Tag Archives: Windows8

GestureWorks Gameplay adds onscreen controls to almost any Windows 8 game

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DNP GestureWorks Gameplay adds virtual controllers for video

GestureWorks is smearing the lines between PC and tablet gaming with its Windows 8 app, Gameplay. The application lets you custom-design gestures and virtual buttons for most games, and place them wherever you see fit. It probably works fine with Castle Crashers' simplistic mayhem (pictured above), but we aren't so sure we'd want to explore Skyrim without a mouse and keyboard. Regardless, maybe now you can give those Steam sale impulse buys a whirl while you're on the go.

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Source: GestureWorks (1), (2) (PDF)

HP launches ZBook mobile workstations with Ultrabook model, 3,200 x 1,800 screen option

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HP launches ZBook mobile workstation line with Ultrabook model, 3,200 x 1,800 screen option

HP's 2012 mobile workstation range was powerful, but would we have called it exciting? Not exactly. The company may just liven things up with its new ZBook line, however. The three-laptop series is based on a thinner and lighter design template that includes a 14-inch Ultrabook variant, the ZBook 14 (pictured above). Basically, Dell's Precision M3800 now has a big-name competitor. Those willing to trade some portability for power will also get a few welcome additions. The mid-size ZBook 15 (after the break) has a 3,200 x 1,800 display option, while both the ZBook 15 and the flagship ZBook 17 carry Thunderbolt ports.

All three PCs ship with Haswell-based Intel processors as well as the latest pro graphics from either AMD or NVIDIA. Mobile workers can order the 15- and 17-inch ZBooks today, or wait for the 14-inch system's arrival in late October. You'll find more details of HP's workstation updates after the break, including a more conservative refresh to the Z desktop line that brings Ivy Bridge-based Xeon processors and Thunderbolt 2.

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Source: HP (1), (2), (3)

Surface Power Cover rumored to ship after the Surface 2, provide the whole family with extra juice

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Surface Power Cover rumored to ship after the Surface 2, provide the whole family with extra juice

Despite Microsoft's claims that the Surface family of tablets was a representation of "no compromise," many road warriors have found the battery life to be... well, compromised. In order to address said concerns, it's looking as if Microsoft will be launching a line of Power Covers. In a nutshell, these battery-inclusive Type Covers will snap onto Surface tablets as the existing ones do now, but a bump in thickness (from 0.21-inches to 0.38-inches) will add "significant" life. Interestingly, WinSupersite is reporting that the covers won't ship until after the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, and the original Surface RT won't be compatible. Oh, and as for pricing? Mum's the word, as you might expect for an unconfirmed accessory.

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Via: ZDNet

Source: WinSupersite, Neowin

Parallels Desktop 9 supports OS X Mavericks and cloud services, provides mighty performance boost

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Parallels Desktop 9 supports OS X Mavericks and cloud services, provides mighty performance boost

Parallels usually does a pretty great job at heavily improving its Mac / Windows fusion software, and we'd say this newly minted version doesn't fall remotely short of that. Parallels Desktop 9 brings an array of improvements and enhancements to the table: integration with popular cloud services (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive and more), support for Power Nap on compatible laptops, the ability to have a keyboard customized for Windows and, perhaps most importantly, being friendly with OS X Mavericks. This new iteration is on sale now to new customers for $79.99 or $39.99 for the Student Edition, while Desktop 7 and Desktop 8 users will only have to shell out $49.99 to upgrade. The full list of novel features can be perused in the PR after the break, and there's also a video in case moving visual images are something you prefer.

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Source: Parallels

Foursquare now available for Windows 8

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Foursquare now available for Windows 8

Foursquare revealed its plans for a Windows 8 app two months ago, and it's making good on its promise by launching the software today. This first tablet-specific version of Foursquare offers the check-in and location discovery features we've seen in the company's mobile apps, but in a very photo-centric interface that takes advantage of the extra screen space. Both the map view and location pages also expose more detail at the top level, such as nearby hotspots and associated lists. If you want to check into sushi bars with your Surface, you can grab Foursquare's app through the source link.

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Via: Windows Experience Blog

Source: Windows Store

Switched On: Windows ReTried

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Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

DNP Switched On Windows ReTried

Last week's Switched On discussed the initial confusion and rough ride for Windows RT, which became a dealbreaker for inventive PC designs that used the operating system. Despite ASUS dropping out of making Windows RT devices and joining such abstainers as HP, Acer and Toshiba, the operating system is due to be updated to include improvements in Windows 8.1, creating what will apparently be Windows RT 8.1.

While Windows RT may have survived the chopping block, Microsoft faces some tough decisions regarding its future. Here are a few scenarios on how its future may play out.

