Apple announces OS X Mountain Lion available tomorrow from the Mac App Store

Andrew Edney
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Apple announces OS X Mountain Lion available tomorrow from the Mac App Store

Apple have today announced that it’s new OS X Mountain Lion software will be available tomorrow and will only be available from the online Mac App Store.

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The cost of the upgrade will be $19.99, which is $10 cheaper than Lion was. All new Mac’s will come with Mountain Lion from tomorrow, but you will not be able to buy Mountain Lion at the Apple Store or on a USB stick, only via the Mac App Store.

Mountain Lion introduces more than 200 innovative features including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, Facebook integration, Dictation, Power Nap, AirPlay Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper.

So are you going to update? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

And yes, I will be updating my Mac Lion book!

Kinect Nat Geo TV coming to Xbox 360 in September

Andrew Edney
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Kinect Nat Geo TV coming to Xbox 360 in September

Along with Kinect Sesame Street TV, there is also Kinect Nat Geo TV coming this September.

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Kinect Nat Geo TV blends world-renowned Nat Geo WILD TV programs with intuitive Kinect for Xbox 360 technology, transporting children and their families to animal habitats around the world to inspire a sense of wonder and excitement about nature. Through the magic of Kinect “reach in and explore” interactivity, kids do more than just watch television — they will engage, play and learn using their full bodies, gestures and voices.

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The National Geographic Society excites kids about their world through stunning photography and video, amazing facts and engaging storytelling. Kinect Nat Geo TV, along with Nat Geo WILD TV, National Geographic Kids and National Geographic Games, delivers the ultimate two-way TV experience that inspires kids to care about the planet.

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Develop naturalist skills, learn about the environment and get to know wild animals. Each 30-minute TV episode includes visual cues on the screen that show viewers there is an interactive “sidetrack” experience they can engage with. Families play and learn together as Kinect Nat Geo TV turns living rooms into forests and transforms kids into animals with “Go WILD” role-play games. Kinect Nat Geo TV will also provide access to archived episodes of Nat Geo WILD TV programs through Kinect.

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Kinect Nat Geo TV is just one of the new two way TV experiences available for Kinect for Xbox 360 that provide children with entirely new ways to learn through play.

Kinect Nat Geo TV will cost £29.99 for FPP / 2400 MS points for eight 30-minute episodes and will be available at your local retailers and also via download when you purchase a Season Pass on Xbox LIVE. Individual episodes can also be purchased for 400 MS points.

Kinect Sesame Street TV coming September 18th

Andrew Edney
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Kinect Sesame Street TV coming September 18th

It’s been a very long time since I watched Sesame Street on TV, but it’s coming to Kinect this September.

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Kinect Sesame Street TV invites children into a two-way TV experience where they not only watch their favourite Sesame Street episodes, but interact with beloved characters including Big Bird, Grover, Oscar and more. The magic of Kinect for Xbox 360 transforms passive viewing to active participation, encouraging children to use their gestures, voices and bodies to interact with educational content on the screen.

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Children will help Sesame Street characters with tasks, play in their world and learn together. Kids will delight in counting with Grover, learning letters with Cookie Monster and exploring Elmo’s World. With new content created exclusively for Kinect and access to thousands of classic clips from the Sesame Street archive, learning has never been so much fun.

Kinect Sesame Street TV is just one of the new two way TV experiences available for Kinect for Xbox 360 that provide children with entirely new ways to learn through play.

Kinect Sesame Street TV will cost £29.99 for FPP / 2400 MS points for eight 30-minute episodes and will be available at your local retailers and also via download when you purchase a Season Pass on Xbox LIVE. Individual episodes can also be purchased for 400 MS points.

Today’s Connected Digital World posts have been brought to you by the letter A and the number 7.

Nike+ Kinect Training game launch date announced

Andrew Edney
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Nike+ Kinect Training game launch date announced

Back at E3 during the Microsoft press conference they demonstrated a new game called Nike+ Kinect Training. Now it has a release date.

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Nike+ Kinect Training is a personalised training experience built from the ground up with athletic expertise and inspiration from Nike coupled with powerful and precise technology from Kinect for Xbox 360. Through the magic of Kinect, Nike+ Kinect Training can see how the body moves, assess physical strength and athleticism, identify areas for improvement and create a workout plan tailored to each person.

