Microsoft’s Plan for Internet Explorer 9

This month is the 15th anniversary of the release of Internet Explorer, actually it was released at midnight on August 13th 1996. Since then, it has been a long journey especially in the war of browsers like with Firefox and Chrome. But now, Microsoft plans to launch the beta of the Internet Explorer 9 Beta browser on Sept. 15, 2010.

Microsoft HQ, Redmond is counting on IE9 to get it back in to serious technical competition with Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. This IE 9 Beta needs either Windows Vista or Windows 7 (no XP).

People would eagerly wait for the new promises that Microsoft brings with their latest Internet Explorer Browser 9.

Now is the time to start getting their sites ready for Internet Explorer 9 Beta. What are the key new things?

• Internet Explorer 9 would help enable the same markup to work across browsers
• Internet Explorer 9 would be all-round fast
• Through Windows and modern hardware, Internet Explorer 9 would unlock the next class of experiences for the web
• Enabling the same markup to work across browsers
• Delivering all-round performance
• Through Windows and modern hardware, unlocking the next class of experiences for the web with hardware acceleration

The software giant few months back released another platform preview of Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) in the form of IE9 Preview 2 and this latest incarnation scores 68 out of 100 on the Acid3 test.  The latest build also claims to improve JavaScript and HTML5 performance while the full hardware acceleration for HTML5 on IE9 is able to take the workload off your computer’s processor, shifting it to the graphics chipset.

Credit Net Apps

Developers and partners have been excited to experience the new IE9 web development and design capabilities, including fully hardware accelerating all graphics and text through Windows, the new Chakra JavaScript engine, as well as the support for modern standards like HTML5, CSS3, SVG 1.1 and DOM.Interestingly, we saw coverage about Internet Explorer posting a worldwide gain in usage share. That encouraging news continues today with Net Applications’ release of their July usage share numbers.

Net Applications reports overall Internet Explorer share grew 0.42% worldwide in July, while Firefox lost 0.90% share and Chrome dipped 0.08% in share. Most interesting is the fact that Internet Explorer 8 continues to be the fastest growing browser with a 0.98% increase worldwide in July – and now represents more than 30% of browser usage worldwide.

Microsoft to launch OneApp for not smartphones 

It is iPhone or Blackberry, the dream smartphone for most where one can sent a tweet; check the important emails as well make a purchase while listening to the latest music tunes. But a distant dream to owe such a high-end phone for lot many people. There is an ever increasing market potential for mobile phone usage in the emerging market economies. According to Gartner, the mobile-phone usage in India alone is going to take a quantum leap from usage of 38.7 percent in 2009 to almost 63.5 percent in 2013. 

Microsoft, the leading software giant has been quick to tap this huge market potential. And read on to know what they are going to launch in two weeks time from now. 

Microsoft has developed software called OneApp that will allow users with non-smartphone devices to send a message in facebook and check their emails. This software has been the result of research by Microsoft Unlimited Potential Group that uses their brain to bring out revolutionary ideas and products for poor people living in the developing countries. 

So, how much memory will this particular application software from Microsoft will eat up? The answer is simple and that is not much. This is because it has been so designed that feature phones can use and access one application at a time and the graphics will not have high resolution as the iPhones or Blackberry. 

Amit Mital who leads the team of researchers of Unlimited Potential Group at Microsoft is of the opinion that this software program will not eat up a lot of energy. The underlying reasons behind developing this application are: 

First, to tap the growing market potential in the developing countries as people would love to have smarter feature phones since there is a growing market demand for applications for low-end phones. 

Second, Microsoft wants the concept of Cloud Computing to take a big leap so that low-end consumers with their handsets would be able to access the cloud computing services of this IT giant. This will enable the company to enhance their market share manifold. 

Third, though this OneApp program is designed for the developing countries nonetheless it might get popular with the developed-world consumers when they would find that applications can be used without much usage of data storage and energy. 

Next, Microsoft wants to soak their feet in the promotion of mobile wallets and that is using of mobile phones as a purchasing tool. This has led to the tie up of Microsoft with Blue Label Telecom that has become popular for its mobile-wallet concept usage as the company does lot of mobile phone payments. 

The launch of OneApp will initially feature a lot of free applications but soon growing entrepreneurs and programmers can generate revenue by developing application for this program and thereby charging for the same. 

So, if you cannot owe an iPhone or Blackberry, don’t be worried. Just be happy as Microsoft is here to make your dream come true with OneApp that will transform dumb phones into smartphones. 

Ain’t this good… keep checking for more updates on this. Would like to hear your comments as well.

Synchronize with Syncplicity or Live Mesh

To bring your digital thought under one roof there is a continuous product innovation in the form of high-end laptops to iphones, while to sync and update your digital world and all the information that is important and all that you least cared for can now be accessed from anywhere anytime-check out on Syncplicity and Live mesh.

Gone are the days when you will need a file back up, when you increasingly run the risk of forgetting to copying them to the USB drives on your way down the presentation hall or the feeling of annoyance as you fail to attach the file to your email.

