DirectX 11.2 said to be a Windows 8.1 / Xbox One exclusive

Microsoft’s upcoming DirectX 11.2 update, first shown off at the company’s Build conference last month, promises to deliver a host of new features and performance improvements in games and apps. But according to reports, the update is reportedly being limited to Windows 8.1 and next generation consoles like the Xbox One. This exclusivity isn’t something new, however, as Microsoft pulled a similar move when transitioning to DirectX 11.1...

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Microsoft Research's actuated 3D display lets you touch virtual objects

There’s always something interesting cooking at Microsoft Research -- even if the technology doesn’t end up in commercial products. The latest involves a rather conventional LCD panel, but combined with force sensors and a robotic arm that moves it back and forwards, it can simulate the shape and weight of objects on screen. The technology was demonstrated in public for the first time during TechFest 2013. One of the demos consisted of three virtual 3D boxes, each with different weights and friction forces corresponding to their material: stone,...

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Samsung to shutter Boxee Cloud DVR on July 10th

The fallout from Samsung’s acquisition of Boxee has already begun as the company plans to shut down Boxee’s Cloud DVR service. The closure is scheduled to take place on July 10 at which time all customers will lose access to their stored television recordings. Boxee made the announcement in a post on their front page. Visitors are told that staff is working behind the scenes to ensure minimal impact to devices already in the...

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Weekend Open Forum: Summer blockbusters that'll get you to the theater

With dozens of bombastic hundred-million-dollar productions rattling theater walls, summer always brings some of the year's hottest blockbusters -- a fresh comic book adaptation surely among them -- and things are no different in 2013 as millions pay to see Man of Steel, The Lone Ranger, World War Z, Monsters University, White House Down and plenty of other titles on the big screen. For this week's WOF, we want to hear about your summer 2013...

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Google Street View heads to the Aloha State

Google Street View is morphing into a bit of a social butterfly as of late with notable visits to some of the world’s most breathtaking places. The company can soon check another destination off the bucket list as Google’s Street View equipment will be hitting a number of hiking trails in the Aloha State. Through a partnership with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), Google will loan their Street View Trekker equipment...

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Researchers see through walls with Wi-Fi

MIT researchers have demonstrated the application of using Wi-Fi signals to track the movements, locations and number of people inside buildings. Dubbed Wi-Vi, the inexpensive and portable "through-the-wall" radar system could have practical applications in law enforcement, search and rescue operations and home security, even if it does present some potential privacy concerns. While listening in on radio signals transmitted by standard Wi-Fi routers and access points, a Wi-Vi transceiverblankets the area with its own low-power,...

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Weekend Open Forum: Chime in on Windows 8.1 Preview

Microsoft’s overhaul of Windows 8 is now live as Windows 8.1 Preview and can be downloaded as an ISO file. The software update delivers a number of worthwhile changes like the ability to boot to desktop and better search following months of criticism from users around the globe. I haven’t tried it yet myself as I’m still primarily working with Windows 7 but at least a couple of my fellow TechSpot staffers...

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Toshiba to launch line of 4K TVs in August, pricing starts at $4,999

Toshiba’s upcoming line of Ultra HD 4K resolution televisions were on display at CES earlier this year with the promise that we would see them become available this summer. That time has arrived and right on cue, the Japanese multinational conglomerate sends word of a solid launch date and pricing on three upcoming models. For starters, the company’s 58-inch set will retail for $4,999 while the larger 65-inch unit will set buyers...

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PC Games That Weren't Cancelled, But Should Have Been

Although some decent games do poorly for no good reason, many titles are so headscratchingly bad that you have to wonder why the developer even bothered. In the group of terribly bad games, there are the truly bad ones and then there are the big flops: those that have built an irredeemable amount of hype. Without further ado, here's our PC gaming hall of shame: games that weren't cancelled but should have been... Outpost (1994) We're digging...

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Gas leak at Intel manufacturing plant sends a dozen to the hospital

A gas leak at Intel’s Chandler, Arizona, manufacturing plant sent a dozen people to the hospital over the weekend. At least 43 people became ill when a gas identified as nitrogen triflouride leaked from a single manufacturing tool in the company’s silicon wafer fabrication facility according to an Intel spokesperson. Some 75 firefighters were called to the scene early Saturday after one worker complained of difficulty breathing....

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Last Call: Google Reader Dies Monday, Here Are The Best Alternatives

With Google Reader nearing its imminent death, a race to build the perfect alternative for the service's refugees has been taking shape over the last few weeks. Even though there are dozens of alternatives already out there, if you care about cross-platform compatibility and synchronization across different devices for things like read and favorited items, then your options are a little more limited than you'd imagine. Local Sync...

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