Oct 08

Qualcomm outs Snapdragon S4 SoC details, promises improved battery life and true world capability

Posted in: gps, hspa, lte, mobilepostcross, nfc, qualcomm, snapdragon, Today's Chili, windows 8, Windows8

Qualcomm has laid out its details of the upcoming S4 SoC, and yes, there’s definitely reason for excitement with this next generation Snapdragon. First, it’ll usher in a new 28nm manufacturing process alongside the company’s Krait CPU and Adreno 225 GPU. The move from 45nm to 28nm promises smaller components, lower power consumption and improved thermal performance, while Krait will introduce a new pipeline architecture that promises a full 60% boost over the current Scorpion lineup with clock speeds ranging between 1.5 and 2.5GHz — along with support for asynchronous multiprocessing and dual-channel memory. As for the GPU, the latest chip flaunts 50% greater performance over the current Adreno 220, where it also provides support for DirectX 9.3 for Windows 8, in addition to OpenGL ES 1.1 and 2.0. Should be quite the gaming experience, eh?

It doesn’t end there, as the S4 MSM8960 promises multi-mode world capabilities with support for all the commonly used frequencies from 700 to 2600MHz — quite a feat, indeed. It handles Cat. 3 LTE (up to 100Mbps) and Cat. 24 HSPA+ (up to 42Mbps), along with EV-DO Rev. B, 1x Advanced and TD-SCDMA, as well as GSM, GPRS and EDGE. Oh, and there’s also simultaneous support for GPS and GLONASS, along with Bluetooth, WiFi, FM radio and NFC. With samples already being sent to manufacturers, we’re quite excited for what 2012 may bring.

Qualcomm outs Snapdragon S4 SoC details, promises improved battery life and true world capability originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileBurn, Phone Scoop  |  sourceQualcomm  | Email this | Comments

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Oct 02

Switched On: Assets in gear

Posted in: amazon, Android, android tablet, AndroidTablet, column, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, kindle, Microsoft, sony, switched on, SwitchedOn, tablet, tablets, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, windows 8, Windows7, Windows8

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Ecosystems take years to build and depend on other companies. Really, who has the time these days? Plus, they kick in only if a product reaches critical mass. Microsoft and SanDisk demonstrated the risk a few years back with their digital media players in seeding the market with third-party cases and docks using their own proprietary and now abandoned connectors. Over the past year, though, we’ve seen a number of tech companies take a new approach to mobile product development — the corporate showcase — where they convincingly shun any notion of silos by throwing just about everything they’ve got into a product.

Continue reading Switched On: Assets in gear

Switched On: Assets in gear originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 22

Install Windows 8 onto your HTC Shift today, give it a reason to wake up in the morning (video)

Posted in: diy, hack, Hacks, HTC, Microsoft, mod, mods, Today's Chili, UMPC, video, windows 8, Windows8

If you’ve got an HTC Shift sitting around that’s collecting dust and not doing much else, it could find a new lease on life with the revelation of its (very unofficial) support for Windows 8. Like they did for Mac OS X previously, the folks at xda-developers have shoehorned Microsoft’s latest Developer Preview OS onto the dejected UMPC, and so long as you’ve got a bit of spare time, the right equipment and are good at following instructions, you can too. All the basic driver support appears to be in order, including support for video acceleration, the touchscreen and WiFi. Granted, you should keep in mind you’ll be installing pre-release software on unsupported hardware, but isn’t that half the fun? There’s a video after the break (heads-up: it’s in French), and if you’re looking to get started right away, you’ll find a full list of instructions in the source below.

[Thanks, M.]

Continue reading Install Windows 8 onto your HTC Shift today, give it a reason to wake up in the morning (video)

Install Windows 8 onto your HTC Shift today, give it a reason to wake up in the morning (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDistant-Earth, xda-developers (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 21

Windows 8 ditches ’80s BIOS boot for streamline UEFI

Posted in: Microsoft, os, Today's Chili, video, Windows, windows 8, Windows8

Every time we reboot our computers, that scrolling code takes us right back to the days of War Games and Tab. Bringing us into the 21st century, Microsoft has decided to ditch the old boot by beautifying the whole experience with a graphical menu. Windows 8 will shift from the standard fugly BIOS system to a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) — giving users a high resolution logo and a graphical menu to gaze upon while powering up their PC. Besides just looking better, the menu lets you boot to a different disc, OS or USB drive using pretty pictures and words as prompts. If you’re into a little self-inflicted eye torture, you can always pull up the command prompt menu from nightmares past. Check out the throwback video tribute to the computers of yesteryear after the break.

