microsoft

Microsoft has announced that four companies will sell tablet computers running Windows 8 RT, the version of the Windows 8 operating system (OS) designed for portable devices. A fifth company, Toshiba, has dropped out of that market, due to problems ... acquiring necessary components. Virtually all Windows-based computing devices run on one of two types of processor: Intel's x86 chip and ARM. The former is used in almost all desktop, notebook, and netbook PCs, while the latter forms the core of nearly every tablet computer and smartphone. Although less powerful, ARM processors are more energy ... (view more)

A new report suggests that Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 RT-based tablet computer, Surface , will retail for $199. Observers expect that such a price point is more likely to place Microsoft in direct competition with Google than with Apple. The ... report comes from the prominent tech blog Engadget. It states that the basic version of the 10.6-inch Surface, running on Microsoft's bare-bones Windows 8 RT (or runtime) operating system (OS), will cost $199. (Source: engadget.com ) That's the same price as Google's recently released 7-inch Nexus 7 and the similarly-sized Kindle Fire from Amazon. It' ... (view more)

It will be a busy week for IT administrators as Microsoft rolls out fixes for five critical vulnerabilities in its products -- including both Windows and Internet Explorer -- and as Adobe issues patches for similar flaws in its Reader and Acrobat ... programs. As part of its monthly Patch Tuesday update, Microsoft plans to release nine security bulletins on August 14, 2012. Five of those nine bulletins have been designated "critical", the Redmond, Washington-based firm's highest security rating. Windows, Internet Explorer Receive Updates Those five critical bulletins address serious ... (view more)

Microsoft has confirmed its "Do Not Track" feature will be switched on by default in the new Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) web browser. The decision is intended to protect user privacy. However, it has earned a frosty reception from some online ... advertisers. The feature was introduced to prevent users' online activity from being reported to third-party groups, a concern when advertisers began gathering information from multiple websites to compile very detailed pictures about what individuals do online. Since then, browser makers have worked on a variety of measures to combat this ... (view more)

Microsoft has made a change to the final edition of its new Windows 8 operating system (OS). According to a new report, the change forces users who prefer Windows' traditional desktop layout to use the system's new interface (formerly known as ... 'Metro') every time the new OS boots up. This requirement could represent a major irritant for many Windows users. The most significant change in Windows 8 is the new user interface. It's a much different design featuring very large icons known as 'tiles,' and has already become fairly popular among users of Windows-based smartphones. Microsoft ... (view more)

For some time, gaming experts have been speculating about the release date, hardware specifications, and software capabilities associated with the next version of the Xbox video game console from Microsoft. Now, a slip up by a Microsoft ... representative may have revealed that the device will be heavily integrated with the Redmond, Washington-based company's soon-to-be-released operating system (OS): Windows 8. In a podcast with the hosts of the show Vergecast, Windows Live general manager Brian Hall listed the "new Xbox" along with a number of other products that will use or closely ... (view more)

Microsoft Kodu Game Lab 1.2.88 Kodu is new, free software that lets users create games on the PC and Xbox with a simple visual programming language. Intended for children, Kodu helps to teach creativity, problem solving, and storytelling, as well as ... computer programming. Anyone can use Kodu, even adults. It is available to PC users at no charge. http://fuse.microsoft.com EventSentry 2.93.1.5 Failed service? Defective hard drive? Now you can be notified immediately when important events occur inside your computer, so you can take corrective action before the event snowballs. EventSentry has ... (view more)

Microsoft is reportedly scrambling to come up with a replacement name for its new user interface in Windows 8. According to reports, the Redmond, Washington-based company has decided to completely drop the name 'Metro' after a threat of legal action ... arose over possible trademark violations. Microsoft has reportedly told its staff they should not use the term in any applications or documents. Microsoft has been calling its new interface 'Metro' for some time. In the past it was meant to describe an overall design style, including both a typeface and a system incorporating very large icons. ... (view more)

Microsoft says its new 'Surface' tablet computer will be more like a traditional computer than other ultra-portable devices, such as Apple's segment-leading iPad. To help attract PC users the company is launching a range of new keyboards and mice ... specially designed to work with the Surface. The company is also adding the ability to interpret touch gestures to an existing high-tech mouse. Microsoft recently confirmed that the earlier, cheaper versions of Surface will be available on October 26, 2012, when Windows 8 is released. More expensive versions of the device, aimed at higher-end ... (view more)

Microsoft is finished with Windows 8, and has officially released the new operating system to manufacturers (a milestone called "RTM"). Hardware makers like Dell, Asus, Acer, and Hewlett-Packard will now begin the process of installing the new ... operating system (OS) on their computers slated for sale on or after the OS's launch date, October, 2012. By releasing Windows 8 to manufacturers, Microsoft is acknowledging that it has completed development and testing of the new OS. Obviously, work on the OS will continue so that updates and additions can be offered in the future. Windows 8 ... (view more)