Microsoft Plans Language Assistant Cortana For Windows Phone!

Microsoft wants Windows Phone 8.1 to install a language assistant who carries the name Cortana in it. It is said that it is similar to Siri on iPhones and Google Now on Android Smartphones. With the update to Windows Phone 8.1 Smartphones get with Microsoft's mobile operating system a language assistant that is designed to provide the functions of Siri and Google Now, The Verge has learned from people who are familiar with Microsoft's plans.

The designation is based on the computer game series Halo, in which there is the AI Cortana character. On Windows Phone Cortana is only an animated icon and not a female character as in the Halo games. The approach of Cortana is a similar virtual personality as with Apple's Siri. Moreover Cortana collects data from Bing, Foursquare and other services in order to offer comparable performance to Google Now.

The user will thus find all relevant information in Cortana to simplify his use of Smartphones. A sub- function of Cortana is called notebook and is used to control the data flow with matching privacy settings. The user should therefore be set in the notebook, which data sources may use Cortana. So Cortana can on location information, personal data, reminders and contact access. In addition, the function can monitor the user behavior and show based on that information or make suggestions.

Depending on the chosen notebook settings to the Windows Phone Assistant noted the information in question. The user should edit later stored within the notebook information or delete, so that a privacy setting in the base can be changed at any time later. Moreover Cortana can be used to remove the user tasks. For example, if a message comes is asking in for a meeting at 19:00 clock, offers the wizard to create a matching calendar entry.

In addition, a Do Not Disturb mode is scheduled to appear in the notifications. The user may specify a specific user group, which is not affected by the Do Not Disturb mode. News of these individuals appointment would then continue to appear. It is expected that a first preliminary version of the update version will be come to the market only at the beginning of April 2014 is shown at Microsoft's Build conference. When Smartphone owners will get the update is still not known.

Microsoft would offer a free version of Windows 8.1 with Bing

Windows 8.1 is currently the latest version of Microsoft's operating system Windows 8. Microsoft currently experimenting with a free version of its operating system for PCs. According to unconfirmed sources, Microsoft could offer a free version or low cost of its OS called "Windows 8.1 with Bing", and integrating key services and applications.

It would be an update designed to attract users of Windows 7. Exactly one year before the Wall Street Journal quoted that Microsoft has decided to lower the price of Windows 8 and Office for OEMs licenses. The Verge now evokes an experimental project of Redmond called " Windows 8.1 with Bing " which would be a free or low-cost version of the update for users of Windows 7 operating system.

The Verge indicates the exact intentions of Microsoft are not yet finalized and that experimentation is part of a series of initiatives to monetize cloud services and applications of the publisher. According to The Verge, the free version called "Windows 8.1 with Bing” and is currently in development. Hence, they also contain the most important Microsoft apps and services and put an emphasis on the search engine Bing. In addition, Microsoft is targeting apparently from it, to win by no or low price more users for Windows 8. Early versions of Windows 8.1 with Bing are leaked on the internet and the familiar Windows Leaks website WZor.net already published screenshots of the software installed .

The Verge goes on to write that Windows 7 users might get the upgrade to Windows 8.1 with Bing free or very cheap. Another possibility is that the operating system is also available to PC manufacturers on favorable terms. The focus is to get as many new Windows 8 users. This information last week via Bloomberg that Microsoft would charge more for Windows 8.1 license of $ 15 on devices sold in more than 250 dollars. Service Pack 1 for Windows 8.1 is expected in early April.

 Now Windows 8.1 download costs currently around 120 Euros for individuals. It is therefore questionable how Microsoft makes money when it offers (nearly) the operating system and key applications for free. The Verge suspected that the company wants to move to new customers to use its fee-based additional services, such as major cloud storage. Details of these plans of Microsoft may known public at developer conference which will be held in San Francisco on of 2 up to 4 April.

Microsoft Signs Agreement With Hop-On

Microsoft has signed its twenty-second license agreement for the use of patents related to Android and Chrome OS with “Hop-on” the original equipment and design manufacturer of American electronics. As usual, the amount of royalties paid and other terms remains confidential.

