Windows 8
Latest
WatchESPN finally comes to Windows 8
Windows 8 has plenty of apps to choose from, but there's one in particular that avid sports fans had long been waiting for: WatchESPN. The great news is The Worldwide Leader in Sports has finally brought the application to Microsoft's operating system. Now users will be able to stream a ton of on-demand and live content from ESPN's network lineup, right on their Windows 8 PC. Access to real-time video feeds does require a cable subscription, however, so be sure to check the description here to see if your provider supports WatchESPN.
Microsoft to use Foursquare data in Bing and Windows products
It may not be the biggest news to come out of Redmond in recent hours. Still, the Windows faithful will no doubt be interested to hear about a licensing agreement involving two pretty notable outfits. Today, Foursquare announced it has struck a deal with Microsoft to use its location data in Bing services and Windows-powered devices. This, naturally, includes search and maps for Bing; and, for Windows, phones, tablets, laptops and desktops -- and yes, convertibles too. In a statement, Foursquare notes that, "in the near future," Microsoft will be utilizing the newly acquired license to enhance its products with "contextually-aware experiences and the best recommendations of any service in the world." That's not it, however, as Foursquare also revealed Microsoft has invested ($15 million) into its socially-driven company, which it says will help the service continue to grow and be accessible by more people.
Daily Roundup: Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, LG WebOS TV, ZTE BlueWatch and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Viber continues to expand as it rolls out Windows 8 app
Fresh off of the announcement that it's now allowing users to make calls to any mobile or landline number, Viber today is reaching yet another platform by way of a Windows 8 application. Aside from providing access to the VoIP calling services it has become known for, Viber's also bringing a few features tailored specifically for Microsoft's operating system. Namely, we're talking things like pinning conversations to the Start screen as well as the ability to be used in Snap View mode. Additionally, Viber for Windows 8 offers full Live Tile support, allowing you to easily spot notifications and have quick access to the app. CEO Talmon Marco says coming to Windows 8 was "the natural next step" for his company, adding that this is part of Viber's big picture strategy and "commitment to wide, cross platform availability."
SlingPlayer app arrives for Windows 8, costs $15 after free trial runs out
If you happen to own a Slingbox media streamer and a Windows 8.1/RT device, it's your lucky day. After announcing last month that a SlingPlayer app for Windows was on the way, it's now in the Windows Store, ready for download. Like the iOS and Android versions, which have been out for quite some time, users can take advantage of mobile DVR control and watch either live or recorded TV on their device. Slingbox owners will receive a free, 24-hour trial, but will need to cough up $15 to continue using it.
.jpg.cf.jpg)
MMObility: Windows 8 tablets help MMO fans go mobile
One of the most interesting parts of covering the mobile gaming industry for this column is watching technologies move at such blinding speeds. Just over the course of this column's run, I have seen my own tech double and triple in speed while halving in size and weight. I've also had to try to predict how the market will go so I can keep an eye on games and genres. In one of the stranger turns of recent events, I've watched as Windows 8, RT, and 8.1 have slowly crept into the market in an attempt to pull people back to the desktop... sort of. This is all possible simply because the desktop PC has reimagined itself in a smaller form, something that I am fond of seeing. Even though I predict that gamers will one day do everything on a tablet (with an optional dock or larger-screen connection), I have to admit that I am surprised at how fast Windows tablets are moving into the spotlight. Sure, they are claiming just a single-digit percentage of the marketplace according to this report in April, well behind Android and iOS, but the numbers continue to rise. That's pretty startling. What does this mean for MMO gamers?
Acer's 21.5-inch Aspire Z3-600 all-in-one can move from room to room, costs $779
It may seem as if Acer is all about Chromebooks these days, at least judging by its most recent announcements. Today, however, the company is putting the focus back on Microsoft's operating system, with the introduction of its new (and somewhat unorthodox) Aspire Z3-600. This Windows 8 machine is a 21.5-inch all-in-one that quickly stands out, namely thanks to its rather flexible and portable build. Aside from being able to quickly switch positions, the Aspire Z3-600 features a 1080p display alongside two Harman Kardon speakers, USB.3.0, HDMI (with MHL support) and, more importantly, a built-in battery capable of lasting up to a little more than 2.5 hours. Under the hood you'll find Intel's Pentium J2850 quad-core processor and HD Graphics, plus 4GB of RAM and a 750GB hard drive -- it's worth noting this model can't be customized, so what you have here is what you'll get. Speaking of which, Acer is pricing the Z3-600 at $779, with availability expected to begin later this month.
