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Music streaming service Deezer has launched its 'Elite' HD offering globally, following a beta period in the U.S.

Deezer normally costs $9.99 per month for unlimited streaming of 35 million tracks in standard 256kbps quality, and the Elite package costs $14.99 per month and gives access to all tracks as FLAC encoded at 1,411kbps or better.

The tracks can also be streamed to your mobile device, if they can handle FLAC.

Deezer is relatively small compared to Spotify and Rdio, but still has 16 million monthly users and 6 million premium subscribers.

Source:
TechCrunch

Last year, Sony was hit by one of the more vicious cyber attacks in corporate history, with terabytes of data stolen and splashed across the Web, including tens of thousands of private emails.

The attack will end up costing the company about $15 million this quarter, but the Sony Pictures division still managed to post a profit for the quarter.

Importantly, the company says the impact of the attack for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, "will not be material."

Overall sales fell 20 percent year-over-year to $1.79 billion and operating profit fell 79 percent year-over-year to $53 million as there were no huge hits with the exception of 'Fury.'

Yesterday, Windows VP Terry Myerson shocked the world when it announced that even Chinese pirates of the operating system would get a free upgrade to Windows 10 when it launches over the summer.

Since the initial announcement, Microsoft's PR team has kicked into high gear, adding some caveats to the news.

First, the offer is actually good for everyone around the world, not just China, so every market of pirates can get on the upgrade to Windows 10. Secondly, and admittedly a bit more confusingly, Microsoft just said this, as well:

Microsoft has just taken smartphone price points down another notch, offering the low-end Lumia 430 for just $70 unlocked.

The company says the device is the "most affordable Lumia to-date," which is most likely true even though the specs are really not great.

Lumia 430 buyers get a 4-inch WVGA display powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200, 8GB internal storage, 1GB RAM, dual 2MP/0.3MP cameras and a small 1500maH battery. You also get an additional 30GB free OneDrive storage and dual-SIM capabilities.

Available starting next month, Microsoft is bringing the phone to APAC, IMEA, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.

Source:
Microsoft

After its high-profile introduction of the Apple Watch earlier this month, Apple had one last surprise up its sleeve, the lower-profile Apple Pocketwatch.

At a starting price of $349 and with higher-end models commanding up to $17,000, the Apple Watch is a luxury watch with full smart features aimed at the hundreds of millions of iPhone users.

The Pocketwatch is a little less luxurious, but it does come with a smaller price tag: $259.

Check out the teaser release here:

High-end luxury watch maker Breitling has unveiled its first smartwatch, the B55 Connected, although the watch will not work like Android Wear devices or the Apple Watch.

The B55 Connected does not have a touchscreen nor does it have a catalog of apps and it certainly can't display any synced notifications.

What makes the device 'smart,' is the fact that it does sync with your phone via the Breitling app, which allows you to set alarms, the date, time and adjust the time with an easy phone touch interface rather than using the crown on the actual watch.

Breitling's latest looks similar to the also new B50 Chronograph, which is aimed at pilots looking for the most accurate time. If pricing is similar, as well, expect to drop $7500 for the new smartwatch.

Google has announced changes to its app review process this week, moves that should 'better protect the community and improve the app catalog.'

According to the search giant, Google Play now has a "team of experts who are responsible for identifying violations of our developer policies earlier in the app lifecycle."

On the other end, if apps are approved they can be brought to the market within hours compared to days previously when it may have sat in a queue.

Additionally, Google adds that "to assist in this effort and provide more transparency to developers, we've also rolled out improvements to the way we handle publishing status. Developers now have more insight into why apps are rejected or suspended, and they can easily fix and resubmit their apps for minor policy violations.

Over the past year, we've paid more than $7 billion to developers and are excited to see the ecosystem grow and innovate. We'll continue to build tools and services that foster this growth and help the developer community build successful businesses."

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 is getting biometric authentication, including the ability to unlock your tablet, PC and smartphone with a finger, iris or face scan.

Dubbed 'Windows Hello,' the authentication of course will require the specialized hardware necessary for such scans "including a fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors." For the iris or facial recognition, Microsoft says software will accurately verify your identity and the company promises that using a picture or other image won't work. Infrared tech also ensures that even if it is dark out, you can be recognized.

Reads the press release: "Windows Hello introduces system support for biometric authentication – using your face, iris, or fingerprint to unlock your devices – with technology that is much safer than traditional passwords. You– uniquely you– plus your device are the keys to your Windows experience, apps, data and even websites and services – not a random assortment of letters and numbers that are easily forgotten, hacked, or written down and pinned to a bulletin board. Modern sensors recognize your unique personal characteristics to sign-you-in on a supporting Windows 10 device.

It's finally here, but it won't come cheap.

Sony has officially launched its live streaming TV service, PlayStation Vue, in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.

The live streaming TV service also has on-demand content and will launch with major content partners like CBS, Discovery, Animal Planet, Syfy, Food Network, Fox News and many, many more.

Available for the PS3 and PS4, the service also offers personalization options, cloud-based DVR recording without storage limits for up to 28 days after airing and discovery tools to help you find new programs you may like.

