Ten Things to Know About Windows 10

At last we have the official look of the new windows version from Microsoft. Many speculations and unofficial leaks have raised the curiosity among the people. The biggest surprise came in the form of the name as Windows 10. After drawing lots of criticism for their Windows 8 version. The company has gone back to provide some predictable features and some surprises. The new version is being considered to have the best combination of both strategy as well as redesign.

1. New version to be designed to be appealing to office workers: 

Microsoft has been dealing with many complaints about the Windows 8 version for being too complicated to be implemented in larger corporation as well as the retraining requirement for the users needing huge resources. Microsoft has now taken action to appeal to the office workers by using familiar features and removing the features which might not be required. The prime example of this is the Start Menu

2. Appealing to Corporate and IT managers: 

With the increasing security issues, Microsoft has promised an increased level of security, easy manageability and enhanced capabilities on the management side. Upgrade process also has been made easier with improvement in installing and dealing process. Customer app stores will enable the organizations to deal with software deployment as well as permissions.

3. The New version is expected to scale from small smartphones to huge data centers: 

The new version is expected to be available on the latest version of windows phone and tablets, desktop PCs, and even portable devices as well. The same is feature is expected in Xbox one too.

4. The new start menu will be combination of Windows 8's tiles with Windows 7's usability: 

While changes can be expected in the final version after release, but the current preview has indicated a 2 column start menu with old styled icon.

5. Modern apps will be running on desktop through windows: 

Desktop users will now be able to download modern apps and use it like any other apps from the windows store. These will be resizable and can be pinned to the taskbar.

6. Virtual desktops reaching the windows: 

A new task view will let the windows users to have an overview of all the running apps and the user will be able to arrange them between the desktops.

7. Snaps improved: 

This feature will be rejoicing for users with large monitors. They will be able to tile four apps just by dragging on the corner of the screen.

8. Search and power feature expected to be improved: 

The new feature is organized to combine the web and local results. The user can just start by typing in the start menu similar to that of Windows 8. Power users will be able to use Ctrl+V feature to copy-paste into the command prompt.

9. Charms bar to still exist: 

This feature will still be present and visible to users with touch-first devices. This feature is expected to be improved.

10. More expectation: 

With Microsoft indicating many reasons for completely skipping the Windows 9 version, users should be expecting many improvement and refinements in the concept as well as the features.

Microsoft Announces Windows 10 to Emphasize On Improvements

On September 30, Microsoft announced their latest operating system “Windows 10”, after they received negative feedbacks from their previous version Windows 8. They have completely skipped in the next version after 8 to unite the thinking of people on phone, tablets and traditional desktop PCs. This new version aims at capturing the profitable business market, which was basically missed by the previous version.

According to Microsoft's head of operating systems, Terry Myerson, this new version will be their greatest enterprise platform. As much as the traditional PC users dislike the previous version, only 20% of the organization migrated to the windows 8 for operation and management. Most of the dislike was attributed to the loss of the traditional start menu.

According to Terry, the new operating system was secretly named as “Threshold” based on the leap the company was taking. This is a new system aimed at uniting the computer with mobile devices. He stated that the new operating system will be able to adapt to the customer’s device they are using, like tablet, Xbox, tablets to even more small gadgets.

With the increase in the number of options in the market in the form of Android devices from Google, iPhone and iPads from Apple, the company has a huge struggle if they want to reignite the excitement in people of their new OS. People are no longer depending on windows operating system anymore.

As per the reports published by Gartner, a research firm, currently windows is running on only 14% of the devices. This is a huge change when compared to the monopoly they used to enjoy 10 years ago. The news of the new version, created a mixed response in the market and the company saw a 8 cents decrease in the share value on Nasdaq.

During the demonstration, the windows version indicated usage in two modes. One mode is for touch-controlled tablets and the other one for PCs still using a mouse and keyboard. The users of the new OS will be able to switch between these two.

Although an accurate release data has not been mentioned during the initial announcement and demonstration, insiders are indicating that the company is aiming for a release during spring 2015. Microsoft has provided a downloadable technical preview of the new operating system, which a user will be able to download and give feedback to the company as well.

According to Gartner analyst Steve Kleynhans, the company wanted to relay the message that they don’t need to abandon their learning over the past 15 years as they can present what is about the future without much confusion.

According to Terry, the company and their team were playing around with different names for this version, they initially thought of calling it as “Windows One”, which will indicate the merger of all their operating systems and products but since the name was already used, they had to agree on Windows 10. This new version will be focusing on advances and improvements hence skip Windows 9 operating system completely.

