This release also includes a couple visual improvements over the current version like an updated search field, resizable peek view and improved tab support. Get the new VS Code 1.2 update today through the app itself by navigating to Help > Check for updates or download the latest version at code.visualstudio.com

Learn more about the new update in the source link below

The post Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code rises up to version 1.2 appeared first on Windows Latest

But it wasn’t always like that. Prior to the ZenFone series, ASUS had this glorious idea of turning a smartphone into a tablet with their PadFone series. Sounds familiar right, that exactly what Microsoft aims to do with Contininuum on Windows 10 Mobile but instead of an actual hardware transition, they are focusing more towards a software transition.

In case you are unfamiliar with the ASUS’s PadFone series, it is basically a line up android based smartphones that ASUS made from 2012 to 2014. The PadFone series is unique because it is designed to be a smartphone that is also able to power a tablet.

ASUS’s PadFone series was a very ingenious idea when it first came out. The PadFone series went through several iterations that improved both the software and hardware experience. In 2014, ASUS seemingly lost all hope after releasing the PadFone X and since then, the series has been discontinued.

Personally, I think the reason why the ASUS PadFone series never managed to fly off the shelves is because of the software experience. Back when the PadFone series existed, Android was still an operating system that was filled with uncertainties both in terms of the UX and general performance. I believe that ASUS also had a hard time optimizing the performance of the PadFone.

That coupled with the rise of phablets caused the death of ASUS’s infamous PadFone series. Smartphones were just getting bigger and the PadFone series was never a elegant setup by any means with it’s somewhat clunky design.

It is 2016 and advancements like the advent of USB Type C, improvements in the manufacturing process that enable devices to be thinner than ever without sacrificing the performance and the fact that Microsoft has built a software experience that aligns with the vision that ASUS had with the PadFone series makes it a win win situation.

Unlike Android, Windows 10 Mobile was built to transform a smartphone into a laptop. The apps and UI has also been built to scale to any display which makes this idea even better. Just imagine that that such a dock exists, you can practically have both a laptop and phone by just buying one device.

However, ASUS doesn’t seem to have any interest in making phones that run Windows, I guess it is up to somebody else to make this dream a reality. Who knows, maybe Microsoft’s Surface Phone will work like this. But either way, I am pretty sure that some company is bound to make such a device once again since Microsoft has been working hard to bake Continuum right into Windows 10 Mobile.

Below are a couple of images for you to marvel on the possibilities.

The post ASUS should ressurect their PadFone line with Windows 10 Mobile appeared first on Windows Latest

It is no secret that Google and Microsoft has this weird relationship. For years now, both companies have been battling it out in just about every aspect. Chrome vs IE, Office 365 vs Google Apps for Work, Gmail vs Outlook, Google vs Bing, Microsoft Azure vs Google Cloud Platform, the list goes on and on.

But why is Google acting like this?

When Google was founded in 1998, the company wasn’t much of a threat to anyone. But in the last couple of years, the search company evolved into the tech giant we know today with both hardware and software products deployed all around the world. Today, Google has a broad range of services and in order to succeed, they have chosen to purposely avoid Microsoft because they are are big threat in Google’s eye.

Google can easily close their eyes to Microsoft products like Windows Phone and Windows 10 because frankly speaking, Microsoft hasn’t been getting much success with Windows Phone in particular. Likewise, the big reason why Google is heavily supporting Apple is because iPhones and iPads are everywhere. Like what Sundar Pichai says, mobile is the future and supporting Apple is a key part of Google’s success.

If you think about the relationship between Microsoft, Google and Apple; it does feel like a love triangle. Google hates Microsoft; Apple hates Google; Google likes Apple; Apple likes Microsoft; Microsoft is neutral towards Apple and Google.

As a Windows Phone user, I don’t think that Google is treating the Windows platform fairly. Why is there only an official Google Search app in the Windows Store. Where are apps like Gmail and Google Maps? I still remember when Google purchase Waze back in 2013, shortly after that, Waze announced that they will no longer support the Waze for Windows Phone app. What the hell, Google. It’s clear that it was done on purpose.

But thankfully, Microsoft is not like Google. Ever since Satya Nadella took over Steve Ballmer’s job as Microsoft CEO, the company has transitioned into a better company. One that is open to change and open to competition.

