WindowsRt
Latest
Windows Store unofficially reaches 50,000 apps
It can be scary mustering developer support for a brand-new app platform -- just ask BlackBerry. Microsoft may feel slightly relaxed, then, if MetroStore Scanner's unofficial estimates are on the ball. It sees over 50,380 active Windows Store apps as of this writing, which isn't bad for a shop that reportedly had less than half this amount back in November. Whether or not you consider it progress compared to the rest of the market is another matter: the tally is a big leap over the estimated 14,000 apps in the Mac App Store, but it won't make either Apple or Google break out in a cold sweat when compared against the six-digit app counts of their mobile app stores. Microsoft currently declines to confirm the numbers, although the company tells us that the app count may vary from country to country. For now, it's safe to presume that a fair number of app writers are onside with Microsoft's tile- and touch-driven vision of the future.
Microsoft reportedly prepping significant first-party app updates for Windows 8 and Windows RT
A batch of first-party app updates could be incoming for Windows 8 very soon that have nothing to do with Microsoft's cross-platform Blue crush. That's according to CNet's Mary Jo Foley, whose sources have indicated that the refresh, previously rumored to arrive by month's end, would also apply to Windows RT. Microsoft's yet to officially comment on the matter, but as you can see from the screen above, users have already reported seeing a list of "installation ready" applications within the System log now. As for that round of major OS revamps, Foley says that's still on track and should begin to rollout sometime this summer.
OneNote update improves custom pens, syncs Office 365 notebooks
If you picked up a Surface Pro or another pen-friendly Windows 8 tablet, you're likely eager to wring every ounce of productivity out of that stylus. Microsoft hears your call. It just updated the OneNote app for Windows 8 to give pen customization a shot in the arm: a new radial menu makes it easier to choose a pen's color and weight while saving favorite pens to quick-access slots. Whether or not drawing's your thing, Microsoft has also simplified syncing with support for pulling in Office 365 notebooks, not just those stored on SkyDrive. Avid note-takers only need to grab the upgrade from the source link.
Microsoft lets companies buy Surface tablets in bulk
As often as Microsoft pitches the Surface and Surface Pro as tablets for getting work done, corporate customers haven't had an easy way to order the devices by the bushel. We know that the process is now considerably smoother for eager large-scale adopters thanks to a ZDNet peek at a Commercial Order page. "Commercial customers" can spring for large quantities of either slate model, along with an Extended Hardware Service Plan that bumps support to three years for North American buyers. Microsoft isn't saying just who's eligible, although the order system is more likely to center on firms that are already comfortable buying all things Windows in volume. You'll know how far it reaches if there's a Surface at every cubicle on Monday morning.
Samsung's JK Shin: there's 'lackluster demand' for Windows-based phones, tablets
You don't need to be Captain Subtext to understand that a few manufacturers (and developers) aren't best pleased with Microsoft's latest mobile products. The latest to damn Redmond with faint praise is Samsung's newly-minted Co-CEO, JK Shin, who told The Wall Street Journal that demand for Windows-based phones and tablets isn't sending the company's accountants cross-eyed with glee. When asked about Samsung's relationship with Microsoft after the latter deepened its ties with Nokia, Shin said: "Smartphones and tablets based on Microsoft's Windows operating system aren't selling very well. There is a preference in the market for Android. In Europe, we're also seeing lackluster demand for Windows-based products." Which, naturally, has done nothing to scotch those persistent rumors of the ATIV Tab being axed in Europe as well as the US. The CEO added that we can expect to see a Tizen-based phone in the third quarter of the year, although Samsung will continue to flirt with every available OS for the needs of its customers.
Microsoft shows Surface prototypes, teases the tablets that might have been
We already know a lot about the Surface tablet line's birthing process. However, Microsoft has only really been comfortable with showing the finished product -- until today. The company's Panos Panay just gave The Verge a peek at some of the earliest prototypes and design decisions, some of which break from the officially rehearsed story. Microsoft had considered multiple PC form factors before settling on Surface, Panay says, and the tablets didn't always have that sharp-angled design: the firm tried curved backs before deciding that the flat surfaces were more reassuring in users' hands. The concept of a keyboard cover appeared relatively soon into the design process, however, and it was mostly a matter of evolution as the all-important peripheral slimmed down and fleshed out. As for the future? While we weren't expecting to hear very differently, Panay confirms that Microsoft is working on multiple future generations of Surface products. At least for now, this isn't a one-off experiment.
Flash coming to Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8 and RT tomorrow
Heads up, Windows users. Tomorrow, Microsoft will release an update for Internet Explorer 10 that enables Flash content in both Windows 8 and Windows RT. As many of you are likely aware, the "full web" experience has been limited to the desktop browser on Windows 8 up until this point, which was an intentional move by Microsoft in order to improve performance, battery life and the touch experience. With the update, Internet Explorer 10 users for Windows 8 / RT will be able to access Flash content on all but a few sites that Microsoft has selectively blacklisted due to their negative impact on the user experience. Naturally, users of IE10 within the Windows 8 desktop environment will still be able to access all Flash-enabled content, regardless of whether the site is on the blackballed list. Now that you've waited this long, what's another day among friends?
