Apr 07
Supposing you’re one of the last users of Windows XP out there in the universe, you’ll want to make sure you understand the implications of continuing to use that operating … Continue reading
Apr 07
Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano lent his talents tot he game Child of Light this year, and this week we’re being given a behind-the-scenes look at this master’s work. Ubisoft has … Continue reading
Apr 06
Yes, Windows of the virtual kind instead of the ones that you wind up and down in your vehicle. From the desktop, the operating system war has moved on to portable devices such as smartphones and tablets, and into the living room with Apple TV, plans of Android TV, as well as other set-top boxes, now we have another dimension to think about – the vehicle. Most of the time, the driver is supposed to concentrate on the road ahead, but it seems that smart operating systems are slowly but surely making their way into this niche market. At BUILD 2014, a next-gen Windows car concept was demonstrated during a panel called “Windows and the Internet of Things”.
Microsoft Windows Comes To The Car Now original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Apr 06
One of the problems with our mobile devices like smartphones or tablets is that the speakers tend to be facing away from us, unless of course you are using the HTC One or the HTC One M8 in which you would be lucky enough to have front facing stereo speakers.
What this means for the rest of us is that sometimes when we watch movies or video clips, it can be pretty soft, especially in outdoor environments where the experience would be less than ideal. The Microsoft Surface tablet is suffering from that problem and it has been a complaint amongst Surface users that their tablet volume levels are a bit too low, even when maxed out.
However thanks to a Kickstarter project called Ears, it is a simple accessory that has been designed to boost the volume levels of your Surface tablet. These aren’t exactly the most high-tech of accessories and are actually little silicone pieces that slips over the top left and right of your tablet.
What it does is that it helps to redirect the sound and enhance its volume naturally and at the same time attempt to redirect the sound so that it is coming towards you, the listener, as opposed to project from the sides which would affect its volume. According to its creator, the Ears can boost sound levels by as much as 10dB.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an accessory like this but if you wanted something catered specifically for the Surface tablet, be sure to hit up its Kickstarter page for the details.
Ears For Surface Will Help Boost The Tablet’s Volume For $10 , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Tablets, crowdfunding, kickstarter, Microsoft, Surface, 
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Apr 06
Before Titanfall was released, Microsoft issued an update for the Xbox One’s controller to make it less twitchy, optimizing the controller for the game. However it seems that Microsoft has yet another update in the works, according to a recent post on the NeoGAF forums where it was suggested that a new patch is currently being tested.
No word on when we might be able to expect this update, but for those interested or curious as to why there is a new update being released shortly after the previous one, apparently this has to do with fixing the connection and headset quality issues that gamers are experiencing at the moment.
If you rely very heavily on your gamepad to connect your headset to, then perhaps this is one update that you might want to keep an eye out for. However some have criticized this move, saying that these are issues Microsoft should have addressed before the console was even shipped, but better late than never, right?
In any case we’ll definitely be keeping our eyes and ears peeled for more details of the update and when it will be pushed out, so do check back with us at a later date for the details.
Microsoft Reportedly Working On New Xbox One Controller Update , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Gaming, Microsoft, Xbox One, 
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Apr 06
Microsoft’s Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, has confirmed that support for Xbox One external game storage is “coming soon.” Hryb made these comments on the Xbox One subreddit, he responded to a query about the console’s ability to support external hard drives. Hryb said that he needs to check up on the status of media storage support, but does confirm that external storage support if coming soon.
He has also promised to share additional information as soon as its becomes available. Xbox One owners would certainly like to know if there’s a limit to the external storage limit. The Xbox 360 could only support external storage up to 32GB. Its not known as of now if the Xbox One will even have a limit, Hryb says he’ll share details once he knows for sure.
It had actually already been revealed that the console would have support for external storage, and it was also confirmed that the feature won’t be available at launch. So up till now Xbox One owners have had to make peace with the internal 500GB hard drive, which can neither be removed or serviced by the user.
Hryb also hinted that more Xbox One features are on the cards, without giving away too many details. He says that lots of good work is going on to make the Xbox One “even better.”
Support For Xbox One External Game Storage Coming Soon , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Gaming, Microsoft, Xbox One, 
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Apr 06
Earlier in the week Microsoft finally unveiled Windows Phone 8.1, the major OS update we had all been waiting for. There were a lot of rumors and speculation about the features expected to come with the update, now that everything is out in the open, we just have to stay put until summer because that’s when Windows Phone 8.1 drops. Among the various improvements and features is Miracast support. While it will make beaming content to a TV and other gadgets easy, there is a hardware limitation to keep in mind.
Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore, who runs the team that does Windows Phone product definition and design, was asked on Twitter if Lumia 1520 will support Miracast sharing after its updated to Windows Phone 8.1. Belfiore replied that while WP8.1 does support Miracast, “it will require new HW.” He said that maybe the Nokia Lumia 1520 “is new enough,” but adds that “most WP8 hw’ won’t be.
While Belfiore’s statement rings true for the entire Windows Phone ecosystem, Nokia has already detailed what features owners of its handsets will receive after the update drops. The manufacturer confirms that Lumia 1520, Lumia 930 and the Verizon exclusive Nokia Icon will all support Miracast sharing after being updated to Windows Phone 8.1. Users on older devices may very well be out of luck.
Windows Phone 8.1 Miracast Support Has Hardware Limitation , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Cellphones, Microsoft, windows phone 8.1, 
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Apr 06
Over the past few months we had been hearing a lot about the next major Windows Phone update and last week Microsoft finally unveiled it at the BUILD 2014 conference. Now the update won’t make its way into users’ hands until summer, but already hints of what we can expect from Windows Phone 8.2 have been provided by someone claiming to be a 15-year veteran at Redmond. Since its quite easy to pretend to be something you’re not on the internet, its best to take this information with a grain of salt.
The source claims on Reddit that from now on Windows Phone software update cycles will be sped up with feature updates being released every 6-8 months. Major OS updates may drop every year, or two at most. He claims that Windows Phone 8.2, or WP9, will launch in 8-10 months. When asked what we can expect from this update, the source replied “OMFG you are going to pop a boner,” whatever that means.
Apparently the next update will give Inner Circle members the ability to bypass a user’s Do Not Disturb mode through text message. The mode basically doesn’t notify the user when there’s a new text, incoming call or any other notification. But if a certain password is used in the text message, that particular message would go through. So if it says “knock, knock” in the text message for example, the user will be notified.
Additional hints include possibility of support for video services other than Skype, no possibility of being able to change default SMS app until at least Windows Phone 8.2 and that Facebook is working on a new native application for the platform.
The source has since deleted his Reddit account, that may serve as an indicator that all this could land him in hot water at Microsoft. Nevertheless, one can’t be too sure of what some anonymous person writes on the internet. For now, we make peace with Windows Phone 8.1.
Windows Phone 8.2 Features Hinted By Anonymous Microsoft Employee , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Cellphones, Rumors, Microsoft, Windows Phone, 
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Apr 06
Microsoft’s no stranger to in-car entertainment systems; it’s been powering a number of auto-makers’ interfaces for years. But now, Microsoft is getting serious about its own, Windows Phone-centric car integration system—and it looks an awful lot like Apple’s own CarPlay
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Apr 05
Make the Switch from Windows XP
Posted in: Today's Chili
As of Tuesday, the venerable Windows XP operating system is going kaput. Microsoft is pulling update support for the OS, leaving it vulnerable to rapidly mutating cyber threats. There’s precious little time to make sure your computer isn’t left to the wilds of the Internet. Here’s how to make the jump to the modern era of personal computing.
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