Microsoft and Google aren't going head to head just over Internet search, office productivity suites and Cloud-based applications and services. Their next looming battle is over who will own the living room, and the outcome will have surprising implications for IT as well.
If you've been sitting on the fence about making the switch to Windows Phone 7, the just-released Lumia 900 could prod you to make the leap over. This stylish, well-engineered phone shows off the strengths of the Windows Phone platform on a bright, crisp 4.3-in. AMOLED screen with a high-bandwidth LTE connection.
If you've just upgraded to Outlook 2010 from an earlier version, expect to see some very big changes, most notably the ubiquity of the Ribbon interface. The Ribbon first made its appearance in Outlook 2007, but in a relatively minor way -- on the main Outlook screen there's no Ribbon, but when you open or compose an email, the Ribbon appears. Now it's everywhere.
With all the noise about social networking sites in the last several years, it's easy to forget that if you've got more to say than what can be expressed in 140 characters, or want to do more than post brief updates, your best bet is a blog.
The beta versions of Mac OS X (code-named Mountain Lion) and Windows 8 are now being tested worldwide, and although they are quite different from one another, they share one characteristic: Both take designs and features built for smartphones and tablets
Windows 8 Consumer Preview offers a new look at Microsoft's upcoming interface for both computers and tablets. Is one device being shortchanged in favor of the other?
Windows 8 Consumer Preview is one of the biggest changes that Microsoft has made to Windows, moving it from an operating system aimed at a single class of hardware (PCs and laptops) to one that spans a wide range of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Apple is riding high these days, not just in the consumer market with the iPhone and iPad, but increasingly in the corporate market as well. Some people envision the day when Apple will challenge Microsoft in the enterprise. That will never happen.
Once upon a time, Microsoft would rarely release a product on a competitor's platform. Those days may be over. At the end of last year, Microsoft launched a blizzard of apps for iPhones, iPads and Android phones. That's good news for anyone who cares about the company's future.
With the <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222461/Cool_stuff_Your_2011_holiday_tech_gift_guide">holiday season in full force</a>, a lot of gift-givers are going to be considering one of the new color e-readers that have been introduced recently: <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221888/Amazon_s_Kindle_Fire_misfires">Amazon's Kindle Fire</a>, the Kobo Vox and <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221898/Nook_Tablet_Hands_on_with_Barnes_Noble_s_alternative_to_the_Kindle_Fire">Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet</a>.
You know the stereotype: Microsoft is the sworn enemy of openness, unwilling to open its code or hardware to others. It's a monopolist bent on world domination, willing to use its lawyers and market strength to ensure that Windows and Office don't face any serious competition.
Print books may not be dead, but it's not for want of the biggest booksellers trying to kill them. This week, Amazon released the <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221888/Amazon_s_Kindle_Fire_misfires">Kindle Fire</a>, with Barnes & Noble following with the <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221898/Nook_Tablet_Hands_on_with_Barnes_Noble_s_alternative_to_the_Kindle_Fire">Nook Tablet</a> -- while one week ago the lesser-known <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/kobovox">Kobo Vox</a> went on sale.
Microsoft was built on operating systems: first DOS, and then Windows. But the company's most recent earnings show that Windows is no longer its primary engine for growth. Because of that, it's not clear what kind of company Microsoft will be several years from now.
Microsoft recently released a <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219996/First_look_The_two_faces_of_Windows_8_Developer_Preview_">developer preview of Windows 8</a> , which Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft's Windows division, called a "bold re-imagination." For once, corporate hype is accurate; this new version of Windows is dramatically different from <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9119998/Continuing_Coverage_Microsoft_Windows_7_Vista_Reloaded">Windows 7</a> , Vista and XP. Not that different always means better. Enterprises are going to be especially hard-pressed to see improvements in Windows 8. In fact, they might skip the upgrade entirely.
The recent iOS 5 announcement highlighted several interesting additions to Apple's app-focused operating system, such as the new <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220539/With_Siri_Apple_s_iPhone_4S_gets_a_voice">Siri voice command interface</a>, which will be available only on the iPhone 4S. In contrast, <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9137060/Microsoft_Update_Latest_news_features_reviews_opinions_and_more">Microsoft's</a> new <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219927/AT_T_to_offer_three_Mango_smartphones_this_fall">Mango version</a> of Windows Phone 7 (which is actually version 7.5) helps fulfill that platform's promise of helping people focus on the tasks they want to accomplish and the information they want to receive, rather than the apps they run -- especially when it comes to social networking and communications.
Innovation Awards is the market-leading awards program for celebrating ecosystem innovation and excellence across the technology sector in Australia.
EDGE is the leading technology conference for business leaders in Australia and New Zealand, built on the foundations of collaboration, education and advancement.
The Channel Roadmap is a bespoke content hub housing strategic priorities from technology vendors for 2022 and beyond, partners can find the guidance on the key technologies and markets to pursue, to help build a blueprint for future success.
