Thursday, June 2, 2016

Xiaomi Buys 1,500 Patents From Microsoft
Xiaomi will likewise preinstall Microsoft Office and Skype on its cell phones and tablets running Android under another organization bargain, the organizations reported. 

Six-year-old Chinese cell phone organization Xiaomi is purchasing 1,500 innovation licenses from Microsoft and will preinstall the Microsoft Office profitability suite and Skype on its Android-based
Xiaomi
cell phones and tablets under another association bargain declared by the two organizations.

The arrangements, which were revealed on May 31, will present to Xiaomi a wide variety of licenses identifying with remote interchanges, video, cloud advancements and mixed media, a Microsoft representative advised eWEEK in an email answer to a request.

"This assention mirrors the profound admiration Xiaomi and Microsoft have for protected innovation rights," the representative said. "The organizations are focused on a solid patent framework and remaining against the damaging practices we've seen now and again in our industry."

The organizations additionally will cross-permit some of their advancements, as per their joint declaration, yet no subtle elements of that arrangement were discharged.

Under the consent to introduce Microsoft Office and Skype on Android cell phones and tablets from Xiaomi, that arrangement will give portable clients the capacity to work, team up and convey utilizing their preferred cell phones, the organizations said.

"We are eager to work intimately with Microsoft on an expansive innovation joint effort organization," Xiang Wang, a senior VP at Xiaomi, said in an announcement. "As exhibited by this concurrence with Microsoft, Xiaomi is hoping to fabricate manageable, long haul associations with worldwide innovation pioneers, with a definitive objective of conveying the best client experience to our Mi fans."

Xiaomi Android gadgets, including the Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi 4s, Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3, will come pre-introduced with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Skype applications beginning in September 2016, as per Xiaomi. The offerings may change by gadget, business sector and versatile transporter.

The organizations as of now had an association that included Windows 10 on the Xiaomi Mi Pad and the utilization of Microsoft Azure to control the Mi Cloud administration from Xiaomi, the organizations said. Microsoft said that the "organizations with organizations, for example, Xiaomi are key to Microsoft's technique to work with industry pioneers the world over to address the issues of joint clients."

The extension of the current association between the two organizations is likewise fascinating as Huawei's piece of the overall industry of the worldwide cell phone market surpasses that of Microsoft, which is in a decay. In late May, Microsoft reported that it is laying off up to 1,850 laborers in its cell phone equipment business as it moves to cut its misfortunes, shrivel its business center and offer cell phones to big business clients who need particular gadgets with extra security and sensibility highlights. The organization said it will "streamline" its cell phone equipment business and take a final quarter weakness and rebuilding charge of about $950 million, including about $200 million for severance installments, as indicated by a late eWEEK story.

Likewise in May, Microsoft sold its element telephone resources for Foxconn Technology Group's FIH Mobile Ltd. (FIH) for $350 million, as per an eWEEK report. That arrangement was identified with a 10-year authorizing bargain that will permit Nokia cell telephones, cell phones and tablets to be assembled and sold far and wide by a recently framed Finnish organization, HMD Global.

Xiaomi and other Chinese upstart cell phone organizations, for example, Huawei, Alcatel and ZTE, don't verge on driving the U.S. cell phone market, yet they are picking up piece of the pie around the globe to the detriment of organizations like Microsoft, Lenovo and others because of lower costs, great items and opened gadget adaptability for purchasers.

In August 2015, Xiaomi declared an association with Taiwan's Foxconn to attempt to cut out a greater bit of the enormous customer handset market in India by amassing telephones there to cut expenses and improve dispersion, as per a prior eWEEK report.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Microsoft are a million old gamertags free
Microsoft is close to one million old and recycled gamertags for current Xbox Live customers free. As of Wednesday User on the Xbox One and Windows 10 can look for the gamertag of their dreams.
Microsoft
Microsoft's old gamertags again. (© 2015 YouTube / MKIceandFire)

Those who could not select his desired gamertag to sign in to Xbox Live, now gets from Microsoft a second chance. On Wednesday, the group are in fact nearly one million recycled gamertags for existing Xbox One owners free. This is in large part to tags that were created 10 years ago by Xbox users the first hour and the now no longer be used as Xbox mouthpiece Major Nelson writes in his blog.

From old to new
Xbox Live users who are dissatisfied with their previous names, should so get the chance to change their day. The tags should thereby be released distributed in several waves over the next day. In this way, Microsoft wants to ensure that users have in different time zones the opportunity to search for a matching tag. Provided however, that this at least one year have an active membership with Xbox Live Gold. Those who want to register yet quickly with a new account and secure a desired domain name, so has no chance.

