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Barnes & Noble to drop its Nook app for Windows in revised Microsoft deal
We hope you weren't too attached to the Nook app for Windows, because it's going away -- well, sort of. Barnes & Noble's Nook Media subsidiary and Microsoft have amended their partnership with terms that let Nook Media stop distributing its Windows e-book software. The company won't leave bookworms completely stranded, though. Instead, it will steer them toward "Microsoft Consumer Reader;" ZDNet believes this is a previously rumored e-reading app that will support both Nook content as well as generic text. The updated pact also lets Nook Media scrap progress on a Windows Phone app, although that's not as big a loss when the client hasn't reached the public. We don't yet know how the revised deal will affect Windows-bound Nook fans, but let's hope that Microsoft does a good job of picking up any slack.
VLC's media player hits Windows 8 in beta form
Let's say you bought a new laptop and wanted to check out a few videos that you legally downloaded without leaving Windows 8's touch-focused UI -- until now, your options have been pretty limited. If you're feeling a little adventurous though, the beta version of VLC's media player that Microsoft News spotted on Redmond's app store should do the trick. It's an experimental port of the Windows RT app, however, and as such the application has a few hurdles to clear before it's ready for prime time. General sluggishness compared to the desktop version and some audio bugs, for instance, are a few issues that may crop up. Developer VideoLAN says that this version isn't nearly as stable as it should be (it is a beta, after all), but that hasn't stopped you from downloading its apps before, has it?
Panasonic's latest Toughpad has the strength, thickness of 10 smartphones (hands-on)
Panasonic may have bowed out of the consumer smartphone game, but gadgets for businesses are a completely different story. That's why the Japanese company came to Mobile World Congress with a new pair of rugged Toughpad smartphones in tow. You can't mistake them, despite their identical looks, because one runs Android 4.2.2 and the other has Windows Embedded 8 Handheld -- and we just got a chance to see what they're made of.
Lenovo Yoga 2 11-inch now available, starting at $519
If you've been itching for a new convertible since CES last month, sales pages for Lenovo's refreshed Yoga line have started popping up online. Best Buy has the 11-inch Bay-Trail-equipped Yoga 2 listed for $519, while you can buy direct from the manufacturer for $799 -- a far cry higher than the previously announced $529. With the yellow-tag store's lower price, however, comes a caveat: the Yoga 2 doesn't have a release date just yet. It's totally up to you if ordering (Lenovo's ship time is "within three weeks") the touchscreen's efficient 2.4GHz Pentium, 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive right now is worth the premium though. After all, $280 is still a decent amount of cash. [Thanks, Patrick!]
Sony's VAIO Flip 11A convertible is now available for $799
Even though the VAIO Flip 15 and 13 are both pretty solid PCs, some people might find one to be too big and the other too expensive. To alleviate this, Sony introduced the VAIO Flip 11A, an 11.6-inch laptop with the same Yoga-like design as the other, larger Flips. Available now for $799, Sony' newest convertible ships with Windows 8.1 and is powered by Intel's 2.16GHz Pentium N3520 CPU. What's more, there is also that included copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 12, a 1,920 x 1,080 IPS screen, NFC support and 128GB of solid-state storage alongside 4GB RAM. It appears Sony is only selling its Flip 11A in the US at this time; that said, let us know in the comments if you see it up for grabs elsewhere. Or maybe it's all part of the company's new business plan.
