Julia Ryan, USA TODAY 4:01 p.m. EDT October 18, 2013
The Windows 8.1 interface.(Photo: Microsoft)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
This week in Tech was good for PC owners, who got a much-needed update to Windows 8, but not so great for Apple customers, who continue to struggle with operating system iOS 7. Here's what you need to know about the week in Tech:
1) Windows 8.1 update arrives with fresh changes
Microsoft rolled out an update to Windows 8 earlier this week that improves the resolution on Windows phones and addresses some of the criticisms made about the original Windows 8 when it launched on PCs last year.
Here's a few of the changes that you can expect to see in the PC update:
--Start button: The button is in its customary location when a user is in Desktop mode. But clicking on the Start button brings a user to the default Start environment with square tiles.
--Search functions: SkyDrive and Bing Search take more prominent spots on the Desktop in Windows 8.1.
--Windows Store: the store got a face-lift and a ton of new apps — 110,000 apps, to be exact, up from 10,000 a year ago.
2) Apple loses some of its magic touch with iOS 7
Don't like Apple's new iOS 7? You're not alone. The company's new operating system has been widely criticized since its launch on Sept. 18.
A few of the common problems on iOS 7 include quickly draining batteries, spotty Bluetooth connection, dropped WiFi, an interface that is hard on the eyes, bugs in iMessage and apps that perform poorly or quit unexpectedly.
Apple spokeswoman Trudy Miller told USA TODAY's Alistar Barr and Scott Martin that Apple is working on iMessage issues, and more fixes are expected in the coming weeks.
Apple may also be having issues with one of its newest products, the iPhone 5c. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that Apple told its factories in Taiwan to slow production of the lower-cost smartphone.
3) Sony tosses latest pitch for curved TV displays
Curved TVs that deliver a movie-theater experience and great image quality aren't new; LG and Samsung debuted their first curved TV sets this summer. But Sony's new TV set is the first curved LCD HDTV on the market, and available for a lower price ($4,000, versus $9,000 and $10,000 respectively for Samsung's and LG's models).
Sony's new 65-inch LCD HDTV has two notable features: 3-D video and a wide-viewing angle. The TV set is over twice as expensive as other 65-inch sets available (others start at $1,500), but it might be worth checking out if you want an upgraded TV experience.
4) Netflix in talks to get its service on cable TV boxes
Netflix is making it easier for its users to flip between cable TV and Netflix with a new app for cable TV boxes.
The company hasn't officially announced the app, but an anonymous source told USA TODAY's Barr and Brett Molina that Netflix is in negotiations with Comcast and Suddenlink Communications to bring the app to set-top boxes.
Comcast and Suddenlink declined to comment. Check back with Tech for more updates.
5) Square Cash lets users send money by e-mail
Payments company Square is branching out into a new e-mail payment system.
How it works: When you want to send cash to someone, you enter the dollar amount in the subject of an e-mail and send to the recipient and a special Square e-mail address. Square will then reply to confirm payment from your debit card. The e-mail recipient gets a link to deposit the money in their bank account.
The Windows 8.1 interface.(Photo: Microsoft)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
- Microsoft delivers Windows update
- Apple stumbles with iOS 7
- Netflix may add app to set-top TV box
This week in Tech was good for PC owners, who got a much-needed update to Windows 8, but not so great for Apple customers, who continue to struggle with operating system iOS 7. Here's what you need to know about the week in Tech:
1) Windows 8.1 update arrives with fresh changes
Microsoft rolled out an update to Windows 8 earlier this week that improves the resolution on Windows phones and addresses some of the criticisms made about the original Windows 8 when it launched on PCs last year.
Here's a few of the changes that you can expect to see in the PC update:
--Start button: The button is in its customary location when a user is in Desktop mode. But clicking on the Start button brings a user to the default Start environment with square tiles.
--Search functions: SkyDrive and Bing Search take more prominent spots on the Desktop in Windows 8.1.
--Windows Store: the store got a face-lift and a ton of new apps — 110,000 apps, to be exact, up from 10,000 a year ago.
2) Apple loses some of its magic touch with iOS 7
Don't like Apple's new iOS 7? You're not alone. The company's new operating system has been widely criticized since its launch on Sept. 18.
A few of the common problems on iOS 7 include quickly draining batteries, spotty Bluetooth connection, dropped WiFi, an interface that is hard on the eyes, bugs in iMessage and apps that perform poorly or quit unexpectedly.
Apple spokeswoman Trudy Miller told USA TODAY's Alistar Barr and Scott Martin that Apple is working on iMessage issues, and more fixes are expected in the coming weeks.
Apple may also be having issues with one of its newest products, the iPhone 5c. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that Apple told its factories in Taiwan to slow production of the lower-cost smartphone.
3) Sony tosses latest pitch for curved TV displays
Curved TVs that deliver a movie-theater experience and great image quality aren't new; LG and Samsung debuted their first curved TV sets this summer. But Sony's new TV set is the first curved LCD HDTV on the market, and available for a lower price ($4,000, versus $9,000 and $10,000 respectively for Samsung's and LG's models).
Sony's new 65-inch LCD HDTV has two notable features: 3-D video and a wide-viewing angle. The TV set is over twice as expensive as other 65-inch sets available (others start at $1,500), but it might be worth checking out if you want an upgraded TV experience.
4) Netflix in talks to get its service on cable TV boxes
Netflix is making it easier for its users to flip between cable TV and Netflix with a new app for cable TV boxes.
The company hasn't officially announced the app, but an anonymous source told USA TODAY's Barr and Brett Molina that Netflix is in negotiations with Comcast and Suddenlink Communications to bring the app to set-top boxes.
Comcast and Suddenlink declined to comment. Check back with Tech for more updates.
5) Square Cash lets users send money by e-mail
Payments company Square is branching out into a new e-mail payment system.
How it works: When you want to send cash to someone, you enter the dollar amount in the subject of an e-mail and send to the recipient and a special Square e-mail address. Square will then reply to confirm payment from your debit card. The e-mail recipient gets a link to deposit the money in their bank account.