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

Samsung ATIV Windows phone released

And here is the new Windows 8 powered phone, Samsung ATIV S. With ATIV, Samsung appears to be fully embracing Windows 8 as part of its mobile strategy.

ATIV is “vita” spelled backward, and it’s a way for the company to showcase that it’s one of the few companies that makes Windows computers, tablets and phones. The ATIV S is the first Windows Phone 8 smartphone. It packs a dual-core 1.5GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and can connect to HSPA+ 42 networks. The 

ATIV S has an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash in back and a 1.9MP camera in front. It’s equipped with Bluetooth 3.0, NFC (near-field communication) along with assisted GPS and its Russian counterpart, Glonass. It also boasts the same “tap to share” ability that Samsung put in the new Galaxy Note II. It comes with either 16 or 32GB of storage.

Samsung ATIV Series: http://www.samsung.com/global/ativ

Gallery (Click on images to get full view)

Samsung ATIV Tab launched

Samsung unveiled its first Windows RT tablet on Wednesday during the 2012 IFA conference in Berlin. The 10.1-inch ATIV Tab features a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, along with a HD (1,366x768) LCD display, Bluetooth 4.0, Micro HDMI and NFC capabilities. It weighs in at 1.25 pounds and is 0.35 inches thick.

The tablet is part of Samsung’s new ATIV product series — a name that is the reverse order of the word “vita,” meaning “Life” in Latin — and includes the world’s first Windows 8 phone. The company said the new products are a part effort to “make life easier for everyone.”

Windows RT is the version of Windows 8 made to run on devices powered by ARM-based processors, as opposed to traditional chips made by Intel and AMD. A variant of the Microsoft’s Surface tablet will also run Windows RT. Machines running Windows RT should have favorable battery life but won’t be able to run apps made for older versions of Windows.

The company noted that the ATIV Tab will come with Office Home and Student RT, which offers the latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Microsoft has said all Windows RT devices will come packaged with Office. The tablet also comes with a 8,200 mAh battery.

Samsung ATIV Series: http://www.samsung.com/global/ativ/

Gallery (Click on each image to get full view)

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