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Windows 8 to go mobile (week in review)

Microsoft's new OS to take mobile OS to the desktop. Hackers hit Sony again. Also: Cell phone radiation dangers.

Steven Musil Night Editor / News
Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. He's been hooked on tech since learning BASIC in the late '70s. When not cleaning up after his daughter and son, Steven can be found pedaling around the San Francisco Bay Area. Before joining CNET in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers.
Expertise I have more than 30 years' experience in journalism in the heart of the Silicon Valley.
Steven Musil
3 min read

Microsoft's next operating system is going to attempt to elevate a mobile OS to the desktop.

Code-named "Windows 8" by Microsoft, the next-generation OS is also expected to be touch-friendly and work seamlessly on tablets, desktops, and laptops. Microsoft gave an early demonstration of the new look and capability of Windows 8 at theD9 conference.

Microsoft demos Windows 8 for tablets (photos)

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The development platform is based on HTML5 and JavaScript. Any applications created for a touch (tablet) interface can also work with a mouse and keyboard. There's also an option for a split virtual keyboard for typing on a tablet.

The system requirements for Windows 8 won't be more than what's required for a PC to run Windows 7, and it will run on Intel, AMD processors, and ARM chips.
•  Windows 8 premiere raises more questions than answers
•  Windows 8, iOS 6 set for tablet face-off in 2012
•  What Windows 8 means for laptops
•  Qualcomm backs Windows 8, CEO says tablet hybrids coming

More headlines

Eric Schmidt: 'Gang of four' rules tech

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt at the D9 conference explains why Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook lead the consumer tech world.
•  Schmidt takes fall for Google's social shortcomings

HP CEO: We might license WebOS

Also at D9, HP's Leo Apotheker says there are no current plans to let other firms license his company's mobile OS, but HP might consider it for phone makers like HTC
•  HP boss Apotheker: It's good to be humongous

Hackers steal more customer info from Sony servers

The same group that hacked PBS's Web site over the weekend says it has compromised the personal information and passwords of "over 1 million" Sony customers.
•  6 tips for surviving the Sony breach
•  PlayStation Store back online

Cell phone radiation: Harmless or health risk?

Despite years of research, there's little consensus on whether you should be worried about your well-being. CNET explains why experts looking at the same data have completely different conclusions.
•  The trouble with the cell phone radiation standard
•  WHO: Cell phones may cause cancer
•  Researcher's strong signal on cell phone risk (Q&A)
•  Twenty highest-radiation cell phones

Groupon files its IPO papers

The company that pioneered the daily-deals business is seeking $750 million in the offering, following the recent IPO from LinkedIn.
•  Pandora seeks $140 million in IPO

Google rolls out rival to Groupon in Portland, Ore.

Search giant kicks off Google Offers today in the City of Roses, with plans to expand the daily-deals service to San Francisco and New York next.
•  Groupon Now brings hourly deals to SF, NY
•  But, wait--Amazon has daily deals now too!

Apple, Jobs to talk iCloud at WWDC

The company plans to unveil a "cloud services offering" along with the Lion version of Mac OS X. CEO Steve Jobs, on medical leave, will be on hand for the announcement.
•  Apple's iCloud launch portends music
•  iCloud mention out of character for Apple
•  Apple gains control of iCloud domain
•  Apple files for iCloud trademark in Europe
•  iCloud logo unveiled as Apple sets up for WWDC
•  Apple's iCloud: What's on your wish list?

Feds investigate alleged attacks on Gmail accounts

The U.S. government is looking into reports that hackers tried to access Gmail accounts of federal officials, journalists, and Chinese activists.
•  Google 'disrupts' Gmail phishing scheme in China

Twitter launches own photo-sharing service

CEO Dick Costolo tells D9 crowd the goal is to "remove the friction" from adding photos. This and other new Twitter services will replace third-party apps for many users.
•  Pew study finds more people using Twitter
•  Beware the bogus 'TimeSpentHere' Twitter app

Google launches +1, a new social step

The company's answer to Facebook's "like" buttons is an incremental social addition that's wired into Google services and search results.
•  Twitter adds one-click 'Follow' button to third parties
•  New LinkedIn button hooks up to job app tool

Weiner grapples with Twitter sex scandal

In the span of only a few days, Rep. Anthony Weiner has firmly ensnared himself in what is fast becoming Capitol Hill's first Twitter sex scandal.
•  Congressman's Twitter hacked with naughty picture?

Also of note
•  Zuckerberg calls Facebook contract a 'fraud'
•  Alaska plans to release Palin's gubernatorial e-mails
•  Calfornia Senate: Schools can expel for sexting