Microsoft will offer Windows 10 for free… even for pirates

You may have already heard that Microsoft will let its Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 customers upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost when it gets released. Did that excite you? Well, get this – the software giant has announced in a summit in China that it will even let users with non-genuine copies of Windows (read: pirated users) to the latest version of the OS.

However, it is not clear whether the offer will be limited to Chinese customers or if it will be available globally. Terry Myerson, head of Windows at Microsoft, was quoted as saying "we are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10." If it will be a global offer, then it will be a boon for users especially in countries like the Philippines where software piracy is very rampant.

Microsoft also announced a new summer target launch-frame for Windows 10. The company mentioned that it will be available in 190 countries in 111 languages.

Sources: Microsoft, Reuters

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Nokia to reveal ‘Sirius’, a Snapdragon 800-powered Windows RT tablet on September 26

Is Nokia about to enter the tablet space? Well, yes. According to the latest report from The Verge, Nokia is planning to launch a Windows RT tablet come September 26 — that’s one full month away! Their source says that the tablet, codenamed ‘Sirius’, resembles Nokia’s Windows Phone devices, which is hardly a surprise. The body will be allegedly given bright color treatments just like its smartphone counterparts and sport a large (by today’s standards anyway) 10.1-inch display with 1920x1080 full HD resolution, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor along with 2GB of RAM, and LTE connectivity.

Nokia will also include a microSD card slot in addition to the 32GB internal storage, a micro HDMI port, and a micro USB port supposedly for charging it. A 6 megapixel rear-facing camera (similar to the Nokia 720’s?) will also be making an appearance, together with a 2 megapixel one on the front for video calling and such.

‘Sirius’ will be reportedly priced similar to the iPad, which retails for $499 (P23,990 here) in the US. A separate keyboard which can charge the device when attached, among other accessories will be also made available at launch.

Do you think a Windows RT tablet from Nokia will become successful? With the fate the Surface RT has faced, I say otherwise. But we’ll have to see, and we’re only months away from that.

Source: The Verge

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Samsung showcases SideSync, bridges the gap between ATIV and GALAXY

You are busy working on a document on your laptop and suddenly, a text message arrives. What do you do? Of course you grab your phone, view the message and type your reply if needed. And then your focus is taken out from what you’re working on.

Now, imagine if you can just do all the things that you need to do on your phone right on your PC. In an intimate event recently, Samsung demonstrated SideSync, which does exactly just that. It has three main features namely Keyboard and Mouse Sharing, Phone Screen Sharing, and Automatic Backup.

In the Keyboard and Mouse Sharing mode, users are able to make their phones an extension of their PC. You can use your phone using the mouse or track pad just by moving the mouse pointer to the phone screen. Aside from that, you can also take advantage of the full-fledged keyboard to send text messages and even highlight and copy texts from the phone to PC and vice-versa. Your phone basically becomes an ‘extension monitor’ in Keyboard and Mouse Sharing mode.

The Phone Screen Sharing mode, on the other hand, mirrors your phone display on a window on your PC. Everything that’s taking place on your phone can now be seen and means that you can remotely control your phone from your PC.

Now let’s say you’re doing your work on your PC and need to send a quick text message, you don’t have to take your hands off the keyboard and interrupt your work anymore. You just switch from whatever window is active to the virtual phone on your PC and do it from there.

You can also copy files to the phone just by dragging a file to the the phone screen. Files are then automatically saved to a designated SideSync folder on the phone for easy retrieval. The data on your phone are automatically backed up on your PC every time you use SideSync.

For now, SideSync utilizes USB connection which means you will still have to have your phone and a cable beside you to use of all the features above, which kinds of defeats the purpose of the software. But don’t fret, Samsung said that they are already working on an update to make SideSync work with Wi-Fi connections.

SideSync is available for all Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets running on Android Jelly Bean and above. The PC software is exclusive to ATIV devices.

