Windows 8 is certain to make a huge splash with consumers -- not just because it's the next version of Windows, but because Microsoft has finally managed to crack the code for putting Windows on tablets.
Source:
http://venturebeat.com/2012/03/01/listen-up-google-heres-what-windows-8-can-teach-you-about-tablets/
Microsoft decided to do something the same as Apple, yet a bit different.
Microsoft's failure to fly the PC flag at E3 left a lot of computer-loving gamers disappointed.
Don't worry! When the Seattle Times interviewed Mike Delman, the vice president of global marketing at Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business group, Delman tossed PC gamers a treat; Microsoft's designing extensive gaming support into the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. Unfortunately, it's the kind of treat that leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. The catering to the console crowd continues as Xbox Live is being integrated into the Windows 8 experience."Xbox Live will the pervasive media service across devices," Delman said when asked if Live would act as a cloud-type service that enabled sharing between phones, computers and Xboxes. When did Xbox Live become less about gaming and more about becoming an iTunes clone? We've already seen a massive shift towards simplifying PC games as their console cousins make money hand over fist; hopefully, this news doesn't signal the end-times for those of us who like turn-based RPGs and strategy games with complex waypoints and grouping support.
Source:
http://respectedadmins.com/blog/windows-8-to-integrate-xbox-live-support/
After Microsoft's unveiling of Windows 8 at the D9 conference yesterday, we were a little perplexed.
One OS for both PCs and mobile devices? Don't manufacturers make hundreds of different variations with gajillions of different configurations for tablets and PCs? How's it going to work? Microsoft's answer: we'll rule the hardware manufacturers with an iron fist. Okay, that was a bit of a paraphrase, but not much of one if industry reports are any indication.Acer's CEO, Jim Wong, sums it up differently. They're really controlling the whole thing, the whole process,� he told the crowds at Computex earlier this week, a day before the Wall Street Journal ran an article claiming that Microsoft told chip-makers Intel, AMD, Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments to select one hardware manufacturer apiece to work with on Windows tablet development, in order to speed up the process.
Source:
http://respectedadmins.com/blog/microsofts-windows-8-management-angers-manufacturers/
Microsoft has acquired Skype, both companies have announced.
Source:
http://mashable.com/2011/05/10/microsoft-acquires-skype/
Microsoft took great pains to talk up the ease of the Windows Phone update process when announcing the OS. It was their intention to draw a clear distinction between WP7, and the haphazard Android update process. Despite what we can only assume is their best effort, some serious issues are cropping up with this first small update.
A number of Samsung phones appear to have trouble downloading and installing the update, which is provided through the Zune software. The devices reported an error code , and became inoperable. We should point out that it is believed only a small number of phones were affected. However, it was enough that Microsoft has pulled the update while they search for the problem.
Source:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_feeling_windows_phone_update_woes
Microsoft's first quarter numbers are in, and the Redmond giant made a killing.
Profits were up 51% over last year according to Seattle PI. This is pretty great for a company that has more or less been treading water for the last few years. The market tends to only reward growth, which has been bad for Microsoft. After the announcement, Microsoft shares rose a percent, which is something at least."This was an exceptional quarter combining solid enterprise growth and continue strong consumer demand for Office 2010, Windows 7 and Xbox 360," said Microsoft CFO Peter Klein. Microsoft's sales were up 25% from just one year ago, but part of that gain is from deferred revenue ahead of the Windows 7 launch last year. �Most divisions turned a profit for Microsoft, even the Entertainment and Devices unit managed a $382 million profit.
Source:
http://respectedadmins.com/blog/microsoft-profits-jump-51-percent/
Sources are indicating today that Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system will be launching on October 11.
An event in New York is expected to be used to introduce the operating system to the public at large. Interestingly, this doesn't mean you will be able to head to the local mobile phone shop top buy one right away. Phones should be available to consumers later in the month.Microsoft will presumably have final hardware at this event to best show off the new OS. At the very least, we should see a phone that consumers will actually be able to buy. We have previously heard that phones will come from manufacturers like Asus, HTC, LG, and Dell.�
Source:
http://respectedadmins.com/other/your-windows-7-to-launch-october-11th/
Microsoft's legal battle against Canadian firm i4i has been a complete disaster from the very outset.
Last August, Microsoft was ordered to pay i4i $290 million in damages by a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas after certain versions of Word were found to be� infringing on an XML-related patent held by the Canadian firm. The fine was accompanied by an injunction barring the sale of infringing versions of the popular word processing software.All subsequent attempts to turn the tide also proved unsuccessful. Now, Microsoft has filed a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to review the lower court's decision.
Source:
http://respectedadmins.com/other/microsoft-asks-supreme-court-to-review-cases-in-xml-patent/
The day is almost at hand folks, Microsoft has just made it known that the first beta for the upcoming Internet Explorer 9 will be available on September 15. There will be a lunch event on that day where developers will show off "the beauty of the web." Well, eye-rolling tag lines aside, it will be interesting to see if Microsoft can manage to put out a solid browser after previously faltering.
Internet Explorer 9 has been made available as a developer preview since March. In the intervening months, the browser has sped up, and become more standards compliant. Microsoft is building in support for the HTML5 web standard as well. The UI of the preview builds has not been that of the final build. We're hoping for Microsoft to really knock our socks off with a new and innovative design. We should find out on September 15. What would it take for you to get back on Microsoft's browser?
Source:
http://techtime.posterous.com/ie9-beta-available-september-15
For those of you still clinging to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you'll have a new browser to play with in September.
That's when the Redmond software juggernaut will push out the first fully fledged beta, as opposed to that highly limited Preview release floating around...
Source:
http://hothardware.com/News/Internet-Explorer-9-Beta-Due-Slated-for-September/
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says Windows 7 tablets based on Intel's low-voltage Oak Trail processor platform should land in 2011.
Source:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-plans-oak-trail-tablets-for-2011/
A group of scam artists based out of the former Indian capital have been calling random households, and posing as Microsoft technicians.
The callers claim that they've detected a major problem with their victims' PC and say that if the issue isn't remedied, the computer will be rendered unusable. If the user falls for it and installs the malware...
Source:
http://www.switched.com/2010/07/21/indian-phone-scammers-pose-as-microsoft-technicians-plant-malwa/
The next version of Windows, whose release date has not been announced, will be called Windows 7, doing away with the Vista name.
Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/technology/business-computing/29soft.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
