Window quickly closing for free Windows 10 upgrades on eligible PC's

Microsoft reminds us that we have two more days to update eligible Windows Windows 7 and Windows 8 machines to the free Windows 10 update.

This Friday, July 29^th marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of Windows 10. In the year since launch, consumers and businesses have installed Windows 10 on more the 350 million devices worldwide. It is also the end of the free upgrade grace period. Microsoft has given the world a whole year to upgrade and that window closes for good on the 29th.

Windows 10 users who have already upgraded and are enjoying the new features of the OS are getting the biggest update in a few days. The Windows 10 Anniversary update officially available August 2^nd, will bring all new features to Cortana, Microsoft Edge, Windows Ink, Windows Hello and to compatible devices. 

Windows users can visit Windows.ca to learn more or click on “Upgrade now” in the “Get Windows 10 app” on their PC to upgrade today.

Apple posts Q3 revenue of $42.4 billion and quarterly net income of $7.8 billion

Apple held its third quarter earnings call and reported revenue of $42.4 billion and quarterly net income of $7.8 billion, or $1.42 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $49.6 billion and net income of $10.7 billion, or $1.85 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.  A 15 per cent decline. Gross margin was 38 percent compared to 39.7 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 63 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

Apple's big earner was its services with the App Store growing in sales by 19 per cent, reflecting an all-time record. The shrinkage is expected to continue, despite a lot of anticipation for the upcoming iPhone refresh, the company projects its fourth-quarter sales between $45.5 billion and $47.5 billion, compared with $51.5 billion this period last year.

BlackBerry launches new Android device, the super-secure DTEK50

BlackBerry has just launched its new Android smartphone, the DTEK50, a 5.2-inch device with a 13 megapixel camera, running on a Qualcomm 8952 with 64 bit Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 (Snapdragon 617 Octa-Core, 64 bit) processors plus 3GB of RAM. Unlike the high-end PRIV launched last year, the DTEK50 has an on-screen keyboard and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It also has a quick-charge enabled 2610 mAh 4.4V non-removable Lithium Ion battery that's capable of  50% charge in 51 minutes.

DTEK50 encrypts all users’ information, including business critical data and personal data such as pictures, videos and contacts. Malware protection is also built-in along with back-up, wipe and restore capabilities. Additional software provides users with visibility and control over which apps get access to personal info or device features such as the microphone or camera. BlackBerry also delivers security patches on the same day that Google publicly releases information about them, which isn't the case with most other Android OEMs.

Starting today, DTEK50 is available to pre-order from ShopBlackBerry.com in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and The Netherlands for $299 USD. DTEK50 will be available in a number of channels around the world, including more than 40 partners from electronics stores, carriers, VARs and distributors. This includes Rogers, Bell, TELUS, WIND, Videotron and SaskTel among others in Canada. In the U.S., DTEK50 will initially be available in Best Buy, B&H and Amazon. Availability of DTEK50 in additional global channels and countries will be announced in the coming weeks.

LCBO offers online liquor sale and delivery service

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) announced that it is launching an online e-commerce website where people can purchase nearly 5,000 products and have them shipped to their home or a local LCBO store as part of their commitment to evolve the business and modernize its operations.

In the age of the Uber ride sharing service and Foodora which delivers food from various restaurants to homes and offices, the LCBO is making it easier for Ontarians to order their favourite wines, beers and spirits and have these delivered to their doorstep or at a nearby LCBO location. This move follows in the footsteps of what companies like Amazon have pioneered, giving consumers a wider range of choice and convenience than having to go to crowded LCBO retail outlets.

Moreover, 800 of the products will only be available online from lcbo.com. Delivery through Canada Post will cost $12 per order plus tax, while a $50 minimum applies to online orders shipped to specific LCBO stores. LCBO says they, together with Canada Post,  will ensure that online orders are only handled by and delivered to adults of legal drinking age. 

Source: LCBO via CBC