A Snipping tool looks to be the star of Windows 10’s next release

Even though Microsoft recently made its latest build of Windows 10 available for download earlier this week, the company is already hard at work coming up with improvements for the next major update of Windows 10. The new Windows 10 Insider Preview build 17661 released on Thursday, May 3, reveals that Microsoft will make the Snipping tool a central feature for its next major Windows feature update. The preview is available for Insiders who opted for the Skip Ahead release and those in the Fast Ring.

“One of the loudest things we heard is that you want to be able to quickly snip and share a screenshot, and we’re making it happen! WIN + Shift + S will now bring up a snipping toolbar — snip a rectangle, something a bit more freeform, or full screen and it will go straight to your clipboard,” Windows Insider program lead Dona Sarkar revealed in a blog post detailing the new features. If you need more options, from your screen snip, a notification will also pop up allowing you to take your snip to the new standalone Screen Sketch app where you can annotate your screenshot.

The new screen-snipping experience and the new Screen Sketch app are part of Microsoft’s efforts to optimize Windows 10 “for sharing and make communicating visually with others quick and easy.” By moving Screen Sketch out from the Windows Ink Workspace and into its own separate app, Microsoft hopes to improve the slow of capturing screenshots in a multitasking work environment.

“It will now show up in the list when you press Alt + tab, you can set the window size to be your preference if you like multitasking, and it even supports multiple windows (and tabs, thanks to Sets!),” Sarkar noted.

In addition to the new keyboard shortcut for the screen snipping experience, Microsoft will also give users three additional ways to capture their screen with this Insider build.

First, you can use the button at the end of your Surface Pen to launch the screen-snipping experience directly by configuring your Surface Pen through your Windows pen settings. Second, even though it’s not enabled by default, you can also change your keyboard setting to launch the screen snipping experience with your Print Screen key. And third, you can use the quick action button inside Windows 10’s Action Center.

There are also other changes to Windows 10 that will be part of this build, including improvements to Focus assist while gaming, more support for the High Efficiency Image File Format, and security fixes. You can view the complete list of new features and improvements on Microsoft’s blog.

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How to change your Twitter password and activate two-factor authentication

Keep those Tweets protected!

Twitter. Some people love it, some people hate it. No matter your take, you should ensure that your account is as safe as can be if you use the social network.

To keep your account as secure as can be, we recommend changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication if you don’t have it turned on already.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Changing your password

From the Twitter app, tap on your profile photo near the top left
Tap Settings and privacy.
On this menu, tap Account.
Tap the Password tab under Log in and security.

Enter your current password followed by a new password and then type in the new one again to confirm it.

After entering your info, you’ll see a small pop-up at the bottom of your screen letting you know your password has successfully been changed.

Make sure you create a password that’s strong with a mix of lowercase/uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. If you use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass, make sure you update your Twitter info there, too.

Enabling two-factor authentication

Once your password is changed, it’s a good idea to turn on two-factor authentication for your account. With this enabled, you’ll get a security code on your phone each time you log into Twitter, and that code needs to be entered on the device you’re logging into your account on.

It’s a great way to add an extra layer of protection, and setting it up with Twitter is dead simple.

Tap your profile icon near the top left.
Tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Account -> Security -> Login verification -> Start.

Enter your password to verify your account and then tap the send code button to send a confirmation code to your phone.

After entering your code, two-factor authentication will be enabled on your account.

However, we suggest taking one extra step. By default, Twitter sends its authentication codes via SMS. This is fine, but it’s far less secure compared to using a dedicated security app. To change this –

From the Login verification page, tap Mobile security app and then the Start button.

Verify your password and select Set up now.

Twitter will then ask you which authentication app you want to use if you have multiple installed, but if you only have one, it’ll automatically take you to the one you use with a prompt to save your new key.

These three Philips LED SceneSwitch bulbs are just $14 right now

Light up the room.

