sincity

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Google/Nexus%20Player/press/nexus-player-hero-470-75.jpgGoogle's plan for home entertainmentIt's that time of year again. Google I/O, the annual developer conference when the tech giant unveils its next batch of products and services to the community, is about to get under way. Demos, workshops and sneak peeks over the two-day event help software developers get familiar with new offerings while giving end-users an idea of what's to come from the Mountain View firm over the rest of 2015 and beyond. Google's ambitions have always stretched far beyond search, encompassing email, office productivity software and even self-driving cars. But the front on which we're going to feel its presence more and more – and where it will battle most fiercely with Apple and Amazon for dominance – will be the living room. Betting that its origin and strength in search will provide a crucial advantage over those rivals, Google's chance at victory depends on how well it can mine search data to serve up personalized recommendations for what users will want to watch and listen to (essentially predicting mood and taste) at any given time. The three components of Google's bridge to the living room are Chromecast, Google Cast and Android TV. http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Google/Chromecast/chromecast-420-100.jpg Chromecast 2Since last year, rumors have been circulating of a new Chromecast, with an upgrade to the 5GHz Wi-Fi spectrum. If that's what Google plans to show off on Thursday, an upgrade to 5GHz Wi-Fi should impact its Achilles' heels: poor quality HD streaming. But we're not likely to see an answer for the second glaring shortfall: a noticeable absence of an Amazon Prime Instant Video app in the Chromecast store. The original Chromecast was unveiled two years ago and quickly became a breakout hit. Since then, consumers have hit the "cast" button more than 650 million times, while 6,000 developers have created more than 10,000 apps for the Chromecast store. The device's success with consumers can primarily be attributed to two factors: price and convenience. The small stick plugs into your TV's HDMI port and makes it possible to broadcast streaming video (e.g. Mad Men episodes via the Netflix app) or audio (say, your favorite Pandora stations) from your mobile device of choice to your biggest screen. From the beginning, Chromecast has been agnostic about what device you use to stream, meaning you can cast from compatible apps on iPad, iPhone, or even Surface devices – not just Android. http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/audio_systems/GOOGLE/Google%20Cast-420-100.jpg Google CastThe software that makes Chromecast possible will see new applications, specifically in the form of native integration with high quality speaker systems from LG. Rumor has it that LG's new Google Cast-ready soundbars and speaker systems will range in price from $179 (about £116, AU$230) to $999 (about £650, AU$1,300) and are intended as an alternative to the Sonos line. However, notably absent from the Google Cast line of compatible apps is Spotify. We might also hear more about Sony's batch of Google's Cast-compatible receivers and speakers. But, because they also support rivals' Spotify Connect and Apple Airtime, we might not hear as much about them. http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Google/android-tv3-420-100.jpg Android TVFinally we have Android TV, Google's opportunity to meaningfully distinguish itself after false starts with Google TV. Last year, we were first brought news of Android TV at I/O and plans for direct integrations into hardware through manufacturers like Sony, Sharp, and TPVision. Since then, we've seen it mature into Google's version of an OS for the big screen. At the most basic level, the system integrates video on-demand streaming services like Netflix without needing a Chromecast, but also includes apps like Sling TV – a service that will look very similar to Apple's rumored plans for a "narrow" cable offering on Apple TV – and games into one place. But the more interesting questions are around what an all-encompassing living room OS will look like. In addition to voice search and optimizing font and image sizes for users who are sitting more than 10 feet from the screen, Google is giving prime placement on the home screen to video games and recommendations based upon viewing history. Android TV's incredibly skilled at figuring out what I'm searching for before I can finish typing my query, so I'm interested to see how that knowledge gets applied to suggesting what I might want to watch tonight. The gaming aspect is exciting on a wholly different level though, because it completes the circle in terms of making the home theater truly interactive. The games Google chooses to showcase and develop will give us a deeper sense of how Google's ambitions relate to transforming human behavior – beyond just delivering what we already know we want, but into enticing us to use our free time in new ways. Ultimately, that's the big picture for Google's home entertainment efforts. Where Apple has its product ecosystem and powerful partners and Amazon has its incredible value plays through Prime, Google looks to leverage its immense influence in the search space to empower the living room.

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%206/Hands%20on%20-%20review/iPhone%206%20review%20(8)-470-75.JPGApple is reportedly looking to expand beyond Siri with a Google Now competitor codenamed "Proactive," and it could debut on iOS 9. Apple has been working towards making the Google-competitive software a reality for many years, according to a report from 9to5Mac, and it could make its debut at Apple's WWDC 2015 conference, which kicks off June 8. Similar in function to Google Now, Proactive will reportedly provide information depending on data and usage patterns it picks up on. Siri has long been the "intelligent personal assistant" for Apple devices since the iPhone 4S, but Proactive will apparently be a much deeper system integration: a new iOS layer altogether, rather than another app. It will reportedly replace the Spotlight pulldown menu and situate itself to the left of the home screen, like the Spotlight of yesteryear. Proactive is said to pull data from multiple sources, including information from Siri, Calendar, Passbook, Contacts, and various unnamed third-party apps. AR Maps and moreProactive will also reportedly focus heavily on improving Maps' Points of Interest feature, and could include an augmented reality view to identify or suggest potential POIs. It sounds pretty nifty: Users could hold up their iPhone towards a restaurant, for example, and an augmented reality view of the menu would appear. A new feature called "Browse Around Me" is also in the mix, one that would show a map with more personalized results based on previous searches or individual preferences. It may be this feature we see when iOS 9 launches, sources said, with Apple saving the AR Maps view for a later date. Finally, Apple is said to be working on a third-party Siri API codenamed "Breadcrumbs." This would allow developers to integrate their applications with iOS search results and Siri, though not so deeply that information is mixed up and user data is sent to the wrong apps. 9to5Mac offered the example that if a user watches a certain section of Netflix frequently, that section could be opened by Siri, instead of having to navigate through the whole app. We're gearing up for Google IO 2015 - here's what you need to know!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46b3f35a/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767729514/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46b3f35a/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767729514/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46b3f35a/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767729514/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46b3f35a/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767729514/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46b3f35a/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228767729514/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46b3f35a/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/3vMh586mhhw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS6/iOS6-03-Maps-470-75.jpgApple Maps' plans to finally bring public transit directions with iOS 9, but may only in be available in a half-dozen cities. The service reportedly could also extend to cities in China. That sounds ambitious, but Apple has struggled to bring public transport directions to its maps service for years. Even after the purchase of Embark and Hopstop, which would provide transit data for over 600 cities, Apple Maps has yet to release a way to find your next bus stop. Missing the busAlthough its arrival is sure to be music to the ears of many people in those cities, it won't help the vast majority of people. Public transport use in the US reaching its highest numbers in nearly 60 years, yet the progress that Apple has made in the nearly three years since Maps was released feels underwhelming. It's possible that Apple is striving to take its time with the release of transit directions, given the backlash that Maps received when it arrived. Reportedly, Apple will begin adding cities as they become ready with an over-the-air rollout, rather than another iOS update, and will include Boston and Tokyo next. If you're not in the lucky group that can use Apple Maps' new public transit service, you'll just have to find your way around the old-fashioned way, Google Maps. Everything to know about iOS 9 and WWDC 2015http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46ad9501/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766024459/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46ad9501/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766024459/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46ad9501/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766024459/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46ad9501/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766024459/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46ad9501/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766024459/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46ad9501/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/JihAUdM_gF8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/car%20tech/Revit%2095%20iPhone%20display/Revit%20iPhone%20display-Blog-Banner-Blogpost-09-01-1024x576-470-75.jpgWhile windscreen mounts have long allowed car drivers to use their smartphones as driving displays, attempting the same on a motorcycle has generally been considered folly. But a new concept bike from Dutch company Revit actually puts the phone front and centre, using an iPhone as a mounted instrument display for its Revit #95 bike. Based on KTM's 950 Super Enduro motorcycle, the Revit #95 completely replaces traditional instruments, instead including a specially mounted