As people are slowly learning and getting used to the Windows 10 updates, some of them stand out, here is one. A feature called the Windows Update Delivery Optimization gives Microsoft the permission to share parts of your Internet bandwidth, with others.
This feature saves and uploads parts of your updates files that have been downloaded via Windows Update & Windows Store service, then depending upon your settings, will share that with people on your local network, or people on the internet.
“Delivery Optimization downloads the same updates and apps that you get through Windows Update and the Windows Store. Delivery Optimization creates a local cache, and stores files that it has downloaded in that cache for a short period of time,” says the description.
This feature is enabled in all desktop editions of Windows 10 by default; however it only shares files on the local network. There is an option to turn off this feature, one needs to go to the Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Advanced options. After that, select the ‘Choose how updates are delivered’ and turn off the ‘Dicovery Optimization’ feature.
Image Source: NDTV Gadgets
The feature, is one of the few that could annoy users, just like the Wi-Fi Sense did. The Wi-Fi sense is a feature that was previously available on Windows Phones, whereby it shares the user’s Wi-Fi credentials to all contacts on Facebook, Outlook & Skype.
After the launch of the Windows 10, it has been getting many positive reviews especially because it has been expected to replace all the features that Windows 8/8.1 lacked, such as the much loved, Start button.
However, some users might still want to revert to the Windows 8/8.1, due to technical reasons such as certain bugs not being patched yet into the Windows 10, etc. Windows 10 has a rather simple method of downgrading right back to Windows 8/8.1 until you are ready – one can just go to the Upgrade & Security option and choose Recovery.
Image Source: BGR
The downgrade might give you certain problems such as apps not opening or running, but one just needs to reinstall them. Although it is still suggested to stick to Windows 10, considering the free upgrade and good reviews.
Microsoft may be riding high on the Windows 10 rollout but it still feels the sting of the loss caused by the purchase of Nokia a few years back. Microsoft’s acquisition of the Finnish company was speculated to be a sure hit, only it didn’t. The Lumia devices never performed as expected and neither did Nokia’s Android devices. And just last week, Microsoft wrote off Nokia $7.5 billions on Nokia, considering the company brought the once-smartphone major for $9.5 billions. Thus, what was Microsoft’s loss became Huawei’s gain as the Chinese company became the third largest mobile phone vendor, displacing Microsoft without breaking a sweat.
According to Strategy Analytics, Huawei sold 30.6 million mobile phones and gained a record 7 percent market share worldwide. The report notes that Huawei is rising in all regions of the world and it gaining stronger foothold in China, thanks to the 4G handsets such as Mate7.
Microsoft sold 27.8 million units this year, with a 50% drop in sales compared to last year. Microsoft’s plan for cross platform OS never gained major traction, nor did the fact that Apple and Samsung scooped up most of the market share due to iOS and low-budget Android smartphones respectively, helped.
According to the report, Samsung is still the largest mobile phone vendor, with Apple coming in at second position. Here is the twist though: Samsung’s share dropped from last year while the opposite happened for Apple. Apple’s quarterly report shows its growth in China while Samsung’s downfall may have resulted from the increasing popularity of Xiaomi and OnePlus in the past year.
The Windows 10 update for desktops, laptops and tablets is on a roll. Yesterday, Microsoft began rolling out the update yesterday and it managed to be downloaded by over 14 million people, worldwide. But serious questions were asked by consumers about the availability of the new operating system on their smartphones. The company said the OS will start rolling out smartphones from November. Today, the company has confirmed which Lumia devices will receive the updates first.
Microsoft announced that the devices which will receive the OS update are: Microsoft Lumia 430, Lumia 435, Lumia 532, Lumia 535, Lumia 540, Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, or Lumia 93. The firm announced the list which it said “will receive a free upgrade when available”, but vague wording made it unclear if these devices would be the first to be upgraded, or if they might be the only ones to get updated.
Nokia Lumia 640 XL will be receiving the Windows 10 upgrade.
