Windows 10's Microsoft Store app is getting a Sun Valley redesign and relaxed polices for developers
Across its Mac, iPhone and iPad range, Apple's App Store is users' first port of call for downloading new app; on Android, the Play Store is Google's equivalent. But when it comes to Windows 10 large numbers of people eschew the Microsoft Store app in favor of simply downloading apps from developers' websites.
But Microsoft would like this to change, and the company is planning a major revamp of its own store app, according to reports. As well as a visual refresh, the Microsoft Store is set to become friendlier for developers, thanks to relaxed policies -- including permitting the submission of raw, unpackaged .exe and .msi apps.
Microsoft could launch its Cloud PC service this summer
Microsoft has been rumored to be working on an Azure-powered Cloud PC service for a while now, but it seems that we might be seeing the results of its labor as soon as June or early July this year.
The Cloud PC service, codenamed Project Deschutes, will let users access a Windows desktop remotely and run software such as Microsoft Office. This could be useful if you want to access the same desktop from multiple locations, and it would also allow Windows 10X users to run Win32 apps.
Apple's new iPad Pro has the M1 chip, 5G, and 12.9in Liquid Retina XDR display
Apple has certainly been busy lately. At today’s 'Spring Forward' event the tech giant took the wraps off an updated Apple TV 4K, a super-thin iMac, Podcast Subscriptions, AirTag, its Tile-like item tracker, and a new purple finish for iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini.
For many people though, these hardware events are mostly about the iPad, and Apple certainly didn’t disappoint here, revealing a new iPad Pro.
The all-new iMac is gorgeous
At its 'Spring Forward' event, Apple today took the wraps off an all-new, super-thin iMac powered by the company’s M1 chip.
The design is just 11.5 millimeters thick, and available in a choice of seven vibrant colors -- green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.
Apple TV 4K gets faster A12 Bionic processor and improved Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K is the best media streaming box on the market, thanks to its powerful processor, large selection of apps, and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. It hasn't been updated in years, however, so people have long been expecting a refresh.
Well, today is the day, folks -- sort of. The "refresh" of the device itself is a bit ho-hum, simply getting a faster A12 Bionic processor. While Apple TV 4K will now support higher framerates, the body and overall design remain the same. What does get a big change, however, is the much-despised Siri Remote.
Apple introduces Podcast Subscriptions
There are millions of fantastic free podcasts available to listen to on Apple Podcasts, but now Apple is introducing paid premium subscriptions.
What you get for your money will vary, but will likely include ad-free listening, access to bonus content, and early or exclusive access to new series.
Apple introduces AirTag, its Tile-like item tracker
If you’re the sort of person who is always losing important things, and you’re an iPhone user, then the company's new AirTag device finder is aimed at you.
It’s been a while coming, but AirTag has finally been officially announced at the company's 'Spring Loaded' event and works with Apple’s Find My app to help you keep track of -- and find -- your most important items, such as keys, bags and backpacks.
Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now available in purple
If you’ve been thinking of getting a new iPhone 12, but none of the available color choices have grabbed you so far, well at its new 'Spring Loaded' devices event, Apple has just announced a stunning new finish -- purple.
Available for 12 and iPhone 12 mini, the new color accentuates the flat aluminium edges of the phone perfectly.
Predictive maintenance can save millions for process manufacturers
Predictive maintenance, or PdM, is a rising star for process plants. It’s a new approach to maintenance planning that uses industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), big data, and machine learning to track the condition of plant equipment and detect the first signs of impending part failure.
Predictive maintenance is a specific application of predictive analytics for plant equipment. By issuing early alerts about potential failures, PdM enables maintenance crews to schedule repairs before the part breaks down entirely, at a time that’s convenient for them. PdM really showed its worth during COVID-19, as many plants operated on a skeleton staff with maintenance teams only coming on-site at intervals.
TP-Link launches Deco X68 AX3600 Whole Home Mesh Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 System
If you don't yet have a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless router, you are making a big mistake. Even if you don't currently have any Wi-Fi 6 devices, you can score such a router for less than $79.99. Seriously, folks, it's time to upgrade your aging wireless networking gear already. If you have a large home, however, you will want to consider a more powerful mesh system. And yes, there are mesh Wi-Fi 6 solutions available.
Looking to upgrade to both 802.11ax and mesh? Good news -- TP-Link has a new "whole home" Wi-Fi 6 system that is rather affordable. The "Deco X68," as it is called, offers Tri-Band AX3600 Wi-Fi via two access points to blanket your home in connectivity. In fact, TP-Link claims it is capable of providing up to 5,500 square feet of coverage. Adding a third access point increases that to 7,000 square feet.
Customize Windows 10 folders with different colors, icons and emblems
If you have lots of folders, and shortcuts to folders, on your PC, it can be tricky to identify one you want as they all look the same.
To make your favorite folders much easier to spot it’s worth changing the color of them, choosing a different icon, and/or adding emblems.
QR code use rises but consumers don't recognize the potential dangers
A side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a rise in QR code usage as the need for touchless transactions has increased.
A new study from automation platform Ivanti reveals that 83 percent of respondents say that they used a QR code to make a payment (or complete a financial transaction) for the first time ever since March 2020, with 54 percent doing so past three months alone.
Watch Apple's 'Spring Loaded' event here, live
Apple will today be hosting a hardware event in which we expect the tech giant to take the wraps off new 11in and 12.9in iPad Pro models.
In addition, we may well see Apple’s AirTags device trackers finally arrive, as well as upgraded versions of other devices.
Microsoft announces fully 64-bit Visual Studio 2022
Developers waiting for news about the next installment of Visual Studio need wait no longer. Microsoft has announced that Visual Studio 2022 will be released later this summer as a public preview.
The company has also revealed that the software is going 64-bit, overcoming the limitations of the 32-bit edition. Microsoft says that the user experience will feel cleaner, more intelligent and action oriented, and that there is an increased cloud focus thanks to improved GitHub integration.
61 percent of companies hit by ransomware in 2020
The latest State of Email Security report from Mimecast, based on a study of over 1,200 IT and cybersecurity leaders, shows businesses faced unprecedented cybersecurity risks in 2020.
Ransomware impacted 61 percent, a 20 percent increase over last year's report, while 79 percent say their companies experienced a business disruption, financial loss or other setback in 2020 due to a lack of cyber preparedness.
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