Happy 20th birthday, Windows 95!
When Windows 95 launched on Thursday August 24th 1995 (the clue’s in the name), Mortal Kombat was the surprise box office hit, TLC was top of the charts, and Microsoft was pushing its new operating system with a $250 million publicity campaign. Start buttons everywhere, buying the rights to The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” and a cyber sitcom starring Jennifer Anniston and Matthew Perry.Yes, a cyber sitcom. Slideshow-314394
Filed under:
Desktops, Laptops, Internet, Microsoft
Tags: 1995, cybersitcom, microsoft, startbutton, video, windows, windows95
Torrent tracker bans Windows 10 over ‘terrible privacy policy’
Windows 10 is facing some fierce resistance from a few of the most dedicated torrenting communities. As TorrentFreak reports, the private torrent tracker iTS has banned its members from using the operating system over what it considers to be “terrible” new anti-privacy policies. These stem largely from a new Microsoft services agreement which covers select Windows 10 apps and services such as Cortana, Skype and Xbox Live: “We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices.”
Many fear this passage will allow Microsoft to scan and ban Windows 10 users from playing pirated games and, perhaps, using modded controllers. While that hasn’t come to fruition just yet, the fear alone seems to have put many piracy enthusiasts on edge. iTS says it’s worried Microsoft will now monitor “the contents of your local disks” and share them directly with MarkMonitor, a partnered anti-piracy company. To combat the perceived privacy intrusions, it’s decided to ban Windows 10 entirely for now. Furthermore, according to TorrentFreak, fellow torrent trackers BB and FSC are considering the same. It’s probably just a case of privacy paranoia — once the services agreement is explained in greater detail, we suspect these groups will become a little more receptive to the OS.
Filed under:
Desktops, Laptops, Microsoft
Source:
TorrentFreak
Tags: intheshadow, ist, markmonitor, microsoft, piracy, torrents, torrenttracker, windows, windows10
Lumia Camera works on non-Microsoft phones, with a catch
Microsoft vowed earlier this year that Lumia Camera would become the default camera app on all Windows 10 phones, but you won’t have to wait for the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade to give it a shot. The company has released a version of Lumia Camera that should run on any Windows Phone 8.1 device, not just those with Microsoft or Nokia badges. However, there’s a big gotcha. As Windows Central warns, you won’t get Rich Capture features like high dynamic range — unfortunately, those are still the domain of recent Lumia handsets. You may see crashing, too, which hints that this wasn’t quite ready for prime time. Even so, you’re getting Windows Phone’s best-known photography app on your device of choice. It could be worth putting up with a few bugs to get early access.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Via:
Windows Phone Apps (translated), Windows Central
Source:
Microsoft Store
Tags: lumia, lumiacamera, microsoft, mobilepostcross, photography, smartphone, windows10, windowsphone
Windows 10’s face detection isn’t easily fooled by twins
Windows 10’s facial recognition is supposed to make it easy to sign into your PC while maintaining security, but just how good is it? Good enough that even your doppelganger might not get in, apparently. The Australian has conducted an informal test where it tried to fool Windows using sets of identical twins, and the software wasn’t tricked once — it had a problem logging in both twins in one instance, but it otherwise allowed only those individuals that had set up recognition in the first place. That was true even when the ‘evil’ twins attempted to spoof the camera by adjusting their hair or removing their glasses.
It’s important to note that this is a small sample of people, and that the host PC (a Lenovo Yoga 3 14) had a sophisticated depth-sensing camera. There’s still a chance that the right set of twins could dupe the Hello system, or that a regular camera might not be so smart. However, this suggests that Windows’ face detection is reliable enough to eliminate some of the frustrations you see elsewhere. And that’s important for both security and convenience. It not only prevents impostors from getting in, but reduces the chances that you’ll have to jump through hoops to verify your identity. I’m a non-identical twin, and I find it annoying when people have problems tagging me correctly on Facebook — in theory, Microsoft’s technology should make my life that much easier.
