Tag: microsoft

Skype Enables Chat Sync Across Devices

If you’ve been using Skype for awhile, you know that there are quite few changes that need to be made to the application before its on par feature-wise with a lot of the other messaging applications on the market such as WhatsApp and WeChat. Thankfully, it looks like some much needed changes will be coming in the future.

One particularly noteworthy feature specific to mobile users is the promise that chat synchronization across devices will be improved. This is something that anyone who used Skype on multiple devices will have noticed can be a problem. Send a large number of text based messages from the desktop version of Skype and when you launch Skype on another computer or a phone, you’ll currently find that there can be quite a delay as message history is downloaded. While no details are provided, Mark Gillet says:

“We are working to synchronize chat message status across all of your devices so you will know the current status of all of your chats on every device you use to interact with Skype. This capability will be rolling out across clients over the next few months”.

Skype is also in the process of moving from their original peer-to-peer (P2P) foundation powered by the desktops of yore to one that is cloud based. The benefit of the Skype Cloud is improved battery life for devices and better connections, at least according to the Skype team.

October 5, 2013
Microsoft and HTC in Talks to Put Windows on Android Phones

After buying Nokia’s windows devices, the Lumia range and services business, it seems that Microsoft is now planning to grow the windows phone market.

As reported by Bloomberg, Microsoft is talking to HTC about adding its Windows operating system to HTC’s Android-based smartphones at little or no cost, people with knowledge of the matter said, evidence of the software maker’s struggle to gain ground in the mobile market.

The report also claims Microsoft operating systems chief Terry Myerson discussed lowering the license fee or dropping it entirely as an incentive. The sources is not clear on whether the devices might run both operating systems at once, or let users choose just one. Terry Myerson was planning to visit Asia this month and meet with senior executives at Taoyuan, Taiwan-based HTC to discuss his proposal, as per the source.

October 4, 2013
Microsoft Streams Halo 4 To Demonstrate Cloud Gaming

Microsoft’s Halo franchise is set in space, but the cloud is where today’s most interesting advancements seem to be happening for the Mast Chief-helmed video game series.

Microsoft has long been suspected to have been working on its own brand of cloud streaming technology for Xbox software, and the latest reports suggest they’re making progress on that front.

The Verge writes that sources familiar with Microsoft’s internal machinations describe a demonstration by company officials that showed Xbox 360 blockbuster Halo 4 running smoothly via network streaming on both a PC (presumably running Windows 8) and a Windows Phone device, specifically the 4″ Nokia Lumia 520.

We understand that Microsoft is building the service as a way to stream games to its Windows devices. Microsoft’s demonstration included a Windows Phone with a Xbox controller attached through an accessory, and a low-end hybrid PC. Microsoft has not yet branded the cloud games service, and officials stressed it was simply prototype at this stage.

It seems unlikely Microsoft will have their cloud game streaming service ready in time for the launch of PlayStation Cloud, which Sony has announced for release in early 2014.

This could be the company’s answer to making the vast library of Xbox 360 backward compatible with the forthcoming Xbox One console. It could be utilized for “more complicated things like rendering full games like a Gaikai and delivering it to the box.”

September 27, 2013
Rumoured Microsoft Surface Mini Specs Leak, Might Release Next Year

Microsoft hasn’t yet confirmed plans for a Surface Mini tablet, but sources close to the matter revealed earlier this year that a new device aimed to compete with the iPad mini and Nexus 7 is likely to arrive by December.

Analysts working at IHS iSuppli have told CNet that a Windows RT powered tablet with a 7.5-inch display is being worked on by Microsoft. This ‘Surface Mini’ tablet will use a 4:3 aspect ratio 1,400 x 1,050 pixel display and it is also possible it will be equipped with mobile broadband connectivity. Earlier analyst insights provided to CNet suggested that the device will hit mass production early in 2014.

Another report from ZDNet reporter Mary Jo Foley reads :

One of my sources who has been solid on Microsoft’s roadmap in the past says the Surface Mini is coming, but not in calendar 2013. Supposedly, this source claims, Microsoft is going to launch the Surface Mini in early 2014. The reason? The Surface Mini is going to come preloaded with a Windows 8.1 update, that is codenamed “Spring 2014 GDR.”

Of course, if the Surface Mini is coming, things certainly won’t be easy for Microsoft competing on the market against products such as the Google Nexus 7 and Apple’s iPad Mini. And there are also other players: HP with their Slate 8 Pro which runs Android and Slate 7 HD, and Toshiba with their Encore 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablet.

