EverythingMS News Mesh

Microsoft reportedly working to block apps that re-enable the Windows 8 Start button

2012-05-31T10:10:05Z

Microsoft appears to be taking steps to remove legacy code from its Windows 8 operating system that will prevent modifications and hacks to re-enable the Start button and Start Menu. Windows watcher Paul Thurrott reports that the company has been "furiously ripping out" legacy code in Windows 8 recently that lets third parties bring back the Start button, Start Menu, and other legacy parts of the desktop interface. Thurrott claims that several well-known UI hacks that enabled the Start Button in the Consumer Preview do not work on the Release Preview.

Despite a growing debate over Metro on desktop PCs, Microsoft doesn't appear to be willing to offer a choice of traditional desktop or Metro with its upcoming Windows 8 release, opting to...

Xbox Live Gold 'unlocked' this weekend: free multiplayer for select regions, Amazon Instant Video access for US

2012-05-30T17:47:59Z

Non-Xbox Live Gold members in the US will be able to sample a few Xbox 360 premium entertainment apps from June 1st to June 3rd at no extra charge, including the recently added Amazon Instant Video service. The returning special promotion will also let free-Xbox Live members use the IGN, Manga Entertainment, and MUZU.TV apps, all of which would otherwise be locked out without a paid subscription. Additionally, all Xbox 360 gamers in Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and the United States will have access to multiplayer gaming throughout the weekend.

With Microsoft streaming its E3 coverage for Gold subscribers starting June 4th, the promotion is likely in place to persuade non-paying members to switch to a paid subscription prior...

Rumor: Microsoft to update SkyDrive in late July, Recycle Bin feature and Android app in development

2012-05-31T07:43:21Z

Microsoft appears to be working on several SkyDrive updates for a launch in late July. The software giant has rolled out a number of SkyDrive improvements recently, including a Windows and Mac client to support automatic file access. Documents supplied to us this week indicate that the company is working on a Milestone 3 release of SkyDrive, due between July 23rd and July 30th. The release is said to include improvements to the company's iPad app, simple file sharing, and online web interface.

Although we're unable to immediately verify the details, the documents also reference a Milestone 4 release due later this year. This particular update to SkyDrive will focus on Android support and a new Recycle Bin feature designed as a backup...

Gigabyte's X11 laptop is all carbon fiber, weighs 2.1 pounds

2012-05-31T06:28:51Z

Taiwanese computer maker Gigabyte is taking laptop case design to the next level with its new X11; what the company is calling the world’s first all-carbon-fiber notebook. Thanks to the light weight and high strength of the material, the 11.6-inch X11 weighs just over 2 pounds (975g) — 105 grams shy of Apple’s 11.6-inch MacBook Air. This makes the X11 the lightest 11.6-inch laptop on the market, although to put things in perspective, Sony's 11.1-inch Vaio X beats it by half a pound. The machine will have an Ivy Bridge processor, a 128GB SSD, two USB 3.0 ports, and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity when it launches in July for between $999 and $1,299, but Gigabyte hasn't come out with any more detailed specs yet. We’ll be sure to let...

What's Your Dream E3 2012 Announcement?

2012-05-30T21:30:00Z

With the kickoff of E3 2012 less than a week away, commenter (and E3 attendee) GiantBoyDetective wants to know what single announcement would make the entire show worth your while in today's Speak Up on Kotaku. Also he pees. More »

Intel formally launches Ivy Bridge laptop chips, slightly revises ultrabook requirements

2012-05-31T04:00:08Z

Intel's third-generation Core processors launched over a month ago, but only the most powerful ones: today, Chipzilla's dual-core and ultra-low voltage (ULV) chips are official, meaning we'll soon start to see mainstream and ultrathin laptops on sale that include the new processors. In fact, Intel says it has a whopping 110 different ultrabooks in the pipeline now, and plans to double the number of qualifying laptops on the market (currently 21) over the course of the next month. Fully 30 of those 110 laptops have touchscreens, and 10 are convertible designs. Some ultrabooks, an Intel rep tells us, will even arrive at that promised $699 price point.

