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Microsoft's Surface event by the numbers
Microsoft had a slew of new Surfaces to show off during Tuesday's press event held in New York. The company debuted its quad-core Surface Pro 6 and a significantly speedier Surface Laptop 2, not to mention a pair of Cortana-connected Surface Headphones.
Windows 10 will soon mirror your Android phone screen on your PC
Never mind running mobile apps on a PC -- Microsoft wants you to see your phone's particular apps on a PC. At the company's Surface event, mobile general manager Shilpa Ranganathan previewed a Windows 10 feature that would mirror your phone's entire screen on the desktop. You could see and reply to a Snapchat conversation without having to reach for the device on your desk. It's not certain when this will be available (it's not part of Windows 10's October Update), but it's likely to be Android-only. It's certainly a practical addition if you're tired of switching devices just to keep up with every social network you use.
The next Windows 10 update is focused on your phone
With the last Windows 10 release, in April, Microsoft introduced Timeline, a new way to keep track of what -- and when -- you're working on specific files and websites. Now the company is gearing up to bring the benefits of Timeline to your Android and iOS devices with the October Windows 10 update, which is available for direct download today. (It's coming to Windows Update next week.) Integration with smartphones is the broader trend with this release -- Microsoft is also finally debuting the Your Phone app, which lets you transfer files and handle text messages from Android devices on your PC.
Google's Chrome OS tablet might support Windows 10
Google's rumored Chrome OS tablet may have an extra trick up its sleeve: namely, that you might not have to run Chrome OS at all. The 9to5Google team has discovered some code references indicating that Google has been working on Windows 10 support for the future slate, codenamed Nocturne. "Windows 10 will BSOD early during boot," one Nocturne developer wrote.
Microsoft quietly scrubs Windows 10 warning against Chrome and Firefox
Microsoft is joining Google in walking back a bad browser decision having decided to ditch its controversial Windows prompt urging users not to download rivals Chrome and Firefox. The experiment smacked of desperation and any fears that it would make the cut on the Windows 10 October Update have now (thankfully) been put to bed, according to The Verge.
Windows 10 test 'warns' users against installing Chrome or Firefox
Edge has a reputation as "the browser you use to download Chrome," and Microsoft clearly doesn't like that... to the point where it's using some not-so-kind tactics to drive people away from the competition. Users have discovered that a recent Windows 10 Insider preview pops up a "warning" when you try to run the Chrome or Firefox installers. The dialog box tells you that you don't need to install the competition when "you already have Microsoft Edge." You can choose to install regardless and disable the pop-up in the future, but it's clearly trying to hinder the installation in hopes you'll have second thoughts and give Edge a try.
Windows 10 Preview highlights its 'silent' storage assistant
Ahead of its Windows 10 October update, Microsoft is giving Insiders the jump on Storage Sense: a "silent assistant" that automatically frees up disk space by shifting older, unused, local files online.
EA delays 'Battlefield V' to November 20th
DICE knows a thing or two about the perils of shipping a game before it's ready. That's why it and Electronic Arts are pushing the release date for Battlefield V back by almost a month. The World War II shooter will now be released on November 20th instead of October 19th. That puts it out of spitting distance of Red Dead Redemption 2 (out October 26th), the game seemingly every other publisher is trying to avoid on calendar.
Parallels 14 boots faster and uses less of your storage
It's been well over a decade since Macs have been able to run Windows. Ever since, Parallels has been one of the top options for running Microsoft's OS alongside macOS. With the big Mojave update just around the corner, Parallels today is releasing version 14 of its virtualization software. The company says that today's update, which you can download now, launches four times faster than the previous version and is ready for macOS Mojave.
OneDrive makes it easier to backup your desktop clutter
Microsoft rolled out a new OneDrive folder protection feature to its business users in June -- now it's available to regular users, too. The feature lets you choose which folders you want to automatically back up to Microsoft's cloud service -- desktop, pictures or documents -- and it'll keep this activity in sync across multiple Windows 10 PCs, which is handy if you're a fan of downloading files to your desktop.
Xbox One's translucent Phantom Black controller arrives September 11th
A pair of new Xbox One controllers is on the way next month, including the nifty-looking Phantom Black Special Edition. It has a translucent black finish on the top of the controller that transitions to champagne gold at the bottom. The inputs are black too, save for a champagne gold D-pad. The controller also has textured grips, which should keep the Phantom Black safely in your hands.
