Slack gives its desktop app a performance boost

Slack is making life easier for its Windows and macOS users. The collaboration software has been rebuilt for both Windows and macOS to make it load 33 percent faster and use 50 percent less RAM than before. Many Slack customers will notice the change, but it’ll be particularly evident for those who use multiple workspaces. The company has been working on this overhaul for two years, and they have been modernizing parts of the code along the way. The new underlying code is now multi-workspace aware, meaning it won’t create a standalone copy for each workspace and take up RAM for each instance. What the program does is reuse components and rely on a modern codebase. The app itself still runs on Electron, but all the UI parts have been rebuilt using React.

For those who use Slack calls, that feature should be faster as well. And when you’re offline or suffer from a bad internet connection, the app now caches your session better. The app doesn’t get an offline mode per se, but you can now look back at messages in a channel or view conversations you were having before your connection dropped. All these changes have started rolling out to Slack users now.

Source: The Verge

Microsoft aims to make Windows 10 passwordless

You might no longer need to use a password the next time you sign into your Windows 10 PC. Microsoft has been working for a while to remove passwords from Windows 10 and its Microsoft Accounts. The company is aiming for a passwordless sign-in for its services on Windows 10 devices. Instead, the company wants you to rely on Windows Hello face authentication, fingerprint scanners, or a PIN code. If you opt into this new “Make your device passwordless” feature, the password option will disappear for you, or you will have the option to remove it entirely from your login screen. And this feature will extend to business users through Azure Active Directory, which would let businesses go fully passwordless with security keys, the authenticator app, or Windows Hello.

Why the war on passwords though? Well, they aren’t the most secure means of locking accounts. People like to reuse them, and that in itself can pose a big threat. So, if there are better means to secure our accounts, we welcome those changes.

Source: The Verge

Your Windows 10 machine can now show your Android phone notifications

The latest update to the Your Phone app will make it easier for you to see your Android phone notifications right from your Windows 10 PC or laptop. There doesn’t seem to be any restrictions over what notifications you’ll see—everything from emails to social media should show up. However, you can’t do quick replies just yet. To get this to work, you’ll need to have the April 2018 update of Windows 10 and the Your Phone app version you have is 1.19052.657.0. This feature is still rolling out, though, so if it doesn’t appear yet, just be patient.

Source: 9to5Google

Microsoft introduces Xbox Elite 2 controller

It’s been over a year since we’ve heard that a second-generation Xbox Elite controller was coming. The wait is now over. Microsoft just announced the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 at E3 2019. According to the company, the accessory has been completely re-engineered. It comes with new adjustable tension thumbsticks that just need a simple tool to improve precision. The trigger grips have been updated. The bumpers have also been redesigned. There are shorter hair trigger locks now so you can fire faster. The paddles and thumbsticks now have more customization options. It now has a wrap-around rubberized grip, which should make it easier to use these controllers.

The Xbox Elite 2 also gets USB-C and Bluetooth support. It also now has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 40 hours per charge. You can play with it on the Xbox One or Windows PC. In the US, Microsoft is already taking pre-orders for this controller. It’ll be available on November 4^th in 24 countries. It’s priced at US$179.99 (approx. CA$240).

Source: The Verge