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Mixer, a live streaming platform for video and games owned by Microsoft is giving its streamers a new way to customize their channels: add images, overlays, transitions, and text to their streams, or to switch between scenes.

This is possible through the company's partnership with Lightstream Studio which makes the tools available for creators to give their streams a more professional look-and-feel, without requiring much technical expertise.

The partnership will also allow streamers to route their feed into the web-based Lightstream Studio platform, and accessible through supported browsers on a PC, Mac or tablet.



Microsoft launched a dedicated new URL https://mixer.golightstream.com to allow streamers to use their phone as a remote control for changing their scenes, and gamers can use the Studio to create status screens like “Starting Soon,” or “Be Right Back,” then quickly rotate through them, as needed.

And Mixer Streamers are now able to direct their streams to Lightstream Studio from their mobile devices, PC, or their Xbox native broadcast.

The support for native Xbox streams is perhaps the main rallying point, albeit the integration will not impact other third-party services alert systems, such as StreamLabs, StreamJar or Tipeeestream, but they can link those accounts within their Lightstream settings.

Microsoft's effort is to bring the streaming service at par with Amazon-owned Twitch, which is arguably the leader in game streaming for both concurrent streamers and viewers, as well as rival YouTube Gaming.

Microsoft's Mixer getting customization tools via partnership with Lightstream Studio

While Google acquired the GIF platform, Tenor in March to improve image search, the company has now deployed the keyboard tool exclusively to power GIF searches in LinkedIn messaging.

Tenor GIF search tool is already powering the keyboard on a number of different social platforms, including Facebook Messenger. Google's acquisition of the versatile messaging tool, is perhaps to actualize its resolve to index the world’s information in a way that’s easily discoverable.

Google Images update in recent weeks has seen the deployment of Tenor to improve its GIF capabilities, and Tenor is also the GIF platform that powers Gboard, Google's own keyboard.



The deployment of the GIF engine on LinkedIn, gives Google another avenue to an altogether different platform to extend the variation of GIF search. And most people already use Google Images to find more information about a topic, and to help communicate and express themselves with millions of GIFs every day.

As GIFs are increasingly popular in messaging apps nowadays, Tenor coming to LinkedIn is perhaps one example of how the tool is becoming almost a prerequisite for any messaging platform.

Its capabilities includes ability to place sponsored GIFs inside its quick search interface, offering brands a unique opportunity to capture the attention of users as well as creating a new advertising category that could be very appealing for larger businesses.

The new GIF engine is now available for about 50% of U.S. based LindedIn users, and will be rolling out globally in the coming weeks.

Google deploys it’s GIF engine, Tenor to power LinkedIn messaging



The next Windows 10 upgrade, code-named Redstone 4 which is expected to arrive in Spring, will bring improvements to Windows 10 in several fronts, especially in GPU management.

While Microsoft acknowledged many under-the-hood improvements in Windows 10, the developmental cycle isn't closing up anytime soon, which underscore the additions or subtle changes coming in Windows 10 Spring Update.

Though, most of these changes seem provisional, which means it obviously need more work, even as Microsoft is inclined to keep on developing the operating system. We've highlighted below what we think are the top features expected in the next update of Windows 10, Redstone 4 schedules for Spring release.

Better GPU management

The next Windows 10 update will make default the functions of selecting which GPU apps running on your PC: with both AMD and Nvidia providing utilities as either the economical integrated graphics chip inside your CPU, or the power-hungry discrete GPU.

And in cases where you’d prefer the integrated GPU to run a simpler operation to save your PC’s battery life, the new control makes that possible also.

Do Away with password in Windows 10 S

Those using Windows 10 S machine will be able to completely eliminate passwords in accessing their PC with the Authenticator app for Android or iOS, which serves as a more secure two-factor authentication method.

The authenticator app offers the option to enter a time-limited code to access your PC, and also allows you to approve an authentication request with one click.

On-demand Bluetooth pairing

The Redstone Update partially eliminates the need to click otn the +icon to begin the pairing process, and then initiate pairing on the device. Now if you rigger a pairing request from a device, it pops up a notification asking whether you’d like to go through with the request, what Microsoft calls Swift Pair.

Swift Pair will be quite handy in the home, albeit, it seems a little rife for exploitation in a crowded place, like: airport lounge or the workplace. But Microsoft have restricted to the Surface Precision Mouse, at least for now.

Other nifty features include: better Settings for your PC’s audio, Autocorrect/autosuggest for hardware keyboard, and tracking controls with Eye Control. Additionally, the Microsoft virtual assistant, Cortana is getting updated Lists, as well as better natural-language recognition, a la the Harman-Kardon Invoke.

What to expect in Microsoft’s next Windows 10 update, Redstone 4



The nonprofit Internet giant, Mozilla is poised to bring interoperability to its programming language, Rust to work alongside WebAssembly and JavaScript in web application development.

Mozilla has created a bridge between the types in JavaScript and the Rust language, called wasm-bindgen, to build on the WebAssembly portable code format, with wasm-bindgen providing high-level interactions between WebAssembly (wasm) modules and JavaScript.