You can try SideSync for yourself by visiting any of the following Samsung Stores: SM Dasmariñas, SM Lanang, SM Bacoor, SM Gensan, SM North Annex, Ayala Mall Centrio CDO, SM Cebu, and Festival Mall.

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Samsung unveils the ATIV Q, combines Windows 8 and Android in one convertible

In the Samsung Premiere event at London earlier, Samsung’s DJ Lee announced their first Windows 8 and Android hybrid tablet yet. the Samsung ATIV Q.

The ATIV Q, first of all, is by no means a laptop. Instead, it is a tablet with an integrated portable keyboard which you slide out when you need to use it. Aside from that, it can also has what they call the floating mode in which the display floats up in the air with the hinge supporting it, and the stand mode wherein the display is flipped to the back for functions like watching movies and presentations.

 

The highlight of the ATIV Q is the fact that it can run both Windows 8 and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean at the same time. From what I’ve seen in various hands-on videos, it looks like the Android part is being emulated on top of Windows using some special virtualization software.

Despite that, though, the Android experience seems to be smooth thanks to the powerful 4th-generation Intel Core i5 processor along with the 4GB RAM. Samsung also says that users will be able to seamlessly share files between the two OS’s. For example, you can take a photo stored in your Windows hard drive and share it with Instagram on Android. Apart from that, apparently, you can also pin Android apps on the Windows Start screen. There is all a full access to the Google Play Store, which means you will be able to download and use many of the Android apps that you’ve always loved.

 

The ATIV Q sports a 13.3-inch screen with a 170-degree viewing angle, with a monstrous 3,200x1,800 qHD+ resolution at 275ppi, and a 128GB SSD. It has a single USB 3 port, another one for USB 2, an HDMI port, a headphone and microphone combo, a microSD card slot, an RJ45 dongle for Ethernet connectivity, and the S Pen. The battery is rated at 9-hours, which is not bad when you consider what’s packaged in this device. It weighs 1.29kg and has a thickness of 13.9mm including the keyboard.

Samsung ATIV Q Specifications and Features
13.3-inch 3,200x1,800 resolution at 275ppi
170-degree viewing angle
Intel Core i5 (4th-generation)
Intel HD Graphics 4400
4GB DDR3L RAM
128GB SSD
720p HD camera
Up to 9 hours battery life
L/W/H - 327.0x217.8x13.9mm
1.29kg
1xUSB3.0, 1xUSB2.0, HDMI,RJ45 (dongle), headphone/microphone combo, micro SD

Overall, I kind of like the ATIV Q. It is mobile enough to be used as a tablet and it has a keyboard which you can use for work. I’m also hoping that this will have LTE support too. What we need to know now is the pricing and availability, which Samsung hasn’t announced yet.

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Lenovo launches the IdeaPad Yoga 11S, S210 Touch, Z400 Touch, S400 Touch, IdeaCentre B540, and C440

Lenovo announced today in their media event the launch of the IdeaPad Yoga 11S, an 11-inch multimode Windows 8 transformer laptop, and several other Windows 8-powered devices such as the IdeaPad S210 Touch, Z400 Touch, S400 Touch, IdeaCentre B540, and the C440 desktop.

"We are continuing to develop the Yoga franchise with the IdeaPad Yoga 11s, another unique flip and fold, multi-mode convertible which crystallizes our commitment of continued innovation with Windows. Alongside the IdeaPad Yoga 11s, we are introducing our latest range of touch-enabled devices that will create and define a new computing experience for our consumers. The advancements in touch optimization and processing power make today the right time for these new form factors to take off and gain rapid adoption. They will empower the Doers of today to work and play with digital content like never before," Vicky Agorrilla, General Manager of Lenovo Philippines said.

IdeaPad Yoga 11S
The IdeaPad Yoga 11S gives its users options on how they would like to use the device, be it on the ‘tent or stand mode’ for watching movies and browsing through the photo gallery, a touchscreen tablet for using Windows 8 apps, or as a laptop with the full-fledged keyboard and track pad for productivity.

