Windows 10 Will Bring Native Support For .Mkv And Flac Files

Microsoft is planning to add the .MKV and FLAC support on Windows 10 for next year, to expand its support for other popular media file formats. Microsoft is also adding the native support for audio codecs and advanced video in Windows 10 Developer Preview. 

Windows 10 build 9860 was recently released by Microsoft, wherein they have also given the native support for .MKV and FLAC media formats. As far as these media formats are concerned, these were not supported by Microsoft in any of their builds and as recent as Windows 8.1. This lead to the user getting the pop-up displaying that, “File is not supported by the player”, when they tried opening these formats in windows media player. Gabriel Aul from the Windows Insider Program posted some of the screenshots on Twitter depicting the FLAC support in Windows media player. Going by the lossless nature of the file format, the FLAC support by the media player for Windows 10 has taken the high-end audio fanatic community by a large storm.

Further, the company is also looking to offer platform-level support for MKV and FLAC media formats, this means that now a 3rd party application also will be able to play these files. One of the best features is the fact that a user does not need to search and install plug-ins in their media player to play these files. This news is even more exciting as Microsoft is currently working on unveiling their new consumer-centric features of Windows 10 in late of January 2015. From this, it is very clear that the company is trying to reach out to the fans of the AV and making the right changes, which will mainly helping in boosting the multimedia competency of Windows 10.

Need of FLAC and .MKV format: 

High-end audio fans love to use FLAC files as it promises everything, which required for crystal clear sounds. But unfortunately, this format is not widely-supported; however it is going to get the space in Windows 10. Last month Microsoft officials stated that now Windows 10 will support .MKV format also.

As now Microsoft is providing the platform-level support for FLAC and .MKV format, so it clear that now third party applications will be able to play their specific files on Windows 10. It will be helpful for users as; now they don’t need to face any hassle such as; installing plug-ins and other software’s in order to play the files of these formats.

Although FLAC is not a very widely supported format, but it is loved by the high end audio fans as it preserves the quality of the music as it would be in any music studio. It has the capability of reducing the original audio file to 60 % of its original size. This is possible through the fancy algorithm of FLAC. With the passing, we are getting new information about the yet to be launched Windows 10 operating system

The other positive aspect of FLAC is that it is an open and non-proprietary format with royalty-free licensing. Currently, there is no patent or any kind of issues that anyone has to worry about regarding FLAC. FLAC is known for boasting about their support for metadata tagging, cover art, album and fast seeking. Microsoft is ready to unveil these consumer-centric features in January 2015, for Windows 10. It is making the clear statement that now in January is targeting the AV geeks and enthusiasts.

NASA Prepares Launch Of Four Satellites That Will Finally Explore Out The Origins Of Earth’s Mysterious Magnetic Field

A scientist might be able to answer any question pertaining to the magnetic fields, but actually how much information do we have about the Earth’s magnetic field. If we tend to change our focus from the Earth’s magnetic field, how much information do we have about other magnetic fields like subatomic or terrestrial.

In March 2015, NASA is expected to be launching their Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS). The scientists have been putting in effort in this mission from past 10 years, mainly to get answers to some of the unbelievable questions pertaining to the Earth’s magnetic field.

The mission consists of 4 satellites and these satellites are expected to get arranged in a Pyramid form. This pyramid form has been opted to create a first detailed three-dimensional map of a process called as magnetic reconnection. The magnetic reconnection is the phenomenon which is experienced directly as solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and even australis and aurora borealis.

Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission: 

This mission is expected to be the extended version of the European Space Agency’s successful Cluster II Mission. In March 2015, NASA is planning to launch the MMS vehicles together as a stack in an Atlas V 421 rocket, rather than launching them in pairs.

The picture of the satellites released by NASA shows that these vehicles push the size limit for the cross section of a craft which can be easily carried out in a rocket in an assembled form. On the similar concept, NASA has also been working on a separate project, called the ATHLETE robot, which resembles the outlook of MMS and also has the ability to pile multiple vehicles in the core of the rocket.

