Uncategorized – Page 57 – Smoking-Jackets

HP’s making a pro version of its weird projector computer

HP’s Sprout, introduced in October 2014, was a pretty far-out desktop PC that, interesting as it may be, hasn’t exactly wowed consumers. But the formula, which ditches a keyboard and mouse in favor of a built-in projector and multi-touch capacitive touch mat, could find larger success in the office — or classroom. Today HP is announcing the Sprout Pro, an updated version of the all-in-one PC coming in February for $2199.

It’s still got the same 23-inch display, Intel RealSense 3D camera setup, projector, and other components from the original model, but the Pro model has gotten a processor bump to Intel’s latest-gen chip The Sprout Pro also includes new business-oriented software additions like a special Skype app that can…

Microsoft’s Build conference sold out in one minute

Tickets to Microsoft’s annual developers conference have sold out in record time this year. Microsoft sold out of its allocation of tickets in around 20 minutes last year, but tickets disappeared in just a minute today. Developers now have to sign-up to a waiting list to try and get tickets. The conference takes place on March 30th through April 1st in San Francisco, and is designed to provide the first look at the future of a lot of Microsoft’s software for 2016.

While the price has increased from $2,095 to $2,195 to attend this year, a lack of free hardware giveaway has clearly not discouraged developers from attending. It’s not clear exactly what Microsoft will cover in its Build keynote this year, but expect to hear a lot more about…

The Witcher 2 is free on Xbox One right now

If last year’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was your first taste of the fantasy RPG series, Microsoft has good news: The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is not only available on the Xbox One starting today, but it’s also free for a limited time. The news comes as Microsoft announced the latest batch of Xbox 360 games to become backwards compatible with the Xbox One, and the list also includes titles like 2D fighter Skullgirls and trippy Xbox Live Arcade game Space Giraffe. The Witcher 2 is the only game in the batch that’s free, though it’s only available in select territories — the US, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK — and only until February 4th. You can grab it right here.

Microsoft to recall Surface Pro power cables due to overheating concerns

Microsoft is planning to recall a number of Surface Pro power cords following overheating concerns. Channelnomics Europe reports that the software giant will announce a voluntary recall for power supplies for the Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro 3 that were sold before July 2015. Microsoft has confirmed it plans to recall some power cables in a statement issued to ZDNet:

“As a result of damage caused by AC power cords being wound too tightly, twisted or pinched over an extended period of time, a very small proportion of Surface Pro customers have reported issues with their AC power cord. We will be releasing details of how customers can obtain a free replacement cable shortly.”

The Channelnomics Europe report claims…

Microsoft’s insane Android alarm app wants you to make faces at 6AM

Microsoft has been experimenting with guessing people’s ages and emotions recently, and now the software maker has created an Android app to show off its machine learning skills. Mimicker Alarm for Android isn’t your regular alarm. While most of us wake up at an intolerable hour to the sounds of wind chimes, some European techno, or just a really annoying buzzer, Microsoft has other plans for our morning ritual.

Mimicker Alarm does the normal alarm thing of waking you up, but it then expects you to play a game. Instead of dashing to the restroom and getting ready for work, Microsoft’s Android alarm app wants you to take a selfie with a particular emotion, find an object that matches a color, or repeat a phrase like “how much wood could…

Microsoft announces Surface Pro power cord recall

Microsoft revealed earlier this week that the company is recalling a number of power cords following overheating concerns. If you bought a Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, or Surface Pro 3 in the US or Canada before March 15th then you can apply now for a free cord replacement. If you purchased a device outside of the US or Canada before July 15th then it’s also affected by the recall. Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro 4 is unaffected.

“While there are no reports of serious injury, a small number of our customers have reported this issue and we are taking action to address by making free replacement cords available to all eligible customers,” says a Microsoft spokesperson.

The replacement affects the AC power cord that connects to a power…

Skype helps users avoid harassment by hiding IP addresses

Microsoft is finally making IP addresses hidden by default on Skype. Reports surfaced around four years ago noting that a flaw in Skype allowed malicious users to obtain IP addresses through the service. While Microsoft recently introduced the ability to hide your IP address in Skype, this is now being made default with the latest update released today.

Dropbox’s new Windows 10 app lets you secure your files with your face

Dropbox is releasing a new Windows 10 app today, designed primarily for tablets running Microsoft’s latest operating system. Like Netflix, the new Dropbox app takes advantage of Microsoft’s universal app platform to run across Windows 10 tablets, PCs, and phones (with the mobile version due soon).

The most interesting change to Dropbox’s updated app is the addition of Windows Hello support. Microsoft added Windows Hello to Windows 10 to allow users to log into machines with just their faces. It requires a special camera to use the facial recognition, but if you have a compatible PC then you’ll be able to secure your Dropbox files with just your face. This is one of the first big apps to integrate Windows Hello, and I’m hopeful we’ll see…

Microsoft is now selling more powerful Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 models

Microsoft is boosting its Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 lineup today. Both devices will now ship with powerful new models that include 1TB of storage, an Intel Core i7 processor, and 16GB of RAM. If you’re interested in either of the new devices, be prepared to spend a lot of cash. Microsoft’s top Surface Book is priced at $3,199, and the most powerful Surface Pro 4 costs $2,699.

Alongside the new models, Microsoft is also introducing a gold version of its Surface Pen. It’s the same Surface Pen that ships with the Surface Pro 4, but this separate version will also include the Surface Pen Tip Kit that allows you to change the tips of the stylus for different writing and drawing styles. While the new Surface models are only available in…

An ‘iPhone 5SE’ might come as soon as March

Apple is believed to be working on a new 4-inch iPhone, and now 9to5Mac claims to have details on what we should expect. The new phone is reported to be an improved version of the iPhone 5S: Apple is essentially said to be taking the guts of the iPhone 6 and stuffing them into the 5S’s smaller body. So this new phone would have the iPhone 6’s 8-megapixel rear camera, 1.2-megapixel front camera, NFC chip for using Apple Pay, A8 processor, and improved connectivity due to improvements like faster Wi-Fi. The phone’s body is said to be similar to the existing 5S, but with curved glass around its edges, like the 6 and 6S, rather than chamfered sides. It’ll also be available in all of the 6S’s colors, including rose gold. 9to5Mac reports that…