Author: Anna Galvez

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Chrome 70 Comes With Picture-In-Picture Support on Windows and MacOS

Even though Google Chrome’s latest version eliminated one feature, Chrome 70 comes with picture-in-picture support on Windows and MacOS, as reported by Android Police. Although this function could have been activated manually in Chrome 69 Beta, in the new version of the renowned Google Internet browser, the feature is on by default.

As mentioned, the first time the picture-in-picture function appeared in Chrome was in the Chrome 69 Beta version. Back then, the service was just manual, users activating and deactivating it at will. Now, with the Google Chrome’s latest release, Chrome 70, the PiP feature is on by default.

“In September 2016, Safari added Picture-in-Picture support through a WebKit API in macOS Sierra. Six months later, Chrome automatically played Picture-in-Picture video on mobile with the release of Android O using a native Android API. Six months later, we announced our intent to build and standardize a Web API, feature compatible with Safari’s, that would allow web developers to create and control the full experience around Picture-in-Picture,” stated Francois Beaufort on the Google Developer site.

Chrome 70 Comes With Picture-In-Picture Support on Windows and MacOS

In short, Google Chrome’s latest version, Chrome 70, the most popular Internet browser in the world brings Picture-in-Picture support by default. In the previous version, Chrome 69 Beta, on the other hand, the PiP mode could only be activated manually.

The devs, however, would still need to turn on picture-in-picture on their end. Thus, users wouldn’t be able to enjoy the new PiP support in Chrome 70 with every video they play in Chrome, at least not for the moment being.

To test the new Picture-in-Picture support in Google Chrome 70, go to YouTube, double-right-click on a video on the platform and go to the “Picture in Picture” section from the menu. Then, the respective video will instantly shrink down and pop up in the bottom corner. You can then move the video frame wherever on the screen.

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PlayStation 5: What We Should Expect From Sony’s Next-Gen Console

Although we have the confirmation that Sony is indeed working on a next-gen console, we don’t yet know if it would be named PlayStation 5, but everything we know so far leads to that nomination. However, be it called as it may, here’s what we should expect from the future PS5.

Sony confirmed it’s working on a next-generation console, but the Japanese company offered no details on what’s likely to be named or its features. However, some rumors, some coming even from internal sources, revealed a few possible features the upcoming PlayStation 5 (let’s call it this way) is most likely to boast.

PlayStation 5: What We Should Expect From Sony’s Next-Gen Console

Backwards Compatibility

According to a recent patent filed by Sony, the future PlayStation 5 would come out with “backwards compatibility” with all the other Sony consoles. That would mean that PlayStation 5 would run PS4, PS3, PS2, and PS1 games.

Significant PSN changes

On PlayStation 3, the PlayStation Network was not much of a thing for PS gamers. However, with the release of PS4, Sony revamped its PSN. With PS5, Sony would continue to improve its PlayStation Network with new features.

V-Sync Support

Also, per another patent that Sony filed, the upcoming PlayStation 5 will add V-Sync support, meaning that the games on Sony’s next-gen console will run with smoother graphics and less screen tearing. In other words, a 60-FPS game on a 60-Hz display would never exceed 60 FPS thanks to V-Sync.

Universal Cross-Platform Play

Sony has finally introduced crossplay but only in its testing phase and for just one game. It’s not yet known if the Japanese company would add this feature to more games. However, PlayStation 5 is expected to implement universal cross-platform play which would allow gamers on PS5 to connect and play with those on other platforms.

PlayStation 5 Release Date

Sony Entertainment has just confirmed the development of a next-gen console, so it’s not clear when the future PlayStation 5 would come out. According to some earlier rumors, however, we should expect the PS5 to come out somewhen between 2020 and 2021.

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Microsoft To Release A Patch To Tackle the Spectre V2 Vulnerability

Earlier this year, two vulnerabilities were discovered that affected the performance of Windows 10 and had risen many debates online. We’re talking about Spectre and Meltdown, which as everyone knows, affected the performance of computers with Intel processors and Windows 10. Following the discovery of Spectre and Meltdown, both companies rushed to put the problem to an end and, although they managed to solve some of the vulnerabilities of Spectre and Meltdown, Microsoft has now reported that it will tackle the more recent Spectre V2 vulnerability.

Intel’s new processors are already immune to these hardware failures, and although Microsoft had solved some software problems, now the software company will release a new patch to tackle the Spectre V2 vulnerability to address the performance issues it causes in Windows 10.

Remember that Spectre V2 is one of the vulnerabilities that affected the most the performance of computers, as it could even reduce the performance of a processor by up to 20%, but Microsoft is going to prevent this from happening by enabling the next major update of Windows 10, Retpoline.

