MICROSOFT TO LAUNCH WINDOWS 8 APP STORE

Microsoft recently revealed a number of details on its Windows 8 Windows Store, an application storefront that will launch in February in tandem with Windows 8 Beta. Microsoft corporate vice president Antoine Leblond explained that developers will receive 80% of all revenues from applications sold after earning $25,000 in revenue, before which developers will receive a 70% cut. Apple, by contrast, offers developers 70% of app revenues. Microsoft is also taking a different approach to subscription models. The Daily Telegraph, for example, will offer a subscription option to its daily newspaper but will use its own existing authentication system to allow its users to log-in. Apple and Google typically force developers to use proprietary subscription systems.

“Lots of apps already have business models that depend on a particular transaction provider or that benefit from ties to other lines of business,” Ted Dworkin, partner program manager for Windows 8 Windows Store explained in a blog post. “Customers of those businesses want the trust and efficiency of a familiar, trusted transaction experience.” Developers can also choose “whatever ad platform they prefer, whether it’s from Microsoft or someone else.” Microsoft recently published its app certification policies and said that its goal is to be transparent by using “plain language” in its approval process and that it will provide feedback to developers whose apps are rejected.The Windows 8 Windows Store will have a global reach, allowing software companies to publish applications in 231 markets and in more than 100 languages.

MICROSOFT GETS ANTI-TRUST APPROVAL TO SWALLOW SKYPE

Microsoft just crossed another hurdle in its bid to swallow Skype whole. Earlier today, US antitrust approval was given on Microsoft's largest (proposed) acquisition, clearing the path for all sorts of Windows / Xbox / WP7-related VoIP shenanigans. While many are still questioning the logic here, Skype continually brought around 145 million users to the table per month even while it constantly bled money. Whatever the case, it looks as if the accountants in Redmond just got FTC permission to move $8.5b from one column to the next, and with an initial investment like that, we're hoping for a number of updated features as the attack plan unfolds.

AVG LAUNCHES COMPETITOR TO DROPBOX

AVG launched an online storage, backup and syncing service named LiveKive. LiveKive is a serious competitor to the granddaddy of online services DropBox. AVG describes LiveKive as a "reliable and sophisticated alternative to archiving.” In reality it’s a service that allows you to store any and all files in the cloud while keeping a local copy synchronized on your device, be that a Windows or Mac PC, or some portable device running Android or iOS.

LiveKive not only lets you backup and sync files across multiple computers, it also allows you to share files securely with others just like Dropbox’s Public folder. AVG calls its version a Share Room and rather than sharing download links you share a room link, with the recipient being able to download anything you put in that room.

here’s a free 5GB account available to everyone as well as two paid tiers. The first is $49.99 a year and gets you 25GB of storage. The second is $79.99 per year and comes with unlimited storage. Checking the fair use policy confirms that unlimited actually means 500GB, and that this estimate of an upper limit could be revised at any time.

SILVERLIGHT COMING TO XBOX; WP7 GAMES ON THE WAY

Silverlight started as just a humble Flash competitor and now, well, it's all grown up. Almost, anyway. It's a fundamental part of the Windows Phone 7 ecosphere and word on the street is that it's about to become a fundamental part of the Xbox 360 world as well -- or a part, at least. Microsoft's MIX 11 developer event kicks off next week and rumor has it that Microsoft will unload a new tier of Silverlight compatibility enabling apps on the company's console and there's the potential for writing apps that could run both on phones and on the console.

MICROSOFT ON VERGE OF WINDOWS 8 MILESTONE 2 BUILD

Microsoft is on the verge of finishing its second Milestone build of Windows 8, WinRumorshas learned. The software giant has compiled a number of Milestone 2 builds recently ready for the final M2 build that will be distributed internally and externally to the company’s closest partners for testing.

The software giant finalized the M1 build in early December after four months of development. M2 builds began in early December and are expected to be finalized in the next two weeks. Milestone 3 development is expected to last until early June. The current schedule could mean we’ll see a Windows 8 beta in the Summer.

Microsoft has so far been extremely quiet on the Windows 8 front. Windows Chief, Steven Sinofsky, took to the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January to introduce a technology preview of Microsoft’s Windows ARM support and show off an early build of Windows 8. Microsoft is partnering with ARM-based manufactures NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments to produce new Tablet devices. Rumors suggest that Microsoft will create a dual-UI for Windows 8. A tile-based user interface codenamed “Mosh” will reportedly be included.

Steve Ballmer has described the next release of Windows as the company’s “riskiest product bet”. It is understood that Microsoft will feature deep cloud integration into the future OS to realise its vision of “three screens and a cloud”.

MOZILLA'S 2011 ROADMAP TOO AMBITIOUS?

Mozilla has published an updated roadmap in which it lays out its plans for 2011. The organization hopes to significantly shorten its release cycle and deliver a total of four major releases during 2011, cranking the browser up to version 7 by the end of the year.