Microsoft does not publish the name list
An alphabetical overview of the new, old gamertags Microsoft does not publish the way. Who wants to know if his favorite day is free again, so you have to manually search for it. The search can be here on the Xbox One, perform the Xbox App on Windows 10 and on the website xbox.com.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Microsoft Edge can now scour the web with AdBlock and AdBlock Plus
AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are currently accessible from the Windows Store for Microsoft's Edge program, giving Windows 10 clients a chance to peruse the way Microsoft planned while giving them the alternative to control the advertisements they see. Microsoft opened up Edge program augmentations to analyzers in March, making ready for AdBlock and other significant expansions. Any Chrome or Firefox holdouts who have been sitting tight for this element to make it to Edge can now make the bounce. 
Microsoft Edge can now scour the web with AdBlock and AdBlock Plus
Microsoft Edge can now scour the web with AdBlock and AdBlock Plus 

AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are made by various organizations, however speak to the most prominent promotion blocking instruments accessible - AdBlock has 40 million clients recently through Google's Chrome program. Just Windows 10 sneak peak clients can get to the new augmentations until further notice, yet the administration could extend to the full stage soon.

Monday, April 25, 2016

So spying technology in everyday life, our data from
Technology and Privacy has become a real time issue. Almost all the technical equipment and software programs that we use constantly collect data and send it to the manufacturers, developers and third companies. We declare at four popular examples where your data is collected and what it is being used.
 constantly
Technology is only useful but also collects data constantly.

Windows 10 as the new star among the data spies?
Ever since the release of Windows 10 in July 2015, data protection a key issue when it comes to the operating system. The concerns of many users are not unfounded. namely one selects when setting up Windows 10, the "Express Settings", then the data Sammelwut Microsoft are actually opened the floodgates. By default, Windows 10 detects pretty much the complete usage of the PC owner and also detects when and how often these specific apps used.

these data are used according to Microsoft, to develop the software further. This is certainly correct, but in addition, the company gathers evenly also data for marketing purposes to better selling apps and other products to the users. Furthermore, the Group reserves the right to share the collected data with other companies.

If you want to pass on as few data about his personal usage to Microsoft, should therefore choose when setting up Windows 10 in any case, the "Express Settings" or subsequently withdraw the system permissions granted under "Settings> Privacy" again. But even if users Windows 10 withdraw all authorizations, the data gathering can not completely stop. Either way, the PC connects regularly with Microsoft servers to transmit certain data - or receive.
Windows 10 detects diligent user data.
Windows 10 detects diligent user data.
Optional practical or critical also can be classified to the best setting, after a Windows 10 PC automatically sends the wireless password of the user to his Facebook, Skype or Outlook Contacts. Do this then also a Windows 10 machine and get into the vicinity of said wireless network, they automatically get access. Although the password is transmitted encrypted and can not be viewed by the recipient, while this feature might not appeal to everyone.

The new star among the data collectors is Windows 10 still does not. The operating systems of Apple or Google collect namely in the same way without restraint user data. One consolation is however not really.

PS4 and Xbox One: What the console want to know everything
But not only on the PC, the user of the data collecting mania industry are exposed. Even someone who is today a console into the living room, has to be expected that the producer must collect perk user data. Current systems such as PlayStation 4 or Xbox One do that fairly excessively even and detect when an online connection with PlayStation Network or Xbox Live almost the complete usage of their owners.

What is played, how long and with whom it is played, what apps to download and even complete chats are collected and stored. The data is then used by Sony and Microsoft, among other things for marketing purposes and can also be passed on to third parties, according to the terms of use.
The PS4 detects and notifies user behavior.
The PS4 detects and notifies user behavior.
Who plays with PS4 or Xbox One, therefore should be aware that virtually all of its activities are recorded with the console. In this way, among other things, extensive user profiles on the games and TV behavior of users can be created. User can really protect themselves only if they largely operate their consoles offline prior to data collection.

Smartphone apps: the web advertising industry
This example is simple, right? Clearly, WhatsApp naturally collects data on Facebook, Siri collects for Apple, YouTube for Google and quiz duel for ARD. But wait! So easy it is not. In reality, the data collecting mania of apps is much larger and convenient for the user in most cases incomprehensible.

So the most popular applications also collect secretly many data about user behavior and to send them, for a fee, of course, on so-called ad networks further. Just free apps, this is often the main source of funding. Behind the networks in turn are old acquaintances such as Facebook and Google, but also companies like InMobi Admoda or of which probably have ever heard the fewest smartphone users. They use the information to sell to the users even more targeted and better advertising.
Apps are true world champion in data gathering.
Apps are true world champion in data gathering.
How big the acquisitiveness of apps partially, had a study of the French Academy Eurecom from 2015 revealed among other things. So as part of a test with Music Volume EQ an Android app were identified that were contacted to nearly 2,000 different websites in the background. The curious thing is that the app really only serves to change the volume settings on the smartphone itself. It is hard to believe that contact with 1900 different URLs is necessary for this task.

