A top iOS executive has moved on from Apple.
On his LinkedIn profile, Henri Lamiraux has set his status to "retired (iOS
Engineering Vice President - Apple)." The departure was first reported by
9to5Mac, which cited the LinkedIn page and an unspecified source but also said
that it had received confirmation from Lamiraux via e-mail.
Lamiraux told 9to5Mac that he retired from Apple within the last "couple of
weeks," having decided that iOS 7 would be his final release. Apple made iOS 7
available to users in mid-September.
As a top overseer of iOS operations at Apple, Lamiraux had a hand in many
areas. According to 9to5 Mac:
Sources within Apple's iOS division say Lamiraux is respected and he was in
charge of developing the applications that come with iOS. The executive also led
feature-implementation across the operating system, and he managed both
bug-fixing processes and feature distribution to consumers. He also managed the
frameworks within the operating system that power features and allow developers
to build applications.
Lamiraux had been at Apple for 23 years, according to 9to5Mac.
We've reached out to Apple for comment and will update this story with any
response.
Sunday, 3 November 2013
Every small business is distinctive and has unique desires
The percentage of Computer users running Windows eight.1 doubled in a
month’s time, according to the latest October information compiled by metrics
firm Net Applications.
Not surprisingly, that is nevertheless just a tiny fraction from the all round Computer market: 1.72 percent, as measured by the firm. But combined using the quantity of users running Windows eight, the combined industry share from the Windows eight.x OS topped 9.25 percent. At its current pace, that share should prime ten percent by the finish with the year. (In September, Windows eight commanded eight.02 percent, and Windows 8.1 0.87 percent, for any combined share of eight.89 %.)
And sorry, Linux: Windows eight.1 now tops you, too. Linux commanded 1.61 percent of all PCs measured by Net Applications for the month of October. Mac OS X 10.eight was utilised by 3.31 percent of users, Net Applications discovered.
Of course, the terrible news for Microsoft is that its two older operating systems continue to dominate the Computer landscape. In line with Net Applications’s figures, greater than 46 % of users run Windows 7, and 31.24 % of customers continue to run Windows XP. Each numbers dropped much less than a percent from a month ago.
XP’s marketshare is undoubtedly by far the most troubling, considering that Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows XP by subsequent April, leaving the 13-year-old operating system with out any way of being patched. The “XPocalypse” will leave PCs within a “zero day forever” mode, exposing them to any and all future vulnerabilities. Businesses beginning to panic have selected Windows 7 as a stopgap, even so.
“Since Windows 8 launched, our guidance to company shoppers has been to continue Windows 7 migrations that are currently in approach,” a Microsoft representative told PCWorld within a statement last month. “We suggest our consumers continue these deployments and take into consideration Windows eight in targeted scenarios where it cheap windows 8 professional pack makes essentially the most sense, such as hugely mobile workers. As Windows 8 launched significantly less than a year ago, we are nonetheless seeing plenty of corporations completing those planned Windows 7 migrations now.
“Every small business is distinctive and has unique desires,” the Microsoft representative added. “The most significant factor is that organizations move off XP before April eight, 2014, and onto a modern operating system, and moving to Windows 7 won't only make sure that prospects remain on a supported version of Windows, however they are going to be on a path to Windows 8 and may make the most of innovations in the Windows 7 platform, like enhanced safety and control, enhanced user productivity, and streamlined Pc management.”
However, there’s about five months just before the XPocalypse draws nigh. Although Microsoft stands to benefit in the shift-31 percent in the Computer user base stands to upgrade to anything, no matter whether it be Windows eight or Windows 7-there’s a true threat to users who remain on the older OS. It is worth remembering-again-that if you are one of these impacted, think about making an upgrade to a newer OS a priority.
Not surprisingly, that is nevertheless just a tiny fraction from the all round Computer market: 1.72 percent, as measured by the firm. But combined using the quantity of users running Windows eight, the combined industry share from the Windows eight.x OS topped 9.25 percent. At its current pace, that share should prime ten percent by the finish with the year. (In September, Windows eight commanded eight.02 percent, and Windows 8.1 0.87 percent, for any combined share of eight.89 %.)
And sorry, Linux: Windows eight.1 now tops you, too. Linux commanded 1.61 percent of all PCs measured by Net Applications for the month of October. Mac OS X 10.eight was utilised by 3.31 percent of users, Net Applications discovered.
