| Consumer Version of Oculus Rift Could be Available by Summer 2015 Posted: 11 Sep 2014 05:01 PM PDT  Oculus Rift will have a limited rollout
Oculus VR has been keeping silent as to when it will release an Oculus Rift model for the consumer. There is certainly a demand for the product which has reached the point where the developer halted distribution of the Oculus Rift DK2 to China due to people re-selling the device for a higher price. However, instead of being gouged in order to own one, customers might be able to purchase the Oculus Rift consumer model in 2015, according to unnamed sources that spoke to TechRadar. The website claims that multiple sources have isaid that Oculus VR is planning to release a finalized version of the Oculus rift "by summer next year." But instead of a regular launch, the developer will release the headset in a limited rollout with one source saying that April 2015 is the release target, though the date could be pushed back to summer. While speculation continues as to when consumers will be able to acquire their own Oculus Rift, Oculus VR co-founder Nate Mitchell recently revealed that the potential price for the device will fall between $200 and $400. Another detail about the consumer model came from Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey, who said that the consumer model will receive a "significant increase" over the DK2's 1080p display and have a refresh rate that will be around 90Hz or higher. Follow Sean on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Screenshots of Windows 9 Technical Preview Leak Online Posted: 11 Sep 2014 11:54 AM PDT  These are the screenshots we've been waiting to see
Yes folks, it looks like the Start Menu is indeed making a long overdue comeback in Windows 9 (codenamed Threshold). A German-language website posted a bunch of screenshots of the Windows 9 Technical Preview that's due out either later this month or in early October, according to previous rumors. One of those screenshots shows the Start Menu as it will appear on the Desktop. The Start Menu looks similar to the one in Windows 7, but updated with Tiles on the right-hand side. It gives access to all your apps and settings, along with a search field at the bottom and a power button at the top. According to The Verge, the screenies posted by WinFuture are genuine and reflective of a "very early" build that was sent to close Microsoft partners. With that in mind, the final product is likely to look a little bit different, though you do get a pretty good idea of what to expect from Windows 9. 
Other tidbits shown off in the screenshots include a new search icon next to the Start button, a button that appears to be for the virtual desktops feature, Windows 8-style apps hovering on the Desktop, and the rumored notifications center. Image Credits: WinFuture.de Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Google Extends Buyer Remorse Refund Window for Android Apps to 2 Hours Posted: 11 Sep 2014 11:19 AM PDT  Take your time deciding if you like an Android app or not
You may have noticed that Google's been a bit more lenient with its refund window for Android apps. Unlike Ron Burgundy who was able to immediately regret his decision to jump into the bear exhibit, some of us take a bit longer to evaluate the situation. Officially, Google was giving users 15 minutes to uninstall a purchased app for a refund, though unofficially, it's been a bit longer for at least a month. Now Google has gone and updated its support page to make its two-hour refund window an official policy. To get a refund for an app you don't like, open the Google Play Store app on your mobile device, touch the Play Store icon and select My Apps, then select the app or game you want to return and look for the Refund option. "If the two-hour refund window has not yet passed, Open and Refund buttons will be displayed. If a Refund button is not displayed, your purchase is not eligible for a return," Google states on its Return Paid Apps & Games page. If you're on a PC, you can return an app by visiting Google Play in your web browser. Once there, click the Gear icon, select My Orders, point to the app you want to return and click the Menu icon that appears, select Report a problem, and then use the Refund option. This only works once per app. So, if you previously downloaded an app you didn't like and already received a refund, if you re-download it at a later date, you won't be able to return it. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| 'Internet Slowdown Day' Prompted 2 Million Protest Emails to Congress Posted: 11 Sep 2014 10:51 AM PDT  Your voice is being heard
The Federal Communications Commission drafted a set of net neutrality rules that didn't sit well with the Internet community at large. In response to the proposed rule changes, which many fear could lead to paid Internet fast lanes if approved, a group of technology companies and activists got together for Internet Slowdown Day, a day of protest in which popular sites were filled with slow loading animations to show what the web would look like if the new rules were abused. As a result of this demonstration, Congress received over 2 million emails from concerned netizens. That figure is one of several stats posted to BattleForTheNet.com, the online headquarters for the protest that includes companies and firms such as Mozilla, Reddit, Netflix, Foursquare, AVG, and dozens of others. Here are a few other figures to digest: - 303,099 calls made
