Best Windows 10 apps this week
Two-hundred-and-twenty-one in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Windows Store in the past seven days.
As always, if I missed an app or game that has been released this week that you believe is particularly good, let me know in the comments below or notify me via email instead.
How does Game Mode speed up games in Windows 10 Creators Update?
Microsoft has promised that the arrival of Game Mode in Windows 10 Creators Update will improve the performance of games. This sounds great in principle, but how does it work?
Microsoft has already said a little about what's going on, but really it has not gone far beyond saying that more processor and GPU cycles will be dedicated to compatible games. But speaking at the Game Developers Conference this week, Xbox Advanced Technology Group's Eric Walston went into a little more detail.
Microsoft's Unified Update Platform means smaller Windows 10 build downloads after Creators Update
Back in November, Microsoft started to talk about its Unified Update Platform (UUP), with the promise that differential packages would lead to a reduction in the size of updates for Windows. Now the company has announced that the same technology means new builds of Windows rolling out to Insiders will also be smaller, and it's something everyone will enjoy from later in the year.
It's an idea that's not entirely removed from the differential sync technique that's due to arrive in OneDrive -- another change that sees Microsoft reducing bandwidth usage. Smaller Windows Update downloads and smaller sizes for major updates to Windows itself will hit the retail version of the operating system from Windows 10 Creators Update onwards.
Microsoft Azure Stack Technical Preview 3 is now available
Microsoft has announced an extension of Azure technologies on-premises, as well as a couple of Azure Stack updates. According to a blog post announcing the new features, the updates will enable organizations with hybrid cloud environments to have the same flexibility and innovation capability to match their business objectives and app design.
Organizations looking to create new apps, or re-work their current ones, on both cloud and on-premises environments, now have three unique hybrid cloud scenarios on offer.
Tech Deals: Get a new Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming Laptop for only $882, plus other great bargains
Why pay full price for a new laptop, desktop, or Xbox One bundle, when you can get one for a fraction of the cost?
Courtesy of our partners at TechBargains we have yet another selection of fantastic deals, with huge savings to tempt you. Offers include fantastic savings on new Dell laptop and desktop PCs, Xbox One S, Oculus Rift, electronics and components, and much more.
[Giveaway] Win an Askborg ChargeCube 5,200mAh external battery
An external battery can come in handy if you need to charge your smartphone on the go. It can have enough juice to give you a full charge and be small enough that it fits in your pocket. Personally, I never leave on a trip without one.
Askborg's 5,200mAh ChargeCube, which is the smaller brother to the 10,400mAh and 20,800mAh ChargeCube external batteries I reviewed this week, is designed as a portable option that can charge pretty much any smartphone to 100 percent, including larger devices like the Apple iPhone 7 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. And, with Askborg's help, we're giving one away!
Microsoft releases Skype for Linux 5.0 Beta
While Skype in general is in desperate need of some TLC by Microsoft, the communication solution is still rather wonderful. The cross-platform nature makes it a wise choice for both personal and business use. In other words, you never have to worry if a family member, client, or co-worker is using a device that is Skype-compatible -- most modern devices and computers are.
Yes, Microsoft even makes Skype available for desktop Linux-based operating systems. With that said, the most recent usable version was merely an Alpha -- functional, but hardly bug free. Today, this changes, as Skype for Linux 5.0 graduates to Beta.
Google Assistant's rollout to Marshmallow and Nougat begins today, and it comes to updated Allo too
Just a few days ago, Google announced that Google Assistant was going to spread to Marshmallow and Nougat smartphones. The wait is already over, as the company has made a follow up announcement in the form of a YouTube video indicating that the rollout starts today.
Google previously told us that Google Assistant will first make its way to the US, followed by Australia, Canada, the UK, and then Germany. The assistant's growing repertoire of talents will soon be little more than a long-press of the home button away.
Windows 10 usage on Steam falls again for the second month in a row
Yesterday, I reported on how Windows 10 usage had fallen in February according to the latest figures from NetMarketShare.
Today, Steam releases its hardware survey for February, and that shows that Windows 10 usage has fallen on the gaming platform too, and not for the first time. Usage in January was also down from the month before. Is it the start of a downward trend?
FriendlyElec releases Ubuntu Linux-ready NanoPi M1 Plus -- a $30 Raspberry Pi killer
The Raspberry Pi line of mini computers -- including the all-new Pi Zero W -- are wonderful devices for what they are. Quite frankly, they have inspired many young people to learn about programming, while helping makers to create some really cool projects. With that said, the Pi computers are not the only System on a Chip solutions on the market. Actually, there are more powerful ARM-based offerings available. The problem? They are often radically more expensive than Raspberry Pi.
However, there is a new Raspberry Pi competitor that is quite affordable. In fact, some folks may view it as a Pi-killer. The $30 FriendlyElec NanoPi M1 Plus has an arguably superior design and layout, plus important integrated features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It even has an IR receiver, onboard microphone, 8GB storage, and both power and reset buttons. Best of all? It is ready to run Debian, Ubuntu Core, and Ubuntu Mate from the start.
Why Microsoft Office 365 adoption keeps rising
In the fast paced digital world we inhabit, there are a million different programs and apps vying for our attention. In fact, our time is so taxed these days that the market for apps that help you organize your life, manage your business, and otherwise help you keep your head from falling from your shoulders is booming.
Office 365 is a perfect example of a collection of cloud-based programs on offer to both the layperson and businesses, intent on helping people stave off chaos. It can be hard to whittle down just what program suits you and your business’s needs (that’s why handy sites like ITProPortal help with some of the heavy lifting), but Office 365 is looking to create further separation over the competition with every new iteration.
Docker launches new enterprise platform
Containerization specialist Docker is releasing a new commercial platform for enterprise development and IT ops teams that build, run, and operate business-critical applications.
Docker Enterprise Edition (EE) is made up of a container runtime with integrated and multi-tenant orchestration, security and management, in addition to an ecosystem of certified technologies.
Microsoft Surface gets Wake on LAN support with Dock, Docking Station and Ethernet Adapter
To make it easier for enterprises to install Windows 10 updates and perform maintenance tasks during off-hours, Microsoft has introduced Wake on LAN support on Surface devices connected to wired networks through a Surface Dock, Surface Docking Station or Surface Ethernet Adapter.
The Wake on LAN support can be leveraged through device management tools like System Center Configuration Manager, and is available for the Surface 3, Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, paired with any of the aforementioned accessories.
Hidden backdoor discovered in Chinese IoT devices
Researchers at Trustwave have uncovered a backdoor in IoT devices from a Chinese manufacturer that could leave them open to exploitation.
The backdoor is present in almost all devices produced by VoIP specialist DBLTek, and appears to have been purposely built in for use by the vendor.
Why are enterprises embracing DevOps?
DevOps is seeing a mainstream push right now. More organizations have started to embrace DevOps practices across IT operations, services and app delivery, seeking to transform their business. DevOps has traditionally been the domain of early IT adopters. However, as previously held assumptions are dispelled -- from security through to benefits -- we’re seeing more risk-averse companies recognizing the need to shift their thinking. So, why are more organizations coming round to the critical opportunity that DevOps can bring into their business?
The DevOps Start Line
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