Thanks to Microsoft’s Windows 8, we’re starting to see a fair number of hybrid devices being released into the market. For those wondering what we’re talking about, we’re talking about hybrid devices like laptops which have the ability to be […]
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Apple’s Siri is known for its occasional blasts of snark, but Microsoft has co-opted the virtual assistant for its latest Windows tablet commercial. Billed “Less talking, more doing” the advert – which you can see after the cut – pits Apple’s iPad against an ASUS VivoTab Smart running Windows 8, and which unsurprisingly enough is found lacking in Microsoft’s opinion.
The commercial kicks off with Windows’ Live Tiles, with Siri conceding that iOS doesn’t update its icons like that, and then launches into multi-tasking. The ASUS tablet is shown opening up a sidebar with a second app, again something which isn’t supported on the iPad.
Then it’s time for PowerPoint, since Microsoft apparently can’t imagine a world where a tablet user might not want to throw together some slides. On the ASUS, the presentation can be edited and re-formatted, while the iPad is shown merely scrolling and zooming around in frustration. It’s worth noting that Apple does offer Keynote for iOS, its own PowerPoint alternative, which does allow presentations to be created.
“Should we just play Chopsticks?” Siri concludes, playing out the advert as Microsoft reveals its kicker: how much 64GB versions of both tablets cost. The iPad – Apple’s full-sized version, complete with Retina display – is priced at $699, while ASUS’ Windows 8 tablet is $449.
It’s certainly one of the better adverts Microsoft has put together – at least there’s no random dancing like the Surface tablet commercials the company aired last year – and the use of Siri’s voice (the actual audio files for which Apple licenses) is a sly touch that’s likely to get the fans arguing. Still, Microsoft’s decision to illustrate functionality with PowerPoint seems like a missed opportunity; the business-centric app has little relevance to home users.
Thanks Craig!
Microsoft borrows Siri for iPad smack commercial is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
This week Microsoft started their first major next-generation Xbox game console event off with a bang, showing the console and naming it all at once: the Xbox One. Before the event began, it was (once again) revealed that today’s reveal took more than just a weekend to create – Don Mattrick, , noted that “we’ve
Phones, tablets and game consoles typically offer single-screen experiences, that is, one app on screen at a time. Microsoft is challenging that idea, announcing what it calls “Snap Mode” at its next-generation Xbox event, taking a stab at home console multitasking. It’s essentially a port of a well-known Windows 8 feature: separate apps can be pinned to the edge of the television’s screen in isolated panels, allowing gamers to use Xbox apps while playing a game, or watch TV while simultaneously using Internet Explorer . Combined with the lightning-fast app switching Microsoft showed off on stage, it’s definitely a big step forward for couchside computing.
Check out our Xbox One reveal liveblog right here.
Leap Motion has rolled out a preview of its gesture-control functionality on Windows 8 (it will work for Windows 7 as well, though). In case you’re not familiar with the device, it allows users to go hands-off when using their computer, controlling via gestures made in front of the display. We’ve got the preview video available for your perusal after the break.
As you can see in the video below, the Leap Motion device works via some smooth flicks of the wrist, finger plucks, and other such hands-off movements to control Windows without using a mouse and keyboard. This allows one to enjoy the touch-based design of Windows 8, for example, without a touchscreen panel, and brings the functionality to whatever computer you would like.
The device connects to a PC with a standard USB cable, and once connected works out of the box, no tweaking or such necessary. A 4-cubic foot span across your desk becomes your gesture-control area, with the device tracking finger movements to within 1/100th of a millimeter. The device itself measures in at about 3-inches long, so it won’t take up much room at all.
As you might suspect, the device’s usefulness extends beyond just tapping Windows tiles and scrolling through web results. As with a touchscreen device, it can be used to sketch, to sign digital documents, and to play games, among other things. Says Leap Motion, this video is a preview for those interested to check out before the device enters beta testing next month, during which period developers will get to use the unit.
Leap Motion CTO and co-founder David Holz said: “Out of the box, users will have the ability to browse the web, navigate their desktops, and interact with existing software. Everything you can do with a touch-based system, like Windows 8, can now be accomplished with Leap Motion technology. We want our users to have a magical experience, with easy and natural movements in the air leading to amazing interactions.”
Leap Motion demos Windows 8 gesture-control functionality ahead of beta launch is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Acer’s Iconia W3, the first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet, has quietly cropped up at the company’s site, confirming the smaller slate and promising a full eight hours of runtime. Rumored since April, the Acer Iconia W3-810 is now listed on the company’s Finnish site, running full Windows 8 Pro on an Intel Atom Z2760 processor and with an 8.1-inch WXGA screen.
That chip is paired with 2GB of RAM and up to 64GB of flash storage. The Clover Trail chip has Intel GMA 3650 graphics, driving the 1280 x 768 WXGA multitouch display.
Connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and a micro USB 2.0 port; there’s also a microHDMI output for hooking up an external display. A 2-megapixel webcam is also included.
That Bluetooth connection could be used for hooking up a wireless keyboard, but Acer will also offer a detachable keyboard dock into which the Iconia W3 will slot. The snap-on ‘board is wider than the tablet itself, which means Acer can include full-sized keys.
Acer will offer two variants of the W3, at least initially. The W3-810-27602G03nsw has 32GB of flash storage, while the W3-810-27602G06nsw doubles that to 64GB. Either way, that’s not huge for a Windows 8 tablet; Microsoft’s Surface Pro, for instance, starts off at the 64GB level, and offers 128GB as a more expensive option.
Exactly what the W3 will cost is still unclear at this stage. However, it’s possible that the small tablet will make its official debut in a few weeks time at Computex, held in early June.
Thanks quadtronix!
Acer Iconia W3 8-inch Windows 8 tablet quietly gets official is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Tablets can be handy little photo-editing devices, particularly for photographers or media workers who need to tweak an image on-the-go without pulling out a laptop. For that reason, Adobe launched an app version of Photoshop for Android and iOS users called Photoshop Express, which offers some of the editing capabilities found in the regular desktop variety of the software. It has been available for most mobile users for awhile now, but starting today it is also available for Windows users.
The app is available now from the Windows Store, and can be used by both Windows 8 and Windows RT users, meaning it can be used on both a Windows 8 PC and a tablet. For those who don’t require the full expanse of Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Express is a free alternative that offers a variety of photo-editing tools, such as the basics like cropping and red-eye correction, as well as color-adjustment tools and “Looks” photo filters.
Back on January 25, the company rolled out an update to its Express app for iPad, adding support for Retina displays, as well as some other needed features, such as multi-tasking and using the on-board camera. That last feature is now available across the latest version of the software for all devices, including PCs with an attached or integrated webcam.
In case you missed it, earlier this month Adobe rolled out Photoshop CC with integrated collaboration, Behance instant sharing, and more. Such is part of their Creative Cloud online storage, which is a subscription-based service for Adobe users available at a monthly fee. Tools, syncing, and more are offered.
It was also revealed earlier this month that Adobe is working on a Lightroom app for iOS users, an offering that will provide support for editing RAW images. This app will appeal more to the professional market, as well as those who currently use Lightroom. While not exactly the same, the app will be similar to the desktop version of the software, and will allow users to transfer their work to a computer for finalization.
SOURCE: Windows
Photoshop Express rolled out in the Windows Store is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Microsoft wins either way when they recommend enterprises to make the jump to the latest version of their Windows operating system, touting that companies which do not migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8 could eventually end up […]
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