windows 8

While speculation has Nokia lifting the curtain on a Windows 8 Tablet during the 2013 Mobile World Congress, rumors on the tablet's details continue to surface. This go around it's the cover that is getting the attention.

According to sources, the cover will be "book styled" wrapping around the tablet that provides both a keyboard and kickstand. The cover is also rumored to have a battery built into it that can be used as a reserve power source when the main battery gets low.

The main battery is reported to have a ten hour capacity. There was no report on the capacity of the keyboard battery or how long it could power the tablet.  It's an interesting design but could the battery add too much weight to the mix?

Source: The Verge

It seems like only last week we were writing a little editorial about Google and its lack of support for Windows Phone and Windows 8. In short they said they didn’t see the audience for these operating systems as being big enough to invest in. Here we are a week on and talking about an update.

Of course they had already invested in the Google search app and this is no sign they will commit to any further projects. Google Search on Windows 8 does actually give you basic access to much of their web offerings and makes us consider if this is perhaps all they need. Read on past the break for the low down.

We’re breaking out of our normal confines of phones for a quick post on the Acer S7 Touchscreen ultrabook running Windows 8. Why? Because we bought one last night and we’ll be damned if it isn’t kind of awesome.

So if you’re curious about this little ditty and what I think, head past the break for a few photos and quick video review of this super premium piece of technology.

How does one synchronise content between a Windows Phone and a Windows PC or Mac? Microsoft is continuously developing two separate clients, one for each platform, enabling consumers to charge, synchronise, update and backup their Windows Phone. While both clients are not identical in features and functionality, basic tasks can still be completed.

Moving content between smartphones and computers on competing mobile platforms is pretty much identical to Windows Phone. Apple makes use of iTunes for its management of the iPhone (as well as media players and other devices), while Android opts for a more integrated experience through the use of a file manager.  

So how does one get started with available clients?

Microsoft has announced today plans to make its Surface RT tablet available at retail stores as soon as mid-December, to take full advantage of the holiday season. In addition to the extension of sources where Surface tablets will be available for consumers to purchase, Microsoft will also turn several of the temporary stores that were opened for the Surface launch into permanent retail outlets.

The VLC team has updated its Kickstarter project page with an announcement on how progress is currently being made for both Windows 8 Windows Phone 8. While the roadmap is currently focused on Windows 8 and RT, the Windows Phone version is found to be much more feasible than previously thought.

TVCatchup is an invaluable tool (with support for UK channels) for any Windows user who watches television and finds themselves frequently checking catchup listings. The app, available for both Windows RT and Windows 8 devices, enables users to watch over 50 live national television channels with an interactive programme guide for details and times.

A new website has been set up for Windows apps, but before thoughts come into play, it's not a duplicate Marketplace. Great Windows Apps (www.greatwindowsapps.com) will showcase only the best content from the Store where developers have poured in hours of effort to ensuring their work shines above the rest. If you're not into sorting through what's deemed as "crap" on the app store, then this may well be the answer to your prayers.

We looked at this app a while back and even interviewed the creator Johnny Westlake. Essentially it's a music player with some neat discovery abilities, which makes it a welcome change from the supplied Xbox Music app.

The fast and fluid music app picks up a number of improvements as it reaches version 1.0 including metadata editing and a live tile if you’re a paying customer.