Tag: Windows Central

7 common PC gaming mistakes people make

Let’s be honest. Gaming consoles can be really cool, but PC gaming is where the best gaming experience is really at. Laptops and computers tend to offer more customization options, and games can run ultra-smooth if you have the right hardware.  But because there are so many variables, it’s common for many PC gamers to…
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Turtle Beach’s new Stealth Pro gaming headset can cancel up to 25dB of background noise

What you need to know The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro gaming headset is now available for preorder. The headset features 25dB noise cancelation, dual built-in microphones, and a removable TruSpeak boom mic that can reduce background noise. The Stealth Pro costs $330 and will start shipping on April 23, 2023. Turtle Beach just unveiled its…
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How to use Bing Image Creator on Android and iOS

Following on from the launch of Bing Chat, the GPT4-powered AI chatbot, Microsoft has added image creation as its next step in the tool. Bing Image Creator makes use of DALL-E to create artwork based on a set of text prompts.  It’s incredibly powerful and has now rolled out to Bing Chat users on both…
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This Diablo 4 map reveals just how big the full game will be

The past couple of weeks I’ve been wholly addicted to Diablo 4, a hellish action RPG from Blizzard.  Already shaping up to be one of the best Xbox games and best PC games of 2023, I’ve found myself truly staggered by the scale of the game’s world, the absurdly high-quality visuals, and the bleak and…
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Yet another major regulator has ruled in favor of the Xbox, Activision-Blizzard merger

What you need to know Microsoft is attempting to purchase Activision-Blizzard for a massive $69 billion dollars.  The transaction for the Call of Duty maker has been under heavy scrutiny with regulators across the globe.  Another potential hurdle has been cleared, with Japan’s Fair Trade Commission tentatively ruling in favor of the deal.  Japan is…
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U.S. Congress reps have accused PlayStation of paying to block Xbox games in Japan

What you need to know Microsoft is trying to buy Activision-Blizzard for $69 billion dollars, with regulators across the world investigating how it may impact competition.  Sony PlayStation has been a vocal opponent of the deal, and has sought to frustrate or block the merger.  However, U.S. congress members are now asking why Sony, a…
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Valve is ending support for Steam on these Windows versions

What you need to know Steam is the world’s most popular PC gaming platform, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.  Valve, who owns Steam, just offered an update about which versions would remain supported.  Users on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 have been urged to upgrade to Windows 10 or 11 to continue…
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Windows Central Podcast #305: No new Surface PCs this spring

We’re back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and on this week’s episode, Dan and Zac discuss the Windows 11 news and the ‘aCropalypse’ bug, what to expect from Surface this spring, the latest developments with Bing Chat AI, preview Microsoft Loop, and more! Links Hosts: Find us elsewhere: This post was…
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Valve has bad news for CS:GO players trying to get Counter-Strike 2 beta test access

What you need to know Valve announced Counter-Strike 2 last week, and then pushed a beta-like Limited Test for the game live shortly afterward. The company informed fans that players with Steam accounts in good standing and lots of recent CS:GO playtime have a better chance of getting access to the test sooner. This prompted…
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RODE introduces Wireless ME: Ultra-compact 2.4GHz mics compatible with Windows and mobile

What you need to know The RØDE Wireless ME is a follow-up to its clip-on Wireless GO range of wearable microphones. Both rechargeable 2.4GHz transmitter and receiver units feature broadcast-quality mics capable of recording from up to 100m for up to 7hrs. Available in the US for $149 MSRP from Amazon and B&H Photo, with…
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Microsoft Teams Avatars are here to let you take a break from being on camera

What you need to know Avatars for Microsoft Teams are now in public preview. The 3-D animated models allow users to express themselves during a video call or meeting without having to be on camera. Microsoft has improved the look of avatars and added new customization options since avatars launched in private preview in October…
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Forza Horizon 5 embraces the darkness with ‘Midnights at Horizon’ Series update

What you need to know Forza Horizon 5 is a live service, open-world racing game from Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios. On Monday, the studio announced Series 19 “Midnights at Horizon,” the next Series update coming to the game. The update will bring four new cars, extended nighttime, plenty of night-related challenges and events,…
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Ubisoft no longer attending E3 2023, now holding separate showcase in June

