News Archive for 12/11/04

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Microsoft explains WP 8 Lock, Home screen design decisions

11/04, 8:39pm

Behind-the-scenes explain choices in Windows Phone UI

Microsoft has explained its thinking behind the Windows Phone 8 Lock screen and the home screen. Two company blog posts explain the processes behind the two screens, why the changes from what were established in Windows Phone 7.5 were made, as well as some other behind-the-scenes commentary.

BlackBerry PlayBook with 3G connectivity reaches UK

11/04, 7:30pm

RIM 7-inch tablet has faster processor, fixed storage

Blackberry has released the PlayBook 3G+ in the United Kingdom. The tablet has been made available in the country with a single storage capacity of 32GB, and while the 3G data connection is a welcome addition, it does not have the capability of connecting to the newly-launched and faster national 4G network.

Baidu acquires controlling stake of iQiyi

11/04, 7:17pm

Baidu buys Providence Equity's share of video streaming site

Chinese Internet search giant Baidu announced last week that it had reached an agreement with Providence Equity Partners to purchase the equity firm's share of video streaming site iQiyi. The search company's announcement did not disclose the financial details of the deal. The acquisition of Providence's stake in iQiyi will give Baidu a substantial majority stake in the company.

Anonymous said to target Facebook on Guy Fawkes Day

11/04, 7:03pm

Hacktivists to remember fifth of November with Facebook attack

Hactivist group Anonymous is rumored to be planning an attack on social networking giant Facebook tomorrow, marking Guy Fawkes Day by taking down the site unless Zynga backpedals on what Anonymous contends is a plan to cut 1,000 jobs. Tomorrow's action would also include the release of Zynga's games for free download. Anonymous claims that Zynga's job-cutting maneuver is inexcusable in light of the company's significant financial reserves.

Microsoft puts all Build 2012 session videos online

11/04, 5:37pm

On-demand streams of keynotes, sessions available

Microsoft has now put all of the session videos online from Build 2012. The conference, which took place at the Microsoft campus, was attended by Windows developers that were looking to build apps for the recently-released Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Phone 8 operating systems.

Nokia confirms: Lumia 920 to be $150 on AT&T

11/04, 4:10pm

High-end Lumia to run $599 off contract

The mobile page for Nokia's Lumia 920 smartphone has confirmed prior indications of the Lumia 920's pricing. The phone had previously been priced at $150 in pre-sales at Best Buy and eBay, and Nokia's mobile page for the smartphone confirmed that pricing today. The page -- which has since been altered -- showed Windows Phone 8's trademark tiled interface, with the top tile showing the $150 price tag for the forthcoming phone.

Apple places second attempt at 'apology' statement online

11/04, 10:56am

Toned-down statement in response to UK Court order

Apple has updated its website in order to follow a court ruling for a second time. After the UK Court of Appeal attacked the original attempt, deeming it non-compliant, Apple has put another notice up for UK-based website viewers. While toned down from the original attacking-style of the first version, the new statement forces users to scroll down in order to see it in the first place.

Full Review: Apple iPad mini

11/04, 5:12am

Is the iPad mini the next big thing in small tablets?

After many months of rumors and credible leaks, the iPad mini has finally hit store shelves. Unusually, in some ways, the iPad mini enters a space that Apple has been late to arrive to, but is attempting to redefine. This time, however, it is the software that Apple believes will help to reshape customer expectations for a smaller tablet, rather than its hardware. Unlike most of its 7-inch tablet competition, the iPad mini runs properly optimized tablet apps that were originally designed for the larger iPad. MacNN's full review of the iPad mini delves deep into the hardware and software of the diminutive addition to Apple's tablet portfolio. Read on to see whether we think the $130 premium over the 7-inch Google Nexus 7 or Amazon Kindle Fire HD is worth it.