Windows Pumpkin

Windows Pumpkin for the Halloween !

(Source: @Windows)

Kinect to Kill - Halloween Special from Channel 9 team

 

The channel 9 team is again at its spookiest best. Its ‘famous’ Halloween videos brought every year has come up this year again with a Halloween video with brilliant performance from its team. Warning: Those with weak hearts can skip this video.

It's that time of year again...when the ghost and the goblins come knocking at your door. This year we invite you to watch a story about frirendships, love, horror and of course- a crazy serial killer! Enjoy!

Starring : Dan Fernandez, Laura Foy , Paul Mestemaker, Tina, Golnaz Alibeigi (Please add those who I might not have recognized and not have included in this.)

$99 HP Touchpads officially out of stock, Some retailers will have some stock available

This is the official mail I received just a few hours back -

Making sure customers have a positive experience when they purchase our products is a priority for us. In some cases, limited inventory makes it challenging to fulfill all customer orders. As you signed up for updates on the HP TouchPad, we wanted you to know that we are officially out of stock. Some retailers will have some stock available, but our online inventory is depleted.

Thank you for your interest in this product and the feedback you provided. Your input plays a critical role in defining our product roadmap and will help us continue to bring innovative products to market.

Sincerely,
HP

So $99 HP Touchpads will not available from HP anymore. That’s the end of it. Some retailers will have some limited stock. So have to see at what price they will be made available. The HP blog also updated this http://h20435.www2.hp.com/t5/The-Next-Bench-Blog/UPDATE-Last-Chance/ba-p/68749

Heat map to provide at-a-glance view for 64+ logical processors in Windows 8 Task Manager

Windows 8 Blog has been providing us regularly with an inside look about the Windows 8 straight from the Windows engineering team. in its latest post it talks about the Using Task Manager with 64+ logical processors

At present for a many processor system, task manager CPU charts in Windows 7 have a few limitations-

• Its pretty hard to compare the moving line graphs for a system having lots of logical processors in a 60-second window of CPU utilization.
• And when you have 64+ logical processors, the graphs get very small and are difficult to read.
• There’s no easy way to find processor ID if you spot an anomalous graph.

Below is the Windows 7 Task Manager CPU performance tab on a system with 160 logical processors.

As you can see the graphs are hard to read and comparing instantaneous CPU utilization is impossible because of the 60sec moving graph. So the Windows team thought that for the “many-core view” of the new performance dashboard, a heat map was a natural fit.

As the screenshot shows its now easy to see all the logical processors at a glance and know which are being utilized to high and low capacity. When the data set gets too big for the window, the heat map scales to best fit, and a scroll bar appears as needed.

You can also get the logical processor ID that maps to each entry via a tooltip, by hovering over the entry with the mouse

Please note the screenshots of Windows 8 are of the current build with the Windows team Its not yet available for the public.

[videos] Nokia Lumia 800- First Hands-On video

 

Here are 2 videos providing sneak peek at the absolutely stunning Nokia Lumia 800 running Windows Phone 7.5

 

Microsoft teams up with Mozilla to bring Firefox with Bing

Although Bing is provided as one of the Search option in Firefox but now Microsoft teaming with Mozilla brings Firefox with Bing, browser that includes default search settings for Bing. Thus making easier to use Bing in Firefox eliminating extra steps to configure.

Firefox with Bing offers the latest version of Firefox with Bing set as your home page and the default setting in the search box and AwesomeBar (where you can also type in queries as well as Web addresses). If you already have the latest version of Firefox, then you just need to download the Bing Search for Firefox Add-on to set the same preferences.

You can download Firefox with Bing from http://www.firefoxwithbing.com/

(Source:  Bing blog)

Is this an indication of something is being set for the future ?

[video] Nokia Drive - Voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation in Windows Phone

One of the big announcement at Nokia World was the introduction of Nokia Drive, Nokia’s proprietary voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation tool provided with Windows Phone.

It’ll complement to Windows Phone’s already built-in navigation via Bing Maps.

Nokia Lumia 710 and Lumia 800 Full Specs

Just sometimes back Nokia CEO Stephen Elop unveiled Nokia’s first Windows Phones, the Nokia Lumia 800 and the Nokia Lumia 710 at the NokiaWorld.

