A couple of weeks ago Microsoft released a new Windows Phone YouTube app which Google objected to as they said it broke the API terms as it didn’t have ads and enabled downloading of videos. Microsoft responded to the complaints by updating the app and removing the download options but it looks like Microsoft and Google have come to an agreement and will work together on building a new app that complies with Google’s terms. In a post on Mary J Foley’s blog a statement from Google and Microsoft says that the new will enable ads and will be available in the coming weeks. In the meantime the app to revert to the previous mobile web shortcut app. It would be good to see Google and Microsoft to work together on bring Google apps to the Windows Store.

“Microsoft and YouTube are working together to update the new YouTube for Windows Phone app to enable compliance with YouTube’s API terms of service, including enabling ads, in the coming weeks. Microsoft will replace the existing YouTube app in Windows Phone Store with the previous version during this time.”

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After months of waiting the Surface Pro is finally on sale in the UK. Microsoft opened up orders yesterday with the 128GB Pro costing £799 without a cover and £719 for the 64GB version. Covers start at £99 for the Touch cover and £109.99 for the Type cover which in my opinion is the cover you should go for if you want to do any typing. You can Office 365 Home Premium to the mix for £79.99

At the moment there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of units like there was in the US. I love my Surface RT but don’t need the extra features of Windows 8 as I have a notebook I use in the office but if you want it as a main device then this is very portable and powerful Windows device. What Microsoft really needs to do to make the Surface Pro a success in the UK is get it in to stores like PC World and get it on sale on Amazon, at the moment it’s only available in the Microsoft Store.

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The BBC have updated the Android version of the iPlayer app finally adding 10″ tablet support. Until the update on a 10″ tablet you could only use the web version of the app. As well as adding support for larger tablets the phone and 7″ tablet version has also been improved.

The app is free from the Google Play Store.

What’s in this version:

As promised, here’s 10″ tablet support – no more shortcut to the website!
We’ve also tweaked the phone and 7″ tablet design.
Watch out for further optimisation for larger screens soon, whilst the work continues on video downloads.

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A couple of weeks ago I wrote about gMusic a Windows Store app that brings Google Music to Windows 8 and Windows RT. At Google IO Google added All Access which is a Google’s music streaming service and todays update to the gMusic app now adds access the service. At the moment the streaming service is US only but if you do have the music subscription service you can now listen to the music from the app on Windows 8 and Windows RT.

You can read my full review of the app here and you can download the updated version from the Windows Store.

Release notes

[b] Add support for All Access streams (music which you don’t own).
[b] gMusic did not delete songs from local database when they were deleted from server.

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If you need internet access on the go you can share your phones 3G signal via tethering but it drains your battery and can have limited signal range. This is where TP-Link’s solution comes in, the portable Router is a battery powered device that can share out 3G and 4G signals via a dongle creating your own internet connected network. You can connect up to five devices to it via WiFi and as well as working with a mobile signal it can also share out a WAN cable. Having WAN and 3G options is very handy as one can backup the other. So you could use the 3G connect as a backup for the wired connection or the other way around, you can also use it as a standalone WiFi access point.

The battery lasts about 4 to 5 hours and is charged via a MicroUSB cable (cable and chargers supplied). The WiFi is 802.11n and supports most 3G/4G dongles (see this list) , in this video I unbox the unit and get it setup with my 3G dongle, I also take a look at some of the options the device offers.

The device costs around £38 on Amazon

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A couple of weeks ago Microsoft released a very nice update to the Windows Phone 8 YouTube app. The app was developed by Microsoft without Google’s assistance and added features like downloading of videos. Google were not to impressed with the app as they said it breaks their terms by bypassing ads and enabling video downloading. Google wanted Microsoft to pull the app but Microsoft have issued a new version of the app that address one of Google’s issues, the app no longer has download options. The app still doesn’t support adverts but neither does the mobile web version when you use IE from Windows Phone. Maybe if Google could actually start supporting Windows Phone then Microsoft wouldn’t need to develop the app themselves.

The app will be automatically updated via the Windows Phone Store.

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Google have updated Android version of the Chrome Browser. The updated browser now has a full screen mode on the phone version of the app so when you start scrolling Chrome hides the toolbar which is a good idea on small devices. Also the search features have been improved in the omnibox and you can long press on the back button to view tab history.

I much prefer the Chrome browser on Android compared to the Android web browser than ship with many Android devices. The app is available from the Google Play Store.

What’s in this version:

• Fullscreen on phones – Scroll to hide the toolbar
• Simplified search – View and refine your query directly in the omnibox
• Tab history on tablets – Long press the browser’s back button to view your tab history
• Several stability improvements

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The iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch version of Skype has been updated. Version 4.8 has bug fixes and general improvements, improvements to the call stabillty over WiFi and mobile connections, more call details in the notification centre and chats are now in the correct order.

