Windows Central: April 2017

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Best Accessories for HP Spectre x360 13t

What are the best accessories for my HP Spectre x360?

Updated April 27, 2017: We've refreshed this list with some new items, including a monitor, a USB 3.0 hub, and a sleeve, to ensure you're still getting the absolute best accessories for your HP Spectre x360 13t.

You just picked up a brand new HP Spectre x360 13t and want to grab a few items to complement it. No matter what you're looking for — protection, docks, or peripherals — here are the best accessories you can get for your convertible laptop.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2jqCp9Q
via IFTTT

The Complete PHP & MySQL Web Development Bundle is just $29!

The internet becomes more powerful each day, but learning about how it works and how to change things is not easy. There are so many coding languages out there, so many different ways that people do things, and it is a lot of information to take into account. From PHP to HTML5, Markdown and much more, there are tons of different coding languages out there.

Get 40+ hours of programming education for $29! Learn more

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to learn PHP and MySQL without going broke in the process? Well, this awesome web development bundle will help you get started with the basics, and even learn more of the down and dirty details of both in just 44 hours.

The courses included in this bundle are:

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2g6EoyM
via IFTTT

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Win a Star Trek: The Next Generation Blu-ray set as we livestream Star Trek Online tonight on Beam!

Every weekend, Windows Central livestreams an Xbox One or Steam game for 1-2 hours and gives out free games to the cool people who join us during the stream. It's like a live podcast, only you also get to watch a game while chatting with our awesome readers and viewers! We call this show Saturday Game School, because learning about new games is always fun.

Tonight at 9pm Eastern (8pm Central, 6pm Pacific, 1am GMT) on Beam, we'll be playing Star Trek Online: Reckoning, the latest free expansion to the official Star Trek MMO from Perfect World. We're also giving out Star Trek Online Xbox and PlayStation 4 prize codes and Star Trek: TNG Blu-ray sets! Read on for quick impressions and contest details.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2pJi06Y
via IFTTT

Take control of the Big Easy with Gangstar New Orleans for Windows 10 PC

Gangstar New Orleans is an action-adventure game for Windows 10 that sends you to the French Quarter to battle your way through the criminal underworld.

The free game is available for Windows 10 PC and has you undermining gangs, battling zombies and dealing with crooked cops. The Gameloft game sports quality visuals that are reminiscent of a graphic novel and gameplay has plenty of twists and turns to keep you busy. Game controls aren't terrible but could use a little fine tuning to become more user-friendly.

The game comes across as an acquired taste, but if you like the Grand Theft Auto style of games you should find Gangstar New Orleans to be a fun time-consuming Windows 10 game.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oJSAX6
via IFTTT

Steam Spotlight: Toukiden 2 is a Monster Hunter-style action-RPG with both story and co-op

Welcome to another edition of Steam Spotlight, the weekly column in which we look at new and interesting Steam games for Windows.

Capcom's Monster Hunter is a popular series of co-op action-RPGs focused on slaying giant monsters. Unfortunately, those games exclusive to Nintendo devices nowadays. Enter Koei Tecmo with Toukiden 2, a Monster Hunter-style game focused on a war between humans and mythological creatures. Although sadly unavailable on Xbox, Toukiden 2 is still a compelling Steam offering.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oJDEYN
via IFTTT

Best Power Supplies For Your Windows 10 PC

Best overall
Reliable second
Best budget
Overkill

Update April 28 2017: We've made a few minor changes to our guide, but the best PSU list remains the same.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2cOH5ET
via IFTTT

Windows 10 build 16184 (and earlier) for PC: Everything you need to know

A total of four Windows 10 Redstone 3 previews rolled out in April, and here we'll give you a closer look at those builds, and those things Microsoft didn't mention.

Windows 10 build 16184 is now rolling out to PCs enrolled in the Fast ring. This new release, part of the Redstone 3 update expected to arrive in September, is a minor update, but it delivers a few improvements, fixes, and introduces "My People," a new feature that makes connecting with people close to you a lot easier.

