Microsoft isn't resting on its cloud with SkyDrive -- it's announcing a new update, which rolls out today for Mac and Windows. It teased a new feature for Windows 8 Release Preview -- due early June -- that allows photos to be retrieved from any PC with SkyDrive, whether your cloud storage is maxed out or not. Though we doubt you've topped out your 150,000 file limit, Redmond says it's taking power users into account with a huge bump to 10 million files -- with the same 7GB free / 100GB paid limits. It's also promised more speed and reliability, many small bug fixes, and has dropped the app icon from the OS X Lion dock -- saying it "definitely heard feedback" to do it. Updates will happen automatically, so you might be able to shoot more of those dusty files off to the cloud sooner than you think.

Microsoft Skydrive updates fly out with file jump, Windows 8 photo sync originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 05:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earlier this May, Logitech unveiled its Solar Keyboard Folio for the new iPad and iPad 2, and the accessory maker is rounding out the month by adding another sun-powered peripheral to its stable. Like the Keyboard Folio, the just-announced Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 works with iPads, but it's also compatible with Macs and iPhones. The K760 has Bluetooth for pairing up to three devices at a time, and it features Mac-specific keys such as Brightness, Command and Eject. Users should get about three months of use after the keyboard is fully charged up via sun or indoor light. We got to do a bit of typing with the K760, and are happy to report that it's a fairly well-built little grid. The deck feels solid, and the keys have a decent depth to them when pressed. Plus, the spun metal power button and the silver flake paint job lend a premium appearance. It'll cost $80 when it goes on sale next month, and you can get a closer look at what those dollars will buy in our gallery below. Head past the break for the full PR.

Gallery: Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760

Michael Gorman contributed to this report

Continue reading Logitech outs Apple-friendly Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, we go hands-on

Logitech outs Apple-friendly Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We're entering a world of mainstream 64-bit computing -- whether we like it or not. Just weeks after Adobe started requiring 64-bit Macs for CS6, DICE's Rendering Architect Johan Andersson has warned that some of his company's 2013 games using the Frostbite engine will need the extra bits as a matter of course. In other words, it won't matter if you have a quad Core i7 gaming PC of death should the software be inadequate; if you're still running a 32-bit copy of Windows 7 come the new year, you won't be playing. The developer points to memory as the main culprit, as going 64-bit guarantees full access to 4GB or more of RAM as well as better virtual addressing. Andersson sees it as a prime opportunity to upgrade to Windows 8, although 64-bit Vista and 7 (and presumably OS X, if and when Mac versions exist) will be dandy. Just be prepared to upgrade that Windows XP PC a lot sooner than Microsoft's 2014 support cutoff if you're planning to run the next Battlefield or Mirror's Edge.

DICE to require 64-bit OS for some 2013 games, that Windows ME box in the den isn't cutting it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

That was quick. Just two weeks after Valve posted a new Steam beta that allows remote game downloads, it now has a truly polished release for everyone. Both Mac and Windows gamers can now queue up demos and full games, whether it's from a browser at work or from the Steam mobile app. Appropriately, Valve will let you reinstall games as well as start downloading a purchase as soon as the credit card clears. Either way, it'll guaranteed that your new copy of Bastion or that attempt to relive your Quake nostalgia will be ready when you get home.

Steam remote downloads exit beta, make impatience an option for everyone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 05:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple looks to be stepping up the frequency of OS X Mountain Lion beta updates after initially keeping the pace slow and steady: it just posted a new, unceremoniously titled 12A206J build for developers. What the update fixes in the Developer Preview isn't clear, but there are still glitches with Fast User Switching, Java applets, sharing menus and Notes syncing with iTunes, among a handful of other showstoppers. There's also a major heads-up for those who own mid-2007 MacBook Pros, as they can't properly run Mountain Lion at all until another update. We wouldn't be surprised if there's another fix in store ahead of WWDC next month, and there's still all of the summer left for Apple to put the final polish on the OS and make its release target.

