That Michael Clewely is a man of his word. Not only has the PlayBook OS 2.1 beta version arrived just when he promised, but it also brings some handy additions that nudge the tablet a little closer to the land of fulfilled potential. There's portrait support for the Email, Calendar and Contacts apps, along with full device encryption and some smaller tweaks like .png screenshots and improved email folder support. The Android runtime has also been bolstered to allow multiple apps to run in separate windows, access the camera module and support in-app payments via the BlackBerry Payment SDK. There'll be more stuff in this update, according to RIM, but we'll have to wait (there's that word again) until the commercial release. You'll find the beta registration link below.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 beta ready for download: better portrait mode and Android app support originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With the Ubuntu variant Mint roaming free as one of the more attractive Linux breeds, why not lock it up in its own mini-case? That'll happen soon thanks to mintBox, a joint venture with CompuLab, which will put the OS in two of its fanless PC-3's -- the T40N and T56N -- priced at $476 and $518, respectively. That might seem steep for the tiny 6 x 6 x 1-inch AMD G-series boxes, but with a Radeon HD 6290 APU and USB 3.0 / eSata ports, power is above par for its class. CompuLab will give some of the proceeds to Mint's team, so if you maybe want to throw some cash at the so fresh, so clean Linux distro, hit the source for more details.

CompuLab to serve fanless AMD PC-3's stuffed with minted penguin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 22:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Until now, it seemed like Microsoft was gearing up to unveil the almost-final Windows 8 Release Preview in the first full week of June, just in time for what is sure to be the world's premier Ultrabook trade show. As it turned out, though, the folks in Redmond couldn't contain their jubilation any longer: the company is now rolling out the Release Preview several days ahead of schedule. The update, free to anyone who wants to try it, offers a few notable enhancements, including a trio of new apps, a "Flip ahead" browser gesture, Flash support and a couple of updated multi-monitor features. A few heavy hitters like Wikipedia and Box.net are also using the occasion to debut apps in the Windows Store. And the OS is now available in 13 languages. Mostly, though, this update brings performance and stability fixes, along with granular tweaks like being able to pin stocks to the Start screen. Certainly, a two-hour press conference was not necessary this time around.

Ready to upgrade from the Consumer Preview? Just remember that you'll need to a do a clean install, which means unless your user account is tied to a Microsoft ID you're going to lose your personal settings. Got it? Good. Get your download on now, and then meet us past the break for some early impressions and a video walk-through of the new features.

Gallery: Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions

Continue reading Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions

Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It seems like yesterday that we reviewed the inaugural Samsung Series 5 Chromebook running Google's Chrome OS, an operating system for laptops based on Chrome. It was, from the start, a world in which everything from music playback to document creation happened in browser tabs. Since we last checked in a year ago, Google has addressed some early complaints -- the browser can actually stream Netflix now! -- but it's only just getting around to ticking off some other long-standing grievances, like multitasking.

The company just announced two new Chrome OS devices -- the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 and Chromebox Series 3 -- and both run a spanking-new build of the OS that ushers in a simplified desktop with customizable wallpaper and the ability to minimize, maximize and close windows -- oh my! More importantly, you can now view multiple windows onscreen, edit docs offline and pin shortcuts to the bottom of the screen -- a combination that promises some seriously improved multitasking. Other goodies: built-in Google Music, Google+ and Hangouts, along with a basic photo editor, redesigned music player and enhanced remote desktop app. So does all this add up to an upgrade meaty enough to make the skeptics give Chrome OS a second look? Could it be time for you to get the low-tech person in your life a Chromebook? Let's see.

Gallery: Chrome OS screenshots (version 19)

Continue reading Chrome OS review (version 19)

Chrome OS review (version 19) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It took a bit longer than initially anticipated, but Fedora 17 is finally here with its rather unfortunate code name in tow. Beefy Miracle delivers a pretty healthy assortment of improvements over version 16, including support for GNOME Shell even in the absence of 3D acceleration. The project has also embraced the coming tablet revolution by adding multi-touch support to the OS and moved to a unified file system. Otherwise, the changelog is primarily a pedestrian list of performance improvements, bug fixes and package upgrades. To download it and try it yourself hit up the source link.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Fedora performs a Beefy Miracle, releases version 17 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Despite amassing something close to a billion users, Facebook has mainly stayed true to the startup mantra of staying focused on a few core things. In this case, that has been promoting openness and sharing among friends and, increasingly, the world at large. Such was the case for its rival Google at the launch of the search company's IPO. Since then, however, the company has launched a pair of operating systems powering handsets and tablets around the world, a digital media store selling everything from apps to books, and its own social sharing service (at least twice).

