Windows Phone 7.8 will hit China in few weeks

China is going to receive Windows Phone 7.8 update. According to Microsoft’s Vice President of Greater China, the company is planning to roll out Windows Phone 7.8 to the region in the coming weeks. They have also promised to release this update before the end of this year. It can be a gift for the Windows Phone users of this holiday season. 

Microsoft's executive told Beijing Newspaper BJD that Windows Phone 8 handsets would hit the market there some time in December with companies like Samsung, Nokia, HTC etc. 

Windows Phone 7.8 is not like Windows Phone 8. WP 8 has a new kernel i.e. it is based on Windows NT. But still it is good and bug free than Windows Phone 7.5.

Microsoft is designing XBOX TV for casual gaming

Rumors are spreading that Microsoft is designing a Set-top box version of XBOX, named as XBOX TV. The Verge has been reported via Microsoft that company plans to introduce a low-cost alternative to its Xbox console, designed to provide access to core entertainment services. 

This new generation Xbox system will be unveiled in 2013, with a release date ahead of the holiday shopping season. It will have core of Windows 8, and again you find the tiles, reminding a branding package of Windows. It will also feature a chipset to enable an "always on" device that boots quickly and resumes to provide near-instant access to TV and entertainment services. The whole hardware specs haven't been disclosed yet.

Microsoft's statement for its Xbox TV plans is:

"Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend the console life cycle by introducing controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the life cycle convention."

With these new kind of Gaming-Television system, Microsoft is going to compete Apple and others.

[via: The Verge]

Android is on top of the market share

Android is king again. This year's Gartner's report says this. Android‘s overall smartphone market share has jumped to 72.4% in Q3 2012, up from 52.5% in the same period last year.

Apple has got reduction. Its smartphone OS, iOS has fall down from 15% to 13.9%. Microsoft is again struggling at the bottom, its Windows Phone managed to grow from 1.5% to 2.4%. Another player, Samsung’s Bada managed to increase its market share, from 1.5% to 2.4%.

But when talk comes to sales of devices, there is the king: Samsung. Samsung sold 97,956 devices in 3Q 2012 and secured 22.9% market share, while last year it was 18.7% with sales of 82,612 devices. A few time ago, samsung announced that 30 million units of Galaxy SIII have been sold.

Nokia is on the second place holding 19.2% of the market share while Apple is on third with 5.5% of market share. Other figures are as follows.

IE and Firefox Cake giving tradition

Internet Explorer is no longer the best web browser, its dominated by Firefox and chrome. But it does not stop the Redmond company to stop the its team from continuing its cake-giving tradition with the makers of Firefox.

According to Mozilla employee Matt Brubeck, the IE team began it all when it sent over a cake to congratulate the company on the launch of Firefox 2 in 2006. Since then, the Internet Explorer crew has continued to send over cakes for each new version, though they smartly switched over to less-costly cupcakes when Mozilla began its accelerated 6-week upgrade cycles. 

To return the favor, Matt hand delivered a massive cake to celebrate the launch of Internet Explorer 10 this week to the Microsoft team's headquarters in Redmond, and signed it "Love  Mozilla." Competition  is only in the field of business, not in kindness.

Courtesy: The Verge

Due to Hurricane Google Android event canceled

Google has cancelled a major Android event planned for Monday in New York City due to Hurricane Sandy.

The event was rumored to revolve around the launch of Android 4.2 “Key Lime Pie” and a 10-inch “Nexus 10″ tablet running on the brand-new OS. However, it’ll be at least a little longer before we see that Android update and tablet.

Google sent an email to the the people who have booked their tickets:

“We are canceling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy. We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more."

It's the second time Google has postponed a launch event in recent memory — last year it moved its Ice Cream Sandwich event after the death of Steve Jobs.

However, it won't make a loss because Microsoft is going to launch Windows Phone 8 on Monday, 29 Oct 12. 

Get your Google back [video]

Got Windows 8? Find yourself missing your Google functionality with all that Bing on board?