Apple slips out new OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion beta, leaves 2007 MacBook Pro in a momentary lurch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Folks still rocking Apple's Leopard may have been feeling left out after Lion and Snow Leopard both got an update for addressing that Flashback malware. If you're one of them, you'll be glad to know that Apple has finally issued a Leopard fix that comes with a removal tool for the vulnerability afflicting its big cats. In addition to a 1.23MB Flashback update, Apple also released a second 1.11MB fix for Leopard that disables versions of Adobe Flash Player that don't have the requisite security updates. Both should further whittle down the number of Apple computers affected by the Flashback trojan. For the actual updates, feel free to pounce on the source links below.

Apple issues Leopard update with Flashback removal tool originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hey, Mac users: are you ready for an update? Because Apple is dropping its latest OS version on your heads. 10.7.4 just hit, and it brings with it a number of small fixes to help improve things like security, stability and compatibility for your system. The update promises to fix an issue with the "Reopen windows when logging back in" setting, compatibility with some third-party keyboards and the ability to copy files to SMB servers, among others. You can check out a more complete list of fixes just after the break.

Update: Looks as if that nasty FileVault security issue is also being addressed in the update.

Continue reading Apple releases OS X 10.7.4, FileVault bug gets addressed

Apple releases OS X 10.7.4, FileVault bug gets addressed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple already made clear that it was expanding iOS 5-like notifications to the desktop with OS X Mountain Lion, but it now looks as though that's extending to your web browser, too. Some visitors to iCloud.com have reported seeing notifications show at the top of the page that were both based on iOS' look and which were clearly not ready for prime time -- not unless Default Title for English is a new iCloud feature, at least. There's no indication of how advanced notifications might become in Apple's web portal, or if they'll transition from development cocoon to public butterfly at all. In the meantime, though, keep an eye on the top of your browser and let us know if you see anything leap out in the near future.

Apple inadvertently teases iCloud.com banner notifications, pings your browser iOS 5-style originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Deflated. Disappointed. Let down. Unsurprised. All of those emotions ran through my being at one point or another following Apple CEO Tim Cook's comments regarding "converged" devices, but if anything, his denial has made me all the more hungry for this particular device. For months -- heck, maybe even years -- I've waited for Sir Jonathan Paul Ive and co. to finally nail the concept of a laptop / tablet hybrid. In many ways, Apple managed to get right on a smartphone in 2007 what I felt was wrong holding a BlackBerry. I still think the iPad's screen is about 2.7-inches too large for my own personal tastes, but the world at large has affirmed that it nailed that design, too. Oh, and the MacBook Air? C'mon -- we all know it's the thin-and-light you always wanted, and given that it'll run Windows with poise, it's arguably the sexiest Windows laptop currently on the market.

The point? Apple has waited for companies to flounder about with certain designs before, all while perfecting its own take for a future release. Windows-based tablets were flooding out in the early noughties, and believe it or not, Toshiba was already giving the tablet / laptop hybrid thing a whirl in 2003 with the Portege 3500. Apple waited over half a decade to usher in the iPad, and the rest -- as they say -- is history. The iPhone followed a similar path; companies came before it and did their best to produced pleasing, long-lasting, highly usable smartphones, but the iPhone completely changed the trajectory of everything that came after. Love it or hate it, it's hard to imagine a 2012 with Windows Phone in it had Apple not pinned Windows Mobile in a corner back in '07.

So, if Apple has shown an ability to thrive with designs that others have experimented with, why is the "converged" laptop / tablet a nonstarter?

Continue reading Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one

Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Are you an avid user of OS X's FileVault encryption and running a recently updated version of Lion? It may be time to consider changing your passwords. According to security researcher David Emry, users who used FileVault prior to upgrading to 10.7.3 may be able to find their password in a system-wide debug log file, stored in plain text outside of the encrypted area. This puts the password at risk of being read by other users or enterprising cyber criminals, Emry explains, and even opens the door for new flaw-specific malware. FileVault 2, on the other hand, seems to be unaffected by the bug. The community doesn't currently have a way to fight the flaw without disabling FileVault, so users rushing to change their password now may find it being logged as well. Obviously, we'll let you all know once we hear back from Apple regarding this matter.

