Hasta La Gadget!

Just what is the NewsMix Social Reader App? Well, this is an interactive newsstand that allows anyone and everyone access to it to be able to discover news that are shared by those who matter to you. Basically, it will zoom in on the kind of news that you want to read by cutting through all the social media noise out there, and is definitely a complement to the app for iOS devices, as it runs on the Windows 8 platform. The NewsMix app for Windows 8 Beta Preview is now available for free over at the new Windows Store, where it has been specially optimized to cater for the new Metro design by Microsoft, and will play nice on the recently introduced Surface tablets as well as ultrabooks, notebooks and PCs that run on Windows 8.

Basically, NewsMix works by placing the interests, knowledge and expertise of real people ahead of automated approaches, relying on preferences and insights of journalists, experts, celebrities, bloggers and millions of other social media users to get through the riff raff, ensuring only quality and top notch items end up for your reading pleasure. Definitely a whole lot easier than sifting through tons of news just to arrive at an interesting article to read, don’t you think so?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Huawei might launch Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 devices soon, report says, Microsoft Surface Tablet First Impressions: Awesome,

It’s interesting that as important has Windows 8 is to Microsoft, the company is being rather coy with specifics on where the operating system is right now build wise and a firm release date. That has left many people wondering if Microsoft is done with Windows 8 at this point. When it comes to operating systems, done can mean either release to manufacturing (RTM) or made available generally.

Microsoft has stated in the past that we shouldn’t assume Windows 8 would follow the same cadence that Windows 7 used. Apparently, there have been some additional private builds of Windows 8 that made it outside the company to a select few. However, since the Release Candidate was made available at the end of May there have been no more public test builds available. In fact, there are no more public builds scheduled until Windows 8 goes RTM.

We still have some time to wait before Windows 8 is available publicly even after it hits the RTM stage. After the operating system goes RTM, it would head to computer manufacturers who will have to ensure their hardware and systems are compatible before launching machines. The operating system will also have to be installed on the computers, but I suspect that won’t take too long. I think Microsoft and computer makers alike are eager to get the operating system into the hands of public users. The expectation is many people have been waiting for Windows 8 to be available before upgrading. While we still have no confirmed official date, October is still when the operating system is expected.

[via ZDNet]

Microsoft coy on Windows 8 release specifics is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Fears of Windows tablet manufacturer apathy spurred Microsoft’s Surface development, despite insistence that the slates are intended to support not compete with OEM efforts, according the latest batch of rumors. Observations of the extent to which Apple will go to secure the materials necessary to develop distinctive and unique products – and concerns that its own Windows OEMs were playing device strategy too safely – prompted Microsoft taking Surface into its own hands, a former executive told the NYT, burned too by the ill-fated HP Slate 500 project.

That tablet, demonstrated by Steve Ballmer back in 2010 as a poster-child of Windows 7 on touchscreen hardware, highlighted the shortcomings both of off-the-shelf components and Microsoft’s own platform. Components sufficient to run Windows 7 left the slate heavy, thick, hot and expensive, while the performance of the OS itself fell significantly short of the iPad’s usability. “It would be like driving a car, and the car not turning when you turn the wheel” a former HP executive who worked on the Slate 500 project said, blaming underwhelming finger-friendliness in Windows and the multitouch display for the issues.

HP went on to spend hugely on acquiring Palm for webOS, then dropped the platform into open-source vagueness after the initial HP TouchPad feedback proved subpar. According to insiders at the firm, HP was frustrated at the apparent lack of time and investment Microsoft appeared to be demonstrating in getting Windows 7 to the level where it could legitimately compete with iOS on the iPad. For its part, Microsoft was supposedly reluctant to free up engineers and developers from coding Windows 8, which is designed from the outset to accomodate touchscreen control.

Opinion is now divided as to whether Microsoft wants to continue with its own hardware range or if, after it has shamed OEMs into action, it will bow out. “I think once they jump-start it, they plan to make money the way they always have,” MIT management professor Michael A. Cusamano suggests, “from licensing software,” echoing similar comments recently from Acer’s founder.

The company itself, though, is playing its cards close. “Microsoft has tremendous respect for our hardware partners and the innovation they bring to the Windows ecosystem,” Microsoft corporate VP Steven Guggenheimer insisted in the aftermath of the Surface reveal last week. “We are looking forward to the incredible range of new devices they are bringing out for Windows 8.” No pricing or specific release dates for either the ARM-based Windows RT Surface or the more expensive Intel-based Windows 8 Surface Pro have been confirmed.

As of late-2010, the ex-Microsoft exec claims, it was still undecided internally whether Surface would be Microsoft-branded or licensed out as a hardware reference design. The added control of helming the project from drawing board to store shelves seems to have tipped Microsoft’s hand, however.

Surface spawned over timid OEMs tip ex-Microsofties is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

MSI’s sliding/folding touchscreen ultrabook, the Slider S20 unveiled at Computex earlier this month, will carry a hefty $799-$899 price tag when it launches according to the latest rumors. The Windows 8 hybrid, fronted by an 11.6-inch touchscreen, will drop in October or November, according to DigiTimes‘ sources.

MSI is yet to confirm final specifications for the convertible, though it’s known to use processors from Intel’s 3rd Gen Core range which pits it against Microsoft Surface Pro rather than the ARM-based Surface. That also means a full version of Windows 8 rather than Windows RT.

Connectivity, meanwhile, includes Bluetooth 4.0 and USB 3.0, along with wired ethernet and HDMI. Interestingly it seems MSI doesn’t think the S20 needs a trackpoint buried in the keyboard, instead seemingly relying solely on the touchscreen, though that could change by the time the laptop/tablet hits shelves.

There’s more on the MSI Slider S20 ultrabook in our hands-on from Computex.

MSI Slider S20 tipped for October $800+ release is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.