tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16857736974605760432024-02-07T14:08:34.870-08:00Windows 8 updatesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-87481178774358777382012-11-18T04:46:00.000-08:002012-11-18T04:46:42.432-08:00Windows 8 PC Sales "disappointing" for Microsoft<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Insider cites figures as "well below Microsoft's internal projections"</a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zayU6mLo1DbGbv65b124SMMGqN6Te3vN3bX0RnyVtyb1h6T3bsC5RfZ8PlCC3TuX6_4GnYbd2Uf9OVYnu9s-QZEGc_ddFTO098Hc7Spvzk3G0p8DYk6jaaV-GwVbpJ1iAZq0ym3qkIWs/s1600/windows_8_laptop_inhand-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zayU6mLo1DbGbv65b124SMMGqN6Te3vN3bX0RnyVtyb1h6T3bsC5RfZ8PlCC3TuX6_4GnYbd2Uf9OVYnu9s-QZEGc_ddFTO098Hc7Spvzk3G0p8DYk6jaaV-GwVbpJ1iAZq0ym3qkIWs/s400/windows_8_laptop_inhand-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Paul Thurrott, tech blogger and Microsoft insider, reported on Friday that <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> PC sales have fallen well below Microsoft's expected target.</div>
Specifically, blog
stated, "Sales of Windows 8 PCs are well below Microsoft's internal
projections and have been described inside the company as
disappointing."<br />
Thurrott's claim about Windows 8 PC sales may be a
good indicator of why the tech giant has been so reluctant,
particularly with the perceived conflict-of-interest with Surface sales.<br />
The reason for the sales slump may also be that <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">consumers just aren't that interested</a> in Windows 8.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">Microsoft's gamble</a></h3>
Despite
announcing the sale of four million Windows 8 upgrades in the days
following the OS' release, Microsoft remains tight-lipped about any
figures relating to Surface or new Windows 8 PC sales.<br />
This
may be due in part to Microsoft's perceived conflict-of-interest as it
steps into the hardware business with the Surface RT.<br />
Microsoft contends
that it still fully supports all of its participating OEMs like HP,
Lenovo, and Asus, even in the wake of Windows head Steven Sinofsky's
departure.<br />
Windows 8 laptops have garnered largely favorable reviews, particularly touch screen-enabled models, and have created a new, albeit smaller, niche for mobile PC users.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-30665537176810049092012-11-15T06:47:00.005-08:002012-11-15T06:50:02.840-08:00The Windows 8 Touch Keyboard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ39m1VRg51ttHgDuKzl1OMYv0tcLHP0wBENSqBRf3xKCLoGuRE6FP2eFnULwu5vMDaZ6E2c-vX4yPswkpu2uYPxDZEm-wG_gAd4lZx3Tkdq71YKnREpmYtqgMlip0bPI0yij3FIXIT8mM/s1600/0358.Touch-optimized-keyboard-layout_512509E1-640x152.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ39m1VRg51ttHgDuKzl1OMYv0tcLHP0wBENSqBRf3xKCLoGuRE6FP2eFnULwu5vMDaZ6E2c-vX4yPswkpu2uYPxDZEm-wG_gAd4lZx3Tkdq71YKnREpmYtqgMlip0bPI0yij3FIXIT8mM/s400/0358.Touch-optimized-keyboard-layout_512509E1-640x152.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In this blog I’ll cover what I’ve learnt about <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">the Windows 8 Touch keyboard</a>.<br />
There are several different types of touch keyboards available with Windows 8 providing you have a touch screen.<br />
The Touch Screen is available for the conventional touch screen computer and of course for the <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Surface</a> tablet. The Touch Keyboard is a useful alternative to using the conventional keyboard on either.<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">Accessing the Touch Keyboard</a></h2>
To
access the Touch Keyboard go to your Desktop view. In the right-hand
side of the Taskbar you’ll see the Keyboard icon. Click it and the
keyboard appears on your screen.<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Now this is where the fun starts because there are four types of keyboards of keyboards available! They are:<br />
<ol>
<li>Standard keyboard (this is the default one)</li>
<li>Split-screen keyboard</li>
<li>Full keyboard</li>
<li>Handwriting Recognition Keyboard</li>
</ol>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">1. Standard Keyboard (default)</a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkVflKsbEw4WIWnh3QT6kMbi2dC7LkBizkZrj-vCp2CPTwGlCD8JfGm6Tj7r_LH-6TYxp2KBu8oaolDYjFmCJKsOqTWqS1on5wu_FGoeYDtuJ9w25O_4ucTptGdD49pjGzmCCRC1mbEUL/s1600/standard-touch-key2-640x206.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkVflKsbEw4WIWnh3QT6kMbi2dC7LkBizkZrj-vCp2CPTwGlCD8JfGm6Tj7r_LH-6TYxp2KBu8oaolDYjFmCJKsOqTWqS1on5wu_FGoeYDtuJ9w25O_4ucTptGdD49pjGzmCCRC1mbEUL/s400/standard-touch-key2-640x206.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/contactus.aspx" target="_blank">2. Split-Screen Keyboard</a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxBgu9EimeXflMgPRpKx9BWXJXhjhz6d8Km1fj5j_nnjGlitMONC8aJURJkPtHtkLPdS-wfR-e0tvu0i8sVqmd3zqlbJ55FXz36iYBHLgLEbqIjKODZIGdF9pGMTT0pOE3Qvb9MvzvHcv/s1600/split-touch-key2-640x191.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxBgu9EimeXflMgPRpKx9BWXJXhjhz6d8Km1fj5j_nnjGlitMONC8aJURJkPtHtkLPdS-wfR-e0tvu0i8sVqmd3zqlbJ55FXz36iYBHLgLEbqIjKODZIGdF9pGMTT0pOE3Qvb9MvzvHcv/s400/split-touch-key2-640x191.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">3. Full Keyboard</a></h2>
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<h2>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/aboutus.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">4. Handwriting Recognition keyboard</a></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxz3LQwAEkRes8q86EqeGqalQQCHl02eyNofBqD7nLFMvigjO6OEEcj9-JgkXcGkJxXqh43YUjQrzXbEIUCLIIj2tNV_MCOsuyWNzcCttJVcQiDSO3gUOsCpd21ACQNpiA9hMLjWXZ2BI/s1600/touch-screen-write-640x205.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxz3LQwAEkRes8q86EqeGqalQQCHl02eyNofBqD7nLFMvigjO6OEEcj9-JgkXcGkJxXqh43YUjQrzXbEIUCLIIj2tNV_MCOsuyWNzcCttJVcQiDSO3gUOsCpd21ACQNpiA9hMLjWXZ2BI/s400/touch-screen-write-640x205.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
</h2>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Looking Closer at the Features of the Standard Touch Keyboard</a></h3>
On
the top right of each keyboard are two controls – Minimize/Maximize and
Close. On the lower left is the “change keyboard” button.<br />
Clicking
this allows you to toggle through the keyboard of your choice. The
other features are much the same except for the addition of the Smiley
key, a fun thing!<br />
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<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-72953618927643935582012-11-13T05:49:00.000-08:002012-11-13T05:49:48.018-08:0010 best Windows 8 social apps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">The top apps for Facebook and Twitter from the Windows Store </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjAOjuU7Pc2S3kC2HuabPGOBjWvHZMerJp-U5Vtiz_cPs4ouiyJ4rT3NCKV-m8FM4ku1w88NEt_1RsSc-YWyDhfoFC_dPd8Nq_s9GLRjzYhNnRuk_77sKBF48maUBsqI3ak9rqwvTGiPL/s1600/social%2520apps-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjAOjuU7Pc2S3kC2HuabPGOBjWvHZMerJp-U5Vtiz_cPs4ouiyJ4rT3NCKV-m8FM4ku1w88NEt_1RsSc-YWyDhfoFC_dPd8Nq_s9GLRjzYhNnRuk_77sKBF48maUBsqI3ak9rqwvTGiPL/s400/social%2520apps-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windo<span id="goog_1877343583"></span><span id="goog_1877343584"></span>ws 8</a> and Windows RT come with the built-in People app
which shows you updates from and lets you post to Facebook and Twitter.</div>
It also shows you your entire address book
from <a href="http://facebook-euros.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://twitter-euros.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, Linked in, Skype and your email accounts. <br />
So while it's great for seeing what's
going on, you can't Share to the People app from other apps like the browser to
tweet or post things to Facebook. <br />
Of course you can always look at the
website for your favourite social network, but if you want to get live tiles,
notifications and sharing, you want an app.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNKgzWr3vvhdOPgx9nginRBhBESeU2Q221GlKSuMCx-OOJrF6BNt47QDIkOq8TJV7FMYTP17vtb8wJT2KJoJ1X9gIBG88S35DSWEHmO_PeiuvkhuSjT-wSWVVmmGDwdMiEhNWJwTABrAU/s1600/people%2520with%2520skype-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNKgzWr3vvhdOPgx9nginRBhBESeU2Q221GlKSuMCx-OOJrF6BNt47QDIkOq8TJV7FMYTP17vtb8wJT2KJoJ1X9gIBG88S35DSWEHmO_PeiuvkhuSjT-wSWVVmmGDwdMiEhNWJwTABrAU/s400/people%2520with%2520skype-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We know an official Twitter app is under
development; not so for Facebook – Facebook says it has no plans and points at
Microsoft, Microsoft points back at Facebook. <br />
In the meantime, here are our favourite
Windows 8 social apps so far.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">1. FlipToast</a></h3>
FlipToast lets you see updates from
Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and Instagram in the same app; you can see the most
updates, notifications, photos, messages, birthdays and your first twenty or so
friends as you scroll across the screen or tap each pane to get a longer list of
each of those. If you want to see updates from just one service, pinch to
semantic zoom out and you get tiles to pick from. The design is friendly and fun
rather than sleek and stylish but this is like the People app on steroids.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">2. MetroTwit </a></h3>
Even without an official app, there are
several good Twitter clients. Rowi doesn't have a live tile and its black and
green interface only fits in one column of tweets and one of photos, leaving
lots of space for seeing one tweet in a large font, with its replies. The fixed
ad at the top of the timline is badly placed, especially in snapped view. Gleek
has handy options like adding a hashtag to all your posts and choosing how to
mark replies (RT or via or just quotes) and the tile view is great for photos
but it's a little odd to see the same tweets in a column and as tiles. That
makes the colourful MetroTwit our favourite app for running full screen;
although you can only see two columns on screen at once, it has a big, clear bar
for writing your tweets in, plus previews of weblinks open in a nice large
pane.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">3. Tweetro</a></h3>
Also worth trying out, Tweetro has a
comprehensive interface that sprawls across the screen to fit in your timeline,
photos and the lists and searches you add (mentions, messages and favourites
open in their own panes), with slightly confusing positioning but buttons like
Reply and Retweet. If you don't mind scrolling you see more than with other
Twitter apps full screen and Tweetro is definitely the best Twitter app to keep
snapped into a side window so you can glance at your choice of tweets, mentions,
messages, favourites or lists - and the conversation view when you reply fits
neatly too.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EgyJF2XLP6pD1uHwSt5KYhq-mX9SFAEm2uvXZzIvPLPDe4zCdExUdURXXEmEh-VdnQ8Cpkjfqc-Hyl8AGUPHXzZNJ3KdEt-Fx9TzHAKuQZulI-c_9EQOO4fNortS6SfH6QikPzRFTNgV/s1600/tweetro%2520snapped-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EgyJF2XLP6pD1uHwSt5KYhq-mX9SFAEm2uvXZzIvPLPDe4zCdExUdURXXEmEh-VdnQ8Cpkjfqc-Hyl8AGUPHXzZNJ3KdEt-Fx9TzHAKuQZulI-c_9EQOO4fNortS6SfH6QikPzRFTNgV/s400/tweetro%2520snapped-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/aboutus.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">4. Social Dribble</a></h3>
Want to see the tweets in trending topics
at a glance? tMetro picks up the latest trending hashtags and grabs tweets for
all of them. EventWall lets you pick hashtags to search for so you can easily
follow a popular topic like an Apple launch or an event. But if you want to turn
Twitter into a screensaver, Social Dribble displays one tweet at a time for your
chosen hashtag in a font large enough for you to see across the room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KuylwXtF5Yfcv6yAHuQ_5SL2PPHyVXxhjW_QBUAkE7pemMaLpW6w10Y4mcqZT6Goc1JSEPpL77cZCgZeA7Xuwf3JUqAYxwaVllPBcLKjLq37vvK1EG9HqGNy6nmb407c6G5UKUrq46Qo/s1600/social%2520dribble-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KuylwXtF5Yfcv6yAHuQ_5SL2PPHyVXxhjW_QBUAkE7pemMaLpW6w10Y4mcqZT6Goc1JSEPpL77cZCgZeA7Xuwf3JUqAYxwaVllPBcLKjLq37vvK1EG9HqGNy6nmb407c6G5UKUrq46Qo/s400/social%2520dribble-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">5. Digital Dictator</a></h3>
The interface is a bit of a joke, but this
is a handy app for using snapped next to the People app to post updates to more
than one network at a time; Digital Director posts to Facebook, Twitter,
Foursquare (with your location) and Yammer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/branding.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">6. NGReader</a></h3>
This isn't just the best Google Reader app
we've found; it also has one of the nicest interfaces we've seen in a Windows 8
app. You can see your list of feeds, the stories in one or all your feeds and
the selected story on screen all at once in a view that still manages not to
look crowded (and tapping the story loads the original web page into the story
pane very elegantly). Or you can flip into a tiled view with no interface, just
headlines and pictures for a quick overview; tapping a tile brings up a
half-screen pane showing the story in an interface that defines clean and clear.