Nokia Lumia 800 Specs -

The Nokia Lumia 800 is a flagship device, bearing more than a similar resemblance to the much-lauded Nokia N9. Behind the 3.7-inch AMOLED display sits a 1.4GHz processor with hardware acceleration and a separate graphics processor. Storage is taken care of, too, with 16GB on board and a further 25GB available free on SkyDrive, Microsoft’s cloud-based storage space

• Curved glass, 3.7" touchscreen, smooth one-piece body
• Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, Chat, SMS
• Bing, Internet Explorer 9, HTML5, Wi-Fi
• Carl Zeiss optics, 8 MP camera, HD video
• Weight- 142 g
• Maximum 3G talk time - 9.5 h , Maximum 3G standby time - 335 h
• Maximum music playback time 55 h, Maximum video playback time 7 h
• Hardware CPU clock rate 1400 MHz
• Hardware CPU type Qualcomm MSM8255 (WCDMA)
• 16 GB mass memory (no slot for micro-SD cards)
• SDRAM memory 512 MB
• Operating System Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
• Available in Cyan, Black, Magenta
• Extra features: TV out,Micro SIM,Nokia Maps,Bing Maps,Flight Mode,Nokia Drive, Nokia Music,Nokia Store, 2 Microphones, Microsoft Lync, 3D Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Magnetometer Sensor, Ambient light sensor, Nokia Contacts Transfer

The Nokia Lumia 800 will be available in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK in November.

It will be priced at approximately €420 before taxes and subsidies. It is also scheduled to be available in Hong Kong, India, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan before the end of the year, and in further markets in early 2012. It’s available to pre-order in select countries now via the Nokia website.

For a detailed Specifications, in action video, 360⁰ view and much more , please check http://www.nokia.co.uk/gb-en/products/phone/lumia800/specifications/

(picture courtesy: Windows Phone blog)

Nokia Lumia 710 Specs - 

The Nokia Lumia 710 is an affordable smartphone offering a new alternative to people looking for a mid-level smartphone. The Nokia Lumia 710 offers incredible value to a whole new range of smartphone buyers. With interchangeable back covers (in a choice of black, white, cyan, fuchsia and yellow) and a choice of black or white device, there’s no shortage of personalization available, particularly when you consider the vast suite of apps on offer. Nokia Lumia 710 also sports a 1.4GHz processor together with hardware acceleration and a dedicated graphics processor.

• ClearBlack display, anti-glare screen, 3.7" touchscreen
• Swappable covers, changeable home screen colours
• Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, Chat, SMS
• Bing, Internet Explorer 9, HTML5, Wi-Fi
• 5 MP camera, auto-focus, LED flash
• Weight 126 g
• Maximum 3G talk time 7.6 h, Maximum 3G standby time 400h
• Maximum music playback time 38h, Maximum video playback time 6h
• Hardware CPU type Qualcomm MSM8255 (WCDMA)
• Hardware CPU clock rate 1400 MHz
• 8 GB mass memory, expandable with micro-SD card up to 24 GB (max 16 GB cards)
• SDRAM memory 512 MB
• Operating System Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
• Extra Features: Micro SIM,Bing Maps,Flight Mode,Nokia Drive,Nokia Music, Nokia Store, 2 Microphones,Microsoft Lync, 3D Accelerometer,Proximity sensor, Magnetometer Sensor, Ambient light sensor,,Nokia Contacts Transfer

For a detailed Specifications, in action video, 360⁰ view and much more , please check http://www.nokia.co.uk/gb-en/products/phone/lumia710/specifications/
The Nokia Lumia 710 will be available in Hong Kong, India, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan towards the end of the year with other markets joining early in 2012. Lumia 710 will be around €270 excl taxes.

Also on board are new signature Nokia experiences, optimized for Windows Phone. Nokia Drive turns both the new Lumia smartphones into dedicated personal navigation devices, with free turn-by-turn navigation and dedicated in-car user interface

(picture courtesy: Windows Phone blog)

Book your $60 Aakash Tablet

Few days back we had seen the launch of $60 Aakash tablet, Aakash Tablet launched ($30 for Students) – Specs / comparison chart

This tablet is mainly targeted at students and still many of us had queried how to get this tablet. I came across its website where you can book the tablet.

Book your Aakash tablet at http://www.aakashdatawind.com/ 

The site also provides various other details of this Android 2.2 tablet with a 7” touch screen. Also check the complete specs, various accessories available.

It has also provided a Toll free number 1800 180 2180 and contact as

India Operations:
8148, Jubilee Complex,
Sultanwind Road,
Amritsar – 143001

Price at present is Rs2999 (~ $60)

UPDATE: Because of poor design of the Aakash Tablet website,some people have some reservations about this site and rightly so. Also at footer of site there are many URLs given.So until it gets verified. I'll put a note.
NOTE: Not responsible for the content of external sites . Please ensure before you buy.

