Apple has been getting a lot of flak over working conditions at a separate company, Foxconn. Try to make sense of it if you will, but what it comes down to is the fact that Apple is popular, and there's more profit in making a fuss over a profitable company. But, more to the point, Apple has been working harder to ensure workers have the best working conditions. They've invited independent inspectors to their factories, during the height of the production of the new iPad, and without notifying their suppliers. They couldn't have found a time to do a more honest inspection.
Other tech companies have been completely silent, and for good reason. They're doing little to nothing. A number of these tech companies were asked "Does your company have any plans to let independent auditors check up on your suppliers’ factories?". A simple question, and yet they all dodged it. A few responses are below.
Beautiful, isn't it? Just so... erm... blue... and.... Alright, it's boring. But at a certain point, Microsoft just makes it too easy to criticize them. Clearly they're trying to go with a more simplistic design, but what they created is just very boring. Not colorful, unique, or special in any way. Some have even called it ugly or poorly designed. I think that makes it perfect for Windows. via CultOfMac
Apple products are primarily manufactured by Foxconn. If you're been reading the news lately, you might have read about poor working conditions in Chinese factories, or how our economy would improve greatly if some of that manufacturing was brought back to the US.
Foxconn alone can include Acer, Samsung, Dell, Microsoft, Nintendo, Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, HP, Nokia, Motorola, Asus, Sony, and many more as customers. You probably haven't read too much about that lately though. Odd, isn't it?
I first reported on a massive security hole in Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 back on December 12th. The bug would cause a phone to crash, and lock the user out of the messaging hub if the user received a message with a specific string of characters. The message could be through nearly any messaging service, including text messages and Facebook messages. The only way to fix the problem was to wipe the device of all data, and reset it to factory settings.
On December 28th, a full 14 days after the bug was discovered, Microsoft claimed they were working on a fix for the problem. It's now January 5th, and 24 days have passed since the bug was revealed to the public (no one knows if Microsoft knew about it sooner). Yet, there is still no public fix from Microsoft. Yet, according to the developer who first found the bug, Microsoft is currently testing a possible fix. It seems like a serious problem, but apparently it's just not serious enough for Microsoft. via BGR
Bad news for Windows Phone 7 owners, a bug has been discovered that causes the messaging functionality to be completely disabled on the phone. Basically, if the phone receives a special message, either through text, Facebook, or any other messaging source, the phone will crash. After being rebooted, it won't be able to launch the messaging feature again. The only way to remedy the problem if you've been affected is to wipe the phone, and set it back to factory settings. It's quite a nasty attack, and it can be initiated just by sending a simple message to a Windows Phone 7 user.
It's a pretty huge bug, but it should have a relatively simple fix. Microsoft will surely have an update before too many users are affected. Otherwise, this could be a public relations nightmare for Microsoft. via 9to5Mac
Personally, I've found my life to be mostly Microsoft-free. It's not about any sort of animosity towards Microsoft, just I like the competitors products more: iWork instead of Office, Mac OS instead of Windows, etc. But, not every iOS user has done the same. In fact, I'm sure there are many iOS users out there who are very happy about this...
Microsoft recently claimed that it had beaten Apple to the voice recognition punch. Of course, they ignored that voice recognition has been a part of iOS long before Windows 7 made it to the table, and they were only talking about Siri. So, how does Siri compare to Microsoft's TellMe? It's laughable to even consider them competitors. Check out the video above where TellMe fails miserably, often with hilarious results, while Siri works perfectly every time. The comparison starts with the first command about 30 seconds in, and the very first example shows that not only is Siri far better with voice recognition, it's also a lot smarter when taking your commands. You were saying, Microsoft? via CultOfMac
The above image was used on their site to sell an upgraded graphics card. It tells buyers "get this card or your screen will be blurry!". Is this the case? Of course not, and Dell knew that. Arguably, most people would be fine with the standard graphics card, but Dell's methods made it seem as though the default card would create a blurry screen, even on the desktop with no programs running. They did this with the sole intention of tricking unknowing customers into paying more for features they wouldn't need. Why else would they have used the graphic?
Dell has since pulled the image from it's website, but one has to wonder why thy thought it was acceptable to use in the first place. If you need deception to sell your products, maybe you simply make better products. via Gizmodo
Microsoft recently opened another one of their Microsoft Stores. If you're unaware, Microsoft Stores are essentially Apple Store clones. Microsoft tries to open them up near Apple stores, trying to say "look, we can be hip too!". Unfortunately, Microsoft is anything but cool.
They hired a DJ for their latest Microsoft Store opening. Can you guess what kind of computer he uses? Above, you can clearly see that the laptop is a MacBook Pro. Microsoft made the DJ cover up the logo with a Microsoft sticker, but you can still see the Apple logo through the sticker.
