Hasta La Gadget!

Getting acquainted with Windows 8.1 has been a slow process that started early this year, but it looks like it’ll finally hit shelves in roughly two months. According to an unnamed source cited by ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley, the RTM build of the operating system is still on track to hit manufacturers by the end of August, and the OS — along with new hardware carrying it — will be publicly available come mid-October. Those hoping to get their hands on the near-final software ahead of time via MSDN or the sunsetting Technet are out of luck, however, as the outlet’s tipster claims the final portions of 8.1 won’t be obtainable through those means until general availability. If you need something to help pass the time until then, you can always dive into our in-depth hands-on with the update formerly known as Blue.

Filed under: Microsoft

Comments

Via: The Verge

Source: ZDNet

Blue Microphones’ Nessie is now out on the market, months after we took it for a spin at this year’s CES. Named after a cryptid like its older sibling the Yeti, Nessie comes with three modes — one for raw audio, another optimized for richer vocals and one that enhances instrumental music. The company claims the USB microphone delivers studio-enhanced sound in real-time, and you don’t need to go through manual post-production unless you chose to record in raw audio. Made to work directly with both PCs and Macs, you can also use Nessie with iPads using a 30-pin to USB or a Lightning to USB adapter. Available now for $99 at Apple’s retail and online stores, Nessie will also surface on Best Buy, Guitar Center, and other Blue retailers at a later date. Before you whip out those credit cards, though, check out the sound samples and comparisons recorded using the device after the break.

Filed under: Peripherals

Comments

Source: Blue Microphones

Windows 8 Embedded Industry is an almost unsung part of Microsoft’s roadmap: it’s a tightly managed release meant for factories and retailers who care most about reliable machines. If you’ve ever want to peek behind the curtain, though, you have a chance now that Microsoft has posted a Release Preview version of the OS for the public to try. We wouldn’t recommend tossing regular Windows 8 aside if it’s already installed; still, there’s a handful of tricks within the Embedded Industry code that could make it palpable for curious users. It adds the same stylized apps and multi-touch input that you’d get from the desktop, plug-and-play peripherals and support for cloud services. We’ll likely only ever see the finished Industry build when we’re buying some cantaloupes, but those who hit the preview link will at least know what software is making the cash register hum.

Filed under: Software, Microsoft

Comments

Source: Approaching Embedded Intelligently

It’s not a real birthday party without a present, so Google has just pulled the wraps off the first stable version of the Dart structured programming language, one year after it was launched. Along with “thousands” of bug fixes, the rejuvenated version will have a faster virtual machine, new JavaScript translator, HTML, server-side I/O and interoperable JavaScript libraries, the Pub package manager and Dartium, a Chromium build with native Dart support. Mountain view promised to keep the improvements coming “while maintaining backward compatibility” for the language, so if you feel frisky enough to jump JavaScript’s ship, check the source below (or video after the break) to see how to grab it.

Continue reading Google toasts Dart’s one-year anniversary with first stable SDK (video)

Filed under: Internet, Software, Google

Google toasts Dart’s one-year anniversary with first stable SDK (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Tech Crunch  |  Google Dart  | Email this | Comments

We’re here at Nintendo’s Wii U event in New York City where the gaming outfit’s prexy Reggie Fils-Aime just announced US pricing and release details for the console, as well as it’s own unique TVii service. And now that those important tidbits have been squared away, it’s time to focus on the hardware. Yes, you may have seen the Wii U console many times before, but the House that Mario built‘s been notoriously stingy about giving media access to a non-tethered unit. Well, the time has come to see nearly every facet of this next-gen contender. As you’ll note in the gallery below, the only area the Big N wouldn’t let us photograph is this Premium version’s backside. For whatever reason, the company doesn’t want those ports shown, but we can tell you what they consist of: AC adapter, AV multiout, sensor bar, HDMI out and what looks like two ports for USB. Undecided on whether you should be placing that pre-order right about now? Then take a tour of this onyx pair and see if it changes things any.

Filed under: Gaming

Nintendo’s Wii U up close and personal: a photo tour originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments