Thunderbolt NVMe SSD users face issue with Windows 10 20H2 update

If you are facing an error when trying to update Windows 10 on your PC, then you are not alone. Microsoft started rolling out an update to Windows 10 — Windows 10 version 20H2. However, it looks like an SSD compatibility issue is preventing users from installing the new update. Microsoft is aware of the issue and is working on a fix which is expected to be released by the end of November. 

On its support page, Microsoft says, “If you are trying to update to or install Windows 10, version 2004 or Windows 10, version 20H2, you might encounter an update compatibility hold and receive the message, “Your PC has hardware that isn't ready for this version of Windows 10. Windows Update will automatically offer you this version of Windows 10 once the issue has been resolved.””

So what’s the issue? Well, it looks like there is an incompatibility issue which has been found with Windows 10, version 2004 or Windows 10, version 20H2. This happens when using a Thunderbolt NVMe Solid State Disk (SSD). 

When a Thunderbolt NVMe SSD is there in a machine, during the update the users will receive a stop error with a blue screen and "DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION (e6) An illegal DMA operation was attempted by a driver being verified." 

According to Microsoft, “Affected Windows 10 devices will have at least one Thunderbolt port and any currently available version of the driver file stornvme.sys.”

Microsoft goes on to say, “To safeguard your update experience, we have applied a compatibility hold on Windows 10 devices with affected drivers from being offered Windows 10, version 2004 or Windows 10, version 20H2”.

It is recommended that you don't try to manually update your Windows machine if you are facing this error when updating. Microsoft is working on a fix for the problem which is expected to be released by the end of November. 

The Windows 10 20H2 update brings with it some interesting changes and upgrades to the Edge browser, Start Menu, Notifications and more. You can check out everything that the update brings with it here.

Speaking of updates, the new macOS, Big Sur is available for download. If you are a Mac user, you can check if your Mac is compatible with the new OS and how to download it here.

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/3ktbnxM

Netflix introduces a TikTok-like video feed called Fast Laughs

Well, it looks like the TikTok revolution has not died down as yet, in fact, the TikTok format seems to be growing more popular by the day. So popular that even Netflix has decided to adopt the vertical video feed format from TikTok. Dubbed Fast Laughs, the format offers short, bite-sized clips from its vast but ultimately underwhelming comedy specials. The Fast Laughs feed will include content from original shows as well as licenced programs. Netflix does have something similar in the form of Netflix is a Joke which posts longer clips of various shows on the platform. 

Although Netflix has adopted a similar format, the aim of Fast Laughs is to help users find out about new shows etc. In this modern age of fast media, this seems like a pretty decent idea to get more people onto the platform. But after news of the Indian government looking at regulating OTT platforms, how much of that uncensored content will actually be left? No one really knows, but if regulation on Indian television is any metric to go by, the content on OTT platforms will resemble the cut-up corpse of films and shows we see on Indian television. 

Netflix’s gone all TikTok-like with ‘Fast Laughs’ feature?! pic.twitter.com/T760u8Rea5

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) November 12, 2020

First spotted by social media consultant Matt Navarra on Twitter, Netflix has now confirmed that the feature will be rolling out to selected markets like the US and UK. You won’t be able to like or comment on the Fast Laughs feed but you will be able to add the show to your Watch Later list. The clips will be about 15 to 45 seconds in length, so we’re probably going to be getting short but punchy jokes. Users can also react using a laughing emoji and also view similar content. 

In other Netflix news, the streaming giant has also raised prices in the US, and we looked at what that could mean for Indian audiences. You can read more about that story here. 

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/38Dgt8h

Microsoft announced record Xbox Series X and Series S sales worldwide

The next-generation console war has officially begun, in the US at least. The Xbox Series X and Series S went on sale on November 10 internationally and the PS5 has gone on sale in the US only on November 12. Globally, the PS5 will go on sale on November 19. Countries like India have official pricing for Sony’s console but no release date yet. Even though the Xbox Series X is sold out in India, the Series S it is still available online as of writing this article. 