Many notable devices like the Lumia 520 and the Lumia 630 and 635 are missing from the list. The company assured that the upgrade will eventually be brought to every device running on Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 or Update 2, with the most recent Lumia Denim firmware. But, Microsoft also said that not every Windows 10 feature will be available in the mobile version. One of them is the Windows Hello biometric security feature.
Windows 10 Mobile will be bringing in a lot of positive changes to the whole Lumia interface, introducing an updated Action Centre, new Microsoft Edge browser, and universal apps like Maps, Calendar and Photos, among others. Cortana would also be starred in the OS, now with cross-platform and cross-device integration stretching to Android and iOS, apart from desktops. Also new, are features like the One-Handed mode.
The Windows 10 Operating System is taking place on a global scale. Microsoft’s official online store has listed the Home version under Rs 7,999 and the Pro version for Rs 14,999. For those users who are using Windows XP and earlier versions, or are assembling new PCs or laptops need to purchase the software. And, for those who are operating original Windows 7 and Windows 8, you are eligible for the free upgrade.
If you’re one of the 14 million users around the world who has installed Windows 10, you know what we’re talking about. Windows 10 has made Microsoft Edge as the default browser, and while the reviews have been positive so far, it is far from perfect. So, when users try to make Mozilla or Google Chrome the default browser, they are redirected to the Settings, from where they can then change the default browser. While the procedure is easy, the effort has doubled and Mozilla is not happy at all.
In an open letter penned to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Mozilla’s CEO Chris Beard says that it “now takes more than twice the number of mouse clicks, scrolling through content and some technical sophistication for people to reassert the choices they had previously made in earlier versions of Windows. It’s confusing, hard to navigate and easy to get lost.”
To change your default apps, you have to go to Settings>System>Default Apps.
The default setting not only applies to the web browser but also to video files, music, photos and pretty much everything. In a blog post dated May, 2015, Microsoft explained that the move was made to reduce unwanted noise created by prompts. Not to forget, Microsoft has spent years and resources to develop Edge and has worked very hard to remove the ink stain known as Internet Explorer.
Following the open letter, Microsoft has released a statement saying: “We designed Windows 10 to provide a simple upgrade experience for users and a cohesive experience following the upgrade. During the upgrade, consumers have the choice to set defaults, including for web browsing. Following the upgrade, they can easily choose the default browser of their choice. As with all aspects of the product, we have designed Windows 10 as a service; if we learn from user experience that there are ways to make improvements, we will do so. “
We’ve all been talking about how iOS’ Siri finally has competition with Microsoft’s voice-activated digital assistant in Windows 10, Cortana. Set to have been seen with the global launch of Windows 10, Microsoft users in India may be left disappointed. Why? Because Cortana isn’t going to be available to us anytime soon due to Microsoft updating the software with “strong local content”, according to Microsoft India Director (Windows Business Group) Vineet Durani.
source: Microsoft-news
The decision has been made due to a number of reasons. Durani said that Cortana wasn’t just an assistant. Since she is used to find data, track information, set reminders etc, they wanted to make sure that Cortana was synchronised, geographically and locally so that she could cater to the Indian users with more efficiency. Therefore, it isn’t just about getting the Indian accent right, its about being completely in tune to the user’s needs.
This seems like an understandable move from the Redmond-based firm because Windows 10 is banking on making a comeback from the mild debacle Windows 8 was. They want to make sure they give stiff competition to Apple’s iOS, without any glitches. Hence, we can only hope that when Cortana does make an appearance in India, she’s flawless.
With the arrival of the Windows 10 update for PCs and tablets, the release of the software on smartphones too, was highly anticipated. A Windows executive announced today, that the Windows 10 mobile may finally arrive in November.
“Obviously, there’s some duplication in engineering, sales and marketing, but it doesn’t change our strategy around mobility. Windows 10 Mobile is coming and it’s coming strong. Our core platform is Windows 10. It’s mobile in nature, not just the device, but the experience people will have. So there’s a big emphasis on the… mobile phone side of it. But there’s more thunder on that coming later in the year,” Doherty.