What you need to know E3 2023 is currently scheduled to be held in June 2023, with the show returning in a physical format after being absent since 2019.  One of the biggest gaming publishers offically signed on for the show was Ubisoft.  Ubisoft has now pulled out of E3 2023, and will be holding…
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This Resident Evil 4 Remake mod gives Leon waist ink and lets him show it off, too

What you need to know Even though Resident Evil 4 Remake has only been out for just a few days, fan-made mods for the game are already appearing on sites like Nexus Mods. One of these, created by user TrieuPham, gives the game’s protagonist, Leon Kennedy, a flashy lower back tattoo and a crop top…
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Govee AI gaming sync box kit hands-on: The immersive lighting I always wanted them to make

Govee has been manufacturing some of the best RGB solutions for years, but it’s never quite nailed what I wanted the most: reactive lighting. At least, that’s what I call it, without naming a fairly obvious competitor. Beaming colors from the edge of your monitor during gaming is a jaw-dropping effect when it’s done right,…
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New Microsoft Teams promises double the speed and a fresh look

What you need to know Microsoft just announced a new version of Microsoft Teams. It is up to two times faster than the previous version of Teams while using 50% less memory. The new Teams also received a visual overhaul that makes it look like a native app on Windows 11. Microsoft just unveiled a…
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Skip one of the hardest fights in Resident Evil 4 Remake with this clever tactic

Resident Evil 4 Remake was released on March 24, and fans of the original 2005 game, and newcomers to the Resident Evil 4 story have been enjoying Leon and Ashley’s battle against rowdy farmers and Las Plagas.  The remake has been a triumph and really displays beautifully what next-gen gaming is capable of. Not only…
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Google Bard and Bing Chat made it look like I shared fake news

Google launched its chatbot Bard last week. For a moment if you asked the chatbot about itself, it would claim that it had already been shut down by Google. The mistake led to a saga that included two AI-powered chatbots sourcing incorrect information to each other. I found myself at the center of this series…
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Windows 11 Snipping Tool ‘aCropalypse’ bug fixed with emergency update from Microsoft

What you need to know Windows 11’s Snipping Tool has an issue that makes it possible to recover information that has been cropped from images. The bug is similar to a situation referred to as “aCropalypse” that affects Google Pixel phones. Microsoft has released an emergency fix for the issue. The Snipping Tool on Windows…
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Life by You is challenging The Sims 4 by tempting its modders

For years, Sims 4 superfans have grudgingly spent hundreds of dollars on expansions, packs, and kits — or subscribed to the Patreons of modders that add new Sims 4 features and designs — trying to make it a little more “real.” No proper life sim has emerged to supplant it, and fans suspect the upcoming…
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Everything new for Bing Chat: DALL-E images, knowledge cards, AI-generated stories, and more

What you need to know Bing Chat recently gained the ability to generate images using an advanced version of the DALL-E model from OpenAI. Microsoft also added a new version of knowledge cards and AI-generated stories to Bing Chat last week. Several fixes shipped to Bing Chat preview as well. Bing Chat gained the ability…
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Microsoft may be killing off this amazing Xbox Game Pass deal

What you need to know Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s pay-monthly subscription service offering hundreds of games and access to Xbox cloud streaming. Since it launched in 2017, new users were offered a month for just $1.  Over the weekend, users began to notice that the promo offering seems to have come to an end. …
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A hellish Humble Bundle of Diablo lore to keep you entertained until June

The hour of Diablo 4 Open Beta being no more is fast approaching, leaving us bereft and hungry for more. We have an agonizing wait until June 6 for the full release, but if you want to know more about the world of Sanctuary, we’ve found a fantastic deal that will satiate your Diablo 4…
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Diablo 4: Rogue skill tree, all attacks and abilities

Sharpen your knives and mix your poisons with the sneakiest class in Blizzard’s hack-and-slash role-playing game. Diablo 4 features five classes at launch. If you’re a player that wants to deal heavy critical damage using poisons and knives, the Rogue will be the one to choose. Rogue’s abilities are powered by Energy, using agility to…
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The one Diablo 4 tip I wish I knew before I started playing

Recently, players finally got an opportunity to try out Diablo 4, the latest entry in Blizzard’s iconic hack-and-slash franchise, thanks to the arrival of its beta. In it, both the Prologue and Act 1 of the game’s campaign are playable, as are each of its classes. As they make their way to the beta’s level…
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How to disable Bing Chat on Microsoft Edge

