At any rate, Xiaomi is plainly inspired by turning into a bigger player in the undeniably swarmed cell phone diversion. As Wang stated, "We would prefer not to settle on an arbitrary choice, gracious say, here's the Mi 6, we should attempt the US advertise, on the off chance that it doesn't work how about we simply leave," Wang said. "No, we need to be all around arranged and make a blast in those business sectors." 


Xiaomi, don't let me know: The U.S. market is the hardest nut to open for China-based telephone producers, so we won't be astounded on the off chance that we never observe a Xiaomi handset. While the organization is adopting the correct strategy by awaiting its opportunity and investigating all choices, the reality remains that none of its terrain rivals have possessed the capacity to hit on a triumphant equation for achievement, particularly for higher-end handsets. Some portion of it is the colossal rivalry from Apple and Samsung, but at the same time there's the bearer consistence. Opened telephones might be decent, however in the event that they aren't being sold by the significant bearers, appropriation is a great deal more troublesome. Still, we'd love to see a Xiaomi telephone deal with U.S. systems, regardless of the possibility that we need to hold up until the Mi8.
http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/04/xiaomi-may-discharge-mi-telephone-in-us.html?m=1

Even before the U Ultra was available for purchase, HTC was already teasing a better phone on the horizon, one that takes full advantage of the next-generation Snapdragon 835 processor. Now it looks like it might be coming on the heels of the Galaxy S8, and it could be one of the most interesting handsets of the year.
A flurry of information has leaked about the new handset, and since the U Ultra was such a disappointment, we're hoping this handset is the one that puts HTC on the map. There's tough competition out there from LG and Samsung, but HTC still has a few tricks up its sleeve that could set its new phone apart:
A new U: While we certainly had our issues with the U Ultra, this rumor smacks of desperation on HTC’s part. One of our biggest complaints with the U Ultra was that it was too big, and from the looks of the video, the new U won’t be much smaller, especially if it requires wide bezels for its concept. A touch-sensitive frame might have been cool a couple years ago, but in the era of shrinking bezels, HTC’s new phone is going to stick out like a sore thumb. Not to mention, it will require users to learn a whole new way of holding and operating their phones—and how exactly are we supposed to put a case on it?
Smart bezels

According to a VentureBeat report, tipster extraordinaire Evan Blass dishes on next phone in the U line will bring the wild “Ocean” concept to reality. Following up on the video Blass leaked last year, the 5.5-inch, quad HD handset will reportedly feature a button-less design that relies on gestures to navigate and control things on screen.
The original video, in which the phone relies heavily on Google Assistant, features a handset that utilizes touch-sensitive bezels to launch apps and navigate, letting the user squeeze and swipe the frame to do things like play music and control the camera. Blass says the phone won’t use the Ocean codename but will rather continue to push HTC’s 2017 U branding. The premier feature will be marketed under the Edge Sense moniker, according to Blass.
Android Headlines adds some context to the rumor, having gotten its hands on what appears to be a set of slides HTC will use during its demonstration of the device. According to the illustration, the Edge Sensor will be able to execute certain actions while the screen is off by squeezing the sides of the phone, including launching the camera, summoning Google Assistant, and toggling the flashlight. There will apparently be settings for the sensitivity of your grip as well as separate shortcuts for long and short squeezes. 
Better camera

In addition to the funky frame, the new HTC U will also feature cameras similar to the U Ultra, though HTC will reportedly use a newer Sony version, “utilizing a 12-megapixel IMX362 around back and 16-megapixel IMX351 up front.”
Android Headlines adds some additional info about the setup, divulging that it will be packed with advanced processing such as HDR+, Smart Video Zoom, 3D Audio, and a hi-resolution recording function, all of which should make the new phone an even shooter than the U Ultra. According to the sliders, the camera will feature "real-time HDR scene selection" and "two modes for video sound recording" for immersive audio.
Quality sound

HTC has always put a premium on sound, and the new U phone looks to continue in that vein. Like the U Ultra, the new device will dispense with the headphone jack and focus on USB-C audio for its USonic earbuds.
As Android Headlines reports, it will include HTC's patented BoomSound technology and will feature the same ear-scanning tech that measures the inside of your canal to find the best acoustics. Additionally, it will also include dual speakers at the top and bottom of the handset for a richer sound when not using headphones.
Desktop expansion

One of the Galaxy S8's coolest feature is the ability to plug your phone into a dock and project your apps onto a big screen, and it seems that HTC has developed its own desktop companion for the new U phone. Called Sense Link it looks to be a bridge between your PC and your phone, letting you transfer files with ease.
According to the leaked slides, there will be a new Sense Link desktop client that you will need to install on your PC. Then you'll need to pair your phone with your PC via QR code scanning. Once established, you'll be able to get documents from your PC, backup photos and videos, and interact with your phone while using your computer. The hook is that the two devices will need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, but it's interesting to see HTC and Samsung thinking on similar wavelengths.
Under the hood

The new U phone looks to be the next phone to utilize the Snapdragon 835 chip after the Galaxy S8, but the other specs aren't too shabby either. According to Android Headlines, it will ship with a 5.5-inch Wide Quad HD display, up to 6GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of storage. Additionally, it will ship with Android 7.1, though unfortunately the battery is still stuck at 3,000 mAh.
HTC will also include its new Sense Companion as a key feature of the new U, as it looks to battle Google Assistant and now Bixby for AI supremacy. As the slides explains, HTC Companion will function much in the way as it does on the U Ultra, offering timely restaurants selections, weather reports, and performance and power optimizations throughout your day.
Price and availability

In his original report, Blass says the new phone is due to be announced sometime in April, and based on the information Android Headlines provided, it certainly seems as though it's nearing a release. Pricing hasn't been leaked, but with an 835 chip and 128GB of storage, you should prepare to pay big bucks for it.
http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/04/htc-is-reportedly-releasing-new-u-phone.html?m=1

The Galaxy S8 and S8+ might have thecoolest displays we’ve ever seen, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot if they don’t perform as well as they look. Thankfully, DisplayMate got to run them through their usual paces and spoiler alert, they’re fantastic.
Samsung has always had some of the best displays in the business, but DisplayMate concludes in its traditional shoot-out that the S8 is “the best performing smartphone display” it’s ever tested. From the brightness to the color gamut and reflectiveness, Dr. Raymond M. Soneira says the S8 is the “most innovative and high performance smartphone display that we have ever lab tested, earning DisplayMate’s highest ever A+ grade.”
Among the points DisplayMate highlights are the S8’s new and accurate full DCI-P3 Color gamut, the same one that you’ll find in quality 4K TVs, and its HDR capabilities. It also found that the native color gamut of the S8 is even larger than the S7, resulting better on-screen colors. Additionally, the Galaxy S8 is up to 10 percent brighter than the Galaxy S7, and up to 19 percent brighter in high ambient light with automatic brightness turned on.
The lengthy report notes that the S8 showed improvements in just about every lab test when compared to the S7, and as such, it set a bunch of records, including:
Native color gamut
Peak brightness
Contrast rating in ambient light
Screen resolution
Contrast ratio
Screen reflectance
Viewing angle
Of note, DisplayMate commends Samsung’s resistance to going up to 4K, saying there would be virtually no discernible difference to human eyes on a smartphone. It also praises its power efficiency and super-dimming mode, which allows the brightness to be set to 2 nits while still maintaining high-quality color and picture quality.
Seeing is believing: We knew the Galaxy S8 displays looked good to our eyes, but we didn’t know they were this good. Samsung has always put a ton of effort into making its screens as accurate and bright as possible, but the S8 truly raises the bar for what we expect in a smartphone display.

