a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Pandora is testing an audio messaging service for artists

Feb19
by on February 19, 2015 at 4:57 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Pandora

Speaking at the Code/Media conference on Wednesday, internet radio service Pandora’s founder Tim Westergren said that the company will begin testing a tool that allows music artists to quickly capture and send audio messages to their fans. The new service, named Artist Audio Messaging, will initially be available to a select group of artists that includes the likes of Lenny Kravitz. The idea behind it is to allow musicians to announce upcoming shows, releases and share trivia with their listeners. It’s kind of like Vine for bands, only in audio. Westergren described an artist using a smartphone to record a short message announcing…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: ,
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Lenovo caught installing adware on new computers

Feb19
by on February 19, 2015 at 3:24 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Lenovo
It looks like Lenovo has been installing adware onto new consumer computers from the company that activates when taken out of the box for the first time. The adware, named Superfish, is reportedly installed on a number of Lenovo’s consumer laptops out of the box. The software injects third-party ads on Google searches and websites without the user’s permission. Superfish appears to affect Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome on these Lenovo computers. A Lenovo community administrator, Mark Hopkins, wrote in late January that the software would be temporarily removed from current systems after irate users complained of popups and other unwanted…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: 
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Xbox One March update will add ability to take screenshots

Feb19
by on February 19, 2015 at 2:37 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Screen Shot 2015-02-19 at 3.33.49 pm

The Xbox One is finally getting the ability to take screenshots of games, just like the competing PS4, next month. It’s as easy as double-tapping the Xbox button on your controller, then hitting the Y button. The console takes the screenshot as soon as you double-tap the Xbox button, but it won’t save until you hit Y. You can also say “Xbox, screenshot that” if you’re using Kinect and it’ll take a snap. Screenshots will appear in the GameDVR app and can be shared from there to Twitter, Xbox Messages or other services. The update is rolling out for Xbox One…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: ,
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Microsoft will let you trade in your old Surface for up to $650

Feb19
by on February 19, 2015 at 1:53 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Surface_review-2
Microsoft has kicked off a big push to get owners of old Surface devices to upgrade to the latest model. Until March 8, owners of any Surface can trade it for a coupon worth up to $650 which can then be used on the Microsoft Online Store to purchase a new device. The site asks a series of questions about the condition of the device, what accessories it includes and the storage capacity before giving an instant estimated value of the tablet. The tablet must be fully functional, not damaged and have no known issues or password protection in place. From…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: , ,