Samsung’s S Launcher puts the Start menu back in Windows 8

Samsung's S Launcher puts the Start menu back in Windows 8

You know those fresh new Series 7 all-in-ones Samsung outed in the wee hours of this morning? Well, it turns out that while those desktops will be running Windows 8, Mashable discovered that they've got a little something extra added to Microsoft's stock OS: a Start Menu. Called the S Launcher, it's a widget that replaces that tried and true Start button the folks in Redmond saw fit to eliminate in Win8. As you might expect, it grants access to settings, files and programs in one convenient window, and making additions to the widget is a drag-and-drop affair. So, all you folks having fits about the Start button's disappearance, fear not, Samsung's got the software to soothe your troubled mind.

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Samsung's S Launcher puts the Start menu back in Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft opens $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade registration for purchasers of Windows 7 PCs

Microsoft opens Windows 8 upgrade registration for purchasers of Windows 7 PCs

Normally the early bird gets the worm, but in the case of Windows 8, purchasers of Windows 7 PCs will have until February 28th, 2013 to snag their promotional upgrade. The Windows Upgrade Offer, which provides upgrades to Windows 8 Pro for a mere $14.99, is now open for registration to all those who purchase a Windows 7 PC between June 2nd, 2012 and January 31st, 2013. All those who wish to take part will need to provide their 25-digit Windows 7 product key as part of the online registration process, and beginning October 26th, Microsoft will send out promo codes via email, which can then be applied upon checkout within the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. Now the only question that remains is whether you're willing to fork over $14.99 for the privilege of losing your Start menu.

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Microsoft opens $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade registration for purchasers of Windows 7 PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype for Windows 8 preview, user interface revealed in web leak

Skype for Windows 8 preview, user interface revealed in web leak

Wondering what Skype's Windows 8 interface might look like? Sure, you could use your imagination -- and probably guess the design with a fair amount of accuracy -- or you can poke around an early hands-on over at Neowin, complete with a half-dozen UI grabs. While still in preview state, the app appears to be "relatively solid," enabling calls and chats with "little issue." From the looks of it, touch fiends will be able to tap around just as accurately as their mouse-bound counterparts can click, with large buttons available throughout. Judging by the app's current state, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a more formal appearance any day now, letting early Windows 8 users take the native app for a spin before the rest of us get access in the fall. Hit up our source link below for a gallery of screen grabs.

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Skype for Windows 8 preview, user interface revealed in web leak originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 8 RT tablets to sell for $300 less than Intel-based counterparts, says Lenovo exec

Windows 8 RT tablets to sell for $300 less than Intel-based counterparts, says Lenovo exec

Microsoft and its OEM partners haven't been particularly forthcoming on how much the first round of Windows 8 tablets are going to cost, but one Lenovo executive just gave us a hint. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, David Schmoock, Senior VP of Lenovo's North American division, said that full-on Windows 8 tablets would ring up between $600 and $700, noting that ARM-based Windows RT slates would sell for $200 to $300 less. "RT will play in consumer and retail at very aggressive price points," he said. This echoes previous reports that suggested Microsoft would introduce the Surface with a competitive $200 price tag. The Lenovo VP didn't reveal any specific prices, of course, but his estimates would put the ThinkPad Tablet 2 somewhere between $300 and $500. Schmoock also commented on Ultrabook sales, stating that he didn't think Intel would meet its lofty saturation goals: 40 percent of the market by the end of 2012. "They'll be a lot bigger than they are now," he admitted, "but I don't know if it will get all the way up to 40 percent."

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Windows 8 RT tablets to sell for $300 less than Intel-based counterparts, says Lenovo exec originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 02:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 8 RTM now available to developers, IT departments with TechNet subscriptions

Windows 8 RTM rolls out to developers, IT departments with TechNet subscriptions

At this point, we're expecting very few surprises when it comes to Windows 8: Microsoft just shipped the final code to OEMs, and the company already published a list of staggered dates when developers, volume licensees and Joe Schmo consumers would be able to download the software. We already knew, then, that on August 15th developers with MSDN subscriptions would be able to get the RTM build, as would IT pros subscribed to TechNet. Now that that day has come, though, it's worth repeating that those of you plugged into either the developer or TechNet program can start exploring the final software now -- a good ten weeks before the rest of the world. Don't have access? Luckily for you, Microsoft granted us early access to the RTM, and we've got a breakdown of the new features waiting for you right here.

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Windows 8 RTM now available to developers, IT departments with TechNet subscriptions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 8 RTM: what’s new in the final build of Windows 8?