Of course, the terrible news for Microsoft is that its two older operating systems continue to dominate the Computer landscape. In line with Net Applications’s figures, greater than 46 % of users run Windows 7, and 31.24 % of customers continue to run Windows XP. Each numbers dropped much less than a percent from a month ago.
XP’s marketshare is undoubtedly by far the most troubling, considering that Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows XP by subsequent April, leaving the 13-year-old operating system with out any way of being patched. The “XPocalypse” will leave PCs within a “zero day forever” mode, exposing them to any and all future vulnerabilities. Businesses beginning to panic have selected Windows 7 as a stopgap, even so.
“Since Windows 8 launched, our guidance to company shoppers has been to continue Windows 7 migrations that are currently in approach,” a Microsoft representative told PCWorld within a statement last month. “We suggest our consumers continue these deployments and take into consideration Windows eight in targeted scenarios where it cheap windows 8 professional pack makes essentially the most sense, such as hugely mobile workers. As Windows 8 launched significantly less than a year ago, we are nonetheless seeing plenty of corporations completing those planned Windows 7 migrations now.
“Every small business is distinctive and has unique desires,” the Microsoft representative added. “The most significant factor is that organizations move off XP before April eight, 2014, and onto a modern operating system, and moving to Windows 7 won't only make sure that prospects remain on a supported version of Windows, however they are going to be on a path to Windows 8 and may make the most of innovations in the Windows 7 platform, like enhanced safety and control, enhanced user productivity, and streamlined Pc management.”
However, there’s about five months just before the XPocalypse draws nigh. Although Microsoft stands to benefit in the shift-31 percent in the Computer user base stands to upgrade to anything, no matter whether it be Windows eight or Windows 7-there’s a true threat to users who remain on the older OS. It is worth remembering-again-that if you are one of these impacted, think about making an upgrade to a newer OS a priority.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Telstra: Microsoft's Windows Live email is not as good as we thought
Telstra CEO David Thodey said in the company's annual general meeting on
Tuesday that the decision to move the company's BigPond customers to Microsoft's
Windows Live email service is not performing as well as anticipated.
Responding to a shareholder's question, the CEO said that the move had been straightforward for new users of the service, but issues had been seen in existing customers that had been on the service when it moved to the Microsoft platform in February last year.
"It's caused us to go back and relook at what we're doing now," Thodey said.
"The background to the decision was that we had built our own email platform ... and we were challenged to keep it up to date with the sort of functionality we thought we'd need to have in an integrated messaging world."
"So we took the decision to white-label, in effect, the Microsoft platform."
"It's been OK, but not as good as we thought it was going to be."
Thodey said that due to the issues encountered with the switch, the company will be reviewing any future plans.
"The decision when we made it seemed right, and we are going to review where we go to in the future."
NBN contracts
Earlier in the AGM, Telstra reiterated its previous statements that it would be focused on maintaining shareholder value should any renegotiation of its AU$11 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) agreement occur following NBN Co's 60-day review, which is expected to report in early December.
"A move to predominantly use fibre to the node in the rollout of the NBN could result in the renegotiation of some aspects of our Definitive Agreements," said Telstra chairperson Catherine Livingstone.
"In the meantime, Telstra will continue to fulfil the obligations set out for us in the existing agreements, and continue to work constructively with the government and NBN Co in the best interests of our shareholders."
Last month, Thodey called for a quick resolution to any renegotiation between Telstra and NBN Co.
The existing arrangement between Telstra and NBN Co gives NBN Co access to Telstra's pit and ducts infrastructure for the NBN rollout, and pays Telstra each time a customer is transferred over from the copper network onto the NBN.
For NBN Co to switch from a fibre-to-the-premises network to a fibre-to-the-node network, the deal would have to be restructured to give NBN Co access to the last section of Telstra's cooper line from the node to the premises.
Remediation work for the NBN was suspended earlier this year, with the discovery of poor asbestos handling practices.
Addressing the issue today, Thodey said that asbestos was not a new issue.
"We have known about asbestos, carefully tracked its management, and extensively trained staff, with well-established safety procedures in place for employees and contractors," he said.