Samsung will stop sale of Windows RT tablets in Germany due to weak demand, according to reports
We already know that Samsung was too timid (or maybe too sensible) to launch its Windows RT-based ATIV Tab hybrid in the US, but now it appears the manufacturer is having doubts about European demand too. Heise.de and our friends at MobileGeeks are reporting that Samsung will stop selling its ATIV Tab in Germany -- Europe's biggest economy -- and some other unspecified European countries after speaking to retailers about the level of interest they're seeing for Microsoft's stripped down OS. This European retreat is said to have been confirmed by Samsung execs at CeBIT in Hanover, and MobileGeeks editor Sascha Pallenberg told us that the Korean company simply "sees no market for RT in Germany and other European countries." We've asked Samsung for further clarification and we'll update this post as soon as we hear back. As things stand, the ATIV Tab is still listed for sale by Amazon.de priced at 605 euros. Update: We're still waiting on an official response from Samsung's PR machine. Reps we spoke to at CeBIT wouldn't confirm or deny these reports.
Surface RT coming to six more countries in late March, Pro in the 'coming months'
Microsoft's Surface is continuing its global retail rollout, expanding its reach well beyond the western hemisphere. In late March the RT model of Redmond's in-house tablet effort will begin popping up in Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan, (though, not necessarily at the same time) adding to the pile of European nations where it's already launched. Meanwhile, the Surface Pro will finally be leaving the Americas and heading for Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the UK sometime in the coming months. Unfortunately Microsoft isn't getting any more specific about when its full-blown Windows 8 machine will appear in countries other than the US and Canada. All we can do now is await the promised follow up post on the Surface blog for more details about availability. If you're a fan of press materials (even those that don't provide a ton of information) you'll find some after the break.
Dell XPS 10 Windows RT tablet revisits the FCC with AT&T LTE onboard
We've already seen Dell's XPS 10 Windows RT slate torn open for an FCC-certified peek at its internals, but here it is in the filings again with an extra bonus: cellular connectivity. Thanks to its Snapdragon S4 CPU it was already LTE ready and this J42A tags on a W to its part number, packing LTE equipment for bands 4 and 17 which are compatible with AT&T's network. Dell originally mentioned an HSPA+/LTE model would appear after the WiFi version launched and that day is likely close at hand -- a good thing, if you're waiting for an alternative to the Tegra 3-powered ASUS VivoTab RT with LTE.
Microsoft pushing Surface RT update to tackle WiFi and performance issues
If you've had any sustained glitches with your Surface RT, check for a software update -- Microsoft might just have sorted it out. A February refresh pushing out today should mend problems with WiFi reliability that have led to the tablet showing "Limited" access. It also eliminates sluggishness in the power and volume controls, as well as Windows as a whole. Is your Surface snappier after the update? Let fellow owners know in the comments.
Microsoft planning annual cross-platform updates, codenamed 'Blue'
Still settling into Windows 8? Well, it appears that Microsoft's preparing for a sea change, codenamed "Blue," that will alter how it approaches cross-platform updates. According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, an inside source at Redmond has indicated the company's desire to house all Windows Phone, Windows Services, Windows 8 and Windows RT updates under the Blue umbrella, though that won't necessarily indicate simultaneous releases. Far from it, actually, as the current plan is simply to schedule these updates on a yearly basis. Foley also goes on to note that for Win8, MS could ditch RTM releases altogether, in favor of feeding updates direct to the Windows Store and mentions that Windows 9 is still on track. What's not yet known is precisely what features this Blue crush of updates will entail. We'll keep you updated should this rumor prove to hold its water.
Samsung ATIV Tab review: the Windows RT tablet you'll never find in the US
In a world that's increasingly dominated by tablets, Microsoft, whose fortune is intertwined with desktops and laptops, needed to prevent its customers from leaving in droves. After a few years in a Redmond laboratory, Windows 8 and Surface RT were born -- but not everything was well in the brave new world the company had created. While Windows RT looks and behaves the same way as its big brother, it doesn't run your existing Windows programs despite having its own "desktop" mode. Understandably, as casual users struggled to understand the distinction, Samsung abandoned any plans to launch a Windows RT product in the United States. However, the device is still available in the rest of the world (including Canada), and so it is for everyone else -- and those with an eye on importing it -- that we put the ATIV Tab through its paces. In short, if it never made the journey across the pond, it would be a shame, because it's certainly tablet enough to give the Surface RT a run for its money. So should you buy one? The answer to that question awaits after the break.
