Back in July, we reported on the price to upgrade your Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 PCs to Windows 8 Pro to be only $40 as a promotional offering from Microsoft. If you haven’t upgraded your PC to Windows 8 Pro, you may want to do so right this second as Microsoft is announcing the promotional upgrade price of $40 is going to end soon.
Up until January 31st, those PC users who are upgrading to Windows 8 Pro will still be able to upgrade for the promotional price of $40, but after that, expect to pay big bucks if you’d like to upgrade your existing Windows machine to Windows 8 Pro. How big? A Windows 8 Pro upgrade will set you back $199.99, while the standard Windows 8 upgrade edition will cost $119.99. That big.
Have you upgraded to Windows 8 yet? Well, if you’ve been holding off, but figure you’ll end up making the move sooner or later, you should grab your license now, even if you’re going to hold off on installing for a little bit longer. More »
This week the folks at Dynamism are presenting a beast of a tablet by the name of KUPA Ultranote X15, made to bring beastly specifications to a space that’s not quite up to speed yet with future-ready Windows 8 UI. This tablet works with 8GB DDR3 RAM combined with either i5 or i7 Intel Core processors – 3rd gen Ivy Bridge, of course. Up front you get a 10.1-inch IPS display at 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio – and that’s not all!
This machine is exciting – not just because it has the specifications at the top of its game in processing power and display abilities (10 point multitouch included), but because it’s ready to roll with features like a side-loading removable battery. When’s the last time you had any kind of tablet with a removable battery? This beast also comes with an active digitizer (digital stylus) that’s able to work with digital inking under Microsoft Windows, pressure sensitive up to 1024 levels – sounds pretty ok!
This X15 machine is able to be delivered with just wi-fi internet connectivity or up to 3G – make sure you’ve got the right model, but the capability is there. You’ve got an optional dock with keyboard (transformable!) as well, offering additional battery time, Ethernet port, VGA out, SD card slot, and one USB port. They say this keyboard is also “very comfortable for long-duration touch-typing”, but we’ll be the judge of that in the near future.
This machine is customizable – it’s got an external side-panel that’s able to be fitted with a collection of modules. Future modules include multi-card reader, video recording unit, projector, scanner bay, and more – but take note: Dynamism warns that you should purchase the X15 only after the module you desire is released for sale. There’s a possibility here that there may be “module release delays” as they say, and they warn that the return window for this unit will not be extended beyond their standard time for any reason, this including module release delays of all kinds.
That said, you’ve got internal memory and mini PCI-E slots to let you boost your customization to the max whenever you need. Have a peek at this monster in the demonstration video below and let us know if you’re all about it or if you’ll be waiting for alternatives in the future from manufacturers other than KUPA.
Want to get all touchy-feely with the missus because you are feeling a bit frisky, but she is not quite up to your romantic advances? Well, good thing consumer electronics devices these days tend to come with touchscreen displays so that you can channel your frustrations over to them. Windows 8 is an operating system that supports a touchscreen user interface where possible, and the Asus VivoBook S400 has certainly been designed to live up to such a task.
Basically, the Asus VivoBook S400 is not a powerhouse notebook, but it does pack enough punch for those who want a touchscreen-enabled Windows 8 device without breaking the bank. Heck, the VivoBook S400 will not even break your back either, as it comes in a thin and lightweight configuration, where $699 or so will net you an Intel Core i3 1.8GHz dual-core processor, 4GB RAM, a 500GB SATA hard drive, a 3-cell battery, HD webcam, Bluetooth 4.0, an SD memory card reader, WiFi and HDMI connectivity, USB 3.0 support, and other relevant connectivity ports. Not too shabby at all, Asus.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, an ASUS executive has reportedly told the publication that the company is currently in talks with Microsoft about licensing the Windows 8 platform for mobile devices. Given that ASUS has probably made a bigger splash in terms of tablets (think Transformer and Nexus 7) than smartphones, it will be interesting to see what the company will be able to bring to the table in the form of Windows 8 smartphones. It should be noted that the WSJ mentions Windows 8, as opposed to Windows Phone 8 which is Microsoft’s mobile operating system, while the Windows 8 operating system leans more towards tablets and computer systems (although Windows RT can be run on ARM devices as well). In fact it seems that the company has briefly toyed with the idea of a Windows-based Padfone concept, although we’re not sure how this might work since Windows 8 has not been designed for phones, but we can imagine that it will work if the tablet were to run Windows 8. A Taipei-based Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment on the possible discussion with ASUS but what do you guys think?