http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/04/displaymate-give-samsungs-newest.html?m=1

With  nasty malware like Locky making the rounds—encrypting its victims’ files, and then refusing to unlock them unless you pay up—ransomware is a serious headache. But not all ransomware is so difficult.
You can remove many ransomware viruses without losing your files, but with some variants that isn’t the case. In the past I’ve discussed general steps for removing malware and viruses, but you need to apply some specific tips and tricks for ransomware. The process varies and depends on the type of invader. Some procedures involve a simple virus scan, while others require offline scans and advanced recovery of your files. I categorize ransomware into three varieties: scareware, lock-screen viruses, and the really nasty stuff.

Scareware

An example of a fake antivirus app. 
The simplest type of ransomware, aka scareware, consists of bogus antivirus or clean-up tools that 

claim they’ve detected umpteen issues, and demand that you pay in order to fix them. Some specimens of this variety of ransomware may allow you to use your PC but bombard you with alerts and pop-ups, while others might prevent you from running any programs at all. Typically these invaders are the easiest type of ransomware to remove.
Lock-screen viruses

The Kovter ransomware locks down your computer, displaying a fake notice claiming to be from several government authorities. 
Next is the ransomware variety I call lock-screen viruses, which don’t allow you to use your PC in any way. They display a full-size window after Windows starts up—usually with an FBI or Department of Justice logo—saying that you violated the law and that you must pay a fine... For more info on this post kindly visit
http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/04/how-to-rescue-your-pc-from-ransomware_5.html?m=1

When Android 8.0 lands this fall, two things will be certain: It’ll have a sweets-inspired name beginning with the letter O, and the notification system will get another series of changes. The steady stream of beeps and buzzes that we get on our phones is a never-ending work in progress, and Google is constantly trying to walk the line between indispensable and irritating as it works to refine its system of alerts.
Nougat brought some much-needed features to Android’s notifications, adding extremely useful changes to the way we view and interact with them. But while many apps have taken full advantage of the latest features, navigating the notification shade on a Nougat phone can still be a hit-or-miss affair. With a few tweaks, however, Google can truly revolutionize notifications in Android 8, bringing the same level of control we enjoy with the interface to the alerts we receive throughout the day.
Clean up the status bar

The tiny notification icons in the status bar are one of the things that makes Android unique, and they can be tremendously useful as visual reminders of things that need immediate action. But they can also be a terrible nuisance, cluttering the tiny space above our home screens and apps, and commanding equal attention for urgent and unimportant matters alike.

The System UI Tuner already allows you to turn off the icons on the right side of the status bar (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), but the left side can be far more distracting. While Google is unlikely to ever eliminate them completely (and there’s no reason it should), status bar notifications needn’t be such an all-or-nothing affair. Just like it does with the lock screen, Google could provide an option for notifications to appear in the status bar, so you could designate only the most important ones to occupy such prime real estate.
But even if Google never lets us turn them off, there should never be duplicate icons in the status bar. Whether it’s a bug or a feature, they’re pointless and distracting, and if nothing else, Google should make it a point in Android O to make sure only one icon per app appears, no matter how many notifications pile up.
How it could work: When you tap on an app in the Notifications settings, add a new tab: In the status bar. Then you can choose from the same three options: Show all notification content, hide sensitive notification content, and don’t show notifications at all...
 For more info kindly visit http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/03/five-ways-google-can-fix-android.html?m=1

Apple will soon stop using intellectual property from Imagination Technologies Group for graphics processing units for its iPhone and other devices, as it is working on a separate, independent graphics design for its products, the chip technology company said Monday.
But the U.K. company is not giving up without a fight as it doubts Apple can develop a brand new GPU without infringing Imagination’s intellectual property.
Apple held an 8.5 percent share of the issued share capital of Imagination as of April 30 last year. The iPhone maker said in a filing in March last year that it haddiscussions with Imagination about a possible acquisition, though it did not have plans to make an offer at that time. Apple is Imagination's largest customer and it described
the iPhone maker as "essential to the business of the Group" in its annual report for 2016.
The iPhone 7 currently has graphics based on the Rogue architecture from Imagination, which was announced in 2010. Since then Imagination has announced Furian, a new PowerVR graphics architecture as an upgrade.
Imagination said Monday it had supplied under a licensing agreement the technology and the 

intellectual property that is the basis of GPUs in Apple’s iPhones, iPads, iPods, watches and TVs. The firm said it had been informed by Apple that it will no longer use Imagination's intellectual property in new products in 15 months to two years time.
Imagination has raised doubts whether Apple can develop a brand new GPU architecture from basics without infringing the U.K. company's intellectual property rights.
“Apple has not presented any evidence to substantiate its assertion that it will no longer require Imagination’s technology, without violating Imagination’s patents, intellectual property and confidential information,” Imagination said. The company said it had requested evidence but Apple had declined to provide it.
Apple declined to comment on Imagination’s statement.
The iPhone vendor’s notification has led Imagination to discuss with Apple alternative commercial arrangements for the current license and royalty agreement, Imagination said.
Shares of the chip technology company fell by over 60 percent in early trading in London.

http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/04/apples-building-its-own-graphics.html?m=1

Pun... weak instead of week.

Samsung has a portfolio of devices and appliances that would make Apple envious. But unlike Apple, Samsung devices don't work well  together.
With the Galaxy S8 smartphones and other new products, Samsung hopes that will change. The company is setting in motion a grand plan to build smart homes where its devices operate seamlessly and provide a consistent user experience.
Samsung's S8 smartphones will be able to activate appliances through Connect, an app based  on the company's SmartThings platform. With just a flick of the finger, the app will allow users to start a robot vacuum cleaner, dim lights, or even ask a family hub refrigerator to analyze contents and send a supermarket shopping list.



