Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft’s mobile efforts may look like they’re slightly in disarray after the expensive and embarrassing Kin debacle, but it looks like Windows Phone 7 may yet emerge unscathed from the chaos — and potentially even earlier than expected, if this sheet of AT&T retail signage that’s being sent out for a July 24th store overhaul is to be believed. Don’t get too excited, however: we’re told that cards like this have hit in July for September launches in the past — which would line up with that hint of an October Telstra launch — and that the “QTY: 6” label likely points to two devices, not a sextuplet. (We’d guess… Samsung and LG?) Either way, it would be a big win for Microsoft if it can manage to get Windows Phone 7 in store shelves before that promised “holiday 2010” due date — we’ll see what happens.

AT&T stores getting Windows Phone 7 retail materials, launch coming sooner than expected? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

We’ve been seeing hints here and there that the iPad versions of Apple’s iWork apps will eventually trickle down to the iPhone and iPod touch, and now it looks like we’ve got some definitive proof: 9to5 Mac has published a thorough screenshot walkthrough of Pages. As you’d expect, it looks a lot like a smaller version of Pages for the iPad, but there are some interesting tidbits here and there: all documents sync over the air with all your iOS devices, there’s integration with the oft-forgotten iWork.com, and you can export in .doc and PDF in addition to Pages format. Interesting stuff, to say the least — hit the read link for the complete set of shots.

Pages for iPhone gets a full walkthrough originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  9to5 Mac  | Email this | Comments

Sure, Microsoft might be selling seven copies of Windows 7 a second, but that doesn’t mean Redmond isn’t planning for the future: the software giant is purportedly beginning to prep ODMs on Windows 8, if these leaked slides are to be believed. It doesn’t look like anything is nailed down just yet, but some interesting larger themes are being discussed, like improving startup and wake-from-sleep times to be nearly instantaneous, the addition of higher-speed interconnects like USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 3.0, hard drive encryption, ambient light sensitivity, and facial recognition login / out. That last is the most interesting, as it hints at some Kinect-style user detection, but then again, PCs from HP, ASUS and others can do this already, so we’d like to see some more of Kinect bleed over as well — we could definitely see the gestural menu navigation hit Media Player and IE. Unfortunately, there’s no dates on any of this, and we can’t imagine Microsoft will shift gears from Windows 7 anytime soon, but it’s still nice to dream — hit the read link for the full set of slides.

Update: The folks at Microsoft Kitchen have pored through all the slides and come up with some interesting takeaways. First, Microsoft appears to be looking to what it refers to as Apple’s “virtuous cycle” of brand loyalty, and the company wants consumers to think of Windows 8 as being just as uncomplicated and high quality. There’s also a render of a concept Windows 8 machine (pictured above), which looks like… well, it looks like a remix of the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh from 1997. Microsoft is also tailoring Windows 8 specifically to slates, all-in-ones, and laptops, which suggests a great emphasis on touch to us — there’s a slide of user interacting with something called a “Lap PC” that looks like a convertible tablet.

Other interesting notes include a “push button reset” that automatically resets Windows to factory condition while leaving a user’s files in place, an August 2010 beta data for IE9, and most interestingly, plans for a “Windows Store” app store, which will allow apps and settings to follow users from machine to machine. However, docs show that not a line of OS code had been written until at least this month, and all of the slides are marked “Windows 8 Discussion — this is not a plan of record” so it seems like everything is still a bit up in the air. Looks like Microsoft is planning some big moves, though — we’re definitely eager to see what makes the final cut.

Update 2: We’ve had a nice long look through the slides ourselves, and that Windows Store is looking pretty interesting even at this early juncture. Early mockups show a Zune-like interface with content curated not only by Microsoft, but also partners and device manufacturers, and there’s even a “Apps your friends love” section. The Store will also apparently recognize which device you’re using and display content appropriately — things that run on a desktop may not play nice with a tablet PC — and there’s a robust-looking developer dashboard so indie devs who intend to monetize the new platform can keep track of the goods. See what the experience might look like in the gallery below.

Update 3: While there’s no telling what Microsoft will actually do when it starts coding the OS, documents indicate it’s currently asking partner OEMs whether Bluetooth 3.0 + HS and IEEE 1394 are important to their customers. Why? Microsoft doesn’t plan to support either in Windows 8 if at all possible. Is it finally the end of the road for FireWire?

Continue reading Early Windows 8 features to include startup performance boost, visual login, and improved graphics (Update: Windows Store, no more 1394?)

Early Windows 8 features to include startup performance boost, visual login, and improved graphics (Update: Windows Store, no more 1394?) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Neowin  |  Being Manan, Francisco Martin Garcia, Microsoft Kitchen  | Email this | Comments

Can’t confirm these ourselves, but if Android Central’s sources are to be believed, these Samsung Galaxy S Pro specs are mighty impressive. Here’s what we’re looking at: a Sammy-borne 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, a Super AMOLED screen that may or may not be the same 4-inch, 800 x 480 window on the Galaxy S, a strong QWERTY slider with raised keys, front-facing VGA camera, 5 megapixel back camera with 720p video recording capabilities, WiMAX support, and Android 2.1 with some TouchWiz 3.0 customizations. As for qualms, the source does drop “plastic-y” a couple times in a none-too-flattering light. Still, for those who find a lack of physical keys a dealbreaker for the EVO 4G, this might end up being a proper alternate. We’ll have to wait and see — not too long, right Sammy?

[Thanks, Ulf S.]

Samsung Galaxy S Pro specs leak out? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Android Central  | Email this | Comments

Like the iPad launch guide before it, Best Buy’s iPhone 4 launch plan has just made its wily way into our collective lap, replete with loads of details on how your favorite blue-shirted electronics salespersons are going to be spending their Thursday morning. While we’ve yet to see any hot scoops inside its two dozen pages (aside from some confusing, contradictory gibberish about whether Best Buy will have iPhones at launch at all) we have learned that stores will open up previously suspended preorders on launch day, accepting reservation fees for devices that customers can pick up at a later date. What we’re not seeing here is anything about specific number of units, but there are various lines that caution against expecting much in the way of non-reserved phones — should there be any, the guide advises first come first serve once the store opens. In other words, it’s business as usual: call ahead and show up early. See some choice quotes from the playbook after the break.

Continue reading Best Buy’s iPhone 4 launch manual leaked?

Best Buy’s iPhone 4 launch manual leaked? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  iClarified  | Email this | Comments