Tech Review - 01/06/2012

Here is a roundup of the latest news this week from the technology world.

Windows 8 release preview now available to download

Microsoft has launched its latest preview version of its upcoming operating system, Windows 8 with the company saying that this release is still a work in progress and continues to build on the previous preview release back in February as it is now a lot more stable with new features to try out.

The new features in this preview release include Bing Apps with improvements being made also to its Mail, Photos, People apps. There are more personalisation options in the Start screen and there is now support for multiple monitors.

Microsoft has made changes to how people find and download apps via the Windows Store. It has introduced a Family Safety feature that enables more privacy and security controls when browsing the internet.

The Windows 8 release preview is now available to anyone to download that has a PC or Mac that meets the specifications of the operating system. Make sure before installing this preview that your data from Windows 7 is backed up because otherwise it will mean a complete re-install of Windows 7 if Windows 8 crashes.

Acer unveils the Aspire One 756

Acer has launched its Aspire One 756 netbook that will give the customers the choice on what type of processors they want installed. There will be two options for consumers to consider with either an Intel Celeron 877 processor or an Intel Pentium 967/987 but this will depend on what the netbook will be used for.

The netbook will be available in a variety of colours, which include Dewdrop Silver, LadyBug Red, Ash Black and Feather Blue. It will also have a Mobile Intel HM70 Express Chipset and Intel HD Graphics.

The LCD display screen measures in at 11.6 inches and offer a full HD resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels. It will have a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio and is also LED-backlit. With the Acer’s Crystal Eye HD webcam you can used for to record videos and hold video conferences.

There will be a choice of operating system, which will either be Windows 7 Starter Pack or Windows 7 Home Premium. The Home Premium Edition will be supported by 4GB of RAM (can be upgraded to 8GB) and the Starter Edition only supports 2GB.

The netbook will have a HDMI port enabling you to connect the netbook to a larger screen display such as a television. It weighs in at 1.38kg and has a good battery life providing between 3 and 4 hours.

Acer did not reveal when this netbook will be available or what it will cost.

Toshiba stops producing netbooks for the US but not the UK

A Toshiba executive has confirmed that the company will no longer be producing netbooks for the US market but will still continue to be produce for the UK market. The first netbook not going into the US is the Intel Cedar Trail-toting Toshiba NB510 but will definitely be arriving in the UK.

The reason that Toshiba has decided not to continue pushing netbooks in the US is they are focusing more on their Ultrabook range such as the Toshiba Portege Z830.

Dell recently announced it was also stopping production of its netbooks and instead focusing their efforts on Ultrabooks as they said, "thin and powerful is where it's at for us". Other manufacturers are still decided when to leave the netbook market with leaked email from Samsung confirming they intend to do just that with Acer and Intel rumoured to be closely ditching their netbooks.

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Other News:

Asus Google Nexus 7 outed - the first Jelly Bean tablet?
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/45853/first-google-jelly-bean-tablet-made-by-asus

Android and Chrome to remain separate as Google rules out Chrome OS tablet
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/45856/no-chrome-os-tablet-as-android-and-chrome-to-be-kept-separate

Gigabyte X11: World's lightest ultrabook caught in leaked press shots ahead of official launch
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/45860/gigabyte-x11-lightest-ultrabook-leaked-press-shots