Yep, this is really happening. Sure is, yes sir. We couldn't make this stuff up. If you've ever wondered what would happen if Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates took to a stage and engaged in some sort of sing-off contest, then you're about to be made very, very happy. If that sing-off contest needs to be in the form of a rap battle, then you'll probably need to sit down for a minute to compose yourself before we go any further.
Desperately trying to stay relevant in an industry that is doing its best to leave them behind, Microsoft is set to hold an event on June 18th for what is being called a 'major new announcement' from the company.
Well, it appears that it is once again time to pen a comparison post, this time following up with the one published in October of last year - about 8 months ago - that compares a few of the important factors between the three important mobile platforms of our time. With iOS 6 freshly unveiled, along with a few developments that have transpired over the past 8 months, there are a few changes to make.
With Apple's big iOS 6 reveal done and dusted, we can now focus our attentions on what Microsoft has in store with its ever-advancing Windows Phone platform. The Redmond-based outfit has been steadfast in its progress of Windows 8, and the mobile version will play a key role in its eventual success.
In terms of Microsoft's market-leading Windows operating system, this year has rightly been dominated by Windows 8. The Metro-smothered interface of the upcoming OS has proved to be a huge hit among early samplers of the Consumer Preview released in February, and with Windows 8 tablets expected soon after the imminent launch, there's plenty to be excited about if you're a PC user.
Missed the recent media event in which Microsoft detailed SmartGlass, Kinect Voice, Internet Explorer and much more for the Xbox 360? Well, if you weren't around for the live stream, you'll be pleased to know that replays of the event are now available to view online.
About a month ago, it became known that Microsoft was going to host a Windows Phone Developer Summit in San Francisco that will span two days. Well, Microsoft has followed up and opened registration for that Windows Phone Summit while also reducing it down to a one day-long event on June 20.
On top of debuting one rumored product - SmartGlass - the company also dropped news of yet another pretty major service: Microsoft's rumored "Woodstock" music streaming service is real, and it's called Xbox Music. Announced by Yusuf Mehdi at the E3 stage, Xbox Music is a service that will be available not just on the console, but on Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices as well. Without delving into too many details, Microsoft did share that the service will offer 30 million tracks to boot. The Smart DJ service that is available on the current Zune service will also live on within Xbox Music. Again, not much details were revealed during the demo - or teaser, rather - or even now after the show, but all that could be seen is a Metro-styled music service that looks rather similar to the Zune.
Not long ago, there was a rumor that Microsoft was going to announce a feature called SmartGlass for tablets and phones at E3, allowing users to interact with content on the Xbox using their "second-screen" devices. Well, that rumor has panned out to be true; during its E3 keynote, Microsoft did officially announce the service.
As well as concentrating on bringing a host of new services and products to consumers, Microsoft has been placing a lot of emphasis in improving what it already has. The lack of progress of Internet Explorer over the years has seen the likes of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome become the front runners - despite the fact that 90 per cent of computer users run Windows, and thus have Internet Explorer installed by default.