In turn, JavaScript and WebAssembly would be able to communicate with strings, JavaScript objects, and classes instead of just integers and floats.

While WebAssembly supports only two integer types and two floating-point types, making four in total, JavaScript and Rust developers often require richer types, like Rust developers working with Result for error handling.

But with the bridge between WebAssembly and JavaScript, wasm-bingden, JavaScript could invoke WebAssembly functions and WebAssembly could do the same for JavaScript functions. And JavaScript could also call a Rust API with a string or a Rust function to catch up with a JavaScript exception.

The wasm-bindgen high-level functions include, exporting of Rust structures and functions to JavaScript, and import of JavaScript functions and objects to WebAssembly.

Though, wasm-bindgen is built on ECMAScript modules, the goal is to eventually be used alongside languages like C and C++. Albeit, Mozilla maintains that wasm-bindgen isn't yet ready for expansion to other programming languages.

Mozilla working to make Rust Programming language like JavaScript, for use alongside WebAssembly in web apps



Instagram is prepping a new feature called Nametags, which will allow users to create a unique image that people can scan with the Instagram Stories camera to follow them, just like Snapchat's QR codes.

While Instagram have a history of cloning Snapchat's best features, now it has extended to the friend codes, that allow it users to find new people to follow, with the Nametags making it easier for people to visually promote their Instagram account.

The feature was spotted on Instagram’s Android APK released last month, and thanks to Genady Okrain who has provided screenshots and more details of the Instagram Nametags feature. Also spotted is code for an Instagram Video Calling feature discovered in its Android APK, revealing a Portrait mode feature called Focus which is now in testing.

Nametags will let users create custom tag using emoji patterns, and also can be based on the newly launched augmented reality selfies.

And they’ll be able to bring up the Nametag editor by simply scanning a QR scanner button on their profile, then choose a pattern of emoji or a selfie they can jazz up with augmented reality face filters that then becomes an emoji pattern.

However, as with all test features there's no guarantee that it will become available for everyone anytime soon.

Instagram testing Nametags; its counterpart for Snapchat's QR Code

While there are many music converters in the market that are advertised to convert Apple Music on Mac, most of these audio converters can only convert non-DRM audios or DRM-ed audios, but TunesKit DRM Audio Converter covers both world, and can also complete the task of saving Apple Music in common MP3 audio files.

TunesKit DRM Audio Coverter for Mac can help Apple iTunes users strip DRM protection off movies or TV shows rented/purchased from the Apple Store and to convert the M4V videos to DRM-free MP4 format on their Mac computers.

It does these by simply removing the DRM from Apple Music to produce a clean and clear copy of the song as MP3, AAC or lossless FLAC, or WAV format, which can be transferred to any MP3 player or portable device of your choice.

Main features of TunesKit DRM Audio Coverter for Mac

  • Convert all non-DRM and common Audio files to other format.
  • All-in-one DRM audio tool to remove DRM copy protection from Apple Music, iTunes M4P and Audiobooks.
  • Convert DRM-ED Audios to MP3, AAC, WAV, M4V, M4B, and FLAC.
  • Customize audio settings and split large audio into small segments.


What is the Requirements and file formats supported?

TunesKit DRM Audio Converter is fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, and macOS 10.12 Sierra, and as at the time of this review, it's perfectly compatible with the most up-to-date iTunes 12.7.

And TunesKit DRM Audio Converter runs the latest multiple-thread audio conversion technology, which makes it possible to convert the DRM-ed or non-DRM audio files at a 30X faster speed than normal converters, and still maintains a high quality for the output files.

It is perhaps the most complete audio solution that convert all popular audio formats, including MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, AAC, OGG, M4A, M4R, AC3, AMR, APE, et al. And also, Apple Music M4P, iTunes tracks, M4A, M4B audiobooks, Audible AA, AAX to MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, M4B, AAC so that you can play the converted audio on any device or player.

How to Convert DRM-ed and non-DRM Audios to other formats



To convert audios to other formats with TunesKit DRM Audio Converter, including adding audios, adjusting output preferences, and converting the files can be done in these 3 easy steps : First, Open TunesKit Audio Converter, then directly drag the audio files (both DRM or non-DRM is supported), from your computer drive to TunesKit conversion window or alternatively, import the audio files via the "Add Files" button at the top center.



Then set the output audio preferences, including output format, codec, bit rate, sample rate, etc. By simply clicking the ’Editing" icon or the "Format" option and you'll get to the setting window.



And the last part, all that’s required now is press the "Convert" button at the bottom right corner and TunesKit will begin to convert the audios to MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, M4B, AAC for you at up to 30X faster speed.

Conclusion

TunesKit DRM Audio Converter for Mac is indeed a superior audio converting software, as It offers all the best features for handling audio files such as removing DRM, converting audio formats, customize playback settings and so on.

Also, it offers a FREE Trial which is great to help you try out the software and you'll finally find that this smart app is well worth your $40 bucks. No matter what you need to do with your audio files or what kinds of music you have, you can always let this smart tool to help you do it quickly and reliably.