OS X Lion update accidentally outs user passwords in plain text, stumbles over FileVault originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 May 2012 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you've been storing part of your digital library on Amazon's Cloud Drive, access to your goods just got easier. The outfit has released a desktop app for both Mac and Windows machines enabling uploads and downloads with minimal effort. For starters, you'll be able to drag and drop files via a Cloud Drive icon and you'll be a brief right-click away from sending any file or folder to the repository. Downloads from the cloud run in the background and can be paused / resumed whenever you darn well please. Dropped your connection in the heat of battle? No worries. The app manages restarts and connectivity hiccups without losing your wares. If you're already signed up, hit the source link below to fetch yours.

[Thanks, Max]

Amazon outs Cloud Drive desktop app for Windows and Mac, allows easy access to your digital wares originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, you're tapping your manifesto into a Macbook, but twitter, RSS and email alerts keep clamoring in your face. How to finish that latest screed with such distractions? In the "where has this been all my life?" category, a new update to OS X Mountain Lion Preview 3 has a Do Not Disturb option, which stonewalls all notifications and banners. The feature, which could be useful on plenty of other devices too, can be armed with a mouse click on the menu bar or a left swipe on a trackpad. Some other iOS-style tweaks debuted in Preview 3 include the Game Center, Notes, Airplay Mirroring and Reminders. Now, back to fomenting that revolution.

OS X Mountain Lion Preview updated with Do Not Disturb feature originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dropbox isn't short of aficionados, but it's undoubtedly lost some of its gleam since Google drove the cloud war into a frenzy. In response, Dropbox's devs have been at the squat rack pumping up their multimedia credentials, recently adding auto photo and video uploads to their Android app and now extending that feature to any camera, tablet, smartphone or SD card via the Mac or Windows utility -- an add-on that was previously beta-only. Access the web interface and you'll see your stills arranged in a handy new Photos page, which displays them as large thumbnails bunched together by month. There's a blunter enticement too: your first auto upload will secure 500MB in extra storage, with subsequent efforts also rewarded up to 3GB. Perhaps that cardboard isn't looking so soggy after all.

Dropbox adds automatic photo uploads for Windows and Mac, up to 3GB just for using it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's time to shift around that summer vacation. Apple today announced that it will be kicking off this year's World Wide Developers Conference on June 11th at San Francisco's Moscone West. The event is set to run through the 15th, focusing on developing for OS X Mountain Lion and iOS, by way of 100-plus technical sessions and hands-on labs, letting the developer community work directly with Cupertino staff -- and you can bet we'll be there as well. More info on the event -- including ticket purchasing details -- can be found in the press release after the break.

Update: Aaand, it's sold out. After two hours, Apple is saying that no more tickets are available. Looks like you're going to have to enjoy some post-show videos instead.

Continue reading Apple's WWDC hitting San Francisco on June 11th

Apple's WWDC hitting San Francisco on June 11th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Despite its loud anti-piracy notice, Andrey Fedotov's HackStore sees no issue in ripping off the official App Store's interface. Nevertheless, its aim is to gather up legit and readily available apps that didn't make it past Apple's trellis for whatever reason, and hopefully with Fedotov keeping an eye out for malware. You'll find FileZilla, Gimp and many rarer specimens -- and they're all just regular .dmg files so there's actually no hacking involved. That said, we downloaded the RTF to ePUB Converter and then struggled to make it run, so we're not ready to vouch for HackStore's ease-of-use any more than its security or legality. All we're saying, officer, is that it exists.

HackStore is like Cydia for Mac OS X, replaces walled garden with open dacha originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Norton's Identity Safe is a free online service that aims to end the curse of forgotten passwords. If you've got a few social networking accounts, then keeping track of all your keys can be tough. This service remembers all of your log-in details and inputs them automatically when you next visit. It'll warn you about malicious websites and even lock away sensitive data (credit card numbers, social security codes) so if your paperwork goes missing -- you aren't in too much trouble. The companion smartphone / tablet app offers the same integration across all of your devices and is available now for Windows, OS X, iOS and Android gear from today.

Continue reading Norton Identity Safe locks your passwords in the cloud, spares your failing memory

Norton Identity Safe locks your passwords in the cloud, spares your failing memory originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been a little over a year since Cablevision launched Optimum for iPad with live streaming of all of its channels to the tablet, and now subscribers can experience the same thing on their computer with the Optimum for Laptops app. Available for Mac or PC it has a brand new interface and searchable guide, as well as the ability to manage DVR recordings and change the channel on cable boxes in the house. According to Cablevision its iOS app has been downloaded over a million times, we'll see how popular this followup is -- and if it spurs any new lawsuits from channel owners.