Microsoft even has trouble pretending to be cool. Maybe they should just work on making their operating system less awkward and create their own style, rather than continually copying Apple. via CultOfMac
Easier, Faster and Funner, the new Nokia Lumia 800 with Windows Phone is all that you were looking for. Seamless design, People hub, Internet and Camera. Everything is just perfect. Curved glass with 3.7 inch touchscreen and smooth one piece-body. People Hub lets you access all your social network (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Email, Chat and SMS) in one place.
Nice browsing experience with Internet Explorer 9 and HTML 5. Carl Zeiss optics with 8 MP camera and HD video. No other phone can beat it in design and style. Not just style, it offers you a great piece of hardware too. 1.4 GHz processor, Qualcomm MSM8255 chipset, 3D Graphics HW Accelerator with 16 GB storage and 512 MB RAM. Nokia's Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors and just 142g in weight.
Nokia Lumia 800 is really the first windows phone with a perfect mix of hardware and software. The Windows Phone 7.5 Mango operating system is mature enough to stand out and win the race of smartphone. Microsoft Office Mobile is fully integrated in Nokia Lumia 800 so you can now play with your documents on the go.
Nokia Lumia 800 will decide the future of Microsoft and Nokia partnership. I am pretty much sure that Nokia and Microsoft have so much to offer to an end user. Let's try the new Nokia Lumia 800. Check it out here at - http://www.nokia.co.uk/gb-en/products/phone/lumia800/
Steve Jobs wasn't too keen on Google. Back in 2007, Android looked like a ripoff of Blackberry or Nokia OS. But then, Apple made the iPhone. And before they ever got a chance to release it to the world, Eric Schmidt laid his eyes on it. Why? He was a member of Apple's board. Apple at the time had no reason to distrust him, Google and Apple were in separate games. But then, Eric ran back to Google, and got them to change Android into what we have now, based on what he had from Apple's designs. That's why he had the iPad hidden from Eric and Google until he released it to the world. More on Apple vs Google and Microsoft below.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, said today that "You don't have to be a computer scientist to use a Windows Phone, but you do to use an Android phone". He also stated that he just can't get excited about an Android phone. Ouch.
Okay, I can't completely say I disagree with him. You don't need a Computer Science degree to use Android, just a lot of patience. That is, unless you decide to start rooting your device, in which you better know what you're doing.
The Android interface is quite convoluted and overly complicated. It's often ugly too. But, can the CEO of the company that makes Windows really complain about the user interface of another operating system? Especially since their own mobile OS is in many ways, too simple. They've only recently gotten copy/paste, multitasking, and they're pushing 40,000 apps, which is just a few thousand short of Blackberry's. Not to mention, they roll out updates, so people never know if or when they're going to get the update. But, it's got live updating tiles on it's home screen, for your social networks... as long as they're not ones you actually use, like Facebook, for example, which doesn't update the tile.
Honestly, while I agree that Android is overly complicated, and clearly the interface came second to the idea of "let's make a mobile OS", Ballmer isn't really in a position to insult any other company's user interface. via Engadget
Diposting oleh
fawaid on Selasa, 20 September 2011
If you're using Skype for iOS, you might want to use it less frequently until the next update. News of a vulnerability has been released to the public. Using the technique detailed by the security researcher who discovered the exploit, an attacker could execute Javascript code simply by sending a user a message. With the exploit, any file on the iOS device is up for grabs.
Don't even look at messages from strangers, because the simple act of loading the message will allow your iOS device to be attacked. Remember, Microsoft bought Skype some time ago, and it seems they've continued with their philosophy: if the public doesn't know about a vulnerability, don't fix it.
The exploit was reported to Skype some time ago, but the researcher only came forward to the public about the exploit now. The idea was to give Skype some time to fix it. From the details he posted on the exploit, it doesn't sound like it would be very difficult to fix. In fact, if they dedicate some time to patching the exploit, they could have an update out very shortly. With any luck, now that the attack has gotten public attention a fix for it will be released shortly. Skype doesn't want to make their reputation for poor security any worse. via CultOfMac
Diposting oleh
fawaid on Selasa, 06 September 2011
Thought your Windows Phone was immune to tracking scandals? Think again. Microsoft is currently involved in a class action lawsuit over tracking woes. Apparently, Microsoft collects location data from users, even if they opt out of location features. Photos taken with a Windows 7 phone can send off location data to Microsoft.
Microsoft previously stated that they only store user information when the location is requested for an app. However, with location settings off, this shouldn't happen. Has Microsoft deceived customers here, or are consumers simply paranoid about GPS tracking from our phones? via BGR
With iOS and Lion, Apple made a step towards a new user interface design: monochromatic icons. The low color, high contrast icons are easy to see, and look fresh and clean. Soneone at Microsoft must have liked the idea too, because the've decided to copy Apple (again) and do the same thing.