"Remediation work on our pits stopped as soon as we identified concerns with the work practices used by some of our contractors. We have taken steps to absolutely minimise the risk of such incidents occurring again."
"Our priority has been — and remains — the safety of our employees, contractors, and the general public."
The CEO said that the asbestos issues have made no impact on the company's financials.
The company forecast "low single-digit" growth in revenue and profit, with capital expenditure to be maintained at 15 percent of sales due to the build out of the company's 4G network and completing the NBN transit network.
Telstra reported that its cloud services had grown by 33 percent last financial year, and the company would be looking to continue that growth by making acquisitions and investments in datacentres.
Responding to a shareholder's question, the CEO said that the move had been straightforward for new users of the service, but issues had been seen in existing customers that had been on the service when it moved to the Microsoft platform in February last year.
"It's caused us to go back and relook at what we're doing now," Thodey said.
"The background to the decision was that we had built our own email platform ... and we were challenged to keep it up to date with the sort of functionality we thought we'd need to have in an integrated messaging world."
"So we took the decision to white-label, in effect, the Microsoft platform."
"It's been OK, but not as good as we thought it was going to be."
Thodey said that due to the issues encountered with the switch, the company will be reviewing any future plans.
"The decision when we made it seemed right, and we are going to review where we go to in the future."
NBN contracts
Earlier in the AGM, Telstra reiterated its previous statements that it would be focused on maintaining shareholder value should any renegotiation of its AU$11 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) agreement occur following NBN Co's 60-day review, which is expected to report in early December.
"A move to predominantly use fibre to the node in the rollout of the NBN could result in the renegotiation of some aspects of our Definitive Agreements," said Telstra chairperson Catherine Livingstone.
"In the meantime, Telstra will continue to fulfil the obligations set out for us in the existing agreements, and continue to work constructively with the government and NBN Co in the best interests of our shareholders."
Last month, Thodey called for a quick resolution to any renegotiation between Telstra and NBN Co.
The existing arrangement between Telstra and NBN Co gives NBN Co access to Telstra's pit and ducts infrastructure for the NBN rollout, and pays Telstra each time a customer is transferred over from the copper network onto the NBN.
For NBN Co to switch from a fibre-to-the-premises network to a fibre-to-the-node network, the deal would have to be restructured to give NBN Co access to the last section of Telstra's cooper line from the node to the premises.
Remediation work for the NBN was suspended earlier this year, with the discovery of poor asbestos handling practices.
Addressing the issue today, Thodey said that asbestos was not a new issue.
"We have known about asbestos, carefully tracked its management, and extensively trained staff, with well-established safety procedures in place for employees and contractors," he said.
"Remediation work on our pits stopped as soon as we identified concerns with the work practices used by some of our contractors. We have taken steps to absolutely minimise the risk of such incidents occurring again."
"Our priority has been — and remains — the safety of our employees, contractors, and the general public."
The CEO said that the asbestos issues have made no impact on the company's financials.
The company forecast "low single-digit" growth in revenue and profit, with capital expenditure to be maintained at 15 percent of sales due to the build out of the company's 4G network and completing the NBN transit network.
Telstra reported that its cloud services had grown by 33 percent last financial year, and the company would be looking to continue that growth by making acquisitions and investments in datacentres.
Microsoft pleaded for patience in getting its Windows Phone
The optimist would say that Windows Phone's prospects have under no
circumstances been brighter. The pessimist would disagree.
On the vibrant side, Microsoft just announced Windows Telephone eight Update 3, which incorporates new support for quad-core CPUs and phablets that aids retain its spec lists searching fresh. In addition, the buyout of Nokia's smartphone arm will bring Redmond's largest hardware ally totally into the fold, all although BlackBerry's apparent demise topples the competition for third-largest ecosystem. All this offers the software giant a likelihood to no less than double Windows Phone growth by 2017.
On the other hand, Windows Phone adoption has been slow, using the OS fighting for much less than ten % of mobile's worldwide market share, while Android and iOS gobble up the overwhelming majority.
Also, Microsoft has a challenge with partners. Right now it really is attempting to woo back HTC to when again expand the Windows Phone ecosystem. If that fails office 2010 professional plus key, Microsoft might be the only outfit making Windows phones. That single-source method may well operate for Apple, but even the iPhone is getting a difficult time standing as much as Android's diverse and seemingly inexhaustible players.
