Even Windows 10 is vulnerable to a big Internet Explorer security flaw
Just because Internet Explorer sits on the sidelines in Windows 10 doesn’t mean you’re safe from IE-specific exploits. Microsoft has released a patch for a “critical” flaw in the browser that lets attackers remotely control just about any semi-recent version of Windows, ranging from Vista to 10, just by serving you a maliciously-coded web page. The likelihood of running into an exploit is slim if you prefer to use Edge or a third-party browser, but you’ll probably want to get the fix regardless… just in case you feel nostalgic enough to click on that blue E.
Via: ZDNet
Source: Microsoft Security TechCenter
Toshiba’s Surface-like DynaPad is coming to the US next year
Toshiba has unveiled the DynaPad, a 12-inch, Suface-pro like convertible that packs an exotic Wacom Active Electrostatics TruPen stylus. Microsoft revealed the news on its Windows blog, where it’s been keen to promote third-party Windows 10 hardware after launching its own Surface Book. Toshiba says the stylus’ 2,048 levels of pressure and specially coated 1,920 x 1,280 3:2 IPS screen help artists feel like they’re “writing on paper with a real pen.” However, the DynaPad’s performance may disappoint artists familiar with the Surface Pro, as it’s limited to a 1.44GHz Intel Atom CPU and 4GB of memory.
In exchange for lightweight performance, you do get a very lightweight and thin device, though. It weighs in at just 569 grams (1.3 pounds) or 996 grams with the keyboard (2.2 pounds), making it the lightest 12-inch 2-in-1 in the world, according to Toshiba. It’s also a mere 6.6/14.9 millimeters thick with and without the keyboard. So, if you’re more interested in portability than power, it’s coming to Japan for ¥130,000 ($1,080) in December, and will arrive in the US and Europe by early 2016.
Via: The Verge
Source: Microsoft
Windows 10 Preview tests Skype integration, activation fix
Microsoft has bundled the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview build with a number of major (but still experimental) features, including Skype integration. If you’re an Insider on the “fast” ring, you’ll notice that the messenger’s capabilities are now integrated with the native Messaging, Phone and Skype video apps for the platform. You’ll also be able to reply to message notifications right from the action center. More importantly, if you’re having trouble activating the free Windows 10 upgrade, this build fixes that up. Simply install this particular Preview release and use a Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 product key.
In addition to integrated Skype (which will soon be rolled out the Mobile Insider Preview build, as well) and the activation fix, Microsoft has also given the new Edge browser some pretty big changes. It now shows you snapshots of a tab’s contents when you hover the mouse pointer over it, and it syncs Favorites and Reading list items. Cortana, on the other hand, can now understand digitally written notes, setting alarms based on what you’ve scribbled, and track movies and other ticketed events via email reminders. Other new features include colored title bars, new icons and various bug fixes. Note that if you’re in either Russia or Turkey, you can only access this build later this week, and if you’re not an insider, well, you’ll have to wait a lot longer than that.
Source: Windows
Cortana is available on Xbox One, if you know the right tricks
Microsoft won’t officially bring its Cortana voice assistant to the Xbox One until 2016, and it’s not even supposed to be available if you’re using the console’s interface preview. However, that isn’t stopping you from trying it ahead of schedule. Gamers have discovered that you can access Cortana in the latest preview simply by visiting the settings menu, going up and mashing the A button multiple times. It doesn’t offer the full range of Xbox commands just yet, but you can access any information that’s already available in Cortana on other platforms, like your calendar. Think of this as a cheat code for the operating system — you’re getting a peek at something that most preview users won’t see for weeks.
Cortana on Xbox One pic.twitter.com/ZtHinjHxEF
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) October 9, 2015
Source: The Verge
Windows 10 didn’t stop PC sales from dropping this summer
Windows 10 may have breathed new life into your PC, but it didn’t do anything to juice PC sales this summer. Both Gartner and IDC estimate that computer sales dropped several points year-over-year (between 7.7 and 10.8 percent) in the third quarter, right when the new Windows arrived. That’s one of the steeper drops in recent memory, in fact. Not that it comes as a complete surprise. As the analyst firms explain, Microsoft’s fast-tracked release left many PC makers shipping existing systems with Windows 10, which weren’t going to drive demand as much as brand new models. You’re not going to buy a months-old laptop just because it’s running new software, are you? The big question is whether or not the wave of new Windows 10 PCs launching this fall will make a difference — if there’s still a sharp decline, the industry is really in trouble.
