Microsoft tests Live Tiles you can use without leaving the Start screen

Even Microsoft knows that Windows Live Tiles have so much potential to be a lot better, especially on touchscreen devices. In fact, a group of the company's researchers in Asia have apparently been working on making Live Tiles interactive. As you can see in the videos after the break, the experimental tiles expand when touched, showing you its contents right on the Start screen instead of launching the app. For instance, touching the mail app automatically shows a list of your emails in an expanded view, which looks very similar to an Android widget.

That's not all, though: the team has also designed a feature called Desktop Interactive Tile, which lists the programs open on desktop mode, making them easily accessible from the modern UI. This tile can be accessed from the sidebar on desktop mode, as well, providing an easy way to launch programs or attach files to emails. Alas, Microsoft took down the project's page after briefly showcasing it on its website, but not before ZDNet managed to grab a copy of its official description:

This project features an Interactive-Tile UI system that enables users to access and manipulate Live Tiles in an interactive way with touch gestures. Interactive Tile's UI is responsive and flexible to an app's content and function. Users can provide quick input to the Interactive Tile on the Start screen. With a perception of Start as an entrance page, Interactive Tiles were introduced to empower the start screen with an intermediate access level to applications.

As one of the company's experimental ventures, this might not make it to production at all. But if it does, we'd love to see how it'll play with Windows 8.1's upcoming classic Start menu.

 Comments Share

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.

View the original article here

Android wear: Google provides speech controlled touch screen watches

Apple has Google G, reveal beaten to their plans for portable computers.

Today, the company has its 'Android wear' - project that developers convey a special version of Google's mobile phone and Tablet software, which can run on clocks and other devices.
It showed two concept watches available in round and square, that respond to voice commands and have also a touch screen.
The company also said that it is working with LG, Samsung, Motorola and others, to include the software in their watches.
Watches are suitable at the time of the census in the year, but imagine that useful and actionable information exactly where you there automatically, need it ', David Singleton, Google's Android engineering Director.
"We work watchmakers, fashion brands and chip companies white." The company said the move in wearables an obvious.
"Most of us are rarely without our smartphones in hand," said Sundar Pichai, Google's Android Chief.
"These powerful super computers keep connected us to the world and the people that we love."But we're only at the beginning; We have barely scratched the surface of what is possible with mobile technology.
That is why we are so excited by wearables - they understand the context of the world around you, and you can interact with them look or a spoken word easily and efficiently, with only one.
"Android bear, a project that extends from immediately we are Android to wearables," Pichai said.
"And we'll start with the most famous portable - watches. '" Go far beyond the mere law just say that time you get together with an expansive catalog of apps a range of new devices useful information when you need it most.
' Android wear shows information and suggestions that you need, when you need them.'
The clock will use Google's existing now service, which gives warns 'smart' look at emails, calendar and others warn today or upcoming appointments, delayed flights and other information.
He can recognize users when they need for their next appointment after looking at live traffic data, such as leave.
Google also a special app store for its portable products developed, it was revealed. "The large number of Android applications means that you will receive the latest posts and updates from your favorite of social apps, chats from your preferred notifications from shopping, news and photography apps and more apps messaging,."
The clock from a touch screen is shown and use voice control. Questions, questions like, how many calories in an avocado, when your flight leaves, and the score who just say "Ok Google" ", the game, the company said.

Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full text RSS feed | Amazon Wordpress | Wallet RFID blocking sleeves
View the original article here