Some of Mozilla's key technical priorities include improving responsiveness, integrating social sharing, refining the user interface, supporting 64-bit Windows and Android tablet form factors, finally delivering process isolation for tabs, and supporting emerging standards like CSS 3D transforms and WebSockets. In terms of features, Mozilla's 2011 roadmap is compelling and achievable. There is room for skepticism, however, about the organization's new release management strategy. Instead of aiming to roll all of this functionality out in a major release next year, Mozilla intends to push it out to users incrementally, using a series of three releases after the upcoming launch of Firefox 4.

The ambitious plan will require Mozilla to completely reinvent its development, testing, and release management practices. The organization currently averages one significant release a year and typically spends months on beta testing and quality assurance before officially issuing a new stable version. Mozilla will face major technical and operational challenges as it attempts to transition to shorter release cycles.

NETGEAR CEO DISSES MICROSOFT AND STEVE JOBS

At a press lunch in California Patrick Lo, CEO of NetGear, had some unkind things to say about Microsoft and Steve Jobs. About Microsoft's recently launched Windows Phone 7 platform Lo said "Microsoft is over -- game over, from my point of view." Of course this doesn't really take into account Microsoft's huge purse filled with greenbacks from its lucrative Windows 7 and Office products.

But Lo didn't stop with Microsoft. He went on to attached Steve Jobs' decision to leave Adobe Flash out of the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. "What's the reason for him to trash Flash? There's no reason other than ego," said Lo. He went on to say "Once Steve Jobs goes away, which is probably not far away, then Apple will have to make a strategic decision on whether to open up the platform." Uhm, yeah way to stay classy there Patrick.

GOOGLE CLOUD PRINT ALLOWS PRINTING FROM PHONE

Google recently released Cloud Print, a web feature that allowed you to print documents on your home printer from anywhere. Today, they're going to start rolling out that feature for mobile Gmail, so you can print straight from your smartphone.

Until today, Google Cloud Print was only available for Chrome OS, but now iPhone and Android users can print anything from mobile Gmail on-the-go. So, if you're out and about and want to print out an email (or one of its attachments, like a .doc or .pdf file), you can just head to Gmail's mobile web interface and hit the print button from the top right-hand dropdown. When you gethome, your email will be waiting for you at the printer. To set up Google Cloud Print, just head to Chrome's preferences and go to Under the Hood > Sign in to Google Cloud Print. It should automatically add all printers hooked up to that computer to your Google Cloud Print manager, and you'll be able to print to them from your phone. Note that as of right now, it only works on Windows, and you'll need the latest beta version of Google Chrome to set it up.

AMAZON TO LAUNCH TABLET SPECIFIC KINDLE APPS FOR ANDROID AND WINDOWS

You can read your Amazon-bought ebooks on your Kindle, your PC, your Mac, your mobile, and even on your iPad. Now, it's time to have them, contained in a tailor-made application, on your Android and Windows tablets as well. Amazon has just announced its intention to introduce a free app for reading Kindlebooks on devices running Google and Microsoft's operating systems, which will expand its device compatibility list as the year goes on. Amazon specifically notes that these apps are intended for upcoming devices, which probably foreshadows the sort of tablet-heavy year we're going to be having. [Engadget]

RUSSIA TO GO OPEN SOURCE

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ordered his country to begin switching from closed-source operating systems, like Windows, to open-source ones like Linux. He has given the country's infrastructure managers until 2015 to complete this transition.

In addition he wants to create a national repository of open-source software, similar to Apple's App Store. Russia’s move to divorce its IT infrastructure from relying upon an American company’s operating system seems like another small step away from relying upon America. [Geek]

OPERA 11 RELEASED; ADDS GESTURES, TAB STACKING AND EXTENSIONS

Opera has released version 11 of its popular browser in Windows, Mac and Linux flavors. This updated browser now includes the ability to add extensions, tab stacking and right-click navigation gestures.

You can check out all the updates at the Opera 11 website. Or, you can download the browser and start using it right away. [Gizmodo]

ANDROID GETS WINAMP 5.6

Remember when WinAmp was the preeminent third party media player?  Well they are still around and focusing on the mobile market.  The Llama team has released version 5.6 of its desktop software and when paired with WinAmp for Android the company claims it becomes a "complete end-to-end music management solution for your desktop and Android device.” The press release states"

Winamp 5.6 features a new device management interface that supports wireless syncing of media, simple management of multiple connected devices and faster encoding and transferring of media to your devices over USB or WiFi. Stream media from a connected device without the need of transferring media to the local library. Wireless device syncing and streaming only available with Winamp for Android installed.

[BGR]

BALLMER CALLS WINDOWS 8 "RISKIEST PRODUCT YET"

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, has called the upcoming Windows 8, the"riskiest product yet" by Microsoft.  We aren't sure why he stated that as leaked documents have highlighted some of what will be in the release.  Ballmer surely knows more than has been released though, so there may be some new outstanding features that he feels are a departure from the norm, hence the risk.

