The more likely case is that Google is the irrelevant one, sure they have Android...but it doesn't make money. Otherwise they only have search. That's it. Nothing else. Amazon and Facebook together could totally destroy Google, no one is really going to touch Apple, it's sort of a niche product with a cult following. Sure the cult is growing, but cults never last. I use Google, but with adblocker...this is Google's challenge. They make 90% of their revenue off of advertisements, it can't last like this forever without another revenue stream. Microsoft has tons of revenue streams, while it doesn't do one thing really really well, it still makes tons of cash.
a) Apple wouldn't do this
b) Microsoft wouldn't allow Apple to do this
While Apple is a "larger" company (per the equities market) Microsoft still has tons and tons and tons...and TONS of cash laying around. Microsoft would never allow Apple to do this...and Apple and Microsoft are in cahoots in some ways, so it's not like Apple really wants to antagonize Microsoft at this point. It's clear they both have a shared goal of taking out Google.
False, the IP problem predates the Apple v Samsung case. The case just brought far more attention to the now exploding problem with the patent system...it won't be abolished though, there is too much money tied up on both ends. The government makes revenue, employs people...and Congressmen and DoJ are lobbied by big corporations that want the protections and the patent lawyers should make their millions filing. If you think the system doesn't need MASSIVE reform then you're delusional. I do think there are instances where patents make sense (such as drugs, as someone mentioned) You have high R&D costs, and without an incentive that you'll eventually make that money in the future...you don't use R&D as much (stifling innovation.) Still the patents are probably too long, because now Pharma companies are becoming complacent in their cash cows and innovating less. However, for design patents...that requires minimal R&D cost, relative to a 5-10 year drug process that also has to meet FDA standards etc. It's just a giant clusterfuck as is.
Actually for x86 (non-metro apps) there is no "walled garden," Microsoft just has a centralized marketplace...but in no way does that bar you from having your downloads elsewhere, it just means you're listed in the app marketplace, which makes you more visible. This is actually a plus for MOST app developers that are just hoping you'll see their link on CNET. Notch is just being an idiot.
Uhm, his video was distributed on the internet and no other medium....you don't think the curbing of free speech is a nerd issue? Not even when the internet is the primary pipeline of free speech? How would you like it if you posted a video on Youtube, or a post on Facebook that was very offensive. It offended your community, neighboring county (or country,) so instead of outright saying "we don't accept this free speech" you were arrested for an unpaid parking ticket or any other minor offense? Sort of a big fucking deal.
Is Google intentionally trying to get out of the Office business? Because this is a quick way out. Though I use Office 2013 beta, I still save documents in.doc often because a LOT of people save in the format for backwards compatibility. Then what about existing customers that have to have this function? What a stupid move. Apple botches maps and Nano, Google botches Office, Microsoft might have botched an OS. At least Apple and Microsoft can recover the business. Office software is a tough playing field with Microsoft's behemoth.
I have used Avast for a number of years now, and it has been good to me. That coupled with Malwarebytes and I use Spybot S&D's blacklisting feature (which Malwarebytes has, but it's a paid feature.) I haven't had a virus in years, not since XP...which I don't know if that says more about Microsoft security improvements (undeniable) or the anti-virus software. Either way.
Microsoft should just bite the bullet and license the ability to sync iPhones and iPods on their Xbox Music service...if that's possible anymore, I know for the longest time you could sync music with Winamp, etc. The Zune program is stellar though, such a good media player.
Xbox turns profitable a few years ago, but the entertainment division is being drug down by Zune and Windows Phone...but Zune is being merged into Xbox and Windows Phone 8 looks pretty promising.
At first I had vowed there was NO WAY I was going to pay to put Windows 8 on my desktop or laptop, but...after seeing these new laptop/tablet hybrids being announced, I think a Windows 8 machine is in short order...and Stardock announced a free tool to put your start menu back, while still allowing you to run Metro apps (something I'm sure Microsoft will add itself eventually) all sort of makes me think...$25? Sure, why not? I actually thought I was going to get a Surface too, but now all these prototypes are coming out and well, I'm very happy as a consumer and Windows user, this will be a good Fall for Microsoft. I think people will hate it a first, but I don't think Windows 8 is going to be the train wreck (including me) that people thought it might be.
The failure of Vista is still being felt today, there are still millions of PCs with XP running on them at businesses across the globe. Windows 7 came out right around the economic downturn, and still the economy is fragile...so most people still haven't upgraded. This really gives Microsoft a lot of breathing room in the future, but for now it is a massive headache to any tech support person. I do think OSX benefits from that though, because for some reason, I see people constantly comparing OSX to Windows XP...as if OSX isn't going to have a massive upper-hand against a decade old operating system. It doesn't hurt Microsoft in the business sector, because Apple computers are way too expensive for any business to buy hundreds and thousands of, but in the the consumer market, you bet it hurts. The iPad/iPhone coupled with Microsoft botching Vista has dragged a lot of people toward OSX, but I do see that slowing pretty fast. I used to see kids adopting OSX in rapid pace, but now people are back to buying PCs; so I don't know if OSX was a fad or if people using OSX may have a different upgrade cycle because traditionally their income would be higher...thus making them able to purchase expensive machines even in economic turmoil. I actually see more 13" ultrabooks in the wild now running Windows 7.
