Tech Roundup: Battle for Smart TV's, Windows (Phone) 8.1 & More

[A recurring feature on the latest in Science & Technology.]

• Microsoft announces Windows and Windows Phone 8.1 at its Build Conference:
• Brings back Start button to the former, while adding personal voice assistant Cortana, Action Center and a host of other improvements to the phone operating system.
• Introduces Universal Windows Apps, a new way for developers to create a single app for all Windows devices.
• Makes Windows free for all devices with screen size less than 9 inches in a move designed to boost market share.
• Shows off Windows in the Car concept; lets you project your phone screen onto a car's infotainment display much like Apple's iOS in the Car.
• NASA suspends all contact with Russia over ongoing Crimea crisis; activities pertaining to International Space Station exempted.
• Scientists finally get an answer to zebras' black and white stripes; it's to deter parasitic flies, reveals new research.
• Turkey ban on Twitter lifted after court ruling; YouTube continues to be blocked in latest attempt at government clampdown after leaked audio recordings reveal the administration's plans for military action in war-torn Syria.
• USA created ZunZuneo (now defunct), a text-message social network for Cubans, to foment civilian unrest against the Communist regime, reveals a new Associated Press investigation; US government denies it was a covert program.
• Internet security pioneer RSA adopted yet another tool created by USA's National Security Agency to deliberately weaken random number generators employed during encryption, reports Reuters.
• Microsoft's official support for its most popular version of Windows, Windows XP, will end on April 8, 2014.
• New rumours once again suggest Apple's next iPhone will come in two sizes: 4.7 and 5.5 inches; the latter being reportedly delayed due to the display's in-cell technology.
• Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich steps down amidst gay rights kerfuffle; future leadership plans still being discussed.
• Online retail giant Amazon unveils Fire TV, a new Android based set top box; Google, in the meanwhile, upgrading Google TV to Android TV with native apps and games.
• Instant Messaging app WhatsApp hits new record after it handles 64 billion messages (20 billion sent and 44 billion received) in one single day; competitor Line announces 400 million registered users.
• Apple's this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) happening between June 2 to 6 at San Francisco; iOS 8 expected to be unveiled.
• Gmail's purported overhaul hints at Mailbox like snooze options for emails to be actioned upon later (finally!).
• Online encyclopaedia Wikipedia gets a typography refresh.
• Twitter toying with 15 new types of ads to flood your timeline as it tries to battle falling stock price, reports Wall Street Journal.
• YouTube's paid music subscription service launch pushed to second quarter this year as Google wants to get its design right, says Billboard.
• Android KitKat share reaches 5.3% in latest counting; Jelly Bean at 61.4% and Gingerbread still at 17.8%.