The S8 also features a new artificial intelligence service called Bixby, which will ultimately allow users to tell the Connect app to activate a device. Samsung plans to integrate Bixby into appliances and devices for voice-activated operation, said Werner Goertz, research director at Gartner.
Samsung also introduced the Connect Home router, which integrates the SmartThings hub. The router can be used as a central device to control SmartThings devices sold by Samsung and other companies.
After much foot dragging, Samsung is finally pushing its consumer IoT strategy forward, with SmartThings the glue that brings all devices together. Samsung acquired SmartThings in 2014, but it took almost three years for the company to make it a useful asset.
That's partly because Samsung has been a somewhat dysfunctional organization in which divisions often compete with each other instead of cooperating. The competing divisions are now working together with the hope of providing a consistent device experience, something that has made Apple successful.
Samsung still hasn't shown anything related to its recent acquisition, Viv, which has developed a full-blown AI service  Samsung is fumbling with Viv, like it did with SmartThings, or internal dysfunction is delaying its implementation in mobile devices, analysts said.Bixby has some cool features, but it still lags behind Apple's Siri or Microsoft's Cortana. Bixby is a voice agent for smartphones to run tasks and is also capable of recognizing images, providing recommendations, and translating languages.
Samsung this week showed Bixby on S8 recognizing the Flatiron building and then providing recommendations on places to eat nearby. Additionally, the service can recognize objects and then redirect users to sites where people can buy or see reviews of items. But the demonstrations were carried out under controlled conditions.
But there are issues that Samsung needs to work out. The S8 handsets have Google's more advanced artificial intelligence technology, which could hurt Bixby's adoption.
The S8 remains "first and foremost a Google ecosystem device," and Bixby is trying to provide a different type of service, said Richard Windsor, an analyst at Edison Investment Research, in a research note.
"But careful assessment of what Samsung demonstrated shows a service that has very little intelligence at all," Windsor said. It also works with few apps, limiting its utility.
Bixby also lacks advanced analytics that could help with home automation. For some reason, Samsung has chosen a limited implementation of SmartThings, which is already capable of home automation. For example, SmartThings can analyze data gathered over time to automatically switch air conditioners on or off, or turn on a light or heating when a car is close to home. The service can also provide diet recommendations based on health data gathered over time. Advanced features of SmartThings will be available in the future, a Samsung spokesman said.
Advanced features of SmartThings will be available in the future, a Samsung spokesman said.
At an analyst event on Thursday, Samsung showed Gartner's Goertz a pyramid-like graphics which  showed IoT and intelligence as a middleware foundation for a group of products.
"Going forward, we should expect the currently siloed groups and technology to  leverage this common platform and maybe that way, bridge the silos and create much-needed synergies," Goertz said.
But the IoT data platform is still nascent, and Bixby lacks advanced AI features. Viv could bring advanced analytics to Bixby over time, but Samsung hasn't rolled the service out.
Samsung also has a full-blown cloud service called Artik, but it is offered by the company's semiconductor unit, which operates almost like a separate company. SmartThings can work with the Artik Cloud and open up to a wider range of smart home devices. However, Artik is more of a cloud-based analytics play, much like Microsoft's Azure.

http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/03/samsung-reboots-its-smart-home-iot.html?m=1

March 31 is officially World Backup Day. Declared so by the, uh, official World Backup Day Proclaimers...or something. Anyway, even if it is a made up day it's an excellent reminder to refresh your backup strategy or finally adopt one.
Backups are a critical part of anyone's digital life. The key is not to make it too complicated. Here are three laws—they're more like guidelines—to constructing asolid backup strategy.
Law 1: Back up regularly
Backups aren't much use if you aren't doing them on a regular basis. How often you should backup depends on your personal situation. Some people only bother with backups on a weekly or monthly basis, while anyone who's creating new files on a daily basis will want to back up hourly or at the end of each day, depending on how mission critical your files are.
If you're not interested in a cloud backup service, another alternative is to rotate backup hard drives at home and a remote location like the office. If you opt for this method, make sure your hard drives are encrypted since you wouldn't want a co-worker gaining access to your personal files.
Law 3: Automate what you can
Finally, try to automate every part of the backup strategy that you can. The more invisible your backups are, the better, since you've got more important things to do than worry about the state of your files.

Cloud services take care of automation for your offsite backup, and many local backup programs have a similar feature or a scheduler to decide what time of day to run the local backup. Just remember to have your hard drive plugged in when it's go time—a calendar reminder can take care of that for you.
Follow these three rules and you'll be well on your way to peace of mind and a solid backup strategy.

http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/04/the-three-laws-of-smart-pc-backups.html?m=1

Users waiting for Windows 10's Creators which  is expected to release soon, may need to be patient. Data released Wednesday by AdDuplex suggests that Microsoft’s Windows 10 Anniversary Update took months to roll out to users after it was released last August, and the same pace could apply to the Creators Update. 
In fact, Microsoft said Thursday that the rollout will indeed take place in a phased approach, with newer devices targeted first. Microsoft sources had told PCWorld that the rollout was deliberately slower than with the Anniversary Update, just to be careful.  "We’ll iterate this process over a period of several months until all compatible devices running Windows 10 worldwide are offered the Creators Update," the company said in a blog post. 
AdDuplex, which runs its own ad network and  sniffs the platforms on which its ads deploy, said it took about 4 months for 80 percent of Microsoft’s user base to migrate to the Anniversary Update, once Microsoft started sending it to users on August 2. Just a third of Windows users had received the update after  two months, the firm found.



“The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is being rolled out to Windows 10 PCs across the world in phases starting with the newer machines first,” Microsoft said in a blog post officially announcing the AU rollout last August. 
If you want to receive updates more quickly, Microsoft’s traditionally offered an easy way: Go to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update, and click theCheck for Updates button. It may still take a few hours or days for your PC to successfully signal Microsoft’s servers, but you should receive it soon. This year, Microsoft will begin the automatic rollout on April 11, but you can manually kick it off even earlier, on April 5.
Why this matters: Until the AdDuplex data was released, there was no information on the pace or scope of Windows 10's major upgrades. The Anniversary Update rollout's history suggests the average user may not see the Creators Update for many months, unless they actively hunt it down. Still, the data also shows Windows 10 users are marching forward fairly quickly and adopting new releases, which is a positive trend against Windows fragmentation.
[color=#006600][/color]
http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/03/windows-10-creators-update-will-take.html?m=1

I don't think the software is something you can get from any shop for now . All you need to do is to download the software and follow the prescribed procedures has stated in the above article. Do have a nice day.

Samsung has a portfolio of devices and appliances that would make Apple envious. But unlike Apple, Samsung devices don't work well  together.
With the Galaxy S8 smartphones and other new products, Samsung hopes that will change. The company is setting in motion a grand plan to build smart homes where its devices operate seamlessly and provide a consistent user experience.
Samsung's S8 smartphones will be able to activate appliances through Connect, an app based  on the company's SmartThings platform. With just a flick of the finger, the app will allow users to start a robot vacuum cleaner, dim lights, or even ask a family hub refrigerator to analyze contents and send a supermarket shopping list.



