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Microsoft launching a Surface Pro 4 this Fall

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Microsoft is actually doing it as more and more rumors, leaks and sources claim that the company will not in fact leave the Surface Pro line-up as is, but will launch an entirely new Surface Pro 4 this Fall. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 release date is said to be around October 15-25, with the new convertible going up for sale a month later in November. Although there’s little to be known about what Microsoft is planning on the convertible front, most insiders seem to be convinced that fans of the multifunctional tablets will eventually rejoice this month at the launch of the Surface Pro 4.

The Windows 10 launch last month went smoothly, and aside from a couple of privacy and tracking issues, customers seem to be very happy with the new operating system from Microsoft. The company has its hands full with the new OS and the updates that it requires, as well as with Windows 10 for phones and the new Microsoft Lumia 940 and Lumia 1030 smartphones. But since Microsoft is one of the largest tech companies in the world, there’s no doubt that they have the resources they need in order to turn 2015 into the year of Microsoft.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 release date will also introduce the new Microsoft Lumia flagships of the year with the mobile version of Windows 10 on board. Other manufacturers like Dell, HP, Asus, Acer, Lenovo and others are prepping their own devices, including smartphones, for the launch of Windows 10 for phones, but the Surface Pro 4 and the new Microsoft Lumia phones should be the highlight of the year when it comes to Windows-based gadgets. With the Surface Pro 4, the Redmond giant would like to reignite the flame that has been started by the Surface Pro 3 and attract casual, as well as enterprise users to the new device.

According to our own insiders, the Surface Pro 4 will be the creme de la creme of convertibles, surpassing the good reputation of its own predecessor and its newer, more improved model, as well as convertibles like the Lenovo Yoga Pro 3 or the new Asus Transformer Book Chi line-up, among others. With a new software suite coming around alongside Windows 10, the Surface Pro 4 will be designed and engineered around integration with Microsoft services and devices. If Apple has its own ecosystem, Microsoft wants to get in on it with its own spin on the matter.

The Surface Pro 4 will have a fanless, aluminum design and will adhere to new design elements such as an even thinner and lighter body, resembling the iPad Air 2, as well as a waterproof or water resistant certifications. The chassis of the Surface Pro 4 is said to be made with an aluminum alloy that combines new industrial elements into the design, giving the tablet more durability. In the spirit of the new Lenovo Yoga line-up, the Surface Pro 4 will not only incorporate a similar watch hinge at the base, replacing the magnetic type cover, but will also incorporate a projector in the device.

Using a projector is something most Windows and Surface Pro users are very familiar with, and the addition of a proprietary, native projector to the Surface Pro 4 increases its usefulness in schools, learning environments and business environments. While until now, Apple’s iPads were leaders in education, the Surface Pro 4 might take that throne away from Tim Cook and co. Still, these are unconfirmed reports, so I would suggest taking them with a heap of salt before getting your hopes too high.

Balancing cost and performance is a difficult task, especially for Microsoft. Many people are not happy about having to purchase styli and type covers separately, and the company wants to change that perspective. By introducing a new Surface Pro 4 with a watch-type hinge, Microsoft would eliminate the need for a type cover or a kick stand and will leave the styli as the optional accessory that people will have to purchase. The new design would significantly lower costs to customers and improve feedback, as well as lower the cost of sales, marketing and others for individual type covers. Although the new Surface Pro 4 will most likely be more expensive than anticipated if these design elements are truly incorporated, it will be well worth the price. Or at least that’s what they’re telling us right now.

The Surface Pro 4 will feature a fanless design and various models that will be made available in November 2015. The variants will differ in screen size, the Surface Pro 4 display having a 10-inch and 13-inch size available. The display resolution will also differ a bit from model to model, the lower-end, smaller model coming with last year’s resolution while the bigger, more powerful model will sport a higher QHD or 4K resolution. The display will also benefit from a new feature that will combine Cortana and long presses into the OS. While that is more part of Windows 10 and its properties, it is interesting to imagine how Microsoft will implement such a function into the Surface Pro 4.

Although we’re not even sure the Surface Pro 4 release date is correct, information keeps piling up about prices and specs in our inboxes. Until the truth is revealed by Microsoft themselves, these rumors are going to have to suffice. When it comes to Surface Pro 4 pricing, our insiders say we should expect prices to be between $500 and $1300, depending on the model. That’s a pretty big gap that suggests various models being available or outspecced models in a more conservative sample size.

The base model of the Surface Pro 4 will incorporate an FHD 10-inch display, Windows 10, Microsoft Office 365, a fanless i3 chipset backed by 4 GB RAM, a massive 8600 mAh battery, Type C USB, display port, HDMI port, USB 3.0, audio jack, microSD card slot and more. The most expensive model will feature an i7 architecture, 16 GB RAM and a bigger, better 13-inch display. Ports and features will mostly be the same, but the display and performance will be at a premium level on the most expensive Surface Pro 4 unit that will be available. Internal storage will range from 64 GB to 256 GB, as per usual.

