Microsoft Talk

"Mozilla plans to release a concept version of Firefox for Windows 8's new Metro interface in the second quarter with alpha and beta versions to follow in the second half of 2012." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"In Steven Sinofsky’s thesis of Windows on ARM (generically dubbed WOA) published on the Building Windows 8 blog today, two photographs of an early development build of Windows running on prototype ARM hardware dates the effort to as far back as 22 January 2010, almost a week before iPad’s announcement on the 27th. Although Microsoft waited almost a year later to reveal WOA for the first time in public at a CES 2011 press conference, it’s now clear Microsoft too had future bets on an ARM-based ecosystem even before the iPad began selling and ARM took the spotlight for tablet devices." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Microsoft today said it will host a launch event for the Windows 8 beta on Feb. 29 in Barcelona, the site of the Mobile World Congress." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"it looks like Microsoft's been working mighty hard to please those that just love using a pen and paper with Windows 8, offering a revamped metro-style handwriting interface in the consumer preview." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"The Daily had a chance to check out a pair of prototypes incorporating Kinect sensors over the last few days. The devices, which at first glance appear to be Asus netbooks running Windows 8, feature an array of small sensors stretching over the top of the screen where the webcam would normally be. At the bottom of the display is a set of what appear to be LEDs. A source at Microsoft has confirmed that the devices are indeed official prototypes of laptops featuring a Kinect sensor. In terms of functionality, there are hundreds of different ways that motion control could be leveraged in a portable. Gaming has the most obvious applications, but a Kinect-enabled laptop could also toggle between programs with the wave of a hand, or media controls could be tweaked with the wag of a finger. What’s more, motion-controlled portables could offer a new way for disabled individuals to interact with their devices." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Windows 8 on ARM should go to developers in February, said one source, who had some hands-on time with a high-profile device from a major PC maker, adding that Windows 8 was impressive and stable." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"ntel CEO Paul Otellini hinted that Windows 8 tablet production may not be that far off" - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Despite testing on Apple-built hardware, OS X generally trailed Windows 7 browser performance, with a Mac browser beating all Windows 7 challengers only four times out of 35 eligible tests. As for the runners up, Chrome came in just behind Firefox on Windows, while Chrome and Firefox were nearly indistinguishable for second place on OS X." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Microsoft actually has a hit, at least with the technorati. It’s cellphone software called Windows Phone — and they need it to be a blockbuster here at Microsoft Central." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

Upgraded our phones a few months back. My wife went for an Android (Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray) from a non-Smartphone; I went for WP (Nokia Lumia 800) from Symbian. The Windows Phone OS is just fantastic and my missus has already hinted that when it's time to upgrade again she's already thinking about moving to it too; she's found Android to not really be that intuitive for a non-computer-oriented person whereas my phone just seems to work how she expects. - Mark H

"At a pre-CES developer conference, AT&T and Qualcomm execs are going to be talking up LTE-charged Windows 8 tablets." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"The fate of ultrabooks is intimately linked to Windows 8, as CEO Paul Otellini has made clear in recent talks--and as he is expected to reiterate at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Gadget Lab has seen a Windows 8 tablet in action, and the experience opened our eyes to just how useful — and, yes, even fun — a Windows 8 tablet might be. Sure, Microsoft was demoing a mere reference design, but what we saw was so intriguing, we’re legitimately excited to see final, shipping products." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

like this gadget...........http://arrangeyourvacation.com/events... - Roshni Padole

"PC makers are working on new tablets powered by Windows 8 and Intel’s upcoming “Clover Trail” chipsets." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Microsoft's Windows XP shed a large amount of usage share again last month as users continued to desert the decade-old operating system for Windows 7." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

Good. - Akiva

"Windows Phone 7 offers the best elements of both iOS and Android. The hub-based interface is clean, customizable, and completely original (I really love the notifications); you can choose from more than one handset design; updates arrive directly from Microsoft (though some also consider that a liability); there's real multitasking and great integration with apps (even if there aren't many of them), and I never had to hard reset a phone. In many ways, it's a great middle ground." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Six years after the original Xbox 360′s debut, Microsoft this week is overhauling its video-game console, again, with a big software update that attempts to cement the company’s place in the living room. It also continues the expansion of the console beyond the world of games." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

LOL - AJ Batac :)

http://friendfeed.com/ajbatac... - AJ Batac :)

"Microsoft and TechStars are hoping to turn the creativity and momentum associated with the Kinect into some functioning startups." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Three years ago, Microsoft kicked off the BizSpark program to support early-stage tech startups worldwide. Over the years, we have worked with amazing companies, incredible entrepreneurs and a global network of partners and advisors. Today, Microsoft provides valuable assistance to more than 45,000 startups worldwide." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Android now has 52.5% of the global smartphone market. No matter how you want to slice it, that's amazing. It's stealing share from every other smartphone operating system other than iOS, which is basically flat." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Yesterday, the organization responsible for the Free Software-licensed system of file and print services called Samba - the group that had helped keep Microsoft in court for over six years - acknowledged that a distribution that showed up in Samba's respositories on October 11 contained interoperability code for Windows from Microsoft itself." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Microsoft has rolled out Beta 2 of its Kinect for Windows development kit and has added support for Windows 8 with the refresh." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"For Microsoft Windows, the markers are unmistakable: Windows XP continues its steady decline. Windows 7 continues its steady advance. Windows Vista is fading rapidly into a historical footnote." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Acer Chairman JT Wang sees a resurgence of Microsoft software in the coming years, enabling Windows to more effectively take on Apple, according to a report." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Windows 8, the next version of Microsoft's venerable OS franchise will likely not be available until sometime in 2012, but business IT organizations are already beginning to develop plans for deployment. That's one of the findings from a survey of 973 tech professionals conducted in October by InformationWeek." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"While you have a few choices of BitTorrent client on Windows, uTorrent is hands down the best we've ever used: it's feature-filled, very lightweight, and completely free." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"The ability to quickly build and track a 3D model of the environment (as we and Bill Gates both found amazing) is combined with the ability to display synthetic information onto the real environment. The result? The digital simulation of the world is overlaid on the world, in real time, and it’s utterly insane." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Facebook is dead serious about building common standards for efficient hardware in the data center. On Thursday, the social networking giant launched the Open Compute Foundation, an industry association that aims to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the computers that run great swaths of the Internet. The foundation formalizes an effort the social media giant began in April, when it started the Open Compute Project (OCP)." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"55 percent of Android devices by worldwide revenue are subject to patent license agreements between Microsoft and original design manufacturers, such as Compal. Moreover, 53 percent of Android smartphones by unit share in the United States are subject to patent license agreements between Microsoft and original equipment manufacturers, such as Samsung and HTC." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet

"Google Chief Executive Officer Larry Page told analysts today he's seen "no signs" that rivals' tactics challenging Android over patent infringement have been effective." - LANjackal from Bookmarklet