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Amazon's Kindle refresh closes the gap between its entry-level and premium e-readers
The new Kindle's specs are so good you wonder if we'll need a new Paperwhite.
How easy is it to upgrade a Framework laptop?
Framework sold its eponymous laptop on the promise that end users should feel comfortable enough to fix almost any hardware problem themselves. A year on, and the first major upgrade is here
Tesla lowers the price of its 'Full Self-Driving' computer upgrade
After criticism from owners, Tesla has reduced the price of a computer update required for its new "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) feature.
Arturia gives its Pigments super synth a massive free update
Pigments 3 adds a new synth engine, new wavetables, four new effects and 300 new presets.
'Doom Eternal' is getting a free next-gen upgrade
You can also upgrade 'Elder Scrolls Online' to the PS5 or Xbox Series X version.
Cowboy upgrades its e-bike with a carbon belt and puncture-resistant tires
The Cowboy 3 comes with a new carbon belt, puncture-resistant tires and a lower gear ratio.
HP's Pavilion x360 14 now comes with 4G LTE
HP's mid-range convertible favourite has been given a revamp.
Microsoft ends support for Windows 7 today
It's the end of the road for Windows 7. After 10 years of support, Microsoft is ending security updates for the operating system today. This means that if you're still using it you'll be vulnerable to bugs, and any problems that arise won't be fixed (unless you're part of a company that's paid for extended support, in which case you're good until 2023).
Another Pixel 4 leak reveals a transcription-centric Recorder app
Google's not doing a great job of keeping details of its forthcoming Pixel 4 quiet. Following leaks about its take on accessible Face ID, and more recently its car crash detection feature, new info has emerged about its updated Recorder app. At the moment, Google's simple Recorder app lets you record audio from a microphone, and not much else. But according to Mishaal Rahman at XDA Developers, it's set to get an upgrade that'll make it a lot more useful.
Comcast Xfinity internet customers just got a free speed boost
Comcast's internet speeds just got a lot faster. In what is expected to be a nationwide upgrade, the company has deployed free downstream speed boosts in cities within its West division -- namely Oregon and Washington.
The new Organelle is a synth built around a Raspberry Pi
It's a niche company, but Critter and Guitari was a big name during the portable synth renaissance, and back in 2016 it released its flagship instrument, the Organelle. Now, it's had a pretty significant upgrade.
Microsoft gives Outlook for iOS a full UI makeover
Microsoft has gradually been unveiling changes to Office's interface since the summer, when it announced plans for a major makeover. Since then, we've seen updated icons and a revised web experience, and now Outlook iOS is getting the treatment.
CarPlay and Android Auto now available on older Mazda models
Mazda has lagged behind other car manufacturers when it's come to introducing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its range, only bringing them in as standard from the 2018 Mazda 6 and 2019 CX-9 and CX-5. Now, though, the technology can be retrofitted to all vehicles equipped with Mazda Connect from the 2014 model year. But the upgrade doesn't come cheap.
HTC's U11 is one of the first non-Google phones to get Android Oreo
Unless you have a Google-branded phone or are willing to jump into a beta test, you probably haven't had an easy upgrade path to Android Oreo. However, it seems like they're starting to trickle out: HTC is releasing an Oreo update for the unlocked U11 on November 26th (that's today, if you're reading this when it's fresh). There's no timetable for carrier-locked models just yet, but the company's Mo Versi has promised that Sprint's U11 will get a taste of Google's cookie-branded OS "soon."
Microsoft ends its last free Windows 10 upgrades on December 31st
Microsoft largely stopped offering free Windows 10 upgrades back in July 2016. However, there's been an ongoing exception: if you use accessibility features, you've had an extension of that promo. And now, that last deal is coming to an end. Microsoft has quietly updated its site to reveal that free upgrades for those who need assistive technologies will end on December 31st, 2017. The company hasn't directly explained the timing for the cutoff, but the extension was announced to give extra time to users who had to wait for the July 2016 Anniversary Update before they got promised accessibility features. Given that there have been numerous milestone updates since then, there's a good chance you've already moved to Windows 10 if you were holding out.
Apple adds a mail-in option to its iPhone Upgrade Program
Apple is adding a mail-in option to its iPhone Upgrade Program, making it easier to ditch your suddenly-outdated iPhone 7 Plus after tomorrow's 10th-anniversary iPhone showcase. First spotted by techdude13 on the MacRumors forums, the page for Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program now lists mail-in trade-in kits as an option. If you decide to have a new iPhone shipped directly to your door, Apple will also send along a package with a pre-paid shipping label so you can return that old hunk of junk.
Now the free Windows 10 S upgrade period runs through March
Today Microsoft announced the availability of different colors of its Surface Laptop in 20 more countries, but that's not the biggest news. Tucked in at the end is a note that buyers will be able to upgrade its Chrome OS-fighting Windows 10 S operating system to standard Windows 10 through March 2018. Originally the upgrade period only ran through the end of 2017, but Raphael Aquino Jose says this should provide extra flexibility for back to school and holiday gift buyers. That's probably a good call considering that in our review we found that Windows 10 S is too limited for most, and this way people can give it a fair trial without being pressed for time. The Surface Laptop came off as a great notebook, but the possibility of needing a $50 upgrade to install some critical software that's not in the Windows Store is a tough restriction. As ZDNet notes, promised apps like iTunes are still missing from the store, which is probably playing into the extension.
Trade in your Surface for a new one every 18 months
Microsoft is making it easier for customers to get their hands on the latest tech with its new Surface Plus financing options. Phone carriers have already tapped into the marketing potential of early upgrades: now you can buy a Surface device with a 24-month 0 percent interest payment plan and upgrade to the latest model after just 18 months (providing you return the existing device in good condition). The package includes dedicated tech support and Microsoft store benefits, such as Surface training sessions and a device health check.
Only a handful of Windows phones will get the latest update
Virtually every Windows 10 PC can get the Creators Update, but phone owners won't be so fortunate. Microsoft has revealed that only some Windows 10 Mobile devices will receive the Creators Update when it's ready. The company's own Lumia devices are covered, naturally (from the Lumia 550 and above), but it's slim pickings beyond that -- the Alcatel Idol 4S, HP Elite X3 and VAIO Phone Biz are some of the few third-party examples that qualify. If you ask Microsoft, it's all about setting performance expectations.
Fossil's smartwatches start receiving Android Wear 2.0
Fossil may have been a bit late to introducing Android Wear watches, but it's one of the fastest out of the gate with the Android Wear 2.0 upgrade. The fashion brand has started rolling out Google's latest software to its Q Founder, Q Marshal and Q Wander watches as of today. There are no surprises if you know what 2.0 brings, for better or worse. You'll get the more intuitive interface, Google Assistant, a new Google Fit app and the option to download apps directly to your wrist. The bigger deal is simply that Fossil's wristwear is getting the update so quickly.
