Gadgetsteria » operating system

Early Windows 8 Build Leaked. Hitting Torrents In 3…2…1…

Mike Norris — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:35:14 +0000

Things just keep getting worse for the Windows 8 team. A claimed “official build” of Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system has been leaked and posted over at BetaArchive Forums. But before you get too gung-ho, a quick look at the file name, “6.1.7850.0.winmain_win8m1.100922-1508_x86fre_client-enterprise_en-us.iso” shows that is quite an old Milestone 1 build and was actually compiled way back in early September of 2010. Essentially what it means is that yes, you’ll be getting your hands on the latest albeit early build of Windows. However, many of the new features of Windows 8 such as revamped explorer window, Smartscreen file checking, etc. will not be present.

Is it really worth the hassle of setting up a new machine (or restoring your own) just for the sake of a few differentiating build numbers? We don’t think so. Nonetheless, keep those eyes peeled to the torrent search engines of your choice if that sort of thing tickles your fancy.

Windows 7 Eclipses Windows XP Marketshare In April 2011.

Mike Norris — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:56:57 +0000

Finally: Windows 7 is about to do (or already done) what Vista should have done several years ago — overtake Windows XP in total market share. According to the latest StatCounter metrics (pictured above) Windows 7 has finally edged out Windows XP in market share. The 10-year veteran continues its decent into the realms of locked IT cabinets and recycle bins as Microsoft’s latest and greatest finally woos people over, unlike their previous attempt with Vista. Overall, it’s pretty joyous and simultaneously sad that a 10-year old OS is finally being unseated from its reign at the top.

The next big test: Consumer adoption of Windows 8 vs. Windows 7.

Via: TechAbsolute

Microsoft Responds: “Use Unofficial NoDo Upgrade Tools At Your Own Risk”.

Mike Norris — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:39:08 +0000

In recent days we’ve seen a lot of back and forth commentary as to whether the Windows Phone 7 NoDo update utilities are actually harmful to future updates. Developer of ChevronWP7.Updater, Chris Walsh has maintained that his utility isn’t flawed. Naysayers have said that it has the potential to prevent future updates from happening. And today, Microsoft weighed in on the issue with their own official commentary. As one would assume, Microsoft’s stance is that NoDo utilities that forcefully and unofficially update phones can cause issues down the road up to and including updated devices from receiving future, official updates from Microsoft and carriers.

Of course, the debate could go on for days on end with people both for and against such tools. Taking a trip through various Windows Phone 7 forums will find plenty of users that have updated without any hassle whatsoever and then even received official upgrade notifications afterwards.

In short: if you’re paranoid or not the most technologically literate, wait. The way we see it is that if a future issue does crop up, the active dev/hacker community will find a way to fix it. They already “fix” phones unnecessarily gimped by manufacturers and carriers for monetary purposes. Why not this?

Via: WindowsPhoneSecrets

OS X 10.7 (Lion) To Feature Revamped “About This Mac” Section.

Mike Norris — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:19:07 +0000

For several iterations now, OS X’s “About this Mac” panel has been rather Apple-like in that it’s basically endless lists of text. For a company that lives by visual elegance and eye candy, it was odd to say the least. But new leaked images compliments of Softpedia show a much more user friendly, visually dynamic About this Mac section.

Initially, you’re presented with two options: Mac OS X Lion and your current hardware. Clicking on one will give you specific menus for either software or hardware. From there, it’s a nicely designed trip through several tabs in the typical Apple-esque style. The most interesting aspect of the new design, however, is the storage tab for hardware informaiton — it features an iTunes approach to categorizing data on your hard drive into audio, movies, photos, apps, other, and free.

For portable users, a special battery tab is present that gives detailed (and graphical) information about your laptops battery.

Overall, the importance of this redesign is rather small. (How often do you actually venture to that part of the OS?) Nevertheless, it is just one more small piece to the overall puzzle that is OS X Lion. Hop inside for a few more screenshots.

Gallery

More Windows 8 Screenshots Leak. Office 2010 Ribbon Coming To Explorer.

Mike Norris — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:15:19 +0000

If you weren’t a fan of Microsoft’s move to the “Ribbon” for navigational purposes in the latest versions of Microsoft Office 2007/2010, you’re going to have a hard time adjusting to Windows 8 if a fresh leak of images are indeed real. In the image above, one can see the revamped left navigation pain and top navigation area where the main toolbar currently resides. Though in anti-ribbon readers’ defense, there appears to be options to revert back to a more traditional pre-Windows 8 menubar type of layout.

So far from what we’ve seen, Windows 8 is looking to be a lot less revolutionary than once claimed and more evolutionary. Though keep in mind Windows 8 isn’t set to hit the market until 2012 at the earliest so there’s still plenty of time for things to change. Hop on past the break for a few more screenshots…

Gallery

Via: Geeky-Gadgets

HP CEO: “WebOS “Coming To Every HP PC In 2012″.