Although Windows 8 ships with Internet Explorer and Bing installed in, Google is taking measures to keep users loyal to Chrome and Search, releasing a new instructional video to explain how to install the apps on Microsoft's new OS. 

Titled "Get Your Google Back," the video directs users to go to GetYourGoogleBack.com, which quickly accesses the download pages for Search and Google's browser.

Courtesy: The Verge, Mashable

Watch the video below:

Microsoft Surface RT Pictures

Windows 8 represents another radical shift for Microsoft, as the company bets on tablet computers and other touchscreen devices as the future of personal computing.

The new "Metro" interface offers a tile-based Start screen similar to that of the Windows Phone OS.

Here are some pictures of the newly released Microsoft Surface RT.

[Click on the images to get full view]

Windows 8 finally launched

Microsoft officially announced Windows 8 Thursday at a massive event in New York City.

Windows 8 will be available in 140 markets and in 37 languages on Friday. Users can start downloading Windows 8 at 12:01 a.m. and copies will be available in stores at midnight local time at retailers around the globe.

Existing Windows owners can upgrade to Windows 8 for $39.99.In addition to Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, Microsoft is also announcing Windows RT. Windows RT will come preloaded on ARM devices such as the Microsoft Surface tablet.

At the launch event, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that Windows 8 is ushering in a “new era for Microsoft.” Windows 8 is the first product of this new era. With the release of this version of Windows and Surface Tablet, it seems that Microsoft is tightening its grip to hold the crown for being the best. 

Windows 8 ads

Apple has refreshed its Mac lineup and introduced a new iPad mini, but that's not stopping Microsoft from promoting Windows 8. Redmond based company has released four new ads that will be shown globally.
Microsoft has put its all effort to promote Windows 8.  


Advertising agency Crispin, Porter and Bogusky created the ads for Microsoft, with certain features localized in particular regions.

"We didn’t get too literal," says Rob Reilly of Crispin, Porter and Bogusky. "It’s not about landing features and scenarios." The latest round of ads follow on from Microsoft's initial Windows 8 ad that started airing in the US earlier this month.

Microsoft Surface Advertisement

Microsoft debuted the first television ad for its Surface tablet on Monday, ahead of the company’s Oct. 26 launch. Entitled “The Surface Movement,” it focuses on the device’s magnetic, easily attachable keyboard as well as its kickstand, which makes a clicking sound. 

The US Microsoft Store seems to have sold out of its first shipment of the $499 model, or else there's been some sort of delay. It now lists the cheapest $499 model (without Touch Cover) as shipping within three weeks. Originally, it would ship by October 26th.

Surface will have two versions of Windows 8: Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Pro. It is considered to be a good competitor to the Apple's iPad and Galaxy Tab series.

Surface website: http://www.microsoft.com/surface

Courtesy: Mashable

Read: Microsoft Surface- A new dimension

XBOX Music is now official

Microsoft's new music initiative begins in earnest starting Tuesday, October 16th alongside the new Xbox 360 Dashboard update. The Xbox Music service — named as such to emphasize the Xbox's branding as an entertainment brand that goes beyond just gaming is launched today with Xbox 360 and come pre-installed on all Windows 8 (starting October 26th) and Windows Phone 8 devices.

Xbox Music was first announced at an event in June of this year. The service will let users stream more than 30 million tracks worldwide across Microsoft’s ecosystem of Windows 8 mobile devices and PCs, as well as the Xbox. Think of it as Microsoft’s in-house version of Spotify.


The Xbox Music Pass grants Xbox 360 users access to almost 70,000 music videos, more than Vevo, according to Xbox Music General Manager Jerry Johnson.

For Microsoft, Xbox Music represents a kind of do-over in the music market. The service will replace the Zune Marketplace, Microsoft’s online store for music and other entertainment offerings.

