Posts Tagged ‘Windows’

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Windows RT tablets will add to the BYOD nightmare

April 19th, 2012
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If supporting iPads makes IT pros lose sleep at night, the Windows 8 tablet edition won’t be any better.

The upcoming operating system, dubbed Windows RT, doesn’t lack any of the limited business features that iPads or Android tablets offer, and it doesn’t include a string of Windows features that could ease support headaches.

Of the four Windows 8 versions that Microsoft announced this week, Windows RT — which is only sold as a package with ARM-based hardware – is the one that doesn’t support applications built for x86 machines – in other words, business applications.

Windows RT also doesn’t include virtual client support, domain connectivity and PC management, all of which are reserved for Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 Enterprise editions, and those two versions are available only for x86/64 machines.

This may be for strategic reasons, but it may also be for technical aims. “I’m not sure how much is based on what Microsoft could have done and didn’t, or whether they could do it later, or it’s proprietary to x86,” says Ezra Gottheil, an analyst with Technology Business Research. It could be that Microsoft has the option to add these features later if it deems it a good idea, he says.

The bottom line for enterprise customers is that the devices will have limited utility, although that will be enough to make them useful in the workplace, Gottheil says. “Typically what you do with tablets is get to email, corporate calendars and contact lists,” he says, all of which Windows RT will handle.

So Windows RT devices shouldn’t be worse to support in business than iOS or Android devices, he says. “Will IT be less willing to tolerate Windows RT than Android? I don’t think so,” he says. “I don’t know of anything they’re leaving out that’s built into iPad or Android.”

Windows RT machines will have a leg up because it comes with a subset of Microsoft Office installed — of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. While it doesn’t come with Outlook, it does come with a mail application. “I would guess its email would be compatible with Outlook,” he says.

Businesses that want tablets with full corporate-style management and security can opt for x86-based tablets that will likely be more expensive both for their processors and also for larger batteries to compensate for the greater power those processors consume.

Microsoft has two Windows 8 versions designated for business: Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise.

Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise are the only options to which customers of Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate can upgrade. They cannot upgrade to basic Windows 8 or to Windows RT.

Windows 8 Enterprise is for customers with Software Assurance agreements and includes all the features of Windows 8 Pro plus features that enable PC management and deployment, advanced security, virtualization and new mobility scenarios, Microsoft says.

Source:http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/421965/windows_rt_tablets_will_add_byod_nightmare/

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Windows Phone is great, so why aren’t more people buying them?

April 13th, 2012
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Lately, I have been using the HTC One X, One S, and Samsung Galaxy Note. These devices have fantastic hardware specifications and they overwhelmed me a bit so I was having second thoughts about my HTC Radar 4G and the Windows Phone platform. I then listened to Joshua Topolsky on The Vergecast and read a few articles online questioning the long term success of Windows Phone and asking if Microsoft should just give up on the smartphone market. I thus felt the need to put together another pro-Windows Phone blog post after putting my SIM back into my HTC Radar 4G and realizing Windows Phone really is my preferred smartphone platform and I can’t help but believe it truly is the third viable modern platform.
The Verge Lumia 900 review and Windows Phone software

I see there are over 2500 comments on Joshua’s Nokia Lumia 900 review and it is clear that there are some passionate smartphone users out there. I found the review to be very well written and Joshua was clear that the design of the Lumia 900 is fantastic. Great design definitely has a place in the smartphone market.

I completely agree with Joshua that Nokia dropped the ball with the camera on the Lumia 900. They had the opportunity to blow us away with a high quality camera, but it looks like HTC beat Nokia with their Titan II camera in a game that Nokia should have won easily.

The controversy in The Verge review comes up when you reach the software section and read the subtitle that reads I think it’s time to stop giving Windows Phone a pass followed by statements that Windows Phone is death by a thousand cuts. I will be the first to admit that Windows Phone is not perfect and there is room for improvement, but the same can be said for Android and iOS as well. As I mentioned back when Windows Phone was first put to public testing, the philosophy upon which Windows Phone is founded is different than the iOS and Android focus on applications. The OS is designed for you to perform actions that are intuitive and natural without you having to think about a specific application, open that application, and then carry out your business. I know I am much more efficient when using a Windows Phone device and with four out of five phones in my family now running Windows Phone I can tell you that my family agrees. I have also seen a friend’s family go entirely to the Nokia Lumia 710 Windows Phone and absolutely love the experience.

