Windows Ocho
When I started this blog five months ago, I never thought that I would someday be lucky enough to break a huge story, let alone one with an anonymous source deep inside one of the largest corporations in the world! I've been sitting on this story since April 1st of this year, but my source would not allow me to print it until he could verify the information.
According to my source, a high-level employee of Micr0soft, the next version of Windows (Windows 8) will have an app store in which ALL Windows software will be distributed! Modeled after the hugely successful Apple app store for iPhone and iPad, the Windows app store will be a 'one stop shop' for all software applications that a user wishes to install on their Windows system.
Apparently, the idea for a Windows app store (not to be confused with the app store available for Windows Phone) had been kicked around for a couple of years in Redmond, but it was the successful launch of Apple's iPad that convinced Microsoft that customers are willing to give up some freedom in exchange for the perception of increased security and quality. My source says that the Microsoft sees the iPad as a full computer, not a 'large format' iPod or iPhone. They are convinced that Apple will, over the next few years, make the iPad more and more powerful, phase out their notebook computers, and eventually all of Apple's products will be tied to app stores. Not wanting to fall behind Apple any further, Microsoft will introduce the Windows app store for Windows 8 first.
Below is my source's list of benefits and restrictions for software deployment on Windows 8:
- All software for Windows 8 will be distributed via the Windows App store including both consumer and enterprise applications.
- Software developers will need to submit their applications to Micorosft for approval. Microsoft will use the approval process to weed out malware (spyware, viruses, etc), poorly written software that impedes the performance of Windows 8, pornography, hate speach, vulgarity, and anything else that Micosoft thinks customers will find offensive.
- In addition to applicaitons developed by large vendors, such as Adobe and Apple, all custom developed software will need to be aproved by Microsoft via the app store.
- Microsoft will continue to allow Adobe Flash on Windows 8, but other software has not yet been approved (and may never be ): Firefox, Chrome, iTunes, Safari -- just to name a few.
The shift to a closed system controlled by Microsoft is a bombshell, no doubt, but the biggest news is that 'Windows 8' is just the code name for the next version of Windows. The real name will be Windows Ocho! It seems that MS execs want to capitalize on the popularity of NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, in an attempt to appeal to the 'kids'. Not THAT is a little hard to believe, wouldn't you say?
Another Damn Apple Post?
When I started Backingin.com last December, I had no intention of creating an Apple blog (pro or con), but after a couple of months, "Apple" is the largest tag in the 'tag cloud'. As I stated in my first post, Backingin.com will become what it wants to become, and lately my thoughts are dominated by technology. So, staying with the tech theme, I read with interest today that Apple is suing HTC for patent infringement. HTC is one of the largest manufacturers of cellphones and the maker of the Google Nexus One smartphone. Apple is claiming that HTC violated 20 iPhone patents.
There seems to be three dogs in this fight. One one side, there are those who think it is long overdue that Apple started defending themselves against intellectual property theft. On the other side is a group that believes Apple is acting like the new Microsoft by using the courts to try to intimidate any real competition to the iPhone. Then there are those who believe that all technology companies have lost their minds and sold their souls by using patents as weapons. Place me firmly in the third camp.
The patent battles have become ridiculous. Apple and Nokia have been trading barbs over who infringed on who's patents for the past few months. According to an article on CNet's News.com, Nokia claims that Apple infringed on seven Nokia patents "in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers." I don't know who is right and who is wrong is this case, and I believe that patents are necessary to protect your company's technology, but the current state of patent litigation mania will only hurt one party: the consumer.
Windows Phone
Microsoft gave a sneak peak at Windows Phone 7 Series, the replacement for Windows Mobile at Mobile World Congress 2010. I have read some very enthusiastic reviews so far, but Windows Phone 7 Series (WP7) must be more impressive in person compared to the photos I've seen. To be fair, photographs of videos screens and impromptu 'hands on' demos can't really shine a proper light on a product. From the product description it appears that Microsoft came to play, and I'm glad they didn't 'phone it in' (sorry about the bad pun). This product is a must for them. There is no way that Microsoft can leave the smartphone market to rivals Apple and Google. There is too much at stake. Desktop computing is dying, and the company that can control the Cloud, the TV screen, and the mobile device will be the winner. Microsoft has it's foot in the door against Google with Windows Live, Bing, and their Cloud Computing platform, and they have Xbox and Xbox Live in the living room, but they need WP7 to complete the picture.
