Microsoft releases a beta version of the new Cortana app on Windows 10

Microsoft is refocusing how it approaches Cortana. And one of the new ways is making it a chat-based app separate from the built-in Windows 10 search bar. It’s going to offer a more conversational experience. It’s being turned into a chat-based app for Cortana on Windows 10. The app supports both text and voice queries. And it still supports most of the existing features, including queries, assistant conversations, opening apps, managing lists, and basics like setting reminders, alarms, and timers. The company has tweaked Cortana so that “Hey, Cortana” is less intrusive. And the assistant now supports both the light and dark themes on Windows 10. Its performance should also be “significantly improved” thanks to new speech and language models.

But not everything is available out of the gate. According to Microsoft Windows Insider Chief Dona Sarkar, Microsoft plans to add more features over time. This version is available in the Fast Ring preview of Windows 10 build 18945. It will come to all Windows 10 users in the first half of 2020.

Source: The Verge

Google’s docs.new shortcut makes it easier to create files in other signed in accounts

In case you didn’t know, the .new domain makes it easier for Google Suite users to create new Docs, Sheets, and Slides on Chrome. All you needed to do was type in “docs.new” to open a document, “sheets.new” for a new spreadsheet, etc. Now, Google is making it easier for you to create a new document for different signed-in accounts on your browser.

If you have your personal, work, or school accounts all signed into your browser, you just need to add a number to the URL. You can check what default account is signed in by tapping on the avatar at the right. If you add docs.new/2, this will let you save the said document for the second account signed into your browser (let’s say that is your work account). If you use docs.new or docs.new/1, this creates the document in your default account. It takes away the need to toggle between accounts if you need to launch a document window quickly.

Source: GSuite

The Samsung Galaxy Fold will be relaunched in September

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After delaying the phone for 89 days, Samsung is finally ready to announce a new release window for the Galaxy Fold. It’ll be coming out in September. The company hasn’t given a specific date yet. And as initially planned, it’ll only be available in select countries. Samsung will be releasing specific sale dates as the month approaches.

The company took the time to fix issues with the Galaxy Fold to avoid the troubles it encountered. These include extending the protective top layer beyond the bezel, adding “reinforcements to stop debris from getting under the screen, and new “protection caps” to strengthen the top and bottom parts of the hinge. There are natural gaps there where particles could get in. Samsung also added metal reinforcements beneath the screen, presumably to make the plastic screen stiffer. There’s also less of an air gap between the Fold’s body and its hinge.

Source: CNET

Apple’s Jony Ive files trademark for ‘LoveFrom Jony’ brand

We already know that Apple’s legendary designer Jony Ive will be leaving Apple to put up is own independent design firm. And it seems Ive is taking his first steps to bring this company to life. New documents from the US Patents and Trademark Office show Ive officially filing for a trademark for the term “LoveFrom Jony.” The filing date is July 18, 2019, while the foreign filing date listed is May 29, 2019. Ive has mentioned before that the company will be called LoveFrom, but it seems there will be an aspect of the brand that will carry the name LoveFrom Jony. This type of credit or recognition is going to be a big change in the designer’s career. While working for Apple, his name, or anyone else’s for that matter, aren’t attached to their creations. The work he’s done with Apple simply uses the term “Designed by Apple.”

The trademark filing would’ve been a good way to tell what products or services LoveFrom will be involved in. Unfortunately, the filing covers every product category out there, including cars beauty products, household appliances, drones, etc. Anything goes it seems for Ive’s new company. We also know that Apple is going to be one of LoveFrom’s clients. What we don’t know is when Ive will make the jump. They didn’t give an exact date when he was leaving the company. But with this trademark filing, it seems Ive is pushing forward with his plans soon. 

Source: 9to5Mac