What You need to Know About Xbox Play Anywhere

Whenever you buy a game, it is usually locked to the one platform you purchased on; for instance, if you bought the game for PC, then you can only play it on a PC. If you bought it on a console, then you can play it on a gaming console only.

But if you're an Xbox One owner or a PC gamer, you may have seen that some games in the Xbox Store have a little badge that reads "Xbox Play Anywhere"

Read on to familiarize yourself what Xbox Play Anywhere means.

What is Xbox Play Anywhere?

As the name indicates, Xbox Play Anywhere lets you play select games on any Windows gaming machine that you have. When you download a digital copy of these games for either PC or Xbox One, you also get the game on the other platform for no extra cost. Your game data, downloadable content (DLC) and achievements will all show up on both systems.

This is restricted to digital games, though, so do not purchase a disc-based copy of your favorite game for Xbox One and expect a PC copy -- because it doesn't work that way. You can buy Play Anywhere games from your Xbox One; the Xbox app on Windows 10, Android or iOS; the Windows Store; Xbox.com; Microsoft.com; or via digital game codes that are sold online or in retail stores and are redeemed online.

What are those games that are included in the Xbox Play Anywhere Program?

Currently, Xbox has announced 12 current and upcoming games that are starting the program. They are:

• Forza Horizon 3
• ReCore
• Gears of War 4
• Sea of Thieves
• Halo Wars 2
• Scalebound
• Killer Instinct: Season 3
• State of Decay 2
• Ark: Survival Evolved
• Cuphead
• We Happy Few
• Crackdown 3

How to prepare

In order to enjoy the Xbox Play Anywhere program, you need to make sure that your gaming PC is upgraded to the Windows Anniversary Update. You can refer to this guide on how to do it.

Also, you need the latest update to your Xbox One. If you have your console set to update automatically, then most likely you're good to go. Otherwise, go to Settings > All Settings, and then head to System > Console info & updates > Update console.

You will still need to download the game on both devices.

Data transfer is done automatically

Your game saves, DLC, and other data are all saved on Xbox Live, so there's no other additional steps you need to perform regarding data transfer. As long as you're signed in with the same Microsoft account on both the Xbox One and your PC, you can transfer data seamlessly.

Keep in mind though that you can only use one platform at a time. That means you can't play the game on your Xbox One while someone else is playing it on a gaming laptop.

Online Computer Support Can Save You money, Time, and Effort

Computers, like anything mechanical, electrical, and electronic, require periodic repair to maintain their optimal functioning. Otherwise, they can become slow or stop and break down completely. With numerous viruses and other security threats prevalent online, you should always get expert computer repair whenever you encounter a serious problem. While many people used to get their computers repaired locally, there is now the option of online computer support and repair.

Online computer support is, as they say, a necessary necessity. In today’s world, when things need to be done as fast as possible, people do not have time to wait for a physical computer repair technician to knock on your office door.

The advantages of online computer support and repair are plentiful:

Convenience

Perhaps the best part of online computer support and repair is the convenience of having it at a click of a mouse. Rather than having to transport your computer and potentially drive a significant distance, you can have it repaired from your own home or office. While transporting a laptop might not be that big of a deal, transporting a desktop PC can be a serious inconvenience. Choosing an online computer or technical support and repair company will match you with a qualified service technician who can resolve your issue with a minimal amount of hassle.

It fits your schedule and needs

We all would like it better if our computer support and repair needs could be scheduled around our normal 9-5 work hours. Unfortunately, it usually never works like that. When your desktop or network crashes, or your system is infected with a virus at 2 in the morning, you need quick help. Online computer support and repair allows your computer repair work to be done 24/7/365.

Less waiting, more work can be done

With online computer support, there is no need to wait for a computer support technician to arrive at your office or home, or to stand in line at a computer repair shop. Your system will not be shipped out to another branch or city, forcing you to wait days or weeks for its return. Everything will be done then and there, while you watch.

You can be involved

Every computer repair problem is different, unique, and not as simple as “my computer froze up.” Sometimes, trying to explain these problems can be difficult. With online computer support, you can watch as the technician works on your computer, able to point out exactly the sorts of problems you have been having, saving time, and eliminating confusion.

Cost efficient

Online computer support technicians have a full array of tools at their disposal, from network monitors to the latest in antivirus software and diagnostic tools. Your computer repairs will be done quickly and correctly, saving you time and money, because the need for computer repair can arise at any time.

Choosing online computer support and repair is ideal because you are not limited to geographical location and you can expect the best service possible regardless of where you are. 

Ensuring That Your Computer Network is Performing at Its Best

Tracking and cracking your network to ensure that there are no performance problems is not easy. More than just identifying mystifying bottlenecks, ensuring network efficiency requires an almost high understanding of how your network is functioning down to the nitty gritty stuff. It is also the ability to have a somewhat “thick skin” to withstand the heat when problems inevitably arise. Also, it is remembering that just because something is wrong with the network doesn’t mean we get to blame the network itself at all times.

To keep that network humming, there are certain areas you really need to tweak that can lead to significant performance gains. This also ensures that your system is blazing that is essential to your needs.

Disk striping

Often the network itself is not the bottleneck. If you have several hard drives, you can combine them into one logical drive where the data is “striped” across them. There are some downsides but performance is not one of them. This is called “RAID 0” by computer experts.

