Author Archives: Admin

Windows 8 Tablet Minimum Resolution Requirement Reduced to 1024×768!Smaller Tablets Imminent?

We have a bunch of Windows 8 based tablets available from manufacturers like Dell,Samsung,HP,Acer and Microsoft with their Surface Tablets.But all the Windows 8 tablets are 10″ and above.

Over the past few months we have been hearing about smaller form factors making their way to the Windows 8 tablet market and as per some recent changes in the Microsoft’s Windows 8 tablet Resolution requirements which are now set to a minimum of 1024×768 resolution for the devices(down from 1366×768 which was the previous minimum requirement),we might very well see some smaller Windows 8 tablets,like a 7 or 8″ Windows 8 tablet in near future.This change in the resolution would allow the Windows 8 manufacturers to introduce smaller and low cost Windows 8 tablets with a display size of 7″ and 8″,just like those Nexus7′s and the iPad mini’s.

Along with that announcement Microsoft also reduced the Maximum Tablet size to 17″ ,Above that size, touch systems without batteries and attached accessible keyboards don’t need to meet all of the tablet requirements.

Though this change in minimum resolution would disable the Span feature which allows the users to run two Windows Store apps simultaneously side by side so this is a drawback of the change in resolution,so if the manufacturers go on making the 7 or 8 inchers in the future they would have to clarify users on this absence of the feature.

Checkout the Complete Windows Certification Newsletter Here

Updates for Windows 8 Mail,Calendar and People app now Available

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As promised earlier,Microsoft has released major updates for their core Windows 8 apps like Windows 8 Mail app,Calendar app and the People App.

So users can now update their Mail,Calender,People and Messaging app via the Windows Store app’s Updates option.These updates are available for Windows 8 as well as Windows RT platform users.The updates brings lots of new features for the apps.Mainly for the Mail app.

The app now adds the Flagging feature to the Mail app,so now users can Flag the important mails,also the app now allows users to modify(create,delete and rename) the Email folders right through the app.The Messaging app now allow users to directly post messages to their Friends Facebook Wall.The calendar app is now visually improved to allow easy reading with solid blocks gone and the colors are now reflected in a small bar on the left of each appointment.

So head over to the Windows Store and update the Mail Calendar,People and Messaging app to enjoy the latest features and improvements on your Windows 8 and Windows RT device.

Windows Store Crosses 50,000 Apps

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It’s been a while since we last updated the Windows Store Statistics for the number of apps available for Windows 8 and Windows RT Platform.Last time we reported almost two months ago when the Windows Store crossed 40,000 apps mark.

Now as per the apps tracking site for Windows Store,MetroStore Scanner,the Windows Store has crossed 50,000 apps in the store (current count being 50304)with close to 35000 apps in the regional store of china which if followed by United Stares store which has almost similar number of apps in the store.

The store was growing at an astounding rate right from the launch of the Windows 8/RT last year,but over the past 2 months the growth rate has fallen considerably with the next 10,000 apps taking almost two months of time to be added to the store.Also there are many apps missing from the store.So it remains to be seen if the developers show interest in the platform in coming future or not.

Source[MetroStoreScanner]

[Rumor]Windows 9 to be released by November 2014!

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We are just 5 months into the release of Windows 8 and we are already getting rumors about the Supposed Windows 9 release date.

Some of the recent reports coming from Win8China suggests that Windows 9 could be released as early as November 2014.While the Beta release of next version of Windows OS is expected to be released as early as January 2014,the Operating System is expected to have a better touch screen support.

While the Windows Blue update is expected to be released in the second half of this years,so we presume that the next major OS update would eventually follow the Windows Blue update by next year.Though this is too early to predict anything right now.So we file this under rumoured category.

Source[Win8china]

Bloomberg Reports,Microsoft Sold 1.5 million Surface Devices till date!

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Microsoft Released the Surface RT 5 months ago and the Surface Pro version last month,but they haven’t shared any numbers about the sales of either of the devices.

But according to latest reports from Bloomberg,who have sources with the knowledge of Microsoft’s Surface devices said that the company has sold around 1.5 million Surface devices including 400 thousand Surface Pro devices which were released around a month ago.So the Surface RT sells numbers are around 1.1 million mark.Which is no way close to phenomenal or outstanding.

But if we consider the Surface Pro sells,it is an encouraging sign with 400,000 sells in 1 months time,but the same can’t be said about Surface RT,which has been on the receiving end of the criticism for it’s limitations.

The Surface RT had initial issues with Distribution,but then it was rolled out through non Microsoft channels and more countries.Surface Pro which is currently available in United States and Canada and quite recently in some more markets,which is a good sign for the Surface Pro and we can expect at least the Pro version to put better numbers than the RT version.

Source[Bloomberg]

Official Twitter app for Windows 8/RT Now available over Windows Store

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So after almost 5 months of the Public release of Windows 8,Twitter has finally launched its official app for the platform over Windows Store.

Twitter for Windows 8/RT description,

With Twitter, you can watch the world unfold like never before.