Filed under:
Software, Microsoft
Source:
The Australian
Tags: FaceRecognition, FacialRecognition, hello, microsoft, security, software, windows, windows10, windowshello
The top 18 gaming products you can buy right now
In general, gaming hardware has a bit of staying power, at least until you get seduced by a next-gen console. The latest update to our buyer’s guide included many carryovers from last time, although we saw fit to spin off both Sony’s and Microsoft’s respective cameras as their own entries. For the PC gaming set, we swapped in MSI’s latest laptop powerhouse, the GT80 Titan, which offers top-of-the-range options and the satisfying clack of a mechanical keyboard. Also, we had to include Nintendo’s latest 3DS XL; with face-tracking 3D, new buttons and Amiibo support, it’s better than ever. You can find the whole lineup in the gallery below, but if you want to see some picks in other categories, our complete buyer’s guide is always ready and waiting for you.Slideshow-314027
Filed under:
Gaming, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo
Tags: buyersguide, engadgetbuyersguide, gaming, gifts, microsoft, nintendo, sony
Microsoft updates Bing app to offer “snapshots on tap” ahead of Google Now
Microsoft has opened up their knowledge and action graph APIs for developers to use to help integrate Bing’s snapshot feature into more and more apps. The API will allow Bing to quickly show relevant information to users according to what’s on their screen, essentially imitating Google’s Now on Tap.
So long as an app supports it, users will be able to use Bing to pull up info about movies, travel destinations, and all kinds of things without ever having to leave the app they’re in. Data about locations and movie tickets and everything in between will pop up on screen in its own window, skipping the actual searching part of searching for information.
The API will be rolling out to any developer that wants it in the next few months, so Google should expect some pretty serious competition from Microsoft when Now on Tap releases with Android Marshmallow.
Personally, I’m becoming a pretty big fan of Microsoft’s software on my Android devices. Now that they’ve shifted focus to apps and services instead of flatlined smartphones, they’re creating some pretty compelling reasons to buy into Microsoft’s Windows ecosystem.
source: Bing
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Microsoft updates Bing app to offer “snapshots on tap” ahead of Google Now
Google vs. Bing: why Microsoft will never dominate the search world
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Today saw the announcement that Microsoft had updated its Bing app for Android to act like Google Now on Tap. Google Now on tap is a feature that will let users instantly find information and will debut in Android Marshmallow later this year.
While this cool feature is available now instead of in a few months, there’s still one major problem with it: it uses Bing.
Bing was released in June, 2009. Since then, Microsoft has done everything they can to bring people to use it. Yet, ask anyone and you’ll likely get one of three responses:
- “Why would I use Bing when I can use Google?”
- “I only use Bing for the rewards program.”
- “What the heck is Bing?”
Despite Microsoft dumping millions of dollars to market Bing as the better search engine, it’s still not very popular.
“Wait a sec’, you’re an Editor for an Android website, of course you’re going to trash Bing and support Google! Everyone, grab your comment pitchforks and torches!”
Alright, you bring up a good point. Think I’m wrong? Let’s take a look at the data then shall we?
Search Engine Land, a website dedicated to search engines (that wasn’t obvious?) reports usage data for search engines regularly. Their most recent post regarding search engine popularity actually points to Bing’s recent 20% market share of use, based on comScore reports, while Google sits at their steady 64% market share.
However, in October, Search Engine Land felt that comScore’s reports seemed a little off, and didn’t really tell the whole story. So, they did a survey of their own. And boy were their results interesting:
“A-ha! See, I knew you were blowing smoke!”
Hold on one moment fellow citizen. Search Engine Land explains the above results were search engines users had tried. So sure, 76% of the people polled said they had tried Bing before. The next question is, how many of those same people actually use Bing on a regular basis?
Lo-and-behold, 80% of those people use Google as their primary search engine, while Bing sits at 6%. Further, the icing on the cake is, of that percentage, 87% of Bing users come from Internet Explorer (I’m not even going to go into why that matters)!
Why do you think Microsoft has to pay people to use Bing? Why do you think the term is “Googling” rather than “Binging”?
You have to give Microsoft credit: they’ve grown Bing a lot sing 2009, and have put a lot of energy into making it a more attractive option (literally) than Google. Yet, while we hear that Bing is now on your Android Wear, or now has “snapshots” (the Google Now on Tap competitor), it still won’t gain the upper hand, at least anytime soon.
“Google was a search engine before anything else.“
Why? It’s because Google was a search engine before anything else. Sure, Google has its Ads platform, it has Android, and many web services such as Gmail; but before any of that, Google was a search engine. Bing insists that their results are better than Google’s (hence the “Bing It On” challenge), but when it comes down to it, Google’s results are more precise.
Why (my, you ask a lot of questions…)? Well, I’m not sure. Something something algorithms. I can tell you one thing: Google has their Knowledge Graph. I don’t work for them, so I don’t know how it works exactly. I do know that it’s why I can hold a conversation with Google (First asking “How far is Los Angeles?” with direction results, and then asking “What’s the weather like there?”, and then getting weather results for L.A.). Or why it can tell me how old Tom Hanks is, or why I can ask it how late the store in front of me is open. I also know that it’s why Google Now on Tap will be better than Bing snapshots by the time Android Marshmallow comes out.