They even went so far as to make the settings shortcut a gear, like the one that has been in Mac OS and iOS for years. After seeing the horrible design choice for the Explorer, one has to wonder, does Microsoft have a single create employee?
Microsoft has been working on Windows 8 for a while now. So far, it looks like it may feature some radical design changes, and may be come more usable for tablets. But, other than that, it appears to be unappealing in every way.
Take, for example, the reworked design for the Explorer (that's the program that lets you view your files) that you can see above. Microsoft thinks that it's more refined, easier to use, and more streamlined. Meanwhile, employees at Apple, Mac users, and many users familiar with user interface design just threw up in their mouths a little. It's not just that the design is ugly, but the fact that it hogs up a huge amount of screen space. That's space that could be used for the content users actually want to see, their files. What's the use of having a 15 inch laptop screen, if Microsoft only lets you use 11 inches?
Unfortunately, and even by Microsoft's own research, it's a horrible waste of space, and an absolutely lousy user interface. As you can see from the photo below, those buttons are rarely used. This picture was compiled from data from Microsoft's own research, proving that band at the top of Microsoft Office programs is not only ugly and obtrusive, but also, entirely useless.
Is it surprising that Microsoft wants to place that terrible, ugly bar on every Explorer window? They really aren't the masters of good design. Thank you for reminding me why I switched to Mac OS.
This year, Apple's doing very well with college students. For every 10 computers sold to college students, 8 of them are Macs. It looks like students aren't going to be swayed by an Xbox 360. The $100 Apple gives out for Apps, Movies, Music, and Books is probably more useful for students than a video game system, especially considering that most students probably already have a video game system. That, or students have decided that they would rather have a computer that will "just work" for all 4 years of college, and they won't be fooled by Microsoft's marketing material.
Whatever the reason, 80% of new computers for college students are Macs. It's looking like Apple marketshare in the consumer computer category is about to jump. If you're thinking about buying a new computer this year, why not check out a Mac? via tuaw
It's a bit off-topic for this blog reader who own Nokia Symbian devices but it seemed very interesting to me so I thought to share this with all my readers. According to a very popular gadgets and consumer electronics website Engadget, we can soon see these new Windows phone models from the house of Nokia.
I think we have seen these models very recently but with new Symbian Anna OS. Yes the new Windows phones by Nokia are W7 which is close (will be built on the same hardware and design) to Nokia X7 and Nokia W8 which is close to Nokia N8 in design and hardware. These conceptualized models look very promising and we hope that Nokia may back in smartphone business with such Windows based devices. (source: Engadget)
Microsoft Inc. not first time makes an innovative product, thus Xbox 360 did not become an exception from the constant rule.
Xbox 360 by Microsoft Inc.
Along with ultrafashionable design, the console possesses excellent technical characteristics, indisputable advantage is the excellent choice of Xbox 360 video games, competent Internet community and smart support service. In aggregate these factors also have defined popularity Xbox 360 among gamers all over the world.
Besides, Microsoft offers players 3 variants of consoles Xbox 360: Arcade, Pro and Elite. Thus, everyone can individualise a prefix for itself. Whether it's care of gamers? Yes, certainly! Likely each gamer who has tried this prefix in action, will find many arguments in advantage Xboх 360. Developers of the most popular computer games now choose this platform for the products (thus, Nintendo DS video games it's the past tendency).
Also, the DVD-player and television format of HDTV gives the chance to look video films, thus quality of a TV-picture is not worse, than on a large-format TV-screen. Besides, for this game console there is a set online video game rentals, thus you can always have access to novelties of video games for a moderate payment.
Parody preview trailer from UCB Comedy. In 2007 on the Internet there was a preview trailer "If Microsoft makes iPod" which derided inability of this company to reach the simple and easy decision as it have made Apple. The device overloaded with unnecessary and senseless functions, unlike iPod has as a result turned out.
The new trailer also derides Bill Gates's company, but this time it is a question of that, the smart phone like iPhone as though looked. The monster under the name "Fune", generated by imagination of parodists, without special work can cause a nervous tic.
Delight to fans Apple
Judge: the huge device similar to a brick working under Windows Vista, with possibility of listening of favourite tracks in format MIDI and an exit in the Internet through AOL, working as a fax, and also having AM-radio and even a roulette! You will tell nothing, fans Apple have laughed with all the heart.
Apple strikes back
It is curious, that name Fune is transparent enough hints at player Zune of manufacture Micrisoft. Probably, this attack is the answer to an advertising campaign from Crispin Porter + Bogusky in which expenses of users iPode and Zune were compared.
Along with ultrafashionable design, the console possesses excellent technical characteristics, indisputable advantage is the excellent choice of 