Spectre V2 vulnerability will no longer be a performance problem in Windows 10

With Retpoline enabled in Windows 10, Microsoft expects that they will tackle Spectre V2 vulnerability lowering its incidence to 2%. However, Retpoline will only be available to users who upgrade their computers to Windows 10 1903 or Redstone 6, which will arrive for everyone in the spring of next year.

So, the patch to address Spectre V2 can’t be launched for previous versions, so those using older computers that can’t upgrade to this version could still be affected by the vulnerability. However, all those who update their computers will be protected from the vulnerability that most affects system performance.

To have the confirmation of the real improvement in performance the patch would bring, it will be necessary to wait for the first tests, something that users of the Windows 10 Insiders program will be able to commence very soon since the Retpoline function would be about to reach these users.

However, the rest will have to wait until April, when Microsoft is expected to release the new significant Windows 10 update that will also pack this new feature to tackle Spectre V2.

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Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Will Change the Way You Work

The South Korean company presented the new Samsung Galaxy Book 2, a two-in-one device that is directly inspired by Microsoft’s Surface concept, which means it has a removable keyboard that also acts as a handset with a stylus. The design of the new Book 2 has been working very well for some time in the professional sector and is understandable, as it provides great flexibility and allows the user to enjoy the best of a laptop but with a much more flexible and versatile approach.

However, the new Samsung Galaxy Book 2 makes a quite particular bet because it mounts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chipset and the Windows 10 ARM, allowing it to offer more autonomy at the cost of a tighter performance.

Samsung Galaxy Book 2 – Technical Specifications

These are the specifications that Samsung has confirmed for its new Galaxy Book 2:

  • 12-inch touchscreen with a SuperAMOLED display at a resolution of 2,160 x 1,440 pixels;
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 850;
  • 8-core CPU – four Kryo 300 Gold cores at 2.96 GHz and four Kryo 300 Silver cores at 1.7 GHz;
  • GPU Adreno 630 compatible with Vulkan and DirectX 12;
  • 4 GB of RAM;
  • 128 GB of storage capacity;
  • Rear and front cameras of 8 MP and 5 MP, respectively;
  • Two USB Type-C connectors, microSD slot, WiFi AC, Snapdragon modem X20 LTE 4G 1 Gbps;
  • Weight – 840 grams;
  • Up to 20 hours of autonomy per battery charge;
  • Fingerprint reader;
  • Operating system: Windows 10 in S mode;
  • Includes removable keyboard and stylus;

Installing Windows 10 in S mode means that Samsung Galaxy Book 2 only allows you to install applications from the official Microsoft store, an essential limitation, but which has advantages regarding security and performance. We can, however, bypass this mode via Update and Security -> Activation -> Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy Book 2 is designed for professionals

Samsung Galaxy Book 2 is a two-in-one device that’s designed for professionals who need to prioritize mobility over performance but focuses primarily on creatives, artists, and designers.

Samsung has confirmed that Book 2 will become available on November 2nd, 2018, with a recommended price of 999 dollars.

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MX Player Latest Update Brings New Cool Features

There is no MX Player for Android user that is not admitting that this app is the best video player out there. And that in the conditions that there are dozens of other apps for Android that offer the same service. However, MX Player is atop of all those applications thanks to its unique features, increased stability, and flexibility.

Now, the MX Player latest update brings new cool features, several bug fixes, and performance and stability improvements, among other things. However, we’re talking about the September 2018 upgrade, the latest update the J2 Interactive released for its MX Player for Android.

MX Player for Android comes with a very user-friendly, one of the best interfaces for video playing apps, to boost user experience. Besides, it supports virtually every video format, including FLV, AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, MOVE, and MKV, among others. Additionally, it also has a great subtitles function, supporting files such as SUB, SRT, IDX, SMI, TXT, SSA, and more.

MX Player Latest Update Brings New Cool Features

In the new MX Player version which you can find on Google Play Store, J2 Interactive improved the apps’ gesture controls, besides implementing stability improvements and performance enhancements. Also, the MX Player latest update for Android comes with some minor bug fixes.

Also noteworthy, MX Player for Android supports gesture controls to enhance users video viewing experience. With this feature, viewers can zoom the subtitles’ text, skip backward or forward when it’s not synced with the video, and many more. In the new version, this function has also been updated.

The MX Player latest update, version 1.10.9, is free of any charge and can be downloaded from Google Play Station but also from third-party APK repositories. So, to enjoy the best viewing experience on your Android smartphone or tablet, grab the new version of the application.

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