Software : Build 2014: Universal Windows apps and DirectX 12 are coming to Xbox One

---

Build 2014: Universal Windows apps and DirectX 12 are coming to Xbox One Posted: Microsoft's vision of a single ecosystem across all types of devices is getting a little bit closer to reality with universal Windows apps on Xbox One. The company announced during its Build 2014 conference that developers will be able to port universal Windows apps directly to Xbox One. These apps will be identical to their Windows counterpart, said Microsoft Executive Vice President of Operating Systems Group Terry Myerson. That includes Kinect support, of course, and to go along with this announcement Microsoft also unveiled the new Kinect for Windows. Nothing better Myerson showed off an Xbox One version of the education app Khan Academy running with Kinect controls. He described playing Kinect games with his kids and said Microsoft believes this type of interaction is "the future." "There's no better TV experience out there than Xbox," Myerson said. DirectX 12 for everyone Myerson divulged that the Xbox platform is currently being "actively" used on 80 million televisions around the world, and that the average Xbox One player uses the console for five hours a day. He also shared that DirectX technology will arrive not only on Windows PCs, but on Xbox and Windows Phone as well. "Windows Phone, Windows and Xbox will all have the same graphics in DirectX 12," he said. "It really is phenomenal technology." He showed off a DirectX 12 demo by Forza developer Turn 10 Studios and Nvidia that he said would never have been possible before. It's "one graphics technology that scales; one API surface that efficiently takes advantage of all the GPU horsepower you can throw at it without taxing the CPU," Myerson said. Developing…

Google's next adventure? Completely overhauling the Android camera app Posted: Google has been steadily improving the camera for the Nexus 5, and soon it may impart some much-needed improvements to all Android users. Insiders aware of Google's plans confirmed to Engadget that the search company is testing a new version of the built-in camera app for Android. The sources said the new camera will come with a refreshed user interface and a 100% viewfinder. This means users will be able to see a completely uncropped version of what they're capturing through the screen before they hit the shutter button. The camera app Android deserves Other improvements were also highlighted, including one that will add a background blurring effect for portrait pictures. With the effect, Android phones will create photos that simulate the shallow depth of field and bokeh effect of large aperture lenses. Higher-resolution panorama and Photo Sphere modes are also purported to be included with this next camera update. What's more, the search company will supposedly open up the camera app with support for third-party filters. If it really happens, this would allow developers and die-hard smartphone shooters to create and import custom effects to the official camera app. Improvements for all While the spread of different Android versions is still pretty mixed with some devices still running slightly older versions of Android KitKat, the insiders indicated that the new camera app will come separately. Supposedly any non-Nexus owners using an phone running Android 4.4 or higher will be able to take advantage of the improvements. The alleged software patch for the camera will come separate from the rumored Android 4.4.3 update we reported on last week. It was then we heard the next version of KitKat would only provide a small fix to remove the Nexus 5's blue tint issues. Any other features remain unknown. The new HTC One (M8) has a pretty nifty dual-sensor camera. See what it can do in our review!

You are subscribed to email updates from TechRadar: All latest Applications news feeds To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610