Microsoft: Windows 10 running on 300 million devices, free upgrade offer ends on July 29

Windows 10 is well on its way to hitting its target 1 billion devices in 2-3 years with an install base of 300 million devices. Microsoft, which kickstarted Windows 10 adoption by making it available as a free upgrade to Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users says that the window for upgrading to the latest OS for free is closing on July 29th. Does this mean that Microsoft will then charge for Windows 10 upgrades after that date? The answer, unfortunately is yes, "After July 29th, you’ll be able to continue to get Windows 10 on a new device, or purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home for US $119," says Yusuf Mehdi / Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group.

So, if you've been on the fence about upgrading and if your PC can handle the OS, now maybe a good time to jump onboard.

Apple partners with SAP to better position iOS devices in enterprise

Apple and SAP are partnering on aiming "to revolutionize the mobile work experience for enterprise customers of all sizes," the companies are hoping to achieve this by combining powerful native apps for iPhone and iPad with the cutting-edge capabilities of the SAP HANA platform.

This joint effort will also deliver a new iOS software development kit (SDK) and training academy so that developers, partners and customers can easily build native iOS apps tailored to their business needs.

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National Geographic photographer uses Lumia 950 to capture the aurora

The Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL feature great cameras specifically tuned to shoot accurate and filmic images even in low-light. National Geographic photographer and Microsoft devices ambassador Stephen Alvarez decided to put the Lumia 950 to the test and capture aurora borealis as well as stunning vistas in the artic circle.

"As Microsoft’s Devices Ambassador, I knew Microsoft’s camera phone technology was advancing at a fantastic pace. Once I got the Lumia 950 in my hands, I was pretty sure it was capable of capturing a natural phenomenon that happens only at night," Stephen Alvarez explains. You can read about his technique, adventures as well as see his photos from the shoot right here.

IBM makes quantum computing available to the public via the cloud

IBM today opened up its cloud-powered quantum computing capability to the public. Because of this never done before move, researchers and scientists will have access and can run experiments on an IBM quantum processor connected to the cloud. They will be able to explore the vast possibilities of quantum computing, and help discover new applications for the technology that could lead to solving problems that are impossible to solve with today’s supercomputers. 

The cloud-enabled quantum computing platform, called IBM Quantum Experience, will allow users to run algorithms and experiments on IBM’s quantum processor, work with the individual quantum bits (qubits), and explore tutorials and simulations around what might be possible with quantum computing. 

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