How it will work? 

Once these reach their desired destination, which is a highly elliptical orbit around Earth, these vehicles will separate from each other and form a pyramid keeping one craft at each vertex of the tetrahedron. Later on they will release the feelers. Scentists will be using the smaller probe separations (few kilometers) for exploring the actual reconnection processes and Large distances between each craft (Ranging up to 250 miles/400 kilometers) for the identification of the reconnection events.

The day-side magnetopause and the magnetotai will be the places where the magnetic connection will be showcased and this will done through the optimization of the highly elliptical orbit of the formation around the Earth. The magnetopause is the place where the pressure from the planet’s magnetic field and the solar wind and are equal, on the other hand, the magnetotail spreads to great distances from the originating planet due to the magnetosphere (pressure from the solar wind).

The Magnetic reconnection happens in the thin layers where there is a high concentration of magnetic and mechanical energy. In order to create a fusion, it is important to understand the magnetic reconnection. This will help in understanding the magnetic confinement of the materials which scientists are looking towards fusing.

This mission has be launched to understand the magnetic field of the earth and how the core temperature of the earth affects the same.

Google Glass To Return With Intel In 2015

According to the WSJ (the wall street journal), Google is expected to launch a completely new model of their Glass handset in 2015, which will offer longer battery life than the present explorer edition and will be powered by an Intel chip inside. Looking at the current edition, the company has already made a couple of small upgrades, which includes the addition of compatibility of the device with prescription lenses and the other of being the decision to double the RAM. However, if the company is looking to make changes to the processor, then it means that the company will be required to overhaul the entire range of wearable.

Changes expected in the new edition

As far as Google Glass’s adoption is concerned, the issue of limited battery life and a threatening four-figure price has acted against the company. While on one side, Intel is very excited about the whole concept and is very much interested in promoting Google glass as the perfect workplace companion, Google is expecting to increase the interest of the customers through a refreshed design and a new modern processor.

At present, not much information has been revealed by either company, but going by the rumors, as far as Intel hardware is concerned, the most likely option for powering the Google glass will be the low-power chip, which is at the center of Intel's MICA bracelet. As far as MICA is concerned, it is from the Intel's New Devices Group. This group aims at understanding and examining as to what kind of new devices will be able to push the microprocessor revolution to the next stage. One of the most prominent features of the new glass edition is expected to be battery life, which according to Intel can last up to 2 days. If the company is able to recreate the same in smaller dimension glass, then it means the battery life will get doubled up.

Although the experimental gadget has gone through some iterative changes, the major ones are expected to be rolled out next year. According to the Wall Street Journal report, the partnership between Intel and Google for Glass will include the marketing of the device to the hospitals apart from offices. The journal has also highlighted the Google has got a new patent in the form of biometric authentication. The users will have the option to either chose a single iris or both their iris for the purpose of authentication. The report stated that Intel will be providing the electronic brains for the new version of the Google Glass. The new Intel chip will be replacing the existing processor from Texas Instruments Inc used in their very first version.

Although post the launch in 2012, Google glass was subjected to criticism due to privacy issues and being too nerdy, still it was being considered as a workplace-computing device. Google is expecting the device to be an evolution from the previous version and become useful for organization, but still being a crossover device for consumers.

Microsoft’s Creation Reminds – Learning Knows No Bounds

Microsoft’s Relentless Software Development 

Tasks becoming easier day by day for presentations of new ideas through internet access where Microsoft’s software advance development – app Sway – is assisting as catalytic agent. The dreams or imagination can be shaped into existence by collecting information and the relevant images to make the ideas most colourful, gorgeous and presentable.

Bing Image Search Enhanced Sway Preview Software easier

Thus Microsoft has developed it’s app Sway presentation software by pulling Bing Image Search into app Sway which will facilitate the users to navigate finding desired contents on particular subject, for comprehensive assessment to thoroughly check the terms of license before application to the subject contents as well as to take the full advantage from the devices of Microsoft improved and integrated software development. Hence, users can now navigate diverse multimedia through the improved device of Sway Preview at ease.

Continuous Improvement of Software for conveniences of users

Microsoft Sway Preview is inherited from diverse sources of named “cloud” from where users freely and easily visit the sources of their choice and pull the contents into users Sway. The company’s Sway is already built-in with varieties of sources of the beginning, such as OneDrive, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, +AdSource and local storage. After listening suggestions of UserVoice, and closely examining the +AdSource, Microsoft introduced functions of Bing Image Search to Sway Preview. The Bing Image Search is developed in such a way that users do not have the necessity to download and upload. It is a simple drag and drop process into users Sway. But, Microsoft has a commitment to develop the software continuously for searchers / users.

Features of Programme’s Easy Acceptability

As the contents change, Sway starts itself to assess the suitable topics applicable to the contents. Side by side Suggested will show the applicable concepts for the topics and determine the search terms for the specific content. So, Sway on its own will, the searchers / users to follow the guidelines. Also as per the demands of the users, Microsoft has also arranged the Bing Image Search on which users first find out the contents and later go through the terms of the license. Following the menu driven guidelines on the selected Bing, the source of each image will be known to users and afterwards users will find the original image and examine the terms to make the users convinced that users are permitted to use the image.

Microsoft is trying to develop its software through continuous processes and will uplift the programme of the Sway to users’ preference and friendly.

Bing Images Search Enliven the Office Presentation Convincingly 

Moreover, over the past few years, Microsoft was observing that uses of Office Clip Art are reducing and thereby they have closed the website. But, users will get a different route to Word and Power Point to use clip art in their presentation through Bing Image Search. The users for office presentation will get images of higher quality instead of poor quality images that were available from Clip Art.

Viber’s Starts Its Own Social Public Chat

Viber is one such app which not only enjoys over 608 million registered users, but also has over 460 million unique users. It was quite predictable and expected that the app developers will be looking forward to extending their features and not keep it limited to calls, voice calls and instant messaging. Recently Viber has rolled out a public chat, which is mainly a social media platform and will allow the users to chat and engage with the brands, personalities and celebrities.

India an advantage for Viber

For Viber, India is their largest market as they have nearly 33 million users and the company has gone big in the country by roping in big names like Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, and Sachin Tendulkar among others. At present Sachin Tendulkar has taken this platform seriously and has gotten nearly 11,000 followers with a handful of posts already.

According to Mark Hardy, Chief Marketing Officer of Viber, there is nothing more exciting than the number of followers increasing day by day. It’s like a clock which we want to keep on ticking. He stated that they started some chats in the UK last week, which has nearly 3,00,000 followers and a similar number has been seen in the Philippines as well. The company is hoping for similar or more response in India as well.

What is the difference? 

Viber’s social media platform started with followers, unlike Facebook or Twitter, who has no followers when they started the media platform. Mark took the example of Whatsapp, which has nearly 600 million users globally and over 70 million users in India itself. He added that it is not the technology, which boost the starting of a platform but it is the users.

He stated that they already have 460 million users as their user base when they are switching over to the social media platform. Hardy stated that the people don’t have anything to be confused about. With OTT and mobile messaging reaching the peak and people starting to get tired of the existing platforms, it is quite practical for them to look for another app which gives them a new level of excitement and engages them more.

What’s in the future? 

According to Mark, the company was initially focused on the user acquisition, but for the next year they will be looking for retention of the users. They are expecting this to be achieved through their new gaming service and public chat platform.

As far as the revenue of the company is concerned, the gaming service and the paid sticker packs are already playing a very important part. Mark stated that they are micro-payment business, where their revenue is generated from the paid stickers, available at the retail price of $ 1.99 and Viber out, which facilitates the calling facility to the mobile phones as lower rates. The company states that the big users will have to spend less money. At present the company has not been able to provide further details.