windows 8

Were Xbox One E3 Demos Powered by Windows 7 and Nvidia Graphics?

Paul Lilly — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:36:08 +0000

Things that make you go hmmm.

Microsoft made a splash at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) last week by showing off a number of fantastic looking games for its upcoming Xbox One console. It was hard not to get excited by some of the titles, including Dead Rising 3 and Forza Motorsport 5, but as it turns out, the game demos we saw might have actually been running on Hewlett-Packard PCs running Windows 7.

Before we go any further, let's be clear that it's not all that unusual for game developers to use PC hardware to show off future titles, so that in and of itself isn't reason to rake Microsoft over the coals. However, it's at least a little bit interesting that these tech demos were being run on Windows 7 rather than Windows 8, which the Xbox One's OS is partly based on.

Secondly, it was discovered that the HP PCs were equipped with Nvidia GeForce GTX 700 Series graphics cards. Given the risk of exposure, it would have made more sense to use machines running AMD graphics cards since the GPU in the Xbox One is an AMD part that's comparable to a mid-range Radeon HD 7790.

All of this came to light when Julian Rignail from U.S. Gamers posted to Twitter a message saying, "I just played an Xbox One game using an Xbox One controller that crashed... to a Windows 7, Hewlett Packard-branded desktop. Magic!" The Internet demanded pics, and lo and behold, there are a couple shots of Windows 7 PCs tucked inside Xbox One cabinets.

Again, using PCs to show off console games isn't unusual, but the choice of OS and GPU certainly raise an inquisitive eyebrow. And according to Cinema Blend, which first broke the story, developers have confirmed that PlayStation 4 game demos shown off at E3 were running on PS4 Dev kits, not PC hardware.

File this under "T" for "Things that make you go hmmm."

Update 12:30 PM

Or maybe not. A developer for Twisted Pixel's LocoCycle claims that his game was the only one of the bunch running on a PC, and that the choice of hardware was "solely [Twisted Pixel's] decision," not Microsoft's. That would certainly explain a few things, and hopefully blunt those pitchforks and douse the torches.

Kudos to "dracx619" for the update in our comments section.

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Using Siri to Sell Windows Tablets is a Potentially Winning Strategy

Paul Lilly — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:52:52 +0000

Microsoft continues to lob advertising grenades at Apple's iPad.

I have to admit, I'm finally impressed with Microsoft's ability to market. That's not something I can recall saying before, certainly not when Microsoft tried to counter the humorous (but misleading) Mac vs PC commercials with a series of Jerry Seinfeld ad spots. While Apple was busy clowning Windows Vista, Microsoft figured it was a good idea to show Seinfeld shopping for shoes. Seriously. Thankfully, Microsoft isn't making the same mistake in mobile, and its latest ads are actually quite funny.

In case you missed it, Microsoft several weeks ago took aim at the iPad by placing it side-by-side with an Asus tablet running Windows 8. In the ad, Siri repeatedly apologizes for being unable to perform the same tasks as the Windows 8 slate, and finally pleads, "Shall we just play chopsticks?" Here's a look at the ad, which has over 5 million views to date:

Tablets running Windows 8 have a long way to go before they catch the iPad in market share, but with a comical ad campaign that doesn't feature churros or any of Microsoft's other past quirks, and instead turns Siri against the iPad, the Redmond outfit may have a shot at winning over consumers, especially as prices come down.

There's the key. Prices are coming down, as Microsoft points out in a new ad. This latest one features a Dell tablet, and like before, Siri is both apologetic and in awe of the competition, until she see the price compared to an iPad. "Oh, that's not cool," she proclaims after learning Dell's tablet is $200 less. Have a look:

What do you think about Microsoft's latest ad campaign? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Asus Announces VivoPC Specs

Pulkit Chandna — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:52:14 +0000

Windows 8-ready mini PC supports up to 16GB of RAM

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is currently underway in Los Angeles and we are in the thick of the action, bringing you frequent updates straight from the show floor. But don't forget that we are just a few days removed from the end of Computex 2013, an event where PC vendors from around the globe were out in full force to showcase their latest PC designs. Among the myriad products announced at that event was a diminutive HTPC named VivoPC from Asus, which apparently felt that the world wasn’t quite ready to learn about the machine’s specs at that time.

