The $400 Oculus Quest brings more power to untethered VR gaming
Oculus announced its latest stand-alone virtual reality headset offering, the Oculus Quest, at its Connect 5 keynote. Aimed at bridging the gap between the Oculus Go and Oculus Rift, the new Quest headset is intended to deliver a more immersive VR experience without the need for a powerful PC.
The next big Windows update could launch as soon as October 2
A new rumor suggests that Microsoft's Windows 10 October update could release to consumers and businesses around the world on October 2. That's far sooner than was initially expected, but would line up nicely with the planned Surface event Microsoft is holding that same day to debut new products in that line.
AMD RX 500 graphics card refresh may launch in 2019 with die shrink, clock boost
AMD may have a new range of 12nm die-shrunk graphics cards waiting in the wings if new rumors are to be believed. Sources from different places claim that AMD will debut a refreshed RX 500 range of GPUs in October, offering around a 10-15 percent increase in performance. If true, that could shake up the midrange.
This is surely the coolest way yet to solve a Rubik’s Cube
If your attempts to complete the Rubik's Cube usually end with the thing flying out of the window or against a wall, then what you need is one that solves itself. A Japanese creator has just created such a cube, squeezing a tiny computer and motors inside the world's most frustrating toy.
The HP Tango smart printer clearly wants you to confuse it for a book
HP has unveiled what it is calling the first smart home printer, the HP Tango. Designed to fade into the with an adorned linen cover the small printer boasts a plethora of intelligent functions from automatic ink refills to voice integration with your favorite digital assistant.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 joins the ray tracing future on October 17 for $499
If you're interested in Nvidia's ray tracing future, the RTX 2070 may be a more affordable bet than the flagship RTX 2080 Ti. Nvidia finally announced that the RTX 2070 will start shipping on October 17. The GPU starts at $499, but it's unclear if ray tracing games will be available when the RTX 2070 launches.
Virtual reality breaks free as the HTC Wireless Adapter hits store shelves
Gamers and can now break free from wires and into the world of virtual reality as the HTC Wireless Adapter hits store shelves, allowing HTC Vive and Vive Pro users to connect their headsets wirelessly to their supported Windows PC without the need for cable tethers — never trip over wires again.
How many GPU video ports is too many? The Aorus RTX 2080 packs seven
A new RTX 2080 graphics card form Aorus is in the works, which could be the most impressive of the new-generation graphics cards. It comes with three high-performance cooling fans, RGB lighting, a four-year warranty, and as many as seven video ports providing greater user choice than its contemporaries.
Chrome OS update could make switching to tablet mode far easier
Chromebooks could become a little easier to use in tablet mode soon thanks to an impending update for Chrome and the operating system its based on. It looks set to dynamically change the size of icons in the UI depending on the configuration of the Chromebook, making touch icons easier to select.
If your data is found on the dark web, Firefox Monitor will let you know
After several months of beta testing, Mozilla is finally launching its Firefox Monitor service to the general public. Firefox Monitor scans the dark web, and if it finds your email address or other credentials, the service will alert you. You don't have to use the Firefox browser either to use Firefox Monitor.
Critical MacOS Mojave vulnerability bypasses system security
Security Researcher Patrick Wardle has discovered a critical MacOS Mojave security flaw that could potentially allow malicious applications and individuals to bypass Mac's system security controls. The security bug has been shown allowing unauthorized access to sensitive user data.
The 5 best features in MacOS Mojave
Apple's new version of MacOS is finally here and can be installed on your Mac today. Why should you download? Well, there's a lot more to the update than just Dark Mode. These are the five features that make the biggest impact on your day-to-day workflow as a Mac user.
Microsoft Teams blurs your video background, prevents national embarrassment
Users of Microsoft Teams platform can now blur out their background during video calls as the company calls out the world's favorite BBC dad to show it can be done. Available now for all Microsoft Team customers, you are only a few clicks away from hiding your background's secrets.
Chrome 69 logs you in without consent, but Google says it’s for your own good
After widespread criticism for how Chrome 69 behaves when users log into a Google service, Google was forced into updating its privacy policy. Google denies it made the changes to track its users, and that it is not automatically uploading your browser information whenever you log into a Google service on Chrome 69.
Back for the boardroom, Microsoft outlines the future of the Surface Hub
With Surface Hub 2 still on the horizon, Microsoft has announced two additional versions of its digital whiteboard, the Surface Hub 2S and 2X, at their 2018 Ignite developer conference. Promising to bring flexibility to the boardroom, Microsoft's new additions are slated for 2018 and 2019, respectively.
U.N. security blunder left secret Trello boards, Google Docs exposed
The United Nations left as many as 50 Trello boards and Google Documents available to anyone who managed to dig up their unique URL, and some of the unprotected data contained passwords and other sensitive information. Some of the cards and boards were even accessible through Google searches.
Google tells lawmakers it allows other apps access to your Gmail
In a letter obtained ahead of Google's scheduled appearance before lawmakers, the search giant says it allows other apps to read and share Gmail messages. These apps need the explicit permission of the users to have access, and Google claims that it will revoke access to users’ emails if apps misrepresent themselves.