Reasons of Setbacks for the Launching Of Xbox One

Microsoft has kept on waiting until practically the final possible moment to delay the release of the Xbox One in the country of China. It was originally scheduled to be launched on Tuesday, that is, September 23rd. At present, they are stating it will be out in the nation prior to the end of the year. However, they are quite ambiguous about the causes behind the delay.

A Microsoft spokesperson declared that they are really proud as they are able to deliver exciting games and amusement by means of Xbox. He also said that to keep that promise it is needed to alter the launching date of this Xbox. Working in collaboration with their associate, BesTV, they look forward to release it in China by the closing stages of this year.

Selling of Xbox One-

According to the other sources of news, it has been learned that the Xbox One appear in Japan, selling almost 23,562 pieces its first 4 days. In the past, the Xbox has not been sold great in Japan. The 360 traded 62,135 units in 2 days after releasing in Japan, while the new Xbox was sold 123,929 its initial weekend. This dispute is contradicted by those referencing unofficial news that the Xbox One had one lakh preorders in China ahead of its launching. Microsoft is working with twenty-five various sales partners in China, with nearly four thousand physical outlets. Excited gamers can even buy the Xbox One via online.

Reasons of the delay-

The delay is the most recent in a sequence of setbacks for the company Microsoft in China, where this is under investigation for supposed anti-trust violations associated with the Windows operating system and also Microsoft Office.The Chinese government raised a 2000 ban on the gaming consoles previously this year. Microsoft had reached a deal with Chinese internet television set-top box creator BesTV New Media Co Ltd to make a joint venture to produce the consoles in Shanghai's Free Trade Zone one year ago.

China has the huge, infamous video game black market filled with low-priced, cracked systems. The problems with being the first new console to release in China have probably made Microsoft understand that they have to build a few extra things out. Still, it is surprising that the delay was proclaimed literally 3 days away from the assumed launch, indicating something rather great must have come up rather soon.

From the last obtainable data or as per the global information, the Xbox One sold at 5.1M pieces lags behind Nintendo's Wii U as well as Sony's PS4 (10M). The ratios of their sales are more balanced in the country of America that has always had a soft corner for Xbox, but distorted elsewhere in the world, mainly in the Asian as well as European markets where it is released. Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president stated in May that the company wants to launch new game tools in emerging market in the year 2015 but did not indicate its plans any more than that.

Windows 10 – Launching Window Insider Program

The latest report is that Microsoft has officially announced the next version of its computer operating system called `Windows 10’ and will be launching a Window Insider Program enabling users to comfortably run the early beta software access to Window 10.

Its first preview would be made available for desktops and laptops and a build for server would be following later on. The company provided details stating that its new operating system will have a tailored user experience with various screen sizes, for instance if the user has a smaller device, then you will see different form of user interface and the code would run across all device categories - `One product family, One platform, One store’.

The amazing news is that Windows 10 has been designed to run across all the devices including, tablets, phablets and smartphones besides, laptops and desktops.Microsoft has stated that they are opening this beta process in order to get feedback from users early on and that this would also be a learning experience for the company as well as user would get some experiments in new builds thoughprobably would not make it to the final version.

Enterprise Value/Device Management/Customize….

Microsoft is presently focusing on Enterprise value, device management, the ability to customize the store to the device the user is on and an option to protect data, to be more precise, the ability of the enterprise to manage their devise and customize their application store, etc.

According to Terry Myerson, Microsoft Executive VP of Operating Systems, he states that `Windows 10 will be running on the broadest amount of devices with a tailored experience for each device. There would also be one way to write a universal application, one store, and one way for apps to be discovered, purchased and updated across all of these devices’.

The company, as expected is striving to bring back some of the features of Windows 7 which includes a redesigned start menu combining the basic Windows 7 menu with the resizable tiles of the Windows 8 start screen. Windows 8 Metro app also can be opened in a windowed mode on the desktop to save from being taken into the full screen mode through default and can use `modern’ Windows 8 alongside with a standard Windows desktop app.

Swiping from Left – Task View

With its focus mainly on the keyboard and regular mouse combo for functions with the operating system, the company has emphasized that it is not doing away with `touch’ and Windows 10 will continue to have a similar Windows 8 Start Screen for touch enabled machines.

Some changes in the gestures will alter a bit in Windows 10 where swiping in from the left now tends to give a task view, though the overall features will be same to Windows 8 and the Windows 8 Charms bar would be still available.

The release of Microsoft’s OS is expected to be sometime in 2015 after the company’s Build Developer Conference to be held in April. If users intend to get their hand on an early version of Windows 10, they could sign up for the Windows Insider Program on October 1 to get the early preview build on laptops and desktops.