The IdeaPad Yoga 11S is equipped with the 3rd-generation Intel Core i3 processor, providing the users a full Windows experience. This means you can run your legacy desktop software like Adobe Photoshop, Firefox, and such. It comes with an 11.6-inch HD IPS 10-point multitouch display with wide-viewing angle and a motion-based feature aptly called the Motion Control which lets you glide your hands over the screen to interact with it.

IdeaPad S210 Touch, Z400 Touch, and S400 Touch
Lenovo also announced the IdeaPad S210 Touch, Z400 Touch and S400 Touch which offer consumers great multimedia experience: music, movies, email, and video, among other features.

The IdeaPad S210 Touch packs a 4GB RAM, 500GB storage, and a Unified Memory Architecture GPU which enhances the laptop’s processing speed. Its 10-point multi-touch feature is user-friendly and optimizes efficiency through reduced response time.

Also having a multitouch screen, the IdeaPad Z400 and S400 are both optimized for Windows 8's touch-centric user interface, and come with up to 3rd-generation Intel Core i5 processors. They both feature a 14-inch HD display, as well as VeriFace, a face recognition technology for log-in security and OneKey Rescue System for easy backup and recovery of your data.

IdeaCentre B540 and C440 desktop
In addition, the company launched the IdeaCentre B540, offering an all-in-one entertainment experience from a desktop that merges slim, modern design with state-of-the-art multimedia features.

It boasts of the same multitouch screen for users to interact on, an HD webcam, Blu-ray RAMBO drive, HDMI out, USB 3 ports, and internal power adapter for tidier cable management and easy access to internal components for simple upgrades.

The Lenovo C440 desktop, meanwhile, is sleek, responsive and space-saving with its 21.5-inch display which takes little space on the desk. It offers HD graphics support, a RAMBO drive, stereo speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio v2, a 6-in-1 card reader, optional HDMI out, and advanced webcam software that tracks and auto-zooms on faces, enhances pictures, and adds cartoon effects to make the webcam experience more fun and interactive.

The IdeaCentre B540 and IdeaPad Z400 Touch are now available in Lenovo Exclusive Stores nationwide. The B540 retails for P54,900, and the IdeaPad Z400 Touch for P35,995 for the Intel Core i3 model and P39,995 for the i5 model.

The IdeaPad Yoga 11S and Lenovo C440, which will be available in Pentium Dual-Core Processor (PDC) and Intel Core i3 models, will be hitting LES by second and third week of June respectively. The IdeaPad Yoga 11S will retail for P44,995 while the Lenovo C440 will cost P31,990 for the PDC model and P37,990 for the i3 model.

The IdeaPad S400 Touch, with the i3 processor and i5 processor options, will be available for P27,995 and P32,995 respectively in mid-June.

The IdeaPad S210 Touch will soon be available with pricing that starts P21,995.

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Viber releases app for Windows and Mac, updates its Android and iPhone apps

If you always fancy free call and text apps, take a good seat and look at this. Viber, a very popular app which lets people send text messages and make calls for free on their phones, has just released the Windows and Mac versions of their app!

Viber for Windows and Mac allows its users to do the basic Viber features such as making calls, send text messages, send photos, and engage in group conversations — all without any cost on your part. In addition, the Windows and Mac versions adds support for video calling, although the app notes the feature is still in beta. It also supports transferring of calls between your PC or Mac and your phone, even while the call is active.

Setting up Viber for Windows or Mac only requires two steps; first is entering your phone number and then typing the verification code sent to the Viber app on your phone. After that, all your contacts who use Viber will be synced to your PC or Mac immediately.

  

Viber also release updates to its Android and iOS apps. Viber 3.0 for Android and iOS brings support for the Windows and Mac versions, transferring of calls, online status indicator, video messages, auto-download of photos, photo captions, and more stickers.

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The ASUS Transformer AiO is a Windows 8 and Android Jelly Bean tablet and desktop in one

Color me surprised, but ASUS recently pulled the curtains and revealed their newest product, the ASUS Transformer AiO.

