Windows Phone 8.1’s new store may help you find apps faster
Windows Phone 8.1 may not just add a bevy of software features — it may improve how you find software, too. WPCentral claims to have leaked details of a Windows Phone Store revamp in the OS that reportedly makes it easier to discover hot apps. Featured titles would take center stage in this new portal, and new sections would help you sift through fast-rising apps or specific categories. Upgrades could soon be less of hassle, for that matter. A new My Apps area would let you check for updates without waiting for notifications, and you could (finally!) tell Windows Phone to update apps automatically. There’s no certainty that this storefront will make it into the final WP8.1 release, but you won’t have to wait long for confirmation.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: WPCentral
Microsoft discontinues its Surface wireless keyboard adapter
A company spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement to CNET: “Due to a number of factors, we are no longer manufacturing the Surface Wireless Keyboard Adapter.” As you can see, based on that vague statement, Microsoft isn’t keen on explaining why, exactly, it killed off the adapter. Even so, online user reviews are telling: of the four listed on Microsoft’s product page, three people complained about the poor battery life, and the device’s inability to hold a charge. Not good when “wireless” is a key selling point, eh?
Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets, Microsoft
Via: CNET
Source: Microsoft
New Xbox One notifications let you know when other gamers think you’re being a jerk
The Xbox One’s simplified Reputation system aims to keep like-minded gamers playing together, and now the folks in Redmond plan to notify you if you fall of out the community’s good graces. Are you the sort of player who doesn’t ruffle too many feathers? You’ll be just fine — the occasional bad report won’t do much harm. Starting this month though, Microsoft will reach out to trollish gamers when negative feedback from fellow players drags their reputations down into “needs work” territory. Prolonged abrasiveness will ultimately land them in the red “avoid me” zone, where matchmaking for games becomes more difficult and certain features like Twitch livestreaming could be restricted. Seems like a pretty big price to pay when the alternative is to behave like a civilized human being, doesn’t it?
Source: Microsoft
MLB.tv and Epix streaming apps are coming to Xbox One
Xbox One owners already have their fair share of video services to choose from in the US, but they’re about to get a pair of welcome additions. Major League Baseball now says that MLB.tv Premium should be available to stream live games on the console in time for opening day. Meanwhile, Epix has revealed plans to bring its primarily movie-focused service to the Xbox One in the near future. And don’t worry about being left out if you’re still hanging on to your Xbox 360 — Starz has just launched Encore Play and Movieplex Play apps for the earlier system, while Major League Gaming released its e-sports app yesterday. All told, it looks like you’ll have plenty of viewing options this spring.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Daily Roundup: new HTC One review, Facebook acquires Oculus VR 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.
HTC One review (2014): a great phone, but no longer a game-changer
HTC’s new One is official, and it’s quite the looker. With a sleek unibody chassis reminiscent of last year’s model, the new One packs a larger 5-inch screen, and a brand new version of its Sense UI. What’s more, the handset is one sale in the US today, starting at $199 for the 16GB version.
Facebook is buying Oculus VR for $2 billion, plans to ‘unlock new worlds for all of us’
Facebook only recently purchased Whatsapp, and now it’s continuing the shopping spree by acquiring the virtual reality company Oculus VR for $2 billion in stock and cash. Why? Appartenly Zuckerberg wants to make Oculus a platform for “completely new kinds of experiences.”
Microsoft makes MS-DOS and Word for Windows source code public
In a blog post today, Microsoft announced it’s teaming up with the Computer History Museum to make the source code from MS-DOS and Word for Windows available to all. Roy Levin, managing director of Microsoft Research, hopes the decision will help future technologists better understand the roots of personal computing.
The new HTC One vs. the competition: the battle of Android flagships rages on
Above, you’ll see four of the latest and greatest smartphones — one of them being the new HTC One. Replete with a larger screen, dual backside shooters and a brand new version of its Sense UI, this year’s One is a formidable opponent. But can those improvements carry the sleek handset into battle against the likes of the Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2?
