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Weekly rewind: Dish and T-Mobile flirt, Windows 10 gets a drop date, and more

Windows 10
In the tech world, a lot happens in a week. Too much, in fact, for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of the top 10 tech stories from this week. From the release date for Windows 10, to details on GameFly’s new streaming service, and Tim Cook’s jabs at Apple competitors on privacy, it’s all here.

Windows 10 will arrive July 29 as a free upgrade

Windows-10-will-arrive-July-29-as-a-free-upgrade_

On July 29, Windows users can get Windows 10 for PCs and tablets by taking advantage of a free upgrade, or buy all-new Windows 10 devices. The latest version includes a number of notable new features, like personal assistant Cortana, Microsoft’s new Edge browser, and integration with the Xbox. Microsoft will try to transition smooth the transition by notifying existing Windows users when the update is available, and scheduling it to install when the time is right.

Read the full story here.

Excited to see iOS 9 and OS X 11? Here’s how to watch Apple’s WWDC 2015 livestream

Excited to see iOS 9 and OS X 11? Here’s how to watch Apple’s WWDC 2015 livestream

It’s that time of year again! Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) will kick off during the second week of June. Apple recently confirmed that it will livestream its WWDC event on June 8, starting at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EST).The apple.com/live site states that the official stream is limited to Macs, iPhone, iPads, and Apple TVs. Apple TV users can watch the event, as long as their Apple TV software has been updated to version 6.2 or later. Apple says the live streaming video will work on Safari, but you will need Safari 6.0.5 or later on OS X v10.8.5 or later. If you’re unable to make the event, you can watch streaming video sessions from the WWDC app. As of right now, the app only features videos from previous years, but that will change when WWDC 2015 starts.

Read the full story here.

Higher-res screens for the iPhone 6S rumored while talk of an iPhone 6C continues

Higher-res screens for the iPhone 6S rumored while talk of an iPhone 6C continues

Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus was released in September, but rumors about the next-generation iPhone are starting to flood in. It’s being rumored that Apple will offer the 2015 iPhone in two different sizes — one small and one larger. Apple may call the new phones the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S Plus. Here’s our rumor roundup on iOS 9, and you can check out news from Apple’s developer conference, which will happen on June 8-12.

Read the full story here.

This glowing smart water bottle makes sure you stay hydrated all day long

This glowing smart water bottle makes sure you stay hydrated all day long

If you’re addicted to caffeine, you probably already know how challenging it is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. However, it’s important to drink the daily recommended amount of water, as it helps with weight loss, skin complexion and fills you up. Luckily, there’s HidrateMe, a connected water bottle that comes with a sensor stick to automatically track how much water you drink throughout the day. The bottle also glows when you need to drink more. Hidrate, the company behind the water bottle, launched a Kickstarter campaign on June 1. So far, the company has exceeded its original $35,000 goal in just one day and is now over by $49,000, with 40 days left to go.

Read the full story here.

Fallout 4 has been confirmed for PC, Xbox One, and PS4

Fallout 4 - Official Trailer

Bethesda officially announced Fallout 4, the latest game added to its RPG series, which is set to ship on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. The game’s website went live, showing off box art and confirming it won’t be released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Bethesda will host its own press conference at E3 this year, which will be held on Sunday, June 14 in Los Angeles, which is just one day before Microsoft’s opening press conference.

Read the full story here.

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GameFly launches video game streaming service on Amazon Fire TV

GameFly launches video game streaming service on Amazon Fire TV

GameFly, the rental service that sends you games in the mail, is launching a new video game streaming service today. GameFly has also revealed today that it has acquired streaming service Playcast, which will power the new service. GameFly’s new streaming service lets users rent games for $7 a month each. GameFly’s service includes six bundles, each containing seven games focused on a different theme. One bundle offers Lego games while another offers adventure games such as Darksiders II and Batman Arkham titles. GameFly’s Streaming service also offers a “gamer pack” which comes with 16 games for $10 per month. GameFly says it hopes to build “the world’s premier multi-platform, console-quality streaming video game service.”

Read the full story here.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is the most popular smartphone in America

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is the most popular smartphone in America

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, an independent national study, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 is the most popular phone this year, outscoring the iPhone 6. The Galaxy Note 4 has the highest score with 86 out of 100 points, which means that 86 out of every 100 owners said they were satisfied with their phones.

Read the full story here.

Tim Cook is right about privacy and encryption: We shouldn’t give them up for Google

Tim Cook is right about privacy and encryption- We shouldn’t give them up for Google

On Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook was honored for ‘corporate leadership’ during Electronic Privacy Information Center’s (EPIC) event in Washington, DC. Cook spoke to the audience about customer privacy, ensuring security and protecting their right to encryption. Cook made some pretty strong comments which were direct at companies including Google, Facebook, and Yahoo. Cook made a jab at Google’s new product, Google Photos, which offers free unlimited media storage. The event was the first time EPIC (Everyday People Initiating Change), a nonprofit focused on emerging privacy, has honored a business leader with the award.

Read the full story here.

Apple detox: How to switch from iOS to Android without missing a beat

Apple detox: How to switch from iOS to Android without missing a beat

So, you’ve finally decided that you want to make the switch from iOS to Android. We’ve created a guide, that will help you make the switch. We’ll show you how to transfer contacts, music, photos and videos. We’ll also show you a few tips of how you can get used to Android. While most of your apps won’t be able to go with you, you can find a lot of them on the Google Play Store.

Read the full story here.

Dish and T-Mobile to merge?

DISH and T-Mobile to merge?

According to the Wall Street Journal, T-Mobile is looking to merge with Dish Network. Both companies have agreed that Dish Chief Executive Charlie Ergen would be the company’s chairman and T-Mobile Chief Executive John Legre would become the company’s CEO, one person familiar with the situation told the newspaper.

Read the full story here.

Karen Tumbokon
Karen is a technology, music and entertainment writer. Originally from New Jersey, Karen began her writing career in music…
I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps
The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

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The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

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Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.

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