Plus it syncs well with your Google Reader account so you won't find yourself
reading the same stories again on other devices.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4-TlBjJValMmonQV2JOPQH1dti2UrxNxZ1mYbrXyJqAfOGmVMTI9dhcoH_B2p5R8iEe9gaE4N3mRJ1o9vWcOUdowGEfj_80TtyttVlGIJSMX4GGZSulo0fD1WmdXDHDpOPYc3Aq8InBm/s1600/ngreader2-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4-TlBjJValMmonQV2JOPQH1dti2UrxNxZ1mYbrXyJqAfOGmVMTI9dhcoH_B2p5R8iEe9gaE4N3mRJ1o9vWcOUdowGEfj_80TtyttVlGIJSMX4GGZSulo0fD1WmdXDHDpOPYc3Aq8InBm/s400/ngreader2-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">7. ReddHub</a></h3>
Ribbit and Narwhal are both worth a look,
but the best Reddit app for Windows 8 so far is ReddHub; you can even use it
without logging into Reddit if you want to see the cat pictures without joining
the debates. You can pin subreddits to the Start screen, submit and reply to
links (with decent quoting) and use the Share charm to send links to Reddit or
share links from Reddit but perhaps the best feature is the way it automatically
resizes pictures to fit on screen. We've never thought of Reddit as beautiful
but that's what ReddHub is. Also, prepare to lose hours reading…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsauC2PaBNxwHsWEN3ojD0ip975Cr29qIEbDwNQ7kc5VmtCUY1pYF8-n_7aMpOH9Qx8tg5NZ1b2riBVyc4FiXOJ6eFWmnkFEAN8CtnRHII89s-AGlzDFOn-9vc9nS-uf5z2x7Gv8gmIGWH/s1600/reddhub-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsauC2PaBNxwHsWEN3ojD0ip975Cr29qIEbDwNQ7kc5VmtCUY1pYF8-n_7aMpOH9Qx8tg5NZ1b2riBVyc4FiXOJ6eFWmnkFEAN8CtnRHII89s-AGlzDFOn-9vc9nS-uf5z2x7Gv8gmIGWH/s400/reddhub-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://eurosmedia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">8. Tumbukun</a></h3>
If you want to explore random Tumblrs or
follow one in detail, Single Stream has a nice interface for doing that. But if
you want to manage and update your own Tumblr as well as reading the Tumblrs you
already follow, Tumbukun is a good – if rather primary coloured – app for that.
You can like and reblog posts and write your own posts from scratch in the
editor, although if you want to end an existing post you have to open it in the
browser (annoying if you spot a typo right after you post).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvccO6yVaUzjPEf8BO6Cr7Z65gYh-cpjHdeFUO_8r4lIrGzERfzgoz3cnGiuBRtP1uVvxH371UaV-eFcx2S7g5q63D8Ostr2i6gEPe5dSGriVZjFveZP5m-znJPdqo026KA7iAidPJ3l0/s1600/tumbukun-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvccO6yVaUzjPEf8BO6Cr7Z65gYh-cpjHdeFUO_8r4lIrGzERfzgoz3cnGiuBRtP1uVvxH371UaV-eFcx2S7g5q63D8Ostr2i6gEPe5dSGriVZjFveZP5m-znJPdqo026KA7iAidPJ3l0/s400/tumbukun-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/contactus.aspx" target="_blank">9. IM+</a></h3>
The Messenger client for Windows 8 is very
purple and uses a lot of space for just Messenger (and linked services like
Yahoo and Facebook Chat). If you use other IM services, grab a copy of IM+ which
covers all the main services including Google, Jabber and ICQ as well as the
ubiquitous Messenger, AOL, Facebook, Skype and Yahoo plus international ones
like RenRen and Yandex. The interface is fairly stark but there are plenty of
handy options from blocking people you don't know to getting email alerts for
messages you miss when you're offline.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpvRMcufXARf4WwfpRyqk-bIi2QsbW9QQ3I7jMVBBYdmHJ2ZP_WfNew6kXSL4RX_p9_fRItylBpPQSBCT_NECGpPlplrmKdJ8gXpOLa1nFJGE_5HE8dijbQBoXoAm_nL5kHf9OvtCgYRa/s1600/implus-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpvRMcufXARf4WwfpRyqk-bIi2QsbW9QQ3I7jMVBBYdmHJ2ZP_WfNew6kXSL4RX_p9_fRItylBpPQSBCT_NECGpPlplrmKdJ8gXpOLa1nFJGE_5HE8dijbQBoXoAm_nL5kHf9OvtCgYRa/s400/implus-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://skype-euros.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">10. Skype</a></h3>
The Windows 8 Skype app merges Skype and
Messenger (and your Skype and Microsoft account); you see recent calls and chats
made on multiple Skype devices, your favourite contacts and people you've talked
to recently – or you can see your full address book as tiles. Plus you get Skype
as another way to contact friends from inside the People app. If you prefer
Google Voice for calls, check out Freetalk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16Z6ptSzYrQll9cTQ5R0jtTbRmOa0nOYcpxDo-V1aKb9jfDrCuSlm7gZ2y0Ip7Cx1WLUMzD5r1yeUW-9OzRzdeFiGqE69g4F5XdqCtMDoQXdZ9wLH2qj-D-qfgWzoQOKi_OhSJCrLTxyc/s1600/skype-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16Z6ptSzYrQll9cTQ5R0jtTbRmOa0nOYcpxDo-V1aKb9jfDrCuSlm7gZ2y0Ip7Cx1WLUMzD5r1yeUW-9OzRzdeFiGqE69g4F5XdqCtMDoQXdZ9wLH2qj-D-qfgWzoQOKi_OhSJCrLTxyc/s400/skype-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-91899439709079017822012-11-09T10:57:00.000-08:002012-11-09T10:57:18.484-08:00First Patch Tuesday coming next week for Windows 8, RT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Microsoft also patching prior versions of Windows </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAyTVZmAnXI0UJ36FdZTkzEou5M1jMlQcqcpvFtLWeyXoSXjJDXPXPit7TmYdREDhUb-UiAfC_T6ivoZ9HOCwPx7hWJp1Lp3RWV-UNfU6DM7v8D0a1RB2EK9AR8pYwER8zpNIANArk7JZ/s1600/Windows%25208%2520RP%2520on%2520touchscreen%2520tablet%2520and%2520laptop-580-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAyTVZmAnXI0UJ36FdZTkzEou5M1jMlQcqcpvFtLWeyXoSXjJDXPXPit7TmYdREDhUb-UiAfC_T6ivoZ9HOCwPx7hWJp1Lp3RWV-UNfU6DM7v8D0a1RB2EK9AR8pYwER8zpNIANArk7JZ/s400/Windows%25208%2520RP%2520on%2520touchscreen%2520tablet%2520and%2520laptop-580-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
Microsoft has issued advance notification
for the first round of patches for <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> and <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/search/label/Windows%20RT" target="_blank">Windows RT</a>, which are scheduled to roll out
next Tuesday.<br />
The so-called "Patch Tuesday" will be an
important event for early adopters of Microsoft's Windows 8 and Windows RT,
judging from a Security Bulletin Advance Notification the company issued
Thursday.<br />
On November 13, 2012, Microsoft intends to
release the initial set of security updates to its brand-new Windows 8 products
- including the tablet-centric Windows RT - as well as older versions dating
back to Windows XP.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">Security detail</a></h3>
Tuesday's updates are comprised of <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">six security patches</a>: Four critical and one each in the "important" and "moderate"
categories.<br />
While Windows itself is the primary target
for the upcoming fixes, one also covers a flaw discovered in Internet Explorer 9, while another focuses on Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 and 2010, including
Office 2008 and 2011 for Mac editions.<br />
The patches aren't all about Windows 8: Windows 7, Vista and XP will also receive the security
updates, including Server releases from 2003, 2008 and 2012.<br />
For Windows users who have flipped on
automatic updates, the patches will install themselves magically come Tuesday,
but can be triggered manually via Windows Update on the Start menu</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-85614565985744420962012-11-09T09:52:00.000-08:002012-11-09T09:52:19.652-08:00Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac gets Windows 8-minded update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Tablet gestures, USB 3.0 and Retina display support </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQBQpXOJN7NK35NSRbB0hdUADe78ou3j-Tulo2fVeM0iE00n5PLuXrPUakmNK6DHw1q65BRP7Eyl2Y2tbHpW1QGqB9uQo4GkO-LelDjBTMSpL2rK_3YoF5LqmyktQTcJjYkiwTq4SN7Lj/s1600/Parallels%2520Windows%25208%2520retina%2520support-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQBQpXOJN7NK35NSRbB0hdUADe78ou3j-Tulo2fVeM0iE00n5PLuXrPUakmNK6DHw1q65BRP7Eyl2Y2tbHpW1QGqB9uQo4GkO-LelDjBTMSpL2rK_3YoF5LqmyktQTcJjYkiwTq4SN7Lj/s400/Parallels%2520Windows%25208%2520retina%2520support-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac</a>, the desktop
virtualization software, welcomed a bunch of new updates Thursday, answering
consumer calls for Retina display support plus adding features tailored just for
<a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a><br />
The hallmark of <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">Microsoft's new OS</a> is that
it's touch capable, meaning everyone from hardware makers to software
manufacturers is scrambling to embrace the new possibilities.<br />
Parallels is among the firms adapting to
the W8 landscape, bringing tablet-touch gestures to the desktop mold with
Thursday's update.<br />
The company has also integrated a single
tile to the Windows 8 interface for swift access to shared Mac apps.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8 upside</a></h3>
According to Parallels, its Desktop 8 for
Mac software already has deep built-in integration between the <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Mac OS X</a> and Windows 8 operating systems.<br />
Match that with the new updates and users
can use Mountain Lion's Dictation feature in Windows applications, plus add
Windows apps to Launchpad and Mac Dock.<br />
Retina display settings, as mentioned,
nabbed an update that should make for easier screen optimization. <br />
Parallels has thrown in full USB 3.0
support as well as increased virtual machine limits, letting users run larger
apps. <br />
Lastly, Desktop 8 for Mac users will find
smoother transitions when entering and exiting Coherence mode thanks to the
added USB 3.0 support. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-66545143471788055192012-11-06T23:45:00.002-08:002012-11-06T23:45:42.614-08:00HP launches Connected Music to stream gigs to Windows 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Plus some other download treats </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yrbbBsZys_mEGUbDsNQbQzwARtYTDKtJj718gcE6YFwXTTQelgCT17JfaBCWfxPNK1xsMpcQR4ab9DWGUJovB9PYxw1EIH5yJOUTU403_QaVumlqK3uFNwSMk8b-LcsLGZz80anhtcjA/s1600/HP%2520ENVY%2520TouchSmart%2520Ultrabook%25204_Win8%2520screen-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yrbbBsZys_mEGUbDsNQbQzwARtYTDKtJj718gcE6YFwXTTQelgCT17JfaBCWfxPNK1xsMpcQR4ab9DWGUJovB9PYxw1EIH5yJOUTU403_QaVumlqK3uFNwSMk8b-LcsLGZz80anhtcjA/s400/HP%2520ENVY%2520TouchSmart%2520Ultrabook%25204_Win8%2520screen-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
HP has revealed one of the ways it plans to set its <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">Windows 8 devices</a> apart from the pack: by streaming exclusive music shows to the new OS.
The musical addition comes to HP's Windows 8 line-up thanks to a new partnership with Universal Music.