We've discussed the theoretical benefits of Ivy Bridge at length, but while we're on the...

Sources confirm Windows 8 Release Preview coming May 31st, includes Flash in Metro browser

2012-05-31T03:07:28Z

With a Chinese version of the Windows 8 Release Preview leaking yesterday, we knew Microsoft was getting close with its latest preview, and now sources have provided us with the actual release date: tomorrow, May 31st. Not only that, but they have also confirmed that the software we'll be seeing will in fact feature Flash bundled into the Metro-based version of Internet Explorer 10.

The information comes on the heels of an accidental leak earlier this afternoon. The Next Web reports that a blog post went live on the Windows Hardware and Driver Developer Blog, written by Microsoft's Chuck Chan. The post touted the new availability of the Windows 8 Release Preview, and while it was timestamped for 3:26PM on May 30th, the text in the post...

New SkyDrive app for Windows PCs

2012-05-31T01:30:56Z

Microsoft is pushing out an update to its SkyDrive app for Windows and Mac. A blog post by Group Program Manager Mike Torres lists what’s in it. Mostly, the updates app contains bug fixes and performance improvements so that changes sync more quickly between devices, including SkyDrive.com. For Mac users, SkyDrive no longer plants a useless icon in the dock.

One feature will be available only if you are using the upcoming Windows 8 Release Preview, which should be available tomorrow, May 31: “Right from the Photos app in Windows 8,” Torres says, “you can fetch photos stored on your other PCs that have SkyDrive installed – no matter where you are or how many terabytes of photos you have stored on the PC you are accessing.”

And although the current SkyDrive storage limit of 150,000 files might sound like a lot, it’s definitely a showstopper for some users, especially developers. So in the new release the number has been bumped 10 million. If that’s still not enough, please fill me in on how you’re using SkyDrive.

The update will be delivered automatically sometime in the next week. If you can’t wait, you can force the update by going to the SkyDrive apps page and clicking Get the app. That will install the latest version of the app over the existing version, no uninstall required. To confirm you’ve got the latest bits, right-click the SkyDrive tray icon, click Settings, and look on the About tab, where you should see Version 2012 (Build 16.4.4111.0525). And yes, it’s still a beta.

Microsoft's Windows 8 Release Preview looks to hit on May 31

2012-05-31T00:13:03Z

Microsoft may be set to deliver the near-final release preview of Windows 8 to testers as early as May 31, according to an accidentally posted blog entry.

OOPS: Microsoft's Own Blog Scoops Its Big Windows 8 Preview Release (MSFT)

2012-05-30T23:44:02Z

Chuck Chan, a Microsoft vice president, revealed in a blog post that a preview version of its touchscreen-friendly Windows 8 operating system for developers was available today, May 31.

But today isn't May 31. It's May 30. The post apparently went up a day early—and got pulled offline.

Whatever. Everyone knows Windows 8 is coming, and Microsoft always dribbles out new software in a laborious release schedule that's impenetrable to people outside its orbit.

But it's just embarrassing that the software giant screwed up the timing on a blog post.

So now you know: Some new version of Windows that developers can play with will be out. Tomorrow.

Please follow SAI on Twitter and Facebook.

Join the conversation about this story »

Break MORE Aliens! is a hybrid blast from the past for Windows Phone gamers

2012-05-30T23:12:14Z

It's no secret if you follow my occasional mini-game reviews here on Windows Phone Central that I really dig old school arcade games e.g. Decimation X2, Imposisble Shoota and the various console emulators). There's something about the retro style graphics with updated particle explosions on our phone that grabs me.

Break MORE Aliens! is a sequel to BreakTheAliens! and is made by the same crew who made Corona (see review). It's a mash-up of Space Invaders and Arkanoid with some power-ups and boss battles to make a fun, well designed arcade super classic.

