| Microsoft offers free 90-day evaluation of Windows 8 Enterprise edition to devs, releases .NET Framework 4.5 and Visual Studio 2012 Aug 15th 2012, 18:55  Feeling bummed because you're an aspiring Windows 8 developer, but aren't a TechNet or MSDN subscriber, and so can't download the freshly minted Windows 8 RTM? Worry not, for a 90-day evaluation of Win8's Enterprise edition (both 32 and 64-bit versions in a variety of languages) can be had for free at the Windows Dev Center developer downloads page right now. Before you get cracking on apps for Microsoft's new OS, however, you'll need to grab the newly released Visual Studio 2012 as well. The Express version -- which allows for Metro Windows 8-style apps only -- is free, while the full Visual Studio experience is only currently available to MSDN subs. Additionally, the folks in Redmond have made it easier to write those apps by releasing the new .NET Framework 4.5 RTM. More info and all the software goodies can be found at the source links below. Microsoft devs, your downloads await. Filed under: Software Microsoft offers free 90-day evaluation of Windows 8 Enterprise edition to devs, releases .NET Framework 4.5 and Visual Studio 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  The Verge |  Windows 8 app developer blog, Windows Dev Center, MSDN Evaluation Center | Email this | Comments | | Airtime testing new video post features, improved buddy list Aug 15th 2012, 18:34  Remember Airtime, the Facebook-integrated video calling / media sharing service with a Chatroulette flavor? Well if not, we don't blame you -- usage stats suggest it hasn't quite taken off, but maybe the new features it's testing will secure a few more fans. No longer is the service restricted to the here and now, as the major change is all about video posts. Use Airtime to record a message and you can post it to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or via a traditional email to get the conversation started. Friends can then reply to your message through Airtime with a video post of their own, and so on. Its buddy list has also been given a little love, so now it shows friends as online, idle or offline, and details your interaction timeline. Whether the features are enough to inspire wider uptake is questionable, but for the few that actively use Airtime, the updates are out in the wild now on a "limited public release." Filed under: Internet Airtime testing new video post features, improved buddy list originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink TechCrunch | Airtime | Email this | Comments | | ROCCAT's new Kone Pure mouse streamlines things, while ISKU FX keyboard adds some color (hands-on) Aug 15th 2012, 18:17  ROCCAT's latest addition to its family of mice is the Kone Pure, toned down to 91 percent the size of the original Kone. Now both smaller and flatter, it's dropped the menu button above the four-direction scroll wheel, and that scroll wheel now goes only up and down. It's a trade-off, but ROCCAT has added a new 'easy shift' side trigger which it hopes will ameliorate that fall in the button-count. This acts as a mouse-based shift function and you can customize how all of the device's other buttons behave when the side-trigger is depressed. ROCCAT also threw in a new FX version of its ISKU keyboard here at Gamescom, adding some customizable color skills and upgraded keys that are far more legible when not backlit -- a common complaint with the original ISKU keyboard. Switching from black to white fittings under the keys has also improved the keys' visibility. Take a tour of both devices in the galleries, then jump after the break for a little more detail -- including a new prototype. Continue reading ROCCAT's new Kone Pure mouse streamlines things, while ISKU FX keyboard adds some color (hands-on) Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals ROCCAT's new Kone Pure mouse streamlines things, while ISKU FX keyboard adds some color (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Netflix rolls out new 'post-play experience' on web player, PS3 (video) Aug 15th 2012, 18:13  If you've been marathoning a new favorite TV show on Netflix recently you may have noticed that on the PlayStation 3 (above) and browser-based (after the break, along with a quick demo video) players it's got a new tweak. At the end of each episode as the credits roll it pops up a quick (and very basic cable TV post movie-like) prompt with info about the the next episode and, unless you select a particular viewing option, search or go back to browsing, keeps right on playing. For movies, it pops up three similar recommendations instead. This "post-play" experience takes a couple of remote presses out of long viewing sessions, and on Netflix's end probably makes it easier for folks to choose to sit through "one more episode" and keep those viewing hours boosted. On the other hand, not every one likes the automation, either here or on the Xbox 360 app. Whether that's because viewers need an emotional pause after a particularly gripping episode of Lost or they -- and by they, we mean this blogger in particular -- tend to doze off mid-episode, the good news is that every other episode it prompts the user if they want to keep playing before moving on. Like every other tweak or announcement even this move will probably be debated amongst viewers, feel free to dive into the lone season of Terriers in the name of research before letting us know if you're a fan. Continue reading Netflix rolls out new 'post-play experience' on web player, PS3 (video) Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment Netflix rolls out new 'post-play experience' on web player, PS3 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Netflix Blog | Email this | Comments | |
