Friday 9 November 2012

Can Windows 8 Give Developers What iOS and Android Lack?

While analysts predict that the adoption of the new OS will take time, there is one critical area where it can't afford to fall behind: Apps. See Windows Phone 8 review.

Microsoft has been wooing developers to get on the Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 bandwagon.

The PC landscape that Microsoft dominated for decades has morphed into a mobile battlefield besieged by iPads, iPhones, and Android tablets and smartphones. There is an army of existing Windows developers, but the Windows Store contains only about 10,000 apps. The Apple App Store, by comparison, has 700,000. At its annual Build developer conference last week Microsoft offered attendees a Surface tablet, 100GB of free cloud storage via SkyDrive, a free Nokia Lumia 920 Windows 8 phone and a discounted developer's registration to the Windows Store. But the biggest incentive is something Microsoft announced earlier this year: More money. Microsoft will give developers 70 percent of an app's selling price, but then increase that amount to 80 percent once the app earns over $25,000. Apple only recently raised the cut for iOS developers to 70 percent. Google pays Android developers a 70 percent share as well.

Two Windows 8 developers CIO.com spoke with are both prepared for Windows 8 to grow slowly, but are enthused by its versatility across different devices, the variety of developer tools at hand and the abundant support from Microsoft. And, of course, there's the potentially enormous audience that could rise up around Windows 8.

After all, there are 670 million Windows 7 users potentially upgrading to Windows 8 at some point.

Windows 8: Just Like Starting Over (Kind of) Even with its massive installed base of Windows users, Windows 8 is still like a new kid on the block because of the recent proliferation of tablets and app distribution stores.

"I think Microsoft realizes it is not the big monopolist now and they know they have to conquer the market again," says Tom Verhoeff, an app developer and a partner at Holland-based app development company Methylium, which recently developed the Windows 8 app for Booking.com, a popular online hotel reservation site. "From an OS perspective on the desktop Windows is still the best. But people will have to get used to the Windows 8 interface on the desktop," Verhoeff says."When they adapt they will want it on phones and they will be happy with how files sync between the two." The success of iOS and Android on tablets remains the biggest obstacle for Windows 8, admits Verhoeff, and with PC sales in decline Microsoft won't be as big as it used to be, but will still carve out a space in the market, he says. Independent developer Jonathan Isabelle recently developed an app for Windows 8 called Jack of Tools (a "Swiss Army Knife"-type app that contains a flashlight, compass, virtual leveler, geo-location, altitude, speed, sound meter and other features). He migrated his app using RadControls for Windows 8, a toolset for building Windows 8 apps from application and content management company Telerik (Methylium also used Telerik's toolset). Isabelle agrees that Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 have a smaller audience and less developer competition than iOS and Android, and that's a good thing, for now. "The potential audience could be huge," Isabelle says. "That's very appetizing to a developer. When I started developing on Windows Phone there were tens of thousands of apps, and now there are over 100,000." Industry research backs this notion. Forrester predicts that 2014 will be the year that Windows 8 gains firm market traction in conventional and touch devices, and by 2016 it will gain almost a 30 percent share of tablets. Windows 8 Programming Goes Multi-Lingual Microsoft decided to include more programming languages with Windows 8. Apps can be developed using conventional languages like C++, C#, Visual Basic as well as web development languages such as HTML, CSS or JavaScript. These choices set Windows 8 apart from the more strict iOS, which only allows app development using Objective C. For Android, Java is the only language Google supports.

 "Microsoft is trying to show the developer community that it is not the old proprietary Microsoft but the new Microsoft that wants everybody on board," says Verhoeff. However, while Microsoft is looking to attract more developers by supporting more programming languages than Apple or Google, Windows 8 does have very specific guidelines for the look and feel of apps, he adds, and the company is really pushing the "Metro" design style.

"Windows 8 apps behave in the same way," says Verhoeff. "They all conform to Windows 8 interface features such as the Charms bar on the right side.

You don't have the design freedom you have with iOS, but you can still build a unique experience with the Windows 8 style."

In addition to the clean and simple look of Windows 8, Microsoft is also looking to make development inexpensive. As opposed to the $99 per year to sign up with Apple as an iOS developer.

Microsoft Visual Studio Express is free. One OS, One Code, Many Windows 8 Devices The ultimate promise of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 is seamless compatibility across multiple platforms. Apps will run on a PC, a tablet and a smartphone, allowing developers to reach an army of users. Such versatility will make Microsoft unique among its competitors.