bracket for your iPhone, which can display your key information in real time using a number of "dash" apps. Revving the concepthttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/car%20tech/Revit%2095%20iPhone%20display/Revit%20iPhone%20display-Blog-Banner-Blogpost-10-05-1024x576-420-90.jpg Being a concept bike, there are a few other high-tech developments, like an all-aluminium gas tank and the inclusion of a Christini All Wheel Drive system, which allows the bike to shift power to the front wheel should the rear tyre lose 80 percent traction or more. Given the iPhone's many apps and on board navigation, it was only going to be a matter of time before someone attached it to a motorcycle. That said, while an iPhone display looks cool, it's doubtful that motorcycle manufacturers will be rushing to follow this trend just yet. Via: Gizmag Need some new apps? Here are the best free iPhone appshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46a355c8/sc/23/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767610866/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a355c8/sc/23/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767610866/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a355c8/sc/23/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767610866/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a355c8/sc/23/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767610866/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a355c8/sc/23/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228767610866/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a355c8/sc/23/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ml0l0iCf9lY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Windows/Windows%2010%20design/Windows_10_Music_app-470-75.jpgMicrosoft has been pretty good at offering the world a peek at what Windows 10 will look and feel like when it arrives later this year, but you'll have to dig a little deeper to find out what the newly rebranded Music app will look like. Earlier today, Twitter user @BrownieTrav (via The Verge) turned up an Xbox Support page that appears to offer a closer look into what Microsoft has planned for the all-new Music app coming with Windows 10. At first glimpse, the overhauled user interface with a darker theme looks suspiciously like a screen capture from Spotify, rather than the current version included with the Windows 10 Technical Preview, which is largely unchanged from Windows 8. But the new UI will also look familiar to anyone using the Xbox app for Windows 10, part of Microsoft's overall unification toward white and black as the primary colors used throughout the revamped operating system. Music PreviewThe support document notes that users of the Windows 10 Technical Preview will be required to search for the new Music Preview by name in the Store, which will be installed alongside the standard Music app for the time being. In addition to displaying songs ripped from a CD collection, copied to OneDrive or purchased from services like iTunes, the Music Preview will also display user playlists as well as "millions of songs in the Xbox Music catalog." Microsoft expects to release Windows 10 to the general public sometime this summer (presumably late July) in 111 languages and 190 countries. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46a13eea/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228858075463/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a13eea/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228858075463/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a13eea/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228858075463/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a13eea/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228858075463/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a13eea/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228858075463/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a13eea/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/2c2COr1PsWc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/gadgets/Google_smart_toy_patent-470-75.jpgIf you thought the idea of barking commands into a cylindrical black box to order supplies from Amazon was strange, get a load of what Google may be planning for the next generation of internet-connected smart toys. The US Patent and Trademark Office (via Engadget) published a patent application from Google late last week entitled "Agent Interfaces for Interactive Electronics that Support Social Cues," which could wind up being little more than child's play. Effectively an internet-connected, voice-activated device not unlike Amazon Echo, the Google patent describes "an anthropomorphic device, perhaps in the form factor of a doll or toy, may be configured to control one or more media devices." Unlike Echo, such smart toys could be configured to respond to movement through the use of a camera, as well as spoken words or phrases from a microphone attached to the head of the device. Attractive user interfacesNaturally, Google's device would be able to communicate with a server on its network, allowing the smart toy to transmit commands to other connected media devices so it's as functional as it is cute. "Cute" is definitely what Google seems to be going for here, describing the device as an "attractive user interface" for young children, thanks to its disguise as "cartoonish dolls or toys," although "other physical appearances" are also at least hinted at. Taking it one step further, the smart toy could "express curiosity, (it) may tilt its head, furrow its brow, and/or scratch its head with an arm" in response to a child's commands, which certainly sounds like the beginning of a bad horror movie to us. That's exactly how an attorney for Big Brother Watch described potential privacy concerns with the smart toys to BBC last week, but it's unclear what, if anything, Google engineers may have done since the original patent filing in 2012 to address them. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46a09481/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766309122/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a09481/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766309122/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a09481/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766309122/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a09481/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766309122/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a09481/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766309122/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46a09481/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/xMWOehSLsLg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%2010/DSCF7042-470-75.JPGIntroduction and redefining the phonePhones have had a renaissance over the past half-decade. Gone is the idea that they are used simply for calls and texting, replaced by an all-capable device that can run apps, surf the internet, video call and more. Led by the iPhone in 2007, touchscreen technology and software improvements have meant that phones no longer need a keyboard and can have a large screen and a high pixel density. Other manufacturers, from HTC to Samsung, have added their own take on what makes a "smartphone," redefining the market in the process. Now, it seems that it's Microsoft's turn. After years of relative obscurity in the world of smartphones – Windows Phone, despite having some good ideas and positive reviews has never been a commercial success – Redmond has decided to take a different tack, incorporating its weakest asset into the biggest: Windows Phone has now become Windows. Redefining the smartphonePreviously, Windows Phone was similar in design ideas to Windows 8 but was never actually one and the same thing. There was always the promise on the horizon that the two would merge and apps created for one would work on the other (an idea that I argued would not shift the fortunes of Windows Phone), but with Windows 10 for Phones Microsoft has gone further and could, if the implementation is right, redefine how we see phones. The implementation is, with hindsight, blindingly obvious: all you need is an HDMI connection, a keyboard and a mouse and your phone transforms into a computer. Windows 10 powers the experience and it's cohesive across all platforms, with apps being useable across them all. Working in Office on your phone plugged into a monitor is exactly the same as it would be if you were using a desktop, meaning that serious work can be done on a phone. There are, of course, caveats that may prevent this from being an immediate success. Microsoft has stated that "new hardware" is needed to enable this feature and no current phone that is eligible for a Windows 10 update complies. Shifting hardware is a mixed bag where Microsoft is concerned with certain ventures, such as the Surface models, gaining relative success. The acquisition of Nokia makes far more sense in this light, despite the fact that it's losing money annually, as the company now has a foothold in the PC market. They would, as Steve Jobs liked to say, own the "whole widget". Whether the need to upgrade to get Continuum will alienate current Windows Phone users remains to be seen, as does the problem of whether the feature is enough to warrant the purchase of a phone. Microsoft's suggested use case of new phone buyers mainly applies within developing nations, many of whom do not have £600 (or $600) to spend on a handset, even if it does rule out the need to buy a PC. These niggles aside, if Microsoft can make this work the firm will be in a position that few others are in: they will have cracked the smartphone/PC divide, streamlining the experience and reaping the rewards. Pushing the envelopeContinuum has the potential to not only redefine how people see smartphones but also computers. Compared to flying cars having a phone/PC hybrid is unexciting, but it is transformative nonetheless. If people stop seeing desktops and laptops as necessary, then Microsoft is in the perfect position within a market that is incredibly fertile. Desktop sales, according to IDC estimates, are falling substantially year-over-year while smartphone sales continue to set records, even at the expensive $500-plus price point, showing that finally Microsoft has its eyes firmly set on the future and what that may bring. Previous flops There will be use cases that don't work on a smartphone, and of course companies have tried this before. Motorola had a project that allowed a similar thing to happen, except via hardware that included an HDMI port and various USB ports. Due to advancements in Bluetooth technology, coupled with the expansion of online services such as Google Drive or Dropbox, there is less impetus to include USB ports. It's arguable that all a laptop needs is a single charging port, an idea that Apple is currently exploring, and a phone complies with this potentially new norm. Motorola made the mistake of requiring actual new hardware whereas Microsoft is tapping