Windows 8 Preview coming in 1st week of June and SkyDrive apps now

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky drops news of Windows 8 Preview at Japan’s Windows 8 Dev Days along with new SkyDrive apps

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky announces June Windows 8 Preview

The Windows 8 Operating System just got another page written when Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky dropped the shoe in Japan at Windows 8 Dev Days.

The new and hotly anticipated operating system will get another preview in the first week of June 2012.

There was not press release, no blog entry – just this photo posted on Twitter and the usual short Twitter message “Announce…Windows 8 Release Preview first week of June. Here’s the announce from Japan’s Windows 8 Dev Days.” Continue reading →

Windows 8 It’s All In The Touch

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

This video helps you learn the simple tricks that make Windows 8 navigation a breeze

Once you get used to the few new navigation tricks in Windows 8 Consumer Preview it seems like second nature.

Watch the video and we’ll cover the basics after the story break.
Continue reading →

Windows 8 Consumer Preview boots faster than an iPad

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Speed is everything with computers and Windows 8 is headed for the Indie 500 winner’s circle

Updated – Most of the articles that are being printed about Windows 8 imply you must upgrade and adopt Windows 8 this fall. Windows 8 is being designed for new computers.

However, Windows 8 is such an improvement over previous versions of Windows, I predict tens of millions of people will want to make the upgrade. Continue reading →

Paul McCartney iTunes Live from Capital Studios Released

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Stephen Pate

The live concert which Apple streamed with release of Kisses on the Bottom is released and the video streaming again for a short time

When Sir Paul McCartney released Kisses on the Bottom last month, it was accompanied by a live event of Sir Paul, Joe Walsh, and Diana Krall.

The Live studio concert is more entertaining that the CD, in my opinion. Sir Paul is interactive and engaging with the small audience.

Continue reading →

Windows 8 is faster than Windows 7 and Vista

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Microsoft promised a more efficient operating system and they delivered with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Windows 8 is faster for booting and restart

By Stephen Pate – With Microsoft aiming Windows 8 at mobile and desktop computers, the operating system had to get smaller and more efficient. They succeeded with fast boot and restart times even on older computers.

For desktops, a few seconds saved won’t add any productivity to an 8 hour day. Laptops and other lower powered computers should benefit from Win8CP. Of course, Windows 8 has to run efficiently on smart phones and tablets. Continue reading →

Windows 8 is cool but it is still a Beta

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a big step ahead of last year’s Developer release. While not ready for prime time it is an exciting look at where we will be this Fall.

My customized Home Screen with Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Like Windows 3, Windows 8 is a re-imagining of Microsoft’s flagship operating system and it’s still a work in progress.

What Microsoft have set out to accomplish is far beyond what or Apple or Android have done. Windows 8 will change computing forever not only with a new interface but with a single interface across desktop, laptop and mobile computing. Continue reading →

PC sales headed for 400 million in 2013

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Apple’s Post-PC Era claim is more marketing hubris than fact with PC shipments 6 times higher than iPad

Unit sales 2012 - (Chart - Aquilium Group)

By Stephen Pate, Aquilium Group – At the new iPad announcement, Apple CEO Tim Cook called this the “Post-PC era.”

In terms of real market size, Apple’s claim of the demise of the PC doesn’t hold up. Continue reading →

Apple developing new audio file format to offer adaptive streaming

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Format will provide high- or low-quality files to iCloud users

Neil Young, who has claimed that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs wanted to develop high-resolution audio options (photo Neil Young LeNoise)

Guardian.co.uk – Apple is working on a new audio file format that will offer “adaptive streaming” to provide high- or low-quality files to users of its iCloud service.

The new format could mean that users can get “high-definition” audio by downloading to an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Alternatively, it could offer a streaming service – like that of Lala.com, the music streaming and online storage company, which Apple acquired late in 2009.
Continue reading →

Windows 8 Guide for Business tips hat to mobile and network performance

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Users will like the new pretty face – business will like Windows 8 for employee efficiency, enhanced security, network connectivity, multiple form factors, energy conservation, and Internet Explorer 10

Windows 8 soft keyboard user interface (illustration Microsoft)

By Stephen Pate – Aquilium Group - While some will focus on the touch interface, there are substantial improvements in Windows 8 that addresses energy costs, organizational security and productivity both within the corporate network and through mobile access. Continue reading →

Skype for Windows Phone Ships Beta

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Free video calls over smartphones and it looks like Windows 8 Metro

Skype for Windows Phone beta

Skype, acquired last year by Microsoft, has released the beta of its Windows Phone version and it looks like Windows 8 which will ship in beta on Wednesday.

The beta allows free video and voice calls over 3G, 4G or WiFi networks. Apple’s Face Time video calling only works between Apple phones of WiFi.

Download the Consumer Preview of Windows 8

Windows Phone users can download the beta from the Windows Phone application site.
Continue reading →

Windows 8 Hotmail integration succeeds where Gmail fails

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Stephen Pate

By integrating all your email accounts into one web client, Hotmail or Windows Mail makes managing email easy

Only Microsoft Office and Windows Live mail can combine all your mail accounts into one client and even one data file.

Download the Consumer Preview of Windows 8

Windows Live as a Microsoft brand will disappear when Windows 8 ships. Windows 8 Mail is a better product that integrates more smoothly with the operating system. Windows 8 will bring many new features for users that make it an upgrade to own.
Continue reading →