Windows

Microsoft’s feud with Apple over xCloud on iOS got a rival kicked from the App Store

In 2020, Microsoft was battling to bring xCloud or Xbox Game Streaming to the iPhone and iPad, and the conversations had an unlikely victim: Shadow — a third-party cloud gaming app that lets you stream PC games to an iPhone or iPad. Emails between Microsoft and Apple, revealed in the Epic v. Apple trial today,… Read more

Anker PowerConf C300 Review: A Little Bit of Everything

Our Verdict The Anker PowerConf C300 is a consistent strong performer across lighting conditions, with a bevy of genuinely useful features that help make up for some stumbles in presentation. For + Consistent image quality + Bonus features work well + Lots of value Against – Detachable camera shutter feels cheap – Laggy Software Anker’s… Read more

Corsair K70 RGB TKL mechanical keyboard review: great gaming, good typing

Corsair’s K70 RGB TKL is an unashamedly gaming-focused keyboard. For one thing, it’s only available with the kinds of switches people normally recommend for playing games, while other features like low input latency and a dedicated “tournament switch” for esports clearly have gamers in mind. At a price of $139.99 (£139.99), these features are coming… Read more

Here’s how to turn your Lenovo laptop into an Echo Show, if you want to do that for some reason

A new Show Mode feature from Amazon is now rolling out to some Lenovo laptops. When you activate this, it will change your home screen to look like the home screen of an Echo Show smart display, in a similar fashion to the Show Mode feature on Amazon’s tablets. That means you’ll be able to… Read more

Dell is issuing a security patch for hundreds of computer models going back to 2009

Dell has released a security patch that fixes a security vulnerability affecting many Dell computers going back to 2009, along with instructions on how to install it if your computer is affected (via threatpost). The vulnerability, found by security research firm SentinelLabs, is present in a driver used by Dell and Alienware’s firmware update utilities,… Read more

Epic pushed Xbox chief to open free multiplayer just ahead of Apple Fortnite battle

Epic pushed Microsoft to open up its Xbox network for free multiplayer gaming just weeks before the Apple and Fortnite battle. In the weeks leading up to Epic Games’ decision to circumvent Apple’s 30 percent cut on Fortnite in-app purchases, CEO Tim Sweeney sent an email to Xbox chief Phil Spencer teasing something big and… Read more

Walmart’s unannounced cloud gaming service detailed in confidential Epic emails

Walmart’s unannounced cloud gaming service, codenamed Project Storm, has been detailed in new confidential emails. An exhibit in the Epic Games v. Apple trial reveals Walmart’s efforts to pitch its cloud gaming service to Epic Games and get Fortnite on board. “I played Walmart’s demo on an Android phone (with an Xbox controller) and the… Read more

GPD’s Win 3 Tiger Lake Gaming Handheld Goes On Sale This Month

Home News (Image credit: Amazon) GPD’s latest iteration of its handheld gaming PC, the Win 3, is finally going on sale later this month. You’ll be able to grab it from multiple e-tailers such as Amazon starting May 15th or later. The Win 3 is GPD’s latest handheld gaming device designed to run Windows 10… Read more

Ducky Mecha SF Radiant Keyboard Review: Custom and Mainstream Collide

Our Verdict A production keyboard that feels like a custom build, the Ducky Mecha SF Radiant offers an excellent experience for both typing and gaming. It features sterling build quality and a gorgeous aesthetic you won’t find anywhere else, but the lack of software and hot-swappable switches are disappointing. For + Unique aesthetic + Sturdy… Read more

As Epic v. Apple approaches the courtroom, Valve is getting sued over Steam too

Just two days before Apple gets dragged into a California court to justify its 30 percent App Store fee — and two days after Microsoft axed its 30 percent cut on PC — we’re learning that gaming giant Valve is now facing down lawsuits against its own 30 percent cut and alleged anticompetitive practices with… Read more

Netflix

Our Verdict It’s nigh-on impossible to find meaningful fault with Netflix For Excellent video quality Big, easy-to-navigate catalogue High quality Originals Against Rarely first for big film releases Netflix just keeps on getting better, making a more compelling case for your money at every turn. It’s everything you want from a video streaming service: simple… Read more

Vmware Puts the Windows-on-M1 Ball in Microsoft’s Court With Progress Update

Home News (Image credit: VMware) VMware updated us on its progress on making Fusion compatible with Apple’s M1 chip this week. The company said it’s committed to “delivering a Tech Preview of VMware Fusion for macOS on Apple silicon this year,” but it’s not clear if that version of the tool will support Windows 10… Read more

MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC: all the audio file formats explained

Home Advice Organising your digital music collection, you might be struck by the number of different audio file formats in your library. Almost everyone’s heard of MP3, but what about OGG, AIFF, MQA or DSD? If the list leaves you wondering whether all those songs studied at different universities to get such official-looking letters after… Read more

Microsoft follows Epic’s lead, reduces Windows Store revenue cut to 12%

Earlier this week, we heard that Microsoft was due to make some announcements about its PC gaming store. Now, we know what changes are coming, as Microsoft is reducing its revenue cut for PC games sold through its store from 30 percent to 12 percent. This is the same strategy that Epic Games employed when… Read more

CES will return to its in-person event format in 2022

Matthew Wilson 2 days ago General Tech With COVID-19 vaccinations now rolling out in many countries across the world, in-person events are in a better position to finally return in 2022. In the tech world, we’ll be kicking this off with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which returns to its usual format next year. Today,… Read more