The ASUS Transformer AiO is essentially a Windows 8 desktop and an Android Jelly Bean tablet in one with a humongous 18.4-inch display that is detachable. You read that right, a Windows 8 and Android combo machine. They managed to build this thing by putting the desktop components in a stand which serves as a dock for the display.

The stand houses the hardware for the desktop such as the 3rd-generation Intel Core i3 processor, a 4GB RAM, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M graphics, and the 1TB hard drive. The huge removable display on the other hand has the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and a separate 32GB storage that you can use on it’s own.

ASUS says you can use Android even when the display is docked at a flip of a switch so you can use the supplied keyboard. Likewise, you can access the tablet-slash-display’s files when you’re on Windows 8. There’s an app for if you’re feeling lazy and want to rest back on the sofa and want to use Windows.

This is like inception.

ASUS Transformer AiO Specifications and Features
PC Dock
3rd-generation Intel Core i3-3220 processor (3.30GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
4GB DDR3 memory
1TB SATA hard drive
Super MultiDVD
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n dual-band
Gigabit Ethernet
4 USB 3.0 and 1 USB 2.0 slots
3-in-1 memory card slot
Bluetooth 4.0
Windows 8 OS
Tablet
18.4-inch IPS LED display with 1920x1080 resolution
NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor
2GB RAM
32GB internal storage
1 Megapixel front-facing camera
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n dual-band
miniUSB 2.0
microSD card slot
Bluetooth 3.0
38W Li-Ion battery

The ASUS Transformer AiO will be available by the end of March with an SRP of P59,995.

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ASUS announces the VivoTab Smart tablet

ASUS today announced their new tablet, the VivoTab Smart running Windows 8. It has the full PC experience unlike other tablets, which means you can run your existing software on this device. It is powered by a dual-core Intel Atom Z2760 processor. The screen measures 10.1-inch IPS panel with a 1366x768 HD resolution.

The Vivo Tab Smart can be attached to an option keyboard, called the TranSleeve Keyboard which also doubles as a stand and protective cover when not in use. It has an 8-Megapixels camera on the back which can do 1080p full HD video recording. On the front there is a 2-Megapixels shooter for video calling and other uses. The WI-Fi only model has a 9.5-hour battery life, while the Wi-Fi + LTE model only has 8-hours.

ASUS VivoTab Smart Specifications and Features
10.1-inch (1366 x 768) display
Intel® Atom™ Z2760 dual-core processor
2GB RAM
64GB onboard storage
802.11 b/g/n
265.5 x 171 x 9.7mm
580g
9.5 hours of battery life (8.5 hours for Wi-Fi + LTE model)

The ASUS VivoTab Smart will be available here in the Philippines this Q1 2013. It will come in white and black and will retail for P25,995.

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Western Digital launches its own Windows 8 app

Western Digital just released their own app on Windows 8 which makes accessing and sharing files much easier.

The app, which is now available at the Windows Store, automatically scans contents like photos, music, and videos on WD hard drives connected to your PC and will display previews on a live tile on the Start screen. With the new share feature on the Charms bar on Windows 8, you can also share files easily thru e-mail or your social media accounts.

Moreover, WD has added support for the new File History function of Windows 8 which allows automatic backups of your personal files stored on the Desktop and other Library folders to a supported Western Digital hard drive such as the My Passport® and My Book® Live™ drives. Additionally, WD drives can also take advantage of Windows 8’s Storage Spaces feature. That allows you to make multiple external hard drives appear as a single storage volume which you can use in conjunction with File History to create redundant backups for enhanced security.

The new Western Digital app will be automatically downloaded once you connect supported WD drives to your computer. Alternatively, you can install it from the Windows Store on the link above.

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Acer also offering P700 gift card for Windows 8 upgrades

It seems Acer is also feeling generous for their customers holiday Windows 8 season and is now handing out gift cards to cover the Windows 8 upgrade for recent buyers.