So are you interested in playing with a smaller tablet from Microsoft? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

September 26, 2013
Microsoft to Launch New Surface Tablets Today

Microsoft is expected to unveil its new Surface tablet and also the Surface Pro in today’s event. This launch comes out to be a month before the launch of its Windows 8.1 which is probably on 17 October.

Microsoft launched the Surface tablets last year in October, the Surface RT has not done that well but Microsoft did cut the price down to $150. However, the new Surface tablets are expected to get lighter and thinner, if rumors are to be believed the new surface devices will be powered with Intel’s Haswell processors along with an Intel Core i5. It is expected to come with an option of up to 8 GB RAM.

Along with the tablets, Microsoft might launch great accessories as well. We will bring you the official features and specifications, so stay tuned!

September 23, 2013
Report : Nokia Was Testing Android On Lumia

Back in February of 2011 Microsoft and Nokia entered into a partnership that made Windows Phone “its primary smartphone strategy.” While Nokia reportedly represents over 80% of all the Windows Phone handsets sold, their market share has slowly declined.

Before Microsoft decided to spend a whopping $7.2 billion to purchase Nokia’s Devices & Services, Nokia was considering options – a ‘plan B’ of sorts. According to a report in the New York Times, Nokia was actively testing Android on Lumia devices.

“A team within Nokia had Android up and running on the company’s Lumia handsets well before Microsoft and Nokia began negotiating Microsoft’s $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia’s mobile phone and services business, according to two people briefed on the effort who declined to be identified because the project was confidential. Microsoft executives were aware of the existence of the project, these people said.”

This isn’t entirely surprising. Many people thought that Android would’ve been a smart route for the Finnish company to take. These same people noted that Microsoft executives were certainly aware that Nokia was testing Android on Lumia devices before and during the negotiations. They also made clear that Android was not a part of discussions between the two companies, even though it was “widely recognized” that it was possible Nokia would be using Android on smartphones in the future.

Notably, Nokia had an option to exit its partnership with Microsoft at the end of 2014 and may have used the threat of switching to Android as tool in its dealings with the company.

[Via]

September 14, 2013
Intel Showcased 4th Generation Processors at The “India Retail Innovation & Technology Tour”

Intel today organized India Retail Innovation & Technology Tour, and showcased a wide range of devices powered by Intel’s latest processors.

The aim of the seminar was to showcase the advanced technology supported by Intel 4^th generation processors, which helps users to interact with technology in various innovative ways like gestures, touch and voice commands.

Devices which were on display during the session include 2-in-1 devices, Ultrabooks, Tablets, Value PCs, and Smartphones, which are based on Intel processors.

2013 has been a special year for us, with the launch of 4 processors and the Silvermont micro-architecture. These innovations have been a step towards revolutionizing the way we interface with computing devices through touch, voice, facial recognition and gesture-based interactions. With the launch of Bay Trail later this year, we will only take another step in making this a reality and the event today is aimed at showcasing how the consumer’s experience can be taken to the next level”- says, Thaine Creitz, Director Consumer Channels Group, Intel Corporation.

Intel 4^th generation processors are Equipped with Intel Quick Sync Video to facilitate easier and faster conversion of videos. The session included showcasing of the ArcSoft ShowBiz, which is a Windows 8 UI application to produce videos quickly using the Intel Quick Sync Video feature. You can create videos in various different formats like Blu-ray, DVDs, 3D videos, etc and also inter convert them easily and quickly.

Many products were showcased during the presentation including the Dell XPS18 which might launch in India soon, it has a giant touch screen of 18.4 inches with Intel Pentium / i3 / i5 processors, memory(RAM) is 4 / 4 / 8 GB, hard disk option would be 320 / 500 / 500 GB + 32 SSD, this device would have Windows 8 64 bit and the giant device weighs 2.2 Kg. This device costs $ 899.99 / 999.99 / 1349.99 respectively. You can find the images below.

Intel also showcased the mini CPU, which can make the towers portable. You can check some images below:

One of the tablet that was showcased during the event was the Ramos W32, comes with a 10.1 inch screen, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of in built storage and is priced at $259.99:

Besides of all these products, Intel showcased alot more. The company has tied up for smartphones with Indian manufacturers like Xolo and Lenovo and has plans to get some more partners to boost up its smartphone range.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Intel hosts “India Retail Innovation & Technology Tour”

Showcases wide range of devices based on touch, gesture and voice recognition technologies

New Delhi, September 10, 2013: Intel today organized an interactive “India Retail Innovation &

Technology Tour” to showcase and demonstrate an all new “Fast-Easy– Safe” computing experience

through a wide range of high performance devices powered by Intel’s latest processors. The session

featured a wide array of form factors including the latest 2-in-1devices, Ultrabooks™, Value PCs,

Tablets with Android* and Windows 8* and Smartphones based on Intel processors. An exciting

range of demos and applications were showcased on these devices to highlight the benefits and

goodness of Intel® Architecture.