Microsoft to Purchase Minecraft Creator Mojang for $2.5 Billion

According to the reports, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), developers of Xbox video-game console are now ready to acquire the software company, Mojang AB. This company is behind the most popular game Minecraft and now will be acquired for $2.5 billion. This was carried out in a bid with the aim to boost their Xbox and mobile business.

According to Microsoft, even though Stockholm-based Mojang will be officially joining the game-studio division of the world’s largest software developers, the company’s founder is expected to carry on with their other projects of the company.

As per the statement given by Microsoft on September 16th, this purchase is expected to be closed late this year and will be launched on 2015. This deal is being considered as the biggest deal since the change of CEO at Microsoft. This game will give Nadella, CEO, with a game which is popular and all platforms and devices made by the company itself as well as rivals like Apple etc.

This acquisition has come at the right time wherein the company is looking for investment in their Xbox strategy and trying to venture into highly competitive mobile-phone arena. Microsoft is looking forward to make Minecraft be available on all software platforms which includes personal computer, Apple iOS, Google Inc Android and Sony Corporation play station console.

Overseas Revenue: 

According to Peter Wootton, company spokesman, Redmond which is the Microsoft’s Washington based office, is planning to pay for this deal through their cash which is held overseas. This means company will have favorable tax results. According to the CEO, they don’t consider Mindcraft just as a great gaming franchise, but it is an open platform around the world and is pushed forward through a very vibrant community of people, which the company cherishes. This platform will offer vast opportunity for Microsoft as well as the community. As per the reports till June, 54 million copies of this Mojang game has been sold in all different forms.

Approach of Markus Persson

This deal was reached due to the conversation between the Majong’s founder and Microsoft regarding their experience with Minecraft on Xbox. This deal was advised by JPMorgan Chase & Co and based on this Majong agreed for the deal with Microsoft and been working on framework and pricing. According to Mojang’s co-founder Markus Persson, he is just a basic computer programmer not an entrepreneur. He stated that he doesn’t understand the concept and how it works and doesn’t want anything to come back to him.

Risks to Microsoft

Microsoft is taking a huge risk purchasing Minecraft, which is currently at the apex of popularity and Mojang without their founders may not be able to grow at a fast pace and develop sequel. Minecraft was available earlier this month on all new generation of consoles, PlayStation 4, etc.

Microsoft's support-stoppage mandate- Ready to discard IE old versions?

According to the mandate passed by Microsoft, around 70% of the IE users currently relying on the older version either have to upgrade to the new IE version or switch to another browser. The time limit set is 16 months. According to the Microsoft, their borrowers will be stopping the support function during the early part of 2016 hence it recommended for the current old version users to upgrade. But looks like the IE users are in no mood to let go their older versions.

Microsoft’s announcement can as surprise on 7th August wherein they stated that post January 2016, they will support IE.9 on Windows Vista, Windows server 2012 will need to have IE.10 and Windows 7 and 8.1 will need to have the IE.11 version. It was informed that IE 7 and IE.8 support will be completely dropped off and some other versions on specific editions like IE.10 on windows 7.

Even though the browser will continue to function; but there will not be any technical support provided by Microsoft and no security updates will be sent to the users after the versions will be banned.

It has been recommended that it will risky for a user to still rely on unsupported versions as Microsoft will no longer will be patching any bugs in the banned versions. Microsoft has always been constantly working on fixing bugs in the current versions. Microsoft has urged to their 2/3 of the old versions users to ditch the versions and upgrade to a supported version by the end of 2015.

IE.9 is the newest version able to run on windows vista and has been able to gain a stable ground. Vista which powers around only 3% of the windows computers and runs mainly on Windows 7 needs to be discarded by the users by Jan 2016.

Microsoft has announced that IE.8 will have more issues. The basic default explorer in many standard Windows XP computers has been adopted by many companies for being user friendly and has also been implemented on certain windows 7 by many businesses. IE.8 last month accounted for about 21.4 percent of all the browsers and 36.6% of different versions of IE. IE currently has 58.8% browser space share when compared to all the browsers available.

IE.6 and IE.7 was supported last month but IE.6 is still available on Windows server 2003 as it no longer supports windows XP. IE 6 is scheduled for being unsupported/retirement in July, 2015. IE 10 has barely shown improvement in terms of usage, it accounted at 6.2% among all the browsers and 10.6% among all copies of Internet explorer. IE.11 was able to show some improvement as it was averaging at 17.6% among other browsers and 30 percent of all copies.

With the above browser space %, IE 8 and IE 9 might have to be suppressed in order to increase the percentage share. The numbers are quite daunting for Microsoft has forced them to urge the users of old version to move to new upgraded versions.

