Electronics gadgets: Microsoft Has Its Head in the xClouds

miércoles, 12 de agosto de 2020

Microsoft Has Its Head in the xClouds

AUGUST 12, 2020

Everything worth knowing in tech today, August 12, 2020. In case you missed it, it's National Vinyl Record day (now there's some cool tech)!

⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds

Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to):

213 Articles, 4 Podcasts, 19 Press Releases, 657 Tweets, & 3 YouTube videos

1. Microsoft Launches xCloud Game Streaming Early

Xbox Game Pass members will get to try out Microsoft's xCloud game streaming service early, as long as they have an Android phone, that is. The service will go live officially mid-September, so here's a chance to get in the game first.

2. Podcasts are Coming to Amazon Music

It seems a little late, but Amazon has just added a podcast section to its Amazon Music streaming service. While it's no Apple Music or Spotify, you can get it for free as a Prime subscriber, so why not try a podcast or two?

3. Google Adds Earthquake Detection to Android Phones

Launching alongside a California-only earthquake alert system, the new detection feature from Google makes use of that accelerometer tech you've already got in your phone. Feeling shaky? It might be an earthquake! Or you just need lunch.

🦑 Go Deeper

We aren't getting any of that sweet, sweet Facebook home office upgrade cash, and it's likely not many of you are, either. Charlie Sorrel takes a deeper look at how us less fortunates can still make our home gear a little more ergonomic.

🎱 By the Numbers

Podcasts, who's got podcasts?

Data: Podigee

If Amazon wants to add podcasts to its streaming audio solution, it's going to have to compete with these juggernauts. Apple still rules the podcast roost, with Spotify close behind. Will Amazon do much more than add free Prime subscribers? Also, poor Google.

🤓 Nerd Out

"Yeah, I watch Jeopardy, so what?" -Molly McLaughlin, Content Strategist

Apparently, the adorable alien's face in Steven Speilberg's E.T.: The Extraterrestrial was modeled after Einstein (along with Carl Sandburg, Ernest Hemingway, and a pug). Sure, we learned this from an old Jeopardy re-run, but whatevs. (Share on Twitter)

💎 You Know You Want It

It slices, it dices...

Image: Lenovo

This sweet little convertible Lenovo Thinkpad XI Yoga has a sharp-enough-to-cut 1080p WVA touchscreen that's good for heavy spreadsheet use and streaming The Boys on Amazon (Season 2 on Sept. 4, fam, let's go). Oh, and it's on serious sale, too.

🚀 Facing the Future

Climate change is coming

So far, we only have the one planet. Geoengineering could be the answer to slow or even reverse climate change, though it can be risky. The Future Tense podcast takes a deep look at the tech and policy involved in this type of earthly intervention.