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Next version of Windows to be named Windows Blue?

Microsoft's feeling a little down if the latest Windows code-name rumour is true – we could be talking about Blue instead of Windows 9.
In fact, it may not even refer to Windows 9: Microsoft expert Mary-Jo Foley reckons that the company is moving away from major OS updates and instead focusing on smaller, more regular improvements.
So Blue could turn out to be Windows 8.5 or something similar and Foley's contacts tell her that it will land in the summer of 2013.
Even if Microsoft has only vaguely considered Blue as a codename, it's quite an interesting move for a company known for its blue screen of death.

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In other Microsoft naming news, the Windows Phone and Windows 8-friendly Metro UI looks set to be known henceforth as Modern.
That's if you can believe what you read on a registration page for Windows 8 DevCamp, where it's referred to thusly.
Microsoft had to ditch Metro after a German firm that owns the Metro trademark threatened Microsoft with legal action.
It's not the best name we ever heard, but it's certainly a preferable alternative to the other options, which include "Windows 8-style UI", "New User Interface", "Windows 8 design" and "Windows 8 application".

From ZDNet, V3

Microsoft SkyDrive gets revamp just ahead of Windows 8 release

Reportedly impressive update coming over next 24 hours

By Luke Brown 4 hrs ago

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Microsoft SkyDrive gets revamp just ahead of Windows 8 release

Microsoft's extreme home makeover continues this week with a shellac of paint, and then some, applied to its cloud storage service, SkyDrive.
In an effort to gear up for the coming launch of Windows 8, Microsoft has recently revamped services like Hotmail to better reflect the upcoming product line.
Recently redubbed Outlook, the email service's retooling was just the beginning when it came to Microsoft's plans to refresh their existing brands.
Now the company's cloud storage service SkyDrive is undergoing a similar renaissance, as Microsoft has reworked the look and performance of SkyDrive to better suit their upcoming plans.

Android app on the way

SkyDrive was supposed to be Microsoft's answer to services like Dropbox and Google Drive, and MS is hoping the new and improved look will convince even more people to make the switch.
Though there are already 4 million people using the mobile version on iOS devices and Windows phones, there is an Android app on the way.
It might not be out for a few weeks, but making SkyDrive available on Android devices should help expand the user base quite a bit.

Performance enhancements across the board

In addition to the mobile version of SkyDrive expanding, Microsoft has also worked hard to improve the technical performance of the service on Macs and Windows PCs.
Adding in a new contextual toolbar, multi-select drag and drop capabilities, and instant search makes it important to have faster response times.
When tested by Microsoft, the new SkyDrive was almost twice as fast in uploading photos, and the service now syncs with a computer four times as fast as it previously did.
New improvements have also been made to the developer version of SkyDrive, including removing file restrictions and adding the ability to upload images at full resolution.
Microsoft is clearly taking the upcoming release of Windows 8 very seriously, and it will be interesting to see just how much of a wide-spread impact these changes they are affecting will have on the rest of their brands.

Via Windows Blog

Microsoft may have nixed its "Metro" branding for the new tile-based design in Windows 8 and Windows Phone, but the company appears to be split over its replacement naming. Earlier this week it was reported that references to "Metro-style applications" would become "Windows 8 applications," and that the "Metro user interface" would be switched to "Windows 8 user interface."
However, Microsoft employees have started using "Modern UI Style" to refer to the new Windows 8 Start Screen and "Modern UI" design in reference to Windows 8 apps. The software giant has used modern, immersive, fast, and fluid to describe its Windows 8 operating system previously — in the early stages of its development — but the common name was always Metro style. In a step that's bound to confuse developers and consumers, several listings for upcoming events about Windows Azure, Bing Maps, and Windows 8, reference a Modern UI design language and principles, Modern UI Style apps, and even a Modern UI-Style UI. An MSDN blog post, made available this week, also references "Modern UI design." An internal memo revealed that the company was planning to select its Metro branding replacement last week, but the company has not yet officially named the replacement.
We have reached out to Microsoft officials to comment on the new Metro replacement naming and we'll update you accordingly.