Xbox head, Phil Spencer tweeted, “Thank you for supporting the largest launch in Xbox history. In 24 hrs more new consoles sold, in more countries, than ever before. We’re working with retail to resupply as quickly as possible. You continue to show us the connective power of play is more important than ever.”

Thank you for supporting the largest launch in Xbox history. In 24 hrs more new consoles sold, in more countries, than ever before. We’re working with retail to resupply as quickly as possible. You continue to show us the connective power of play is more important than ever.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) November 12, 2020

As we can see from the tweet above, more Xbox consoles sold in more countries than ever before seems to be a given since we haven’t really seen a worldwide launch for a gaming console on a single day. However, one thing to note is that number of consoles sold worldwide has not been shared. 

While Microsoft’s next-gen gaming machine is available globally, what it lacks are any AAA exclusives to make the console more enticing. However, with backwards compatibility and Game Pass, the barrier for entry to play AAA games is much cheaper and makes the console an enticing option especially in a country like India where the console is more expensive than its international price.  

Microsoft stopped sharing the number of consoles sold during the Xbox One era because of the lead Sony had with the PS4. Sony has sold around 113 million consoles during the PS4 lifecycle and it will be interesting to see how many Xbox Series consoles and PS5 consoles have sold worldwide during the launch period.

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/32HrvWd

Pokemon Go Adds Home Connectivity to Send Creatures to Pokemon Sword, Shield on Nintendo Switch

Pokemon Go players can now transfer their Pokemon to Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield using Pokemon Home. The transfer requires Go Transporter energy and different Pokemons take different amount of energy.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/3ppsrs3

Instagram puts focus on Reels and Shopping with app revamp

As TikTok started being scrutinized by governments across the world, Instagram made what is perhaps one of its biggest pivots this year. It introduced Reels, a short-video format much like TikTok, and now in a new update, the app is going to centre around the new feature more than the traditional posts.

The update was announced on Thursday and features a revamped home screen that is presently rolling out to users. The new home screen rearranged the layout of the navigation bar and the top bar, indicating clearly what the app wants you to use more.

The big Create option in the middle of the navigation bar is being replaced by a shortcut to Reels, and in areas where it’s active, Shopping. The Create option is now moved to the top corner, beside the DM icon.

The new design makes no bones of what’s more important for the app and its users now. It’s also a distinct move away from the traditional photo posts that made Instagram what it is right now. The move comes after Instagram tweaked the way it presented posts to users. It introduced “Suggested posts” in August which includes content from account you don’t follow, while the more recent revamp was the integration of DMs with Facebook Messenger and introducing themes, threaded replies and a bunch of new features to direct messaging.

The new layout should roll out to all users in a few days, but whether it will be enjoyed by Instagram’s wide set of users, remains to be seen.

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/3nxdEKn

iPad Mini 6, iPad 9 specs leaked online

If information circulating the internet is to be believed, then Apple is working on the next-generation iPad Mini and iPad 9. The information comes from Twitter user 0-0-0 (@000leaker) who has listed some specifications and features of the upcoming iPads. He talks about two iPads - an iPad Mini which could be a baby version of the 2020 iPad Air (review) and a 9th gen iPad which could be a rebranded 3rd gen iPad Air. There is no information or pricing. The leakster doesn’t shed light on a launch date for the iPad Mini, but he says that the iPad 9 will come in September 2021. Let's look at the leaked specifications of these 2 tablets in detail.

1 prototype of iPad mini 6 8.5 in Liquid Retina display USB-C and same speaker setup as current iPad mini A14 Bionic Chip 4gb ram 2 batteries Same cameras as iPad Air 4 Boxy design Apple Pencil 2 support The 2 batteries are performing badly currently

— 0-0-0 (@000leaker) November 9, 2020 iPad Mini 6 leaked specifications

According to the leaked information, the iPad Mini 6 will sport an 8.5-inch Liquid Retina display. This means the display will get bigger as the current iPad Mini sports a 7.9-inch display. The new iPad Mini 6 could sport “USB-C and same speaker setup as current iPad Mini” this means that the iPad Mini 6 could have the same stereo setup as its predecessor. Unlike the iPad Air 2020 which also has a stereo setup but one speaker on each side of the tablet. Shifting to USB-C would mean that the new iPad will forgo the lightning connector still found on iPads.