Reports suggest, that if the Windows 10 makes its debut in November, one can also expect the launch of the rumoured Lumia 950 (codename Talkman) and the Lumia 950 XL (codename: Cityman) around the same time. Currently, the time-frame suggests that these two devices may be launched in New York in late September or October.
Image Source: iafrica.com
Microsoft is having a separate launch for the Windows 10 mobile so as not to be outshined by other product launches.
All Windows users have been anticipating this day for months now, and it is finally here. The Windows 10 launches today, though with mixed reviews. It is being called a great combination of the Windows 7 & 8, especially with the return of features like the Start Button. Other features include Cortana, a new browsing experience with different modes such as the reading mode.
source: PCworld
One can upgrade to the Windows 10 by clicking on the ‘get windows 10’ icon on the Systems Tray of your PC. Otherwise, Windows has also provided a Quick Guide along with a website pertaining to the launch. Those of you who have already clicked on this button and have registered for the new Windows, have only to wait till Windows updates you about the download. The installation might take a day or two, depending on the traffic.
Most reports don’t call it a ‘traditional launch,’ since Windows 10 has been available to several users for a couple of months. Although, Microsoft says, that Windows 10 will perhaps be the last version of the Windows software program, which will keep updating itself gradually for free, over months and years.
As of now the Windows 10 will come with many guide videos to help upgraders use the new features such as, the cortana, XBox game streaming, built-in universal apps, and the improved security of Windows 10.
However, with mixed reviews, it is yet to be seen, whether Windows 10 will tighten its hold on the market. Let us know about your Windows 10 upgrade.
Microsoft is busy gearing up for the launch of Windows 10. However, latest reports by Windows Central suggest that the company is working towards a total make-over of its range of smartphones with Windows 10.
The rumoured devices, codenamed as Cityman and Talkman, will possibly be launched at IFA Berlin in September this year. As far as the specs are concerned, the Talkman is touted to have a 5.2-inch display with 2560x1440p resolution. Under the hood, one can expect a hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor coupled with 3GB RAM, 20-megapixel rear snapper, 5-megapixel front-facing camera, 32GB storage and a 3,000mAh battery.
The big brother, Cityman, will come with a 5.7-inch display, and almost a similar set of specs. Apart from the larger screen, some other differentiating specs may be an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor and a 3,300mAh battery.
Although, there is no official word from Microsoft yet, Windows Central suggests that the devices will come with support for Qi wireless charging and an infrared scanner that will unlock the device in seconds. Iris scanner is a not-so-common feature and may turn the tides towards Microsoft’s favour, considering the fact that the Indian market is dominated widely by Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi and many other competitive companies. Microsoft is also reportedly bringing its Surface Pen technology to both of the expected Lumia handsets.
Both the devices are assumed to make their debut at IFA in September, followed by a release in October or November. Both will be offered in a choice of black and white polycarbonate, but there’s no word on their pricing yet.
We have more proof that history repeats itself – after Android phone sales surpassed those of Windows computers in 2012, an analyst has estimated that the same thing will happen again, this time, it will be iOS devices instead of Android. As ZDNet reports it, an analyst has tweeted a trailing 12-month chart of iOS and PC sales using data from various companies.
If you look at the graph closely, you will see that while PC sales increased post June 2009, right when Microsoft introduced Windows 7 and experienced a sharp decline post June 2012, when Microsoft introduced Windows 8, a well-intentioned but misfired attempt for cross platform OS. At the same time, Apple introduced iPhone 4S, which set a precedent for future iPhone designs and was a notable improvement over iPhone 3GS. Not to forget, iOS 5 achieved what Microsoft tried to – cross platform OS for the iPad, iPhone and iPod.
Moreover, over the years, developers and manufacturers have made phones and tablets suitable for tasks that required PCs. For example, you can now create and edit a PowerPoint Presentation on your phone, a task which required a PC in earlier times. Apps like Instagram and Pixlr allow users to edit their photos at a basic level, WordPress’ app allows you to manage your blog on the go and more such apps have made it possible to ditch the PC for basic tasks. Still, the PC won’t be extinct right away, as there is still some use for it.