Compare the Microsoft Surface to the iPad: They are both thin slate devices with black bezels. Likewise, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is also a thin slate device with a black bezel. Except only one of these companies is suing the other.
It was revealed today in the third week of the Apple/Samsung courtroom battle that Microsoft is licensing several unnamed Apple design patents for the Surface. This deal reportedly stems from Microsoft and Apple’s long-standing cross-licensing agreement. There are some caveats but it seems for the most part that Microsoft is safe from Apple’s legal hounds — and therefore the Surface has an edge on the tablet market.
Reuters reports that this deal contains a so-called anti-cloning provision, which prevents the two companies from copying (i.e. cloning) each others devices.
According to Apple’s patent director, Boris Teksler, Apple rarely licences these patents. He said he could count on one hand how many times Apple has offered to do so. That includes at least one offer to Samsung which the Korean company supposedly turned down.
Apple vigorously defends its patents and trademarks. Just ask Samsung. The two companies are currently locked in a heated trial. According to Apple, the Samsung Galaxy Tab and smartphone is a bit too similar to the iPad and iPhone. In fact it was revealed last week that Apple approached Samsung in 2010 and offered to license its design patents for $30 per phone and $40 per tablet sold. Samsung said no to the offer and continued releasing products that are eerily similar to Apple’s. And now the two are battling it out in court.
The iPad dominates the tablet market thanks in part to its simple design. For the most part Samsung replicated the iPad’s design cues, but did so without the proper licences. But Microsoft got the nod from Apple and it’s hard to deny that the Surface is a good-looking tab. Now, if Microsoft can price it properly, the Surface could be the next big tablet and Apple’s lawyers cannot do a thing about it as long as Microsoft plays by the aforementioned rules.

WhatsApp reappears in the Windows Phone Marketplace

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Cross-platform messenger and SMS-replacement app WhatsApp has reappeared in the Windows Phone Marketplace today after its mysterious disappearance earlier this month. WhatsApp's newest iteration, version 2.8.0.0, is still free-to-use for the first year of service despite rumors that the app would resurface with a $0.99 upfront price tag. In addition to performance improvements, WhatsApp's toolbar now includes "Search," "My Status," and "Create Group" options, according to WindowsPhoneApps. While some emoticons have reportedly been removed, the app's configuration menu now offers more granular control over notifications among other small changes. We're still waiting for WhatsApp's official comment on the removal, but until then feel free to give it a try yourself.

Microsoft responds to game developer ire over Windows 8 — Xbox integration may not be enough to reassure developers

As game developers continue lining up to take shots at Windows 8, it falls on Microsoft to go on the defensive and address their concerns.
Part of that process comes from the recent rebranding of Windows 8 games. Games will now fall under the banner of "Xbox Windows," invoking the firm's popular gaming console.
The first titles revealed for Xbox Windows are the built-in games Minesweeper, Solitaire Collection, and Microsoft Mahjong.
They will also integrate with Microsoft's Xbox Live service, offering Gamerscore points for earning achievements in the games.
"With Xbox on Windows 8, we created easy entry points into the types of entertainment that you'll enjoy, including games," A Microsoft spokesperson said in a published report.
"The Games app prominently features your avatar, profile, friends and Gamerscore and allows you to explore your friends' avatars."

Open your Windows and play

For developers who were already concerned about making games for Windows 8, Microsoft's comments are anything but reassuring.
One of the largest fears from developers is that Windows 8 will become a closed platform for games, requiring extensive certification processes and mandatory features to release through the Windows Store.
The Xbox 360 is already a closed platform, so bringing that branding to the PC sets off immediate red flags; as does Xbox Live integration and Gamerscore support.
Microsoft is yet to comment on whether these features will be required across all Xbox Windows games, which is the case on Xbox 360.
Windows 8 Pro gamers will have other options aside from the Windows Store, with the desktop view offering the same game distribution methods possible on Windows 7.
The potential problem will be for Windows RT users, who will not have the desktop view option and must rely on the Windows Store for new software.
It's possible they may be alienated if developers pass on releasing games through a developer-unfriendly Windows Store.

