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PS4 Pro's Boost Mode arrives on March 9th
After more than a little teasing, Sony's PS4 version 4.50 update is almost here. The sweeping upgrade is now slated to arrive on March 9th, and is now confirmed to include that rumored Boost Mode for PS4 Pro owners. Enable it on the higher-end PlayStation and "select legacy titles" should run faster (or more consistently fast) without needing a Pro-specific patch. They may even load sooner, Sony says. The boost isn't certain to work with every unoptimized game, but it should do more to justify the Pro if you have an extensive game collection.
Jolla's latest mobile OS upgrade focuses on the basics
Jolla is going some distance to putting its Sailfish OS on more phones you can buy, but it's clear the startup still has a ways to go before you're ditching your existing device. It just released an early access version of Sailfish OS 2.1 (nicknamed Iijoki) that adds features you probably take for granted on Android or iOS. For one, you can finally copy-and-paste text in the web browser -- yes, that wasn't present before. There's also a streamlined camera app with tap-to-focus, "initial" virtual private network support, basic 64-bit architecture and the ability to change system font sizes.
NVIDIA's original Shield TV gets the new model's smarts (updated)
NVIDIA unveiled a new Shield TV box at CES, but the list of upgrades was pretty slim. It has a funky new controller, with a mesh of triangles peppering the grips, but otherwise it's the same hardware with some extra software bells and whistles. If you have the older model, good news -- today, you're getting all those non-hardware additions too. They include a new foundation -- Android 7.0 Nougat -- and a bunch of new apps including Amazon Video, Twitter, the NFL, Comedy Central and Vimeo.
American Airlines upgrading 500 jets to faster satellite WiFi
If you want faster WiFi when you fly and don't mind paying for it, American Airlines is upgrading its WiFi systems on over 500 domestic aircraft, according to Bloomberg. To get those speeds the carrier is dumping GoGo's terrestrial Ku-band internet service in favor of ViaSat. That company's satellite technology allows for faster surfing and streaming of services like Netflix and YouTube, something that's currently verboten with GoGo. The upgrades will start in 2017 and take up to two years to complete.
Note 7 debacle forces Samsung to offer next-gen discounts in Korea
In an effort to retain Galaxy Note 7 customers in South Korea, Samsung is offering a big discount on the upcoming Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 models. The company will effectively offer 50 percent off the next-gen phone, provided that Note 7 customers upgrade to the current Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge models. Samsung recently killed its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone because of fire and explosion problems. It initially misdiagnosed the problem as being battery-related, and issued replacement phones that were still defective.
Tesla brings self-driving hardware to its entire fleet
If you're wondering if the Model 3 will be ready for our eventual autonomous future, wonder no more. Tesla announced that beginning today, all the cars it builds will have the necessary hardware to drive completely on their own if the owner decides they want to enable the option. The full self-driving hardware suite will cost an additional $8,000.
Apple releases iOS 10 and watchOS 3
You no longer have to be a guinea pig to give Apple's latest software upgrades a try -- as promised, the Cupertino crew has released the finished versions of iOS 10 and watchOS 3. As before, iOS' biggest improvements are in communication -- Messages gets apps, hand-drawn images, secret messages and stickers (among many other additions), while Siri now offers you control over third-party apps. You'll also see major interface revamps in Maps (which now offers proactive suggestions) and Music, a Home app to manage smart household gadgets, lock screen widgets and wider use of 3D Touch on supporting hardware.
The PS4's HDR-friendly update arrives September 13th
Sony has been talking about the PlayStation 4's big version 4 update for weeks on end, and now it's (almost) here. The company has confirmed that the new software will reach existing consoles on September 13th, and it'll have even more than first promised. You know about headliners like high dynamic range video support, home screen folders and a revamped Quick Menu. However, there are a few perks, some of which are hardware-dependent. If you snag a PS4 Pro, you'll get 1080p Remote Play and Share Play streaming, 1080p Twitch live broadcasts and 1080p YouTube broadcasts at 60 frames per second. It's also easier to transfer data to a new PS4 thanks to support for shuffling data over a local wired network -- you won't have to re-download content from the internet just to pick up where you left off.
Welcome to the final console generation as we know it
PlayStation 4 architect Mark Cerny practically whispered into his microphone as he introduced the world to Sony's newest console iteration, the PS4 Pro. His voice was at odds with the setting: He stood at the center of attention in a New York City auditorium packed with journalists and fans eager to hear about the latest and greatest Sony gaming technology. Amid frantic keyboard tapping and camera flashes, Cerny described the PS4 Pro's upgrades like a museum curator detailing a magnificent piece of art he'd just acquired. The Pro's GPU is twice as fast as the standard PS4, it can handle PSVR out of the box, it has a 1TB hard drive, boosted clock rate and it supports 4K and HDR gaming. Even some older games, including Shadow of Mordor and Infamous: First Light, will be patched to support 4K and HDR features in a move that Sony labels "forward compatibility." Cerny called the PS4 Pro transformative, while PlayStation CEO Andrew House stressed that Sony wanted to ensure anyone playing on the new, beefed-up console would still be a part of the overall PS4 community. "PS4 Pro is not intended to blur the lines between console generations," Cerny said. However, despite Sony's best intentions, the PS4 Pro smudges this generational dividing line. Modern console generations have followed a fairly rigid pattern: standard console, "slim" console, rumors of a new console. Rinse and repeat for the next four to eight years.