Report: 'Threshold' updates to unify Windows, Xbox One platforms
Microsoft is planning to make strides toward one ecosystem for all its platforms with "Threshold," the codename for a series of individual platform updates that will more closely unite Windows Phone, Windows PC and Xbox One. According to a report on ZDNet, "Threshold" will include updates to all three platforms that will "advance them in a way to share even more common elements," with the goal being for all platforms to ultimately share one storefront. Microsoft is also working to bring parity to developer tools across all three platforms, in the hopes of attracting more multi-platform applications. The codename "Threshold," while likely chosen due to the initiative's goal of removing the boundaries between Microsoft platforms, also has a coincidental link to the Halo universe. It's the name of the planet you'll see in the distance beyond the original ring-world in Halo: Combat Evolved.
PSA: Fiesta your eyes on the new Rayman runner, out row
Cancel that siesta because Rayman Fiesta Run is out today, and you can grab it on the App Store right now. Ubisoft's Latin-flavored auto-runner, which is priced at $3, is also due on Google Play [update: it's live] and Windows 8 storefronts. I couldn't resist a quick go on my iPhone 5 this morning, and I'm both pleased and upset to report I wanted a much longer go. Early impressions: If you liked Jungle Run, then surprise surprise, you'll probably like Fiesta Run too. Ubisoft hasn't strayed too far from last year's winning formula, but the addition of the Invasion levels looks to stand out. These are much tougher variations of the regular levels, layering the original version with plenty of additional enemies and traps. Each Invasion level is unlocked when you get all 100 lums in the easier version - which, as it happens, I'm already finding harder to do. Another neat touch - apparently exclusive to the iOS version - if you played Jungle Run on the same device, your tally of lums from that game will transfer over to Fiesta Run; you can use lums to unlock various artwork, heroes, and helpful items the follow-up.
Switched On: If it ain't broke, fix it
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. In a Microsoft strategy that embraces contradiction -- licensing software while trying to build its own devices -- it is unsurprising that goals for the Surface support competing priorities. On one hand, it is a showcase, a pure Microsoft experience in a role that the Nexus phones and tablets serve for Google. On the other hand, it is part of a line of business that must deliver profit over the long term. It is a product that Microsoft has bet big on in terms of development, marketing and inventory. And when its first iteration failed to meet sales expectations, Microsoft felt the pain. Surface has had a third, subtler role as well. In the world of traditional personal computing, it is one thing for Apple to do away with a modem or an optical drive. It is another for Intel to enable longer usage times and thinner form factors. But Surface has enabled Microsoft to set trends for a product's design in ways it could not when it was simply dictating hardware from the sidelines. Remember, for example, the SideShow second screen it advocated with Windows Vista?
Stephen Elop says he's ready for change at Microsoft
All eyes are on Stephen Elop. Just hours ago, he introduced Nokia's first Windows tablet; he's also overseeing his division's integration into Microsoft; and Redmond is even considering him as its next CEO. During our interview today, Elop understandably couldn't comment on the prospect of taking Steve Ballmer's place, but he did say he's ready to take up the challenge of bringing the two giants together, no matter what. "I'm looking forward to being a part of driving that change within the company in whatever capacity," Elop said.
Apple issues day-one EFI update for new iMacs to address Boot Camp issue
No sooner had Apple announced the 2013 iMacs than they also issued a day-one EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) update for the speedy new all-in-ones. The update is targeted at an issue that sometimes occurs when installing a Boot Camp partition with Windows 7 or Windows 8. The issue appears when an external optical drive (the devices have no internal optical drive) and a USB thumb drive are connected at the same time, causing the screen to go black. The update also ensures that the default boot drive for the system will be OS X after Windows 8 is installed. iMac (late 2013) EFI Update 2.1 can be downloaded from Apple's support pages, and requires that the Mac be running OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.4 or later.
GestureWorks Gameplay to add custom controls to 'hundreds' of Windows 8 games
GestureWorks Gameplay, an application that allows users to build custom touch and gesture-based controls for "hundreds" of Windows 8 games, was revealed at the Intel Developer Forum last week. GestureWorks is planned to begin assuming direct control release in November 2013. Developer Ideum plans to include "a dozen pre-built Virtual Controllers for popular Windows games" with GestureWorks. The software will also offer "easy to use, drag-and-drop" tools to allow for custom setups. Users will be able to place "joysticks, d-pads, switches, scroll wheels and buttons anywhere on the screen, change the size, opacity, and add colors and labels." The software will also support "over 200" gestures, some of those being multitouch. If you're frequently frustrated by predefined touchscreen layouts, sign up to become a GestureWorks beta tester.
Surface Power Cover rumored to ship after the Surface 2, provide the whole family with extra juice
Despite Microsoft's claims that the Surface family of tablets was a representation of "no compromise," many road warriors have found the battery life to be... well, compromised. In order to address said concerns, it's looking as if Microsoft will be launching a line of Power Covers. In a nutshell, these battery-inclusive Type Covers will snap onto Surface tablets as the existing ones do now, but a bump in thickness (from 0.21-inches to 0.38-inches) will add "significant" life. Interestingly, WinSupersite is reporting that the covers won't ship until after the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, and the original Surface RT won't be compatible. Oh, and as for pricing? Mum's the word, as you might expect for an unconfirmed accessory.
