Netflix helps manage your data use with new cellular data controls

Worried about exceeding your data cap or getting your line cut off because you spent too much time watching Netflix while on cellular data? The streaming service is introducing globally new data controls to help you manage how much you stream over data. The default setting will allow you to stream around three hours of TV shows and movies per gigabyte of data. When it comes to bitrates, this setting amounts to around 600 Kilobits per second, which Netflix says achieves a good balance between video quality and data usages. You have the option to set a higher or lower streaming quality but of course that also means better or less ideal streaming. You can set it to auto, as discussed earlier; low, which allows around four hours per GB of data; high, which allows one hour per GB of data; and unlimited for those with unlimited data plans. The last one promises to give you the highest quality possible, which also means it could use up like 1GB per 20 minutes or more depending on your device and network speeds. Of course, you can also turn this feature off and not stream over data.

To toggle these settings, simply head to the Menu icon and select App Settings. From there, head to Cellular Data Usage and then select the setting you prefer. If you set your data usage for all devices under the Playback settings on Your Account page, the streams on mobile devices will not exceed this setting.

Source: Netflix

Microsoft: Windows 10 running on 300 million devices, free upgrade offer ends on July 29

Windows 10 is well on its way to hitting its target 1 billion devices in 2-3 years with an install base of 300 million devices. Microsoft, which kickstarted Windows 10 adoption by making it available as a free upgrade to Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users says that the window for upgrading to the latest OS for free is closing on July 29th. Does this mean that Microsoft will then charge for Windows 10 upgrades after that date? The answer, unfortunately is yes, "After July 29th, you’ll be able to continue to get Windows 10 on a new device, or purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home for US $119," says Yusuf Mehdi / Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group.

So, if you've been on the fence about upgrading and if your PC can handle the OS, now maybe a good time to jump onboard.

Apple partners with SAP to better position iOS devices in enterprise

Apple and SAP are partnering on aiming "to revolutionize the mobile work experience for enterprise customers of all sizes," the companies are hoping to achieve this by combining powerful native apps for iPhone and iPad with the cutting-edge capabilities of the SAP HANA platform.

This joint effort will also deliver a new iOS software development kit (SDK) and training academy so that developers, partners and customers can easily build native iOS apps tailored to their business needs.

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National Geographic photographer uses Lumia 950 to capture the aurora

The Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL feature great cameras specifically tuned to shoot accurate and filmic images even in low-light. National Geographic photographer and Microsoft devices ambassador Stephen Alvarez decided to put the Lumia 950 to the test and capture aurora borealis as well as stunning vistas in the artic circle.

"As Microsoft’s Devices Ambassador, I knew Microsoft’s camera phone technology was advancing at a fantastic pace. Once I got the Lumia 950 in my hands, I was pretty sure it was capable of capturing a natural phenomenon that happens only at night," Stephen Alvarez explains. You can read about his technique, adventures as well as see his photos from the shoot right here.