Is this a winner for Microsoft? At this point, who knows? WP7 phones won't be available until late 2010. I believe it is not too late for Microsoft to be a viable player in the smartphone market. Apple has yet to monopolize the market in the way that Microsoft did with desktop Windows, and it appears that Apple's competitors are finally getting organized (Android, Open Handset Alliance, Palm webOS, Flash 10.1, etc.). With that said, I've seen this scenario before: a company demos some brilliant technology only to epically fail to market the product.
A lot can happen between now and the 2010 holiday season. If Microsoft can execute what was demonstrated today, and Apple doesn't re-revolutionize the iPhone between then and now, Microsoft might have a chance to get back into the game.
Buyers Remorse
To some extent, I always regret what I purchase. As much as I may love the item, parting with my hard-earned cash always takes a toll on me. As a result, I am VERY critical of every good and service that I purchase. I wouldn't have it any other way. When you buy a car, rent a DVD, or dine out at a fancy restaurant you have not only purchased that good or service, you have also purchased the right to bitch about it!
I have noticed that some people never negatively criticize something they have purchased, a sports team they follow, or anything on which they have spent money, time, or energy. I assume that they subconsciously feel that their choice of purchase reflects on them to a very large degree. Not me. I'll tell you straight up that I purchased a Chrysler PT Cruiser in 2002, and it was the biggest piece of crap that I've ever owned, but others would never admit it. They would defend the Cruiser and tell you how great it is despite their deep hatred for the car. This mentality is completely foreign to me. What's the use of being alive if you can't complain about living?!
If you are a regular reader of BackingIn, you know that I'm a Microsoft enthusiast, but don't get me started on how much I hate Microsoft Outlook. I live for the New York Mets, but I could do a thesis on why they suck out loud. I bought a 2009Volkswagen Rabbit, and it is a great car, but it gets horrendous gas mileage and the fit and finish are sub-par. I own a Motorola Droid, and it is way cool, but rest assured, I will give you a true assessment of it below.
Shhh! Cool Tech…
Sony Vaio L-Series
Microsoft is making a big mistake. They have a great deal of amazing technology, but they are keeping it all a secret from the public. It's not just Microsoft. Many tech companies are failing to market their products effectively. It's not that they don't advertise, but they don't produce the right type of advertising, and in some cases, not enough.
Last week, two friends and I took a trip to the mall for lunch. After a quick bite at the food court, we strolled the mall and hit the usual spots. We stopped in the Apple store, browsed the over-priced gadget stores, and popped our heads into SonyStyle. Among the huge and brilliant LCDs sat an all-in-one Sony Vaio desktop computer, similar in function to an iMac but with a industrial look.
The Sony Vaio L-Series computer is an all-in-one desktop computer with a multi-touch touchscreen display and Windows 7. Prices range from $1200 to $2000, but the one we played with had these specs:
- 24 inch HD touchscreen monitor
- Quad-core processor
- 6 GBs of RAM
- Wireless Keyboard & Mouse
- 1/2 TB Hard drive
- BluRay
- Windows 7 64-bit
- TV Tuner with Remote
Think Different(ly)
Today, I am going to discuss the most controversial subject know to man. It's not health care reform or gay marriage. It's not religion or abortion. The subject that evokes more passion from geeks around the word is, of course, Apple. I can't think of another company or product that actually personifies its products in the way Apple does. The "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ads have turned one's choice of computer into a definition self. So much so, that Microsoft had to respond by personifying Windows with their own 'I'm a PC' ads.
I have a love/hate relationship with Apple, Inc. It's more hate than love, and the fact that I can feel hate or love for a corporation disturbs me. Years ago, during an animated discussion with my brother about Microsoft and Apple he gave me some advice. He said, "You shouldn't love or hate something that can't love or hate you back." This is not to be confused with loving somebody who doesn't love you back. Unrequited love is a whole different concept. My brother was referring to my ongoing angst over the Windows/Mac 'war' that was raging. That bit of advice really struck a chord with me, and I tried to follow my brother's advice from then on with varying amounts of success.