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Filed under: Misc
Microsoft makes MS-DOS and Word for Windows source code public
Microsoft believes the children are our future, and to prove it, it’s teamed up with the Computer History Museum to make source code available for two groundbreaking programs: MS-DOS and Word for Windows. In a blog post that outlined the deal, Roy Levin, managing director of Microsoft Research, said the company granted the museum permission to make the code public for MS DOS 1.1 and 2.0 and Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a, “… to help future generations of technologists better understand the roots of personal computing.” MS DOS, originally code named “Chess,” took root in 1980 when IBM asked Microsoft to produce an OS to run on its computers. Word for Windows was released in 1989, and with in four years had captured half of the revenue of the word-processing market, according to Levin.
Both programs marked the beginnings not only of great successes for Microsoft, but also the PC industry as we know it today. The museum’s Chairman, Len Shustek, had this to say about the effort: “We think preserving historic source code like these two programs is key to understanding how software has evolved from primitive roots to become a crucial part of our civilization.” The move marks an ongoing effort to make landmark software code available to the public; the museum released the source for the 1989 version of Photoshop early last year.
Filed under: Desktops, Software, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft, Computer History Museum
Nokia promises ‘more Lumia’ at April 2nd event
Windows Phone fans have more to look forward to this April than just the formal unveiling of Windows Phone 8.1 — Nokia has sent out invitations for an April 2nd event in San Francisco that should deliver “more Lumia.” The notice doesn’t give any real hints as to what will be at the presentation. However, the event takes place on the first day of Microsoft’s Build developer conference. Don’t be shocked if Nokia unveils devices that need Windows Phone 8.1 to run, such as the rumored Lumia 630 (Moneypenny) and Lumia 930 (Martini). No matter what shows up, we’ll be there to give you the full scoop.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Asian regulators push Microsoft’s Nokia purchase back until April
Despite receiving all of the necessary confirmations in the US and Europe, Microsoft will need to wait a little longer than expected to finalize its $7.45 billion acquisition of Nokia. Originally expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, both companies today issued a progress report on the deal, explaining that while things were moving well in Asia, it may take until April for regulators there to give it the green light. While the necessary reviews are being conducted, Microsoft is wasting no time advertising its future smartphone union, stating that it will “accelerate our mobile-first, cloud-first imperatives.” That, of course, means getting more Windows Phone handsets in customers’ hands, something new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes it can do a lot quicker once Nokia becomes part of the family.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Source: Nokia Press, Microsoft Press
UK government closes tax loophole on digital media, could mean the end of the 99p song download
Buried within the latest budget plan for the UK, Chancellor George Osborne announced new laws that would ensure internet downloads from the likes of iTunes, Google Play Amazon and game networks would be taxed in the country they’re bought in. In the case of the UK, that would be around 20 percent VAT, substantially more than selling through countries like Luxemburg where the rate can be around 3 percent. Separate to the government’s grand plans for its digital future, the new rule would start January 1 2015 — “ensuring these are taxed fairly and helping to protect revenue.” According to the government’s estimates, it could net around £300 million in extra tax income, although it’s likely to bring digital download pricing (unfortunately) closer to physical media in the process.
Filed under: Internet, Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Amazon
Source: The Guardian
MLB at Bat for Windows Phone adds push notifications and pitch tracking
Opening day is here! …sort of. This year’s quest for a World Series ring kicks off Down Under today, with the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks squaring off at the Sydney Cricket Ground (yes, they’re still playing baseball). Of course, everyone else is still playing Spring Training games until the weekend of March 31st. But Major League Baseball is making sure all of its mobile app ducks are in a row ahead of time. In particular its Windows Phone MLB at Bat app is getting a long overdue update for the 2014 season. Now you can get live pitch-by-pitch tracking for games and set up push notifications for scores and news. Those features have been available on iOS and Android for quite sometime now, so this is less a major step forward and more about feature parity. But still, we’re sure those that fall in the middle of the baseball and windows phone fan venn diagram are extremely happy.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: Technet
Source: MLB at Bat
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