No surprises here since Panasonic already unveiled most its TOUGHBOOKs and its TOUGHPAD last week at CES, but the news here is that these devices will be available in Japan starting from the end of this month for the CF-19, CF-31 and CF-H2 series, middle of February for the CF-C2 and middle of March for the FZ-G1 or TOUGHPAD. But let’s start with the FZ-G1 or TOUGHPAD. Available in two flavors with a WWAN model and a Wireless-LAN one only the FZ-G1 will come by default with Windows 8, an …
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Both Windows 8 and the tablet-based iteration of the OS Windows RT are now able to access the brand new system known as Microsoft PLAY, full of Xbox games for the masses. This system is part of PlayXBLA, aka Xbox Live Arcade, Microsoft’s initiative dedicated to bringing games developed in part (or in whole) by Microsoft itself, often collaborating with independent development studios to bring optimized games to Xbox 360, Windows Phone, and Windows 8/RT. Interestingly enough, you’ll find that this particular project is done in collaboration also with NVIDIA and their Windows 8/RT on Tegra program, too.
This system is similar, though not the same, as the NVIDIA TegraZone for Windows RT. One of the big differences here is that the TegraZone works with games that have been optimized for the Tegra 3 (and Tegra 4) processor, the Microsoft PLAY environment is specified for Windows 8 and Windows RT. So crossover games are possible, but we’re talking about different things entirely as far as how the games are being marketed.
The games you’re going to be able to access today in the Microsoft PLAY environment number to 15, this providing a modest offering for the initial launch, including titles that’ll keep your eyes peeled for more in the future. These titles are all being tagged with Microsoft Studios in this case, this meaning they’re good enough for that seal of approval, likely to be appearing in stores as the demonstration-level quality they want all Windows 8 and Windows RT machines to be up at in the wild.
• Skulls of the Shogun • Gunstringer: Dead Man Running • ilomilo+ • Wordament • Toy Soldiers – Cold War: Touch Edition • Taptiles • Rocket Riot 3D • Reckless Racing • Pinball FX • Microsoft Minesweeper • Microsoft Solitaire Collection • Microsoft Mahjong • Hydro Thunder : Hurricane • Adera • 4 Elements II
You’ll be able to find these games on the Windows Store right this minute, and many more games are on the way. What we’re hoping for in the future is more than these arcade-style games – full-fledged Xbox 360 (or 720 by the time we see them) games ported over or made optimized at the moment they’re ready for the gaming console, available everywhere. Of course that might not be Microsoft’s game, but NVIDIA’s. We shall see!
After a lot of build-up, today is the day that Microsoft is ready to roll Windows Embedded 8 Industry into its Release Preview. Much like the consumer release of Windows 8 before, it seems that the three different versions of Windows Embedded 8 will be getting previews, with Embedded 8 Industry’s going live today. We first heard of Embedded 8 Industry back in October 2012, when Microsoft announced the new version along with giving us release information for Embedded 8 Standard and Embedded 8 Pro.
A Release Preview for Embedded 8 Standard is going on right now, so Embedded 8 Industry is the second version to get such a preview. With Industry, Microsoft has taken its Embedded POSReady product and expanded it, so this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this software. With this release, however, Microsoft is adding new features to make Industry more appealing to those outside the POS realm, such as the healthcare and manufacturing industries.
With Embedded 8 Industry, some of the major draws of course include multi-touch and gesture functionality along with Windows 8 apps Microsoft is also offering an “Advance Lockdown feature” that aims to ensure the experience offered by devices is consistent, while users can also connect Embedded 8 Industry to onsite servers or the cloud to store and retrieve business information. Finally, Microsoft has attempted to streamline the development process so that building an OS will ultimately take less time.
