Microsoft’s | Thats Bad Ass! Tech News and Reviews

Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft’s’

Microsoft’s Julie Larson-Green Says Windows RT’s Slow Start Is A Consumer Education Problem

|

Microsoft’s Corporate VP for Windows Julie Larson-Green was at WIRED’s Business Conference today, and she was put on the spot when asked by interviewer and WIRED Senior Editor Michael V. Copeland about the apparently sluggish start for Windows RT. RT’s failure is a consumer education problem, according to Larson-Green, since it’s very different from what’s come before.

Fast payday loans For Every One

Windows RT, for those unfamiliar or confused by the new familial breakdown of Windows following the introduction of version 8, is a lightweight version designed for ARM-powered devices (vs. x86, the architecture which full Windows OS runs on), which doesn’t offer access to the full suite of Windows software. According to our own Matt Burns, that has resulted in a big app gap, and made the Surface RT essentially a glorified web browsing tablet, which sounds like something different from a simple matter of properly framing the product.

“I think we have some work to do on explaining it to people because it’s different,” Larson-Green said. “They’re just so used to Windows meaning backward compatibility in all the programs that you use today. I use Surface RT as my main computing device, I connect to a corporate network using my virtual smart card and VPN when I need to, Office is already on there [...] it’s just a simpler experience and then the Surface Pro has the flexibility if you want to work on the details.”

“I love my Surface RT,” was a common refrain from Larson-Green even into the Q&A, who later characterized it as a device for casual consumption mostly, especially filling a niche for “weekend” use. Even the dual nature of her defense of the Microsoft tablet shows that it still needs work at Microsoft itself in terms of fleshing out its role in the consumer ecosystem, which probably isn’t helping the company properly explain its purpose to the buying public.

The Surface RT is estimated to have sold only around 1 million units total since its launch late in 2012, far under its reported initial estimates of 3 million or so. Other OEMs have balked at the RT line in the meantime, with Acer waiting on launching its RT slate until at least Q2 of this year.

Hulu Plus arrives on Windows Phone as Microsoft’s game of app catch-up continues

|

Author: Nancy Kennedy

Img_7334222verge_large

Hulu Plus launches for Windows Phone 8 today, representing Microsoft’s latest major “get” in the company’s continued push to fill out its app catalog. Like Pandora earlier this year, the streaming video service has long been available on competing smartphone platforms iOS and Android. But Microsoft and Pandora managed to deliver a polished final product nonetheless — one arguably better than any competing version of the app — and Hulu has clearly received equal focus and attention. After you’ve signed into the premium subscription service, you’ll notice that every section of the app is incredibly fluid and responsive. Videos queue up quickly (which obviously can vary depending on how solid your data connection is), playing in HD…

Switched On: Microsoft’s small tablet trap

|

Author: Dave Adams

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

More Info

For example, if x86 chips were more competitive with ARM processors from a performance-per-watt perspective, then Microsoft wouldn’t be as reliant on Metro-style apps for functionality. And if more developers were creating Metro-style apps, then consumers wouldn’t have to go to the legacy desktop mode as much to get things done. (Until the company releases a Metro-style Office, Microsoft really can’t wag its finger too much at third parties.)

Filed under: Tablets, Apple, Microsoft, HP

Comments

Microsoft’s latest Office 365 ad campaign turns Forbes magazine into a Wi-Fi hotspot

|

Author: Markus Smith

Officehotspot_large

One major benefit of cloud storage is that you’re able to access your data and documents from just about anywhere. And with its latest print ad campaign for Office 365, Microsoft is going to extremes to illustrate that point. Tucked (glued?) inside select issues of this month’s Forbes magazine is a Wi-Fi hotspot that offers readers 15 days of web access courtesy of T-Mobile. The included battery is only capable of providing about three hours of continuous browsing, but Microsoft helpfully allows you to recharge the unit with a micro USB cable. Sure, the company would likely prefer you spend some of that time looking into its “office in the cloud” and we can’t exactly blame them considering the likely bill for this sort of promotion. But…

Incoming search terms:

Strategy Analytics: Microsoft’s share of tablet market quadrupled after Windows 8

|

Author: Charity Woods

Say what you like about Windows 8, but before it arrived Microsoft’s presence in the tablet sphere was as small as it was stagnant. By the reckoning of number-crunchers at Strategy Analytics, just 400,000 Windows-running slates were shipped globally in Q3 of last year — a figure that was largely unchanged from the year before and which represented just 1.6 percent of the global tablet market. Six months later, now that the Windows-powered Acers, Lenovos and Surfaces of this world have had a chance to get their game on, Microsoft’s share has quadrupled to 7.5 percent, with a total of three million Windows 8 and RT tablets shipped in Q1 2013. That’s still pretty niche, but three million units would have equated to a bigger share were it not for the fact that the overall tablet market also grew over this period, from 25 million to 41 million units — and at least Microsoft can now claim to be a part of that boom. Look past the break for the numerical breakdown.

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

Comments

Via: CNET, Neowin

Source: Strategy Analytics

Foxconn becomes Microsoft’s biggest Android patent licensee

|

Author: jos

Img_9874_large

Foxconn has accepted accredit patents that Microsoft holds relating to Android and Chrome OS. Neither company has revealed details of the offer, but the Taiwanese production giant– which makes over 40 percent of the world’s customer electronics gadgets, lots of in China– will be paying Microsoft royalties on its gadgets that run either Google operating system. According to Ars Technica, the arrangement suggests that Foxconn is now the greatest licensee of Microsoft patents.