“I still think you’re just a Google fanboy…”
Fine. Let’s hold our own survey, shall we? If after that you still don’t believe me, then “Bing” directions to me using my name. (Disclaimer: The author is not held responsible for any parties that get lost using Bing.)
<a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/9035783/”>Which search engine do you use primarily?</a>
The post Google vs. Bing: why Microsoft will never dominate the search world appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Microsoft beats Google to the tap with Bing On Tap features
Android Marshmellow, confirmed to be Android 6.0 (versus 5.2), is sure to bring many big changes to the Android ecosystem. One of the new features discussed briefly during Google I/O 2015 was something called Google Now on Tap.
Despite a mouthful of a name, Google Now on Tap will bring Google Now-like abilities for use in other apps. For example, activating Google Now on Tap while viewing a message from your spouse asking you to pick up milk on the way home will 
bring up a prompt to set a reminder to do just that. This is just one example of all that Google Now on Tap will be able to do.
This will change the way people use their smartphones, as it is just one step closer to having your phone be an actual smartphone. Alas, we must wait for Google to release this along with Android Marshmallow…
Unless you’re willing to use Bing, instead. Microsoft has updated Bing to enable you to use it much like Google Now on Tap will function. So it seems they beat them to the tap. Alright, that’s out of my system.
Dubbed “Snapshot”, Bing will tap (couldn’t help it…) into sources like Wikipedia, Airbnb, Lonely Planet, and more in order to bring you relevant information to what’s on your screen. Check out the promo video below
If you’d like to give Bing Snapshot a shot (okay okay I know I know…) hit the widget below. Let us know what you think.
via 9to5Google
The post Microsoft beats Google to the tap with Bing On Tap features appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Microsoft beats Google to the tap with Bing On Tap features
Android Marshmellow, confirmed to be Android 6.0 (versus 5.2), is sure to bring many big changes to the Android ecosystem. One of the new features discussed briefly during Google I/O 2015 was something called Google Now on Tap.
Despite a mouthful of a name, Google Now on Tap will bring Google Now-like abilities for use in other apps. For example, activating Google Now on Tap while viewing a message from your spouse asking you to pick up milk on the way home will 
bring up a prompt to set a reminder to do just that. This is just one example of all that Google Now on Tap will be able to do.
This will change the way people use their smartphones, as it is just one step closer to having your phone be an actual smartphone. Alas, we must wait for Google to release this along with Android Marshmallow…
Unless you’re willing to use Bing, instead. Microsoft has updated Bing to enable you to use it much like Google Now on Tap will function. So it seems they beat them to the tap. Alright, that’s out of my system.
Dubbed “Snapshot”, Bing will tap (couldn’t help it…) into sources like Wikipedia, Airbnb, Lonely Planet, and more in order to bring you relevant information to what’s on your screen. Check out the promo video below
If you’d like to give Bing Snapshot a shot (okay okay I know I know…) hit the widget below. Let us know what you think.
via 9to5Google
The post Microsoft beats Google to the tap with Bing On Tap features appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Bing’s new Snapshot feature on Android aims to rival Google Now on Tap
First announced at Google I/O 2015, Google Now on Tap might be the most anticipated feature that will be baked into the consumer-ready version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Now on Tap will be able to give you information when you need it without having to exit what you’re doing. With a simple long press of the home button, Google will scan what’s currently on your screen and pull up relevant information about what it thinks you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re talking to your friend about a certain movie in your messaging app, Now on Tap will recognize the movie name and pull up an IMDB page or any other relevant info pertaining to that movie.
Related: Google Now on Tap Demo at Google I/O 2015
To rival Google’s efforts, Microsoft has just pushed out an update to its Bing for Android application that brings a new feature called Snapshots. The new feature can be triggered by a long press of the home button inside any application. Bing will be able to detect things on the page and will show you “snapshots” of relevant information and actions. Once you’re done with Bing, all you need to do is dismiss the Snapshot and go right back to what you were doing.
One benefit of using Google Now on Tap is that it’s baked into the OS, whereas Bing Snapshots won’t be able to integrate easily with other system level apps. With that said, Google Now on Tap isn’t here yet, so you should try this out in the meantime. Once Android 6.0 Marshmallow comes to your phone, though, you’re probably going to want to switch back to Google’s version.
If you’re interested in trying it out, head to the Play Store link below for the download.
AIVAnet 