Microsoft: Yeah, It's Really That Easy

Earlier we showed you a young girl's review of the Surface RT. Microsoft Portugal has released an advertisement showcasing just how simple Windows 8 really is.

The Verge: Apple iPad versus Windows 8 (Preview) Tablets

Joshua Topolsky of The Verge has created the nifty video above detailing some of the advantages and disadvantages of Apple's iPad compared to devices powered by Microsoft's newest Windows, Windows 8.

Note: The version of Windows used in this comparison video is a pre-release version and many, if not most, issues with the operating system have since been remedied.

Microsoft Surface: Reviewed By a Kid

When choosing technology for the classroom, ease of use and utility by children is one of the most important factors to take into account. Watch the video to see one little girl share her experiences with Microsoft's newest tablet, the Surface RT

Via: The Verge Forums

Windows 8: How's it Going?

Microsoft's latest version of Windows, Windows 8, launched just over a month ago. Windows 8 brings some startling changes for users of the platform nearly as drastic as those introduced with Windows 95. How has the new operating system been fairing?

Reports are mixed. Microsoft itself has reported that it has sold over 40 million copies of the new operating system, but adoption rates are, according to TechRadar, one-fifth of what they were for Windows 7, with less than one-half of one percent of all Windows machines running the new operating system.

Despite the potentially bad news for Microsoft, it has recently announced that the Windows Store has already cracked the 20,000 app mark, with approximately 18,000 of those apps available for free.

Additionally, Microsoft has announced a new initiative called Windows Blue which serves as both the name for its next operating system and a new, yearly-release schedule for major system upgrades at a low cost.

Sources: TechRadar, The Verge (1), PC World, The Verge (2)

Internet Explorer Ad Attempts to Overcome Negative Product Bias

While companies such as Apple and Google frequently enjoy positive product biases for their products, Microsoft has been fighting negative consumer bias with its products for many years, and in no fight has it had to try harder than with its Windows-native browser, Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer was once the bug-ridden, standards ignoring, virus inviting, toolbar-loving mess of a browser that left many computer users in search of something better. With the advent of Mozilla's Firefox and Google's Chrome, Microsoft has a fierce uphill climb against negative publicity the browser has received over the last decade--and continues to receive as long as it retains its current name, despite its recent metamorphosis.

How can technological bias' effect our abilities as educators to provide the best products and tools for students' learning?

Via: The Verge
See Also: Beauty of the Web

Armando Ferreira: Microsoft Surface RT vs. Google Nexus 10 (Update)

YouTuber Armando Ferreira has begun a new video series detailing the pros and cons of the newest tablets from both Microsoft and Google. Update: Parts 2-5 have now been embedded after the break.

Microsoft Gets Shaken-Up, Too - Head of Windows Departs

It seems that Apple is not the only company this past week to be subject to some pretty big shake-up. Steven Sinofsky, head of Windows and the man responsible for the launch of the very successful Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems left Microsoft Yesterday. Julie Larson-Green, formerly in charge of UI Design for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office will take his place. Click the source link below for the full article.

Source: The Verge

Do Not Track: Controversial, But Should it Be?

Mozilla's Firefox and Google Chrome include a feature called "Do Not Track"--a feature left on by default in Microsoft's most recent update to Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer 10 (The browser included by default on Windows 8 which today launched a preview for users of Windows 7.)

Do Not Track is a feature which "opts out" of cross-site tracking. Advertisers are angry at Microsoft for having the feature enabled by default, and consumers are surprised that Microsoft, once the largest of the tech giants, is being so pro-consumer in its behaviour.

More Reading: ZDNet, The Verge, Wikipedia

Microsoft Killing-Off Windows Live Messenger

Microsoft's purchase of Skype, a voice over IP application comparable to Google Talk and Windows Live Messenger, was sure to make a ripple effect in Microsoft's own competing technology. Siding with the brand with better brand loyalty and trust, Microsoft has announced today that it is 'killing-off' its Windows Live Messenger in favour of its recently acquired Skype. See the full article at the source below.

Source: The Verge

Patently Absurd: Microsoft Sued for Live Tiles

Microsoft is now being sued for its Live Tiles technology used in its Zune, Surface, Windows Phone, and Windows 8 offerings by a company called SurfCast. It is odd that this suit is coming up only now, however, as several of the allegedly infringing technologies have been in the market for several years.

The Patent in question is US Patent #6,724,403, described as follows: "A computerized method of presenting information from a variety of sources on a display device. Specifically the present invention describes a graphical user interface for organizing the simultaneous display of information from a multitude of information sources. In particular, the present invention comprises a graphical user interface which organizes content from a variety of information sources into a grid of tiles, each of which can refresh its content independently of the others. The grid functionality manages the refresh rates of the multiple information sources. The present invention is intended to operate in a platform independent manner."

Nilay Patel of The Verge questions whether this patent actually covers the allegedly infringing devices, but patent laws and filings are now so vague and so unable to keep-up with the pace of technology that only time will tell whether Microsoft will pay dearly for their advances in the computing industry.

What do you think about this lawsuit? Is Microsoft infringing? Is SurfCast just a patent troll? Leave your thoughts in the comments section down below.

Source: The Verge

The Verge: How to Navigate Windows 8

With the recent release of Windows 8, students and teachers everywhere will need to know and understand the nuances of Microsoft's latest operating system. Sean Hollister of The Verge gives an in-depth look at the new shortcuts, gestures, and tips to get you in command of Windows 8.

Article: The Verge

Betanews: Chromebook vs. Surface in the Classrooms, iPad Out of the Picture?

Technology has become so critical to the classroom that teachers are constantly left wondering what schools will be provided with next for their word-processing and Internet-based research needs. For some time since the release of Apple's iPad, a emphasis was placed on smaller, more portable devices that students could use when and how they needed to. Derrick Wlodarz of Betanews argues, however, that the conversation of educational technology has shifted away from Apple iPad and onto Google's Chromebooks and Microsoft's Surface.

Click the source article for more.

Source: Betanews.

Microsoft Surface RT Reviews

For all the talking about the Surface RT I've done recently, actually seeing the device in action is a must. Dana Wollman of Engadget posted a video review of the new device today. See the video review and the written review by Tim Stevens at the source link below to learn more about the Surface RT. Additional video reviews are available after the break. The Microsoft Surface RT releases 26 October 2012.

Our Next, Best Hope for the Classroom? The Surface RT

The Surface RT, Microsoft's latest endeavour in the realm of tablets runs a variant of Windows 8 designed specifically for ARM processors. While this leaves behind many of the legacy applications designed for Windows, the tablet comes with several key pluses for the classroom. Click past the break for the full article.

Windows 8 in 8 Minutes

Windows computers have been a critical part of the school environment for some time now. With Windows 8 just around the corner, it's a good idea to get familiar with Windows 8 and some of the many new features it presents.

Windows 8 offers a new Start Screen in place of the old, familiar Start Menu. Don't be alarmed, however, as the new Start Screen is quick, fluid, and easy to use, and, for many users, is all that's really necessary.

Watch the video below to become more acquainted with the new Windows 8, available Friday, 26 October 2012.