The Taiwanese company has finally shed some light on the Windows 8-ready VivoPC’s innards. Measuring all of 190(l) X 190(w) X 56.2(h) mm and possessing a sliding top for easy access to the hard drive bay and memory slots, the VivoPC will be configurable with an Intel processor, up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM, and either a 3.5/2.5 inch SATA 6.0Gb/s HDD or a solid state drive. Other specs include, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, SonicMaster speakers, two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, VGA, three audio jacks, SPDIF out and RJ45.

With no word on pricing or availability yet, all we can do is wait and hope that it will be available soon at a reasonable price point.

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Microsoft Gives a First Look at Windows 8.1

Paul Lilly — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:34:33 +0000

First public demo of Windows 8.1.

Microsoft last week formally introduced the world to Windows 8.1, an upcoming update to Windows 8 that will bring back the Start button (yay!) but not the Start menu (boo!), along with a handful of other features. Following up that announcement, corporate vice president of Windows program management Antoine Leblond joined Windows CFO and CMO Tami Reller and a few other top Microsoft executives on stage at Computex do demo the upcoming free update. Don't worry if you couldn't attend, the software giant also released a YouTube video highlight the release.

Of course, the big news yesterday was that Outlook 2013 RT would be hitching a ride to Windows RT tablets via the Windows 8.1 update, but if you're not interested in Windows RT, there's still plenty to digest in the Windows 8.1 update.

For starters, the lock screen is transformed into a cloud-powered photo stream. Once you jump into Windows, you'll notice some new tile sizes, both big and small. If you swipe up, you'll see a list of all the apps you have installed, which you can sort by name, date installed, most used, or by category.

Have a look at these and other changes:

Windows 8.1 will be available later this summer.

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Acer Lays Claim to World's First 8-inch Windows 8 Tablet

Paul Lilly — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:18:54 +0000

You're looking at the only 8-inch Windows 8 tablet on the planet.

Acer's relationship with Microsoft has had its ups and downs, especially after Microsoft revealed that it would be building hardware of its own around its Windows 8 and Windows RT platforms. Though Acer wasn't happy it would be competing with Microsoft in the hardware space, that hasn't stopped the OEM from launching Windows 8 products, including the newly announced Iconia W3, the first and only 8-inch slate running Windows 8.

According to Acer, the Iconia W3 is sized just right to use comfortably in one hand for reading and surfing the web, yet has a large enough screen for games and desktop applications. It even comes with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 pre-installed, which in and of itself is a $140 value.

"With the Iconia W3, Acer is giving those who create, read, work and play in the Windows environment a device they can hold in one hand that does it all," said Michael Birkin, Acer Chief Marketing Officer. "With the combination of Windows 8 and a sleek 8-inch design, the W3 is a joy to use and a better way to have fun and productivity on the go."

The 8.1-inch display is LED backlit and boasts a 1280x800 resolution. Other features include an Intel Atom Z2760 processor clocked at 1.8GHz, 2GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, 2MP front- and rear-facing cameras, and of course Windows 8.

Pricing will start at $379 with pre-sales getting underway tomorrow.

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Windows 8 Causes Dip in Microsoft Customer Satisfaction Rating

Pulkit Chandna — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:06:07 +0000

Bad, but not quite Vista

Given its subjective nature, satisfaction isn’t something that readily lends itself to quantification, but that hasn’t stopped the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) from measuring the satisfaction of U.S. customers for more than 19 years now. The latest ACSI update is of particular interest to us because it sheds some light on Windows 8’s impact on Microsoft’s customer satisfaction rating.

Windows 8 hasn’t exactly been able to charm PC users off their feet and Microsoft’s latest ACSI rating seems to confirm as much, with the company’s customer satisfaction rating falling one point from last year’s score of 75 and as many as four points from the company’s best of 78, which it achieved in 2011.

Things, however, don’t appear to be as bad as they were following the launch of Windows Vista. Back then, Redmond shed three rating points. If we go back another year to 2006, the first time Microsoft appeared on ACSI’s radar, it is clear that the company’s customers are more satisfied with its products now than they were back then.

“It seems clear that the release of Windows 8 did not give Microsoft a significant bump, as the release of Windows 7 did, nor did it dramatically lower customer satisfaction in a rather short time frame, as the release of Vista did," David VanAmburg, director of ACSI, told Computerworld.com, adding that if Microsoft’s rating does take a more serious pounding next year then Windows 8 will surely be the one to blame.

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Psst Microsoft, Windows 8 Users are Barely Touching Metro Apps

Paul Lilly — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:48:16 +0000

Study reveals surprising stats about Windows 8 app usage.