Microsoft Distributed First Prerelease Versions of Windows 9

Microsoft will announce the new Operating System code named “Threshold” on a special press conference on 30th September according to the sources. But the close partners of the company already received the preliminary version of the OS and it is well protected against leaks and the preliminary version is yet to have more features according to the sources.

Until now Microsoft never communicated the official name for OS Threshold but the terminology Windows 9 seems more logical and it was accidently disclosed by the Microsoft’s counterpart in China. Windows 9 will have the start menu again which was originally indented to return with the update of the previous version; hence the user may expect substantial changes in the OS.

According to the experts; the tool bar or the Charms bar may vanish and the features of the menu will be built directly into the windows application of Modern UI interface. Another novelty expected is the introduction of virtual desktops that allow users to run their applications in different areas while maintaining a unified view. Windows 9; The Microsoft’s next generation of Windows is on a strict separation of modern user interface (UI Modern) and classic desktop interface hence the PC users who feared for windows 9 with tile screen may breathe freely.

The desktop and Note book users who operate mostly with Mouse and Key board will be more benefited and they can operate freely without tiles and where as the Tablet users has to satisfy with the Modern UI interface. According to Neowin, the developers have the updated the feature of Windows 9 and vigorously revised so that the existing Windows can be upgrade to a new version with only one button click is possible.

What features going to happen into the account of the update is unclear. It is conceivable that Microsoft so retrofit the language assistant Cortana. Apparently, Microsoft is currently testing a pre-release version, in which the voice assistant Cortana is integrated, according to Neowin. Cortana is Microsoft's answer to the voice controls which is the competition to Google Now and Siri from Apple.

However, Cortana is probably not an integral part of Windows 9, but an additional application. According to Neowin, the trial version is named "Windows Technical Preview for Enterprise". The final version of the much spoken OS under the code name "Threshold" Windows 9 will follow in early 2015. According to insiders Windows-7 and -8 users will get the free switch over to the new system.


Accordingly, it is expected that Windows 9 under the hood again brings more changes, which unifies the use of the operating system on different device classes. Windows 9 is going to be activated via the Internet and then on the one hand to the Microsoft account of the user and on the other hand bound to the PC.

The coupling with the PC can be overridden, so you can move the system to other computers also. As part of the reports to the Windows 8 successor even see some information appeared to Windows 10. As the successor to Microsoft Windows 9 plane, therefore the first operating system that runs entirely in the cloud. Instead, the operating system to be installed on the local hard disk, the user then grab on "to be" system from any computer with an Internet connection to. As the earliest release date applies 2017.

Microsoft Research Invented Video Game Time Travel to Repair Cloud Gaming

In spite of huge efforts from companies like OnLive and Nvidia, the cloud based gaming still seems to be difficult dream to be fulfilled. Even though there are latency issues, remote server based games are now making more sense at a time when low power Smartphone’s and tablets are continuing to grow. Microsoft’s research team seems to have got solution in video game time travel. They are calling it DoLorean.

Existing cloud gaming platforms might have to strike a balance between value and latency. Based on the user input and the data transfer over internet before you can get the end result seem to be causing quite a long delay. This is basis for the frame to get rendered. To keep the round trip time (RTT) sensible, Cloud gaming will have to rely on rough compression and low resolutions. DoLorean has been developed keeping all these factors on mind.

How DoLorean works? 

It actually performs four tasks which have been developed to improve response and lower the RTT. The tasks are

1. Future input prediction

2. State space sub sampling

3. Mis-prediction compensation, and

4. Bandwidth compression


These tasks will improve and eliminate the lag upto 250ms and it will be cloud based game accessible even on mobile connections example being Doom 3 and Fable 3. Let’s say if a person is playing a cloud based shooter game, before anything can be done, DoLorean based server will be able to initiate three of the slaves in one instance. These are used for rendering frames as you progress in the game. These are all saved in the main server and it will send the correct frame whenever there is an input sent from the player’s end. Depending on the past behaviors, algorithm method has been used to make this as accurate as possible. The space sub sampling along with GPU computation play a significant part.

What to expect? 

If only few known instances of the cloud game, DoLorean seem to unable to deliver all likely future. Mis-prediction compensation comes into existence if the prediction of the future is no correct but it is close to the correct answer. DoLorean can use the interpolation to match the output with the rendered frame. This is very fast when compared to rendering on frame from initial point. It can also opt to compression of bandwidth to maintain a lower latency. According to Microsoft, video encoding system can get this job done even with fewer artifacts. 

Very high end software was being used by Microsoft to get the DoLorean running. This server comprises of quad-core Intel Core-i7, RAM of 16GB and Nvidia GTX680 along with VRAM of 4GB. In order to get the game running on DoLorean, the server was manually configured to artificially develop delays; a slight change might be required though. But still the future of gaming might be lying on this at the moment.