Although there’s little official information about the Surface Pro 4, we’re confident that Microsoft is preparing something really neat for us, and integration with devices will be a big part of the entire experience. The design seems very interesting and we’re curious as to how the company will solve the Type cover and styli problem that users were unhappy with. Unless the company launches something sub-par, which is unlikely, the Surface Pro 4 should eventually end up being a success in the tablet/convertible industry.

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Mobile Devices

3 Video Games About Women’s Health

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Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.

Tampon Run – Menstrual health

Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.

In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.

PCOS Vitality – PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.

The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.

Bound by Blood – Period poverty

Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.

Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.

Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising

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Consoles

PS5, PS4 Game Death Stranding Coming Natively to iPhone 15 Pro

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PS5 and PS4 console game Death Stranding Director’s Cut is coming natively to the iPhone 15 Pro, demonstrating its power. The entirety of Kojima Productions’ seminal hiking sim, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, will be available on your phone. Bonkers!

Tech giant: “Continuing Apple’s leadership in smartphone silicon, A17 Pro improves the entire chip, including Apple’s biggest GPU redesign. The new CPU is 10% faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is 2x faster, powering iOS 17 features like autocorrect and Personal Voice.

According to the company, the pro-class GPU is 20% faster and unlocks new experiences with a 6-core design that boosts peak performance and energy efficiency. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 4x faster than software-based, gives iPhone 15 Pro smoother graphics and more immersive AR and gaming experiences. The iPhone 15 Pro brings console games to smartphones for the first time.

As with all cutting-edge Apple products, participation is expensive. The iPhone 15 Pro will cost £999/$999 at launch, and the Max model will cost £1,199/$1,199 for a 6.7″ screen. The most basic option only gives you 128GB, so you’ll need more if you want to play Death Stranding on the go.

However, the blurring of standalone consoles and mobile games is fascinating. The success of Genshin Impact, a full-fledged open world, has shown there’s a market for console-like mobile games. It will be interesting to see how Death Stranding performs on this latest iPhone generation.

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Android

Launched Redmi Note 12 series: 200MP camera, 210W charging for less than $400

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The three phones have similar screens and processors, but they vary in a number of ways.

The Redmi Note series from Xiaomi has historically been the brand’s most well-liked smartphone line, providing excellent value in the entry-level market. The Redmi Note 12 series has now been unveiled by the firm in China.

The Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus are the three phones we truly have this time. A flat 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, a Mediatek Dimensity 1080 5G processor, and a 16MP selfie camera are features shared by all three devices.

They both have a 3.5mm connector, NFC, IR blaster, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, among other things. In contrast, there are a few significant variances.

Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition

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The Note 12 Discovery Edition of the Redmi Note 12 has a 200MP HPX primary camera (f/1.65, OIS), making it possibly the most striking model. This camera can capture photographs with a resolution of 200MP, 50MP pixels (using four-in-one binning), or 12.5MP (using 16-in-one binning). Additionally, the phone offers a 2MP macro lens and an 8MP ultrawide camera.

The phone is notably different from its stablemates in that it supports 210W wired charging; according to Xiaomi, a full charge can be achieved in just nine minutes. Although you only get a 4,300mAh battery here, this high wattage comes at the expense of battery capacity.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus

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Thought a 200MP smartphone with a larger battery would be cool? With the Pro Plus model, you get precisely that. The triple back camera system will have the same 200MP+8MP+2MP resolution as the Discovery Edition.

The Pro Plus variant, on the other hand, chooses a 5,000mAh battery and still blazing-fast 120W cable charging. Xiaomi claims that a full charge should be achieved in about 19 minutes.

Redmi Note 12 Pro

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Have no interest in megapixels? The Redmi Note 12 Pro, which adds a 50MP IMX766 primary camera (f/1.88, OIS) in addition to the 8MP+2MP duo, fills this need. The Oppo Find X5 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 9 both feature flagship devices with 50MP sensors similar to this one. We therefore have high hopes that it will also produce acceptable image quality on the Note 12 Pro.

The Pro version additionally includes a 5,000mAh battery with 67W wired speeds. A 100% charge should be expected in a still quick 46 minutes.

Pricing and availability for the Redmi Note 12 series
The base 8GB/256GB variant of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition costs 2,399 yuan (about $332), while the base 6GB/128GB model of the Redmi Note 12 Pro costs 1,699 yuan (about $235). Do you want Pro Plus? The 8GB/256GB variant thus has a starting price of 2,099 yuan (about $290).

Although Xiaomi acknowledged that these phones are currently limited to China, it advised us to “keep tuned” for international announcements. To be fair, the Chinese Redmi Note 11 series was very different from the international variants that debuted a few months later.

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