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'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.

Instagram logo for Windows 10 Mobile: update is finally here

The new Instagram logo is now available for Windows Mobile 10. While the apps for iOS and Android refreshed fairly quickly, the Windows Store lagged somewhat - but now also for Windows Mobile 10 new Instagram look available.

The new Instagram look is for Windows 10 Mobile available.

The controversial new logo for Instagram made last week much discussion. Now keeps the new look of the popular photo-network collection on smartphones with Windows Mobile 10, reported Windows Central. Only within 48 hours after the announcement of the new Instagram logo the apps for iOS and Android have been adapted to the new look. The update for Windows Mobile 10 has been scheduled for a couple of days later - and is now available in the Windows Store for download.

Instagram on Windows 10 Mobile with a new logo and interface
The version 8.0 of Instagram app includes not only the new colorful logo and a new interface for the operator. The update of the program, the focus will still more drawn to photos - without touching the basic navigation, Instagram promises in the changelog. Whether the update fixes still other errors or brings other improvements, is not known. Just last month, Instagram had released its app for Windows Mobile 10.

Mid last week surprised Instagram with its new logo. In the social networks of radical design change came contrast to everywhere. Meanwhile, there are even instructions on how to get back the old Instagram logo on his smartphone again.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rumor: Surface Phone gets fastest chip ever

Thanks to an accidental data leaks came out that Microsoft is working on a Surface Phone, which could still celebrate in 2016 release. Now it is clear what might be stuck in the machine: The fastest ever built in a smartphone chip plus a lot of memory.

After the Lumia 950 did not bring the expected success, Microsoft is planning for 2016 appears to be a Surface Phone.

Because apparently even not particularly beloved by Microsoft Lumia series despite significant improvements could achieve any particular sales records, the Windows-maker now working on a new device, the better to fit into the current Microsoft universe: After Surface tablet and the Surface Book should now come a Surface Phone, which is expected should celebrate even 2016 release, writes Forbes. Other rumors go but believe that we must wait for the super smartphone even longer - namely to 2017th

Release 2016: If the Surface Phone a hardware cracker?
Like the Surface Book could also be an absolute Surface Phone hardware Kracher, as revealed by an accidental leak. On a Microsoft Windows 10 list of compatible hardware there is also a processor called MSM8998, which is to be run with the operating system from Redmond. And many experts believe that behind the new Super Qualcomm processor hides the brand new Snapdragon 830th

Analysts are not sure that the model 830 will work with 8GB of memory and is manufactured with the equally new 10-nanometer production process from Samsung. If these conjectures, and it is a case, then should the Surface Phone a mobile device with much higher performance in terms of graphics, memory and processing power in labor be.

Microsoft could point the Surface Phone plus the desktop solution Continuum probably even clearer that you can use a smartphone as a PC replacement on the big screen. If to the Office programs and other popular software also the Desktop is both mobile as equally useful, then, this idea could really enforce further - with the Surface Phone is the appropriate hardware in any case available.

Microsoft opens Xbox One for cross-play with PS4 and Windows

Microsoft opens its Xbox One network for players on other platforms such as PS4 and Windows 10. The Group encourages developers to incorporate cross-play in their titles. Currently, Microsoft has been a game in the pipeline, the Cross-Play could: "Rocket League".

With the announcement that "Rocket League" is can be played not only on the Xbox One, but also runs under Windows 10, Microsoft has provided a surprise. But even more exciting is the announcement that the Xbox Live network will be open to other platforms such as the Sony PS4 future, writes ID @ Xbox boss Chris Carla on Xbox Wire. It is already clear that PC owners with Windows 10 can access it. That, however, be eligible to play also users of the PS4, is a minor sensation. Microsoft equips its Xbox One and Xbox Live network so basically a cross-play function. The PS4 is thereby not explicitly mentioned, but is meant almost certainly when Microsoft in its release of "other online multiplayer networks" speaks.

Now other games providers have to follow suit
Of course, other vendors such as Sony have to respond to the PlayStation Network or Electronic Arts Origin now. By announcing Microsoft but the pressure in the industry in this regard is increased massively. The task now is that more developers incorporate the necessary features into their games. Microsoft will provide the necessary tools to soon. Same goes an invitation to other networks, this possibility is also granted.

With the bold move Microsoft one end of the console war could be begun. But there is currently much more games are sold for the PS4, the announcement is not without risks for Microsoft, because the lack of exclusivity of certain title could have a negative impact on the sales of their own games.

MWC 2016: HP Elite x3 is super strong Windows 10 smartphone

At the MWC 2016 in Barcelona HP presented the Elite x3 its new Windows Phone - and what a! The device is to be an all-rounder: smartphone, laptop and desktop PC. It is therefore also correspondingly powerful.

The display of the HP Elite x3 is 6 inches tall, and turns the device into a full-fledged phablet. The ostentation is also reflected in the interior: Under the hood namely plowing a Snapdragon 820, the top model of manufacturer Qualcomm, which can be operated from rich 4GB of memory. The internal memory of the HP Elite x3 is 64 GB and can even be expanded via microSD card up to even theoretically 2TB, The Verge writes about the device. A few days before the start of MWC 2016 images of Windows smartphones were leaked.

HP Elite x3 has everything: iris scanner plus fingerprint sensor
At the front of the smartphone Boliden sits an iris scanner and on the back also have a fingerprint sensor directly under the camera. It seems that the engineers at HP had just used everything it so specifies components for smartphones. The course is also reflected in the battery size: With 4,150 mAh of energy storage is ample sized. With this information, the HP Elite x3 is significantly more powerful than the not already feeble Microsoft Lumia 950 XL.

The Elite x3 is so lavishly equipped, because HP wants to offer a device that is more than just a phone. For pure phones, the printer manufacturer will hardly be able to compete with the Apple and Samsung in the world - with a universal device that can possibly work. Because the HP Elite x3 runs just with Windows 10 and can therefore Continuum. Thus, the device can connect to a monitor and then works - almost - like a regular computer or laptop with Windows 10th

Perhaps it is this function that could more people cause soon to take up a Continuum device. But: Currently running on smartphones with Windows 10 no desktop apps. One solution from HP is extremely hard to set up and not really suitable for the average Joe user. What so much expensive equipment will cost in the end, HP did not want to let on, because the device will be presented at MWC 2016 months before the planned publication - even so other apps can now be programmed. Because it since quite interesting launch of the Lumia 950 XL is still lacking from Microsoft. In terms of apps has happened in the Windows Store is still not much.