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 starts selling ASUS' VivoTab Note 8 for $329
ASUS, like many other companies, took to CES 2014 to introduce a number of new products. Among these was the often-leaked VivoTab Note 8, an 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablet with support for Wacom pen input. If you were remotely intrigued back then, it looks as if Microsoft has now (quietly) placed it up for grabs in the US. Currently, Redmond's online store is selling the 32GB model of ASUS' VivoTab Note 8 for $329, which is slightly different than the $299 price tag it was announced with in Las Vegas. Strangely enough, there's also no apparent sight of the 64GB flavor, which makes us think that this Bay Trail-powered, pen-friendly slate may have been listed ahead of time. Regardless, it's very much available here -- at least for the time being. [Thanks, Phillip]
Firefox beta brings touch-friendly web browsing to Windows 8
After roughly a year of development, Mozilla has at last released a beta of Firefox for Windows 8. The not-quite-finished browser gives early adopters a full touchscreen interface with finger-friendly elements and gesture support. It also supports Windows 8's window snapping and sharing features. And don't worry if you're running another OS -- there are still a few useful upgrades in the beta for everyone, including newly enabled gamepad support and VP9 video playback. No matter what platform you're running, you'll find both a download and release notes at the source link.
Windows 8.1's first major update leaks online: improved Store app integration, time-saving tweaks
Microsoft's incoming Windows 8.1 update might not make any grandiose changes, but it looks as if it will offer some appreciated navigation and start-up improvements. A new build has leaked online offering risky types the chance to try it several weeks before the official release. As teased last month, the update will let you pin your Windows Store apps alongside other programs on your desktop start bar. It sounds like a timesaving improvement, as before you'd have to labor through the Start screen to launch those aforementioned apps. Windows 8-styled apps also pick up a new bar with close, minimize and snap options available to click on, forgoing those keyboard shortcuts or touch swipes. Live Tiles now have contextual menus available with a right click, making them easier to resize, move (or remove). A new shutdown button, as leaked just last week, also throws up a new drop-down menu for restarting, shutting down and sleep mode. This experimental build is apparently three weeks old already -- the real deal is expected to arrive next month.
The next Windows 8.1 update might skip the Start screen by default
Microsoft already gave Windows 8 users the option to boot their machines directly to the desktop, but a future update could make the classic interface standard. According to known leaker WZor, the latest Windows 8.1 test build skips over Microsoft's tiled interface by default. Of course, those aren't the only changes -- WZor also posted screenshots showing that the OS' power options (sleep, shut down and restart) have been moved to the Start Screen, and modern UI apps now feature a "minimize" option, lending credibility to rumors that a future update would allow them to be run from the desktop. So that's what they meant by business friendly.
Lenovo's 10-inch Miix 2 convertible tablet goes on sale early, starting at $699
You won't have to wait until March to get your hands on Lenovo's 10-inch Miix 2; much to our surprise, the budget-friendly convertible tablet is already on sale. Just be prepared to pay extra for early access. The company is offering only higher-end versions of the Windows 8.1 slate, which currently starts at $699 for a WiFi model with 128GB of storage. The promised $499 variant isn't listed on Lenovo's site as of this writing. While it's hard to complain too much about the higher price given the unexpectedly quick launch, those who want the cheapest edition of this mid-size Miix 2 will have to be patient. [Thanks, Augustus]
Microsoft fixes some of the Surface Pro 2's battery and sleep problems
Microsoft vowed that it would fix the numerous bugs plaguing the Surface Pro 2 in the wake of the flawed December update, and it made good on that promise by rolling out a patch this weekend. The company tells us that the update addresses the most serious problems for affected tablet owners, including reduced battery life and unexpected wake-ups. Future software will tackle the remaining glitches, Redmond says. The partial remedy isn't quite what some were hoping for -- we're still seeing a few complaints -- but it's at least a step in the right direction. Check out Microsoft's full statement below.
Bing Translator for Windows repeats what you said, but in another language
It's not that deep.
Chrome 32 brings a Chrome OS-style 'desktop' to Windows 8
After a fairly lengthy beta phase, Google has released the finished version of Chrome 32 -- and it's one of the biggest updates to the browser in recent memory. Windows 8 users now get a Chrome OS-style interface (shown above), complete with its own windowing system and a web app launcher. Whichever platform you're running, you'll also get malware blocking and notifications when tabs are playing audio or using your webcam. Protective parents may also like a beta supervised users feature that lets them review their kids' browsing habits. Suffice it to say that there's more than enough here to warrant grabbing the Chrome update; visit the source links if you'd like the full release notes.
