Windows 8 Reviews: Is Microsoft's Tablet Strategy On Track?

Microsoft has taken the wraps off of Windows 8 to offer a peek at the operating system many say is one finally optimized for tablets and Microsoft's boldest reinvention in years. An OS made for touch use, Windows 8 resembles the Windows Phone 7's software, using tiles that let users swipe through rather than click to navigate. It has been called the most dramatic redesign of Microsoft's Windows operating system in years, with Microsoft pitching at the "first attempt to rethink the basic operating system's layout since Windows 95," according to VentureBeat. Initial response to Windows 8 focuses on the idea that Microsoft has at last delivered...

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How to clean your smartphone or tablet

Do you wash your hands before you handle your smartphone or tablet, each and every time? Chances are, your device could use a good cleaning. Here's how to safely clean your smartphone or tablet: How do I safely clean the screen on my smartphone or tablet?To clean the screen on your smartphone or tablet, use a soft, lint-free cloth. We suggest you pick up a couple of microfiber cloths. Never use a paper towel or other paper-based towels as they can leave scratches on the screen. For fingerprint smudges, dust, and lint, wipe the screen gently using a dry microfiber cloth. What if I got ink, food, or makeup on the screen?For more stubborn...

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How to clean and disinfect your keyboard and mouse

Studies have shown that computer keyboards can have more bacteria than toilet seats. Given that little tidbit of information, you might want to consider cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard more often, especially if you share your keyboard and mouse with others. Here's how: Cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard Cleaning Step 1: Unplug your keyboard from your computer and remove any batteries. Step 2: Flip it upside down and give it a good couple of shakes. Step 3: Blow some compressed air to remove crumbs, dust, and other fun stuff from between the keys. Step 4: If you happen to have a mini vacuum that's designed to clean...

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HP has suffered from Apple envy

Commentary Maybe you can blame Apple for the mess at Hewlett-Packard. HP, like so many other tech companies, has had Apple envy for the last few years. But also like so many others, it's proved no match for Apple's design and marketing machine. And today, HP paid the price for that inability. It gave up on WebOS, the mobile operating system it acquired to compete directly with Apple's iOS. And it announced plans to rid itself of its PC business. After HP dominated the PC market, Apple began nipping at it and other PC makers heels. This, combined with margins in the PC business going from bad to worse, put HP on the defensive. What resulted...

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iPad users finally get Skype app

iPad users can finally get their hands on a native Skype app. For real.  More than a month after it was expected to make its official debut, the iPad-optimized Skype client began appearing in Apple App Stores on August 1. The new app takes advantage of the tablet's larger screen real estate, making for crisp and clear video chat over Wi-Fi, and often less crisp chat over 3G.  However, not long after the app appeared, Skype pulled it, saying it was released prematurely. "To ensure your best Skype experience, we've temporarily removed Skype for iPad which went live prematurely today," Skype said on its Twitter feed. "We know you've...

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