Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well

Posted on 03/10/2012 by Jon Fingas

When Paul Allen isn't busy writing memoirs or suing everyone, he's... providing insightful operating system commentary? While "software reviewer" isn't normally part of his job description, Allen has seen fit to dissect Microsoft's Windows 8 interface and learn how the company he co-founded is getting along without him. It's coping gracefully, thank you. The industry pioneer has decided the OS has a lot of promise for tablets, where the touch interface and legacy Windows support could provide the best of both worlds. He doesn't spare his former coworkers from criticism, though: he warns that the split between the Windows 8-style UI and the traditional desktop is potentially confusing, notes the absence of useful Android and iOS features like touch-friendly app folders, and doesn't find the conventional Windows interface very practical with fingers alone. It's hard to ignore the soft spot Allen likely has towards the platform he fostered for years, but his preview still offers a unique perspective on what many of us will see in three weeks.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Software, Microsoft

Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG gets patent for mobile UI that reacts to flexible displays, encourages origami

Posted on 19/09/2012 by Jon Fingas

As often as companies love to toy with flexible displays, we're seldom told how we'd control that newfound freedom. Are we supposed to make e-paper cranes? Credit LG for some forward thinking -- it's just receiving a US patent for a 2008-era user interface invention that would use a bending screen to its advantage. The implementation includes two displays, one of which flexes while the other accepts touch; bend or fold the first display, and the touchscreen changes to suit the context. Having two closely linked displays would also let the panels run either in unity or independently. Suffice it to say that the technology is unlikely to roll out as-is on a smartphone, if ever: LG's attention has swung towards having one big touchscreen as of late. However, the interface does give the Korean firm a place to start if it develops devices to match its new flexible batteries.

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays, Mobile

LG gets patent for mobile UI that reacts to flexible displays, encourages origami originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums

Posted on 24/08/2012 by Jamie Rigg

Adobe's cloud-based photo storage and editing app has been enjoying its new name since it hopped off the Carousel, and now it's appreciating a feature bump too. Version 1.5 has just hit the virtual shelves of the Mac and iTunes stores, complete with a new UI and the option to log in using Facebook or Google accounts. Functionality wise, the update adds text captioning for your snaps and the ability to create albums which auto-sync across your devices and can be shared with others via the web. Alright, so the update isn't revolutionizing the service, but we're sure those that currently subscribe are reveling in it.

Continue reading Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums

Filed under: Storage, Software

Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you’ll interact with the E-Paper Watch

Posted on 14/08/2012 by Zach Honig

Sadly, Pebble won't be making its way to backers by its original September estimate, but the design team wants you to know that it's hard at work, traveling the world to source components, running shipping tests and spending time refining the user interface in order to provide a top-notch experience once you do receive your device in the mail. To that end, Martijn, the UI designer, has dropped by Vimeo to provide us with a "sneak peek" at the device's operation, including some demos on iOS and a connected prototyping board, using a custom tool that sends designs to the Pebble screen from any graphics program in real-time (a feature that will reportedly also be available in the SDK). From what we've seen, there appears to be plenty of space on the screen to show incoming calls, read emails with eight lines of text at a time, view appointment details, select songs and control volume, and, of course, see the current time. Commenters seem to be quite pleased with the design so far, and we have to agree -- it's a pretty slick UI. Jump past the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you'll interact with the E-Paper Watch

Filed under: Displays, Wireless

Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you'll interact with the E-Paper Watch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google’s smartphone patent doesn’t mind which end you talk into

Posted on 14/08/2012 by Daniel Cooper

The rectangular, predominantly symmetrical nature of most smartphones means if you're not looking, you might find you're holding the handset the wrong way around when a call comes in. Google's most recently awarded patent may seek to end your orientation confusion by adding a microphone and speaker at both ends of the device. That way, when you pick it up to answer a call, it'll determine which way you're holding it and select the microphone and speaker accordingly. Then again, this is a patent filing, so it's just as likely to wind up lining the bottom of a Mountain View engineer's drawer.

