• Widgets: Apple has promoted Widgets to the main home screen. Just as Android has always allowed, you can now mix re-sizable widgets in with your app icons. A special widget called Smart Stack collects several widgets into one rectangle that lets you scroll through multiple widgets while taking up minimal home screen space.
• App Clips: A new kind of micro-app designed to let you complete a single transaction using a rich app interface, without installing a full app. App Clips are limited to 10 MB so they download quickly. App Clips can be launched from a Maps listing, a message, a QR code, or a new type of physical sticker that includes an NFC tag and a visual code similar to QR codes. App Clips can leverage Sign in with Apple and Apple Pay so users don't need to spend time creating a new account. App Clips can be used to order take-out or delivery, rent a scooter, pay for parking, and more. To help small businesses to take advantage of App Clips, Apple will work with larger services like Yelp to help them create App Clips for individual business listings.
• App Library: A new screen past the right-most home screen with auto-generated folders of apps, including Suggestions, Recently Added, Arcade, Social, etc. To make it easier to access, you can now hide infrequently-used home screens.
• Picture in Picture: Video apps can now display playing video in a floating window over other apps. (Android has supported this since 2017.)
• Translate app: Apple now has its own dedicated app for language translation. In landscape orientation, it switches to a Conversation Mode, for seamless two-way conversation with someone while both people look at the display. It auto-detects the language for each phrase spoken. The app supports English, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian.

Over on Reddit there are also complaints that after the installation of Windows 10 May 2020 Update, there are similar problems with Edge -- which is probably not surprisingly considering Edge and Chrome share the same engine these days. Other people are experiencing problems with OneDrive forgetting login details. There are also issues with Battle.net and the Windows 10 Mail app forgetting credentials.

Microsoft has not yet acknowledged the issues, but there is a potential workaround for Chrome users. Start by killing the Chrome.exe tasks, lock Windows by pressing the Windows key and L simultaneously, then log back in and launch Chrome again. It's not an ideal solution, but it is something of a help until a proper fix materializes.

Tweaktown claims that there is a 15fps difference in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. PCPer also reports a 10fps performance improvement in Metro Exodus. Additionally, PCPer states that there is almost a 50fps boost in DOTA 2. Anandtech reports a 10fps performance boost in Strange Brigade under the Vulkan API. Moreover, Anandtech reports a 14fps improvement in F1 2018.

• Intel 10th Generation Comet Lake Desktop Processors and 400-Series Chipsets Announced - The range of 32 (!) new processors from Intel will vary from two core Celeron parts at 35 W all the way up to ten-core Core i9 hardware rated for 125 W, with per-unit pricing from $42 to $488. Users wanting the 10-core 5.3 GHz will need to purchase the new top Core i9-10900K processor, which has a unit price of $488, and keep it under 70 ºC to enable Intel’s new Thermal Velocity Boost. With an appropriately built motherboard, a manufacturer might enforce an all-core 5.3 GHz scenario, regardless of the temperature, for an unlimited time – if the user can cool it sufficiently.
• AMD Announces 3rd Gen Ryzen 3 Quad-Core Desktop Processors - AMD announced the newest additions to the 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen desktop processor family, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 and AMD Ryzen 3 3300X processors and AMD B550 Chipset for Socket AM4 designed for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen desktop processors with over 60 designs in development. Taking advantage of the AMD world-class portfolio of technologies, these new Ryzen 3 desktop processors bring the groundbreaking "Zen 2" core architecture to business users, gamers, and creators worldwide, leveraging Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) technology for increased productivity. With double the threads, twice the bandwidth, and a wide selection of motherboards in development the AMD B550 chipset and Ryzen 3 desktop processors deliver the ideal processing solution from top to bottom.
• Best CPUs for Gaming: April/May 2020 - Currently Amazon's best sellers are AMD Ryzen processors, with the Ryzen 5 3600 taking the top spot. Intel gets into position from sixth, with the Core i7-9700K. If users absolutely want Intel, then the Core i7-9700F is a good choice. It is slightly cheaper, it does peak at 4.7 GHz, and it's likely to match the 3800X on variable core performance, although where the 3800X has 8 cores and 16 threads, the Core i7-9700F only has 8 cores and 8 threads, as well as slightly slower recommended supported memory.