Just take for example with Windows 10, Microsoft didn’t only build the operating system to support Windows Phones, they built it to also natively support Android and iOS devices. And with the Windows 10 Anniversary update, Android notifications will be able to be mirrored to Windows 10 PCs through the Cortana application.

Speaking of apps, Microsoft have been working real hard in the last year to build Android versions of their applications and the results are impressive. Apps not only come with all the latest features but they are also built in accordance with Google’s Android app design specifications. In addition to building a whole army of Android apps, Microsoft also spent a lot of money to acquire some app developers to strengthen their portfolio. The latest being Swiftkey, the most popular third party keyboard option on Android.

Maybe 300,000,000 Windows 10 users is not enough to convince Google how big the Windows Platform is. But I believe that in time, Google will come to realize that they will need to support the Windows platform.

It would be nice if Google can be like Microsoft.

The post Why can’t Google be more like Microsoft? appeared first on Windows Latest

The post Bing will no longer display ads relating to tech support appeared first on Windows Latest

The offer which is valid through 30th June 2016 will allow Lumia 920, Lumia 925 and Lumia 1020 users to trade in their device to receive a $150 store credit towards a purchase of a Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL. The device being traded in must be in full working condition and does not have a cracked screen, missing parts, warranty sticker must still be intact and must have no sign of liquid damage.

At the moment, Microsoft is only opening up this offer to users in the US and Canada and those who are interested in trading in their old device can do it directly through a physical Microsoft Store or through the dedicated website here

The post Microsoft is ready to give you $150 for your old Lumia 920, 925 or 1020 appeared first on Windows Latest

If you have played Crossy Road before, this special version of Crossy Road features over 150 Disney characters from the cartoon world. Beginning with Mickey Mouse, players will be able to unlock and find new characters like Donald Duck and the Lion King. Both Disney and Hipster Whale have been collaborating on this application for about a year now and this game is more of an extension of the original game rather than a totally new concept.

Learn more about Disney’s Crossy Road game here

The post Disney’s version of Crossy Road is now available on the Windows Store appeared first on Windows Latest

Coincidence? I think not..

Through a video by Microsoft posted on YouTube, Microsoft announces their partnership with Telstra as the Australian telco provider has chosen Windows as the core software platform of their company. The video shows how Telstra is using Windows to not only provide a better experience to customers in terms of interactivity in their flagship store in Melbourne but other Microsoft services like PowerBI and Office is improving the workflow of not only their staff but also helps customers find the products that is suitable for them

Check out the video below

The post Telstra Australia announces it’s migration to Windows 10 appeared first on Windows Latest

Shortly after joining Microsoft in 2014, Stephen Elop left his executive position in Microsoft last year due to an executive shakeup but it looks like Elop is back again. Telstra which is Australia’s biggest telco provider has announced that starting April 4, Stephen Elop will be the company’s new Strategy Chief and he will be based in both the US and Australia. Let’s just hope that this does not end up like how Nokia did.

The post Stephen Elop joins Australian Telco provider, Telstra appeared first on Windows Latest

Microsoft expects to contribute to the Eclipse Foundation through plugins which are quite popular with Eclipse developer and they are starting off with open-sourcing one of their existing Team Foundation Server plugin available for Eclipse. While Microsoft did not announce any plans to bring support for C# to the Eclipse IDE any time soon, rest assured that Microsoft will still continue to work on Visual Studio.

The post Microsoft joins the Eclipse Foundation appeared first on Windows Latest

Additionally, the source also mentioned that initially Microsoft will not be actively promoting the update due to stability issues that might occur but only later this year will Microsoft start to aggressively get users to install the new Windows 10 Mobile update. This means that the update will be available but users will need to manually initiate the update process.

Although this report does come from a credible source, we are unable to confirm the roll-out. But either way, expect to hear more about the Windows 10 Mobile update in the coming weeks and also during BUILD 2016 at the end of the month. In case you are interested in trying out the Windows 10 Mobile update for your phone, you can consider trying out the Windows Insider program but beware, the software bites.

The post Windows 10 Mobile will reportedly roll out to existing Lumias by the end of March appeared first on Windows Latest