News written by James Delahunty (July, 2017)

Microsoft's iconic Paint application is coming to the end of its development, having been available in Windows since 1985.

The application provides for basic computer graphics editing and has been available with all consumer Windows operating systems, with marginal improvements with each iteration.

Its simplistic nature made it one of the most used Windows applications ever, but now it's days are numbered.

Paint has shown up on a list of Windows 10 features that will either be removed, or will no longer be developed. The list was issued as part of the Windows 10 Fall Creators update.

The successor to Paint - Paint 3D - will still be available for sure.

Other popular apps that face the axe are Outlook Express and Reader.

Music streaming firm Spotify is close to securing a royalty deal with Warner Music, according to a report.

The service has already managed to renew deals with Universal, Sony and Merlin in recent months, though it came at the cost of upping limitation on non-premium users.

According to the Reuters news agency, Warner wants similar terms to the other deals and also wants a guaranteed payment that isn't tied to the growth of Spotify.

The deal is expected to be reached before September, ahead of Spotify's planned IPO. It would come as a boost to the service that has been criticized lately for including more unsigned, and allegedly "fake" artists in its popular playlists.

It has also been sued for having unlicensed music available in its vast catalog.

Read More: Reuters

A Wisconsin-based company is asking its employees to accept chip implants that can help with a variety of verification tasks.

Three Square Market is offering the microchip implants to employees on a voluntary basis at an estimated cost of $300 per implant. More than 50 employees have expressed interest in the implants, according to media reports.

"It's the next thing that's inevitably going to happen, and we want to be a part of it," Three Square Market Chief Executive Officer Todd Westby said.

Employees will be able to use the implants to get in through the front door, and even to log into their work PCs. They can also use the rice-sized implants to pay for food in the break room.

The implant is placed between the person's thumb and forefinger, and can be easily removed at any time. Stored data is encrypted and there are no tracking abilities.

Read More: KSTP