Microsoft blocks Windows 10 updates for some AVG, Avast antivirus users, provides workaround

Microsoft started rolling out the latest version of Windows 10 to eligible devices a couple of weeks ago. Called the Windows 10 November 2019 Update (or version 1909), the latest feature update brings a few new features to Microsoft’s popular PC operating system. Unfortunately, not all users are able to update to it. More specifically, users of AVG and Avast antivirus products are reportedly seeing an error that’s preventing them from updating Windows to version 1909. Microsoft has since addressed the update issue in a support document on its website.

According to an investigation by Microsoft and Avast, any software product by AVG or Avast that’s of the antivirus version 19.5.4444.567 or earlier, poses compatibility issues with the latest versions of Windows 10, i.e., versions 1903 and 1909. For this reason, the Redmond-based software giant has “applied a hold on devices with affected Avast and AVG Antivirus from being offered or installing Windows 10, version 1903 or Windows 10, version 1909, until the application is updated.”

If you’re an affected AVG or Avast user, there’s little need to worry. The workaround to get Windows Update up and running again is fairly simple. If you use Avast antivirus, right-click the Avast icon in the Windows system tray, hover over Update and then select Program. Here are detailed instructions to do the same. If you use AVG antivirus, however, open the antivirus application, access Settings from the 'Menu' button on the top right corner, select Update under General, and finally select Check for Updates in the application section. Here are detailed instructions to do the same.

Once your AVG or Avast antivirus application is up to date, restart your PC. Then head to Windows Update in Settings (an easy keyboard shortcut is Win + I) and click Check for updates. Depending on which version of Windows 10 your PC is currently on, it should start downloading either version 1903 or 1909. The newest version of Windows 10 brings Windows Search to File Explorer, making OneDrive file searches possible within a File Explorer window. It also lets you use third-party virtual assistants (like Amazon Alexa) in the lock screen. You can read more about it here.

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Motorola Razr 2 could feature external sensors and more as Motorola receives a patent for new device

 Motorola have had quite a year in 2019. The introduction of the new Moto Razr has generated a ton of hype and anticipation. And, even though the phone is yet to go on sale, people have been clamoring for the new foldable phone. The Moto Razr is as much a nostalgic device as it is a technological upgrade. From the design and look of the phone, you can clearly see that the Razr was meant to invoke those feelings in people who owned or dreamt of owning a Razr phone. Now, the sad part of this whole discussion is that the phone does cost quite a bit. But, even as Motorola gears up for the release of the Razr, it looks like the company has already filed and even received a patent that shows off a new Razr-like phone with a few differences. 

The new patent describes four touch sensors on either side of the phone. Two of these sensors are located above the hinge and the other two are located under it. It could be that these sensors will be used as virtual buttons for the phone when its closed or even when it’s open. From what we can see, the patent also has 20 different functions as well as 20 gestures that can be mapped and used in conjunction with the 4 touch sensors. Who knows what the future will bring, but this looking like an exciting development in the world of foldable smartphones. 

The patent also states that, “the foldable device can be folded along an axis between an open mode and a closed mode; a plurality of touch sensors disposed along the housing portion; a module implemented at least partially in hardware and configured to determine touch sensor physical proximity and to determine that the foldable device is in the open mode (single sensor mode) or closed mode (cumulative sensor mode).” It goes on to state that, “Two sensors can be combined and mapped to one or more functionalities that are different than the respective functionalities. Two touch sensors can be mapped to one or more respective gestures.”

Just a bit of a refresher, the Moto Razr that was announced this year features a 6.2-inch screen that is flexible. The phone also comes with a 2142x876 resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. On the outside, the phone also comes with a 2.7-inch secondary screen for notifications and messages. The Razr also comes with a 16MP camera which doubles up as a front camera when the phone is shut. The Motorola Razr will be hitting store shelves in the US from January 9 onward. The device costs $ 1,499 (Rs 1,07,600 approx) in the US. There is no word on when the phone will hit Indian shores. 

 

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Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer spin-off could come with micro-transactions: Rumor

One of the games that has drummed up a world of hype and interest is Cyberpunk 2077. Developed by CD Project Red, Cyberpunk 2077 is essentially the brainchild of one, Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the original pen and paper role-playing game. The game is touted to be one of the most immersive and expansive worlds out there and we honestly can’t wait to see exactly what the developers of The Witcher series have in store for us. 

