With a new operating system, Microsoft has a new story to tell about Windows 8. The “reimagined” interface made for touch and the diversity of hardware support, coupled with a strong ecosystem was the gist of the sale. Smartly, Microsoft didn’t compare itself to competitors directly. Read more »
Windows 8 is here and and Microsoft is holding a NYC event to tell its story. The new operating system provides support for older Windows apps, but also has the Windows RT offshoot for new, touch-friendly apps. Here’s our live blog of the event. Read more »
With a new Windows release, Microsoft is playing up to one it’s key advantages that’s easy to overlook: By licensing its software, buyers can personally choose from a variety of device sizes and form factors. But to play it safe, Surface RT is all Microsoft. Read more »
When Microsoft’s Windows 8 debuts later this week, one of the most popular voice and video calling apps will be available. That makes sense, as Microsoft bought Skype last year, but making even more sense is Skype integration with the Windows 8 / RT People hub. Read more »
On this week’s audio podcast Matt and Kevin discuss the new Google Chromebook and some special deals you can get that effectively pay for the device. Lumia sales are down; could Windows 8 and Surface RT help jumpstart sales? And why Xbox Music sounds good. Read more »
Microsoft’s lackluster first quarter earnings news actually came as a relief after a raft of bad tech sector news from IBM, Intel and Google this week. The software giant missed expectations but not by all that much for the quarter ending September 30. Read more »
The third quarter saw many parts of the traditional media business in flux. Other developments included the rollout of new device-based content ecosystems, red flags and red ink for traditional consumer electronics makers, and a resurgence of consumer purchases of movies. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Apple stole the spotlight in the third quarter with the release of its iPhone 5, Amazon pursued the tablet market aggressively with a new line of tablets, and Microsoft prepped to launch Windows 8 and the highly anticipated Surface tablet. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Microsoft announced its Surface RT tablet in June, leaving everyone wondering about the price. Now the details have appeared: $499 to start with more storage and a keyboard cover an additional cost. Is this what you expected or were you hoping for lower? Take our poll! Read more »
Pre-orders for Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet have begun and Microsoft is selling the device with 32 GB of storage for $499. That doesn’t include the thin keyboard cover: It’s a $100 option if bundled or $119 to add later. Is the iPad-like pricing just right? Read more »
Analyst reports on PC sales are hitting the wire and they’re not good. Should this surprise? Not really when you consider how more capable and cheaper mobile devices are selling like hotcakes. The PC certainly isn’t dead, but it is dying a slow painful death. Read more »
Acer’s new Iconia W510 blends the tablet and laptop worlds with Windows 8 and an optional keyboard dock. The thin slate on its own starts at $499, but $749 doubles the flash storage and includes a keyboard dock with battery, providing 18 hours of runtime. Read more »
Here come the Windows 8 device announcements: Acer’s first Windows 8 tablet, the Iconia W700, hits the market on Oct. 26 with a starting price of $799. That price includes a keyboard and unique case / cradle, giving hints on Windows 8 RT pricing. Read more »
In the five years since the iPhone hit the market, Apple and Google have delivered more than 40 billion cumulative downloads of apps. Other sources predict the app marketplace will swell to surpass 66 billion downloads in 2016, a growth fueled by tablet, entertainment, and enterprise apps. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
While cloud, mobility, social, and analytics have been driving demand for IT products and services in 2012, the worldwide IT spending picture has become dimmer as the year has progressed: We’re looking at 5.1 percent worldwide IT spending growth in 2012. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Microsoft released Windows 8 to hardware makers but you can get your own free copy. Don’t get too excited: This is an evaluation copy that lasts for 90 days and can’t be upgraded. I’m going to take it for a spin on a Windows 7 slate. Read more »
Android and iOS have run away with the smartphone market, leaving others to fight for the remaining scraps. Windows Phone appears to be making some headway, however, as BlackBerry falters. Could Microsoft’s Windows 8 launch help boost phone sales due to a halo effect? Read more »
While a hot accessory alone won’t sell a mobile device, it never hurts to generate buzz and interest. Microsoft is doing just that by announcing relatively inexpensive and eye-catching new keyboards and mice for Windows 8 computers and tablets. One keyboard case doubles as a tablet stand. Read more »
For all of Microsoft’s huge investment in the Windows Azure cloud computing platform, there was very little mention of the multi-billion-effort on Thursday’s Q4 and FY 2012 earnings call. Microsoft CFO touted major updates for Windows, Windows Phone, Office and Windows Server in the coming year. Read more »
Tablets featured prominently in the connected consumer space, both as a product category and as a component of broader platform strategies by major OS providers Microsoft, Google and Apple. Meanwhile Facebook began laying the groundwork to add payment processing to its platform. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Apple and Google still dominate the smartphone space, but look out for Microsoft, which finally has some muscle behind its mobile strategy. Meanwhile mobile-browser developers went head-to-head with native apps, and Facebook continued to buy mobile expertise via acquisition. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