The processor powering the iPad Mini 6 is expected to be updated to the A14 Bionic, the same powering the iPad Air 2020. It is also speculated to come with 4GB RAM. The camera setup is also expected to be the same as the iPad Air 2020 along with the boxy design. This means we could possibly see TouchID move to the power button, just like we saw on the new iPad Air. 

Support for Apple Pencil will also see an upgrade on the iPad Mini. This seems to be a no-brainer since the first-gen pencil needed to be put in the lightning port of the tablet to charge. With the move to USB-C, it looks like the iPad Mini 2020 will get support for the second-gen Apple Pencil bringing it in line with the new Air and the iPad Pro. The new iPad Mini is said to have 2 batteries. 

iPad 9 leaked specifications

The iPad 9 has also leaked online and will succeed the currently available iPad (8th Gen). If the rumours are to be believed, we will see the 3rd gen iPad rebranded as the iPad 9. While most of the specifications between the 8th gen iPad and the 3rd gen Air are the same what’s different is the display. The 3rd gen Air has a 10.5-inch display while the 8th gen iPad has a 10.2-inch display. It will be interesting to see if and how other specifications of the tablet change. 

There is no information on speculated pricing or storage options. 

Apple recently launched its own Mac silicon, the M1 and the first laptops to come with the new M1 chip are the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13-inch and the Mac Mini. You can learn about the features, specifications and pricing of the new chip here.

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/2K4fpA9

Chicken Dinner dreams maybe short lived as Govt not looking to lift PUBG Ban in India

PUBG Corporation announced a new version of the PUBG Mobile that is being prepared for launch in the Indian market. The new game dubbed PUBG Mobile India comes two months after it was banned along with 118 other apps by the Indian government over security and privacy concerns. However, the latest report indicates that the obstacles faced by the South Korean developer to re-launch the game in India are far from over.

According to a report by The Times of India, government sources have indicated that unless PUBG Corp. addresses the security and privacy concerns of the Indian government, “it will be difficult to grant any relaxation” to the popular battle royale game. 

PUBG Mobile India: The comeback plan

In its detailed plan for reviving PUBG Mobile in India, PUBG Corp. stated that the new version of the game will release with tailor-made customizations that are specific to the Indian market. Its parent company Krafton Inc. also recently inked a deal with Microsoft for using the Azure cloud service to store users' data in an attempt to ensure personal data protection. 

It is currently unknown as to when PUBG Corp is planning to release PUBG Mobile India in the country but previous reports have indicated that the developer is preparing to launch a marketing campaign during the Diwali festival in India. To this effect, the profile and cover picture of Youtube and Instagram handle of PUBG Mobile India has been updated to display the new logo with a “coming soon” tag.

PUBG Mobile India is set to release sometime soon and will feature customized content including a virtual simulation training ground, clothed characters from the start, green hit effects and restriction settings on game time to inculcate healthy gaming habits in younger players. 

Apart from this, PUBG Corp. has also revealed that it is establishing an Indian subsidiary and will hire over 100 employees to boost the esports ecosystem and game development in India. The company also plans to engage more with PUBG Mobile players in the country and esports organizations to collaborate and increase its presence. Moreover, the revival of PUBG Mobile will also see the company host exclusive events and esports tournaments in India as PUBG Corp. is investing over 100 million USD in India to amplify the Indian esports ecosystem. 

With the news of PUBG Mobile coming back to India, popular PUBG Mobile players are ecstatic but it's left to be seen when the game is finally available to play in the country.

#IndiaWelcomesPUBGMobile ❤ https://t.co/dxwmRADPlX

— MortaL (@Mortal04907880) November 12, 2020

Its coming back !!#IndiaWelcomesPUBGMobile ❤

— Animesh Agarwal (@8bit_thug) November 12, 2020

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/38JTE2Z