Surface Pro 2 tablet gets a quiet speed bump to 1.9GHz
Sometimes, it pays to avoid the bleeding edge of technology. Microsoft has confirmed to The Verge that newer Surface Pro 2 tablets are shipping with a faster 1.9GHz Core i5 inside instead of the 1.6GHz chip that came with the earliest models. The company isn't saying just why it rolled out the stealthy upgrade, although it notes that "routinely" tweaks designs based on part availability and customer value. The move may frustrate early adopters whose two-month-old Windows slates are already behind the times, but it's good news for latecomers who'll get more for their money.
Mozilla's Firefox app for Windows 8 delayed again until mid-March
Though Windows 8 has now been out for a year and change, there's still no Firefox browser dedicated to its tile-y interface. That situation's not improving, as Mozilla has just announced that its 'Metro' Modern UI-look version has been further delayed to March 18th. We were expecting it to arrive this month following delays that have plagued it since it was first announced nearly two years ago. However, the team pushed back all Firefox releases for two weeks to let workers enjoy the holidays, which didn't help matters. If you're feeling brave, you can still check it out by downloading one of the nightly builds, but judging by the logs, you'll still need to dodge a lot of bugs.
ASUS user manual confirms VivoTab Note 8 Windows tablet
ASUS has just verified that a VivoTab Note 8 slate is imminent after it published the manual on its own site. According to leaks we saw earlier at the FCC and elsewhere, the Windows 8.1 device will be powered by an Intel Atom Z3740 quad-core CPU and have 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage, a 1,280 x 800 touchscreen (which may include Wacom digitizer support), a dedicated stylus, front and rear cameras and a microSD slot. Though the reported specs and $300 price position it closely to the Dell Venue 8 Pro, the VivoTab seems to include the pen, unlike its competitor. All that's left now is a formal launch with availability and final pricing, which is probably set for a certain little Vegas show.
Microsoft connects Windows 8 for PCs, phones with new Solitaire, Minesweeper and Mahjong
As a late holiday gift, Microsoft is finally syncing up some of the popular software from its desktop and tablet Windows OS with the latest version of Windows for phones. We are, of course, referring to classic Windows games like Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Minesweeper (which also has a WP7 version) and Mahjong, which as of today are available on Windows Phone 8. Better still, they're enhanced for Xbox leaderboards, achievements and stat-tracking, with the ability to pause and resume games across Windows PCs, phones and tablets. They're all free, so hit the links to download them and waste time on the go just like you do at work.
Microsoft pulls Surface Pro 2 update after reports of battery and installation problems
We hope you weren't quick to leap on the Surface Pro 2 update that popped up last week; if you were, you may be regretting it for a while. The company has pulled the upgrade following reports of both failed installations and battery problems, including a reduced capacity and incomplete charges. A fixed release is coming "after the holidays," but there's no word of an easy way to roll back. Short of resetting the system or a convenient restore point, you may have to live with a buggy tablet for the next few weeks.
ASUS VivoTab Note 8 leak hints at a cheap, pen-toting Windows 8.1 tablet
Dell's Venue 8 Pro may soon get some fresh competition. Mobile Geeks has discovered some imagery (albeit of the heavily pixelated variety) and full specs for ASUS' VivoTab Note 8, an entry-level Windows 8.1 slate with pen input and a worryingly Samsung-esque name. It looks like the VivoTab should closely match Dell's hardware, with an 8-inch 1,280 x 800 IPS display, a 1.33GHz Bay Trail-based Atom chip, 2GB of RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of expandable flash storage. ASUS may also reuse a few parts from the MeMO Pad HD 7, including the 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.2-megapixel front camera and a 3,950mAh battery. Take the launch details with a grain of salt, however. The image leak has the VivoTab Note 8 arriving during the holidays for $299, but time is running out and a release may not happen until the new year.
