This redesigned Windows 10 Start menu is a big improvement
The next big feature update for Windows 10 will offer tweaked visuals, but most people probably won’t notice the difference. It’s all about evolution rather than revolution with Microsoft these days.
If you are hoping for a more modern Start menu then you’re going to have to look beyond Redmond for that, and a brand new concept shows us just what the tiled menu could look like.
StarTech launches two new 4K Dual-Monitor USB-C Multiport Adapters
USB-C is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The connector is reversible, meaning there is no wrong way to insert it. USB-A, conversely, was hugely annoying in this regard -- for many years, computer users had to suffer through the madness. Not to mention, since the USB-C connector is much smaller, it can be utilized by smartphones and tablets in addition to desktop computers, and laptops.
Of course, there are times when you may need to connect a device that doesn't use USB-C, such as an Ethernet cable, computer monitor, or USB-A flash drive. For this, you can purchase individual dongles, but it is more convenient to simply get a multiport adapter instead. Today, StarTech launches two new such models -- the DK30C2HAGPD and DK30C2DAGPD. They are very much the same, except the former uses HDMI while the latter is compatible with DisplayPort.
Major Avast and AVG update adds 64-bit support, drops XP/Vista
When an existing user purchases a new activation code, they often have problems installing the 'latest' version of their security suite because they often overlook that as part of their subscription they will always have the latest version.
This is why the likes of Avast and AVG dropped year version numbers, making it more difficult to know when a major release has been made available. Earlier today Avast released the 19.1 editions of their security products and this is a significant update.
ARRIS unveils SURFboard mAX Pro AX11000 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
Many people use ARRIS products without really thinking about it. How can that be? Well, its excellent cable modems are quite ubiquitous in the USA. When a cable internet provider gives the user a modem, it is often ARRIS. They are stable modems that just work well. Of course, you can also buy the company's modems from retailers like Amazon -- a great way to save money if your ISP charges you a monthly rental fee for theirs.
Today, ARRIS unveils a new network product for both home and business consumers, but it is not a cable modem. Instead, it is a beautiful new mesh Wi-Fi system. In other words, it is a router that pairs with at least one other access point to blanket your home or office in wireless internet. What makes this new product so intriguing is its inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 -- also known as 802.11ax.
Microsoft tests Project Bali, a privacy-focused tool to control personal data collection
Microsoft Research is currently testing a new control panel which could enable users to manage the data the company collects about them.
Known as Project Bali, the tool is currently undergoing private beta testing. It promises to not only give users the option of managing and controlling the data collected about them, but also -- intriguingly -- the ability to monetize it.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 19H1 Build 18309
According to AdDuplex, the problematic October 2018 Update is currently on just 6.6 percent of all Windows 10 PCs. It’s doubled its share since November, but still pales in comparison to the April 2018 Update which is on 83.6 percent of systems.
Despite this, Microsoft is hard at work on the next big feature update, expected this spring, and has just rolled out the first build of 2019 for Insiders on the Fast ring.
Python for Windows 10 now available from the Microsoft Store
Python is a great programming language. It’s powerful, yet easy to learn, and comes preinstalled on most Linux distributions.
It’s more of a pain to get it on Windows though, as Microsoft’s OS doesn’t include a native Python installation. However, Windows 10 users can now download an official Python package from the Microsoft Store.
ASUS unveils new Chromebooks and a Chrome OS tablet for education
Chrome OS has slowly become one of the most promising operating systems. What began life as a "glorified web browser" has grown to also run Android apps and traditional Linux programs. At the same time, Windows 10 has declined in quality, causing many users to lose faith in Microsoft's operating system. For education in particular, school districts are increasingly turning to Google's Chromebooks rather than devices running Windows 10.
Today, ASUS unveils four new Chrome OS devices for the education market. Three of them (C403, C204, and Flip C214) are laptops, with one of them (the Flip) being a convertible -- meaning it can fold into a tablet. In addition, there is a traditional tablet (CT100). While Chrome OS tablets are fairly unproven, the ability to run Android apps makes them quite useful.
Shares plummet following Apple's profit warning, blamed on China, lower iPhone sales and cut-price battery replacements
After Apple issued a profit warning, indicating that it believed first quarter revenue will be lower than previously expected, shares in the company dropped by as much as 9 percent in early trading, and the effects were felt by other companies as fear mounted that Apple's troubles could spread wider.
Tim Cook issued a letter to shareholders, warning that "our revenue will be lower than our original guidance for the quarter". He cites a number of reasons for the revised figures, including the timing of iPhone sales, the strength of the dollar, market saturation, and lower than expected numbers of iPhone upgrades -- this being partly blamed on the high uptake of Apple's reduced-price battery upgrade program introduced a little over a year ago.
Syncthing 1.0.0 released as open-source P2P sync tool, finally leaves beta
If you’re looking for an open, trustworthy and decentralized alternative to cloud sync platforms, then Syncthing is the tool for you. And today is a milestone -- after five long years in beta, Syncthing 1.0.0 (32-bit) and Syncthing 1.0.0 (64-bit) has been released for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android.
The new release has been given a new code name: Erbium Earthworm, continuing the tradition of alphabetic code names (the previous release was Dysprosium Dragonfly). It’s also been dubbed "Graduation Day" by lead developer Jakob Borg.
Dark mode is coming to Chrome in Windows 10 soon
An increasing number of apps and websites are gaining dark modes, often simply for the sake of aesthetics, but also because of power-saving considerations. Having added eye-saving dark modes to numerous Android apps, Google has confirmed that it is doing the same for the Windows 10 version of Chrome.
While there is no particular time frame in which we can expect to see Chrome's dark mode, a Chrome developer has confirmed that the feature is in progress.
Acer launches TravelMate X3410 Windows 10 business laptop
Windows 10 is hardly a perfect operating system, but it is undeniably the best option for business users -- especially when paired with the excellent Microsoft Office. True, some professional users can get by with a traditional Linux workstation and LibreOffice (or a Chromebook with web-based productivity apps), but if business success is your goal in 2019 -- computing ideology be damned -- you can't go wrong with Windows.
Acer has a new business laptop that is sure to delight professionals. The "TravelMate X3410," as it is called, is svelte and beautiful while having all the ports a pro will need, such as USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI, and VGA. While home users may no longer need VGA, it is handy to have for business users -- many offices still utilize VGA-only projectors, for instance. Best of all, it offers incredible battery life while having an affordable starting price.
Updating from Windows 10 1803 to 1809 could disable the built-in administrator account
If you have enabled Windows 10's built-in administrator account, and upgrade from build 1803 to 1809 -- that is, the April 2018 Update to the October 2018 update -- you will find that a bug has been introduced that disables the account.
Microsoft says that it is aware of the problem, but the company does not plan on releasing a fix for it until the end of the month.
FCC will suspend many operations tomorrow if Trump's government shutdown continues
President Trump's partial shutdown of the US government is now well into its second week, with little sign of the impasse over funding for a wall on the southern border coming to an end. Large numbers of government employees are already feeling the pinch due to a lack of pay checks, and the impact is on the verge of spreading further.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it will suspend "most operations" at midday on Thursday, January 3 "in the event of a continued partial lapse in federal government funding".
My favorite tech products of 2018
As another year starts, I wanted to look back on my favorite products of the previous 12 months. I’m not talking just 2018 products here, as it has to be said, some things I use most aren’t that new.
In the past I’ve been called everything in the comments. My favorites have been a Microsoft fanboy and Microsoft hater. I haven’t figured out how I could be both. The reality of what I use may surprise the people who have said those things.
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