Alongside build 16184, during the month of April, Microsoft also released Windows 10 build 16179, 16176, and 16170. While these test previews are not significant, they all add small improvements to the OS, including system changes and several tweaks.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll have a closer look at the changes and improvements Microsoft has been working in the past four test versions of the upcoming Redstone 3 update.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2pvTiWM
via IFTTT

GAME's Bank Holiday Xbox One S deal adds a trio of awesome games at a great price

It's a Bank Holiday weekend in the UK again and that means deals, deals and a few more deals. If you're looking for an Xbox One S then you might want to head down to GAME where you'll get three Xbox One exclusive titles bundled with the console.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2qgfJ3m
via IFTTT

Digital Offer: Get an ITIL Service Lifecycle Super Training Bundle for only $25!

Not only is there currently a high demand for IT techs, there is also the need for ITIL service managers who help get businesses aligned with their true IT needs. Have you always been interested in this line of information technology? Are you looking to start a new, lucrative career down this path?

Grab this ITIL training bundle for only $25! Learn more

The training needed to become an ITIL pro is usually very expensive, and the time needed might not always fit into your already-busy schedule. What you need is a complete ITIL Service course that doesn't break the bank, and you need a course that you can fit around your life.

Windows Central Digital Offers right now has an ITIL Service Lifecycle Super Training Bundle for just $25. No, that's not a typo — that's 98% off the regular price of $2,400.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2hBWwEO
via IFTTT

Friday, April 28, 2017

Hands on with Windows 10 build 16184 showcasing My People (video)

Check out our hands on with Windows 10 build 16184, showcasing the new My People feature

Microsoft's latest Insider Preview build includes an early version of the highly-anticipated My People feature that allows you to communicate with people directly from the task bar. As with most new builds, we've gone hands on for your viewing pleasure.

Apart from My People, there isn't much else new in build 16184 outside of a few minor UI enhancements. The My People feature is arguably one of the biggest features slated for this release, as it was canceled from its original scheduled release in the Creators Update.

Let us know below on your thoughts regarding My People! Will you be downloading this build to try it out?

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2pdr1Ut
via IFTTT

Playerunknown's Battlegrounds for PC preview: This new battle royale deserves your attention

Airdrop, loot, and shoot. That's essentially all there is to it in PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS, but wins don't come easy.

A new contender

When it comes to games that are as fun to watch as they are to play, the battle royale genre is near the top of the list. You throw a large number of players into an arena, give them a bunch of weapons and other goodies to find and pick up, and let them duke it out until only one person is left standing.

There have been a few battle royale titles of note recently, including H1Z1: King of the Kill. Brendan "PLAYERUNKNOWN" Greene created the original battle royale mod for Arma 3 and designed the battle royale game mode for the original H1Z1 before moving on to work with Bluehole on BATTLEGROUNDS. (Editor's note: The company's branding for this game is in all capital letters, but that hurts our eyes. So from here on, we're using normal, "sentence case.")

Battlegrounds is sort of like a middle point between the arcade action of H1Z1: King of the Kill and the strictly mil-sim gameplay of Arma 3. It seems to appeal to plenty of people, and it has sold more than a million copies since it hit Steam Early Access in March.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2pqfiQR
via IFTTT

How to use Kodi to watch live TV

Kodi is a terrific cord-cutting tool, and it's really simple to watch live TV using it.

To be clear, this isn't about watching TV channels delivered over the internet (IPTV) but actual over-the-air (OTA) channels. With the right hardware and matching plugins, adding your OTA TV to the main Kodi interface is a breeze.

For the purposes of this guide, we're using a HDHomeRun Connect tuner, but the process is the same for other supported PVR hardware. You also must have set up your hardware first before going into Kodi.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oQBmCw
via IFTTT

Everything you need to know about Make VR

Bring all of your creations from VR into the real world using Make VR.

Make VR is a program for HTC Vive that aims to help you to bring your VR creations to life. From within the game you can create and adjust new items, and then export them. You can adjust the shape and scale, turn full items into wire outlines, and plenty more. Essentially, this is a CAD engine that allows you to see what you're creating in 3D before you send it off to the printer to bring into the real world.

Hands-on with the super thin Acer Predator Triton 700 gaming laptop with a see-through trackpad

Acer announced their new Triton 700 series gaming laptops on April 27 in New York City. At just 18mm thin Acer claims it's the fastest gaming laptop around netting a 17,000 score on 3DMark besting the competition by significant margins.

