’ll provide an additional source of revenue to the struggling blogging platform.

Via: Tech Crunch

That was fast: Nazi punching now a game

It’s only been a couple of weeks since a very public incident of face meeting fist, and already there’s a proverbial app for that. Punch A Nazi, as the name suggests, lets you smack virtual members of the alt-right without the inconvenience of heading to a liberal protest. The politically-charged game comes thanks to the speedy work of developer SuperDeluxe, eager to ride the waves of recent Nazi face-punching memes.

The game lets you sock it to Hitler (obvs), Richard Spencer and Milo Yiannopoulis, the latter two of which have become controversial figures of late. SuperDeluxe usually makes weird, episodic videos rather than mobile games, so perhaps this is more of a therapeutic release for them than anything else.

The far-right has been in the news lately as the self-styled movement garners headlines and the attention of a divided nation. The real Spencer actually got punched in the face on Inauguration day last month, leading to a whole spate of mocking images, videos and Twitter posts.

To play Punch A Nazi, you’ll need both a desktop browser and a mobile device. Hitting the mobile site will sync up with your desktop, then you move your phone toward your computer screen to punch the characters that show up. Your jabs need to connect with specific timing; doing so will earn you on-screen praise, such as “SJW,” while missing the mark will get you teased with phrases like “Sad!”

Sure, Punch A Nazi might seem crass, but games with similar themes aren’t super new. Many games from the history of the medium have tackled violence and Nazism. Having a quickly-made mobile game ready with today’s big names in the alt-right, however, is another clue showing how strongly certain people, gamers and otherwise, feel about the current rise of the movement.

If you’re feeling cheeky, you can grab your own copy of Punch A Nazi from the SuperDeluxe site on your iOS or Android phone to then sync up with your desktop computer loaded with the same web page.

Via: Paste Magazine

Source: SuperDeluxe

Facebook users pretend the ‘Bowling Green Massacre’ is real

Some of Facebook’s users are using the Safety Check feature to mock outright falsehoods made by Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway. In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Hardball, Conway fabricated a terrorist attack called the “Bowling Green massacre” as a way to defend the president’s immigration ban.

“I bet it’s brand new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee program after two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalized and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre,” she said. “Most people don’t know about that because it didn’t get covered.”

The thing is, this didn’t happen, period. The truth of the matter, as New York Times reports, is that two Iraqis living in Bowling Green, Kentucky were arrested for trying to send money and weapons to Iraq in 2011. One is serving a life sentence in prison and the other has a 40-year sentence with a life term of supervised release. Oh and “some Iraqi refugees were admitted to the United States in every month of 2011,” according to the publication.

Thank you @bgdailynews for fact checking. https://t.co/6PLgCsDAV9

— Bowling Green KY (@CityofBGKY) February 3, 2017

So as a way to show support and deride Conway, users are marking themselves as safe in Bowling Green, Kentucky; Bowling Green, New York and other states with a city named as such.

It’s a two-fold joke, really. On one hand you have Conway, known dispenser of “alternative facts” once again authoring lies to prop up her boss. And on the other you have yet another example of Facebook’s lack of oversight.

The rest of the internet has gotten in on the joke as well, setting up a web page dubbed “The Bowling Green Massacre Victims Fund.” As you might expect, the donation page’s link directs to the American Civil Liberties Union’s donation form. If you want to further show your support, the city of Bowling Green (Kentucky) has overlays of its flag available to download and add to your profile picture.

Source: Gizmodo, MSNBC, Bowling Green Massacre Fund

Nintendo’s ‘Fire Emblem Heroes’ Game Earned an Estimated $2.9 Million During First Day

Nintendo’s newly released game Fire Emblem Heroes earned an estimated $2.9 million in worldwide gross revenue during its first 24 hours of availability, according to data shared by app analytics firm Sensor Tower.

Since being released yesterday morning for iOS and Android devices, Fire Emblem Heroes has been downloaded more than two million times from the iOS App Store and the Google Play store. Download numbers may have been affected by a late release in the United States – the game didn’t become available on iOS devices until the afternoon.

At $2.9 million in gross revenue, Fire Emblem Heroes is not quite the hit that Pokémon GO and Super Mario Run were. Pokémon Go earned an estimated $10.2 million during its first 24 hours of availability, while Super Mario Run brought in $8.4 million.

It was also not downloaded quite as many times, likely due to the fact that the Fire Emblem series isn’t as well known as the Mario or Pokémon franchises nor was it as heavily promoted. Pokémon GO was downloaded an estimated 4.2 million times on day one, while Super Mario Run, was downloaded an estimated 6 million times.

Unsurprisingly, Fire Emblem Heroes has proven to be most popular in Japan, with the United States coming in second.

Bringing classic titles to iOS devices has thus far proven to be a successful venture for Nintendo. Super Mario Run set an App Store record with 40 million downloads in just four days. Since its December release, Super Mario Run has brought in more than $53 million in revenue with more than 78 million downloads.

