While I’m excited for the launch of Windows Phone 8, I’m sure that Verizon will take their precious time to release any form of device on their network. I am in the market for a new one, and am holding off (I have a broken WP7 – HTC Trophy) until the new devices hit. Sadly, Verizon has great coverage in my area, otherwise I’d jump to a different carrier.
If they can bring the devices sooner instead of later, I’m going to be sporting a new HTC 8X Windows Phone 7 very soon.
One of the most often asked questions I see daily (through many forums, at work and personal friends) is “Why is Microsoft calling me? Do I really have viruses and are they being sent out?”. No, Microsoft isn’t really calling you unless you called them first and opened a support ticket.
Now, it looks like the FCC is taking some action against these scams and will be taking them to court. This is good news, and hopefully the phone calls stop for many people. I had gotten the phone calls, but I was never available to take the call. I wanted to have some fun with these crooks and just waste their time like they are doing with so many others.
Microsoft phone scam warnings: http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx
With October being National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the timing of the announcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday that, at FTC request, a U.S. District Court Judge ordered a halt to six alleged tech support scams pending further hearings and has frozen their assets (see October 3, 2012 List of Commission Actions) was ideal.
Before the public was given access to the builds of Windows 8, they let the employees test it. Called “Dogfooding”, they let the employees use the products to test it in real world working conditions. If they didn’t like it and they work for the company, how could the public where most have no vested interest in the product? Fortunately, the employees liked it!
Business owners should here be confident that their adoption of Windows 8 across their network will have a massive amount of support both inside the software and from Microsoft itself right from the start. This news bit was made more to assure IT users that they’ve tasted the food first before they send it to the restaurant, so to speak, and that it’s more than safe – it’s tasty.
In a recent survey, a majority of people preferred Windows 7 over Windows 8. Good news: A lot of people prefer the Microsoft Surface tablet over the iPad or Android tablets.
Microsoft claims that Windows 8 is the first version of Windows to be designed for both tablets and desktops, with users able to switch between the new user interface and the more familiar desktop mode. This was viewed to be a weakness by 18 percent of respondents.
Microsoft has revealed the pricing and other details for the home and small business versions of their Office 365 subscription based Office suite. 5 devices are allowed for the users you designate for about a c-note. Great pricing for always having an up to date, cloud based Office suite.
Microsoft is integrating everything and killing the Zune name (again). Xbox companion and now the Windows Phone companion app. Now, you get a metro styled interface when you plug in your phone to a Windows 8 powered PC. It connects and allows you to access the pictures, videos, music and documents on your phone.
Microsoft has been retiring a number of its Zune desktop app features recently, in preparation for the upcoming switch to Xbox Music. While the company is readying its new music subscription service, Microsoft will also introduce new apps to manage and sync Windows Phone 8 devices. Sources close to Microsoft’s WIndows Phone plans have revealed the look and feel of a Windows 8 companion app for Windows Phone 8 devices.
Microsoft is again offering a downgrade option for new users of Windows 8 Professional to Windows 7 or Windows Vista, but not XP. XP is finally getting the retirement notice.
"Instead of using the Windows 8 Pro software, you may use one of the following earlier versions: Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business," states the software license agreement for the version of Windows 8 Pro that will be installed by computer makers (OEMs) on new PCs.
Microsoft is helping with the push of HTML5 with the release of 8 classic Atari games: Asteroids, Combat, Centipede, Lunar Lander, Missile Command, Pong, Super Breakout, and Yar’s Revenge. I will definitely be playing these games.
Microsoft says Atari approached the software company to mark 40 years since the launch of Pong and to create a way to market Atari’s games to a new generation. Optimized for touch, most of the games include multiplayer options that work via a special link or through a Facebook account. The games are free to play, but non-Internet Explorer users will see display and pre-roll ads on the site. Atari is also launching a way for developers to create additional games for the portal, with an open source SDK and JavaScript libraries available to devs.
Samsung has announced their first Windows Phone 8 device, and it is a true beauty. The looks are one thing, the specs are also extremely beefy. I was debating on whether or not to upgrade my Windows Phone 7 powered HTC Trophy to another Windows Phone or go back to Android for a bit. Now, I think I’m going to stay with the Microsoft brand a while longer. Of course, if Verizon only goes for one bottom of the barrel model, I may still go Android. Verizon always seems to fail me.
Inside the crazy-thin 8.7mm brushed aluminum chassis is a huge 4.8” HD Super AMOLED display made from Corning Gorilla Glass 2 (read: tough to break, but still light)and a rundown of killer specs: 1.5Ghz dual-core processor, 1GB of onboard RAM, and an 8MP autofocus rear camera and 1.9MP front-facing camera. You’ll have the choice of two storage capacities – 16GB or 32GB – and both models have a MicroSD slot for expanded storage. Backing all of this up is a massive 2300mAh battery to keep you rocking all day.
A decent review from a Windows power user, Scott Hanselman. He has installed Windows 8 on three machines, including a Mac Book Pro. How’s he like it? Like most, confusing at first but then it gets familiar and productive.
People don’t like it when you move their cheese. They are just trying to get through the maze, they have it all under control and then, poof, someone moved their cheese. Now it’s a huge hassle to find it again. Change a hotkey or the case of the menus and all heck breaks loose.
