Steve Ballmer: 2007 vs 2010

March 9th, 2010

Name: Steve Ballmer

Designation: CEO, Microsoft

What he did in 2007:

Laughed at the Apple iPhone. Quoted saying: “the most expensive phone in the world” – “doesn’t appeal to business customers.”

and 2010:

‘Apple’s done a very nice job that allows people to monetize and commercialize their intellectual property’ (wrt the App Store)

Via iPhoneHelp

Categories: Apple, Tech Industry News, microsoft | No Comments

Video: Microsoft Mobile Surface demoed

March 2nd, 2010

Slashgear is featuring a cool Microsoft Mobile Surface video that shows a mobile controlled with a camera + projector surface that lets you interact with the system in a unique way. The demo shows a drum being played by tapping your hands in the air (over the projected screen). Microsoft would eventually evolve this technology to give you a Surface computer with just a projected screen on a table top. Intriguing technology, not very new though have seen similar ones before. But one things for sure ,this will be way cheaper than the current Microsoft surface is.

Half way into the video demo by Microsoft, I felt this isn’t new. I have seen similar magic before in a demo by TouchMagix (a startup from India), though Microsoft would integrate a full blown computer in this interface as it seems. A little googling, and I have a video demo by Touch Magix to compare with. Watch both the videos (Microsoft Mobile Surface and TouchMagix) below. You can also see the obvious similarities of this technology with the Light Blue Optics video we saw earlier. And did I forget the Pranav Mistry Sixth Sense demo from TED?

(more…)

Categories: First look, Future WIP, Tech Industry News, Videos, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | No Comments

Microsoft considers Mac OS support Windows Phone 7

March 1st, 2010

When Apple launched iPhone back in 2007, it certainly offered support for Windows based systems. Reason being simple that millions of Windows OS based users existed compared to the Mac OS X users. Now, Microsoft introduced Windows Phone 7 series at the Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. Aaron Woodman, Director of Mobile Communication Business for Microsoft, told that Windows Phone 7 series “may be” supporting Mac OS X when asked about it at The Engadget Show.

As per Woodman’s response, the Mac OS support wasn’t entirely snubbed off from Windows Phone 7 series. There is a possibility that Microsoft may bring it when mobile OS goes public by end of year. To discuss that matter, the company has been holding “internal meetings”.

Apparently, the concern here might be that Windows Phone 7 series now has the (more…)

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Windows Phone 7 Series Brings No Flash love

February 16th, 2010

Microsoft has finally announced and showed off their next mobile operating system with a bit different brand name – Windows Phone 7 Series. Apart from sleek and staid interface, there are several features integrated to the core level. But surprisingly two significant features at the core level –  Flash, multi-tasking are missing. To be honest, these were the two features that every mobile enthusiast was looking forward to in Windows Phone 7 Series OS. Nevertheless, this mobile operating system would be made available to consumers only by this year end – Holiday Season.

If you haven’t followed till now, read again – Windows Phone 7 series doesn’t support Flash as of now i.e. in first version of the operating system. Again, in the Question & Answer session, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft said, “No objection to Flash”. That leaves us wondering if Microsoft is doing a Apple gig here by not supporting Flash on it.

Charlie Kindel, Windows Home Server General Manager,  wrote about the stuff that was expected to be detailed but wasn’t at the Windows Phone 7 Series launch. There’s a whole bunch of stuff we did not announce today. Specifically we did not announce anything about building applications & games for the new Windows Phone 7 Series operating system. We did this because (more…)

Categories: Announcements, Launch Pad, Reviews, Tech Industry News, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Breaking News: Bing as default search engine for iPhone OS 4.0?

January 21st, 2010

This seems to be a break up of sorts between two gigantic giants of Silicon Valley. After the latest news of Apple wanting to revolutionize mobile advertising via its acquisition of Quattro, it’s now rumored via Apple’s sources that the company is in talks with Microsoft for a deal that could have Bing replacing Google as default search engine on iPhone OS 4.0. The OS 4.0 is rumored for launch on the Jan 27 “latest creation” event.

Ever since the iPhone launched in Jan ‘07, we saw a close connection between Google and Apple. Firstly Google services like YouTube and Maps were integrated with the Apple iPhone / iPod Touch. Not just that,  almost all of Goolgle’s Web Services were optimized specially for the iPhone, including AdSense, Docs, Reader, Google Earth & more.

Things started to get sour back in July last year, when Google announced Chrome OS. It was followed by Apple blocking Google Voice App on its App Store stating that it was “duplicating iPhone’s own functionalities”. Apple even added that Google might do something villainous with user data. Google acknowledged this to the FCC. Apple fumbled and said that it in fact had not actually rejected Google Voice, but was still “pondering” over what to make of the application. It proved that Apple was indeed lieing. (more…)

Categories: Apple, Google, iphone, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Microsoft’s Arc Keyboard is ergonomic and compact

January 8th, 2010

Microsoft has unveiled a companion to its Arc Mouse – the Arc Keyboard. While the arc mouse was more than just the curvy design, the same can’t be said for the arc keyboard. The arc keyboard actually is nothing more than the curvy design.