• Intel Confirms Xe HP 'Superhero' GPU Successor Coming Sooner Than You Might Think - The Intel Graphics Twitter account was on fire today, because they posted an update on the development of the Xe graphics processor, mentioning that samples are ready and packed up in quite an interesting package. The processor in question was discovered to be a Xe-HP GPU variant with an estimated die size of 3700 mm², which means we sure are talking about a multi-chip package here. How we concluded that it is the Xe-HP GPU, is by words of Raja Koduri, senior vice president, chief architect, general manager for Architecture, Graphics, and Software at Intel. He made a tweet, which was later deleted, that says this processor is a "baap of all", meaning "big daddy of them all" when translated from Hindi. Mr. Koduri previously tweeted a photo of the Intel Graphics team at India, which has been working on the same "baap of all" GPU, which suggests this is a Xe-HP chip. It seems that this is not the version of the GPU made for HPC workloads (this is reserved for the Xe-HPC GPU), this model could be a direct competitor to offers like NVIDIA Quadro or AMD Radeon Pro.
• Some WD Red HDDs Allegedly Use SMR, A Big Nono for NAS and RAID - Western Digital launched the WD Red line of hard drives and solid state drives specifically for NAS applications. The rigors of NAS involves not just near 24x7 uptime, but also the ability to work in RAID volumes, as most NAS servers ease the process for end users to set up RAID volumes for data redundancy. Data Storage-focused tech publication Blocks & Files alleges that some WD Red HDDs are shipping with shingled magnetic recording (SMR), a physical-layer data recording technique that makes the drive unfit for RAID, and in turn unfit for most serious NAS setups. An elaborate investigation and discussion in a Smartmontools thread reveals that both Western Digital and Seagate appear to be shipping HDDs with "DM-SMR" (drive-managed SMR), a feature where the HDD's controller internally performs SMR to increase data density when the physical media is running out of space under CMR (conventional magnetic recording, with conventionally spaced tracks). Think of this as a crude analogue to pseudo-SLC caching employed by modern SSDs. Making matters worse is that DM-SMR drives don't report SMR to host controllers. "Beware of SMR drives in CMR clothing," the thread's title reads. A thread in the user forums of Synology, a prominent NAS manufacturer, recounts a similar horror story.
• TSMC Kicking Off Development of 2nm Process Node - A report via DigiTimes places TSMC as having announced to its investors that exploratory studies and R&D for the development of the 2 nm process node have commenced. As today's leading semiconductor fabrication company, TSMC doesn't seem to be one resting on its laurels. Their 7 nm process and derivatives have already achieved a 30% weight on the company's semiconductor orders, and their 5 nm node (which will include EUV litography) is set to hit HVM (High Volume Manufacturing) in Q2 of this year. Apart from that, not much more is known on 2 nm. After 5 nm, which is expected to boats of an 84-87% transistor density gain over the current 7nm node, the plans are to go 3nm, with TSMC expecting that node to hit mass production come 2022. Interestingly, TSMC is planning to still use FinFET technology for its 3 nm manufacturing node, though in a new GAAFET (gate-all-around field-effect transistor) technology. TSMC's plans to deploy FinFET in under 5nm manufacturing is something that many industry analysts and specialist thought extremely difficult to achieve, with expectations for these sub-5nm nodes to require more exotic materials and transistor designs than TSMC's apparent plans
• Microsoft to Showcase Xbox Series X Gameplay on Inside Xbox - May 7th, 8am PT - Microsoft has just announced that we will finally get a glimpse (here's hoping it's more than just a glimpse) at their next-generation Xbox Series X gameplay. The event, scheduled for May 7th at 11 am ET / 8 am PT. To be transmitted on YouTube, the Inside Xbox event will be essentially a "global partner event", which means that we should see gameplay for a variety of franchises from AAA developers and publishers
• iPhone SE (2020) Durability Test - Reasonably... Reasonable?  - The iPhone SE 2020 is Apples cheapest phone yet. But is it durable? Grab your dbrand Grip case here: http://dbrand.com/iphone-se-grip To the shock of everyone Apple has just made a reasonably priced smartphone. And its time to see what its physically made of. Using the Apple iPhone 8 body, and putting all the latest hardware inside like some kind of electronic Frankenstein - We have the 399 dollar iPhone SE 2nd generation. Does having a smaller 399 phone effect your desire to have apples 1000 dollar flagship? They kinda do the exact same things...
  
• Apple iPhone SE 2020 Disassembly Teardown Video Review  - Apple iPhone SE 2020 Disassembly Teardown Repair Video Review shows that iPhone SE 2020 is 99% Identical to iPhone 8!!! Almost all the parts aside from the battery are interchangeable with the iPhone 8, including the camera!
• iPhone SE (2020) Review: It All Adds Up! - A moment of silence for those who bought an iPhone 8 a while ago at a much higher price!
• Motorola Gets Back Into Flagship Game with edge+ - The Motorola edge+ is the company's first truly top-end phone in several years. It will be exclusive to Verizon in the US and go on sale May 14th. It's being introduced alongside the slightly more affordable - but still very high-end - "edge" model, which will be available in the US unlocked this summer. Both phones have the same 6.7-inch OLED "Endless Edge" display that curves a full 90deg around the sides. An Edge Gaming feature adds virtual shoulder buttons to the curved display edge for games. The full-HD display also supports 90 Hz refresh and HDR10+. Both phones also have 5G, a water-repellent design, 3.5mm headset jack, NFC, and stereo speakers with Waze tuning that Motorola claims are the loudest of any smartphone.
• The Flagship Smartphone Nobody Saw Coming - Motorola is back with its very own flagship smartphone in 2020. This is the Motorola Edge Plus.
• Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite Comes to US Unlocked - Samsung is launching the Galaxy S10 Lite in the US as an unlocked phone for $650. Samsung says the phone represents "a new entry point to the flagship tier via a premium device with pro-grade features at an accessible price". The S10 Lite sports a 6.7-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display with a centered hold punch for the 32 megapixel selfie camera. The triple rear cameras include a 48 megapixel main camera, 12 megapixel wide camera, and a macro camera. The Android 10 software includes Samsung's newest flagship camera features such as Single Take, Pro Video, and Night Hyperlapse. It also has a 4,500 mAh battery, at least 6 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. The phone supports most major US LTE bands, including bands 14 (FirstNet), 29, 30, 66, and 71. The Galaxy S10 Lite will be available starting tomorrow, April 17th, from Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy. Amazon is offering free Galaxy Buds with the S10 Lite. Samsung is offering up to $250 for a trade-in phone, and Best Buy is offering $200 off with a qualified activation on a wireless service plan.
• Google Cracks Down on Sneaky Subscriptions in Android Apps - Google is tightening both its policies and practices regarding Android apps with subscriptions, including those with free trails or introductory offers. Under updated Play Store policies, Google will now require apps to make clearer disclosures up front about how a specific subscription works. Google will also pro-actively send timely emails to users to ensure they aren't billed for a subscription they may be unaware of, or have forgotten about. Google will now email users before a free trial or intro price ends, and also when a renewal is coming up for a 3-month, 6-month, or annual subscription plan. Google is also adding a specific notification to let users know that un-installing an app does not automatically cancel the associated subscription
• WhatsApp rolls out support for 8 participants on group video calls - Last week, WhatsApp rolled out a beta update with support for up to eight participants in a group conversation. And now, the service officially announced that the new capability is finally rolling out to everyone using iOS or Android phones.
• Nintendo Accounts are reportedly getting hacked - I strongly urge anyone who has ever used an online Nintendo service to log into Nintendo's accounts portal in order to change their passwords, unlink payment credentials, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). All of these steps can be conducted at the "security" sub-page, whose URL is https://accounts.nintendo.com/security. This also includes a convenient "sign-in history" page.