Apple's iOS platform works only on iPads and iPhones and even then the code between an iPhone app and an iPad app can be different, and developers must make adjustments. Windows 8 device compatibility may never be perfect, says Verhoeff, as the UI of Windows Phone 8 apps will be adjusted for the smaller screen. But developers will still be using the same Windows 8 code.

Read more:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/mobile-phone/3409789/can-windows-8-give-developers-what-ios-android-lack/#ixzz2Bkc8QirD

Tuesday 16 October 2012

PCWorld reviews the new Vizio CT14-A2 Ultrabook

PCWorld
Ultrabook ™ Inspired by Intel. Instantly Inspiring. The sleek, responsive Ultrabookâ„¢ is powered by visibly smart Intel® Coreâ„¢ processors so you won’t have to compromise performance for style.
  · Always less than an inch thick
· Wakes up in a flash
· Runs for hours, standby for days
· Stunning performance and visuals
 
Intel. Discover what's possible with an Ultrabook™
     
 

PCWorld Editor Lyod Case says
that the Vizio CT14-A2 Ultrabook is "Elegance in Minimalism."

If Walter Gropius could see the new Vizio CT14-A2 Ultrabook, he’d probably approve. It sports a sleek, metallic elegance, like many of the quintessential Bauhaus designs. And as the Bauhaus school would do, Vizio stripped out seemingly essential features, but the end result is a compact, lightweight, usable laptop that performs well and looks good.

Vizio ships a sleek, gorgeous looking laptop that performs well, with an emphasis on usability over features.” — PCWorld.com, 8/9/12

 
Vizio: Shop Thin + Light. PCWorld: 4.5 stars. Vizio: Shop Thin + Light. PCWorld: 4.5 stars.
 

Copyright © 2012, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel Inside, Intel Core, Ultrabook, Intel, and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

 
   

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Monday 15 October 2012

Next-gen touchpads respond to pressure

The latest from PCWorldToday in Tech Follow us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter
10.15.2012  View in a Browser

Next-gen touchpads respond to pressure

10.14.2012 1:45 PM

Researchers at the User Interface Software Technology conference demonstrated unique projects that took advantage of a new, pressure-sensitive Synaptics "forcepad" that could debut in ultrabooks as soon as next year.

A Windows 8 pricing FAQ: What we know, so far

10.15.2012 10:45 AM

Microsoft and its retail partners revealed a few more details about Windows 8 pricing, clarifying what the Redmond, Wash., developer has purposefully left muddy in the months leading up to its release next week. We try to answer the most-pressing questions.

 
 

Microsoft launches Xbox Music: What you need to know

10.14.2012 9:00 PM

Microsoft is kicking it up a notch with the new Xbox music service, but the company will need to greatly expand device and OS support to capture significant market share.

Adobe ships Acrobat XI featuring new cloud services

10.14.2012 9:01 PM

New version of Acrobat touts increased integration with cloud services such as Adobe EchoSign for electronic signatures and FormsCentral for forms creation and data collection.

Report: Softbank deal to buy 70 percent stake in Sprint to be announced Monday

10.14.2012 11:00 PM

Softbank will acquire a 70 percent stake in Sprint Nextel, with the boards of both companies agreeing to the deal, which will be announced Monday, according to CNBC.

Review: iPod nano (7th generation) combines the best of its predecessors

10.15.2012 3:00 AM

With the seventh generation of the iPod nano, Apple has taken the best of the previous two generations and combined them into an iOS-inspired player that for many people will be the best nano yet.

How to change your DSLR lens the right way

10.15.2012 3:00 AM

Here's how to change the lens while keeping your mirror, sensor, and lens clean and safe.

Toshiba Satellite R945-P440 review: Sturdy and so-so

10.15.2012 3:30 AM

The S945-P440 is a mediocre all-purpose laptop that might make a good family machine.

The Windows 8 UI: How do interface and usability experts rate all the changes?

10.15.2012 3:30 AM

The Windows 8 user interface has received significant criticism for being unintuitive and difficult to navigate. Are the barbs legit, or do long-time Windows users just hate change? We asked usability experts for answers.

Is all your gear Windows 8 compatible?

10.15.2012 3:30 AM

Some notebooks and peripherals are Windows 8-challenged. Here's the 411 on what plays nice with the new OS.

Acer adds two new all-in-One PCs to Windows 8 lineup

10.15.2012 5:20 AM

Acer on Monday announced several additions to its Windows 8 device lineup including two new all-in-one PC models and two touch-ready high definition monitors.

