Windows 9 unveiling set for September 30

Microsoft's Windows 9, the successor to the widely panned Windows 8, could be shown off at the end of next month, according to a new report.

Microsoft is planning to hold a special press event on September 30 to show off Windows 9, The Verge is reporting, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the company's plans. The date is currently "tentative," according to the report.

It's not yet clear whether Windows 9 will actually be known as Windows 9. The operating system is currently code-named Windows Threshold, though it's highly likely that Microsoft will keep its numbering scheme with the next platform.

Last week, CNET sister site ZDNet reported that Microsoft is planning to launch a "technology preview" of Threshold at the end of September or early October. The report from Mary Jo Foley indicated that users would be able to try out the operating system, but would need to have software updates automatically downloaded to the platform each month.

Whenever Threshold makes an appearance, it's expected to come with a wide range of improvements, including a "mini" Smart Menu, separate windows for Metro-style applications running on the desktop, and support for virtual desktops.

According to The Verge's sources, Microsoft will be showcasing some of those improvements and new features at the event on September 30. The operating system should launch as a beta preview soon thereafter.

In a statement to CNET, Microsoft was succinct in its response to the news, saying only that it has "nothing to share" at this point.
Via~CNET

OMG!!! Walmart Slashes iPhone 5C Price to 97 Cents

Walmart has drastically cut the prices of the iPhone 5C and 5S, suggesting an upcoming debut of the iPhone 6 (which, granted, Apple hasn't even announced yet).

The iPhone 5S (16GB) has been reduced from $99 to $79, and the iPhone 5C (16GB, in any color) has been reduced from $29 to just 97 cents. The new prices are available with the purchase a two-year contract from AT&T, U.S. Cellular, Sprint or Verizon; the offer is good only in stores, not on online orders.

Stores tend to slash the prices of their existing iPhone stock before a new model is released; this price drop adds credibility to rumors that the new iPhone 6 will launch Sept. 9.

Still, sales on Apple products are rare, in part because the company limits how its retail partners can price its products. Walmart is one of the only retailers that can get away with selling Apple products below Apple's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP).

Public excitement about the iPhone 6 has reached fever pitch. The new smartphone is rumored to have a reversible USB lightning cable as well as alarger screen.

Best Budget SmartPhones for Indian.

5 COOL PHONES THAT DON’T COST your pocket

Sony Xperia T3  
Cost: Rs 25,999
We've been impressed with Sony’s 2014 flagship – the Xperia Z2. The T3 brings the same cool design DNA in a slimmer avatar (just 7 mm thick) and the 5.3 inch touch screen also sports Sony’s ‘Triluminos’ display. 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard memory might be underwhelming but the energetic 2500 mAh battery and the 8MP shooter make amends.  The device currently comes bundled with Sony’s SWR10 smartband in the box just in case you want to experiment with a fitness tracker.  

Asus Zenfone 6  
Cost: Rs 16,999
The 6-inch screen is just what you need to catch a movie on the go – at 245 pixels per inch, the screen resolution won't blow your mind but the large screen real estate helps. Powered by an Intel Processor (dual core, 2GHz) and with an Energizer bunny-like battery (33000 mAh), the device also looks premium with its matte back finish.

Apple iPhone 5c  
Cost: Rs 30,000
If you're a faithful Android user looking for a brief flirtation, take a bite of the ‘Apple’ with the iPhone 5C. You might be able to snag the 8GB variant at half the price (a touch under Rs 30,000 online) of the pricier 5S versions. It won't carry a lifetime of images and music but with Apple’s iOS 7 and amazing 8MP shooter, it's good enough to check out if the grass is really greener on the other side.   

HTC Desire 816  

Cost: Rs 23,990
HTC’s One M8 might be winning all the design accolades but the Desire 816 could well be the brand's dark horse this season. Aside from the iPhone 5C, this is one of the sexiest all-plastic devices (it also comes in a vibrant palette of colours) with an elegant form factor. The ‘Boomsound’ speakers are perfect for an impromptu house party while the 2600 mAh battery has enough juice for your average day at work. 

Panasonic Eluga U  

Cost: Rs 18,990
We still can’t figure out why Panasonic refuses to unleash its top-of-the-line smartphones in the Indian market. The Eluga U feels really good in your hand despite its not-so-premium price tag – it sports a 5-inch touch screen but weighs just 115 gms. The all-glass textured back is a welcome relief from all the plastic that usually dominates this segment. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon (1.2 GHz, Quad core processor) coupled with 2GB of RAM and features a 13MP shooter that is par for the course.

Galaxy Tab 4 Nook

Back in June Barnes & Noble announced that it would launch a co-branded Samsung tablet that would marry Samsung's hardware with its Nook software. Well, that tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook, is now shipping, and it's exactly what what we imagined it would be.

Indeed, the Galaxy Tab 4 Nook hardware is identical to the existing 7-inch Galaxy Tab 4, which lists for $199 (but is widely available for $20 less). In fact, there's not even any Barnes & Noble branding on the device, only on the box. The Nook version comes in white or black and is being offered for $179 after a $20 instant rebate in Barnes & Noble's online and brick-and-mortar stores. At launch you also get what B&N says is $200 worth of free content, including three e-books, three TV episodes, a $5 Nook store credit for apps or movies, and some special offers for digital magazines.The Galaxy Tab 4 7-inch is Samsung's entry-level tablet, but it's nicely designed and Barnes & Noble says it's its thinnest Nook tablet offering yet, measuring 0.35 inches thick and weighing 9.74 ounces. It runs on a quad-core processor and has 8GB of built-in memory -- about 5GB of that is usable -- but its micro-SD expansion slot means you can add storage on the cheap (a 32GB card costs less than $20). Resolution is 1280 x 768, which is fine but actually a step below the resolution of Barnes & Noble's last 7-inch model, the 2012 Nook HD tablet, which came in at 1,440x900.

mainly aiming on book worms

Galaxy Tab 4 Nook's user interface is where it departs from the stock Galaxy Tab 4. Instead, you get the Barnes & Noble skin that's similar to that of previous Nook tablets. The idea here is that this remains a "reading" tablet, with your e-books and Barnes & Noble's book recommendations and deals featured on the device's home screen. You have quick access to your library, the last book you were reading and needless to say, Barnes & Noble's e-book and app stores. As before, you can also set-up password-protected user profiles, so members of your family can have their own personalized content lockers.

We'll have a full review of the device in the coming days, but here's my gut reaction to this initial Samsung Nook product and the partnership in general:

Barnes & Noble needed a new Nook to show its customers that it's still committed to the brand after a very rough 2013. While it's agreed to buy 1 million Galaxy Tab 4s from Samsung over the next 15 months, that's a lot less risky and affordable proposition than making its own hardware.

The Galaxy Tab 4 isn't the most exciting tablet -- not too many tablets are these days -- but it's got an attractive enough design and is reasonably zippy. It also helps that the Samsung brand is quite powerful and feels like a safer investment compared to the Nook brand.

I think the 8GB of built-in memory is skimpy (16GB would have been better) and would suggest you invest in a 32GB memory card to up the memory total to 40GB. But the fact that this is an open device (you can access the Google Play store) and has that memory-card slot are nice pluses. Amazon's, Apple's, and Google's tablets do not have a memory expansion options.