The collaboration covers the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and kicks off on all of HP's <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Windows 8 laptops</a>, Windows 8 tablets, PCs and Ultrabooks in the region with an exclusive show from No Doubt later today.<br />
As well as the live music, the partnership
allows customers with new HP <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/contactus.aspx" target="_blank">consumer PCs</a> rocking Windows 8 free streaming
access to Universal's full catalogue for 90 days. <br />
If you've invested in a Windows 8 HP
Spectre or HP Envy PC, you'll also get 10 free MP3 downloads per month for three
months.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">You can win, too</a></h3>
As well as streaming the shows live, <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">HP</a>
and Universal will be giving users the opportunity to win trips to the private
gigs as well as other exclusive music content from artists on Universal's
roster, which includes Robbie Williams, Pixie Lott, Maroon 5, Drake and Frank
Ocean. <br />
It's not the first time HP has put its
eggs in a musical basket; the company teamed up with Dr Dre's Beats brand to
improve audio playback on its devices, and has also sealed deals with music
streaming services<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-54741254001073225832012-11-05T03:38:00.003-08:002012-11-05T03:38:32.494-08:00Why does Secure Boot need such draconian control?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Pros and cons of Secure Boot explored</a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpZZyQxyknwdcaVXLLcMQ6Palmc3y__E7_fZI2T92nhBk8vYQkV1dRPQS15MsnP-Ub11Gn6Yx1cT2tQI7FwmzzBf5SpHazgo-4LhzojPSE5alppaMyuQBWw5dI2ST8GPFcCaE2hiKqNrS/s1600/windows8-packaging-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpZZyQxyknwdcaVXLLcMQ6Palmc3y__E7_fZI2T92nhBk8vYQkV1dRPQS15MsnP-Ub11Gn6Yx1cT2tQI7FwmzzBf5SpHazgo-4LhzojPSE5alppaMyuQBWw5dI2ST8GPFcCaE2hiKqNrS/s400/windows8-packaging-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There's a new unavoidable conundrum for free software, and it has a name that conjures up thoughts of either a totalitarian regime, or a decent way of ensuring that malevolent code doesn't slip in between the cracks in your BIOS and your operating system.<br />
It's called Secure Boot, and it's part of the <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Unified Extensible Firmware Interface</a> specification (UEFI) developed for the next generation of PCs.<br />
Secure Boot is designed to only allow signed code to boot your machine, and only entities that hold a valid key can sign the code that will allow your machine to boot. If the code can't be verified, it won't be able to run, in which case you'll probably be presented with an updated version of the message you used to get when you accidentally overwrote the master boot record.<br />
It means that the USB version of Ubuntu 10.10 you've been relying on to undelete your Windows files and repair over-written master boot records will no longer work - at least not on a new machine that conforms to the specification. But then you probably won't have MBRs any more, either.
<a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a>, and machines that are sold and certified to run it, will need to use Secure Boot. This is a good thing in some ways. For Microsoft and for Windows users, it will mean that one of the most glaring loopholes in PC security can finally be sealed. Trojans won't be able to hide, and Microsoft will be able to control the entire software stack from the boot to the desktop.<br />
This will make it a lot harder for anything to usurp the operating system before it reaches sentience, and it's something Apple has been able to do for a long time.<br />
It's part of the reason why iOS hardware hasn't yet been compromised and why, despite everyone owning one, Apple's devices seem to be retaining their integrity (though now that I've written this, there's probably some terrible malware infecting every iOS device on the planet).<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">The downside</a> </h3>
But in other ways, this isn't a good thing. Apple controls every line of code that goes through the CPU, whether that's the <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">bootstrap</a> or any one of the thousands of apps vetted and sandboxed to run on its devices.<br />
It does this on an <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Apple TV</a>, its music players, its tablets and its phones. Its PCs famously only run on authenticated hardware too, and Apple wants to take the sandbox approach used in iOS development to the desktop.<br />
It will do this by making the OS X App store as popular and as integral to OS X as possible, and by forcing developers into the sandboxed environment it is creating.<br />
There are similarities between the level of control in Secure Boot and the direction Apple is headed in when it comes to running software on your hardware, and while this development will be good for consumer confidence, I don't think it's a good thing for freedom or for security.<br />
It stinks of an easy option being made because, surreptitiously, it's an idea that also works to give Microsoft more control. There should be a more imaginative solution to these problems, because it's unclear what this going to mean for Linux - and more importantly, what is it going to mean for choice.<br />
Do you really want an operating system vendor to have this level of control over your hardware? Apple customers can be excused somewhat because they buy a device that's been 'Designed by Apple in California', and they know what they're not getting. But the PC market is completely different, and in a good way.<br />
There's no official platform, hardware or vendor. There's massive variety, and whether you're buying a laptop or putting your PC together from components, you have a great deal of choice.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/aboutus.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Removing choice </a></h3>
Big <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">Linux distributions</a> like Fedora and Ubuntu are making their own arrangements for procuring the credentials to allow booting - the price isn't prohibitive, and it's a system managed by Verisign, not Microsoft. But it's causing a split, not just because people can't agree on the best approach, but because it's already creating friction.<br />
The Free Software Foundation, for instance, criticised Ubuntu's plans use an Ubuntu-specific key for what the FSF calls <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">Restrictive Boot</a>, as well as Canonical's intention to drop the Grub bootloader over concerns that using it will break the terms of the <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/contactus.aspx" target="_blank">GPL</a> used to distribute.<br />
But what about the smaller distributions, updates, unofficial re-spins and personal redistribution to friends? I don't understand why Secure Boot needs to have such draconian control over the PC. Why can't it be used only when booting Windows, for example, and who's naive enough to think that the keys won't be cracked or stolen, giving hackers an even softer back door into Windows than before?<br />
<br />
Secure Boot isn't a solution, it's about control and it's removing choice from a platform that has always flourished because of it. Whether that was Microsoft capitalising on the rise of IBM-PC clones, or Linux undercutting UNIX when it appeared on x86. And to paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, those who sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither.
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-30169132902113222042012-11-02T05:27:00.000-07:002012-11-02T05:29:15.823-07:00Early Windows 8 adoption '5X slower' than Windows 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Only 0.45 per cent of all Windows machines </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlmNavDEYUo1IU9YDYDJJtVFOu-r4Me27MtlUaZLIdFJG69EZa2kSXIPx4ZhCgJvSxVm1jxZRnEMXpe-jrg43QnbF9j8vXhOG9rvbJB0zNOdgpC_kbCgN7T4mZRNowUtCd1TSlBADO-gh/s1600/windows8-packaging-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlmNavDEYUo1IU9YDYDJJtVFOu-r4Me27MtlUaZLIdFJG69EZa2kSXIPx4ZhCgJvSxVm1jxZRnEMXpe-jrg43QnbF9j8vXhOG9rvbJB0zNOdgpC_kbCgN7T4mZRNowUtCd1TSlBADO-gh/s400/windows8-packaging-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Microsoft's new <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> operating systme is only running on
45 out of every 10,000 PCs, according to new figures, putting adoption far below
the initial Windows 7 uptake.<br />
Data from the Net Applications company
showed that, at the end of October, 0.45 per cent of total PCs were running
Microsoft's latest OS.<br />
That's compared to previous figures from
the same company that showed 2.33 per cent of users had taken on Windows 7
following its launch at the end of October 2009.<br />
However, the comparison is tempered by
slightly differing launch dates. Windows 7 arrived on the Oct. 22 that year,
while Windows 8 only <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">went public on last Friday, Oct. 26</a>.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">Adoption anomaly</a></h3>
The four-day launch discrepancy aside, a
rocket science doctorate isn't really necessary to <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">produce a thesis on the anomaly</a>, which suggests
an early adoption rate five times lower than W8's predecessor.<br />
It's been well documented that, when
Windows 7 arrived in 2009, PC users were anxious to make the jump from the
largely-disastrous Windows Vista or the ancient Window XP
software.<br />
However, it turns out <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/aboutus.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">people actually quite like Windows 7</a>, are still
enjoying it and may not be experiencing the same sense of urgency to
upgrade.<br />
There's also the newness of the Windows 8
experience to consider. Microsoft has "re-imagined" its operating system with the <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/branding.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">new Windows UI</a> and potential upgraders may be
experiencing trepidation at the prospect of learning new software.<br />
However, Microsoft knows this is a
marathon and not a sprint and will thus be <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">blitzing televisions and web browsers</a> with
commercials in the run up to Christmas.<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-74890397276565611392012-11-02T03:49:00.000-07:002012-11-02T03:52:14.591-07:00Microsoft sued over Live Tiles in Windows 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">Surface brings out the patent trolls </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uxzobcK8a06A8Rg3FB09s93-sewiqMgYMzn_ccjPsbytycR39TfMXopL2-cCqQ0dg9skJnF3yxK6B-5WkmxeuwgaNM9jNZjijUDwpV0HtMlweKTpJWDHtCaHC905kKOnPvbQiuiEdC9p/s1600/windows8rtm-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uxzobcK8a06A8Rg3FB09s93-sewiqMgYMzn_ccjPsbytycR39TfMXopL2-cCqQ0dg9skJnF3yxK6B-5WkmxeuwgaNM9jNZjijUDwpV0HtMlweKTpJWDHtCaHC905kKOnPvbQiuiEdC9p/s400/windows8rtm-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A US company is suing Microsoft is over its use of Live Tiles in <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> and Windows
Phone 8. </div>
A company called SurfCast has filed the suit over its patent #6,724,403 which
is all to do with how content is organised and displayed. <br />
"The present invention comprises a graphical user interface which organizes
content from a variety of information sources into a grid of tiles, each of
which can refresh its content independently of the others. <br />
"The grid functionality manages the refresh rates of the multiple information
sources," the patent reads.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">Familiar</a></h3>
It sure sounds a lot like Live Tiles – and Surfcast is after recompense for
any Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8 and Windows RT device using
them. <br />
But Microsoft's been showing off bits and pieces on device homescreens using
its dynamic tiles since Windows Phone 7 launched in October 2010; why is
Surfcast suddenly all up in Microsoft's grill over it now?<br />
It's all to do with the <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">Microsoft Surface</a> and the potential payout that Windows 8 will afford, given that
Windows Phone hasn't exactly made anyone a bundle.<br />
Surfcast also says Microsoft is encouraging other companies to infringe its
patent by urging devs to build app tiles for the Windows Store and allowing
manufacturers to sell Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices. <br />
We don't expect to see this result in multiple years' worth of litigation
between the two companies a la Samsung vs Apple – as <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">The Verge</a> suggests, Microsoft will likely settle with Surfcast out of court and
we can all move on. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-3427899078160212402012-10-31T01:42:00.003-07:002012-10-31T01:42:46.912-07:00Microsoft showcases PayPal, Dropbox and other apps for Windows 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KWdgzeRWZdJ3s5V1qVozlFQj1rca7YRwN7eLyECaBpmlilUoWmpphMNkUaFFj4yzIwEcKiBX8jMlq_QHn8Q_B_ZbeItes6v_gw43FSkchdBg48WdwII-RZRq2mYQ7RgqWatVY5uvlB9x/s1600/windows8_launch-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KWdgzeRWZdJ3s5V1qVozlFQj1rca7YRwN7eLyECaBpmlilUoWmpphMNkUaFFj4yzIwEcKiBX8jMlq_QHn8Q_B_ZbeItes6v_gw43FSkchdBg48WdwII-RZRq2mYQ7RgqWatVY5uvlB9x/s400/windows8_launch-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Call it the week of <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a>: Microsoft wasted no time luring developers to the new OS during its Build 2012 conference in Seattle Tuesday. <br />
Among
the showcasing going on, the Softies focused on W8 apps for the Windows
Store, including ones for PayPal, ESPN and Dropbox. <br />
Microsoft
also revealed that 4 million people have made the switch to Windows 8
since the OS was made available Oct. 26, a number that's sure to peak
developers' interest. <br />
The company did not, however, make mention of Surface tablet sales.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">What the W8 apps are all about</a></h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/aboutus.aspx#About%20MotorsCraft" target="_blank">Dropbox's new app</a> "offers
cloud based storage and synchronization service for photos, documents
and videos on Windows 8," Microsoft wrote in an official blog post. <br />
Look for it in the <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">Windows Store soon</a>. <br />
With the ESPN app, news, scores and videos are all aggregated, plus <em>ESPN The Magazine</em>, podcasts and photo galleries all make the cut. <br />
For sports-specific fans, W8 lets users pin whatever sport they choose and their favorite teams to their Start screens, too. <br />
With PayPal, the <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/aboutus.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Windows 8 API lets devs</a> use the service within any Windows Store app to actually get paid. <br />
Microsoft
also announced in its blog post that Twitter is also working on a
Windows 8 app, a tidbit the social network later confirmed with a tweet.
