Windows 8.1 to feature internet tethering, native Miracast wireless display support

Despite our novel-length preview of Windows 8.1’s new features, Microsoft continues to trickle out details about the updated OS as we get closer to Build 2013 later this month. This is turning out to be a hefty improvement over the love-or-hate Win8 that launched last fall, and the company appears to have plenty more tricks up its sleeve before all is said and done. This morning, Microsoft announced that 8.1 will offer native support for Miracast wireless displays, as well as internet sharing capability, NFC tap-to-pair printing, WiFi Direct print, improved IT controls and other enhancements to the platform’s security and management. All told, the new features are a little more behind-the-scenes than, say, the new Start button, but it’s a clear indication that we’ll likely have quite a few more surprises coming our way between now and the update’s official release. The source link has the laundry list of various improvements, so head there if you’re looking for more info. Filed under: Desktops , Microsoft Comments Via: The Verge Source: Windows Team Blog

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Windows 8.1 to feature internet tethering, native Miracast wireless display support

Intel looking to turbocharge its NUC with Core i5 and i7 CPUs, according to leak

It looks like Intel’s planning on bringing its Next Unit of Computing (NUC) mini-computer upmarket, if a leaked roadmap from ComputerBase.de is to be believed. The documents look highly tentative, but if they come to fruition then Intel will start offering new NUCs (code-named “Skull Canyon” and “Horse Canyon”) with Intel Core i7-3537U and Core i5-3427U processors along with its current Core i3 model during the first half of the year. New motherboards would be used that alter the slot configurations substantially: the Thunderbolt connector would be dropped in favor of USB 3.0 — three on the i7 model, one on the i5 — with DisplayPort 1.1a added to each along with HDMI 1.4a connectors. There’s no pricing yet, but we found that you’d need to nearly double the price of the original NUC to create a working computer, so bear that in mind when you’re looking at the leaked slides after the break. [Image credit: ComputerBase.de] Filed under: Desktops , Intel Comments Via: FanlessTech Source: ComputerBase.de

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Intel looking to turbocharge its NUC with Core i5 and i7 CPUs, according to leak

Microsoft reportedly prepping significant first-party app updates for Windows 8 and Windows RT

A batch of first-party app updates could be incoming for Windows 8 very soon that have nothing to do with Microsoft’s cross-platform Blue crush. That’s according to CNet ‘s Mary Jo Foley, whose sources have indicated that the refresh, previously rumored to arrive by month’s end, would also apply to Windows RT. Microsoft’s yet to officially comment on the matter, but as you can see from the screen above, users have already reported seeing a list of “installation ready” applications within the System log now. As for that round of major OS revamps , Foley says that’s still on track and should begin to rollout sometime this summer. Filed under: Software , Microsoft Comments Source: CNet

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Microsoft reportedly prepping significant first-party app updates for Windows 8 and Windows RT

Compulsory upgrades to Windows 7 SP1 will start rolling out tomorrow

If you’re a Windows 7 user and you’ve been dragging your heels when it comes to that Service Pack 1 upgrade, then prepare to get an extra dose of encouragement from Microsoft. Starting tomorrow, the company will begin deploying SP1 via Windows Update to all neglected PCs, and just so you’re aware, the update won’t require your consent. The push will happen a phased rollout over the next few weeks, and as for the consequence of not upgrading, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 RTM as of April 9th. Naturally, PCs that are managed by system admins can be shielded from the deployment, but for everyone else, it seems that you’d best prepare for the inevitable. Filed under: Software , Microsoft Comments Via: TNW Source: Microsoft

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Compulsory upgrades to Windows 7 SP1 will start rolling out tomorrow

Bing Maps revamped with ocean topography, updated satellite imagery

Ballmer an Co. have loaded up Bing Maps with yet another batch of images , and though they’re staying quiet about the update’s file size this time, they say it includes 13,799,276 square kilometers of fresh high-res satellite shots and a better view of the ocean floor. Brand-new “straight down” photos give the base map a resolution of 15 meters per pixel, and the introduction of bathymetric imagery changes the ocean’s hue depending on its depth. The refresh even contains fewer clouds, giving users a less obstructed view of Earth. Thanks to additional aerial photos covering 203,271 square kilometers, Microsoft’s map service now covers the entirety of the US and 90 percent of Western Europe with pictures taken from aircraft. Armchair cartographers ready to explore the world remotely can find the revamped visuals already baked into Bing Maps online and within the service’s Windows 8 app. Filed under: Internet , Software , Microsoft Comments Via: TechCrunch Source: Bing Maps Blog

