Microsoft unveils new Windows 8 after complaints

 
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26 June 2013 Last updated at 09:59 GMT Help

Microsoft has unveiled version 8.1 of its Windows operating system at its annual developers conference in San Francisco.
A 'start' button is returning to the desktop mode's taskbar - but will personal and business users be won over?

Samsung unveils world’s thinnest Windows tablet

ATIV Tab 3 one of two new tablet devices unveiled by the manufacturer during star studded launch event in London yesterday evening (June 20)

Samsung has added two new tablet devices to its portfolio, unveiling the ATIV Tab 3 and ATIV Q in London’s Earls Court venue last night.

The ATIV Tab 3 (pictured in white) is Samsung’s first tablet to run on Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system – and is said to be the world’s thinnest at just 8.2mm, and weighing 550g.

The device features a 10.1 inch HD screen (1366×768), 64GB memory, 10 hour battery and comes preloaded with Microsoft’s  Office Home & Student software. 

The ATIV Q, includes the world’s highest resolution screen (3200×1800) and can run on either Windows 8 or the latest Android operating system, Jellybean 4.2.2.

Features include a larger 13.3 inn screen, 13.9mm thick, 1.29HG weight, 128GB memory, up to nine hours battery, and Intel HD Graphics. 

Each devices includes a full QWERTY bluetooth keyboard, which adjusts depending on your needs and usage. Samsung said the devices have been designed to accommodate different user needs, such as the inclusion of a hinge to help recreate the feel of a laptop when typing. There is also a ‘stand mode’ for when watching movies. 

In addition, Samsung has launched a new product called SideSync, which enables users to control their device, including responding to texts and emails and view photos taken from their handset, from their computer.

Both device will be available before the end of the year. Pricing details and launch partners have yet to be confirmed. 

Samsung Electronics VP of IT and mobile division for the UK and Ireland Simon Stanford said: “We’re committed to offering our customers choice and convenience in personal computing, and the convertible nature of both these new tablets delivers the freedom and versatility our customers demand.

“These innovative devices have been designed with busy people in mind, and the adaptability they offer is better suited to busy lives than any tablet on the market.”

The event concluded with a live performance from British female singer Emeli Sandé.

Microsoft unveils Bing Boards, an experimental slideshow of images and videos in search results

Microsoft continues to push the idea of Bing as a platform, with deep Windows 8.1 and Sir i integration, but the company is still trying out new features within its web search results. On Thursday, Microsoft unveiled its latest experiment: Bing Boards. Essentially, it's a visual collection of images and videos presented in a slideshow with captions and context. Microsoft says they're designed to be complementary to search results, and the company is positioning them in the sidebar alongside some of the other additional Bing features.

The software maker is working with a small group of food and lifestyle bloggers to create and test the feature, noting that it may expand and evolve in time to other publishers and third parties. It's just the latest in a series of moves by Microsoft to broaden the appeal of its search engine and catch up with Google's dominance in web-based search. Bing has previously partnered with Klout to provide crowdsourced answers to queries via search. Microsoft has also attempted to alter the perception of its Bing search engine by launching a nationwide "Bing it on" TV campaign to set up comparisons between Google and Bing search results.

Huawei Unveils The Ascend P6, “World’s Slimmest Smartphone”

Huawei has unveiled the “world’s slimmest smartphone” today in London, the Ascend P6. The Ascend P6 comes in with a depth of 6.18 mm, and runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

The Huawei Ascend P6 comes with a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, a 4.7-inch HD display, a 5MP front-facing camera, an 8MP rear-facing shooter and a  2000 mAh battery. The device also boasts “Magic Touch” technology, which improves screen responsiveness while wearing gloves.

The Ascend P6 will be available in black, white and pink colors, alongside matching color cases. The Ascend P6 will start shipping in China in June, followed by Western Europe in July.