Microsoft still has a chance to beat Apple at its cross-platform game, when it rolls out Windows 10 next week. It seems Microsoft has learned from its mistakes; Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 and can hopefully regain its position as the leader of the PC market.
Microsoft’s plan to release Cortana for Android to coincide with the release of Windows 10 may have received a bit of setback. According to sources, a version of Cortana for Android has leaked earlier than expected. It’s still a beta version, so Microsoft has nothing to worry about.
Android users who have used the Windows version before, will find nothing new in the Android version. Except for one detail, the beta version is identical to the one found in Windows devices. You can check for weather, set reminders, see sport results, ask it to tell you Rahul Gandhi’s age etc.
Source: Microsoft News
Named after a character in the Halo video game series, Cortana is Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri. The virtual assistant is currently available to only Windows 8.1 phone users. After Microsoft launches Windows 10 later this month, the feature will be made available to both PC and mobile phone users, as well as for Android, iOS and XBox.
Cortana has proved itself time and time again that it is equivalent to Siri. Last year, Cortana gained its fame when it successfully predicted most of the FIFA World Cup games.
The smartphone train keeps on moving forward as time passes by. With almost half of the year gone by, we’ve seen many new devices like Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge and HTC One M9. But the year is far from ending, and many companies have given out hints of their new unnamed devices. Let us check them out below
Apple iPhone 6s
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were released in September, and in the months leading up to that, the gossip mill went mental. Be ready for more of the same with the iPhone 6S, which will launch in September 2015 running iOS 9. As always, we’re presuming a faster processor and some upgraded specs, but little change to the design. According to rumours, the new devices will have a faster A9 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel camera, an additional microphone to enhance voice quality, and a new interior mechanical design to address some bending issues users experienced with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
OnePlus Two
OnePlus One was one of the most successful Chinese electronic startup stories of 2014. This handset captured an enormous chunk of the mid-segment smartphone market. OnePlus announced a new device on June, which is expected to be the next OnePlus handset. According to OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, the OnePlus 2 will surprise us, and is likely to focus on flagship-rivalling design rather than specs. The OnePlus 2 launches on 27 July, and will be the first product ever to do so in virtual reality. We already know it will feature OxygenOS, an upgraded Snapdragon 810 processor, USB Type-C and a fingerprint scanner; also expect 4GB of RAM, a 3300mAh battery and a 5.5in 2K screen.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Everyone always brags on about Samsung’s Galaxy S lineup, but it’s the Note series that really impresses. The Note 4 was unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event prior to September’s IFA trade show (3 September 2014), and right now sits at the top of our fastest smartphone and best phablet charts. Traditionally Samsung’s Note launches are held at IFA in September, but rumours suggest we might see the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 as early as July to give it a headstart on the new iPhones.
Mi5 and Mi5 Plus
Reports from Gizmochina claim two more devices will be joining Xiaomi’s line-up later in June 2015. These devices are larger copies of the Mi 4, expected to be named Mi 5 and Mi 5 Plus. The claimed specs of the devices were leaked on the Chinese social media site, Weibo. The Mi 5 is touted to have a 5.2-inch display with a resolution of 1440×2560 pixels. It is believed to be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset with either 3GB or 4GB RAM and will be juiced by a 3,000mAh battery. Its camera specification includes a 16MP primary camera.The device will also be infused with fingerprint technology. Its larger cousin, named as Mi 5 Plus, will feature a 6-inch screen with 4GB RAM, 32GB internal memory and a 16MP primary camera. While nothing has been mentioned about the price, some rumors claim that Mi5 is slated to be priced around Rs. 23,900. Should the rumor turn out to be true, Mi5 will become one of the strongest performing phones in the market. We hope Xiaomi announces Mi5 as early as possible.
LG G5
Rumours say that LG is now working on the successor of the G4, and will be bringing iris recognition system into play. Reports from Korean publications state that LG has teamed up with local biometrics specialist Irience to implement this feature in its next smartphone. Reports also indicate that the phone will be released in the last quarter of 2015. For now, this is the only information we have found out.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Mini and Galaxy S6 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S6 Mini
It seems like Samsung is on the move to expand its range of Galaxy lineups. The Korean company is reportedly working on a smaller version and a larger version of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, namely, Galaxy S6 Mini and Galaxy S6 Plus respectively. Both the rumours emerged this week.