When Microsoft "re-imagined" its Windows platform with a heavy focus on touch computing, its Metro interface was deemed a critical component to the user experience. Ideally, Windows 8 users would find themselves relying less and less on the traditional desktop and start taking advantage of the tiled UI, downloading apps from the Windows Store in the process. However, a new study by Soluto reveals that Windows 8 users rarely touch apps on their Windows 8-based desktops and tablet PCs.

Soluto analyzed 10,848 Windows 8 machines and examined more than 313,000 Metro app launches across 9,634 unique Metro apps. The result? On average, a Windows 8 user will launch a Metro app 1.52 times per day.

Predictably desktop users are the least active Metro app users with an average of 1.41 launches per day. Just as predictable, tablet users launch the most Metro apps at an average clip of 2.71 per day, besting touch laptop users (2.22 apps) and regular laptop users (1.51 apps).

"To put this number into context, we looked at the percent of people who launch a Metro app less than once a day (i.e. less than 7 Metro app launches per week). We found that among desktop and laptop users, 60 percent of users launch a Metro app less than once a day," Soluto said. "This number significantly improves with tablets, but still 44 percent of Windows 8 tablet users launch a Metro app less than once a day."

Interestingly, the most engaging app appears to be Yahoo Mail, which is loaded an average of 26.91 times per week by those who use it. Below that, several versions of solitaire rank in the top 10, which might be indicative of the Windows Store needing a bigger and better stockpile of apps.

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Bill Gates Nudges Past Carlos Slim to Reclaim World’s Richest Crown

Pulkit Chandna — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:32:47 +0000

Xbox 720 believed to be behind surge in Gates’ wealth

Despite having given away billions in charity in recent years, Microsoft founder and non-executive chairman Bill Gates is said to have dislodged Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim, also a noted philanthropist, from the top spot on the list of the world’s wealthiest people.

The Harvard dropout is the wealthiest man on the planet as per the Bloomberg Billionaires index, which is updated on a daily basis at 5:30 p.m. in New York. At the time of the last update, Bill Gates’ net worth was valued at $72.7 billion, a shade (relatively speaking) above his nearest rival Carlos Slim’s net worth of $72.1 billion.

So what exactly fueled Gates’ return to the top of the Bloomberg Billionaires list after a five-year hiatus? Forbes’ contributor Nigam Arora, a nuclear physicist who serves as the chief investment officer at The Arora Report, ascribes this recent rise in Bill Gates’ wealth to the prevailing market excitement over the upcoming launch of Microsoft’s next-gen console; ever since Microsoft announced the upcoming Xbox 720 launch event, scheduled for May 22, the company’s stock price and, in turn, Gates’ net worth have witnessed a steady rise.

In other words, where the markets are concerned, all this Xbox 720-related excitement has been able to offset the negative impact of disappointing first-quarter PC shipment numbers. But the question is: for how long? According to Arora, this “rally in Microsoft is overdone.”

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HP Taps Android for SlateBook x2 and Windows 8 for Split x2 Hybrids

Paul Lilly — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:45:34 +0000

Why play favorites?

Microsoft is trying to make a play in mobile with its touch-tastic Windows 8 platform, while Android remains the popular choice among those who don't want an iPad. Rather than choose which one to roll with, Hewlett-Packard (HP) went and launched a pair of detachable PCs built around both platforms, essentially passing the buck onto you, Joe and Jane Consumer, as to which platform to invest in.

Starting with Android, HP's new SlateBook x2 is a surprise entry with plenty of promise. It boasts a 10.1-inch Full HD 1080p (1920x1200) touchscreen IPS display and is powered by Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 4 SoC (System-on-Chip) clocked at 1.8GHz, making it the the first Android detachable device with Tegra 4 inside, HP claims. It also has 2GB of RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, DTS sound, 720p front-facing camera, 1080p rear-facing camera, a USB 2.0 port, SD card slot, HDMI output, combo audio jack, built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

Over on the Windows side of the fence, HP introduced the Split x2 with a 13.3-inch HD (1366x768) IPS display. It's powered by 3rd Generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processor options and 2GB of RAM. Other specs include a 128GB mSATA SSD + 500GB HDD storage setup, Beats Audio, 1080p front-facing camera, 8MP rear-facing camera, microSD card reader, combo audio jack, one each USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, HDMI output, SD card slot, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and Windows 8.

"Customers want to access and share content anywhere, anytime, on any internet connected device—and they expect those connections to be seamless," said Ron Coughlin, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer PCs, HP. "The HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2 are next-generation devices and the latest examples of our continued commitment to evolving the computing experience by providing the flexibility necessary for customers to be productive at home, at the office or on the go."