Google may bring Windows 10 support to multiple Chromebooks
You might not have to splurge on a Pixelbook if you're pining after a Chromebook with Windows 10 support. XDA-Developers has learned through source code that Campfire, the feature that would let Chrome OS dual-boot Windows 10, would be available in multiple "variants" -- that is, on more than one Chrome OS device. This wouldn't mean that any and all Google-powered PCs would have the option. Hardware makers would have to verify that Windows worked properly, and it'd be out of the question for the many Chrome machines that only have a small amount of flash storage. Recent code comments suggest you'd need at least 40GB of space, and many Chromebooks have 32GB or less.
Windows 10 test feature can predict the best time for an update
Windows' forced automatic updates are probably the most hated aspect of the operating system. They can pop up when you're working against the clock, in the middle of presentations or while you're doing other crucial tasks. While it sucks that the problem exists in the first place, Microsoft is at least trying to fix the issue. The latest Windows 10 Insider Preview, for instance, will come with the ability to predict the best time to update your computer. According to Microsoft, it used a machine learning technique to train a predictive model to be able to tell when to roll out an update and when to hold off.
The rarest 'Rocket League' items only drop 1 percent of the time
Rocket League developer Psyonix wants you to know the chances of scoring a black market item for your ride, up front. Drop rates are as follows: rare (55 percent), very rare (28 percent), import (12 percent), black market (1 percent), painted attribute (25 percent), certified attribute (25 percent). "These drop rates have been the same since our Crates and Keys system launched in September 2016," the Psyonix blog post says.
'GTA: Online' goes clubbin' next week with 'After Hours'
A little bit of Liberty City is coming to GTA: Online very, very soon. "Gay" Tony Prince, first seen in Grand Theft Auto IV's "The Ballad of Gay Tony" expansion from 2009, is opening up a nightclub in Los Santos and needs your help. "A perfect cover for all illicit activities, Nightclubs can be customized, staffed and promoted, offering players a brand new business opportunity," Rockstar teased last month. Judging by the trailer, the main mission in "After Hours" is securing a DJ for Prince's latest venture. "Run your nightclub business from setup, design, staffing and promotion; the more popular the nightclub, the faster your secure safe will fill up," Rockstar promised.
Microsoft’s collaborative Whiteboard app is now available
Microsoft's Whiteboard app, which lets users collaborate on an intelligent canvas through their Windows 10 devices, is now out of preview and available for download. As with a physical whiteboard, Whiteboard lets you draw, erase and attach sticky notes. But unlike a traditional whiteboard, you can also type, add and manipulate images and have ever-expanding amounts of space on which to work. Whiteboard can also recognize and enhance shapes, making it easy to put together a table, for instance.
Microsoft's low-cost Surface may use a modest Pentium chip
It's no secret that Microsoft is working on a lower-priced Surface between leaks and FCC filings, but just what's going to power this 10-inch tablet? There might be a clue. WinFuture sources have claimed that the low-cost Surface will use Pentium Silver N5000 and Pentium Gold Y-series processors. That should make them considerably faster than the Atom-powered Surface 3 (admittedly not a difficult task), but you'll still have a strong incentive to buy a Surface Pro if you care about performance.
'State of Decay 2' celebrates July 4th with themed DLC and fireworks
Open-world survival RPG State of Decay 2 has officially surpassed 3 million players, and to celebrate (and keep them coming back), developer Undead Labs is serving up a special July 4th-themed DLC update.
Oculus Rift requires Windows 10 for new features
When Oculus upgraded its system software to Rift Core 2.0, currently in beta, it added a redesigned Home experience, multitasking for apps and windows in Dash and mirrored Oculus Desktop monitors. These are heavy-resource features, according to Oculus, and need Windows 10 to support them. That's why the company is recommending Windows 10 across the Oculus platform (Rift, Touch and core software). You can still use Windows 7 and 8.1, but you won't get the new features as they appear.
Windows 10's app tabs might not arrive in the next big OS update
We hope you weren't clamoring for a chance to try Windows 10's Sets in the near future. Microsoft has removed the app tab feature from Windows 10 Insider Preview builds to "continue making it great," including a better visual style and tighter Office integration. The company has vowed that they'll return in a future Insider Preview, but hasn't hinted when that might happen. And based on rumors, you might not want to get your hopes up.