into things people already have – a monitor with HDMI, a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Only Microsoft knows how many people will actually 'switch' their phone into a PC but the potential impact upon how we define a "smartphone" and how we define a "PC" could be extraordinary if it catches on. There have been various reasons why people have shunned Windows Phone, from apps to the interface – but being able to use the device as a PC, thus meaning that you don't need a PC, is a compelling reason to go Windows with your handset that no other manufacturer can boast. Even Apple, which has made a big show of its Continuity feature, cannot say that if you plug an iPhone into an HDMI port, attach a keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth and boot it up, that the handset will become a fully-fledged PC. http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Windows%20Phone/Windows%20Phone%2010/DSCF7044-420-100.JPG A new era?It hasn't been often over the past decade or so that Microsoft has really pushed the envelope within the consumer space. Windows, of course, is still used by millions of people but embarrassing implementations, such as Vista, have marred its reputation and alienated a lot of users. Backtracking on various Windows 8 features – or, you could argue, including them in the first place – has also done nothing to improve Redmond's relationship with its actual users. It's now an oft-beaten drum, but Satya Nadella's Microsoft appears to be far more open to ideas and this is largely reflected within Windows 10. Opening up the software to users ahead of time is an unprecedented move and the feedback is actually being worked upon and incorporated. This will mean less blind mistakes as a company and, on top of innovations such as Continuum, could lead Microsoft into first place and redefine how we, as users, define a "smartphone" and a "computer". How Continuum will work on your next Windows 10 for Phones handsethttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46979d6d/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767524670/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46979d6d/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767524670/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46979d6d/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767524670/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46979d6d/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767524670/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46979d6d/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228767524670/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46979d6d/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/IgRiwZ4l_2U

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/Watches/Apple%20Watch/apple-spring-forward-470-75.jpgiOS 9 and OS X 10.11 won’t fall far from Apple’s existing tree, as the iPhone, iPad and Mac software updates will reportedly skip flashiness for more stability. It should come as no surprise that the iPhone’s newest operating system won’t boast a plethora of features as past releases have. Both iOS 7 and iOS 8 were plagued with performance and stability issues over multiple releases and Apple looks to beef up iOS 9’s stability, rather than its wow factor. However, according to 9to5Mac, iOS 9 will add at least 3 major new features, in addition to the ones we’ve already heard about. iOS 9 featuresThe first is a kernel-level feature called “Rootless” that Apple believes will deliver a “huge blow” to all the jailbreakers out there. The report says Rootless will “prevent even administrative-level users from being able to access certain protected files on Apple devices.” Undoubtedly, Apple is still sweating from the heat it caught after the iCloud hack last year that left several celebrities’ private photos as public domain. Most likely in response, “iCloud Drive” will be a part of iOS 9 and will bump up the encryption strength and IMAP sync speed of the cirrostratus storage system. The final iOS 9 feature detailed in the leak is something called “Trusted Wi-Fi” to increase encryption on wireless networks that may not be on the up-and-up. Another interesting tidbit in the leak is Apple’s alleged plans to make a “core version” of iOS 9 for older devices, such as the iPhone 4S and the iPad Mini. This strategy would be a pleasant departure from the last few iOS releases, which have been buggy on old devices and ended up either aiming customers toward Apple’s next big thing, or pushing them to find a new handset. OS X 10.11 add-onsIf these reports are true, the new OS X is getting some performance and stability support, as well as a couple of unique features. The main add-on is an iPhone-esque “Control Center” that will move many menu bar functions to a pane that slides from the left side of your display. This will provide additional control of music and other iOS functions. Although the report says the testing of Control Center has been in flux and may get pushed back. The new OS X will also feature some small interface tweaks that began with OS X 10.10 Yosemite. Will we see a departure from recent Apple history with a focus on stability and, intriguingly, legacy compatibility? Owners of yesteryear’s Apple devices would like to think so. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/4691ee6a/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766247812/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4691ee6a/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766247812/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4691ee6a/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766247812/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4691ee6a/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766247812/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4691ee6a/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766247812/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4691ee6a/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/dhqagDtiyEs

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Office%20Now%20leak-470-75.jpgSoon, you'll be able to speak to your phone to tell it to "Send my financial presentation deck to Sarah," thanks to a personal Office assistant feature. Cortana, the digital assistant that will ship with Windows 10, may land in Office in the future to serve as your work assistant. The unannounced feature, now known as Office Now, is said to be a rebrand of the earlier rumored Work Assistant. How it worksLike Cortana, Office Now is a virtual assistant. However, Office Now will live within Office and can respond to spoken or typed queries, according to leaked screenshots posted by ZDNet. Office Now uses natural language recognition, and users can command it to send or share their files with named colleagues using voice. Other commands include find, open, view, edit, load and email. According to the screenshots, Office Now can search using metadata for file names, file locations, file types and last access dates. Additionally, Office Now can help with scheduling meetings, planning travel and joining conference calls. It will show events that require travel and display information in a UI featuring Cards, similar to Google Now and Delve. Cross-platformInformation from Twitter user @h0x0d suggests that Office Now will be a cross-platform solution, with plans to arrive on Windows, iOS and Android. This makes sense as Microsoft is leveraging Office as a service. Also, Microsoft has stated that it intends to port Cortana to rival platforms, so making Office Now broadly available to other mobile Office users would fall in line with that strategy. It's possible that Office Now is leveraging the power of Cortana. Microsoft stated that Cortana can be used to drive business intelligence at Ignite 2015, its inaugural enterprise client summit. "Cortana has an extensibility framework so other third-party providers can connect to Cortana to let me use natural voice commands to extract business information from their systems," Stella Chernyak of the Windows team told TechRadar at Ignite. "It's one thing to use Cortana personally and another when you can join Azure Active Directory to get access and it's so relevant to you. I'm meeting a customer; I can ask Cortana 'what is their profile or what did we talk about last time'." Office Now may be the first of multiple assistant apps for Microsoft. A job posting for the Bing engineering team uncovered by ZDNet reveals that Microsoft is looking for a scientist interested in working on "Personal Assistants" – note the plural. "Are you interested in joining the team that has powered natural language understanding for Cortana and Bing and is now at the forefront of Personal Assistants, Productivity, Enterprise and Entertainment products for Microsoft," the posting reads. In the past, Bill Gates had said that he is involved with work on personal assistant technologies as part of his return to Microsoft. Via: ZDNet Read our review of Office 2016http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/4690bf87/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767476681/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4690bf87/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767476681/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4690bf87/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767476681/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4690bf87/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767476681/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4690bf87/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228767476681/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/4690bf87/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/E35pUv9O6VM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Computex%202015/Computex%20Taipei-470-75.jpgWindows 10, Wearables and 3D printingIt may not have the same exposure as CES, or the European allure of Mobile World Congress, but Computex Taipei is one of the world's biggest technology trade shows. This year, Asia's largest trade show will welcome technology makers to Taipei's incredible humidity between June 2 and June 6, promising plenty of exciting announcements for the second half of 2015 and beyond. Now in its 35th year, Computex will continue to reflect the market trends in technology, so we expect to see and hear plenty of information about wearables, 3D printing, Windows 10 and more over the course of the event. We'll keep you updated with all the information from the show as it happens, but while we wait for June to roll around and the show's doors to open, here's our list of the things we want to see at Computex 2015. On the Windows 10 WagonWith Windows 10 set for an official launch some time this year (and all indicators pointing at a July timeframe), Computex 2015 should be full of machines showing off the new operating system. From new laptops, tablets, all-in-ones, and hybrids, there's sure to be a bevy of new products running the latest Windows build. With companies like Acer, Asus, Microsoft and Intel all having a