However, that app won't see the light of day for a few months. <br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-35083010235442010792012-10-29T02:36:00.001-07:002012-10-29T02:36:38.638-07:00Five reasons why Windows 8 has Apple and Google beaten<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnheEZcnCHnHEl-ppVoBWvxnC3H6GBAiXizynwzBznQxXCSLK8utHvYl4nkw81fOBPebpyVcXcA9f_kGbdw-GaT7aTAfuWVpBCICUau3EO8YjeXALp5IyNDQYCaXiVslTgDEXkv8DA6EP1/s1600/Windows%25208%2520tips%25201%2520main%2520pic-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnheEZcnCHnHEl-ppVoBWvxnC3H6GBAiXizynwzBznQxXCSLK8utHvYl4nkw81fOBPebpyVcXcA9f_kGbdw-GaT7aTAfuWVpBCICUau3EO8YjeXALp5IyNDQYCaXiVslTgDEXkv8DA6EP1/s400/Windows%25208%2520tips%25201%2520main%2520pic-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Microsoft is onto something. With <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> it's better positioned than both
Apple and Google to ride the coming laptop-tablet convergence wave.<br />
It might even eventually give Microsoft a
shot at the all-important smartphone market. To understand why, let's count the
ways in which Windows 8 is best.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">1. Tablet-laptop convergence</a></h3>
Laptops and tablets are converging. And
only Microsoft has an OS that's fit for that coming unification of devices.<br />
Apple has no convergence strategy at this
time. That's because it fiercely guards product-specific profit streams and just
doesn't go in for making things that cannibalise its own sales.<br />
So, Mac Mini is hobbled to protect iMac.
iMac is hobbled to protect Mac Pro. And iPad isn't allowed to wander into
MacBook's territory.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/aboutus.aspx#main_body" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEWfuGfx2s3HNI3mm8UxdgcjabrFSgWvkxrgQQN7_OXEWWt43LyfXFwcFc6n43QhaIdmMv65EiJbz7V4aqA7a-IjEaI7K2N2l-Q4xJ0gRCPiAVj1CwAA-dgIGhwWrZmIzH_xANrXQWf-R/s400/Surface-Press-05-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Likewise, Chrome OS isn't a fully viable notebook OS. And nor is Android.
Windows 8 is the only OS that's a genuine goer for both tablets and laptops.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">2. Superior user interface</a></h3>
The interface formerly known as Metro and
now labelled 'Modern' is quite literally the most modern of touchscreen UIs.
It's not perfect. But it's fresh. It's contemporary. And it's polished.<br />
It combines the responsiveness of Apple's
iOS with the power and configurability of Google Android. And it looks better
than both.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EgwHvM2IT9Xn1tM43rLOtWZgQQ_kyAuP8KAnAvNYgq-NkFX4C9-htv_LSUlybaPmIk9zOvsONC3-XJ1U8o71MfYeyNO4tXfpzDQrJSGnLEfEgQgQybSJ7q7Dwl8T-5QjkpmWkkSFGRVU/s1600/rotatezoomgestures-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EgwHvM2IT9Xn1tM43rLOtWZgQQ_kyAuP8KAnAvNYgq-NkFX4C9-htv_LSUlybaPmIk9zOvsONC3-XJ1U8o71MfYeyNO4tXfpzDQrJSGnLEfEgQgQybSJ7q7Dwl8T-5QjkpmWkkSFGRVU/s400/rotatezoomgestures-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">3. ARM and x86 CPU support</a></h3>
You can argue the toss over the advantages
of ARM vs x86 processors. Will ARM continue to have a power efficiency edge?
Will the raw power of Intel's x86 chip eventually win the day?<br />
It doesn't matter because with Windows 8,
Microsoft now supports both.<br />
OK, there's an x86 compatible version on
Android out there, too. But for now it's more of an experiment than a serious
play in the market. Meanwhile, when it comes to ultramobile operating systems,
Apple's iOS is ARM-only..<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">4. Multi-tasking</a></h3>
Multi-tasking is something that Windows
has always nailed, from thread management at the kernel level to the way the UI
presents presents multiple apps.<br />
Now it's even better than ever thanks to a
choice between old-school task bar application management on the desktop and app
"snapping" in the Modern UI.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCELQEihNTB29MtGSsA_DNXL_AUMkROWOLpM21KRvQlnFh57ssMZOfN9lRL6skusRkP8PEb8xalatspWQDE7rHyv-p_9mAr1HfMbEQT47zYKNIH78_pkGZhSz0OPMa5JEZqXAz7aEFzSh5/s1600/Windows%25208%2520tips%2520Run%2520two%2520apps%2520side%2520by%2520side-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCELQEihNTB29MtGSsA_DNXL_AUMkROWOLpM21KRvQlnFh57ssMZOfN9lRL6skusRkP8PEb8xalatspWQDE7rHyv-p_9mAr1HfMbEQT47zYKNIH78_pkGZhSz0OPMa5JEZqXAz7aEFzSh5/s400/Windows%25208%2520tips%2520Run%2520two%2520apps%2520side%2520by%2520side-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Microsoft has also added some
gesture-driven app switching to the Modern UI. Put simply, Windows 8 is miles
ahead of iOS and Android for multi-tasking and app switching.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/branding.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">5. Backwards compatibility</a></h3>
OK, this bit only applies to the regular
x86 version of Windows 8 and not the ARM-compatible Windows RT, flavour. But
only Windows 8 offers you a fully contemporary, touch-enabled ultramobile OS
that also supports the huge ecosystem of legacy PC applications and delivers
powerful multi-tasking.<br />
It really is one OS to rule them all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiryoKbWAjd-a-t1ZrqNPnX2-59Ldg6qTycJJL0Jvwv1vvyVpIv8xhf7YHHEM7dIWZIJcGwnDqUH1sjtI5rNPBThtoMwwHXh-Lg-VFNhjWrcGZ7tuKb-8Z-GmHigBzNhdt6xcU0wx7p4_/s1600/Task%2520Manager%2520divides%2520apps%2520and%2520background%2520processes-580-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiryoKbWAjd-a-t1ZrqNPnX2-59Ldg6qTycJJL0Jvwv1vvyVpIv8xhf7YHHEM7dIWZIJcGwnDqUH1sjtI5rNPBThtoMwwHXh-Lg-VFNhjWrcGZ7tuKb-8Z-GmHigBzNhdt6xcU0wx7p4_/s400/Task%2520Manager%2520divides%2520apps%2520and%2520background%2520processes-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="article-body" itemprop="articleBody">
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">It's not all good news</a></h3>
Windows 8 isn't perfect. Limitations
abound, including the peculiarly neutered desktop mode in Windows RT. Then
there's the pitiful number of touch-enabled apps compared with Android and
iOS.<br />
But there's plenty of time to get forensic
with Windows 8's shortcomings. For now, let's focus on the fact that it's a huge
step forward for MS. <br />
For you, it means the prospect of genuine
device consolidation. Tablet and laptop combined in one device that's more than
the sum of its parts.<br />
If merit counts for anything, here's
hoping Windows 8 will make a tangible dent in both Android and iOS.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-47541050626720320352012-10-24T11:07:00.004-07:002012-10-24T11:07:51.674-07:00Windows 8 versions: which is right for you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank"><b>Explained The difference between Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT</b></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4tLngSwlzSKB497jJUY4eP9BimqlNt5xJu8i6N2oRlFMcBBiz_pUrssdEIlqN_5T0Ge5L-ouEu4cBDN2RgOgwWNe7kFwcgUJVVl_vGfFroDACV1EdmKT3_aEd2XuqqQx8tZWoWipU0zk/s1600/media%2520center-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4tLngSwlzSKB497jJUY4eP9BimqlNt5xJu8i6N2oRlFMcBBiz_pUrssdEIlqN_5T0Ge5L-ouEu4cBDN2RgOgwWNe7kFwcgUJVVl_vGfFroDACV1EdmKT3_aEd2XuqqQx8tZWoWipU0zk/s400/media%2520center-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
With only two versions of <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> to be available to consumers, plus
one for ARM devices (pre-installed only), what you get ought to be
straightforward.<br />
But, as is usual with a new version of
Windows, there's still room for confusion because what you get with each version
overlaps slightly.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank"><strong>The three Windows 8 versions</strong></a><br />Windows 8 (for x86, Intel/AMD)<br />Windows 8
Pro (for x86, Intel/AMD)<br />Windows RT (for ARM) <br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a></h3>
<strong>Windows 8</strong> (yes, just Windows 8) is the home version
for x86 Intel and AMD PCs. The features you do and don't get mostly make sense;
joining a domain, encrypting your disk with BitLocker and being able to log into
your PC remotely are business features. <br />
You can connect to a PC at work from a
Windows 8 system, with Remote Desktop or a VPN, you can combine multiple hard
drives into one storage 'pool' that has multiple copies of your files and you
can mount VHD and ISO images as if they were hard drives – but you can't boot
from a VHD file.<br />
And anyone who speaks more than one
language or travels between countries will be delighted that you can switch not
just the keyboard but the Windows interface from one language to another without
paying extra.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Windows 8 Pro</a></h3>
What doesn't immediately make as much
sense is that Media Center not included with Windows 8; it's "an economical
media pack add-on" that's only available for <strong>Windows 8 Pro</strong>, which is otherwise for business users
(or enthusiast users). Again, Windows 8 Pro is for for x86 Intel and AMD
PCs.<br />
Although Media Center has dedicated fans
(around 50 of whom wrote to Windows head Steven Sinofsky to ask about the
feature), only 6% of Windows 7 users ever launch it and only 25% of those use it
for more than ten minutes at a time. <br />
Microsoft has to pay licences for the
codecs used in Media Centre, including Dolby technology. When the Developer
Preview came out last September, Sinofsky commented that "the feedback about
Media Center was predominantly "we will pay extra, just include it" based on the
input directly to me," so it looks like Microsoft is taking users at their
word.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/software.aspx#main_body" target="_blank">Windows RT explained</a></h3>
All three versions of Windows 8 run
Metro-style (also now known as Microsoft design style) applications written in
WinRT, the new Windows RunTime programming framework, which is also what <strong>Windows RT</strong> is named for. Windows RT will
come pre-installed on ARM devices like Microsoft Surface, you won't be able to install it
yourself. <br />
This is what was previously called <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">Windows on ARM</a>. It has both the Microsoft
design style Start screen and the Windows desktop, with Task Manager and
Explorer and support for multiple monitors (remember Windows RT devices won't be
just tablets and they'll have connectors like HDMI).<br />
<br />
<div class="boxout">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank"><strong></strong></a>But even though you get the desktop on Windows RT, you can't install desktop
applications. It comes with ARM-specific versions of Office apps – but just
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, so if you want Outlook you need a PC with
an Intel or AMD processor.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-89861692215392173012012-10-23T06:02:00.001-07:002012-10-23T06:04:57.067-07:00SmartGlass to share Windows 8 release date<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Xbox 360 about to go multiscreen</span></b></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoFAfSqG35vBNTTizthGa9p9OJrhdCnC6742QEBgZiyf1oj-adtlEkikQihuscrcvuASRllFDPnS2dZVuKd63P-UAEUIDsQFacdeqsCLPCxdxwmYVv1-F2mQa8iHXlLEB8XBvRiC6AMu2/s1600/ls3_karaoke_companion-900-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoFAfSqG35vBNTTizthGa9p9OJrhdCnC6742QEBgZiyf1oj-adtlEkikQihuscrcvuASRllFDPnS2dZVuKd63P-UAEUIDsQFacdeqsCLPCxdxwmYVv1-F2mQa8iHXlLEB8XBvRiC6AMu2/s400/ls3_karaoke_companion-900-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
October 26 will be a busy day for tech
fans as Microsoft's <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank">SmartGlass</a> app hits as the <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> hardware goes on sale. <br />
The free app transforms your tablet or
phone into a second screen for the Xbox 360, and will be available on Windows 8
and Windows RT from October 26.<br />
It'll be coming to Windows 8 PCs, Windows
RT tablets, Windows Phone 8 handsets and iOS and Android devices eventually, but
iOS and Android users may face a wait of several months.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank">Dashboard</a></h3>
SmartGlass will work with the new Xbox 360
dashboard (which is currently rolling out to all Xbox Live users) and offer web
browsing as well as a place to track your gaming facts and figures<br />
As well as the stat attack, SmartGlass actually allows you to use your tablet or
phone as part of certain games – titles like <i>Forza Horizon</i> and <i>Ascend</i> have already integrated the external devices.<br />
SmartGlass can also act as a remote for when you're watching films through your
console, streaming other content from the internet or
using the newly-launched Xbox Music service. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-19873599175322741692012-10-23T05:32:00.002-07:002012-10-23T05:52:22.125-07:00Streaming media in Windows 8: what you need to know<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank">How to stream music and video on Windows 8</a></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUxYquj59O_AC4xJhyphenhyphenP328dPtCAaiOqXM7-S-dGqqDIorYTiW4ABXvxF6KlpQsiDxlxTR3kglyCuF755urD5ZYFS1KHrw1ClnxwurnpuFqPrE215uvuU5_7yUpb51lLNlIuVGFFHsZMT1/s1600/video%2520play%2520and%2520play%2520on-580-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUxYquj59O_AC4xJhyphenhyphenP328dPtCAaiOqXM7-S-dGqqDIorYTiW4ABXvxF6KlpQsiDxlxTR3kglyCuF755urD5ZYFS1KHrw1ClnxwurnpuFqPrE215uvuU5_7yUpb51lLNlIuVGFFHsZMT1/s400/video%2520play%2520and%2520play%2520on-580-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Apple has AirPlay and Apple TV, which is
fine if you're tied to the Apple ecosystem. Microsoft has Xbox 360, the
best-selling console on the market month after month and Windows 8 ought to be
able to build on that to make streaming music and video around your house
simple. </div>
Except, with all the choices on a PC,
things are rarely simple.<br />
In Windows 7, Windows Media Player has the
Play To feature; this lets you stream music or video to a DLNA-certified device
like a Sonos music player or a Western Digital TV adapter, or to another PC in
your homegroup with Media Player on. <br />
If it works, it works well. If it doesn't
it's hard to troubleshoot. <a href="http://win8-os.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Windows 8</a> makes this both better and worse.
