Facebook attempts to put people before apps with today's release of
Facebook Home, a family of applications that recreates popular social-networking
functions such as chat and News Feed and embeds them within the home screen
experience on select Android devices. The software suite is now live in the
Google Play store.
Excluding the HTC First, which is optimized to run Facebook Home, the
software package is currently compatible with six devices: the HTC One, One X,
and One X+; and the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note 2.
To get Home working on these handsets, you'll need to also be running the
most recent versions of Facebook's standard Android mobile application and
Facebook Messenger for Android.
Facebook Home is either just the right amount of Facebook or extreme
bloatware, depending on your social-networking preferences.
In my view, Facebook has done a marvelous job of transforming your home
screen with Cover Feed, a visually arresting slideshow that pares down News Feed
to just photos and "likes." The Home software, however, forces you to split your
attention between Facebook and Google, and will likely never appeal to those who
don't trust the social network with access to their smartphones.
Friday, 12 April 2013
When some customers take pleasure in the new form aspects
Computer system profits are plummeting due to the fact individuals are
confused and unhappy with Home windows eight, and there's no conclude in sight.
So concludes an IDC report, which suggests the sinking profits will be the worst
it truly is at any time found.
The IDC report uncovered that around the globe Laptop shipments were being seventy six.3 million units in 2013's very first quarter, down thirteen.9% from the yr past, and in some cases even worse when compared to the seven.7% decline that IDC experienced forecast. The fall is the worst that IDC has ever noticed because it began tracking the Pc sector each and every quarter in 1995. It truly is also the fourth straight quarter that Personal computer sales have declined year-on-year.
Which is only the start out on the terrible news for Microsoft. IDC concludes that that decline has long been fueled via the poor layout and failure of Windows eight, not simply because of the increasing attractiveness of tablets. Bob O'Donnell, IDC Plan Vice chairman office 2010 activation key, Purchasers and Shows experienced these severe words for Home windows eight and Microsoft:
"At this issue, however, it appears apparent that the Windows 8 start don't just unsuccessful to provide a beneficial raise to the Computer current market, but seems to acquire slowed the industry. When some customers take pleasure in the new form aspects and contact capabilities of Home windows eight, the unconventional improvements to your UI, removing on the common Begin button, as well as the charges related with touch have created PCs a fewer attractive substitute to focused tablets and various aggressive gadgets. Microsoft will have to make some extremely hard choices shifting ahead if it hopes to aid reinvigorate the Computer system market."
"While people today such as basic appear and feel of your tiles, they?ˉre also really perplexed and disappointed with the deficiency of get started menu and commit a lot of their time in (standard) desktop manner. So the base line is I feel they may have established a condition in which it?ˉs quite challenging for individuals and people which have a Computer system that actually works just good are indicating it?ˉs bewildering, it fees extra money and i don?ˉt actually have to have it."
O'Donnell and other people at IDC feel that until Microsoft makes serious alterations to Home windows 8 to help make it much more common and consumer-friendly, items will only worsen. Jay Chou, senior analysis analyst on IDC?ˉs quarterly Pc tracking provider, claimed:
"Although IDC experienced not expected Windows 8 to get a substantial driver to assist stem the tide of Personal computer quantity decrease, it now appears that with out a study course correction from Microsoft, the Personal computer market place is headed toward an even even worse contraction for 2013 than previously imagined."
O'Donnell is true. Microsoft designed a large gamble in coming up with Windows eight as an operating process designed a lot more for tablets and touch than for regular PCs, as well as in providing it dueling and confusing interfaces. Microsoft hoped that familiarizing people today with all the touch interface would spur people today to get Home windows 8 and Home windows Rt tablets, but that has not took place. Now it appears that Home windows 8 is helping to significantly depress revenue of common PCs too.
The IDC report uncovered that around the globe Laptop shipments were being seventy six.3 million units in 2013's very first quarter, down thirteen.9% from the yr past, and in some cases even worse when compared to the seven.7% decline that IDC experienced forecast. The fall is the worst that IDC has ever noticed because it began tracking the Pc sector each and every quarter in 1995. It truly is also the fourth straight quarter that Personal computer sales have declined year-on-year.