This 3-pack of Philips LED A19 SceneSwitch Color Change Light Bulbs is $14.26 on Amazon. This pack normally sells for around $27 and has never dropped this low before. This is the first major price drop of the new year for these particular bulbs as well. The price has fluctuated a bit but anything around $14 to $15 is good.

These are not smart bulbs, but if that’s what you’re looking for we got you covered. You can get these multi-colored Philips Hue smart bulbs for $40.99 each or these four white smart bulbs for $43.

While they may not have smart functionality, these bulbs can still change the atmosphere of the room with three settings that switch between daylight, soft white, and a warm glow. The SceneSwitch will remember your favorite setting when the switch is turned off for more than six seconds. These are flicker-free with natural lighting and Energy Star certification. If you don’t have a dimmer switch but still want some of that ability, these bulbs are perfect. They come with a five-year warranty.

See on Amazon

NPR and public radio group buy popular podcast app Pocket Casts

NPR, This American Life, WNYC Studios and WBEZ Chicago have teamed up to buy Pocket Casts, a cross-platform podcast app. The public radio outlets hope to improve the podcast discovery experience, help creators find new audiences and improve insights for producers.

Pocket Casts’ discover section currently highlights featured, trending and popular shows. The app also includes an Up Next function, which can automatically build a podcast queue for you.

Developer Shifty Jelly said in a blog post while it had received previous offers from other suitors, it had turned them all down. It accepted the group’s offer because “everything from their not-for-profit mission focus, to their unwavering belief that open and collaborative wins over closed walled gardens resonated deeply with us.” The developer hammered home the point that nothing is immediately changing in the app. Instead, it’s using its new resources to improve Pocket Casts.

Shifty Jelly’s team will continue working on the app, with former iHeartRadio and Clear Channel vice president Owen Grover joining as Pocket Casts CEO.

There’s no real indication that the NPR group will use Pocket Casts as their exclusive podcast home — they are in public radio, after all, and Pocket Casts is a paid app. NPR has its own app, NPR One, and still distributes its podcasts through other apps and platforms.

Shifty Jelly hinted at some future plans for Pocket Casts. It may be the case that some of NPR One’s features are rolled in, such as letting the app know when you like a story on its personalized stream and skipping the ones you’re less interested in. That might help Pocket Casts learn your preferences and suggest new shows in a more tailored fashion, perhaps through the Up Next queue.

At the very least, the move will help the public radio group have more of a dedicated home amid the podcast app diaspora. The members could harness the immense popularity of their shows to direct listeners to Pocket Casts, though NPR has been reluctant to promote its own podcasts and app.

Via: The Verge

Source: NPR, Shifty Jelly

Anheuser-Busch will haul beer in Nikola hydrogen-electric trucks

The rivalry between Nikola and Tesla is only getting hotter… figuratively speaking. Mere months after ordering 40 Tesla Semis, Anheuser-Busch has ordered “up to” 800 of Nikola’s hydrogen-electric semi-trucks to introduce them into its beer-carrying fleet starting in 2020. The deal should help Anheuser-Busch convert its entire long-haul roster to renewable-based trucks by 2025 and will be equivalent to taking over 13,000 cars off the road. As to why it’s not just relying on Tesla? One word: range.

The Nikola semis will travel between 500 to 1,200 miles on a full tank versus Tesla’s 500-mile maximum. Nikola’s system will depend on relatively rare hydrogen stations, but it’s counting on having 700 of the facilities in service by 2028. However underdeveloped hydrogen infrastructure is right now, it’s ultimately better-suited to Anheuser-Busch’s long-distance logistics than existing electric-only options.

Suffice it to say this is a big deal for Nikola, which doesn’t have as many high-profile customers as its nemesis. The move could spur further orders from companies that see Anheuser-Busch’s purchase as a sign of confidence. And the fierce competition is good for everyone — it promises a future where emissions-free cargo transportation is the norm.