You can get the updated app from the iTunes Store.

What’s New in Version 4.8

- General fixes and improvements
- Improvements to video and voice call stability over a mobile data or WiFi connection.
- Receive more detailed notifications in the Notification Center.
- All chats now appear in the correct order.

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I am a big fan of Sonos music players, the sound quality is fantastic and I love being able to control it from a Smartphone. In the past I have reviewed the PLAY:3 and the SUB and in this video I take a look at the PLAYBAR which is Sonos entry into the speaker bar market. The speaker bar is designed to fit under your TV and can be used to play the TVs sound as well as be great for listening to music via the Sonos apps.

As you would expect from a Sonos device the sound quality is excellent and the PLAYBAR has a really nice clear sound with plenty of volume. It fits in really well in to our home theatre system by having an optical connection (cable included) so you can send audio from your TV to the device and you during the setup you set up the device to control your TV via IR and with the apps you can switch from the TV to music playback and do all the great Sonos stuff and then it will switch the playback back the TV audio when you turn your TV back on. The integration make it a very easy but powerful system to control. You can also add in Sonos two Sonos PLAY3 as rear speakers and a Sonos SUB to complete the 5.1 audio system.

In this video I take a look at the hardware, connect it up to my network and TV and put the PLAYBAR through its paces.

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Microsoft today finally revealed the name and specs of the next Xbox. The Xbox One is Microsoft’s attempt to position the Xbox as an all in one gaming and entertainment system bringing together games, TV, movies, music and Skype.

During the presentation Microsoft demonstrated voice control, live TV, multitasking and impressive gaming and you can read the details in the press release below. As a gaming machine I am sure it is going to be fantastic but what is interesting are the entertainment features. TV on Xbox One enables live TV on the Xbox via cable or set top box complete with voice control. The feature called Live TV with OneGuide will be US only at launch but will be rolling out globally over time. There are not many technical details on how it will work at the moment but the Live TV feature requires a receiver with HDMI. Clearly Microsoft are positioning it as the centre of the home entertainment system, the inclusion of the Blueray drive and the TV options do seem to make it a compelling proposition. It was also interesting to note that Microsoft demotrated the entertainment features first before the gaming showing how much attention they are focusing on the TV, movie and music features.

No Media Center Extender in the Xbox One?

What wasn’t shown and I wasn’t expecting it to be was Windows Media Center Extender. I am not expecting Extender features to be built in to the new Xbox, Microsoft have made it clear that Windows Media Center is a legacy technology and therefor I expect the Xbox 360 as being the only real option for Extender users. What I do expect to be supported is media playback via DLNA/Play To so sending media to the Xbox One will be possible using DLNA and SmartGlass apps.

I am sure we will find out more details and technical specs over time but the first impression is this will be an impressive device for home entertainment. My 11 years are sold on it, what about you?

REDMOND, Wash. — May 21, 2013 — A new vision for the future comes to life today as Microsoft Corp. unveils Xbox One , the all-in-one gaming and entertainment system created for today and the next generation. At Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash., the company showcased how Xbox One puts you at the center of all your games, TV, movies, music, sports and Skype.

“Xbox One is designed to deliver a whole new generation of blockbuster games, television and entertainment in a powerful, all-in-one device,” said Don Mattrick, president, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Our unique, modern architecture brings simplicity to the living room and, for the first time ever, the ability to instantly switch across your games and entertainment.”

Introducing Xbox One

With Xbox One, games push the boundaries of realism, and TV obeys your commands.[1] Say “Xbox On” to launch your personalized Xbox One Home screen, discover what is popular on TV or see friends’ latest gaming achievements all using the most natural interface — your voice. The more you interact with Xbox One, the more it gets to know you and learns what you like. Some of the breakthrough Xbox One features that put you at the center of your living room entertainment include the following:

• TV on Xbox One.[1] Navigate and watch live TV from your cable, telco or satellite set-top box through your Xbox One. Microsoft is committed to bringing live TV through various solutions to all the markets where Xbox One will be available.[3]

• Home. Turn on your entertainment system with two powerful words, “Xbox On,” and a custom-tailored Home dashboard welcomes you with your favorite games, TV and entertainment.

• Snap. Do two things at once on the biggest screen in your home. Use Snap to jump into a multiplayer battle while watching your favorite movie, talk with friends on Skype while watching live TV, or track your fantasy team on TV as you watch the big game and more.

• Skype for Xbox One. Specially designed for Xbox One, talk with friends on your TV in stunning HD, or for the first time ever, hold group Skype calls on your TV.

• Trending.[1] Stay on top of what is hot on TV by discovering the entertainment that is popular among your friends, and see what is trending within the Xbox community.

• OneGuide.[1], [2] Find your favorite entertainment easily, searching by network, name or time, all with the sound of your voice and presented in a tailored program guide.

Read the rest of the press release at Microsoft.com

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