The Windows 8.1 Start Button is certainly coming, whether you like what it does or not. As for what all other things we can expect, we have for you folks leaked screenshots of redesigned Windows 8.1 applications.

The image above shows the new look for Xbox Music. You will be able to check out your collection on the side, and there are “explore” and “radio” buttons. The radio service is expected to be powered by Microsoft’s Smart DJ. Meanwhile, “explore” will reportedly show artists you might like and recently released albums.

In the video below, you can take a peek at updates which will be arriving for the news, weather, travel, finance and sports apps.

The new design for Windows Store features an application “shelf”, and there will be more text in the interface.

The Store will also finally start showing apps recommendations based on what you are searching for.

And new applications are coming including a voice recording application, a new metro styled calculator, and a good looking alarm app you see below.

So, what do you think about these updates that are coming? Will these be appealing to those who weren’t fond of Windows 8?

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While, AMD is just venturing into the world of Android, Intel has had big plans for the OS for a while now. What we have here is a new reference tablet from the company dubbed the Bay Trail-T, and it features the company’s “Silvermont” quad-core Atom processor.

The device with the Bay Trail chip, which weighs 611 grams and has about the same thickness as the 3rd/4th generation iPad, has a 10-inch 2560×1440 resolution display. The guys over at AnandTech were lucky enough to play with the slate which apparently was running both Windows 8 and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

According to Intel, Bay Trail’s capabilities include 2X the CPU and 3X the GPU performance compared to Clover Trail and very improved battery life. And of course they have also promised cheap tablets most of which should fall between $200 to $300 price range.

We will certainly be waiting for a product from tablet makers with Silvermont Bay Trail CPU. What about you?

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Nokia’s 41-megapixel 808 certainly turned a lot of heads, especially those of all the shutterbugs out there. But only if it came with Windows Phone, right? Well, Nokia is said to be having plans to introduce a WP device (“EOS”) with the same camera sensor as the 808 and with their famous PureView technology, and that device could be the one seen above.

As you can see, the device has a pretty giant bulge on its back. Of course those who like to click a lot of pictures with their phone wherever they go won’t be bothered about that hump as long as the photos are amazing, and from the looks of things it should have awesome cam capabilities. Carrying it around surely won’t need as much effort as walking with a big DSLR.

It also seems to a have a big flash. And we have a doubt whether that “XX” is suggesting that it’s a 20MP camera.

Whether it’s the EOS Windows Phone or not we are expecting the device to be official sometime soon. In the meantime, we are digging in for more info. So stay tuned for updates.

Would you mind such a bulge on your phone if it can take great pictures?

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The post Nokia 20 Megapixel PureView Windows Phone Coming Soon? appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Those who have been waiting for the Verizon 928 will surely be able to play with the good looking handset soon. But maybe you should wait a bit more time to check out what Nokia is coming out with tomorrow. They have released a teaser video of their upcoming Lumia device, the one that will be announced in London on May 14^th.

Not many details are being shown in the video. The main thing to note is that the device has a massive camera lens with dual LED flash, and seems to have a smooth white body. The device certainly looks a lot like the leaked aluminum “Catwalk” device which has been rumored earlier to be named the Lumia 925. The 925 is said to be coming equipped with specs similar to that of the Lumia 920. But there have also been reports about an upcoming 41-megapixel “EOS” Windows Phone which is similar in design to the Catwalk.

“More than your eyes can see” is what the teaser is saying which suggests that the device will probably have stunning camera capabilities. But whichever device is coming, we will surely be there to bring the latest info about all things Lumia. So stay tuned.

Check out the video and you can leave your thoughts below.

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Microsoft is expected to unveil a major update to Windows 8, version 8.1 (aka Blue), in June at their Build conference. It appears like they have been listening to customer feedback and wants to make things better. According to The Verge, the company has plans to bring back the Start button with 8.1.

Most Windows 8 users wanted the return of the Start button and Start Menu, so they went for tools such as Pokki, which has been downloaded about 1.5 million times. With the arrival of Windows 8.1, the Start button will apparently make a comeback. It will look similar to the Windows flag in the Charm bar.

Don’t get too excited though as this button is not coming with the traditional Start Menu, but it will just allow you access to the Windows 8 Start Screen. So you better make plans for a third-party app if you hold no love for Microsoft’s new Start UI.

This new information follows an earlier hint about a boot to desktop option, which will allow users to boot directly to the traditional desktop in the upcoming OS update. More new features and upgrades are certainly coming and we are digging in to find out what those are. Stay tuned to Mobilemag for updates.

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Microsoft’s Windows 8 isn’t going the direction in which the company thought it would go, with sales being somewhat limited. This might end once Intel’s “Bay Trail” Atom processor launches later this year, though.

According to CEO Paul Otellini, with the arrival of Bay Trail chips the prices for the Windows 8 tablets as well as touchscreen laptops are “going to be down to as low as $200“. At present, a tablet coming equipped with a dual-core “Clover Trail” Atom processor costs closer to $400-$550.

The upcoming chip, which will feature four redesigned Atom cores, is coming with double the computing performance of Intel’s current tablets, and it will improve on energy efficiency as well, according to the company.