Microsoft and Amazon Rides Together to Ensure A Strong Market Response for Xbox One

In the world of online shopping, amazon.com has been one of the biggest names worldwide. Microsoft, a company whose name is enough to reflect its glory, has set its feet in the field of online retail with a mutual understanding with Amazon. Microsoft has set this bond with Amazon to retail their gaming console which is a patent production from their house. The X-box gaming console can be bought by interested customers only through the internet, and exclusively from Amazon.

For the Xbox one, which has been a revolution in the field of Video gaming on television, Amazon has opened its pre-booking.Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business or the IEB is the division that is responsible for designing and manufacturing the Xbox gaming consoles. These are highly in demand in the market as it is considered to be one of the best gaming devices with its utter perfection in performance. Amazon will make it open for sale on the 1st of September this year.

How this kid of mutuality balances both ends of business. 

Indian e-commerce giant, Flipkart has taken up this business strategy to act as the sole retail partner. They joined hands with cell phone manufacturers like Motorola and Xiaomito retail their handsets in India. These companies will not have them retailed in shops but only through online shopping with the help of Flipkart. This kind of exclusive retailing helps maintain the company’s brand image while securing the profit margin.

They have made it a point to let Amazon handle the entire responsibility of marketing and selling their various Xbox products. Xbox is actually a series of gaming devices and it consists of the Xbox one, the Xbox 360 and the consoles or the game pads that brings a feel into the gamers. Microsoft’s publication of Xbox changes the entire scenario of gaming, and did not take long to build a fan base of its own.

The brand image of Xbox and its sale through Amazon. 

Microsoft has designed the gaming DVDs which are only meant for the Xbox devices only, they have a huge array of games and all of these will be available only on Amazon. If you are interested to buy an Xbox game, you have to get it from Amazon only as it is the only source of buying them. The various Xbox accessories including its stand and wireless gaming consoles will be available through Amazon.
Offers to attract pre-booking and its price in this online forum.

In India, Amazon will launch the Xbox one for sale this September 23rd, 2014; that is a few days after the products will be online. If you are looking for the Xbox one without a Kinect, you should be ready for a pocket pinch of Rs. 39,990 and if you can extend you r budget with another Rs 6000, you can have it with the Kinect. An amazing deal offered by Amazon and Microsoft will pull a huge list of pre-booking, as they offer a free Fifa 15 game for pre-bookers.

What Breed does that Dog Belong to? – Let Microsoft Answer that!

Microsoft’s research division is very proactive and always making headways into cutting-edge research and pushing the boundaries of software and hardware. One such innovation is Microsoft’s project Adam – an advanced AI with a manifold performance increment over its predecessors and its competitors along with advanced object recognition technology it incorporates.

Project Adam

At Microsoft’s 5th Research Faculty Summit keynote, Harry Shum, executive vice president of Technology and Research, demonstrated the power of the AI along with its various capabilities. Its primary goal was to recognize any object given to it. It was achieved by culling a massive 14 million image database from Flickr made up of 22k different user-generated tag categories. Using 30 times fewer machines than average, it was used to train Adam – a 2 billion connection neural network and it produces results 50 times faster than the competition.

Adam’s Capabilities

As actions speak louder than words, so a prompt demonstration was given and dogs definitely steal the show. In main aim was to recognize the dog’s breed. In order to make it more interactive it was integrated with Cortana, Microsoft’s very own personal assistant for their windows phone 8.1 lineups. Project Adam researcher Johnson Apacible pointed the phone’s camera at a Dalmatian named Cowboy and it was quick to identify the breed. He then showed a Rhodesian Ridgeback and it was spot-on to identify it too. A Cobberdog lead to some confusion as people said it was Labradoodle whereas Cortana said terrier but both were right. Just for some fun, he then pointed at Shum and Cortana was quick to reply with a negative.

The Possibilities

At the end, Shum quoted that there was a paradigm shift from personal computing to a future where user is the centre and hence it’s not about computing power or storage but people’s time and attention. One day Project Adam might make it possible for people to snap pictures of their skin or infection, identify the cause, and take appropriate medication based on the suggestions. It can also identify the calories contained in a meal by pointing it at the food. Another scenario would be when you are in woods; you would like to differentiate between poisonous and edible plants where it can help too.

Competition

However, as always the case, Microsoft is not alone in this race. In January, Google outbid Facebook to buy “DeepMind” – a London based AI Lab for 400 million. Further Google launched Quantum Artificial Intelligence lab to further study how quantum computing can lead to advances in artificial intelligence. HartmutNeven, Director of engineering for Research team at Google, was quoted saying that machine learning will gain utmost importance in near future with more accurate predictions and better models, which will also help them to produce a more useful search engine.

The Future 

In future, we might see Microsoft integrating it with smartphones and Cortana for a richer user experience and make them stand apart from the competition where product differentiation is becoming increasingly difficult.

Microsoft Seeks Office Beta Testers for Android

Microsoft invites beta testers to participate in the Office beta test. Yes, Microsoft sent out invitations to test the private beta for Android.

There was a speculation about this for some time back. In early April, Microsoft released the Office app for the iPad. Soon Microsoft wishes for the version of Office could come for Android Tablets for which Microsoft currently looking for beta testers.

This version of Office seems to offer more features than the iPad edition, which is actually quite logical if Microsoft wants to maintain its value on Windows ecosystem. The evidence specifically designed for Android Tablets Office version condenses. The Verge already reported that Microsoft will soon make a non-public beta test of the new Office start version for Android-based tablets and it is currently looking for suitable testers.

Applicants should be in the so-called "Pre-Release Programs" for both businesses and individuals. The new logon page itself does not reveal to which Office products it goes, but speaks only generally of pre-release versions of the entire Office product in range.

It is also not revealed that when the beta test is to be going to start. The individual Office programs are designed to provide the same touch interface, in principle, according to The Verge, as is known from the iPad version, published in April. Applications are going to be selected for testers are for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint one by one in order.

Word is going to be published in the specially designed version for Android tablets, as speculated for some time already, even before the introduction of Office for Windows Touch in early 2015. The Microsoft expert Mary Jo Foley firmly believes that Office for Android is on its way; after the huge success of the iPad app. Microsoft already known that the app has been dubbed over 27 million times on the iPad.

Canon And Microsoft Signed A Cross-Licensing Agreement

Most of the time the companies are suing each other for patent rights and for a change they now Microsoft and Canon have signed a cross-licensing agreement intended to cover a wide range of products and services, including digital imaging and consumer mobile products public.

Microsoft and Canon formalized yesterday a cross-licensing agreement that involves a number of patents held by the two companies. Microsoft and Canon has announced that they are going to share with each others with broad user rights to help in patents.

But no details have been revealed. But we can guess that this agreement covers a wide range of products and services by both companies in the field of digital imaging and the mobile products.

Nick Psyhogeos the leading Microsoft’s patent Attorney told that Microsoft is hoping that the agreements like this will raise the innovation and where it will reduces the patent litigations. And the both companies have granted access to each other in the past to access to the technology.

Hideki Sanatake head of the Canon patent rights also welcomed this type of agreements and assured that the decision will heads up to the advanced collaboration that represents the evolution of business relationships firmly. In 2009, Canon entered a similar agreement for the exFAT file format.

Everyone can guess that these agreements will help Microsoft to use Canon Photo patents in Nokia Smartphones in near future.

Microsoft Runs out of IPv4 Addresses

Due to the shortage of IPv4 addresses in the United States, Microsoft had to assign customers to Azure VM to U.S. IP from other regions, which may create problems for location services running on these virtual servers.

 The shortage of IPv4 addresses is not new and it is long standing issue. Nevertheless, the effects of the depletion of the stock of addresses have been delayed. They are nevertheless increasingly visible as have seen users of cloud service Microsoft Azure.

Some customers have deployed Azure platform virtual machines in the United States have noted, by opening a Web page in a browser, they were redirected, for example, to the Brazilian version of Yahoo. The reason is simple, says Microsoft on their blog, that all blocks of IPv4 addresses in the United States have been assigned.

Azure, the publisher had to obtain IPv4 addresses of other regions, including Southern America. As a result, Web services hosted on Azure can be detected as not being located in the United States, even if virtual machines are, they are hosted in a datacenter located in U.S..

 For Microsoft and other cloud players, this will be repeated more often. LACNIC, the body responsible for the management of IP addresses for the Latin America and Caribbean region, said this week no longer have IPv4 address blocks available.

Microsoft Brings Its Windows Tiles on The Car Dashboard

The Microsoft wants to more present in the infotainment system on the dashboard, one of the team members of the company said in the Build 2014 Developer Conference. Tiles of Windows phones could soon show on the big screen of the car if Microsoft manages to enforce their “Windows in the Car" concept. The Smartphone content will be mirrored and adapted so that the driver can control music, navigation and many vehicle functions.

Apple had presented with Carplay already in March 2014 with such a system. Microsoft does not want that car concept since Microsoft is already there since 2006 Fiat, Ford and Nissan have been using the new Windows Embedded Automotive and other manufacturers such as BMW use the former as Windows Automotive or Windows Auto -known system of the CE product family. Apple had already demonstrated with Carplay at the Geneva Motor Show, as the integration of Smartphones is possible in the car dashboard, without losing the look and feel of iOS.

They the Microsoft, now wants to emulate and represent information of Smartphones with Windows Phone on the car display. For this, the optics must be adjusted so that the driver is not distracted. Want to play besides the typical entertainment features like music and phone calls accepted, read text messages and the navigation function can be used. Also, all apps can be displayed on the screen, albeit in an adapted form. App developers should be given the opportunity to change depending on the condition of the vehicle complexity.

Driving the car, for example, the interface can be simplified. The user can access the home screen to set the tiles of his apps that he often needs to find them again fast. Also, notifications can be faded in the display to alert the driver, for example, in front of schools on his way or to show the maximum allowed speed. According to media reports, Microsoft Mirror link uses for communication between the Smartphone and the car. The industry standard Mirror Link was developed by the Car Connectivity Consortium, will allow users to connect mobile devices to the vehicle electronics it.

Scrolling and swiping on the big screen are thus transferred to the Smartphone. The control of music playback on the big screen may be on the steering wheel. Toyota already demonstrated in the end of 2011 how this works in the car.

Apple does not support Mirror Link, but numerous car manufacturers such as VW, Citroen, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and provider of car radios like Alpine, Panasonic and Sony. On Smartphones support is still quite manageable. This Mirror Link can be offered to Nokia's Symbian Belle devices and the Sony Xperia Z too.

Microsoft Brings Office Suite to Apple’s iPad For Free

Microsoft has just announced the introduction of a new version of its Office package Office for the iPad and other mobile devices. At the same time, the software giant gave an overview of his plans for the “Microsoft Mobile Cloud" too. Office for iPad in the App Store of Apple's iOS will be available now. First, the applications Word, Excel and PowerPoint for the mobile operating system of Microsoft's competitors are released and available now.

Office and Microsoft Excel on the iPad are come with a special numeric keyboard; Microsoft has developed a special surface for Office on the iPad. This combines the design of Apple's operating system with Microsoft's design language and offers other things, from the desktop version Ribbon interface, where various adjustments can be made to the touch controls on the tablet. Among other things, there are special onscreen keyboards for entering data and various editing functions with regard to the touch surface.

In this way, text files, spreadsheets and presentations are supposed to be created in the future on an iPad easily. Microsoft has integrated a function for parallel editing content. In this way, multiple users can work simultaneously on the same document. Files are stored in Microsoft's cloud so that when a connection is lost nothing is lost everything will be intact and you can get the last saved data from the cloud. For basic functionality, of course, also include the various formatting functions with which data, texts and presentations can be prepared.

The real data are used as the basis for preview graphics. PowerPoint also offers the option to use the fingers of the user as a kind of laser pointer, if you want to give the presentation to an audience, making use of the iPad. Microsoft relies on a “freemium" business model, in which the iPad version of Office is available on the App Store for free. However, you can watch with this version only documents and presentations. Who also want to edit the Office documents, an office must complete 365 subscriptions.

For all customers who have already subscribed to Office 365, the iPad app is available as a free supplement to the existing range available. Who wants to try Office for the iPad, you can start a 30 - day trial and should therefore be able to get free Office on your new Apple tablet. In future, the software company plans to market the touch version of Office for Windows and other popular operating systems. From this it is very clear that the software will be available for Android soon.

Microsoft makes source code of MS-DOS for public free access

The source code of the operating systems MS- DOS 1:25 and 2.0 and the word processor Word for Windows 1.1a can be viewed or downloaded from the website of the Computer History Museum. Microsoft handed over the source code for the benefit of future generation. With the handover of the source code if future generations can study the roots of the personal computing, Microsoft justifies his action.

The Museum in Mountain View, California, was previously also passed Apple's first DOS as well as the source of Adobe Photoshop 1.0. Microsoft's MS -DOS was commissioned by IBM. The future Windows manufacturer licensed the base of the operating system from Seattle Computer Products and developed it according to the wishes of the PC manufacturer IBM.

There it was delivered under the name PC -DOS on PCs. Other producers have launched the operating system under the name MS -DOS on their own computer. The entire assembler source code of PC-DOS 1.1 or MS- DOS includes only 1:25 300 Kbytes and 12 Kbytes needed in memory. PC-DOS 1.1 was released in May 1982, the appropriate version of MS- DOS 1:25 first appeared and in August of that same year it appeared on the double-sided diskette with 360 Kbytes.

MS- DOS 2.0 was released in March 1983, after Microsoft had largely developed the operating system. The device drivers were loaded individually, and save files in the newly created subdirectories. In addition, MS -DOS 2.0 supported 10 MB of hard drives stuffed in the PC - XT computer from IBM.

Word for Windows 1.1a was almost simultaneously published in November 1989 with Windows 2:11. It was next to Microsoft Excel and PageMaker, Adobe is one of the first applications for the fledgling operating system with graphical user interface. Meanwhile, the server of the Computer History Museum can be reached again and the source code can be downloaded. He is under a special license that allows you to compile and modify for a non commercial use.

Microsoft DirectX 12 Will Be Released in 2015

The next version of DirectX and Direct3D will appears at the end of 2015, Microsoft said. The new version of the hardware interface will be closer and with better support, among other multi-core systems. As Expected first games appear end of 2015, based on the upcoming Direct3D 12 interface.

The Microsoft gave it known at GDC 2014 in San Francisco. In the coming months there will be a preview version of DirectX 12, an extensive Early Access offer for developers is planned. The new version of the graphics interface supports as expected not only for Windows PCs, but also the Xbox One and Windows Phone.

 Which versions are supported by Windows, is not yet clear and not yet disclosed. The serious question about Windows 7 is not answered. On the basis of presentation Microsoft has demonstrated, among others, 3DMark, that the new version of Direct3D brings much better support for multi core CPUs that were different from the currently issued of the interface utilized almost evenly.

Representatives of key partners such as AMD, Intel, Nvidia, Epic Games and Qualcomm have explicitly welcomed the new version of Direct3D. Microsoft will announce later this week  more information about DirectX, in  another major event instead.

Windows XP Users Will Receive $ 100 If They Opt For Windows 8

Windows XP users, who buy a new computer with Windows 8, will receive under a scheme for the amount of U.S. $ 100. Yes XP users in North America will receive $ 100 discount on a Windows 8 computer but it has too many limitations. Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows XP from 8 April 2014.

And there won’t be no more software update for the same. But all users are by far not ready for change. That's why Microsoft is offering an incentive. XP users, who buy a new computer with Windows 8, will receive an amount of $ 100.

 The offer is valid until 15 June 2014 and is aimed at buyers in the U.S. and Canada. Interested parties, can reach the Microsoft Store with an XP machine, get the discount at your order. Alternatively, Microsoft accepts old computers in its stores. The selection in their online shop is very limited.

In addition, the action is not valid for all Windows 8 products available there. On the tablet surface 2 there is no discount. Furthermore, Microsoft sells only devices in the middle and upper price range. The lowest computer goes for $ 599 on the counter.

Microsoft unleashes Office 365 Android SDK for developers

Microsoft has released an SDK open source through which Android developers will be able to introduce Office 365 support data in their applications.

Microsoft Open Technologies, responsible for creating a bridge between Microsoft products and other technologies via open source tools and open standards branch, has unveiled a new development kit for Office 365 to Android.

A preview of the SDK open source (Apache 2.0 license) is available on GitHub platform. Developers will be able to allow applications to access Office 365 data through links to SharePoint and Exchange servers.

Applications will include access to SharePoint lists and files, calendars, contacts and Exchange messaging. The SDK is compatible with Android versions ranging from KitKat. Those wishing to contribute to the project must sign a licensing agreement Microsoft Open Technologies Contributor.

Microsoft Announces DirectX 12 On March 20

The Game Developers Conference to be host the late giant, which must unveil the new version of the API dedicated to the video game. The Windows - maker Microsoft has announced a new version of its graphics platform DirectX - DirectX 12 In a blog entry on the developer side of the Microsoft Developer Network, this is the company’s first published preliminary info. Microsoft will announce on March 20 the new version of DirectX API dedicated to video game developed over the years by the giant.

He unveiled at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, during a session on the future of DirectX. According Polygon, eight workshops dedicated to Microsoft DirectX 11, but prepare the future. The giant did not hide it also, which gave appointment on the date specified by the newspaper on MSDN. Microsoft made a trailer focused on machine performance, and their exploitation by video games. Several presentations sessions of GDC are however state the future of graphics, Direct3D, etc.

Each time, they promise the developers for a unprecedented level of control equipment and increased to a broad hardware ecosystem performance. In short, if you are sure that the new version of the API will be presented on March 20 - and that's a good thing, the previous major version for Windows from before 2009 - there are quite a few details the direction taken by Microsoft.

Microsoft announces new graphics platform DirectX 12. Microsoft's announcement page shows next to the DirectX logo and the logos of AMD's graphics division, Intel, Nvidia and Qualcomm – The good thing is it is likely to be that DirectX 12 will be equipped on desktop computers and mobile platforms such as Smartphones and tablets with new graphics capabilities.