Applications to show touch with performance and enhanced gaming experience

Intel® Quick Sync Video, built right into the 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor, uses dedicated

media processing to make video creation and conversion faster and easier. With it you can create

DVDs or Blu-ray* discs, create and edit 3D videos, convert 2D video files into 3D, and convert

video for your portable media player and for uploading to your favorite social networking sites—

all in a flash. The session included showcasing of the ArcSoft ShowBiz

application to produce videos quickly using the Intel Quick Sync Video feature.

Also available in new 4th generation Intel® Core™ processors, the Intel® Iris™ Pro graphics

5200 and Intel® Iris™ graphics 5100 give consumers a better gaming experience with more stunning

performance than ever before. One notable app that takes advantage of these new graphics to deliver

a visually stunning racing experience is Codemasters GRID 2

one could get a richer application experience on Intel® Architecture. In addition to great graphics,

Ultrabook device users can enhance their experiences with touch, sensor and gesture input.

At the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco this week, Intel will officially introduce

Bay Trail, Intel’s first 22nm SoC for mobile devices based on the company’s new low-power, highperformance Silvermont microarchitecture. Bay Trail will power a range of innovative designs most

notably tablets and 2-in-1s.

During the year Intel has also delivered the biggest increase in battery efficiency in the

company’s history with the 4th generation Intel® Core™ processors. These 4th gen Intel Core

processors combine stunning PC performance with tablet-like mobility, accelerating the category of

2-in-1 devices. With power levels as low as 6 watts in system design power, Intel is enabling thinner,

lighter, cooler, quieter and fanless designs, while adding broad new human interfaces to computing

devices through touch, voice, facial recognition and gesture-based interactions.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Thaine Creitz, Director Consumer Channels Group, Intel

Corporation said “2013 has been a special year for us, with the launch of 4

processors and the Silvermont microarchitecture. These innovations have been a step towards

revolutionizing the way we interface with computing devices through touch, voice, facial recognition

and gesture-based interactions. With the launch of Bay Trail later this year, we will only take

another step in making this a reality and the event today is aimed at showcasing how the consumer’s

experience can be taken to the next level”.

Intel also announced the launch of the Silvermont microarchitecture earlier this year. The

technology is aimed squarely at low-power requirements in market segments from smartphones to

the data center and delivers industry-leading performance-per-watt efficiency. The highly balanced

design brings increased support for a wider dynamic range and seamlessly scales up and down in

performance and power efficiency.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds

the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional

information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.

Intel, Intel Core, Intel Atom and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other

countries. * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.[/toggle]

September 10, 2013
Screenshots From Windows Phone 8 GDR3 Update Leak

Rumours of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update have been circulating for much of 2013, claiming that the new software will bring with it a number of new features that include support for larger displays, quad-core processors, screen rotation lock and more. Today is the first time that we’re getting a look at what may be GDR3 in action, though, thanks to a WPCentral forums user that claims to have gotten hold of a Lumia 920 that’s running the update.

User ‘xs2k’ allegedly purchased a Nokia Lumia 920 from Craigslist, the prior owner supposedly a multiplatform app developer. The device appears to be with firmware based from India and there are four screenshots posted so far.

As far as new features are concerned – Driving Mode mutes calls and texts automatically when paired by Bluetooth to a car, or you can choose to mute them manually. You can close apps in the multitasking view too, saving time. There’s screen rotation, so you can orient your display how you like, and custom sounds are coming to text, voicemail, email and reminder alerts. You’ll also be able to restore from back-up over Wi-Fi, which is handy if your device is wiped.

Obviously these leaked screenshots can’t give us a look at some of the bigger features that are coming with Microsoft’s GDR3 update, like support for large 1080p displays and quad-core processors. However, the images do serve as evidence of other new capabilities like closing apps from the multitasking interface and screen rotation lock, two goodies that we’re sure Windows Phone fans are excited to finally be receiving.

September 7, 2013
Microsoft Awarded $14.5 Million In Patent Case Against Motorola

A federal jury late Wednesday backed Microsoft Corp. in a dispute over Motorola Mobility’s licensing of so-called standard, essential patents used in Microsoft products.