Customers who buy an eligible Acer notebook or desktop from October 10 to November 30, 2012 will receive a gift card worth P700, just enough for the $14.99 (approximately P630.00) Windows 8 upgrade. Just refer to the images below for the complete details.

Eligible Models

Terms & Conditions

Source: Acer

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HP offering P1,000 gift card for eligible notebooks towards Windows 8 upgrade

Do you recently purchased an HP notebook that came preinstalled with Windows 7 and felt bummed to find out that you have to shell out $14.99 just to upgrade it to Windows 8?

Well, get happy now as HP is offering a P1,000 gift card to buyers of eligible notebooks from October 23 until November 30, 2012 to cover the amount.

If your notebook happen to belong to the eligible models listed below, just ready the following: Photocopy of End-user invoice showing the date of purchase/transaction, SR name, invoice number, end-user name and contact details (including email address), product model purchased with serial number, reseller name and branch location, the original cut-out serial number sticker, and a photocopy of end-user’s valid ID and present it to the claim point which is located at the HP Store SM Megamall and claim your gift card. You can then use it to purchase Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 (approximately P630.00) at http://windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-PH. The gift card is valid until December 31, 2013 but the $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade period is only until January 31, 2013, take note of that.

Eligible HP Notebooks
HP Envy 4-1003TU
HP Envy 4-1009TX
HP Envy 4-1047TX
HP Envy 4-1048TX
HP Envy 4-1054TX
HP Envy 4-1055TX
HP Folio 13-1001TU
HP Folio 13-1013TU
HP Pavilion G4-1204AX
HP Pavilion DM1-4012TU
HP Pavilion DM1-4209AU
HP Pavilion DM4-3001TX
HP Pavilion DM4-3107TX
HP Pavilion DV4-3106TX
HP Pavilion DV4-3107TX
HP Pavilion DV4-5012TX
HP Pavilion DV6-6157TX
HP Pavilion DV6-6168TX
HP Pavilion DV6-6c06TX
HP Pavilion DV6-7014TX
HP Pavilion G4-1214TX
HP Pavilion G4-1215TX
HP Pavilion G4-1314TX
HP Pavilion G4-1342TX
HP Pavilion G4-1345TX

Source: HP

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ASUS outs touch-powered VivoBook series with Windows 8

ASUS just announced two new notebooks belonging to their VivoBook series — the X202E and S400.

The Asus VivoBooks are all full-featured notebooks with a slim form-factor and is also optimized for the mostly touch-based Windows 8 while still retaining the good ol’ keyboard. They feature 2-second instant on, 32GB of WebStorage for 3 years, and the ASUS SonicMaster audio.

The ASUS VivoBook X202E will come in two flavors: one with a third-generation Intel Core i3 processor with 4GB of RAM, and the other one having the Intel Celeron processor and 2GB of RAM. Both models will have a 1366x768 screen resolution on a 11.6-inch panel and 500GB of hard drive capacity. The Ivy Bridge model will be priced at P26,995 while the Celeron model will go for P20,995 and both will be available starting first week of November.

On the other hand, the larger ASUS VivoBook S400 will feature a third-generation Intel Core i5 processor, a 14-inch screen with the same 1366x768 resolution, a choice of 2GB or 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB of hard drive plus 24GB SSD. It’s priced P34,995 and will be coming in this November as well.

Introducing the Touch-Powered ASUS VivoBook Series
Offers customers uniquely intuitive experiences, enhanced computing and multimedia, and a highly mobile premium design

Manila, Philippines (October 23, 2012) ― ASUS VivoBook form the beginning of a series of devices in screen sizes ranging from 11.6” to 14”, all developed around natural touch as key to incredible user experiences and greater customer happiness. Optimized for Windows 8, ASUS VivoBooks showcase an attractive, durable, and very portable design. They integrate ASUS SonicMaster audio and 2-second instant on, and all models include 32GB of WebStorage cloud space for three years. ASUS VivoBooks embody a new way of offering enjoyable and intuitive notebook experiences to customers, with additional models joining the series by the end of the year.

