Software

It’s 2017 and we are still under constant threat from viruses, even biological ones. In fact, malware has taken on an even darker tone, including strains that have no purpose but to destroy your files, whether you pay a handsome ransom or not. And yet the anti-virus industry isn’t on the rise despite the rise in threats. Sensing a disturbance in the force, Kaspersky, one of the more popular names in the AV market, has finally released a free version of its eponymous software. While free is good, it’s timing is also too good to be true.

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Microsoft was probably touched by the sudden outburst of love and passion coming from the creative community in support for Microsoft Paint, a.k.a. MS Paint, a.k.a. just Paint. A painting program that is both loved and ridiculed, the program has been around for more than 30 years, acting as the default and sometimes only recourse of those who need a quick paint job on newly installed or very pristine Windows computers. Unsurprisingly, there was much outcry when news went out that Microsoft was deprecating Paint in favor of Paint 3D. Now Microsoft has come to out to officially say that they aren't killing MS Paint. You will just have to look for it yourself from the app store.

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The iOS 11 Beta 4 developer version was released this morning to a number of devices beside the developer Beta 4 for macOS. Also on the docket today is the Beta 4 for watchOS 4 and tvOS 11 - both in developer beta mode. for those that have never tried a Developer Beta before - you might want to skip it unless you like to live dangerously.

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The Fall Creators Update for Windows 10 will be released in the coming weeks, and Microsoft promises it will include new features not only for creatives, but improvements to accessibility, security, and UI as well. Unfortunately, there are several existing features of the operating system that will be getting removed or deprecated with the update. Most of them are aging and no longer being developed, or they're being folded into other tools and applications.

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It's time for Putin's hackers to be on the receiving end of the beatdown stick of digital attacks this week. The folks behind the attack come from Microsoft, and the Russian hacker team goes by the name Fancy Bear. Yes, Fancy Bear, a name that's brought relative shame to the Democratic National Convention's game, also known as the Kremlin's cyber spy team. But Microsoft isn't attacking with "the cyber" - they're attacking with... the law!

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The most mega-large of updates to the base system UI and features of the PlayStation 4 (PS4) is available to the public now. While not every member of the public will be given access, the front door was effectively thrown open by Sony this week. All that lies between you and the next generation in PlayStation 4 software is a Sony guard at the door that checks to see if you're on the waiting list - so to speak.

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Imagine taking selfies using an iPhone, only to notice one day that your self-portraits are consistently higher quality than they used to be. Perhaps you won't know why, assuming your skills have improved. Per a newly published patent, it may in fact be Apple's own software improving your selfies by subtly forcing you to take better shots.

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Last month, Microsoft introduced a completely overhauled version of Skype, one that borrows heavily from Snapchat and that, for the most part, really upset users. The revolt was swift and harsh, and many have jumped ship altogether, electing to move to a different product entirely. Though the new version isn't going anywhere, the backlash has been at least a tiny bit successful in getting changes: Microsoft has brought back the status icon, for example, as well as another feature.

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This week Apple released another Beta build of their OS for mobile devices in iOS 11 Public Beta 2. This version of the software is great - it has new features aplenty - but it's not something I'd recommend everyone download lightly. In fact I think you should skip it altogether - here's why.

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TP-Link has made a couple of big announcements, the first being new smart home integrations with IFTTT and Alexa. Joining those smart home integrations is TP-Link HomeCare, a product being delivered to some routers via a firmware update. With HomeCare, these select router owners get access to parental controls, as well as security via integrated malware protection and anti-virus control.

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If you're an iPhone users addicted to Waze and its useful real-time traffic and cop warnings, you can now get directions in your own voice. Waze for iOS has been updated with support for recording your own prompts and saving them into a custom voice command pack. The feature was first launched on the Android version of Waze back in May

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Users in Microsoft's Windows Insider program have received a nice big update this week, focusing on features and improvements expected to be released with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update in September. Known as build 16237, the update includes lots of smaller tweaks and fixes, including input and task manager changes, but the big focus is on Windows Shell and the Microsoft Edge browser.

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