I understand that after nearly two years an operating system can get a bit dull, but I don’t see how iOS is more efficient at all. I can understand Android with ICS being efficient if you have widgets setup and I personally am loving Android at the moment too, but I still see Force Close warnings on new Android devices while my HTC Radar 4G is rock solid and stable. We all have different preferences and needs and I value Joshua’s opinion in regards to Windows Phone.
Where’s the cutting edge hardware?

IMHO, most of the first generation Windows Phone devices were basically Android devices that manufacturers assembled with a new operating system and they were nothing to get overly excited about. Reviewers around the Internet agree the Nokia Lumia 900 is probably one of the best pieces of hardware and I understand that Windows Phone doesn’t need quad-core processors and super HD displays. However, I do want to see some manufacturers make some efforts to bring out fantastic hardware. It looks like the HTC Titan II may be a winner as well, but I want more for other carriers.
Where’s the carrier support?

AT&T easily rules the Windows Phone world here in the U.S. with T-Mobile in second with low to mid-level devices. Sprint and Verizon each only have a single first generation piece of hardware and Microsoft cannot hope to gain any appreciable market share with such lame carrier support. It’s been a few months since WP 7.5 was launched and we don’t even hear rumors of Sprint or Verizon getting any updated hardware. How can you have the largest carrier in the U.S. with a single product that is over a year old and promote your OS as something people should buy?
Apps: What, 70,000 isn’t enough for you?

I used to keep up with and write a weekly Windows Phone Wednesday article and if you go back to these you can see I documented the progress as Microsoft passed 5,000, then 15,000, then 50,000, and more apps. There are now so many apps I have a difficult time staying focused and writing these articles. I understand that many key apps are missing and have read some recent articles that do a good job of documenting some of these glaring omissions. You can check out Andrew’s article on business apps compared between the three platforms. However, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t think you always need apps you see on iOS or Android to get the job done on Windows Phone. Mary-Jo wrote about this in here recent article on the app conversation. I also believe that most people use 10-15 key apps every single day and if they really looked at their app usage I don’t think Windows Phone is as problematic as it is often made out to be.

Looking through my iPhone 4S that has about 100 apps too many loaded and my Android devices the only apps I really miss on Windows Phone are Words with Friends (AlphaJax is a superior game though, but needs to open up to iOS and Android users), Kobo Books, and an HP 48G calculator emulator. All of my key apps are there, including Kindle, YouVersion Bible, Evernote, ESPN ScoreCenter, Facebook, Twitter (Rowi), Flixster, Google Voice, TripIt, Poynt, RunKeeper, Skype (beta), Spotify, and USAA Bank.
Wait for Apollo or get going now?

I hear people saying that Apollo will be the Windows Phone version that makes things happen, but we have seen very little about what is even going to be in Apollo so that sounds more like someone’s wishful thinking. Microsoft has a solid platform now and has worked hard to get developers on board. It is time for them to focus on hardware partners and carriers and get some real momentum behind the platform. They have the funds to stick it out for the long run and according to Mary-Jo Foley, “I can say with near certainty there won’t be any white flags raised in Redmond any time soon.” As I continuously say, you need to try Windows Phone to appreciate it and people who do seem to really enjoy the platform. Now, when can I get a sexy new HTC Windows Phone device?

Source:http://www.zdnet.com/blog/cell-phones/windows-phone-is-great-so-why-arent-more-people-buying-them/7434

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Ten free and amazing tools for Windows PC

April 2nd, 2012
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Without an operating system, a computer is nothing but a box. And operating systems cost money, though most of us don’t notice the fact as they come pre-installed on our computers. However, if you you have a tight budget, you could buy a PC without such software since a computer without an OS generally costs less than one which has Windows installed on it.

Of course, you would need an OS and we suggest you try Ubuntu, an excellent alternative to Windows and which has a thriving user community that will help you solve any issues that may arise. There is lots of supporting software too but you need to be patient to grasp it. However, before opting for Ubuntu, check that the hardware you purchase for your computer is compatible it.

One of the first things that you must install on a new computer is an anti-virus software. The problem, of course, is that anti-virus packages cost money and often get outdated within a year or two, necessitating a fresh purchase. If you are the type that is reasonably careful and does not open attachments from strangers, you could try Avast!, which has a good free edition.

The interface is not as smooth as the one you get from a McAfee or Norton solution, nor will you get as many customisation and scanning options, but there is good chance that combined with some prudence, this software will ensure that no harm comes from viruses to the data on your computer.