In the second of two trials in federal court in Seattle, the jury agreed with Microsoft’s claim that phone maker Motorola, owned by Google Inc,, broke agreements with standard-setting bodies to license certain patents at a fair and reasonable rate, according to Microsoft.

The case revolves around patents owned by Motorola on the 802.11 wireless technology standard and the H.264 video compression. These technologies are used in numerous devices, including Microsoft’s Xbox game consoles. It is common business practice to pay patent owners a licensing fee in order to use the said patents, but it seems that the two tech giants couldn’t see eye to eye on just how much money is really involved.

In 2010, Microsoft filed a lawsuit against Motorola, claiming that the now Google-owned company is charging excessive licensing fees that could reach up to $4 billion per year. While Microsoft has no qualms about paying royalty fees, it could not agree to Motorola’s demand to be paid 2.25 percent of profits from Microsoft’s products using the said patents.

The jury awarded Microsoft about $14 million in damages, Microsoft said, about half what the company had asked for. That consisted of $11 million for the costs of relocating a warehouse in Germany due to an injunction on certain Microsoft products brought by Motorola in that country, and about $3 million in legal fees for fighting that injunction.

“This is a landmark win for all who want products that are affordable and work well together,” Microsoft said in a statement.

September 5, 2013
Here is Why Microsoft’s Buying Nokia

Microsoft and Nokia have been strategic partners for the manufacture of Windows Phone devices for a couple of years. Microsoft helped the company bail out of its financial woes when Nokia took 1 Billion USD to exclusively manufacture Windows Phone devices and drop plans to make devices on Android, Symbian and Meego. Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia comes in after the successful transition of Motorola into Google, for the company may be a proud owner of a high tech manufacturing brand. Such an acquisition will enable Microsoft to manufacture devices as per their own set norms and create benchmarks for other partners. Along with the hardware and services Microsoft will also become the owner of a wide array of patents and licenses that Nokia owns, one of which earns US $ 1 for every iPhone sold.

Microsoft puts it out there, the company claims that buying a manufacturer like Nokia will enable Microsoft to deliver a

“first-rate Microsoft phone experience for users”.

Microsoft has been trying to be a hardware manufacturer in the past few years, as it attempted with the “bust” Windows RT and 8 based Surface Tablets, the Acquisition of Nokia could lead to new Hardware under the Microsoft name in the mobility segment. What the future of the once world leader in Mobile telephone will be post the acquisition is unknown, but we hope that this does not pan out similar to the HP – Palm acquisition, which ended the life of a very innovative company.

Microsoft could easily be blamed for this acquisition as well, 3 years ago Nokia was valued at well over US $ 25 Billion, Microsoft’s so called “Strategic Partnership” basically ended the marketshare that Nokia had enjoyed in the good old days of Symbian and S40. Analysts claim, if Nokia had stuck to new operating systems like Meego and relatively young Android ( at the time), the company would have prospered and would have been close to the likes of Samsung and Apple in number of movements.

Today Nokia heavily depends on its feature-phone sales for its revenues, and in a global world where the 100$ smartphone is overtaking the 100$ feature phone, Nokia may have realized the limited lifecycle it had left.

Microsoft is no stranger to takeovers, and with many a past companies under its sleeve, Nokia would be more of a trophy, just so the execs at Redmond can say “Hey, We manufacture our own phones! Just like Apple and Google.”

Microsoft really has an opportunity, with the vast array of designers and young minds at Nokia, years of experience and a complete team of experts in mobility, maybe the top brass at Microsoft will be more open to world changing ideas, than they were back at Nokia. Heck in 2006 a fully capacitive touchscreen phone was rejected within the Finland HQ at Nokia stating that the world was not ready for a full touch phone. In 2007 June, the iPhone was launched, Nokia couldn’t have been more wrong.

September 3, 2013
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, Stepping Down Because Of The Upcoming Transition

Microsoft’s Acquisition of Nokia Devices and Services will also result in the end of tenure for Nokia CEO Stephen Elop. After the completion of the deal, CEO Stephen Elop is to step down to become Executive VP of Devices & Services, and should join Microsoft (If he choses to do so).

The shift in rank should minimize any perceived conflict of interest during Elop’s transition: Nokia says.

