The future of computing will not be dominated by dual-booting laptop/tablet combo devices. At least, not anytime soon, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Asus has quietly put their dual-booting Windows/Android notebook, the TransformerBook Duet TD300, on ice, after showcasing it at CES 2014 this past January. The Duet was slated to be a laptop with a tablet-esque detachable screen, while allowing users to switch between Windows and Android with the push of a single button. With every hardware-maker working to find that happy medium between tablet simplicity and laptop PC functionality, the Duet was an attempt at making a one-size-fits-all PC that could be appealing to a broad base of potential users.
However, neither Microsoft or Google were reportedly happy with the idea of two operating systems co-mingling on a single device. People with knowledge of the issue stated that both companies were unhappy with the prospect of a device that where their operating system might play second fiddle to the other. According to the Journal’s anonymous source, Microsoft would simply not tolerate Asus making a computer that dual-boots Windows and Android. Google responded strongly as well, saying they would only be happy with devices running Android as a solo act.
For both Microsoft and Google, getting manufacturers to ship devices running their OS is a means to a larger end; pushing users to use their larger web of services.
We reached out to Asus for comment, and we will update this story accordingly if we are provided with any additional information pertaining to this matter.
Mozilla is giving Firefox’s Smart Window two new tricks. If you haven’t tried it yet, Smart Window is an optional AI mode in Firefox with a built-in chat that helps you get things done while you browse. With this update, it can fill out online forms using details from your tabs and keep an eye on websites for you.
Tired of typing the same details into every form?
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.