UPDATE: Now this Booking webpage has been updated and says it’s the official page.

[FIX] Cannot change the font size in Windows Live Mail after you install Internet Explorer 9

When you try to change the font size that is used for reading messages in Windows Live Mail or in Windows Mail, the font size does not change. Try this -

• You have Windows Live Mail 2011 installed, and you have set up access to an email account to view your messages in the Inbox.
• You install Windows Internet Explorer 9.
• You start Windows Live Mail. Your Inbox contains HTML email messages.
• You try to change the font size so that the messages that are displayed can be read more easily. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. On the Windows Live Mail tab, click Options and then click Mail.
  2. On the Read tab, click Fonts.
  3. In the Font size box, select Smallest, and then click OK.
  4. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.

In this scenario, the font size is not changed.

FIX -

To resolve this issue, install the most recent cumulative security update for Internet Explorer. This update was first included in security update 2586448. Today I received this in my Windows update -

or get it from Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (2586448)

This article Applies to-

• Windows Internet Explorer 9
• Windows Live Mail
• Windows Mail in Windows Vista

(Source:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2601253/en-us )

Hear it from Microsoft– End of Zune devices

Since few days, there were lots and lots of confusion of whether Zune devices have been stopped officially or not.First this-

Zune HD removed mistakenly from its website

then this -

Zune player killed ! This time its official ! 

then this -

Zune HD is Alive!! Another Apology for the Error from Zune

After that I stopped writing about that. Today I was watching Ping- Episode 120 and there the Microsoft Representatives , the show presenters clearly mentioned that the Zune devices were killed referring to the news item. So there were no denials. But the Zune services continues. And indeed one can have all the Zune features on their Windows Mango Phones.

Check the video for yourself –

(Source:meraTechPort)

Search with voice, audio and vision with Bing on Mango!

Check out what Bing team has done with Bing on the new Windows Mango Phone !

Bing on Windows Phone now transcends the search box. No longer limited by text, you can now search with voice, audio and vision -

• Voice: Search without typing using the voice search functionality.
• Music Search: Find what song is playing by letting you phone "listen" to the music. It not only shows you the name, artist, and album, but even shows you where you can hear or buy it.
• Bing Vision: You can now use your phone’s camera to look up product information by bringing an object into view. Bing will recognize text and present the option to select words for a search, and instantly return product results if the object has a barcode. Bing Vision can also detect product information from UPC codes, QR Codes and MS Tag as well as cover art for books, CD’s, DVD’s and video games.

Some more features -

Bing Local Scout provides local search results and recommends nearby restaurants, shopping and other activities in an easy to use guide powered by Bing. The results are arranged by:

• Highlights: Top rated and highly reviewed listings
• Eat+Drink: Nearby restaurants
• See+Do: Nearby attractions and activities
• Shop: Nearby stores

Bing search results now return Windows Phone Marketplace apps that are relevant to what you’re searching for.

For an in depth look at how this works, check out Ben and Stefan’s video covering Bing on Windows Phone 7.5:

(Source: Windows Phone 7.5: Bing(o) on Mango )

PreOrder almost similar Samsung Slate that was given at //build/

Preorders are being accepted for Samsung Series 7 tablet at Microsoft Store, bit of different configuration than one provided at //build/ PC (especially sensors) but close to. More details given below-

Samsung Series 7 Slate -  XE700T1A-A05US

Price- $1,299.00

• DISPLAY 11.6 in SuperBright LED-backlit HD (1366 x 768)
• PROCESSOR Intel Core i5-2467M 1.60 GHz
• MEMORY 4 GB DDR3
• HARD DRIVE SIZE 128 GB SSD
• OPERATING SYSTEM Windows 7 Professional
• PC TYPE Slate
• OPTICAL DRIVE None
• MEDIA DRIVE MicroSD
• VIDEO Intel HD Graphics 3000 with shared graphics memory
• AUDIO HD Audio Codec
• PORTS 1 USB 2.0,Micro HDMI,Headphone output, Microphone input
• BATTERY 4-cell lithium-polymer 5400mAh 41Wh (up to 7 hours)*
• CAMERA 2.0 MP HD (front), 3.0 MP HD (rear)
• WIRELESS 802.11a/b/g/n
• BLUETOOTH Yes
• DIMENSIONS 11.66 x 7.24 x 0.51 in (296.16 x 183.89 x 12.95 mm)
• WEIGHT 1.98 lbs (0.89 kg)
• COLOR Black
• Model number: XE700T1A-A05US
  For more technical specifications, please see manufacturer's website.

