NVIDIA: Tegra 3 in Windows 8 developer systems

NVIDIA confirmed that Microsoft is using the Tegra 3 SoC in Windows 8 test PCs that are distributed to software developers and device manufacturers:

NVIDIA confirmed today that it is working with Microsoft on a program to distribute Windows 8 test PCs to software developers and device manufacturers powered by the Tegra(R)3 quad-core mobile processor with 4-Plus-1(TM) architecture.

This seeding program enables these parties to create a rich ecosystem of apps and devices for Windows 8 on ARM-based processors.

"NVIDIA has a long record of supporting software developers working on the cutting edge of innovation," said Tony Tamasi, senior vice president of content and technology at NVIDIA. "We're furthering this tradition by helping to realize the extraordinary potential of Windows on ARM processors, like Tegra 3."

"Microsoft is excited to partner with NVIDIA to bring developers leading edge Windows on ARM test PCs to support the creation of compelling Metro style app and device experiences for Windows 8," said Aidan Marcuss, Senior Director of Business Planning, Microsoft.

NVIDIA: Tegra 3 in Windows 8 developer systems - More news at DV Hardware

Windows 8 Consumer Preview hits the web

Microsoft has released the public beta version of Windows 8, you can download it at http://preview.windows.com. The Consumer Preview is offered in English, German, French, Japanese and Chinese, and is available in a 32-bit and 64-bit edition.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview features a functional Windows Store and includes Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5.

Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview � the next milestone of the Windows operating system. This latest preview will be made available for download starting today at http://preview.windows.com. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview offers a more robust experience for testing the world�s most popular operating system and is available to the widest range of people yet following the initial release of the Windows 8 Developer Preview late last year. The Developer Preview received more than 3 million downloads.

�With Windows 8, we reimagined the different ways people interact with their PC and how to make everything feel like a natural extension of the device, whether using a Windows 8 tablet, laptop or all-in-one,� said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft. �The Windows 8 Consumer Preview brings a no-compromises approach to using your PC.�

At a Windows 8 Consumer Preview event in Barcelona that was attended by partners from Europe and around the world, the company shared some key new updates in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview:

Broad range of product changes and improvements. Since the Developer Preview in September, designed to preview the programming platform, Windows 8 has progressed across every dimension. From completing the user experience for touch, keyboard and mouse to refining the development platform, the Consumer Preview improves performance, quality and reliability across all subsystems. With the added features, it represents a more complete view of the capabilities of Windows 8.

Windows Store with new apps. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview marks the beta opening of the Windows Store, which is filled with a variety of new Metro style apps from both third-party developers and Microsoft. During the Consumer Preview, these apps are available to try and experience at no cost to users. The Windows Store will offer personalized recommendations, and Windows 8 gives users the ability to take their apps and settings with them across multiple PCs, making it easy to discover and try new apps while offering developers the greatest opportunity of any platform.

Connecting to the cloud across Windows-based PCs and Windows Phone. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview offers seamless integration with the content people care about across their devices. An optional additional sign-on with a Microsoft account provides access to a host of features, including the ability to roam all settings, use cloud storage, communicate with email, calendar and contacts, and connect to a broad range of services. Your connection to the cloud works across your Windows-based PCs and your Windows Phones.

Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5. The best way to experience the Web on Windows is with Internet Explorer 10. The browser has been re-imagined to create a new experience designed specifically for Windows 8 devices. It provides an edge-to-edge user interface that is all about less browser and more Web. Fast and fluid, Internet Explorer is hardware-accelerated to enable Web performance.

Preview of new hardware capabilities. At the event, Microsoft also showcased Windows 8 running on a wide range of new x86- and ARM-based reference hardware. This hardware will be available to select developers for trial and testing as previously announced.

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview will be available worldwide for download in English, French, German, Japanese and simplified Chinese languages. More information about Windows 8 and how to download the Consumer Preview is available at http://preview.windows.com or http://windowsteamblog.com.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview hits the web - More news at DV Hardware

ARM version of Windows 8 to lack manageability features

Microsoft announced today that Windows 8 for ARM will not include some of the business manageability features that are available in the x86 editions of Windows. ARM devices will not support Active Directory domains, nor be accessible remotely via the Microsoft System Center environment. Microsoft explains that for businesses, Windows on ARM is intended for unmanaged environments. This may make the platform a little less attractive to large enterprises.

Touting the long battery life of ARM-based devices, the guide tempers expectations: "Although the ARM-based version of Windows does not include the same manageability features that are in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, businesses can use these power-saving devices in unmanaged environments." That means ARM devices won't be able to be added to Active Directory domains and have their user access managed by system administrators, or be remotely managed through Microsoft's System Center environment.