On Windows 11 and 10 and supported platforms, Microsoft Edge now has a “Discover”  feature that integrates directly into the Bing Chat experience.  When you click the button with the Bing logo on the top-right, a flyout will appear to use the chatbot to answer complex questions, generate draft emails and other types of content…
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Diablo 4: World Tiers explained and how to change difficulty

Like previous games in Blizzard’s beloved hack-and-slash ARPG series, Diablo 4 features multiple different difficulty options that players can switch between as they play. This time around, they’re called World Tiers, and each one has a significant impact on both the difficulty of the enemies you’ll face and the rewards that can drop when completing…
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Diablo 4: How to play with friends in multiplayer co-op

Diablo 4 is a blast when you’re on your own, but it’s even better when you team up with friends — and we’re not talking about Necromancer summons. Indeed, much like the series’ past hack-and-slash ARPGs, Diablo 4 has been designed from the ground up with multiplayer co-op play in mind. The game’s five different…
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Diablo 4 full interactive map: All dungeons, side quests, cellars, and more

Diablo IV is a huge action RPG from Blizzard, known for mega franchises like World of Warcraft and StarCraft. The fourth installment of the legendary series is finally here, and data miners have been hard at work uncovering the game’s map, which is suitably expansive.  Diablo IV is something of a “soft” MMO, complete with…
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Diablo 4: How to salvage gear and items

Like many other hack-and-slash ARPGs, Diablo 4 showers you with weapons, armor pieces, and other types of gear as you explore the demon-infested world of Sanctuary. However, while some of these may be an improvement over what you already have equipped, there’s a good chance that many of these drops will be worthless junk. These…
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Diablo 4: Necromancer skill tree, all attacks and abilities

Ready to create your own mini-army in Blizzard’s latest big adventure? Diablo 4 has five classes to choose from, and the Necromancer returns as one of these playable archetypes. Necromancers raise the dead, using blood, bone, and shadow to weave together terrible attacks while skeletons rise and mob enemies. I’ve put together a guide on…
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Microphones on gaming headsets suck and that needs to change

I don’t use a gaming headset anymore. It’s not that I don’t like them, there are some that are just incredible. The Razer BlackShark V2 is still my favorite, despite having been launched some time ago now. But I don’t get anything extra from a gaming headset over a regular pair of headphones.  Why is…
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Microsoft News Roundup: Google Bard vs. Bing Chat, Microsoft Loop, Windows 11 SSD bug, Dell UltraSharp 49, and more

Microsoft has so many teams that it can be tricky to keep track of all the news that the company breaks. Luckily for you, we gather together the biggest news stories from the world of Microsoft into a handy roundup each week. Bing Chat, Microsoft Loop, and a Windows 11 SSD bug made the headlines…
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Razer Blade 18 review: Extreme portable gaming without compromising iconic aesthetics

PC gaming hardware grows evermore gigantic each year, with monstrous desktop graphics cards demanding full-size tower cases with plenty of breathing room. For anyone looking for the best gaming laptop instead, compact variants often compromise performance in favor of portability. However, it seems manufacturers this year are turning the tables with a resurgence of 18″…
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Resident Evil 4 remake: List of Clockwork Castellans and where to find them

Ready to find and smash even more small collectibles across a new horror experience?  The past several Resident Evil games have featured small bobbleheads or figurines that players can find and destroy, and the Resident Evil 4 remake is no exception. In this game, these small clacking figures take the form of Clockwork Castellans, a…
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This Destiny 2 raid armor looked so lewd that Bungie had to patch it

What you need to know A Destiny 2 armor piece from the new Root of Nightmares raid, the Warlock’s Bond of Detestation looked very…suggestive. Players have made jokes about the armor piece since the raid came out earlier this month, even giving it a raunchy and explicit nickname. In response to the community’s reaction to…
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How to play Diablo 4 on Steam Deck

Set to be one of the hottest games of 2023, Diablo 4 (opens in new tab) is getting fans excited. If the open beta is anything to go by, it’s a real game of the year contender, too. Better still, it’s going to be available to play on PC and console, just as with its…
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Save $150 on Samsung’s curved 27″ Odyssey 240Hz QHD monitor for ultra-immersive gaming

