Microsoft kills fan favorite, Periscope fights for streaming, WikiLeaks wants to know your secrets, Instagram loves emoji, Samsung gives Apple the Edge, and Jar Jar Binks ruins Star Wars… again.

Windows Media Center Is No More

Microsoft is killing Windows Media Center, with no Media Center functionality in Windows 10. This means anyone still passionate about Windows Media Center should avoid upgrading from their current operating system. Windows 7, Windows 8, and even the aged XP still offer Media Center functionality.

At Build 2015, a Microsoft executive told ZDNet that there will be no Windows Media Center update available for Windows 10. The latest Windows 10 build seems to confirm this, as it warns anyone running Media Center on their computer that they should, "Uninstall this app now because it isn't compatible with Windows 10."

Windows Media Center debuted in 2002, offering support for TV tuners and media playback using a remote control. The team responsible was broken up in 2009, and Microsoft only begrudgingly offered a Media Center add-on for Windows 8. And now, the company is moving on, as we suspect most users already have done.

Periscope Wins the Big Fight

This past weekend saw two boxers facing off in what was billed as "the fight of the century." However, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was only one of the fights taking place, the other being Periscope vs. Pay-Per-View. And Periscope clearly won the latter on points.

Periscope is the livestreaming app owned and operated by Twitter. It, alongside Meerkat, lets anyone stream live video through their smartphone. Which makes piracy a major problem for the platform. And, if you hadn't already guessed by now, the pay-per-view boxing match was a major target.

The live streams showing the fight were shut down throughout the match, but as soon as one disappeared, countless others appeared in its place. Combatting piracy of this variety is extremely tough, so it remains to be seen what, if any, preventative measures Twitter puts in place in the aftermath of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.

WikiLeaks Brings Back Secret Submissions

WikiLeaks is once again accepting anonymous leaks, relaunching its submission system in beta. According to WikiLeaks, this system, which runs on the Tor network, lets leakers upload information without revealing their identity to anyone listening in, even WikiLeaks itself.

This is a huge step for WikiLeaks, as it has been over four years since its anonymous submission system went down as a result of in-fighting within the organization. The page offers a reminder of WikiLeaks mission, revealing how it "publishes documents of political or historical importance that are censored or otherwise suppressed."

Instagram Is Awash With Emoji

Emoji is becoming a language in its own right, at least on Instagram. According to the Instagram Engineering blog, as of March 2015, "nearly half of comments and captions on Instagram contain emoji characters." This is an astonishing figure, and part of a trend that shows no sign of dissipating.

Indeed, users from Finland use emoji in 63 percent of Instagram posts, and users from several other countries aren't too far behind. Which leads Instagram software engineer Thomas Dimson to proclaim, “It is a rare privilege to observe the rise of a new language.” Is Emoji a legitimate new language though? Let us know in the comments section below.

Samsung Ad Channels Apple Spirit

Samsung is often accused of copying Apple, with designs so similar the two companies have fought each other in court on numerous occasions. But this time Samsung is being accused of copying another Apple invention: pretentious videos explaining complex design principles.

This video, which features British actor Dominic West describing what goes into making a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, is pure Apple. West even sounds a lot like Apple chief designer Jony Ive, just with a little more energy and slightly less douche swagger.

Ironically, the S6 Edge features an innovative curved screen, which Samsung definitely did not copy from Apple. It's just a shame the Korean company then went and ruined it all by ripping Apple off in the advertising department. Is nothing sacred any more?

Star Wars: The Jar Jar Awakens

And finally, Jar Jar Binks is the most reviled character in the entire Star Wars franchise, and his leading role in The Phantom Menace makes that particular film the worst of the six released so far. Luckily, he isn't in the new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens… or is he?!

No. He isn't. Thankfully. But he becomes the entire focus of the trailer for the new film in this parody by YouTuber MurdockMotion. Which makes us more thankful than ever that J.J. Abrams was put in charge of this one rather than George Lucas. Happy Star Wars Day! [H/T Nerd Bastards]

Your Views on Today’s Tech News

Are you sad or annoyed to discover Microsoft is killing Windows Media Center for Windows 10? Does the rise of mobile streaming apps spell disaster for pay-per-view? On a scale of 1-10, how much do you hate Jar Jar Binks?

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.

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