Back in 2010, and once again in 2011, Microsoft pleaded for patience in getting its Windows Phone off the ground. But this year, the latest update's most visible enhancements are a modified interface for extra-large phones as well as the capability to close apps in multitasking mode. You also can customize text tones by make contact with.
That is hardly hearty fare, but Microsoft points out that they are the most-wanted additions requested by fans.
Even so, Windows Telephone buyers also clamor to get a notification center, a file manager, a private assistant, far better storage help for microSD cards, and indicator lights that signal missed calls and alerts. Numerous of these have been requested because the OS debuted and have lengthy existed on Android and iOS.
Then there is Skype, the other company that Microsoft purchased in 2011 (and for 1.three billion greater than Nokia), but the corporation has however to integrate it into Windows smartphones by default to counter Apple's FaceTime as well as Google Plus Hangouts. Yes, Windows Telephone eight Skype customers can place calls in the Men and women hub, soon after initially downloading the app. What I am talking about is producing this an out-of-the-box function.
We do know, a minimum of, that Microsoft is really hard at function on a individual assistant of its personal called Cortana, which understands natural language and will replace the legacy TellMe voice input currently in use.
Microsoft's subsequent update really should be a significant a single that involves this private assistant, notification center, and Skype integration in the really least. After the Nokia acquisition is full (assuming it gets shareholder and regulatory approval), Windows Phone ought to quickly incorporate Nokia-designed software tools, like its camera add-ons, in to the native OS knowledge.
From exactly where I sit, Microsoft's largest asset -- and challenge -- is usually to take the significant dangers that make a corporation stand out as a player worth paying consideration to. After the transition, the Windows Phone team should not only use, but push Nokia's venerable style philosophy into edgier territory.
Microsoft really should waste no time funding projects that explore and apply new finishes and components (like continuing its work on graphene), publish a handful of wacky proofs of concept (like this one from 2011, also under), and possibly make a high-end luxury telephone of its own.
Why? Microsoft's Windows Phone project has spent its lifetime being reactionary, wanting to catch as much as Apple and Google devoid of truly managing to help keep pace. This is not the time for you to be conservative with cookie-cutter style and functions that happen to be just fantastic sufficient.
On the vibrant side, Microsoft just announced Windows Telephone eight Update 3, which incorporates new support for quad-core CPUs and phablets that aids retain its spec lists searching fresh. In addition, the buyout of Nokia's smartphone arm will bring Redmond's largest hardware ally totally into the fold, all although BlackBerry's apparent demise topples the competition for third-largest ecosystem. All this offers the software giant a likelihood to no less than double Windows Phone growth by 2017.
On the other hand, Windows Phone adoption has been slow, using the OS fighting for much less than ten % of mobile's worldwide market share, while Android and iOS gobble up the overwhelming majority.
Also, Microsoft has a challenge with partners. Right now it really is attempting to woo back HTC to when again expand the Windows Phone ecosystem. If that fails office 2010 professional plus key, Microsoft might be the only outfit making Windows phones. That single-source method may well operate for Apple, but even the iPhone is getting a difficult time standing as much as Android's diverse and seemingly inexhaustible players.
Back in 2010, and once again in 2011, Microsoft pleaded for patience in getting its Windows Phone off the ground. But this year, the latest update's most visible enhancements are a modified interface for extra-large phones as well as the capability to close apps in multitasking mode. You also can customize text tones by make contact with.
That is hardly hearty fare, but Microsoft points out that they are the most-wanted additions requested by fans.
Even so, Windows Telephone buyers also clamor to get a notification center, a file manager, a private assistant, far better storage help for microSD cards, and indicator lights that signal missed calls and alerts. Numerous of these have been requested because the OS debuted and have lengthy existed on Android and iOS.
Then there is Skype, the other company that Microsoft purchased in 2011 (and for 1.three billion greater than Nokia), but the corporation has however to integrate it into Windows smartphones by default to counter Apple's FaceTime as well as Google Plus Hangouts. Yes, Windows Telephone eight Skype customers can place calls in the Men and women hub, soon after initially downloading the app. What I am talking about is producing this an out-of-the-box function.
We do know, a minimum of, that Microsoft is really hard at function on a individual assistant of its personal called Cortana, which understands natural language and will replace the legacy TellMe voice input currently in use.
