I’ve found a new service running on an early build of Windows 8 called Spot Verifier. I’ve Googled it, and it seems that it is a new feature within Windows 8. The description of the service says “Provides Disk Corruption Spot Verification Capabilities”. Am I wrong, or is this truly a new feature for Windows 8?
More has been revealed from the leaks from Microsoft. They are working on a new user interface for task manager, called Advanced Task Manager and Modern Windows Task Manager. I like the look, but the tabs seem dated and not fitting for a touch enabled application. With all the leaks from Microsoft on the new OS, either it is intentional, or they have a very porous roof.
The latest builds of Windows 8 include an “Advanced Task Manager” interface that provides Windows 8 users with greater information on running processes, services and overall system resources. The new Task Manager is a combination of Microsoft’s Task Manager interface and Microsoft’s Resource Monitor. Processes are now listed in a coloured interface to demonstrate their strain on the system. Mydigitallife forum users also posted a number of screenshots demonstrating the new process list which includes a touch friendly way to kill applications.
The HDRoom has a good writeup and high resolution screenshots of the upcoming (release date September 20th, 2011) shooter, Gears of War 3.
Overall the Gears of War 3 beta is a blast to play with tight controls, the always-fun cover system, scores of statistical charts, new weapons, new executions, and updated visuals that eclipse both its predecessors. If you haven’t secured a beta code by pre-ordering Gears of War 3 at GameStop yet, be sure to do so before the full beta launches on April 25.
There are times when you think you may have a virus, or you have a friend that just didn’t upgrade his antivirus from Norton 1998 edition. Microsoft has you covered. Microsoft Safety Scanner is a standalone, on demand security tool that scans for virues, spyware and malware. This is NOT real time virus protection. In fact, everytime you download the program, it expires after 10 days. After that, you will need to re-download it to get the up to date definitions.
If you are want to use this in addition to your current anti-virus, that’s great. If you aren’t running any anti-virus, now would be a good time to head over and download Microsoft Security Essentials.
The new movie Kung Fu Panda 2 has invaded Windows 7 in the form of a new themepack. You can change your theme with backgrounds, colors and sounds to show your love for the new animated comedy.
With the recent leak of Windows 8, users have been digging in and seeing what new features they can find. One feature, called Portable Workspace, seems to give you a portable Windows 8 installation. There really isn’t much more in depth information, other than it requires at a minimum a 16 GB flash drive.
The addition of such a feature in Windows will ease document compatibility and application feature differences for information workers. It appears as though Microsoft is targeting the feature at Enterprise customers who may have several varied uses for portable versions of Windows. IT professionals will welcome the feature as it will empower them to quickly boot a copy of Windows 8 to diagnose any existing problems on the local PC installation. Information workers will be able to power up a copy of Windows 8 on a client’s PC with their own documents and workspace to securely and easily share any presentations or company data.
reA new screenshot has emerged from Office 15 showing the new Metro user interface on Outlook. I really like the new interface, it’s simple, sweet and to the point. For more updates, screenshots and information on new Microsoft software, from Office 15 to Windows 8, be sure to check out our forums.
The screenshots also reveal a more flattened user interface within Outlook. Microsoft’s Outlook UI no longer seems cluttered and provides users with direct access to their mail in a simple and yet familiar way. Microsoft’s Metro design language is an internal code name for a typography-based design languages created and used by the company. Microsoft originally started using Metro in Media Center and showcased a full version in the company’s Zune products. Microsoft’s latest mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7, also features the Metro look and feel throughout. Microsoft has started to use the Metro UI on more of its web properties to produce a clean, fast and simple look.
The Xbox 360 is still gaining market share in the console race, selling 430,000 units in March. I’m sure some of it is due to the Kinect, but they have a huge library of great games.
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console sold 430,000 units in the U.S. in March, up 28 percent from the same month a year ago, according to data released today by the NPD Group market research firm. That makes it the top-selling console in the U.S. for nine out of the past 10 months, according to NPD.
There is a new trojan making the rounds that targets Windows Activation. While not a direct target, it attempts to mimic the activation process, saying your copy of Windows is locked. A series of phone numbers are listed to call and get an activation code to unlock your data. If you encounter this, do not call the numbers.
While these numbers may look like generic service numbers, they aren’t. They go to various countries ("00" is the prefix for international dialing). The countries are: São Tomé and Principe (239), Denmark (45), Madagascar (261) and Globalstar Mobile Satellite Service (8819).
The trojan claims that the call is "free of charge" but it isn’t, and the trojan author will earn money from the call via a technique known as short stopping. This method involves rogue phone operators who route the expensive calls to cheaper countries.
After three minutes or so, the caller is given this unlock code: 1351236.
The unlock code appears to be the same every time the number is called.
It’s a pretty clever bit of social engineering and some victims may never even realize that they’ve been scammed.
Well, isn’t that dandy for Apple? Bing is the number one Free iPad application. Great news for Microsoft and their Bing search engine. Of course, Apple doesn’t have their own search engine, and I’m not sure where Google would fit into the ratings.