The Samsung Series 7 slate gives you full PC power packed into an ultraportable device, taking mobility to a new level with a touch-focused design. This PC comes with Microsoft Signature

So I think its not provided  with the dock,the Bluetooth Keyboard to convert it into Desktop PC, and electromagnetic Digitizer. Also not with the same sensors as provided with //build/ PC.

Samsung site says- “An optional Bluetooth keyboard, docking station and mouse add further convenience and create a desktop PC experience”

The Samsung Series 7 Slate is scheduled to be available starting October 2, 2011

More similar models - http://www.samsung.com/us/news/newsRead.do?news_seq=19916

Model	XE700T1A-A01US	XE700T1A-A04US	XE700T1A-A03US	XE700T1A-A05US
Features
CPU	Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2467M	Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2467M	Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2467M	Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2467M
Operating System	Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 bit)	Genuine Windows® 7 Professional (64 bit)	Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 bit)	Genuine Windows® 7 Professional (64b)
Memory (max)	4GB DDR3 1333MHz	4GB DDR3 1333MHz	4GB DDR3 1333MHz	4GB DDR3 1333MHz
Storage (max)	64GB	64GB	128GB	128GB
Screen	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"
Resolution	1366 x 768	1366 x 768	1366 x 768	1366 x 768
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Battery*	Up to 7 hours	Up to 7 hours	Up to 7 hours	Up to 7 hours
Wireless	802.11 b/g/n	802.11 b/g/n	802.11 b/g/n	802.11 b/g/n
Weight	2.06 lbs	2.06 lbs	2.06 lbs	2.06 lbs
MSRP	$1,099	$1,199	$1,349	$1,349

Click here for more details and Preorder > PreOrder this Samsung XE700T1A-A05US from Microsoft Stores.

Here is the Specs summary of the //Build/{PC (For more details, unboxing of //BUILD/PC check here)

**Battery life varies by configuration, operating conditions, and other factors. Maximum battery capacity decreases with time and use.

(HT to http://twitter.com/buildwindows8)

Facebook launches Translation tool for inline translation using Bing Translator

Just came across this.-

Today we launched a new translation tool that enables people to translate posts directly inline on Facebook Pages through Bing Translate. With this service, we are making it even easier for people to enjoy Page content on Facebook regardless of the languages that they know.

When someone clicks on the translate button on a public Page post, a Bing translation will appear in a popout window. People... then have the opportunity to submit their own translation by opting-in to using inline translations. After their generated translation has received enough positive votes, it will replace the Bing translation and will appear each time someone clicks on the translate button associated with the post.

Page admins can always control how their content is translated within the "Your Settings" tab in the Edit Page view.

Click to enlarge

Yet to try it out though.

Check it out here.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Very sad for all and technology World. Steve Jobs – Founder of Apple has passed away.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

(Source: http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/ )

President Obama: "Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs."  http://t.co/eGcYghq5

Bill Gates: “I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work………….”     http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Personal/Steve-Jobs

Mark Zuckerberg :  “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”

Steve Jobs will be remembered for "the inspiration he brought to the world" - Meg Whitman, HP CEO  http://t.co/N9PNdSwl

Statement from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer-  “I want to express my deepest condolences at the passing of Steve Jobs, one of the founders of our industry and a true visionary. My heart goes out to his family, everyone at Apple and everyone who has been touched by his work.”

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/oct11/10-05statement.mspx

Google Tributes to Steve Jobs -

Larry Page, co-founder and CEO of Google: “I am very, very sad to hear the news about Steve. He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance.”

composite image of Steve Jobs created entirely with Apple products(Source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsevis/2313082920/in/set-72157594536252686/ )

After Google, Amazon also posts a link  to Apple site on its Home page – (HT to labnol)

All the flags on all Microsoft campuses worldwide are at half mast today and tomorrow for Steve Jobs. (Tweet from @stephenlrose )

MS flag flying half-mast at Microsoft UK HQ  (via @MichaelGillett )

Bing -

Tweet from twitter - Here's a visualization of public #thankyousteve Tweets, sent over about 4.5 hours yesterday evening http://t.co/f1vhDniw  (by @miguelrios)

Tweets are ordered by # of RTs, from the top left. View original to see Tweet text: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twitteroffice/6219082960/sizes/o/in/photostream/   (NOTE: Full sized original image is ~16.5MB )

$50 Aakash Tablet launched ($30 for Students) – Specs / comparison chart

Today the much awaited Made In India tablet was launched.Its named as Aakash (meaning Sky in Hindi). Its mainly meant for Students and will be available at subsidised rate while for masses its cost is ~$60

The Aakash has been developed by UK-based company DataWind and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Rajasthan)

It was about an year ago the prototype was shown to the public and its cost was estimated at $35.