If you’re interested, you can pick up the Windows Embedded 8 Industry Release Preview from Microsoft’s site. All three versions of Windows Embedded 8 are set to launch sometime in the first half of 2013, but aside from that window (which we’ve had since October 2012), we don’t know any more specifics. Keep it here with SlashGear and we’ll let you know when Microsoft announces a more solid release date for the Embedded line up.
Vizio‘s new Windows 8 Tablet PC was definitely one of the devices that caught our interest during CES 2013, but the company isn’t content with stopping at just tablets. In fact, Vizio seems to have become very enthusiastic about Windows 8, introducing new lines of touch-based notebooks and all-in-one PCs that are ready to take full advantage of the operating system. We got to spend a little bit of time with them when we stopped by for a visit with Vizio, and starting right off, we have to say that we like what the company was showing off.
We’ll jump right in with Vizio’s Thin + Light Touch line of notebooks. As you might have already guessed, the major focus with these new laptops are Windows 8 and a thin and lightweight form factor. In those two areas, the notebooks do not disappoint, with Vizio offering one with a 14″ touchscreen and the other with a 15.6″ display. Ready for some great news? 1366×768 resolution is nowhere to be found with these two notebooks, with the 14″ model offering up 1600×900 and the 15.6″ variant going all the way with 1080p resolution.
Interestingly enough, Vizio will be offering a number of different configurations that you’ll be able to choose from depending on your taste. Both the 14″ and the 15.6″ models will come packing either a 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 processor and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, or an AMD A10 4657M clocked at 2.3GHz with discrete Radeon HD graphics. Either configuration should keep things running smooth, especially considering that both come with 8GB of RAM and solid-state drives.
As you’ve probably already figured out, the full HD display on the 15.6″ inch model looks great, though 1600×900 doesn’t look bad either – the only thing its missing is the full HD capabilities of its bigger brother. The keyboards on both are excellent, though the buttons do seem slightly bigger than most notebook keyboards, so that might take some getting used to. Both are very slim when they’re closed and relatively lightweight, so while we can’t exactly classify either as an ultrabook, they’re toward the bottom of the size scale for notebooks.
Next up is Vizio’s new all-in-one touch line. These all-in-one touch PCs will come in 24″ and 27″ varieties, with the 24″ coming with the option of a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 and Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics or a quad-core AMD A10 4600M 2.3GHz and Radeon HD 8750A discrete graphics. For the 27″ it looks like the only option is that 2.4GHz Core i7 quad-core and Intel 4000 integrated graphics. Both will come with a 1TB hard drive and a 32GB SSD to offer a performance boost, so don’t plan on storing too much stuff on that SSD.
While both screens look excellent and, like the new Windows 8 notebooks on the way, offer 10-point multitouch, there’s one feature in particular that’s very interesting about these all-in-ones: the power supply also doubles as a subwoofer. With many all-in-one PCs, we often run into issues with sounds and tinniness, but that subwoofer will give Vizio’s all-in-one touch PCs a certain boost that other packages lack. There are a number of ports on the base, meaning that you won’t have any ugly cables sticking out of the sides of your computer. To be specific, both models feature two HDMI ports, and Vizio told us that users won’t need to boot to Windows before switching to their HDMI inputs.
Those HDMI ports will come in handy if you want to watch a movie on the excellent screens, and Vizio is trying to make this a true-to-form multimedia center with the addition of a remote. The keyboard is pretty similar to the ones we saw on the company’s new notebooks, at least from an aesthetic standpoint. Obviously, all-in-one PCs aren’t for everyone, but if you’ve been in the market, we’re seeing some great things coming from Vizio with these computers.
So, even though the Windows 8 tablet was the Vizio product that originally caught our eye, we ended up impressed with the notebooks and all-in-one PCs the company will soon be bringing to the table. Vizio should give itself a pat on the back, because as far as we’re concerned, the company managed to stand out in a sea of other manufacturers that are ready and willing to show off new products at CES 2013. Be sure to check out CES portal for even more from the show!
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Want to get all touchy-feely with the missus because you are feeling a bit frisky, but she is not quite up to your romantic advances? Well, good thing consumer electronics devices these days tend to come with touchscreen displays so that you can channel your frustrations over to them. Windows 8 is an operating system that supports a touchscreen user interface where possible, and the Asus VivoBook S400 has certainly been designed to live up to such a task.
Speaking to 
