Microsoft's Xbox Console Streaming preview is now available globally

Microsoft has been experimenting with streaming Xbox games to Android phones and tablets through a limited beta. Now, all Xbox Insiders in countries that support Xbox One can try it out. But gamers will need to be part of an Update Preview ring, and you'll need an Android device running Marshmallow or higher. You'll also need a Bluetooth Xbox One controller and a speedy home network to make sure the setup can handle streaming.

According to Microsoft's Jonathan Hildebrandt, the company believes "the public preview as an important step in our journey to deliver game streaming to Xbox players around the world." Microsoft is pleased with the feedback given by early-access testers in the US and the UK. Hildebrandt said users can expect performance updates in the future.

Source: Engadget

Samsung Canada hosts 'Galaxy Days' sale for 2019 products

Just ahead of the launch for the Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Canada is hosting a special sale for a lot of its 2019 product line. Called "Galaxy Days," the promo is happening until January 20th. You can check out the deals over at Samsung's website. And you can check out what's on sale under the cut:

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Google updates timeline for when it'll end Chrome apps’ support

Google has updated its timeline for when it will stop supporting Chrome apps on all platforms. The official end will be June 2022, but some platforms might lose it earlier than that.

Back in 2016, Google announced it would stop support for Chrome apps on Windows, macOS, and Linux, because of the lack of users. Only one percent of its users actively used Chrome apps at that time. So, in 2017, it took out the web apps from the Chrome 2017. In 2018, the tech giant was supposed to take it out from those three platforms, but it didn't happen.

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Facebook backs off from plans to fill WhatsApp with ads

Facebook is reportedly "backing away" from plans to sell ad placements inside WhatsApp. According to The Wall Street Journal, the team in charge of building ads into the Facebook-owned messaging service was disbanded in recent months, with the work they've done "deleted from WhatsApp's code."

But the app won't be completely ad-free. Facebook will still integrate it into WhatsApp's Status feature. Facebook will reportedly focus on WhatsApp features that will "allow businesses to communicate with customers and organize those contacts." WhatsApp co-founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton—both of whom have left the company—reportedly expressed concern about the impact a commercial messaging feature will have over the strength of its end-to-end encryption.

Source: The Verge