The S8 also features a new artificial intelligence service called Bixby, which will ultimately allow users to tell the Connect app to activate a device. Samsung plans to integrate Bixby into appliances and devices for voice-activated operation, said Werner Goertz, research director at Gartner.
Samsung also introduced the Connect Home router, which integrates the SmartThings hub. The router can be used as a central device to control SmartThings devices sold by Samsung and other companies.
After much foot dragging, Samsung is finally pushing its consumer IoT strategy forward, with SmartThings the glue that brings all devices together. Samsung acquired SmartThings in 2014, but it took almost three years for the company to make it a useful asset.
That's partly because Samsung has been a somewhat dysfunctional organization in which divisions often compete with each other instead of cooperating. The competing divisions are now working together with the hope of providing a consistent device experience, something that has made Apple successful.
Samsung still hasn't shown anything related to its recent acquisition, Viv, which has developed a full-blown AI service  Samsung is fumbling with Viv, like it did with SmartThings, or internal dysfunction is delaying its implementation in mobile devices, analysts said.Bixby has some cool features, but it still lags behind Apple's Siri or Microsoft's Cortana. Bixby is a voice agent for smartphones to run tasks and is also capable of recognizing images, providing recommendations, and translating languages.
Samsung this week showed Bixby on S8 recognizing the Flatiron building and then providing recommendations on places to eat nearby. Additionally, the service can recognize objects and then redirect users to sites where people can buy or see reviews of items. But the demonstrations were carried out under controlled conditions.
But there are issues that Samsung needs to work out. The S8 handsets have Google's more advanced artificial intelligence technology, which could hurt Bixby's adoption.
The S8 remains "first and foremost a Google ecosystem device," and Bixby is trying to provide a different type of service, said Richard Windsor, an analyst at Edison Investment Research, in a research note.
"But careful assessment of what Samsung demonstrated shows a service that has very little intelligence at all," Windsor said. It also works with few apps, limiting its utility.
Bixby also lacks advanced analytics that could help with home automation. For some reason, Samsung has chosen a limited implementation of SmartThings, which is already capable of home automation. For example, SmartThings can analyze data gathered over time to automatically switch air conditioners on or off, or turn on a light or heating when a car is close to home. The service can also provide diet recommendations based on health data gathered over time. Advanced features of SmartThings will be available in the future, a Samsung spokesman said.
Advanced features of SmartThings will be available in the future, a Samsung spokesman said.
At an analyst event on Thursday, Samsung showed Gartner's Goertz a pyramid-like graphics which  showed IoT and intelligence as a middleware foundation for a group of products.
"Going forward, we should expect the currently siloed groups and technology to  leverage this common platform and maybe that way, bridge the silos and create much-needed synergies," Goertz said.
But the IoT data platform is still nascent, and Bixby lacks advanced AI features. Viv could bring advanced analytics to Bixby over time, but Samsung hasn't rolled the service out.
Samsung also has a full-blown cloud service called Artik, but it is offered by the company's semiconductor unit, which operates almost like a separate company. SmartThings can work with the Artik Cloud and open up to a wider range of smart home devices. However, Artik is more of a cloud-based analytics play, much like Microsoft's Azure.

http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/03/samsung-reboots-its-smart-home-iot.html?m=1

The Moto G5 Plus is already one of the best budget phones of the year, with premium styling, all-day battery life and nearly stock Nougat, all at an eye-popping $230. But if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll be able to get it even cheaper.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE


Moto G Plus (5th Generation) 32GB Unlocked
$184.99MSRP $229.99VIEW on Amazon
As part of the ad-supported Prime Exclusive program, Amazon will be offering the 5.2-inch G5 Plus in two variants: 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage for $185, or 4 GB of RAM with 64 GB of internal for $240, representing discounts of $45 and $60, respectively. Both models feature a 2MP f/1.7 camera with dual autofocus pixels, a 3,000 mAh battery with fast charging, and a fingerprint sensor.
Amazon is also releasing the first Alcatel phone under the Prime Exclusive Program, the A30, for $60, representing a 40 percent discount off the retail price of $100. The metal-wrapped A30 features a 5-inch display, quad-core processor, and Android 7.0, along with Alcatel’s two-year device protection warranty.
Amazon launched its line of discounted Prime Exclusive phones last year with the Moto G4 and BLU R1, and it’s continuing the trend with the G5 Plus. The lower pricing comes with a catch—you’ll need to agree to see personalized offers and ads displayed on the lock screen—but Amazon says the two phones currently available are the No. 1 and 2 best-selling unlocked phones on the site since they launched.
Both phones are unlocked and work with all four major carriers. Preorders begin today, with the Alcatel A30 will begin shipping on April 19, while the Moto G5 Plus will arrive March 31.
Bargain hunting: The Moto G series has always offered a solid phone at an ultra low price, and this year’s model brings a slew of upgrades for even less (the G4 Plus cost $250). And there are no surprises with the Prime Exclusive version, it’s $45 cheaper in exchange for lock-screen ads, which brings it to a remarkable price. Ditto for the Alcatel A30. So, if you’re on a tight budget, you’re unlikely to find a better phone for less.

http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/03/amazon-undercuts-moto-g5-plus-preorders.html?m=1

If you aren’t using two-factor authentication to protect your Apple ID and iCloud account, you really should do it today. Hackers who claim to have millions of stolen iCloud credentials are demanding Apple pay a ransom or they’ll release them—and ZDNet obtained a sample set of credentials and determined they’re real.

But guess what? Using two-factor authentication should protect you completely. It’s easy to set up, so take a minute and do it now.
You used to be able to set up two-factor on the account settigs page at appleid.apple.com, but now this has to be done on a Mac or iOS device. (Apple ID users who don’t have a compatible device can still use an older two-step verification system—see below for more.)
iOS

Follow these steps on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch running iOS 9 or later. The iOS device must be protected with a passcode (Settings > Touch ID and Passcode).
IDG
Once you set up two-factor on an iOS device, you’ll see a code pop up when you try to log in to iCloud anywhere else. If you don’t see a pop-up or get a text message, you can cme back to this Settings > iCloud screen and tap Get Verification Code. (Click to enlarge.)
Launch the Settings app, and go to iCloud. Obviously you need to be signed in with the account you want to protect with two-factor authentication
Tap your Apple ID. It doesn’t really look like a button, but it is. Then tap Password & Security in the next menu.
Tap Turn on two-factor authentication. You’ll see an explanation screen, and tap Continue.
You may be asked to verify your identity by answering the security questions you set up when you created your Apple ID.
Next, enter a phone number where you can receive a text message or a phone call with a two-factor code. You can also specify if you want a text or a call. Then you’ll get that text message or call, and enter the six-digit verification code on the next screen.
That’s it! Two-factor is on, and this is your official Trusted Device. The next time you sign on to iCloud.com, or set up your iCloud account on a new device, you’ll have to first enter your username and password, and then be prompted to enter a code. That code will come in a pop-up on your trusted device, texted/phoned to the number you provided, or, you can come back to this screen and tap Get Verification Code.
Mac

Setting this up on a Mac is nearly the same steps as on an iOS device. The Mac must be running OS X 10.11, El Capitan.
IDG
Open System Preferences and select iCloud. Click the Account Details button, and sign in if prompted.
In the Security tab, click the button labeled Turn on two-factor authentication. Read the message and click Continue.
Verify your identity by answering your security questions.
Enter a phone number you can use to receive verification codes, and choose if you want to get text messages or calls.
Enter the code that’s sent you to right away to finish up.
IDG
What if my device is too old?

If your Mac isn’t running El Capitan, or your iOS device isn’t running iOS 9, you can still use two-step verification, which is slightly different than two-factor authentication, mostly because it relies on a text message being sent to a phone number, while the newer “authentication” is baked more seamlessly into the OSes. Plus, the older verification method requires you to hold onto a Recovery Key in case you ever lose your password.
IDG
Two-step verification always sends you a text message. With the newer two-factor authentication, you'll get this cool pop-up on nearby trusted devices signed in to the same iCloud account.
http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2017/03/how-to-set-up-two-factor-authentication.html?m=1

The Samsung Galaxy note 7's huge new software change become Grace UX. It featured a miles purifier UI and overall layout, such as slick heritage blur whilst viewing folders and widgets, new swipe gestures for performing extraordinary movements at the homescreen, and greater.

but many folks haven't been capable of absolutely experience that new UI as they're more involved about their telephones burning their fingers off. well, thankfully it appears Samsung may be bringing Grace UX to their more secure lot of telephones at the same time as the note 7's conditions get taken care of. The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are both said to be getting the goods in a impending upgrade to Android 7.0 Nougat.