Source: Anheuser-Busch

Samsung Pay offers cash back on purchases from select retailers

Samsung announced a new Cash Back program for those making certain purchases through Samsung Pay. Within the Samsung Pay app’s home screen, there’s a new Cash Back section and tapping it will lead you to a list of offers from various retailers. Once you select an offer and make a purchase with that merchant, you’ll get a percentage of your purchase price back. That money can then be used towards another purchase as long as it’s done through Samsung Pay. “Our mobile wallet strategy is all about offering more choices for consumers and more opportunities for merchants,” Samsung said in a statement. “Cash Back creates a new channel for merchants to reach and reward consumers who are looking for great deals.”

Samsung launched support for PayPal in its mobile wallet earlier this month. And in its announcement today it said users will also soon be able to purchase Samsung Rewards points. The company says that option will become available later this month.

Source: Samsung

Adobe offers schools Creative Cloud licenses for $5/year

Adobe has been slowly moving its apps and services to the cloud since 2013. If you use any of the company’s creative products — like Photoshop, Illustrator or Lightroom — you probably already purchase them via a subscription, which can run anywhere from $10 to $83 per month for an individual. Now, Adobe is making the full suite of Adobe Creative Cloud apps for K-12 schools to $5 annually per license (with a minimum purchase of 500 licenses per school or 2,500 per district).

Adobe already offers Spark for Education, a set of storytelling apps for K-12 and higher education for free. Creative Cloud for K-12 can be implemented in a way to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and can also be set up with a single sign-on so teachers and students can use whatever school ID they already have to connect to Creative Cloud. The advantage of having a cloud-based version of Photoshop, for example, is that it lets students sign into the app from anywhere and any device, including tablets or phones at home. That will let them work on projects outside of computer labs, which can lead to better educational outcomes. Adobe is also planning to provide more professional development to teachers via a partnership with Edcamp; if teachers know the apps, they can better help empower their students.

Source: Adobe

Seven best apps for meeting new people

Group Of Young Friends Enjoying Meal In Outdoor Restaurant

Dating apps are all the rage right now, but not everyone is looking for romantic meetings. Some people are just looking to make new friends. Whether you are traveling or moving to a new city, the idea of going to bars and striking up a conversation with random strangers will not appeal to most people.

Luckily, you can always meet new friends by using mobile apps. And there are plenty of apps specially designed to help you meet strangers. They connect you with people you can go to events to or with locals who like showing tourists around town.

In what follows, we’ve rounded up some of the best apps for people who want to make new friends.

See Also:

• Seven language apps for when you want to learn to speak a new tongue
• PUBG Mobile Review – the original Battle Royale lands on mobile
• ClutchPoints gives a new view to mainstream sports

As for those of you who want to get a date, we have another list of apps that will hopefully help you find love.

MeetMe

What it is:

A social app which lets you chat with people nearby, but also with folks from around the world.

Why we like it:

• The app allows you find people nearby who share your particular interests. Having things in common represents the basis of a strong friendship, right?
• MeetMe includes video chatting and streaming. It lets you go beyond just typing and allows you to forge a connection faster, even before you meet in person.
• The app has been installed by 100+ million people, so it’s quite diverse. You’ll get plenty of options.

Install MeetMe

Bottled – Message in a Bottle

What it is:

Bottled puts a fun twist on the whole idea of meeting new people. It’s part game, part social app and revolves around the concept of message in the bottle.

Why we like it:

• Write a personal message and release it into the unknown. It will eventually be picked up by a person from around the world.
• In the meanwhile, you sit on your island awaiting message in the bottles yourself. Keep the bottle to connect with the person who wrote the message or let it drift back to the sea. You can also collect additional items, by opening the treasure chests that float ashore.
• You can follow the journey of your bottles in real time.
• Cheeky Captain will pop up from time to time and test your knowledge of the world.

Bonus: You don’t have to sign up with Facebook

Install Bottled – Message in a Bottle

Speaky – Language Exchange

What it is:

Speaky provides you with a good excuse to meet new people. Learn how to speak a new language by connective with natives. Then perfect your talking skills by meeting up.