Ripple cryptocurrency jumps 70 percent in 24 hours after news of bank deal
A tease that the Ripple (XRP) cryptocurrency might soon be adopted by a number of banks to speed up and ease international money transfers has sent its value skyrocketing. In 24 hours, it reached its highest value in 2018, jumping more than 70 percent in some cases and XRP trades even top Bitcoin in the past 24 hours.
Smart Reply not smart enough? Desktop Gmail users can soon opt out
Smart Reply is estimated to be used on some 10 percent of Gmail messages sent today. However, not all of Smart Reply's suggestions make sense, and Google will soon give desktop Gmail users who do not want an artificially intelligent robot to generate suggested responses the opportunity to opt out.
Documentation shows data recovery possible for Macs with T2 coprocessor
New internal documentation leaked from Apple shows that data recovery is possible for Macs with T2 Coprocessor thanks to internal diagnostics software to be used by technicians, giving users of the 2018 MacBook Pro a new hope of seeing their data in the event of a system failure.
Wi-Fi vulnerability could allow attackers to steal your data on unencrypted sites
A 20-year-old security flaw in the design of the Wi-Fi standard and how computers communicate using the transmission control protocol could allow hackers to perform a web cache poisoning attack to steal your data and login information. This attack technique won't work with encrypted sites that use HTTPS and HSTS.
Tap Strap wearable keyboard gains support for VR applications
TAP System's wearable Bluetooth keyboard and mouse system gains support for virtual reality, now compatible with Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Rift, and HTV headsets. Type and tap for up to eight hours in VR, sitting or standing, without needing to look at a physical keyboard to accomplish your tasks.
Walmart stocks its stores with VR training for its employees
Walmart will begin rolling out virtual reality training experiences to all of their stores this year with the power of Oculus Go. More than 6,300 stores will receive the new technology, helping them to train their associates in customer service, compliance, and other emerging technologies.
Chromebook keyboard showcase may have leaked Pixelbook 2 images
Some new images from an aftermarket keyboard manufacturer may have revealed what the next-generation Pixelbook device looks like. However, not everyone is convinced. There are some stark differences between these new images and what we expect the rumored Google Pixelbook 2 to look like when released.
Heavily overclocked RTX 2080 Ti steals every 3DMark record
A heavily overclocked Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti has broken every top graphics record on the 3DMark benchmarking application. He needed liquid nitrogen cooling, but overclocker Kingpin has beaten 1080 Ti and Titan V graphics card setups with the brand-new hardware to steal the top spots in a number of rankings.
Newegg was cracked, customer data has leaked, and security is clearly scrambled
Online electronics retailer Newegg has found itself at the heart of an online security breach as the company's payment system was recently breached, giving hackers of the notorious group Magecart potential access to confidential customer data, including credit card information.
AT&T’s new 5G network could adopt tiered billing, including a gaming plan
AT&T is exploring different ways to charge and bill customers once it starts to deploy its 5G network. In addition to bundling 5G connectivity into Internet of Things devices, AT&T is also looking at a 5G plan that targets mobile gamers, exploiting the service's fast connection and low latency.
Windows improves handwriting-recognition skills at the peril of users’ security
Windows handwriting recognition gradually improves the system's ability to figure out what your squiggly cursive really says, but it may also be a security concern. A forensics researcher has found that one file stores almost all the text on your system to help improve the handwriting service.
Facebook appears set on crafting custom silicon for augmented reality devices
Facebook is recruiting -- and it's seeking to hire engineers and designers to assist its Silicon team with the process of crafting custom chips for augmented reality (AR) devices and applications. This development seems to support speculation that the company is looking to produce AR glasses.
New monitors from Philips are sleek, color-accurate, cost less than $200
Phillips' new E-Series line of monitors bring thin-bezel, color accurate 1080p IPS LED displays to the market in three different sizes without breaking the bank, while also packing in AMD FreeSync technology for gamers.
A vigilante botnet is taking out crypto-jacking malware
A new botnet with links to the Satori botnet has been spotted in the wild by security researchers. Known as Fbot, it doesn't look to spread malware though. It destroys it. It searches websites for a particular piece of crypto-jacking malware, takes it over, and then destroys it, deleting itself in the process.
Microsoft could debut transparent Surface Dial sequel at October event
Microsoft may debut not just Surface laptops and 2-in-1s and its upcoming October event, but a second-generation Surface Dial as well. A new FCC filing suggests as much, and drawing on patents filed by Microsoft earlier this year, it could well be a transparent Surface Dial that lets you see right through to the screen below.
Microsoft may go back to black with 2018 Surface Pro and Surface Laptop
Black may be back this year for Microsoft. The Surface-maker is rumored to be making its refreshed Surface Pro detachable and Surface Laptop available in a black color option this year, and we'll likely learn more about the company's Surface hardware plans at a scheduled press event on October 2.
The 49-inch Samsung CHG90 QLED gaming monitor is absolutely massive
If you ever thought the box for your monitor was reidiculously big, think again. Samsung's 49-inch, curved, CH90 Quantum Dot display takes the biscuit. It is stupendously big and the box it comes out of is equally so. Feel sorry for the courier all you want though, as the actual experience of using it is stunning.