| Microsoft outlines new accessibility features for Windows 8 (video) Feb 15th 2012, 13:36 | Ready to submit your premier Windows 8 app? Interested in adding some new accessibility features? Microsoft wants to ensure that its incoming OS can be used by people with disabilities right out of the box, detailing its "comprehensive accessibility platform" that will arrive on the next version of Windows. It's redesigned the built-in screen reader, improving performance speed while adding more languages and voices. Microsoft has also extended its compatibility, including the ability to read output from applications. The Narrator will even assist with the installation of Windows 8, something that's already integrated into the developer preview. The voice assistant will also be better equipped to keep up with your web browsing habits, with improved processing speed and keyboard shortcuts to navigate during narration. Microsoft's looking to ensure that developers will find it easier to include accessibility into their projects, including support for standards like HTML5 and XAML, as well as accessibility testing tools found within the Windows SDK. Stylistically, the new Metro UI allows for new high contrast viewing options alongside the ability to adjust element sizes. Microsoft promises that these are now simpler to apply and adjust within the OS. Touch-only Windows 8 devices will also benefit from redesigned tools like the magnifier, now transformed into a touch overlay around the border, while a preview view will show exactly where you've zoomed in. Catch the developers explaining it in their own words right after the break. Continue reading Microsoft outlines new accessibility features for Windows 8 (video) Microsoft outlines new accessibility features for Windows 8 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Building Windows 8 blog | Email this | Comments | | AMD releases Radeon HD 7750 and 7770 GPUs, reviewers like and don't like Feb 15th 2012, 12:11 | Not into that whole $500 fuse-melting monster graphics card thing? Then good news for you: AMD has finally brought out two more affordable models in its 28nm Radeon HD range. The 7770 is priced at $169 and claims to be the world's first reference GPU that comes factory over-clocked to 1GHz. Meanwhile, the 7750 comes in at $109 and boasts a low enough wattage (75W, versus 100W for the 7770) that it doesn't require its own power connector. Both cards pack 1GB RAM and run on AMD's Cape Verde architecture, which makes them slightly different to the Tahiti-powered 7900 series, although they do inherit key top-end features like ZeroCore Power, PowerTune and Eyefinity 2.0. Reviewers have mixed opinions, as befits a healthy blogosphere, but the low-power 7750 generally comes off slightly better, especially for those looking to build a budget or HTPC rig. AnandTech likes the power-to-performance ratio of both cards, but dislikes the price-to-performance of the 7770, noting that the older 6850 still offers more in this respect -- at least for gamers. HotHardware concludes that AMD might have "technically" priced both cards "just right," considering how they stack up against NVIDIA's GeForce GTX560 and 550, but in practice those NVIDIA cards deliver a lot more punch for just a few extra dollars. Feel free to glean further details for yourself via the PR and review links below. Continue reading AMD releases Radeon HD 7750 and 7770 GPUs, reviewers like and don't like AMD releases Radeon HD 7750 and 7770 GPUs, reviewers like and don't like originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | AnandTech, HotHardware, PC Perspective, TechSpot | Email this | Comments | | Apple wants to file patent lawsuit against Kodak, fully aware that Kodak's bankrupt Feb 15th 2012, 11:53 | Poor Kodak just can't catch a break these days. Nearly a month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and mere days after shuttering its digital camera business, the sputtering company now finds itself the target of no less a behemoth than Apple. Yesterday, Cupertino's legal team asked a US Bankruptcy Court for permission to go after Kodak on two legal fronts: with a patent infringement lawsuit in a Manhattan district court, and a corollary complaint in the ITC. According to Bloomberg, Apple's patent suit focuses on technologies that Kodak uses in its line of digital cameras, printers and digital picture frames. Unfortunately for Kodak, printers and picture frames are precisely the two product areas it decided to focus on, as confirmed in last week's restructuring announcement. Salt, meet wound. If the bankruptcy court grants the request, Apple will head straight to court, in the hopes of obtaining a block against Kodak's allegedly infringing products. Kodak, meanwhile, could file a request to hold off the district level case until the ITC ruling comes through, though Apple said yesterday that it would press forward, regardless. The company was also quick to point out that it's not legally bound to request permission to sue a court-protected bankrupt company, but did so "out of an abundance of caution," which is really considerate, if you think about it. Apple wants to file patent lawsuit against Kodak, fully aware that Kodak's bankrupt originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  The Next Web | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments | |
