Near Share is an AirDrop-like feature coming to Windows 10

One of the best things about being an iOS and a Mac user are experiences like AirDrop (quick file transfers) and Continuity (start a taks on mobile, continue on a laptop or desktop). It looks like an update to Windows 10 called Near Share, will replicate AirDrop-like file sharing functionality between nearby PCs (or, theoretically, devices running Windows 10).

A feature like this is super convenient and allows you to share photos or files between nearby devices. I can see it being useful in meetings, in class and anytime you'd rather not use a USB thumbdrive or email files to someone that's sitting right next to you. We need more of these features as they are so useful and delightful and the technology already supports it. 

Apple Opens Everyone Can Code initiative to students globally

Apple today announced the global expansion of its Everyone Can Code initiative to more than 20 colleges and universities outside of the US. These schools will now offer the App Development with Swift Curriculum, a full-year course designed by Apple engineers and educators to teach coding and app design to students of all levels and backgrounds. Now hundreds of thousands of students from around the world gain the opportunity to become proficient in the Swift programming language and build the fundamental skills they need to pursue careers in the booming app economy. 

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As interest for Pokemon Go wanes, Niantic looks to bring AR-enabled Harry Potter game

Niantic took mobile users by storm with Pokemon GO which brought the first real example of AR (augmented reality) to the masses. While that game became one of the biggest and most downloaded titles, interest from the general publick has been waning for some time now and the company is looking for the next big hit.

What's bigger the the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? 

"We're incredibly excited to announce this next step in the evolution of AR mobile entertainment. With Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, players that have been dreaming of becoming real life Wizards will finally get the chance to experience J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. Players will learn spells, explore their real world neighborhoods and cities to discover & fight legendary beasts and team up with others to take down powerful enemies." Death eaters, Dementors, legendary wizards and witches are all going to be served up in muggle neighbourhoods as Niantic blends magic and high technology. The game is coming 2018.

Twitter’s 280 character limit upgrade now live for all users

What your timeline could possibly look like now with longer tweets

Watch out world, tweets are about to get longer. Or will they? Well, the option is there now officially. Twitter announced after its “successful” trial run in September, the update from 140 characters to 280 is now live for all users around the world—except for those that tweet in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, though. The change is said to be the company’s response to feedback it’s been getting to users. You should be able to tweet longer now or check if your app is the latest version.

The move though comes at a time when the service continues to be under fire for everything from the harassment users experience on its platform, to how it let propaganda that illegally influenced the US’s 2016 presidential election, and then there’s the tirade of said US President. The release of the 280 character update is said to be a diversion of sorts against the larger issues the platform faces, at least according to Kelley Heider, a crisis communications expert at SSPR, a public relations firm that often works with tech companies. "They change their narrative in the news cycle by responding to user feedback," she told CNET