The new platform wasn’t the only factor at work, of course. The researchers blame the downturn on a combination of a stronger US dollar (which hiked PC prices in many other countries) and a transition away from old Windows 8 PCs. Some vendors fared better than others, though. As a rule, big-name brands like Apple, Dell, HP and Lenovo (the market leader) have emerged relatively unscathed — it’s the smaller, more vulnerable companies that are shedding legions of customers. Even Acer and ASUS saw sales plunge by over 10 percent. It’s too soon to say if Windows 10 will stop the bleeding, but the days of booming computer businesses appear to be long gone.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
Shovel Knight is delayed by a fortnight
Shovel Knight was supposed to come out next week — the operative phrase there being “supposed to”. However SK’s developer, Yacht Club Games, announced on Friday that the retail release for the game’s 3DS, Wii U, PS4, and PC (Europe-only) versions will be delayed by two weeks until October 30th in Europe and November 4th in North America.
Also, if you were hoping to play using physical media on your XBone, you’re going to be extra pissed because the XBox One version has been nixed outright. “We really gave it our best effort, but unfortunately, because of publishing policies on that platform that are totally beyond our control, we couldn’t make it happen,” Yacht Club Games wrote in a recent blog post. “We’re very sorry…we know there is a lot of interest – the pre-orders were really good and we thank everyone for their support!” The digital version for XBox One is still available from the Microsoft Marketplace.
Furthermore, the Vita version has also been delayed until some time in 2016. Also, the price of the boxed games will be more expensive than previously quoted, increasing from $20 to $25 retail. This move is reportedly to prevent the games from being immediately dumped into the nearest $20-and-under bargain bin. On the plus side, each retail box will include a free download code for the game’s soundtrack.
Via: Eurogamer
Source: Yacht Club Games
Microsoft’s taking HoloLens on tour to woo developers
Microsoft has already said its mixed reality headset, HoloLens, will be reaching developers early next year. But while we wait for that to happen, the company plans to take it on tour across the US and Canada, in an event that’s going to give developers the chance to try the device firsthand. They’ll also be able to meet members of the HoloLens team and learn how to create holographic experiences, which is a smart way to lure in any dev who’s thinking about paying the $3,000 for a test unit. The live demo trip begins October 13th in Seattle, followed by Toronto, Salt Lake City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Atlanta and, lastly, Austin. To register, as well as find out the exact dates for each city, check out the event’s dedicated site.
[Image credits: Associated Press]
Via: Windows Central
Source: Microsoft
Designing Surface Pro 4: a chat with a Microsoft hardware lead
At first glance, Microsoft’s new Surface Pro 4 doesn’t look that much different than last year’s Surface Pro 3. But there are a slew of upgrades on the Surface Pro 4, as well as its accessories, that should make for an even better computing experience. It’s screen is slightly bigger, the Type Cover feels a lot more like a traditional laptop keyboard and using the Surface Pen now feels like actually putting pen to paper. At Microsoft’s huge device launch event in New York City earlier this week, we talked with Dave Mitchell, the senior director of program management for the Microsoft Devices Group, who gave us the lowdown on how his team went about improving on the already great Surface Pro 3. Check out the interview below, and be sure to take a look at our hands-on with the Surface Pro 4.
Microsoft Releases Office for Mac 2011 Update to Fix Outlook El Capitan Bug
Microsoft today released an update for Microsoft Office for Mac 2011, which fixes a significant Outlook bug that Office users ran into after upgrading to OS X El Capitan. After installing the new Apple operating system, many Outlook 2011 users found themselves unable to access their mail due to a syncing issue that caused the app to hang whenever it attempted to access the server.
Users were seeing a spinning Wait cursor whenever a sync was attempted and Outlook would become unresponsive, making it impossible to fetch new emails. The new 14.5.6 update should fix this problem for Outlook users who have installed OS X El Capitan and is a much better fix than Microsoft’s previous workaround, which simply suggested users run OS X Yosemite.
Though Microsoft has fixed one major bug OS X El Capitan users are running into, there are still problems with Office 2016. Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint 2016 are crashing for many users, preventing them from being used with OS X El Capitan.
Microsoft has said that it is working on a fix for Office 2016, but it has not given a timeline for when users can expect the issues to be solved.
Windows 10 Mobile begins its roll out this December
What, you thought the Microsoft news would end once the keynote from the Windows 10 Devices showcase did? Guess again because Redmond’s latest operating system hits existing mobile phones starting in December — the outfit said as much on its Lumia Facebook page. However, as Winbeta notes, it’s going to be up to carriers to actually push the updates out to your handset. A way to sidestep that, of course, is by signing up for the Windows Insider preview program. Is your device going to get the update? That’s a little iffy. First off, it needs at least 8GB of internal storage, and then it needs to be running Lumia Denim (system version 8.10.14219.341) to be eligible. So if you have a low-end Lumia you might be left wanting.
Via: Winbeta
Source: Microsoft Lumia (Facebook)
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