Samsung’s Odyssey gaming monitors are synonymous with quality in the PC gaming scene, offering a range of variants, many with curved screens and high-end specs. The Odyssey G65B is no exception, flaunting a QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution over a 1000R curvature, supporting up to 240Hz refresh rates with as little as 1 ms response…
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UK regulator narrows concerns on Microsoft’s Activision deal for Xbox

What you need to know Microsoft is currently in the process of acquiring Activision Blizzard for almost $69 billion.  The deal is facing regulatory scrutiny around the world, particularly from the CMA in the U.K, the FTC in the U.S, and the European Commission.  The CMA previously indicated in its provisional findings that Microsoft could…
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How to share files and printers without HomeGroup on Windows 10

On Windows 10, HomeGroup was a feature to simplify the process of sharing resources across a small network with other users. However, since the feature has been removed, you now have to use different methods to share files, folders, and printers with other users. Some of these methods include Nearby sharing, OneDrive, and the more…
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Blizzard: Prepare for large Diablo 4 beta queues

What you need to know The Diablo 4 Open Beta runs from March 24-26 for all players, and the first day of last weekend’s Beta was wrought with long queue times. Blizzard has asked eager players to be patient as they expect unprecedented traffic on the servers when the Open Beta goes live later today.…
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Flash Sale on Samsung SSDs, going fast.

Samsung currently has a flash deal on its ultra-popular SSD units, with up to 20% off the Samsung 870 EVO and 980 models. Samsung is cream of the crop when it comes to SSDs and both these drives feature in our top SSDs reviewed by the team. You can check out our in-depth review of…
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Resident Evil 4 remake: List of weapons and where to find them

Lock and load, Leon. Against the horrors that the Los Plagas have unleashed, it’s just you.  Players going into the Resident Evil 4 remake will be taking on a wide variety of different monsters and foes. As such, it’s only fitting that you respond in kind with every weapon and trick possible. I’ve rounded up…
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Resident Evil 4 remake: List of enemies and bosses

For many people, Capcom’s iconic story of Leon Kennedy looking for the president’s daughter is permanent knowledge.  For newcomers however, you may be wondering just what kinds of foes await in the Resident Evil 4 remake. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. I’ve rounded up all the horrors that await, big and small, in roughly…
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Resident Evil 4 remake: How to maximize treasure and get the Astute Appraiser achievement

The Resident Evil 4 Remake is here, and its a lot of fun. If you’ve already scoured our list of weapons in the game, you’ll next want to know how you can afford the purchasable firearms, and upgrade them to their full potential. You’re going to need a lot of coins, and we’re here to…
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Resident Evil 4 remake: How to deface Ramón’s portrait

The vendor requests in the Resident Evil 4 Remake are pretty straightforward, shoot some blue medallions, put an end to a rat infestation, and sell some snakes to name a few. I completed most without issue until I came to the request titled Disgrace of the Salazar Family. I puzzled over this one for a…
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Resident Evil 4 remake: All Requests and where to find them

If you’ve come here, you’re likely working your way through the Resident Evil 4 Remake and have happened upon one of the new additions to the game, Requests. These straggly bits of blue paper are pinned all over the areas in the game, detailing various jobs the Merchant wants you to take care of. Your…
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Diablo 4 Ashava boss guide: Spawn times, location, and how to beat

One of the deadliest enemies you can challenge in the Diablo 4 Open Beta is Ashava the Pestilent, a massive demonic creature with an extremely thick HP bar and devastating area-of-effect and poison attacks. Since she’s a world boss, you won’t be able to defeat her with a traditional four-man party. Instead, you’ll need to…
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During trade talks with Japan, a U.S. senator called out PlayStation’s ‘monopoly,’ defending Xbox

What you need to know The United States and Japan are currently in talks to expand co-operation in various areas.  One of those areas is trade, and during a Senate trade hearing, Washington senator Maria Cantwell raised the issue of competition between Xbox and PlayStation in the region.  Using the FTC’s “high-end” console market designation,…
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OpenAI’s ChatGPT is ‘only possible’ with Microsoft Azure, says Microsoft

In a new blog post, Microsoft waxed lyrical about its massive Azure cloud, scaled up to meet the specific demands of OpenAI.  A few years ago, Microsoft entered into a massive partnership with OpenAI, a team at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence research. The company, perhaps ironically named now, entered into something of a…
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Dell’s new UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor puts two 27-inch displays inside one screen

