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Once again, Microsoft has provided important firmware updates for its Surface tablets in tandem with its monthly Patch Tuesday updates. This month’s updates include the promised Type and Touch Cover updates on Surface RT and a camera update that improves low-light use on Surface Pro....More

Apple on Monday introduced the first-ever major update to iOS, adding Metro-like typography and grid design elements to its increasingly creaky mobile OS. But the result isn’t as much like Windows Phone or Windows 8 as some had feared. Instead, Apple has built a more modern looking fascia on top of the grid of icons that iOS users already well understand. That was probably a good decision....More

With Microsoft finally coming clean about its plans for the “Blue” wave of updates to Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012, one major product line has remained a mystery, and to date we still have no concrete idea what’s coming in Windows Phone 8.1 “Blue.” This past weekend, however, an apparent set of leaked screenshots of an earlier Windows Phone 8.1 “Blue” build gives us at least a peek of what to expect....More

The first draft of the Security + Networking chapter in Windows Phone Book is now complete. This chapter focuses on the security features—lock screen PIN, Wallet, Kid’s Corner, Backup, Find My Phone, Phone Update—and networking features—cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Data Sense, Internet sharing, and Airplane mode—in Windows Phone 8....More

This is a minor update to the Security + Networking chapter in Windows Phone Book. This update includes two new sections and a correction to a previously-written section....More

This week, Microsoft claimed that it would add “full portrait support” to Windows 8.1. If you’re familiar with Windows 8, which already does support portrait mode, you may find this confusing. Here’s what’s changing....More

Microsoft announced this week that it will soon improve its Surface Type Cover and Touch Cover. But these updates won’t require you to buy new covers: Microsoft will instead provide Surface users with the appropriate changes via a software update....More

As part of the coming wave of Cloud OS v.Next products and services, Microsoft will deliver a new version of its Windows Intune cloud-based PC and device management service. Intune 5, as I call it, will focus on deeper System Center integration, more consistent experiences across different mobile devices, and better data protection....More

Microsoft provides a beautiful collection of Halo: Spartan Assault screenshots that focus on the single player gameplay and in-game menus....More

Billed as the world’s first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet, the Acer Iconia W3 is shipping this month and will be available for preorder starting tomorrow, June 4. I spent a bit of time with the device today at a TechEd 2013 briefing, and based on what I’ve seen, and my previous experience with Acer’s recent hardware, I’m pretty excited about this device....More

Another brilliant Microsoft web ad pokes fun at the incredibly expensive new Samsung Galaxy S4 smart phone, pointing out that for its sticker shock price of $750, you could buy a great Windows Phone and $600 of other electronics, your choice....More