TunesKit DRM Audio Converter Review: An All-in-one Audio Solution for Mac



Google Cloud text-to-speech engine for developers was overhauled last month, now the company has announced an update to the speech-to-text service to improve the voice recognition performance.

The updated Cloud Speech-to-Text API promises significant improvement in word errors reduction, and down to around 54 percent across all Google’s testings, which in some cases the results were actually better than the above figure.

Now, the API built on the core speech recognition technology in which both its Search and Assistant service depends on is better optimized. As more natural voices are available to the service through Google DeepMind WaveNet models, enabling developers to select between different machine learning models based on use case.

The API currently offers four models: First model is for short queries and voice commands, the second is for understanding audio from phone calls and third for handling audio from videos. While the fourth model is recommended for all other scenarios by default.

It replaces the automatic model selection, as this new tailoring was achieved after customers requested that Google should utilize real data to train the model.

Google will be bringing a beta feature that automatically punctuate long-form speech transcription to suggests commas, questions marks, and periods. And, the company will allow developers to tag transcribed audio or video in order to tell Google what models Speech-to-Text to prioritize.

The company says that it will use the aggregate data from all of its users to decide on which new features to build on next.

Improvements coming to Google Cloud Speech-to-text service



Microsoft has scheduled the unveiling of ARM64 developer kit preview at its Build conference in May, which brings native support for 64-bit apps on Windows PCs running the Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM processor.

While the Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM processor is notorious for its battery-sapping tendency which is perhaps it's major caveat, and the inability to run 64-bit apps. Microsoft plans to share more details on a preview of its ARM64 software development kit (SDK) at its Build developer conference in May, which will serve to enhance the deficient Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM processor.

Though, it remains unclear when a final version will debut, or when its supported apps will roll out to users on Windows PCs, as such applications that are 64-bit only typically need to run natively for performance reasons.

Microsoft focus of engineering investments on the native ARM64 SDK is to enable developers to natively write their application for the supported devices, and developers will now have to decide whether to buy into the vision of Microsoft for Windows PCs running ARM chip inside.

Also, users of a Qualcomm Snapdragon PC have to make another sacrifice in tolerating apps written for the Intel Core chips which have to be interpreted, given that the translation feature slows down the app.

Microsoft, however, adds that as more developers try out code compiled for the ARM processor using the 32-bit SDK or the 64-bit version, the app will automatically download the updated versions to users.

Microsoft ARM64 developer kit to support native 64-bit apps on Qualcomm-powered PCs



Facebook in a bid to make buying ads on the platform more transparent will be requiring that business pages submit an ID verification, and subsequently make other ads the Page is running to be open for people to access to know who's behind the ads.

The company is perhaps looking to implement some parts of the proposed Honest Ads Act before even the government tries to enforce it on the Web, which move is intended to help increase accountability, as well as prevent manipulation of its users.

And to fight fake news and election interference, Facebook Pages and advertisers buying political or "issue" ads on "debated topics of national legislative importance" like education or abortion will also need to verify their identity and location.

Facebook will use the details provided through the verification process to append a "Political Ad" label and "Paid for by" information to all election, politics and issue ads.

While the Pages or advertisers that refuse to provide the require ID, will be flagged as fraudulent or any trying to interfere with foreign elections will have their Pages prevented from posting to the News Feed or have their ads blocked.

The ID verification also applies for people managing Pages with large numbers of followers, and those who manage large Pages without adhering to the process will no longer be able to make post on the page.

The company plan to release a public, searchable political ads archive, which will contain all ads with the “Political Ad” label, and display the image and text, as well as additional information like the amount spent and demographic audience information for each ad.

Facebook is currently testing the authorization process, and users will begin seeing the label and additional information in the US later this spring.

Facebook to require ID Verification from Businesses' running ads on the platform



Twitter announced its plan to retire Site Streams & User Streams, and replace them with the Account Activity API (currently in beta), last year. But it was rescheduled for June 19, 2018, following complaints from top Twitter clients, like: Tweetbot, Twitterific and Talon who argued that the upcoming API changes could potentially break the way their apps work.

The problem stems from the fact that some third-party developers haven’t obtained access to the new API — and the changes would definitely take some time to be implemented correctly.

And the new API have got some limitations that could keep apps from working as they usually do, which will potentially break functions like push notifications and timeline updates. Also, it isn't clear if the Account Activity API is capable of handling real-time data as is the case with User Stream and Site Stream APIs.

Albeit, Twitter's developer documentation states that "the Account Activity API delivers real-time access to all activities…", and the standard version of the API accepts only 35 subscriptions.

The aforementioned developers believe this means their apps could only support 35 Twitter accounts for push notifications and won't support automatic timeline refresh since client devices typically aren't running web servers.

Twitter, however hasn't scheduled any new date for when it will retire the streaming API, but maintains that it’ll give “at least 90 days notice” before eventually effacing it.

Upcoming Twitter API changes could break the way apps work

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