Microsoft pulls testing of ads in Windows 10 email client

Yesterday news broke out that Microsoft was putting ads in its default Mail client on your PC. Users have spotted it in the beta test and in an FAQ from Microsoft that’s now been taken down, it was said to be a pilot program. But now the company has taken this test back. Microsoft communications head Frank Shaw said the company has decided to turn these ads off. Shaw said these were never meant to be tested broadly, which might seem strange with the presence of the FAQ. But perhaps the company has listened to complaints about the plan and these ads shouldn’t be showing up now.

This was an experimental feature that was never intended to be tested broadly and it is being turned off.

— Frank X. Shaw (@fxshaw) November 16, 2018

Source: The Verge

Tidal comes to Amazon Echo

If you’re using Tidal and own an Amazon Echo device, you’re going to love this new update. The Jay-Z-owned music streaming service is now available on Amazon Echo devices. You can access it via an Alexa skill, and, of course, you need a Tidal subscription for it to work. Tidal comes to the service using Amazon’s recently introduced Music Skill API, the company was able to build support for Alexa without needing to rely on Amazon’s help (which other streaming services had to do). Now, you can set it as your default Echo streaming service. However, of course, you’ll lose the optional hi-fi audio quality Tidal is known for because of the hardware limitations of the Amazon Echo. But who knows if a hi-fi version of the speaker comes out in the future? For now, Tidal is hoping you’ll love its curated playlists and this integration for you to stick with the service.

Source: The Verge

Final Cut Pro X gets updated with workflow extension functionality

Final Cut Pro X just received a huge update by way of workflow extensions that enable professional video editors to use third-party apps and services directly within the editing interface.

Workflow extensions match the look of Final Cut Pro and integrate tightly into the app, allowing editors to drag media into Final Cut Pro libraries, sync playback between extensions and timeline, add clip markers and more. 

Apple says, "these extensions make it easy to use popular tools that enhance post-production including review and approval with Frame.io, stock footage browsing and purchasing with Shutterstock and media asset management with CatDV. Workflow extensions can be downloaded free from the Mac App Store starting today. Additional third-party extensions for Final Cut Pro will be available on an ongoing basis."

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Google starts rolling out Call Screen to Pixel 2 and 2 XL in the US

One of the new handy features launched along side the Pixel 3 devices is a new Call Screen feature. This lets Assistant answer calls on your behalf and record messages for you. It’ll ask the caller to explain the reason for the call and pass this message on to you. You can even customize Assistant’s responses and even listen in on the call and decide if you want to answer or not. It’s a feature particularly useful for nuisance phone calls. Well now, the rollout for said feature is coming to some Pixel 2 and 2 XL devices in the US. Unfortunately, there is no word yet when it’s coming this way. But we’re hoping it’s sooner rather than later.

Source: Android Authority