According to GSMArena, the smaller version, Galaxy S6 Mini, or ‘SM-G9198′, the device will be an iPhone 6 competitor. It will have a 4.6-inch HD display and run on Snapdragon 808 chip with 2GB of RAM. It will be equipped with a 15MP primary camera and a 4.7MP front camera.
Galaxy S6 Plus
Meanwhile, Italy’s HDBlog revealed that the company is working on a bigger version, possibly a phablet, on the Galaxy S6 line. For now, the device has been codenamed as ‘Project Zero 2?. Interestingly, the S6 and S6 Edge were codenamed ‘Project Zero’. According to the rumours, the device will just be like the Galaxy S6, only bigger and with a more powerful battery.
Microsoft Lumia 940XL
Microsoft had launched the Lumia 930 almost a year ago, and now, the company is back with its newest smartphone, the Microsoft Lumia 940XL. According to NokiaPowerUser, the device is a larger version of the Lumia 940. The device is expected to have a bigger 5.7-inch display with a slim design and a metal frame. The processor will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot for expandable storage, a 5MP front-facing camera, a 20MP main PureView camera for photos and videos, and will feature native pen support as well.Further, it will also support USB C-Type and an Iris Scanner too. The specs sound very exciting, but the company has not officially confirmed the existence of such a device.
Motorola Moto X (third-gen)
Motorola may launch the third generation of its flagship Moto X smartphones in the coming few months. According to STJS Gadgets, the third-generation Moto X is leaked by a Motorola insider, who claims to have a hold of details about the next Moto X. The upcoming smartphone on the Moto X series will sport a 5.2-inch QHD AMOLED display, used on the Droid Turbo. Under the hood will be a Snapdragon 808 chipset bundled with a massive 4GB RAM. The device will come pre-installed with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.The front camera will be 5MP while the back will house a 16MP snapper with Clear Pixel Technology. The battery powering the device will also be mammoth at 3280mAh. The device will come in two storage variants – 32GB and 64GB.
Bonus
Nexus 5 2015
New reports have emerged that after months of speculation about with whom will Google team up with for its next Nexus device, it seems that LG could be the one to build the next, temporarily named, Nexus 5 2015. According to Android Pit, rather than basing the Nexus 5 2015 on the LG G4, LG will be creating the new handset from the scratch. The device would sport a 5.2-inch screen display, six-core Snapdragon 808 processor by Qualcomm, and 2,700 mAh battery pack, according to the rumours. It may also come in 64 GB and 128 GB variants and have a 16-megapixel rear camera and a five-megapixel wide-angle camera in front.
However, for now, neither Google nor LG has confirmed the news. Also, Google’s next mobile OS, Android M is set for an August release date. Hence, details regarding how many Nexus devices are going to be released and who would be building them will be out really soon.
Keep on checking iGyaan for more updates regarding these future devices!
Windows is by far one of the most widely used OS in the world. It’s also known that Windows XP has been the most popular version of Windows, to the length that it took two years for Windows 8.1 to surpass XP. With Windows 10, Microsoft has taken a multi-platform approach, meaning that your Xbox, phones and other Microsoft products will run on the same OS.
Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to make Windows 10 available worldwide. From free upgrade to new features, the company has been building up the hype for its new OS day by day. Still, existing Windows users are still confused about certain things like, whether they are eligible for free upgrade or when can they get Windows 10.
Here’s what we know about Windows 10 so far. We hope that we are able clear your doubts.
Am I eligible for free upgrade?
The most frequent question riding on Windows users’ minds, to which Microsoft has changed its answer from time to time. First, it was reported that anyone who uses a copy of Windows 7 or 8.1, genuine or not, will get a free upgrade. The company changed its statement saying that the users using pirated version will not get free upgrade.
If you use a genuine copy of Windows 7 or 8.1, you will get a free upgrade. You can simply click on the Windows logo on the right side of the taskbar and reserve your free upgrade.