Play To isn't limited to Windows Media Player any more - it's in Explorer and
desktop Internet Explorer, it works with HTML5 video in web pages (including in
the Metro IE browser) and it can be built right into applications.<br />
It's in the Xbox music and Xbox video
Windows Store apps, for example. And with the Charm bar, it can always be in the
same place - open the Devices charm from an app to see what you can send your
media to.<br />
But Play To is also much more picky and what it really wants is a certified Play
To receiver rather than just any DLNA device. Certified receivers support H.264
video with AAC, they have low latency so your video doesn't stutter, they can
cope with complicated libraries of media rather than just flat folder
structures, they have a standby mode to save power but can wake up remotely when
you start playing and they use peer-to-peer Wi-Fi Direct to avoid complicated
network issues.<br />
And there's only a handful of them on the market so far. As of Windows 8 RTM the
list was some 2011 Samsung SMART TVs, a couple of 2011 Sony DLNA TVs, three
specific Altec Lansing LIVE speakers, the newer but not the older Western
Digital TV Live media players, Windows Media Player on a Windows 7 or 8 PC,
Windows Store apps that use the Windows 8 Digital Media Receiver API - and now
the latest Xbox 360 update. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhrUdGLQ3HPqrmqY1qZmSELSKRc86ij0PamqL2WNvNWRPbBPP50_ThCgQb9iKL_MTF6nT2Lo_PRlmLlIwC4btFUFxsop3gL9VCfneCUJ6Nze_PsWAWm6eHEH9a86sSx7Cx6EcSM74fh4X/s1600/add%2520xbox-580-90.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Older DLNA devices like the Sonos players show up as 'uncertified' in the Windows 8 Devices list and they might or might not work with Play To.
This varied even on the same system in our tests. Some days we could see a Sonos ZonePlayer and send music to it, some days Windows thought we didn't have any Play To devices at all and the buttons in Media Player and Explorer were greyed out, even though the Sonos devices were still listed in Devices.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5qtXnypvndB7yJ949GBHSYnVN-xfBnJ4Odh1rnEoJQW-CtfI0pQGggTHQ75LWwRP-Erf6lLHQQhllaHZDxJTJ0owaH-TlLg8SO5rfW8zOJOhefuC8kE8_MLBb8bsS9Jjso92pea6V3a_/s400/sonos%2520device-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/services.aspx" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ-5Ll4a2VAT891F99HaIcEADfNqtZ1bsIQ2mYdKbnWIjRIIO33qoCXGbzw9R8NlDoBjrDAQjYyWPkX3QNYY9Z1_RCtr1189lBG3XavmIGQ8GSx__BZ1zTYleXWYB248wPr_gCrWuDdoi/s400/sonos%2520play%2520to-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
At the moment, the new dashboard for Xbox
360 is the best and most reliable device to stream media to, and again there are
lots of options.<br />
Streaming media works differently
depending on where the music or video comes from, as well as what application
you start from. <br />
The simplest experience is when you want
to use the Xbox Music app on Windows 8 to play a track from the Xbox music
service - or the Xbox video app on Windows 8 to play a video from the Xbox video
service - on your Xbox. <br />
Pick the Play button for the album or
track in Xbox music and the app bar shows both 'Add to now playing' and 'Play'
on Xbox 360 - the Xbox video app puts both options in the main menu on screen.
Once you're listening to one track or album, anything else you select in Xbox
music on your PC just offers you the 'Play on Xbox 360' button - simple. <br />
While you're at it, you can use your PC to
control the Xbox: tap on icons for the A, B, X and Y buttons and they do the
same as the physical buttons on an Xbox controller (the more familiar you are
with controlling the Xbox dashboard with a physical controller, the less
confusing this is).<br />
Playing video on Xbox from the Windows 8
Xbox video app takes you into the SmartGlass app where you can browse the Xbox
dashboard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aqzUeexKm500veUYMSyOoSP6jnddTpxl7-OnLaTx85tVHLZClSdXyd44n6rTLPHNA_0_x0Ox5fqG_4tzxNkguAkKtSdE96uLeRq0A1513CNOnOthnIP2ttcI6z5itmhlCkVMacpOsrcC/s400/xbox%2520music%2520to%2520360-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PnKU0J0XP26lePl1szRXJTTOhbSHVuw7GdJ3Z0VrP5QEUY35jFUoW3DrMBCLIof1SLH3KnN7HwKrrN2s85lLBUkS4m-taRPAf20jqwPO45UzmTtxEBF_quly2wmyCo_N92Zqm3uuDNfA/s400/playing%2520on%2520xbox-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you want to play music or video you have stored on your own system, not from
the Xbox music or video services, you have to start playing the video, album or
track as normal - and then open the Charm bar, choose 'Devices' and pick Xbox
360 - or any other devices you can send media to, if you're lucky enough to see
them show up here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/branding.aspx#main_body" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixylI4Fa16iijltUPysjHuH-37ceSgc9g4PXV7QBZZsIhGmZktL88ZI_tsgouiS3asF_Y-JUDQ6WxL_QV5b9IQ2Y4luj_1NXMYyO80dXw4AmPeev2B552Owlt18UzZGs8M6KHaTMMAZXIS/s400/own%2520music-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
That's the same from the Metro IE browser; start playing HTML5 video, whether
it's in a window on the web page or full screen, and you can use Devices to send
it to your Xbox. Of course you may not know whether the video you're watching is
HTML5 or not until you try to send it to another device…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/branding.aspx#email_marketing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkgVue6bIG7dxFdvy6iIiVJl_kZdsJWKdNf1QUe7hlphijumPKq45cUIrK0foOGH02eq1Az50mMS3roBVpfuGt9PK7V8Kdhmfum12ZIFnv7tlvQ3L_5gTgrveHWTLTUiXlTJtT_8YMczE/s400/play%2520html5%2520video-580-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="article-body" itemprop="articleBody">
If certified Play To devices become
common, or DLNA devices start working more reliably with Windows 8, this will
all be a fantastic way of streaming content around the house - especially if you
buy into the new Xbox music service, which will include free streaming music on
Windows 8 when it launches. <br />
Today, it's great if you have an updated
Xbox; the screen and speakers that it's connected to are likely to be much
better for enjoying music and video on than your laptop or tablet, and your
laptop or tablet is a much better way for most people to control an Xbox than a
controller designed for gaming. <br />
For older DLNA devices, unless it just
works first time, it ends up being a frustrating experience.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-11486248489739441932012-10-13T07:42:00.001-07:002012-10-13T07:42:01.746-07:00Microsoft Windows 8 Official Pricing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA28O7nmcy7PBahN20KwZd2YDN3gDziW_boolBhxnZ1r3CqwbEkdIyFx5KHjtVku2fyKWoCmmpv1A0-vDc2z5kVImbe5K0OqQS0Xuk8hTHlszzhXdTsnBXARkZDZMCngtbIZYhmTxm0QJs/s400/win84.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
We already had a<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" style="color: #004276; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>pretty good idea</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of how much various versions of Windows 8 would cost us, but we now have more official information.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/aboutus.aspx#main_body" style="color: #004276; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">According to Microsoft</a>, the pricing below should be found at most retailers and several (<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/branding.aspx#email_marketing" style="color: #004276; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">like NewEgg</a>) are already starting preorders.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Here is what you can expect for Windows 8<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>on the retail front</em><em>:</em></div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Windows 8 Professional Upgrade – $69.99</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Windows 8 Pro Pack – Product Key Card – $69.99</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Windows 8 (Full Version) – OEM $99.99</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em>Windows 8 Pro (Full Version) – OEM $139.99</em></li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
All of these prices are rather low compared to what we’ve seen in the past. That being said, it is still more than likely that these are all promotional prices.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
There has been a lot of controversy and drama surrounding Windows 8, so if Microsoft can offer lower prices people might say, “Eh, for that money I will give it a try”. They try and love it, moving on from<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/" style="color: #004276; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Windows 7</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for good— at least that is the idea.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
What else can we expect?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong>The $40 Windows Pro Upgrade</strong></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Well we already had a confirmed $40 discounted price for downloading Windows 8 Pro directly from Microsoft. Now it is confirmed that this ends on January 31<sup>st</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of 2013. The $14.99 upgrade offer to Windows 8 for Windows 7 PC purchasers also expires that day.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong>No Full Package Product SKU</strong></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Again this was announced before. Consumers with a new PC or virtual machine or whatever can simply buy the OEM version. There is no massive retail boxed bundle here. Considering these packages cost near $300 in the past, I say good riddance.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong>Preorder your Windows 8 Device Today</strong></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
We have already seen several vendors show off their Windows 8 devices, but now we can get more information about pricing. Microsoft is allowing vendors to start the preorder process for their devices – if they choose – today. Of course if you are the Home Shopping Network, you already started offering Windows 8 PCs a while back…</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
If you are interested in Windows 8 at all, buy it now. All of the prices we have above are said to likely be holiday promotions in order to push the new OS. More than likely, they will all dry up sometime in January and be replaced by costs that are $100+ more.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
If you<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>might<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em>build a new PC sometime in 2013— might be a good idea to pick up a copy ASAP and just tuck it away.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Anyone excited with the pricing or were you hoping for better deals? Can’t get much better than the $40 upgrade though, expect for perhaps the price of FREE. Not going to happen.</div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-37577921917738842572012-10-12T11:03:00.000-07:002012-10-12T11:06:13.148-07:00Microsoft Phasing Out Points in Windows 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7bqgkLID4GGagRVkSnMjV898K1_epxm9dAXp3zhQ4tp42J0iNt_0RzcI-2F-Dgl-mPSjGzE295VTsFuWHco5gEQeO9SWvBA5zDPrADUwOml2ce8h11UvhYV2bJHmh_YYCCUwaHrCN6GF/s1600/361471-microsoft-points.jpg" /></a></div>
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Microsoft confirmed today that it will be phasing out the use of Microsoft Points in Windows 8.</div>
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Points, however, will live on via the Xbox 360 console - for now.</div>
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"With Xbox expanding into new markets through Windows 8, we want to provide greater flexibility for you to purchase and access Xbox content by using your credit card," a Microsoft spokeswoman said. "Local currency will be the primary method for making purchases in Windows 8."</div>
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Existing Xbox Live customers, however, can also buy things with Points. "Microsoft Points continue to be the currency for purchasing content for the Xbox 360 console," she said. "We have nothing to announce regarding future plans."</div>
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That means you'll be able to purchase music, movies, and other downloads on a Windows 8 gadget using real money. But Points will remain the purchase option of choice on Microsoft's console.</div>
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Points function as a virtual currency that let you buy things like Xbox 360 games, add-ons and accessories, as well as movies and TV shows. They can be purchased via the Xbox.com dashboard using a credit card or as gift cards at retail stores.</div>
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In January,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>there were reports<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that Microsoft would phase out Points by the end of 2012, but Redmond did not confirm until today.</div>
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Other tech firms have also dropped virtual currency; in June,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Facebook ditched its Credits platform<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in favor of local currencies and allowed app developers to offer in-app subscriptions.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-33355594457808926052012-10-09T11:08:00.002-07:002012-10-09T11:09:47.261-07:00Microsoft updating built-in Windows 8 apps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/">Microsoft updating built-in Windows 8 apps ahead of October 26 release</a></h1>
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<b style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">New Delhi:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Microsoft has announced in its official blog its plans to update some built-in apps for Windows 8. As the world is getting ready to witness the launch of Windows 8 OS, Microsoft is busy updating certain apps.</div>
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Leading up to general availability for Windows 8, Microsoft said that the company will be releasing updates for many of the apps that were included with the release to manufacturing (RTM) build of Windows 8 that was delivered to PC makers and to MSDN and TechNet subscribers in August.</div>
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"Naturally, these app updates will also be available to PC makers to include by default with their PCs shipping in the future, but for those of you who have already installed Windows 8 RTM, it is super easy to get the updates from the Store app," said the company. The Store tile will notify when updates are available.</div>