The replace can also see upgrades and tweaks to the devices' always On characteristic. The simplest query is how lengthy it'll take to look all this reach the handsets. We realize that the replace is already in testing, however we're now not certain how long it'll take to get here. in the period in-between, a combination of Samsung excellent Lock and a custom launcher does well to make any TouchWiz hater glad.
[color=#006600][/color]
http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2016/10/samsung-is-bringing-grace-ux-to-galaxy.html?m=1

[img][/img]


Procrastinators beware. If you’re a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 user, you’re nearing a big deadline: on July 29, the free period to upgrade to Windows 10 expires. If you intend to upgrade but haven’t actually completed the process, we can help.
For consumers, the choice is a simple one: You’ll be upgraded to either one of two versions of Windows 10: Windows 10 Home, or Windows 10 Professional. (This guide doesn’t cover the upgrade process to Windows 10 Mobile for phones.) Microsoft has also released the official retail pricing for Windows 10, in case you’re building a PC.
During the update process, plan to invest some time in prep work and at least an hour or two in the upgrade process itself. And be careful—some of your applications may be left behind or simply turned off.
(Editor’s Note: We originally wrote this story a year ago, in 2015, to explain the upgrade process to Windows 10. We’ve updated our story with more details of how the process has evolved, and explain how you can still upgrade to Windows 10, then revert back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.)
Aside from one major component of some versions of Windows 7, however, the transition between the earlier versions of Microsoft’s operating system and the new Windows 10 should be relatively painless. Basically, if you own a “Pro” version of Windows, you’ll migrate to the Professional version of Windows 10. Otherwise, expect to receive a copy of Windows 10 Home. (We have more about the individual Windows 10 editions here.) Be aware, though, that on Aug. 2, you’ll also receive the major Anniversary Update to Windows 10. More on that later.
windows 7 8 to windows 10MICROSOFT
The upgrade path from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10.
Besides this story, a good reference is Microsoft’s Windows 10 FAQ, which explains, for example, what happens to existing applications on your PC, including (expired) anti-malware subscriptions. Also, it offers one piece of important advice: Make sure you’re running a genuine, licensed copy of Windows—sorry, Microsoft won’t be upgrading pirates for free.
Windows 10 prep work

Preparing for Windows 10 was never that hard to begin with, but Microsoft’s made it even easier. Windows 7 users must be running Service Pack 1 to enable the update. At one point, Windows 8 users were required to upgrade to Windows 8.1 before they upgraded to Windows 10. Microsoft representatives confirmed that this is no longer the case, though—Windows 8 will do just fine.
I’ve negotiated several upgrades without having any issue with losing files. Just to be safe, though, back up all critical documents, photos, videos, and whatever else you deem important onto an external storage device of some sort. “Applications, files and settings will migrate as part of the upgrade, however some applications or settings may not migrate,” Microsoft says, somewhat cryptically.
If you’ve done that, then you’re ready to begin. Look for the tiny Windows icon down in the lower-right corner of your taskbar, and click it to launch the Windows 10 reservation app, also referred to as “Get Windows 10” or “GWX”. You’re probably pretty familiar with it anyway, as that’s the app that’s been continually reminding you to download Windows 10.
windows 10 taskbar reservationMARK HACHMAN
Here are the system requirements for Windows 10 (and what your options are if your PC doesn’t meet them):
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for a 32-bit version, or 2GB for 64-bit
Hard disk space: 16GB for a 32-bit OS; 20GB for 64-bit OS
Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
Display: 1024x600
windows 10 countdown clock enhanced

Ads by KioskedMARK HACHMAN
The “Get Windows app” will, as of July 2016, feature a large “countdown clock”.
Microsoft also warns that even if your PC seemingly meets those specifications, it might not be upgraded. “Driver and firmware support, application compatibility, and feature support” could affect whether the Windows 10 upgrade takes place, not to mention missing or damaged files, or simply having insufficient drive space to complete the upgrade. Use the “check my PC” function within the reservation app to find out whether your computer has been qualified to run Windows 10.
Just to double-check, I completed the upgrade on my last home PC, and I captured it on video in two parts. Here’s the first:

Microsoft advises that the Windows 10 download will be about 3GB in size. I found that on a 75-Mbps home broadband connection, that took a bit more than 20 minutes. Because the PC I was upgrading contained a regular old hard drive, however, it was the installation that took forever: about 35 minutes just for the “preparation for installation” alone. If you own a newer computer with an SSD, however, expect the installation to proceed much faster.
Once the installation phase completes, your PC will reboot and the upgrade phase will begin. During this time, Windows will show an animation of a large circle slowly being drawn onscreen to indicate how the upgrade is proceeding, plus a more detailed view at the bottom of the screen.
Here’s the second video explaining the rest of the process:

At this stage, the process should be rather anticlimactic, though you’ll definitely want to take some time near the end to customize settings rather than accept Windows 10’s Express settings. After a reboot or two, you’ll be asked to log in using your password.
After my upgrade was completed, I was rather unceremoniously dumped into Windows 10. In all it took me about two hours to upgrade an older Asus PC to Windows 10.
What you’ll leave behind by migrating to Windows 10

The upgrade process will involve some sacrifices—but Microsoft is making an effort to make the transition as painless as possible.

Your beloved Minesweeper will be revamped for Windows 10.
For one thing, if you own the premium versions of Windows 7 — Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate—as well as Windows 8 Pro with Media Center or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center... say goodbye to Media Center. Microsoft is going to install its own DVD-playing app into Windows 10 to replace it: the Windows DVD Player app, which (due to licensing fees) costs $14.99. (Just download the free VLC app instead.) Likewise, Windows 7 desktop gadgets will be uninstalled. And the Windows 7 versions of Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts that came with Windows 7 will also vanish, to be replaced with new versions of those apps with Windows 10.
Microsoft also says that it may erase “some applications that came from your OEM.” That seems to imply that some of your PC’s bloatware—or prized utilities, depending on your view—could vanish.
Finally, Microsoft will uninstall, then reinstall, your antivirus application. If your subscription is out of date, however, only Microsoft’s own subpar antivirus app, Windows Defender, will be installed. Be sure and check this after upgrading, though Microsoft should also warn you if anything is amiss via its fly-in notifications. I found that my antimalware solution and firewall survived the upgrade process just fine, but the firewall was turned off.
Intel RealSense cameraMARK HACHMAN
Windows Hello won’t recognize your face without a specialized depth camera.
Some additional assembly required