Balance your system load

In the same vein as disk striping, you don’t want all your I/O for your NIC, hard drives, and tape drives, etc. on the same load. Most servers have several, so put some thought into how you can optimize this. Specifically, realize that data does not go directly from the hard drive to the NIC if they are on the same load. All the components still have to chat with your CPU, so if there is contention, it is faster if they are on separate loads.

Clean up network protocols

If you are one of those people that still have NetWare IPX, Appletalk, NetBEUI, and TCP/IP protocols bound to every interface on your server, get rid of the ones you are not using. Refusing to let go of the past often results in increased costs, downtime, and fragility of core systems. Instead of holding meeting after meeting to figure out how to get a 10-year-old package transferred to new infrastructure, throw it out and get something new. The upfront costs may be more, but they will pale against the long-term costs you will incur by not severing these ties.

Adjust your TCP/IP settings, particularly the window size

If you cannot seem to find any bottlenecks, and you are not getting the throughput on your WAN that you think you should, remember the bandwidth delay product and check your window size.

Implement WAN bandwidth saving models

There are lots of technologies out there that fundamentally change the model of networking and result in dramatically lower WAN utilization or latency. Some examples are terminal servers, content networking, WAFS, and Web services. You may also want to investigate your web of leased lines and costly WAN charges. Linking multiple sites with T1 lines, MPLS, and even Frame Relay used to be the only way to guarantee connectivity, but everything has changed since with improvements in technology. Rather than curse at your monthly WAN bill, it is high time to investigate your alternatives. 

Building Better Focus and Improving Work Productivity Using These Apps

The success of increased work productivity over the last five years or so has been attributed in no small part by the huge number of apps available to users. These handy little add-ons make life easier; there are apps for grocery shopping, banking, social networks and, of course, every type of work you can think of.

Many of these apps are actually proven to increase work productivity and enables you to perform your job better. It even provides the unique ability to work on the move in a way that hasn’t been possible since even the advent of the electronic organizer.

To take advantage of modern technology to increase your effectiveness and focus on the job, here are a few apps that have been proven to increase the productiveness of people at all levels of business.

Wunderlist

Wunderlist is a fantastic app for every aspect of work. As the name suggests, its main function is making lists which may sound simple but it’s incredibly useful. First, it’s free and it’s extremely easy to use. You can create as many separate lists as you want, and file them accordingly to ensure your life remains organized. It also has the ability to share with multiple users. For instance, you can create a list of to-dos for a certain project, then if you’re out of the office you can assign tasks to other members of the team from your device, laptop, or tablet. You can then set a due date for that task and request a reminder to be sent if the task has yet not been ticked off.

Speek

Conference calling is an important part of how most businesses operate. It enables teams, and individuals, working in different offices around the world to brainstorm, plan and discuss. Speek is a specialist conference calling app that cuts out the fuss and lets you get on with the work. All you have to do is pick a personal link which takes the place of the traditional PIN or phone numbers and then send it to the other callers. When they want to join the call, all they have to do is click that link from their tablet, smartphone, desktop, etc., to join in.

Shoeboxed

Claiming expenses can be a time consuming process, all those forms to fill out and keeping track of those receipts. That’s where Shoeboxed proves its worth. This free app is great for people who frequently find themselves out and about in the name of business. It enables you to scan your receipts into your phone as you go, and then collates and organizes the receipts for you. That’s great especially when the time comes that you need to generate an expenses report.

Learn to Navigate the New Settings Menu in Android Nougat

Finally, Android 7.0 Nougat is here to stay. It may not have the same dramatic visual overhaul we were first treated to in Android Lollipop two versions ago, but Nougat provides a lot of major improvements and refinements over Marshmallow, along with quite a few nice new usability changes.

A quick overview and description of this new Android OS, you can say that it’s Android putting its roots down. The general feel of Android has become increasingly stable since Lollipop, with less feature flip flopping, fewer performance issues, and a greater focus on polish. Nougat is all about extending functionality, improving pre-existing features and further expanding what’s possible in stock Android.

When your smartphone gets a major update like Android Nougat, at first you may not think to take a peek and check the Settings section. However, don't underestimate the value in some of the changes to this vital control panel. Android's Settings menu has undergone a few tweaks, making it much easier to navigate and find what you need.

Getting There

Similar to Marshmallow, launching the Settings did not change. Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen and then touch the gear icon at the upper-right corner. Alternatively, you can swipe once and then touch the arrow, then the gear.

However, when you get there, you'll find a few main categories with other capabilities grouped underneath them. Often times the fastest method is to use the search bar at the top, right of the screen. Just type in what you want to find, touch the result, and you’ll be taken right there.

As you can see on the sample screenshots, not only does the search function find different settings, but it’ll locate Wi-Fi networks you’ve connected to in the past and specific functions within different features.

A useful addition to Nougat is a slide-out menu from the left. This allows you to navigate to another piece of the settings more quickly than working your way in and out of the maze of different options.

There are four major groupings: Wireless & networks, Device, Personal, and System. It’s worth noting the System UI Tuner has been moved here. This allows you to tweak a number of different elements. To get this with Nougat, long press on the Settings gear for five seconds. You’ll then see a pop-up notification that you’ve enabled the System UI Tuner. Then, feel free to experiment away.