The game features 3 fantastic chiptunes by Multifaros (www.multifaros.info.se) which go very well with the title's theme, it has hilarious scrolling text during the game, 26 levels, 6 bosses and 16 power-ups. What's neat though is the power-ups have a downside to them--sure nuking everything is sure way to clear the board but for a moment, you're blinded. That creativity is one of the reasons I like it so much.

Controls were fast and fluid. Moving the "bat" with my finger was simple and intuitive causing no frustration. The ability to choose between difficulties, survival mode or enabling "super mode" (extreme power-ups) keeps the replay value quite high.

The game is free with ads or you can unlock it for $0.99 which is a fair price (I always pay when I can). For those reasons alone, I have to give this game a strong recommendation, especially if you love casual gaming, old-style arcade titles and want something fun to pass the time.

Pick up Break MORE Aliens! here in the Marketplace. QR code and promo video after the break...

Our eight best Excel tutorials on charts

2012-05-30T17:27:00Z

Excel spreadsheets are all about numbers. But tons of numbers are often not the most effective way to communicate what you want. That's where charts come in handy. Charts can display numeric data in a graphical format, making it easy to understand large quantities of data and the relationships among data.

If you want to learn about Excel charts, you've come to the right place. We've pulled together out best tutorials and articles to get you started.

...(read more)

Microsoft updates SkyDrive for Windows and Mac with new photo sharing function, increased file limit

2012-05-30T22:49:28Z

Just over a month since launching its SkyDrive for Windows and OS X Lion app preview, Microsoft has announced new feature updates and improvements for the cloud storage client. In preparation for the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft is adding a new feature for image sharing, which allows users to view photo libraries from any shared device right within the operating system's Photo application. The total number of files that can be synched with SkyDrive has also been raised from 150,000 to to 10 million. The company has also taken feedback from Mac users and disabled the SkyDrive icon from appearing in the dock while active. The updates are being pushed out to users today as automatic background downloads and installations.

Windows Phone Marketplace picking up steam

2012-05-30T22:01:30Z

It's been a busy month for the Windows Phone Marketplace and it's nice to see the momentum building. In May we've seen new apps such as AboutOne, LinkedIn, Photosynth, Baseball Live and Talkbox. Add new games such as MonstaFish, Feed Me Oil, MissileDefender, Logorama and WordHog and the Marketplace continues to build a very nice resume of titles.

We also saw updates to Facebook, WhatsApps, Rowi, Skydrive, Monster Island and our own WPCentral app. Oh, and the list of $.99 Xbox Live gaming titles continues to grow.

May was a busy month for the Windows Phone Marketplace and it doesn't look like things are going to slow down in June. There is the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week which we could see more Marketplace news hit the press. You also have the Nokia exclusive apps lurking in the shadows. Could we see Angry Birds Space, Madden NFL or Tiger Woods PGA Tour roll out in June?

Many criticize the Windows Phone system as lacking a strong enough Marketplace. Sure... we don't see it that way and the growth the Marketplace has had over the past month may thin our critics a bit.

We leave you with this question. As the Windows Phone Marketplace continues to grow, what is the one app or game that is missing that would make your app/game library complete?

via: Windows Phone Blog

Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold Talks Nuclear Reactors and Patents (Video)

2012-05-30T20:35:58Z

Intellectual Ventures is often criticized for being a patent troll, but Nathan Myhrvold talked on Wednesday about a couple of the actual products that are coming from his invention company.

The company has designs for new nuclear reactors as well as for a new type of broadband antenna, both of which have been spun out as separate companies.

Of course, much of Myhrvold’s business — and the ensuing animosity — stems from his company’s method of amassing huge patent portfolios and then either licensing them or suing over patents. And that’s the area where Walt Mossberg and the audience took Myhrvold to task.

That said, Myhrvold maintains that his company is aiding innovation and that he doesn’t mind if he’s not the popular kid in the D class.

Here are the video highlights:

[ See post to watch video ]

Nokia Lumia 800 makes a cameo in M83's latest video

2012-05-30T21:09:42Z

Besides Flo Ridia (who digs the Lumia 900) it looks like French act M83 also has a hankering for the glossy-white Nokia Lumia 800. The phone makes a brief appearance in the new video for "Reunion" and while the cameo is not as involved as Flo Rida's, the phone is still clearly displayed for a few moments before the bald gent grabs it.

