| Subscribe to Maximum PC Posted: 22 Jan 2016 02:02 PM PST  Maximum PC January Sale Save up to a HUGE 90% off a Maximum PC subscription* Maximum PC is considered by enthusiasts to be the number one source for the latest in guides, reviews, and in-depth analysis on cutting edge PC hardware. Our team of experts give you the guidance you need to make the most informed buying decisions and deliver the best advice. You've found the definitive reference on PC hardware. Subscribe today and for $38 you can get 13 issues of the glossy print edition delivered straight to your door; for $9 you'll get access to 13 issues of the digital edition; or for only $43 you can get our complete print + digital bundle which includes both our glossy print edition and our iOS and Android digital edition. Click here to subscribe and save up to 90% on a Maximum PC subscription. *Savings compared to buying 13 full priced issues from US newsstand. This offer is for new US subscribers only. You will receive 13 issues in a year. If you are dissatisfied in any way you can write to us to cancel your subscription at any time and we will refund you for all un-mailed issues. Address: Future Publishing, PO Box 2024, Langhorne PA 19047, USA. Prices correct at time of send and subject to change. For full terms and conditions please visit myfavm.ag/magterms. |
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| Google Disabled Over 780 Million 'Bad Ads' in 2015 Posted: 22 Jan 2016 10:41 AM PST Banishing bad ads  Like it or not, ads are a large reason why much of the content you see on the web is free to access (versus sitting behind a paywall). Maybe that will change in the coming years, but for now, it's simply how the web works. Be that as it may, it's not an excuse to let so called "bad ads" rum amok, or run at all, and Google says it shut down hundreds of millions of them last year. "Some ads are just plain bad—like ads that carry malware, cover up content you're trying to see, or promote fake goods. Bad ads can ruin your entire online experience, a problem we take very seriously," Google explained in a blog post. "That's why we have a strict set of policies for the kinds of ads businesses can run with Google—and why we've invested in sophisticated technology and a global team of 1,000+ people dedicated to fighting bad ads." And what of those that run afoul of Google's policies? The sultan of search said it disabled more than 780 million ads last year alone. That's the most yet of any given year, and not surprisingly, it's a number that continues to grow. Need some perspective? "If you spent one second looking at each of these ads, it'd take you nearly 25 years to see them all!," Google added. Ads laced with malware obviously draw the attention of Google's ban hammer, but they're not the only kind that get snuffed out. Google also keeps a lookout for fraudulent ads that make false claims, such as those related to weight loss, along with phishing ads, those touting certain pharmaceuticals, counterfeiters, and so forth. Google also said it cracked down on trick-to-click ads. "We got even tougher on ads that mislead or trick people into interacting with them—like ads designed to look like system warnings from your computer. In 2015 alone we rejected more than 17 million," Google says. It's a growing problem and to stay ahead of the curve, Google said it's planning updates for 2016 like adding more restrictions on allowable ads and new protections against malware and bots. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Skype Now Hides IP Addresses to Thwart Vengeful Gamers Posted: 22 Jan 2016 10:18 AM PST Sour grapes for sore losers  Attention gamers and streamers, go update your Skype installation if you haven't done so recently. The reason why is because the latest build finally hides IP addresses by default. "Starting with this update to Skype and moving forward, your IP address will be kept hidden from Skype users. This measure will help prevent individuals from obtaining a Skype ID and resolving to an IP address," the Skype team announced in a blog post. Microsoft is specifically targeting gamers with this update. Why? Prior to this latest release, it wasn't all that difficult for a sore loser (or pretty much any trouble maker) on the Internet to discover a person's IP address based on their Skype ID. There are several sites and services called "resolvers" that offer to do the dirty work, so even non-programmers and armchair hackers could obtain a Skype user's IP address with little effort. As a result, targeted gamers have been putting up with distributed denial of service (DDos) attacks, sometimes from sore losers and other times simply from someone with nothing better to do with their time. The latest version of Skype should go a long way towards reducing (not eliminating) the prevalence of such incidents. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Microsoft Now Sells Fully Loaded Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book Configurations Posted: 22 Jan 2016 09:47 AM PST Kicking it up a notch  Microsoft's been selling its Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book systems for several weeks now, but if you wanted to max out the hardware configuration on either one, you were previously out of luck. Not anymore. The most powerful versions of both systems are now available to purchase in the United States and Canada, provided you have the requisite coin to bring one home. Starting with the new top-end Surface Book configuration, Microsoft is making it available online-only at its Microsoft Store and through select retailers. It runs $3,199 and boasts a 13.5-inch display with a 3,000x2,000 resolution powered by an unspecified Intel Core i7 processor based on Skylake, 16GB of RAM, 1TB solid state drive, and discrete NVIDIA graphics. The Surface Book is essentially the laptop version of the Surface Pro. It's a detachable 2-in-1 device that comes standard with a keyboard. It also features a pair of full-size USB 3.0 ports, full-size SD card reader, headset jack, mini DisplayPort, 5MP (front) and 8MP (rear) cameras, 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity, a few other odds and ends. As for the Surface Pro 4, the new top-end configuration is available in Microsoft Stores (online and offline) and via select retailers. A fully loaded setup runs $2,699 and features a 12.3-inch display with a 2,736x1,824 resolution, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory, and 1TB SSD. Microsoft pitches the Surface Pro 4 as a tablet that can replace your laptop. As a tablet-first device, it has a few less features than the Surface Book, such as a single USB 3.0 port instead of two and a microSD card reader rather than a full-size SD card slot.  