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Bing Maps revamped with ocean topography, updated satellite imagery

CNN finally adds live TV streaming access to its Android phone app

While some of us try to avoid mainstream media and the accompanying Things You Should Be Afraid Of Today reporting, sometimes we need a place to go for 24/7 coverage of a disabled cruise ship, and CNN is always there. Now it’s there on Android too, after launching live streaming of both CNN and HLN on iOS back in 2011 a new update for its Android phone app has brought the feature (and the classic “This is CNN” greeting by James Earl Jones) to the platform. You’ll still need to be a subscriber to a participating cable TV service to actually watch the feed, but getting your dose of Anderson Cooper on the go is as simple as inputting your account details, and then you’re set. Feature parity — who doesn’t love it? (Android tablet owners, Windows 8 users, Symbian…) Filed under: Cellphones , Home Entertainment , HD , Mobile Comments Source: Google Play

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CNN finally adds live TV streaming access to its Android phone app

Facebook updates iOS app with voice messages, video recordings

Facebook ‘s got a fresh update for its main iOS app, and version 5.4 has some pleasant additions coming your way. The social network is throwing in the ability to send voice messages (which has been available on Android for a little over a week, and on iOS through Messenger) and share video recordings directly through the app, and it’s also enhanced functionality in the Nearby tab as well. We’re still all waiting im patiently for Graph Search on the mobile front, but we can at least enjoy some new ways of showing the world what we’re up to. Head to the source to download the update. Filed under: Cellphones , Software , Mobile , Apple , Facebook Comments Source: Facebook

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Facebook updates iOS app with voice messages, video recordings

SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video)

Microsoft’s SkyDrive is now one of the centerpieces of the company’s desktop and mobile platforms, but its relative newness has denied us some of the fine-grained control we’ve taken for granted from services like Dropbox . The cloud storage service just resolved two of those common power user gripes in one fell swoop through an update to the desktop client. To start, it’s at last possible to limit SkyDrive syncing on Macs and Windows PCs just to specific folders — that poor tablet won’t reach its breaking point when someone creates a 5GB home video on the family desktop. Windows users alone see the second update, which integrates SkyDrive with right-click contextual menus for much faster sharing. Mobile customers aren’t left out with the refresh, either. Both Android and Windows Phone 8 SkyDrive users get a long-due file search as well as the option to shrink photos when they go online. Updates for the four update platforms are available at the source link, although they should push out on their own over the next two days for those who aren’t in a hurry. Continue reading SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video) Filed under: Cellphones , Internet , Software , Microsoft SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink   Inside SkyDrive  |  SkyDrive  |  Email this  |  Comments

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SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video)

iOS 6.0.1 released, fixes iPhone 5 OTA software update issue and other bugs (update)

Been waiting for Apple to refresh its mobile operating system ? Well, the wait is over, as Cupertino has just released iOS 6.0.1 with the promise of improvements and bug fixes. We just grabbed the update ourselves, and among the highlights are: a fix for the iPhone 5’s inability to receive OTA software updates, problems with the phone and the 5th-gen iPod Touch connecting to WPA2 encrypted WiFi networks, and other cellular connectivity issues as well. There’s also fixes for a passcode lock bug, a graphical keyboard glitch and a bug that prevented the 5’s camera flash from firing. Sound good? Go grab the download and let us know how it’s treating you in the comments below. Update: Thanks to our friends at TUAW, we should point out that iPhone 5 owners will need to download an updater app before they can grab 6.0.1. Filed under: Cellphones , Software , Mobile , Apple iOS 6.0.1 released, fixes iPhone 5 OTA software update issue and other bugs (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink   9to5Mac  |  Apple  |  Email this  |  Comments

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iOS 6.0.1 released, fixes iPhone 5 OTA software update issue and other bugs (update)