Here Come the April Fools’ Jokes

April Fool 2015

April Fool 2015

Well, get ready for it – April Fools’ 2015 has already started. Google is in on the act as usual, with a Pac-Man version of Google Maps that went live moments ago. Samsung is playing as well today, with the introduction of the Galaxy BLADE edge.

We’ll try to keep track of some of the best as we see them.


You can play Pac-Man on Google Maps by visiting Google Maps on the web and then clicking the Pac-Man icon in the bottom left corner.

Pac-Man is also on Google Maps for Android and iOS. You should be able to play in the newest version of Google Maps, but you have to search for locations that you might think Pac-Man would be. Google offers up a whole guide to Pac-Man in Google Maps here. They also provide clues on where you can find him (just go search for “Arc de Triomphe” and you’ll be able to play). Also, more info at the Google Maps blog.


Samsung Galaxy BLADE edge

Samsung Galaxy BLADE edge

As for the Samsung Galaxy BLADE edge, you are looking at a clear, glass-like phone with a foldable handle, is ergonomic and ceramic, has a diamond edge, is waterproof (unlike the S6 and S6 Edge), and even has a thermometer stylus!


Amazon Dash Button (real or?)

Amazon Dash Button (real or?)


Amazon has introduced the “Dash Button” which are 1-click buttons to help you instantly and directly order the things you need the most…from Amazon Prime. Major news outlets think this is actual real. I still think it’s a joke. Amazon remains saying it’s a real thing!


Google unveiled the Google Panda at a fake press event in Japan.


Introducing Smartbox, by the Inbox team! A smart mailbox


Reddit’s Android subreddit just went Apple. (April Fools)

Reddit’s Android subreddit just went Apple. (April Fools)


Reddit’s Android subreddit just went Apple.


Motorola just gave us custom selfie sticks

Motorola just gave us custom selfie sticks


Motorola just gave us custom selfie sticks.

Seeing any other April Fools’ jokes yet? Let us know in the comments and we will add them!

Source: Droid-life, Seeing any other April Fools’ jokes yet?

PS4 system update 2.50 codenamed “Yukimura” rolls out tomorrow. Rundown with features detailed..

Tomorrow PlayStation 4 will get an update to system software version 2.50, codenamed “Yukimura,” which will bring an onslaught of new features: some you’ve been anticipating, many you’ve requested and others that might surprise you.

This update will make significant improvements to your PS4 experience, making it even more streamlined and enjoyable. Following the update, you’ll be able to smoothly pick games up right where you left off, find and connect with friends quicker, customise your experience and share your most epic moments in a more meaningful way.

Features coming to PS4 with “Yukimura” include:

  • Suspend/Resume: Supported by nearly all of your PS4 games, you can jump in and out of your games with just the press of the PS button.  Quickly switch from Rest Mode to powered-up so you can pick up where you left off.
  • Back-up and restore HDD to USB: Back-up and restore your hard disc drive data associated with users on your PS4, including settings, saved data, screenshots and video clips as well as games, patches and download data, to and from an external USB drive.
  • Find and connect with friends: “Yukimura” adds to an already robust set of social tools, bringing several updates to continue making PS4 the best place to play with your friends, including:
    -> Facebook friend finder – Using your linked account, you can expand your network by searching and connecting with your Facebook friends.->  Improved friend requests – Friend requests and Real Name requests can be sent together in one step when adding a friend on PS4.
    -> Streamlined Party process – The process to create a Party has been streamlined with a reduction in the number of steps required.
    ->  Find friends who play your games – Easily view what friends are playing on each game detail page with a real-time “Friends Who Play This” section, which also highlights which friends are currently online and playing it, and allows you to jump directly into the game.
    -> Join Friends directly from news feed – A new tile will be added on your What’s New feed where you can see what your friends are currently playing, enabling you to join in the game if you own it.
  • Share earned trophies and optimise your trophy list: We know that Trophies are important to many gamers, so we’re bringing more control with how you show them off:
    -> Automatic Trophy screenshots – A screenshot will automatically be captured when a Trophy is earned, preserving the moment to share with friends.
    ->  SHARE Trophies – Players can share Trophy information to Facebook, Twitter or via Message by pressing the SHARE button.
    ->  Additional Trophy sorting options – Sort your Trophy list by Earned Date, Not Earned and Grade.
    -> Delete 0% Trophies – Remove games from your Trophy list that have zero percent completion.
  •  Improved and expanded accessibility options: New options added to customise the user experience include:
    -> Customised button assignments for DUALSHOCK 4.
    -> Zoom for displayed pictures and inverted colours for all system functions, apps and in-game.
    -> Text-to-speech for all graphical user interface, including Message and Party.
    ->  Enlarged text for all graphical user interface, including Message and Party, as well as the system’s browser.
    -> Bolder fonts and higher contrast UI for all system applications (but will not apply to games or third-party applications).
  • Remote Play and Share Play: For games that support 60 fps, users will be able to automatically enjoy those games with 60fps for both Remote Play and Share Play* on supported devices.
  • Automatic installation for system software updates: Enable automatic installation for future system software updates.
  • Sub-account upgrade: Enable users 18 years of age or older with sub-accounts to upgrade to a master account directly on PS4, removing restrictions on chat and enabling users to add funds to their Wallet, purchase content and more.
  • Verified Accounts: Select game developers, producers, designers and community managers will be verified with a badge.
  • Dailymotion: Upload video clips directly to Dailymotion via the SHARE button.

 

PlayStation Vita and PlayStation App for smartphones and tablets will also receive system software updates tonight, adding complementary features to those added to PS4. PS Vita update version 3.50 and PlayStation App update version 2.50 will add new accessibility options, including enlarged text, increased contrast and more. This update also enables PS Vita to support 60fps streaming for Remote Play.

 

Source: 

Windows 10 is a free upgrade for all Windows 7 and 8.1 users

Windows 10 will be free

Windows 10 is a free upgrade for all Windows 7 and 8.1 users.


Wondering how much Windows 10 will set you back? In most cases, more or less nothing. Microsoft has announced that the new operating system will be a free upgrade in the first year for everyone using Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows Phone 8.1. The company sees Windows as a service rather than a product, Terry Myerson explains.

Microsoft is partly following in Apple’s footsteps (OS X upgrades have been free since Mavericks), but can you really complain about getting a big update for free?

Joe Belfiore demonstrated Cortana, which Microsoft announced it has added to the PC

Joe Belfiore demonstrated Cortana, which Microsoft announced it has added to the PC.


Windows 10 brings the same operating system to devices of all sizes, rather than having different ones for PCs/tablets, mobile phones and the firm’s Xbox games console.

One of the features highlighted at the presentation was how Cortana – the voice-controlled digital assistant previously limited to Windows Phone handsets – would now work on PCs.

Cross-device multiplayer gaming, Game DVR & more. The @Xbox experience is coming to #Windows10.

Cross-device multiplayer gaming, Game DVR & more. The @Xbox experience is coming to #Windows10.

Microsoft is currently live with Windows 10 Briefing: Watch the live event here.

Google releases Chrome Remote Desktop for iOS to access your computer from your iPhone/iPad

Google releases Chrome Remote Desktop for iOS

Google releases Chrome Remote Desktop for iOS

Google today released its Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS after a release on Android devices last year [iTunes Link].

The app, available for both iPhone and iPad, allows users to remotely access their computer via the Chrome Remote Desktop app available in the Chrome Web Store.

To get things started, you’ll just have to download and run through a setup for the Chrome Remote Desktop app on your Mac or PC and then open the new Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS to establish a connection:

On each of your computers, set up remote access using the Chrome Remote Desktop app from Chrome Web Store… On your iOS device, open the app and tap on any of your online computers to connect.

Google first released the app for Android devices in April of last year and before that had its Chrome Remote desktop app for remotely accessing Macs and PCs from other desktop computers.