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, but don’t be put off by the hefty name. What the software actually does is let you create magic with images. No matter how you wish to tweak a picture, be it in terms of layers, colours, shading or adding new elements, GIMP will enable you to do so.

Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/find-free-and-legal-softwares-while-buying-a-computer/articleshow/12482544.cms

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Google’s Android will overtake Microsoft Windows by 2016

March 29th, 2012
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By 2016, devices running Windows will be eclipsed by phones and tablets running Google’s Android, according to a report by analysts IDC.

More than 90 per cent of the world’s PCs still run Windows – but the whole technology landscape is changing around Microsoft’s operating system.

By 2016, Microsoft’s leading market share of 35.9% will slip to 25.1%.

Devices running Google’s Android will climb from 29.4% to 31.1%.

Microsoft is to launch a new ‘tablet friendly’ version of Windows, Windows 8, later this year.

But analyst IDC still predicts a ‘dramatic shift’ towards devices running Android.

‘IDC expects a relatively dramatic shift between 2011 and 2016, with the once-dominant Windows slipping from a leading 35.9% share in 2011 down to 25.1%,’ the analyst predicts.

The number of Android-based devices running on ARM CPUs, on the other hand, will grow modestly from 29.4% share in 2011 to a market-leading 31.1% share in 2016.

Meanwhile, iOS-based devices will grow from 14.6% share in 2011 to 17.3% in 2016.

Last year, 916 million smartphones, tablets and PCs were shipped worldwide.

By 2016, that figure will have doubled to 1.84 billion units.

‘Android’s growth is tied directly to lower-priced devices,’ said Tom Mainelli, research director, Mobile Connected Devices. ‘So, while we expect dozens of hardware vendors to own some share in the Android market, many will find profitability difficult to sustain.’

‘Whether it’s businesses looking at deploying tablet devices into their environments, or educational institutions working to update their school’s computer labs, smart, connected devices are playing an increasingly important role in nearly every individual’s life,’ said Bob O’Donnell, vice president, Clients and Displays at IDC.

Next year, 1.1 billion ’smart devices’ – smartphones, PCs and tablets – will ship worldwide.

The numbers are growing at a compound annual growth rate of 15.4%.

Research conducted by IDC suggests that many individuals own and regularly use multiple smart connected devices. ‘We are in the multi-device age,’ continued O’Donnell, ‘and we believe the number of people who use multiple devices will only continue to increase. The trick, moving forward, will be to integrate all these devices into a unified whole through use of personal cloud-type applications and services. That’s the real challenge of what we have often called the ‘PC Plus’ era.’
‘Smartphone growth will be driven by Asia/Pacific countries, especially China, where mobile operators are subsidizing the purchase of 3G smartphones, thus increasing the total addressable market. In many if not all instances, the smartphone will be the primary connection to the Internet,’ said Will Stofega, program director, Mobile Phone Technologies and Trends. ‘In countries where devices are not subsidized by the mobile operators, competitive and component-based pricing will help drive volume.’

Source:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2122086/Googles-Android-overtake-Windows-2016.html

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Proper PC Maintenance Employing A Windows Registry Cleaner

March 29th, 2012
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The windows registry is often an important part in the operating system exactly where many computer software configuration parameters and system-wide settings are stored, values which can be consistently being accessed for reading and writing so as to permit the correct functioning of all Windows functions. In such a sizable database of details constantly expanding as a result of erroneous computer software installations, incomplete application uninstalls and various other system faults, fragmentation will not fail to arise, bringing good instability and unreliability of one’s computing resources.

As each and every heavy downloads enthusiast, people that live to test software program and work having a lot of trial versions before buying computer software often complain that their systems are operating incredibly slow immediately after just a few weeks from a fresh install. The resolution for such difficulties is using a Windows registry cleaner, a piece of software that takes the guesswork out of registry cleaning and helps you optimize your operating system for greatest efficiency.

When thinking of cleaning the registry, it’s extremely advised to help keep security backup copies for maximum reliability of one’s actions as most windows registry cleaner applications and tools cannot guarantee a risk-free cleaning procedure due to the massive amounts of sensitive values stored within the registry.

Regardless if your operating system is heavily applied or not, reading and writing from and towards the registry can become a major problem if proper maintenance will not be deemed. Every single applications that Pc users install on their systems makes use of specific person or even shared areas with the Windows registry as a way to retailer its settings, default parameters, tracking values or perhaps licensing particulars. With such an amount of alphanumerical information and values becoming frequently introduced to the registry and not taken out at uninstall processes the operating method will typically fail to respond properly even if hardware overall performance is at its finest.

