Windows on Arm will support a lot more apps starting next month

• Microsoft has announced that 64-bit app emulation is coming to Windows on Arm next month.
• The feature will be offered to consumers in the Windows Insider program first.
• It allows users to run more legacy 64-bit Windows apps, such as games and editing tools.

---

The first Windows on Arm laptops and convertibles were released in 2018, offering Windows 10 on power-efficient Arm chips rather than legacy x64 silicon from Intel and AMD. Microsoft used emulation to allow 32-bit legacy apps to still run on Windows on Arm, but 64-bit app emulation hasn’t been possible until now.

Now, the Redmond company has announced (h/t: XDA-Developers) that it will indeed bring 64-bit app emulation to Windows on Arm next month. The company says users in the Windows Insider program will get the feature first, so users at large can expect to get it some time thereafter.

This was one of the biggest omissions from Windows on Arm up until now, as it meant that 64-bit only legacy apps such as several Adobe creative apps and numerous games simply wouldn’t work on these machines (although 64-bit Arm apps still worked). So those hoping to use Adobe Premiere Pro CS5, the 64-bit version of Photoshop, or wanting to play more games via Steam can theoretically do so, although performance, polish and power consumption remains to be seen.

There’s still more room for improvement though, especially when it comes to driver support on the Arm-powered platform. More specifically, Microsoft previously noted that drivers for hardware, games, and apps will only work if they’re designed for Windows on Arm. In other words, those reliant on legacy peripherals seem to be largely out of luck for now. But hopefully we see developments in this regard if Microsoft isn’t already focusing on this issue.

Nevertheless, our own Robert Triggs was pretty happy with the strides made by the platform in recent times. More specifically, he noted that even first-generation computers have delivered much improved 32-bit app emulation and a wider range of native apps. However, both Rob and our Gary Sims agree that price is still a major barrier of entry for Windows on Arm machines.

Next: Microsoft Surface Pro X review — All the pros and cons of Windows on Arm in one laptop

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/3naPgyO

PayMaya bank transfers via InstaPay still free until October 31!

PayMaya users still have a month before the PHP 10 fee on InstaPay transactions. It moved the date to November 1 instead of today.

PayMaya: No InstaPay fees till October 31

PayMaya moves start of InstaPay fee on November 1

The transaction fee will start on November 1 instead

In the meantime, PayMaya users can transfer money to bank accounts without worrying about the fees yet. However, come November 1, PayMaya will start charging a PHP 10 fee on InstaPay transactions. But, PayMaya to PayMaya money transfers will remain free.

According to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, PayMaya, along with GCash, has been thinking about the InstaPay transaction fee way before the pandemic. When COVID-19 hit, PayMaya decided to hold off on the fee. The BSP said that both PayMaya and GCash could've decided to start collecting transfer fees as early as January but thought against it.

Additionally, BSP explained that for the last months PayMaya amassed operating costs that need to be maintained. Each time you load up your PayMaya accounts different loading outlets charge PayMaya for it while the customers don't feel it.

Related: GCash, PayMaya, and others to add bank transfer fees starting October 1

What do you guys think?

Source: PayMaya via ABS-CBN

from GIZGUIDE | Your Gadget Coach https://ift.tt/34bh1OZ

Xiaomi’s Mi Smart Speaker is bass-heavy and surprisingly inexpensive

Amazon Echo and Google Nest (formerly known as Google Home) have mostly dominated the smart speaker space in India. These speakers are not exactly cheap by domestic standards in India. You’d have to spend anywhere between ₹3,500 ($47.50) to ₹5,000 ($68) to get their smallest speakers — namely, the Echo Dot and the Nest Mini. Xiaomi is aiming to take over that segment by offering better specs at an affordable price with its Mi Smart Speaker. The device is a spec-equivalent to the mid-sized Amazon Echo and Google Nest. Its introductory price is just ₹3,499($47.50), after which it’ll likely increase by a…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Xiaomi

from The Next Web https://ift.tt/3l0oOWz

Motorola Razr 5G is launching in India: What you need to know

Credit: Motorola

• The Motorola Razr 5G is heading to India.
• It will make its debut on October 5 and will be available through Flipkart.
• No pricing info has been released yet, but it could be India’s cheapest foldable phone.

---

After its global announcement in early September and its US launch earlier this week, the Motorola Razr 5G is now setting its sights on India.

The clamshell foldable phone will make its bow in the country as early as next week, according to Motorola India.

Infinitely Capable Quick View Display. Ultra-Premium Flip Design. Stunningly Compact. Unveiling on 5th Oct, 12 PM. #MinimalMeetsMaximal #Motorolarazr5G
Register now to know more https://t.co/hTyPLNjgsw pic.twitter.com/A6rmA7Kqx5

— Motorola India (@motorolaindia) September 30, 2020

On the face of it, it doesn’t seem Motorola will be nerfing features to fit any particular pricing niche in the Indian market. The 2.7-inch outer display is still present to guard the 6.2-inch folding screen, a design combo that has become the Razr’s calling card.

Although the company doesn’t confirm any other specs, we can likely expect the internals to remain the same, too. This should mean the return of the Snapdragon 765G chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Expect a 2,800mAh battery with 15W charging and a 48MP rear camera, too.

As for the price, we can only posit an educated guess for now. The Razr 5G made its global debut at $1,399 which would tip the phone’s Indian price just over the Rs 100,000 mark. Despite that six-digit figure, it could still be the cheapest foldable phone made available in the country. We’ve seen a slew of discounts in the US since its launch though, so it might follow a similar formula in India.

Thankfully, there’s not long to wait for confirmation. The Motorola Razr 5G will make its debut in the country on October 5, at 12 PM IST (2:30 AM ET), and will retail through Flipkart.

Next: The best foldable phones you can get

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/3n9qSxa

Google skipped Motion Sense on the Pixel 5, but it still has a future

• Google will use the Pixel 4’s Soli radar and Motion Sense gestures in the future.
• The company hasn’t confirmed if the tech is headed to phones.

---

Google is not done with its Soli radar chip and Motion Sense feature, even though it skipped them both on the Pixel 5. In an interview with The Verge, Google’s hardware chief Rick Osterloh said that Project Soli and Motion Sense gestures would return in the future.

Google introduced Motion Sense assisted by its Soli radar chip on the Pixel 4. The feature enables a bunch of hand gestures on the phone that allow you to control it without touching the screen. It may have seemed like a gimmick to some users, but our very own Jimmy Westenberg thought it a great addition.

The Soli chip also helped the Pixel 4 recognize your presence and quickly unlock the screen by engaging the necessary biometric sensors. Thanks to this, the Pixel 4 has one of the fastest face unlock systems in the market.

Also read: Soli on the Google Pixel 4: Here’s why it’s a good thing

The main problem was that the Pixel 4 could not be made available in many countries, including India, because of Soli. It requires access to the 60GHz mmWave frequency band which isn’t open for commercial use in many markets.

While Osterloh confirmed that the company would use the tech again in the future, he didn’t specify if it’ll appear on phones. However, a recent FCC filing suggests that Soli-based motion gestures could appear on an upcoming Nest Thermostat. Let’s wait and see what Google has in store.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/3n8zGDy