confirmed presence at the show, there's no doubt Windows 10 will be a major drawcard at this year's Computex. Wearable wondershttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Computex%202015/PH00013416-420-90.jpg There is nothing hotter in the tech space than wearable technology at the moment, so you can expect the world's second largest tech trade show to have plenty of smartwatches, fitness bands and other gadget apparel on display. A quick look at the Computex Taipei website proves this to be true, with a list of some 20 or so companies confirmed to be bringing their wearable wares to the trade show. Admittedly, the bulk of the companies listed as showcasing wearable tech aren't the brands the western world associates with, but for a market expected to sell almost 45 million units this year, there's plenty of room for new competitors. Last year we saw e-ink smartwatch prototypes and Acer's Liquid Leap wearable make an appearance, so expect big movements in this space this year. Scan and Print the world http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Computex%202015/PH00013406-420-90.jpg The world of 3D printers is taking off, and Computex is going to be a key indicator to what the future holds for the technology. One big focus area will be on 3D scanners, that can scan in real-world objects so they can be replicated by a 3D printer. With 3D printing shifting from the enthusiast market to real world applications like medical and engineering, expect companies to show off their latest developments in this brave new world. Intel, The Cloud and accessoriesIntel-ligent upgradeshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Computex%202015/PH00013386-420-90.jpg Computex is massive in its own right, but every year chipmaker Intel goes out of its way to keep Moore's Law alive. Last year they used the Taipei conference to announce its Core M processor, the earliest version of its Broadwell platform. We already know that Intel is planning on unleashing a new Thunderbolt cable at the conference, and there's going to be a big focus on the Internet of Things during the chipmaker's keynote. Will we see Broadwell's successor, Skylake? It will undoubtedly be discussed by the chipmaker, but whether we see it on the show floor remains to be seen. Cloud controlhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Computex%202015/PH00013348-420-90.jpg The Internet of Things is coming. And that means everything will be connected, both to each other, and to the cloud. And so now that these things are going to be connected, security is going to be an ongoing concern. To address this issue, Computex is hosting a dedicated Cloud Security forum during the event. On top of that, you can expect a range of exhibitors doing their best to showcase their own solutions to the ongoing challenges faced by the growing Internet of Things industry. Components and Caseshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Computex%202015/PH00013445-420-90.jpg Those bits and pieces that make up your computer? They get better each and every year. We know that major component manufacturers like AMD, Intel, Gigabyte and Nvidia, among others, will all be at the show demonstrating their newest technology. But it's not just internal components that will be filling up the show floor at Computex 2015. One of the best parts of the Asian tech conference is discovering the biggest, craziest PC cases the world can create. Given a lot of the show floor is invariably made up of smaller companies looking to get some exposure, this market is going to be great to watch. Peripherals and accessorieshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/events/Computex%202015/PH00013407-420-90.jpgYou need a new mouse. And a new keyboard. And a NAS. And maybe some flash drives. All of these things will play a big part at Computex. Basically, if you can connect it to your PC, then you can find it at Computex. We'll be keeping a keen eye out for anything new and exciting, from updated Thunderbolt cables to the growing USB-C standard. Yes, we said exciting. Don't laugh. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/468a5413/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766209952/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468a5413/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766209952/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468a5413/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766209952/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468a5413/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766209952/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468a5413/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766209952/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468a5413/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Urt1Ys3Sl1I

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/appliances/Apple%20HomeKit/Homekit_Hero-470-75.jpgIn case you were worried about Siri taking over your house, Apple may be bringing a new app with iOS 9 to control its HomeKit devices, which begin shipping next month. The new app, called Home, will cooperate with HomeKit devices and have a variety of functions, according to 9to5Mac. Those include discovering and setting up HomeKit devices wirelessly, utilizing Apple TV as a hub to connect various devices, generating virtual rooms to assist in organizing and connecting devices, and offering a series of screens to help users find more HomeKit devices and apps. The whole HomeKit framework will reportedly be at least partially reliant on the Home app to manage devices while keeping data secure. Although 9to5Mac reports testing on the app has gone on, it's possible the Home app is meant only for internal Apple usage. However, The Verge points out the inclusion of multiple screens suggests the app will wind up in the public's grasp. Naturally Apple has stayed quiet on the app, but if it's real it will likely surface with the expected announcement of iOS 9 at Apple's developer conference on June 8. Until WWDC 2015 kicks off, this is all hearsay, but a centralized app for managing HomeKit devices seems like a sensible step for Cupertino to take. Here's every device that'll work with HomeKit http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/468113d2/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767339206/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468113d2/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767339206/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468113d2/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767339206/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468113d2/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767339206/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468113d2/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228767339206/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/468113d2/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/3VHkzRiX0bg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%206%20Plus/HandsOn3/6Plus-HandsOn-18-470-75.JPGMicrosoft is reportedly working on bringing a new way to chat to the iPhone. Information on the app, called Flow, was leaked due to details posted on a publicly accessible site. (Whoops) Flow will work in tandem with Microsoft's existing Outlook app, and will boast "fast, fluid, natural conversation," according to the leaked details from a public site marked as "Microsoft Confidential." ZDNet believes this could be the email equivalent of Skype Qik, which is a lightweight version of Skype introduced by Microsoft last year on Android, Windows and iOS devices. Microsoft remains tight-lipped on confirming the existence of Flow, but it's a sensible direction for Microsoft to venture into. Its Outlook app for iOS is a rebranding on the popular Accompli, and has been a big hit with Gmail users on iPhone. If rumors prove to be true, Flow may be a big entry for Microsoft in the world of chat on the iPhone, especially by partnering with the already strong Outlook. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46800a7c/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765782307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46800a7c/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765782307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46800a7c/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765782307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46800a7c/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765782307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46800a7c/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228765782307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46800a7c/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/exmEzwM_a7k

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/wwdc/2015/setup/wwdc-2015-keynote-470-75.jpgiOS, OS X, Apple Watch and Apple TVA little more worldly and a little bit wider, Apple is bound to start off its Worldwide Developer Conference keynote touting inroads into China (worldly) and sales of the Apple Watch, a new product category (wider). At least, that's what we expect from minute one of WWDC 2015, which officially starts on June 8 at 11am Cupertino time, 1pm Eastern and 7pm BST. The Apple keynote will really get interesting when Tim Cook graces the stage, wearing an Apple Watch of course, to tout what we expect are two new operating system revisions. The latest versions of its mobile-based iOS and computer-based OS X software are likely to be joined by new Apple TV hardware, one with serious content players to take on old-fashioned cable companies. Finally. Yes, we may hear about the future of live streaming content while live streaming this Apple keynote. Before we boot up the always-required Safari browser in order to watch this event next month, let's review what's expected and rumored about WWDC 2015. iOS 9 beta or just iOS 8.4?Apple's WWDC keynotes have, in the past, given us our first glimpse of the new iOS version, but as much as we want to see the new iOS 9 release date and features, it may not happen. http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Apple/Apple%20Music/apple-music-streaming-service-420-100.jpg Instead, Apple may stop short, launching iOS 8.4 and an Apple Music streaming service that finally takes advantage of its pricy Beats Music acquisition and takes on Tidal, too. An artist-infused social network has also been partially leaked via the ongoing iOS 8.4 beta. Musicians can add song samples, pictures, videos and concert updates for followers. But that's just half of the story for WWDC 2015. Expect Apple to pledge more stable iOS updates from here on out. Wi-Fi and battery drains bugs, begone. There's still a chance Apple will tease iOS 9. With it, we expect greater stability, a smaller download size, public transit directions and a smarter version of Siri. OS X 11 beta for MacsThere are a lot of new Macs out there, and these upgraded machines are due for an updated operating system, or at least a preview of