Here's a view of the Windows 8 Release Preview from March. In a long-overdue step forward for Windows, that version showed off prototype trackpad drivers to let people to use multitouch gestures on their trackpads.

Microsoft announced today that Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing (RTM'd). (The final build number is 9200.)

At the same time, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 10, Windows Server 2012 and Visual Studio 2012 also have reached the RTM milestone, given all of these products have been developed in lockstep with Windows 8. (I am not 100 percent sure if Windows RT also RTM'd simultaneously and do not believe Microsoft officials ever promised this would be the case.)

Microsoft officials said earlier this month to expect Windows 8 to RTM in the first week of August. (I modified this wording in my coverage to "by the first week of August," knowing the propensity of Windows execs to pad their dates a bit in order to never be late.) As those same execs also noted previously, ... [Read more]

Google today issued a wide-ranging update to its Developer Program Policy, with the aim of making "Google Play a great community for developers and consumers."

The search giant zeroed in on two issues it's seeing across the Google Play landscape: "deceptive app names and spammy notifications." From now on, developers will not be allowed to use app names or icons that are deemed "confusingly similar to existing system apps," the company wrote in an e-mail viewed by CNET. Google didn't say what would make a respective application confusing.

On the spam front, Google requires developers to "not post repetitive content." In addition, app product descriptions should not be "loaded with keywords" to improve rankings in the store and no programs should be added to the marketplace that are designed to drive traffic to a Web site.

Related stories

• Android comes under fire from game developers on piracy
• Malware went undiscovered for weeks on Google Play
• ... [Read more]

(Credit: Screenshot by Joshua Goldman)

There are several Android photo-editing apps with autocorrection, but none of them are as good as Athentech's Perfectly Clear for iOS. Perfectly Clear for Android, however, seems to top it.

Perfectly Clear basically does one thing -- autocorrect photos. If you're looking for filters or editing tools, you'll have to look elsewhere. But for quickly fixing underexposures, poor white balance, soft details, or dull colors, this is your app.

Perfectly Clear for Android screenshots

The interface has been redesigned from the iOS version for better workflow and the pr... [Read more]