But, and this is a big but, there have been rumblings of the company shoving microtransactions into the multiplayer feature of the game. This is exactly the kind of shady practice you’d associate with companies like EA and Activision but for CD Project Red, a company that was one of the more gamer friendly companies out there, to do this? This essentially sends a very clear message to gamers that their love and adoration doesn’t matter and what it eventually comes down to is cash. 

In an earnings presentation that took place recently, a spokesperson for the company said, ”We believe right now it is definitely too early to share any details on that or give guidance [as] the project is in the relatively early stage.” He continued by saying ,” We keep experimenting. It's our first multiplayer game. We check different options and possibilities, and it's definitely not the time to point you to a specific direction on that. But you can expect that we won't change our general policy toward deals with gamers. So expect wise monetization and always value for money.”

The company has neither confirmed or declined to comment on the feature being implemented in the multiplayer mode on Cyberpunk 2077, but is history is to go by, then you can be sure that CD Project Red will look to squeeze out every drop of blood from its users, just like EA and Activision.  

 

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Malicious SDK may have stolen personal data of Facebook, Twitter users

It seems like there has been yet another data leak. Both Facebook and Twitter have announced that the personal data of multiple users, who use their social media accounts to log into certain apps that were downloaded from the Google Play Store. 

In its official statement, Twitter noted that the vulnerability was not is Twitter’s software, but rather a lack of isolation between SDKs within an application. The micro-blogging site claims that the SDK maintained by oneAudience could be embedded within a mobile application, and could exploit a vulnerability in the mobile ecosystem. This could include access to personal information such as email, username, and last Tweet. Twitter also notes that while it could not find any evidence that the SDK was used to take over an account, it is possible to do so. However, it did find evidence that it was used to access personal data of some Twitter users on Android, but notes that there is no evidence that the iOS version of the SDK targeted people who use Twitter for iOS. Twitter also says that it informed both Google and Apple about the malicious SDK, so they those companies can also take the necessary action.

In a statement to CNBC, a Facebook spokesperson noted that there besides Oneaudience, Mobiburn was also developing malicious SDKs. Following its own investigation, Facebook claims that the apps have been removed from the platform and it has issued cease and desist letters against Oneaudience and Mobiburn. 

Both Facebook and Twitter plan to personally notify users affected by the issue. Twitter advises users to check which third-party apps users have authorised to their account and remove any that they do not recognise or no longer use. Facebook advises users to be more careful when selecting third-party apps to grant access to.

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5G deployment could be pushed back by five years due to exorbitant pricing, quantum spectrum issue: Director-general of COAI

Without a doubt, the telecom industry is going through a tough time right now. Almost all telecom operators are reporting losses and trying to make changes to get back on track. However, it seems like surmounting losses and a ‘Quantum’ issue will affect 5G deployment in the country. The director-general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Rajan S Mathews, told ET that exorbitant base prices and unavailability of spectrum and newer bands’ could push out 5G deployment by about five years, from the operator perspective. “We will push out 5G for at least five years. That’s the operator perspective,” Mathews said. 

Comments from COAI director-general comes soon after the Swedish network component manufacturer Ericsson reported that 5G subscriptions could be pushed in the country. The company states that 5G deployment could happen in the country by 2022, instead of the previously estimated timeline of 2020. Mathews adds, “Pricing originally started off as a problem for the industry. With the Rs 492 crore for 1 MHz, most operators said it was not a viable proposition given the debt and international prices.”. As per the report, the quantum of 5G spectrum being offered in India was insufficient since the industry was seeking a 100MHz per operator.

Matthews also notes that while 300MHz of the entire spectrum was made available, departments other than telecom also stated their requirements. The defence took 100MHz of the spectrum while for space agencies needed 25MHz. Thus, a total of 125MHz has already been taken, which leaves a mere total of 175MHz for telecom companies. Due to lesser spectrum availability and its obvious quantum shortage, there is no point in proceeding further right now, Matthews says. 

Despite the doubtful future of 5G deployment in India, smartphone manufacturers are not shying away from announcing new 5G enabled handsets. However, it remains to be seen whether the spectrum auctions could be sped up in the country, otherwise, there’s a chance that India could be left behind since already some areas in European and US countries are testing 5G connectivity. 