Keep in mind that older hardware simply won’t include some of the hardware conveniences being included inside new Windows 10 machines. For example, Windows Hello, which logs you into your PC by recognizing your face or your fingerprint, won’t work with a webcam—you’ll need a new depth camera (like a Kinect for Windows or Intel’s RealSense) to enable it, or a third-party fingerprint reader. Speech recognition will work best with a high-fidelity microphone array; no surprise there. And there’s a whole host of nitty-gritty specifics that Microsoft has included for Windows 10 Professional, such as a requirements for BitLocker and Wi-Fi Direct Printing.
You’ll have just a few days to get used to everything, though, before the Anniversary Update kicks off on Aug. 2. Again, make sure everything is up to date. Though the Anniversary Update has a big, grandiose title attached to it, think of it more as a service pack. You can get an idea of the changes that were made to it in our Anniversary Update review.
How to “downgrade” from Windows 10 and go back to Windows 7 and 8.1

Congratulations, you’ve upgraded to Windows 10. But what if you want to go back?
If you’ve upgraded to Windows 10, then changed your mind, there is an escape hatch. If you wish, you can revert back from Windows 10 to your older operating system within a 31-day window. (Once that 31 days expires, though, the upgrade is permanent!)
windows 10 revert to windows 8MARK HACHMAN
Windows 10 does allow you to revert to a previous operating system after you’ve upgraded, but just for a limited time. Note that there’s also the option to perform a “reset” of the PC, which can also help speed things up if Windows 10 is running slow. A clean install is sometimes a good idea—and another reason to back up your files.
To downgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, open the Settings menu, then Update & Security > Recovery. You’ll see a “Go back to...” option for your prior operating system. If those 31 days have expired, however, you’ll simply see options to “Reset this PC” or “Advanced Startup”—neither of which will revert the PC to the earlier operating system.
It’s a pain, but many feel that even if you have no plans to upgrade to Windows 10, you may as well snag the free upgrade, then revert back. Before you revert, though, play it safe: Grab a copy of your Windows 10 product key. Windows 10 should automatically give you a “digital entitlement” to your license simply by upgrading; we’re just playing it safe in case Windows ever asks for it if you decide to upgrade again.
We’d recommend trying this Nirsoft utility should snag your Windows 10 product key. Copy it down and squirrel it away.
If you’re new to Windows 10, check out our guide for starting off right in your first 30 minutes, with a brief introduction of Windows 10 and its various features. Your final step: bookmark PCWorld.com’s Windows 10 page. Microsoft will keep updating Windows 10, and we’ll keep you up to date on what you need to know.

http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2016/12/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-what-you.html

[img][/img][img][/img][img][/img]




Alienware talked up the inclusion of Nvidia’s GeForce GPUs in the press release for its new gaming laptops, but the Alienware 15 and Alienware 17 offer a hardware option that’s even more surprising and noteworthy: the first-ever appearance of AMD’s Radeon RX 470 in a laptop.
And not some hobbled, cut-down mobile variant either. Much like Nvidia’s GTX 10-series laptop chips, the Radeon RX 470 found inside the new Alienware laptops is the full-powered desktop version, AMD says.
amd radeon rx 470

The inclusion’s an eye-opener for a few reasons. First, AMD has only discussed the Radeon RX 460’s mobile variant when it comes to laptops—slapping a full-fat RX 470 into a gaming rig has never even been mentioned in passing.
Second, while AMD’s Polaris chips still aren’t quite as power-efficient as Nvidia’s Pascal GPUs, this shows just how far Team Red’s new graphics architecture has come. There’s no way you’d be able to cram an older, full-fat Fury or Radeon R300-series GPU into a notebook without it bursting into flames, which led to Nvidia dominating in notebooks with its GTX 900-series mobile GPUs. The Radeon RX 470 slipping into these Alienware laptops is an encouraging sign for AMD’s prospects.
Be sure to check out our coverage of Alienware’s new laptops for the full run-down of their capabilities. (Just looking at them can log you into Windows!)
The story behind the story: AMD says the mobile variant of its Radeon RX 460 chip is capable of “enabling console class GPU performance in incredible form factors,” such as future versions of HP’s slim Omen laptop. That lines up with what we discovered in our Radeon RX 460 review. In games, the card’s capable of hitting 30 frames per second at 1080p resolution at High graphics settings, or 60fps at Medium settings.


The meatier Radeon RX 470 found in these Alienware rigs delivers much more robust eye candy, surpassing 60fps at High settings in every game we threw at it, and hovering around that gold standard in most games even when we cranked graphics options to Ultra. With the Alienware laptops packing a full-fat version of AMD’s card, you can expect to see similar results—a damned fine experience for a notebook.


http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2016/11/alienware-laptops-cram-full-blown.html

Procrastinators beware. If you’re a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 user, you’re nearing a big deadline: on July 29, the free period to upgrade to Windows 10 expires. If you intend to upgrade but haven’t actually completed the process, we can help.
For consumers, the choice is a simple one: You’ll be upgraded to either one of two versions of Windows 10: Windows 10 Home, or Windows 10 Professional. (This guide doesn’t cover the upgrade process to Windows 10 Mobile for phones.) Microsoft has also released the official retail pricing for Windows 10, in case you’re building a PC.
During the update process, plan to invest some time in prep work and at least an hour or two in the upgrade process itself. And be careful—some of your applications may be left behind or simply turned off.
(Editor’s Note: We originally wrote this story a year ago, in 2015, to explain the upgrade process to Windows 10. We’ve updated our story with more details of how the process has evolved, and explain how you can still upgrade to Windows 10, then revert back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.)
Aside from one major component of some versions of Windows 7, however, the transition between the earlier versions of Microsoft’s operating system and the new Windows 10 should be relatively painless. Basically, if you own a “Pro” version of Windows, you’ll migrate to the Professional version of Windows 10. Otherwise, expect to receive a copy of Windows 10 Home. (We have more about the individual Windows 10 editions here.) Be aware, though, that on Aug. 2, you’ll also receive the major Anniversary Update to Windows 10. More on that later.
windows 7 8 to windows 10MICROSOFT
The upgrade path from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10.
Besides this story, a good reference is Microsoft’s Windows 10 FAQ, which explains, for example, what happens to existing applications on your PC, including (expired) anti-malware subscriptions. Also, it offers one piece of important advice: Make sure you’re running a genuine, licensed copy of Windows—sorry, Microsoft won’t be upgrading pirates for free.
Windows 10 prep work

Preparing for Windows 10 was never that hard to begin with, but Microsoft’s made it even easier. Windows 7 users must be running Service Pack 1 to enable the update. At one point, Windows 8 users were required to upgrade to Windows 8.1 before they upgraded to Windows 10. Microsoft representatives confirmed that this is no longer the case, though—Windows 8 will do just fine.
I’ve negotiated several upgrades without having any issue with losing files. Just to be safe, though, back up all critical documents, photos, videos, and whatever else you deem important onto an external storage device of some sort. “Applications, files and settings will migrate as part of the upgrade, however some applications or settings may not migrate,” Microsoft says, somewhat cryptically.
If you’ve done that, then you’re ready to begin. Look for the tiny Windows icon down in the lower-right corner of your taskbar, and click it to launch the Windows 10 reservation app, also referred to as “Get Windows 10” or “GWX”. You’re probably pretty familiar with it anyway, as that’s the app that’s been continually reminding you to download Windows 10.
windows 10 taskbar reservationMARK HACHMAN
Here are the system requirements for Windows 10 (and what your options are if your PC doesn’t meet them):
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for a 32-bit version, or 2GB for 64-bit
Hard disk space: 16GB for a 32-bit OS; 20GB for 64-bit OS
Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
Display: 1024x600
windows 10 countdown clock enhanced