Which is only the start out on the terrible news for Microsoft. IDC concludes that that decline has long been fueled via the poor layout and failure of Windows eight, not simply because of the increasing attractiveness of tablets. Bob O'Donnell, IDC Plan Vice chairman office 2010 activation key, Purchasers and Shows experienced these severe words for Home windows eight and Microsoft:
"At this issue, however, it appears apparent that the Windows 8 start don't just unsuccessful to provide a beneficial raise to the Computer current market, but seems to acquire slowed the industry. When some customers take pleasure in the new form aspects and contact capabilities of Home windows eight, the unconventional improvements to your UI, removing on the common Begin button, as well as the charges related with touch have created PCs a fewer attractive substitute to focused tablets and various aggressive gadgets. Microsoft will have to make some extremely hard choices shifting ahead if it hopes to aid reinvigorate the Computer system market."
"While people today such as basic appear and feel of your tiles, they?ˉre also really perplexed and disappointed with the deficiency of get started menu and commit a lot of their time in (standard) desktop manner. So the base line is I feel they may have established a condition in which it?ˉs quite challenging for individuals and people which have a Computer system that actually works just good are indicating it?ˉs bewildering, it fees extra money and i don?ˉt actually have to have it."
O'Donnell and other people at IDC feel that until Microsoft makes serious alterations to Home windows 8 to help make it much more common and consumer-friendly, items will only worsen. Jay Chou, senior analysis analyst on IDC?ˉs quarterly Pc tracking provider, claimed:
"Although IDC experienced not expected Windows 8 to get a substantial driver to assist stem the tide of Personal computer quantity decrease, it now appears that with out a study course correction from Microsoft, the Personal computer market place is headed toward an even even worse contraction for 2013 than previously imagined."
O'Donnell is true. Microsoft designed a large gamble in coming up with Windows eight as an operating process designed a lot more for tablets and touch than for regular PCs, as well as in providing it dueling and confusing interfaces. Microsoft hoped that familiarizing people today with all the touch interface would spur people today to get Home windows 8 and Home windows Rt tablets, but that has not took place. Now it appears that Home windows 8 is helping to significantly depress revenue of common PCs too.
Monday, 8 April 2013
HTC's Q1 profit sinks to record low
HTC on Monday said its net profit for the quarter reached NT$85 million (US$2.84 million), its lowest for the quarter according to online financial records stretching back to 2005. The weak earnings mark a considerable dive from past first quarters when the company's net profit consistently exceeded 1 billion Taiwanese dollars. Last year, for example, the net profit for the first quarter reached NT$4.47 billion.
HTC's revenue, at NT$ 42.8 billion, also came in under company projections of NT$50 billion to $60 billion.
Since late 2011, HTC has struggled to maintain earnings as it has faced heated competition from rivals such as Apple and Samsung. The company has sought to bounce back by promoting a new flagship smartphone brand, called the "One" series, while also increasing product marketing.
It's latest flagship phone, the HTC One, was expected to go on sale in March, just in time for this year's first quarter. But the company later postponed the global roll-out to April, with analysts pointing to a shortage in high-end components as the culprit for the delay.
The late release of HTC's newest flagship phone further puts pressure on the Taiwanese company when Samsung's newest smartphone, the Galaxy S4, is slated to also arrive in April. Given Samsung's larger marketing budget and bigger name recognition, analysts expect the close release dates could take smartphone sales away from HTC.
The company is shift to chop its price ranges can possibly
Market observers have painted a critically unfavorable picture with the
Home windows 8 OS this week. It all started out with Dell casting out a
predominantly negative outlook in its SEC submitting very last week. Noting
which the marketplace for PCs has been cannibalized by windows key shop tablets and smartphones,
between other elements, the Pc maker also manufactured an announcement regarding
the uncertainties that goes with all the adoption in the Home windows 8 OS. The
corporate even further mentioned there are adverse developments in tandem using
a frequently weakening demand for PCs all over the world along with unfavorable
margin charges for PCs.
In its evaluation in the present market place problem, CNET pointed out that it is not a lot that Home windows 8 is unappealing about it can be the OS finds alone underneath pressure from other market place factors at perform. As Dell have noted, as an example, you can find a normal slowdown of Personal computer progress from the world sector arena, which brings us to a unpleasant actuality the desire for the OS, for that reason, will even select these kinds of a slowdown.
