Hasta La Gadget!

RTM. To the everyman, those three letters may not mean much. To those waiting with bated breath for Microsoft’s next operating system, it’s a huge milestone worth celebrating. Microsoft has today confirmed that Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing, enabling its OEM partners to grab the final code and begin implementation on systems that’ll be tempting you mightily starting on (or around) October 26th.

If you’re curious about the specific rollout details, here goes. Starting August 15th, devs will be able to download the final version of Windows 8 via their MSDN subscription, and IT pros testing Windows 8 in organizations will be able to access the final version of Windows 8 through their TechNet subscriptions. On August 16th, customers with existing Microsoft Software Assurance for Windows will be able to download Windows 8 Enterprise edition through the Volume License Service Center (VLSC). Also on that day, Microsoft Partner Network members will have access to Win8. On August 20th, Microsoft Action Pack Providers (MAPS) receive access to the goods, while Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers on September 1st.

Update: Microsoft has just affirmed that starting today, any qualifying business in a supported market can now submit a Metro style app for Windows 8. Boom.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs

Microsoft confirms Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing, OEM partners now have final code originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bearing a TP00043AWD model number, Lenovo’s Windows 8 ThinkPad tablet has apparently stopped by the FCC for testing, making it the second we’ve seen after ASUS’ Tablet 810 made the rounds. Although there aren’t any glamor shots or specs available, the design shown closely matches the tablet we spent some hands-on time with at Computex in June and a quick zoom in the lower right corner reveals that new Windows logo alongside another one for Intel. When we saw it last the spec list included a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 display, Intel Clover Trail CPU, 2- and 8MP cameras front and back plus the usual assortment of connectors. Check after the break for a bigger look at the diagram and zoom of the revealing logos, or hit the source link to go through any unsealed documents with a fine toothed comb.

Continue reading Lenovo ThinkPad tablet with Windows 8 and Intel Inside stops by the FCC

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Lenovo ThinkPad tablet with Windows 8 and Intel Inside stops by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As we’ve seen, there will be no shortage of tablet / laptop hybrids on offer when Windows 8 starts shipping this fall. But since those keyboard docks will typically be sold separately, that means you’re also about to see loads of third-party alternatives. Not to be left out, Microsoft just announced a Bluetooth mobile keyboard, along with its smallest-ever mouse — both of which can be used with any Windows tablet.

Starting with that Wedge Mobile Keyboard, it resembles Zaggmate’s iPad case from 2010, in that it has a hard case to make it more travel-resilient. Here, though, the casing is made of flexible rubber, allowing it to double as a tablet stand. Putting it over the keys also turns the keyboard off, allowing you to conserve battery life. On board, you’ll also find hotkeys specific to certain Windows 8 features, such as the Charms Bar. And, as the name suggests, the keyboard rises a bit in the back, thanks to the battery door on the other side (this takes two AAA cells, by the way.) One caveat: though you can use it with Windows 7, 8 and RT, and even Mac OS X, but it’s not compatible with Vista. Sorry, folks.

In a similar vein, the tiny Wedge Touch Mouse has a matching soft-touch surface and is also Bluetooth-enabled. Like other mice in Microsoft’s lineup, it has BlueTrack technology, allowing it to be used on a wide variety of surfaces. The mouse, which runs on a single AA battery, also shuts down whenever you power down whatever device it’s paired with. These products will ship “soon,” according to Microsoft, with the keyboard retailing for $79.95 and the mouse going for $69.95. For now, we’ve got a bunch of photos below for your viewing pleasure.

Filed under: Peripherals

Microsoft intros Wedge Mobile Keyboard, whose case doubles as a stand originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toying with the idea of picking up a keyboard-dockable Windows 8 slate? Take your pick — since Computex (and Microsoft’s own Surface unveiling), these devices have popping up like wildflowers — and one of them may have just slipped through federal inspection. A recent FCC filing reveals an ASUS branded tablet bearing the mark of Windows 8. The feds out the device as the TF600T, an unannounced product that sounds suspiciously similar to the Tablet 600 ASUS trotted out at Computex. Further investigation only revealed a standard radios — Bluetooth, WiFi and NFC — but the Transformer-like model number and Windows logo have our attention. Is this the Tablet 600? We’ll let you know when ASUS has something official to say. Dive into the federal report for yourself at the source link below.

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Did ASUS’ Windows 8-packing Tablet 600 hit the FCC? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 01:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Always-outspoken Gabe Newell, the big cheese at Valve, made quite a few interesting statements at this year’s Casual Connect conference, including the quote above. Gabe believes Microsoft’s impending update will drive manufacturers away from the OS and he reiterated Valve’s plan to make the entire Steam catalog available on Linux as a “hedging strategy.” During the onstage discussion, he also weighed in on the longevity of touch input, which he estimates at a decade, the possibility of tongue control and the future of wearable computers. Other classic quotes include “the next version of Photoshop should look like a free-to-play game,” which Adobe apparently didn’t quite understand — and frankly, neither do we.

Filed under: Gaming, Software

CE-Oh no he didn’t!: Valve’s Gabe Newell says ‘Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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