We got some hands-on time yesterday with the Triton 700, and it's quite impressive. It's not just the radical cooling solutions that let the Triton 700 hit high-performance marks, but some crazy design choices too.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oTVLas
via IFTTT

MyTube Beta updated with Project NEON blur, comment threads and more

The beta version of popular YouTube app myTube has been updated with a taste of Project NEON-like blur handful of new features to check out on Windows 10.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2ppT6Xe
via IFTTT

Windows 10 build 16184 for PC and 15208 for Mobile now rolling out for Insiders

Microsoft is rolling out a new Windows 10 Insider Preview builds today, one for PC that finally includes the new My People feature that Microsoft announced last October. Today's PC build is 16184, and is available for Insiders in the Fast ring for PC now. There's also a new build for Mobile, which is build 15208 and includes more fixes.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2pcOll9
via IFTTT

OnePlus 3T is the best Android phone for Windows Mobile converts

For Windows phone users looking to switch platforms, it can be very hard to find the right Android smartphone. We recommend the OnePlus 3T. Here's why.

A lot of Windows phone users these days are switching to Android or iOS. Although that's unfortunate, we understand why it is happening and want to help. We're often bombarded with questions, such as "Which Android should I get?" Let's be honest, the world of Android is far more complicated and vast than the small circle of devices that Windows 10 Mobile currently offers.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oFoqEg
via IFTTT

Join us LIVE for the Windows Central Video Podcast today at 2:30PM ET

Make sure you join us for the LIVE recording of the Windows Central Video Podcast, today at 2:30PM ET!

For those in different time zones, here's when we'll be live: Convert your time zone here.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2fk6OFW
via IFTTT

Deal: Score 10GB of Data with unlimited text and calling from $27 Per Month

Looking for a killer deal on a new cell phone plan for yourself? Don't miss this awesome offer from Mint SIM!

In the recent years, we've seen a whole lot happen to cell phone plans. First unlimited data, then price hikes, then tiered data, cheaper plans, the return of unlimited data and so much more. Competition continues to grow in this field, and Mint SIM is getting in on the action with some extremely aggressive pricing for its plans. Mint SIM is an alternative carrier that offers you an extremely affordable way to have the data you need on your phone, and right now you can save an additional 20% off any 6 or 12-month plan using the coupon WCMINTSIM20.

Mint SIM utilizes T-Mobile's growing 4G LTE network to ensure you have great coverage and fast speeds across most of the United States. The way it works is Mint SIM buys access to networks and packages and then is able to resell them to its customers for better rates than the major carriers are charging.

Save 20% with coupon WCMINTSIM20 Learn More

//

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2pyCyvS
via IFTTT

These are the best laptops for VR!

What are the best laptops for my virtual reality setup?

Now that you have a VR setup in your hands, you may need a new PC to run it. While desktops will almost always trump laptops with potential performance, laptops have some obvious advantages: mobility, footprint, and power consumption should all be considered.

Oculus recently integrated Asynchronous Timewarp into their runtime, effectively lowering the minimum specs for PCs running the Rift. While it is still recommended to pick up a powerful PC, it's not always possible. We will look at the best laptops ready for VR, and we'll also look at laptops with lower specs that will still run your Oculus Rift.

Should Microsoft ditch Windows Mobile and embrace Android?

Android is the world's most used mobile OS, and Microsoft is the world's premiere software and platform company. To some, that sounds like a match made in heaven.

This is especially true when you consider that Microsoft's current Windows-on-phone OS, Windows 10 Mobile, is fairing just as poorly as its predecessors. Like Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone, Windows 10 Mobile has failed to deliver Microsoft's products and services to the mobile masses.

The ideal position for a company that hopes to be represented in the mobile space is that it has a market-accepted mobile platform, integrated first-party products and services, and a robust third-party supported ecosystem. Microsoft only has the second of the three. Even with that, scorned fans will be quick to point out that many first-party Microsoft products, like Office Sway, make it to iOS and Android but never come to Windows phone.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oTpxw6
via IFTTT

How to use a HOTAS controller with any PlayStation VR game

How do I use my HOTAS with PSVR?

In order to experience an even deeper level of immersion while in PlayStation VR, you might want to look into a Hands On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) controller. This controller gives you a ton of control over your aircraft or vehicle, as they have a familiar joystick for movement in one hand and an adjustable throttle in the other hand.

You can grab a HOTAS controller designed specifically for PS4, but the number of compatible games in PlayStation VR is limited. If you'd like to use your PS4 HOTAS controller on all games, or if you'd like to use a PC HOTAS on PS4, you need something called CronusMax Plus which lets you map buttons and use any controller with PS4.