VivoBooks add greater happiness to lives
Providing the finest touch technology for more natural and rewarding interaction, VivoBook X202E and S400 models reinforce the ASUS Customer Happiness 2.0 spirit, offering technology perfectly-tuned to create better, more enjoyable, and more rewarding lifestyles. All VivoBook Series products have been designed with stand-out aesthetics, true-to-life sound, and instinctive touch. They are ideal for the increasingly cloud-based nature of computing, supporting seamless connectivity and usage on the go while specifically aimed at making people happier through the use of technology they can rely on wherever they may be.

Design principles
To achieve the attractive VivoBook look, ASUS designers opted for a slim and light form factor across the entire series. The all-glass screen offers a more elegant and immersive appearance, while the chassis uses durable yet artful metal to maintain consistency with fellow ASUS innovations such as ZENBOOK, incorporating the same tapered design. At the same time, VivoBooks have their own distinct feel, encouraging customers to use and carry them with pride. They have been fashioned to be as comfortable to carry as a book, with all edges rounded and smoothed for a reassuring feel. VivoBook is available in a selection of vibrant colors.

All about intuitive touch
From a technology and engineering standpoint, the primary purpose of VivoBook is to provide completely intuitive touch experiences optimized for Windows 8. Touch is much more than just a feature: it is the very essence of the VivoBook experience. All models employ highly responsive multi-point touch panels, and the larger touchpads likewise encourage smooth haptic input, incorporating ASUS Smart Gesture technology. The compact VivoBook uses a touchpad sized for 14” notebooks, giving customers more input space. Combined, these guarantee fully-satisfying user experiences based on touch.

Living sound with SonicMaster
True to their name, VivoBooks deliver lifelike experiences in every way. For audio, they are equipped with exclusive ASUS SonicMaster technology, generating powerful sound with wider range, deeper bass, and clearer vocals. VivoBooks improve multimedia, benefitting from the hardware and software optimization experience of ASUS audio engineering, with the addition of Technical Grammy-winning MaxxAudio sound processing tools. Once more, the X202E receives upsized hardware. Although 11.6” in size, its speakers were designed for 14” to 15” models, resulting in more powerful and immersive sound than that offered by much bulkier standard notebooks. 

Made for the cloud and incredibly responsive
True 2-second instant on resume from sleep mode gives customers near-instantaneous access to Windows 8 even after prolonged periods away from devices, removing the need for lengthy waits as the system reboots. Battery efficiency lengthens standby time to 15 days on VivoBook. This seamless experience integrates well into a cloud-centric design, as VivoBooks have been created with cloud computing in mind. All models include 32GB of ASUS WebStorage space at no charge for three years.

Local Availability
The ASUS VivoBook X202E will be initially available in the Philippines by 1st week of November in two configurations. One with an Intel Core i3 Processor for SRP Php26,995 and one with Intel Celeron Processor for Php 20,995. While the S400 will available for SRP Php35,995 this coming November as well.

Specifications

Model	ASUS VivoBook X202E	ASUS VivoBook X202E	ASUS VivoBook S400
Processor	Intel® Core™ i3 Ivy Bridge	Intel® ULV Celeron® 847	Intel® Core™ i5 Ivy Bridge Ultrabook Processor
Operating system	Windows 8	Windows 8	Windows 8
Display	11.6" 16:9 HD (1366 x 768) LED backlit	11.6" 16:9 HD (1366 x 768) LED backlit	14" 16:9 HD (1366 x 768) LED backlit
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics	Intel HD Graphics	Intel HD Graphics
Memory	4GB 1333MHz DDR3 RAM	2GB 1333MHz DDR3 RAM	1600MHz DDR3 up to 8GB (onboard 2GB/4GB + 1 DIMM)
Hard drive	500GB, 5400rpm	500GB, 5400rpm	500GB 5400rpm + 24GB SSD (cache)
Optical drive	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dimensions	30.3cm x 20.0cm x 21.7mm	30.3cm x 20.0cm x 21.7mm	33.9cm x 23.9cm x 21mm
Weight	1.40Kg (with 38W/h polymer battery)	1.40Kg (with 38W/h polymer battery)	1.8Kg (with 44W/h polymer battery)
SRP	Php 26,995	Php 20,995	Php 35,995

Product specifications and features may change without prior notice. Check www.asus.com for further details.