Continue reading Cablevision's Optimum App live TV streaming now available on Windows and Mac

Cablevision's Optimum App live TV streaming now available on Windows and Mac originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

By now, we're all quite familiar with the Java-driven trojan that's affected thousands of Apple's rigs, and while the numbers seem to have drastically dropped since the first Cupertino fix, there's still a plethora of machines carrying the bug. According to Symantec, the number of infected computers is now at around 140,000, seeing a decline of over 460,000 since April 9th. Still, the security outfit remains puzzled by the fact, as it expected the digits to be somewhere near the 99,000 mark by now. Perhaps this is due to some folks not even being aware of Flashback's existence, or maybe not checking for software updates as often as most of us. Either way, we hope you've already used one of the tools Apple handed you.

Around 140,000 Apple machines still infected with Flashback malware, says Symantec originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"I'm looking for an online backup solution for between 100GB, up to 500GB of data. New options are popping up everywhere recently, but what's the best cloud storage backup solution that'd allow for easy drag-and-drop backup, syncing across multiple computers both Mac and Windows, access from Android devices and at a reasonable price? Thanks!"

Ask Engadget: best heavy-duty cloud-storage solution? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple issues Flashback removal tool for 10.7 Lion systems not running Java originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple releases fix for Flashback malware originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple publishes support page for Flashback malware, is working on a fix originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Western Digital intros My Passport Studio 2TB portable HDD, twin FireWire 800 ports included

Western Digital intros My Passport Studio 2TB portable HDD, twin FireWire 800 ports included originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Don't bother buying Adobe Photoshop CS6 for your 32-bit Mac originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's no secret that a few of us here at Engadget HQ have an affinity for mobile recording tech. Perhaps you could blame some of our fledgling amateur music careers, but at any rate, we love to get our hands on tech that allows us to lay down tracks on-the-go. It's also no surprise that Apogee would offer up another product that would look to do just that. As a complement to the outfit's Jam guitar adapter, the Apogee MiC is the latest foray into mobile recording. Much like its guitar specific counterpart, the MiC is both iDevice and Mac compatible and its compact stature won't take up precious real estate in your travel pack. But, as you may expect, staying mobile comes at a premium. So, is the $249 price tag a deal breaker for the MiC? Is it a small price to pay for adding a solid microphone to your mobile recording setup? Journey on past the break to find out.

Gallery: Apogee MiC review

Continue reading Apogee MiC review

Apogee MiC review originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:00:00 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.

Mountain Lion Developer Preview 2's new features detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mountain Lion Developer Preview 2 hits Apple's Developer website, brings more roar to your Friday originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iTunes 10.6 now available for download, includes support for 1080p videos originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Adobe announces Project Primetime video platform, Highlights available now for iPad (update: video)

Adobe announces Project Primetime video platform, Highlights available now for iPad (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Switched On: Mountain Lion brings iOS apps, malware traps

Switched On: Mountain Lion brings iOS apps, malware traps originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Microsoft SkyDrive apps for Windows and OS X, extended storage pricing revealed?

Microsoft SkyDrive apps for Windows and OS X, extended storage pricing revealed? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

OS X Mountain Lion to be download-only, USB stick going the way of the dodo originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PSA: Can your machine run Mountain Lion? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Apple drops the 'Mac' from OS X Lion, Mountain Lion (update: began at WWDC)

Apple drops the 'Mac' from OS X Lion, Mountain Lion (update: began at WWDC) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple unleashes OS X Mountain Lion Preview to Mac Developer Program originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Messages Beta now available for Mac OS X Lion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple OS X Lion (10.7) review

Apple's OS X Lion USB sticks now available online for $69

Apple updates EFI firmware on 2010 Macs: offers Lion internet recovery, not much else

Gallery: Apple OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) in-depth preview

Continue reading OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) in-depth preview

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) in-depth preview originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Snow Leopard update wreaks havoc on Rosetta, luddite users contemplate running with Lion (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Passware claims FileVault 2 can be cracked in under an hour, sells you the software to prove it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.