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Metro

Cricket plans to tap Clearwire's not-yet-existent 4G LTE

Cricket has signed on to use Clearwire's forthcoming 4G LTE network to augment its own next-generation deployment.

Cricket, owned by parent Leap Wireless, and Clearwire said today that they have signed a five-year wholesale deal. While Cricket is building a 4G LTE network across two-thirds of its own territory over the next three years, it will need Clearwire's wider reach and ability to relieve its own traffic load.

Clearwire is in a strong position as the only wholesale partner left in town after the implosion of LightSquared. Clearwire secured financing from Sprint Nextel--its largest customer and investor--and has … Read more

Google to give Chrome a Metro sheen

Chrome will come to Windows 8 Metro when Microsoft's in-development operating system is released to the public, a Google representative has confirmed with CNET.

"Our goal is to be able to offer our users a speedy, simple, secure Chrome experience across all platforms, which includes both the desktop and Metro versions of Windows 8. To that end, we're in the process of building a Metro version of Chrome along with improving desktop Chrome in Windows 8, such as adding enhanced touch support," wrote the representative in an e-mail to CNET.

As first reported by Mashable, this … Read more

Firefox for Windows 8 to run as single Metro and desktop app

Firefox on Windows 8 will be designed to work in both the Metro and desktop environments. But getting there won't be easy.

While most software aimed for Windows 8 will be Metro apps or classic desktop apps, Firefox will fall into a third category, according to a blog post last Friday by Mozilla developer Brian Bondy.

Firefox will be considered a "Metro style enabled desktop browser." That means it will offer the power and flexibility of a classic Windows app when used on the desktop--but can also take advantage of Live Tiles and other Metro features when … Read more

How to customize your Windows 8 desktop

The Windows 8 desktop starts off as a clean slate with no clear access to the applications and features you need. Here are some tips on how to create the familiar desktop you know and sometimes love.

Accessing your desktop from the Metro Start screen is just a simple matter of clicking the tile for desktop. You'll then see the familiar interface with just the Recycle Bin on the desktop itself and icons for Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer on the taskbar.

Setting up the desktop OK, let's say you want to first populate the desktop with shortcuts … Read more

Turning 30, Microsoft mouse meets maker's new interface

No, the Microsoft mouse isn't dead. But it is facing its biggest challenge yet from its creator, as Microsoft goes Metro.

First let's look at what Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows Division at Microsoft, said this week in Barcelona when he introduced the Consumer Preview of Windows 8.

"The Microsoft mouse this week turns 30 years old. It's hard to imagine not having a mouse, yet when they came out they were relatively controversial...[and] you couldn't find [at that time] a place to put it on your desk."

Sinofsky continued, mocking (in … Read more

How to, uh, turn Windows 8 off

Shutting off Windows used to be a simple matter of clicking the Start button and choosing the "Shut down" option. But the Windows 8 beta has no Start button. So how do you shut it down?

Microsoft has concocted a series of maneuvers and keyboard shortcuts to shut down the new OS. Though slower and clumsier than going through the Start button, the new steps at least let you fully turn Windows 8 off.

The most basic way to shut down Windows 8 is through the Charms bar.

In the Metro interface, hover your mouse over the Zoom … Read more

Does Windows 8 diss the PC?

It's become very fashionable lately to talk down the personal computer. HP infamously flirted with dropping out of the PC business before backtracking under a new CEO, and a Dell executive recently said, "We're no longer a PC company, we're an IT company." Add two years of non-stop iPad fever (and the resultant tablet gold rush), and that old-fashioned keyboard-touchpad-screen device sitting on your lap suddenly seems very out of style. … Read more

Sprint was close to buying Metro PCS, says report

Sprint was just hours away from acquiring Metro PCS in an $8 billion deal when Sprint's board nixed the agreement, CNBC is reporting.

Citing unnamed sources, CNBC's David Faber said the two companies had been working on the plan for months and that a deal was expected to be announced after Sprint's board met late Wednesday. Metro PCS shareholders would have received Sprint shares and some cash, amounting to ownership of about a third of the combined company, Faber said.

It's not clear why the board demurred, Faber said, adding that Sprint CEO Dan Hesse had … Read more

Preview Windows 8 with Metro7

You've probably heard about Windows 8 and how it brings a smartphone-like functionality to the desktop. While it's designed for touch screens, Windows 8 is supposed to offer a unified platform for all your computing devices. A big part of Windows 8 is its Metro interface, which is based on Swiss transportation signs with a heavy emphasis on typography and legibility. Metro7 is a free desktop enhancement that lets Windows 7 users try the Metro interface. It requires .NET Framework 4.

If you haven't yet seen Metro, it uses a series of rectangular and square widgets to … Read more