Microsoft's subsequent update really should be a significant a single that involves this private assistant, notification center, and Skype integration in the really least. After the Nokia acquisition is full (assuming it gets shareholder and regulatory approval), Windows Phone ought to quickly incorporate Nokia-designed software tools, like its camera add-ons, in to the native OS knowledge.
From exactly where I sit, Microsoft's largest asset -- and challenge -- is usually to take the significant dangers that make a corporation stand out as a player worth paying consideration to. After the transition, the Windows Phone team should not only use, but push Nokia's venerable style philosophy into edgier territory.
Microsoft really should waste no time funding projects that explore and apply new finishes and components (like continuing its work on graphene), publish a handful of wacky proofs of concept (like this one from 2011, also under), and possibly make a high-end luxury telephone of its own.
Why? Microsoft's Windows Phone project has spent its lifetime being reactionary, wanting to catch as much as Apple and Google devoid of truly managing to help keep pace. This is not the time for you to be conservative with cookie-cutter style and functions that happen to be just fantastic sufficient.
Saturday, 28 September 2013
Microsoft's Surface 2 launch: What to expect
On Monday, September 23, Microsoft will be launching (but not shipping) its
next-generation Surface tablets at an invitation-only event in New York
City.
In the past few weeks, lots of leaks have revealed much of what's expected to debut at the launch. Although Microsoft officials haven't commented on or confirmed these specs, I've heard and seen information that leads me to believe they are correct.
The new Surfaces are going to look almost identical to the current Surfaces, as they are going to use the same 10.6-inch screens and VaporMg casing and be compatible with the same snap-on keyboard/covers that the current Surfaces use.
They will have the same number of USB ports and they won't support LTE, just WiFi. The Surface 2, the successor to Surface RT, will be an ARM-based (Tegra 4) tablet with an estimated eight hours of battery life. It will feature a new ClearType full HD display, the one that debuted on the Surface Pro earlier this year. The Surface Pro 2, the successor to the Surface Pro, will run an Intel Core i5-based Haswell processor, and allegedly get seven hours of battery life instead of just four to five hours.
Windows SuperSite editor Paul Thurrott has the full list of expected Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 specs, including weight, thickness, ports, etc.
The more interesting part of Monday's Surface launch, in my view, are the new Surface peripherals. In spite of Microsoft's claims last year that the company had no intentions of making a Surface Pro docking station, they built one. The new Surface docking station is expected to work with Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 models only. It is expected to include one USB 3 and three USB 2 ports, according to leaks.
And the expected Surface Power Cover -- a thicker version of the Surface Type cover/keyboard, is coming, too. This cover will include a built-in battery that will extend the battery life of Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 devices by some (still unknown) amount. I'm expecting new Touch and Type covers in a variety of colors at Monday's launch, too.
What about pricing and availability?
There are two big questions going into Microsoft's Surface 2 launch: Device availability and pricing. Obviously, Microsoft execs aren't commenting on either.
I've heard from one of my sources who has been in the loop on Surface information (and asked to remain anonymous) that both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 may be generally available on or around October 22 -- right around the time Window 8.1 is generally available, which is October 18.
I don't know if Microsoft will take preorders. I also don't have any information as to what the international and/or reseller distribution strategies look like. Microsoft was slow to make the first-generation Surfaces available outside the U.S. I am not sure what's changed in the company's distribution plans or capabilities on that front.
According to my source, it sounds like there are no huge price cuts in the works, which will surely disappoint those who've been expecting the so-so reception of first-generation Surfaces to have made Microsoft rethink its Surface pricing.
The aforementioned source told me that Microsoft is planning to continue to sell its first-generation Surfaces alongside its new Surfaces. The supposed plan is to keep Surface RT pricing at its current level ($349.99 for the 32GB model with no cover included) and introduce the 32GB Surface 2 at $499. A 64 GB Surface 2 will start at $599, the source said.
The Surface Pro will continue to start at $799. Surface Pro 2 will start at $899 for a 64GB version, according to the aforementioned source. There will be 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB models available at $999, $1,299 and $1,699, respectively, according to this source.
Touch and Type covers are still going to be priced separately, from what I've heard, as will the docking station.
I initially shared some of this pricing information as my"Rumor of the Week" on yesterday's recording of Windows Weekly (as some eagle-eared live listeners heard).