In addition there are speculations regarding what could possibly be the reason driving Microsoft is the latest moves to provide buyers a drastic cost slash for a few merchandise on the Microsoft Retail outlet. The company is shift to chop its price ranges can possibly be a way to go items that happen to be fundamentally trapped, or it could be an indication revealing a subject of additional significant character. It ought to be observed during this regard that as per IDC is observation, gross sales for Windows eight Computer system has arrive at a stall. Which causes it to be very easy to recognize why Microsoft and its Computer companions have been pressured to cut down price ranges on laptops and hybrids.
Over the other hand, an analysis by SemiAccurate boldly proclaimed that Microsoft is endeavours to offer selling price cuts on its merchandise is not going to be of any assist to avert a demise spiral. The organization, it claims, will not realize tablets within the 1st location, along with the consequent result that it can not consequently create a cell solution that could keep competitive. It additional notes that Microsoft has anti user-views in terms of computing, and phone calls Windows 8 as a different debacle. On top of that, it details out that Microsoft Floor is unreasonably priced in comparison with competition while in the current market, which both Windows RT and Floor RT have a very nil chance of surviving from the market that it promises the organization doesn't have a clear comprehension of.
Inspite of all this damaging publicity, Microsoft is apparently not bugged down. It truly is claimed to generally be on its technique to developing with Windows eight.one, which the industry has but to view irrespective of whether it can fare much better or worse than its seemingly ill-fated Home windows eight predecessor.
In its evaluation in the present market place problem, CNET pointed out that it is not a lot that Home windows 8 is unappealing about it can be the OS finds alone underneath pressure from other market place factors at perform. As Dell have noted, as an example, you can find a normal slowdown of Personal computer progress from the world sector arena, which brings us to a unpleasant actuality the desire for the OS, for that reason, will even select these kinds of a slowdown.
In addition there are speculations regarding what could possibly be the reason driving Microsoft is the latest moves to provide buyers a drastic cost slash for a few merchandise on the Microsoft Retail outlet. The company is shift to chop its price ranges can possibly be a way to go items that happen to be fundamentally trapped, or it could be an indication revealing a subject of additional significant character. It ought to be observed during this regard that as per IDC is observation, gross sales for Windows eight Computer system has arrive at a stall. Which causes it to be very easy to recognize why Microsoft and its Computer companions have been pressured to cut down price ranges on laptops and hybrids.
Over the other hand, an analysis by SemiAccurate boldly proclaimed that Microsoft is endeavours to offer selling price cuts on its merchandise is not going to be of any assist to avert a demise spiral. The organization, it claims, will not realize tablets within the 1st location, along with the consequent result that it can not consequently create a cell solution that could keep competitive. It additional notes that Microsoft has anti user-views in terms of computing, and phone calls Windows 8 as a different debacle. On top of that, it details out that Microsoft Floor is unreasonably priced in comparison with competition while in the current market, which both Windows RT and Floor RT have a very nil chance of surviving from the market that it promises the organization doesn't have a clear comprehension of.
Inspite of all this damaging publicity, Microsoft is apparently not bugged down. It truly is claimed to generally be on its technique to developing with Windows eight.one, which the industry has but to view irrespective of whether it can fare much better or worse than its seemingly ill-fated Home windows eight predecessor.
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Twitter Cards Adds Mobile App Deep-Linking, New Cards
During an invite-only developer event Tuesday, Twitter Cards unveiled
several updates, adding the ability to share even more information on Twitter
within a single tweet.
Currently used by over 10,000 developers, the update adds mobile app deep-linking in Cards, which allows users to tap a link on Twitter to view content directly within an app if they have it installed. If they don't have the app, however, they’ll be prompted to download it after clicking on the link.
Twitter also added three new types of Cards: App, Product and Gallery.
App Cards will show information about an app — specifically its name, icon, price and rating — directly from the App Store or Google Play.
Product Cards will show an image and its description, along with two other fields that can be customized, such as price or rating information, depending on a particular developer’s needs.
Gallery Cards will show an album or collection of photographs through a preview of the photo gallery.