Nintendo plans to continue releasing a steady stream of iOS games, with popular series Animal Crossing said to be one of the next games on the horizon. Nintendo originally said Animal Crossing would be released by March, but recently delayed the title until the following financial year, which runs from April 2017 to March 2018.

Fire Emblem Heroes can be downloaded from the App Store for free. It doesn’t cost anything up front, but Nintendo makes money on the game through in-app purchases for speeding up gameplay. [Direct Link]

Tags: Nintendo, Fire Emblem, Sensor Tower
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Need cases for your Pixel or Pixel XL? Consider MobileFun’s selection

Are you the proud owner of a Google Pixel or Pixel XL smartphone? What are you using to protect against drops, scuffs, and scrapes? Surely you’re not running around with it fully exposed!

We were recently sent a handful of cases for the Pixel XL from our friends at Mobile Fun. If you’ve never heard of them, they offer a wide selection of products including chargers, cables, car kits, mounts, screen protectors, and wearables.

For those of you in the market for a protective case for your Pixel or Pixel XL, we present a handful of options. Further, if you have a different model phone, you’ll surely find plenty of other products to choose from.

Spigen Rugged Armor Google Pixel XL Tough Case

Purchase from MobileFun for $18.99

They say: The new Rugged Armor is Spigen’s latest addition, delivering exceptional protection in a slimline package. Made from a flexible TPU case, the Rugged Armor has been fitted with Spigen’s trademarked Air Cushion Technology which absorbs shocks and impacts, keeping your Google Pixel XL safe and secure at all times.

We say: Flexible and easy to put on, it’s still strong enough to handle moderate abuse. Feel free to be a little bit rough with your phone as this case can absorb your scratches and scrapes. Moreover, it’s thin enough that the buttons still respond nicely to touch. Best of all, it doesn’t add too much to the size.

VRS Design High Pro Shield Google Pixel XL Case

Purchase from MobileFun for $20.99

They say: Protect your phone from scratches, knocks and drops with the VRS Design High Pro Shield Series Case for the Google Pixel XL. Featuring a tough dual-layered hardshell frame construction and a smooth, metallic frame that is tough enough to protect your device, without adding unnecessary bulk.

We say: Although it adds a little bit of width to the overall experience, this case is easy on the eyes and adds functionality. The kickstand is easy to pop out and makes for a pleasurable Netflix, YouTube, or other video viewing. Buttons are responsive, and the bottom ports are easy to reach. Results may vary for the 3.5mm headphone jack; we had some trouble with select cords fitting all the way in.

Olixar Leather-Style Google Pixel XL Wallet Stand Case

Purchase from MobileFun for $10.49

They say: This wallet case is designed to complement the new Google Pixel XL designs, for a classic and classy appearance. The material used is slim yet tough, offering premium protection for your Google Pixel XL against scratches, scrapes and minor impacts, while adding the luxury look and feel associated with the case. The case is finished with stamped Olixar and X motifs – signs of genuine quality – so you can be sure it’s the real deal. The case closes with an elegant magnetic fastener to keep everything nice and secure.

We say: The slots on the inside left are nice and allow for a few of your most needed credit cards, metro passes, and cash. The magnetic fastener is stronger than we expected and allows for quick opening and closing. If you’re like us, you’d probably bust off a snap inside of a week. Bonus points for the case doubling as a landscape mode phone holder.

Olixar ArmourDillo Google Pixel XL Protective Case

Purchase from MobileFun for $10.49

They say: This tough protective case has been designed for those with an active lifestyle. It provides great shock and impact absorption thanks to its lightweight TPU polymer with a precisely positioned hard skeleton for added protection. The design of the exoskeleton extends out to protect vulnerable parts of your Google Pixel XL such as the corners and sides.

We say: The strongest of the bunch here, you’d have to do a real number on the case if you’re looking to scratch it up. Easy to grip, there’s no slippage whatsoever, even when your hands are wet.  The kickstand is a great touch and adds next to nothing to the profile. It’s thicker than the others in this list, but we definitely feel more secure with it.

Cruzerlite Bugdroid Circuit Google Pixel XL Case

Purchase from MobileFun for $13.99

They say: These Cruzerlite gel cases are made from shock absorbent and scratch-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). They are slim-fitting and provide great protection for the Google Pixel XL from day-to-day use, to accidental knocks and drops.

We say: Lightweight, thin, and flexible, this case is more for aesthetics than protection. Available in a variety of colors, it adds a semi-transparent print of what looks to be computer circuits. The cutouts give you full access to the volume and power buttons.

See also

Although we’ve listed five here, nearly all of the above are sold in different colors and finishes. Moreover, there are a number of other brands who offer cases for the Pixel and Pixel XL through MobileFun. Here are a few others to get you started:

• Caseology
• Encase
• Ghostek

Note that these cases were provided to us at no cost and under no obligations; they were for promotional consideration. Other models selected to be highlighted by our editorial staff were done at random.