Windows 8 Upgrade Offer

Paul Thurrott has come up with some details about the upcoming Windows 8 upgrade offer coming from Microsoft.

This will be a program offered as an incentive for users to continue to buy Windows 7 hardware with the assurance of an upgrade to Windows 8 in the future.

This time, Microsoft is offering only an upgrade to the higher-end version of Windows 8 - Windows 8 Pro.

From Paul Thurrott:

But my sources have now told me that it will be $14.99.

An upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will cost $15.

Game on.

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SkyDrive

This is a guest post authored by Cameron Tyler.

As the release of Windows 8 looms on the horizon, and consumers tinker with their preview builds, there is a tangible, nostalgic tension in the air.

Windows is looking to claim OS dominance back from Apple, just as Apple readies the release of their new OSX build, Mountain Lion.

This battle of goliaths is a throwback title fight that would pull in many spectators if it weren’t for the real battle being waged in the cloud.

Online file storage and cloud computing has set the tone for this era in technology. Microsoft’s SkyDrive will march into the cloudy milieu against the likes of Dropbox, Google Drive and an infinite number of cloud service providers that are injecting the market with great ideas and functionality to keep enterprise offerings on their toes.

YouSendIt’s file sync and Box’s open sharing options are forcing bigger players to more tightly integrate their software and cloud functionality. Microsoft SkyDrive and Windows 8 combine to support that goal.

Windows 8 is a version of the Microsoft Windows operating system that most integrates with mobile computing. In fact, it has a mobile device appearance to it user interface. Made to work with smartphones and tablets easily, this version of Windows was not created to just sit on the desktop.

It was always clear that mobile would significantly influence our tech lives. That influence is manifesting itself as the new features crawling into desktop operating systems from mobile devices.

Apple is importing more iOS functionality into OSX, and Microsoft has updated their entire ecosystem (Windows Phone, XBOX + Kinect, and Windows 8 ) to create a cohesive interface that mirrors mobile.

The most important piece in that puzzle is the integration of cloud capabilities.

Access More than SkyDrive Files

Imagine staying up late one night working on a presentation for a business meeting the next day. You get up early and rush to work only to find that you forgot to put the presentation in the SkyDrive folder to be synced up with your work computer.

No problem, because a unique feature allows you to retrieve files from another device that has a SkyDrive folder on it. As long as your home computer is on, you can browse files as if you were sitting at home. Now you can find that presentation and save the business meeting!

Many other features make SkyDrive an important tool in a computing environment.

More than Just File Storage

SkyDrive gives you 7GB of storage space, enough for hundreds of documents. If more storage is needed, other plans are available for an annual fee.

Sharing of files with other people is easy and they do not need a SkyDrive account. They will access your files through their browser via a link sent to them. No complicated instructions required; just point and click access.

Getting around the limitation of sending large files as attachments through email is made easy with SkyDrive. Do a file sync and send a link through email to files up to 300MB. The file sharing process allows the recipient to easily access your large files.

Making Changes in the Sky

Microsoft Office Web Apps allows you to create, edit and share Microsoft Office documents in SkyDrive from your browser. A collaborative work environment can be created allowing several people to access and change documents.

The current Web apps tools include Word, Excel and PowerPoint, making this an ideal business office solution when many of the staff are on the road or in remote locations.

Many other file types are supported for viewing such as PDF, Open Document Format (ODF) and XML-based files. Multi-media files are supported and photos may even be set up to run as a slideshow out of SkyDrive.

Connecting to the Future Now

With SkyDrive and other programs like YouSendIt integrating your files and all of the devices you use to access them, you become independent of how you get to your information.

Whether you are at home on your desktop, at work on your laptop, or in a restaurant with your smartphone, you have access to all of your important information, right when you need it.

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Ubuntu

This is a guest post authored by Robert Kegel.

The other day I read an article on Zdnet where the author put Windows 8 against Ubuntu Linux 12.04. The author was against Windows 8 and said it was “dead in the water”. I decided to install Ubuntu in a virtual machine and test it out myself.

Here is a little background on me. I've been in the computer field for over 10 years, upgrading, updating, and fixing Windows machines. I don't claim Microsoft of being the all mighty, they make mistakes, they've made major ones in the past and I think they're trying to fix them now.

I've been using Windows 8 on my laptop since the Developers Preview and I have tried Linux Distributions before (especially earlier versions of Ubuntu). I have been a Windows user for most of my life, and before Windows I used Amiga an and a Commodore 64. I've used Mac OS very little so I'll mention Apple very little (if at all) in this article.