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Viber for Windows and Mac in the works

EXCLUSIVE!

Viber is planning a version of the software for Windows and Mac and I got hold of screenshots for that.

The user interface of the Viber for Windows and Mac looks to be reminiscent of that of Skype’s, with a handy toolbar available at the bottom when using the full-screen video calling mode. The interface for the messaging view, however, looks similar to that of iMessage with two panes available for easy navigation.

It is unclear as to when will Viber release both version of the software. But given that they have already finished the development of the apps for Bada, S40, and Symbian, it is more likely coming in the next few months.

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Microsoft setting up Xbox Live services for the Philippines

Microsoft seems to be gearing up for an expansion of it’s Xbox Live entertainment services as the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 nears.

A rather blank homepage is already live at the company’s servers but the contents are not yet there and some links are broken. The lack of Xbox Live services in the country has been faced with complaints as some Windows Phone customers who have their Windows Live IDs registered in the country are not able to purchase Xbox Live games at the Marketplace, but this could change soon.

Microsoft is expected to unveil the Windows Phone 8 features this September and some OEMs have already committed to the new iteration of the Redmond-based software company, among them are Nokia, Samsung, HTC, and ZTE.

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Microsoft Surface tablet unveiled

In a press briefing at L.A. earlier today, Microsoft finally ended all the rumors that were going on in the interwebs in the past weeks and days – they have finally announced their own hardware that will go with Windows 8, and they call it the Surface. Aptly. the Microsoft Surface.

It was a surprising move since Microsoft already have a bunch of OEM partners that are committed on producing Windows 8 machines. I hope Microsoft just didn’t made those OEMs’ mind change.

Moving to the Surface itself, Microsoft will be producing two variants of the tablet – the first one is the Surface for Windows RT, and the other one is the Surface for Windows 8 Pro. As obvious as it sounds, the former will be running on Windows 8 designed for ARM processors, such as the Nvidia Tegra 3+ which is suspected to be powering the device. The latter obviously runs on Intel processors which can handle legacy x86 PC applications that the former cannot.

The Microsoft Surface is built out of a vapor-deposited magnesium body, or what they call the VaporMg casing – that makes it tough and protects the internals of the device. Microsoft putted a 10.6-inch screen on the devices, Gorilla Glass 2.0 display for a touch and strong fronting to partner up the strong body. The former variant will have an HD resolution while the Intel-based version will have Full HD screen. A kickstand at the back is present for the lazy-movie-watching-in-couch times.

Microsoft will also offer accessories such as the Touch Cover and Type Cover. The Touch Cover is basically a cover a-la Smart Cover for the iPad but this one has a soft-press keyboard on it. The Type Cover on the other hand is for those who prefer tactile press feedback, the only difference is that it is a bit more thicker than the Touch Cover.

	Surface for Windows RT	Surface for Windows 8 Pro
Operating System	Windows 8 RT	Windows 8 pro
Screen	10.6-inch HD resolution	10.6-inch Full HD resolution
Processor	ARM Nvidia Tegra	3rd Gen. Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge
Storage	32 / 64 GB	64 / 128 GB
Thickness	9.3 mm	13.5 mm
Weight	676 g	903 g
Battery	31.5 W-h	42 W-h
Connectivity	microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae	microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
Accessories	Touch Cover, Type Cover	Touch Cover and/or Type Cover, Digital Pen
Price	~$400-$500	~$600-$700

Microsoft has not yet announced on when will the new Surface tablets will ship and for how much. I’m guessing it will mostly likely appear on store shelves sometime this Holiday season.

