Microsoft marks 25 years of Solitaire with a tournament
Microsoft Solitaire, aka Windows’ biggest productivity killer, is turning 25 this year — and the team in Redmond is going to mark the occasion in style. The company is starting with an internal tournament this month that will determine who rules the roost within its own ranks. You’ll get to participate in June, when the company releases the tournament’s challenges to the public through its Solitaire Collection. If you’ve spent years mastering the art of ordering cards, your finely-honed (if not exactly practical) skills are about to pay off.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, Microsoft
Source: Blogging Windows
Starbucks picks Spotify for radio, and baristas are the DJs
Starbucks and Spotify are teaming up to to build a music ecosystem across retail stores. By joining forces with the popular streaming service, the giant coffee chain hopes to create an experience that will benefit loyal customers, particularly those who are part of the My Starbucks Rewards program. If you’re one of them, you’ll have the chance to earn Stars as Currency points for subscribing to Spotify Premium, which offers access to millions of songs that can be played offline, ad-free and without any skip limitations. In addition to this, Starbucks will be curating a set of playlists for all Spotify users to enjoy, featuring tunes that have been popular at its coffeehouses in the past 20 years. The new partnership is set to kick off in the US later this fall, with Canada and the United Kingdom expected to follow suit soon thereafter.
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Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Internet, Software, Mobile
Microsoft Outlook will clean up your email by default
If you saw Microsoft’s Clutter feature and dreamed of a day when your email inbox was always under control, you’re about to get your wish. The folks in Redmond have revealed that Outlook (both on the web and in the Office 2016 Preview) will turn on Clutter by default for new and existing mailboxes in June. Once it’s activated, you’ll only have to see high-priority messages in your inbox until you’re ready to dive into a folder containing everything else.
This sounds like it could be annoying if you weren’t expecting a change, although there will be some measures to prevent this email cure from being worse than the disease. Clutter won’t turn on if you’ve tried the feature before and decided against it. Also, Microsoft is replacing Clutter’s inbox notifications with less frequent alerts (no more than one per day) that appear when new types of not-so-important messages show up. No, this probably isn’t going to save you from being looped into inane office banter, but it could make sure that you spend more time doing your job and less time wading through mail you’d rather ignore.
[Image credit: Moonboard/Getty Images]
Filed under: Internet, Software, Microsoft
Via: The Next Web
Source: Office Blogs
Facebook wants to put games in Messenger after all
Contrary to previous reports, it appears Facebook is still toying with the idea of featuring games in Messenger. According to The Information, the social network plans to strengthen its instant messaging platform by adding games, as it looks to find a fresh, more lucrative source of revenue. Facebook’s already said to be working with developers to roll this out; Ilya Sukhar, an executive leading the project, confirmed the talks to the news outlet, though he didn’t specify when we could see the changes take place. While you wait for that to happen, keep enjoying your GIFs, emojis and all the other tidbits Facebook’s chat ecosystem has to offer at the moment.
Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Software, Mobile, Facebook
Source: The Information
Mercedes-Benz has an Apple Watch app, too
Apple Watch apps aren’t all about sorting payments and getting notifications. There are plenty that play nice with your car, too. Following the likes of BMW and Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz announced its own software for the wearable that provides walking directions to and from where the car is parked. Using the MB Companion app, Mercedes owners can also search for driving directions from the Apple Watch or and iPhone before they even sit down in the driver’s seat. As you might expect, info like fuel level, range, maintenance codes and and odometer readings can be swiped through on your wrist, too. When it arrives this fall, the app will work with Mercedes-Benz C-Class and S-Class vehicles that sport the Command Online tech, and support for other models is said to follow after launch.
Filed under: Transportation, Wearables
Via: Autoblog
Source: Daimler
Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is now rolling out in South Korea
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We knew that Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was always coming, but it’s always good to get confirmation. It’s been reported today that Galaxy Note 3 devices in South Korea, with the model number SM-N900S, are today receiving the update to Android 5.0. As always, the roll-out to Note 3 devices will be gradual so don’t freak out if your device doesn’t see the update tomorrow or even during the week – it can often take a few weeks for the update to roll out globally.
For those of you interested in what exactly has changed in Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, check out the full changelog below:
- Material Design: You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device – from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
- Notifications UI & Priorities: In order to alert you to the mosttimely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
- notifications will appear on the lock screen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them.
- you double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list.
- you can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application.
- very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action.
- when you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet.
- you can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below).
- New Interruptions & Downtime Settings: You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
- Recent Apps (Multi-tasking): The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
- Flashlight: Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
- Pin a view/app: Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
- Battery: The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
- Smarter Internet Connections: With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified Internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
- Performance: Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
- Security: Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. Note that the stronger key willonly be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key. You can turn on encryption in the Security settings menu.
