A recent change to the EULA of the new Windows 10 OS has revealed that it is able to potentially detect pirated software on your computer.

The section of the EULA in question is section 7B which describes how Windows will investigate software to check out its version, and then download configuration changes or perhaps suggest that its time for an upgrade (and then restart itself…). However it seems that this could also include changes to the configuration that might stop identified software from working at all if the OS thinks they might be illegal.

“We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorised hardware peripheral devices.”

“Unauthorised hardware peripheral devices” is a bit less clear on what exactly it means, but it could very well be pointing towards modified controllers or imitation products that might not be as safe as the real device might be.

I just hope that the scan doesn’t catch any false positives, otherwise Microsoft might have some unhappy customers…

One of the main problems with any type of wireless communication is that in order to maintain speed and allow the signal to be transmitted effectively, data often has to be compressed to fit the bandwidth. For wireless audio, this is a problem, as compressing sound signals can reduce the overall quality of the sound you hear, meaning that wireless headphones rarely give you CD Quality sound.

Samsung, however, believe they can make it work. The company’s newly introduced Level On Wireless Pro headphones include a new technology, dubbed “Ultra High Quality Audio” that improves the quality of sound whether you’re plugged in or streaming wirelessly. In typical conditions, the headphones are supposedly capable of CD Quality sound, particularly when listening to a lossless audio format (such as FLAC) or streaming service (such as Tidal). However, when paired with a device that supports Ultra High Quality Audio, such as Samsung’s own Galaxy Note 5 or Galaxy S6 Edge+ smartphones, and the right source material, Samsung claim the sound experience can reach higher-than-CD fidelity. That’s pretty impressive from a wireless headset, though the caveats (Engadget helpfully claims that “you’ll need to shop at a service like Pono’s to get the right source material”) mean that getting this higher quality audio may not always be clear-cut.

Being an improved version of the existing Level On Wireless headphones, the Pro comes with the same additional benefits of its less audiophile cousin – “extra comfortable” cushions designed to completely enclose the ear, active noise cancelling and touch-sensitive controls – though the claimed 11 hour battery life will slightly reduce if one uses Bluetooth and noise reduction at the same time. Given the existing model tends to retail for around the £140 mark, it can be expected that the Level On Wireless Pro will retail for slightly more; but Samsung are yet to reveal price or shipping dates for the new product as of the time of going to press. Watch this space!

Civilization: Beyond Earth is due to have its first expansion release within a few months, and to that end Firaxis made the game free on Steam for the weekend. They’ve also implemented a demo that lets you try the game by playing up to 100 turns of a game. There’s also a sale on, with a special The collection bundle being available that includes the game, the DLC of premade planets and a pre-order of the expansion, Rising Tide.

Rising Tide isn’t due out until October 9th though, so there’s plenty of time to get familiar with the new features including new faction INTEGR who are German-based along with promises of more content to be revealed soon.

If you want to pre-order Rising Tides separately it’s currently selling for 10% off at £22.49, but I’d advice waiting. Civ games have a habit of not really hitting their stride until there’s been a few expansions and Beyond Earth was in my eyes okay but not brilliant. Here’s hoping Rising Tides makes it feel more like the game it’s meant to be.

Otherland is a game that’s been in development for a very long time now. News posts relating to it were first popping up back in 2008, and since then it’s gone though one total reboot and an exchange of developers which has contributed to the long development time.

It’s been in closed beta since late last year, but now it seems that the game might finally be relasing publicly, in Early Access on Steam. The MMORPG is based on a series of novels by Tad Williams and will be available sometime in early 2016 and apparently will be “one of the most advanced titles on the service, a far cry from the Pre-Alpha Versions often put up for sale.”

Features advertised include:

• A combat system that attempts to “feel more like an fighting in an action game than in a classic MMORPG”
• Four classes, two melee, two ranged. They broadly fit in tank, two DPSers and healing, but each looks able to fill a variety of roles.
• A wide range of customisation options when it comes to looks.
• Player housing within a large area of the map, where each player has their own unique space.

No prices have been announced yet, but it doesn’t seem to be due to follow the free-to-play route.

A new Diablo III patch is currently available in the Public Test Realm of the game, and it seems that it’ll be coming with a bunch of new items and gear sets.

The Crusader, Monk and Witch Doctor classes each get a new set of gear each and the Witch Doctor’s Helltooth Harness along with the Wizard’s Vyr’s Amazing Arcana set are also getting an update with this patch. There are also some new Legendaries to hunt down, and with Season 4 about to begin there’s sure to be some Season Legendaries available soon as well.

Check out the video below for some visuals and hop into the PTR if you want to try the patch out before public release.