I'll start with my thoughts on Ubuntu's most recent release 12.04. Starting with version 11 Ubuntu has developed their own shell called Unity. Unity looks very clean and nice, it reminds me a bit of Windows 7 with its taskbar (Ubuntu calls it Launcher).

You can lock and unlock programs to the launcher (like you can pin and unpin programs to the Windows taskbar), it works very well (although you can't lock programs from Dash Home to the main dashboard, you have to start a program then right-click and click on “lock to launcher”. Also when you do alt + tab Linux has a very Windows like program switcher.

Ubuntu's Unity shell is very finger friendly, it seems like it would make a good tablet OS. Its clean and simple to use. The developers did a great job of taking a sometimes confusing OS and making it very easy to use. The installation was easy and quick. It has Ubuntu App Center which is basically an app store, you can find both free and paid apps on there to download.

There is Ubuntu One which is their cloud service. In it you can save programs, files, music and more. Sign up and setup was pretty simple and straight forward.

You can have different programs run on different workspaces (which isn't new for Linux) and works well if you have several programs running at once. This is something I'm surprised Microsoft hasn't added to Windows, you can download programs that do it, but regular users probably don't.

System setting on Ubuntu is very nice and usable. You can find everything quick and easy and it seems straight forward. The only real issue I had was it wouldn't find my Lexmark 240N printer.

The Dash Home button (which is like the Windows button), is very nice. Its setup in 5 sections, first you have your main area which shows your most recent programs you've run. Second you have your main application section where you can find icons for all the programs on your system. Third is the documents section. Fourth is the music section and finally Fifth you have the video section.

You also at the top have a search area where you can type in the program name you're searching for. In the search area you can also type in URL's and it'll bring them up in your favorite browser. In this section you can not preform Internet searches though.

At the upper right you have an area which has many useful functions. You have an envelope which is an area where you can make yourself visible, invisible or offline for chat, you can access your email and Ubuntu one. Next to that you have your networking button, volume button then time and date.

Next to those you have the user button which allows you to switch user accounts. Finally you have your power button which lets you access system setting, display, startup applications, software update, attached devices, printers, as well as lock the screen, shut down, suspend and logout.

Overall Ubuntu Linux 12.04 is very usable and clean and once setup is easy to use.

And here is the problem with Linux still and that the regular person will need someone to help them set it up. With Windows you usually buy a computer with it on and for the most part its setup. Microsoft does a very good job of walking you through what you need to do to do the rest of the setup.

With Linux it's not always that easy, there are still times when you need to go to a terminal to set things up initially. Ubuntu does a good job of making you not have to do this often, but it will happen. For instance, VMware has VMtools which give you more functionality in a virtual machine.

With Windows 8 I just had to click install VMtools and it brought up a notification to open a drive which after clicked it installed VMtools just like any other program. With Ubuntu you can't just double click on the install file for it to install (the programs you get from the store you can just install and they are easy), I had to go into Root (which meant going into a terminal) and typing in commands.

Then I had to type in more commands to install the tools and then the setup had me answer a dozen or so questions until the tools were fully installed then I had to type commands again to get out of Root.

With Ubuntu its very simple if you use the programs in the software center, but if you want to download programs from another site thats when you run into issues. Granted most people won't need to download anything that can't be found in the Software Center, but some may and that will be an issue.

The other issue with Linux is software names are brands. Microsoft Office, Intuit Quickbooks, Adobe Photoshop and such because they're brands people know and trust. Linux doesn't really have any major brands of software. Even Mac OS has Microsoft Office, Quickbooks and Photoshop, because like Microsoft, Apple knows brands are important to people.

With Linux you have to use open source clones of software and even though most of them are quite good, people may not be able to get past that they're not the brands they're use to.

Right now I'm writing this article in LibreOffice Writer and for me it works really well, but I know many people I show them Libreoffice and they turn their nose up at it just like they would if you showed them an off-brand pair of shoes or sun glasses. Also Windows gets good known games where Linux still lags behind. Most people use what they know because it's what they're use to.

Ubuntu 12.04 is the best Linux distribution I've ever used and even though true Linux fans will snub their noses at this comment because Ubuntu has become easy to use, I'll stand by that statement. I think OS' should become easier and easier.

In all actuality the person who uses other more complex Linux distributions is very small, they're usually IT professionals or computer nerds who like an OS that challenges them. The thing is 99% of the population just wants something that runs and is as easy to use as possible. Ubuntu with the Unity shell has done that (for the most part).

Now I'll talk about Windows 8 in comparison to Ubuntu.