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Gameloft and Amiga Games to release 56 titles on Windows 8, WP8 before 2014

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Gameloft and Amiga Games to release 56 titles on Windows 8, WP8 before 2014

Sure, Microsoft's battle for next-gen supremacy starts in November, but those who lean on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 for their gaming just got a little something to look forward to. Gameloft is readying a total of 15 games that'll arrive within the next 12 months and launch simultaneously on both platforms. Before the year's up, you can expect to see Asphalt 8: Airborne, Despicable Me: Minion Rush, Dungeon Hunter 4, Six Guns, Total Conquest and UNO & Friends, with the remaining games breaking cover next year. The recently-acquired Amiga Games will churn out 50 titles of its own onto Microsoft's desktop and mobile OS before year's end, and could bump the total up to 500 afterwards. Details on which games we'll see first weren't divulged, but the outfit says they'll make use of the operating system's features such as live tiles and Snap and Share, as well as cross-platform data sharing. For a look at what's to come, head past the break for a fresh Asphalt 8 trailer.

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Via: WinSuperSite

Source: Microsoft

Windows 8 found to skew benchmark results on overclocked hardware

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Windows 8 found to skew benchmark results on overclocked hardware

Overclocking may yield impressive benchmark results, but it turns out scores from Windows 8 PCs may not be reliable. The management at overclocking community HWBOT has discovered that tests provide inaccurate stats when then CPU base clock frequency is fiddled with from within the OS. Hardware-based real-time clocks (RTCs) help keep accurate track of time, but the operating system's timekeeping somehow slows down or ramps up when processing speeds are tweaked. When underclocked by six percent, the outfit's Haswell-infused system lagged 18 seconds behind actual time, fooling the benchmark into a higher score since it seemingly finished in a shorter period of time. Conversely, a boost to CPU speeds results in a lower mark as the internal timepiece ticks away faster than usual. However, modifying processor speeds at boot time avoids these issues.

As a result of the revelation, HWBOT is no longer accepting benchmarks from computers running the eighth iteration of Ballmer and Co.'s software, and will invalidate those already in its database. "Simply no benchmark - not even 3DMark - is unaffected by Microsoft's RTC design decisions," the outlet adds. The timing issues are said to stem from Windows 8's support of disparate hardware setups, including embedded and budget PCs that don't have a fixed RTC. If you'd like to see the inconsistencies for yourself, head past the break for video proof.

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Via: ExtremeTech

Source: HWBOT

Wacom’s Cintiq Companion tablets offer mobile pen display chops for Android and Windows 8 starting at $1499

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Wacom's standalone tablets break cover Cintiq Companion line offers pro pen display chops on the gor for Android and Windows 8

Back in March, Wacom teased a standalone tablet for the graphics-minded set. In the meantime, the outfit released the Cintiq 13HD: a slate-size pen display that nailed down the compact end of its Cintiq line, but must remain tethered to a desktop or laptop for use. Now, the peripheral company has officially taken the wraps off of the Cintiq Companion and Cintiq Companion Hybrid. Both units wield similar aesthetics to the 13HD and house a 13.3-inch TFT LCD display with 1,920 x 1,080 resolution serving up a 700:1 contrast ratio and 16.7 million colors -- that's 75% of the Adobe RGB gamut. As you might expect, the trusty ExpressKeys, Rocker Ring, customizable controls and multitouch gestures are all here alongside the Pro Pen, its 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity and an adjustable stand. The main difference between the two? The Companion sports either Windows 8 or Window 8 Pro while the Companion Hybrid runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The Cintiq Companion packs a third-gen Intel Core i-7 processor, 8GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU and SSD storage. Selecting Windows 8 will nab you 256GB of space while opting for Windows 8 Pro bumps that capacity up to 512GB with price tags of $1,999 and $2,499 respectively. As for the Android version, it features both a NVIDIA GPU and quad-core Tegra 4 processor, 2GB RAM and HDMI input with 16GB and 32GB options. The former will dock your wallet for $1,499 while the latter clocks in at $1,599. MicroSD slots are included on the entire lot, should the need arise to wrangle a memory card or two. Across the board you'll also encounter a 8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front-facing shooter, WiFi and Bluetooth. Cintiq Companion Hybrid units will arrive mid-September and Cintiq Companion models will hit shelves in October, but the whole family is up for pre-order now. In the meantime, you can catch all of the details on both in the PR that resides after the break, %Gallery-slideshow73013%

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Source: Wacom

ASUS VivoBook X102BA leaks with 10.1-inch screen and Win 8, reportedly launching next month

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ASUS VivoBook X102BA leaks with 101inch screen and Win 8, reportedly launching next month

Families are all about growing -- an honest case of "the more, the merrier," if you will. Now, according to our friends over at SweClockers, ASUS is getting ready to make its own Vivo family a little larger by introducing the VivoBook X102BA. This leaked Windows 8 PC reportedly packs some pretty run-of-the-mill specs, including a 1.0GHz, dual-core AMD A4-1200 CPU (with Radeon HD 8180 for graphics), 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. What's also of interest here is that ASUS is said to be bundling it with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, which would certainly be a useful tool to interested parties. Per the report, the ASUS VivoBook X102BA will launch sometime in September for around 330 euros, or about 440 bucks if you're this side of the pond.

[Thanks, Jacob]

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Source: SweClockers