Mike Norris — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:01:00 +0000

WebOS hasn’t really taken off in popularity as some other mobile alternatives have to date. But as we see it, that’s mainly because of a lack of exciting hardware or worthwhile hardware updates thus far. Now that Leo Apotheker is at the helm, however, things are quickly turning around. Take for example a claim made by Apotheker today, stating that every HP PC will be able to run the webOS experience by next year. This is but one bold claim made by a man who’s already far surpassed his rather useless predecessor, Mark Hurd, in a mere fraction of the time.

HP has a media event set for March 14th in which we’ll learn a good deal more about HP’s upcoming plans. Check back soon…

Via: Business Week

Microsoft Dropping Support For Vista SP1.

Mike Norris — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:46:32 +0000

If you’re still rockin’ a computer with everyone’s favorite OS, Windows Vista, and only have up to Service Pack 1 installed, Microsoft has a message for you: Upgrade or…upgrade. That is, upgrade to at least Service Pack 2 or just move on to Windows 7 entirely. While we’d highly suggest the latter, taking a mere bump in service packs is understandable.

The official date for the transition is July 12, 2011. After said date, users will no longer have access to security updates or patches from Microsoft.

While it may seem rather quick given Vista’s young age, the OS — which seems universally hated now that Windows 7 has matured — Windows 7 has proven the exact opposite. We have to ask: Who’s running Vista still?

iOS, Windows 7 Gain Web Share in Latest Survey.

Mike Norris — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:13:09 +0000

If the countless millions of reported iOS devices sold ever puts the notion into your head that iOS rules the internet, think again. In the grand scheme of things, iOS web presence is a paltry 1.69% (December) according to the latest Netmarketshare study. Compare that to another big mover, Windows 7, and it’s 20.87% and you can see just how far Apple has to go to conquer the world. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll discover that Apple’s added market share came from mostly new iOS devices thanks in part to the Christmas season. Microsoft’s Windows 7 on the other hand is enjoying increased web presence and marketshare at the expense of previous version of Windows. Granted, the same scenario will eventually play out for Apple and older iDevices too.

As we move further along into 2011, expect to see Android continue its own growth surge as well as more smartphones and the tablet explosion continue.

Via: Electronista

Former Gmail Employee: “Chrome OS Will Merge With Android or Die! #chromeos #android

Mike Norris — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:14:11 +0000

Think every ex-Googler is gung-ho about the company’s current service roadmap? Think again. Gmail creator-turned-investor Paul Buchheit, came out with some sharp criticism for his former employees latest Chrome OS efforts. Specifically, he states that ChromeOS will either die, or merge with Android.

Thus far, Google has stood by multiple claims that Android and ChromeOS are two distinct, different operating systems that cater to two very different types of users. At the same time, Google’s own Sergey Brin has said that Google will “produce a single OS down the road” as recently as late-2009. Adding to the speculative nature (and grim outlook) of this topic, ChromeOS’ top architect Matthew Papakipos, left the company for Facebook earlier this past summer.

I can certainly see Buchheit’s outlook playing out. At the same time, the two OS model has survived years of experimentation by Microsoft. Thoughts?

Via: TechCrunch

Samsung Launches Bada 1.2 SDK. #samsung #bada

Mike Norris — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:47:24 +0000

Samsung Bada developers have some new development goodies to play with this morning. Samsung has officially launched the Bada OS 1.2 SDK. The latest update comes around three months after the official 1.0 release and brings some much needed updates including OpenGL/ES 1.1 and 1.2 Extension support, the ability to allow apps coded in HTML/JavaScript or Flash SWF to run natively without needing to be converted to C++, as well as support for Wi-Fi EAP.

However, the biggest news with the update revolves around enhanced device support. Specifically, the newest Wave 575 and Wave II can now join the Bada party.

The addition of Open GL/ES should help the Bada OS gaming scene, as it currently is the technology that powers some of the best iOS and Android games.

Bada OS developers can get the latest 1.2 SDK right over here.

Source: Bada Developers
Via: Engadget Mobile, MobileBurn, SamsungHub

Early Look: Copy & Paste on Windows Phone 7. #wp7

Mike Norris — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:38:12 +0000

When Windows Phone 7 launched in the U.S. back in early November, it was almost universally knocked for lacking some pretty basic features, of which one of the most noted was copy & paste. If you recall back in 2007, Apple was also lambasted for leaving out the very same feature on their now iconic iPhone. Why, several years later Microsoft failed to implement the feature at launch, is still a mystery. But that’s neither here nor there. What matters now is that Microsoft has already promised an early 2011 release for the feature.

Tonight however, a new update for Windows Phone 7 developer phones became available that features the highly sought copy & paste functionality. Fortunately for us, one lucky owner of a Windows Phone 7 developer device took it upon himself to post a quick video of said new functionality in action.

From the short 35-second video, we can see that Microsoft took a no-frills approach. Compared to the rest of the minimalist styling throughout Windows Phone 7, such an approach is understandable. It’s simple and it works. ‘Nough said.

Video after the break…

Video

Source: WMPowerUser
Via: Engadget Mobile

Google Confirms December 7th Chrome Event. #google #chrome

Mike Norris — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:50:59 +0000

Looks like all of those Google Chrome Keynote rumors were true. The invite you see above…wasn’t sent to us. Sad, we know. Engadget however, was one of many tech blogs that did receive an invite. The actual content of the event wasn’t disclosed by Google, but the two current favorites circulating the interwebs include the Google Chrome App Store and/or Chrome OS being unveiled.

We’ll definitely be following the event, so make sure you come back here on the 7th to get the full rundown.

Source: Engadget
Via: MobileWhack

HTC Not Ruling Out Building Their Own OS. #htc

Mike Norris — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:13:42 +0000

For the last year, HTC has been hitting plenty of hits on the Android front. Using their Sense UI layed atop Google’s mobile OS has brought both companies quite a bit of success. It’s almost hard to remember when HTC and Windows Mobile were just as friendly. But a time may come when HTC tosses Android aside too and moves forward — alone. In an interview with Pocket-Lint, HTC’s director of User Experience, Drew Bamford, stated the following:

“We will do everything necessary to create the best experience possible. Right now, working with Microsoft and Google is the best approach, but that might not be the case in the future”

Basically, if HTC isn’t given the freedoms they’re seeking from either Microsoft or Google, they’ll find it elsewhere or create a new experience from scratch. The latter option — making their own OS — is both intriguing and worrisome. On one side of the coin, options are great. However, do we really need another mobile OS?

With that said, we shouldn’t worry too much about HTC leaving Android or Windows Phone 7 anytime soon. Bamford states that he believes both companies will give HTC the access and freewill they are seeking. Let’s hope.

Source: Pocket-Lint
Via: Gadgetvenue, gaj-it

iOS 4.3 Rumors Flare Up. #ios

Mike Norris — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:46:53 +0000

The servers at Apple are still warm from the onslaught of iOS 4.2.1 downloads and already iOS 4.3 rumors are heating up. According to a Macnn source, Apple is hard at work at a quick 4.2.1 follow-up with iOS 4.3. While the number jump may signal a rather significant upgrade in features, early rumors suggest otherwise. Instead, the biggest addition to iOS 4.3 will supposedly be in-app subscriptions — a major feature that news organizations and magazine publishers have been pursuing for quite a while.

The release, according to the source, is looking to likely drop between December 9th and 13th. The 9th is important already because that is the day in which Apple and News Corp are supposed to announce “The Daily”, a special, just-for-tablets digital magazine. Having a new version of iOS that can make use of in-app subscriptions coinciding with a major digital publication announcement would certainly please news organizations, publishers, and end users alike.

Early to mid-December certainly sounds a bit too soon for another major update so close to the last. Though as we mentioned earlier, in-app subscriptions on their own are hardly cause for that much hype. But Apple has surprised us before with such things. What does everyone out there think? Could Apple push out another rather major update so close to their last one, and especially focusing so much on one feature?

Via: Macnn

webOS 2.0 Coming to All Hardware! #webos #palm

Mike Norris — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:57:09 +0000

One of the worst things about an aging gadget, specifically smartphones, is the lack of support you and yours receive as the clock ticks away. Not to mention, the ever evolving world of phones leaves quite a few entrants behind faster than you’d think. With that said, one of the longer product support cycles in the mobile phone industry is that of Apple. It may sound like I’m on my fanboy pedestal, but that’s just how I see it. Truth be told, there are very few platforms or devices where you can still get an update that not only brings bug fixes, but boast-worthy features 1-2 years after the devices’ initial launch.

Palm must feel the same way. Palm developer advocate Josh Marinacci mentioned on stage at webOS Developer Days that “all devices” would be gettign webOS 2.0. Now obviously, your old brick of a phone Treo 650 doesn’t have a chance of seeing webOS’s sexy bits. But seemingly written off phones like the original Palm Pre do all of a sudden feel a bit more desirable again.

All in all, it’s great news for webOS users looking at 1+ year old hardware in their hands. At first we kind of wrote off the Pre 2 for it’s rather minor updates in hardware compared to the original Pre. But in this case it appears it helped the original Pre owners. Because if the Pre 2 was radically different, something tells me Palm would be a bit more willing to let it fade into obscurity.

Via: Engadget