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Nike+ Kinect Training”will be available from November 2nd and will cost £39.99.

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For additional details about Nike+ Kinect Training and pre-order availability, visit: http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/Marketplace/SplashPages/Nike-Kinect-Training

We will be covering this more as the launch date gets nearer, so stay tuned!

Sky+ app for Android Updated to version 2.1.9

Andrew Edney
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Sky+ app for Android Updated to version 2.1.9

The Sky+ app for Android has been updated and includes some layout bug fixes and a guide filter for the Olympics.

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The latest Sky+ App ensures you never miss the latest and greatest TV.

For a start, there’s a full Seven Day TV Listing Guide that presents all your favourite channels.

And for shows that are simply unmissable, we’ve now introduced Series Link for mobile. This ever-so-useful function lets you record entire seasons of favourite shows to your compatible Sky+ HD box. And all with just a few finger taps.

In the app’s Showcase section you’ll find the top TV picks of the week – whether it’s a movie premiere, a big match or a new must-see drama.

Now & Next shows you what’s on and what’s coming up. And beneath individual Programme Details you’ll find Other Airings (which tells you when else a favourite programme is on air) plus alternative programmes you may like.

The Sky+ App also lets you group channel Favourites together to create your very own personal TV guide. Recording couldn’t be easier – you just tap on the Record button alongside your chosen programme and the request will go straight to your Sky+ box. What’s more, the app allows you to record from anywhere in the world.

What’s new in 2.1.9:

New TV Guide filter – BBC Olympics
Layout bug fixes

Download now from Google Play

Sky+ App for iOS Updated to Version 3.5.3 bringing Olympics guide filter

Andrew Edney
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0
Sky+ App for iOS Updated to Version 3.5.3 bringing Olympics guide filter

The Sky+ App for iOS has been updated to version 3.5.3

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The latest Sky+ App ensures you never miss the latest and greatest TV.

For a start, there’s a full Seven Day TV Listing Guide that presents all your favourite channels.

And for shows that are simply unmissable, we’ve now introduced Series Link for mobile. This ever-so-useful function lets you record entire seasons of favourite shows to your Sky+ box.

And all with just a few finger taps.

In the app’s Showcase section you’ll find the top TV picks of the week – whether it’s a movie premiere, a big match or a new must-see drama.

Now & Next shows you what’s on and what’s coming up. And beneath individual Programme Details you’ll find Other Airings (which tells you when else a favourite programme is on air) plus alternative programmes you may like.

The Sky+ App also lets you group channel Favourites together to create your very own personal TV guide. Recording couldn’t be easier – you just tap on the Record button alongside your chosen programme and the request will go straight to your Sky+ box. What’s more, the app allows you to record from anywhere in the world.

What’s New in Version 3.5.3

New TV Guide filter – BBC Olympics

Download now from the Apple App Store

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My Movies for Android 1.84 Now on Google Play

Andrew Edney
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0
My Movies for Android 1.84 Now on Google Play

Brian has just released version 1.84 of My Movies for Android.

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My Movies for Android is the fastest, easiest and most impressive way you have ever kept track of your movie collection. Using our high quality movie database of more than 350,000 titles on DVD and Blu-ray, you quickly get access to a large quantity of details of the titles in your movie collection, including movie trailers, high resolution covers and much, much more.

What’s in this version:

– Fixes a crash when resuming application on Android 4.

You can find My Movies for Android in Android Market in two editions, My Movies for Android Free and My Movies for Android Pro – the applications are identical with the exception that the free version is limited to maximum 50 titles, and only 10 items in trailers and title release lists.

The Pro version is available for DKK28 (~$5) + VAT in Europe. The free version allows you to fully evaluate the software before buying the pro version – if your collection already contains more than 50 titles, the free version simply only lets you synchronize the first 50.

Click here to open the pro application on Google Play.

Click here to open the free application on Google Play.

Drobo Thunderbolt Equipped Models Available to Pre Order!

Jim McCarthy
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Drobo Thunderbolt Equipped Models Available to Pre Order!

Drobo has been in touch to let us know that their 5D and Mini models are now available for pre-order.  Read on for details.