What you need to know Dell recently announced its UltraSharp 49 Curved USB-C Hub Monitor. The monitor can be split into two 27-inch displays that sit side-by-side on a single screen. The monitor will be available on March 27, 2023 for $2,000. Dell just announced the UltraSharp 49 Curved USB-C Hub Monitor. The accessory features…
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Windows 11’s search box can contrast with the Taskbar in latest Insider build

What you need to know Microsoft just shipped Windows 11 Insider Preview Build s22621.1470 and 22624.1470 to the Beta Channel. The builds include the option to have the search box in light mode while the Taskbar is in dark mode. Microsoft is on a spree when it comes to sharing Insider builds of Windows 11.…
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Microsoft starts testing next evolution of Windows 11 widgets

What you need to know Microsoft just rolled out Windows 11 Build 25324 to Insiders in the Canary Channel. The update improves the widgets board, including support for three columns on certain devices. A new USB4 Settings page and several other improvements also ship with the update. Windows 11 Build 25324 just shipped to Insiders…
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Best tips for Bing Chat on desktop and mobile

The new Bing experience with ChatGPT integration is an amazing tool that will drastically change how we search and get answers online. However, the chatbot can only be useful if you know how to make the most of it.  Although getting started with Bing Chat is as easy as typing your questions in natural language…
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Dell’s new Precision workstations and 2-in-1 Latitude laptops are powerful and eco-friendly

What you need to know Dell has announced all-new commercial laptops for its business-focused Latitude and Precision workstation ranges. Alongside its ultra-premium Latitude 9440, Dell introduces additions to the 7000 series, including ultralight variants and new 5000 series laptops made with sustainable materials. Targeting the commercial creative market, the latest Dell Precision workstations support up…
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I asked Bing Chat to write a memorial for Windows Phone and the result was pure poetry

Bing Chat is a lot of fun to use. Personally, it was the killer feature that made me switch from using Google Search entirely. But beyond being useful for web search, it’s actually just fun to see what else it can do.  Whether that’s playing a game of Skyrim, or, in this case, asking it…
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WhatsApp for Windows just got a new desktop app that’s faster and supports video calls with eight people

What you need to know Meta just launched a new WhatsApp app for Windows. The app supports video calls with up to eight people, audio calls with up to 32 people, and is faster than previous WhatsApp experiences on Windows. WhatsApp also received an update this week that added new controls for admins of communities…
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How to manage email and account settings on Windows 10

Although signing in with a Microsoft account makes it easier to access additional benefits, such as the ability to sync settings, preferences, and files across devices without additional configuration on Windows 10, you still have to configure access manually for apps and services using a different account. However, if you use multiple services with different…
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Best Procreate alternatives for Windows

Procreate is many artists’ go-to drawing program, but since it’s only available for iPad and iPhone, it’s not something that Windows users can easily gain access to. Fortunately, plenty of other amazing drawing apps on the market can work just as well as Procreate, if not better than it.  As with Procreate, the drawing programs…
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Lenovo’s new LOQ lineup delivers tech from Legion to more affordable gaming PCs

What you need to know Lenovo just launched a sub-brand called LOQ that focuses on delivering a solid gaming experience at a more affordable price. The company unveiled Lenovo LOQ 15 and 16-inch laptops as well as the LOQ Tower desktop PC. The laptops will be available with either Intel or AMD CPUs and NVIDIA…
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New Lenovo Legion lineup includes one of the first laptops with Wi-Fi 7

What you need to know Lenovo just announced the 8th generation of its Lenovo Legion Slim laptops. The Lenovo Slim 7i and Slim 7 are among the first laptops to ship with support for Wi-Fi 7. The Legion Slim 7i, Legion Slim 7, Legion Slim 5i, Legion Slim 5, and Legion Slim 5 (14-inch) are…
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A purr-fect deal, 30% off the Razer Kraken Kitty RGB gaming headset

Having recently reviewed the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro, and admiring it’s pawsitive features, it’s come to our attention that the previous model Razer Kraken Kitty RGB USB Headset is available for a meow-nificent discount. You can now buy the Razer Kraken Kitty headset for $99 taking it to half the price of its successor.…
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Confirmed: Microsoft killed the PlayStation version of Redfall for Xbox exclusivity

