Windows 8 Debuts at D9, Live Tiles and All (Update)

It looks like the rumors were true: Steve Sinofsky took the stage earlier today at D9 and officially gave the world the first look at Windows 8. Fittingly enough, it looks pretty similar to our first look at Windows Phone as the future flagship OS is going even more Metro than we could have imagined. Windows 8, which is only a codename and not the official product name, was designed entirely for touch making it Microsoft's true answer to the iPad and the flood of Honeycomb-powered tablets. As you can see from the photo from Engadget above, we're looking at a very Metro'd up UI that will also feature Live Tiles on a Start screen very similar to our own mobile OS.

Microsoft also talked about the flexibility of Windows 8, teasing that a variety of form factors are going to be supported and that it will work with traditional desktop setups as well. Windows 8 is also bringing along some of its Aero features from Windows 7 (while ditching the chrome) like the ability to 'snap' two applications to take up half of the screen space each. Plus the operating system is going to launch with its own app store, although it doesn't seem to share the same 'Marketplace' name with WP7.

Below is the first official video showing Windows 8 in action, and boy does it shine. Color us excited! For more images and details, make sure to visit Engadget.

Update: We also want to mention Microsoft is holding a new developer-focused event this September called BUILD: Windows which will basically be the MIX of Windows 8. You can register to attend now. We've also included some official Microsoft links at the source below, so check those out!



Source: Engadget, Microsoft (1), (2), BUILD: Windows

Rumor: Microsoft Ready to Buy Nokia's Mobile Division for $19 Billion?

Earlier today, the infamous Eldar Murtazin sent out the above, vague tweet that we couldn't exactly wrap our heads around. But the good guys over at IntoMobile seemed to have cracked the code: the software company is Microsoft and the 'part of [a] small phone vendor' is most likely Nokia. This builds on top of the previous rumor suggesting the same thing, except now we could have a price tag: $19 billion. And we thought Skype was expensive! However, it is worth pointing out the key word 'could' in that tweet which suggests to us that Microsoft is only mulling over dumping that kind of cash in front of Nokia's board. But before we get carried away with this, Nokia has already responded and has claimed Eldar's rumor is "100% baseless". But Eldar Murtazin is typically reliable, especially when it comes to dirt on Nokia so we'll just wait and see.

Via: IntoMobile
Source: Twitter (@eldarmurtazin), Reuters

Microsoft Confirms Presentation of Next Windows OS for Computex, Could Also Appear at D9 Today

We heard rumors of Microsoft demoing Windows 8 (or Windows Next) sometime this week and it looks like that's exactly what has happened, confirmed by the company itself. Well, they confirmed the presentation of the next Windows operating system to be at Computex which conflicts with the rumor of it tagging along for today's appearance from Steve Sinofsky at the All Things Digital D9 Conference. However we wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft was trying to keep that quiet for as long as possible to build some hype for Western journalists attending the event, so we'll definitely know more soon. Very soon actually; the Windows President is set to hit the stage of D9 at 3:15pm PST which Engadget will be liveblogging and we will be covering.

Now, a note about our coverage of Windows 8: we will not be providing in-depth coverage of the operating system. As you can assume from the name, Windows Phone Daily is primarily focused on Microsoft's mobile operating system efforts. That said, we have heard many rumors that Windows 8 and Windows Phone will be sharing a lot of the same DNA which is the sole reason why we have decided to report on it at all. If it turns out that the two operating systems won't actually have much in common, we will likely tone down coverage until it is non-existent. But everyone seems to know that there will be a lot of feature and design ideas crossing over between the two platforms and so the coverage we will offer will try to tie back into Windows Phone in some way. If it doesn't we won't report it, plain and simple.

Anyway, stay tuned for the exciting Windows 8 news later today!

Source: Engadget

New Hands-On Video of the Acer W4, It's Still Plastic

Engadget is live at Computex 2011 right now and once they heard about the surprise reveal of the Acer W4 handset they hurried on over and caught a quick video of the mockup. The video doesn't show us much than we already knew before about the plasticky Windows Phone, but we suppose some may want to get a better idea of the design and if there are any goodies packed in.

SPOILER: There aren't.