Here's everything you need to know about using a HOTAS controller with all of your favorite PSVR games.

See the full guide at VR Heads!

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2pGrsbg
via IFTTT

What exactly is Microsoft's 'Windows Mixed Reality?'

"Mixed Reality," or MR, is coming soon to a PC near you. How does it differ from Microsoft's HoloLens, and what's so cool about it? We just tried it out for the first time, and we have some answers.

Yesterday, Acer held a large press conference in New York City. The company announced half a dozen new and exciting Windows 10 PCs. But I was there for another reason: Windows Mixed Reality.

Acer had its Mixed Reality headset available for the media to try (and not just look at). Honestly, I did not know exactly what Mixed Reality was in relation to Windows 10 on your PC, especially because most PCs now support it after the Creators Update.

Here is what I learned about Windows 10 Mixed Reality, how it differs from HoloLens, when you can get it, and what it'll cost.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2ppo81t
via IFTTT

Microsoft Surface revenue fell 26% during third quarter, but that's not so bad

Third quarter earnings show Surface revenue fell 26%, but that's not as bad as some people might believe.

If you were paying close attention to Microsoft's third quarterly earnings report yesterday, you may have noticed that Microsoft's Surface business declined 26% compared to the same quarter last year. The same time last year, Surface made $1.1 billion, but this time only made $831 million. So what happened there?

Simple put: nothing happened. Microsoft says the reason Surface is doing somewhat worse this quarter is thanks to third-party hardware makers building really great devices and slightly eating into Surface revenue, which is exactly what Microsoft built Surface for in the first place. Hardware makers have really upped their game as of late, which is a win-win situation for the entire PC market.

Another reason why Surface revenue declined is simple: there was no new hardware in 2016. Microsoft hasn't released a "new" Surface device for its wider-audience since 2015. The new Surface Book Performance Base isn't a "new" Surface Book, it's a new SKU for the old Surface Book that was also introduced introduced in 2015 alongside the Surface Pro 4.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2ptrGll
via IFTTT

Best Overall

BenQ SW2700PT

See at Amazon

Should you wish to move up in the ranks of solid professional displays, you really can't go wrong with BenQ's SW2700PT, with support for Adobe RGB and sRGB, calibration tools and 1440p resolution. It even comes with a shading hood to help block out light sources and reduce glare on the screen surface.

Bottom line: The SW2700PT by BenQ is a great option for those wishing to balance functionality and features with price. This particular model is ideal for amateur photographers and designers who are upgrading from older, less capable displays.

One more thing: It packs hardware calibration with Palette Master Element software to make tuning and maintaining color performance super easy.

Why the BenQ SW2700PT is the best PC monitor for design and photography

Unfortunately, there's no dream monitor that's absolutely perfect for photography and design.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2qeM4V4
via IFTTT

Pose your burning questions to members of the Windows Insider team with today's Beam webcast

If you've ever had any burning questions you'd like to ask members of the Windows Insider team, now's your chance.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oEHzG9
via IFTTT

X-Mercs for Windows 10 PC lets you blast aliens and save humanity

X-Mercs is an eye-catching sci-fi strategy game for Windows 10 PCs in which you must lead a team of rag-tag soldiers into battle.

This free Windows 10 PC game is a healthy blend of strategy combat, city-building and character development. You find yourself in a world where radioactive crystals have spawned monsters that threaten the very fabric of society, and the political landscape is very volatile. It's your job to lead a team of soldiers into harm's way and save the day.

X-Mercs sports fantastic, detailed graphics and easy turn-based controls. There are plenty of upgrades for soldiers and weapons, with missions requiring a tactical approach. Overall, X-Mercs is an entertaining Windows 10 game.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2qmHoMe
via IFTTT

Get a lifetime subscription to premium web development courses for $50

A career in web development is a career well-invested in today's marketplace. Many companies are moving to an entirely online business model, and if you're looking for job security, you'll want to get in on the development side if you're at all interested. Or maybe you're already a developer, but you have been for 20 years and haven't really kept up with current technology and trends.

Update your web dev skills for $50 Learn more

Going back to school can be costly and probably isn't the most efficient way to use your time, especially if you're already in a full-time career. You need online courses that you can access from anywhere, at any time, on your own time. But those can be expensive as well, so where do you look?

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2oEHjHg
via IFTTT