After Voxx Electronics last week, Microsoft announced a new licensing agreement relating to the exploitation of its portfolio of patents related to Android and Chrome OS two days before. The new licensee is Hop-on; they are one of the manufactures of Smartphones, tablets, e-readers, set- top boxes and televisions.

Financial terms of the agreement were, as usual, not disclosed, but Microsoft states that they will receive royalties. “The license is an effective way to share technology and rely on each other's work to provide valuable products for consumers," said Horacio Gutierrez, Assistant Vice- President and General Counsel in charge of innovation and intellectual property at Microsoft. This agreement is the twenty- second of its kind for this Redmond Company.

Microsoft SkyDrive is renamed OneDrive

As part of the renaming campaign, Microsoft is apparently feeling generous and have been given 20 GB of extra storage for one year. However, it is not yet clear how Microsoft selected this “valued customer“. The software giant Microsoft has entered in to the conflict with the British TV channel Sky and has to change the name of its cloud storage SkyDrive.

It is still unclear whether SkyDrive should be renamed only in Britain, else throughout the globe. In future the SkyDrive will be called as OneDrive making the name similar to their game console Xbox One and the Domain onedrive.com will soon replace the skydrive.com and already a promotional video has been published.

The agreement entered with Sky Broadcasting Group has given reasonable time to migrate to the new name and the whether the agreement include cash payment was not yet known. This is the second set back for Microsoft earlier it was forced to retire from use of “Metro” in the user interface of Windows 8 since the Metro AG group challenged the use.

Defeated in court by British TV channel Sky in 2013, Microsoft was forced to abandon to SkyDrive brand. Hence online storage file services of Microsoft’s SkyDrive, name will be changed. This was formally announced by Ryan Gavin, head of services and applications, in a blog post without giving much detail.

Support for Windows XP is partly extended!

Microsoft announced earlier that April 8th 2014 will be the final closing for all updates for Windows XP but Microsoft announced surprisingly that Antivirus support goes into extra time until mid 2015 and it will be valid for all other updates also.

Microsoft says that the support for XP will be ended on 8 April 2014 and it has not changed and yet it is for Microsoft Security Essentials anti -virus updates to 14 July 2015 passed, the manufacturer has now informed in a press release on Technet . For enterprise customers, it is further definition updates for System Center Endpoint Protection, Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection, and give Windows Intune.

 The move comes not entirely unexpected. Almost all the businesses and people of XP are not switched to a different operating system for a long time. Still most of the people are using outdated operating system and it is around 14 percent of total computers in use in Europe alone, the U.S. Company said in December 2013.


To help businesses and consumers, promote the migration, the supply of anti -malware updates will now be extended considerably. Microsoft stressed, however, that the effectiveness of this measure is limited for which there will be no more updates operating system. Almost all companies running on Windows XP and they cannot be part them. Since most of the old software are not compactable on Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Also the cost of upgrades of software industry is likely to deter many a company. With Windows 7 Professional license however, there is the free XP Mode. This virtual machine can help to continue working with old software. Nevertheless, there are cases where this does not help. There is no longer the XP Mode in Windows 8.

Windows 9 coming in April 2015

Scheduled Windows8 update will be a new version of the Operating systems that will be announced in the Microsoft Developers conference according to the insider source.

 Microsoft wanted to bring to the market in April 2015 a new version of its Windows operating system. That will be announced by the U.S. software manufacturers Microsoft in April at the Build developer conference, Windows insider Paul Thurrott reported on his side Super Site For Windows.

The new operating system will be called Windows 9, Thurrot has learned from his sources. It will come on the market in April 2015. In December 2013 had become known that Microsoft is planning a major Windows update codenamed Threshold for spring 2015.

Threshold was actually as an update for Windows 8 Because of the bad reputation of Windows 8, Microsoft have decided to rename it because of its bad reputation. That is at least the current stand Threshold should again get a start menu, among other things.