Keep in mind, this pricing and availability information is fromone source only. The actual pricing/availability -- if Microsoft announces that information on Monday -- may be different.
Monday's Surface 2 event won't be streamed live, according to Microsoft. But I'll be filing and blogging from it, starting around 10:30 a.m. ET on September 23. Also: The Surface team will be doing a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) on September 23 at 3 p.m. EST, as well, where anyone can submit questions.
In the past few weeks, lots of leaks have revealed much of what's expected to debut at the launch. Although Microsoft officials haven't commented on or confirmed these specs, I've heard and seen information that leads me to believe they are correct.
The new Surfaces are going to look almost identical to the current Surfaces, as they are going to use the same 10.6-inch screens and VaporMg casing and be compatible with the same snap-on keyboard/covers that the current Surfaces use.
They will have the same number of USB ports and they won't support LTE, just WiFi. The Surface 2, the successor to Surface RT, will be an ARM-based (Tegra 4) tablet with an estimated eight hours of battery life. It will feature a new ClearType full HD display, the one that debuted on the Surface Pro earlier this year. The Surface Pro 2, the successor to the Surface Pro, will run an Intel Core i5-based Haswell processor, and allegedly get seven hours of battery life instead of just four to five hours.
Windows SuperSite editor Paul Thurrott has the full list of expected Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 specs, including weight, thickness, ports, etc.
The more interesting part of Monday's Surface launch, in my view, are the new Surface peripherals. In spite of Microsoft's claims last year that the company had no intentions of making a Surface Pro docking station, they built one. The new Surface docking station is expected to work with Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 models only. It is expected to include one USB 3 and three USB 2 ports, according to leaks.
And the expected Surface Power Cover -- a thicker version of the Surface Type cover/keyboard, is coming, too. This cover will include a built-in battery that will extend the battery life of Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 devices by some (still unknown) amount. I'm expecting new Touch and Type covers in a variety of colors at Monday's launch, too.
What about pricing and availability?
There are two big questions going into Microsoft's Surface 2 launch: Device availability and pricing. Obviously, Microsoft execs aren't commenting on either.
I've heard from one of my sources who has been in the loop on Surface information (and asked to remain anonymous) that both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 may be generally available on or around October 22 -- right around the time Window 8.1 is generally available, which is October 18.
I don't know if Microsoft will take preorders. I also don't have any information as to what the international and/or reseller distribution strategies look like. Microsoft was slow to make the first-generation Surfaces available outside the U.S. I am not sure what's changed in the company's distribution plans or capabilities on that front.
According to my source, it sounds like there are no huge price cuts in the works, which will surely disappoint those who've been expecting the so-so reception of first-generation Surfaces to have made Microsoft rethink its Surface pricing.
The aforementioned source told me that Microsoft is planning to continue to sell its first-generation Surfaces alongside its new Surfaces. The supposed plan is to keep Surface RT pricing at its current level ($349.99 for the 32GB model with no cover included) and introduce the 32GB Surface 2 at $499. A 64 GB Surface 2 will start at $599, the source said.
The Surface Pro will continue to start at $799. Surface Pro 2 will start at $899 for a 64GB version, according to the aforementioned source. There will be 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB models available at $999, $1,299 and $1,699, respectively, according to this source.
Touch and Type covers are still going to be priced separately, from what I've heard, as will the docking station.
I initially shared some of this pricing information as my"Rumor of the Week" on yesterday's recording of Windows Weekly (as some eagle-eared live listeners heard).
Keep in mind, this pricing and availability information is fromone source only. The actual pricing/availability -- if Microsoft announces that information on Monday -- may be different.
Monday's Surface 2 event won't be streamed live, according to Microsoft. But I'll be filing and blogging from it, starting around 10:30 a.m. ET on September 23. Also: The Surface team will be doing a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) on September 23 at 3 p.m. EST, as well, where anyone can submit questions.
Windows eight and Windows Phone eight
In an work to save both of its ailing platforms, Microsoft is arranging to
combine each the Windows eight and Windows Telephone eight app stores into a
single, all-encompassing app retailer. It is not entirely clear irrespective of
whether this can result in full cross-platform compatibility for each Windows
eight and WP8 apps - like Apple’s iPhone and iPad App Shop - or if it’s a lot
more a case of designing a actually kick-ass app shop that both platforms will
then use independently of each other. In either case, the new combined app shop
will seek to rectify two enormous complaints: That Windows eight and Windows
Phone eight have poor app ecosystems, and, specifically within the case of
Windows eight, the utterly atrocious app store encounter that ordinarily leaves
you asking yourself why on earth you decided to purchase a Windows tablet rather
than an iPad.
This news comes from the usual “sources acquainted with the company’s plans,” who spoke to the Verge. In accordance with the supply, the head of Microsoft’s newly formed Operating Systems group, Terry Myerson, held a meeting exactly where he told a large number of Microsoft workers regarding the new strategy to combine the app retailers. There didn’t seem to become significantly in the way of particulars, only that the new retailer - which we’ll bet excellent funds on it being called A single Store - would come with the “next release” of Windows and Windows Telephone. This need to mean Windows Phone eight.1 and an update for Windows eight.1, both of that are due in spring 2014.
As for how the One Store will really perform, we are able to only guess. In a perfect globe, it would work like the iOS App Store: apps developed for Windows Phone 8 would be scaled up for use on Windows eight tablets, and apps especially designed for tablet interfaces would show up if you are browsing the shop on your Windows eight tablet. Apple can get away with this because its smartphones and tablets run the exact same operating program, and therefore developers can target the precise similar APIs. Windows eight and Windows Telephone eight share lots of comparable attributes, and even some low-level code, but it’s nowhere close to exactly the same degree of similarity as an iPhone and iPad.
Microsoft, for its component, has previously taken for the stage and promised a unified ecosystem - but the specifics on how such unification could possibly basically happen haven’t been forthcoming. Because it stands, in the event you create a Metro app very carefully, porting it to Windows Phone 8 might be as quick as changing a handful of lines of code. In reality, although, resulting from wildly distinctive screen sizes, UI and UX paradigms, plus a substantial range of hardware targets (from Tegra 3 and integrated GPUs, by means of to Haswell and discrete GPUs), cross-platform compatibility has remained elusive.
Unless Microsoft has a magic trick up its sleeve to enable developers to conveniently build apps that run on each platforms - a compatibility layer (emulator) of some sort, maybe - then it’s much more probably that the 1 Store will just be a brand new app shop design that may be utilised by both Windows eight and Windows Phone eight. Windows 8 sorely requirements a brand new app retailer, and if a really unified app ecosystem is coming for Windows 9 and Windows Telephone 9, then it wouldn’t hurt to have people applied towards the new app shop right now. (Read: The Windows eight Shop is broken: Here’s how you can fix it.)
Yet another possibility, as I’ve hinted at just before, is that one particular of Microsoft’s OSes may actually consume the other. As recently as last week, Microsoft’s Myerson told some analysts that we should anticipate to view Windows RT on bigger phones - and it goes the other way, also, with all the Lumia 1520 phablet operating Windows Phone. I would not be surprised if Windows/RT ultimately consumes Windows Phone, which would very neatly solve the situation of cross-platform compatibility by removing the pesky “cross” bit.
http://www.windows7prokeys.com/windows-7-ultimate-product-key-p-3528.html
This news comes from the usual “sources acquainted with the company’s plans,” who spoke to the Verge. In accordance with the supply, the head of Microsoft’s newly formed Operating Systems group, Terry Myerson, held a meeting exactly where he told a large number of Microsoft workers regarding the new strategy to combine the app retailers. There didn’t seem to become significantly in the way of particulars, only that the new retailer - which we’ll bet excellent funds on it being called A single Store - would come with the “next release” of Windows and Windows Telephone. This need to mean Windows Phone eight.1 and an update for Windows eight.1, both of that are due in spring 2014.
As for how the One Store will really perform, we are able to only guess. In a perfect globe, it would work like the iOS App Store: apps developed for Windows Phone 8 would be scaled up for use on Windows eight tablets, and apps especially designed for tablet interfaces would show up if you are browsing the shop on your Windows eight tablet. Apple can get away with this because its smartphones and tablets run the exact same operating program, and therefore developers can target the precise similar APIs. Windows eight and Windows Telephone eight share lots of comparable attributes, and even some low-level code, but it’s nowhere close to exactly the same degree of similarity as an iPhone and iPad.
