Also, Samsung faces GapGate controversy, Grooveshark guilty of copyright infringement, Spotify launches in Canada, and Jeff Goldblum sells LED lightbulbs.

Windows 10: One OS To Rule Them All

http://youtu.be/84NI5fjTfpQ

Microsoft has revealed its future plans for Windows, previewing the all-encompassing Windows 10. The biggest surprise is the name, with Windows 9 being skipped in favor of the more-momentous sounding Windows 10. The rest is pretty much as expected, with the various leaks in recent months giving away much of Microsoft's strategy in making the world fall in love with Windows once again.

Windows 10 will run across multiple devices, from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets. Even the Xbox One will, at some point in the future, be powered by Windows 10. Whilst the core components will be identical regardless of device, each form factor will feature a user interface tailored specifically for it. This could be a killer combination of universality and differentiation.

The Start menu is back, combining the list of apps as seen on older versions of Windows with the live tiles as seen on Windows 8. Other features include an improved Snap helping you pin apps side-by-side, multiple desktops for quickly switching between projects, and Continuum for users of two-in-one devices. All of the app stores will be consolidated into one, meaning an app released on Windows 10 will work on all compatible devices.

This feels like Microsoft looking to its past in order to secure its future. On first viewing it appears Windows 10 should appeal across the board, catering to XP advocates, Windows 7 fans, and those who grew to appreciate Windows 8. This strategy of one Windows for all is a gamble, but one which could pay off in a big way. Assuming, of course, it actually works.

Windows 10 will be released sometime in 2015, but adventurous early-adopters can sign up for the Windows Insider Program from today (Oct. 1).

NB: With Windows Phone now marked for death, it turns out our decision to stop covering Microsoft's mobile operating system was rather prescient.

PayPal Splits From eBay

Earlier this year, Ebay execs fought vociferously against spinning PayPal. Everything changed when they got a look at Apple Pay.

— Downtown Josh Brown (@ReformedBroker) September 30, 2014

EBay is spinning PayPal off into its own public company, with the two existing side-by-side from sometime in late 2015. CEO John Donahoe will step down and join the boards of the two new companies. After the split, Devin Wenig will run eBay, and Dan Schulman will run PayPal. As part of the deal, shareholders will receive one share of each new company for each share of eBay they currently own.

Samsung Suffers Galaxy Note 4 GapGate

http://youtu.be/a5gIgL6I7FM

First we had BendGate, and now we have GapGate. While BendGate was all about allegations the iPhone 6 bends too easily, GapGate is all about the space between the screen and the casing on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

While some are describing this as a design flaw, Samsung maintains this is a "necessary manufacturing feature," and that "friction between parts may cause this gap to expand slightly." We won't know for sure how much of a problem this is until the Galaxy Note 4 launches in more territories during October.

Grooveshark, don't close... :(

— Alex le Rouge (@Alex_Le_Rouge) October 1, 2014

Grooveshark has been found guilty of copyright infringement, with a federal judge in New York granting summary judgment in favor of the major record labels in a case dating back to 2011.

According to The New York Times, the judge found Grooveshark liable for copyright infringement as its own employees had "uploaded a total of 5,977 of the labels’ songs without permission." While songs uploaded by users are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), songs uploaded by employees of the company are not.

Damages are to be set at a later date, and Grooveshark faces further lawsuits filed by the music industry. All of which puts the future of the company in doubt.

Spotify Available To Everyone In Canada

Spotify is now available in Canada! We can't wait to bring you the best in music. Tell us what you'll be streaming first! #SpotifyCanada

— Spotify Canada (@SpotifyCanada) September 30, 2014

Spotify has officially launched in Canada almost three months after its arrival was teased with a period of beta testing. Everyone resident in Canada can now sign up to use the basic version of the music streaming service, with Spotify Premium priced at CAD$10 a month.

It may have taken three years for Spotify to move north after launching in the U.S. but it's better late than never, eh?

Jeff Goldblum Sells LED Lightbulbs

http://youtu.be/egIY7ushchU

And finally, lightbulbs may not be the most exciting of gadgets, but that's nothing a good ad can't fix. As proven by this ad for GE Link smart lightbulbs, with actor Jeff Goldblum playing a camp, arrogant, self-obsessed version of himself. Perhaps this is the real Jeff Goldblum. We'll never know for sure, but we do know a good ad when we see it.

Your Views On Today’s Tech News

Is Microsoft on the right track with Windows 10? Do you think GapGate is potentially more serious than BendGate? Which country would you like to see Spotify launch in next?

Let us know your thoughts on the tech news of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.