In another massively long post to the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft has detailed the support they are throwing behind users with multiple monitors.  The next version of Windows will put even more support behind different configurations of monitors that should be enough to satisfy even the most demanding power-user.

Mark Yalovsky, a user experience program manager at Microsoft and author of this latest tome, starts off by pointing out that Microsoft data show that around 14% of desktops and 5% of laptops run with multiple monitors.  Those aren’t very large numbers, but it’s widely expected that it will grow in the coming months and years.

Microsoft claims they used the following goals in putting together the multi-monitor support for Windows 8:

• Make the desktop a more personal experience. Perhaps the most personalized feature on the desktop is the ability to customize the desktop background. We set out to make this a great experience on multiple monitors too.
• Improve the efficiency of accessing apps across monitors. In Windows 7, the top request from people using multiple monitors was to improve the taskbar efficiency.
• Improve the efficiency of accessing system UI. In Windows 7, you could only access the Start menu on one monitor. With the introduction in Windows 8 of new UI that puts controls at the edges of the screen, we wanted to make sure that it’s still easy to access Start, the charms, the clock, and your recently used apps from every monitor.
• Allow side-by-side Metro style and desktop apps. You can launch or move a Metro style app to any monitor, side-by-side with desktop apps on another screen.

Many of the new features surround desktop customization.  Users will be able to set different backgrounds on each monitor, produce multi-monitor slide shows, span a single image across multiple monitors, and finally have a monitor-spanning taskbar option, with lots of different ways of configuring it.

There is a LOT of information available in the blog post, complete with pictures to show the different configurations.  The next verson of Windows 8, known as the “Release Preview”, will be released during the first week in June, and a final version is expected in the fall of 2012.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Lenovo, one of the most respected PC makers, recently released a video showing a bit of why their hardware is thought of as being so reliable that they are one of top makers in the corporate world.  Their ThinkCentre desktops and ThinkPad laptops are solid computers all-around and now they have a line of mini desktops labeled the M92, M92p, and M72e.

The new video shows the series of tests that Lenovo puts their hardware through to check it’s reliability.  You’ll see the PC’s dropped, struck, slammed, shaken, filled with dust, heated and frozen, and more.

Hopefully none of this will happen to your PC, but if it does then it seems you you’ll have pretty good odds that the device will survive. You can check out the video below and check out the products at Lenovo.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Amazon announced today that they have begun shipping the Kindle Touch 3G to customers in 175 different countries one week ahead of schedule.  The reader was originally slated to begin shipments on April 27th, but those who pre-ordered will now be getting a pleasant surprise.  The Kindle Touch 3G is the top-of-the-line reader product from Amazon, who also make non-3G and non-touch versions as well as a full-blown Android tablet version.

“Kindle Touch 3G is the most full-featured e-reader available with a beautiful, latest-generation electronic ink display, fast page turns and long, two month battery life. We know that customers are eager to get their hands on our newest Kindle which is why we’re delighted to be able to ship several days earlier than we planned.”

The international version of the Kindle Touch 3G can be ordered by visiting www.amazon.com/kindletouch3Gintl.  It retails for $189 (U.S.) and orders are currently being shipped in the order they were received.  The device boasts a two month battery life and capacity to hold up to 3,000 books.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Kylo, the popular web browser for Media Center, has teamed up with Warpia for a new PC and TV software-hardware solution.  Hillcrest Labs, the maker of Kylo, issued a press release announcing the new controller for Media Center users.  Over the lifetime of the Media Center platform there have been a number of ingenious ways to control it including wireless mini keyboards with built-in mice and specialty remote controls.

The WarpiaTV is a new type of wireless mouse that works somewhat in the way of what has previously been known as a “gyro mouse”.  However, WarpiaTV combines that motion-style mouse control with keyboard functionality to make the ultimate Media Center remote control.  They also include a web browser that borrows technology from Kylo to add a new TV-style browser that includes 150 of the most watched video sites on the internet.