Microsoft, for its component, has previously taken for the stage and promised a unified ecosystem - but the specifics on how such unification could possibly basically happen haven’t been forthcoming. Because it stands, in the event you create a Metro app very carefully, porting it to Windows Phone 8 might be as quick as changing a handful of lines of code. In reality, although, resulting from wildly distinctive screen sizes, UI and UX paradigms, plus a substantial range of hardware targets (from Tegra 3 and integrated GPUs, by means of to Haswell and discrete GPUs), cross-platform compatibility has remained elusive.
Unless Microsoft has a magic trick up its sleeve to enable developers to conveniently build apps that run on each platforms - a compatibility layer (emulator) of some sort, maybe - then it’s much more probably that the 1 Store will just be a brand new app shop design that may be utilised by both Windows eight and Windows Phone eight. Windows 8 sorely requirements a brand new app retailer, and if a really unified app ecosystem is coming for Windows 9 and Windows Telephone 9, then it wouldn’t hurt to have people applied towards the new app shop right now. (Read: The Windows eight Shop is broken: Here’s how you can fix it.)
Yet another possibility, as I’ve hinted at just before, is that one particular of Microsoft’s OSes may actually consume the other. As recently as last week, Microsoft’s Myerson told some analysts that we should anticipate to view Windows RT on bigger phones - and it goes the other way, also, with all the Lumia 1520 phablet operating Windows Phone. I would not be surprised if Windows/RT ultimately consumes Windows Phone, which would very neatly solve the situation of cross-platform compatibility by removing the pesky “cross” bit.
http://www.windows7prokeys.com/windows-7-ultimate-product-key-p-3528.html
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Church sings to members: Get off Facebook
It's Sunday, a time for you to contemplate your mortality, your maker, or
your what's left of your spirit.
If your first step is to go on Facebook to share your thoughts, please hold on.
For the members of an as-yet unnamed church choir would like to sing to you.
They'd like to sing of the perils of displaying your every minute and splaying your every bikini-clad image all over modern society's version of the parish notice board.
In a YouTube video that must be seen, heard and believed, this church choir wants you to share this one thought: "Keep Yo' Business Off Of Facebook."
The video is of imperfect quality.
However, the sentiment has a transparent holiness to it.
The lead chorister sings of life not being about posting more pictures, so that you feel like you're somehow winning.
He intones: "Those pictures that you post, you need to quit it because you're doing the most."
The fight against self-obsession might never be won. There are too many special interests involved.
There are people in this world who post their every image to Facebook.
There are people who, before they take their latest lover (about whom they know far less than they should) to dinner, post: "Date Night! With Polly McLiar @Herman Munster's Austrian restaurant."
To help you along the way, they even offer a map so that, perhaps, you can wander in and admire them having a lovely time.
The poster of this gospel-based cry from the heart -- first uploaded a month ago but now gaining some viral grip -- is conscious of the problem. He explains that this is "a new Christian classic about the pitfalls of hubris and lack of discretion in today's social media world."
Can I get an amen?
If your first step is to go on Facebook to share your thoughts, please hold on.
For the members of an as-yet unnamed church choir would like to sing to you.
They'd like to sing of the perils of displaying your every minute and splaying your every bikini-clad image all over modern society's version of the parish notice board.
In a YouTube video that must be seen, heard and believed, this church choir wants you to share this one thought: "Keep Yo' Business Off Of Facebook."
The video is of imperfect quality.
However, the sentiment has a transparent holiness to it.
The lead chorister sings of life not being about posting more pictures, so that you feel like you're somehow winning.
He intones: "Those pictures that you post, you need to quit it because you're doing the most."
The fight against self-obsession might never be won. There are too many special interests involved.
There are people in this world who post their every image to Facebook.
There are people who, before they take their latest lover (about whom they know far less than they should) to dinner, post: "Date Night! With Polly McLiar @Herman Munster's Austrian restaurant."
To help you along the way, they even offer a map so that, perhaps, you can wander in and admire them having a lovely time.
The poster of this gospel-based cry from the heart -- first uploaded a month ago but now gaining some viral grip -- is conscious of the problem. He explains that this is "a new Christian classic about the pitfalls of hubris and lack of discretion in today's social media world."
Can I get an amen?
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