Update: Just to clarify, Microsoft isn’t actually building flashing mobos, but it’s pushing towards UEFI to achieve “significantly richer capabilities” while booting.

Update: Microsoft isn’t actually building flashing mobos, but it’s using its considerable industry weight to push manufacturers towards UEFI to achieve “significantly richer capabilities” while booting.

Continue reading Windows 8 ditches ’80s BIOS boot for streamline UEFI

Windows 8 ditches ’80s BIOS boot for streamline UEFI originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 19

Microsoft locks Metro-style apps to Windows Store, developers and enterprise keep sideloading privileges

Posted in: app, apps, Microsoft, Today's Chili, windows 8, Windows8

Microsoft’s battening down its hatches, and restricting distribution of Metro-style apps to its Windows Store. Developers and enterprise customers (as well as Win32 desktop apps) get the slide this time ’round the OS reboot, with continued and unfettered access to sideloading on the platform. The decision, much like Apple’s approach to iOS, falls in line with Redmond’s current Windows Phone 7 app policy, leaving the wild, wild west of unpoliced apps to users of Android’s open-source ecosystem. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before denizens of the interweb’s shadowy underworld hobble together a means of bypassing MS’ security measures, and open the floodgates to nefarious apps. We’re still waiting to get our hands on those Win8 slates, but in the meantime, look forward to a curated experience.

Microsoft locks Metro-style apps to Windows Store, developers and enterprise keep sideloading privileges originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Ars Technica, PCWorld  |  sourceMicrosoft blog  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 19

WrapUp: Windows 8 Developer Preview Released, Microsoft’s Synergy-Like App, and More

Posted in: amazon, Today's Chili, windows 8, WrapUp, xbox live

This article was written on September 19, 2011 by CyberNet.

Welcome to the WrapUp by CyberNet. This is a collection of news stories, downloads, and tips that we have collected over the last few days, but never got around to writing about. Don’t forget to send in your own tips, or just leave a comment on this page if you think you’ve got something we should include.

–News–

Windows 8 xbox liveMicrosoft Demos Xbox Live on Windows 8
If you’ve been clamoring for a new way to hook up to Xbox Live the Windows 8 OS might be just what you need. These videos are from BUILD where Microsoft showed off some of the Xbox Live integration.

Windows 8 startWindows 8 Previewed at BUILD
Microsoft unveiled a lot of things about Windows 8 at BUILD this year, and even released a developer preview that is available for the public to download. This is a quick look at the Windows 8 OS and what it has to offer.

Grid10 tabletFusion Garage Grid10 Tablet Drops to $299 Before Launch
The Fusion Garage Grid10 tablet that is launching on October 1st will now cost just $299, which is $200 less than what was previously reported.

Amazon kindleAmazon Trying to Launch a Netflix for Books
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Amazon is in talks to try and launch a subscription-based service for reading books that is similar to what Netflix does for videos.

–Tips, Tutorials, and Reviews–

Wireless snifferFind Out Who is On your Wireless Network
The Wireless Network Watcher is a portable app that will display all the devices currently connected to your network.

Evernote chrome clippingEvernote for Chrome Now With Better Article Clipping
The new Evernote extension for Chrome lets you quickly adjust the size of the area that gets clipped.

Windows 8 contrastWindows 8 Tips and Tricks
This is a collection of some tips for people trying out Windows 8, and includes ways to quickly launch apps as well as some of the new keyboard shortcuts.

DashexpanderFree Text Expansion for the Mac
DashExpander is a free app for the Mac that will automatically transform text as you’re typing into more meaningful snippets. It’s not as robust as some of the paid apps, but will suffice for someone with basic text expansion needs.

EchofiGet Pandora-Style Listening in Spotify
Echofi is a service that integrates with Spotify to provide an endless stream of music based on an artist you like.

Chrome text insertInsert Pre-Defined Text into Chrome With This Extension
Insert Text is a free Chrome Extension that lets you customize blocks of text that can quickly be inserted into any field on a site.

Mouse without borderseMicrosoft Releases Synergy-Like App
If you use two Windows computers side-by-side the new Mouse Without Borders app from Microsoft will let you control both of those machines using a single keyboard and mouse. This is a software-based solution that doesn’t require any kind of KVM, and is similar to the open source Synergy app that has been around for awhile. It is extremely easy to set up, and works very well.