The new WarpiaTV is available immediately for $79.99 from Warpia and includes the following features, per their source material:

• True 1080p Resolution
• Wireless Motion Controller
• WarpiaTV Browser Powered by Kylo
• High Quality 6ft HDMI cable
• Extend and Mirror Modes

We have not yet had a chance to test WarpiaTV so at the moment this is all based on product specs.  We’re hoping to get one for review and full-testing and will update you at that time.  From what we have been able to learn, this should make a great addition to any living room Media Center and we can only hope that it truly lives up to that.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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The Hardware division at Microsoft announced today that they are releasing new limited-edition versions of the Touch Mouse and Arc Touch Mouse.  Micrsoft has lined up designs from five different artists, and also have a couple of limited-edition solid colors.  The Artist Edition mice appear to not be a limited edition, but simply new entries into the lineup.  Aritsts now available are:

• Kenzo Minami
• Stina Persson
• Oh Joy!
• Tchmo
• Sally Zou

As for the limited-edition colors, Microsoft made the following announcement.

“In addition to the new artist designs, we are also today announcing several limited edition colors to add a pop of color to your desk or laptop bag. The Explorer Touch Mouse will be available in Dahlia Pink and White, and the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 will be available in Aqua Blue, Citron Green, Cobalt Blue, Dahlia Pink, Flame Red, White and Black.”

You can shop for the new mice in the Microsoft Store.  Prices range from $29.95 to $59.95.  You can read more over at the Microsoft Hardware blog.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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The new movie The Hunger Games has yet to hit theaters, but it’s already creating a huge amount of buzz.  Microsoft rarely misses a promotional opportunity, and a hot new movie provides just that.  With those two facts in mind Microsoft is now selling an HP Folio with The Hunger Games movie logo and the District 12 logo (the community where where main character Katniss Everdeen comes from) laser engraved on the ultrabook’s case.

The HP Folio is one of the hottest ultrabooks on the market right now.  Ultrabooks are super-thin notebook computers that were all the rage at the Consumer Electronics Show is Las Vegas back in January.  The HP Folio features, among other things, a 13 inch display, HDMI, USB 3.0 and also claims the following specs.

• Battery of life of up to 9 hours* keeps you unplugged all day long
• 128 GB solid state drive enables fast bootups and sleep-resume times, compared to standard hard drives
• Light weight of just 3.3 pounds and rubbery bottom surface make it easy to grab and go anywhere
• Ample number of ports include an Ethernet jack and a full-sized HDMI port.

The new Folio is selling for $1049 at Microsoft stores around the county and also in their online store.  The ultrabook is available now, but for the movie you still have to wait until March 23rd.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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One thing every home theater with an HTPC needs is a keyboard, although many of us try to avoid it with Media Center remotes and smartphone apps.  For the past couple of years we have used a small keyboard with a built-in trackball mouse from Vidabox.  Recently I came across a brand new one from nMediaPC that takes the whole HTPC keyboard to a whole new level.

It’s about the same size as the one we currently use in our house – 12.3 x 4.5 x 1.  It also has a built-in mouse and dedicated media center keys, but it brings a whole lot more to the game.  There is a built is scroll wheel, micro USB port for charging your devices, low battery indicator, auto sleep function, and a universal remote.

The universal remote has function keys on the bottom of the keyboard, but there is a power button on the face to make life easier.  The keyboard runs off of 2 AA batteries and uses RF with a tiny USB receiver plugged into the PC and has a functioning distance of around 40 feet.

The keyboard is available from various retailers including Amazon for a price of around $60.  We’re planning to get one for review very soon and also looking to purchase one for our Media Center.  This, at least on paper, looks like the best HTPC keyboard available right now.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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In conjunction with today’s release of Windows 8, Microsoft has also announced a new, updated version of their popular Touch Mouse, made especially for the new operating system.  While the most prominent feature of Windows 8 is it’s new interface, which is tailor-made for touch screens, the OS works just fine with an old-fashioned mouse and keyboard as well.

