If you expected Microsoft to sit down and stop expanding their touchscreen-happy software environment now that it’s clear Windows 8′s aim at touchscreen laptops wasn’t the mega-success they’d hoped it would be, you’d have been wrong. There’s a group called Ubi Interactive out there this week which Microsoft has announced is taking orders on software […]
We already suspected that Windows and Skype were going to get particularly cozy after Microsoft phased out Messenger, but it’s now official: Windows 8.1 will ship with Skype pre-installed. Those who haven’t already downloaded the messaging client will get it when they upgrade their OS (or buy a Windows 8.1 PC) after October. The move won’t change much for existing Skype users, but it could easily lead to a jump in Skype adoption when the app will soon come bundled with the majority of PCs.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Microsoft
Source: Windows Experience Blog
The future of Microsoft’s digital game distribution systems just got brighter. Jason Holtman, who was heavily involved with the growth of Valve’s Steam platform, has been hired by Redmond. According to a statement he gave Gamesindustry International, he’ll work to flesh out Windows’ native gaming and entertainment efforts. That isn’t plausible without developer support though, and given his history as a liaison between devs and Valve, he’ll be putting those skills to work to “make that happen” at his new gig. However, seeing that Microsoft’s other gaming platform is taking the majority of the company’s focus right now, we don’t expect many new details about Holtman’s duties to surface that soon.
Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft
Source: TechCrunch
Don’t look now, but Lenovo just became an industry bellwether. While reporting strong first quarter results that include a record $8.8 billion in revenue and $170 million in profit, the tech giant revealed that its combined smartphone and tablet sales have overtaken those of its PCs. Yes, you read that correctly — the world’s largest PC vendor is now a mobile-first company, unlike previous title holders such as HP. It’s not hard to explain the shift, however. About 42 percent of Lenovo’s total sales come from its native China, where the company’s predominantly Android-based phones and tablets fare very well. The firm’s Windows PCs and tablets are also performing above industry averages, but CEO Yang Yuanqing makes it clear that Lenovo is quickly becoming a “PC Plus” brand — IdeaPads and ThinkPads are just parts of a larger puzzle.
Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Mobile, Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Activision and Infinity Ward have bundled expensive gadgets with the last few Call of Duty special editions, and they’re keeping up this recent tradition with Call of Duty: Ghosts. Buy the Prestige Edition of the game on November 5th and you’ll get a 1080p, water-resistant “tactical camera” with a 4GB memory card. While it’s not clear which company makes the wearable cam, Activision claimed during its Ghosts multiplayer unveiling that the device should hold up against counterparts sold in stores. The Prestige Edition is appropriately expensive at $199, although you’re getting a lot for your money — besides the camera and game, the box also includes a carrying case, a Season Pass for downloads and a paracord strap. If you’ve ever wished you could record your adventures beyond your game console, this is certainly the bundle for you.
Source: Call of Duty
Collaboration tools are nothing new, but they don’t always make it easy to find what you’re looking for: conversations, files and other resources may sit in entirely different places. Flickr co-founder Stewart Butterfield wants to solve that through Slack, a service that just started taking sign-ups for its private preview. The collaboration app centers on a universal search interface that simplifies locating conversations and shared files, even if those files are hosted by a third-party provider like Google Drive. Both messages and notifications sync across dedicated apps for Android, iOS, OS X and Windows; Slack can also pull in content from outside tools like bug trackers, help desk clients or Twitter. The company is planning for a public launch in the fall, but those who just can’t wait can ask for a peek at the source link.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software
Via: CNET
Source: Slack
Between constant password breaches
     |
It was just yesterday when we reported on a rumor concerning the possible release of Windows 8.1. The rumor pegged the update to be released in mid-October, and today we received official word from Microsoft the long-awaited update will be making its way to a PC near you on October 17.
Microsoft also announced an exact time of when its Windows 8.1 update will be made available, which should roll out starting at 7 a.m. ET / 4 a.m. PT. The update will then be available on the Windows Store, and will be made available at retail and on new devices starting on October 18. (more…)
Windows 8.1 Release Date Confirmed For October 17 original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
It was just recently rumored that the Windows 8.1 update for Windows 8 would begin rolling out to the general public sometime in mid-October, and Microsoft has confirmed this morning, that is indeed true. Windows 8.1 will begin taking off on October 18, starting at midnight in New Zealand, which would be the 17th for […]
So when does Windows 8.1 come out? October 18th in stores and the day before online! The update will be pushed out to all Windows 8 users via the Windows Store. [Windows]
| |
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
