Windows has long offered a virtual keyboard. But with Windows 8 destined for tablets and other mobile devices, Microsoft has reportedly revamped the keyboard with a new look and feel. Unlike the current keyboard, which requires mouse clicks to operate, the new keyboard will offer touch friendly buttons along with a split keyboard option, according to WinRumors, which has posted a video demo of the new virtual keyboard.

The Win 8 keyboard will reportedly provide built-in support for emoticons and feedback sounds similar to those heard in Windows Phone, WinRumors added.

Also new to Windows 8, at least as found in the latest build, is some type of per-feature licensing, uncovered by a “Windows enthusiast” on Twitter who examined the code for the latest build, according to tech site Redmond Pie. Though the code didn’t reveal the use for this feature, Redmond Pie speculates that this could let Microsoft offer all users a “barebones” version of Windows and then prompt them to purchase new features as needed.

Another new feature discovered by Redmond Pie in the 7989 build was support for Short Message Service (SMS). Used for mobile communications, SMS would give Windows 8-based tablets and other devices the ability to directly send text messages. Along with SMS, geo-location is yet one more feature in the latest Windows 8 build reported by Redmond Pie, which says this could be used to automatically detect a user’s time zone.

Beyond the many updates and new features that users will see in Windows 8, developers are also facing a slew of changes in writing for the new operating system.

Some developers have reportedly been upset due to Microsoft’s lack of clarity over which programming platforms would be supported by Windows 8. Programmers accustomed to using Visual Basic, .Net, and Silverlight have been confused over certain Microsoft comments that HTML5 and JavaScript would be the tools used to develop Windows 8 applications.

A Q&A published today between three Microsoft developers and Mary Jo Foley from CNET sister site ZDNet attempts to clarify some of the confusion over the new Windows 8 programming environment.

Microsoft demoed Windows 8 earlier this month at the D9 conference in California. Windows President Steven Sinofsky touted the upcoming OS as one that would be geared for desktops, laptops, and tablets.

Source : windowslifestyle

Just days after the news that a teenager stabbed his little brother to death, police have revealed why.

The boys were fighting over the sound of the speakers connected to the computer, WSVN 7 is reporting. William Gorzynski, 15, eventually stabbed his little brother, 14-year-old Matthew, in the chest, killing him in the family’s Coral Springs home on Monday.

“The two brothers were having a dispute over the sound of the speakers that were hooked up to the computer. The dispute actually escalated to where it became physical. William armed himself with a kitchen knife from the kitchen and actually stabbed Matthew one time in the chest,” an officer told WSVN.

How an argument over volume escalated to such a tragedy still has investigators and the family puzzled. Gorzynski faces second-degree murder charges and is currently being held in the Broward juvenile detention center.

Gorzynski Sybling Rivalry

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Gorzynski Sybling Rivalry

Autopsy reports Wednesday confirmed it was a single stab wound that took Matthew’s life.

A memorial of cards, notes and flowers litter the sidewalk near the Gorzynski house and many neighbors described the boys as loving and nice kids. William Gorzynski wanted to be a culinary chef, his attorney told a judge Tuesday.

But those plans will likely be on hold while investigators sort out this sad situation.

source: http://www.nbcmiami.com