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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.
OS X is now macOS
After 15 years of large cats and a few California landmarks, Apple's OS X is getting a new name that's actually an old name. Apple's senior VP of software engineering, Craig Federighi announced that, henceforth, the operating system on desktop and laptops will be called macOS.
Apple hints at OS X rebrand in the App Store
If you think about it, OS X isn't really a great name for Apple's Mac operating system. It was just meant to be the next OS after Mac OS 9, but because it has a nice round (roman) number and used all-new UNIX-based tech, Apple has stuck with the name for nigh on 17 years. According to the rumor mill and apparent slip-up on the App Store, that's about to change, however. It now seems likely that Apple will change OS X to macOS, essentially reverting to its pre-1999 naming scheme.
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.
Hackers compromised Linux Mint's install files (updated)
Some Linux fans just got a hard lesson about the importance of double-checking install files. The Linux Mint team is warning users that hackers compromised the ISO (drive image) downloads for 17.3 Cinnamon on February 20th, pointing people toward a modified version with a security backdoor. The intruders broke into the forums, too. You're safe if you grabbed Linux Mint through BitTorrent or a direct web link, and it's easy to both verify if you're affected and install a safe release. Still, the developers aren't taking any chances -- they're keeping the relevant server down until they know everything is in the clear. Update: You might not have to worry too much if you're a victim. Researchers don't believe the backdoor, an attempted botnet, actually works. Also, this was part of a one-off attempt at making a quick buck (a whopping $85) from selling the forum data, rather than some larger, more sinister scheme.
Cortana in Windows 10 is coming to 6 more countries
If you're bummed that you won't get Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant when Windows 10 launches next week, don't fret: there's a good chance that you're next in line. The folks in Redmond have revealed that Cortana will be available to Windows Insider members in Australia, Canada (English only), India (also English) and Japan in the "coming months." It'll also spread to Brazil, Mexico and French-speaking Canadians later in the year.
Nintendo's new 'NX' console will reportedly run Android
Nintendo has already said that it won't be talking about its new NX console until 2016, but that hasn't stopped a few tantalising details from slipping out to the press. Nikkei reports that the new hardware could use the Android operating system, as Nintendo seeks a more open platform that's already been embraced by third-party developers. We're firmly in rumors and speculation territory here, but there's some basis for the claim. Nintendo has hinted that the NX will be positioned alongside the 3DS and the Wii U, rather than as a direct replacement for either system. The Wii U has been a commercial flop, but that doesn't mean the NX will be a traditional home console competing directly with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It could be something completely different -- fans have suggested a hybrid device that gamers could play both at home and on the go.
Latest Ubuntu hits the web with mostly minor refinements
Today's release of Ubuntu 15.04 is yet another installment in the slow and steady march forward from Canonical. The company knows that not every OS release needs to be accompanied by fanfare and dramatic changes to your desktop. And this edition of the popular Linux distro perfectly epitomizes that philosophy. There are basically zero user-facing interface changes, except for the ability to set application menus to always show, instead of only popping up when you mouse over them. Otherwise most of the changes are under the hood. The OS should be faster and more stable, thanks to updates to updates to the underlying system, like the Unity desktop and Linux kernel. The default apps also got some minor version bumps, including Firefox and LibreOffice.
Windows 10 will deliver updates through your fellow PC users
Not fond of having to wait (and wait, and wait) while you download Windows updates from Microsoft's servers? You might not have to when Windows 10 arrives. The Verge has noticed that a leaked version of the operating system lets you grab updates from other computers, whether they're on your local network or online -- yes, it's a peer-to-peer network for patches. Besides accelerating the upgrade process, the option could save precious bandwidth (important on capped data plans) if you have a multi-PC household. There's no telling when this feature will show up in a Windows 10 build you can try, assuming Microsoft doesn't get cold feet. A new public test release is reportedly coming soon, though, so you probably won't have to wait very long.
Google reveals Mac security holes before Apple's fix is ready
Microsoft isn't the only big tech firm grappling with surprise security flaw disclosures these days. Google's Project Zero security unit revealed at least two unpatched vulnerabilities in OS X (Yosemite appears to have mitigated a third) that theoretically help attackers take control of your Mac. The search company says it privately notified Apple about the holes back in October, but automatically published the details after Project Zero's usual 90-day cutoff period. Apple's usual policy is to decline comment on exploits like this until it has a solution. However, relief is at least relatively close -- iMore reports that an upcoming Yosemite update (10.10.2) is expected to tackle these flaws. The main question is whether or not Apple can deliver its fix before malware writers find a way to use those bugs for sinister purposes.
Here's the biggest news from Microsoft's Windows 10 event
Microsoft hinted that its January Windows 10 event would have a lot to offer, and boy was it right. The Redmond crew unveiled not just a ton of software features for desktops and mobile devices, but also new hardware that pushes the limits of what you thought computers could do. Overwhelmed? Don't be -- we've rounded up the biggest news from the event in the gallery below, so you'll know just what to expect when the new Windows is ready for prime time.
What's new in Windows 10 for PCs? A lot.
