Newsletter 2013.08

Microsoft has confirmed that the first major update to Windows 8 will be released on October 17-18. A lot of the new features are covered in this slideshow. The tile-timid will be pleased to know that a new Help + Tips app takes the pain out of learning the Modern user interface. Also, in a first since Microsoft’s acquisition of the company, a Skype app will be included in Windows 8.1.

Following on from the release of Office Mobile for iPhone a couple of months ago, Android users too can now edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents on their smartphone. As with the iPhone app, a Microsoft Office 365 subscription is required.

Rumors on the Web suggest a big Apple event on September 10 to launch the new iPhone 5S (or is it 6?) and the lower-spec, brightly colored iPhone 5C, designed to supersede iPhone 4/4S, take on low-end Android devices, and make waves in China. Both iPhone 5S and 5C will run the drastically redesigned iOS 7. If the mocked-up images are accurate, iPhone 5S will also come in bling-bling Champagne Gold. For more detailed gossip on the event and new devices check out the rumors as of mid-August.

Windows Phone App Studio, an interesting new piece of software from Microsoft, lets users create Windows Phone Apps without any coding knowledge by using templates and a drag-and-drop interface. It seems to be having the desired effect – in the first 48 hours after its release some 30,000 new projects were started.

Those of us who live in Japan are used to the odd hi-tech toilet or two. But beware! The smartphone-controlled Satis luxury toilet can be activated by any device which has its app installed. The bug report says it best – “Attackers could cause the unit to unexpectedly open/close the lid, activate bidet or air-dry functions, causing discomfort or distress to user.”