For developers, Twitter has revamped how Cards are created and delivered to make it easier to add new types of Cards in the future. If you’re a developer who has already integrated Cards, the old system will continue to work even though Twitter has debuted new Cards.
Developers can start implementing the markup for Twitter Cards by visiting Twitter’s new documentation pages.
A number of developers have already signed up to use Twitter’s new Cards, including big names such as Foursquare, Path, Angry Birds, Etsy, Flickr and SoundCloud.
http://www.windowsanyway.com/windows-7-product-key-c-628.html
Currently used by over 10,000 developers, the update adds mobile app deep-linking in Cards, which allows users to tap a link on Twitter to view content directly within an app if they have it installed. If they don't have the app, however, they’ll be prompted to download it after clicking on the link.
Twitter also added three new types of Cards: App, Product and Gallery.
App Cards will show information about an app — specifically its name, icon, price and rating — directly from the App Store or Google Play.
Product Cards will show an image and its description, along with two other fields that can be customized, such as price or rating information, depending on a particular developer’s needs.
Gallery Cards will show an album or collection of photographs through a preview of the photo gallery.
For developers, Twitter has revamped how Cards are created and delivered to make it easier to add new types of Cards in the future. If you’re a developer who has already integrated Cards, the old system will continue to work even though Twitter has debuted new Cards.
Developers can start implementing the markup for Twitter Cards by visiting Twitter’s new documentation pages.
A number of developers have already signed up to use Twitter’s new Cards, including big names such as Foursquare, Path, Angry Birds, Etsy, Flickr and SoundCloud.
http://www.windowsanyway.com/windows-7-product-key-c-628.html
Windows 8 with its blend of touch-enabled
Five months just after its formal start, Windows eight now accounts for
additional than three percent on the desktop running system marketplace,
according to Website site visitors analytics organization Internet Programs.
In March, Home windows 8 powered 3.17 % with the PCs on the internet, or 3.31 per cent if Home windows RT and Windows eight tablets also are taken under consideration. At this rate, Windows 8 is around three to four months far from eclipsing the unpopular Home windows Vista running method and several years far from catching around Home windows seven, if ever.
Windows seven however potential customers the OS race with forty four.seventy three percent of your current market, as well as in a testament to its enduring acceptance, it truly attained market share very last month. By comparison, the OS accounted for forty four.55 percent with the PCs that ventured on the net in February.
Microsoft promises that the fee of Home windows eight adoption closely matches that of Home windows 7, the company's most favored running technique.
Home windows seven was a huge moneymaker to the software program big. Right after its launch, it helped raise revenues for various consecutive quarters, specifically after enterprises finally warmed towards the OS.As not long ago because the quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2012, Home windows seven dominated the company desktop industry. Through an earnings get in touch with, Microsoft CFO Peter Klein claimed, "Windows seven momentum while in the organization carries on and nowadays, over 60 per cent of business desktops globally are on Home windows 7."
Home windows 8 also faces a obstacle from Microsoft's other venerable operating process: Home windows XP. The 11-year-old working procedure clung to 38.seventy three per cent in the OS marketplace in March, Internet Applications' facts displays. When arguably past its prime, XP exhibits minor indication of offering up its location during the OS hierarchy. From February to March, XP lose just 0.26 percentage points.
Microsoft's latest OS not simply has got to contend from its previous, it's to take care of dwindling Computer gross sales plus the rising recognition of tablets this sort of as Apple?ˉs iPad and gadgets that run Google's Android mobile OS.
From uninspiring components to sluggish business substitution cycles, a number of factors are main into the drop of your Laptop. Insert intense competitiveness from the pill makers, and Laptop makers encounter an uphill fight to gain more than shoppers and acquire enterprises to invest of their wares.
Windows 8, with its blend of touch-enabled features and Windows 7's desktop computer software heritage, was meant to bridge the worlds of Computer and tablet computing. Early end users scoffed at Home windows 8, and in spite of some original buzz, income of Microsoft's Home windows 8- and RT-powered Surface tablets have already been underwhelming.
Nonetheless, Microsoft is undeterred. In a very break from past program update tactics, the organization is readying its Home windows eight Blue enhance to get a release once this summer.