one. http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Apple/New%20MacBook%20(2015)/review/retina-icons-420-100.JPG The software-focused WWDC 2015 keynote makes it the ideal location to unveil an OS X 11 beta to Apple-enrolled developers, one that makes Force Touch more than just a tech demo. Its behind-the-scenes enhancements are expected to make it faster and more stable than OS X 10 Yosemite, and further tie it and iOS together, but not merge them. This is in no small part because Microsoft is launching a more nimble Windows 10 in the coming months, and Google is prepping its own Apple Photos-rival for Google IO. 2020 vision: how the Mac will evolve over the next 5 yearsApple Watch sales and updateThe first Apple Watch update is already being downloaded by early adopters of the smartwatch, but there are more features to come. http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/Watches/Apple%20Watch/apple-watch-update-2-420-100.jpg Custom watch faces beyond the default 10, a Find My Watch app and the ability to control an Apple TV from your wrist are all features tipped for the conference. An official tally of Apple Watch sales may kick off the keynote. Projections beyond pre-orders have been scarce, though estimates indicate it sold more in its first day than Android Wear did in its first five months. Apple Watch faces, ranked from worst to bestApple TV, but not a televisionDon't expect an Apple television at this WWDC, or any keynote in the near future, for that matter . The company is reportedly pulled the plug on such an idea. http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Apple/apple-tv-2015-remote-touchscreen-420-100.jpg Instead, every prediction leans toward a new Apple TV set-top for 2015, one that has more content deals than just HBO Now and a touchpad-equipped remote to boot. It may skip 4K TV specs in favor of more realistic TV content streaming, and throw support behind Siri and HomeKit on the big screen. Meanwhile, though Amazon Fire TV and Google Nexus Player have gamepads accessories, Apple has only been rumored to be jumping into the crowded gaming space. iPads, Macs, iPhone 6S and... iPods?'Think Different' about iPadRecent iPad sales have made it clear that Apple needs to think different about its iPad line. Yes, it's the best tablet on sale, but its sales are being "cannibalized." http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/TRBC/Tablets/iPad%20Mockup/iPad-Pro-concept-MacRumors-credit-420-100.jpg Those are Apple CEO Tim Cook's words, noting that the bigger iPhone 6 Plus and smaller 12-inch new MacBook are stealing sales away from the 9.7-inch slate. Apple can do two things to reinvigorate its iPads. First, it could very well use WWDC 2015 to unveil the iPad Pro. With specs like a 12.9-inch display, the larger iPad would be well suited for businesses and stores that need cash register replacements. Second, iOS 9 could pave the way to more enterprise-ready features. Cook backs up this theory by saying, "I still am a big believer for iPad to play in a major way in enterprise." New Macs?Apple often reserves new Mac announcements for its Worldwide Developers Conference, but are there any new computers left to update? http://cdn4.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Apple/New%20MacBook%20%282015%29/review/bench-side-420-100.JPG The new Macbook and Force Touch-equipped 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina overshadowed the Apple Watch at its recent launch event in March. This week, the redesigned trackpad with haptic feedback came to the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina and Apple introduced a new low-priced iMac with Retina 5K. What's left? The MacBook Air may finally get a Retina screen or Force Touch trackpad, but it could cannibalize the new MacBook on one end and 13-inch Macbook Pro on the other. Apple's mini tower, the Mac Pro, was announced in December 2013, but the company is often slower to update its desktop PCs with upgradeable parts. Mac Mini got a refresh in October 2014. Slim pickings to say the least. It won't go away: iPod Touch rumorsThe last time the iPod Touch was refreshed, it was being unveiled alongside the iPhone 5 in 2012 and marked the debut of the lightning port that everyone complained about at first. http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/portable_media_players_and_recorders/iPadTouch-2012/iPod%20touch%205th%20generation/P1011759-420-100.JPG That means the current iPod Touch 5G has dated specs: a 4-inch display, iPhone 4S-level A5 processor and 5-megapixel camera. It runs iOS 8, but can it handle iOS 9? Apple has three possible directions with the iPod Touch: upgrade it at WWDC, upgrade it at its next iPhone event, likely in August or September, or axe it altogether when iOS 9 arrives. Yes, everyone's focus is on the new iPhone, but the desire for an iPod Touch 6G has a cult following, one that doesn't need a monthly carrier fee to access their favorite apps. iPhone 6S teaseDon't expect Apple to debut the iPhone 6S at its Worldwide Developer Conference. The 4.7- and 5.5-inch smartphones are due for a refresh in September or as soon as August. http://cdn2.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%206/Hands%20on%20-%20review/iPhone%206%20review%20(112)-420-100.jpg That doesn't mean the company won't throw out subtle hints as to what to expect from the new iPhone. Often times, the iOS beta software tips its hand to new hardware. Things to look out for include Force Touch, a DSLR-quality camera, an Apple SIM card and double the RAM. Smaller-fingered iPhone 5S users who have resisted upgrading to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus may be most excited about a potentially smaller iPhone 6C. Apple WWDC wrap-upNothing about Apple's WWDC 2015 keynote is certain until it starts live streaming on June 8 at 11am Pacific, 1pm Eastern and 7pm BST. http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Apple-oct2014/Photos/apple-event-live-stream-blog-420-100.jpg New Macs, the 12-inch iPad Pro, a new iPod Touch and iOS 9 are long shots at this point, but we could all be in for a "one more thing surprise." More than anything, it's a software-focused conference, so iOS 8.4 and OS X 11 are natural shoo-ins. All of the new Apple TV rumors make that the most certain hardware centerpiece. Apple shook up the smartphone market with the original iPhone, introduced the defining tablet with the iPad and is now outselling its competitors with the Apple Watch. It may do the same with television next month, just not with a flat-screen. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/467f9983/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767326284/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f9983/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767326284/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f9983/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767326284/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f9983/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228767326284/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f9983/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228767326284/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f9983/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/1z032dHCiCk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Microsoft%20Build%202015/screen%20grabs/windows-10-laptop-470-75.jpgAhead of the consumer launch of Windows 10 this summer, Microsoft has released a new preview build of the PC operating system to Windows Insiders. With the latest Insider Preview, Microsoft is shifting its strategy from one based on the release of new features to refining the features it already has. "I think you'll see that this build is a bit more stable and polished than the last one, which is to be expected as we begin to stabilize for the public release this summer," Gabriel Aul, general manager of Microsoft's Operating Systems Group, said in a statement. "From here on out you'll see fewer big feature changes from build to build, and more tuning, tweaking, stabilizing, and polishing." Build 10122 is now available to Insiders in the Fast ring, not the Slow ring. Fast ring customers receive new releases ahead of those in the Slow ring, but may experience more bugs as a result. What's newMicrosoft has made changes to the Start menu, Continuum, the Microsoft Edge browser and how Windows 10 handles default apps in the latest build. The build looks very similar to what we saw during Joe Belfiore's demo of Windows 10 at the Build conference. With the Start menu, Microsoft has shuffled around some of the buttons and menus to make it more intuitive. For tablet users, in Continuum mode, the left panel is collapsed to highlight the Live Tiles and make use of the available space. Users of the Microsoft Edge browser, previously codenamed Project Spartan, will now notice the New Tab Page. "It's designed to get you to your next destination on the web as quickly as possible," Aul said of the feature, noting that the company is still experimenting with several different versions of the New Tab Page. "The content of the page can be lightly customized in Settings." Default apps are handled more smoothly, with less prompting. "For example – if you install a new photo editor and go into File Explorer and double-click to open a JPG file – Windows will show you a prompt to change your default to the new app. So the prompt is shown in context when it matters, not randomly during setup or when an app is launched," Microsoft said. Who should not installIf you're using a system with an AMD processor, you shouldn't install the latest 10122 build. Microsoft cautions that AMD users will likely encounter frequent crashes when using the Edge browser. Microsoft is working with AMD to release new drivers to remedy the situation. Read our coverage of Windows 10http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/467f1783/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134523/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1783/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134523/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1783/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134523/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1783/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134523/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1783/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766134523/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1783/sc/21/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/VIiiKt-1NMc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Google%20IO%202013/googleiomain-470-75.JPGGoogle is reportedly severing its photo sharing and storage entity from Google+ and unveiling it as a new standalone service at Google IO 2015. Bloomberg reports that the new service, formerly Google+ Photos, will most likely feature editing tools, possibly even AutoAwesome, from Google+. It will also let users post directly to Facebook, Twitter, and other other social media, which Google presumably hopes will have wider appeal than its run as a Google+ service. Some