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Share your 'Minecraft' creations in 3D
Minecraft is all about creating 3D worlds, but sharing them outside of the game has always been a 2D experience -- you're sharing screenshots and videos like with any other game. Microsoft wants to do something better. It's releasing a beta version of its Better Together Update that, in addition to cross-platform play (more on that later), lets you export your creations in 3D. If you have Windows 10, you can use Paint 3D and Remix3D.com to showcase your work from every angle.
Now Windows 10's 'Continue on PC' feature works from your iPhone
A couple of days ago Microsoft enabled a feature that lets Android users easily use the share button to push a web page from their cell phone to a Windows 10 PC. Now, it's released an app to manage the same feature on iOS-powered devices. It's available to users in the "Fast" ring of its Insiders preview program, who will need the latest build released for their PCs. Cross-device web browsing is one of the many features coming in the Fall Creators Update, and every new feature being beta tested means its release date keeps creeping closer.
Microsoft is getting its own AI-powered photo search
Microsoft's upcoming Photos app is getting AI image search so that it can spot and classify objects, much like Google Photos and Apple Photos can. Spotted by Windows Central, the latest Insider Preview version of the app now has a search bar that you can use to enter terms like "flower," "wine bottle," and "bar." It will then use a cloud-based image recognition algorithm to pick and sort out those items in your photo collection, much as the rival apps do.
Windows 10 preview connects your Android phone to your PC
Microsoft is acting on its promise to make PCs and phones live in harmony. It just posted a Windows 10 Insider Preview (on the Fast ring) that introduces the first batch of features integrating Windows with your mobile devices. If you have an Android phone, you can link it to your PC to continue your web browsing on the bigger screen. Once it's set up, you only have to use your browser's usual sharing option to punt a website to your computer. The preview is missing iPhone support and many of the slicker features Microsoft promised in the Fall Creators Update, such as seamless document syncing, but it could be worth a try.
Microsoft shows off a Nest-like thermostat based on Cortana
Microsoft isn't content to let Amazon or Alphabet dictate the future of the smart home. The software giant has unveiled a smart thermostat from Johnson Controls, GLAS, that promises to one-up what you see from the likes of Nest. The slick-looking control packs both a translucent touchscreen and, more importantly, Cortana voice controls -- you don't have to talk to a speaker or your phone to change the temperature. The promo video (below) doesn't go deep into the feature set, but the Windows 10 IoT Core-based hardware is known to detect both your presence in the room as well as air quality indoors and out.
LinkedIn's incessant connection requests are coming to Windows 10
If you're running Windows 10, your job search may have gotten a bit easier. Microsoft has announced that with the new LinkedIn app for its desktop OS, you'll be able to access the full business-minded social network experience from the Start menu and task bar along with all those ads. You can even make it a Live tile if you'd like. So yep, all the people you've never met before who want you to join their professional network will invade your serene desktop experience if you install this.
Ubuntu Linux is available in the Windows Store
Here's a statement that would have been unimaginable in previous years: Ubuntu has arrived in the Windows Store. As promised back in May, you can now download a flavor of the popular Linux distribution to run inside Windows 10. It won't compare to a conventional Ubuntu installation, as it's sandboxed (it has limited interaction with Windows) and is focused on running command line utilities like bash or SSH. However, it also makes running a form of Linux relatively trivial. You don't have to dual boot, install a virtual machine or otherwise jump through any hoops beyond a download and ticking a checkbox.
Microsoft 365 is yet another stab at attracting IT love
Microsoft has a new pitch for businesses: Microsoft 365. It's a single offering that combines Windows 10, Office 365 and the company's Enterprise Mobility + Security package into something IT departments can easily subscribe to and deploy. Announced today at the company's Inspire partner conference, Microsoft 365 is basically just a catchier name for its "Secure Productive Enterprise," but there's more of an emphasis on companies of all sizes. It'll be available in two variants: Microsoft 365 Enterprise, which covers larger organizations, and Business, which is meant for small to mid-sized firms.
Latest Windows 10 preview takes the headache out of high DPI
Because of old legacy programs, using Windows with high-res displays has always been a little tricky, especially if you're switching between multiple screens. The latest preview build pushed to Insiders helps with that problem by changing the way Windows tells a program what DPI it's using. With the new build 16237, if a user changes the resolution of the display by docking/undocking or adjusting a setting, they'll only need to close and reopen most programs to fix any blurriness, instead of rebooting or logging out.
Import your orcs from 'Shadow of Mordor' into the sequel
Your perfect orc enemy (and ally) from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor are coming along for the ride in this fall's sequel, Shadow of War. Mordor has just gotten an update that adds the "Nemesis Forge" to the game that will import your personalized, highest-ranked orc captain and buddy into War once the game comes out October 10th. Now, this isn't automatic. Nor will it simply read your game save and do its trick, so you need to have the old game laying around if you want Grishnak the Red to inhabit War.
