Microsoft unveils first laptop and Surface Pro 4

Microsoft Corp has its first laptop, a line of Lumia smartphones, a new Surface Pro tablet and an updated version of its wearable fitness tracker, Microsoft Band, all running on Windows 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=7&v=XVfOe5mFbAE  laptop video

Microsoft said its laptop, the Surface Book, will start at $2,299 and is twice as fast as Apple’s MacBook Pro. It will be available from 12 November in Australia and for pre-order from 7 October.

The laptop has a 13.5-inch display with 267 pixels per inch and features a track pad made of glass.

110 million devices were now running Windows 10.

Lumina Phones

also unveiled three phones at an event in New York

The Lumia 950 and 950XL will have starting prices of US$549 and US$649 respectively when they go on sale in November, while the Lumia 550 will cost US$139 when it becomes available in December.

The Lumia 950 includes a 5.2-inch display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor with hexacore CPUs. The Lumia 950 XL has a 5.7-inch display and a Snapdragon 810 processor with octa-core CPUs. The 550 has a 4.7-inch HD display and runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 210 processor.

The 950 and 950XL handsets feature a 20-megapixel rear camera, have up to 32GB of storage, 4K video and use liquid cooling technology. Microsoft said storage on the phones could be extended to up to 2 terabytes using a memory card.

Surface 4

The new Surface Pro 4 tablet – a larger but thinner and lighter version of the Surface Pro 3 – will start at $1,349 and like the Surface Book will be available from 12 November in Australia and for pre-order from 7 October.

Surface Pro 4 features a 12.3-inch screen with 267 pixels per inch. It runs on 6th-generation Intel Core processor and has 16GB of RAM and 1TB storage.

Surface Pro 4 is 50 percent faster than Apple’s MacBook Air, claimed Panos Panay, the corporate vice president for Surface Computing at Microsoft, at the event.

Microsoft also said its new tablet and smartphones will come with Windows Hello, an automatic biometric sign-in option introduced earlier this year.

The feature allows users to scan their face, iris or fingerprints to verify their identity and give them access to Windows phones, laptops and personal computers.

Microsoft also introduced a Surface Pen, which has year-long battery life, 1,024 pressure points and comes in five colors with inter-changeable pen tips.

The Microsoft Band 2, which allows users to monitor their fitness and exercise regime, will be priced at US$249 when it becomes available on 30 October.

Unlike its predecessor, Microsoft’s entry product in the wearable technology market a year ago, the new Band has a curved display, which uses the Corning Gorilla glass 3, and has a barometer sensor to track elevation.

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Symantec signs Jarryd Hayne, gives $123,000 to Beyondblue

Jarryd Hayne has started his stint as an ambassador for Norton by Symantec with the presentation of a $123,000 cheque to mental health organisation Beyondblue.

“Being so far away from home, the internet and social media is a great way for me to keep in contact with my family, friends and supporters, and stay informed about what’s happening in Australia,” said Hayne. “I want the internet to be a safe place for everyone and I’m pleased to be partnering with Norton to raise awareness about online security and cyberbullying issues.”

Symantec announced that Hayne’s first task as ambassador was to present a $123,000 donation from the company to Beyondblue. The money will help the mental health charity’s work combating cyberbullying.

Norton has supported Beyondblue since 2013

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Amazon bans Google Chromecast and Apple TV

Amazon is painting it as a decision to “avoid customer confusion” as both services don’t support Amazon Instant Video services.

Clearly Amazon believes that it is Google and Apple who are at fault in this situation, despite the fact Chromecast actually supports any and all applications that allow for “casting” – a feature Amazon just hasn’t bothered to build into Amazon Instant Video.

Other streaming devices, such as Roku’s stick and set-top-box, Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation, will all remain up for sale thanks to their compatibility – or compliance – with Amazon Instant Video.

Amazon has told third-party sellers that all Apple TV and Chromecast inventory has to be sold through by 29 October, otherwise it will be removed from sale by Amazon.

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You Can Actually Drive This Lexus Made Out of Cardboard

story from Matt

Lexus UK unveiled a cardboard, origami-inspired, replica of its IS sedan made from “1,700 fully recyclable laser-cut cardboard sheets” and powered by an electric motor.

It took three months for a team of designers from the UK laser-cutting service LaserCut Works, 3D model maker Scales and Models, and packaging company DS Smith, to handcraft this full-size model.

the glue they used took 10 minutes to dry, according to a news release “accuracy was vital, as changes couldn’t be made once the glue had dried,”.

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Rock Band 4 Is Insanely Expensive In Australia

story from Matt

Rock Band 4 (Game only) — $59.99  x .68  $88.22

Rock Band 4 Guitar Bundle — $129.99 x .68 $191.16

Rock Band 4 Band-A-Box Bundle (Guitar, Drums and Microphone) — $249.99 x .68 $367.63

Rock Band 4 (Game only) — $99.95  

Rock Band 4 Guitar Bundle — $249.95

Rock Band 4 Band-A-Box Bundle (Guitar, Drums and Microphone) — $499.95

When we spoke to Home Entertainment Services about local pricing they informed us the prices were high because the purchased stock directly from Europe as opposed to the US…..so what

so for the pack US$249.99 is 221.31 euros which is A$348.41