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Drobo announced new models that included Thunderbolt last month; Andrew brought that to you here.  Today, they are announcing that these models are available for pre-order in the US.  Here is what they said:

Hello from Drobo!

Today is a very big day for owners and fans of Drobo who have been waiting for new levels of performance, flexibility, and portability. Announced last month, the new Drobo 5D and Drobo Mini with Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, and SSD acceleration are now available for pre-orders from select partners and our very own online DroboStore.

The initial demand for these products has been about twice the level of any other product that we’ve ever introduced, so if you’re interested in getting one of the new Drobos – and we hope you are – make sure to place your pre-order to ensure your spot in line.

Pricing for the Drobo Mini starts at $649, the Drobo 5D starts at $849 – prices include a Thunderbolt cable and NEW 2-year standard warranty. An optional custom carrying case is available for the Mini at $49. Regional pricing for those of you outside the US is available from international partners and our online DroboStore.

We have more detailed information on the new Drobo 5D and Mini at www.drobo.com, and a list of the initial press and analyst reactions at www.drobo.com/news/news.php. Please reach out if you have any questions (tom@drobo.com, 408-276-8621).

Thanks again and best regards,
Tom Buiocchi,
CEO, Drobo

Check out the Drobo Store link for the 5D here and the Mini here.  Drobo makes innovative products and I am personally a fan.  If you are interested in the new products, hit up the pre-order links!

New Drobo 5D Link: DroboStore Drobo Mini Link: Drobo Store

Microsoft Releases Windows Phone App for Server 2012 Essentials

Jim McCarthy
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Microsoft Releases Windows Phone App for Server 2012 Essentials

Microsoft released an updated Windows Phone app to help you to manage your Server 2012 Essentials server.  Read on for details.

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Microsoft had released a nice Windows Phone app to access and manage your Windows Home Server 2011 server.  Today, they released an updated app intended to give you access to your Server 2012 Essentials server.  Available only on Windows Phone, My Server allows you to monitor server status, manage users, and consume media stored on the server.

If you are running a Server 2012 Essentials Beta machine and have a Windows Phone, go check it out!

Here are some screen shots from the application.

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Check Out New Windows Phone App for Server 2012 Essentials!

Microsoft talks about Windows 8 graphics hardware acceleration

Andrew Edney
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Microsoft talks about Windows 8 graphics hardware acceleration

In the next of their on-going Building Windows 8 series, Microsoft talks about graphics hardware acceleration.

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This is how the article starts:

In computer graphics, high performance is a guiding principle. In the early days of personal computing, discrete, add-on graphics cards were mostly focused on specialized applications such as CAD/CAM and gaming. Even early on, there was a view that all of this graphics horsepower could be used for more: notably a better user interface and experience. One of the first graphics cards for a PC was called a “Windows Accelerator” from S3 Graphics, which focused on the user experience by moving windows around the screen faster. As graphics hardware evolved, so, too, did the methods that developers use to interact with that hardware.

DirectX is the part of Windows that provides a common application programming interface, or API, that allows developers to use the graphics hardware in the PC to draw text, shapes, and three-dimensional scenes, and display them on the screen. DirectX has also evolved over time in both capabilities and performance characteristics. In the early years, DirectX was focused mainly on games. As applications evolved to provide richer and more graphically-intense user experiences, many of them started to use DirectX as a way to get better performance and richer visuals.

Enter Windows 8

When we started to plan the work we’d undertake for graphics in Windows 8, we knew that we would be creating a new, visually rich way for users to interact with apps and with Windows itself. We also knew that we’d be building a new platform for creating Metro style apps, and that we’d be targeting a more diverse set of hardware than ever before. While we had a great graphics platform to start with, there was more work to do in order to support those efforts. We came up with four main goals:

  1. Ensure that all Metro style experiences are rendered smoothly and quickly.
  2. Provide a hardware-accelerated platform for all Metro style apps.
  3. Add new capabilities to DirectX to enable stunning visual experiences.
  4. Support the widest diversity of graphics hardware ever.

While each of these focus on different aspects of building Windows 8, they all depend on great performance and capabilities from the graphics platform.

To continue reading it click here.

Are you looking forward to Windows 8? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

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