Filed under: Cellphones

Google's smartphone patent doesn't mind which end you talk into originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft downplays Metro design name, might face a lawsuit over all that street lingo

Posted on 02/08/2012 by Jon Fingas

If you've seen most of Microsoft's design language for nearly three years, there's only one word that sums it up: Metro. In spite of that urban look being the underpinning of Windows Phone, Windows 8 and even the Zune HD, Microsoft now claims to ZDNet and others that it's no longer fond of the Metro badge. Instead, it's supposedly phasing out the name as part of a "transition from industry dialog to a broad consumer dialog" while it starts shipping related products -- a funny statement for a company that's been shipping some of those products for quite awhile. Digging a little deeper, there's murmurs that the shift might not be voluntary. Both Ars Technica and The Verge hear from unverified sources that German retailer Metro AG might waving its legal guns and forcing Microsoft to quiet down over a potential (if questionable) trademark dispute. Metro AG itself won't comment other than to say that these are "market rumors," which doesn't exactly calm any frayed nerves over in Redmond. Should there be any truth to the story, we hope Microsoft chooses an equally catchy name for those tiles later on; ~~Windows Street Sign Interface~~ Windows 8-style UI just wouldn't have the same ring to it.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Microsoft downplays Metro design name, might face a lawsuit over all that street lingo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype for Windows, Mac and Linux all get updates on the same day

Posted on 14/06/2012 by Daniel Cooper

Skype in all its forms received incremental updates for those video conferencing addicts out there. The Windows flavor gained various UI improvements, including a pinnable contacts list, backwards-compatible video rendering for older machines and better Facebook integration. Meanwhile, the Mac version got a similarly refreshed interface, improved screen sharing for premium users and a bunch of fixes necessary to get the software ready for Mountain Lion. Over on the Linux table, users will find improved video and audio quality along with a raft of minor bug fixes and improvements. The revised versions are available to grab as soon as you re-launch the phone-troubling software.

Skype for Windows, Mac and Linux all get updates on the same day originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin multi-sensor controller concept replaces touchscreen interface with in-console dial rig

Posted on 22/05/2012 by Zach Honig

Garmin may be in the early stages of navigating its way from the narrow roads of portable GPS to the in-car infotainment highway, but the company appears to be on the right path, directing focus away from dedicated compact devices and towards permanent in-dash installations. The latest advancement places a greater emphasis on improving control systems, marking a potential departure from the touchscreen in favor of a console-mounted multi-controller that enables adjustments while minimizing distractions. The system combines a proximity-sensing rotary controller that displays the appropriate interface as your hand approaches, along with a touchpad and a variety of selection buttons with functionality that varies depending on the current menu. In addition to the obvious GPS module, the system would enable HVAC control, car monitoring and even smartphone app integration. The multi-sensor controller is still in the concept phase -- the project doesn't even have a proper name yet -- but it does appear to be a practical solution for future vehicle interfaces. You'll find a few more details in the blog post after the break.

Continue reading Garmin multi-sensor controller concept replaces touchscreen interface with in-console dial rig

Garmin multi-sensor controller concept replaces touchscreen interface with in-console dial rig originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)

Posted on 21/05/2012 by Daniel Cooper

Motorola is demonstrating how it expects TVs of the future will work with its DreamGallery concept. Powered by the company's Medios cloud-service, the display is designed to let you browse content as if it was the internet -- with bookmarks, personalized recommendations and interactive search tools. Its designed to work across your TV, computer, tablet and smartphone, aggregating Cable, Internet TV and VOD under a single interface that sits behind pull-tabs around the picture. If you're curious to see if this is easier to use than TiVo, head on past the break to catch your first glimpse.

Continue reading Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)

Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perifoveal Display tracks head positioning, highlights changing data on secondary LCDs (hands-on)

Posted on 25/04/2012 by Zach Honig

If there's a large display as part of your workstation, you know how difficult it can be to keep track of all of your windows simultaneously, without missing a single update. Now imagine surrounding yourself with three, or four, or five jumbo LCDs, each littered with dozens of windows tracking realtime data -- be it RSS feeds, an inbox or chat. Financial analysts, security guards and transit dispatchers are but a few of the professionals tasked with monitoring such arrays, constantly scanning each monitor to keep abreast of updates. One project from the MIT Media Lab offers a solution, pairing Microsoft Kinect cameras with detection software, then highlighting changes with a new graphical user interface.

Perifoveal Display presents data at normal brightness on the monitor that you're facing directly. Then, as you move your head to a different LCD, that panel becomes brighter, while changes on any of the displays that you're not facing directly (but still remain within your peripheral vision) -- a rising stock price, or motion on a security camera -- are highlighted with a white square, which slowly fades once you turn to face the new information. During our hands-on demo, everything worked as described, albeit without the instant response times you may expect from such a platform. As with most Media Lab projects, there's no release date in sight, but you can gawk at the prototype in our video just after the break.

Gallery: MIT Media Lab: Perifoveal Display