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Windows 8 Editions Announced - Say Hello to a More Simple Naming Scheme

Microsoft has finally outed the new editions for their upcoming operating system, the Windows 8.

We can now safely say goodbye to the old naming scheme, as Microsoft retires the old system of naming Windows SKU's.

Windows 8 will be simply the official name of the operating system for the x86/x64 machines. Under that, there will be only 2 versions, the Windows 8 and the Windows 8 Pro. The former will include most of the features that used to be only available on Ultimate and Enterprise versions of Windows 7, such as changing language packs. Meanwhile the Pro version will include features that's aimed at tech enthusiasts and professionals. It adds encryption, virtualization, PC management, and domain connectivity. The Windows Media Center that used to be available for Windows 7 Home Premium and above will be only available as a paid add-on for Windows 8 Pro.

Finally there's the Windows RT. It will be the name of the WoA (Windows 8 on ARM) from now on. It will be only available pre-installed on tablets and machines that run on the ARM processor. It will come with a touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office. It will not have Windows Media Player on it, but I guess Zune will be there. The Windows RT name is not kinda noob-friendly, in my opinion. If you will check the post on the source below, there's already a lot of comments that suggests Microsoft to change or think of another name for this version.

You can know more about this at the Windows Team Blog.

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Intel Shows Nikiski Laptop Prototype with See-through Touchpad and Palmrest

Intel recently revealed their plans for their ultrabooks lineup just a couple of minutes ago at CES, and look at their star of the night! You are looking at the Intel Nikiski prototype which has a transparent touchpad and palmrest that transforms into a small touchscreen when it is closed. I never expected that Windows 8 could work this way. That surely looks sweeeeeet!

More photos for the pleasure of your eyes below!

UPDATE: A hands-on video is now available! Oooooooooh!

Source: The Verge

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Updates: Nokia Suite Version 3.2.100.0 Now Available

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Nokia Ovi Suite got an update today. It brings the newer version 3.2.100.0.

Changelog:

• Nokia Ovi Suite is now called Nokia Suite
• The application has a refreshed look and feel
• The new Support view offers info and help with using Nokia Suite and your device
• The Support view helps make sure you have enough free space on your device
• The improved sync log shows you what has changed during syncing
• Software updates for your device and mobile applications run more reliably

The current release version of Nokia Ovi Suite is 3.1.1.90 and the latest version brings it to version 3.2.100.0. The update weighs 87MB.

More on this later when I finish installing it.

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Nokia Lumia 800 Windows Phone: Specs, Price, Release Date

Nokia has finally announced their new series of Lumia Windows Phones. This one is the Nokia Lumia 800. It is basically a Nokia N9 but with a different OS. It has a 1.4GHz Snapdragon Processor, 3.7" 480x800 pixels ClearBlack AMOLED Display, 512MB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, and it is just 12.1mm thick, and is powered by a 1450mAh battery.

As for the release dates, the Nokia Lumia 800 is already shipping and up for pre-orders in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK. It will also be available in Hong Kong, India, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan before the year ends. As for the other markets including the Philippines, it is scheduled for early 2012 launch. It will retail for about €420 or about P25,000 before taxes and subsidies.

Specifications:

• 3.7-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display (480×800 pixels, 252ppi)
• 1.4 GHz processor
• Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
• Qualcomm MSM8255 chipset
• 3D Graphics HW Accelerator
• 512MB RAM
• 16GB  storage
• HSDPA 14.4Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps
• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1
• 8 megapixels camera with Carl Zeiss optics, auto focus and flash
• 720p video recording
• FM Radio tuner
• GPS with aGPS support
• Li-Ion 1450mAh battery

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How to Dual Boot Windows 8 Developer Preview

Disclaimer: You are about to do a risky process on your machine. Do this at your own risk. I will be not liable for any damage to your machine. Windows 8 is still in it's unstable release.


Dual booting is always a good idea if you are installing a beta, unreleased, or unstable operating system. It is also good so you won't mess up with your primary installation.

Read the whole process after the break.

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