WHAT’S THE RUMOUR
Discussweb news atwww.facebook.com/webusermagazine 10 - 23July 2019 11
Needto Know
WELIKE...
Edgeadds built-in
trackingprotection
Microsoft is testing tracking-
prevention features for
the new Chromium-
based version of its
Edge browser. The
new tools offer three
custom levels of
protection, and block
malicious trackers
and some third-party
trackers by default.Raspberry Pi 4 now
available to buy
The Raspberry Pi Foundation
has launched the
fourth version of its
miniature budget PC.
The Raspberry Pi 4
comes with up to
4GB of RAM, a faster
processor, dual-band
Wi-Fi and much
more. Look out for a full
review in our next issue.WEDON’TLIKE...
Vulnerability found in
Microsoft Excel
A security flaw found
in Microsoft Excel
could allow hackers to
launch malware and
take over a user’s
system. The
vulnerability affects
Power Query, an
Excel tool that enables
users to integrate spreadsheets
with other files.Alexa verbally
abuses Echouser
The owner of an Echo Dot smart
speaker claims Alexa
started to call him
“s***thead” after he
cancelled his Prime
subscription. Amazon
has offered the
customer £255 in gift
cards and a year of
free Prime membership as
compensation.Lumi
bit.ly/lumi479|From£“I wish I’d learnt to play the piano,” is a familiar refrain. Sadly,
time, money and the considerable effort involved are all
barriers – or they were until Lumi came along. This clever
portable gadget helps you learn how to play, thanks to its illuminated, colour-
coded keyboard and accompanying app. It’s similar to popular rhythm games
such as Guitar Hero, where you press colour-codedkeys, one note at a time, as
they light up on the app. The interactive lessons let you learn at your own pace
until you can rival Beethoven. Pledges start at £147 for the base kit.There’s still no sign of
Microsoft’s rumoured dual-
screen device, but reports
suggest that not only is it
happening, but it may also
run Android apps.
In an interview with Forbes,
Jeff Lin, Associate Director at
IHS Markit, claimed that the
phantom Surface will feature
“two 9in screens with a 4:
aspect ratio” (bit.ly/
surface479). According to his
sources further along the
supply chain, the foldable tablet runs a
new version of Windows 10 known as
Windows Core OS (WCOS), is built
around an Intel Lakefield chip and has
an always-on connection.
Most surprising, however, is his
claim that it will be able to run “Android
apps and iCloud service in Windows 10”.
It’s thought that the new operating
system will make this possible either
by streaming the apps through the
cloud or emulating Android on the
device – like a built-in version of
the popular emulation software
BlueStacks (www.bluestacks.com).
If the rumours are true, it may seem
odd that the company is embracing the
platform of its most bitter rival, Google.
However, under Satya Nadella’s steady
hand, Microsoft has already shown itself
willing to embrace other platforms,
supporting Linux and bringing its own
suite of office apps to Android and iOS.
Will Microsoft’s new
tablet run Android apps?
What’snew on Kickstarter
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Given Microsoft’s trajectory
over the past few years, support
for Android apps seemshighly
likely. Windows Mobile and its
successor Windows Phone
suffered from intense
competition both from Android
and iOS – and a core part of
that failure was its desolate
ecosystem. Its appstore was a
wasteland, with few developers
interested in creating apps for
the distant third-place platform.
Microsoft won’t want to make
the same mistake twice. Adding
the option to run Android apps
on a folding Surface device is a
unique selling-point that could
attract a lot of users.