Logitech's illuminated Windows 8 keyboard connects to 3 devices at once

10.15.2012 6:24 AM

Logitech has introduced the Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810, which lets you connect to as many as three devices simultaneously. It also glows as your hands approach the keys, but apparently runs only with Windows 8.

Friday 12 October 2012

Microsoft move hints at the death of Windows service packs

  Firefox 16 removed from installer page after vulnerability found | Internet attacks could mean Cyber Pearl Harbor, says US Defense Sec. Panetta
 
  Network World Security

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Microsoft move hints at the death of Windows service packs
Microsoft's first-time move Tuesday to update Windows 8 before the OS launches is a sign of the company's continued edging toward practices long held by rivals Apple and Google. Read More


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Firefox 16 removed from installer page after vulnerability found
Mozilla has temporarily removed Firefox 16 from the current installer page after it found a security vulnerability in the new version of its browser, it said on Wednesday. Read More

Internet attacks could mean Cyber Pearl Harbor, says US Defense Sec. Panetta
Internet attacks could mean Cyber Pearl Harbor, says US Defense Sec. Panetta Speaking at an event in New York on October 11, 2012, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says an attack on US critical infrastructure could be the equivalent of a "cyber Pearl Harbor," From: networkworld Views: 1 0 ratings Time: 02:30 More in Science & Technology Read More

After Congress' report, what next for China's tech firms?
The House intelligence report issued Monday will bring more scrutiny to joint efforts and agreements by U.S. and China technology companies at least, but trade problems can't be ruled out either. Read More


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7 spooktechular haunted house ideas
This Halloween, make yours the geekiest haunted house on the block Read More

Conficker worm still being tracked, but evidence collection slows
The notorious malware known as the Conficker worm still infects computers, a sort of wild horse with no rider, but investigators appear no closer to finding its creator. Read More

Doctor's orders: Healthcare in the cloud
Judy Klickstein is a cloud believer. As CIO of Cambridge Health Alliance, a midsized healthcare provider just outside of Boston, she's excited about the efficiencies cloud computing can bring to her organization. Read More


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Legal and technical BYOD pitfalls highlighted at RSA security conference
Allowing employees to bring their own devices to work is causing new challenges, including what happens when a device needs to be wiped or employees want to sell their smartphone or tablet. Read More

US Defense Sec. Panetta on when US military will work in cyberspace
Speaking at an event in New York on October 11, 2012, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta explained when he believes the military would get involved in a cyber attack Read More

5 Things You Need to Know About Risk Management
Risk is everywhere and if you're just trying to minimize it within IT, you're taking an additional risk. Follow these tips and learn how to take an intelligent approach to risk management. Read More

Islamic hacktivists target three more U.S. banks
Self-described Islamic hacktivists have resumed cyberattacks on major U.S. banks, disrupting the online services of at least two of their targets. Read More

Hackers steal thousands of student records from computers at Florida college
An information breach at a Florida college has compromised information of about 279,000 students and employees, the Florida Department of Education said on Wednesday. Read More

 
 
 

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PC Overclocking Utility; Control & Implement Game Features

The latest from PCWorldDaily Downloads Follow us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter
10.12.2012

MSI Afterburner: Brand-agnostic PC overclocking utility

Oct 3, 2012 1:44 PM

Platform-agnostic PC overclockers have MSI's venerable Afterburner utility to tweak their video-card collection. Afterburner (free) is designed to work with MSI's own products, but in actuality works with most modern hardware. Note: The "Try it for free" button on the Product Information page takes you to the vendor's site, where you can download the latest version of the software.
»Keep reading the review
»Check the product specs or try it now

FXAA Post Process Injector

Oct 3, 2012 2:14 PM

Old games aren't the only ones that cause trouble. Modern 3D titles are rife with disappointments, but perhaps the more irksome to gamers are yestertech graphic options on recent games. Console ports are mostly to blame for this (I'm looking at you, From Dust) as developers are forced to aim for the lowest common denominator targets to maximize sales and homogenize development, but they aren't the only offenders. None of that matters, however when you boot up your new game and find it bereft of features like advanced antialiasing, HDR, or Bloom. Fortunately, you can get all of those effects today without updates or patches via FXAA Post Process Injector (free). Note: The "Try it for free" button on the Product Information page takes you to the vendor's site, where you can download the latest version of the software. You'll find it halfway down the vendor's list of software.
»Keep reading the review
»Check the product specs or try it now

 

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