Windows 8 is a totally different monster than any other version of Windows and that will throw people off. The Metro interface with its tiles is not familiar (unless you have (or have used) a Windows Phone 7). Unlike Ubuntu 12.04, Windows 8 is very loud with its colorful live tiles. This is what makes Windows 8 unlike any other OS.

If an app is written for it, the live tiles can show you all types of information. In the peoples app you'll see your friends pictures, tweets and Facebook comments pop up and more. In a weather app you may see today’s forecast and in a news app you may see today’s top stories pop up.

This is all very useful information and when just in front of my computer thinking or on the phone I find myself mesmerized by the information that show up on these tiles. Its like a dance of information right before my eyes and at my fingertips if I see something that intrigues me.

While Ubuntu is very clean and minimalistic Windows 8 is very loud and the old Windows Desktop was more like Ubuntu so people may get thrown off at first. I think once they setup their news, calendar, peoples hub, weather app, stock app...etc, they'll see how useful and beautiful Metro really is.

Installing an app from the Market Place is simple and apps are easy to find (so far easier than on Ubuntu but that may be due to the small number of apps on the Widows 8 Consumer Preview at the moment. I'll have to see how the Marketplace handles thousands of apps).

Right now its cut up into different categories (games, entertainment, music & video...etc). Ubuntu's Software Center has categories as well and even though I didn't do a bunch of test searches, I did search for Adobe Flash and the plugin which was easily found and installed. So far I would say both OS' are equal when talking about their app stores.

With Windows 8 (for x86) you can use Windows desktop programs and to access them you use the Metro desktop. Its easy, you can categorize the desktop to make it look tidy and neat. I actually find it easier to find apps on Windows 8 than I do with the start menu on Windows 7.

In both Windows 7 and 8 you can preform a search to find the app you're looking for, but in Windows 8 it just seems easier. Ubuntu you can do the same thing within Dash Home and it works very well too. In all three as you type a name programs pop up as each OS tries to predict what you're looking for but in Windows 8 and Ubuntu it just does it better and quicker. Finding apps installed on your computer is about as easy on both Ubuntu and Windows 8.

Notifications in Ubuntu are nice. I use Thunderbird for my email client and I get notifications pop up as I get a message. The problem is when I click on the notification (and I'm not sure if its because I have Thunderbird on a different workspace than I'm on now) it doesn't switch to Thunderbird.

Windows 8 you get notifications as well but if you get an email in Thunderbird on the desktop client you do not get a notification if you're in Metro yet. I think Mozilla will have this fixed (if they even can do this within Windows 8 ) or they'll make a Metro version of Thunderbird.

Right now the preview mail program doesn't have notifications, and so far if I'm on Windows desktop I don't get any Metro notifications, but I think that will change.

I can't do any performance tests on Ubuntu since this is on a virtual machine. It runs ok, a little sluggish when going between workspace and loading programs, but again that's probably due to it being on a virtual machine.

I have Windows 8 on a virtual machine too and it also runs more sluggish than on my laptop where I'm dual booting it with Windows 7. Neither are that bad though, still very workable. Download speeds on the Internet are good on both Firefox and Chromium.

Overall I'm having a good experience with Ubuntu 12.04, Much better than with past versions of Linux. Its much easier to use, a nice minimalistic interface and I think it would be good on a tablet. I wish I had a tablet that I could test both OS' on. I'm actually thinking of trying to put Ubuntu on my CR-48 Chromebook.

Does Ubuntu make me want to switch from Windows to it? No, I like Windows 7 and unless Microsoft really messes up I'll like 8 as well. I like running playing games and even though I use LibreOffice even on my Windows machine, I run other brand name software.

I might put it on my Chromebook or if I can get a cheap tablet with Ubuntu on it, and I'll still probably use the copy I have virtualized on my PC. I'm going to stick with Windows though, I know it well, I can do what I want, and Windows 8 is a nice face lift for an old friend. I have a Windows Phone 7 and I'll probably get a Windows Phone 8 (unless something in Android or Blackberry 10 really blows me away).

What do you think? Have you tried Ubuntu? What do you like and/or dislike about it? Will you switch from your present OS or stay?

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I thought I would share those.

Before the nonsense comments begin, let me explain. This is the standard for mobile phones. You cannot have a Windows Phone 8 conversation without taking a look at what the likely competition might be.

This holiday season will be very competitive.

See the Gallery below.

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Windows 8 Tablet - factors for success

With its touch-optimized Metro UI, Windows 8 is clearly a different animal than past versions of Windows. This time around, Microsoft is getting truly serious about going after the tablet market, there is just one question on the minds of many- What makes Windows 8 any better than iOS or Android?

While it still remains to be seen exactly how well Windows 8 will do in the tablet market, I have thought of at least a few key points about why a consumer might want to go for Windows 8 versus an iPad or Android tablet.

Without further ado:

1. Windows 8 is more family oriented.

Okay, I'm not saying that the apps are more “kid friendly” per-say, it's just that the age of sharing a desktop computer with multiple users is starting to shift away and more families are also sharing tablets for games and more. With Windows 8 you have access to multiple users, something that both iOS and Android don't really support without the use of 3rd tools. Additionally, the new “Family Safety Feature” for Windows really gives you some pretty solid control over the viewing and usage abilities of your children.

2. Faster multitasking on Windows 8

Windows 8 is very fast and fluid, and although I admittedly have limited experience with the iPad line, I can say that Windows 8 offers a much better multitasking experience than Android 4.0 ICS seems to offer me. No double-tapping a button, everything just opens up easy, and I like it. I suspect that many other consumers will feel the same about that.

3. It's WINDOWS.

For x86 tablets, this means full support for older accessories and drivers, full support for non-touch applications in desktop mode, and more. Why does this matter? It matters for enterprise and gaming users, who need access to many traditional applications.

Okay, so a 'true gamer' is probably going to go with a Core i7 super-custom desktop PC, but I truly see that gaming on the go will have appeal to some gamers. Sure, maybe your x86 tablet can't play “World of Warcraft” at highest settings like your desktop, but when you need mobility in gaming, it can at least play in low or medium settings so you don't miss a beat.

A Windows 8 tablet can also be easily hooked up to mouse and keyboard, or even an external monitor. Point number 3 here though is less relevant for the ARM/Windows RT crowd though.

4. Xbox Integration.

From the Xbox Live app to planned connectivity and launching features with the 360, it is clear that a unified ecosystem is in the works and I believe that Windows 8 will become more and more connected to the 360 and its future successor.

With Xbox 360 (and probably 720) targeting the living room with moves like $99/2-year contract sales, if a Windows tablet can be used for certain games, as a media remote, for instant streaming, etc... let's just say that this alone can push Windows tablet sales.

5. The Enterprise.

No, I'm not talking about Captain Kirk, though I suppose he might have used Windows in that ship. Jokes aside, Windows 8's ability to integrate into a business ecosystem, largely dominated by Windows, might have true impact on business.

The ability to set up different levels of user privilege and access on a Windows tablet also might be appealing for businesses. While I suspect that Windows 8/Intel will be the more supported business route, even Windows RT and ARM could have a real impact on the business world.

Alright, that's just five points, though I suppose I could make more. Does Windows 8 and RT have some hurdles to overcome? Sure, they are a little late to the game and have less apps for one.

One thing that Microsoft has shown us recently with Windows Phone though, they can catch up pretty quickly in the app department, and this will be especially true if Metro apps do well in the desktop world-- since there are so many desktop Windows developers out there.

So what do you think? Any other reasons why Windows 8 offers a truly unique and appealing experience that could potentially set it aside from the iPad and Android offerings? Share your thoughts below.

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This one is called Microsoft Family Safety.

Windows 8 Family Safety

The new security features will allow parents to restrict their kids activity on Windows 8.

Some examples:

• SafeSearch: When web filtering is active, SafeSearch is locked into the “Strict” setting for popular search engines such as Bing, Google, and Yahoo. This will filter out adult text, images, and videos from your search results.
• Time limits: With Windows 8, you now can restrict the number of hours per day your child can use their PC. For example, you might set a limit of one hour on school nights and two hours on weekends. This is in addition to the bedtime limits currently available in Windows 7.
• Windows Store: Activity reports list the most recent Windows Store downloads, and you can set a game-rating level, which prevents your children from seeing apps in the Windows Store above a particular age rating.
• Application and game restrictions: As in Windows 7, you can block specific applications and games or set an appropriate game rating level.

This is FANTASTIC news for Windows 8.

As a consumer and a parent, this is exactly the type of thing I would look for when deciding what tablet(s) the whole family is going to share.

Some video from Microsoft:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

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tmobile store

OK, this is really ridiculous.

Maybe it's just me but every time I go to a T-Mobile store and ask to see a sample Nokia Lumia phone, it always seems like I'm asking for something strange.

Four times now I have gone to a T-Mobile store and it's taken an average of 10 minutes for them to FIND their sample Lumia.

It's always locked away or the manager has the key or the employees aren't sure where it is.

The location I'm talking about is

3629 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107

Note to T-Mobile - Your people aren't trained. You have the frikkin Lumia poster on the store window, it's not unreasonable that people may want to see the store sample.