The arc keyboard is similar to any other keyboard when it comes to functionality. The difference lies in the sleek ergonomic design which makes it compact and slim. The keyboard is only 12-inches long and 6″ wide. Also, it is a wireless keyboard which makes it easily portable and an obvious companion to the notebooks and netbooks.  For those of you who prefer a distance from the computer screens while remaining wire-free, the microsoft arc keyboard would cost $80 and is now available. But if you ask me, I would stick to my Natural 4000!

via [EverythingUSB]

Categories: Accessories, First look, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

Twitter for Zune has released

December 17th, 2009

twitter for zune hd

Like we had informed you a short while ago, the Twitter application for Zune HD is here. The application is available for download from Windows Marketplace for free. With only a limited number of applications available for Microsoft’s multimedia player, this Twitter application will surely help in increasing its popularity.

The Twitter app for Zune is not that good though. Within hours of its release, users started reporting a few bugs, and some were not happy with the apparent language censorship either. It seems to have (more…)

Categories: microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Twitter application for Zune coming on Dec. 17

December 17th, 2009

Zune_twitter

The Zune team has tweeted that a Twitter application for Zune will be launched tomorrow. Don’t know about you, but the image of the tweet above sure sends that feeling across :)

With 3D gaming, other applications and now Twitter, Microsoft is slowly working its way up when it comes to increasing their apps offerings for its MP3 player. A Facebook application is also expected to be available soon for Zune.

via [Mashable]

Categories: microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to get the Apple Magic Mouse to work on Windows?

November 23rd, 2009

steve ballmer using mac

Apple loves to tease the PC users with killer Mac accessories and leave us without the coolest gadgets out there. But if you are one of those drooling over the latest buttonless and touch powered Magic Mouse from Apple? Here is how you can get this working on your Windows machine. The drivers are hacked out of an Bluetooth update for Mac users running Windows with BootCamp. Grab the 32 Bit version of the drivers or the 64 bit; whichever you are running! (Magic Mouse demo below) (more…)

Categories: Accessories, Apple, Tips n Tricks, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Windows 7’s real headache: Win XP!

November 4th, 2009

old-is-goldNow that all the applause and hype surrounding Windows 7 has abated (somewhat, anyway), it is time to take a cold, hard look at the OS’ prospects. And the more one looks at the mass market, the more one realises a rather startling fact – the real challenge for Win 7 is not its predecessor (the not-so-lamented Vista), or the latest from Cupertino, or even the newest distro from Penguintown, but a eight year old product, that should by conventional tech history have been obsolete – Windows XP.

On the surface, that should be an absurd notion. An eight year old product should be the least of a new product’s problems. But the more one talks to XP users (and there are still millions of  those around) the more one realises the challenge it poses to Windows 7. Most XP users’ arguments are simple – in terms of functionality, they can do most of their basic as well as (more…)

Categories: Reviews, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Windows 7 community launch: Delhi

November 3rd, 2009

contrast

The OG team happened to be one of the lucky few to attend multiple Windows 7 community launches, here are a few exclusive shots from the #7party in Delhi on 1st November. Hosted at Oxford Store’s awesome ChaBar, this was quite a contrast from Mumbai’s Boat Club :D (more…)

Categories: TechFest, microsoft, picture | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Win7 community launch – Mumbai

October 26th, 2009

Boat Club hosted the #7party in Mumbai where Microsoft enthusiasts turned out in numbers. Here is the Windows 7 community launch Mumbai in pictures: (more…)

Categories: Entertainment, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Apple welcomes Win7 with cool Ads

October 23rd, 2009

PCs vs Mac Ads are back with Apple taking a dig at Windows’ reputation of giving the customers ‘pain & frustration’. The new set of Ads suggest that instead of putting the efforts to move from a XP to Windows 7, users should simply switch to a Mac which gives the best ‘customer satisfaction’. Enjoy the Ads but be sure, we haven’t seen the end of this for sure :)

More videos below (more…)

Categories: Apple, Humour, Videos, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , | No Comments

Seven things that Windows 7 gets right

October 19th, 2009

og-windows-7-review

It is a few days to the official release of Windows 7, but in true tech media tradition, we managed to lay our mitts on a copy of Windows 7 (the Ultimate edition, no less) a few days ago and have been putting it through its paces. These are early days but we must confess that we are really liking what we see and that Microsoft might finally have closed the gap on the Mac crowd and buried the Vista legacy with Win 7. We could write reams on why we think so, but this being a blog, we will simply stick to seven reasons why we think Win 7 is a winner: (more…)

Categories: Reviews, Softwares, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Windows Marketplace for mobiles coming on Oct 6, 2009

October 2nd, 2009

windowsmarketplace

October 6 2009 – this is the official date that has been announced for the launch of the Windows Marketplace for mobile applications,  as indicated in an official blog post by Microsoft’s Todd Brix. Windows Mobile 6.5 will also be launched on that day.