may see the irony in the separation, since Photos came about by Google bringing Picasa, a standalone photo editing and sharing service, into the Google+ fold. It’s no mystery that Google’s stab at social networking hasn’t gone as planned. Even by bolstering its numbers with ties to existing Google accounts, Google hasn’t made the dent into Facebook’s dominance it hoped. Still, this rumored separation of Photos from Google+ may be less about the dismantling of a struggling social network and more about increasing Google’s relevance with its social competitors. Detaching Photos and allowing it to thrive on its own could give Google a greater foothold in social media by using other networks to its advantage, much like Facebook has done with Instagram. This also would free up developers at Google to focus solely on the finer points of its photo service. However, all of this is speculation until Google IO next week, so take it with a grain of salt. Google IO 2015 starts on May 28 at 9:30am PST and 12:30pm EST http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/467f1786/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134522/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1786/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134522/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1786/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134522/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1786/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766134522/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1786/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766134522/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/467f1786/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/4hbbGVXq0_I

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/logos/Instagram%20camera-470-75.jpgAndroid users, prepare to share. Instagram's app for building collages, Layout, has made it's arrival to the Google Play store. The app, which debuted in March for iOS, combines multiple pictures from your phone and turns them into an Instagram-friendly, square and shareable shape. Before Layout, Instagramers had long awaited the ability to stitch together their favorite pictures and share them with their friends. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/Apps/instagram-layout-android-2-220-100.jpg Unlike many collage apps, which start by asking to pick a grid shape, Layout has you choose the photos you want to share first. After you pick the ones you like, its algorithm offers suggestions for the most pleasing ways to arrange those (sort of blurry) shots from last night's concert. From there, you can fix borders, exchange images; you get the picture. Instagram also introduced a new tool on its editing panel called "Structure", which will help bring out the finer details and textures in your images. Inverse of the Layout release, Structure is only available on Android phones now but will be coming soon to iPhone. Just like Instagram, Layout is a free app and allows you to share through Instagram to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46776e2a/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766090443/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46776e2a/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766090443/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46776e2a/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766090443/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46776e2a/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766090443/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46776e2a/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766090443/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46776e2a/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/soK1T0Vi46A

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Office-for-Android-phone-Preview-now-available-1-470-75.jpgAfter having been available for Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad and Android tablets, an improved Office experience is now headed to Android smartphones. In this initial release, Office for Android phones is only available as a beta, or preview, with three apps in the Google Play Store – Word, Excel and PowerPoint. "The Office for Android phone apps are modern, optimized for touch and designed for work on the go," Microsoft said of the experience in a statement. "Familiar navigation and menu options in the ribbon are placed at the bottom of the screen within reach of your thumbs so you can easily review and edit documents on your phone." How to downloadIn order to download the app, you must join Microsoft's Office beta program for Android devices. You'll need to join the community, and opt to become a beta tester for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It may take up to a few hours for your beta request to register, but once that happens you'll be good to download the apps from the Google Play Store. Collaboration and sharingAccording to Microsoft, you can create, open, edit and save files in the cloud from your Android phone so you can access them through services like OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox, Google Drive and Box. If you're collaborating with others on a project, Office for Android phones allows you to track changes, comment and markup documents. Office for Android smartphones will compete with Google's Docs, Sheets and Slides apps along with a number of third-party Office alternatives. During this preview period, the Office Mobile app for Android phones will continue to appear in the Play Store. "We will disclose more about our plans for this app later in the year when we announce general availability of the new Office for Android phone apps," Microsoft said. Read our review of Office 2016http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/46762223/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766078323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46762223/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766078323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46762223/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766078323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46762223/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766078323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46762223/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766078323/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/46762223/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/52Zf7cjQCTg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Outlook%20Clutter-470-75.jpgThis June, Microsoft will turn on Clutter by default for Outlook users. The Office 365 email inbox management feature will clean up your inbox so that it displays important messages. "It uses machine learning to de-clutter your inbox by moving lower priority messages out of your way and into a new Clutter folder," Microsoft said of the feature in a statement. "Ultimately, Clutter removes distractions so you can focus on what matters most." Clutter is similar to rival Google's Priority Inbox for Gmail. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uML5kmH5DYELearning using Office GraphClutter uses the Office Graph to learn which messages are important to you, and you can also train Clutter to identify messages that are of low priority. Over one million messages are automatically moved each day into the Clutter folder today, and Microsoft claims this helps users save on average 82 minutes each month from having to sort through non-important emails. In Outlook, you can flag messages as clutter or move them to the Clutter folder, and Clutter will learn those actions, so that similar messages will skip the inbox and move straight into that folder in the future. "The information Clutter learns from each user's actions are only applied to that user's experience and are not shared with anyone else," Microsoft said of the personalization. This is similar to Google's approach with Gmail's Priority Inbox. Gmail's tabs automatically identify content as priority – based on the people in the conversation and your prior communications with them – as well as social, promotions and updates. Google automatically identifies if the message is an update to a forum and places it in the updates folder, or if it's a message from Facebook and places it into the social folder. The promotions folder includes any email you get from advertisers. Messages that shouldn't belong in Clutter can be moved out to the main inbox again. Enabling ClutterClutter will be automatically enabled by default for new and existing Outlook accounts starting in June. For business users, Microsoft is also enabling controls to let administrators manage Clutter with PowerShell cmdlets. If a message is moved into the Clutter folder automatically for the first time, Microsoft will send the user an alert to notify them. A maximum of one alert is sent out each day, and a weekly summary provides users with a status report on what messages are being moved to Clutter. Users who prefer the old experience can opt out from having to use Clutter. Read our review of Office 365http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/466ee2bb/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664357/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bb/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664357/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bb/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664357/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bb/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664357/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bb/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228857664357/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bb/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/DxkOYmxWySE

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Starbucks-470-75.jpgIt's hard to beat a good cup of coffee, but it's harder to beat a good cup of coffee accompanied by a great song. Spotify has teamed up with Starbucks to change the way playlists are made in the workplace. Starting in the US, all 150,000-plus employees of Starbucks will get a premium Spotify membership and have the chance to air their favorite tunes in the coffee shop. After the US plan is functional, the business partners will roll on to Canada and the UK. While you sip your Americano to your barista's favorite Americana song, you can also earn "Stars as Currency" from the Starbucks Rewards program by signing up for Spotify Premium. Spotify's announcement also mentions that those who sign up for a premium account will be able to "help shape the in-store music." Premium users will likely get to enjoy being able to influence the music playing over Starbucks speakers. To top off the coffee shop's musical renovation, Starbucks will offer playlists featuring hits from the past 20 years and make them available to all Spotify users. While not every barista will have the perfect taste in music, it's a new spin on the Starbucks experience, and hopefully your barista can take requests. Spotify's expansion into your coffee mug isn't the only change the company is making. It's also rumored to be unveiling its new interactive service in the next few days, tentatively called Spotify Now, which may include video capability. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/466ee2bf/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664356/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bf/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664356/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bf/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664356/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bf/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857664356/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bf/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228857664356/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466ee2bf/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/JdR2R5Q06Ak

