Sep 13

SanDisk working to push SSD power consumption lower, squeeze more juice out of your battery

Posted in: industry, intel, Microsoft, samsung, solid state drive, SolidStateDrive, SSD, Today's Chili
SanDisk SSD

First things first: we really need to sit down with the tech industry and have a conversation about effectively naming things. Which brings us to our next order of business: SATA DEVSLP. SanDisk is working with other companies, like Intel, Microsoft and Samsung, to develop this new standard which will drive SSD power consumption much lower than current levels. Some drives already support the cornerstone of the standard — a new super low-power mode that draws only 50mW of juice. SATA DEVSLP would keep the storage in that energy-sipping state the majority of the time, extending battery life for Ultabooks, tablets, or whatever other gadgets may come along. Guess we know one trick Intel plans to use to reach that promised 10-days of connected standby time. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading SanDisk working to push SSD power consumption lower, squeeze more juice out of your battery

SanDisk working to push SSD power consumption lower, squeeze more juice out of your battery originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Windows 8 details: new features, UI enhancements and everything in between

Posted in: apps, AppStore, arm, cloud, Microsoft, multitouch, nfc, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Software, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 8, Windows8

Today, Windows Division prexy Steven Sinofsky treated Build 2011 attendees to a walkthrough of the various tweaks, subtle or otherwise, Microsoft’s made to Windows 8. Staying true to its roots, the new OS implements the familiar keyboard commands users have become accustomed to over the years — you know, like CMD and Ctrl+F. And as for its update to Internet Explorer, MS has imbued its tenth iteration with the ability to switch between the much-hyped Metro-style UI and plain old desktop view — all according to your whimsy. Of course, Redmond’s instituted other sweeping changes across the platform, and you can check some of the highlights after the break.

Gallery: Windows 8 details roundup

Continue reading Windows 8 details: new features, UI enhancements and everything in between

Windows 8 details: new features, UI enhancements and everything in between originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

NVIDIA opens Windows 8 developer program with support for Kal-El tablets

Posted in: developer, developers, Microsoft, NVIDIA, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Software, tablet, tablets, tesla, Today's Chili, Windows

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know Microsoft’s Build developer conference is going on right now in Anaheim, California, and Windows 8 is the belle of the ball. Earlier today, Windows chief Steven Sinofsky spilled more details about the OS, touting the minimum requirements and NFC support, while we fessed up to having had some quality hands-on time ourselves. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the company’s hardware partners are also ready to start talking. NVIDIA just opened its Windows 8 developer program, and says it’ll embrace not just x86-based PCs, but Tegra-powered tablets as well. Specifically, that means support for its forthcoming quad-core Tegra platform, codenamed Kal-El, along with PCs packing GeForce, Quadro and Tesla cards. Any developers who happen to be hanging around the Anaheim Convention Center can sign up at NVIDIA’s booth, though there’s also an online registration page for everyone else. Find that at the source link, along with the full PR after the break.

Continue reading NVIDIA opens Windows 8 developer program with support for Kal-El tablets

NVIDIA opens Windows 8 developer program with support for Kal-El tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Intel demos Haswell-enabled, solar-powered computing at IDF 2011

Posted in: Microsoft, PC, processor, Today's Chili, Windows
During the IDF keynote today in San Francisco, Intel demoed a solar-powered PC running Windows based on its long-teased Haswell microarchitecture — complete with labcoats and LOLcats. As a refresher, Haswell is based on the same 22nm technology as Ivy Bridge, reduces power by 20x compared to current designs, and will help Ultrabooks achieve ten days of connected standby by 2013. Intel’s CEO Paul Otellini mentioned that Haswell will further accelerate Ultrabook innovation with the help of the company’s revolutionary 3D tri-gate transistors. Check out the solar-powered future in our gallery below.

Gallery: Intel’s Haswell solar-powered computer at IDF

Dante Cesa contributed to this report.

Continue reading Intel demos Haswell-enabled, solar-powered computing at IDF 2011

Intel demos Haswell-enabled, solar-powered computing at IDF 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Microsoft gives Samsung Windows 8 developer PCs to Build attendees, AT&T throws in 3G service

Posted in: att, developer, Microsoft, PC, samsung, tablet, Today's Chili

It’s just not a developer conference these days without a big giveaway, and Microsoft’s now come through on that front at Build. The company announced during its keynote that it’s giving away 5,000 Samsung-built developer “PCs” to attendees, and that AT&T will throw in a year of 3G service (2GB per month) for good measure. And, yes, if you haven’t noticed, Microsoft is intent on calling every Windows 8 device a “PC,” even tablets. In this case, that PC comes complete with a second-gen Intel Core i5 processor, an 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 Samsung Super PLS display, a 64GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, and a dock with a USB, HDMI and Ethernet ports.

Microsoft gives Samsung Windows 8 developer PCs to Build attendees, AT&T throws in 3G service originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Microsoft shows Windows 8 on existing Ultrabooks, acts like it’s never seen a thin laptop before

Posted in: breaking news, laptop, Microsoft, notebook, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Software, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 8, Windows8

The majority of first-gen Ultrabooks aren’t on sale yet — not even with Windows 7 — but Microsoft’s already showing off tomorrow’s best and brightest with Windows 8. We already knew that Windows 8 would theoretically run on a now-ancient Lenovo S10, but if you’re concerned about “futureproofing,” it looks as if the thinnest and lightest in the Wintel world will be good enough to run a developer build of Win8. You know — when the files hit the wild tonight at 8PM PT.