Coming into today's Windows 10 event, we already knew a lot about Microsoft's latest and greatest. The company explained the thinking behind its new OS back in September, and the Technical Preview has been available for months. The core change comes in the form of a revitalized desktop experience -- one that puts the best of Windows 7 and 8 into a single package. Windows will also now better match the convertible devices Microsoft is pushing, with a consistent UI across all platforms, but there's a whole lot more to explore here, including some features detailed today for the first time. Let's take a closer look.
Microsoft's HoloLens headset is a holographic display for Windows 10
Microsoft is building support for holographic displays into Windows 10, so it only makes sense that the company would make one of those displays, wouldn't it? Meet HoloLens, an official headset with see-through lenses that merges digital content with the physical. It includes spatial sound so that you can hear things happening behind you in the virtual world, and it even has a dedicated Holographic Processing Unit (HPU) to make sure everything works smoothly. The company is shy about just when it'll start selling HoloLens, but it should be available "in the Windows 10 time frame."
Windows 10's messaging lets you use multiple chat services at once
If you're tired of jumping between multiple messaging apps to stay in touch with others, you may want to get Windows 10 when it shows up. Microsoft has revealed that the new Windows messaging client can integrate multiple internet-based services, creating a single conversation for each person regardless of the apps they use. Think of it as a parallel to the unified chat feeds in Apple's Messages app or Google's Hangouts, except that you're not limited to a handful of online providers. Developers will no doubt need to add support (you shouldn't expect WhatsApp or Line to magically appear), but this is a big deal if you're a social butterfly.
Windows 10 is a free upgrade for all 7 and 8.1 users (update: RT too)
Wondering how much Windows 10 will set you back? In most cases, nothing. Microsoft has announced that the new operating system will be a free upgrade in the first year for everyone using Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows Phone 8.1. The company sees Windows as a service rather than a product, Terry Myerson explains. Yes, Microsoft is partly following in Apple's footsteps (OS X upgrades have been free since Mavericks), but it's hard to complain about getting a big update for free. Update: During a Q&A session after the event, Myerson promised that Windows RT users would get an upgrade to 10 as well. Your Surface 2 won't be left high and dry!
Ubuntu Linux is now ready to power your appliances and robots
Ubuntu Linux has spread to quite a few platforms in its 10-year history, if not always successfully. Today, though, the open source software is tackling what could be its greatest challenge yet: the internet of things. Canonical has released a version of its stripped-down snappy Ubuntu Core for connected devices like home appliances, robots and anything else where a conventional PC operating system wouldn't fly. It's designed to run on modest hardware (a 600MHz processor will do) and provide easy updates, all the while giving gadget makers the freedom to customize the software for whatever they're building. It promises to be extra-reliable, too -- it only applies updates if the code checks out, so you won't lose control of your smart thermostat due to a buggy upgrade.
Your Chromebook will let you load a new OS through a USB drive
If you've been aching to try a different operating system on your Chromebook without running it in a window or otherwise jumping through hoops, you're going to get some relief very shortly. Google's Chrome OS team is adding support for an easy debugging switch that lets you tinker with the system files, such as by installing new drive images. If you want, you'll have the freedom to boot up from a USB drive and load a new OS, such as Linux. This still won't be a solution for the faint-hearted (you're likely on your own if something goes wrong), but it'll simplify things if you're bored with Google's web-centric software. Photo by Will Lipman.
Windows 10 will reportedly come with a new, lighter web browser
Internet Explorer has been a cornerstone of Windows ever since 1995, but it looks like Microsoft is ready to leave its venerable (if sometimes infamous) web browser by the wayside. ZDNet understands that a previously rumored overhaul to Internet Explorer for Windows 10, nicknamed Spartan, is actually a brand new creation. It would still use the company's own web engines, but it would be far more "light-weight" and, if you believe earlier leaks, behave more like Chrome or Firefox. The break is reportedly sharp enough that the future Windows version will keep Internet Explorer 11 around in case you need it for certain apps or features.
More than a million people have signed up to test Windows 10
Thinking about giving the Windows 10 preview build a shot? You aren't the only one -- according to Microsoft, its Windows Insider Program hit one million registrants over the weekend, giving a lot of potential users access to the latest build of its next-gen operating system. Joining the Windows Insider Program doesn't necessarily translate to an installed preview, but it is the only way to get access to Windows 10 currently. While it's not clear how many of those millions have installed the OS, Microsoft says it has received over 200,000 pieces of feedback through Windows' native feedback application.
Samsung may soon launch Tizen phones in Russia and India
Remember the Tizen operating system? It's not a household name, but it did make an appearance on the second wave of Samsung Galaxy Gear devices. We're still waiting for a full-fledged phone running the open-source OS, though, and we may just see one this year. According to sources who spoke with the Wall Street Journal, Samsung will launch a Tizen handset in Russia "in the coming weeks," and a Tizen device will reach India soon after. While that's about it in terms of details, one thing is clear: Samsung will look outside the US and Europe to get the fledgling operating system off the ground and into phones.