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/features/Inflame/facebook-inflame-470-75.jpgBrace yourselves, even more Candy Crush invites are coming. Facebook is looking to include games in its Messenger chat platform, a new report by The Information revealed. The plan to bring games to the Messenger mix was formulated around the idea that good games will continuously draw interest, therefore drawing more people to Messenger. This isn't the first addition intended to attract and keep people in Messenger, though. I'm sure almost everyone has THAT friend who has a GIF for every moment, or finds a cat emoji to fit your exact emotion. While these novelty additions are an excellent time killer/laugh inducer, Facebook hopes for games to be both permanently lucrative and uniquely enticing. The social network hasn't laid out a timetable for rolling out its game function, but the executive that's heading the project, Ilya Sukhar, confirmed to The Information that the discussion is happening. There's also no definitive info yet on what games may be included if this comes to fruition, but whatever games there are, please don't send me invites every day. Here's some other things you shouldn't do on Facebookhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/466e074c/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765668064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466e074c/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765668064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466e074c/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765668064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466e074c/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765668064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466e074c/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228765668064/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466e074c/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ZVDjdZfzYGc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%206%20leaks/renders/concept%20techradar%2014March-470-75.jpgMultiple reports from Chinese news site United Daily News (UDN) have claimed that Apple is moving the release of its upcoming iPhone 6S up from September to August. Apple's new flagship is rumored to be pushed up a month as a result of an excessive component yield. Of course, this would be a pleasant change of pace for Apple loyalists. According to the reports, Apple has upped the amount of components ordered by a staggering amount, which could indicate the preparation for an early release. Jumping the gunRumors of a new handset a month early sound enticing, but there are a few things to bear in mind before you say "au revoir" to your current iPhone. For one, there's a distinct possibility that Apple won't have iOS 9, which is expected to be announced at WWDC next month, tweaked to its liking in time for an August release. Another tidbit to keep in mind is that if you upgraded to an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus in September, depending on your carrier, you may have to wait a month before using the (rumored) Force Touch capability of the next iPhone. However, as with all rumors, every new report should be taken with a grain of salt. Here's what we think of the Apple Watchhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/466d5a22/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766031331/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d5a22/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766031331/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d5a22/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766031331/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d5a22/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766031331/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d5a22/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766031331/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d5a22/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ZOLzXWUAtI8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/google%20headquarters-470-75.jpgGoogle wants to help you spend your money. The Wall Street Journal reports the company plans to add “buy buttons” on its search results pages, a major move in stepping up to the plate against eBay and Amazon in the online marketplace. With nearly 65% of people already using Google for searches, the ability to store your credit card information and order a brand new Snuggie in one fell swoop may prove to be more enticing than navigating to Amazon and eBay for similar shopping experiences. Through its new buy button, Google will sell through retailers, rather than its own store, and will fund itself through its existing advertising model. By offering its new in-house process of searching and buying, Google could set itself up to undermine a portion of Amazon’s traffic, by making it possible to simply buy where you search. Google reportedly plans to exclusively test its buy buttons on mobile devices. The buttons will be part of the ads that exist currently above organic search results and will take users to another page hosted by Google to finish buying that special something. Search and shop Those of us who do our holiday shopping from the comfort of our pajamas know that Google has offered a “Shopping” tab for years. Although its integration was a good start down this road, it is no more than a directory for other retailers, where the virtual transaction happens. Since the report, some retailers are apparently airing out their displeasure that they will lose control over their customers’ information, making it harder for them to market to their existing customers. Google has reportedly combatted this by offering the ability for customers to share their info, such as name and email, with the retailer themselves, but will never share credit card info. Google has long been the middleman to the likes of Amazon and eBay, and this could be a bold move by the king of search. Google’s buy button concept isn’t exactly groundbreaking or that different from what other shopping sites offer, but the convenience of staying in the search engine will likely be its biggest selling point. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/466d485f/sc/23/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766027779/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d485f/sc/23/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766027779/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d485f/sc/23/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766027779/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d485f/sc/23/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228766027779/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d485f/sc/23/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228766027779/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466d485f/sc/23/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/bLXVZfnHxMY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Buildings/Microsoft/microsoft-hq-redmond-470-75.JPGWhispers on the acquisition grapevine are saying that Microsoft has its sights set on the Swedish software firm IFS (Industrial and Financial Systems). Check our coverage of IFS's recent event hereIFS offers an ERP suite, along with a range of enterprise services including EAM (enterprise asset management) and ESM (enterprise service management). The organisation's core product is IFS Applications 9, and its customers include Saab, NEC, Nestle Waters, Olympus and Sky among others. The rumour that Redmond could be looking to acquire IFS comes from analysts including Christopher Wilder of Moor Insights and Strategy, who told Computing that the company was a "logical next target" for the software giant. Wilder said: "Microsoft would benefit from IFS' ERP, EAM and [ESM] solutions, loyal customer base, and the ability to provide hosted mission critical solutions." IFS, on the other hand, would obviously benefit from a vastly raised profile, not to mention Microsoft's contacts and resources – though the firm's CEO said that no acquisition was on the cards, save for smaller organisations IFS might be looking to hoover up itself. Earlier this month we heard speculation (from Bloomberg) concerning Microsoft picking up Salesforce, which would obviously be a massive acquisition – but Reuters later poured cold water on this idea, with its own sources claiming Salesforce was simply too big and expensive for Redmond to swallow, but there could be a bid further down the road. IFS would certainly seem to be a much safer option for Microsoft's near-term expansion plans. Source: ComputingHow to develop an ERP systemhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/466b478e/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765652196/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466b478e/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765652196/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466b478e/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765652196/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466b478e/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765652196/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466b478e/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228765652196/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466b478e/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/PU68MMS0qDk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Software/Windows%2010%20Jan%202015%20Hands%20On/windows-10-jan-15-hero-470-75.jpgIntroduction and level of controlWindows 10 isn't just a new version of the operating system, Microsoft's Stella Chernyak told TechRadar. "With Windows 10 we have a new generation that's Windows as a Service." Part of being a service is getting updated often, but businesses have asked Microsoft to make that easier and cheaper. "Windows Update for Business is an update delivery mechanism that we expect will help customers adopt the Windows as a Service model," she explained – that's because it doesn't just keep devices up-to-date with the latest features and the