The PC market had one of its worst quarters in a long time, with worldwide sales dipping 0.1 percent and U.S. sales dropping 10.6 percent. It’s not just the effect of th general transition to mobile that’s taking place — there’s also a lot of waiting going on. Read more »
Microsoft took the wraps off Windows Phone 8, which will not just gain many needed features but also share common core code with Windows 8 on the desktop. That means apps can be made to run on phones, tablets, laptops and other Windows computers. Read more »
Microsoft did what many would consider unthinkable by introducing Surface, a slick 10.6-inch tablet with two different models designed and built by Microsoft. There’s a key strategic difference, however: Surface tablets place Microsoft in direct competition with its licensees for both tablets and PCs. Read more »
Speculation has begun that Microsoft will launch its own tablet device on Monday, but will it be a full computer or a consumer device? No matter what’s announced, it could have implications regarding Windows partnerships and the public’s desire, or lack thereof, to buy Microsoft hardware. Read more »
Once a rising star, HTC continues to lose lustre as it not only faces increased competition from Apple and Samsung, but also due to alleged patent infringements and limitations on future products. With three issues at once, this may be the worst week in HTC’s history. Read more »
At Computex, Asus introduced numerous new computer designs for Microsoft Windows 8, covering laptops, desktops, Ultrabooks and more. There’s even one laptop with two screens. But the smartest move by Asus is to re-use the popular design from its Android tablet and dock, the Transformer Prime. Read more »
The adoption of tablets, social media and new interfaces and the changing nature of the TV itself mean the digital living room will continue on its path of rapid change, thanks to new ways of creating, viewing, bundling, distributing and selling content. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Microsoft and Barnes & Noble are forming a strategic partnership that combines the Nook and college businesses into a new company. Microsoft is making a $300 million investment in the new company and Nook e-books are coming to Windows platforms. Read more at paidContent »
Depending on whom you believe, Microsoft will either offer Windows Phone 8 as an upgrade to all current Microsoft-powered handsets or it won’t provide the software to any of them. Windows 8 could be the issue here, but Microsoft needs to publicly state its intent. Read more »
In the first quarter of 2012 all eyes were on the screen, both big and small. Apple’s new Retina display pushed video streaming, and broadcast-TV streaming service Aereo’s launch was quickly followed with litigation. These events and more are discussed in a new quarterly report. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Smartphone sales surged both in the U.S. and worldwide, carriers struggled to cope with the ever-increasing consumption of mobile data, and the fight for spectrum remained front and center in the first quarter. Our latest quarterly wrap-up analyzes these trends and more. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
This quarter the EV market struggled to find its footing. Meanwhile, the smart-grid sector solidified and low-power technology proved itself important in the data center. Read more to learn what these news pieces and others mean for the larger space over the next few months. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Microsoft is facing a challenge in getting developers to make apps for its upcoming Windows 8 tablets: getting their attention. But there’s also a practical concern of having the right hardware. A rather unlikely middleman is looking to help bridge this gap. Read more »
It is the long weekend. And unless you are traveling, you might have enough time to sit and read and ruminate on different things. I have seven stories that are food for thought. The topics range from baseball to DNA to future of news. Read more »
In the final quarter of 2011, Apple sold more iPads than any traditional computer maker sold PCs. Are we headed toward what Apple calls a “post-PC” era? A former Apple director of 10 years suggests an interesting reason for the company’s positioning of “post-PC” devices. Read more »
This week on the podcast, Matt and Kevin chat about the new iPad and share which versions they bought, along with their reasons. Microsoft Windows 8 on an old netbook runs nicely, but even better if you know the correct driver tweak, shared on the show. Read more »
Now that Microsoft’s Windows 8 platform is available for testing, people have to consider where to install it. I have two old netbooks in the closet, just collecting dust; it turns out, netbooks should mostly work for Windows 8, provided you know the limitations and workarounds. Read more »
Microsoft debuted its Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Wednesday at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona. Although people think “desktop” when they hear Windows, there are several mobile features to be found in Windows 8 that will get Microsoft back in the tablet game. Read more »
Years have gone by since Microsoft launched a version of Windows that made the general public stand up and take notice. On Wednesday, the company will allow tech enthusiasts to start poking around Windows 8, a product that could help Microsoft get its groove back. Read more »
