Posts

Microsoft develops Office Suite for iPad

/in /by

If you can’t beat them, join them; Microsoft gets a piece of the Apple pie

Microsoft is developing a version of its Office 8 interface for Apple’s iPad. Originally slated for exclusive use on Microsoft’s own Windows 8 tablets (due for release later this year), Microsoft has bowed to Apple’s dominance of the tablet market, wishing instead to get in on Apple’s 80% share of the tablet pie.

Office Suite programs we all know and love such as Word, Power Point and Excel will be available for iPad for as little as $10 each. Although fairly ground-breaking, this won’t be the first time Microsoft has developed for Apple’s App Store which already stocks such stalwarts as MSN Onit, MSN Onpoint and the Bing App.

When Microsoft executive Stephen Elop claimed that Microsoft had no intention of bringing its Office Suite to the iPad in 2010, he could scarcely have guessed the extent to which the iPad would take a commanding lead in the market. Had Microsoft’s tablet been available for release sooner, they might have stood more of a chance against the iPad.

Perhaps it was the focus on the Courier, Microsoft’s version of a tablet that was unceremoniously dropped in early 2010, that slowed Microsoft’s tablet development. Whatever the reason, the slated 2012 release of their Windows 8 tablet is ‘too little too late’ experts say. JP Gownder of Forrester claims that; “On tablets, Windows 8 is going to be very late to the party. Product strategists often look to be “fast followers” in their product markets… For tablets, though, Windows really isn’t a fast follower.”

There are many tablets on the market to rival Microsoft’s new addition including the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and the Blackberry PlayBook. Since these tablets have been around for a while, they will be already into their third generation by the time Microsoft launches its Windows 8 tablet.

One can well understand Microsoft’s reticence to throw its towel in with the iPad platform; combining the more familiar MS Office with the dominance that iPad has of the tablet industry will make it less likely that users will buy the new Microsoft Windows 8 tablet when it makes its debut later this year.

With over $15 billion in 2011 earnings, the new iPad platform will help to grow Microsoft’s market share and test the tepid waters of the tablet market.

Want to learn more?

Contact ComputerSupport.com today to learn how managed IT support services can benefit you.

What’s new in Windows 8 Part 2

/in /by

With Windows 7 now firmly entrenched on PCs across the world, it’s time to look to Microsoft’s new version of the operating system, Windows 8.

Microsoft recently released a developer preview, which has allowed a “sneak peak” at some of its new features.

Keep all your devices in sync:

Like Apple’s new iCloud service, Microsoft is allowing Windows 8 users to keep all of their devices in sync (like your desktop, laptop and mobile) with their new live cloud syncing features.  This feature will automatically update your address book, calendar, pictures, and much more, across all of your devices.  It allows you to smoothly transition between your different technologies without having to worry about old data.

Performance and Search Upgrades:

Aside from the major functionality changes above, Microsoft has also been going to great pains to upgrade how the operating system runs – getting load times down and general responsiveness up.

Early testers are reporting a lot of success in this area.  The new version of Windows boots up much more quickly than earlier versions did.  Testers are also positively mentioning the revised “search” function, which they report turns around stronger and more detailed results in much less time than with any earlier Windows OS.

Windows Store:

Apple has been getting a lot of exposure for their “App Store” – an online store allowing people to purchase apps on the Internet and download them directly, rather than having to buy them at a regular retail outlet.

With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft is offering a similar service – the “Windows Store”.  Though not included in the early testing versions of Windows 8, it is expected that its functionality will be similar to that of the App Store, and allow for online purchases of Windows-compatible software.

In Conclusion:

Windows 8 isn’t expected until mid-2012 for consumers, but all signs indicate that the new release will be a continued improvement from Windows 7.

What’s New in Windows 8

/in /by

With Windows 7 now firmly entrenched on PCs across the world, it’s time to look to Microsoft’s new version of the operating system, Windows 8.

Microsoft recently released a developer preview, which has allowed a “sneak peak” at some of its new features.

The User Interface:

Perhaps the most notable change in Windows 8 is the user interface.  Windows 8 makes use of the “metro” interface that was previously used in the Windows Phone 7 operating system.  You now navigate Windows by choosing your applications using a number of tiles.  You organize the tiles based on what apps are most important to you.  Updates are made very quickly, as you can “pin” and “unpin” tiles as needed.

“Windows To Go”:

This is a very neat feature that’s being introduced with Windows 8.  Windows To Go allows you to create a complete USB key version of your Windows system, including all of your programs.  You can then plug that USB key into any compatible computer, and boot up with an exact replica of your programs and settings.

This is bound to make traveling far easier, as your computer can come with you in a key.  It will also make disaster recovery a snap, as you can just plug your settings into a new computer and keep moving!

Keep all your devices in sync:

Like Apple’s new iCloud service, Microsoft is allowing Windows 8 users to keep all of their devices in sync (like your desktop, laptop and mobile) with their new live cloud syncing features.  This feature will automatically update your address book, calendar, pictures, and much more, across all of your devices.  It allows you to smoothly transition between your different technologies without having to worry about old data.

Stay tuned for more features next week.

What To Expect From Windows 8 – Part Two

/in , /by

Here is part two of our report on the upcoming Windows 8.

Back It Up!

The Apple operating systems feature a program named “Time Machine”, which is a fully integrated solution to backup computer data.  Microsoft has taken some strides on this front, but most experts agree that serious backing-up requires a more robust third-party solution than what’s found in the current versions of Windows.

This is set to change with Microsoft’s new “History Vault” program in Windows 8.  Little is known about the program at this point, however its functionality is expected to be very similar to that of Time Machine.

The Microsoft Store:

Apple has received a lot of attention for its App Store, which is an online store where users can purchase applications for immediate download.

Microsoft is expected to debut a similar type of online store, however details, and how closely it can be expected to mirror the App Store, are currently sketchy.

In Conclusion:

Microsoft is well known for their constantly evolving products.  While these are the current innovations that are known, you can expect to see a lot more information unveiled over the next year as we get closer to launch.

We will keep you updated as new details emerge!

What To Expect From Windows 8 – Part One

/1 Comment/in /by

Windows 7 debuted with much acclaim.  Critics commended it for major steps forward in design and reliability over its predecessors.

Now that Windows 7 is firmly established, the technology world looks curiously to Windows 8.  What innovations can we expect to see?  What will remain the same, and what will change?

Windows 8 is not scheduled for release until 2012, and though details are still a bit hazy, here’s a summary of the information we know today.

Interface:

 

Perhaps the most noticeable difference in Windows 8 will be its interface.  Windows 8 will align itself with the “ribbon” interface that was first introduced in Office 2007.  The interface will make extensive use of icons and tabbing, allowing more information to be initially displayed, and easier navigation of that information.

Though the “ribbon” interface will be used throughout the operating system, it will be most evident in Windows Explorer, which will see a full redesign to incorporate the new approach to navigation.

Processors:

 

Tablet computers are a big emerging market, and Microsoft has announced that Windows 8 will not only support mainstream Intel and AMD processors, but also processors that can be found in tablet and mobile devices.  This means Windows 8 will have a much broader support base, and be able to grow with consumer computing trends.

Check back next week for part two of our Windows 8 sneak peek!