Microsoft Hardware announced a new Windows 8 app called “Microsoft Device Center”, which they say will help users “more easily customize your Microsoft mouse and keyboard to make the most of your computing experience.”  The app is currently in Beta and Microsoft promises more updates when the final version of Windows 8 is released in the later part of 2012.

“Microsoft Device Center beta combines Microsoft’s existing mouse software (IntelliPoint) and keyboard software (IntelliType) into one simple solution. Remapping your mouse buttons or assigning keys on your keyboard to your favorite file or webpage is easier than ever in the Microsoft Device Center beta for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.”

“We’ll have more updates to come on the Touch Mouse sometime around Windows 8 general availability, so stay tuned for details.”

You can get the app by visiting the Microsoft Hardware site and you can download and install the new Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview) from here.

Source: Microsoft Hardware Blog

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Most people think of Google as a search company, but their primary source of revenue is actually advertising.  It permeates everything they do – there are ads in the search results, they sell ads to advertisers through AdWords and publishers through AdSense, and much more.  Last year they made their first tentative steps into the entertainment business with Google TV, which met with a less than ideal response, although that is beginning to change.  Now it appears Google in beginning to test a new entertainment device.

There’s a real possibility that this is nothing more than the next generation of Google TV, but at this point it all seems a bit mysterious.  Google has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission to test a  WiFi and Bluetooth enabled device in the homes of employees in four different cities.  From the FCC request:

“Google is developing an entertainment device that requires testing outside the laboratory environment. The device is in the prototyping phase and will be modified prior to final compliance testing. … Users will connect their device to home WiFi networks and use Bluetooth to connect to other home electronics equipment. This line of testing will reveal real world engineering issues and reliability of networks. The device utilizes a standard WiFi/Bluetooth module, and the planned testing is not directed at evaluating the radio frequency characteristics of the module (which are known), but rather at the throughput and stability of the home WiFi networks that will support the device, as well as the basic functionality of the device. From this testing we hope to modify the design in order to maximize product robustness and user experience. Utilizing the requested number of units will allow testing of real world network performance and its impact on applications running on the device, so that any problems can be discovered and addressed promptly.”

The test will be carried out in Mountain View, CA, New York City, NY, Cambridge, MA, and Los Angeles, CA.  The test period will run from January 17th until July 17th.  That means it will likely be quite some time before we get any real information on what this product is.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Sony announced today that they are releasing their first USB 3.0 flash drive.  The tiny new piece of shiny hardware is called the Micro Vault MACH.  With transmission speeds up to 5 Gbit/s, USB 3.0 is reportedly ten times faster than USB 2.0.  Computers have only recently begun to come out with support for the new standard so there isn’t yet a lot of hardware that takes advantage of it.

The new Sony Micro Vault MACH will put the company ahead of most other flash drive makes in this market.  Corsair and Kingston both have drives already on the market, but few of the lower-tier hardware makers are there yet.  This will replace the popular Sony Micro Vault model, which was USB 2.0.  The flash drive has downloadable (not pre-installed) free software like File Rescue and x- Pict Story.  File Rescue allows users to recover lost and accidentally deleted files, while x-Pict Story gives users the ability to create simple picture display slide shows.  In their press release Sony touted the following features:

• First USB 3.0 flash memory drive from Sony
• Available in 8GB/16GB/32GB/64GB capacities
• Ultra-fast transfers up to 120 MB/s read / 90 MB/s write*
• Sleek aluminium body with retractable USB connector and LED indicator

USB 3.0 devices and ports are all backwards compatible with USB 2.0, which at this early stage is a very handy feature.  USB 3.0 is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP (SP3) as well as Mac OSX 10.1 and newer.  Exact release dates and pricing information was not provided in the announcement, and the flash drive isn’t yet available on the Sony website.

Source: Sony Press Centre

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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