| Microsoft: We Have No Current Plans to Port IE Over to Android or iOS Posted: 15 Aug 2014 12:25 PM PDT  "Oh no!," cried a single Android user
You can run Microsoft Office on multiple platforms, and the same goes for some of the other products and services the Redmond outfit offers, such as OneDrive and Skype. With that kind of attention being paid to cross-compatibility, might we expect Microsoft to release its Internet Explorer browser on other OSes as well? Not in the near future. As it stands, Microsoft isn't planning to port IE over to Android or iOS in the mobile space. That revelation came by way of a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session featuring engineers from Microsoft's IE platform team. At one point in the conversation, Microsoft's Charles Morris fielded a question about whether IE would be ported to Android or iOS where there's much more market share to exploit. "Right now, we're focused on building a great mobile browser for Windows Phone and have made some great progress lately. So, no current plans for Android/iOS," Morris said. "We are committed to improving our own engine. We love the fact that the web was built on multiple competing (yet interoperable) platforms and believe that this is how it is going to move forward into the future!" It's somewhat of a curious decision for Microsoft. The company's Windows Phone platform is losing ground, having dropped to a 2.5 percent share of the smartphone market last quarter, versus Android and iOS, which collectively account for more than 9 out of 10 smartphones. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Play 'Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare' Free for 72 Hours Posted: 15 Aug 2014 12:06 PM PDT  Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare sprouts on EA's GameTime
The original Plants vs. Zombies hooked gamers on its unique and quirky style of tower defense, and to this day it's a fun time waster, especially if you've never played it before. It was even great (and arguably better) on tablets, though that's a discussion for a different day. Today's topic is Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare, a $30 third-person online shooter that's free through EA's Game Time program for a limited time. In case you're not familiar with it, Game Time is EA's way of offering gamers an extended trial of games, and to promote its Origin digital distribution service. At present, you can download the full version of PvZ Garden Warfare at no cost and play it for 72 hours. Should you decide to buy the game when the timer runs out, you'll retain all your progress, saved games, unlocked characters and weapons, and other goodies. Not all gamers are fans of EA's Origin service, and for some, that might be a deal killer. However, we have to give props to EA for offering promotions like this, which is probably a necessity if it's going to try and compete with Valve's Steam platform, which also frequently runs promotions and tantalizing sales. If you want to give PvZ Garden Warfare a spin this weekend, head over to Origin and claim your extended trial. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Get a Sneak Peek of Window 9 in September or October Posted: 15 Aug 2014 11:38 AM PDT  Microsoft is planning a technology preview of Threshold next month
Now that Microsoft is no longer bothering itself with major updates for Windows 8.1, the company can switch focus to its next operating system codenamed "Threshold," or Windows 9 if you think Microsoft will keep the numbering scheme going. What will Windows 9 bring to the table? If that's a question you'd like answered, stay tuned -- Microsoft is reportedly planning a "technology preview" of Windows 9 either late next month or early October. According to CNET and the multiple sources it spoke with who wish not to be named, anyone who installs the technology preview of Windows 9 will be required to accept subsequent monthly updates that are automatically pushed out. One of the sources "who has provided accurate information on Windows in the past" added that the tech preview will be available to anyone interested. Microsoft hasn't said much about Threshold or confirmed any features, though there have been a number of supposed leaks showing off different aspects of Windows 9, including a new mini Start Menu. If the leaked content is true, there will also be windowed Metro-style applications on the Desktop, virtual desktops, and no more Charms bar (except on tablets). Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Samsung Buys Startup SmartThings, Reportedly Pays $200 Million Posted: 15 Aug 2014 11:20 AM PDT  Samsung joins the home automation club
SmartThings confirmed today that it has been acquired by Samsung and will operate as an independent company with the South Korean company's Open Innovation Center group. The deal puts Samsung in the home automation space, a popular niche as of late with Google recently acquiring Nest and Apple owning HomeKit. It's a sensible pairing, with SmartThing building technologies that allows users to control home devices through their mobile phones. The two companies didn't disclose how much the deal is worth, though TechCrunch is reporting that it was for around $200 million. As for terms of the deal, SmartThings said its growing team will remain fully intact and relocate to a new headquarters in Palo Alto, California. The company doesn't foresee a change in the way it does things, other than now it's backed by a major company. "We believe that there is an enormous opportunity to leverage Samsung's global scale to help us realize our long-term vision. While we will remain operationally independent, joining forces with Samsung will enable us to support all of the leading smartphone vendors, devices, and applications; expand our base of developers and enhance the tools and programs that they rely on; and help many more people around the world easily control and monitor their homes using SmartThings," SmartThings said in a blog post. In addition to home automation, this is a play in the Internet of Things (IoT) space and the millions of connected devices around the world. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Intel 530 Series 240GB SSD, Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1866, and More! Posted: 15 Aug 2014 10:45 AM PDT |
| Corsair Announces Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum DDR4 Memory Posted: 15 Aug 2014 08:44 AM PDT  Bring on the next generation platforms!
While we sit around waiting for Intel to release its next generation processors, supplementary component makers are arming themselves with parts for upcoming platforms, and so can you. For example, Corsair today announced the availability of its Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum lines of high-speed DDR4 memory. Did you catch that? Note that this is DDR4 RAM, not DDR3. Both series are validated with motherboard partners (Asus, ASRock, EVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI) and use the new XMP 2.0 profile for easy overclocking on X99 chipset motherboards when paired with Intel's upcoming Haswell-E processors. Those of you rocking a large heatsink or are otherwise cramped for space will want to check out the Vengeance LPX. Corsair designed this line for high-performance overclocking with a low profile heatspreader made of pure aluminum. Underneath it sits an 8-layer PCB. These kits are available in black, red, white, or blue to match your system. Corsair's Dominator Platinum DDR4 continues where the DDR3 version left off. It looks similar with an industrial design and DHX technology for cooler operation, and it's compatible with Corsair Link for real-time temperature monitoring. The Dominator Platinum consists of hand-screened ICs and undergoes rigorous performance testing, Corsair says. A variety of kits are available in both series in capacities raning from 8GB (2x4GB) to 64GB (8x8GB) at 2666MHz, 2800MHz, and 3000MHz. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