The HP SlateBook x2 and Split x2 are expected to be available in August starting at $480 and $800, respectively. Both also come with a full-size keyboard with clickpad.

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No BS Podcast #202: Intel's New Atom, Adobe Creative Cloud, Windows 8 Sales, and More!

The Maximum PC Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:20:24 +0000

Now with HD video!

Now that we have a fifth microphone and a video camera, everybody's in the pool. That's 20% more Maximum PC than typical, at no additional charge! (Shipping and handling fees may apply.) You can watch us interrupt each other on our official Youtube channel, which also has videos of our previous video podcasts, and an assortment of other free amusements!

As usual, in episode 202 of the Maximum PC No BS Podcast, our host and Senior Editor Josh Norem wrangled the crew, which included Online Managing Editor Jimmy Thang, Deputy Editor Gordon Mah Ung, Editor-in-Chief Katherine Stevenson, and Associate Editor Tom McNamara. Our Superhero Intern-Man Chris Zele was busy saving puppies from a burning building. This time, we covered:

- Intel's completely overhauled low-power Atom CPU

- Adobe going cloud-only with its "Creative Suite" programs

- Windows 8 passing 100 million sales

- Seagate entering the retail solid-state drive market

- Rumors of a smaller Windows Surface tablet

- And finally, Gordon whispering sweet nothings in your ear!

If you want to catch future episodes, you can:

Subscribe on iTunes

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Email us at maximumpcpodcast@gmail.com

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Thanks for listening! We wouldn't be here without all of your support!

-Maximum PC Staff

Microsoft Pops Its Top on Comparing Windows 8 to a Can of Soda

Paul Lilly — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:56:54 +0000

Can of soda comparison is just hyperbole, Microsoft says.

Richard Carlson advises against sweating the small stuff, and if you're Microsoft, that means not getting your knickers in a knot over sensationalistic journalism, especially when it comes to Windows 8. That's not to say Windows 8 isn't without its fair share of legitimate criticisms and concerns, but is it fair to compare the touch-friendly operating system to Coca-Cola's failed New Coke formula from yesteryear?

Frank X. Shaw, Corporate Vice President of Corporate Communications at Microsoft, had a thing or three to say about the recent comparison.

"In this world where everyone is a publisher, there is a trend to the extreme – where those who want to stand out opt for sensationalism and hyperbole over nuanced analysis," Shaw stated in a blog post. "In this world where page views are currency, heat is often more valued than light. Stark black-and-white caricatures are sometimes more valued than shades-of-gray reality."

Shaw was responding to comments in a recent Financial Times report, in which the author quoted an analyst comparing Windows 8 to New Coke, the difference being that Coca-Cola did a better job of listening to its customers and quickly reversed course.

Seeking sanity in what Shaw likely sees as an insane comparison, he reiterated that's Microsoft's sold 100 million copies of Windows 8 to date. He called that a "good thing," noting that it's also a good thing to listen to consumer feedback and act on it. But to compare Windows 8 to New Coke? He was having none of that.

"Windows 8 is a good product, and it’s getting better every day," Shaw added. "Unlike a can of soda, a computer operating system offers different experiences to different customers to meet different needs, while still moving the entire industry toward an exciting future of touch, mobility, and seamless, cross-device experiences."

Anyone else suddenly thirsty for a carbonated beverage?

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Microsoft Releases a New Round of Cringe Worthy Ads

Justin Kerr — Sun, 12 May 2013 18:26:33 +0000

Google Docs doesn’t work well without the net, so he’s taking it with him.

Microsoft spends countless millions each year on advertising, but the bizarre tone and style of the final product sometimes leaves us scratching our heads. We’ve compiled a list of 5 recent Microsoft marketing videos, and we want to know what you the reader make of them. The clips are hosted on YouTube (who graciously picks up the bandwidth bill on the Google attack ads), and believe me when we say the irony wasn’t lost on us.

Microsoft vs. Google Docs

The first ad focuses on a pair of hopeful gambles, and a start struck business guy fixated on the Google Docs table. He gambles his upcoming promotion (we aren’t even sure how that’s possible) on the off chance he could win a pair of keychain dice, and passes out when he loses.

The second ad portrays a 3 vs. 3 half court basketball game, where Google Docs embarrass himself over and over.

Windows 8 vs. The World

The only defense I can offer on these clips is that they were intended for international audiences, so perhaps some of the cultural nuances are lost on us.