Ads by KioskedMARK HACHMAN
The “Get Windows app” will, as of July 2016, feature a large “countdown clock”.
Microsoft also warns that even if your PC seemingly meets those specifications, it might not be upgraded. “Driver and firmware support, application compatibility, and feature support” could affect whether the Windows 10 upgrade takes place, not to mention missing or damaged files, or simply having insufficient drive space to complete the upgrade. Use the “check my PC” function within the reservation app to find out whether your computer has been qualified to run Windows 10.
Just to double-check, I completed the upgrade on my last home PC, and I captured it on video in two parts. Here’s the first:

Microsoft advises that the Windows 10 download will be about 3GB in size. I found that on a 75-Mbps home broadband connection, that took a bit more than 20 minutes. Because the PC I was upgrading contained a regular old hard drive, however, it was the installation that took forever: about 35 minutes just for the “preparation for installation” alone. If you own a newer computer with an SSD, however, expect the installation to proceed much faster.
Once the installation phase completes, your PC will reboot and the upgrade phase will begin. During this time, Windows will show an animation of a large circle slowly being drawn onscreen to indicate how the upgrade is proceeding, plus a more detailed view at the bottom of the screen.
Here’s the second video explaining the rest of the process:

At this stage, the process should be rather anticlimactic, though you’ll definitely want to take some time near the end to customize settings rather than accept Windows 10’s Express settings. After a reboot or two, you’ll be asked to log in using your password.
After my upgrade was completed, I was rather unceremoniously dumped into Windows 10. In all it took me about two hours to upgrade an older Asus PC to Windows 10.
What you’ll leave behind by migrating to Windows 10

The upgrade process will involve some sacrifices—but Microsoft is making an effort to make the transition as painless as possible.

Your beloved Minesweeper will be revamped for Windows 10.
For one thing, if you own the premium versions of Windows 7 — Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate—as well as Windows 8 Pro with Media Center or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center... say goodbye to Media Center. Microsoft is going to install its own DVD-playing app into Windows 10 to replace it: the Windows DVD Player app, which (due to licensing fees) costs $14.99. (Just download the free VLC app instead.) Likewise, Windows 7 desktop gadgets will be uninstalled. And the Windows 7 versions of Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts that came with Windows 7 will also vanish, to be replaced with new versions of those apps with Windows 10.
Microsoft also says that it may erase “some applications that came from your OEM.” That seems to imply that some of your PC’s bloatware—or prized utilities, depending on your view—could vanish.
Finally, Microsoft will uninstall, then reinstall, your antivirus application. If your subscription is out of date, however, only Microsoft’s own subpar antivirus app, Windows Defender, will be installed. Be sure and check this after upgrading, though Microsoft should also warn you if anything is amiss via its fly-in notifications. I found that my antimalware solution and firewall survived the upgrade process just fine, but the firewall was turned off.
Intel RealSense cameraMARK HACHMAN
Windows Hello won’t recognize your face without a specialized depth camera.
Some additional assembly required

Keep in mind that older hardware simply won’t include some of the hardware conveniences being included inside new Windows 10 machines. For example, Windows Hello, which logs you into your PC by recognizing your face or your fingerprint, won’t work with a webcam—you’ll need a new depth camera (like a Kinect for Windows or Intel’s RealSense) to enable it, or a third-party fingerprint reader. Speech recognition will work best with a high-fidelity microphone array; no surprise there. And there’s a whole host of nitty-gritty specifics that Microsoft has included for Windows 10 Professional, such as a requirements for BitLocker and Wi-Fi Direct Printing.
You’ll have just a few days to get used to everything, though, before the Anniversary Update kicks off on Aug. 2. Again, make sure everything is up to date. Though the Anniversary Update has a big, grandiose title attached to it, think of it more as a service pack. You can get an idea of the changes that were made to it in our Anniversary Update review.
How to “downgrade” from Windows 10 and go back to Windows 7 and 8.1

Congratulations, you’ve upgraded to Windows 10. But what if you want to go back?
If you’ve upgraded to Windows 10, then changed your mind, there is an escape hatch. If you wish, you can revert back from Windows 10 to your older operating system within a 31-day window. (Once that 31 days expires, though, the upgrade is permanent!)
windows 10 revert to windows 8MARK HACHMAN
Windows 10 does allow you to revert to a previous operating system after you’ve upgraded, but just for a limited time. Note that there’s also the option to perform a “reset” of the PC, which can also help speed things up if Windows 10 is running slow. A clean install is sometimes a good idea—and another reason to back up your files.
To downgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, open the Settings menu, then Update & Security > Recovery. You’ll see a “Go back to...” option for your prior operating system. If those 31 days have expired, however, you’ll simply see options to “Reset this PC” or “Advanced Startup”—neither of which will revert the PC to the earlier operating system.
It’s a pain, but many feel that even if you have no plans to upgrade to Windows 10, you may as well snag the free upgrade, then revert back. Before you revert, though, play it safe: Grab a copy of your Windows 10 product key. Windows 10 should automatically give you a “digital entitlement” to your license simply by upgrading; we’re just playing it safe in case Windows ever asks for it if you decide to upgrade again.
We’d recommend trying this Nirsoft utility should snag your Windows 10 product key. Copy it down and squirrel it away.
If you’re new to Windows 10, check out our guide for starting off right in your first 30 minutes, with a brief introduction of Windows 10 and its various features. Your final step: bookmark PCWorld.com’s Windows 10 page. Microsoft will keep updating Windows 10, and we’ll keep you up to date on what you need to know.

SOURCE: http://www.jaakinyemi.com/2016/12/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-what-you.html

Procrastinators beware. If you’re a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 user, you’re nearing a big deadline: on July 29, the free period to upgrade to Windows 10 expires. If you intend to upgrade but haven’t actually completed the process, we can help.

For consumers, the choice is a simple one: You’ll be upgraded to either one of two versions of Windows 10: Windows 10 Home, or Windows 10 Professional. (This guide doesn’t cover the upgrade process to Windows 10 Mobile for phones.) Microsoft has also released the official retail pricing for Windows 10, in case you’re building a PC.
During the update process, plan to invest some time in prep work and at least an hour or two in the upgrade process itself. And be careful—[img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img]some of your applications may be left behind or simply turned off.
(Editor’s Note: We originally wrote this story a year ago, in 2015, to explain the upgrade process to Windows 10. We’ve updated our story with more details of how the process has evolved, and explain how you can still upgrade to Windows 10, then revert back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.)
Aside from one major component of some versions of Windows 7, however, the transition between the earlier versions of Microsoft’s operating system and the new Windows 10 should be relatively painless. Basically, if you own a “Pro” version of Windows, you’ll migrate to the Professional version of Windows 10. Otherwise, expect to receive a copy of Windows 10 Home. (We have more about the individual Windows 10 editions here.) Be aware, though, that on Aug. 2, you’ll also receive the major Anniversary Update to Windows 10. More on that later.
windows 7 8 to windows 10MICROSOFT
The upgrade path from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10.
Besides this story, a good reference is Microsoft’s Windows 10 FAQ, which explains, for example, what happens to existing applications on your PC, including (expired) anti-malware subscriptions. Also, it offers one piece of important advice: Make sure you’re running a genuine, licensed copy of Windows—sorry, Microsoft won’t be upgrading pirates for free.
Windows 10 prep work

