Microsoft compares its apps with yours, Google loves Star Wars, the PS4 gets PS2 backwards compatibility, 10 Days of 10 Cent Deals, and how to land a part in War of the Planet of the Apes.
Microsoft is ramping up its efforts to persuade you that Windows 10 Mobile is worth a closer look. Windows 10 Mobile being the new Windows Phone, and Microsoft’s latest attempt to gain a foothold in the smartphone market. While Windows Phone failed to do so, Microsoft has high hopes for Windows 10 Mobile.
Realizing that apps are absolutely crucial to the success or failure of a mobile operating system, Microsoft has released a new app on Google Play. Called AppComparison, the Android app analyzes your existing apps and informs you a) which of your apps is already available on Windows 10 Mobile, and b) about alternatives that aren’t available like-for-like.
AppComparison starts by asking, “Are you considering changing your Android device to Windows Phone?” Which we assume most people will simply answer “No” and carry on with their lives. This app also reveals the dearth of big apps currently available for Windows 10 Mobile, which is likely to only put more people off from switching. Oops.
We think it’s fair to say that there’s a considerable amount of hype surrounding the release of the new Star Wars film. Even non-fans surely cannot escape the barrage of trailers, memes, think-pieces, and promotional efforts surrounding Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And now we have Google getting involved too. Just in case you have managed to avoid the hype up to this point.
Google has teamed up with Lucasfilm and Disney to create Google Star Wars. This allows Google users the world over to choose between the Dark Side and the Light Side, with their favorite Google apps then changing to reflect their momentous decision. Google apps affected by this include Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Which are core apps for many people.
We’re actually starting to feel rather sorry for people who aren’t into Star Wars, as the Internet is absolutely awash with promotional efforts such as this. With the new film just a few weeks away from release it’s only going to get worse too. So you may as well join in the fun by watching some new (ish) movies that are better than Star Wars. Or not.
Sony is working on bringing limited backwards compatibility to the PlayStation 4, starting with some classic PS2 games. Sony’s plans were outed by a console bundle that includes Super Star Wars, Star Wars: Racer Revenge, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter as bonus games alongside the new Star Wars: Battlefront.
Some of these games aren’t ports of old code, but instead run on proprietary emulation software. Sony has since told Wired, “We are working on utilizing PS2 emulation technology to bring PS2 games forward to the current generation,” adding, “We have nothing further to comment at this point in time.”
Sony has likely been working on this for some time, but has probably now upped its efforts as thanks to Microsoft adding Xbox 360 backwards compatibility to the Xbox One. Unfortunately, this is still a half-hearted effort, and there’s no hint yet of PS3 backwards compatibility also being added to the PS4.
Microsoft is currently offering thousands of apps, games, movies, and songs for just 10 cents apiece. There’s just one catch: you need to be a Windows 10 user. This is Microsoft’s 10 Days of 10 Cent Deals, the company’s latest effort to prompt more people to upgrade to Windows 10.
10¢ DEALS FROM @WindowsStore: Watch Home, Spy & more for just 10 cents: https://t.co/mw9Jc2nVsJ pic.twitter.com/npTrOztngI
— Windows (@Windows) November 22, 2015
There are already 110 million devices running on Windows 10, but Microsoft wants more. And it’s prepared to virtually give stuff away to persuade you Windows 10 is worth the effort. The deals change every day, and are shown to people visiting the Windows Store on a Windows 10 device.
Microsoft’s 10 Days of 10 Cent Deals started on Friday (Nov. 20th), and will continue until Sunday, November 29th.
And finally, 20th Century Fox is offering one lucky human the chance to become an ape for a day. And, more importantly, star in a scene from the forthcoming War for the Planet of the Apes. Have you got what it takes to portray an ape on the big screen? Then Andy Serkis wants to meet you.
Serkis knows a thing or two about motion capture, having played Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy before bringing Caesar to life in the new Planet of the Apes films. You can enter the contest by submitting a video of your most lifelike ape imitation on apescontest.com. [H/T io9]
Would you ever switch from Android to Windows 10 Mobile? Will you be choosing the Dark Side or the Light Side? Which PS2 games would you like to play again on PS4? Have you picked up any great deals from Microsoft? Would you make a good ape in Planet of the Apes?
Let us know your thoughts on the Tech News of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.
Image Credits: TechStage via Flickr