Its abolition in Windows 8 had not gone well with the users. It will probably be three pre-release versions of Windows 9. However, it is not clear whether this will also be publicly available. Work on the new Windows will begin after the build. The developer conference will take place from 2 up to 4 April 2014 in San Francisco.

First leaked screenshots of forth coming Windows 8.1 Update 1

In 2014 and 2015; Windows users can look forward for the three major updates to their operating system. The smallest is going to happen in April for Windows 8.1 which is free according to the sources, which probably goes by the name "Windows 8.1 Update 1" or " Windows 8.1 2014 Update".

So far it is only known this much and there will be hardly visible innovations it seems. But Microsoft aims to improve system performance and provide more stability. Windows 8.1 Update 1 is therefore likely to closely resemble the previous service packs.

Already screenshots of a preliminary version of the update are leaked on the net. However, they show no changes compared to Windows 8.1. Only the version number of Internet Explorer 11 has increased slightly. According to the rumor, Microsoft will distribute this pre-release version from the third week of January for the first time to the selected partners.

Shortly thereafter, is thus to be expected the first leaks of the pre-release version. According to another insider, the final output of the update is the end of March then on 1 April 2014 it will be freely available for all users to download - just in the time of Microsoft's developer conference this year.

The Start menu will be back in Desktop optimized version of Windows 8.2

Current rumor is that Microsoft is considering to bring back the Start menu and let Metro style apps run in windows on the desktop. Hence The next Windows update could set the desktop again closer to the center again. It's still a while to go until the traded under the code name Threshold Windows update will be released in the spring of 2015, but even now make first details on Microsoft's plans around.

So will a blogger Mery Jo Foley learned that Microsoft called three SKUs ie it brings three versions of Windows in the market that use a common core, but are optimized for different applications. However, and it Foley points out explicitly, can still change these plans, not least in view of the large changes in the Microsoft management. Thus, a "Modern - SKU" for end users is planned at the stand , the new WinRT apps in the foreground.

It will run on ARM and Intel processors and is regularly updated through the Windows Store. This variant could then run on smartphones and tablets as well as in PCs. Depending on the device, a desktop might be included Win32 apps are not available for this SKU but in the foreground. This would then Windows RT and Windows Phone merge into a new version of Windows. In addition, there will be a traditional option for customers, aiming at the current PC market.

The customer could include a customizable desktop and can be operated well with mouse and keyboard. This version will be updated regularly on the Windows Store. Third, a traditional SKU is planned for companies that bring back all the old management features and support for Win32 apps in a desktop environment. This variant is to run primarily on traditional PCs, and on tablets and other devices and support Modern apps from the Windows Store.

Maybe Microsoft will offer this option, only volume licensees. In addition, this version should be updated less frequently to accommodate businesses that do not want automatic updates. Meanwhile, also citing sources within Microsoft , Metro apps will run under Threshold in windows on the desktop, so that multiple apps can be used in parallel. Microsoft also plan to keep the start button also as the the traditional start menu in Windows 8 as optional.

Service Pack 1 for Office 2013 will be released

The first service pack for Office 2013 will be released at the beginning of next year. Microsoft says it will be provided for better, enhanced performance and new features.

According to the blog post by Chris Schneider, Marketing manager in the Office team at Microsoft, that the Service Pack 1 for Office 2013 will be published in the early 2014, But there is no further more details about the SP1 or the new products.

Hence we could infer that with the Service Pack1 the Office 2013 will be more powerful and will have more features and tools with improved compatibility with Windows 8.1. In addition to the Office suite, will have the updated for the SharePoint 2013 and Exchange 2013. It is software that is mainly used in businesses to use. Users of Office 365 do not need to update their product. Since this runs in the cloud, it always works with the new version.

With Service Pack Microsoft is expected as usual to summarize all the updates and they will be published. Especially companies will appreciate this type of update, as a service pack can better test internally before it is installed on all computers. For Windows, Microsoft has abolished the SP strategy. The operating system would keep the software company by means of numerous small updates on the current status, which he always offers a timely manner.