Certainly things won’t be easy for Windows 8 tablets, whether they are super-powered or not, even if it is available with a price tag between $200 and $300 since there are many Android tablets, including the 7-inch Nexus 7, in that price range. And of course Windows 8 has already suffered from negative reviews and a scarcity of apps.

Do you think that the future Windows 8 tablets running Bay Trail are going to do well on the market?

[Source]

The post Cheap Windows 8 Tablets To Take On Android appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Source code found in a recent build of Windows 8.1 might hint at a new boot up option for the latest Windows update. Currently Windows 8 users are forced to boot to the tiled menu screen before heading to the desktop to get some actual work done. On a touch screen device this isn’t really an issue, but if you are using a track pad or mouse it’s an unnecessary extra step.

Russian site Windows Portal claims that code they have found might allow users to jump directly into the desktop in Windows 8.1. Those browsing through the code say that “twinui.dll” can be disabled and reactivated depending on which screen you wish to start from.

Already current users of Windows 8 are excited by this prospect, and those currently on Windows 7 have said they would be more likely to update if this feature is included in 8.1.

[ Source ]

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Microsoft has been on the hot seat ever since Windows Vista slipped out of Redmond. Windows 7 and 8 made up for the losses with slightly different user interfaces and less bugs. Despite the improvements, Microsoft reportedly has much more up their sleeve codenamed Windows Blue.

A listing on Microsoft’s Careers site for a software development engineer confirms that Windows Blue is in the works:

We’re looking for an excellent, experienced SDET to join the Core Experience team in Windows Sustained Engineering (WinSE). The Core Experience features are the centerpiece of the new Windows UI, representing most of what customers touch and see in the OS, including: the start screen; application lifecycle; windowing; and personalization. Windows Blue promises to build and improve upon these aspects of the OS, enhancing ease of use and the overall user experience on devices and PCs worldwide.

Another job posting excerpt can be found on twitter stating that the Excel Office Mobile team is looking for someone to help develop a quality excel app for Windows Phone Blue. The reference to Windows Phone in this job listing further confirms that Microsoft is preparing either a full update to Windows or a small update comparable to the incremental OS X updates (Snow Leopard, Lion, etc.).

For all of you looking to give Microsoft your résumé, the link now leads to a page stating that “This Job is no longer available”. The job was only spotted 3 days ago. Microsoft either filled the spot very fast or decided to take it down in response to all of the coverage it received.

Do you think that it is about time Microsoft put an improvement plan like Windows Blue into place? Are you excited or anxious to see what comes next? Let us know in the comments below.

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Rumors of the alleged “Windows Blue” revamp first surfaced at the end of last year,  bringing more questions that answers. Will it be a service pack, feature pack, mass updates, or is it just a figment of some prankster’s imagination? While we have no definite answers, we have some more recent rumors that lend to some excitement. According to reports, Windows Blue will attempt to keep Microsoft competitive with yearly updates rather than it’s traditional two or three year upgrades. There was a three year span between Windows 7 and Windows 8 launches.

Mary Jo Foley with ZDNET says, “one very accurate tipster of mine who doesn’t want to be identified” stated that “Blue” is code name for multiple coordinated updates that span not only Windows 8, but Microsoft’s entire repertoire of products, and will begin this summer or fall.” Supposedly Windows phone, Windows Server, Windows RT and Windows centric services like Outlook and Skydrive all have “Blue” updates being developed.

The old school approach of using the two or three year upgrade cycle just doesn’t cut it any longer. With the speed at which the technology changes, by the time they release updates, they are years behind. This new method of more frequent updates and the previously rumored cross platform capability, could be just what Windows has been missing and what has made it inferior to the obvious integration and interaction you get with Microsoft’s biggest competitor, Apple.

Foley’s contact also stated that the Blue updates include driver and kernel level tweaks, although backwards compatibility with the current Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 versions is a priority.

Microsoft has not replied in confirmation or denial at this point which is encouraging and frustrating at the same time.

Foley also pointed out a Microsoft engineer’s LinkedIn profile which listed experience in “Windows 7″, “Windows 8″ and “Windows Blue”. The profile was quickly scrubbed with an edit of “Windows”.

While there have been lots of rumors, and rumors from very reputable whistle blowers like ZDNet and The Verge, it’s still too early to call. Are these changes that Microsoft needs to make, or do you like the way they have been operating?

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Late last year, Microsoft introduced the Windows RT-based Microsoft Surface tablet.  Would it be out of the realm of possibility for Microsoft to create an Ultrabook of their own?  With a continued push by Microsoft’s hardware partners into convertible territory, some rumors suggest that an ultrabook convertible/hybrid could be the next obvious step.

Designer Clemente Puertolas feels the same way and has come up with a Surface ultrabook concept of his own. The concept ultrabook has touchscreen capabilities, the power of Windows 8, and an ultra thin design that is even thinner than the Apple MacBook Air.

While touchscreen laptops already exist, Puertolas thinks they are too complicated, fragile and sometimes too thick.  Based on his designs, this Surface Ultrabook concept looks insanely thin and very stylish. Is this an avenue you think Microsoft would be willing to take?

Would they have more success here than they have had with the Surface RT?

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