Two new ‘Shot on iPhone’ ads surface, one of them shot in Ontario

Apple takes us to the great outdoors in our backyards with the two new “Shot on iPhone” ads. This time the highlight is on nature and the zoom feature of the iPhone. One of the ads was shot in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. Called “Shot on iPhone by Linda H.” it shows a slow-motion close-up of a chipmunk trying to break into a peanut with the song “Season 2 (Episode 3) by Glass Animals in the background.  The other clip was shot in Tel Aviv, Israel and labeled as “Shot on iPhone by Tim W.” We see an ant carry a leaf fragment across sand with Charlotte Day Wilson’s “Work” playing in the background.

The “Shot on iPhone” ad campaign shows how actual iPhone users make the most of their iPhone cameras (without any special tools or software) while being backed by songs taken from Apple Music.

Source: Apple Insider

Skype updates desktop and mobile apps for Windows 10 beta testers

Those beta testing Windows 10 via the Windows Insider Program get a special treat from Skype. The messaging service introduces an update for its desktop and mobile apps through the latest version of the Skype Preview App. The update brings with it the ability to call mobile and landline numbers from your computer, leave and receive voicemail, and put calls on hold. Skype bots are also being introduced in this latest version. This will let you chat with automated conversation partners from developers that partnered with Microsoft.

The Skype Preview App also introduces the ability to make group video calls with up to 25 people, a feature that was reportedly most requested by mobile Skype users. There is no word yet when this update will make its way to all Windows 10 users. We’re just hoping it’s sooner rather than later.

Source: PCWorld

Xbox One S coming on August 2 starting at $499.99

The smaller and redesigned XBox One S 2TB launch edition will begin hitting shelves in Canada on August 2. That means that all pre-orders will arrive on August 2 and, for those of you that haven’t yet, you can still pre-order a 2TB Xbox One S launch edition through microsoftstore.com and select retailers. 

The 2TB launch edition will be available in limited quantities for $499.99 CAD, while consoles with 1TB and 500GB hard drives will be offered for $449.99 CAD and $399.99 CAD, respectively.

Xbox One S is the most compact Xbox yet, 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, and includes a built-in power supply. We also shifted one of the three USB ports and the pairing button to the front of the Xbox One S alongside the newly added IR blaster for increased accessibility.

Microsoft is giving you a new PC if it can’t install Windows 10 on your machine

The free Windows 10 upgrade is nearing its deadline and it looks like Microsoft is pulling all the stops to get the last minute stragglers to upgrade, at least those in Canada and in the U.S. WinBeta reports that Microsoft is taking an in-person approach to getting people to upgrade for free. What you need to do is bring in your old PC into a Microsoft Store and have them upgrade in front of you. If your PC isn’t ready by the end of the day, they’ll give you a free Dell Inspiron 15.

Of course there are conditions to this. The old PC must be capable of running Windows 10, meaning it meets minimum system requirements and you have to check it into the Answer Desk by noon local time for the “bet” with Microsoft to be valid. It’ll run until July 29^th or until supplies last. If your machine isn’t compatible, you can recycle it for $150 credit towards a new PC. There’s also $20 off of Office 365 Home when you upgrade to Windows 10. You might also be eligible to win an Xbox One when you upgrade in the store but you have to ask them about this.