What you need to know
- All will be revealed with Microsoft's week-long Windows 1.0 teases on July 8.
- The social media posts caused quite a bit of confusion this week, but they were revealed to be a tie-in with Netflix's Stranger Things..
- A bit of Morse code in the latest tease translates to "July 8," implying some sort of announcement is headed our way next week.
Updated July 5, 2019: It looks like Microsoft let the cat out of the bag a little early, releasing Windows 1.11, a game that tasks you with saving the world from Stranger Things' Upside Down, in the Microsoft Store. The original story follows.
Microsoft has been quite a tease on social media this week. The company began by "announcing" the "all-new" Windows 1.0 at the beginning of the week, following up with a drip of new and mysterious videos each day. On July 4, it was confirmed that the campaign is a tie-in with the debut of the third season of Netflix's Stranger Things, which takes place in the same year Windows 1.0 was released.
But it appears there's more to the story.
In a new tweet posted today, Microsoft got a little more mysterious with a video of a PC flashing between different screens, briefly saying "Watch Stranger Things" with the Netflix logo featured prominently. Accompany the tweet, however, is a bit of Morse code that reads "July 8" when converted to text.
Before we move forward, are you sure you're ready to go know where? .--- ..- .-.. -.-- / ---.. pic.twitter.com/iX2237uYsKBefore we move forward, are you sure you're ready to go know where? .--- ..- .-.. -.-- / ---.. pic.twitter.com/iX2237uYsK— Windows (@Windows) July 5, 2019July 5, 2019
The tweet is pretty ominous, reflecting Stranger Things itself. But given the show's third season hit Netflix on July 4, the mention of July 8 portends there's much more on the horizon.
It's still anyone's guess what Microsoft may have in store, but we'll find out for sure next week.
Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love
Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.
VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank (opens in new tab) ($13 at Dell)
This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.
Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (opens in new tab) (From $13 at Dell)
Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger (opens in new tab) fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.
Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad (opens in new tab) ($30 at Dell)
This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.
