Surface Pro 4 now gains Surface Dial on-screen support

Microsoft is giving some love to the venerable Surface Pro 4. This 2-in-1 PC can now use the Surface Dial as an on screen accessory. Surfae Dial was already supported by all Surface devices, including Surface Pro 4, but the latest update allows creatives to prop the dial on their Surface Pro display for more immersive control.

“We’ve released new updates for Surface Pro 4 devices,” Microsoft’s Brandon Records announced last night. “These updates include new drivers for Surface Dial Detection, Surface Digitizer Integration, Surface Touch, and Surface Touch Servicing ML which enable on-screen support for Surface Dial and resolve certain ghost/phantom touch issues.” Update should be rolling out shortly via Windows 10's Software Update.

Source: Thurrott.com

Demand for Apple's HomePod stalls after hot start

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

It seems that demand for Apple's smart speaker has slowed down. The HomePod began shipping to customers in the US in February, and seemed to be grabbing a lot of attention during its news cycle. The device was praised for its stunning sound which was at a level of larger, more expensive hi-fi speakers. The HomePod, it seems, was just the smart speaker the Apple ecosystem was waiting for.

Two months later, however, it looks like the HomePod demand is going flat. Bloomberg reports that Apple has lowered manufacturing volume for the smart speaker. The same report says that there's a possibility a cheaper and smaller model will be coming soon.

I had reservations about the HomePod's value proposition a year ago, just after it was announced.

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Report claims Xiaomi is in interested in buying GoPro

GoPro has been scaling down its business due to financial issues. The company announced back in January that it was leaving the drone business because of this. GoPro’s CEO Nick Woodman has said in an interview with CNN before that he was open to selling the company. He said, “If there was an opportunity to merge GoPro with a larger parent company that could help us scale our business and provide a better return on investment… we would welcome the opportunity…”

Now there seems to be someone interested in buying GoPro. Bloomberg reports Chinese tech company Xiaomi is looking to purchase the action sports camera company. Xiaomi is known in Asia for its affordable, feature-packed phones but it has also delved into everything from robot vacuums, laptops, electric scooters, power banks, routers, and many more. Perhaps, it wants to boost its action camera segment or possibly get into drones. Not much is known about this potential deal at the moment but GoPro is being valued at around a billion dollars, according to the report from The Information.

You can now use GIFs in LinkedIn Messenger

Why you may ask? Why not LinkedIn asks? The now Google-owned Tenor will be exclusively providing GIF search for LinkedIn’s messaging platform. Tenor claims it powers over 12 billion GIF searches every month, which isn’t as surprising as the GIF tool is used by a number of different platforms, including Google’s own Gboard and Facebook Messenger. It has begun rolling out to 50 percent of users on LinkedIn and should come to the rest over time.

GIFs are an extremely popular way to convey messages these days as sometimes these succinctly put what you’ve been meaning to say. Does it have a place in what can be considered a more professional social platform? Probably not. But if you feel like you’d better express yourself through GIF form, go ahead. Just make sure you don’t send anything inappropriate to your boss and/or client.

Source: TechCrunch