latest security updates. "We expect it will also reduce the cost of device management. For the classic enteprise with classic IT tools, the cost of managing devices is pretty high. Windows Update for Business will reduce costs for IT admins and for the organisation." "If you look at the Windows installed base today," she admits, "it's pretty fragmented. Over many years what selective patching has created in the marketplace is an insane amount of permutations of Windows versions and updates and service packs that creates a matrix for our business customers to support. That makes it very difficult for them to keep their environment reliable and up-to-date and secure. "Today's landscape is changing in terms of security threats and customers need to be agile and fast in adopting the latest security fixes. As soon as they're out, they should be able to deploy them but it's hard for them because of the fragmented nature of their environment. And of course it's not just security fixes – they want to take advantage of the latest technologies, their users want that. For that we want to help them take fragmentation out of their environment and get them to the latest known state and the most innovative thing." Importance of controlFor consumers, she says, Windows Update does "a pretty good job of keeping them up-to-date" – that's a different approach from WSUS, the Windows Server Update Services businesses use today. "WSUS is a very functional, heavy-duty mechanism for businesses to get updates and select patches and then roll out. It's good but it's not necessarily enough to help them get into the new Windows as a Service world or just respond to their business requirements. Windows Update Services continues to be available and customers can continue to use it but they will also have this new option." Using Windows Update at work is something businesses have asked for, Chernyak says, but on their own terms. "When we went to businesses and said we wanted them to be on Windows Update because it would help them be more agile, they said to go on Windows Update they need certain features that give them some level of control of what updates are offered to the organisation, but not necessarily as heavy-duty as WSUS. "So we're bringing capabilities to Windows Update that essentially give businesses that comfort level, that level of control, while automating the process for them and making it predictable, giving them structure for the updates that come from Windows Update for Business." The control businesses get works much like the Windows Insider preview program, where some groups of users get new releases as soon as they're available and others wait until they've been tested and proven stable. "You can decide how quickly you want certain groups of users to get the updates," she explains. "You can say there are some internal groups that will get them first and then the general users that will get them next and then the finance department, for example, you want to get them last. It's up to each organisation how many distribution rings they want – whether they want three or five or ten, to stagger updates in a way that works for their business. For every specific set of functionality they can also stagger it inside their environment to make it truly incremental." Smoother runningChernyak promises that updates will be "much more smooth" but there will still be times when you don't want the disruption of having PCs restart. "Even for people who get updates almost immediately, you may still want to have maintenance windows – let alone your general users or the finance team. You can put in extra scrutiny – make sure it's overnight or that there are no updates in the last two weeks of the quarter or maybe no updates every last week of the month. You can just set the schedules." Businesses can do that with Windows Update for Business, and "integration with System Center means they can still use it to manage and schedule things … for an extra level of robustness." P2P benefitsWindows Update for Business also supports peer-to-peer delivery (something that's been in Windows Server for a while as Branch Cache, and is already in WSUS), and that helps with both security and bandwidth costs. "Not every machine has to be connected to the internet to get updates; you can use peer-to-peer connections to save bandwidth." Windows Update for Business isn't just for Windows either, Chernyak told TechRadar. "We're working with Office to have a similar approach. We're looking to make sure this is a general 'as a service' delivery of Microsoft products going forward." Getting updates out faster will help Microsoft improve the quality of updates too, she suggests. "It's win-win – everyone is more secure and up-to-date and we have higher quality. Us delivering updates and IT having control is part of the equation, but it's also important that we're getting telemetry back from user systems and that will allow us to ensure higher quality updates. When we ship an update we can see how it's going and we can immediately take action if it needs our attention." But it's not just about noticing problems with updates – the idea is that lots of smaller updates can be more reliable than a few big changes. "It's the incremental nature of updates. We used to have these big updates that were rare and hard to consume. We're changing our approach. We're getting incremental with small updates so that it's almost constant, so that it becomes almost a non-event. There is a much higher probability of delivering high quality when you ship in increments and you have telemetry to know if you ship and there is something that is breaking." Change in philosophyThis is all part of the change to how Microsoft delivers functionality in products, which is now through updates as much as through new versions (it's entirely possible that Windows 10 will be the current version of Windows for a very long time). "I don't think the volume of updates changes," explains Chernyak, "I think the frequency changes because it's the same volume spread in smaller chunks, so it makes it easier for you because you can take every small chunk and react much quicker because it's easier to fix. It is a different paradigm. "We're coming from the idea of a big splash and then silence, then a big splash and then silence again, it's more like a crank of the pedal on a bicycle and it moves. The more continuous it is, the easier it is for everybody. But with Windows we do understand some people may want to go faster or slower on the bicycle and that is the control we give people with Windows Update for Business – we're giving them essentially speed control on the bicycle, like different gears." Windows 10 will be welcomed by enterpriseshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/466856f1/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857608034/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466856f1/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857608034/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466856f1/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857608034/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466856f1/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228857608034/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466856f1/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228857608034/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/466856f1/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/1pPZ7cLhMNA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Microsoft/Windows%2010/hands%20on/windows10-closeup-470-75.jpgAfter speculation that Microsoft may offer the same free Windows 10 upgrade path to owners of non-genuine copies of Windows, Executive Vice President of the Operating Systems group Terry Myerson confirmed that only genuine Windows users can upgrade for free. "While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we've always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state," Myserson said in a blog post, cautioning that non-genuine copies of Windows carry greater risks of malfunction, malware, fraud and data exposure. This means that owners of non-genuine copies of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 can pay to upgrade to Windows 10. Even though Microsoft had recently announced the various versions of Windows 10, it still has not announced pricing. Is your copy legitimate?If you're running Windows, and you see a watermark on your desktop, Microsoft says that your system may be running a non-genuine copy of the operating system. Myerson advises that if you have recently purchased your system and you encounter the watermark, you should return the device to the retailer. Free for genuine copiesIf you have purchased a genuine copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, or if your PC ships from an OEM with a genuine Windows license, then you'll be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free within the first year of release. Windows 10 is expected to be released this summer, and Microsoft reps and partners have hinted that the launch could be as early as July. Windows 10 will ship with many new features and upgrades, including Continuum for seamless hand-off between tablet or desktop modes for hybrid laptops, Cortana, the new Microsoft Edge browser and other security enhancements. "Once a customer upgrades, they will continue to receive ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for free, for the supported lifetime of that device," Microsoft said. The company is changing its Windows strategy, offering Windows 10 as a service. Older PCsIf you're running a PC that came with a licensed copy of Windows earlier than Windows 7, Microsoft says it is working with OEMs to create an affordable upgrade path to Windows 10. Unfortunately, owners of versions of Windows prior to Windows 7 will not be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Official announcements should come from Microsoft's OEM partners like HP, Lenovo, Dell and others. Enterprise usersMicrosoft will give enterprise users more control and flexibility on how to upgrade to Windows 10 and when to apply security updates, patches and new releases to the OS. Businesses will be given the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 through Microsoft's Windows Software Assurance program. Read our review of Office 2016http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/465ace2a/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765909104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/465ace2a/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765909104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/465ace2a/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765909104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/465ace2a/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/228765909104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/465ace2a/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/228765909104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/465ace2a/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/20wAmeq3mPQ