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Windows 8 Sales Reach 100 Million Licenses, Should Microsoft Reverse Course?

Paul Lilly — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:52:15 +0000

Steve Ballmer and company have some big decisions to make.

It was bit odd that Microsoft chose not to disclose in its most recent financial report exactly how many Windows 8 licenses it sold, though we now know the number is north of 100 million. Tami Reller, Microsoft's Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer, revealed the figure in a Q&A session that was posted on Microsoft's Windows blog, adding that the figure takes into account Windows 8 licenses that ship on new tablet and traditional PCs, as well as upgrades to the touch-friendly OS.

"This is up from the 60 million license number we provided in January. We’ve also seen the number of certified devices for Windows 8 and Window RT grow to 2,400 devices, and we’re seeing more and more touch devices in the mix," Reller said. "As we talked about in our last Q&A, Windows 8 is a big, ambitious change. While we realize that change takes time, we feel good about the progress since launch, including what we’ve been able to accomplish with the ecosystem and customer reaction to the new PCs and tablets that are available now or will soon come to market."

Reller also touched on Windows Blue, the codename for an update that will be available later this year. She said that Blue represents an opportunity for Microsoft to respond to customer feedback, though stopped short of saying the coveted Start button would make a triumphant return.

Regardless of what Microsoft decides to do with the Start button, you have to wonder if the company would be better served by admitting failure and going in a different direction before it's perhaps too late. Reller, who apparently has been getting around the interview circuit, spoke with the Financial Times and admitted that Windows 8's "learning curve is definitely real." More than that, at least one analyst likened the current state of Windows to that of Coca-Cola's New Coke nearly three decades ago.

"This is like New Coke, going on for seven months -- only Coke listened better," Richard Doherty, an analyst at Envisioneering, told FT.

It only took Coke three months to drop its new formula after consumers reacted negatively, and one could argue that Microsoft should do the same with Windows. Just as Coke tried to reinvent the flavor of its soda, Microsoft drastically changed the flavor of Windows to suit the trend towards tablets and mobile, but iOS and Android slates still rule the day.

What's your opinion on all this? Should Microsoft admit failure and reverse course, or ride it out knowing that consumers sometimes reactive negatively to change in the beginning?

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Acer Chooses To Pass on the Current Version Windows RT

Justin Kerr — Sun, 05 May 2013 21:25:45 +0000

Acer planned to release a Windows RT tablet in Q2, but will hold off for now.

Windows RT tablets are of questionable value when compared to the competition, and Acer can’t resist the temptation to pile on. The PC maker has been making some interesting tablet and Ultrabook designs lately, but is choosing the wait and see approach for the ARM version of Windows 8.

"There are still users looking for more versatile products," said Acer President Jim Wong. He went on to add, "To be honest, there's no value doing the current version of RT." In regards to his opinion on Windows 8, Wong’s opinion was mixed. “The launch was not ideal and the Surface tablet created some distraction, but Microsoft is now doing a good job of supporting its partners and explaining the touch-usage model to customers, Wong said.”

When asked about the company’s vision of the future, Wong clarified that a major focus will be placed on hybrids going forward. "We believe Windows 8 has some more chances. That's why we continue to invest in Windows 8 tablets," Wong said.

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Windows 8 Blue Update Set to Address Issues With Ultra High Resolution Displays

Justin Kerr — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:13:41 +0000

Windows Blue appears to be taking on some serious issues.

Windows display scaling is, and has always been a complete mess. Sure you can bump up the multiplier to make it look half decent if you’re using just one display, but Windows 8 tablet owners are seeing a completely different problem. The next generation of devices are shipping with ultra-high resolution panels that are 10 inches or less in size, but when you try to hook these up to a larger external monitor to get real work done, finding a setting that works with both is a bit of a nightmare. One is always too big, or too small, and you can’t set the scaling separately. Newer laptops are going to run into a similar problem, but the new Windows Blue update may finally be tackling this issue head on.

Paul Thurrott from WinSupersite.com has noticed that a leaked build of the upcoming Windows 8 Blue update includes the option to “Let Windows manage my display settings”, which at least in his testing, yielded better results when mixing and matching displays with radically different DPIs. It’s an obvious feature when you think about it, and will become an increasingly frustrating problem as manufacturers start to roll out 1080p and higher displays as a standard option on portable machines if it’s not addressed.

Its great to see Microsoft tackling real world issues with its first major update to Windows 8, but we aren’t ready to lay on the praise until we find out if it’s being offered for free or not.

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