"Has the device lived up to the $35 price tag?" Technically, it hasn't. The HRD ministry has informed us that the manufacturing cost of the device is $37.98. The sales price of the device however is $49.98 after adding the transportation cost, warranty and other costs. The manufacturer will be able to deliver 1,00,000 units of the device to consumers at $49.98 that is approximately Rs. 2276. So the $35 claim does not hold true in real terms. “

“So, if $37.98 is the cost of the device, what will the institutes have to pay? How much is the government going to subsidize the device? The answer is 50%. An institute that wishes to make this tablet available to its student will pay Rs. 1500 or less, the ministry has informed us.”

(Source NDTV)

Complete Specs -

Name: Akaash (Not Sakshat as was originally called)
Manufacturer: Datawind
Price : Rs 2,276 (about $50)
Dimensions: 190.5x118.5x15.7mm
Screen: 7" resistive
Weighs: 350gms
Operating System: Android 2.2 (Doesn’t have Android Marketplace has Getjar instead)
Processor: 366MHz
Wi-fi enabled only
Connectivity: 2 full USB ports
Memory: 256MB RAM
Storage: 2GB Flash memory + 2GB Micro SD card (expandable to 32GB)
Battery: 2100mAh (Lasts 1.5 to 2 hours when watching HD videos & 3 hours on average use)

GPRS receiver and a SIM card slot will be provided in the lot beyond 10000 units.

When asked about this viable business opportunity -

CEO of Datawind, Suneet Singh Tuli said, it is profitable .“In fact, it is so profitable that he has decided to throw in a GPRS receiver and a SIM card slot into the device without any extra charge to the government. He will still maintain the price point of $37.98. These add-ons are not in the first lot of 10,000 units as they have already been delivered to the Ministry. But the rest of the 90,000 units will have these add ons.”

So we can see a GPRS receiver and a SIM card slot also.

 

Comparison Chart  (Courtesy NDTV.com)

You do have the option to purchase a carrying case for the device that also supports a keyboard. This will cost you an additional Rs.300 in the retail market.

For more photos please visit : NDTV.com

It will be sold as the DataWind Ubislate for Rs 2999 inclusive of taxes(~$60) from Nov.2011

For more details, review, pics, video etc please visit these NDTV.com source links

$50 tablet: From prototype to reality

What features will the Made in India Tablet have?

GadgetGuru Video Review : The Aakash: At $50, the world's cheapest tablet

Zune HD is Alive!! Another Apology for the Error from Zune

What’s going on? After removing the Zune HD devices from Zune.net page (Zune HD removed mistakenly from its website ) then it was clarified that it was a mistake . Later within hours people found this at Zune site

http://www.zune.net/en-US/support/zuneplayers/supportzuneplayers.htm

“………..We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for……………..”

(Zune player killed ! This time its official !)

Which again has been said as another Error by Zune Support.

https://twitter.com/#!/ZuneSupport/status/121354760883421184

And yes http://www.zune.net/en-US/support/zuneplayers/supportzuneplayers.htm  gives ‘Page Not Found’ .

So why this utter confusion? All this is causing damage to its own reputation. I hope all such things are avoided in future.Anyway Zune HD continues to Live on. Indeed it’s a fine product along with the wonderful Zune Software and services but has to be retired gracefully with the arrival of Windows Mango Phone.

(HT to @WithinRafael )

Office 2010 Getting Started Screensaver

Set this screensaver to give you tips to help get you up to speed on using Office 2010. Offers links to more detailed articles and videos when you return to your desktop.

Training on new software takes forever, right? Not necessarily. In this Office Show, one desperately overworked trainee learns how the Office 2010 Screensaver can get him up to speed on Office in just a couple of minutes a day. Plus, rescue a perfectly good big-screen monitor. Get the Office 2010 Screens saver HERE

Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7, Download size 70.0 MB , Requires Windows 7 validation