The 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 8 for x86 systems will integrate into existing management systems, according to Microsoft, allowing administrators to continue to use the same tools for system configuration, security management, and other tasks. And as an alternative for organizations requiring more secure access from mobile users, Microsoft outlined a "Windows to Go" version of the operating system that can use a USB drive to boot a PC from an approved corporate Windows 8 image, allowing the user to connect to the enterprise network remotely from an untrusted system without giving the locally installed operating system access to the network.

Source: ARS Technica

ARM version of Windows 8 to lack manageability features - More news at DV Hardware

Howto test Windows 8 as a virtual machine

Microsoft has just released the public beta version of Windows 8, so just like many other tech enthusiasts you may be excited to test the new features of the software giant's latest operating system. You could install the operating system on a secondary PC or set up a dual-boot environment on your primary rig, but considering this is 2012 there's an easier, more attractive alternative.

TechSpot explains how you can test the Windows 8 Consumer Preview as a virtual machine, you can read the guide over here.

With the launch of Windows 8's Consumer Preview, you're probably itching to spend some quality time with Microsoft's latest operating system. Although you may have already downloaded the ISO, we bet some of you haven't decided how you're going to install it.

Fortunately, running Windows 8 in a virtual machine solves all that: it won't remove your current OS, you can access it anytime you want without rebooting and it doesn't require any extra hardware. What's more, the test OS can be deleted in only a few mouse clicks.

Howto test Windows 8 as a virtual machine - More news at DV Hardware

Windows 8 hardware requirement tidbits listed

Engadget compiled a list of things they learned about Windows 8's hardware requirements:

Controversially, ARM-based tablet users won't be able to deactivate secure booting and (therefore) install another operating system. Clearly that's not gone down well with people -- and a straw poll of our editors agreed

Ctrl + Alt + Del for tablets without physical keyboards will be supplanted by Windows Key + Power.

There's a mandatory five points of touch -- which we already knew thanks to our hands on with Synaptics at CES.

If your gear has NFC, physical "touch marks" will be visible on the hardware so people know where to plonk their devices.

All tablets must have Power, Rotation Lock, Windows Key, Volume Up and Volume Down buttons.

After all operating system updates, there must be 10GB free space, all machines must run UFEI Firmware.

All hardware must include one USB 2.0 port, a magnetometer, speakers, Bluetooth 4.0, WLAN, gyroscope and accelerometer.

Any camera must have a minimum resolution of 720p.

The minimum display for any tablet is 1366 x 768.

You'll be able to update your graphics drivers without rebooting.

Windows 8 hardware requirement tidbits listed - More news at DV Hardware

Texas Instruments talks Windows 8 support

FUD Zilla spoke to Texas Instruments about Windows 8, you can read it over here.

The nice chat starts little bit like this. �With respect to Windows 8 on the OMAP platform, the team here at TI is excited to work with Microsoft. Overall, most vendors today accelerate audio and video, but from our perspective�it�s time to move past the �speeds-and-feeds� way of thinking. Instead, through OMAP, we focus on offloading processing tasks to maximize the any device�s efficiency. �

This is how Texas Instruments elaborate their focus for Windows 8. Remember OMAP 5 has two slower processor cores and two high-end Cortex A15 cores. These two Cortex M4 processors will deal with less demanding stuff. This is what Nvidia is doing with its Kal El, incorporating a slow 500MHz processor for less demanding task and four Cortex A9 processors for heavy lifting. It looks like this is the way to go for ARM manufacturers and this level of flexibility, not seen in the x86 world, offers clear advantages in power efficiency...

Texas Instruments talks Windows 8 support - More news at DV Hardware

AMD Catalyst 11.5 Windows 7 Driver Analysis

TweakTown checked out the latest Catalyst driver over here.

"This came as a bit of a surprise! AMD decided to release the 11.5 driver set which followed the massive 11.4 in the first half of this month. Normally we see the Catalyst driver come out towards the end of the month; this is more so seen after such a massive release.

It seems that AMD wanted to just improve Hydravision while doing the normal array of bug fixes which can all be seen below. With clearly not much emphasis being put on performance this time around, we're not expecting any miracles, but we'll see just what the new 11.5 driver has to offer over the previous 11.4 which we love."

AMD Catalyst 11.5 Windows 7 Driver Analysis - More news at DV Hardware

Move Background Windows in Mac OS X [QuickTip]

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One of the things I love about Mac OS X is that you can learn new features even after using it for years.  Here's a tip I picked up via the Mac Life Podcast recently.

If you've got a messy desktop, you can get to a window's content and still keep the focus on the top window.  Just hold down the Command key and move the window with your pointer- it will not overlap the top window.  Great for referring something in the background window and typing in another. 

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!