Source: Engadget

Prime TV Updated to v1.13 with New Live Tile, Trakt Support, Twitter Integration, and more

Our friend Renfred Law just released the latest version of his TV show tracking app, Prime TV. If you read our review of the app, we gave Prime TV a perfect score. Combining a wealth of features with a gorgeous interface and a wide range of flexible options, Prime TV swooped us off our feet.

With today's v1.13 update, we think that love is only going to grow thanks to a slew of new features being incorporated into the app. Here's the description of the update:

What's in version 1.13?

• Enhanced live tile (daily update)
• Toast notification (15 minutes before show airs)
• Save gallery's image to phone
• Use gallery's image as wallpaper
• Twitter integration
• Trakt integration
• Integrated sign-up
• Sycn shows & episodes with trakt (backup & restore)
• Get watched shows and episodes from trakt
• Share thoughts of shows & episodes at trakt
• Get trending shows
• Get personalized show recommendations
• Various bug fixes

We have to say, Twitter & Trakt integration is a pretty ingenious feature to include in an app about watching TV shows (the first thing we usually want to do after a show ends is talk to somebody about it). Along with the improved Live Tile and the inclusion of toast notifications, a feature that we could really use sometimes whenever we lose track of time, we are really liking where Renfred is heading with this update. We'll be doing a review of the update soon, so stay tuned.

If you want a better idea of the core functionality of the app, make sure you read our in-depth review of v1.11 for all of those details. Once you're ready to check out the new and improved Prime TV, you can test things out with an improved but limited trial (adds support for unlimited shows, disables live tile & notifications) or you can dive right in and pick up the full version for $0.99. Whatever you decide to do, you're only one click away from checking out the app in the Marketplace.

Update: Forgot to include link to review. Fixed!

Prime TV Renfred Law $0.99 + Trial Version 1.13

Xbox Live Wednesday: Doodle Jump

It's Wednesday and do you know what that means? New Xbox Live games for Windows Phone!

This week’s new Xbox Live game is Doodle Jump by GameHouse Live. Here is the official description of the game:

Jump, jump, jump to the top, top, top with Doodle Jump, the #1 smartphone game of all time! Just when you thought it was safe to put the game down, Doodle the Doodler returns! Help him continue his springy journey upwards with a massive set of new features including monsters, platforms, power-ups, special bonuses, and four new unique themes. Leap from platform to platform, finding your way higher and higher using brilliant power-ups like springs, propeller hats, and jet packs. Avoid broken platforms, menacing black holes, and UFOs. Protect yourself against a variety of baddies using your nose balls! Doodle Jump multiplies the fun and excitement of one of the simplest and most addictive games that you will ever play. Experience for yourself the endless excitement that over 5 million happy smartphone gamers have enjoyed! BE WARNED: This game is insanely addictive!

Doodle Jump is available in the Marketplace for $2.99 along with the standard free trial.

Click on the tile below to get the game (opens Zune).

Doodle Jump GameHouse Live $2.99 + Trial Version 1.0

Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Pac-Man

Xbox Live Deal of the Week gets you gaming on the cheap. Every Wednesday an Xbox Live game goes on sale and the discount stays in effect until the new Deal is released.

This week's Deal is Pac-Man by Namco Bandai Games. Here's the official description of the game:

PAC-MAN, the world famous arcade classic, returns in this faithful rendition for Windows Phone 7!

Who can forget the countless hours and quarters spent avoiding pesky ghosts while chompin’ on dots and gobbling up the fruit for bonus points? Relive the retro arcade action!

Control PAC-MAN using the standard flick-to-change-directions method, or try out the virtual-analog “PAC-PAD” method, new for Windows Phone 7.

Munch fruits and other items for big points! Gobble blinking Power Pellets to turn the ghosts blue and weaken them temporarily. Eat the ghosts while they are blue and rack up the bonus points!

Gain an extra life at 10,000 points! Avoid capture by Blinky, the leader of the ghosts, and his fellow ghosts Pinky, Inky and Clyde, each with unique personalities, as you strive to chomp all the dots and advance to the next stage!

Pac-Man has dropped from $4.99 to $2.99 for the rest of the week. The standard free trial is also available.

Click on the tile below to get the game (opens Zune).

Pac-Man Namco Bandai Games $2.99 + Trial Version 1.1