According to Brix, the Windows Marketplace for Mobile still has some minor issues and bugs. A team of developers is working on these issues, and will sort these out before the launch date.

For now, apps from the Marketplace will only be compatible with phones running Windows Mobile 6.5. Other apps for WinMo 6 and WinMo 6.1 will be made available to users by the end of the year, along with a PC version-marketplace.

Interestingly, Todd Brix also had a hidden message for Apple. “As you can see we’re working hard to deliver on our two core commitments with Marketplace; to create a more open, transparent and rewarding processes for developers and ISVs, and to bring to market a fresh take on (more…)

Categories: Tech Industry News, microsoft, mobile app, smartphones, windows mobile | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Here’s a glimpse of Microsoft’s mystery dual-screen tablet

September 30th, 2009

courier

Rumors are fun, especially when they revolve around tech heavyweights like Apple and Microsoft. What is even more fun is when these rumors are strengthened by revelations by blogs on the specs of the rumored devices.  Gizmodo is one such quality site, which is claiming that Microsoft is, contrary to the ‘mere’ rumors floating around, actually working on a dual-screen tablet dubbed the “Courier”.

The device is supposed to be in the “late prototype” stage, with Microsoft currently working on user experience and developing design concepts through outside agencies. The tablet has a dual 7” screen in a booklet style and the screens are connected by a hinge. The hinge also has a iPhone-like home button at the bottom center of the booklet. The edges of the screens show how much of the wireless signals and battery life remain.

One will be able to input information either with a stylus or with one’s own fingers, especially to take advantage of the multi-touch capability. Demonstration video shows a lady working on her project while flipping data between screens to collaborating a journal and her online searches along with some contact details. Video available after the post. (more…)

Categories: Leaked / Spyshots, Notebook / Laptops, Videos, eReaders & Tablets, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , | No Comments

Windows 7 commercial (Video)

September 29th, 2009

Your PC, your life: The latest commercial from Microsoft promoting the upcoming Windows 7 OS. The commercial tries to touch the bonding that we have with our systems, though it doesn’t particularly highlight any Win7 features.

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Rumor: Full QWERTY curvy handsets from Microsoft

September 28th, 2009

turtle

The tech world is buzzing with what is rumored to be new handsets that seem to be a part of the Microsoft’s “Pink” Project. The phones are still in concept phase, but the pictures have quite a high-quality clarity. The two phones have been dubbed ‘Turtle’ and ‘Pure’.

No official news from Microsoft so no one knows about the actual specs. From the pics though, it can be seen that one of them (above) is a Palm Pre look-alike with more curves and a full slide-out QWERTY keypad. The other (below) looks more like the curvy sibling  of the Nokia N97.

Another rumor says that one of these, or even both devices, will be featuring (more…)

Categories: Concept / Educative, First look, microsoft, rumor, smartphones | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

Halo 3: ODST is here!

September 23rd, 2009

ODSTIt may not have the hype of its predecessor. Or even its hero (a small matter of the Master Chief), but arguably the most high-profile Xbox 360 game of the year is here. Microsoft released the latest episode of its Halo series, Halo 3: ODST a few hours ago and well, hype aside, it is definitely different from any of the games that preceded it.

The most noticeable difference is that you do not play the game as the super soldiering Master Chief, but as a Orbit Drop Shock Trooper (aha, now you know where those initials came from) known as Rookie who has to look around for his (or her) missing squadmates in the city of New Mombasa. In case you are wondering what all these shock troopers are doing and are unfamiliar with Halo (ah, new to gaming, are ye?), well, they are there because the alien Convenant alliance has attacked earth. Which of course, means that there is lots of jumping, ducking, diving and shooting to do in best FPS tradition. The story, equally in fist person tradition, is not the forte of the game but the action, graphics and sound definitely are. From what we have seen, this game is a sight for sore eyes and a song for (more…)

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Portable consoles: After PSP vs DS, is it now iPod vs Zune?

September 20th, 2009

Zune HD vs iPod touch

Zune HD vs iPod touch

When Microsoft announced that its Zune HD multimedia player could play 3D games and released details of some of the titles that would be available on it in the coming days, the big company from Redmond added a new chapter to the battle for portable gaming. Although this has so far been a largely Sony vs Nintendo affair, with special appearances from other players, there are now indications that two of tech’s oldest rivals are getting ready to make portable gaming the arena for their next slugfest. Aye, after going at each other on computers, phones and media players, those two old buddies, Apple and Microsoft are likely to be slugging it out on gaming next.

There will be those who will snigger at such a notion, but given the way in which the iPod touch has emerged as a viable gaming device in its own right (heck, I think it offers much more bang for your gaming buck than the DS or the PSP), it would be foolish to write off the Zune’s prospects in this regard. Mind you, the force right now does seem to be with the iPod – the App Store right now has thousands of games, many of which are free, while the Zune is just starting out in this department. But that is likely to change in the coming days – even the App Store started out small, remember?

We can feel the frowns in the Sony and Nintendo camps already.

Categories: Apple, Gaming, PMP - Portable Media, microsoft | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment