Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft has been devoting most of its OS update attention this year to Windows 8, not its suit-wearing Windows Server 2012 counterpart. Some of the mystery has been cleared up through word of a greatly simplified server OS lineup. Just four versions of Windows Server will sit in IT backrooms versus the whopping 12 from Server 2008 R2, with an emphasis on making the feature slope a little gentler. The biggest improvement is the near-identical feature set of Windows Server 2012 Standard compared to its Datacenter equivalent: the only advantage of Datacenter is the jump to unlimited virtual machines, giving smaller businesses a way to save some cash. Foundation and Essentials will cover the basics for these outfits if just 15 or 25 very real machines need to hop onboard. The base prices of $425 to $4,809 per copy for all but the OEM-only Foundation still make it doubtful that we’ll be loading Server 2012 on a PC tucked into a closet at home, but it’s evident between this and the streamlined Windows 8 selection that Microsoft wants to avoid the flood of versions that confused buyers during the Windows Vista and 7 days.

Windows Server 2012 pares back to four versions, looks to give small businesses more bang for the buck originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 chipset is certainly hot (well, not too hot), but it looks like demand is expected to grow even further, causing the San Diego-based SoC maker to turn to allies in the east to help beef up supply. According to China Economic News Service, United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) and Korea-based Samsung will join Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to manufacturer the 28nm chips beginning later this year, in an attempt to increase S4 availability ahead of the Windows RT launch. The article cites Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs as saying that a shortage is expected to continue, due to the complicated techniques necessary to manufacturer 28nm chips, and that the company may consider adding its own manufacturing plant in the future. All in all, it doesn’t seem like a terrible position for QCOM to be in. Full details are at the Taiwanese source link below.

Qualcomm enlists Samsung, UMC to help meet 28nm Snapdragon S4 demand originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft has already detailed the Windows 8 upgrade route for those buying a new computer, and it’s now finally confirmed what everyone else will be paying when they upgrade their existing PC. Those running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 will able to download a Windows 8 Pro upgrade for just $39.99. That’s a far cry from the company’s earlier upgrade prices, which as recently as Windows 7 ran $50 and $99 for Home Premium and Pro upgrades, respectively. You will have to pay a bit more if you want packaged DVD version of the upgrade, though, with it running $69.99 at retail — it also sounds like both of those prices will be going up when the promotion ends on January 31st of next year. Not surprisingly, the upgrade process will vary depending on the OS you’re currently using. Those making the jump all the way from Windows XP will only able to bring their personal files with them, while those on Vista will be able to bring their personal files and Windows settings, but no applications. And, if you’re wondering about Media Center, it will be available as a free option once the upgrade is finished.

Microsoft announces $39.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade offer for most Windows users originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So much for no plan B. A little less than a year after Nokia US’ Chris Weber proclaimed rather bluntly, “the reality is if we are not successful with Windows Phone, it doesn’t matter what we do,” Nokia’s chairman Risto Siilasmaa reportedly said in an interview that the company does, indeed, have a “contingency plan,” should Windows Phone 8 falter. What precisely such a plan might entail, however, we’re not really sure. Still, the F-Secure founder naturally remains positive about the future of Microsoft’s mobile operating — and Nokia head honcho Stephen Elop, whose leadership has been “good and transparent,” according to Siilasmaa.

Nokia chairman says company has a Windows Phone ‘contingency plan’ after all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest version of everyone’s favorite file-type-friendly media player has been updated on both Windows and OS X, although the Apple iteration gets the most major addition — playback support on the new MacBook Pro’s Retina display. Alongside sharper menus, VLC‘s latest update extends functionality to the video itself, maintaining crispness on smaller viewing windows and even fully-blow 4K video. Good news on all platforms though, as the developers have now nixed that grating “building font cache” pop-up window. Smaller changes include support for Growl and the return of the “keep aspect ratio” option. Hit up the changelog for a full run-down of the other changes.

VLC 2.02 adds Retina display support, ditches font cache interruptions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 06:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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