The availability of higher end configurations isn't all that Microsoft added today, it also boosted its inventory with a new gold Surface Pen that's available in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. "The new gold Surface Pen makes a bold statement as a colorful complement to your Surface that's also a powerful tool for both creativity and productivity. When used with your Surface Book or Surface Pro 4, it offers 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity for the ultimate writing and drawing experience. The gold Surface Pen also includes the Surface Pen Tip Kit so you can further customize the experience of taking notes or drawing on your Surface," Microsoft says. All three items are available today. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Microsoft, Dropbox Release Native Windows 10 App Posted: 22 Jan 2016 07:45 AM PST  On Thursday, Dropbox and Microsoft announced the launch of a new native Dropbox app for Windows 10. The app will be fine-tuned for tablet users, but it can be used on desktop systems, too, for those who want to take advantage of exclusive Windows 10 features. The app is expected to roll out to Windows Store this week. The new Windows 10 Dropbox app is based on the Universal Windows Platform and takes advantage of Windows 10–based features like Notifications, Live Tiles, and Windows Hello. With the latter, you'll see an added layer of protection when securing files with Dropbox, which allows use of fingerprint, iris, and facial recognition software to unlock the Dropbox account. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 customers can right-click on the Dropbox app in the taskbar to access what's called a Jump List, a means to access recent files faster. There are also interactive notifications, allowing Dropbox users to accept a shared folder invitation without having to load the app. There's also a quick-search feature, the ability to drag and drop a file into Dropbox from File Explorer, and adding comments directly to files.  "Our partnership with Dropbox has helped more than 17 million people get more work done on the go," Microsoft's Steve Guggenheimer said in a blog. "With Windows 10 running on over 200 million devices worldwide, we're excited to continue to offer our fans easy and convenient access to photos, documents, and files anytime, anywhere." The partnership between Microsoft and Dropbox began back at the end of 2014. The companies introduced means to editing Office files within the Dropbox mobile app, accessing Dropbox files from the Office app, and sharing Dropbox links from Office. Eventually, these features moved to the Web with integration between Office online and the Dropbox website. Of course, the current desktop Dropbox client also supports Windows 10. This can be installed from here, and allows users to sync a specific local folder with their Dropbox folder online. Naturally, if you use the desktop client, you won't have the cool features like Windows Hello and Interactive Notifications offered in the new Windows 10 app. In addition to the desktop and Windows 10 clients, there are also mobile apps for Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, and Kindle Fire. Microsoft says that a Dropbox app for Windows 10 Mobile will be made available soon, so stay tuned. |
| Fender Launching Five In-Ear Monitors in March Posted: 22 Jan 2016 07:19 AM PST  Typically, when you hear the name Fender, it brings up images of guitars and amps. However, the company has launched a new category of headphones called in-ear monitors. They're actually made by a company called Aurisonics, Inc., which Fender acquired back in 2015. Prices range from $100 to a very hefty $500. Fender says that its new Pro In-Ear Monitor Series products are designed and assembled in Nashville. The series consists of five models, all of which have custom-designed drivers. However, some of the higher-end models sport a special 3D-printed Digital Hybrid Technology casing that Fender says will fit most people's ears (95 percent) as if they were custom molded. Some of the models also have a patented Hybrid-Dynamic tuned Balance Armature Array. "The launch of the Fender In-Ear Monitor Series is an exciting step in the expansion of our product offering," said Jim Ninesling, VP of Fender Amplifiers and Pro Audio. "Fender is committed to delivering innovative products and services that accompany players at every stage of their musical experience. We believe serious players and discriminating audiophiles alike will appreciate both the design and performance of Fender IEM's, setting the stage for further additions to this new line in the future." The top-of-the-line $500 model, the FXA7, includes a custom 9.2mm precision rare-earth driver and Groove-tuned port. This headset also boasts a 6Hz–24kHz frequency response, a 100dB @1mW sensitivity, and a 16-ohm +/-10% @1kHz impedance. Offered in metallic black and metallic gold finishes, this model also comes packed with acoustic filter earplugs, a 1/8" to ¼" adapter, and is built for a premium listening experience. The FXA6 model, the next step down, costs $400 and boasts a 6Hz–22kHz frequency response, a 109dB @1mW sensitivity, a 16-ohm +/-10% @1kHz impedance, and a custom 9.25mm precision rare-earth driver and Groove-tuned port. Like the previous model, it can be driven by a smartphone and eliminates up to 22dB of ambient noise. This model is provided in metallic black and metallic red finishes. As for the other three models, the $300 FXA5 features a 19Hz–21kHz frequency response, a 120dB @1mW sensitivity, a Dual Balanced Armature Array and Groove-tuned port, and a 36-ohm +/-10% @1kHz impedance. The FXA2 is cheaper, costing $200 and featuring a 6Hz–23kHz frequency response, a 112dB @1mW sensitivity, a custom 9.25mm precision rare-earth driver with a Groove-tuned port, and a 16-ohm +/-10% @1kHz impedance. This model is targeted toward bassists and drummers. Finally, the DXA1 costs $100 and includes a custom 8.5mm titanium micro driver. This model has a 14Hz–22kHz frequency response, a 116dB @1mW sensitivity, a 16-ohm +/-10% @1kHz impedance, and a 18dB noise reduction rating. The DXA1 is housed in a low-profile slimline shell and comes with a detachable MMCXi silver-plated low-oxygen cable. Fender says this model is ideal for offstage listening. The five models come packed with a deluxe carrying case, an assortment of SureSeal tips, a cleaning tool, and cable. They'll be available for purchase in March 2016. |
| Rig of the Month: Shinai Posted: 22 Jan 2016 12:00 AM PST |