'Destiny 2' beta begins July 18th on consoles, hits PC in August
If you want to get your hands on Destiny 2 before it comes out this September 6th, Activision and developer Bungie have you covered. Folks who pre-ordered the game for PlayStation 4 can start playing July 18th, while everyone else on consoles will have to wait until July 21st. The test period runs until July 23rd and Bungie says that in addition a cooperative strike and adversarial multiplayer modes, the first story mission will be available to play as well. Folks who want to play with a mouse and keyboard have to wait until August for a PC beta. For a tease of what you can expect, check out the trailer embedded below.
'Rocket League' packs tons of freebies in its 'Anniversary' update
No, cross-console multiplayer isn't in today's Anniversary update for Rocket League. But thankfully there's enough (free!) stuff on offer here to take some of the sting off of Sony's sustained stubbornness. We're talking Rick and Morty customization options -- including a Mr. Poopy Butthole topper -- new music, fresh cars and the ability to change your ride's engine audio. Oh, there's a new stadium to tool around in as well. The update will start rolling out later today, at 6pm Eastern.
Windows 10's 'Timeline' feature won't arrive this fall
Microsoft's anticipated Timeline Windows feature won't be included in the Fall Creators Update. Timeline, revealed at Microsoft's Build developer conference in May, was expected to be a part of the update, but Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore said today that wouldn't be the case.
Unlock your PC with your Samsung phone's fingerprint reader
Have a recent Samsung phone and a Windows 10 PC? Life's about to get a bit easier. Samsung has updated its Flow app to let you use the fingerprint reader on Galaxy devices running Android Marshmallow or newer (such as the S6, S7 and S8) to log into any Windows 10 PC using Hello, not just Samsung's own Galaxy TabPro S. If you regularly keep your phone on-hand, you won't have to enter your password every time you sit down at your computer.
Windows 10 will remind you to install the latest major update
Are you still running the original version of Windows 10? Microsoft is about to offer a not-so-subtle hint that it's time to move on. The software giant has revealed that it will start sending notifications to users who are still using Windows 10 version 1507, warning them that the operating system is deemed "end of service" and will no longer receive monthly security patches. You'll see a convenient button to upgrade to the latest release (at present, the Creators Update) if you're part of this group.
India wants a discount on Windows to reduce its cyberattack risk
In light of the recent WannaCry and "NotPetya" global ransomware attacks, India is looking to strike a deal with Microsoft that would reduce the cost of its Windows 10 operating system by more than 75 percent. The country's cyber security coordinator, Gulshan Rai, told Reuters that the company has "in principle agreed."
Windows 10 preview build protects your files from ransomware
Microsoft's latest Windows 10 Preview Build for Insiders in the Fast ring introduces what's obviously meant as a response to all the ransomware attacks targeting the platform these days. The build comes with a new feature called "controlled folders" that can protect their files from malicious apps and other threats. Windows closely monitors any changes made to anything in a controlled folder, so if any malware or blacklisted application tries to modify a file, they'll get a notification that something fishy's going on. To activate the feature, Insiders will have to toggle it on in the Windows Defender Security Center under the Virus & threat protection settings section.
Microsoft's next big Windows update will use AI to fight malware
Windows Fall Creators Update will come with a hefty serving of security upgrades, made timely by the increasingly rampant cyberattacks targeting the platform these days. In a blog post, Microsoft has revealed how the upcoming major update will level up Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, a Win 10 enterprise service that flags early signs of infection. According to CNET, Windows enterprise director Rob Lefferts said the upgrade will use data from Redmond's cloud-based services to create an AI anti-virus that will make ATP much better at preventing cyberattacks.
How Troy Baker's Naughty Dog work influenced 'Shadow of War'
Troy Baker has lent his voice and performances to some of the biggest games of the past decade. From six roles across Darksiders 2 to playing Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite or stepping into The Joker's shoes in Batman: Arkham Origins, you might not realize it's actually him delivering the lines until you see the credits. That's because he approaches each performance incredibly differently. With Middle-earth: Shadow of War his job was particularly complex: In addition to reprising his role as Talion, a Ranger of Gondor who's more or less possessed by an undead prince, Baker served as the director for all of the game's performance-capture story sequences. For that task, Baker relied on his experience with director Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog and his roles in the studio's The Last of Us (TLoU) and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. Naughty Dog is widely regarded as having some of the best performances and shot composition in video game story sequences -- there are definitely worse places to look to for inspiration.
Windows 10 source code leak is an embarrassment for Microsoft
Earlier this week, Beta Archive posted Windows 10 source code related to USB, storage and WiFi drivers on its free FTP site. Now, a spokesperson for Microsoft has confirmed to The Verge that this code, from the Shared Source Kit, is genuine.