• How Netflix's Extraction Engineered a 12-Minute, One-Shot Action  - For today's episode of War Stories, Ars Technica is joined by Sam Hargrave, director of the Netflix action film "Extraction." Hargrave breaks down the technical challenges he and his crew overcame in conceiving, choreographing and executing a breathtaking, 12-minute action scene with star Chris Hemsworth. Taking lessons learned from his time as the stunt coordinator of blockbusters like "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: End Game" Hargrave engineered a kinetic and ambitious urban battle sequence - but needed to figure out how to capture it. Hear directly from the man behind the camera as he details every factor that needs consideration when stitching a series of chaotic set pieces into a single, uninterrupted shot. EXTRACTION is available exclusively on Netflix April 24.
• Smartphone Contact Tracing Tech to be Released Ahead of Schedule - A new contact-tracing technology developed by Apple and Google to address the COVID-19 pandemic will see its first release to developers on April 28th, earlier than originally planned. The technology uses Bluetooth to keep a history of which phones come near which other phones for certain periods of time, as an approximation of people who have come into contact, so that when someone tests positive for COVID-19, other people who need to be tested can be identified quickly. The technology is fully interoperable between iOS and Android phones, thanks to a unique collaboration between Google and Apple. The API being released next week will enable verified public health authorities to use the technology in their own apps. Such apps will need to be installed on a large percentage of phones for the technology to be useful in any given population. Later, Apple and Google plan to integrate a more complete contact-tracing technology into both iOS and Android, which would not require an app install. Apple and Google have designed the technology to be anonymous, voluntary, transparent, temporary, secure, and interoperable, and EU regulators are working with the companies to ensure the technology meets their strict standards in those areas.
• FCC Opens up 6 GHz Band for Wi-Fi - The FCC today approved new rules for the 6 GHz band that allow unlicensed use, including Wi-Fi. This opens up a large swath of new spectrum for Wi-Fi, which should result in faster, more reliable Wi-Fi when new devices become available that support the new band. The full 1200-MHz-wide band (5.925-7.125 GHz) will be available for indoor, low-power applications. Standard-power devices will have access to a smaller, 850 MHz portion of the band, with an automated system ensuring they don't interfere with existing, licensed users of the band, including microwave services that are used to support utilities, public safety, and wireless backhaul. The FCC is seeking comment on allowing higher power levels in the band.
• Swift Covid-19 vaccine within reach, say Swiss scientists - A team of researchers at the University of Bern is hoping to be the first to produce a vaccine against Covid-19 and inoculate the entire Swiss population in October. Bachmann, who is also professor of vaccinology at the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, said his accelerated timing could be partially explained by potential ease of production, where the equivalent of 200 litres of bacterial bio ferment, which is needed for the jabs, could produce 10-20 million doses
• Safe Cracking with a 60,000 PSI Waterjet - It took me longer than I'm willing to admit to realize that I clicked on a Waterjet Channel video and not a Lockpicking Lawyer video.
• We Made Willy Wonka R-Rated - The visual effects team at Corridor Crew take on the classic 1971 fantasy film about children getting offed one-by-one and try to make it an R-rated movie about children getting offed one-by-one
• Rammstein - Sonne (Stylophone Cover) - Someone got really productive in the lockdown time. Great job :-)
• Pink Floyd - PULSE (Restored & Re-Edited 90 Minute Version) - Filmed live on 20 October 1994 at Earls Court, London, UK. Restored & re-edited in 2019 from the original tape masters.
• Lovecraft Country: Official Teaser - HBO's new drama series, based on the 2016 novel by Matt Ruff of the same name, debuts this August. The series follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he joins up with his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) to embark on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father (Michael Kenneth Williams). This begins a struggle to survive and overcome both the racist terrors of white America and the terrifying monsters that could be ripped from a Lovecraft paperback. Lovecraft Country premieres on HBO in August 2020.
• TV Reporter Accidentally Films A Very NSFW Segment On Live TV - Here's another unexpected outcome of working from home: sometimes when you're filming live segments in your bathroom, your naked spouse might also be in the shot.
  
• This Weird Steel Mill Setup Looks Insanely Dangerous - Red hot ribbons of steel curling meandering through workers' legs? What could go wrong!?
• New Funny Coronavirus Jokes - A collection of top funny memes to boost your mood during self-isolation
• MetalTrump - Paranoid (Black Sabbath) - This 50-year-old classic has finally been remastered.
• Hottest Babes on the Internet #102 - Which one is hottest? ;-)