Metro is so last week. Microsoft has reportedly ditched the hip moniker for its design language for something a bit more pedestrian: Windows 8.
Previously, the name Metro was part of the design mantra that started with Windows Phone 7 and has since trickled into Windows and Xbox. As Microsoft once put it, “We call it Metro because it’s modern and clean. It’s fast and in motion. It’s about content and typography. And it’s entirely authentic.” Well, forgot that nonsense. The Metro branding is out and Windows 8 is in.
Officially, the story goes that Microsoft was looking to “transition from industry dialog (e.g. Metro) to a broad consumer dialog.” However it seems that German retailer Metro AG could have been threatening legal actions over the branding.
But the new branding could bring additional confusion. Prior to the change, applications for the tiled Windows interface, Metro, were known as Metro-style applications. Those applications are now known as Windows 8 applications. Plus, the Metro environment is now called Windows 8 user interface. So… apps designed for the new interface are called Windows 8 applications and applications coded for the original, so-called, classic interface, will be called Windows applications. Awesome.
This new branding apparently also trickles down to Windows Phone where its trademarked tiled interface will also be named Windows 8 interface.
Outside of the possible branding confusion the new name removes any segregation between Windows 8′s two desktop environments. For better or worse, Windows 8 is now just Windows 8.

Surface could drive more sales to Microsoft stores.

Best Buy's founder fears Apple Stores. That anxiety should extend to Microsoft, too.
For better or worse, I live within walking distance of a Best Buy store in Los Angeles. (Well, a long walk).
But I typically elect to drive about 20 miles to the Microsoft Store in Century City.
That should worry Best Buy. Once consumers (I don't think I'm that atypical) get a taste of the Microsoft Store experience, it will be really hard to go back to the muddle that is Best Buy.
Luckily for Best Buy, there aren't many Microsoft stores right now. But that's changing.
And with Microsoft getting set to push its Surface tablets via its stores, that could prove to be a turning point.
Let's say Surface turns out to be successful and consumers begin to associate cool Windows products with Microsoft Stores.
And, meanwhile, Microsoft continues to open more outlets in prime locations near Apple stores. (The Microsoft store in Los Angeles is right around the corner from an Apple store.)
That could relegate Best Buy to an electronics retailer backwater -- and realize founder Richard Schulze's worst fears (i.e., going out of business). Yeah, it will still sell big-screen TVs, but that alone is not going to pay the bills.
Schulze is right to be very worried. And his existential anxieties will only increase in the coming months.

Originally posted at Business Tech

AFP Photo

Microsoft Corp unveiled a revamped, Facebook-friendly version of its free, online email service on Tuesday in an attempt to reverse market share losses to Google Inc's fast-growing Gmail.

The world's largest software company is renaming its Hotmail service Outlook, giving it a sharp new look, social network links and new features for handling the tide of junk and mass mail that swamps many users.

Hotmail was still the world's largest online mail service as of June, according to the latest comScore figures available, with 324 million users, or about 36 percent of the global market.

But it is losing customers to Google's Gmail, the fastest-growing rival, which now has about 31 percent of the market. Yahoo Mail is static with about 32 percent. (For a graphic showing webmail market share, click on http://link.reuters.com/ded79s)

In a bid to recapture growth, Microsoft is renaming the service Outlook, a name familiar to most corporate workers who use Microsoft's Office email application, and sprucing up the whole experience. Hotmail users will be prompted to switch over to the new service over the next few months.

Hotmail, launched in 1996, was one of the first online email services, but it has not been updated by Microsoft for eight years.

"A lot has changed in the last eight years, and we think it's time for a fresh look at email," Chris Jones, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Windows Live, said in a blog post.

The new look is clean and uncluttered, featuring lots of white space, reminiscent of Google's recent makeover of Gmail. Relatively unobtrusive advertisements appear in a column to the right of the screen when looking at folders. They do not appear when a message is open.

Users can link up with their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ accounts, to see the latest updates from friends and contacts. Online chat is available via Facebook.

Newsletters, offers, daily deals and social updates make up over 80 percent of a typical inbox, according to Microsoft's own research. To help combat that overflow, the new service automatically detects mass messages and puts them in separate folders. Users can customize the process to sort mail any way they want to.

The new mail service also allows easy use of Microsoft's Internet-based products, such as SkyDrive for storing documents, Office Web Apps for working away from a PC and will eventually have Skype video chat built in.

