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Showing posts with label microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label microsoft. Show all posts

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Microsoft to expand its base, plans to open Windows stores in India

Microsoft has announced that it is planning to open Windows Stores in India. There is no specific information has been given as to when and where these stores would open, at this time. With the opening of these stores, Microsoft aims at giving it’s customers a niche space where they can get a hands-on experience of any/all of their favorite Windows-running gadgets.


With the opening of these stores, Microsoft aims at giving it’s customers a niche space where they can get a hands-on experience of any/all of their favorite Windows-running gadgets.

Start screen


Chakrapani Gollapali, General Manager, Consumer Group Channels made one thing very clear that these stores will not be brand new standalones. Instead, they will be setup within large multi-brand showrooms or malls. These stores promise to provide a complete hands on experience for the customers who wish to experience the hardware and software.


Windows-8-vs-Android1


Conclusion:


This move shows the prominence that the Indian consumer electronics market is gaining at the global level. Also they must have considered making neat profits after seeing developments of other undertakings like Google’s Android OS which was supported by other companies like Samsung. Android is also the platform of choice for other large Indian companies like Micromax, Lava, Xolo, Karbonn and Spice. Coincidentally, a couple of days ago even Google had announced that it would open Android stores across the country called Android Nation. These stores were also envisioned with the same idea to give users a hands on experience of Android OS across various devices. So now it is more like a competition within the two rivals gearing up to sate gadget hungry population. Let’s see who makes it in first and who stays on to capture the crowds’ attention.

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

What’s new in Windows 8.1?

Windows 8 certainly had consumers using touch oriented devices happy. However, it failed to make an impact on devices featuring a keyboard and mouse interface, which is the lion’s share of devices using Windows 8. As a result, many were unhappy with the not-so-friendly interface for keyboard and mouse. All apart, Windows 8 is certainly a much more lighter and fluid OS than the Windows 7, not to mention the faster boot time.


Let us scan through the major changes bought about in Windows 8.1


The Savior, the Start Menu


start


The new version that is Windows 8, comes with what you may call a satisfactory substitute for a start menu placed at the lower left corner of the screen.

The absence of a start menu is one of the biggest nemesis present in Windows 8. The new version that is Windows 8, comes with what you may call a satisfactory substitute for a start menu placed at the lower left corner of the screen. A left click on it will cause a start menu to pop up, you can run or search applications by typing there. It is not the same start menu we saw in Windows 7. Right clicking on it will lead to shortcuts to the Control Panel, Search, Task Manager and other system tools.


Boot directly to Desktop


Another irritating aspect of Windows 8 is booting leads you to the metro tiled menu but not to your desktop. What user did not like is pressing the windows key every time to switch to desktop. Windows 8.1 has the solution, with an ability to boot directly to desktop.


Xbox Music Redesigned


Xbox Music gets a more refined interface. The left panel allows you to surf different artists and play songs from your playlist and the right panel lets you stream content, watch videos etc.


Snap View function


multi


Now run more apps simultaneously on the same screen. Run up to 4 apps at once provided you have enough screen resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels). You can even connect another monitor to run around 8 apps at once.


Upgraded Search Bar


search


The search bar has been spiced up with new features. Now get universal results from files, SkyDrive, apps and web. You can also play music directly from the search bar. On searching artists, it provides all their albums on the right panel and a large photo of the artist on the left.


Personalization


person


Now personalize the Start Screen and Lock screen through a variety of colours and themes available. This basically let’s you customize your desktop to your liking.


Improved Camera App


Now, the camera app is not the same bogus app that was used just to crop pictures, it now comes loaded with photo editing tools too.


New Windows Store App


market


The market looks much more pleasing than before with precisely spaced tiles.


Overall, the Windows 8.1 may not be a giant leap from the previous version, but it is definitely a step closer to making user experience better on non touch devices.


Sources: CNET and official windows website