These are the myriad reasons why software programs like Syncplicity, Live Mesh is created and make Foldershare a passé.

What does Syncplicity or Live Mesh do?

They have finally put an end to downloading, burning, emailing and copying. Syncplicity can keep all your files in-sync and up-to-date across all computers without compromising on the security features. Similarly, Microsoft Window’s Live Mesh helps you connect to another computer and gives access to other’s desktop as if you are working sitting right infront of it.

How to go about it?

In Live Mesh to sync, share and access, install live mesh software in all the devices you want to synchronize and choose folders you wish to sync. As you sign up with Windows Live Mesh you need to Live Mesh client on all the devices you join to the Mesh known as the Mesh Operating environment (MOE). Helpful features such as a Mesh bar and a Notifier keeps you updated with a continuous feed of information as to what is happening in the synchronized folder. Live Mesh simply awes you with cross-functionality features too whereby your live desktop can stay connected with your friend’s Mac too.

Syncplicity is the brainchild of Leonard Chung that bridges the world of online and offline effectively and safely with speed and simplicity and works on Windows platform. It takes utmost care of all your files. For example if one file accidentally gets deleted then it is not lost from the system, instead it is stored in the recycle bins of respective windows. Syncplicity helps integrate data across all multiple computers and integrates with Zoho, Google, Scribd and Picnik. Registration, installation and getting started with Syncplicity is very easy.

One can always start off with a free subscription of 2GB space and two computers and then upgrade to almost 50 GB for just $9.99 per month with syncplicity. Whereas in Live Mesh you have 5GB free storage space initially. This implies that you can create files and store on Microsoft’s servers that you simply can access from anywhere.

In syncplicity it is easier to add files in the sync folder than in the Live Mesh Syncing folders. However it is Syncplicity’s conflict resolution management system that eats up the available storage place as the original copy of the files are kept and additionally it creates other copies of the file (1 from each machine of the sync group). So in the process of synchronization, chewing up the remaining space happens and the message that you have exceeded your quota is flashed. It is here that Windows Live Mesh scores better as shadow copies of files is not kept in the file system and thus the additional storage place remains unhindered when conflict arises.

The future of cloud management storage is picking up and everywhere the buzz is all about cloud computing. Check out my next post on cloud computing too.

Fascinating research projects presented at Microsoft’s TechFest 2010

When brains at Microsoft Research Labs are at work, we can  definitely expect some path breaking techno developments. Techfest 2010 at Redmond witnessed many such demos on various projects. Lets have a look at some of them:

1. The Translating phone and The Transcriptor: Transcriptor generates a live transcript of the coversation we have over a call on a PC based communicator. The scripts are merged in email as well for searching.

The Translator is a wonderful concept that takes away the about the difference of language we might have over an important client call or anything like that. The translator translates the speech of the person on the other side of the phone to the language you want at real time. This 2-way translator also generates a live translated transcript. Find out more about the project @ http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/transcriptor/default.aspx

2. Project Gustav: Project Gustav is a creative endeavor of Microsoft to make digital painting a perfect realistic experience. It is a realistic painting system prototype that simulates natural, real-world painting environment.

For a better knowhow of the project visit the official page on Project Gustav.

3. Skinput: Skinput is a technology that favors the skin of our body to be used as an input device. Various signals like location of finger taps are collected by sensors worn as armbands. To know more about the Skinput check out http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/gustav/default.aspx

4. Mobile Surface: It aims at making any surface around you as a touch interface surface by linking together a mobile device, camera and a projector. It allows you to project an image on any surface and interact with it even without touching the image.

Click on http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/mobilesurface/default.aspx for more information.

An altogether new world of technologies. Exciting!! Isn’t it?? Lets wait and watch how these project finally turn out. Till then keep reading and commenting.

Launched the Windows Phone 7 Series on Feb 17th, 2010

It was announced in the Mobile World Congress 2010 at Barcelona that Microsoft would launch its handsets based on its new mobile phone OS (operating system) christened Windows Phone 7 series. This new operating system will be quite a departure from the earlier versions.

The current windows mobile operating system is based on Windows CE 5 while the latest version will entirely depend on Windows CE 6 kernel such as the Zune HD.  7 Series has rebuilt Windows Mobile from the ground up, featuring a completely altered home screen and user interface experience, robust Xbox LIVE and Zune integration, and vastly new and improved social networking tools. Check the Windows Phone 7 site also.

This new mobile phone operating system is just the beginning for Microsoft. Everything will be new here. From the look and feel of the mobile to downright underlying code- every detail has been revamped and changed. The all new 7 series will boast of altered home screen with more robust user interface experience coupled with better social media optimisation and integration tools.