Chairman of the Board Risto Siilasmaa will assume an interim CEO position while the company looks for a permanent replacement for Elop. Meanwhile, key Nokia executives Jo Harlow, Chris Weber, Juha Putkiranta and Timo Toikkanen are also expected to follow Elop to Microsoft, Executive VP of Design Marko Ahtisaari plans to step down on November 1st, and will leave the company on November 30th to once more become an entrepreneur. Having said that, Microsoft is getting most of the cellphone industry’s better known leaders all together, should they head down Google-rola’s Path.

September 3, 2013
Microsoft Will Acquire Nokia for €5 billion

Microsoft is set to buy Nokia’s Devices and Services unit, bringing the Lumia lineup under its own ownership. The move unites Windows Phone 8 with its biggest hardware supporter, giving the company the integrated mobile offering that it has been looking for with the Microsoft Surface and other similar devices. When the deal closes in the first quarter of 2014, Microsoft will pay 3.79 billion Euros to Nokia, plus another 1.65 billion Euros for its portfolio of patents.

Microsoft hopes that acquiring the largest Windows Phone manufacturer will speed up growth of the operating system that has yet to see commercial acceptance like similar platforms i.e. Android.

“It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services.”- Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer.

According to the press release from Nokia, about 32,000 Nokia employees will migrate to Microsoft on the completion of the deal. The release further adds that Nokia is assigning its long-term patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm along with other patents to Microsoft.

Microsoft also announced that it has selected Finland as the home for a new data center that will serve its consumers in Europe. The company also said it would invest more than a quarter-billion dollars in capital and operations of the new data center over the next few years, with the potential for further expansion over time.

September 3, 2013
Xbox One Voice Commands Won’t Work For Everyone

After slashing the number of countries getting the Xbox One this year to just 13, Microsoft’s website shows that voice command for the Xbox One will only be available at launch in five countries – the US, UK, Canada, France and Germany.

As Videogamer spotted, the Xbox One website’s footnote reads: “Xbox voice commands will not be available in all markets on the product release date. Voice commands will be available at launch in US, UK, CA, FR, and DE.”

Microsoft’s tiny disclaimer doesn’t explain why the limited launch of voice interaction is necessary, but it might be related to the voice localization issues that previously resulted in delays for eight other European countries. Although, it could also be server load or production volume related.

Microsoft at E3 demonstrated how the Xbox One can be turned on by simply saying, “Xbox on”. And while Microsoft has since stepped back a bit from the lofty aspirations it carried into E3, there’s no question that voice controls feature largely in its plans for the future of the console. In fact, the Xbox One “Get the Facts” page specifically states that “advanced voice and motion control open up new game experiences like never before,” and that it can be turned on, off and controlled in various ways using voice commands.

While the Xbox One will still be usable in all of its launch markets, players simply won’t get a reaction if they buy the console from outside of the five supported regions.

Hindi voice commands soon please!

August 30, 2013
Skype Developing 3D Video Calls

Skype has said that it has developed a method for making 3-D video calls–but is being held back by the tech found in consumer devices.

Microsoft’s corporate vice-president for Skype, Mark Gillett, told the BBC this week that the company had recently achieved the futuristic-sounding scenario in a lab, although it could be many years before the technology is rolled out to businesses.

“We’ve done work in the labs looking at the capability of 3D-screens and 3D-capture,” Gillet said.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress in screens and a lot of people now buy TVs and computer monitors that are capable of delivering a 3D image, but the capture devices are not yet there. As we work with that kind of technology you have to add multiple cameras to your computer, precisely calibrate them and point them at the right angle.

“We have it in the lab, we know how to make it work and we’re looking at the ecosystem of devices and their capability to support it in order to make a decision when we might think about bringing something like that to market.”

That might even be a barrier to ever seeing 3D video over Skype, as technology manufacturers might decide that there is not enough interest in the format.

Gillett also told BBC that Skype will likely offer 1080p ”super-high definition” video call resolution to devices other than the upcoming Xbox One.

August 29, 2013
6tag brings Instagram to Windows Phone – Unofficially

Windows Phone users are missing out on Instagram for a while now, but that is now set to change, unofficially. French developer Rudy Huyn has created 6tag for Windows Phone, previously known as 6tagram just before Facebook and Instagram changed their Privacy rules and Third Party APIs.

6tag is free to download, provides access to the original filters found in Instagram, video uploads, and the linear and radial blur effects. 6tag Developer, Huyn, has also added support for sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, VK, and Foursquare. The Previous version had some bug issues and privacy concerns which were fixed when Huyn updated the Application yesterday.

Microsoft Apparently has an App for Instagram already in the works, but has been unable to get Instagram to approve it.

August 26, 2013