Set to produce an overall look at Microsoft's impending Establish developer conference, Blue is re-energizing Home windows 8. Previously, the marketplace is anticipating the enhancements and optimizations which will accompany its start. When they prove compelling, enterprises may possibly finally begin to give up their wait-and-see mindset towards the OS and begin snapping up Home windows 8 PCs and tablets.
In March, Home windows 8 powered 3.17 % with the PCs on the internet, or 3.31 per cent if Home windows RT and Windows eight tablets also are taken under consideration. At this rate, Windows 8 is around three to four months far from eclipsing the unpopular Home windows Vista running method and several years far from catching around Home windows seven, if ever.
Windows seven however potential customers the OS race with forty four.seventy three percent of your current market, as well as in a testament to its enduring acceptance, it truly attained market share very last month. By comparison, the OS accounted for forty four.55 percent with the PCs that ventured on the net in February.
Microsoft promises that the fee of Home windows eight adoption closely matches that of Home windows 7, the company's most favored running technique.
Home windows seven was a huge moneymaker to the software program big. Right after its launch, it helped raise revenues for various consecutive quarters, specifically after enterprises finally warmed towards the OS.As not long ago because the quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2012, Home windows seven dominated the company desktop industry. Through an earnings get in touch with, Microsoft CFO Peter Klein claimed, "Windows seven momentum while in the organization carries on and nowadays, over 60 per cent of business desktops globally are on Home windows 7."
Home windows 8 also faces a obstacle from Microsoft's other venerable operating process: Home windows XP. The 11-year-old working procedure clung to 38.seventy three per cent in the OS marketplace in March, Internet Applications' facts displays. When arguably past its prime, XP exhibits minor indication of offering up its location during the OS hierarchy. From February to March, XP lose just 0.26 percentage points.
Microsoft's latest OS not simply has got to contend from its previous, it's to take care of dwindling Computer gross sales plus the rising recognition of tablets this sort of as Apple?ˉs iPad and gadgets that run Google's Android mobile OS.
From uninspiring components to sluggish business substitution cycles, a number of factors are main into the drop of your Laptop. Insert intense competitiveness from the pill makers, and Laptop makers encounter an uphill fight to gain more than shoppers and acquire enterprises to invest of their wares.
Windows 8, with its blend of touch-enabled features and Windows 7's desktop computer software heritage, was meant to bridge the worlds of Computer and tablet computing. Early end users scoffed at Home windows 8, and in spite of some original buzz, income of Microsoft's Home windows 8- and RT-powered Surface tablets have already been underwhelming.
Nonetheless, Microsoft is undeterred. In a very break from past program update tactics, the organization is readying its Home windows eight Blue enhance to get a release once this summer.
Set to produce an overall look at Microsoft's impending Establish developer conference, Blue is re-energizing Home windows 8. Previously, the marketplace is anticipating the enhancements and optimizations which will accompany its start. When they prove compelling, enterprises may possibly finally begin to give up their wait-and-see mindset towards the OS and begin snapping up Home windows 8 PCs and tablets.
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Microsoft’s new ‘Patent Tracker’ shows us every one of the 40,786 patents it owns or controls
On precisely the same that day that Google unveiled its open source pledge,
donating ten patents for free open source use, Microsoft unveiled its new Patent
Tracker, a tool to reveal every single patent that the company owns, has
acquired, or owned historically.
Do you believe in coincidences?
The genesis of Microsoft’s patent tracker is the company’s desire to improve the patent system without completely windows 7 home premium product key destroying it, a Microsoft lawyer that I spoke to today told me. Three problems the company sees in the current system are knowing who actually owns or controls a patent, litigation abuse by non-practicing entities (lawyerese for patent trolls who don’t actually make anything with the patents they control), and poor patent quality.
The new tracker is designed to fix the first problem, while making patent abuse more difficult. And it’s built around Microsoft’s goal of working within the patent system, while seeking to improve it. As Microsoft’s general counsel Brad Smith said, roughly translated: “Fix what’s broken, not break what’s working.”
The two initiatives show a different approach to patents, at least on the surface, from the two software giants.
Google’s initiative today showcases a kind of patents-are-a-necessary-evil mentality. Google doesn’t want to be left defenseless in a patent nuclear war, so it has loaded up on patents by acquiring Motorola, by buying them from IBM, and by joining a consortium to purchase them from a bankrupt Kodak. But it also wants to be seen as a friend of open systems and open software — after all, Android is built on an open-source foundation — so donating patents to open source is kind of motherhood and apple pie.
But it’s also a pretty easy step: ten patents on fairly obscure data analysis technologies are not going to make many in the patent industry think that Christmas has arrived early.
Microsoft’s initiative showcases a new openness, stripping away the cloak of corporate secrecy, while embracing the existing patent system. The company has gone so far as to provide a downloadable data file of all Microsoft patents: all 40,786 of them as of March 25. The list is massive and extensive, from ZL201020107444.8, a kidney disease detection method which it acquired from Zhongshan Baoyuan Biotechnology Engineering Co., Ltd., to 314229, a media player technology that Microsoft developed internally.
That’s unprecedented, and it would be a major benefit to business and technology executives if all companies did that … or if the U.S. Patent and Trademark Organization made patent information that easily — and transparently — available. While the USPTO makes all patents searchable, it’s not always clear who owns or controls a patent. And that’s a scenario that lends itself to patent trolls, who thrive on the gamesmanship that opacity allows.
It’s a move that Microsoft invites other companies to follow, the company lawyer I spoke to made clear.
The question is: Will companies follow Microsoft’s model or Google’s? Will they start offering patents for free open-source use, or focus on offering greater transparency around the patents they do own? And of course, there are multiple other alternatives, such as eliminating the patent system entirely, revamping it, or determining simple standard licensing terms.
As in many other scenarios, I’m sure that where companies stand will be greatly determined by what they currently own, and how powerful they feel they are currently within the existing situation.
Do you believe in coincidences?
The genesis of Microsoft’s patent tracker is the company’s desire to improve the patent system without completely windows 7 home premium product key destroying it, a Microsoft lawyer that I spoke to today told me. Three problems the company sees in the current system are knowing who actually owns or controls a patent, litigation abuse by non-practicing entities (lawyerese for patent trolls who don’t actually make anything with the patents they control), and poor patent quality.
The new tracker is designed to fix the first problem, while making patent abuse more difficult. And it’s built around Microsoft’s goal of working within the patent system, while seeking to improve it. As Microsoft’s general counsel Brad Smith said, roughly translated: “Fix what’s broken, not break what’s working.”
The two initiatives show a different approach to patents, at least on the surface, from the two software giants.
Google’s initiative today showcases a kind of patents-are-a-necessary-evil mentality. Google doesn’t want to be left defenseless in a patent nuclear war, so it has loaded up on patents by acquiring Motorola, by buying them from IBM, and by joining a consortium to purchase them from a bankrupt Kodak. But it also wants to be seen as a friend of open systems and open software — after all, Android is built on an open-source foundation — so donating patents to open source is kind of motherhood and apple pie.
But it’s also a pretty easy step: ten patents on fairly obscure data analysis technologies are not going to make many in the patent industry think that Christmas has arrived early.
Microsoft’s initiative showcases a new openness, stripping away the cloak of corporate secrecy, while embracing the existing patent system. The company has gone so far as to provide a downloadable data file of all Microsoft patents: all 40,786 of them as of March 25. The list is massive and extensive, from ZL201020107444.8, a kidney disease detection method which it acquired from Zhongshan Baoyuan Biotechnology Engineering Co., Ltd., to 314229, a media player technology that Microsoft developed internally.
That’s unprecedented, and it would be a major benefit to business and technology executives if all companies did that … or if the U.S. Patent and Trademark Organization made patent information that easily — and transparently — available. While the USPTO makes all patents searchable, it’s not always clear who owns or controls a patent. And that’s a scenario that lends itself to patent trolls, who thrive on the gamesmanship that opacity allows.
It’s a move that Microsoft invites other companies to follow, the company lawyer I spoke to made clear.
The question is: Will companies follow Microsoft’s model or Google’s? Will they start offering patents for free open-source use, or focus on offering greater transparency around the patents they do own? And of course, there are multiple other alternatives, such as eliminating the patent system entirely, revamping it, or determining simple standard licensing terms.
As in many other scenarios, I’m sure that where companies stand will be greatly determined by what they currently own, and how powerful they feel they are currently within the existing situation.
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