Microsoft Reportedly Ends Zune Hardware Development
ideaz tips this Bloomberg report:
"Microsoft Corp. will cease introducing new versions of the Zune music and video-player amid tepid demand, helping the company shift its focus to mobile phones, according to a person familiar with the decision. The company will concentrate on putting Zune software onto mobile phones such as those running Microsoft’s Windows operating system, said the person, who declined to be identified because the decision hasn’t been announced. Zune software lets customers buy songs and movies, as well as pay a monthly fee to stream unlimited music."
[Apple]...but otherwise things run pretty smoothly, usability is first and 99.9999% of users don't need to rely on a "computer friend" to help them out.
Good thing that apple support is free for all things, hardware failures never occur, and they dont need help setting it up. Oh wait, as an IT consultant I have to deal with all of those things... on Macs too.
Also, good thing their server offerings are so strong...
[Google]... everywhere but in turn they must be able to access it too for advertising purposes.
I like how you imply all the other search engines (and all other free online services...) including microsoft arent the same. And Ill note that in several of their products (Chrome/ium/OS, Apps, Postini), you can prevent them from collecting any data quite easily (in the case of apps/postini, its by GASP paying for the product).
[Microsoft] ...their software is not only really expensive but also not quite stable
Myth, If your Server 2008/Exchange 2010 setup isnt stable youre doing it wrong (and Im not really sure how youd even maange that). Compare its stability to such appliance OSes such as Freenas or pfsense, I think youll find its a hell of a lot MORE stable (since having a USB keyboard plugged into those causes a boot-crash)...