While Microsoft currently has similar handle numerous OEMs such as Acer that make use of Foxconn for production, the business will supposedly just gather costs as soon as per device; both licensees will work out who pays the charge as part of their agreement. The 2 companies have …

Continue reading & hellip;

Incoming search terms:

Microsoft’s latest ‘Scroogled’ ad attacks Android with privacy fears

|

Author: Jenny Zhao

Scroogled_papers_large

Microsoft’s anti-Google campaign is getting a fresh revival this week with a new focus on Google’s Android app store. After directly attacking Gmail and Google Shopping, Microsoft is now attempting to spread fear over Google’s policy of supplying the name, email address, and neighborhood of users who purchase apps on Google Play. In two fresh videos posted to the Scroogled site, Microsoft attempts to convince users to switch to Bing and Windows Phone over Android.

“If you can’t trust their app store, maybe you can’t trust them for anything,” says a narrator in one particular video, suggesting users try Bing. Another focuses on trying to push Windows Phones. The campaign centers on Google’s policy of providing basic information to…

Incoming search terms:

Blue state: Microsoft’s tricky strategy to strike back against Apple and Google

|

Author: Charity Woods

Windowsbluefinal1_640_large

As it has countless times in the last decade, Microsoft once again finds itself at a crossroads.

Over the course of thirty-plus years, Microsoft rose to global dominance on the back of the desktop computer. But in the last decade, PC sales have been slowing as mobile devices become the next paradigm in personal computing. This presents some serious challenges for Microsoft; the problems are bigger than just finding ways to win with smartphones and tablets. The traditional method of selling boxed software or licenses to hardware manufacturers and big businesses is changing.

Incoming search terms:

Microsoft’s Next Xbox Said To Shift To x86 Architecture Courtesy Of AMD System-On-A-Chip

|

Author: Brandon Zimmerman

Microsoft ’ s following Xbox, which can get an initial unveiling as early as following month, will utilize an AMD system-on-a-chip according to a new Bloomberg report. The new AMD SoC will imply that Microsoft is transferring to an x86-based system architecture, which Sony ’ s upcoming PlayStation 4 is likewise embracing. The change is terrific news for AMD, and for players, and bad news for AMD ’ s chief competing Intel.

The new Microsoft console will be running a “ Jaguar ” CPU, which is likewise exactly what ’ s going into Sony ’ s PS4, alongside a Radeon graphics processor from ATI, an AMD subsidiary. The resemblance in between the 2 SoCs utilized in each next-gen console should go a long way toward silencing problems from designers that it ’ s too challenging and resource-intensive to establish for each sort of console. A shared x86 architecture suggests that it ’ ll be much easier to port titles, both between consoles and from the COMPUTER.

For AMD, it suggests obtaining access to a much bigger chunk of the console gaming market, at an essential juncture: the desktop and note pad PC market is reducing, dealing with increasing infringement from devices like the iPad, meaning there ’ s less room to vie with Intel for market share in an area where Intel already clearly controls. The console sector hasn ’ t precisely been a shining beacon of growth itself, however with a hardware refresh imminent, AMD is in the best position to capitalize must consumer interest as soon as again be caught by fancy new console devices.

The issue with Microsoft ’ s choice to supposedly alter over to AMD is that it will likely render games made for the 360 incompatible with the next-generation platform. But long-term, the decision implies it ’ s much easier for designers to deal with, which ought to equate to a reduction of monetary stress on game studios that are already dealing with income crunches which are forcing cost-cutting measures. The console special may be more of a rarity, however gamers perk, and we might likewise see shorter advancement cycles resulting in even more regular game releases.

An additional party left out of the enjoyable might be the Wii U, which utilizes a PowerPC based processor under the hood. However overall this is great information for gamers, considering that it might both free of cost up resources for designers to invest on breakthrough and R&D, and suggests both consoles will act much even more like house enjoyment Computers based around the TELEVISION.

Incoming search terms:

Apple no longer blocking Microsoft’s SkyDrive iOS update, version 3.0 released

|

Author: Jenny Zhao

Skydriveios1_640_large

Microsoft and Apple have been locked in a battle over Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud-storage app for iOS. The two companies were originally sparring over a 30 percent cut of revenue from SkyDrive storage purchases through Microsoft’s iOS app, leaving it lacking updates since June 1st last year. Microsoft previously confirmed it was “in contact with Apple regarding the matter,” and It appears that the differences have now been settled. Microsoft revealed today that an updated version of its iOS SkyDrive app is now available to download.

The latest version 3.0 app update brings iPhone 5 and iPad Mini compatibility along with a refreshed look and feel. You can now download full resolution photos to an iPhone or iPad and also control the size…

Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft’s’

Microsoft’s Julie Larson-Green Says Windows RT’s Slow Start Is A Consumer Education Problem

Related Posts:

Hulu Plus arrives on Windows Phone as Microsoft’s game of app catch-up continues

Related Posts:

Switched On: Microsoft’s small tablet trap

More Info

Related Posts:

Microsoft’s latest Office 365 ad campaign turns Forbes magazine into a Wi-Fi hotspot

Incoming search terms:

Related Posts:

Strategy Analytics: Microsoft’s share of tablet market quadrupled after Windows 8

Related Posts:

Foxconn becomes Microsoft’s biggest Android patent licensee

Incoming search terms:

Related Posts:

Microsoft’s latest ‘Scroogled’ ad attacks Android with privacy fears

Incoming search terms:

Related Posts:

Blue state: Microsoft’s tricky strategy to strike back against Apple and Google

Incoming search terms:

Related Posts:

Microsoft’s Next Xbox Said To Shift To x86 Architecture Courtesy Of AMD System-On-A-Chip

Incoming search terms:

Related Posts:

Apple no longer blocking Microsoft’s SkyDrive iOS update, version 3.0 released

Incoming search terms:

Related Posts: