Microsoft’s AI language app will give you a friend to practice Chinese with

Learning a new language is all about practice, but sometimes you don’t have someone to practice with.
Microsoft’s new (and aptly-named) Learn Chinese app wants you to pick up the language with the help of an AI assistant.
SEE ALSO: Duolingo Raises $2…

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Acer Mixed Reality Headset gets the VR experience right

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The best test of any virtual reality system is how quickly can you forget you’re wearing a virtual reality system? By this measure alone, Acer’s Windows Mixed Reality Headset (and the included motion controllers) is a very good VR system.

Within minutes of donning the headset and finding a VR game to play, I lost myself in the experience. And it wasn’t just me. Each person I asked to try Acer’s headset has the same reaction, especially when I dropped them into the excellent Super Hot virtual reality game.

Said one coworker, “This is definitely the best thing I’ve ever done in VR.” Read more…

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View More Acer Mixed Reality Headset gets the VR experience right

Acer Mixed Reality Headset gets the VR experience right

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The best test of any virtual reality system is how quickly can you forget you’re wearing a virtual reality system? By this measure alone, Acer’s Windows Mixed Reality Headset (and the included motion controllers) is a very good VR system.

Within minutes of donning the headset and finding a VR game to play, I lost myself in the experience. And it wasn’t just me. Each person I asked to try Acer’s headset has the same reaction, especially when I dropped them into the excellent Super Hot virtual reality game.

Said one coworker, “This is definitely the best thing I’ve ever done in VR.” Read more…

More about Microsoft, Reviews, Review, Virtual Reality, and Mashable Choice

View More Acer Mixed Reality Headset gets the VR experience right

Microsoft Office arrives on Chromebooks via Google Play Store

 Microsoft Office is now available for Google Chromebook users through the Google Play Store – a notable addition, given the two companies offer competing products in terms of office productivity software. Neither Google nor Microsoft are making a formal announcement about the Office applications’ arrival on Chromebooks. But we understand the Office Android apps will only be free… Read More

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Official, full-featured Microsoft Office apps just arrived on Chromebooks

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Full-featured versions of Microsoft Office apps are now available in the Google Play Store for Chromebooks.

Although the Chrome OS-specific Office apps have apparently been in the works for some time, today a Google representative confirmed with Mashable that the apps — full-featured versions — are now available for Chromebooks. 

After Chrome Unboxed spotted the apps, we successfully downloaded and ran Word and PowerPoint to a Samsung Chromebook Pro.

The news was first spotted by the website, and it made sure the apps were visible on a Pixelbook, a Samsung Chromebook Pro, an Acer Chromebook 15, and an Acer C771. Read more…

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Cyber Monday’s best tech bets

 So you’ve had a nice, calming two-day respite from all of the bargain hunting. But don’t worry, it’s almost over. It’s Cyber Monday, a holiday made up in 2005 because Black Friday wasn’t quite doing the trick. Sure it’s a crass cash-in and yet more grist for the end of year Capitalist mill — but the deals! Over the past few years, Cyber… Read More

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Cyber Monday’s best tech bets

 So you’ve had a nice, calming two-day respite from all of the bargain hunting. But don’t worry, it’s almost over. It’s Cyber Monday, a holiday made up in 2005 because Black Friday wasn’t quite doing the trick. Sure it’s a crass cash-in and yet more grist for the end of year Capitalist mill — but the deals! Over the past few years, Cyber… Read More

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Skype disappears from app stores in China, including Apple’s

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Tumbleweeds are a-blowin’ through app stores in China, as unmonitored and foreign-run communication tools continue to vanish. The latest is Skype, which has been missing from Chinese app stores — including Apple’s — for a month, according to the New York Times.

The Times‘ investigation says the move may indicate a crackdown by President Xi Jinping’s administration on privacy, encrypted communication, and “internet freedoms.” A new cybersecurity law the government instituted in June, which includes language that justifies widespread removal of non-compliant apps, may be politically motivated to cut off access once and for all to foreign news outlets and social networks. Read more…

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The battle for control of data could be just starting

 Companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon happily take our data in exchange for convenience, lower prices or free services, but individuals and businesses are beginning to understand the value of controlling their data instead of simply handing it over to the world’s largest technology companies. The battle to regain control over that data could be starting in earnest. I saw a couple… Read More

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Black Friday’s best tech bets

 Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and gratefulness. The following day, on the other hand, is dedicated to rampant consumerism and generally attempting to not get trampled by a stampede of fellow deal seekers. In honor of making your Thanksgiving weekend slightly less stressful than it has to be, here’s a roundup of some of the best tech deals you’ll find a week from today. Read More

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Samsung, Apple, Sony, Microsoft, and more in Newegg’s killer Black Friday deals

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In a market loaded with expensive phones, computers, and smart devices, lower-tier electronics are getting huge discounts this Black Friday. 

Newegg’s Black Friday deals leaked yesterday, and there are some major discounts for anyone who’s looking for new gadgets on a budget, with some products marked down by 50% or more. We picked out some of the best deals Newegg is offering for the biggest shopping day of the year. 

Gaming

Oculus Rift — $349 ($50 off)

Playstation 4 Slim — $200 ($100 off)

Xbox One S — $190 ($90 off) Read more…

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