Ubi software turns projections into touchscreens with Kinect for Windows
Ubi Interactive, not to be confused with gaming publisher and developer Ubisoft, has released software called Ubi that's capable of turning any projected surface into a touchscreen with help from Microsoft's Kinect for Windows, CNET reported last week. Ubi works with the Windows 8 operating system to evolve projected displays into interactive touchscreens by incorporating Kinect for Windows. Walls, desks, tables -- any portion of a room can be translated into an Angry Birds battlefield so long as it's "visible to the depth sensor camera in the Kinect," Ubi's FAQ states. The basic, single-touch compatible Ubi software for a 45" display costs $150. Those gunning for a 100" display can pay $380 for a single-touch compatible professional license, while a business license supports two touch-point displays for $800. If you're not fooling around, the enterprise license supports a 100" display and 20 touch points for $1500. Every version of Ubi includes a year of free updates. Ubi only supports the Windows 8 operating system and is currently not compatible with Kinect for Xbox. Still, we can't help but daydream about incorporating Ubi into Microsoft's IllumiRoom technology so we can attach a more literal meaning to the phrase "game room." If your interest is sparked by the possibilities, you can order Ubi here.
Apple Stores to push Macs for business, via Parallels Desktop and Windows 8
It's always been difficult for Apple to sell the Mac as a business machine, especially in the enterprise where Windows is king. Now 9to5Mac is reporting that Apple Stores will soon be equipped with a 27" iMac running Parallels Desktop and Windows 8, just to demonstrate to business buyers that anything that can be done on a Windows machine can be done on a Mac. In contrast to Apple's longtime "Mac vs. PC" ad campaign, which sought to convince PC users to drop Windows for Mac, the new initiative is targeting businesses by pointing out how Macs can be used side-by-side with Windows PCs in the office. Any applications that are Windows-only can be run under Parallels Desktop, while native Mac versions of many other apps bring the ease of use of the platform to any office. The timing of the new initiative is perfect, with a number of new and more powerful Macs rumored to be coming this fall. Apple's redesigned Mac Pro, which is being touted in special teasers in movie theaters across the country, is definitely in the pipeline for a fall delivery, while new versions of the MacBook Pro and iMac running Intel's powerful Haswell CPU are expected as well.
gdgt's best deals for August 12: Epson Expression Inkjet, Panasonic 50-inch 120Hz Smart 1080p LED HDTV
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our sister site gdgt tracks price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. Today's hottest deals include a remarkably cheap Epson Inkjet printer/scanner/copier, as well as an impressive 50-inch Panasonic Smart HDTV at a hefty discount. Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!
Watch 40 minutes of Microsoft Studios' Project Spark
Microsoft Studios streamed 40 minutes of its E3 Windows 8 build of game-crafter Project Spark last night, and the video is now up to watch. Spark, described in the stream as an "open-world digital canvas that allows you to create your own games, stories, worlds, and share them with everyone," was announced at E3 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Windows 8. At E3, manager Michael Saxs Persson told us how the game evolved from the programming language of Kodu Game Lab. In Spark, players can create and manipulate worlds, like the lush island setting made in the stream, and then within those worlds use the programming toolset to create all manner of things, similar to LittleBigPlanet 2. Speaking to OXM, Saxs Persson said studio members have used Spark to recreate The Force Unleashed and X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, the latter with a "fully functioning" X-Wing and every power-up included. Of course it can do things other than Star Wars, but we'd have started there, too. Project Spark is scheduled for Xbox One's launch window.
gdgt's best deals for August 7: Best Buy gift cards with Xbox 360, Wii U purchases
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our sister site gdgt tracks price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. Today's hottest deals both come from Best Buy, which is offering big-ticket gift cards to those who purchase the latest Xbox 360 iteration or a Wii U. There's also an appealing offer out there for those who crave DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket Max app. Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!
Lenovo Miix 10 Windows 8 tablet now on sale, slated to ship on August 16th
Remember that "watered-down ThinkPad Tablet 2" we were able to ogle back in June? Eh, don't bother lying -- the Miix 10 name is hitting you as the freshest of the fresh, and honestly, there's no shame in that. Lenovo's latest Windows 8 slate is now officially featured on the company's site, with orders being accepted now and early shipments expected to commence on August 16th. For those curious, $600 nets you a 10.1-inch tablet, replete with a 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760 CPU, integrated graphics, 2GB of LPDDR2 memory, a 1,366 x 768 native resolution, 64GB of eMMC flash, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, 1MP front-facing camera and a two-cell Li-Polymer battery. Interested? You can part ways with your credit card number right here.