Windows 8 RTM what's new in the final build of Windows 8

It's been two weeks since Microsoft signed off on Windows 8, and shipped the final code to manufacturers prepping shiny new computers. Today, another round of folks are getting their hands on the code: devs, and IT pros with subscriptions to Microsoft's TechNet program. Of course, you might not be a developer or IT whiz and, if we're being honest, neither are we! Happily for us, though, Microsoft gave us an early peek at the RTM build -- the same software that will ship to consumers October 26th. Granted, Microsoft says it will continue tweaking the built-in apps, with updates coming through the Windows Store. Barring these minor changes, though, what you see here is what you'll get ten weeks from now. Meet us after the break for a summary of what's new.

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Windows 8 RTM: what's new in the final build of Windows 8? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 official: Windows 8, NFC and a fingerprint reader, arrives in October

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 official Windows 8, NFC, a fingerprint reader and an optional keyboard

If you've been paying attention, you not only knew Lenovo was readying a ThinkPad-branded Windows 8 tablet, but you probably already noticed all the leaked specs, too. Indeed, we first saw this thing all the way back at Computex, where Lenovo gave us a fairly hands-off peek, taking care to conceal most of the device's specs. Later, it turned up in the FCC and in official documents, letting us know the slate would actually be arriving quite soon.

And here it is! As we previously reported, this is a 10-inch slate running Windows 8 and an Intel Atom processor. And yes, it will replace the current ThinkPad Tablet, which runs Android. Other key specs include a 1,366 x 768 IPS display, a 10-hour battery, optional 3G / 4G, micro-HDMI output and a pair of 2MP / 8MP cameras. For the most part, that cellular connection will take the form of HSPA+ but in the US, at least, the tablet will be available on AT&T's LTE network. And, as we learned in more recent leaks, this 9.8mm-thick tablet makes room for an NFC radio, along with a fingerprint reader and a pen, which can be stowed in a slot on the tablet. Additionally, it will be sold alongside an optional keyboard, as well as a dock with three USB ports, HDMI-out and an Ethernet jack.

The one thing we don't know? The price. So far, Lenovo is only saying the tablet will be available in October, when Windows 8 starts shipping. For now, we've got a mix of glossy press shots for your viewing pleasure, along with some hands-on photos we took in advance of tonight's announcement.

Continue reading Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 official: Windows 8, NFC and a fingerprint reader, arrives in October

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Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 official: Windows 8, NFC and a fingerprint reader, arrives in October originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Splashtop Remote Desktop now available on Windows 8, gives you all the access you need

Splashtop Remote Desktop now available on Windows 8, gives you all the access you need

With Splashtop currently holding spots in a slew of Android slabs, Cupertino's notorious iDevices and even HP's cadaverous TouchPad, the next obvious step was to set up its Remote Desktop shop inside Redmond's upcoming Windows 8. And smartly enough, that's exactly what Splashtop's done. In preparation for the eventual release of Microsoft's tile-friendly OS in a couple of months, the service has let it be know that its new (and very handy) tablet application's now ready to take advantage of the system's native gestures while doing what it does best -- which is giving remote access to both Mac and Windows PCs. Given its "consumer preview" status, the Splashtop app isn't fully cooked just yet, but it should give anyone a good idea of what to expect once the real deal becomes available.

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Splashtop Remote Desktop now available on Windows 8, gives you all the access you need originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft details the Touch Mouse’s upcoming support for Windows 8 gestures

We already knew that Microsoft would be upgrading its Touch Mouse to support Windows 8 gestures, but the outfit never confirmed which finger movements, exactly, would be built in. Now, Redmond is explaining it all, even though the mouse won't actually get updated until Win8 goes on sale in late October. According to the company, you'll be able to swipe two fingers to the right to toggle between open programs, and two to the left to expose those Charms. Sliding three fingers up and down will allow you to use Semantic Zoom. (Naturally, you'll be able to swipe from side to side to move through the tiles on your Start screen, but you probably already guessed that.) We have a Touch Mouse here at Engadget HQ that we're just itching to update, but until those drivers drop three months from now, it seems we'll just have to find something else to keep us entertained.

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Microsoft details the Touch Mouse's upcoming support for Windows 8 gestures originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Did ASUS’ Windows 8-packing Tablet 600 hit the FCC?

Did ASUS' Windows 8packing Tablet 600 hit the FCC

Toying with the idea of picking up a keyboard-dockable Windows 8 slate? Take your pick -- since Computex (and Microsoft's own Surface unveiling), these devices have popping up like wildflowers -- and one of them may have just slipped through federal inspection. A recent FCC filing reveals an ASUS branded tablet bearing the mark of Windows 8. The feds out the device as the TF600T, an unannounced product that sounds suspiciously similar to the Tablet 600 ASUS trotted out at Computex. Further investigation only revealed a standard radios -- Bluetooth, WiFi and NFC -- but the Transformer-like model number and Windows logo have our attention. Is this the Tablet 600? We'll let you know when ASUS has something official to say. Dive into the federal report for yourself at the source link below.

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Did ASUS' Windows 8-packing Tablet 600 hit the FCC? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 01:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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