Gallery: Windows 8 on Ultrabooks

Microsoft shows Windows 8 on existing Ultrabooks, acts like it’s never seen a thin laptop before originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Microsoft demos NFC-based tap-to-share for Windows 8 devices (updated)

Posted in: Microsoft, nfc, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 8, Windows8
There’s not a ton of details on this just yet, but Microsoft confirmed during its Build keynote today that Windows 8 devices equipped with an NFC chip will be able to use a tap-to-share feature to either send content from one device to another, or simply receive content from something like an NFC-equipped card.

Update: NXP Semiconductors has now confirmed that it “worked closely” with Microsoft to develop an NFC driver for Windows 8, and that it’s also supplied the NFC solution used in the Windows 8 tablets given out at Build. According to the company, the NFC support in Windows 8 includes things like device pairing (simply tapping to pair a Bluetooth headset, for example), data sharing, and the ability to transfer control from one device to another (such as during a video call). And that’s all to say nothing of the usual fare like interacting with an NFC-enhanced advertisement, not to mention other applications that will surely follow once it’s actually put into practice. The company’s press release is after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft demos NFC-based tap-to-share for Windows 8 devices (updated)

Microsoft demos NFC-based tap-to-share for Windows 8 devices (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Windows 8 Store to sell both Metro-style apps and conventional Win32 programs

Posted in: breaking news, Microsoft, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Software, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 8, Windows8

Oh, sure — you’ve already started digging into the upcoming Windows Store (or, at least what it’ll deliver), but Microsoft just revealed a cute little nugget about its future functionality here at Build 2011. In keeping with its mantra of making Windows 8 a one-size-fits-all affair, the Store will be home to both Metro-style apps (useful for tablets and desktops alike) as well as traditional Win32 programs. You know, like Quicken. The outfit is hoping for this to provide more visibility for the programs that we all grew up on, and so long as the categorization is under control, we’re all for it.

Not surprising, given that there’s “no overlay” here. Whatever you see, it’s “all Windows.” The company’s playing up its flexibility for coders, with a full spate of supported coding options explained in graphical detail just after the break.

Follow our continuing Build 2011 / Windows 8 coverage here!

Continue reading Windows 8 Store to sell both Metro-style apps and conventional Win32 programs

Windows 8 Store to sell both Metro-style apps and conventional Win32 programs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Windows 8 for tablets hands-on preview (video)

Posted in: hands-on, HandsOn, impressions, Microsoft, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, preview, Software, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 8, Windows8

Just last week, we got our paws on Samsung’s Series 7 Slate, and it’s already making its second debut. This time around, however, it’s sporting a much more mouthwatering setup. No, it’s not dawning Lady Gaga’s edible leftovers; this new look comes courtesy of Microsoft’s much teased and hotly anticipated touch-friendly OS, Windows 8. As you’ve likely already heard, the latest incarnation of the operating system is something entirely new for Redmond, and, as it turns out, the world. It’s unlike anything we’ve seen before, but that won’t stop us from making comparisons.

Like Apple’s latest attempt at a desktop OS, Windows 8 borrows largely from its mobile kin, Window Phone 7, bringing its signature live tiles to tablets and PCs, and from what we’ve seen it does so effortlessly. Before we go ruining a good thing, however, we have to point out that this isn’t everything Windows has to offer — it’s still a developers preview (and in turn, an OS under construction), and the device it’s running on hasn’t been approved as an official Windows 8 slate. Got all that? Good. Read on for our first impressions!

Gallery: Windows 8 for tablets hands-on preview

Continue reading Windows 8 for tablets hands-on preview (video)

Windows 8 for tablets hands-on preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

Microsoft launches Windows 8 developer preview, downloads are live!

Posted in: apps, breaking news, developer, Microsoft, Software, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, windows 8, Windows7, Windows8

We got a taste of Windows 8 back at D9, but the real bounty is waiting in Anaheim. The company’s kicking off its Build conference with a full-on developer preview of its next major desktop operating system, still code-named Windows 8 for the time being. According to Steven Sinofsky — president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft — the company has “reimagined Windows,” bringing about a “new range of capabilities” that coders will begin to dig into sooner rather than later. As we’d seen before, the “Metro-styled” user interface is front-and-center, bringing graphical elements of Windows Phone 7 to desktop, laptop and tablet users of the future. Internet Explorer 10 is also onboard, as well as a focus on “apps” that can communicate with one another, and content that can sync across devices. Folks comfortable in a Win7 environment ought to be right at home here — Win8 is built on the same foundation, though the retooled Task Manager and Windows Explorer should tickle the average fancy.

The Windows Store will enable devs to hawk their apps to any nation where Windows is sold, and yes, support for ARM-based chipsets is proudly included alongside compatibility with x86 devices. In other words, everything from “10-inch tablets to laptops to all-in-ones with 27-inch HD screens” will be able to ingest Win8 with ease. That’s a markedly different take than the folks in Cupertino have expressed, with an (admittedly limiting) mobile OS being chosen to run the tablet side of things. Only time will tell which mantra proves more viable, but we’re guessing the both of ’em will find varying levels of success. Microsoft has also confirmed backwards compatibility with “devices and programs” that support Windows 7, and while an exact time has yet to be revealed, we’re told that developers will be able to download the Windows Developer Preview via the new Windows Dev Center later this week. Full fact sheets can be seen in the source link below, and our hands-on impressions of the new code can be found right here.

Update: Downloads are live! Get in!

Gallery: Windows 8 developer preview screenshots

Continue reading Microsoft launches Windows 8 developer preview, downloads are live!

Microsoft launches Windows 8 developer preview, downloads are live! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceWindows 8 Developers Guide [PDF], Fact Sheet [PDF]  | Email this | Comments

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