–Downloads–

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Sep 18

Switched On: The great slate debate of Windows 8

Posted in: column, Microsoft, slate, switched on, SwitchedOn, tablet, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, windows 8, Windows7, Windows8

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Just as Windows Phone 7’s “touch-only” interface threw away the past to create a streamlined, more approachable experience, Microsoft is creating a “touch-first” experience for Windows 8 that has more in common with its new phone software than previous versions of Windows. This “Metro-style” UI will be able to run on virtually any modern PC, with screens from 10- to 30-inches and above. The touch interface will be only occasionally relevant on desktops, though, more so on laptops. Where it’s obviously meant to shine is on pure slates — will consumers really flock to Windows 8 for such slates, though?

Continue reading Switched On: The great slate debate of Windows 8

Switched On: The great slate debate of Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 16

Windows 8 ain’t fussy: runs on Macs, Surface, 128MB RAM, banana peel (videos)

Posted in: developer, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 8, Windows8

Downloaders of the Windows 8 Developer Preview have been proving their mettle the best way they know how: by getting it to run on systems it was never really intended for. Brent and the folks at Codesnack win the Real Utility trophy for their successful Boot Camp installs. Josh Blake gets the Damn I Look Good By Candlelight trophy for making the OS run on the MS Surface in his living room. Meanwhile, Marcin Grygiel has awarded himself the I’m HARDCORE!!! title for somehow getting it to run on a PC with just 128MB. Treat yourself to some intimate video evidence after the break.

[Thanks, Prashanth]

Continue reading Windows 8 ain’t fussy: runs on Macs, Surface, 128MB RAM, banana peel (videos)

Windows 8 ain’t fussy: runs on Macs, Surface, 128MB RAM, banana peel (videos) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCodesnack, Marcin Grygiel (YouTube), Josh Blake (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 16

Windows 8 on a laptop in-depth preview (video)

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

Less than 24 hours after it went live on Microsoft’s site, Steve Ballmer reported a whopping 500,000 downloads of Windows 8 Developer Preview. That’s half a million copies, if not eager Windows fans. Well, you can count us among them. Although we were treated to some private hands-on time with a tablet optimized for the OS, we hadn’t, until now, had a chance to use it on a laptop — i.e., the computing environment where we spend most of our time, and the one where we’re most used to seeing Windows, in particular.

For the past three days, we’ve been doing just that: getting acquainted with Windows 8 using the good ‘ol mouse-and-keyboard combo. And while that might read like a redundant statement (what recent version of Windows hasn’t accommodated a cursor?), Win 8 is a peculiar breed — It’s the first version of the operating system where finger input wasn’t an afterthought, but a first-class citizen. It’s clear that this time around, Windows is optimized for touch, but we had to wonder if that Windows Phone-inspired UI would present a steep learning curve, if it would get in the way while we tried to go about business as usual. So how’s that working out for us? Suffice to say, we’re not in Kansas anymore, so find your most comfortable chair and meet us after the break — we’ve got oh-so many details to delve into.

Gallery: Windows 8 Developer Preview (user interface and settings)

Continue reading Windows 8 on a laptop in-depth preview (video)

Windows 8 on a laptop in-depth preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 16

Adobe: yep, your Windows 8 system will support Flash — sometimes (video)

Posted in: adobe, desktop, flash, Microsoft, qualcomm, tablet, Today's Chili, video, Windows, windows 8, Windows8

Flash fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief — Adobe has confirmed that the next version of Windows will, in fact, support work built on its once ubiquitous web publishing platform. Windows 8 PCs and tablets with x86 or ARM processors will support the platform — in the more traditional desktop mode, that is. The version of Internet Explorer 10 built for that interface will play nicely with Flash. Those users who opt for the new Metro UI, on the other hand, will be out of luck on the Flash front, thanks to a lack of plug-in support. Between Adobe’s work in the HTML5 world and the ability to build Flash-like apps using Air for the Metro interface, however, the company seems to have most of its bases covered in Windows 8 land. Check out evidence of Flash running in Windows 8 after the break, courtesy of Qualcomm.

Continue reading Adobe: yep, your Windows 8 system will support Flash — sometimes (video)

Adobe: yep, your Windows 8 system will support Flash — sometimes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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