Skip to main content

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

Windows 10
Image used with permission by copyright holder
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_
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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.

GameFly launches video game streaming service on Amazon Fire TV

GameFly launches video game streaming service on Amazon Fire TV
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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?
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Karen Tumbokon
Karen is a technology, music and entertainment writer. Originally from New Jersey, Karen began her writing career in music…
The camera on this Android phone is confusing, but I love it
The back of the Tecno Camon 30 Premier.

I’m all for a lot of detail, and love to hear about the new technology that’s inside a smartphone I’m about to test, but when I have to search for an explanation of what something means, it’s not a good start. The Tecno Camon 30 Premier suffers from this problem, as it has a lot of cool camera tech that is explained in a mystifying way.

So, I thought the best thing to do was to just ignore the tech speak and find out if it takes great photos the old-fashioned way.
What's the problem?

Read more
The 5 best phones with IR blasters in 2024
The OnePlus 12's camera module.

IR blasters used to be a common component in smartphones, with big products from Samsung, OnePlus, and TCL giving users access to the cool gadget. Phones equipped with IR blasters could be used as a universal remote for your other electronics, making it easy to control your gear without the need for their default controller (which might be clunky and unintuitive to use).

Fast forward today, and attempting to find a smartphone with an IR blaster is shockingly difficult. What was once common technology is now relegated to just a handful of smartphones. You won't find any iPhones or Galaxy phones with IR blasters, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for a poorly reviewed smartphone if you're interested in the tech. You will, however, probably need to settle for either OnePlus or Xiaomi, as they're the two key players still churning out powerful smartphones equipped with IR blasters.

Read more
Why you should buy the iPhone 15 Pro instead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max
Natural Titanium iPhone 15 Pro with Chopper and BD-1 droids around it.

Apple releases multiple iPhones every year, offering folks choice in terms of size and features. In 2024, the iPhone 15 lineup includes four distinct models.

The regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are great for those who don’t need a telephoto lens and don’t care about the Action button or the 1TB of storage. But anyone who wants a more “pro” experience has the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Read more