Why we like it:

• Want to learn a language? The easiest way is to speak your way through perfection. Speaky lets you connect with “pen” plans who are also native speakers of languages like Spanish, French, German, Chinese and more.
• The app lets you find native speakers with similar interests.
• It has a handy text correction feature.
• Intuitive interface, so you can easily tell who is a native speaker of which language and which tongue they are trying to learn.

Install Speaky – Language Exchange

Skout

What it is:

An app for meeting new people which encourages you to broadcast yourself.

Why we like it:

• The app allows you to chat and meet new people by preference and proximity.
• You can broadcast yourself or see what other people’s streams.
• The app has an easy-to-navigate interface.
• Share pics and statuses, just like on Facebook.

Install Skout

Meetup

What it is:

Looking to do something around town? Try Meetup and find the coolest meeting groups that focus on the things you love.

Why we like it:

• The app lets you meet people who have the same hobbies.
• It facilitates meetings in different areas including Tech, Fitness, Photography and more.
• You can easily filter Meetups by date or city, which makes it a perfect app for travelers too.

Install Meetup

Nearify

What it is:

Need someone to attend an event with? Try Nearify, an app for meeting people who love the things you love.

Why we like it:

• Love music or dance or theater? Never miss an event with Nearify. The app offers a daily personalized list of events near your location of choice, so you’ll always be in the loop.
• See the events your friends are attending and join in the fun.
• The app lets you follow your favorite artists and track their events. Although the database is pretty scarce at the moment.

Install Nearify

Worldpackers

What it is:

An app designed for travelers, which helps you meet new people and get accommodation for free in exchange for helping out the hosts.

Why we like it:

• Worldpackers helps you travel the world on the budget, but also to meet inspiring locals and forge new relationships.
• Finds you work exchange and volunteering opportunities all around the globe.
• The app lets you contact and confirm your stay with the host.

Install Worldpackers

Not doing anything this weekend? Then why don’t you give one of these apps a chance and see if you can find your next hangout buddy?

Stephen Hawking’s last paper has been published on multiverse theory

The last paper Stephen Hawking wrote before he died has now been published in the Journal of High Energy Physics. Though some version of the paper has been available on the preprint site arXiv since last year, it was submitted to the journal for review just days before Hawking passed, and it deals with some theoretical physics about the many universes that might have been created by the Big Bang.

A theory about the Big Bang depicts our cosmos as one that could have an infinite number of universes that sit within a larger fabric. And parts of that multiverse continue to expand, experiencing an eternal inflation that lasts forever. But with so many universes on the table, of all different types, it makes it difficult to figure out why ours is the way it is. Hawking was tackling this idea alongside Thomas Hertog, a professor at the University of Leuven in Belgium, and they both disliked some of the implications of this theory. “Neither Stephen nor I were happy with that scenario,” Hertog told BBC News. “It suggests that the multiverse emerged randomly and that we can’t say very much more about that. We said to each other, ‘Maybe we have to live with it.’ But we didn’t want to give up.”

In this paper, the two present a mathematical approach that might limit the number of possible universes to those with laws of physics like our own. “The laws of physics that we test in our labs did not exist forever. They crystallised after the Big Bang when the universe expanded and cooled,” said Hertog. “The kind of laws that emerge depends very much on the physical conditions at the Big Bang. By studying these we aim to get a deeper understanding of where our physical theories come from, how they arise and whether they are unique.”

“We are not down to a single, unique universe, but our findings imply a significant reduction of the multiverse, to a much smaller range of possible universes,” Hawking said about the work before he died. “It reduces the multiverse down to a more manageable set of universes which all look alike,” Hertog told the Guardian.

Some have said a Nobel Prize might have been on the table if Hawking hadn’t died. But many don’t necessarily agree. The work presents ideas that are currently untestable and while they may launch new discussions or provide a new angle from which to consider our universe’s beginnings, it’s all theoretical for now. Sabine Hossenfelder, a theoretical physicist with the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, said on her blog that the ideas put forward in this paper join others that are currently pure speculation and don’t yet have any evidence to support them. She makes it clear that while the proposals aren’t uninteresting, Hawking and Hertog haven’t found a new way to detect the existence of universes other than our own. “Stephen Hawking was beloved by everyone I know, both inside and outside the scientific community,” she wrote. “He was a great man without doubt, but this paper is utterly unremarkable.”

Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek agrees, telling Gizmodo, “It’s heavy on speculative assumptions, and I don’t see any concrete predictions.” And Hawking and Hertog note in the paper that the ideas need more development.

Hertog believes evidence supporting or refuting the work might be found in gravitational waves that could be detected by the European Space Agency’s Laser Interferometer Space Antenna that’s scheduled to launch in 2034. “I’m reasonably hopeful that both further observations and further work on the theory will eventually enable us to test our models of the Big Bang,” he told the Guardian. “We are not doing this for Platonic pleasure. Though it is fun.”

Image: sequential5 via Getty Images (multiverse)

Via: BBC News

Source: Journal of High Energy Physics

Here’s how you can buy the new LG G7 ThinQ smartphone

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

LG officially took the wraps off of its newest flagship, the LG G7 ThinQ, and it features some pretty awesome specs, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB and 6GB RAM options, and a 12-megapixel dual camera array with a wide-angle lens.

In addition to the usual features we have come to expect on a smartphone in 2018, the LG G7 ThinQ has another trick up its sleeve: A Boombox Speaker that offers punchy sound and actual bass. To learn more about the G7 and its features, check out our hands-on review. If you’re ready to buy one, read on to find the best deals for your next phone.

Buying the LG G7 ThinQ unlocked

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you like to keep your options open, buying the LG G7 ThinQ unlocked may be your best choice. You’re not tied to any carrier and can switch at will, though you may need to pay the full price of the phone upfront if LG doesn’t offer any payment plans.

LG hasn’t announced anything about price, and if there will be an unlocked version of the G7 ThinQ. LG usually sells unlocked versions of its smartphones, and it did so with the G6 last year. We just may not see an unlocked G7 at launch — last year, the unlocked G6 was released several months after its initial release.

Buying the LG G7 ThinQ from a carrier

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

AT&T

AT&T will not sell the LG G7 ThinQ. The carrier plans to announce an exclusive LG handset in the summer. There is a chance it could be the rumored LG V35, though there is no other information available at the moment.

Verizon

Verizon, America’s largest mobile carrier, will be one of the first to carry the upcoming LG G7 ThinQ. Pre-orders for LG’s latest flagship will begin on May 24 on the Verizon Wireless website.

Pricing has yet to be released for the LG G7 ThinQ, but Verizon will offer both an option to buy the phone outright as well as a device payment option where you can pay off the phone over a period of 24 months.  Additionally, Verizon’s trade-in program tends to be very generous, meaning you will be able to shave a little more off the price of the LG G7 ThinQ.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile will be offering the LG G7. While we don’t know exactly when T-Mobile will begin to sell the G7 in stores and on its website, we do expect it to be soon: A press release states T-Mobile will begin offering the phone in the spring season.

T-Mobile also offers monthly payments as well as a pretty competitive trade-in program for current and new customers.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Sprint

Looking for the LG G7 ThinQ on the Sprint network? Well, you’re in luck: Sprint announced it will begin pre-orders for the LG G7 ThinQ on May 25. If you’re willing to wait a few more days, the G7 ThinQ will be available online and in Sprint stores for purchase on June 1.

Unlike most carriers, Sprint does not finance phones. Instead, Sprint offers an 18-month lease program on its devices so you can easily switch phones every 12 to 16 months. Don’t care for the lease option? No worries, because you can also purchase any Sprint phone at its retail price.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is offering the LG G7 ThinQ on its network. Beginning June 1, U.S. Cellular customers will be able to order LG’s 2018 flagship in stores and online. Like most carriers, U.S. Cellular offers a monthly payment plan that will allow you to pay for the G7 over time.

Updated on May 3 AT&T will not sell the LG G7 ThinQ. 

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• LG G7 ThinQ hands-on review
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