Windows 9 to be unveiled on September 30?

Report from The Verge tells that the next version of Microsoft’s operating system, Windows 9, is ready for preview by the end of September. What can we expect from this new release? Read on to find out.

Windows-8-1

On September 30, Microsoft might take off the curtains for Windows 9 or codename Threshold. The upcoming version of Microsoft’s OS will feature some cosmetic changes to the current Windows 8.1. We’re talking about the new mini Start Menu, thus integrating the Start Screen into the desktop. The Charms bar feature will be removed as well and expect a few minor UI changes throughout the system.

Cortana, Microsoft’s personal assistant and Siri-counterpart, has a possibility to be integrated too. Mind you, we should all treat this with a grain of salt since we haven’t heard anything official or even a tease from Microsoft. There are rumors too that Windows RT and Windows Phone is merging. We’ll just have to wait until next month to see how the future of Windows is going to be.

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Asphalt 8: Airborne Now Free on Windows Store

Gameloft has recently made their latest racing game called Asphalt 8: Airborne free to download on the Windows Phone Store.

Android and iOS users got first dibs on the popular racing game when it was released back in October. It made its debut on the Windows Store a month later, but users had to pay USD0.99 upfront in order to the download the 800Mb (1GB for Windows 8/8.1) app.

a8

In addition to new cars and roads, Gameloft has also injected a handful of new features on the latest iteration of the game including the ability to perform aerial stunts in mid-air after jumping off a ramp.

Windows Phone 8 users can download the Asphalt 8: Airborne by going to the Windows Store or by heading over to this link. Windows 8/8.1 users, on the other hand, can go to this link to install the app on their PC.

The post Asphalt 8: Airborne Now Free on Windows Store appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Asphalt 8: Airborne Now Free on Windows Store

Gameloft has recently made their latest racing game called Asphalt 8: Airborne free to download on the Windows Phone Store.

Android and iOS users got first dibs on the popular racing game when it was released back in October. It made its debut on the Windows Store a month later, but users had to pay USD0.99 upfront in order to the download the 800Mb (1GB for Windows 8/8.1) app.

a8

In addition to new cars and roads, Gameloft has also injected a handful of new features on the latest iteration of the game including the ability to perform aerial stunts in mid-air after jumping off a ramp.

Windows Phone 8 users can download the Asphalt 8: Airborne by going to the Windows Store or by heading over to this link. Windows 8/8.1 users, on the other hand, can go to this link to install the app on their PC.

The post Asphalt 8: Airborne Now Free on Windows Store appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Microsoft: What’s Next After CEO Ballmer Retires?

Company executives come and go, and as with the case of Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer, the retirement is slightly unexpected or too early. Ballmer has been at the helm of Microsoft for the last 13 years and has made a lot of changes for Microsoft.

Just as the biggest leaps & reorganizations are happening, his retirement is announced to happen in the next 12 months. Within that time frame, we’re also expecting huge efforts for their products, especially in the smartphone and tablet market.

ballmer

Microsoft Windows might be the product to inject hope in the company that’s facing a lot of competition. The 8.1 ‘Blue’ update is coming very soon (which brings a lot of improvements), but the rest just makes everyone doubt the company right now; manufacturers & customers are moving away from Windows RT, Nokia’s the only thing keeping Windows Phone alive, and the Xbox One didn’t have the most marvelous launch either.

bing

So what’s the future for Microsoft? We all know it has been very shaky (*cough* Vista *cough*), but what’s next? In fact, we don’t even know who the next CEO will be. It’s dark. And mysterious.

With that mystery however, it leaves us wondering; what could Microsoft possibly do next? What if you were the one to decide for the Redmond company? What would you do? They’ve changed their logos & their products dramatically already and whether that would work is yet to be seen in future numbers.

The said elements aren’t the major things that keep the company alive though. Microsoft gets most of its income from its business and server divisions; Windows Phone & Surface tablets won’t make the biggest differences whether if they fail or not… at least not yet.

“Microsoft is running late in a race that needs to be won.”

The tech industry is now focusing on mobile computing, whether you call it the Post-PC era or not, it still bares the same essence – we’re going mobile, and we’re going cloud.

That doesn’t mean to say though that we’re leaving our big stationary desktops. What I’m saying is that Microsoft is running late in a race that needs to be won – which is most likely why Windows Phone needs to be that 3rd OS option as it goes against BlackBerry, why Microsoft won’t give on RT just that easily and why they want YOU to be in their ecosystem (Bing, IE, Windows, SkyDrive, Office & so on).

“The company needs to get better at mobile, and it needs a brighter future.”

Would a notification center for Windows Phone help? Should they abandon RT? Should they create more new product lines like smartwatches & glasses? What would you do to attract more developers?

There are a lot of questions for the tech giant right now, and the struggle for relevance in the tech industry is tight. If Microsoft doesn’t do anything worth applauding to compliment their visions now and improve their hold on the mobile industry, the future will only get more uncertain.

You may also want to read “Can Android take over the desktop space?“.

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Logitech T650 Wireless Touchpad review

My computer life has a dual personality. It consists of intimate bonding with the Mac at home and adapting to a Windows PC environment in the office. The advantage to this is that it has made me more versatile. Gladly, Windows 8 – the latest version developed by Microsoft – is touch-centric so that it doesn’t depart much from those of us who are accustomed to the interface of Apple products.

Thus, we have this review of The Logitech T650 Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad specially designed for a new generation of Windows computers using Windows 8. Weighing only 7.2 ounces, it is small and light enough to fit into the handiest bag.It is a handsome-looking, ergonomic device with the glossiest finish to respond to the most intuitive gesture. A lot of people have likened this to Apple’s Magic Trackpad and we kinda agree :)

The Logitech T650 unboxed -

Logitech T650

Like most peripherals, the T650 has a plug & play functionality. The Unifying Receiver attached to the kit is essential for connecting the Touchpad to your computer. And if you so choose, you can also connect up to 6 compatible mice and keyboards as well using the same USB port.

The attached micro-USB cable, on the other hand, is for powering up the Touchpad when needed. Just plug one end to the T650 and the other to the PC and wait for the light to go green which means it’s charging.

Toshiba Touchpad T650

Logitech touchpad

From my experience, it was the hand gestures which needed to get used to.I knew clicking and pinching to zoom in or out from using the iPad and Mac but the other commands demanded some practice. The Touchpad recognizes 13 important gestures meant to navigate Windows 8 and its shortcuts. For example, swipe two fingers up, down or sideways or swipe three fingers to go to the Start Screen. Thankfully, the Logitech website has a useful guide to make you an expert of hand signs in due time.

I am still using the Touchpad as we speak and feel empowered to use a next-generation product that is so NOW. Prior to this, only the Mac fanboys were gloating at their fervent use of the trackpad. The smooth touch surface of the T650 is to be loved and envied. I never knew that a mouse could have the moves like Jagger :) If you’re into Windows 8 right now, an accessory like the Logitech T650 Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad is a nice, if not essential addition to your arsenal.