Microsoft stops support for Windows Phone 8.1

You can think of it as the end of an era but we just lost one of the major operating systems as Microsoft announced it has terminated support for Windows Phone 8.1. This version was the last iteration of Windows Phone before Microsoft made a switch to Windows 10 Mobile. Users who still use these devices will no longer get updates or technical support. Microsoft tried to bring the battle to Google and Apple but couldn’t seem to gain traction for its mobile OS. Now, we’re not sure about the future of Windows 10 Mobile either. Hopefully it doesn’t meet the same tragic fate so soon.

Source: Apple Insider

Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things 2’ gets earlier release date, comes to the service on October 27th

If you’re like us who has been waiting for the second season of Stranger Things to finally hit the service, you’ll be excited to find out that the show is coming back earlier than anticipated—at least by a few days. Netflix just announced that the ashow is coming back on October 27^th instead of the Halloween debut. We get to see a new poster for the new season, too. As The Verge’s Kwame Opam points out, the poster, which features the four boys and a scary looking monster from the first trailer, pays homage to classic Stephen King.

In the past the sci-fi horror has paid tribute to the likes of E.T., Firestarter, and Poltergiest. This time, it looks like they’re turning their attention to King. At least the artwork on the poster looks like artwork from King’s The Stand, Stand By Me, and The Mist. And that makes us extra excited for it.

Google Pixel XL 2 might get a ‘squeezable’ frame

If you’ve seen or heard of the HTC U11, you’ll be familiar with the device’s “squeezable” sides. HTC calls it Edge Sense, a feature that lets users squeeze the side of the smartphone to do things like turn on the flashlight, open the camera and take a photo, as well as launch Google Assistant. Something similar might be coming to the second iteration of the Google Pixel XL, except the device won’t be made my HTC. According to a leak from Android Police, it’ll supposedly be made by LG. The looks won’t stray too far from the original Pixel and it’ll still have a rear fingerprint sensor and a large single-lens camera.

The XL version is said to have a 6-inch LG-made display with 2:1 ratio, “minimal bezel,” and rounded corners. It might have a longer design with thinner side and top/bottom bezels. The squeezing part is said to trigger Google Assistant “in various ways.” There is no indication when the device will be released. And they also didn’t have any info on the smaller Google Pixel. But if Google follows last year’s launch, it could come out around October this year.

Source: MacRumors

Louis Vuitton outs first premium Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch

Louis Vuitton is the latest high-end fashion label to have its own Android Wear smartwatch. Called the Tambour Horizon, this premium smartwatch features a 1.2-inch 390 x 390 round AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, 521MB RAM, 4GB RAM, and 300mAh battery. Water resistance for the wearable is up to 30m. It also features a 42mm case and is 12.55mm thick. It’s covered by sapphire from front to back.

For the style part of the watch, Louis Vuitton is offering 60 different detachable straps for the Tambour Horizon. The fashion brand is introducing two of its own apps into this wearable, which are geared towards travelling. One is My Flight, which brings all your air travel information into one place. And the other is City Guide, which shows you recommendations and tips on the places you visit. Pricing for the Tambour Horizon starts at US$2,450 (around CA$3,160) for the stainless steel version. If you want the black model, that’ll cost US$2,900 (around CA$3740).

Source: GSMArena