What you need to know Redfall is an upcoming Xbox and PC game from ZeniMax’s Arkane.  Microsoft acquired ZeniMax back in 2021, and noted that it would be making games exclusive on a case-by-case basis. One of those games seems to have been Redfall, which Arkane confirmed in an interview was also in development for…
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Windows 11 adds new USB4 Settings page for Insiders to help manage peripherals

What you need to know Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23419 is now available through the Dev Channel. The build includes a new USB4 hubs and devices Settings page and a new developer tool for collecting live kernel memory dumps. Microsoft recently announced major changes to the Dev Channel for Insiders. Microsoft recently rolled out…
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Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 facial animation tech shown at State of Unreal 2023

What you need to know Ninja Theory, one of the teams under Xbox Game Studios, is currently working on Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, a follow-up to the 2017 critical hit Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.  At the 2023 State of Unreal showcase hosted by Epic Games, Ninja Theory shared a new look at the facial animation technology…
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Is Sony asking for PlayStation VR support as a concession in the Xbox-Activision deal?

An interesting snippet in the most recent Xbox-Activision regulatory responses may offer a glimpse at how Sony is angling to get at least something out of the big Microsoft acquisition.  Indeed, Microsoft is trying to purchase Activision-Blizzard, known for games like Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and Warcraft. Most regulators and industry figures are positive…
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Valve reveals Counter-Strike 2, launching later in Summer 2023

What you need to know The original Counter-Strike released back in 1999 as a mod for Half-Life before the developers were hired by Valve.  Since then, Counter-Strike has been one of the most popular multiplayer games in the world.  Valve revealed that Counter-Strike 2 is finally coming, and is planned to launch later in the…
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Microsoft Loop brings together all of Microsoft 365 into shared workspaces, and it’s available in preview

What you need to know Microsoft Loop is now available in preview. Loop brings together Microsoft 365 content into workspaces and pages that can be shared. Content within Loop can be shared across Microsoft 365 apps and stay in sync across those services. Microsoft Loop is now available in preview (opens in new tab). The…
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Xbox going green(er) with new sustainability toolkit for game devs

What you need to know On Wednesday, Xbox announced a new Developer Sustainability Toolkit for game designers to help reduce Xbox gaming’s impact on the environment. This new tool allows developers to identify energy inefficiencies in their games so they can be improved upon without negatively affecting the playing experience.  Ubisoft and 343 Industries collaborated…
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The Surface Pro 9 5G is not the Surface Pro X successor I was hoping for

I’ve never really been a huge fan of the Surface Pro line. I always preferred the Surface Book or Surface Laptop over the 2-in-1 tablet-first form factor from Microsoft. That was, until the Surface Pro X came along in 2019. The design of the Surface Pro X was the first to really tempt me away…
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Redfall developer Arkane is working to remove the always online requirement

What you need to know Redfall is an upcoming open-world immersive shooter from Arkane Austin.  Arkane has received pushback for making the game always-online.  Studio head Harvey Smith confirmed the developers are looking into ways to disable this always-online functionality.  Redfall is scheduled to launch on May 2, 2023.  While the next big game from…
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Windows 11 Snipping Tool can leak vulnerable information you cropped out

What you need to know The Windows 11 Snipping Tool has a vulnerability that can share data and details that have been cropped out of screenshots. Information that has been cropped out of images can be at least partially restored. The vulnerability is similar to what has been discovered with the screenshot tool in Google…
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Google Bard says it’s ‘already shut down’ in obvious mistake

What you need to know Google launched its AI chatbot Bard in public preview this week. The chatbot incorrectly said it had already been shut down. The obvious error is due to Bard sourcing information from the web. Issues like this are common with AI that relies on Large Language Models, including Bard and the…
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Last chance to buy these EA games before they’re gone forever

Update, 4:55 p.m. ET: Electronic Arts has adjusted the announcement for the games being delisted, and it appears Mirror’s Edge is no longer being removed alongside the three Battlefield games.  Original story: What you need to know Electronic Arts is delisting four games from the Xbox 360 and PS3 generation in the coming weeks.  Battlefield…
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Don’t miss out on the best Steam Sale deals going on now for PC and Steam Deck

The only thing the Windows Central gaming team loves more than playing video games is getting them at a discount and one of the best times to do that is during Valve’s Steam Sale. There are four major Steam Sales each year and each offers hundreds of the best PC game discounts across every genre.…
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Review: Alienware 720H Dual-Mode Wireless Gaming Headset would be perfect if not for one glaring issue