With the vast capital infusion that comes with an IPO, Facebook has an opportunity to expand far beyond its own site and Like buttons that now line up in a row next to sharing buttons using Twitter and Google+. The company certainly has no love for Google and has kept Apple at arm's length, but it has had a strong partnership with Microsoft, which made a financially shrewd $240 million investment in Facebook back in 2007. Windows Phone would be a poorer experience were it not for its tight Facebook integration. The giant social network would gain from entering the device market or spinning its own version of Android as Amazon has done, but there would also be significant challenges to striking out into its own ecosystem.

Continue reading Switched On: Facebook's ecosystem dilemma

Switched On: Facebook's ecosystem dilemma originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Linux comes in all sorts of flavors -- it's part of what makes the OS so confusing to new comers. To make matters worse, some of the most popular variants are actually based on other distros, such as Linux Mint, the refreshing desktop that's based largely on Ubuntu. So, if you're wondering what's new in the Mint 13, a good place to start is probably our review of the aubergine OS. Of course, Maya has a few wrinkles of its own -- including a pair of desktop options dubbed MATE and Cinnamon. MATE, as you may recall, was introduced in the last version, but Cinnamon is all new (read: a tad unstable) and built on a modern framework using Gnome 3 and Clutter. There have been a few other new additions, including a new display manager in MDM and a switch to Yahoo! as the default search engine. As usual with these things, you can download it and try it out for free at the source.

[Thanks, Mohamad]

Linux Mint 13 'Maya' released, just in time for the next piktun originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 20:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Heavens, it's already time for another Linux kernel refresh. We're now looking at 3.4, which is available for download now. Whereas the last version was all about green robots, this update focuses on support for the latest processors and graphics cards, including AMD's Trinity and Radeon HD 7000-series, NVIDIA's Kepler stack, plus the graphical component inside Intel's Medfield mobile chip. As if that wasn't enough, there are plenty more changes at the source link, along with a serene missive from the man himself.

Linux kernel 3.4 is out: supports Trinity, Southern Islands, Kepler, Medfield and more originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 07:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fans of the Lincoln-Kennedy coincidences can appreciate similarly contrived dynamics in comparing Nokia and RIM (neither of which, contrary to the occasionally expressed opinion, has been murdered despite "Apple and Android" consisting of three words and 15 letters). Both companies are former smartphone market share leaders -- RIM in North America, Nokia globally. Both have had success in developing economies with efficient operating systems that they plan to support indefinitely. Both developed reputations for high build quality and good antenna design, and both were initially dismissive of the iPhone as they continue to see Android as the path to commoditization. And after precipitous market share declines, both hired new CEOs. Nokia, a European company, hired a CEO raised in Canada. RIM, a Canadian company, hired a CEO raised in Europe. These men now struggle with keeping their companies part of a viable alternative to the two dominant marketplace offerings.

Since embarking on their new operating system strategies, though, there have been many contrasts. While Nokia hired an outsider as a CEO, RIM hired an insider. Nokia decided to adopt a licensed OS; RIM decided to build its own (based largely on acquisitions). And now that both the Mobile World Congress and BlackBerry World conferences have passed, there's an opportunity to assess their comeback progress.

Continue reading Switched On: Clash of the troubled titans

Switched On: Clash of the troubled titans originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's safe to say that anticipation is high for the upcoming Windows 8 Release Preview, which will become available in the first week of June. While we're still curious to see if Microsoft can better integrate the desktop and Metro environments of its latest operating system, the company has now revealed a significant change to the desktop portion of Windows 8 -- a completely restyled visual appearance. As you might remember from the Consumer Preview, window borders and widgets featured a simplified and subdued look in comparison to the glass-like materials of Aero, which Microsoft now calls "dated and cheesy." With the latest refresh, however, the company has pushed its modernistic philosophy even further to reveal a spartan (yet functional) interface that draws less attention to the chrome elements and allows the user to focus more on content.

Microsoft's latest reveal was made as part of a larger, retrospective look at its development of Windows and the evolution of the operating system. At every step, the company states that its emphasis has been on the overall "learnability" of the environment. As such, Microsoft claims that it's making great strides to ensure that consumers may quickly get up to speed with the latest OS, and hints that it has a number of reveals yet to be seen. In its very next breath, however, it also emphasized people's ability to adapt and move forward, which suggests the number of changes might not be as conciliatory as some might've hoped. Regardless, we'll know for sure what Microsoft has in store in just a few weeks.