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WhatsApp for iOS brings call waiting, redesigned Chats screen, extended Braille typing support

Every now and then, WhatsApp releases a major update for its popular messaging app of the same name with some significant visual changes to the app. In the most recent instance of such an update for iOS, the app comes with support for call waiting, a refreshed Chats screen, and the ability to send messages directly from the Braille keyboard when the device is set to VoiceOver mode. WhatsApp recently received a feature that allows the user to control privacy settings for group chats. This lets them set who can add them to new group chats without an invitation.

The aforementioned enhancements can be found in the latest version of WhatsApp for iOS, i.e., version 2.19.120. You can update to the latest version of WhatsApp manually on your iOS device by visiting the App Store. In the store, search for WhatsApp and hit the update button; it’ll show up if the app hasn’t already been updated automatically. Launch WhatsApp after the update process is complete and you should see the refreshed Chats screen. The profile picture of each user in the chat list is now larger, making it easier to tap on the list items.

Call waiting works on both WhatsApp and regular calls

The new update also brings support for call waiting, something frequent callers on WhatsApp will appreciate. If you receive a call while you’re already on a WhatsApp call, you’ll be shown options to either ‘End & Accept’, ‘Decline’, or ‘Hold & Accept’ it. This new feature works on WhatsApp and regular calls alike. Lastly, WhatsApp now comes with the ability to send messages directly from the Braille keyboard when the device is set to VoiceOver mode. But for this to work, Braille screen input must be enabled in  Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver.

WhatsApp recently introduced privacy settings for group chats in iOS and Android. This allows the user to decide who has the right to add them in new group chats without an invitation. This setting can be modified by visiting WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Groups. Here, the user can choose to let either everyone or only their contacts (with a few custom exceptions) add them to group chats without sending a private invitation first.

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Google explains why some games arent running in 4K on Stadia

Google’s cloud gaming service Stadia promised users a 4K resolution with 60fps support on all games at launch, provided consumers had access to a TV that could support the same. They also said that if, for some reason, developers wanted to lock the FPS at 30, the service would provide a 4K 30fps experience. However, recently it has been revealed that Destiny 2 runs at 1080p on the service and is upscaled to 4K. Red Dead Redemption 2, on the other hand, renders in 2K (1440p) and upscales to 4K. Upscaling a 2K resolution to 4K isn't new as the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X have been doing this for a lot of games. 

Google has released a statement on the subject saying, “Stadia streams at 4K and 60 FPS - and that includes all aspects of our graphics pipeline from game to screen: GPU, encoder and Chromecast Ultra all outputting at 4k to 4k TVs, with the appropriate internet connection. Developers making Stadia games work hard to deliver the best streaming experience for every game. Like you see on all platforms, this includes a variety of techniques to achieve the best overall quality. We give developers the freedom of how to achieve the best image quality and framerate on Stadia and we are impressed with what they have been able to achieve for day one. We expect that many developers can, and in most cases will, continue to improve their games on Stadia. And because Stadia lives in our data centres, developers are able to innovate quickly while delivering even better experiences directly to you without the need for game patches or downloads."

In other Stadia news, users have taken to Reddit to complain about overheating. It looks like the Chromecast Ultras that gamers are using with their TV is overheating causing the device to shut down. A post on the Reddit thread reads, “I was in the middle of a fight in Destiny 2 when suddenly my Chromecast died and lost connectivity to the network. I went to unplug it from the power and it was extremely hot. Has anyone else experienced overheating with the new Chromecast Ultras that come with the Founder's Edition? I hadn't seen other posts about that.”

Google has responded to the thread. Stadia Community manager GraceFromGoogle has responded by saying “Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We know any sort of heat on a device can be worrisome, but we can confirm there is no thermal overheating issue with Chromecast Ultra. During normal usage (like watching cat videos on YouTube), the surface of the device may get warm to the touch, but this is working as designed. The team has done extensive testing on the hardware, services and games—this includes tests of long Stadia play and video sessions—and have not seen thermal shutdown problems”.

Users have been coming up with their own solutions for the overheating problem and you can check them out here. 

Stadia is off to a rocky start, but then again so was the Xbox One, but Microsoft did take all the right steps to ensure that the Xbox One becomes a desirable proposition. 

When it comes to cloud gaming, many speculated that Stadia would be the Netflix of gaming but sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case. The one service that is going to be the Netflix of cloud gaming is Microsoft’s Project xCloud combined with Game Pass. Stadia may not be coming to India anytime soon, but Microsoft has confirmed that Project xCloud will come to India in 2020. You can read more about Project xCloud coming to India here.

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