** Get real-time stories, pictures, videos, conversations, ideas, and inspiration all in your timeline.
** Follow people and your interests to get unfiltered access and unique behind-the-scenes perspectives.
** Express yourself with photos, videos and comments.

Twitter for Windows 8 brings you all the design, features and functionality of Twitter combined with the fast and fluid technology of Windows 8:

- The Discover (#) icon shows you new topics from people in your network and other information like Trends and Who to Follow suggestions. But nowhere else can you scroll through Discover stories horizontally. Smoothly move through a collage of Tweets, pictures, links and article previews that make the most of your device.

- The Share charm makes it easier to tweet links, pictures and opinions to your followers from anywhere in Windows 8. Reading an article in Internet Explorer about Hawaii? Swipe in from the right edge of the device, tap the Share charm, add your comments in the Tweet and hit send.

- Create the ultimate screen with Snap view on Windows 8. Drag Twitter into the narrow side of the screen and slide in another favorite app. You can stream a live video while you watch the conversation about it unfold on Twitter. Then use the Share charm to join the discussion.

Tough there were other third party Twitter clients like MetroTwit,but the Official Twitter app was missing from the picture.But now you can enjoy the Official Twitter app on your Wndows 8 and Windows RT based devices for free!

Download Now [Twitter for Windows 8 and Windows RT]

Windows 8/RT Internet Explorer 10 update to Run Flash By Default

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Windows 8/RT had the Internet Explorer 10 as a default browser for the platform.After yesterday’s Automatic updates for Internet Explorer 10 both the browsers would run Flash by Default as per the latest blog post on IE Blog.

This decision of running flash by default on both the platforms is for the compatibility with a majority of sites which run Flash content,so that the Internet Explorer 10 users get to view flash content by default on their browsers.The Desktop version of Windows 8 Internet Explorer 10 had Flash as a default option by default right from the launch of the Windows 8 operating system.

So after this update all the Tablets and PC’s running Windows 8 and Windows RT would get Flash by default on the Immersive IE as well as the Desktop IE version of the browser.

Source[IEBlog]

Microsoft Reveals Early Prototype of Surface Touch Cover

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The Touch and Type covers for the Surface tablets are the integral part of the Surface RT/Pro line up.

Recently on the Surface Blog,Microsoft posted some earlier designs of Touch Cover prototypes which then went on to be a final product that we see today.

The above picture shows the inside of the early pressure sensitive full keyboard prototype.Tis pressure sensing technology allows the Touch Cover users to type faster and fluidly on the keyboard.

Image Credits[Microsoft]But as we all know the Touch cover is not just about typing,but also for protecting the Surface Display,so to double the Touch Keyboard as a Cover for the Surface.So to protect the Surface Screen the Tactile Surface Material was used which would cover up the Screen when the keyboard lid is closed.Moreover The Touch Cover is spill resistant(protected from accidental liquid spill on the keyboard.Lastly they wanted to include the Trackpad in the keyboard so that the users can navigate through apps using the fingers and clicks on the trackpad making the Surface much easier to use with the Keyboard.

The special limited edition Touch Covers are still available at the online Microsoft Store,So you can grab one for your Surface while its still available.

Source[Surface Blog]

Samsung Exec Says Windows 8 is no better than Windows Vista !

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Windows 8 has served over 60 million licenses within months of its launch.But one of the executive’s of Samsung which is one of the most important hardware partner for Windows feels ,Windows 8 is no better than Vista!

As reported earlier by Korea Times Samsung’s head of Memory chip business,Jun Dong Soo,who recently spoke to the reporters said that,”The global PC industry is steadily shrinking despite the launch of Windows 8,” he said. “I think the Windows 8 system is no better than the previous Windows Vista platform.”

He added to it by saying that the Surface also had a lackluster start as far as the number of sales goes,mostly due to the less competitive Windows Platform.

Samsung was recently in the news for ditching the Windows RT tablet release in the US and some recent report suggested that due to lack of interest they are stopping the sales of their Windows RT Tablet in Germany and other European Countries.

Via[BGR]

Photosynth Finally available for Windows Phone

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The highly popular Panorama App from Microsoft which was already available over iOS platform,but Microsoft’s own platform was missing from the release.

Finally the wait is over,The Photosynth app is now available for Windows Phones(Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7.5 devices).So now all the users can use the app to take panorama pictures on their Windows Phone Devices.

Here’s the Description,

Photosynth for Windows Phone is the panorama app that makes it easy and fun to capture and share interactive panoramas of the places, people, and events that are important to you. Using the latest in computer vision techniques, Photosynth is the acknowledged leader in mobile panorama creation. It is the only app available on Windows Phone that allows you to capture 360 degrees horizontally and vertically, making a perfect “sphere.”

Once you’ve created a Photosynth, you can share it as an interactive panoramic experience on Facebook and Twitter using the free Photosynth.net service. You can also publish your panoramas to Bing, where millions of people will see your panoramas on Bing Maps and in Bing search results. And check out our featured list, where we show off the best of what you and your fellow users create and share.

The app is now available over Windows Phone Store For Free.

Download Now[Photosynth for Windows Phone]