Having a comfortable and reliable headset is important for any gamer who plays online multiplayer titles, which is why I’m always interested in checking out the latest gaming accessories. Over the last two weeks, I’ve been testing the Alienware 720H Dual-Mode Wireless Gaming Headset, which Dell prices at $160 USD. It’s extremely comfortable, offers fun…
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You can now test Google Bard, the latest competitor to Bing Chat powered by ChatGPT

What you need to know Google’s new AI-powered Chatbot, Bard, is now available in preview. Google states that Bard can “boost your productivity, accelerate your ideas, and fuel your curiosity.” Bard will compete with Microsoft’s newly announced Bing Chat powered by ChatGPT. Google just made the next move in the ongoing AI battle between tech…
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ID@Xbox announces new program to bring even more great indies to Xbox

What you need to know ID@Xbox is a program at Xbox that helps developers create and publish their games on Xbox platforms. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of ID@Xbox, with the program announcing some major milestones. Since its inception, ID@Xbox has helped publish over 3,000 games, and works with more than 5,000 developers in…
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Redfall preorders: Bonuses, Bite Back Edition, and where to buy

The next big game from Arkane Studios is nearly here, so if you want to be ready to dive in on day one, I’ve got everything you need to know.  Redfall is an upcoming game developed by Arkane Austin and published under the Bethesda Softworks branch of Xbox. Redfall has players teaming up or playing…
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Windows 11 March 2023 Patch Tuesday update may cut your SSD speed in half

What you need to know The Windows 11 March 2023 Patch Tuesday update started rolling out last week. The update includes several improvements for the OS. It also appears to have a bug that can cause SSD speeds to drop dramatically. Microsoft shipped the Windows 11 March 2023 Patch Tuesday update last week. The update…
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I paid Razer $70 just to hold my gaming headset — And I’d do it again

I did it. I bought the Razer headset stand. Sorry, not headset stand — it’s the Razer Base Station V2 Chroma, because it’s not just a headset stand… It’s a way of life. Alright, I admit, that’s a little dramatic. Still, it’s all-too easy to poke fun at the prospect of spending a cent under…
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Bing Chat AI can now generate images in addition to text, just by asking for it

What you need to know Microsoft has announced that Bing AI can now generate images based on natural language prompts. Using the Bing Image Creator, powered by DALL-E, users can now simply ask Bing to generate any image they like. The new functionality is rolling out in waves, starting today. Microsoft continues to enhance its…
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Adobe Express for Enterprise announced to make content for businesses

What you need to know Adobe Express is a content creation tool, previously known as Adobe Spark, that makes it easy to create various marketing materials or social media posts regardless of skill level.  On Tuesday during Adobe Summit in Las Vegas, Adobe Express for Enterprise was announced to help anyone at any business create…
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How to get started with Bing Chat on mobile

If you have already tried the new Bing integration with ChatGPT on the web or the integration on Microsoft Edge, it’s now the time to try it out on your Android or iPhone device. The experience available through mobile devices isn’t much dissimilar from what’s already available. The only difference is that you’re required to…
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Grab an RTX 3080 bargain with this discounted Alienware Aurora R14 desktop

The RTX 3080 was once one of the hottest graphics cards on the market. It was difficult to find and when you did see one in stock, it was well above MSRP. The GPU scene has changed since that card launched and NVIDIA has since released its RTX 40-Series GPUs. But the fact that newer…
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Windows Central Podcast #304: Office AI Copilot and cheap Windows on ARM laptops

We’re back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and on this week’s episode, Dan and Zac discuss Microsoft Office’s new AI ‘Copilot’, OpenAI unveiling GPT-4, Dell’s shockingly affordable Windows on ARM laptop, review the HP Dragonfly Pro, and more! Links Indeed: Hire better with Indeed. Visit indeed.com/wcp to start hiring now. Hosts:…
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Minecraft is so big even its mods get more downloads than most AAA games

What you need to know The Betweenlands is a hugely popular Minecraft: Java Edition mod released back in 2016. On Monday, the team behind the mod announced that The Betweenlands has passed over 20 million downloads. This is a huge milestone that surpasses even major AAA game launches, with the mod continuing to grow in…
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Even in beta, it’s clear to me that Diablo 4 is game of the year material