Courtesy: Mashable, The Verge

Microsoft is designing Surface Phone

Microsoft is changing rapidly, with CEO Steve Ballmer saying the future lies in a "devices-and-services company."  Company is designing a smartphone or should be said, a Surface Phone according to the current branding. 

Unless Windows Phone manages to secure some improved momentum with version 8, then don't be surprised to see a Surface phone next year.

However, MS won't release its own Windows Phone device this year, as sources have told. Multiple insiders have confirmed there are no plans to introduce a Microsoft-branded Windows Phone device before the end of 2012, but that the company is likely considering it as a "Plan B." Microsoft officials continue issuing non-denials about a potential Surface phone. "We are big believers in our hardware partners and together we’re focused on bringing Windows Phone 8 to market with them," a spokesperson tells the media. 

Courtesy: The Verge

Nokia Lumia 920

Nokia will start selling its flagship Lumia 920 smartphone in November, according to an industry report.

Earlier this week, Nokia unveiled the Lumia 920 and its smaller Lumia 820 smartphone in New York, but the company raised eyebrows when it didn’t reveal pricing or when the devices will hit the market.

These new Lumia (and upcoming devices) will be powered by the new slice of Windows Phone 8. With launch of these 2 new phones, Nokia is trying to compete with Samsung and Apple.

According to Reuters' "telecom operator" sources, a spokesperson from an unnamed eastern European carrier said that sales of the PureView-packing Lumia 920 will start in the second half of November, with larger countries landing the device earlier in the same month. Another source from a Nordic operator then followed suit, stating that they expected the phone to arrive in stores around mid to late November. 

Features: 

• Wireless Charging
• 8.7 Megapixel camera
• Windows Phone 8
• 1GB RAM
• 32 GB internal memory
• Nokia City Lens
• 1.5GHz Dual core processor
• 4.5 inch screen

Nokia Lumia 920 Gallery

Recover data from a crashed Windows computer

How to recover your data from a crashed Windows 7 computer? (Will work on vista and XP too) 

An easy way to recover data is to install another Operating system so that it can help you to access your hard drive. We'll choose Linux as it is free. 

To install linux on your computer, you'll need a linux distribution (distro). 99% of them are free. Search for list of linux distributions on Wikipedia. You'll find a list of lot of linux based operating systems. livecdlist.com can also help. 

I'll recommend ubuntu, tiny linux, knoppix, fedora, debian, xubuntu, PC linux os etc. Download any of 'em and make a bootable usb. Bootable usb can be made using unetbootin, universal usb installer etc. (search for live cd maker). Install this and make a bootable pen-drive (I recommend 4gb). 

Now turn off your computer and restart. As it starts, u'll see boot options (F12 or something else). Press it and u'll see a black window showing boot options. Choose your pen drive to boot and then hit enter. After booting u'll see a menu provided by that linux distro. choose live cd or try.

Then you'll see ur new OS which is running from ur usb. Now u can access ur hard drive. Connect an external/portable hard drive and then copy all of the data. After it, shut down ur computer; all of the data has been backed up. Now go on and format ur hard drive by using windows 7 (or other Windows) installer DVD/ USB.

~PriThV!r@J~

Windows 8 release date: 26 Oct 2012

Windows 8 is, without doubt, Microsoft’s most ambitious release in recent memory. It does away with a lot of what users have come to expect from Windows over the years.


And on Wednesday (18 Jun 2012), Microsoft announced the release date of Windows 8 as 26 Oct 2012.  The company had previously announced a “late October” launch date for the new OS, but Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live unit at Microsoft announced the more specific date at the company’s annual sales meeting. The date was updated on Windows 8′s Wikipedia page within minutes of the announcement. 

Earlier this month the OS-maker said those using the release preview version of Windows 8 will be able to upgrade to the final release for $39.99 using the Windows.com upgrade tool. Those that purchase a new computer between June 2 2012 and January 31 2013 will also be eligible to upgrade to Windows 8 Professional for just $14.99.