Note to Microsoft, if you want to know why people aren't buying these phones, it might be because they can't play with them in a timely manner.

Just saying.

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24 hours in an all Microsoft world

With Windows 8, Microsoft have started down the road to platform unification.

I've spoken before on what the end game would be for a unified Microsoft - Phone, Tablets, Bing, Xbox, PC's, Laptops, Servers etc all communicating with each other via cloud based web services.

I started thinking about what our lives would look like if everything went according to plan.

Here's my vision of how it would work - 24 hours in a Microsoft enabled world.

Morning

Get woken up by an Alarm on your Windows Phone. Head to the kitchen to make some coffee. Head back to the living room where the Xbox and Kinect detected your presence and started the TV.

The Kinect swivels from left to right as you move so you can give it commands from anywhere in the room.

You watch your financial TV show and are able to check your stock portfolio in real-time via the Kinect and Xbox. You are able to check your email via the TV and you have the Xbox read your emails out to you.

You tell the Xbox to remind you of an important message you have to give to your boss at 11am. It automatically puts the reminder in your calendar.

You go to take a shower and get ready for work.

In the car

Once you're in the car, your Windows Embedded terminal in your car syncs with your phone and tablet.

Using information from Bing Maps, it's able to recommend alternative traffic routes to save you time.

Your car reads your emails to you and notifies you of new messages. You're able to dictate emails and instant messages while you're driving.

You need to join a conference call while you're driving so the car takes the number from your appointment book and dials it, with the # signs and conference numbers.

At work

You have your Windows Phone in your pocket and your Intel Windows Tablet in your hand. Ultrabooks and Laptops stopped being necessary years ago.

You dock your tablet into your terminal and you can use it with a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

You log into your work domain and your Microsoft account is deactivated but your corporate account is activated. You only have access to corporate cloud services with the exception of your calendar.

Your Xbox message beeps and reminds you to give your boss the message.

Using Skype, you get on your first video conference call of the day with 5 different countries. In the middle of that call, the screen is minimized because you have an incoming video call from your wife. You take the call briefly to answer her question and once you hang up, you are back on the video conference call.

You remember you want to tape a tv show so you send your Xbox an email saying "record 60 minutes". The Xbox at home receives the email and starts the process of recording that series for you.

You walk down the hall to a conference room for a meeting with your tablet and take notes with a stylus. Paper stopped being used 7 years ago.

At your next meeting, using Bluetooth, you are able to connect your tablet to a projector and give that presentation. During the presentation, you use your stylus to take real-time feedback on the slides.

You use Bing throughout the day because (unlike Google) it will send you emails and personalize the results and make arrangements for you.

You are able to ask Bing questions about the nearest Irish bar and it finds 5, cross references their ratings on Yelp and then recommends the top 2 based on user feedback.

You tell Bing to send the directions to the car. It does.

Back Home

After an evening at the bar, you head home and are able to watch 60 minutes because the Xbox recorded it.

The Xbox reads new emails and new video call messages to you.

You head to bed and tell your Windows phone to wake you up at 7.

Not too bad.

What do you think?

Is this a world you would like to live in?

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New Windows 8 Lock Screen

New Windows 8 Wallpaper

New Windows 8 Metro Screenshot

Win8china.com is reporting that there are a bunch of new Windows 8 screenshots that are different from the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

There are obviously some new wallpapers but they also show slight differences in the tile structure in the Metro interface.

Hard to pay too much attention to these kind of trivial leaks when the Windows 8 Release Preview is coming in just a few weeks.

What is interesting is that there is talk online of a Windows 8 Consumer Preview update 2. Doesn't really make sense in light of the fact that the Release Preview is on it's way.

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Bing search engine

Bing has launched a massive redesign of its services.

They have reorganized their search pages to reflect 3 new columns.

Standard Search

This form of Bing is the results that you know or don’t, but if you have used Bing, this is what you likely are familiar with already.

Snapshot

This is the new action column. Fusing results from OpenTable, FanSnap, and Yelp, if you are looking to get something done, this is your new friend, provided you find it superior to Google.

Social

Here, Bing is going to bring in results from Quora, Facebook, and Twitter and Foursquare and others. The idea here is that Bing takes in your networks that you are have built, your social graph, and makes it relevant as you search. Also, the product will take in ‘experts’ from around the web to make sure that you have proper human guidance.

This is going to be an interesting next step for the Microsoft search engine.

With the introduction of disruptive algorithms like Panda and Penguin, some are speculating that Google is more vulnerable than ever.

Time will tell.

Here's a video from Microsoft explaining the new changes:

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