Facebook is in the news a lot recently, with the social network splashing the cash to acquire photo sharing platform, Instagram. One of the reasons the company was in the news last year, the new Timeline feature, is now the subject of a Microsoft-made website, too.
Windows 8's lock screen is easy on the eye, but - as with many of the features within the Consumer Preview - just doesn't really work on a desktop or notebook.
The internet is once again abuzz with news and rumors surrounding the replacement to the Xbox 360. Despite Microsoft refusing to admit that the console is on its way sooner rather than later, the gaming community is currently falling over itself to suggest what the next Xbox may look like and, more importantly, what features it may sport.
Considering consumers pay such a high price in the stores for their gizmos and gadgets, they would be forgiven for thinking that the manufacturers of these high-end pieces of technology are doing all they can to ensure any data that passes through the product and associated services is as secure as it possibly can be. However, if recent research into the subject is anything to go by, then it would appear that this isn't always the case, with sensitive data such as credit card details being easily accessible on Xbox 360 consoles through the use of widely available tools.
So, before I begin, let me preface this post with a little backstory: During CES, Microsoft hosted a competition called 'Smoked by Windows Phone'. Basically, the premise of it was that you would be issued a task on your smartphone, and evangelist Ben Rudolph of Microsoft would then wield a Windows Phone and try to perform that task quicker. If you lose, you would have to admit that you were 'Smoked by Windows Phone'. And, if you do beat the Windows Phone to performing the task, you'd win $1,000.
One of the more significant additions to Windows 8 (on the latest Consumer Preview build) - which is critical for the platform to succeed in the tablet space - is the Windows Store, essentially an app store where you can purchase applications for Windows, particularly Metro-style ones. Thus, in terms of functionality, it's pretty much like a combination of the iOS and Mac App Stores. But, in usability and design, it does have its differences.
Microsoft has begun to unveil plans of how its tiled Windows 8 operating system will be scaled to fit different tablet screens and resolutions across the board, revealing that there will be support for Retina-Like displays.
We're currently at that helpless stage with regards to the next Xbox release, whereby rumors and speculation are continually being recycled, and with little official word offered by Microsoft, we're forced to try and dredge some truth from the many conflicting rumors.
Although the response from tech enthusiasts regarding the Windows 8 Consumer Preview has been altogether positive, this hasn't stopped some developers from altering things around - in particular, trying to recover features lost from Windows 7.
It came as a little bit of shock when Nokia and Microsoft announced a partnership in 2011 that would see the ailing Finnish mobile device maker implement the Windows Phone OS in its next-generation of smartphone releases. The plan was for Nokia to see out their commitment to the Symbian software before ultimately designing and rolling out a range of smartphones powered completely by the Microsoft mobile OS.
