• Microsoft to Launch its Own iPad-killer Tablet


    Microsoft to Launch its Own iPad-killer Tablet

    Microsoft to Launch its Own iPad-killer Tablet

    Microsoft sent out invitations for a major announcement in Los Angeles next Monday, rumors about just what the company will be announcing are starting to fly, beginning with TheWrap reporting that the company would be announcing a Microsoft-manufactured tablet, AllThingsD followed claiming that Microsoft wanted to take on the iPad directly.

    Sources say that Microsoft concluded that it needs its own tablet, with the company designing both the hardware and software in an effort to better compete against Apple’s strengths. Microsoft’s tablets may include machines running ARM-based processors as well as models running on traditional PC processors, sources said.

    Following the success of own device Xbox, Microsoft could be actually working on manufactured by Microsoft itself, running on Windows RT (a version of Windows 8) tablet intended to rival Apple’s iPad.

    Other sources claim that Microsoft is actually aiming at Amazon not Apple, by bringing a 7-inch tablet and not to mention that Microsoft had signed a deal with Barnes & Noble to invest in nook business. A Nokia-made, Microsoft-branded 7-inch tablet is also a possibility

    The timing is interesting, as it comes just before Google I/O, where Google is expected to announce a new 7-inch tablet running Android.

  • Microsoft Announces Windows RT for ARM Processors


    Windows RT for tablets

    Windows RT for tablets

    Microsoft revealed its full suite of editions that will be available for “Windows 8” when it is released to market, that includes Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows 8 Enterprise. and Windows RT that will run on ARM-based machines, primarily aimed at tablets. According to the verge:

    Windows RT will not be sold separately, but only available pre-installed on new machines with ARM processors. That’s a major change in the way Microsoft has traditionally sold Windows, and it underscores a more integrated approach to ARM-powered devices like tablets. Windows RT will also include the Office suite, but no other desktop apps can be installed on ARM machines. Windows RT will also lack the traditional Windows Media Player and most of the enterprise features found in Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise.

    Yet to see if Microsoft’s plan is to build Windows RT into something that’s more closely like Windows 8 or something else entirely.

    Below chart breaks down key features by each edition:

    Feature name Windows 8 Windows 8 Pro Windows RT
    Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium

    x

    x

    Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate x
    Start screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles x x x
    Windows Store x x x
    Apps (Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos, SkyDrive, Reader, Music, Video) x x x
    Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) x
    Internet Explorer 10 x x x
    Device encryption x
    Connected standby x x x
    Microsoft account x x x
    Desktop x x x
    Installation of x86/64 and desktop software x x
    Updated Windows Explorer x x x
    Windows Defender x x x
    SmartScreen x x x
    Windows Update x x x
    Enhanced Task Manager x x x
    Switch languages on the fly (Language Packs) x x x
    Better multiple monitor support x x x
    Storage Spaces x x
    Windows Media Player x x
    Exchange ActiveSync x x x
    File history x x x
    ISO / VHD mount x x x
    Mobile broadband features x x x
    Picture password x x x
    Play To x x x
    Remote Desktop (client) x x x
    Reset and refresh your PC x x x
    Snap x x x
    Touch and Thumb keyboard x x x
    Trusted boot x x x
    VPN client x x x
    BitLocker and BitLocker To Go x
    Boot from VHD x
    Client Hyper-V x
    Domain Join x
    Encrypting File System x
    Group Policy x
    Remote Desktop (host) x
  • Windows 8 Consumer Preview Now Available to Download


    Windows 8 Consumer Preview

    Windows 8 Consumer Preview

    Microsoft has published the highly anticipated Consumer Preview copy of Windows 8. Available as a public download, the Consumer Preview build includes access to Metro style applications and the over 100,000 changes Microsoft has made since the Windows 8 Developer Preview.

    The Consumer Preview is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Microsoft’s minimum requirements for the Consumer Preview are a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of free storage space, and a DirectX 9-compatible graphics card — the exact same requirements as Windows 7.

    Find the links below or you can download it from here.

    English

    64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 1288519C5035BCAC83CBFA23A33038CCF5522749
    32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — E91ED665B01A46F4344C36D9D88C8BF78E9A1B39
    Product Key: DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J