- 722,364 comments filed to the FCC
- 4.7 million comments filed since March 1
- 1.1 million Facebook shares
- 10,000 sites participated
"The numbers tell the story: People everywhere are using the Internet to save the Internet from phone and cable companies," said Fight for the Future Campaign Director Evan Greer. "We've shown that the best way to fight these powerful special interests in Washington is through mass action by people from outside Washington. The FCC and Congress can no longer dismiss the overwhelming consensus of public support for real Net Neutrality protections." This isn't the first time the Internet community has come together to protest a government bill related to the web, though it is the largest since the Blackout of 2012 when people stomped out the SOPA and PIPA copyright bills. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| KitKat Now Powers a Quarter of Android Devices Posted: 11 Sep 2014 08:40 AM PDT  Jelly Bean still dominates, but KitKat is on the rise
Android 4.4.x KitKat is now baked into about a quarter of all Android devices nearly a year after it was first released -- KitKat debuted on Google's Nexus 5 handset on October 31, 2013. With 24.5 percent of all Android gadgets running KitKt, the latest release is second only to Jelly Bean and enjoys a larger market share than all previous versions combined (Ice Cream Sandwich, Gingerbread, Froyo, Donut, and Cupcake). That's according to the Android Developers Dashboard portal. The data contained on the site reflects devices running the latest Google Play Store app and is snapshot of all the devices the visited the store within the past 7 days. In other words, it's not a wholly accurate representation of the landscape, but it is the closest estimate available and is probably not far off when consider that the majority of Android device owners don't root their phones or tablets. According to CNET, KitKat's share of the Android market sat at 20.9 percent just a month ago, 17.9 percent in July, and 13 percent in June. That means it's been a good summer for KitKat. However, JellyBean still tops the chart with a dominating 53.8 percent share of the Android market, down just a blip from 54.2 percent in August. It's also worth mentioning that Android L (believed to be Lemon Meringue Pie) is not too far off in the distance. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Microsoft Bumps OneDrive File Size Limit to 10GB Posted: 11 Sep 2014 07:12 AM PDT  OneDrive's file size limit increases from 2GB to 10GB
In a forum post back in August responding to a user inquiry about OneDrive's low file size limit, Microsoft insisted that the 2GB ceiling wasn't an arbitrary restriction, though conceded it's become obsolete in today's broadband landscape. Microsoft said it was working on increasing the limit, and so it has -- OneDrive now supports file sizes up to 10GB, an 8GB bump over the previous max. "We're excited to announce that you can now upload files up to 10 GB using the desktop apps for Windows and Mac, all of the mobile apps, and the OneDrive website! We recognized that people not only have more files than they did before, but they have bigger files as well. This is a top feature request we've received and we're excited to deliver it!" Microsoft stated in a blog post. Business customers are still buried under the old 2GB limit, though Microsoft says it's working on enabling the same increase to 10GB and will offer another update when it's ready. In the meantime, all users will soon be able to enjoy an improved desktop experience in which Microsoft increased the number of files that can be downloaded or uploaded at any given time on PCs and Macs. According to Microsoft, internal testing of this parallel syncing netted a threefold increase in syncing speed. The feature is being rolled out worldwide within the coming weeks. Other changes to OneDrive include file sharing from within Windows Explorer and folder uploads via OneDrive.com, both of which Microsoft says were popular feature requests. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Batman Triple Pack (Online Game Codes), Corsair CX600 600W PSU, and More! Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:38 AM PDT  
Top Deal: Holy gaming goodness, Batman, what have here? Short and simple, today's top deal is for the Batman Triple Pack (Online Game Codes) for $14 (normally $18 - use coupon code: [EMCPAWP228]). If you've missed out on the Arkham series, now is your chance to get caught up with Arkham Asylum GOTY, Arkham City GOTY, and the prequel Origins. The timing couldn't be any better, either -- the final installment in the series, Batman: Arkham Knight, is set to release June 2, 2015, giving you plenty of time to tackle the triple pack and get up to speed with the series. Other Deals: Corsair CX600 600W Power Supply for $55 with free shipping (normally $65 - use coupon code: [EMCPAPA37]; additional $20 Mail-in rebate) Samsung 840 EVO mSATA 1TB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) for $400 with free shipping (normally $500 - use coupon code: [EMCPAWP222]) Asus VS248H-P Black 24-inch 2ms LED Monitor for $140 with free shipping (normally $180 - use coupon code: [EMCPAWP224]) Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200 RPM 3.5-inch Internal Hard Drive for $85 with free shipping (normally $95 - use coupon code: [EMCPAWP226]) |
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