When having a clean and compressed registry it truly is very beneficial to help keep Windows registry fragmentation and clutter problems at bay by scheduling automated cleaning processes that could scan and sweep your operating system registry devoid of disturbing you from your regular Pc activities. This type of program maintenance procedure can tremendously improve the stability and reliability of all operating system precise processed, enabling to benefit from the complete power of one’s hardware and computer software devoid of suffering from constant error reports, crashes, reboots and such annoying scenarios.

Even when Windows registry cleaner typical tools are normally very competitive, it is actually advised to often use Windows Add and Take away Programs feature from the Manage Panel in an effort to prevent undesirable extra weight becoming placed by incomplete software program uninstall on your already fragmented operating system registry.

Source:http://tribwekchron.com/2012/03/proper-pc-maintenance-employing-a-windows-registry-cleaner/

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BlueStacks beta download allows Android apps on Windows

March 29th, 2012
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For those that might like to use Android applications on their Windows PC, apparently BlueStacks has now made available their first beta download that enables users to run graphic intensive Android apps on Windows, and apparently delivers ARM Android apps to your Windows desktop PC via a new tech called LayerCake.

According to the guys over at Cnet, LayerCake, developed by the company, does 2 things that are required to run Android applications on Windows, it firstly powers an application on hardware that the app wasn’t intended to run on, and secondly includes hardware graphics acceleration, which wasn’t available in the BlueStacks Alpha of last year.

Basically this means the LayerCake technology uses your computer’s graphics card to make graphic intensive apps such as Air Attack HD run more smoothly on your PC, and can also apparently replicate the accelerometer tilting in applications that utilise it via the arrow keys or mouse, whilst pinch and zoom is supported on mouse trackpads.

The BlueStacks beta debuts a significantly changed program that enables the user to download apps right from within BlueStacks without using an Android smartphone, and comes with a dock launcher that fits with the Windows interface, whilst using the BlueStacks Cloud Connect feature for syncing apps, the user can now send and receive texts on their computer.

They guys say with BlueStacks beta, apps such as Angry Birds that cost cash for the computer versions can now run on your PC, thus if the Android app is a free app, you can run that free app in your Windows box for free, and apparently there are several photo apps that BlueStacks can also run on your PC, and you can run the apps in either windowed or full screen.

So if you are one of the Android faithful out there and want to give the BlueStacks beta a whirl, you can grab the BlueStacks App Player by hitting up Here, and feel free to let us know how you get on.

Source:http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2012/03/27/bluestacks-beta-download-allows-android-apps-on-windows/

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Android apps can run on Windows PCs with Bluestacks emulator

March 29th, 2012
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Software company Bluestacks is trying to close the gap between Microsoft’s Windows and Google’s Android OS with its App Player application, which was released in beta on Tuesday.

App Player is an emulator that allows Android applications to run on Windows 7, Vista and XP OSes. Users can install the software in Windows and then run around 450,000 Android applications, including Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, the company said in a statement.

Beyond PCs, the App Player could also allow Windows tablets such as Hewlett-Packard’s Slate 2 and Dell’s Latitude ST to run Android applications. Bluestacks made headlines at last year’s Computex trade show in Taipei when Advanced Micro Devices showed off an x86 tablet with Android running on top of the Windows 7 software stack. Android applications are mostly written for the ARM instruction set, but the x86 tablet was able to switch between Android and Windows without any problems.

The emulator has new Layercake technology, which exploits hardware accelerators to improve the performance of Android games in Windows. The layer was not included in the previous Bluestacks alpha version. Android applications typically use hardware accelerators found in ARM’s Mali, Nvidia’s Tegra or Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR graphics cores, but Layercake is able to take advantage of hardware accelerators from companies like AMD found in x86 chips.

The Bluestacks app is 3.6MB and can be downloaded from the company’s website. The software installed without any issues on Windows XP, and on start provided the option to download software from Google’s Android application market. Angry Bird Space, the latest iteration of the game, was released last week and ran on the PC through Bluestacks. However, resizing the window to full-screen mode required restarting the Angry Birds application. The software also offered the option to sync apps and contacts with an Android device.

Source:http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225608/Android_apps_can_run_on_Windows_PCs_with_Bluestacks_emulator

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