Microsoft's Windows 8.1 release has been held in much higher regard than the preceding Windows 8, largely due to the fact that it plays more nicely with those rocking a more traditional keyboard-and-mouse rig. Despite the reservations that some users have in relation to functionality and ease-of-use, though, the user interface has seldom offended, and today, the software giant has added 11 new themes to its flagship OS.
The touch-based environment has risen to prominence over the past few years, with many skeptics and naysayers having been won over in the process. As well as the increase in the number of smartphones, tablets and other touch-enabled gadgets sold every year, we've also seen efforts to bring gestures to our regular computers and notebooks. Some have focused on air gestures, allowing users to swipe using simple hand signals, while others, like the $75 offering seen below, have sought to turn everyday surfaces into touch panels.
Microsoft made a lot of changes with Windows 8, and a large portion of its user base did not agree with, well.. a large portion of them. But as the world begins to settle down and adjust to the predominantly tiled appearance of the user interface, one element that many desktop users have never gotten over is the Start menu, or lack of it, and the post-BUILD news that it would be making a dramatic return was met with a collective sigh of relief. Now, some new 'Windows 9' screenshots have emerged, and as well as offering an insight into what's from the software giant’s flagship OS, also gives us another look at that Start menu we all love so well.
The benefit of having a notebook computer definitely speaks for itself, but those benefits invariably come under the guise of accepting that you have a very finite amount of battery life that could be depleted at any moment. According to a new report, if battery life is of extreme importance for you on your portable machine, then it could be beneficial to switch from Google Chrome to an alternative browser to avoid Chrome's power-consuming habits.
The world may be getting smaller and smaller thanks to the world wide web and modern technologies, but that doesn't mean that everything that's available to rent or buy in one country is available in them all. Apple's iTunes is a prime example of that, with some content available in the United States but not in others, and even some of that content that is available internationally is delayed before making its way outside the U.S. borders. It's a pain, but as always, there's a way around it.
With so many computers now coming with built-in cameras, especially notebooks, some people tend to worry that their cameras are being used by third-parties who want to spy on them. Most cameras have a light that illuminates when they're active, but that's not always enough for the tinfoil hat brigade.
Microsoft spent an unspeakable amount of money in improving the Xbox One's controller over that of its predecessor, but up until now, PC gamers haven't been able to take advantage of it without following the fairly tedious, hacky methods demonstrated on YouTube and such. But now, the official PC driver for the Xbox One control pad has just been rolled out, so if you want to enjoy your favorite titles on Windows while also utilizing the decidedly comfortable new controller, check the details below.
Samsung and Google have already invested time and resources into the emerging smartwatch market, and with Apple widely expect to follow suit later on this year, Microsoft is also rumored to be planning a product line-up of its own. We've already seen patent filings to corroborate this notion, and now, a credible new report has offered some fresh details.
With reports having already indicated that Apple's WWDC 2014 keynote will see the company unveil some new hardware along with the perceived formality of OS X 10.10 and iOS 8, the Cupertino giant has just announced that the initial announcement show-piece will be streamed live to those on Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV. In updating the WWDC site, Apple also alludes to some "exciting announcements," and although we don't know precisely what's in store just yet, we can't wait for Tim Cook and co. to tell all.
Recently, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows XP to the general public, but along with certain government agencies, those running the Windows Embedded Industry variant of the OS will also continue to get updates until 2019. Formerly known as Windows Embedded POSReady, it's based on Windows XP Service Pack 3, and since the updates are perfectly compliant with the end user version of Windows XP, you too can benefit from these security fixes.




