Microsoft going after Apple's notebook market in the guise of offering education solution for students

Looking at the Surface Laptops, they look very much like machines that could fit Apple's notebook niche nicely. They're thin and light, geared towards style-conscious users (Burgundy notebook, sweet!), yet Microsoft claims they are more powerful than last year's MacBook Pros and they have better battery life while being thinner and lighter.

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft today held an education event where it launched various initiatives towards strengthening its position in the educational space. The introduced Windows 10 S, a secure version of Windows that relies purely on the Microsoft Store to download and manage apps. The laptops aren't coming to Canada until 'later this year'.

Microsoft also introduced their first bona fide notebook, the Surface Laptop, which starts at US $999, features Core i5 and i7 processors, a touch display for Pen input, 14-hours of battery life, a striking seamless premium design that incorporates unibody enclosure with a colourful cloth covered keyboards and a variety of sexy colours. While Windows 10 S, looks like a better option to Chrome OS, specially if it can run on low-priced (sub $400) notebooks built for education, the Surface Laptop is clearly Microsoft's latest thrust into Apple's notebook market.

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Leaks show Fitbit's new smartwatch and headphones

Fibit's first 'smartwatch' coming after its acquisition of Pebble seems to have been leaked along with the company's Bluetooth headphones. Possible an updated version of its Blaze fitness tracker, which looks like a smartwatch, the render shows a squarish watch with rose gold accents and possible removeable bands. The device is said to be sporting a GPS as well as Heart Rate monitor plus NFC for payments, which are all critical features of the Apple Watch. There's also talk of an app store just for this device which will be sold for $300.

Fitbit is also targetting the popular Bluetooth headphone market with what is expected to be a $150 pair of Bluetooth headfphones. While the design isn't all that exciting or new, it could well be a prototype with the final version looking more appealing. Personally, I am interested to see some of Pebble's design and software personality make it over to Fitbit. The fitness tracking and analytics is already peerless, the smartwatch aspect, not so much. Here's hoping Fitbit can leapfrog their previous attempts at merging both.

Microsoft's Surface Notebook leaks ahead of tomorrow's Education Event

Even Microsoft isn't immune to monumental product leaks as its awaited Surface Laptop seems to have been outed just a day before an education-focused event. Several renders of the new line of notebookswere shared on Twitter by @WalkingCat hours ago. 

This is Microsoft's first true Notebook (the Surface Book is a 2-in-1), and it appears to be a 13.5-inch laptop in classic clamshell fashion. Judging from the photos, the Surface Notebook is a cross between the Surface Book and the various Type Cover keyboards of the Surface Pro 4. The leaks state 4 colours (Platinum/Burgundy/Cobalt Blue/Graphite Gold), Alcantara-covered keyboards and Windows S.

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Apple Watch helps student call 911 after rollover accident

The Apple Watch has the ability to call 911 when you press its button for six seconds and this feature helped save  Casey Bennett, a student after his car rolled over and his iPhone was out of reach. 

“I was trying to figure out if I could get out, and I was like nope, you’re just going to have to hang out here,” Bennett said.

It was then that he pushed one button on his Apple Watch.

“I just pressed down this side button on here for six seconds and it called 911,” Bennett said.

Not only did the Apple Watch call 911, which allowed Bennett to get assistance quickly and it also enabled the SOS feature which notified his parents. Emergency SOS sends your current location including updates over time when activated.