It’s safe to say that anticipation is high for the upcoming Windows 8 Release Preview, which will become available in the first week of June. While we’re still curious to see if Microsoft can better integrate the desktop and Metro environments of its latest operating system, the company has now revealed a significant change to the desktop portion of Windows 8 — a completely restyled visual appearance. As you might remember from the Consumer Preview, window borders and widgets featured a simplified and subdued look in comparison to the glass-like materials of Aero, which Microsoft now calls “dated and cheesy.” With the latest refresh, however, the company has pushed its modernistic philosophy even further to reveal a spartan (yet functional) interface that draws less attention to the chrome elements and allows the user to focus more on content. Microsoft’s latest reveal was made as part of a larger, retrospective look at its development of Windows and the evolution of the operating system. At every step, the company states that its emphasis has been on the overall “learnability” of the environment. As such, Microsoft claims that it’s making great strides to ensure that consumers may quickly get up to speed with the latest OS, and hints that it has a number of reveals yet to be seen. In its very next breath, however, it also emphasized people’s ability to adapt and move forward, which suggests the number of changes might not be as conciliatory as some might’ve hoped. Regardless, we’ll know for sure what Microsoft has in store in just a few weeks. Update: Well, this is interesting. In the screenshot above, you’ll notice a highlighted mail-esque icon at the bottom of the taskbar. As it would turn out, Techblitz recently discovered that Microsoft swapped that shot for a nearly identical replica, albeit without the icon. Is this miniscule peek into something new in the way of Windows Live mail or similar? At this point it’s anyone guess, but we’ll keep you posted if we find out more. You’ll find the new screenshot after the break.Continue reading Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI (update)Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MSDN Blogs | Email this | Comments
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Sprint’s had text-to-speech services on devices like the Samsung Epic 4G for quite some time, and now, looking to build up on that, the company’s introducing its My Wireless STS feature. The new speech-to-speech service aims to help people with speech disabilities by giving them access to an operator-assisted line every day of the week and all year round. Folks wanting to use the My Wireless STS will have to dial *787 from their device, after which a Now Network rep will start a call and repeat every spoken word — or ones that are unclear — depending on users choice. Relay Director, Michael Ellis, says Sprint is “the first in the industry to bring this service to market,” and that the project was developed closely with the help of speech disabled communities. If you’re interested in learning more, there’s a mighty presser waiting on you just past the break.Continue reading Sprint introduces My Wireless STS service to assist folks with speech disabilitiesSprint introduces My Wireless STS service to assist folks with speech disabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sprint | Email this | Comments
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Think the Wii has the market cornered on gaming rehab? Think again — neuroscientists at New Castle University are developing a series of motion controlled video games to make stroke rehab more fun and accessible. The team’s first title, dubbed Circus Challenge, lets patients digitally throw pies, tame lions and juggle to help them build strength and regain motor skills. As players progress, the game ratchets up its difficulty, presumably to match pace with their recovery. Although Limbs Alive, the game’s publisher, has only described their motion controller as “next-generation,” it affirms that the game will be playable on PCs, laptops and tablets later this year. In an effort to lower costs and provide at-home therapy, the team hopes to leverage a £1.5 million award from the UK’s Health Innovation Challenge Fund to build a system that will allow therapists to monitor patient progress remotely. The whole enchilada still needs some time to bake, but you can hit the break for a video and the full press release.Continue reading Neuroscientists develop game for stroke rehabilitation, give the Wii a run for its moneyNeuroscientists develop game for stroke rehabilitation, give the Wii a run for its money originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 00:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CNET | Newcastle University, Limbs Alive | Email this | Comments
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T-Mobile USA today announced a new set of mobile broadband plans that will be available free of annual contracts. The plans include several options for users of mobile hotspots, laptop sticks, and tablets. T-Mobile is offering access to 300MB of data for a period of one week for $15. Customers can also choose access to 1.5GB of data for a period of one month for $25; 3.5GB for a month for $35; or 5GB for a month for $50. The new options will be available starting May 20.
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Google must keep Android “open and free” for the next five years in order to gain China’s approval for its acquisition of Motorola Mobility.All major outlets are reporting that Google has agreed to those terms, and the acquisition will close next week.While it is unclear why this was a necessary requirement, it was likely included to make sure that Google would not give hardware maker Motorola Mobility preferential treatment such as early access to new versions of the operating system.Google has never indicated it would close off the OS to other hardware makers, but it has been oft-rumored that the search giant is looking to get into the hardware game.Furthermore, Android is owned, technically, by the Open Handset Alliance, not just Google.Adds Google: “Our stance since we agreed to acquire Motorola has not changed, and we look forward to closing the deal.”Permalink | Comments
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Who knew there would be so much drama over something as simple as a new SIM card standard? Apple, Nokia, RIM, and Motorola have all clashed over the issue, with RIM and Motorola saying they would find a compromise on the new design that would please all parties. That revised design was submitted last night, Read The Full Story
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Amazon is rumored to be working on a 10-inch Kindle Fire. Apple is said to be working on a seven-inch iPad mini. It’s shaping up to be a clash of the tablet titans.
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Microsoft has shown off another large change to the upcoming Windows 8′s desktop user interface.The company has removed the popular Aero Glass UI that was first shown off with Vista and then in Windows 7.By dropping Aero, Windows 8 will have visual changes including “flattening surfaces, removing reflections, and scaling back distracting gradients.”In response to questions about whether it will be tough for users to learn the new OS, which has some stark changes from past OS, the company does not seem to be worried: “We will help people get off on the right foot and we have confidence that people will quickly find the new paradigms to be second-nature.”Windows 8 Release Preview launches next month and the final release of the OS is expected to launch in late October.Permalink | Comments
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please , i forgot the password keeper’s password in my bold 9700. i tried nine times and one time left only. i want to restore whats…
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If you are looking for Piano or Rhodes-like feel for serious playing, Samson’s Carbon 49 USB MIDI Controller may not be right for you.
However, if you need a keyboard for some light playing or sample triggering, why not keep the expensive Kronos at home and bring the Carbon 49 out for the dangerous outdoor gigs that require expendable equipment? (I have seen many an expensive keyboard dragged end over end behind a golf cart after a show, or dropped or had beer spilled all over it while it was being underutilized at a gig as a mere MIDI controller).
Don’t get me wrong, the Carbon 49 ? originally announced at NAMM but available starting May 15 ? is a decently constructed keyboard controller and it comes complete with the usual on-board tools of the MIDI trade (modulation wheel, pitch wheel, data knob). Most importantly, it’s fairly portable and can use a laptop or even an iPad (not included) for both its MIDI brain and complete power supply (which makes for light travel). That’s a pretty great feature actually!
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