Apple brings watchOS 3 to your wrist on September 13th
You won't have to pick up Apple Watch Series 2 to see a tangible improvement to your wristwear -- Apple has revealed that its watchOS 3 update will reach original Apple Watch models on September 13th. As promised, speed is the focus. The new watchOS holds favorite apps in memory to shrink loading times, and the side button now gives you fast access to those faves instead of bringing up the (frankly, seldom used) contact wheel. And if you'll recall, this is just the start. There are quite a few interface and fitness tweaks that should make your first-run smartwatch feel fresh.
VMware won't charge you to run a new OS in Fusion
Virtual machine software is theoretically a one-and-done purchase, but you know that's not how it works in practice. You typically end up buying an upgrade every year just to get the latest operating system support, whether it's in the virtual environment or your native OS of choice. You might not have to run on that treadmill this year, though. VMware is releasing free upgrades to Fusion (8.5 and 8.5 Pro) and Workstation (12.5 and 12.5 Pro) that support the latest and greatest platforms. The Linux, Mac and Windows versions of those programs can all run Windows 10 Anniversary Update and Windows Server 2016 in a virtual system, including multiple systems on Linux and Windows. On the Mac, Fusion will also take advantage of macOS Sierra features like Siri voice commands and tabbed windows.
Massive 'No Man's Sky' day one patch is live a day early
No Man's Sky's substantial first-day patch is available now for the PlayStation 4, a day earlier than the game's August 9th release date. The patch's file size is 824MB, which isn't too large considering the number of fundamental changes it makes to how the game plays, but it is roughly a quarter of the game's size, which is 3.69GB.
Windows 10's Anniversary Update arrives
After a few months of hype, the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is here... well, mostly. Microsoft has started rolling out the upgrade to desktop users, who'll automatically receive it in stages. "Newer machines" will get it first. You can update manually if you just can't stand sitting behind the curve. However long you wait, your PC will get more pervasive Cortana voice commands (such as controlling some apps), deeper pen input (including a dedicated pen interface) and a spruced-up Edge browser with extensions.
PSA: Download Windows 10 by 6AM ET or pay full price
This is it, everybody: Last call for a free Windows 10 upgrade. Starting tomorrow, Microsoft will stop pestering you to claim your free Windows upgrade and start charging you for it. If you think you might cave sometime today, start your download sooner rather than later -- if you PC isn't running Windows 10 by midnight, UTC-10 (6AM ET tomorrow morning) the upgrade will cost you $119.
Windows 10 Anniversary Update arrives August 2nd
Microsoft hasn't done the greatest job of keeping its Windows 10 Anniversary Update schedule a secret (it inadvertently spilled the beans on June 28th), but it's at last official: the upgrade arrives on August 2nd. It's free for anyone who has already moved to Windows 10, so most people won't have to pay for Anniversary features like broader biometric security and pen support, a more efficient Edge browser with extensions, smarter Cortana voice commands and the unification of the Windows and Xbox stores. You'll have to contend with more promoted apps and won't get previously touted perks like messaging everywhere, but those may be small trade-offs given the overall amount of polish.
Microsoft won't bug you to upgrade to Windows 10 after July 29th
Now that Windows 10's free upgrade period is nearly over, you're probably wondering how soon those seemingly inescapable upgrade prompts will go away on Windows 7 and 8.1 PCs. According to Microsoft, you won't have to wait too long. The developer tells WinBeta that it will start disabling the Get Windows 10 app after July 29th, when it'll cost money to upgrade to Windows 10, and will eventually remove the app entirely. It'll take time to wind things down, Microsoft says. The software could still pester you for a while, then, but you probably won't feel quite so much pressure to upgrade after this summer.
Tesla adds a 75kWh battery option for the Model S
Later this week Tesla will add a new battery option for buyers of its Model S sedan. Currently available with either a 70 or 90kWh pack, the new option will be 75kWh -- the same size as the smallest battery currently available for the company's new Model X crossover. Electrek first spotted the new variant in a list on the California Air Resource Board (CARB) website, and a Tesla spokesperson confirms that the upgrade will be a $3,000 option, available for both rear-wheel and AWD setups.
Apple's iPhone upgrade program now available online
Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program is now available online, meaning you won't have to trek to a store if you want the latest device every year. As a reminder, the company launched the program when it released the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, letting you buy those phones starting at $32 a month on 24-month subscription. After a year, you can trade in your old iPhone for a new one, as long as you're willing to renew the subscription for another 24 months.
Apple just fixed one of the MacBook Air's biggest problems
Ever since Apple stopped trying to sell it at $1,799, the 13-inch MacBook Air has been one of its most popular computers. The eventual drop down to $999 made it accessible to a far larger crowd, but in recent years there have been two drawbacks: its low-res, 1,440 x 900 display, and its meager 4GB allocation of RAM. Today, one of those issues has been resolved. The 13-inch MacBook Air now comes with 8GB of RAM as standard.
Verizon plans $20 upgrade fee, even if you paid for your new phone
Eyeing up the small but nimble iPhone SE? If you're on Verizon, you'll want to make the switch sooner rather than later. According to a memo leaked to MacRumors, the company is planning to introduce a $20 dollar upgrade fee, irrespective of whether you're paying full price for the phone upfront or own it outright. The memo says this fee is there to cover "our increasing support costs associated with customers switching their devices," which sounds incredibly suspect.