Update: Well, this is interesting. In the screenshot above, you'll notice a highlighted mail-esque icon at the bottom of the taskbar. As it would turn out, Techblitz recently discovered that Microsoft swapped that shot for a nearly identical replica, albeit without the icon. Is this miniscule peek into something new in the way of Windows Live mail or similar? At this point it's anyone guess, but we'll keep you posted if we find out more. You'll find the new screenshot after the break.

Continue reading Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI (update)

Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With so many apps running around the Windows playground, Microsoft wants the grown-ups to be in charge of Metro. Programs for the new interface will be available only through the Windows Store, which will allow one-click installs, user feedback and crash monitoring. Developers shouldn't worry too much, as the heavy lifting for those features will all be handled by the OS. Redmond's demanding some tit-for-tat, however, asking programmers to resist the temptation to invoke APIs not included in the development kit. All the software will be vetted, App-Store style, while access to devices like GPS and cameras must be granted by users before the apps can grab them. We've already seen that the old BSOD is gone, so hopefully this new course plotted by Metro will keep those frowny faces away.

Microsoft sets sandbox boundaries for Metro developers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Would it be ironic if Android developers did an end-run around Microsoft patents by using Microsoft's own C#? Or if Google kiboshed its Oracle brouhaha with the aid of none other than Redmond? We're asking because Xamarin, the wacky open source implementer of .NET, has ported Android to Microsoft's C# with its XobotOS project. Although just an experiment and unlikely to solve Google's issues, the team showed that running the robot on C# instead of Java gave fewer coding limitations, better battery life and direct graphics access. Additionally, Xamarin reports "massive" speed gains on its HTC Flyer and Acer Iconia when running the side-project port -- no surprise given C#'s machine heritage. Sure, it's pure speculation that Mountain View and its developers would ever change their Java MO, but a little patent relief and faster Android devices in one kill shot? That's a sweet idea.

Xamarin's XobotOS opens prospect of Android port to C#, can of worms originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With roughly 98 percent of the desktop and laptop market spoken for, you'd be forgiven for thinking your only choices for powering your computer were Windows or Mac OS X. There is another way, though. Linux may only run on a tiny sliver of consumer PCs, but the number is growing and one of the biggest players propelling its popularity is Ubuntu. Since bursting on the scene eight years ago, the distro has grown to dominate the desktop Linux market and made plenty of fans (and a few detractors) along the way. Truth is, Ubuntu is completely unique and, at least compared to other distros out there, very user-friendly. It also happens to have a very active community of developers and users willing to lend help to those in need, which makes it appealing to Linux vets, enterprise users and *nix n00bs alike.

Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin is part of the company's LTS or Long Term Support series, and is guaranteed for five years of support through Canonical. That means the company is focusing less on cramming new features into this release and more on making it as stable as possible. So, if you're familiar with Ubuntu, you won't find much here that will blow your mind. Of course, the real question is whether or not the aubergine-loving open-source OS is for you, not whether there's enough new tweaks to fill a book. So, without further ado, we present Ubuntu 12.04: the review. Join us after the break, won't you?

Gallery: Ubuntu 12.04 review

Continue reading Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin review

Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's here! Precise Pangolin or, as it's officially known, Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. Canonical's latest is now available in its final(ish) form and ready for you to download, burn and install. While LTS (Long Term Support) releases are generally more conservative in their application of new features, Pangolin does include some rather notable tweaks. The most immediately noticeable will be the new log in screen which, while largely the same, does have the slick new trick of changing wall papers to match the selected user. A more subtle change is revealed once you've logged on and press alt -- HUD. The new search-based menu system is quite a departure from traditional interaction models, and one that will come as a relief to those who constantly forget where a particular option is buried. Perhaps the most welcome change, though, is the vastly improved performance and power management. Ubuntu, for all of its finer points, has never been particularly battery friendly. But Canonical is promising that is going to change. We'll have to wait to find out once we get this bad boy installed on some machines of our own. You know the drill, hit up the source link to download it for yourself, for free.

Update: Well, looks like all you Ubuntu fanatics have taken out the site temporarily. We're sure it'll be back soon but, in the meantime, you can still download the latest version of the OS here (magnet link).

Update 2: And they're back! Also, we've now got PR after the break.