If you use a pirated version of Windows 7 or 8.1, you will not get a free copy of Windows 10. There is a way to get a free copy though. If you decide to install a preview version of Windows 10 as part of the ‘Windows Insider’ program, you will get a free upgrade as long as you keep receiving the pre-release updates. If you install the preview version, upgrade to the final version on July 29th and then opt-out of pre-release updates, you will not receive the free copy.
When will I receive my free copy of Windows 10?
If you are a regular Windows 7 or 8.1 user, and have registered for your free copy of Windows 10, you will not receive it on July 29. On that day, Microsoft will roll out the new OS to the Windows Insiders. Since the majority of the world has registered for the free upgrade, it is obvious that not all of them will receive it on the same day. That is why Microsoft will start notifying reserved systems in parts, which means you will get your free copy of Windows 10 after you have been notified post July 29.
How do I register for my free Windows 10 upgrade?
You will see a Windows logo on the right side of your taskbar. Click on the logo will open up a window. Click ‘Reserve your free upgrade’ and enter your Microsoft Account ID. Select the menu and choose ‘View Confirmation’. If this window appears, it means you will be notified about your free upgrade:
How much space is needed for Windows 10 upgrade?
According to Microsoft, the Windows 10 upgrade requires only 3GB of space. How much time it takes to download 3GB will depend on your Internet connection.
Will I lose my personal data after I upgrade to Windows 10?
Microsoft says that your files and applications will be safe. However, we recommend you to create a backup of your personal files. As far as softwares are concerned, applications like anti-virus will be uninstalled during the update while keeping its settings. If you have a current subscription, Windows will reinstall using the preserved settings.
Now that your basic doubts have been cleared, we hope that you and us will enjoy Windows 10 when it comes on 29 July.
Any successful transportation company in the world relies heavily on maps. Uber’s app is basically a navigation app but with additional features like booking a cab and GPS. Recognizing how crucial maps are for its operations, Uber has acquired the mapping assets from Microsoft, which include data center, cameras, intellectual property, and roughly 100 engineers.
Microsoft has confirmed that it will no longer collect mapping data as it efforts to focus on the company’s core business strategy. Microsoft usually sources mapping data from Nokia and other partners for maps but it also used to collect its own 3D, aerial and street view maps.
We will no longer collect mapping imagery ourselves, and instead will continue to partner with premium content and imagery providers for underlying data while concentrating our resources on the core user experience. With this decision, we will transfer many of our imagery acquisition operations to Uber.
Uber has been trying to strengthen its own mapping system. The company recently hired former Google Map executive Brian McClendon and with the latest acquisition from Microsoft, Uber aims to make its service better. Uber also wants to reduce its dependency on Google Maps, the go-to map service.
Uber said in a statement
Mapping is at the heart of what makes Uber great. So we will continue to work with partners, as well as invest in our own technology, to build the best possible experience for riders and drivers.
Microsoft will still continue to offer its maps services through Bing Maps using licensed data.
Smartphone users across the world face the same problem regardless of which phone they use – the inevitable dying battery in a short period of time. Our phones run multiple tasks while using bluetooth, wi-fi and cellular networks at the same time. For faster workflow, the processors will use more power, thus resulting in battery drain and the headache of finding ways to charge our phones.
It seems Samsung may have found a solution to our power woes.
Scientists at the company have developed lithium-ion battery technology that promises longer-lasting power. The battery uses a silicon anode, which increases the battery capacity and has layers of graphene on top to improve its density and longevity. Thus, the battery is at least 1.5 times denser than the current battery packs. As a result, the phone, which can previously run on 12 hours of battery, can now function for 21 hours, at least theoretically.
Since the project is still in its research stage, the improved battery will not be expected in the next Galaxy series or any new phones in the coming years. Every year, the phones continue to get better and faster and require a larger battery for the same, which results in an increase in size. That is why Samsung’s breakthrough is important since adding a larger battery won’t be a solution in the future. Plus, as this ad by Samsung shows, we shouldn’t hassle with white cords every time our phone dies.
