The problem with running on old software is, you're always likely to be left behind. In order to coerce consumers into updating or upgrading, the newest software is developed first, and anybody left behind is, well, simply left behind. While those on Windows 8 can already enjoy Internet Explorer 10, anybody still straggling on Windows 7 will still be waiting for the new version, and although it's not quite ready for end-user release, a preview version has now been dropped by Microsoft.
In terms of holiday season gifts, those of generations past may have received little more than an orange in a sock, but nowadays, electronic gadgets are at the very top of most people's "want lists." In anticipation of this, Apple puts out its "perfect gift guide" annually to help consumers decide which iPhone, iPad, iPod, or MacBook to purchase, and today, that day has arrived once again.
Navigating through apps is probably one of the most important aspects of using software on devices like the iPhone or the Galaxy S III. Being able to move to new interfaces, use the features within the app and then navigating back to where we came from is extremely important, but we sometimes take for granted how this is achieved. Android fans generally appreciate the dedicated back button that exists on devices but iOS fans generally need to rely on developers incorporating the navigation methodologies or hope that an app is built around a navigation controller that automatically applies a back button to go to the previous location.
Although, Apple essentially created the tablet market as we know it today with the release of the original iPad, they won't be sitting as easy as they have been in previous years as they watch other companies like Microsoft and Samsung release highly capable tablet devices that could potentially compete with the iPad for the first time since launch. Any tablet owner will be concerned with the display quality of the product that they have purchased, and for the first time, the Surface has been scientifically scrutinized alongside the other leading tablets on the market.
Wow. That was unexpected. In an interesting development today, Microsoft today announced that President of Windows and Windows Live division Steven Sinofsky is leaving the company with immediate effect. Julie Larson-Green is said to be taking over his place at Microsoft.
November is certainly a month for the major franchises. With gamers around the world having queued, currently queuing, or about to queue up for the special midnight release of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, the numbers are starting to trickle through with regards to last week's release of Halo 4. In selling a reported 3.1 million copies of Halo 4 in the first 24 hours, the title also earned $220 million on day one, and with Microsoft tipping the global $300 million to have been surpassed by tomorrow, we're looking at the biggest Halo launch in history.
If you are a music aficionado who loves nothing more than combining the latest musical technology to produce and record cutting-edge tunes then it looks like Apple and Fender Squier may just have released the perfect product for you. All of this release talk surrounding new iPhones and iPads is all well and good, but for some people the power is really in the accessories that are released to accompany the Apple's mobile products, and they really don't come any more entertaining that a USB-based Stratocaster guitar.
Windows 8 has now been out for a couple of weeks, and although many Metro-fied apps were ready for the big launch on the 26th of last month, the big applications from the biggest names are still being released by the hour. Video streaming outlet Vimeo is the latest to join the likes of Skype and The Weather Channel for Windows 8, and the new app allows users to carry out a range of functions with apparent ease.
Scott Forstall was recently relieved of his post as Senior Vice President of iOS software at Apple, and will now serve in an advisory role until his eventual departure from the Cupertino in early 2013. While exact details as to why Forstall has been deemed surplus to requirements have yet to be properly revealed, it's widely believed he had a fiery personality which didn't sit well with some of his colleagues, and after allegedly refusing to apologize for the dire Maps app of iOS 6, it's thought Apple felt it better to remove Forstall from the executive team.
Whenever a new iOS device releases into the wild, Apple works hard to ensure its software its up to scratch, and any lingering bugs are identified and eradicated post-haste. Aside from the obvious issue of iOS 6 Maps, the release of the latest and greatest mobile firmware from Apple has been relatively incident-free, and having released iOS 6 beta 1 to developers only ten days ago, iOS 6 beta 2 has now been released.