Continue reading Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin hits the web, with HUD in tow

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin hits the web, with HUD in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Reckoning it's about time you replaced that copy of Windows 8 Consumer Preview? Microsoft is right there with you. According to the outfit's Building Windows 8 Twitter account, the next major installment of Win8 is due out in "the first week of June," with the Windows 8 Release Preview to hit the intertubes at that time. Go ahead and take off the whole week in preparation -- we're sure you can think of a few DIY activities to bide your time in the event of a Friday release. (Oh, and in case you're wondering, this is just yet another step in the march to a hopeful October ship date for the final build of Windows 8.)

[Thanks, Jignesh]

Continue reading Windows 8 Release Preview coming 'first week of June'

Windows 8 Release Preview coming 'first week of June' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

[Image via Fabio Bretto]

Ubuntu 12.10 gets christened Quantal Quetzal ahead of Pangolin launch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mama had it right -- procrastination is bad -- but mama never knew Apple. For Leopard users still clinging tightly to their MobileMe account, it looks like the path to iCloud just got a wee bit cheaper. Qualifying MobileMe holdouts are reportedly receiving email notifications that point them to a special portal; behind a registration form, folks are finding a free copy of OS X 10.6 (on DVD, no less). The goal here is to get customers to make yet another jump to Lion (an extra $29), but the idea of keeping most of that cloud functionality via iCloud is certainly enticing. As MacNN so accurately points out, it's odd that Apple's not including the $69 USB drive version of Lion, which contains the ability to boost even Leopard users to OS X 10.7. If you're one that generally skips out on reading those automated Apple emails, you might want to make an exception for this one.

Apple offering free Snow Leopard update to MobileMe holdouts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft has made clear that Metro-style apps will be "suspended" when they aren't the foremost app that's running, enabling the associated CPU to divert its power to more... shall we say, pressing matters. But for those wondering about memory in the aforesaid scenario, there's an entire post now dedicated to explaining precisely that. Microsoft's own Bill Karagounis -- group program manager on the Fundamentals team -- has penned a behind-the-scenes look at how memory will be reclaimed within Windows 8, even when Metro-style apps are suspended. The long and short of it is this: starting with Windows 8 Consumer Preview, "whenever Windows detects memory pressure on the system, it will repurpose nearly all the memory that suspended Metro style apps would otherwise hold onto; [the OS] can reclaim this memory without having to terminate an app." For those seeking an even deeper understanding, the source link has your name written all over it.

Microsoft details memory reclaiming process within Metro-style apps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We've known for what feels like ages that Windows 8 would come in at least two flavors: one supporting x86 devices and one for ARM machines. Now Microsoft's ready to put a naming scheme on its much-anticipated menu for the operating system. According to a post on the Windows blog, ARM devices will get Windows RT, while x86 / 64 devices will run Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro (also for x86 devices) will offer the suit-and-tie set added features for "encryption, virtualization, PC management and domain connectivity." Windows Media Center will be packaged as an add-on for the folks who go Pro. For a full break down of what each version will hold hit the source link below and check out our hands-on impressions of the OS preview here.

Microsoft outs three flavors of Windows 8: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Canonical prepping to launch Ubuntu as smartphone OS? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Android Design guide updated with new tips for app developers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Windows Vista support isn't an eternal flame, but from tomorrow it's 'extended' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

High-res Mountain Lion art could point to Retina Macs in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint to launch an LTE Windows Phone handset this fall? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PSA: ICS customer guide now available for Samsung Galaxy S II owners originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jolicloud Me opens in beta, brings together shares in the cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft aiming for October 2012 release of Windows 8, tablets and PCs on deck originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Linux kernel 3.3 released with merged Android code and more originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

BlackBerry 10 coming to the PlayBook, RIM confirms originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Poll: Did you download the Windows 8 preview?

Poll: Did you download the Windows 8 preview? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ASUS claims it may be among first to get Android 5.0, confirms Jelly Bean moniker originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview hits one million downloads in a day originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Windows 8 running on an 82-inch display

Continue reading Microsoft Windows 8 on 82-inch touchscreen hands-on (video)

Microsoft Windows 8 on 82-inch touchscreen hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Continue reading Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview detailed impressions

Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview detailed impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Live from Microsoft's Windows 8 press event at Mobile World Congress 2012! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Join us for Microsoft's Windows 8 press conference tomorrow at 9am EST! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Mozilla Boot to Gecko hands-on (video)

Mozilla Boot to Gecko hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mozilla partners with Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom to further Boot to Gecko project originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Ubuntu for Android: more details and prototype hands-on (video)

Ubuntu for Android: more details and prototype hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Ubuntu's full desktop OS coming to multi-core Android devices (update: video)

Ubuntu's full desktop OS coming to multi-core Android devices (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.