Windows 8, due in 2012, according to leaked documents will have facial recognition sign in abilities as well as being able to recognize when you get up and leave and puts itself into sleep mode.  It will also have support for USB 3 and Bluetooth 3.0 as well as being able to sense ambient light and adjust screen brightness.  The boot time has been shortened as well.  [Gizmodo]

MICROSOFT RELAUNCHING GAMES FOR WINDOWS MARKETPLACE

Microsoft just announced that its new Games for Windows Marketplace online PC games store will launch on November 15th. Think Steam, but not quite. The store offers online web access from anywhere and features fast purchase and download turnarounds to accelerate the time to game play; discounted games; and game search by title, genre or publisher. Games for Windows Marketplace is integrated with Microsoft's existing Xbox LIVE and Windows Live services and will launch with over 100 titles including "Fable: The Lost Chapters" and "Grand Theft Auto III." Anyone with a Windows Live ID can login. [Engadget]

GOOGLE CHROME 7 RELEASED

Google has quietly released Chrome 7 today for Mac, Linux and Windows.  Chrome users should automatically get the update, but if you want to download the newest version head on over to the Chrome download page

The update fixes hundreds of bugs and support for HTML5 File API, which allows sites and apps to read the content of local files.  Chrome 7 also adds the ability to upload entire folders from the users PC.  This will be huge boon for photo sites, although the number of sites supporting HTML5 forms is very low at this time.

Applescript support in the Mac OS X release.  This allows the user to script Chrome or use it with OS X's Automator tool. [Ars Technica]

WINDOWS PHONE 7 LAUNCHING OCTOBER 11TH

Windows Phone 7 (WP7) recently went gold and there are a ton of devices ready to debut, so the official launch of WP7 is just around the corner.  According to Pocket-Lint sources, "senior figures within the industry", Microsoft's newest mobile OS will debut on October 11th, with phones launching later that month.  Microsoft will hold a special New York launch event to announce their highly anticipated mobile OS. [Engadget]

DELL REMOVING WINDOWS XP OPTION

Dell has announced they are halting the option of preloading Windows XP on their PCs beginning this month.  This comes as Microsoft begins the slow (very slow) phase out of the aging OS.  Microsoft has stated that they will stop OEMs from pre-installing Windows XP on October 22nd.

"Per Microsoft guidelines regarding Windows XP, system vendors like Dell will no longer be able to ship systems with XP Professional and XP Home after October 22, 2010," Dell blogger Faith C wrote on Tuesday. "This means that we will stop offering XP as an option for customers starting this month in preparation for next month's deadline. One other important thing to note is that Dell plans to continue Windows XP driver support until December 2012."

Even though Dell will not pre-install the OS for buyers, this does not mean the user cannot install it after they receive the computer.  The user still has the option to manually install Windows XP with media they request from the computer manufacturer. [PC Magazine]

LEAKED: SKYPE 5 WINDOWS BETA WITH 10 WAY CALLING

Skype's newest Windows 5 beta 2 is showing off double the number of video calls over previous versions.  The beta has the ability to have 10-way calling.  Right now it is very buggy and not working well, but it is a beta.

WINDOWS PHONE 7 GOES GOLD

indows Phone 7 (WP7) has gone gold and is rolling out to partners for final launch preparations.  This new mobile OS has been built from the ground up and is geared toward social networking.  There have been a slew of mobile devices seen running beta versions of WP7, so those should start to pop up relatively soon.

[Graphic courtesy of Boy Genius Report]

MICROSOFT: BEWARE THE HIDDEN ANDROID COSTS

Any good marketing campaign will tout the benefits of your product while showing you the deficiencies of the competition.  Some companies do this very well, others not so well.  Microsoft has released a set of statements that tout the upcoming Windows Phone 7 OS (WP7) over that of rival Android.

Some of the statements and "facts" Microsoft uses are valid, others are questionable and some are just out right false.  Gizmodo has a breakdown of the good, not-so-good and bad statements Microsoft has made.

Good:

• WP7 manufacturers are protected against IP lawsuits, unlike Android licensees.
• WP7 architecture allows for easy customization, using a plug-in architechture independent of underlying OS.  Microsoft claims this reduces the cost for the OEM as they don't have to re-tinker the whole thing every time Microsoft releases an update.
• WP7 supports automated testing.  Microsoft claims Android does not, so the quality assurance phase is more expensive on Android.

Not-So-Good:

• Android manufacturers have to tailor the OS to their devices, creating drivers for various components, incurring additional development cost.  WP7 is plug and play according to Microsoft.  Google can argue that manufacturers need to differentiate from each other and customization will always be needed.
• Android manufacturers must be licenses for must-have features standard in WP7.  That argument is not so strong because you can argue that Windows Office integration is not a must-have feature.  Audio and video codecs, or location services are must-have features that Microsoft argues that Android manufacturers need to license.

Bad:

• Android manufacturers need to spend extra money to create "user experiences" comparable to Microsoft's own Metro UI, Zune or Xbox Live.  While it is true WP7 has a nice user interface, Android manufacturers don't need to re-create this.  They can happily use Google's own stock Android or ignore some features, which are not required for a phone to be successful.

[Business Insider via Gizmodo]