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The Bing app is the first application to get the update. Other updates will roll out up until October 26th.</div>
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Here is the list of apps getting update and some highlights of the changes that you will see:</div>
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1. SkyDrive</div>
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Search within <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/">SkyDrive</a></div>
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Rename and move folders and files</div>
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New first-run experience</div>
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Custom sort order</div>
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2. Mail, Calendar, People, and Messaging</div>
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Conversation view of your inbox</div>
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Complete IMAP account support</div>
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Accepting and declining invitations in email</div>
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Capturing and updating your account picture</div>
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Improved search</div>
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Search for a contact within the Messaging app</div>
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3. Photos</div>
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Crop and rotate photos</div>
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New auto-curated collage slideshows</div>
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View photos and videos on network locations in your Pictures Library such as Windows Home Server, network shares, and <a href="http://www.eurosmedia.co.uk/">HomeGroups</a></div>
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Move through photos in your Pictures Library even when you open them from the desktop</div>
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3. Maps</div>
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Bird's eye view</div>
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3,000+ indoor venue maps</div>
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Driving directions hints</div>
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Improved navigation and layout</div>
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Improved customisation, including custom pushpins and roaming options</div>
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Integration with Bing and Travel apps</div>
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4. Bing</div>
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Richer search results for local content and images</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body">Bing</a> rewards integration</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Use zoom on your search results to see related queries</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Use the file picker to select an image from Bing to use on your lock screen or in your other apps</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
5. Finance</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Additional news and magazine content</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
More market exchanges enabled</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body">Finance videos</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
6. News</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Additional news content from partners such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Enhanced article reader, including font customization, zoom, pagination, and more</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Improved offline reading experience</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/">News videos</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Slideshows</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
7. Sports</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Additional news and magazine content</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Sports videos</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Slideshows</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
New soccer leagues, including MLS, J. League, and Brazilian League</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
8. Travel</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Additional news and magazine content</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Improved flight search and new flight progress indicator</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Improved hotel listing page</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Interactive 360-degree panoramas (gyroscope supported)</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
9. Weather</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Improved default location usability</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hourly weather forecasts, up to 10 days</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Day & evening high/low temperatures</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
10. Video</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Purchasing in local currencies</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Closed captioning</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Search by actor or director</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
11. Music</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Expanded music services</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Rich "Now Playing" experience</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Discover more music with <a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/">SmartDJ</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
12. Games</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Exciting new games</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
In-game purchasing</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Invites and turn notifications</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: none; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-21180868730895967842012-10-09T10:55:00.001-07:002012-10-09T10:55:43.803-07:00SDK enhancements for the new OS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="itemReviewed XXXL" itemprop="name" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Kinect gets Windows 8 update and releases in China</h1>
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Microsoft announced an update to the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.eurosmedia.co.uk/">Kinect</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for Windows' software development kit, or SDK, in preparation for the launch of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/branding.aspx#main_body" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Windows 8</a>.</div>
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A number of enhancements to the SDK will provide developers with new data in the API for their Kinect applications.</div>
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For example, API access to accelerometer data will allow developers to determine the Kinect sensor's orientation, and extended-range depth data will allow Kinect to return data from objects more than four meters away.</div>
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Developers will also have access to the Kinect camera's brightness and exposure settings, as well as infrared stream exposure settings, opening up new environments such as low-light settings.</div>
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The updated SDK will also better support multiple Kinect sensors working together, with faster infrared sensing and improved skeletal tracking.</div>
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<a href="http://www.motorscraft.com/offer50.aspx">Windows 8 compatible</a></h3>
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In addition to the Kinect's new technical capabilities from the update, the new SDK makes Kinect sensors compatible with Windows 8, allowing developers to create Windows 8 desktop applications using the 3D camera.</div>
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Kinect applications support Visual Studio 2012 and Microsoft's .NET Framework 4.5. With the updated SDK, developers can also create Kinect applications for virtual machine environments, including Microsoft Hyper-V, VMWare, and Parallels.</div>
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Microsoft also launched the Kinect sensor for Windows in China, with launches to soon reach Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Puerto Rico.</div>
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Kinect is still gaining support from various fields, used in applications for manufacturing and even medical purposes, and the new SDK features will help to further expand those uses.</div>
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Microsoft has not given up on Kinect for gaming yet either, as<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/services.aspx#main_body" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">recently leaked images</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>hint at an even more accurate sensor in store for firm's next console, commonly referred to as the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.eurosmedia.com/gallery01.aspx#main_body" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Xbox 720</a>.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-2296047498320460722012-01-01T01:37:00.000-08:002012-01-01T01:37:19.558-08:00ARM PCs Could Possibly Offer A More Secure Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXRZ0aemGrs3r_GoPragLXd8XglFx2-TvZJhrJ5hgF5_cSpbUXqgk-EFmEJ3Q1ZKmUwDBUp2TJhpye9Vw5qcmMTxGbDlweGNDcWOlsKLUjGqlCfh3btIg0Ena9RYeXwdEFmIToXuzFj0k/s1600/10119-arm_cpu_super-590x295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXRZ0aemGrs3r_GoPragLXd8XglFx2-TvZJhrJ5hgF5_cSpbUXqgk-EFmEJ3Q1ZKmUwDBUp2TJhpye9Vw5qcmMTxGbDlweGNDcWOlsKLUjGqlCfh3btIg0Ena9RYeXwdEFmIToXuzFj0k/s320/10119-arm_cpu_super-590x295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When it comes to Windows 8 there are two key changes that really seem to get the most focus, the new Metro UI and added support for ARM processors.<br />
Both of these features are certainly deserving plenty of attention because of what they imply for the change to the desktop in coming years.<br />
Microsoft's 'core' OS has always been targeted at x86 processors (Although NT4 did support a few other architectures like Alpha, MIPS, and IBM Power) and primarily at the traditional workstation-style PC and laptop.<br />
As the company has evolved, so has its strategy and with the newest set of changes heading to Windows 8 we are seeing a complete shift that opens up the door to more casual touch-friendly interfaces and laptops/desktops that no longer use traditional legacy code and x86 processors.<br />
With ARM companies like Qualcomm and Nvidia preparing initiatives that move beyond mobile and into a landscape dominated by Intel, you think that the x86-based Intel and AMD would be at least a little nervous.<br />
According to Intel the legacy support that is found in x86 isn't present in ARM, this means less drivers that work for your favorite cameras, printers, and other attachments. ARM also isn't as fast as Intel, and overall Intel is confident that they have little to lose with Windows 8.<br />
On the contrary, Intel has openly praised Windows 8 and claims to be looking forward to it. Whether or not this is just a 'show' or not, who knows.<br />
What I do know is that I've personally been mixed about the whole thing for a while now. After all, legacy support is awfully important. Still, I've started to think about what major advantages you will find with going ARM on workstations, laptops, and home PCs versus keeping to the traditional x86 side of the fence.<br />
I've come up with one possible BIG advantage, security.<br />
While this is theoretical at the moment, it seems possible that since Windows 8 isn't legacy-capable in the coding you won't have to worry about all the viruses and malware that currently plagues the x86 version.<br />
I know what you might be thinking, "Well hackers and malware creators will just go ahead and make new viruses that are modified to target Windows 8 on ARM", maybe.<br />
Keep this in mind though, at least for a few years the biggest players in ARM OSes will remain Apple and Google, not Microsoft. So this makes Microsoft less of a target.<br />
Additionally, much of the code found in 'desktop mode' of Windows is very aged and so getting a clean start with the Metro UI and the apps that run it might not be a bad idea.<br />
Additionally, since the Windows ARM version is largely locked down in a way similar to Apple when it comes to apps, it is again a much more secure option than the x86 version.<br />
The big downside though is that if you are a business that is interested in the security aspect you have to be willing to re-make in-house programs for ARM and re-train users for efficiency on the Metro platform, which could become a costly endeavor.<br />
Paying for losses brought about by viruses might end up the cheaper solution for some of these businesses.<br />
Still, getting aboard with Metro might not be a bad idea as I do believe a day will come when Windows no longer supports the traditional applications, instead favoring a combination of Metro and Cloud-based APIs for running programs.<br />
The ARM debate isn't anything new but I do personally think it could have a niche, especially for businesses that don't mind updating to more cloud-centric solutions now.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-17302754387867624832012-01-01T01:32:00.000-08:002012-01-01T01:32:56.931-08:00Windows 8 Tablet – Review: Acer Iconia Tab W500<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11wmJwE8sHRm-eLwCtcFNIU1rkxOV7zoiBWmDwyuLu_mRRMxCX84D5rxC-4gzAPLhua6_r89H3soCptwuoLhusf2qOu9dFKFYTz3LNun1Bb1YTT5UUHXt33DoKvromKoTluHjTHdY6ABq/s1600/acerico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11wmJwE8sHRm-eLwCtcFNIU1rkxOV7zoiBWmDwyuLu_mRRMxCX84D5rxC-4gzAPLhua6_r89H3soCptwuoLhusf2qOu9dFKFYTz3LNun1Bb1YTT5UUHXt33DoKvromKoTluHjTHdY6ABq/s320/acerico.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When it comes to tablets, Windows is likely the last option you'd ever choose.<br />
Windows tablets started as slates and convertibles around the beginning of the millennium, but due to the bulky nature of the hardware and Windows' awful performance with touch technology they've never really taken off.<br />
Recently though Microsoft has introduced its newest version of Windows, which includes a brand new start-menu replacement, Metro.<br />
