Windows 10 launch details

Microsoft this week detailed some of its launch plans for Windows 10, which will be available this summer as a free upgrade to all existing Windows 7 and 8 users. The update will be available in 190 countries and 111 languages and runs on everything from smartphones to tablets to powerful Windows desktops.

Meerkat is where it’s at

Video streaming app Meerkat made a splash at SXSW this week despite problems connecting to Twitter’s Open Graph of interconnected users. The app allows iPhone customers to stream live video to their Twitter followers, and will compete with an upcoming Twitter offering following the company’s acquisition of Periscope, an app that does very much the same thing.

Messenger payments

Facebook this week added a new feature to Messenger, which allows users to send each other peer-to-peer payments. The company joins the likes of Venmo, Square Cash, and Snapchat in the race to dominate the peer-to-peer payments industry.

iOS betas go public

Apple is opening a public beta to iOS 8.3, the upcoming installment to its mobile operating system that brings new CarPlay features and more diverse emoji. Following in the footsteps of Apple’s Yosemite beta on Macs, iOS users can get early access iOS 8.3 and iOS 9 when it debuts this summer.

Nintendo goes mobile

And finally, Mario might soon be coming to your iPhone. Nintendo announced an agreement with Japanese gaming company DeNA to release Nintendo-branded games for mobile platforms. This represents a massive strategic move for Nintendo, which has traditionally relied on console games for its Wii platform and Nintendo DS. It remains to be seen how many of its beloved franchises will make their way to mobile.