"This is about the battle of where people will make their communication home," said Al Hilwa, an analyst at tech research firm IDC. "The big online players are connecting their online assets together and hoping to provide convenience and functionality of a one-stop-shop of cloud services."

The success of Microsoft's new service will depend on whether it can develop it quickly enough "to keep up with a brutally fast Google and a potentially re-invigorated Yahoo," said Hilwa.

Users can access the service at www.outlook.com. Microsoft said the service is currently a "preview," meaning more features will likely be added before the final version is fully launched.

Microsoft shares closed down 17 cents at $29.47 on Nasdaq.

Microsoft Word 2013 team today detailed the new Reading Mode experience in upcoming version of Office. The team had following in mind before designing this new experience,

Incorporate the goodness from traditional paper reading

Embrace technology where it improves the experience

Keep a laser focus on the core scenario

Several new features such as custom page colors, options for new layout, Resume Reading, Reading Indicator an more are added in this version of Word.
Read more at Office blog.

Debuts premier table built for professionals and designed for life
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – AUGUST 9, 2012: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today unveiled its first tablet specifically designed for Windows 8, the ThinkPad Tablet 2. The multi-use tablet boasts differentiators that matter, including an optional digitizer and pen for precision input, 3G wireless with Lenovo Mobile Access pay-as-you-go plans and 4G models, along with security features like a Fingerprint Reader, IT manageability technologies, and corporate-level service and support.
“Customers want a versatile device that fits their lifestyle and the many ways they use technology,” said Dilip Bhatia, vice president and general manager, ThinkPad Business Unit. “Our new ThinkPad Tablet 2 marries incredible hardware and software to give consumers a great device for office, home or travel while also offering companies and IT managers the oversight they need to help secure and manage their company’s networks and data. “For the next generation of Lenovo PCs, designed to be great with Windows 8, we’re working closer than ever with Microsoft Corp. and our silicon partners. Today we are excited to reveal the fruit of this collaborative co-engineering, the ThinkPad Tablet 2, a joint effort between Lenovo, Microsoft and Intel.”
ThinkPad Tablet 2: New Power to Create Technology like the multi-use ThinkPad Tablet 2 helps manage the increasing overlap between personal and work life today. Based on the upcoming Intel® Atom Processor-based mobile platform and Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 works the way users do across their varied environments. It has an exceptionally thin and light design measuring 9.8 mm thin and weighing less than 600 grams (1.3 pounds), all in a 10.1-inch screen. The versatile tablet supports multiple input methods: multi-finger touch and an optional digitizer and pen, especially good for note taking, capturing signatures and completing forms. The optional ThinkPad Tablet 2 keyboard and dock can be paired with the tablet for more PC-like computing in the office. With an array of ports including a full-size USB port, workers easily can attach existing devices like monitors and printers.
Suited for commuting and in field scenarios, the tablet offers virtually anywhere connectivity and productivity with 3G and 4G wireless models. The tablet serves lifestyle computing uses just as well as business tasks with its package of communications and entertainment features: HD display, front and rear-facing cameras for video conferencing and uploading photos, noise canceling microphones, HDMI port and wireless video streaming.
While users will like the tablet for its aesthetics and powerful features, IT managers will particularly enjoy its security-enhanced and manageability technologies. With the optional Fingerprint Reader, passwords are biometrically stored. The encrypted internal and external storage meet the highest levels of security requirements. Using Windows 8 Pro and the Intel x86 architecture, IT managers can provide for VPN access, utilize existing Windows management tools, manage application deployment and block users from installing certain apps. In addition, Lenovo Services offer a complete suite of packages, including sealed battery warranties, accidental damage protection and custom imaging.
Availability The ThinkPad Tablet 2 will be available when Windows 8 launches in October.

Just like Windows Phone Marketplace has Xbox LIVE games, Windows Store in Windows 8 will have “Xbox Windows” branded games with Achievements support. Windows 8 will come with classic games such as Solitaire Collection, Minesweeper and Microsoft Mahjong that will offer up to 50 Gamerscores. Even 3rd party games like Wordament will come with “Xbox Windows” branding. Apart from Achievements support, Windows 8 will also have Xbox Smart Glass App, Xbox Avatar support, etc,.
Source: Xbox 360 Achievements via: Eurogamer

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Next version of Windows to be named Windows Blue?

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