Metro is a touch-optimized interface that includes everything we've come to expect in mobile operating systems, including a marketplace.<br />
With Windows 8 Beta just around the corner, now is a great time to start looking around for the right tablet for both testing purposes and ultimately the upgrade to the full commercial version of Windows 8.<br />
Today we take a look at the Acer Iconia W500, a unique hybrid that includes a 10.1-inch tablet and a separate keyboard dock, which together gives users a netbook-like experience.<br />
The W500 includes the following specifications:<br />
<ul><li>10.1-inch LED-baclkit TFT LCD with a resolution of 1280x800</li>
<li>an AMD Dual-Core C-50 1066MHz Processor</li>
<li>2GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM</li>
<li>32GB SDD with mini-SATA</li>
<li>2-in-1 memory card reader</li>
<li>Dolby Advanced Audio</li>
<li>ATI Radeon HD 6250</li>
<li>2 USB 2.0 ports</li>
<li>HDMI</li>
<li>RJ-45 port</li>
<li>3-cell li-ion battery (capable of up to six hours life)</li>
<li>Weight: 2.14lbs</li>
<li>Dimensions: 10.83x7.58x.063-in</li>
</ul>I personally am a huge fan of the Iconia Tab a500 Android tablet, and so I was hoping to find just as great of an experience with the Window-side of Acer tablets.<br />
I understand that Windows 7 isn't the best touch-experience but I still had great expectations for the hardware.<br />
Unfortunately, the W500 has plenty of great ideas but is plagued by a frustrating design. Docking and undocking is ultimately a difficult situation that makes it hardly worth it, and the overall slate/dock combination is a bit on the bulky side.<br />
While in the docked/hybrid mode, you get the form-factor of a netbook but honestly the performance in this tablet is highly more refined than what you normally would see in a netbook.<br />
First off, you have a Dual-Core AMD processor versus the lower-powered Atom and the Radeon HD 6250 provides a much better graphics experience than most budget tablets.<br />
Of course if you plan to switch back and forth between tablet and 'hybrid', good luck. The dock doesn't come on and off without a bit of difficulty and you will have to resist the natural urge to want to fold the unit shut.<br />
Looking at the unit without the dock, it actually is a pretty impressive piece of hardware. Again. The specs are much better than what you would expect from many other basic tablets and even with heavy use of multiple videos and browsing you can expect about 3 hours of battery life.<br />
The W500 is well-rounded and feels very comfortable in your hands, though the downside is that it runs Windows 7 Home Premium and not a truly touch-optimized experience.<br />
For those that plan on putting the Beta on the hardware, this likely isn't a deal breaker. If you are interested in getting the tablet now though, you will have to get used to using Windows 7 on a tablet.<br />
Luckily, Acer has included several custom programs that are designed to make the experience much better than you would expect, but it is still no Android, iOS, or Metro.<br />
Overall, the Iconia w500 is a good option if you are looking for a device that can be used for productivity in a docked mode, but also has a full tablet experience for those situations when portability is a must.<br />
While the docking feature might not be as intuitive as I would like, it is worth putting up with if you really need a machine that can provide the best of both worlds.<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-7523139525900967472012-01-01T01:18:00.000-08:002012-01-01T01:18:18.199-08:00Windows 8 Versus Android, OSX, iOS, And Even Itself..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniH71L8NfW_aBeFXODWDuhv4FNRZ6qcgbLoa0cQ-IwfoJ1Hazspw2-qdZgvWW7OeOIVNlbtqNWqMBHf9L8nIzQiAiAdJ72BYvy8zQOhStxpmqKz4_froHs8dDfnEsyP4kV272mWePV4hr/s1600/apple_android_windows-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniH71L8NfW_aBeFXODWDuhv4FNRZ6qcgbLoa0cQ-IwfoJ1Hazspw2-qdZgvWW7OeOIVNlbtqNWqMBHf9L8nIzQiAiAdJ72BYvy8zQOhStxpmqKz4_froHs8dDfnEsyP4kV272mWePV4hr/s400/apple_android_windows-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Traditionally, when it comes to Windows competitors there has been only one of major consequence, at that is Mac OS X. To be fair even Mac OS X's market share is hardly a threat to Microsoft's dominance with Windows and Linux doesn't even register on Redmond's concern list I'm sure.<br />
Windows 8, however, has plenty of new competition thanks to the addition of ARM processor support. This means that that Windows 8 competes directly against: Linux/Unix Desktop derivatives, Mac OS X, Android, and iOS.<br />
Not to mention it also has two big competitors in the form of its own Windows Phone and Windows 7 (and earlier).<br />
Self-competition is often a difficult circle to get caught in to, and something Microsoft is rather familiar with. To this day Microsoft still has stiff competition from XP, trying to get users to make the switch away from the aging OS.<br />
This is something they will likely face even more with Windows 8, especially trying to convince those that don't care for Metro to make a switch.<br />
On the Windows Phone front, I suppose this will only become self-competition if Microsoft directly brings Windows 8 to the phone, which right now doesn't seem like the plan.<br />
Anyways, the point is that Windows 8 has to fight for recognition and acceptance on multiple fronts, which isn't going to be an easy battle by any means. Can Microsoft win this war? I think it is certainly possible.<br />
The biggest part of the war will certainly be the mobile front, this is the place that Microsoft has stacked up all its cards against.<br />
So what does Microsoft have to offer for tablets (and other mobile solutions) that can set it apart as a worthy option?<br />
First off, Apple's strength is in its closed, mostly secure platform. It is a cozy and safe place that offers great apps, ease-of-use, and alluring aesthetics. How does Windows 8 fit into such a picture?<br />
They also offer a unique and alluring interface (although this could be argued), they want to keep things simple as well and offer a closed and controlled environment while still allowing open-source apps and other features that seem more Android-like.<br />
Okay, what about comparing against Android? Android has tons of options from hardware, to software version that allows every type of user to find a phone/tablet within their budget.<br />
They also offer tons of different sources for apps and a very open model. The downside to such an open model is malware problems that now plague the platform.<br />
Microsoft likely has Android beat on this security issue, though for those looking for multiple app stores you will be a bit disappointing with Windows 8. On the shear number of options though, Windows 8 is looking like the best choice.<br />
Don't get me wrong, there are probably more hardware types out there for Android than Microsoft will have to offer, but this doesn't mean that Android has <em>better</em> hardware options.<br />
The problem with Android is that the experience is highly fragmented for two reasons: Multiple very different versions of Android are out in the market and there is no hardware standard.<br />
With Windows 8 it seems likely they will follow WP7's example of setting 'hardware minimums' that keep fragmentation from becoming an issue.<br />
The shear number of choices of Android devices can be confusing to some consumers.<br />
After all, consumers might think "this $80 tablet has Android on it, and so does this $300 one, so why spend so much since its the same OS?" In reality that $80 tablet has a 350MHz MIPS (or maybe ARM) processor, limited app support, and few functions.<br />
Microsoft will have hardware options without the fragmentation, and that's a good thing.<br />
So in short, what does Windows 8 have to offer versus Android and iOS? It will have more options than Apple's iPad, less fragmentation and better security than Android, while still offering many of the same 'good' features of both.<br />
Is that enough to ensure its success? Only time will tell.<br />
What is your opinion of Windows 8 when leveraged against the other major mobile competitors? Share your thoughts below!<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-84298475981415855142011-12-28T05:05:00.000-08:002011-12-28T05:09:32.441-08:00Free Windows 8 Infographic for you to share<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeY7WDwWD2JLSqyMDEdDRV4aIa2yt3K2LVuDtSvnPbOmdVG-MIXOMUYP8DBpE65wtuuvZWLb8FwZEXFnDCIjBZz0jSwKVaTLYjKpmJskm8zJQErwzOqcM2LpwMXYhvDzlZ6cJhATuM6WD/s1600/Please-share.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeY7WDwWD2JLSqyMDEdDRV4aIa2yt3K2LVuDtSvnPbOmdVG-MIXOMUYP8DBpE65wtuuvZWLb8FwZEXFnDCIjBZz0jSwKVaTLYjKpmJskm8zJQErwzOqcM2LpwMXYhvDzlZ6cJhATuM6WD/s400/Please-share.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We have been getting a lot of questions about Windows 8.<br />
People are asking about the new features and the new look and feel etc etc.<br />
In response to that we put together our Windows 8 overview page. This page summarized all the features that we know about and put them in one place.<br />
We also continue to update that page.<br />
We wanted to go above and beyond that and we have put together an embeddable graphic for you to use.<br />
Please share this graphic and page with your friends, colleagues and coworkers who want to know more about Windows 8<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP0MdlzAHSLVoA6HLsL-hLHGKqDtXLT09gswNyykAhHElvaOqvshhh0WKQWc42PvrHaF61znORKodKygzfJUFrrlHldgqY84x_PyfCB-OsHEkfM9Hqhg0zCKsU95Rvf42BAzf4uI1XGCw/s1600/Windows8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP0MdlzAHSLVoA6HLsL-hLHGKqDtXLT09gswNyykAhHElvaOqvshhh0WKQWc42PvrHaF61znORKodKygzfJUFrrlHldgqY84x_PyfCB-OsHEkfM9Hqhg0zCKsU95Rvf42BAzf4uI1XGCw/s1600/Windows8.png" width="470" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-52029290653146447092011-12-28T04:57:00.000-08:002011-12-28T04:57:10.703-08:00What I’m looking for in the Windows 8 Beta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As we race right into 2012, I'm starting to get excited about the prospect of testing the Windows 8 Beta.<br />
I'm looking for very specific things in this latest release of Microsoft's new Operating system.<br />
First, I got myself an ExoPC tablet from the Microsoft store which arrived and looks pretty sweet.<br />
I'm not even going to bother putting the Windows 8 Development Preview on it, I'll just wait for the Windows 8 Beta.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7PC9cjs37obYmn9iKtCyLwXw1xfE1LU7xe6TwpV33onT2cXGilxO8uqA2XOrRZL2OV2iKHZ33-ZGoKelNezSFv7OgiHJ7eGOcHO0PjEEXfmpBb8VKT_CFYD6DlfKdRir_ciNlPO62na8/s1600/Windows8-tablet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7PC9cjs37obYmn9iKtCyLwXw1xfE1LU7xe6TwpV33onT2cXGilxO8uqA2XOrRZL2OV2iKHZ33-ZGoKelNezSFv7OgiHJ7eGOcHO0PjEEXfmpBb8VKT_CFYD6DlfKdRir_ciNlPO62na8/s320/Windows8-tablet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once I install Windows 8 on the tablet, I'll go over the checklist of Windows 8 features.<br />
I'll do a detailed review of all the features of Windows 8 on this blog and of course I will use those features as my criteria but at the end of the day, there is one metric that will tell me what the future of this Operating System (on tablets) will be.<br />
<h2><span style="font-size: small;">The 2 year old test</span></h2>You see I have a 2 year old son.<br />
He loves my Ipad ( he calls it the "pah"). It's sweet. He grabs the Ipad, swipes it open, swipes to his favorite application (Elmo), taps once to run it and taps away at the different letters of the alphabet.<br />
Then, once he gets bored of that, he clicks on the one Ipad button to go to the home screen, swipes to go to another page and then clicks once on his other fave app - Toy Story 2.<br />
Then, sometimes in the middle of that, he'll double click on the button (just like he's seen dad do) and switch between open apps to get to what he wants.<br />
<br />
<strong>HE's 2 YEARS OLD!</strong><br />
Sorry Microsoft but that to me is the real test. The user interface on the Ipad is so simple a 2 year old can use it and in fact he started using the Ipad at 14 months. I blogged about that here.<br />
Ultimately, Windows 8 has to be easy to use. It has to be stupid simple.<br />
No charms that are hidden, no funny "swipe up left and then right" combos. This is not Mortal Kombat.<br />
It has to be easy enough for grandmothers to use. For babies to want to use. That will be the real predictor for success. When families see that their children are interested in Iphones, they buy them Ipods so they can play their own apps etc.<br />
Believe me I am thinking of getting my kid an Ipod so i can get my Ipad2 back.<br />
If Windows 8 is not smooth and seamless and intuitive, then it's game over. You can't beat something with nothing - it just doesn't work.<br />
The other thing that Microsoft must know about this is that it's all or nothing. There will not be a service pack to fix the major UI issues if they come up. It will either work or it won't and I suspect that within 3 months of using the Beta, we will all render a verdict.<br />
I am reminded that my friend Marc said to me that Android was not innovative because in so many ways, it's a bad copy of the Apple UI. Microsoft get tremendous credit for doing something that is if nothing else original.<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-309326666886543502011-12-28T04:47:00.000-08:002011-12-28T04:47:10.190-08:00Microsoft Strategies To Stay Relevant In 2012, And Beyond<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span id="goog_1806090959"></span><span id="goog_1806090960"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMOK4xHjg58IpSmZs_JRql8zpmTnO6Gte4I2vea5P1zrUFFhWmDFPh60r4za4dJga_qrwhVAoBcDH5E8_Ih6COWtvuZD9kKmYGmcDRl7MU4lQWRvAR3P6htwZNp21GPVL_66NdVl3LesM/s1600/microsoft-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMOK4xHjg58IpSmZs_JRql8zpmTnO6Gte4I2vea5P1zrUFFhWmDFPh60r4za4dJga_qrwhVAoBcDH5E8_Ih6COWtvuZD9kKmYGmcDRl7MU4lQWRvAR3P6htwZNp21GPVL_66NdVl3LesM/s400/microsoft-2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In the past I've discussed how the world of technology is truly on the verge of massive change.<br />
Traditional personal computers are becoming less relevant than they were just a decade earlier as new technologies like tablets, smartphones, and cloud technologies drive things further into a mobile, more flexible state.<br />
While this revolution to mobile and cloud technologies may end up ultimately leaving some companies behind in the dust, Microsoft seems ready to keep such a fate from coming.<br />
So, in the spirit of the Holidays and the upcoming year's end, let's take a look at just a few ways that Microsoft is changing and/or positioning itself for future-proof purposes:<br />
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<b>Windows 8 and "Windows Everywhere"</b><br />
