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WhatsApp lets you add new contacts with QR codes
WhatsApp rolls out new features like the ability to add contacts with a QR code.
Dell's latest gaming PCs include large G7 laptops and a G5 desktop
Dell has unveiled a trio of gaming PCs, including its upsized G7 laptops and a G5 desktop.
Acer's new ConceptD PCs are for creatives on a budget
Acer has unveiled a host of more affordable ConceptD PCs, including a desktop and monitors to match.
Apple's first ARM Macs may include a 13-inch MacBook Pro and 24-inch iMac
Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims the first ARM Macs will be a 13-inch MacBook Pro and a 24-inch iMac, and that they might show up as soon as the fall.
Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro gets a 5600M GPU option with HBM2 memory
Apple has introduced a Radeon Pro 5600M graphics upgrade for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro owners can get an SSD kit to upgrade their storage.
Chrome is getting more intuitive privacy and security controls
In an attempt to make privacy and security controls more intuitive and useful, Chrome is rolling out a redesign of its desktop settings.
Facebook's redesigned website finally starts rolling out to everyone
After months of limited availability, Facebook's redesigned desktop website is now rolling out to all of the social media platform's users.
HP's Omen gaming PCs get Intel's latest chips and a fresh design
HP has revamped its Omen gaming desktops with new Intel chips and a design that's more in tune with what enthusiasts want.
Apple finally offers a reasonably priced graphics upgrade for the Mac Pro
The Radeon Pro W5700X is now available as a more affordable graphics upgrade option for Apple's Mac Pro.
Facebook debuts standalone Messenger app on Mac and PC
Today, Facebook is bringing its Messenger app to desktop. You can now access Messenger -- including unlimited and free group video calls -- on MacOS and Windows. The desktop app will sync across mobile, offer notifications for new messages and support Dark Mode and GIFs.
Microsoft’s News Bar adds a scrolling news feed to Windows 10
In case you didn't already feel inundated with news, Microsoft is introducing a new app that will display a scrolling news feed across your desktop. News Bar, currently available as a beta for Windows 10, will curate the top regional news from over 4,500 publications, and if you choose, it will include customizable stock info.
Facebook finally lets desktop users opt-in to dark mode
Facebook is finally letting desktop users opt-in to dark mode. Facebook told TechCrunch that "starting today, the majority of people on Facebook will have access to the new desktop design." This includes dark mode, which can be toggled on and off via the Settings drop down menu.
Intel's 10th-gen desktop CPUs are coming soon, according to a Dell ad
Intel's 10th-generation "Comet Lake" CPUs appear to be just around the corner to take on AMD's Ryzen chips, according to a new YouTube video from Dell. It shows the company's latest XPS Tower desktop computers equipped with 10th-generation Intel Core processors. That's interesting, because so far, we've only seen 10th-gen Intel consumer chips in mobile form on laptops, not desktops.
Apple envisions a Mac made from a sheet of curved glass
Apple is known to explore unusual Mac designs, but its latest may be more eye-catching than most. The company has applied for a patent on a desktop Mac design whose main body consists of a single, curved sheet of glass -- a wedge at the back could both house processing components and prop up the design. A slot at the bottom center would let you slot a keyboard through, and Apple even envisions the possibility of altering the curve to adjust the display angle or fold the system shut.
Google vows to make Search 'better' after redesign backlash
Last week, Google upset desktop users when it changed the appearance of Search. The changes were relatively minor, showing companies' favicons next to link previews, but critics argue that the changes cluttered an otherwise clean interface and made it difficult to distinguish ads from search results. Now, Google is backtracking a bit. In a tweet, the company said it is going to "experiment with new placements for favicons."
NEC's new PC lineup for the US includes a 4K OLED laptop
NEC's LaVie PCs have come to the US before, but with Lenovo badging -- and they've usually played second fiddle to Lenovo's own IdeaPads and ThinkPads. Now, however, they're getting more of a chance to shine. Lenovo is releasing three higher-end LaVie PCs in the US under the NEC name, each of which has at least one stand-out feature. The highlight for many may be the LaVie Vega (above), a 15.6-inch macine that touts a 4K OLED display, a six-core 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 and a 512GB Optane-assisted SSD despite a body that weighs just 4.06 pounds. The base system is stuck with 8GB of RAM and Intel's integrated graphics, but the LaVie logo on the back doubles as a Cortana smart speaker that works even when the portable is asleep.
Apple's new Mac Pro is unsurprisingly easy to repair
It won't shock you to hear that Apple's new Mac Pro is easy to upgrade in many ways -- that's the whole point. But how easy it to service beyond the obvious parts? It's mostly easy, according to iFixit. The DIY repair outfit has torn down the Mac Pro, and it's now clear that many components beyond the memory and PCIe cards are trivial to remove and (if you can track down parts) replace, such as the fans. There are even instructions printed on the hardware for some repairs. This is a system designed for pros who may need rapid turnarounds for fixes, and it shows.
Apple's redesigned Mac Pro is now available
Right on cue, Apple has started taking orders for the redesigned Mac Pro and its optional Pro Display XDR. The workstation is available starting at $5,999 with an eight-core 3.5GHz Xeon processor, 32GB of RAM, Radeon Pro 580X graphics and a 256GB solid-state drive. In a pleasant twist, there's also a rackmount version for servers and other non-desktop uses -- it's only listed as "coming soon," but it's poised to start at $6,499.
Apple's redesigned Mac Pro will be available to order December 10th
After half a year -- or two years, if you really think about it -- Apple's reworked Mac Pro is close at hand. The company has notified interested customers that both the workstation and the Pro Display XDR will be available to order on December 10th. There's still a lot Apple hasn't said about the possible configurations and their respective pricing, but you can still expect the base system to sell for $5,999 with an eight-core Xeon, 32GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and Radeon Pro 580X graphics. Expect those costs to spiral upward if you need a heavy-duty machine, especially if you intend to make the most of that 1.5TB RAM ceiling. At least you can add memory and storage yourself.
Google's redesigned 'My Devices' page now tracks computers
Google's My Devices page has largely been replaced by the Find My Device feature, but it's still widely used by G Suite users. Up until now, it's only worked with phones and tablets, but Google has finally updated the app with a fresh look and the ability to manage desktop computers, as well.
