Project Scorpio next-generation Xbox gaming console debuts in Microsoft Store

Scorpio

There is a new trend in console gaming, where existing consoles are enhanced rather than replaced. For instance, the Xbox One S and PlayStation 4 Pro aren't really new consoles, but upgrades of the current generation. They may have new features, but they play the exact same games.

Microsoft's next generation of video game console is currently called "Project Scorpio." This will be a truly new console, although it will be backwards compatible with all Xbox One games -- nice. In fact, you will even be able to use your Xbox One controllers and other accessories. While we do not have a definitive date of when it will go on sale, today the next Xbox console makes its debut in the Microsoft Store. We even get a slightly better idea of when it will be in stores.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge receive Android 7.0 Nougat

Android-n-nougat

If you look at Google's Android distribution chart you will see that very few devices run Nougat. Despite the fact that it was officially introduced in late-August last year, it is only found on 2.8 percent of Android devices. However, things are slowly improving.

Manufacturers, like Samsung, are starting to release software updates to bring Nougat to their flagship offerings, which will help it gain more traction among Android users. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, for instance, got Nougat in mid-January and their predecessors, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, are now receiving a similar treatment.

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Renault adds Android Auto to 2017 models

Renault

Advanced smartphone integration is a feature that more and more consumers will be looking for in a new car. Renault knows this, and to make its 2017 range more attractive to potential buyers it is now adding support for Android Auto.

The first models to have Android Auto support are the Espace, Kadjar, Mégane, Mégane Estate, Scénic, Grand Scénic, Talisman and Talisman Estate. Other models in the line, which are listed below, will also get the integration soon.

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AMD details Zen-based Naples server processors

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After the successful launch of its new Ryzen processors last week, AMD has announced the first details of its upcoming Naples CPUs intended for servers and data centers.

These processors were designed around the same Zen architecture as Ryzen though they will be a great deal more powerful. AMD has described them as having "superior" memory bandwidth and some models will even feature up to 32 cores in order to handle a more demanding workload.

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Apple starts selling refurbished 2016 MacBook Pro -- better hurry if you want one!

apple-macbook-pro-6

One of the best ways to save money on an Apple product is to buy refurbished. Not only do you enjoy a significant discount but the device also passes a rigorous inspection and comes with a factory warranty as well.

The 2016 MacBook Pro, which was introduced in October 2016, is the latest device Apple added to its Certified Refurbished program, being introduced in multiple configurations to its online store. Here's what you should know about it.

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Vault 7: The CIA weaponized these popular programs to spy on people

cia-vault-7

Two days ago, WikiLeaks unleashed a treasure trove of data relating to the CIA's supposed arsenal of hacking tools. Code-named Vault 7, the "Year Zero" cache contains over 8,500 documents and files, and is, according to WikiLeaks, just the first batch. More content will be leaked over time.

While we know that the CIA’s zero day weapons could be used to exploit iPhones, Android devices, Windows PCs and even Samsung TVs, one of the hacking tools is particularly interesting.

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Better consumer education could help cut video piracy

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A new survey reveals that education could have a big impact on piracy, cutting the numbers who illegally share video content.

The study by digital platform security specialist Irdeto of more than 25,000 adults across 30 countries finds that despite the high number of consumers around the world watching pirated video content (52 percent), almost half (48 percent) would stop or watch less illegal content after learning the damage that piracy causes to the media industry.

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Mysterious Windows driver causing problems for users

Angry PC user

If you’ve been experiencing weird problems with Windows over the past couple of days, the problem could be down to a mysterious driver that Microsoft has pushed out for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

The driver, called "Microsoft -- WPD -- 2/22/2016 12:00:00 AM -- 5.2.5326.4762" is causing a couple of problems for users, including failed installations, and Windows Phones and Android devices failing to connect to the target PC.

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Microsoft Teams will be generally available on March 14

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft is preparing to officially launch its competitor to Slack, Teams, which it announced last November.

Microsoft will begin the rollout of its new product by first making it available to Office 365 customers. The launch event and the global rollout will take place on March 14.

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Security concerns hold back mobile payment adoption

mobile payment

Businesses and consumers recognize the benefits of mobile payments, but worries over security are holding back adoption according to a new report.

The study by Oxford Economics interviewed 2,000 consumers and 300 business executives and finds that 62 percent of consumers say mobile money enhances their buying experience, and 72 percent of executives say mobile payments can boost their sales.

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FBI investigates CIA leaks, Comey says 'There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America'

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The FBI and CIA are working together on a joint investigation into the Vault 7 document cache published by WikiLeaks that supposedly reveals the CIA's hacking tools. Many of the companies mentioned in the documents for having exploitable vulnerabilities -- including Apple, the Linux Foundation, and Microsoft -- have spoken out about the leaks, but it has taken some time for the CIA itself to respond.

Speaking to the BBC, a CIA spokesperson said: "The American public should be deeply troubled by any Wikileaks disclosure designed to damage the intelligence community's ability to protect America against terrorists and other adversaries." FBI director James Comey has also spoken about the lack of privacy that now exists in the US.

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How to remove the 'Edit with Paint 3D' option from Windows 10 Creators Update context menus

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If you've been an avid installer of Insider builds of Windows 10 (or you're reading this after the release of Windows 10 Creators Update) you'll no doubt be aware of Paint 3D. Microsoft's foray into 3D design is interesting, but it's certainly not for everyone.

In reality very few people are likely to actually make serious use of Paint 3D, but despite this Microsoft has chosen to throw an Edit with Paint 3D option into the context menu that appears when you right click on an image file. You probably don’t want or need this, so here's how to get rid of it.

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Windows 10 Creators Update Preview Build 15051 for Mobile arrives on the Fast ring

Windows 10 mobile

With the Windows 10 Creators Update edging ever nearer to being ready for release, Microsoft is working hard to fix bugs and tidy things up.

Today sees a new build for Mobile (a new build for PC is expected in a day or so). Build 15051 offers a lot of changes, improvements and fixes including:

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Enterprise data privacy challenges for 2017 -- and how to defend against them

robot security shield

If you’re not a data security professional, you may have missed the fact that January 28th was Data Privacy Day (also known as Data Protection Day, in Europe). Since 2007, Data Privacy Day has been designated as a day to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices.

As VP CSO for Zuora, I’m all for anything that raises awareness and promotes dialogue about data security -- but obviously I don’t just focus on data privacy once a year. For me, and my security colleagues, data privacy is an everyday concern. But the fact is that these days we’re seeing data privacy becoming an everyday concern for everyone. Whether it’s potentially hacked elections or IoT devices listening in on your family conversations, questions about data privacy -- and the implications of hacked data -- are becoming more pervasive and more concerning.

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How IoT will impact the data center industry in 2017

Internet of Things IoT

The IoT (Internet of Things), is a network of devices connected to the Internet that gathers and transmits data. The ubiquitous adoption of smartphones, and the ability to connect to anyone, anywhere at any time, will have quite the impact on the data center industry in 2017. It is anticipated that more than 24 billion IoT devices will exist worldwide by 2020. These devices include everything from smartphones, to cars, to refrigerators. This increasing amount of data that is being produced by both consumers and providers will not only change our applications and devices, but also how data centers operate.

Below are three ways in which the IoT revolution will impact the data center industry in 2017:

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