| Toshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its own Aug 6th 2012, 20:00  Ultrabooks now come in countless shapes and sizes, and we've seen display quality vary just as much. Though 1,366 x 768 may still be the norm, 1,600 x 900 panels aren't unheard of in this ultraportable category. But what about a screen that bucks the 16:9 aspect ratio for an extra-wide 21:9? Toshiba is mixing things up with its new premium Satellite U845W Ultrabook ($1,000 and up), the first laptop to feature that odd aspect ratio. Styled in the fashion of movie theater screens, the U845W's 14.4-inch, 1,792 x 768 panel adds more horizontal pixels -- ostensibly to enhance the movie-watching experience. In theory, too, that setup should allow for more room to multitask with windows side by side. So how good of an idea is a 21:9 screen in practice? Join us as we put it to the test. Continue reading Toshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its own Filed under: Laptops Toshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its own originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Windows 8 may not let you boot to the desktop, demands you accept not-Metro Aug 6th 2012, 19:53  If you were hoping that you could force Windows 8 to bypass the don't-call-it-Metro homescreen and boot straight to the familiar desktop you've come to know and love, we've got bad news. Word on the street is, Microsoft has removed this ability from the latest builds of the OS -- so you're gonna have to stare at a pile of tiles when you boot up, whether you like it or not. According to Rafael Rivera, one of the authors of Windows 8 Secrets, there is a work around that involves creating a shortcut to the desktop and scheduling it to run at boot. But, it appears that even enterprise customers will be blocked from making the standard desktop the default environment. While Redmond is no doubt implementing such a policy to enforce consistency, it could prove to be a source of frustration for big businesses, which are notoriously resistant to change. We'll just have to wait for the final release to find out for sure. Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs, Software Windows 8 may not let you boot to the desktop, demands you accept not-Metro originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  The Next Web |  ZDNet | Email this | Comments | | Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard Aug 6th 2012, 19:46  Microsoft, objecting to a web standard promoted by its competitors? Get out. While Firefox, Opera and now Chrome have implemented WebRTC on some level for plugin-free VoIP and webcam chats, Microsoft doesn't think the existing, proposed standard is up to snuff for linking with existing devices or obeying "key web tenets." It's suggesting a new CU-RTC-Web standard to fix what it claims is broken with WebRTC. Thankfully, the changes are more technical improvements than political maneuvering: Microsoft wants a peer-to-peer transport level that gives more control as well as to reduce some of the requirements that it sees holding the technology back as of today. There's no doubt an economic incentive for a company that wants to push Skype in the browser, but the format is already in front of the W3C and could become a real cross-platform standard. If other W3C members are willing to (slightly) reinvent the wheel, Microsoft's approach could get Chrome and Internet Explorer users talking -- no, really talking. Filed under: Internet Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink SlashGear | Interoperability @ Microsoft, W3C | Email this | Comments | | Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget? Aug 6th 2012, 19:20  Oh sure, you love gadgets -- but do you have the chops to write about them? We'd love to know if you think you do, because we're looking to actually pay people to do this stuff. Professional writing experience, particularly in our industry, is greatly preferred. That said, what we really care about is that you can write skillfully about gadgets with wit, concision, authority and blinding speed, even if you haven't cut your teeth in the press just yet. Oh, and being obsessed with Engadget is good, too. We're looking for an editor in the San Francisco area. Want to apply? Read on.
Continue reading Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget? Filed under: Announcements Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | YouTube app removed from iOS 6 but not iOS 5 and older; Google working on a standalone version Aug 6th 2012, 19:09  Apple just got in touch with us regarding the removal of the YouTube app in the latest beta of iOS 6, and while it wouldn't say much, it did confirm the obvious: it's not there for a reason. The licensing deal it had with Google "has ended, but users can still use YouTube via the Safari web app." The company did affirm, however, that Google "is working" on another version -- presumably a standalone app that'll have to survive the same App Store approval process as Google Drive, Gmail for iOS and the rest of the bunch. Interestingly, we were told that the YouTube app "would remain on iOS 5 and older," and that includes iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Granted, the amount of iOS 5 users will dip dramatically in the months following iOS 6's release this fall, but it leaves open the question of compatibility -- will the forthcoming YouTube app for iOS 6 be installable on iOS 5 and older? All things considered, it's probably a good thing for consumers. Yes, it's another play by Apple to distance itself from its biggest mobile OS rival (Maps, anyone?), but it also gives Google the chance to reimagine the YouTube app, and perhaps even design it to showcase a great mobile experience around the company's huge original content push. Apple wouldn't comment on the status of Google's new YouTube app, nor would it speak to whether or not it had even been submitted for approval, but we're guessing the clock watchers know that September 12th is drawing near. YouTube app removed from iOS 6 but not iOS 5 and older; Google working on a standalone version originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video) Aug 6th 2012, 19:00  It's a fairly menacing sight, an aluminum robot sporting big tank treads -- that is, until you watch one of its creators do a handstand on top of the thing in a pair of cargo shorts. And really, while the 'bot wouldn't look too out of place with a small machine gun strapped to its front, its intentions are peaceful, seeking to extend the WiFi connections to hazardous places lacking in network infrastructure. We first heard about the project last week, when the team of computer and electrical engineers at Northeastern University that created it first revealed their work to the media. A visit this weekend to our favorite Somerville, Massachusetts-based hackerspace provided the opportunity to check out the beast in-person and discuss the project with a couple of its creators. After the limited machining resources at Northeastern failed to meet their needs, the students found a home at Artisan's Asylum, where they learned the skills necessary to put together this ambitious project, utilizing classes and the metal shop provided by the space. The result is an impressive sight, a robot capable of climbing stairs and supporting the weight of two adult humans -- the latter of which they happily demonstrated for us in a yet-to-be-occupied new wing at Artisan's. The former, on the other hand, we were unable to see, sadly, as the internals were mostly gutted at the moment on the ever-evolving project. Team member Dan Landers, was more than happy to discuss the project, standing next to a pile of water jet-cut steel pieces that will form the first leg of giant hexapod Stompy, a project on which Landers is also a participant. Continue reading WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video) Filed under: Robots, Wireless WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Glench | Email this | Comments | | Verizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses more mobile productivity tools Aug 6th 2012, 18:23  Fresh off unveiling Office 365's cloud app model last month, Microsoft has teamed up with Verizon to add the productivity suite to Big Red's Small Business Essentials service. Similar to the Governmental version of Office 365, small businesses can gain access to Office web apps, SharePoint website design tools, Exchange email and calendar service, plus Lync messaging. Best part is, it's just six bucks a month per user, and most all enterprise customers are taken care of: the tools are available on Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows Phone. Want to know more? PR awaits after the break. Continue reading Verizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses more mobile productivity tools Filed under: Internet, Software Verizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses more mobile productivity tools originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Verizon Wireless | Email this | Comments | | Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues Aug 6th 2012, 18:11  Right alongside iOS 6 beta 4, Apple has also pushed out beta 4 software for its Apple TV -- useful for "testing AirPlay for iOS apps," according to the company. Not surprising, actually, considering that a bit of the polish from the former relied on updates to the latter. It's available as we speak to registered developers, and it promises to fix a number of niggles involving restarts while using the Remote app, the wrong resolution being displayed on one's HDTV, and a Photo Stream quirk that prevented some images from loading. The bullet-point breakdown is hosted up after the break. Continue reading Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues Filed under: Home Entertainment Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Apple | Email this | Comments | | Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog Aug 6th 2012, 18:04  Right around 20 days after iOS 6 beta 3 was beamed out to developers, beta 4 is now making its way into those same hands via an OTA download. We've just confirmed that the files are indeed being pushed out, with the changelog showing fixes related to Facebook integration, the Address Book, authorization statues, and Apple TV / Bonjour workflows. You'll also get a patched-up Dictionary, iTunes and Maps, amongst other things. The entire list of updates is embedded after the break, but we'd recommend a stiff cup of coffee before trying to digest 'em all. Update: For the eagle-eyed, yes, this update does indeed remove the YouTube app from the iOS homescreen. If you're out of the loop, Google owns YouTube. And Apple hasn't shied away from doing its best to distance iOS from Googlefied apps...
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Continue reading Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog Filed under: Cellphones, Software Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink BGR | Apple | Email this | Comments | |