Though clearly not a full on commercial, it's still nice to see the Lumia 800 seeping into pop culture in these short, almost hidden appearances. Plus M83 is pretty good (though we still like their earlier work better, ahem).

Source: YouTube; Thanks, Stuart A., for the tip

Windows Phone Central comes to E3 2012

2012-05-30T20:52:29Z

E3 2012 – the Electronic Entertainment Expo takes place next week from June 5-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Windows Phone Central is proud to be attending for the first time, so we thought we’d let our readers know what to expect.

E3 is the annual gaming convention open exclusively to members of the industry, including kindly journalists like us. The first E3 took place in 1995 – a simpler time for games, filled with Toshindens and Jumping Flashes. Since then, the event has remained the largest gaming event in the world, weathering competition like the Games Developer Conference, the Tokyo Game Show, and more recently, The Penny Arcade Expo. It’s sometimes criticized for failing to adequately spotlight mobile and social games, but that doesn’t mean those important categories will be totally unrepresented.

While the actual Expo starts on Tuesday the 5^th, several large publishers will hold their own press conferences the preceding day. Microsoft’s conference starts Monday, June 4^th at 9:30AM PST. Naturally we’ll be in the audience, reporting first-hand.

Head past the break to learn our E3 predictions and just what coverage we’ll bring you over the course of the show!

E3 Predictions

We don’t know exactly what Microsoft will announce at E3 this year, but we can get a few ideas from last year’s keynote summary and Windows Phone announcements. Here are a few predictions:

Xbox 360 + Xbox Live Entertainment

For the last couple of years, Microsoft has increasingly positioned the Xbox 360 as a media and games device for the whole family, sometimes to the dismay of core gamers. Kinect titles like the upcoming Fable: The Journey and several unannounced titles will take up a large amount of the spotlight. We actually dig the Kinect quite a lot here, as our Kinect Star Wars impressions attest. That said, many traditionally-minded gamers have yet to fall in love with the Kinect, and E3 2012 will do little to change their minds.

On the software and services front, Microsoft will tout the console’s status as the most popular video streaming device in America. They may highlight the recent launch of Amazon video services on the Xbox 360 and announce a few new video partners too. I’m personally hoping that rumors of a Kinect-enabled Internet Explorer will prove to be true. Yeah, PCs, smartphones, and tablets are more convenient, but there’s no reason the Xbox 360 should be the only console without a web browser. Let’s also cross our fingers for a more user-friendly and less ad-infested (but still Metro!) dashboard update.

Kinect games and video streaming might not excite gamers who are itching to shoot or hack and slash at things. Don’t think Microsoft will leave those stalwarts completely in the dust. Key franchises like Halo 4 (already announced for a fall release), Forza Motorsport, and possibly Fable will be highlighted or revealed during the conference. We’ve also heard rumors of a new game announcement from Square Enix during Microsoft’s keynote, and Epic Games usually have something to show off, even if it might not be Gears of War-related this time. Oh, and a number of new Xbox Live Arcade games (including several exclusives and Sonic Adventure 2) will debut once again.

Xbox 720

Microsoft has already gone on record stating that they won’t be talking about the Xbox 360 successor at this year’s E3. While many expect the new console (codenamed Durango) to launch next year, the big MS doesn’t want to spoil the 360’s continued strong momentum during the upcoming holiday season. A few Durango teases, leaks, and rumors may still pop up over the course of the event though.

Windows 8

This could go either way, but Microsoft would definitely be wise to tout the upcoming Windows 8 Operating System and its gaming features during the conference. We’ve heard that Xbox Live integration will be the strongest it’s ever been on PC once Windows 8 rolls out. A Windows 8-specific Marketplace (like we currently have for Windows Phone) will promote Live-enabled PC games and probably indie games too. The PC version of Wordament with Live support will probably show up at some point over the course of E3 – you heard it here first!

Windows Phone

Windows Phone got the cold shoulder during last year’s keynote presentation, which makes us slightly wary about this year’s. But given the increased push towards integrating Metro and Xbox Live across all three platforms, Microsoft’s mobile phone might finally get its due this time out. Even if it doesn’t get that all-important mention during the keynote, anywhere from 5-10 new mobile Xbox Live games will still be announced during the larger Expo, two or three of which will be exclusive. Let’s hope they don’t take too long to show up on the Marketplace – Top Gun was announced last year but remains MIA. Disappointingly, it doesn't sound like Square Enix will have Final Fantasy on-hand - not in their own booth, anyway.

Windows Phone Central at E3

What will Daniel Rubino and I be up to during E3 show hours? We’ll be meeting with several console and mobile developers to discuss their new wares, including our friends at SEGA , Konami, and Babaroga, just to name a few. Expect impressions and hands-on demonstrations of the Windows Phone, Xbox 360, and Windows 8 games that catch our interest. We’ll see what scoops we can find for our sister sites iMore and Crackberry too.

Readers who work in the games industry and will be in attendance – send Daniel or me a Tweet and we’ll try to meet and greet if there’s time.

The best and worst of E3

We leave you now with links to some of the best and worst moments to come from E3 in years past. CVG has identified Microsoft’s top 5 moments, which include the announcement of the beloved slim Xbox 360. While we always appreciate good news, gaffes and poor choices can be even more amusing. Someone never fails to look silly at E3, whether it’s Konami, Nintendo, or Konami. Games Radar has 7 cringe-worthy moments, while the trouble-mongers at Destructoid point out 10 E3 disasters. There’s surprisingly little cross-over between the lists, and they’re both good for a few chuckles and groans.

Once again, Windows Phone Central’s E3 2012 coverage will start on Monday, June 4^th and run throughout the week. Stop by often and/or follow the e3 2012 tag for all of this year’s stories.

Follow us on Twitter: Daniel Ruibno - @Daniel_Rubino and Paul Acevedo - @Segacon and if you're a developer and want to meet up, send us a note at tips@wpcentral.com with E3 in the title and we'll get back to you.

Microsoft updates SkyDrive apps for Windows and Mac

2012-05-30T19:50:30Z

Microsoft is adding support for a new Windows 8 ‘fetch’ feature, due to be part of the upcoming Release Preview, to its SkyDrive cloud-storage app.

Microsoft launches US government-focused version of Office 365

2012-05-30T19:31:26Z

Microsoft has created a new version of its online productivity suite Office 365 specifically for customers in the US government. Office 365 for Government includes the same services as the regular version — including Exchange Online and Office Professional Plus — but differs by storing data in what Microsoft calls a "segregated community cloud." As with Google, Microsoft is also touting the security of its cloud service, and today announced that Office 365 supports a number of security standards including ISO 27001, SAS70 Type II, EU Safe Harbor, the US Federal Information Security Management Act, and many more. Meanwhile, the government version is expected to support IPv6 by September, and Microsoft says it will eventually support...

Nathan Myhrvold on Being the Most Unpopular Guy at D10

2012-05-30T18:28:19Z

Nathan Myhrvold knows that he is one of the least popular guests at this week’s D: All Things Digital conference, and that’s okay with him.

“I never was a popular kid in class,” the Intellectual Ventures CEO and former Microsoft executive said at D10 on Wednesday. “I’m not going to be popular in this class. If I want popularity, I go to a chef’s convention.”

Although Myhrvold’s company does some of its own inventing — working on things like a new type of nuclear reactor and a broadband antenna — the company is best known for amassing a huge number of patents invented by others and then seeking to license those patents or else pursue revenue in court.

Myhrvold made the case to the crowd, though probably unsuccessfully, that his company serves a purpose similar to that of venture capital or private equity in the process of aiding innovation.

Myhrvold also quoted his own past statement at an earlier D conference, saying, “If people don’t find what you are doing threatening, then it is probably not very important.”

Full D10 Conference Coverage