Here’s a look at some of the minimum specs available so far:

• Large WVGA screen with a single aspect ratio (which means BlackBerry-style devices won’t be readily available to begin with)
• Five specific hardware buttons required: Start, back, search (a dedicated Bing button), camera button, and power — no more, no less
• Capacitive multitouch
• CPU and GPU requirements (beginning with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon as the go-to processor)
• WiFi
• AGPS
• Accelerometer
• FM radio
• High resolution camera

Check out the Feature Demo video, a nice one !

~

Now, the world would wait and watch to what extent Windows Phone 7 Series gives a competition to Apple’s iPhone and Googles’s Nexus One and other Android phones. Keep reading !

ZUNE HD :  Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s iPod touch

Microsoft is all set to make its presence felt in the portable digital media player market with the launch of its touch screen mp3 player named Zune HD on 15^th September 2009.

credit: cnet.com

This sleek and stylish gadget is loaded with some serious high end features like:

• HD radio in this device is considered as the biggest breakthrough in portable media players with
• The OLED  3.3– inch glass touch screen, 16:9 display(480X272 pixel resolution) that it possesses, promises you an unparalleled entertainment experience using less power
• For people who enjoy big screen viewing, it is possible to connect Zune HD to a HD TV in 720 p through a HDMI A/V docking station(Separately available).
• First time in the Zune series of mp3 players, there is a web browser, Internet Explorer Mobile 6, packed with tap-to-zoom technology, Qwerty Keyboard and a built in accelerometer, which enables you to have a perfect full screen browsing experience
• It is powered by a Nvidia Tegra processor and supported by Windows CE operating system.
• Zune HD is wifi enabled supporting instant streaming from enormous tracks on zune music store
• It takes 3 hrs to charge when done through PC and 2 hrs when done through AC adapters.
• The 16GB model will be black in colour and 32-GB in platinum for pre-orders and later many more colours are expected to join the league.

Let’s see how and why it might prove as a tough competition for Apple’s iPod, the unquestioned leader:

For the gadget freaks who are getting impatient to have hands-on the device, they can go ahead and do so in a Best Buy store on August 22^nd and August 23^rd and pay $25 for a pre-order. Also it is open for pre-orders since August 13, 2009 in Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and Microsoft.

Check out the cool one … wait for few days !

Steve Ballmer: The CEO of Microsoft Corp

credit: Microsoft

Steven Anthony Ballmer, popularly known as Steve Ballmer, took the command of the software Giant Microsoft Corporation in his hand as CEO on January 13, 2000. Let’s take a sneak-peak into the life of yet another multi billionaire Steve (considering Steve jobs, Steve Wozniak, Steve Spielberg, Steve Gerrard, Steve Waugh and many more) who has made it big in life…

 His early years… 

Steve Ballmer was born on March 24, 1956, to Frederic Henry Ballmer, a Swiss (who worked as manager in Ford Motors in Belgium) and Beatrice Dworkin, a Jewish American. He spent his childhood in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Detroit completing his schooling from Detroit Country Day School.  

He got into Harvard University, winning a scholarship for the same with a perfect 800 in mathematics in SAT, and completed his Bachelor’s in mathematics and economics in 1977. Not only was he a mathematics geek, he also managed the football team; he was the advertising manager of The Harvard Crimson Newspaper and The Harvard Advocate. It was Harvard University where he became friends with his dorm mate Bill Gates.  

His life after College:

He worked for two years (1977-79) as assistant Product

Manager at Proctor & Gamble and then he decided to go for an MBA in Stanford Graduate School of Business. But soon, after a year he quit MBA to join Microsoft Corp, founded by his friend Bill Gates.

His tryst with Microsoft began on June 11, 1980, as its 24^th employee and also as the first Business Manager in company’s history. He was offered

a salary of $50,000 and some percentage of ownership of the company. This dynamic leader headed several departments and projects in MS like Operating Systems Development, sales and support, operations. Eventually on January 13, 2000 he was made the CEO of Microsoft and Bill Gates stepped down as the over all lead. 

Some interesting facts and figures about Steve Ballmer: 

1. His annual compensation: $ 1,350, 834 (Rs 6, 75, 41,700).
2. He has served as board of directors for :
   • Accenture Ltd
   • Accenture SCA
   • Detroit Country Day School
3. He is the 43^rd richest man in world according to Forbes 2008 World’s Richest People Ranking with a mammoth wealth of $11 billion in his name.
4. He is also famous for reasons with a difference, like for screaming the word ‘developers’ continuously in the developer’s conference and acting crazy by screaming and jumping on a presentation. To have a look at these you can click on the links below : 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc&feature=related 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8To-6VIJZRE 

Awards and Recognition:

1. He was honoured with a citizenship of Lausen, Switzerland on October 4, 2007.
2. He is named Cannes lions Media Person of the Year 2009

 Personal Life: 

This Flamboyant Jewish American CEO is married to Connie Snyder since 1990 (She was in Microsoft’s PR team in 80s) and the couple has three sons.He also plans to own NBA in partnership with his colleague Paul Allen(another Microsoft big shot).  He along with Bill Gates shares the honour of being with Microsoft Corp for the longest duration.