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Microsoft's newest version of Windows is a very different animal than what we've seen in recent years. The unique gamble Microsoft is taking is changing the UI through the use of the new touch-friendly METRO interface.<br />
The purpose is clear, it is designed to be easier to use, more casual, and more future-proof for emerging technologies like tablets, touchscreen PC monitors, and Kinect for PC.<br />
Outside of Windows 8, Microsoft is taking things a step further by using "METRO" as the basis for multiple other product changes, like Microsoft Xbox 360's new 'Twist' interface.<br />
By bringing "Windows Everywhere", the company hopes to make customers more willing to adopt new Microsoft technologies thanks to ease of use and familiarity.<br />
Keep in mind this is not really a new strategy though, the only real change is that Microsoft used to make its other products, like Windows CE, look more like the desktop.<br />
In our more mobile-focused world the table has turned and now Microsoft wants the desktop OS to look more like its mobile solutions.<br />
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<b>Bing and Social Search</b><br />
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<b></b>Microsoft has been in the 'search' game for a long while now, but until Bing they really weren't considered a valuable player.<br />
In 2009 Microsoft signed a deal with Yahoo that would power Yahoo's search through Bing, a solid agreement that really helped Microsoft enlarge its presence.<br />
Now changes like the Bing iOS app, Bing Search for 360, and new social media deals for search with the likes of Facebook and Twitter are helping Microsoft continue the crusade for a larger piece of the search engine pie.<br />
The world is truly becoming more and more cloud-focused, and having the power of search on your side is a very good way to stay relevant.<br />
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<strong>Cloud Technology</strong><br />
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<strong></strong>There will likely be a time when PCs no longer really exist.<br />
You will have multiple different types of devices that connect to the Internet such as phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations... but laptops and workstations won't really be PCs, at least not by today's standards. Instead such devices will need minimal storage and processing since they will simply be a window into the cloud.<br />
Microsoft has many progressive cloud technologies such as its storage solution, Skydrive, and its Windows Azure cloud environment.<br />
In the following years I imagine these products will both evolve in new and interesting ways, and that the cloud will become a large part of Microsoft's future business strategies.<br />
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<strong>Xbox 360, And Beyond</strong><br />
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<strong></strong>It is clear that Microsoft had a vision of what place they wanted the Xbox to have in the market even before the original was released roughly a decade ago, now.<br />
The Xbox's long-term goal was likely <em>never</em> about 'video games'. Yes, it was the immediate goal, but the long-term goal was to find a relevant way to reach users in their living rooms.<br />
Media PCs had attempted this, but never really to much avail. The Xbox started slowly, added online services, and by the launch of the Xbox 360 had a few more. Now with the new "Twist" interface comes many more 'TV and Media' services that make the Xbox 360 move away from being just a game console.<br />
It is a multimedia entertainment hub, and it is possible that there are users out there that have an Xbox that is not even used for games at all.<br />
A sequel to the Xbox 360 with such technologies as Blu-Ray, will likely see even a bigger push towards multimedia and television. With the Xbox Microsoft finally has found success with the Media PC.<br />
If rumors are at all correct, the sequel to the Xbox 360 might even run on a modified version of Windows 8.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1685773697460576043.post-1244313859450255372011-12-21T10:01:00.000-08:002011-12-21T10:03:11.840-08:00Microsoft in 2012: what to expect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiLTzWXwYcr4MD6ENmh48UX7RM4cyKWuyLZ4zoDTzyNDR9R8fxc_Ok0U1Logw29OLr29hkBS1GbQ6WmPkL6E-Gb90DxUBt9dqLPLmjsQZfBQEJLkuzmTF-bQB2FVXTqrGa1Un3hOKarrb/s1600/kinect+prototype-728-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiLTzWXwYcr4MD6ENmh48UX7RM4cyKWuyLZ4zoDTzyNDR9R8fxc_Ok0U1Logw29OLr29hkBS1GbQ6WmPkL6E-Gb90DxUBt9dqLPLmjsQZfBQEJLkuzmTF-bQB2FVXTqrGa1Un3hOKarrb/s400/kinect+prototype-728-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Microsoft has had plenty of successes in 2011, from record-breaking sales for Kinect and Xbox to the positive reaction to Nokia's Windows Phone.<br />
Windows 7 and Office are still selling well, Bing has managed some moderate increases in market share, especially in the US, and the departures of big names like Ray Ozzie and Robbie Bach haven't caused any ripples.<br />
For the second year in a row, everyone is taking Microsoft seriously. <br />
But when you do well, you have to do even better next time and 2012 could be a challenging year. Microsoft has to ship - and sell - Windows 8 (especially on tablets), Windows Phone has to compete with whatever Apple and Google can come up with next, IE10 has to keep up with Chrome and whatever ridiculous number Firefox gets up to and Microsoft still needs to impress users with its cloud services.<br />
Xbox is still going strong and Kinect could revitalise the market for PCs that aren't all about being as thin and light as a MacBook Air but can Microsoft pull it all together? <br />
<h4><b>Windows Phone 8</b></h4>There are plenty of Windows Phone 7.5 launches still to come next year, especially for the US market, building on Nokia's momentum with the Lumia 800 – and bringing Skype to the phone. Back at the MIX conference in April corporate vice president Joe Belfiore said Skype would be on the platform "this fall" along with the Mango update.<br />
Unless it squeezes out before Christmas like Lync for Windows Phone, SkyDrive for Windows Phone and iOS, and OneNote for iPad, we're expecting to see Skype for Windows Phone at CES 2012.<br />
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<b>SKYPE EVENTUALLY:</b><i>Promised for Windows Phone this autumn, maybe we'll see it at CES</i><br />
The bigger news is the two new versions of Windows Phone expected next year; the Tango update that brings Windows Phone to cheaper handsets for developing countries (and anyone who won't switch away from their feature phone until smartphones are just as cheap) and the more interesting Apollo, which will have improvements in the grahics APIs, in Bluetooth and is when we'll probably see NFC. <br />
Apollo, or Windows Phone 8, is what Microsoft mysteriously calls 'common core'; we think that means key programming frameworks from Windows 8 coming to the phone rather than the Windows 8 kernel and we certainly don't think it means throwing away all the Windows Phone 7 apps.<br />
We should get more details on both at Mobile World Congress in February and we expect to see Tango in the spring and Apollo, with IE10 included, by next November. <br />
<h4><b>Windows 8 – and IE 10</b></h4>The beta of Windows 8 is due a little later than we'd expected; we expect Microsoft to tell us more about what's getting updated during CES but the beta (which will have new features in) will be available in late February, along with the beta of the Windows 8 Store.<br />
That still leaves time for a release candidate and the final release for the autumn; Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs has suggested the launch will be soon after September (so we might see the second service pack for Windows 7 first).<br />
That's when we'll see the final version of IE 10 as well for Windows 7 as well as Windows 8 (and yes, it will have spell checking on Windows 7); "We will release an IE 10 Beta and Release Candidate on Windows 7 prior to IE10's general availability," the IE team said on the official blog. That's a lot longer than the 12 months it took to create and release IE 9.<br />
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<b>WINDOWS 8 BETA:</b> Don't worry, t<i>he beta won't be this green</i><br />
The autumn is also late for Windows tablets; by then they'll be competing with iPad 3 and BlackBerry 10 tabs and it's possible Google will have Android Jelly Bean out by the end of next year too. Microsoft obviouslydoesn'tthink it's too late to bring out a tablet but there's certainly a sense of urgency.<br />
Windows Phone president Andy Lees has just taken a sideways step to handle what Steve Ballmer calls "a time-critical opportunity focused on driving maximum impact in 2012 with Windows Phone and Windows 8". We think that means making sure Windows 8 ARM tablets come out on time, work well and don't cause confusion for Windows Phone handsets – especially with Apollo's Windows 8 connection. <br />
Microsoft isn't thinking about Windows 8 as an update that makes the way you use a PC today a little better; this is the operating system the Windows team hope you'll be using for a decade, the way you did Windows XP. Tablets matter but we're expecting to see Microsoft push some exciting new PC ideas too. <br />
<h4><b>Kinect comes to PC</b></h4>The rumours about the next Xbox are wilder than ever, including a faster connector for a new Kinect that could be sensitive enough to detect the expression on your face – or read your lips. <br />
What we do know is that the PC version of Kinect (launching in "early 2012") is optimised for recognising things that are closer to the screen – like your hands rather than your whole body. That means you can gesture at the screen with your fingers.<br />
So while the idea of TVs from Vizio and Sony with Kinect built in as a remote control is attractive, it's much more plausible that those rumours are actually about monitors for your PC that have Kinect in. The TV market is all about low prices and we don't see TV makers lining up to add a pricey sensor. But a Kinect screen could be the same price as a touch screen monitor – and the perfect match for Windows 8.<br />
Think about it; waving at the Metro Start screen deals with all those complaints about fingerprints and gives you a natural interface that is perfectly suited to a screen you want further away than a tablet or laptop.<br />
It also builds in a microphone for voice control – something Windows already has but hardly anyone uses; expect a Windows version of TellMe to compete with the rumoured Siri-controlled Apple TV.<br />
But when you add Kinect to a screen, you get more than gestures; you get a PC that knows when you're sitting in front of it and which way you're looking. That could lock the screen when you walk away; it can also make video calls look more realistic by adjusting the image to the right perspective.<br />
Steven Bathiche who runs the Applied Sciences group at Microsoft wants to use a Kinect-enabled screen with a Wedge lens (made by a company Microsoft has recently bought) to give you 3D images without glasses, by detecting where your eyes are and steering the beam of light towards them. That could be a 3D TV – or a 3D Xbox screen…<br />
<h4><b>Silverlight 6</b></h4>Even if we never see Silverlight 6, rumours of Silverlight's demise are almost certainly exaggerated. The newly announced support policy for Silverlightpromises updates for the browsers Silverlight 5 works with today (including Safari, Firefox and Chrome) and hints at support "as browsers evolve".<br />
More importantly, the technology behind Silverlight will continue to be key for building Windows Phone apps, Silverlight is making its way to Xbox - and it's a key part of Windows 8 as one of the ways to build Metro-style apps using WinRT (which is an almost exact superset of current Silverlight features).<br />
Using the XAML markup language, developing in C# and VB.NET on a subset of the .NET runtime, running in a secure sandbox and distributing apps using HTTP rather than an installer; the key principles of Silverlight will all still be there, whatever the technology is called.<br />
The question is really whether there will be another browser plugin called Silverlight. In the long term, Microsoft is moving away from plugins; Andy Lees hinted at this last year when he explained to TechRadar that one reason the Windows Phone browser doesn't have Flash or Silverlight plugins is that "browsers are going to a different extensibility model" and it's even clearer in the plugin-free Metro version of IE10.<br />
As HTML gets more capable, there will be fewer things you need a plugin for - but as long as those things include playing DRM video served by major broadcasters using Microsoft's streaming media server technology, Microsoft will be doing the engineering work to make that happen and delivering a plugin to build on that makes sense. <br />
<h4><b>Office, Live and SkyDrive</b></h4>A new version of Windows means a new version of Officeand while there are rumours that the beta of Office 2012 will be ready at the end of January it's more likely that we'll see it around the same time as the Windows 8 beta.<br />
The leaked build from Microsoft Russia we saw in August had a cleaner look that matches the Metro-influenced look of desktop apps like the Windows 8 Task Manager, but there will also be Metro versions of key Office apps. The Moorea app for creating HTML pages on a tiled grid that's in the leaked build might be a hint at the type of Metro interface we'll see. <br />
Certainly the Office Metro apps will have to stand out from the Mail, Calendar, People, and Messaging Windows Live Metro appsthat were previewed at the Build conference (they'd be the ideal apps to try out from the beta of the Windows Store and we expect to see them with the Windows 8 beta).<br />
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<b>SKYDRIVE: </b>It'll be everywhere - out for Windows Phone and iPhone first<br />
Live is going to get more social network features, although it's more about being what the Microsoft job adverts call a "one-stop-shop for users to connect with friends and all their social network" than competing with Google+ and Facebook; this may be where odd social network projects from the research lab in Boston (like Spindex and socl.com) fit in.<br />
And SkyDrive ("your cloud store for anywhere access to your data") is coming to Xbox according to this job advertwhich talks about IEB as well as Windows and Phone.<br />
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<b>METRO OFFICE: </b><i>Could Moorea be the new Office look?</i><br />
Microsoft is betting on Windows 8 – Steve Ballmer famously called it the company's biggest bet – but it's backing that bet up with cloud services that will be available on more and more platforms. It's going to be another busy year.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0