Tag Archives: Microsoft

Microsoft Confirms Windows 8.1 Update, Won’t Cost Anything

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After all the hype surrounding Microsoft’s forthcoming Windows Blue update, Redmond announced that instead of “Blue” a Windows 8 update will be coming to the public called Windows 8.1.

87c70 windows blue previous leak Microsoft Confirms Windows 8.1 Update, Won’t Cost Anything

A preview version of the update will be shown during the Build 2013 event on June 26 and it becomes freely downloadable or through Windows’ automatic update feature soon thereafter although no exact date of the release has been announced. The update applies to both Windows 8 and the ARM-friendly Windows RT.

Windows 8.1 update offers a compatibility feature with smaller devices from the smallest tablets to anything bigger such as desktops. A number of improvements to the existing Windows 8 system will be revealed to address users’ complaints to the changes made by Microsoft’s latest operating system including the removal of the Start Button. While there is no official confirmation as to the return of that button, Microsoft has indicated its positive response to that issue with open mind.

Despite the users’ disappointment with Windows 8 the company has sold more than 100 million licenses worldwide and offering the upgrade for free with a host of improvements could increase that number in astronomical proportion. For now, Windows 8 and potential users should forget the whole Windows Blue thing and concentrate on the upcoming update instead.

Microsoft Confirms Windows 8.1 Update, Won’t Cost Anything

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After all the hype surrounding Microsoft’s forthcoming Windows Blue update, Redmond announced that instead of “Blue” a Windows 8 update will be coming to the public called Windows 8.1.

87c70 windows blue previous leak Microsoft Confirms Windows 8.1 Update, Won’t Cost Anything

A preview version of the update will be shown during the Build 2013 event on June 26 and it becomes freely downloadable or through Windows’ automatic update feature soon thereafter although no exact date of the release has been announced. The update applies to both Windows 8 and the ARM-friendly Windows RT.

Windows 8.1 update offers a compatibility feature with smaller devices from the smallest tablets to anything bigger such as desktops. A number of improvements to the existing Windows 8 system will be revealed to address users’ complaints to the changes made by Microsoft’s latest operating system including the removal of the Start Button. While there is no official confirmation as to the return of that button, Microsoft has indicated its positive response to that issue with open mind.

Despite the users’ disappointment with Windows 8 the company has sold more than 100 million licenses worldwide and offering the upgrade for free with a host of improvements could increase that number in astronomical proportion. For now, Windows 8 and potential users should forget the whole Windows Blue thing and concentrate on the upcoming update instead.

Microsoft Rumored To Buy Nook Media For $1 Billion

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After investing $ 300 million last year, Microsoft is now planning to have a Nook Media buy-out which may lead them to spend a staggering $ 1 billion for its digital assets and college stores as well. Since it is part of Barnes & Noble, the acquisition would also include the Barnes & Noble’s Nook tablets, e-books, and e-readers.

f5258 Nook HD barnes n noble Microsoft Rumored To Buy Nook Media For $1 Billion

Reports are saying that Barnes & Noble plans to finally put an end to its Android-based Nook tablet devices at least towards the end of its fiscal year 2014. It seems like the company wants to focus on enabling those contents produced by Nook to be accessible by users through apps found on third-party partner devices. One could just speculate well enough what they mean by such devices. Perhaps it would point towards Windows 8 devices, other tablets, or maybe even both. There’s no mention about the company’s plans on its Nook e-readers.

When news about the acquisition plans of Microsoft was leaked, it had actually caused an increase in Barnes & Noble shares by up to 22 percent.

If Microsoft’s plans would push through, it would be able to work closely with a partner that is very much qualified to provide more entertainment material for its devices. Microsoft is on the lookout for a reputable content partner company for them to be able to create content opportunities which would be a leap from the movies and music provided by the Xbox Live. Moreover, it could be a start of a new venture in the e-textbooks market which is believed to be a thriving industry.

Currently, Microsoft has control over Nook Media by 16.8 percent. However, evidence of this partnership is only seen when the Nook eReader app was launched for Windows 8 during the fall of 2012.

We know very well that Barnes & Noble’s arch rival in the eReader business is Amazon. Now that Microsoft is buying out Nook Media, it will surely be a sad end to the finish line for Barnes & Noble. On the other hand, it could also be the unseen destiny of the Nook e-reader as it’s now suffering from a natural decline since customers have been switching from e-readers to tablets.

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Microsoft Would Love to See a Touch-Friendly Windows 8 Version of iTunes, Apple Says “Nope!”

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68547 windows 8 logo Microsoft Would Love to See a Touch-Friendly Windows 8 Version of iTunes, Apple Says “Nope!”

Microsoft is chomping at the bit for Apple to bring a touch-friendly iTunes, one of the most popular applications in the world, to its Windows 8 platform. However, if you’re a Windows 8 tablet user, don’t hold your breath, because unlike the next version of Windows, “blue” isn’t your color.

d2a32 windows 8 desktop Microsoft Would Love to See a Touch-Friendly Windows 8 Version of iTunes, Apple Says “Nope!”

AppleInsider:

Apple doesn’t appear to be too keen on developing a version of iTunes that integrates the Modern UI face of Windows 8, Microsoft representatives told CNN this week.

“You shouldn’t expect an iTunes app on Windows 8 any time soon,” the chief financial officer of Microsoft’s Windows division said. “iTunes is in high demand. The welcome mat has been laid out. It’s not for lack of trying.”

While iTunes is available for Windows 8, the lack of a touch interface, i.e. “Metro” compatible, means that users in tablet mode with no keyboard or mouse have a bit of difficulty using the application. Windows RT users can’t use iTunes at all, as the yet to become popular OS, built to run on ARM processors, does not run Intel compatible Windows software.

Apple has shown a past willingness to port their software to the Windows platform. However, with Apple’s iPad leading the tablet segment, the Cupertino firm really has no incentive to port their popular music management application over to the still struggling Windows 8 devices.

d2a32 J72NTarKmRE Microsoft Would Love to See a Touch-Friendly Windows 8 Version of iTunes, Apple Says “Nope!”

Microsoft Set-Top Box To Stream Media Aside From Xbox (Rumor)

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Microsoft is rumored to be going into production of a streaming media box despite the presence of a similar function within its Xbox gaming console. It’s a kind of set-top box that serves as an intermediary between a source signal and a display device such as a television screen delivering media contents with enhanced quality and commonly used in satellite or cable television systems. The source can be in the form of an antenna (UHF or VHF), broadband, telephone line, Ethernet cable, coaxial cable or satellite dish.

96505 microsoft xtv mockup 1 Microsoft Set-Top Box To Stream Media Aside From Xbox (Rumor)

The plan would relegate Xbox into a mere gaming device although it contained streaming media features. It will be a simple device that resembles that of a Roku set-top box with prototypes already seen in the wild but not the store shelves. These prototypes are Kinect-supported along with its voice and motion control while other features are provided that will enable them to work with other Microsoft devices. The simplicity in features is intended to provide ease in writing software that can support other devices.

If the rumors are true, the box will replace Xbox as a media entertainment device other than the gaming functionalities, which remains with the Xbox of course. It can be a cheaper alternative to a Xbox game consoles such as Xbox 360 which costs $ 199. However, the rumor is yet to be confirmed with Microsoft keeping its mouth shut for the time being.

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