Windows 8 leads with tiles, apps, sync -- and a learning curve, too

Microsoft's notorious Patch Tuesday has been replaced by Update Tuesday at least for today, as the company has made all kinds of alterations to Windows 8 and its core apps.

The update to Windows 8 Release to Manufacturing (read the review) aims to improve what was already solid performance in Windows 8. In the blog post announcing the update, Windows president Steve Sinofsky explained that the update would be seamlessly available for all Windows 8 machines when they boot up on October 26 and thereafter. "By developing better test automation and test coverage tools we are happy to say that Windows 8 will be totally up to date for all customers starting at General Availability," he wrote.

Basically, this is a strong indication that Microsoft has learned the valuable lesson of releasing unobtrusive but important updates when they're ready, instead of saving them for a larger, less frequent "Service Pack". That's not to say that a Service Pack update couldn't be in the works for Windows 8 in the future, but this is definitely a shift in how Microsoft gets things done.

Related stories

• ... [Read more]
  
  

Users who are tired of running back and forth between multiple computers might want to give today's collection of freeware a look. First, we have two KVM switch replacements: Qsynergy, a more intuitive version of the popular Synergy; and Mouse without Borders, a quick and easy solution from Microsoft's Garage for sharing your keyboard and mouse.

A third alterative is Win Switch, a tool to share programs on multiple computers and unchain you from your desk. All three options differ from remote desktop applications such as TeamViewer or Splashtop since all of the computers operate on the same network.

Qsynergy

Qsynergy is an easy-to-use graphical front end for Synergy, the gold standard in KVM switch replacement. QSynergy allows you all of the features of Synergy minus all of the tedious configurations of the latter.

... [Read more]

A new version of Firefox has landed today with a big change for Web developers who prefer the browser, while a large handful of HTML5 gets a green light for browser support from Mozilla.

Firefox 16 (download for Windows | Mac | Linux | Android) makes far fewer sweeping changes than the previous update to Firefox.

Related stories

• Firefox makes a Metro move
• How to disable Java in IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari
• IE keeps firm grip on half of the browser market
• Safeguard your online Persona with Mozilla ID system
• ... [Read more]
  
  

Contre Jour may look like little more than a high-gloss version of Cut the Rope, but that sheen goes a long way. Last year, it earned top honors from Apple itself in 10 countries across Asia and Europe, and starting today you can play Contre Jour on the Web for free for the first time.

It appears to faithfully replicate its gameplay from the iPad, right down to the multi-touch controls required to advance in the third chapter. But while the game is pretty to look at and fun to play, it's a showcase -- like Google's Cirque du Soleil experiment -- for what HTML5 can do. But even that doesn't tell the whole story.

The browser itself disappears when you play Contre Jour in Internet Explorer 10, but it is there when you want it.

(Credit: Microsoft )

The real story is how this new version of Contre Jour clears up Microsoft's strategy for pushing a cutting-edge browser like Internet Explorer 10 alongside a new, native code platform like Windows 8. Sound confusing? It is, but only because the new paradigm isn't going to be either native apps or the Web, says Ryan Gavin, Microsoft's senior director of Internet Explorer. It's going to be both.

"Our jo... [Read more]

A new look for Lookout Mobile (pictures)

1-2 of 4 Scroll Left Scroll Right

Staying ahead of the curve has been a hallmark of Lookout Mobile Security (download), one of the few Android-only security companies to gain a loyal fanbase on Google's mobile platform, and today they've released a major update.

The key feature improvements in the refreshed Android app are a new feature for tracking lost phones with low battery and a dialer-scanner to prevent Dialer app attacks like the one that reared its head in September. The threat was no mere digital crank call. Had you tapped the link and dialed the malicious number, it could remotely wipe your phone.

Related stories

• Verizon: Our 4G LTE network will soon carry most of our data
• ... [Read more]
  
  

Shared tablets could benefit from multiple user profiles identified by facial recognition technology.

(Credit: Viewdle )

When I read the news this morning that Motorola had acquired facial and gesture recognition company Viewdle, the first thing that crossed my mind was, "Here comes multi-user profiles for Android."

Why? Because it's the next logical step for the platform, and one that could help differentiate it from Apple. That, and it's something for which I'm really hoping. Assuming I read the tea leaves properly, future versions of Android will introduce the capability to unlock a device with your face that leads to individual profile settings.

As we've seen over the past years, it's becoming increasingly common to find tablets in the average household. And, although the price has continued to drop, we're not quite at a point where families are buying multiple devices.

Sharing is nice and all, but what about privacy, personal settings, or preferences? Not everyone is keen to hand over a tablet that's full of business e-mails and photos. To address this issue, some companies are turning to multi-user profiles. In other words, little Johnny does not have to see all the apps and widgets that dad uses for work.

As both the ... [Read more]