BATTERYFORPC BLOG
No end to Covid-19 webcam shortage
As Covid-19 lockdowns took effect around the world, millions turned to remote working and organising virtual hangouts with friends. Overnight, webcams went from mundane computer accessories to gold dust. Even now, the initial surge in demand, in March, has barely abated, with manufacturers struggling to satisfy the many consumers trying to buy. And while some consumers have been successful, the ... Read more
2020-07-26 20:43:45
Amazon, Google and Wish remove neo-Nazi products
Amazon, Google and Wish have removed neo-Nazi and white-supremacist products being sold on their platforms following an investigation by BBC Click. White-supremacist flags, neo-Nazi books and Ku Klux Klan merchandise were all available for sale. Algorithms on Amazon and Wish also recommended other white-supremacist items. All three companies told the BBC that racist products were prohibited on ... Read more
2020-07-24 20:57:09
Nikon Z50 firmware update captures pets' eye portraits, among other goodies
Following the launch of the new Z5, Nikon has released a wave of firmware updates for its existing family of three Z-mount mirrorless cameras. The Nikon Z50 can now detect dogs' and cats' eyes and faces, in addition to those of humans, thanks to firmware version 2.00, and also receives improvements in subject tracking. Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6 users already have these features, of course, so updati ... Read more
2020-07-24 03:01:59
The Surface Pro X will soon help you pretend to pay attention to calls
After first announcing it last year, Microsoft has started rolling out the Surface Pro X's highly-anticipated Eye Contact feature as part of its latest Windows 10 Insider Preview. The AI-powered software uses the tablet's custom SQ1 ARM processor to make it look like your eyes are always directly looking at the camera while video chatting. The feature is available with any app that works with the ... Read more
2020-07-24 03:01:59
Intel's 7nm is Broken, Company Announces Delay Until 2022, 2023
Intel announced today in its Q2 2020 earnings release that it has now delayed the rollout of its 7nm CPUs by six months relative to its previously-planned release date, undoubtedly resulting in wide-ranging delays to the company's roadmaps. Intel's press release also says that yields for its 7nm process are now twelve months behind the company's internal targets, meaning the company isn't currentl ... Read more
2020-07-24 02:58:09
Kill Windows 10 bloatware for good with this new open source tool
Whether you buy a brand new Windows 10 device or install the operating system on a system you've built yourself, bloatware will still be an issue. Microsoft's operating system ships with a number of universal apps that users normally aren't able to uninstall, but a new standalone third-party utility named Bloatbox allows users to rid their machines of such apps. While you can normally uninstall ... Read more
2020-07-24 02:58:09
Blackbaud Hack: Universities lose data to ransomware attack
At least eight universities in the UK and Canada have had data stolen about students and/or alumni after hackers attacked a cloud computing provider. Human Rights Watch and the children's mental health charity, Young Minds, have also confirmed they were affected. The hack targeted Blackbaud, one of the world's largest providers of education administration, fundraising, and financial management s ... Read more
2020-07-23 21:25:21
Windows 10 disastrous new update could break your internet connection
Windows 10 May 2020 Update is the first of two feature-packed releases planned for this year. The new version of the operating system brought a redesigned Cortana app and the ability to make your PC password-less ...to name just a few new additions. Unfortunately, there were some unplanned changes that arrived with the update too, including users left unable to connect to printers, randomly deleti ... Read more
2020-07-23 03:25:20
Apple Confirms Stunning New MacBook Pro Details
As Apple focuses on its environmental impact and reducing the company’s carbon footprint, the MacBook Pro will lead the charge as part of a stunning commitment from Tim Cook and his team. Today’s news from Apple confirms that it is working with aluminium suppliers on carbon-free processing. As an intermediate step, the 16-inch MacBook Pro will be the first hardware to use a low-carbon aluminium a ... Read more
2020-07-23 03:23:28
Zotac Launches Compact Core i7-Powered PC For Content Creators
Zotac has announced today a new compact 5.85-liter PC that the brand bills as an excellent tool for content creators. The Inspire Studio SCF72060S arrives in an all-white body that measures 225 x 203 x 128mm (8.86 x 7.99 x 5.04 inches). Zotac doesn't specify the materials used in the mini-PC's construction, but the images show what appears to be a plastic exterior. You'll find an Intel Core i7-9 ... Read more
2020-07-23 03:23:28