Hasta La Gadget!

Sure, you’ve seen the announcement of Thunderbolt on the PC, the chips that’ll power it and a bevy of compatible accessories, but how about actual proof of Thunderbolt working on Windows? Hidden deep in the recesses of IDF’s technical showcase, we found just that and immortalized it on video for all to see. Essentially the same Chipzilla demo as when we first witnessed the interconnect on Macs, we watched the playback of four 1080p streams devour over 700MB of throughput off a PCIe attached SSD. You know the drill, serious bit slinging awaits in the gallery below and video after the break.

Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Continue reading Eyes-on with Thunderbolt on Windows at IDF 2011 (video)

Eyes-on with Thunderbolt on Windows at IDF 2011 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Focus S wanders through FCC en route to AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

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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This video should give you a better idea of what the Windows 8 versus iOS experience is like. Image: Winrumors

For those who weren’t able to attend Microsoft’s BUILD conference and check out a Windows 8 tablet firsthand, the fine points of its new OS may sound a bit vague.

The video below may give you a better idea of what you’re missing. Microsoft enthusiast site Winrumors compared the user experience of an iPad 2 running iOS 5 and the pre-release Windows 8 tablet. Running side by side, function by function, we’re really seeing how Windows has created a new way of interacting with a tablet.

We got a deeper look at Window’s new operating system earlier this week at Microsoft’s BUILD keynote. Windows 8 features a number of significant user interface changes, and is designed to run on both tablet PCs and desktop PCs, as well as ARM and x86 architecture. Those in attendance at the conference got a free Windows 8 tablet built by Samsung (which was rumored beforehand). The exact launch date for Windows 8 is yet to be announced.

The differences start right at the log-in screen. While iOS 5 offers a pin-based log-in, Windows 8’s default is a photo selected by the user, which they can tap or swipe on in a particular pattern (of their choice) to unlock the device.

In a refreshing change of pace from other mobile platform makers, the menu screen interface looks entirely different. In Windows 8, you’ve got a rectangular arrangement of smaller square-shaped “Live Tiles,” as well as larger rectangular ones. You can rearrange their order, put them on different pages, or even shrink larger tiles into smaller ones. It’s very customizable.

Windows 8 also includes subtle tweaks in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. A swipe brings up the address bar, and shows you other tabs you have open with small screenshots across the top of the display. Windows 8 also supports pen input, so you can use a finger or a stylus to write in the name of a website, for example, rather than type it out.

For more, check out the video below.

Microsoft seems intent to push things forward, judging by its recent Build 2011 conference and the Windows 8 goods on display. Now, in an official blog post from the Redmond-based company, comes word that Internet Explorer 10 will be doing double duty, accommodating the web’s old architecture and its HTML 5 future. Users who opt for IE 10’s Metro-style app will be treated to a plug-in free experience, as MS has its eye on the evolving underpinnings of our information superhighway. Not to worry, though, the desktop app of the company’s refreshed browser will still function as it always has, providing compatibility for Flash, and a host of other extensions. The company made the decision after surveying 97,000 internet sites worldwide, deducing that a portion of the 62% sampled defaulted to HTML 5 in the absence of plug-in support. Due in part to this intentional omission, the Ballmer-led co. now claims the new, touch-optimized version of IE 10 will run faster, sustain battery life and offer improved security and privacy. Not convinced? Well, you’ll be able to test that out for yourselves when those Windows 8 slates hit the market.

Microsoft’s Metro-style IE 10 has seen the future and it’s plug-in free originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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