Starting at $50 for a 'core' package of CBS, Fox, NBC and 25 other channels, the service is more expensive than recently launched Sling TV but does offer more bang for the buck. For $60, you get Core plus regional sports and some movie channels and for $70 you get the "Elite" package of everything and an additional 25 "lifestyle, music and family channels." At $70, however, are you really saving much off your cable subscription?

Full list of channels:

After being rumored for months, Facebook has officially added the ability to send and receive money through its Messenger application.

The service is completely free and all you have to do is hit the "$" icon in Messenger to get started. The funds are sent immediately but depending on your bank, could take 1-3 business days to show up. You will need to use a Visa or MasterCard debit card for the service, as it does not accept credit cards as of writing.

"We use secure systems that encrypt the connection between you and Facebook as well as your card information when you ask us to store it for you," and users can add an additional PIN or iOS Touch ID for added protection.

Facebook is so transparent about the security that it has even created teams separate from its normal employees for the new system. "These payment systems are kept in a secured environment that is separate from other parts of the Facebook network and that receive additional monitoring and control. A team of anti-fraud specialists monitor for suspicious purchase activity to help keep accounts safe," added the company.

Among other big news revealed this week, Microsoft has also announced that it is trying out Windows 10 software that can effectively turn an Android device into a Windows device.

The company is testing the ROM with Xiaomi Mi 4 users and sources says "that it effectively overrides Android, turning the Xiaomi phone into a Windows 10 device complete with Microsoft services."

Of course, the overall goal is to have the new software impress users so that they might move away from Google and towards Microsoft, which may be a hard task. Microsoft was quick to note that the software is not a dual-boot option, but a full ROM, similar to Cyanogen and other developers have used to push their operating system to existing devices.

Says Microsoft: "As part of the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft will partner with Xiaomi to offer Windows 10 free downloads to a select group of Xiaomi Mi4 users. Xiaomi Mi4 users will get the ability to flash their phones with the new Windows 10 OS and provide feedback to Xiaomi and Microsoft on their experience. This partnership will allow Xiaomi and Microsoft to get direct user feedback and continue to improve the experience for China. Microsoft is thrilled to see Xiaomi embracing Windows 10 and offering this great value to their customers. We're excited to see the feedback we receive from this audience.

Microsoft has confirmed that its upcoming browser, codenamed Project Spartan, will not keep the Internet Explorer name used for the last 20 years.

Marketing head Chris Capossela says the company is working on a new brand and name for the browser, and is actively testing with focus groups. "We're now researching what the new brand, or the new name, for our browser should be in Windows 10," said Capossela. "We'll continue to have Internet Explorer, but we'll also have a new browser called Project Spartan, which is codenamed Project Spartan. We have to name the thing."

Internet Explorer will not be completely dead, as it will remain around for enterprise compatibility, but Project Spartan is the future. The new browser will also likely use Microsoft in the title, as just having the name Microsoft has shown to increase appeal, added Capossela.

While the name may not be 'appealing,' Internet Explorer still controls over 40 percent of global market share.

Source:
Verge

Microsoft has made an unprecedented move today, announcing that all Chinese Windows users will be able to upgrade to Windows 10, for free - even if you are running a pirated version.

Over the past decade, studies have found that between 60-75 percent of Chinese users run pirated versions of Windows, with most of those users running Windows XP, which is over a decade old and vulnerable to security exploits.

Terry Myerson, head of Microsoft's Windows division, announced the move this week: "We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10." He did not say much else except to note that the company is looking to "re-engage" with hundreds of millions of Chinese Windows users.

Besides the desktop OS, Microsoft is working with Qihoo, Tencent and Lenovo in China to bring Windows to the mainstream, and the companies are actively working on Windows Phone devices, or Windows 10 apps for their software.

Outside of China, Microsoft is offering Windows 10 for free to licensed Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 owners, the first time it has offered an operating system upgrade for free.

Alongside its announcement that it would be creating mobile games, Nintendo also confirmed it's already working on a next-gen console, codenamed 'NX.'

CEO Satoru Iwata says the NX is "a dedicated game platform with a brand-new concept" although he did not elaborate.

Iwata noted that more information would be revealed 'next year,' either at E3 or at a dedicated press event.

"As proof that Nintendo maintains strong enthusiasm for the dedicated game system business, let me confirm that Nintendo is currently developing a dedicated game platform with a brand-new concept under the development codename 'NX,'" Iwata said.

Check the video here:

After years of rejecting the notion, Nintendo has announced that it will begin making games for mobile devices thanks to a partnership with large Japanese mobile gaming company DeNA.

Investors were extremely happy with the news, taking the company's stock up over 30 percent following the announcement.

DeNA is set to begin developing new smartphone and tablet games featuring Nintendo characters this year. Each company also invested $181 million in each other, giving Nintendo a 10 percent stake in DeNA and giving DeNA a near 1 percent stake in Nintendo.

There are not expected to be any first-party titles headed to iOS and Android (including no ports), but instead games that are designed for smartphones including characters like Mario, Donkey Kong and Link, for example.