The Start button’s triumphant return: Windows 8.1 now available
It might not be the same Start button Windows users have grown to love over the years, but it’s back. Microsoft on Thursday released the …
Apps & Software
Microsoft seen folding Windows RT into Windows Phone by 2015
Microsoft may not be planning to perpetually support three different operating systems after all. An unnamed source tells ZDNet that Microsoft will likely fold its …
Microsoft designing ‘touch first’ version of Office for iPads
Although Microsoft has had its share of problems breaking into the mobile market, the company’s Office software is still the world’s most-used productivity software and …
Early build of Android 4.4 KitKat shown in leaked pictures
We know that Google is planning to release a new version of its mobile operating system in the near future called Android 4.4 KitKat and …
Windows 8.1 now available for preorder, complete with Start button
Those who don’t already have Windows 8 on their desktops and laptops can now preorder Microsoft’s new Windows 8.1 software from the company’s online store. …
Microsoft plans single app store for both Windows 8 and Windows Phone
This could be just the thing that Microsoft needs to reignite developer interest in Windows Phone: A common app store for its multiple platforms. Unnamed …
Strong early Android demand for BBM is rare bit of good news for BlackBerry
Yes, 2013 has been a hellish ordeal for BlackBerry. The saga may soon be over if the $4.7 billion Fairfax deal happens, but in the …
BBM for iOS and Android launch delayed for at least a week
When it rains it pours for BlackBerry. Although there has been considerable interest in the new cross-platform version of BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry announced on Monday …
With $7 million in funding, Cyanogen aims to take on Windows Phone
For the past several years, Cyanogen’s goal has been to create a better, more secure and more customizable version of Android with its third-party CyanogenMod …
Apple finally sheds Siri’s ‘beta’ label
It looks like Apple is finally confident enough in Siri to call it a finished product. 9to5Mac points out that Apple has at long last …
Apple will release iOS 7 to the public on September 18th
After months of waiting, Apple device owners with compatible iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models will finally get access to iOS 7 on September 18th, Apple …
Lenovo exec says Windows RT has no reason to exist
It looks like we can add Lenovo to the long list of manufacturers shunning Windows RT. Engadget reports that Lenovo’s Australia marketing chief Nick Reynolds …
Windows 8 adoption starts gaining steam while XP use tumbles
Windows 8 is certainly polarizing but it’s certainly started to gain momentum over the last month. The latest numbers from Net Applications show that Windows …
Microsoft is working on 3D video calling for Skype
Now we know how Princess Leia projected her 3D image to send Obi-Wan a message: She installed Microsoft’s 3D video-calling Skype software onto R2-D2. Mark Gillett, who …
Microsoft won’t give developers early access to finished Windows 8.1 build
You may want to wait a little bit to install Windows 8.1 on your computer, especially if you have apps that are crucial to your …
Lenovo’s PC ‘Start menu’ may just be another form of bloatware
If something sounds too good to be true, then that probably means it’s bloatware. Ars Technica reports that Lenovo’s new Start menu replacement for Windows …
Vista stands out as Ballmer’s biggest regret
Steve Ballmer’s tenure at Microsoft has seen plenty of ups and downs, but one down that really sticks with the outgoing CEO was the failure …
How the Apple Maps fiasco paved the way for Jony Ive’s iOS 7
The most interesting tidbit from Reuters’ new profile of Apple CEO Tim Cook is about his response to the infamous iOS Maps fiasco and how it …
With BlackBerry exploring a sale, decent BB10 apps may be even harder to find
As if BlackBerry wasn’t already having enough trouble wooing developers and getting top apps on its BlackBerry 10 platform, a new report suggests things are …
Windows 8.1 release coming in October [updated]
The Windows update that luddites have kind of, sort of, maybe been waiting for is set for public release sometime in October. A report at …
Jelly Bean tops 40% market share on Android devices
Jelly Bean has now firmly established itself as the dominant version of Android. The newest numbers posted on the Android Developers website show that Jelly …
Why Microsoft is doggedly sticking it out with Windows RT
Give Microsoft credit: They don’t give up on their ideas, even when the market is telling them they should. ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley writes that …
Windows 8 growth slows to a crawl
Although Windows 8 has been steadily building momentum all year, the latest numbers from Net Applications show that its growth rate has stalled over the …
iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner seemingly confirmed by iOS 7 beta 4
It looks like the iPhone 5S really will have a biometric fingerprint sensor. iOS developer Hamza Sood has spotted a folder within the latest beta for …
How to make Windows 8.1’s ‘Metro’ screen disappear
Good news for Windows 8 users who prefer working exclusively in desktop mode: It’s much easier to get rid of the “Metro” view on Windows …
It’s not Windows’ world anymore
Any rival computing platform trying to break through 10 years ago faced a daunting challenge since Microsoft’s Windows was by far the most widely used …
Microsoft’s big Windows 8 problem: Touch not seen as important for PCs
In developing Windows 8, Microsoft made a big bet that adding touch capabilities to personal computers would help revive an industry that was getting eaten …
Windows 8.1 looks to follow Android’s playbook for tracking users
Although Google has a seedy reputation for collecting exhaustive amounts of its users’ data to deliver targeted advertisements, it looks like Microsoft is planning to …
Microsoft’s Windows Store passes 100,000 apps
Microsoft hit an important milestone on Tuesday as it passed 100,000 Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Windows RT apps available on its Windows Store. …
Reeder adds Feedly support following Google Reader’s demise
We don’t cover many apps here on BGR and we certainly don’t cover app updates, but the recent demise of Google Reader seems to warrant …