The app is available now through the App Store for free and works for remotely accessing both PCs and Macs.

The X Factor 2014: Voting results revealed (Series Percentages)

X Factor 2014

X Factor 2014

We are thrilled that Ben Haenow took the title of The X Factor champion 2014!

Now that we finally know who this year’s winner is of The X Factor 2014 is, let’s have a look at the percentage of votes from each week of the live shows. It is a numbers game, after all! Ben Haenow’s results are in bold below – taking the lead for 8 weeks in a row.

Week 1
Andrea Faustini – 19.2%
Lauren Platt – 10.4%
Paul Akister – 10.0%
Ben Haenow – 8.7%
Fleur East – 6.0%
Lola Saunders – 5.7%
Jay James – 5.5%
Jake Quickenden – 5.1%
Jack Walton – 5.0%
Stevi Ritchie – 4.9%
Stereo Kicks – 4.6%
Chloe Jasmine – 4.3%
Only the Young – 4.0%
Stephanie Nala – 2.9%
Overload Generation – 2.7%
Blonde Electra – 1.0%

Week 2
Andrea Faustini – 14.5%
Lauren Platt – 12.7%
Paul Akister – 9.9%
Ben Haenow – 9.1%
Jay James – 7.6%
Lola Saunders – 7.6%
Fleur East – 6.0%
Stevi Ritchie – 5.9%
Only the Young – 5.6%
Jack Walton – 5.3%
Jake Quickenden – 4.8%
Stereo Kicks – 4.4%
Chloe Jasmine – 4.0%
Stephanie Nala – 2.6%

Week 3
Andrea Faustini – 14.4%
Lauren Platt – 11.8%
Ben Haenow – 10.1%
Paul Akister – 9.4%
Fleur East – 9.3%
Stereo Kicks – 8.9%
Stevi Ritchie – 7.4%
Jay James – 7.1%
Lola Saunders – 6.9%
Jack Walton – 5.3%
Only the Young – 5.2%
Jake Quickenden – 4.2%

Week 4
Ben Haenow – 12.2%
Andrea Faustini – 11.9%
Stevi Ritchie – 11.5%
Lauren Platt – 11.0%
Paul Akister – 9.5%
Fleur East – 9.4%
Only the Young – 9.0%
Jay James – 8.3%
Stereo Kicks – 8.3%
Lola Saunders – 6.3%
Jack Walton – 2.6%

Week 5
Ben Haenow – 14.8%
Andrea Faustini – 14.0%
Lauren Platt – 13.1%
Stereo Kicks – 12.4%
Fleur East – 10.8%
Stevi Ritchie – 10.3%
Only the Young – 8.4%
Jay James – 8.1%
Paul Akister – 8.1%

Week 6
Ben Haenow – 16.4%
Fleur East – 14.0%
Lauren Platt – 13.2%
Andrea Faustini – 12.7%
Stereo Kicks – 12.2%
Only the Young – 12.2%
Stevi Ritchie – 10.8%
Jay James – 8.5%

Week 7
Ben Haenow – 19.4%
Fleur East – 16.1%
Lauren Platt – 16.0%
Stereo Kicks – 15.3%
Stevi Ritchie – 14.7%
Andrea Faustini – 13.2%
Only the Young – 5.3%

Week 8
Ben Haenow – 26.4%
Andrea Faustini – 21.0%
Fleur East – 17.9%
Lauren Platt – 17.8%
Stereo Kicks – 16.9%

Week 9
Ben Haenow – 36.5%
Fleur East – 24.3%
Lauren Platt – 20.1%
Andrea Faustini – 19.1%

Week 10 (Freeze)
Ben Haenow – 45.1%
Fleur East – 32.7%
Andrea Faustini – 22.2%

Vote 10 – It’s Final
Ben Haenow – 57.2%
Fleur East – 34.3%
Andrea Faustini (carried over from freeze) – 8.5%