Preparing for Windows 10 was never that hard to begin with, but Microsoft’s made it even easier. Windows 7 users must be running Service Pack 1 to enable the update. At one point, Windows 8 users were required to upgrade to Windows 8.1 before they upgraded to Windows 10. Microsoft representatives confirmed that this is no longer the case, though—Windows 8 will do just fine.
I’ve negotiated several upgrades without having any issue with losing files. Just to be safe, though, back up all critical documents, photos, videos, and whatever else you deem important onto an external storage device of some sort. “Applications, files and settings will migrate as part of the upgrade, however some applications or settings may not migrate,” Microsoft says, somewhat cryptically.
If you’ve done that, then you’re ready to begin. Look for the tiny Windows icon down in the lower-right corner of your taskbar, and click it to launch the Windows 10 reservation app, also referred to as “Get Windows 10” or “GWX”. You’re probably pretty familiar with it anyway, as that’s the app that’s been continually reminding you to download Windows 10.
windows 10 taskbar reservationMARK HACHMAN
Here are the system requirements for Windows 10 (and what your options are if your PC doesn’t meet them):
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for a 32-bit version, or 2GB for 64-bit
Hard disk space: 16GB for a 32-bit OS; 20GB for 64-bit OS
Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
Display: 1024x600
windows 10 countdown clock enhanced

Ads by KioskedMARK HACHMAN
The “Get Windows app” will, as of July 2016, feature a large “countdown clock”.
Microsoft also warns that even if your PC seemingly meets those specifications, it might not be upgraded. “Driver and firmware support, application compatibility, and feature support” could affect whether the Windows 10 upgrade takes place, not to mention missing or damaged files, or simply having insufficient drive space to complete the upgrade. Use the “check my PC” function within the reservation app to find out whether your computer has been qualified to run Windows 10.
Just to double-check, I completed the upgrade on my last home PC, and I captured it on video in two parts. Here’s the first:

Microsoft advises that the Windows 10 download will be about 3GB in size. I found that on a 75-Mbps home broadband connection, that took a bit more than 20 minutes. Because the PC I was upgrading contained a regular old hard drive, however, it was the installation that took forever: about 35 minutes just for the “preparation for installation” alone. If you own a newer computer with an SSD, however, expect the installation to proceed much faster.
Once the installation phase completes, your PC will reboot and the upgrade phase will begin. During this time, Windows will show an animation of a large circle slowly being drawn onscreen to indicate how the upgrade is proceeding, plus a more detailed view at the bottom of the screen.
Here’s the second video explaining the rest of the process:

At this stage, the process should be rather anticlimactic, though you’ll definitely want to take some time near the end to customize settings rather than accept Windows 10’s Express settings. After a reboot or two, you’ll be asked to log in using your password.
After my upgrade was completed, I was rather unceremoniously dumped into Windows 10. In all it took me about two hours to upgrade an older Asus PC to Windows 10.
What you’ll leave behind by migrating to Windows 10

The upgrade process will involve some sacrifices—but Microsoft is making an effort to make the transition as painless as possible.

Your beloved Minesweeper will be revamped for Windows 10.
For one thing, if you own the premium versions of Windows 7 — Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate—as well as Windows 8 Pro with Media Center or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center... say goodbye to Media Center. Microsoft is going to install its own DVD-playing app into Windows 10 to replace it: the Windows DVD Player app, which (due to licensing fees) costs $14.99. (Just download the free VLC app instead.) Likewise, Windows 7 desktop gadgets will be uninstalled. And the Windows 7 versions of Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts that came with Windows 7 will also vanish, to be replaced with new versions of those apps with Windows 10.
Microsoft also says that it may erase “some applications that came from your OEM.” That seems to imply that some of your PC’s bloatware—or prized utilities, depending on your view—could vanish.
Finally, Microsoft will uninstall, then reinstall, your antivirus application. If your subscription is out of date, however, only Microsoft’s own subpar antivirus app, Windows Defender, will be installed. Be sure and check this after upgrading, though Microsoft should also warn you if anything is amiss via its fly-in notifications. I found that my antimalware solution and firewall survived the upgrade process just fine, but the firewall was turned off.
Intel RealSense cameraMARK HACHMAN
Windows Hello won’t recognize your face without a specialized depth camera.
Some additional assembly required

Keep in mind that older hardware simply won’t include some of the hardware conveniences being included inside new Windows 10 machines. For example, Windows Hello, which logs you into your PC by recognizing your face or your fingerprint, won’t work with a webcam—you’ll need a new depth camera (like a Kinect for Windows or Intel’s RealSense) to enable it, or a third-party fingerprint reader. Speech recognition will work best with a high-fidelity microphone array; no surprise there. And there’s a whole host of nitty-gritty specifics that Microsoft has included for Windows 10 Professional, such as a requirements for BitLocker and Wi-Fi Direct Printing.
You’ll have just a few days to get used to everything, though, before the Anniversary Update kicks off on Aug. 2. Again, make sure everything is up to date. Though the Anniversary Update has a big, grandiose title attached to it, think of it more as a service pack. You can get an idea of the changes that were made to it in our Anniversary Update review.
How to “downgrade” from Windows 10 and go back to Windows 7 and 8.1

Congratulations, you’ve upgraded to Windows 10. But what if you want to go back?
If you’ve upgraded to Windows 10, then changed your mind, there is an escape hatch. If you wish, you can revert back from Windows 10 to your older operating system within a 31-day window. (Once that 31 days expires, though, the upgrade is permanent!)
windows 10 revert to windows 8MARK HACHMAN
Windows 10 does allow you to revert to a previous operating system after you’ve upgraded, but just for a limited time. Note that there’s also the option to perform a “reset” of the PC, which can also help speed things up if Windows 10 is running slow. A clean install is sometimes a good idea—and another reason to back up your files.
To downgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, open the Settings menu, then Update & Security > Recovery. You’ll see a “Go back to...” option for your prior operating system. If those 31 days have expired, however, you’ll simply see options to “Reset this PC” or “Advanced Startup”—neither of which will revert the PC to the earlier operating system.
It’s a pain, but many feel that even if you have no plans to upgrade to Windows 10, you may as well snag the free upgrade, then revert back. Before you revert, though, play it safe: Grab a copy of your Windows 10 product key. Windows 10 should automatically give you a “digital entitlement” to your license simply by upgrading; we’re just playing it safe in case Windows ever asks for it if you decide to upgrade again.
We’d recommend trying this Nirsoft utility should snag your Windows 10 product key. Copy it down and squirrel it away.
If you’re new to Windows 10, .checkout our guide for starting off right in your first 30 minutes, with a brief introduction of Windows 10 and its various features. Your final step: bookmark PCWorld.com’s Windows 10 page. Microsoft will keep updating Windows 10, and we’ll keep you up to date on what you need to know.

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