Note: Finding system specs and troubleshooting your Chromebook used to be a convoluted process. But starting with Chrome OS version 90, there is a much nicer Diagnostics tool that you can run to test your device’s hardware. To make sure you’re running the latest version, you can manually update it by going to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for Updates. Then a restart is typically required to complete the update process....
Old Legacy Edge… There are several new features in Windows 10 1809, aka October 2018 Update. In fact, we have shown you the best new features in 1809 – the ones you will notice first. We have also covered other new features that are more subtle, but in concert, make the OS a better overall experience. Another area that received numerous improvements is Microsoft Edge. One of those includes a built-in dictionary that allows you to look up definitions while reading an article on the web, PDFs, or eBooks....
If this is something you haven’t done but want or even need to start, you’ll be glad to know there’s a feature to help you. Here, we’ll show you how to check for accessibility issues in Microsoft Office applications so that your documents are always accessible to others. About the Office Accessibility Checker The Check Accessibility feature is available in Office applications on both Windows and Mac and it works the same across the board....
Luckily, if you’re running watchOS 3.2 or above, you can stop notifications with Theater Mode. When enabled, it puts your watch into a silent mode which keeps the watch dark until you press the screen. It turns off the Walkie Talkie feature, too. Here is how to use it on your Apple Watch to minimize distractions that come from your wrist while enjoying a movie. Turn on Theater Mode on Apple Watch To enable it, swipe up from the bottom of your watch face to bring up the watch’s Control Center....
View Windows 11 Update History To view the update history on your Windows 11 PC, begin by clicking Start and opening Settings. Alternately, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + I to open Settings directly. Once you have Settings open, click on Windows Update from the list on the left. Then under the “More Options” section on the right, click on Update History. Viewing the Update History Page On the “Update History Page,” you’ll find a list of the various types of updates that have been installed....
Use AirPlay for Sling TV If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, you can send it to the big screen with the magic of AirPlay. Here’s a look at how it’s done. While Sling TV is available on several set-top boxes and mobile devices, including iOS (7.0 and above) with iPhone or iPad, there isn’t a Sling TV app for the Apple TV. But, thanks to Apple’s proprietary AirPlay technology, you can shoot it over to the big screen....
First, go to Settings: Tap on Sounds. This shows your ringtone options. At the top of the menu, tap Vibration. Near the bottom of the menu, you will see “Custom” and right under it, “Create New Vibration.” Go there: Now, you have to tap out a pattern to create a new vibration. A short tap will make a short vibration while holding your finger down will make a longer vibration:...
Personal Safety Lately, we’ve been covering a few of the interesting Android features that Google has premiered on its Pixel range. Whether things like the Style Menu or adding Portrait Blur after taking a photo will make their way to other devices, only Google can tell. Not to mention the excellent Google Recorder app. This time around, Google has focused on the security of Pixel users. The new Safety Check feature makes sure that emergency contacts are notified of your location if you don’t respond to a security check on your device....
Digital Gift Cards for Xbox and Windows Stores This new app app lets you send personalized digital gift cards to friends and family that they can use in the Xbox and Windows Stores. This is just in time if you’re looking for something to give the Microsoft geek who seems to have everything already. Here’s a look at the app’s features from the Windows Phone Store: Features: • Select a gift by occasion and interests....
Surface Pro 6 Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 6, which is a refresh of its signature Surface device. It will come in both white and black colors, and the company claims this one will be 67 percent faster with Intel’s 8th gen quad-core processor under the hood. It is available for pre-order now and will begin shipping on October 16th. Surface Laptop 2 Microsoft claims the Surface Laptop 2 will be up to 85-percent faster than the original, thanks to a new 8th gen Intel processor....
Whether this move will be enough to appeal to those critical of the Windows 8 modern UI remains to be seen. The Preview Edition of Windows 8.1 will be available on June 26th during the Microsoft Build Developer’s conference. Comment Name * Email * Δ Save my name and email and send me emails as new comments are made to this post.
If you’re not sure how to get your data over from your XP machine to Windows 7, I recommend taking Microsoft up on its offer. The program will also work with Windows 8.1, but if this is your main PC running XP, and you haven’t learned the nuances of the Modern Interface, you should definitely go with Windows 7. It will be much easier to grasp and not a jarring experience....
Skype Translator It is still in beta and is currently only available for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 tech preview users. Microsoft says the translator works with almost any other Skype client, so only one of the parties in the conversation need the translator app enabled. The translator lets you video or voice call someone who speaks a different language, which breaks down the language barriers to make communication easier. Skype Translator is like the Universal Translator technology you see on Star Trek, you know, everyone can understand everyone, no matter what planet they’re from....
Microsoft Streamlining its Phone Business According to a statement from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella: In breaking down the numbers, Microsoft says the restructuring will result in a reduction of up to 1,350 jobs at Microsoft Mobile Oy in Finland and an additional 500 jobs globally. As Mary Jo Foley reports “the impairment and restructuring charge” will be at approximately $950 million, with around 200 million of that amount related to severance payments....
Microsoft Apps on Apple Watch Microsoft already has some of its best productivity apps available on Android and iOS. Things like Microsoft Office, OneNote, and OneDrive are already on both phone and tablet platforms. So, it seems logical it would want its services on wearables as well for full market penetration. Although primarily focused on notifications, the new apps will allow users to also do various interactions, such as replying to messages, adding new reminders and yes — translating on-the-fly from your watch, which could be rather convenient....
Windows 10 20H1 Build 18990 Automatic restart for UWP apps is being introduced. Microsoft explains: “To reduce sign-in time, UWP apps are restarted minimized, in a suspended state, giving Windows and other apps more resources to get started.” Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) improvements include the following: Improved the performance for directory listings in \wsl$[WSL2] Injected additional boot entropy [Github Issue 4461][WSL2] Fixed Windows interop when using su / sudo commands [Github issue 4465]...
Windows 10 Insider Build 20211 A new search box is being added to the default apps page in Settings. “After making some updates to help improve performance, this change to enable searching the lists of file types, protocols, and apps when setting a default is now rolling out to all Insiders in the Dev Channel,” writes Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc. Here’s the list of what’s fixed in today’s build: Fixed an issue where certain 32-bit applications running on a 64-bit OS do not get properly promoted to the discrete GPU for hybrid configurations....
Windows 11 Build 22454 for Dev Channel Note: As the Microsoft team notes, “Builds released to the Dev Channel no longer match the Windows 11 experience that will be released to customers on October 5th.” These builds will include the latest features that will be tested for future feature updates. Keep in mind that Dev Channel builds will be far less stable than builds released to the Beta Channels. Here is the list of changes and improvements in this release:...
Note: With all major upgrades, be sure to backup your system and possibly take a system image prior to updating your system. Although rare, I’ve had issues in the past with Service Pack upgrades. Here’s a few notes from Microsoft on the new SP1 Release. To read about all the updates however, feel free to take a look at KB976932 Here’s the download link : Windows 7 SP1 Download Link Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will help you:...
You should get the update automatically within the next couple of days, but if you want to stay on top of the situation head to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update. Or, if you don’t want to go through Windows Update you can download the KB4041676 update and install it manually. Note that a restart will be required to complete the installation. After the update has completed hit the Windows key and type: winver and hit Enter....