Are you excited to see Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rolling out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: TalkAndroid
The post Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is now rolling out in South Korea appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Browse your recent Google Play tunes on your Android Wear watch
Google Play Music just got a lot more convenient… if you’re using a cutting-edge Android wearable, that is. Smartwatches running the new Android Wear 5.1.1 update (such as the LG Watch Urbane) now let you browse your recent Play Music items. If you’re bent on finishing an album or can’t stop revisiting a favorite playlist, you no longer have to pull your phone out of your pocket. You can also check out All Access radio stations if you’re in the mood for some variety. This upgrade won’t be much help if you want to sift through your whole collection, but it could save you a lot of time when you’re listening on the move.
Filed under: Wearables, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Central
Innospark updates Hero Sky: Epic Guild War with new Hero charaters, modes, defenses and more
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Indie developer, Innospark, launched their real-time strategy role-playing game, Hero Sky, to the Android world back in March. It brought along a mystical element with the addition of fabled Gods like Thor, Zeus and 100+ others. Each has their own attributes and abilities to help you win your war in the sky. Today the company announced, and sub-sequentially pushed, out an update to the game which carries with it a number of new things to look forward to seeing.
· Weekly Guild-based battles
· New playable Hero characters
· New base defenses
· New play modes
According to the Play Store the update also includes a global chatting system and some minor bug fixes.
Anyone who is sucked into this title may want to bounce over to the Play Store and grab the update when you have a chance. The title is free-to-play with your typical in-app purchase options to really ramp things up.
The post Innospark updates Hero Sky: Epic Guild War with new Hero charaters, modes, defenses and more appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
[adult swim] Games launches Tofu Hunter free on the Play Store
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[adult swim] games has launched a new title to the Play Store today that follows in traditional [adult swim] over the top comedic craziness. The latest title from the comical bunch is Tofu Hunter and as the name would suggest, you get to blast the crap out of cute cuddle little squares of tofu. As in, the meatless alternative that finds its way on to breakfast, lunch and dinner tables across the world in place of perfectly good things like bacon, hamburgers and meatballs.
[adult swim] games takes the title to the extreme by putting cuddly little faces on the square blobs of tofu, obviously poking the bear that is vegan and anti meat supports out there. Heck, the YouTube trailer and opening disclaimer points directly at vegans. I am all for choice and beliefs, but it is hard to not find the title a little fun. It reminds me of one of Scott Pilgrim vs the World when he goes up against Todd, the Vegan, and defeats him with half & half. At any rate, the title brings along a hunter type gaming aesthetic to it that is reminiscent of Deer Hunter and the likes. You have a plethora of weapons to get your hands on and a variety of hunting locations to do your best and bagging the scurrying little tofu.
– Blast the wide-eyed, unassuming faces off a wide range of adorable, meat-free critters.
– Hunt in a variety of environments, from misty woods to jungle ruins.
– Earn special weapons like crossbows, grenade launchers and the experimental “Omega-3″.
– Tag bounties for extra scores and extra bragging rights.
– Earn achievements for stopping stampedes, sparing Tofu Does, avoiding Tofu Leopards and bagging one of each Tofu variety.
Take a quick watch of the trailer to get all amped up about exotic tofu hunting and then hit the link below to grab it at your leisure. Be warned, it is 121mb’s in size.
The post [adult swim] Games launches Tofu Hunter free on the Play Store appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Pirated Windows 10 installations will rock a desktop watermark
You dirty Windows pirates will have to live with a constant reminder of your crimes come Windows 10. Pirated versions of the new operating system will be stuck with a desktop watermark reminding users of their non-genuine status, Microsoft EVP of operating systems Terry Myerson said in a blog post today. The announcement comes after Myerson confused the tech world a few months ago by declaring that pirated versions of Windows could partake in Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10. It turns out that’s not exactly true: The company later said that non-genuine installations would have to go through the Windows Store to upgrade to Windows 10, which was a strong hint that it would make pirates pay. Myerson notes today that Microsoft and its partners will offer “very attractive” genuine upgrade options for pirates.
“Non-Genuine Windows has a high risk of malware, fraud, public exposure of your personal information, and a higher risk for poor performance or feature malfunctions,” Myerson wrote. “Non-Genuine Windows is not supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner.”
With Windows 7, pirated installations occasionally display messages reminding users of their misdeeds. Additionally, those users only have access to critical Windows updates, not optional ones. We’d expect Microsoft to use similar tactics for Windows 10.
Myerson’s earlier comments made it seemed like Microsoft was going to offer free Windows 10 upgrades to pirates mainly to fix the massive piracy issues it’s facing in China. While that seemed a tad overly ambitious, even for Microsoft, the current plan still leaves room for an easier upgrade path. It could offer free or very low-cost upgrades for non-genuine installations going through the Windows Store in China and other Asian countries, for example, while making users elsewhere in the world pay more.
Filed under: Software, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
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