Total 2000 free apps were tested for the study, of which 70 percent have connected without the user's knowledge to any address in the network. On average, they were more than 40 addresses. Often individual apps sell their data simultaneously to multiple networks. The user is in control of where its data is sent, often starting already with the installation of the respective app.


Oculus Rift VR glasses with Facebook integration
A youngish case of technique that collects user data, is the VR-glasses Oculus Rift. This captured data that is also - and for the parent company Oculus Facebook. If you believe the reports from magazines such as Gizmodo, then the spectacle combines in the background with a Server Group and continuously transmits between 5 kbit / s and 7 kbits / s of data.

What is it about? In addition to relatively harmless data about location, computer configuration and the installed games and information is recorded on height, body shape and movements of the player and passed. Also chats, which are carried out with other players via the Oculus services, stores the manufacturer. What Facebook needs this data? Mainly of course be able to create for marketing purposes and to more detailed user profiles.
The Oculus Rift collects data for Facebook.
The Oculus Rift collects data for Facebook.
However Worse weighs the fact that Facebook also fundamental all usage rights for content claimed, with the Oculus Rift create the user. Created a hobby developers so their own software using the Oculus Rift, the rights are automatically transferred to the software giant. The reason is quite simple. Facebook reserves as the right to use the content created yourself if necessary, to sell or otherwise make money. In this respect, the Terms of Use differ little from those used by the Group on its own platform. There, too, claimed Facebook lump sum once everything you post as a user for itself.

Hysteria is misplaced
But these four examples sound pretty scary and suggest that new technology quasi only serves to spy on customers and consumers on behalf of the advertising industry. It has collecting user data actually some benefits that are often not aware in everyday life. Thus, the collected data is used namely in most cases quite well in improving the user experience. Search engines and social networks can make us only the best proposals, because they know our preferences and our user behavior. Hysteria is therefore definitely misplaced.

Monday, April 11, 2016

First trailer for "Gears of War 4" published
Microsoft fueled the anticipation of "Gears of War 4" for the Xbox One to continue. In a first trailer now the new main character JD Fenix ​​is ​​presented. The son of Marcus Fenix ​​has to face the same demons as his father here.

Just a couple of days ago, that Microsoft has announced the release date for "Gears of War 4". Now there are already new fodder for hungry shooter Xbox One owners. Since Sunday is on YouTube that is also the first trailer for the game available.


Presentation of the new heroes JD Fenix
On display in the trailer, however, no scenes. Rather, it is about the introduction of the new main character. Unlike the previous "Gears of War" portions players are not namely control the soldier Marcus Fenix, but his son JD. 25 years after the events of "Gears of War 3" this is already in his
"Gears of War 4"
"Gears of War 4" appears on 11 October.
father's footsteps and grow obviously.

Here, the trailer also shows that JD Fenix ​​after defeating the Locust invasion in "Gears of War 3" obviously had a pretty sheltered childhood and lived on a farm with his parents. These scenes are juxtaposed with the harsh reality of war, with the JD and the players have to deal in "Gears of War 4" apparently. It appears that the Locust are back namely. is Musical accompaniment of the trailer with Simon & Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence".

"Gears of War 4" to go back to the roots of the series
"Gears of War 4" appears on October 11 for Xbox One and to the series to return back to their roots. So are primarily the horror elements from the first part holding back entry into the game, after they had a back seat to the action in the second and third parts. Enough Geballer likely show in the new game, however. A first impression can gather players from 18 April. For then starts the multiplayer beta for Xbox One.
Microsoft: "We are ready for Xbox One PS4 Cross-Play!"
The technology is ready, now it's up to the developers, games for cross-play between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 adapt - as an Xbox coordinator. First cross-platform game for the Microsoft and Sony consoles is currently "Rocket League" in work.


now has to tighten Sony
Microsoft is ready for Cross Play, now has to tighten Sony.
About a month ago Microsoft saw with the news sensation, his Xbox One network open to other platforms - and not only for Windows 10, but also for the PS4 console of the great competitor Sony. According to the European head of ID @ Xbox, Agostino Simonetta, the Xbox One is now ready for the announced cross-play feature. The betrayed the Microsoft managers interviewed by Euro Gamer. "We are ready," Simonetta said, "Rocket League is the first game -. And it is very network oriented"

Microsoft opens the Xbox One for network Cross-Play
The technique of the Microsoft console is thus already prepared for cross-play with other networks. Speaking of Xbox managers now encouraged all game developers to take advantage of this new feature and games adapted accordingly. Microsoft also invited all other networks you to connect to Xbox Live, including the PlayStation Network. When asked whether competitor Sony has responded to this offer, Agostino Simonetta gave way, however: "We can only say. We are ready, we have done our part and we welcome everyone who wants to participate."

Because Microsoft wants to exercise neither developers nor on other networks providers pressure Xbox managers could not give any information about when the cross-play between Xbox One and PS4 will be possible for the first time. Even on a possible release date of "Rocket League", he did not comment.