Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft has officially closed a long-standing loophole that allowed users of older PCs to upgrade to Windows 10 and Windows 11 for free — This move marks the end of an era for those who were still holding on to Windows 7 or Windows 8; As of now, if you own a Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC, you will need to purchase a new license to upgrade to the latest Microsoft operating systems.

The free upgrade offer for Windows 10 and Windows 11 had originally expired on July 29, 2016, as per a Microsoft blog post from September 20, though recently rediscovered by Windows Central. This post made it clear that the pathway to obtaining a free upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 has been eliminated. However, it’s worth noting that upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 are still free for eligible devices.

Photo CC by 2.0: “Windows 7 Starter” by okubax.

In the past, Microsoft had extended the upgrade offer for a year after Windows 10’s launch, giving Windows 7 and Windows 8 users a free option to transition to the newer operating system. There was even a loophole for users of assistive technologies that allowed them to upgrade until the end of 2017.

Over time, Microsoft gradually closed these loopholes, and now the last remaining option to upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 has also been officially closed. With Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced stricter hardware requirements, making it less feasible for older PCs to handle the upgrade. This change reinforces Microsoft’s stance that it’s time for users to consider investing in a modern PC.

While Windows 7 was a beloved operating system, it was released fourteen years ago and reached the end of its support lifecycle quite some time ago.

For those considering an upgrade, there are various modern PCs available (check out our several Laptop reviews). This shift by Microsoft serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping your operating system up-to-date for security and functionality reasons.

The End Of An Era: Users Can’t Upgrade To Windows 10 Or 11 For Free Anymore

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The new meme is a cutting response to how some men reacted to a lighthearted “girl math” trend on social media.

Beyerdynamic is no stranger to the gaming community, as the company’s wired headsets are regularly seen at professional esports events and the like. However, it’s never released a wireless gaming headset, until now. The company just revealed the Beyerdynamic MMX 200 and this headset’s packed with modern features, all without frustrating wires to get in the way.

The company says the MMX 200 offers the “same competitive advantage” of its wired cousins, thanks to 40mm high-performance drivers that provide expanded detail across the entire frequency range. There’s also an integrated digital signal processor (DSP) that promises to add more oomph to the sound, helping to create the “ultimate gaming experience.”

Gaming is more than just listening, however, especially when you’re playing with friends. You also have to trash talk. The MMX 200 features a detachable boom mic with an integrated 9mm condenser capsule that Beyerdynamic says will make listeners think your voice is coming from a podcast studio. That’s quite a lofty promise, as the microphones that typically accompany gaming headsets are, in a word, trash.

Being a wireless headset, connectivity options are extremely important. To that end, the MMX 200 integrates with a wide variety of audio codecs and features Bluetooth 5.3, along with a low-latency wireless adapter. There’s even an interesting hybrid mode that allows the headphones to connect via an analog wired connection and Bluetooth at the same time.

The advertised battery life is certainly impressive, allowing for 35 to 50 hours of use per charge. This metric doesn’t even include idle periods, so the real-world battery life could creep even higher. You can also charge the headset during use, which is always a nice time-saver and a feature more companies should implement. As with most gaming headsets intended for prolonged use, there are some comfort-forward features here, like memory foam padding on the earpads and a light clamping force that shouldn’t squeeze your head like a grape.

All of the components have been designed for self-repair, with replacement parts available. Additionally, Beyerdynamic doesn’t really trade in gimmicks, so there’s no RGB lights or anything like that. The MMX 200 headphones are available today for $250 straight from the company or via Amazon.

While this is Beyerdynamic’s first wireless gaming headset, it’s not the company’s first foray into wireless audio. It released a pair of wireless earbuds last year, called Free Byrd.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/beyerdynamic-releases-its-first-ever-wireless-gaming-headset-172641714.html?src=rss

Honda has revealed more details about its all-electric Prologue SUV. The EV will have a listed range of 300 miles when the first deliveries arrive in early 2024. The automaker says the vehicle’s MSRP is “expected to start in the upper $40,000s” before subtracting any available incentives or tax credits.

The Prologue’s pricing puts its entry point well above rival SUVs like the Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mustang Mach-E — all of which start at around $40,000. Meanwhile, the range on Honda’s EV is much shorter than the Ioniq 6’s 361 miles and even lags slightly behind the Hummer EV (314 miles).

The Prologue is built on the GM Ultium EV architecture, the same platform as GM electrics like the Chevy Blazer EV. Honda’s new model has an 85-kWh battery pack that applies to both rear-drive and all-wheel-drive models. However, note that the 300-mile estimated range only applies to the 2WD variant, and we don’t yet know how far to expect the AWD one to last. The automaker only lists engine performance stats for the AWD version, which generates an estimated 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque.

Honda

Elsewhere, the Honda Prologue has a 121.8-inch wheelbase, five inches longer than the longer Honda Pilot’s. The SUV seats five people and has 136.9 cubic feet of interior space. The vehicle supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and it includes an 11-inch instrument display with an 11.3-inch HD infotainment screen.

Honda will give buyers several charging packages to choose from at purchase. First, they can get an 11.5kW home charging station with a $100 charging credit and a $500 installation credit. Second, they can opt for a 7.6kW portable charging kit, a $300 public charging credit and a $250 installation credit. Alternatively, customers can go with $750 in public charging credits.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/honda-first-all-electric-suv-has-300-mile-range-and-starts-in-the-upper-40000s-183146672.html?src=rss

A must-have for Dreamcast fans like myself, this Hallmark SEGA Dreamcast ornament features a miniature of the ahead-of-its-time console, complete with a controller and light-up Visual Memory Unity (VMU) accessory. Pushing the console’s power button illuminates the Sonic image on the VMU and plays music from the Sonic Adventures game. There’s no doubt in my mind that by the time Christmas actually rolls around, my wife is going to be sick of that song.

The ornament measures a respectable 3.56″ x 4.71″ x 2.07″ and is powered by three replaceable LR44 batteries. Do I wish it was Power Stone 2-themed instead of Sonic Adventures? Yes, but I’ll take what I can get. Sure, I could try could modding the ornament myself, but I’m realistic enough to know that will only result in a broken ornament.

I still have my original Dreamcast around here somewhere. I should probably dust it off and fire it up. Of course, if ends anything like the time I dusted off my GameCube, I’ll emerge from the basement with a beard sometime next week, confused about what day it is.

[via TechEBlog]