Skulls of the Shogun offers game syncing across Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox (video)
Cross-platform game compatibility and syncing aren't anything new, but there have been few if any games that truly make us feel at home when we switch devices. Developer 17-Bit's just-launched Skulls of the Shogun bucks that trend in style as the first game with a unified experience across every one of Microsoft's platforms. Start a game on a Windows 8 or RT PC, Windows Phone or Xbox 360, and cloud saves will carry over with nary a hitch in sight. Turn-based multiplayer works the same way: anyone involved in a match can play from whichever device is convenient, rather than give up a big screen or mobility. We just wish the undead strategy game's prices enjoyed the same level of consistency -- Skulls costs $5 on Windows Phone, $10 on Windows PCs and 1,200 points on the Xbox. Still, we'll bite if it means squeezing in one more round on our Surface.
The Daily Roundup for 01.16.2013
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.
Microsoft's Play strategy brings Xbox games to Windows 8 and RT (video)
Microsoft signaled its intent to directly back Windows 8 gaming before the OS was shipping, and it's proving true to its word through a new Play program. The team-up with NVIDIA brings Xbox (or really, Xbox Live Arcade) games directly to Windows 8 and Windows RT, with friends, multiplayer and other extras intact. An initial catalog won't move all our playtime to a Surface just yet, though. While there's notable titles like Ilomilo+ and Toy Soldiers, most of the 15-game library involves decidedly casual releases like Minesweeper. It's still a start, and more is coming: Microsoft tells us that the spring launch of World Series of Poker: Full House Pro will let gamers resume play on either Windows or the Xbox. We're not expecting a completely cross-platform Halo 5 anytime soon, but having a steady stream of familiar, tightly integrated games may keep some of us in Microsoft's ecosystem for a good while.
Samsung confirms no Windows RT tablets for US markets, blames tepid retail demand
Well, the Windows RT tablet market just got a bit less crowded, as Samsung has confirmed to CNET that its ATIV Tab won't be sold or distributed in the US. The company's decision is based in part upon feedback from retail partners, which suggested that such a product would be only modestly successful in the marketplace. Samsung also pointed to the lack of education about Windows RT, and suggested that it would require too much of an investment to properly inform consumers of the differences between it and Windows 8. Instead, the company will take a wait and see approach to gauge how the Windows RT market develops -- we've heard this line before. It's currently unclear whether Samsung's decision will affect the availability of its Windows RT tablets in other markets.
Windows RT Jailbreak tool is out, makes running unsigned code a pushbutton affair
As is the way of such things, just days after one coder figured out a way around Microsoft's Windows RT controls another individual has created an easy-to-use tool based on the example. Posted by netham45 on XDA-Developers, the RT Jailbreak tool needs only to be loaded and run on the tablet (wait a minute or two after booting up), without any need for the user to poke around in the Windows kernel themselves. Also of note is that this is a tethered solution, since it will need to be reapplied each time the machine is rebooted. Now that the barrier to entry has been significantly lowered, the particularly brave and/or foolhardy Windows RT user can give it a shot by clicking the source link and following the directions there -- that should include reading the associated FAQ to understand some of the risks involved.
T-Mobile's 4G Connect offers free 200MB of monthly data on PCs and tablets (hands-on)
T-Mobile knows that the easiest way to get new customers is to give away your service for free, and it's handing access out like so much candy with its new 4G Connect strategy. Similar to what we've seen for Chromebooks, the deal supplies 200MB of free data every month for up to two years, right out of the box. Those who need more than casual email checks on the road just need to pay T-Mobile's prepaid rates to keep the broadband going. The Dell Inspiron 14z and HP Pavilion dm1 are the only devices available for now that qualify for the 4G Connect plan, but more are lined up for 2013, including (but not exclusively) devices with Qualcomm's Gobi chipsets in PCs or its Snapdragon chips in Windows RT tablets. T-Mobile tells us that we won't have to hunt down specific Magenta models, either -- once a PC line includes 4G Connect, every American variant should carry the needed modem as a matter of course. We had the opportunity to try a Pavilion dm1 with 4G Connect, and it's clear that T-Mobile is largely letting the PC builder take priority. The hardware is very much vanilla on the outside. Most of what you'll notice, apart from reasonably fast HSPA+ data when you're away from WiFi, is a custom T-Mobile app. Both a Live Tile and the full app will show usage; diving in shows everything in a simple not-Metro layout with extra options for SMS messaging and topping up when the bandwidth runs low. Apart from having to register the PC in the first place, the service is as simple as we'd care to see. Now, where's our LTE connection?
Dropbox delivers long-promised app for Windows 8 and Windows RT
We've been hearing talk of a Dropbox app for Windows 8 since the OS's big debut back in October, but there's now finally some good news for Windows users who favor the cloud-storage service. The Dropbox app is now available for both Windows 8 and Windows RT devices, offering all the basic features you'd expect (and not much more), including the ability to share files with with Windows 8's Share Charm. Windows Phone 8 users, on the other hand, still have some waiting to do for an official app.
