Step aside AirPlay here comes SmartGlass

In a step to open up the Xbox 360’s interactivity with mobile devices, Microsoft showed off what they believe will be a great competitor to Apple’s AirPlay called SmartGlass at E3 yesterday. The new cross-platform functionality will come to Apple's iOS, as well as Google Android and Microsoft Windows Phone and Windows 8, later this year.

Microsoft showed off how content being played on the Xbox 360 could be complemented by additional content on a tablet like an iPad. In one demonstration, a user watching "Game of Thrones" on the HBO Go application had the show streaming to their HDTV, while an interactive map of the fictional world was displayed on a tablet and was updated in real-time, synced with the program.

Also expect browser integration on the Xbox 360 that you can control with your smartphone or tablet device. Other than being able to share the results I don’t know why you just wouldn’t do it on you personal mobile device. Game play was another function they showed off using Madden’s NFL. In this case they demonstrated the ability to use a tablet to select plays and draw up new ones that could them be displayed through the Xbox 360.

I haven’t purchased an AppleTV yet and I have been holding off doing so. Microsoft’s Xbox SmartGlass should be able to be used for this function as well. They will probably need to develop an application to do this but I don’t think that there will be a native AirPlay integration in the Xbox but that would be nice. Microsoft stated that they will bring the same ability on Android device as well as Windows Phone and Windows 8.

For those of us that already have an Xbox 360 in their media setup this is something to be anticipated. SmartGlass is Microsoft’s new interface platform that will hopefully allow programmers to open up your stationary media center with the Xbox at the center to all of your mobile devices.

Windows 8 Upgrade just $14.99

If you are in the market right now for a PC, you can be eligible for a very inexpensive upgrade to Windows 8 once it is released. This is a great deal and one which I would suggest you keep in mind.

See if you may be eligible for this offer….

Eligibility Details

The offer is for customers (e.g. Home users, students, and enthusiasts) who purchase a qualified PC. A qualified PC is a new PC purchased during the promotional period with a valid Windows 7 OEM Certificate of Authenticity and product key for, and preinstalled with:

• Windows 7 Home Basic;
• Windows 7 Home Premium;
• Windows 7 Professional; or
• Windows 7 Ultimate.

The promotional price is limited to one upgrade offer per PC purchased, and a maximum limit of five upgrade offers per customer.

Key dates

You must purchase a qualified Windows 7 PC between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013 to be eligible for this offer. The last day to register and order your Windows 8 upgrade is February 28, 2013.

Offer Redemption

• Eligible customers must register for the Windows Upgrade Offer through this website by February 28, 2013.
• After customer registration and Microsoft validation, customers will receive a registration confirmation email.
• Upon the General Availability (GA) and release of Windows 8, customers will receive an email with a promotion code and instructions for purchasing and downloading the software. The promotion code will be redeemed during the upgrade ordering process to receive the promotional price.
• Customers will be able to purchase a downloadable version of Windows 8 Pro. An optional installation DVD is available for an additional fee, plus shipping and any applicable taxes or duties. Customers can also choose to create their own installation media on DVD or USB media after downloading Windows 8.

This offer requires internet connectivity for registering and ordering. Note: telephone or other access charges may apply.

Upgrade Software

Each upgrade license will apply to only one PC and may only be installed on PCs with a valid base license to a qualifying operating system (i.e., Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista or Windows 7).

While the offer will be limited to eligible customers who purchase a qualified PC, the upgrade may be installed on any compatible Windows-based PC with a qualifying operating system. Visit http://windows.com for information about Windows 8 minimum requirements. Customers should visit their PC manufacturer’s website for more information about how to upgrade their PC to Windows 8, including updated software and drivers.

Microsoft Support

The purchase of Windows 8 includes 90-days of no-charge support from Microsoft. The 90-day period begins when Windows 8 installation and activation is complete (Telephone or other access charges may apply).

Where to register

What information will I need to provide in order to be considered eligible for the Windows Upgrade Offer?

You should expect to provide information such as:

• Name
• Contact Details
• Email address
• Phone Number
• PC purchase details
• PC make / model
• Purchase date
• Retailer / PC Manufacturer

Additional information may be requested to enable your registration to be validated, including the Windows 7 product key for your qualified PC.

Windows 8 Excitement at Computex 2012

ASUS, Acer and others are showing off some of the products that we should be expecting this year coming with Windows8 and Windows8 RT. There were several interesting products posted on Engadget that look very interesting like the Acer 7600U with a 27 inch screen that has a 64-point capacitive multi-touch tilt and swivel screen. You can view it in either landscape or portrait modes or upright or down in a table display mode. While watching the video demonstration of the product they seemed to have to move at a rather slow and careful rate of speed. It looked like they were afraid it was going to fall over as they were moving it. They were also discussing a 23 inch version of this as well but didn’t go into detail of whether it had the same display functions.

Acer also was showing some Windows 8 Tablet the ICONIA W510 with three different modes of touchscreen operation. A detachable keyboard dock can be connected to add easy typing functions as well as extending the battery life up to 18 hours. When attached to the keyboard you can rotate the screen 295 degrees to position it in a presentation mode which is great for viewing video or PowerPoint presentations.

Asus’s TAICHI convertible notebook/tablet sports a dual 11.6 inch screen. The screens can be run independently and can allow you to present while still doing things on the screen pointing at you. When closed you can use the top screen as you would a tablet. This is also running Window 8 and comes with the new Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor, 4 gigs of RAM, SSD storage, dual-band 802.11n WiFi, FHD/Super IPS+ displays and dual cameras. The screens support 1920 x 1280 resolution on both screens. See Engadget’s video of this interesting product.