Hasta La Gadget!

As polished and functional as something might be in its preview days, a piece of work isn’t done until it is done, and Microsoft’s Office Web Apps have finally reached that point. Back in July, Redmond piped out preview versions of OWA and Office 365, focusing on adding tablet-friendly touch controls. Feedback from over 750,000 users and Windows 8’s impending deadline helped shaped today’s release, readying it for Microsoft’s latest operating system, IE10 and iOS 6. A pair of posts on the Office Web Apps Blog detail the new face of Office, including an improved authoring experience, better support for multi-user collaboration, faster performance and more. Read it for yourself at the source link below, or just log into Skydrive and get to work.

Filed under: Tablets, Internet, Software, Microsoft

New Office Web Apps get finalized for SkyDrive, Outlook originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 01:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We already know what some of you are thinking, but that doesn’t change the reality on the ground: Apple has been granted a design claim patent for a “portable display device” that looks a whole lot like the original iPad. Filed just a day before the big reveal in 2010, it’s both specific to the tablet and cites additional references dating as far back as the early 1990s. The claim likewise includes elements that transpired between the filing and the granted date, such as a certain legal squabble that carries on to this day. While we can’t say we’re enthusiastic for what might follow from the patent becoming official — we know Samsung isn’t, despite victories in the tablet space — it does give Apple one more tool for arguing that its total iPad design is unique, not just the individual components.

Filed under: Tablets, Apple

Apple granted new patent for original iPad design originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Still waiting for all those alleged iPad mini leaks to culminate into something official? Why not take one more while you wait: according to a proven source of Mobile Geeks, German electronics retailer Media Markt has the iPad mini in 16 flavors in its inventory system. The company’s internal documentation shows the rumored tablet at 8, 16, 32 and 64GB configurations, with each offering a choice of black or white, as well as a choice of 3G or just WiFi. The retailer is listing sticker prices, too: for the WiFi-only flavor, €249 buys an 8GB model, €349 snags 16GB, €449 for 32GB and €549 scores 64GB of storage. Looking for a slab with cellular connectivity? Stack an extra €100 on each of those prices.

The listing doesn’t have anything official to say about US greenbacks, but the included 19% tax evens up the dollar and euro quite nicely, giving us a reasonable idea what kind of pricing we can expect to see in the states. To put things into perspective, this would be a $150 savings on the 16GB WiFi model when compared to the full sized $499 slate Apple currently offers. Of course, this is all counting on Cupertino making the device official. We’ll let you know if we hear anything.

Filed under: Tablets, Apple

Apple iPad mini appears in Media Markt inventory in cellular and WiFi flavors, €250-650 price range originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumors about the iPad mini are really starting to heat up and alleged leaks of the body are hitting the web with machine gun-like regularity. Now AllThingsD claims to have another piece of the puzzle — when. According to “people familiar” with the matter, Apple is scheduling a press event for October 23rd, where it will likely take the wraps off its latest (and smallest) tablet offering. The outlet reported a similar rumor ahead of the iPhone 5 launch, insisting that the littlest slate would be held until October. Now, here we are — it’s October — and we’re still waiting for our invitations. As usual, you’ll be the first to know when ours arrives and we can confirm the when and where (and we think you already know the what). As for the how and why? Well, that we’re just going to have to wait and see.

Update: Others are now chiming in to say they’ve confirmed the date with their own sources, including Reuters and Jim Dalrymple of The Loop.

Filed under: Tablets, Apple

Apple likely to reveal iPad mini on October 23rd, reports AllThingsD originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The story of Office for the iPad has been something of a rollercoaster. Depending on who you’ve talked to this year, the mobile app has been on, then off, then on again… if it was ever real to start with. Imagine our surprise, then, when IHNED says Microsoft Czech Republic product manager Petr Bobek “confirmed” native Android and iOS ports of Office 2013 during a press conference. The Office division higher-up reportedly outlined a strategy where the productivity suite would reach Windows for large businesses and individuals in December and February respectively, but would reach “other platforms” later on through more than just mobile-optimized web versions. It sounds promising, but we have reason for skepticism — assuming the testimony is accurate, there’s still a history of employees at Microsoft and other companies overstepping their boundaries without direct guidance from the corporate mothership. We reached out to Microsoft ourselves, and a spokesperson gave us a relatively conservative answer. While the company reiterated statements that “Office Mobile will work across Windows Phones, Android phones and iOS,” it added that there was “nothing additional to announce” regarding Office’s retail availability. As much of a glimmer of hope that might represent for some Android and iOS fans, it doesn’t equate to a direct Office 2013 port with a release schedule.

[Image credit: The Daily]

Update: To underscore its point, Microsoft has issued a further statement that casts doubt on the very remarks in question. “The information shared by our Czech Republic subsidiary is not accurate,” a spokesperson told us. “We have nothing further to share.”

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Microsoft

Czech Microsoft manager claims Office 2013 will reach Android and iOS, rest of company is less certain (update: more direct denial) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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