Microsoft to demo Windows 8 tablet interface in June?

At this point, the only thing keeping Microsoft in the tablet conversation are rumors of its Windows 8 or Windows Next, and lo and behold we’ve got another one to add to the pile. While we heard last week that Microsoft could release the beta of Windows 8 for tablets at PDC in September, “sources at Microsoft” have now told Business Insider, that the company is hoping to show a public “design demo” of the operating system’s tablet UI as early as June. The timing is interesting — and it actually lines up very well with Computex, where the company does have a big presence — but we’re also intrigued by the part that says Microsoft’s taking “a more Apple-like approach to interface design” and that it will use Metro UI pieces. That’s obviously similar to what Microsoft showed us at last year’s Computex (picture of that above) — except it was using Windows Embedded Compact 7 underneath. The article also mentions that it will draw on some Media Center-like styling, which also syncs up with some other whispers we’ve heard. Yep, there’s a lot of rumors, and well, with this talk of summer / fall it looks like we’ll be dealing with plenty more before we hear anything official.

Microsoft to demo Windows 8 tablet interface in June? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Consumer Reports Likes Different Cars Than We Do

HyundaiElantra_MG_1123.jpg

Of the top 10 cars in Consumer Reports April annual cars issue (online and shipping to subscribers now, on newsstands March 8), we agree on one: the Hyundai Elantra, which also made our pcmag.com Gearlog Digital Drive Top 10 Cars list. The discrepancy is simple: Consumer Reports’ testers love cars, just as much as the car guys at any other magazine or website. But Consumer Reports gets hung up on reliability scores where we believe most every car is reliable enough. So to us, a deciding factor often is technology, particularly standard or universally available iPod adapters and Bluetooth, and affordable in-dash navigation.

NextWorth values your cell phone

On the Web site NextWorth.com, you can find the value of your used electronic devices, including cell phones.

Originally posted at Dialed In

Penthouse rolls out first all-3D porn channel

We interrupt your watching of cute cat videos to report that Penthouse is launching an all-3D TV satellite service in Europe tomorrow. No word on what kind of technology it will use.

LG Optimus 2X coming to Europe in March, a little later than planned

European dual-core aficionados were promised their fix way back in January from LG, however the Korean company’s delivery schedule evidently slipped a tiny bit as we’re today bidding adieu to the month of February. Good news is that LG will definitely, totally, honestly be releasing its Optimus 2X in “key European markets” this March. It’ll ship with Froyo on board, however a Gingerbread update is expressly promised, which should allay fears of being left with a very powerful but outdated piece of hardware. Last time we looked, Amazon’s German branch had priced this handset, to be known as the Optimus Speed in Deutschland, at just under €500, which sounds about right for its eventual unlocked price.

Continue reading LG Optimus 2X coming to Europe in March, a little later than planned

LG Optimus 2X coming to Europe in March, a little later than planned originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Moto: Atrix-style dock coming to more phones

In an investor conference call today, Motorola’s CEO said the Atrix 4G’s laptop-like dock will be rolled out to more of the company’s high-end handsets this year, and more tablets are on the way.

The 411: Touch screen or keyboard?

Every two weeks, senior associate editor Nicole Lee answers your questions about cell phones, smartphones, and all things mobile.

Originally posted at Dialed In

Bentley Collection iPad, iPhone, and BlackBerry cases are made of rich, non-Corinthian leather

Bentley Collection iPad, iPhone, and BlackBerry cases are made of rich, non-Corinthian leather

If you’d like to give your iPad the same cosseting your posterior receives when you slot into the sport buckets in your Continental GT then you, good chap, are in luck. Bentley’s “luxury leather partner” Ettinger, which ensures no surface of the vehicles is bereft of animal hide, is releasing a line of gadget cases to cover your iPad, iPhone, or BlackBerry — though it’s unclear exactly which model for the latter. Prices? You’re looking at £45 for either of the phone holsters or £89 for the iPad-sized model. That’s about $73 and $145, respectively, and a lot of cash for a little hide. If you’re still not dissuaded there’s another image of the tablet-sized version and a press release below. Those, at least, are free.

Continue reading Bentley Collection iPad, iPhone, and BlackBerry cases are made of rich, non-Corinthian leather

Bentley Collection iPad, iPhone, and BlackBerry cases are made of rich, non-Corinthian leather originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Site-loading speed battle: Motorola Xoom vs. Apple iPad

Which tablet surfs the Web faster, the Xoom or the iPad? We tell you here.

40 percent of new Angry Birds buyers doing in-app purchase

Angry Birds has proven to be a smash hit on mobile devices, but are users as willing to spend money on more content after making their purchase?

Originally posted at News – Gaming and Culture