While consumers have been treated to two previews of Windows 8 to date, it is likely Microsoft will leave some of the new features for the upcoming launch, and right now it’s hard to say whether further tweaks will be made to the highly controversial Metro UI before it reaches RTM.

Not only will Windows 8 ship on partner devices in late October, but the company revealed that Windows 8 will, at the same time, ship in 109 countries and 231 languages.

Windows 8 Release preview

Microsoft Surface: A new dimension

The star of Microsoft’s mystery Monday unveiling has been revealed: Surface, a Windows tablet.

“It was always clear that what our software could do would require us to push hardware, sometimes where our partners hadn’t envisioned,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said at the event. “Much like Windows 1 needed the mouse, we wanted to give Windows 8 its own hardware.” Just as Windows 8 is a re-imagining of the Windows operating system, Microsoft describes Surface as a re-imagining of the tablet.

The first of its kind, Surface is designed to work as both tablet and PC and comes in a version running Windows RT as well as a version running Windows 8 Pro.

Super-thin, the tablet is just 9.3mm thin for the Windows RT version and 13.5mm for the Pro version. Both have two full size USB ports. You’ll also find a Micro SD port on the side of the RT version and a microSDXC port of the Pro version for adding data to the device or reading files (like pictures from your digital camera) on the fly.

Surface has a 10.6-inch 16:9 widescreen HD display screen. Designed to be mobile yet sturdy, the screen is made of Gorilla Glass -– an ultra-strong glass – to prevent scratches and breaks if it takes a tumble. A built-in kickstand on the rear of the tablet holds it up while you’re typing or viewing videos.

A Touch Cover for the device protects the screen, and much like Apple’s Smart Cover does with the iPad, it connects to Surface via magnets on the device’s side. A stylus also comes with the Pro version, and attaches to the side of the tablet for easy storage.

Both versions of the tablet have 2×2 MIMO antennae. The RT version has a Micro HD Video port while the Pro version has a Mini DisplayPort Video. Surface running Windows RT will be available in 32 GB and 64GB sizes, while Surface running Windows 8 Pro will be available in 64 GB and 128 GB sizes. While no pricing was announced, Microsoft says the tablets will be “priced to competitive rates with ARM tablets.”

Surface for Windows RT tablet

• Processor: NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM chip
• Weight: 676 grams
• Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
• Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capactive touchpanel
• Battery: 31.5Wh
• I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
• Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
• Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
• Capacity: 32GB / 64GB
• Availability: "Around" the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
• Pricing: To be determined

Surface for Windows 8 Pro tablet

• Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
• Weight: 903 grams
• Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
• Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capactive touchpanel
• Battery: 42Wh
• I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2x2 MIMO antennae
• Software: Windows 8 Pro
• Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
• Capacity: 64GB / 128GB
• Availability: "Three months after" the Windows 8 launch this fall
• Pricing: To be determined

Photo gallery

Watch video

Skype makes its way in Windows Phone

Skype has officially made its way to Windows Phone. The app landed in the Windows Phone Marketplace Monday morning.

Skype indicated this is the “first of many releases to come for Windows Phone,” adding that the company “believes in the great potential of the Windows Phone platform and will continue to invest over time to enable experiences unmatched by any other app in the market,” in a blog post announcing the app.

A beta version of Skype on Windows Phone was announced at Mobile World Congress in February. The app lets you make both voice and video calls over 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks.

As with other versions of the software, those calls can be made to your Sykpe contacts for free, or to landlines and mobile phones using Skype credits.

You can use the app to create and hold one-to-one or group chats, or to update your profile and account information on the service. The Skype for Windows Phone app is available in 18 languages.

Since the launch of the beta version earlier this year, Skype has also added the ability to make video calls in portrait mode, as well as the ability to invite others, accept invitations and block or unblock contacts.

Skype on Windows Phone will work on all Windows Phones running 7.5 Mango and above. Skype has tested and certified the app on the following handsets: Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 900, HTC Titan, HTC Radar, Samsung Focus S and Samsung Focus Flash.

        

[Courtesy: Mashable]