Microsoft shows-interest in “Project N”

The Microsoft officials unveiled a new technology for developing Net compile code into native code directly. With the launch of Visual Studio 2013 in New York, Microsoft lifted the veil a little bit of another product currently in development. Known internally as the "Draft N", there is a new technology to compile code directly. The technology is currently experimental, says Microsoft.

Eventually, it should be available to the developer community, even if Microsoft did not say anything more, when the event held in New York on what mode and in what proportions would be distributed tool. According to Microsoft, the "N Project" must allow developed. Net and C # to work better on Windows 8 and Windows RT applications. And, thanks to a new compilation technology. "Draft N” could be distributed publicly in 2014. We do not know, in what form.

Microsoft could keep the technology in-house, and recompile applications directly. This would be consistent; Microsoft has been working around the improvement of the compilation in the cloud for Windows Phone, with MDIL (Machine Dependent Intermediate Language) applications. The solution allowed at its output to help developers migrate their Windows Phone 7 applications to Windows Phone 8.

A job offer giant also recently showed that Microsoft was looking for developers to work on a technology to " compile C # using native C + + compiler." Again, the links are not obvious, and it is unclear how the two come together. Similarly we do not know if the technology is intended for internal use or will be directly distributed to developers.

Bing’s New “Hero Ads”

Microsoft is testing a giant advertising format for Bing Search Windows 8.1 Smart, smart search available with the operating system. Similarly Google is testing the big size banners on the results pages of the search engine. As part of a test that also takes place in the United States, Microsoft also sees great things for Bing Smart Search.

 Bing is the Smart Search inaugurated with Windows 8.1. It is through a unified search that allows a query to search for files, settings, applications of the device and on the web. In partnership with some advertisers in the U.S. including Land Rover, Jaguar, Radio Shack or Hertz, a huge advertisement appears in Smart Search Bing for web results.

For this format called Hero ads, Microsoft said it appears to research specific information to the partner brand. This is a pilot program for which comments are expected, including the user side. Microsoft talks about creating an “experience that works best for advertisers and users of Windows 8.1.”

Microsoft launches new tablets Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2

From Tuesday the new tablet computers from Microsoft will be available for sale. Microsoft will launch two new models: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. It is powered by a latest-generation Intel (Haswell micro architecture), which will improve its performance by 20 % according to the Microsoft. The Tablet is loaded with Windows 8.1 Pro. The display is 10.6 inches.

According to the official communication from Microsoft, it will be better than 95 % of current laptops in terms of speed and graphics performance and it assure up to 50% increase in the performance. And it is assured more battery life which is the weak point of the previous models. These kinds of statements mean that these models are better than the previous models.

The user has the option to choose a configuration to 64 GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage and 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. They are marketed to retail for 879 Euros and 1,779 Euros in 64 and 512 GB.

A new dock will also be taking part, which can power two external monitors mini Display Port, three USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 ports , plus an Ethernet port and an audio input / output. Finally, Microsoft has changed its accessories and can put the tablet in two positions, with a viewing angle of 22 or 55 degrees.

 A new dockable keyboard also makes its appearance. Called Power Cover, it offers a battery to enhance the autonomy of the tablet. The keyboard light - protection Type Cover, is not forgotten. In its new version, it is now called Surface 2 but is well powered by Windows RT 8.1. Still, the Surface 2 is more powerful again, with the same 10.6-inch screen and Pro Surface 2 is capable of displaying 1080p.

According to Microsoft, it runs 3-4 times faster than its predecessor. It also takes the same stand as its big sister, is refined and is available in white, black or silver. The tablet provides access to 100,000 applications (against 10,000 for the previous model) and especially includes Office RT and RT which now includes Outlook. Microsoft therefore corrects the main drawback of the previous model and makes the Surface 2 terminal to work and not just to consume media. Surface 2 will be available at a price of 439 Euros in 32 GB and 64 GB 539 Euros Rates include access to 200 GB of Skydrive storage for two years.

 The characteristics of the new area - improved performance, better battery life, etc. - and the range of new accessories - such as dock, keyboard, increasing the battery cover and backlit - are evidence of a hardware ecosystem expansion. Remix the Surface, a music controller that connects to a magnetic system like Touch Cover, is a very creative novelty that expands the capabilities of these mobile devices.

But the real strength of Microsoft lies in the amplitude and the functionality of the online ecosystem where individuals and businesses can access with their Microsoft account like Skydrive, Azure or Office 365. This online platform is the rear base for the expansion of "digital self" that create online users, "says the analyst. “The real question is whether the range area, including the Surface 2 based on ARM chip (unlike the Surface Pro 2 and Intel Core i5 chip), Microsoft will offer a place in the landscape of mobility.

Microsoft promises faster certification for Windows 8.1 applications

Microsoft promises faster certification for Windows 8.1 applications. The Windows Store will continue to host the Windows 8 applications.

Next week, Microsoft began marketing and public dissemination of Windows 8.1. This launch will be accompanied by a new Windows Store to allow such users to more easily find applications. Bing will play a role at this level since the Redmond states that recommendation Bing engine will be added to make suggestions on applications and games based on previous installations, from the community and other criteria.

 Windows – Store support developers, Microsoft also promises a faster process for their applications to certify and undertakes that it shall not exceed five days to get the approval. It will be “a day or two for many applications submitted for Windows 8.1”.

Microsoft encourages the rest of the developers to take advantage of new features in Windows 8.1 which updates the applications are automatically available to users as well as new offerings in the application. A Windows Store, which will also support vouchers. However, the Windows Store will continue to offer apps for Windows 8 and they run on Windows 8.1.

New Release of Windows Phone 8 Update Arrives

Microsoft announced today on his blog that the next major update to Windows Phone 8 will be available soon to the general public and in next few hours to registered developers. And I must say that this update is enticing. Among other things, it will include, support high - resolution and larger screens (MS talks about future Windows Phone with 1080p screens of 5” and 6 ", displaying a row of up to six live tiles instead of 4 now), compatibility with the Qualcomm 8974 quad- heart, a new feature called " driving mode "which will allow you processors, open quotes to" get from point a to point B with the least possible distractions.

Operating via Bluetooth, the Driving limit the number of notifications, such as messages, calls and alerts until you reach destination. “Note that “you can even configure the Driving to send automatic replies to people who call you or write when you’re behind the wheel, telling them that you contact them as soon as possible.”

 Also, a connection sharing between Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 device will be simplified. In a more general way, this update will include "hundreds of fixes and improvements”, custom ringtones, the ability to block the screen rotation, improved memory management, the ability to simply close its applications (since multitasking display), Wi-Fi from the start, or even better Bluetooth.

 This Update will begin to be deployed in the coming weeks until the end of the year. Developers with a Dev Center account, an App account studio or developer unlocked phone will have the update tomorrow.

Outlook.com now compatible with OAuth and IMAP

The webmail Microsoft Outlook.com takes now supports the IMAP protocol, which will expand its compatibility with other third party applications and services. A little over a year after launching the new version of its webmail Outlook.com, Microsoft announced recently that he now supported IMAP and the OAuth authentication protocol. Of course, the Redmond Company always puts forward the Exchange ActiveSync protocol, which remains the best solution to synchronize emails in near real time. But recognizes IMAP is still widespread on "feature phones" mobile standards as well as some e-mail clients, including Mac. The IMAP support and will allow developers to adapt their applications to Outlook.com. And Microsoft has also delivered a first list of third-party services that are updated to add Outlook.com accounts.

Microsoft takeover Nokia for 5.4 billion Euros

Microsoft announced the acquisition of Nokia and majority of its assets including devices and services and a license agreement on the patent portfolio and mapping services of the Finnish firm. Some had predicted, others are still waiting but Microsoft has finally created a moderate surprise this morning by announcing its decision to acquire the devices and services division of Nokia to 5.44 billion. The two companies were closely spaced from February 2011 under an agreement that Nokia was the main promoter of the Windows Phone platform. The transaction amount includes 3.79 billion that is spent on purchase of Nokia Devices & Services (Lumia Smartphones, tablets, mobile Asha) and 1.65 billion for licensing the patent portfolio and services maps. In addition, Microsoft will provide 1.5 billion Euros in convertible bonds that Nokia may avail. Stephen Elop will take the head of this extended terminal division at Microsoft Stephen Elop, Nokia CEO so back to the fold to lead an expanded terminal division. 32,000 Nokia employees will work at Microsoft, which 4700 are based in Finland, and 18,300 are involved in the manufacture, assembly and packaging.

Windows 9 with Aero Interface Beta in January

The latest information about Windows 9 come to light, According to Microsoft insiders WZOR Windows 9 will be available in 2014. As already planned final release will be in November, and the beta version launch will be in January and the RTM status will be reached subsequently in mid-year. In terms of features, the appearance will change according to the information available. After all, Microsoft is working to return the Aero interface of Windows 7, which should, however, be very different from the other version. Even with Windows 10 already seems WZOR to know details: This version of Windows is to bring significantly more changes than Windows 9 and move the operating system further into the cloud. So it could be completely possible via the browser to access all Windows 10 devices. Initial concepts for this are going to be presented on 1 September internally at Microsoft.


 So Windows 9 could reappear as a pure desktop operating system since Windows Phone to run on Smartphones and tablets in the future. The Windows desktop would move away again by the touch operation - and belong to tile optics, apps and more surfaces of the past. Positive side effect is that an overview of Windows Phone, Windows 8 and Windows RT would eases somewhat. Windows Phone was not significantly increase its market share compared to Android and iOS itself from this major upgrade to Version 8. Even worse , it looks at Windows RT: While adopt more and more OEM partners from the slimmed Windows 8, Microsoft had the in-house Surface RT recently reduced by a further 150 Euros to boost sales. The ModernUI design is intended to be either greatly altered or completely replaced. The frustration of the Windows 8 user was finally big enough to bring back seemingly redundant content as the desktop start-up and at least a symbolic start button. Windows Phone also makes more sense than the double solution with Windows 8 and RT as a responsible OS for all touch devices.

Microsoft announces eight security updates in August Patch

The August Patch Tuesday 13 August 2013 brings Windows users probably eight security updates. They include critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft software. Microsoft plans to the August Patch Tuesday and released eight security updates. Three of the announced updates are for ironing critical weaknesses in current Windows operating systems, from the Internet Explorer and special server software from Microsoft. The information from the Microsoft website for any updates there in August for the Office suite. Certain, however, is an update of the "Malicious Software Removal Tool" (32 bit, 64 bit). Microsoft's Patch Tuesday is usually on the second Tuesday of each month instead - the next Patch Tuesday is thus 10 September 2013. The security updates install automatically with the appropriate setup with active Internet connection.

Microsoft Launches "Bing apps" for Windows Phone

A new series of Microsoft applications available for Smartphones running Windows Phone 8. Microsoft has released four new applications for Windows Phone based on its Bing technology. They are also grouped under the name "Bing Apps". First there Bing News that dials a flow of information from sources of your choice. Then there is Bing Weather by which we can know the forecasts per day and hour for a range of locations as favorites, which is visualized on display cards. Bing Sports provides sports news personalized with the ability to track the results of a team and view schedules championships. Finally, Bing Finance offers tools to monitor financial news and stock prices of companies of their choice. These free applications are available individually on the Windows Phone Store.

Microsoft announces seven security updates in July Patch

The July Patch (July 9, 2013) brings Windows users probably seven security updates. They include updates for some critical vulnerability in Microsoft software. By this update Microsoft plugs critical security flaws in Windows operating systems. Microsoft's July Patch security updates out seven. The Company classifies six as "important” and other as “critical", the seventh. To repair among other gaps in the Microsoft operating systems from Windows XP, in the Office suite of office applications and Internet Explorer. Microsoft Suffice to a patch that takes care of the issue discovered from Google employee Tavis Ormandy vulnerability of mid-May in this update. Microsoft's Patch Tuesday is usually on the second Tuesday of each month instead - the next Patch Tuesday is thus 13 August 2013. The security updates will be installed automatically with the appropriate active Internet connection.