A new video has been shown that compares the boot times of a MacBook Pro to a Windows 8 tablet. Guess who wins? I think it is very impressive, to say the least. From a desktop PC perspective, it is amazing.
MacOSX vs. Windows 8 Boot times
For those developers that want to include an app in the Windows App Store when it is finally released, expect to pay a 30% commission on any sales to Microsoft. While distributing apps through the Windows App Store isn’t a requirement, it can help indie developers to get some exposure.
The strategy, if correct, suggests that Microsoft would profit from being the default choice for Windows apps, much as Apple hopes for the Mac App Store. It could simultaneously fork Windows 8 app development where those who want to be in the Windows Store are pushed to either use an older, desktop-oriented interface to get full profits or to lose 30 percent of their revenue to publish a modern and tablet-native version. Microsoft won’t require that apps publish through its store but will give much more exposure to apps that go through its official channel.
Aidan Finn has conducted a very non-scientific test to compare the boot times, both cold and warm (wake up) boots using the Samsung tablet given out at BUILD and the iPad 1. Both are very comparable in speed. Considering that Windows 8 is far from finished and the boot times are usually faster between beta and RTM. It looks like Apple is going to have a lot of competition in the tablet field soon. I’m definitely looking forward to the new OS release.
When I got off my plane from Anaheim in Chicago, I went to the nearest power station to recharge my devices for the next leg to Dublin. I noticed something interesting; my Windows 8 (Developer Preview release) slate PC booted up much faster than my 10 month old iPhone 4. I wondered how that would compare with my iPad (1). One of the perks of the iPad has been quick access to the device when I needed it. It seemed like I needed to do a comparison test.
With the Metro UI getting so much attention lately, both with the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard and the Windows 8 Start screen, there are hints that Microsoft is bringing the UI to the Office Suite. Love it or hate it, the Metro UI is a big deal for Microsoft engineers and UI developers. It has a simplistic view and is very easy to navigate. Although it appears to be very touchscreen targeted, it also works well with a keyboard and mouse. Yes, I know that Windows 8 needs some work on that, but it is just a developer preview to program and test Metro applications. It isn’t a full fledged OS yet, and hasn’t even hit beta yet.
Microsoft isn’t discussing how it will provide Office support in the Windows 8 Metro interface but I suspect that the support will be basic and allow for moderate editing without a keyboard and mouse. Microsoft isn’t ready to dump the keyboard and mouse just yet and nor is the industry. The keyboard and mouse is an essential tool for precision based computing. Office applications like Excel would become difficult to operate in touch only conditions given the complex nature of some spreadsheets.
Microsoft has already started sending updates to the developer preview of Windows 8, including one that revokes security certificates from a recent hacking incident. With Microsoft giving so much attention to Windows 8 at this early developers preview edition, it seems to be getting the royal treatment. Of course, the same update was made available to Windows 7 users as well. At least you can rest assured that your pre-beta (and eventually beta and RC) will be secure and up to date.
Users have already sounded off with their dislike of the ribbon in Windows 8 Explorer. While it takes some getting used to, it is not meant for everyone. Here is how to force it to start minimized when opening Windows Explorer.
1. Press the Windows key + R to open a Run windows. Type gpedit.msc to open the Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components>Windows Explorer
3. Double click the Start Windows Explorer with Ribbon Minimized option in the right pane.
4. Change the radio button to Enabled, click Ok and close the Group Policy Editor.
Your Windows Explorer will now be without the ribbon:
Windows 8 includes a new feature called File History, which is an advanced backup program. It can periodically create a backup of files from your libraries (which you can customize to any folder or files) to an external drive or network location. This is an extremely valuable feature, as I have been called many times asking if I can get a file back that they overwrote or lost due to a hard drive failure. There are times when I can get the file back, other times they are out of luck. With this feature, your files can be safe in case of a hard drive or machine failure, or in case you accidently delete a file and empty the recycle bin.
The File History program is located in the Control Panel, and is very easy to use.
You can select when files are backed up and what files or folders to be backed up, as well as where you want them to be backed up. It only takes a minute to set up and is an extremely valuable feature.
This is a great feature for home use, and I am hoping that Windows Server 8 will include a backup feature similar that does everything through Group Policy. Having it on the client side is excellent for a home environment or a small office, but managing it on a larger scale is impractical.
I am currently using a network drive for a backup. I am wondering if you could use multiple drives for redundant backups, or in case of one (network drive) being unavailable.
Fruit Ninja is an addictive game for the Kinect and WP7 (as well as the iPod/iPhone and Android). Now, you can grace your desktop with wallpapers featuring the fruit.
From the guy that brought you Windows 3.11 on a phone, and Windows 7 running on 128 MB of RAM comes a new feat: Windows 8 on 128 MB of RAM. It doesn’t do a whole lot, but it’s possible. Definitely not recommended for any purpose other than showing it can be done (can you even buy DDR2 or DDR3 in 128 MB sticks?!).
Windows 8 on 128MB of RAM
With all the Windows 8 news lately, the annual meeting with Wall Street analysts went barely noticed. However, investors noticed that Microsoft really hasn’t done much as far as company management and stock prices are concerned. With Ballmer at the helm for the past 11 years, he has seen the stock price drop in half and some shareholders are calling for his resignation. While I haven’t been too impressed with Ballmer myself, I think he is doing a great job considering the market he has been dealt with.
Ballmer, whose tenure as CEO has included the collapse of the tech stock boom shortly after he took over, did not address recent remarks by influential hedge fund manager David Einhorn. Einhorn called for Ballmer’s removal and demanded the sale of the online services unit, including Bing. The unit has lost more than $6 billion in the last three years.