The Diablo 4 early access beta has ended. Thousands of demons have been slain, hundreds of players have been squashed by The Butcher, and many bug reports were filed. While pockets of the internet debate and wade into full-blown arguments over Diablo 4’s finer details, as I sit here I am elated.  Diablo 4 was…
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Microsoft brings GPT-4 to healthcare professionals with DAX Express

What you need to know Nuance, which is owned by Microsoft, just announced a new AI tool for healthcare professionals. Dragon Ambient eXperience Express automates clinical documentation by using conversational AI and OpenAI’s GPT-4. The tool can draft clinical notes within seconds, which can then be reviewed by a medical professional. Microsoft just announced a…
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Revolutionize your digital art with Stability AI’s Photoshop plugin

What you need to know Stability Diffusion is a popular text-to-image AI generator that can create photorealistic images and digital art. The Stability AI plugin from Stability Fusion works with Adobe Photoshop and allows Photoshop users to quickly add new AI-generated effects, edits, or elements within a document. This fast ability to edit or create…
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Respawn Entertainment expands Apex Legends support with new Wisconsin studio

What you need to know Respawn Entertainment is expanding with a new studio located in Madison, Wisconsin in the U.S. This is the third studio to be part of Respawn Entertainment, in addition to the Los Angeles and Vancouver, Canada teams.  The Wisconsin studio will primarily be focused on supporting Apex Legends.  This comes just…
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Bing Chat Edition — ambitious but brief

I’m sure most of you know about ChatGPT by now. It’s that buzzword floating around conversations whenever the topic changes to AI, whether it’s Microsoft’s Bing Chat (opens in new tab) or one of its competitors; there are plenty of exciting uses for digital assistants. Plenty of people had demonstrated creative uses for manipulating the…
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Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro PC headset review: Being a gamer never looked so good

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro is one of the tech company’s latest additions to its vast, sometimes confusing gaming headset range. A prime example of being greater than the sum of its parts, the Kitty V2 Pro offers a unique blend of high-quality sound, a dependable design, and a highly customizable, adorable aesthetic; while…
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How to set a new default account in Outlook

On Microsoft Outlook, when you have multiple email accounts, the first account you configure during the initial setup will dictate many of the default settings. When composing a new email, the app will use the address of the mailbox you’re viewing as the default to send the message. However, if you tend to use a…
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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor story trailer delivers more action and adventure

What you need to know Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts have shared a new story trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The story trailer shows Cal, alongside his friends Greez, Cere, and Merrin, as they all try to resist the strength of the Galactic Empire.  The trailer also shows combat in some new areas, as…
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Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer talks ‘huge opportunity’ for Xbox mobile store, which may arrive in 2024

What you need to know Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently offered additional comments on how Microsoft aims to build a mobile Xbox storefront following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.  Spencer points to the upcoming Digital Markets Act as a “huge opportunity,” as the act will change rules around how the largest companies in mobile…
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Windows 11 on Surface Duo project just got an update focused on the Surface Slim Pen

What you need to know The Windows 11 on Surface Duo project just received an update to version 2303.64. The update adds the ability to update the Surface Slim Pen charger by plugging it into the Surface Duo with a USB-C cable. The setup now supports DisplayPort through USB-C as well. Microsoft doesn’t make a…
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Samsung S95B, one of the best TVs for Xbox and PS5, is near Black Friday pricing

The Samsung S95B is one of the best TVs for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. It has the high-end specs you need to enjoy the best Xbox games and it even has Xbox Cloud Gaming built-in, so you don’t even need a console or PC to play. Thanks to a current deal,…
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Only 48 hours left to grab this amazing deal from NordVPN

As one of the most well-known VPNs in the business, NordVPN is consistently one of the best VPNs you’ll find. It’s quick, has excellent security features and the apps are clean and easy to use.  No through March 22nd, you can save 59% when signing up for a two-year plan, running you just $3.32 monthly…
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New rumors suggest Shin Megumi Tensei games may be coming to Xbox Game Pass

What you need to know Rumors on Reddit and 4chan have reportedly posted leaks that a few titles from Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei will be coming soon to Xbox consoles, Xbox Game Pass, and more platforms. The rumored titles are Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Shin Megami Tensei IV:…
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