In my view, I am perfectly happy living in a world where Linux runs on my servers and Microsoft runs on my desktop/laptop/tablet. I've been very satisfied with both of those in their prospective niches.
I remember the rumors that Windows 7 would have a UNIX run-time environment (or maybe I dreamed that)...now THAT would have killed Linux; but Linux is alive and well, and very successful in the server space...which is where it makes the most sense.
Other people went to the moon after Armstrong, not many, but several. It was really halted because it was/is so dangerous, expensive, and there weren't any yields from the moon that we can't get from orbit, which is vastly safer.
Since the iPad is just a very large iPod Touch, why even both wasting my time with an iPad Mini? This won't be the reaction of the masses of consumers that love Apple (for whatever reason, they actually aren't that great anymore,) but I think it's legit. When will Apple actually embrace the tablet medium as something wholly separate from their iPod and iPhone platforms? They can share a core, have apps that are similar or easier to convert, but when I use an iPad I feel like I'm using an iPhone/iPod with a magnifying glass. It just scales so terribly. The iPad is a success because all other tablets are awful, not really because it's something great. The more I experience the iPad, the more I wonder, "why is this still popular?"
Also: Verizon stores usually have carpet...but yes, all AT&T and Verizon stores looks like the Apple stores, and have for a long long long time, even before the Apple stores, the only thing the Apple store really does differently is that they have lots lighting and lighter shaded woods. I am absolutely sick of people saying everything is inspired by Apple. No. It. Is. Not. Get off of Apple's nuts, "journalists," aka Apple's marketing team.
If you've ever used Windows 8, you'd know that you can still do everything you've ever done on the desktop. The only change is the start menu and the full screen metro apps (which I am betting will be allowed to be scaled like normal windows in future updates. I'd still rather use 7, but to say you can't operate Windows 8 just like you can a Windows 7 machine is nonsense.
I disagree, I think Microsoft is pushing "Metro" on the desktop for numerous reasons, and one of them is the shared core between all their major platforms (something no one else has.) They put Windows 8 running Metro on laptops and desktops and they instantly have just as many eyeballs as iPhone and iPad. This gives their touch products a HUGE boost in the app world. Microsoft has demoed where you can literally change one line of code and put your app on Windows 8 from a Windows Phone app, and vice versa. I think Metro will be scaled back over time on the desktop. This Windows 8 is ALL about capturing developers on their touch devices. I am quite excited for Windows 9, but I wouldn't expect it to be rushed out the door like you are suggesting.
Microsoft didn't use focus groups, they use pingbacks they get from data they gather from millions of Windows users...you know when you click "would you like this information to be shared with Microsoft to better our product, all information is anonymous, yadda, yadda, yadda." That is where Microsoft got this data, not a room full of people.
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The more likely case is that Google is the irrelevant one, sure they have Android...but it doesn't make money. Otherwise they only have search. That's it. Nothing else. Amazon and Facebook together could totally destroy Google, no one is really going to touch Apple, it's sort of a niche product with a cult following. Sure the cult is growing, but cults never last. I use Google, but with adblocker...this is Google's challenge. They make 90% of their revenue off of advertisements, it can't last like this forever without another revenue stream. Microsoft has tons of revenue streams, while it doesn't do one thing really really well, it still makes tons of cash.
a) Apple wouldn't do this b) Microsoft wouldn't allow Apple to do this While Apple is a "larger" company (per the equities market) Microsoft still has tons and tons and tons...and TONS of cash laying around. Microsoft would never allow Apple to do this...and Apple and Microsoft are in cahoots in some ways, so it's not like Apple really wants to antagonize Microsoft at this point. It's clear they both have a shared goal of taking out Google.
What is rule #1 in statistics? "Correlation does not equal causality."
False, the IP problem predates the Apple v Samsung case. The case just brought far more attention to the now exploding problem with the patent system...it won't be abolished though, there is too much money tied up on both ends. The government makes revenue, employs people...and Congressmen and DoJ are lobbied by big corporations that want the protections and the patent lawyers should make their millions filing. If you think the system doesn't need MASSIVE reform then you're delusional. I do think there are instances where patents make sense (such as drugs, as someone mentioned) You have high R&D costs, and without an incentive that you'll eventually make that money in the future...you don't use R&D as much (stifling innovation.) Still the patents are probably too long, because now Pharma companies are becoming complacent in their cash cows and innovating less. However, for design patents...that requires minimal R&D cost, relative to a 5-10 year drug process that also has to meet FDA standards etc. It's just a giant clusterfuck as is.
Actually for x86 (non-metro apps) there is no "walled garden," Microsoft just has a centralized marketplace...but in no way does that bar you from having your downloads elsewhere, it just means you're listed in the app marketplace, which makes you more visible. This is actually a plus for MOST app developers that are just hoping you'll see their link on CNET. Notch is just being an idiot.
Uhm, his video was distributed on the internet and no other medium....you don't think the curbing of free speech is a nerd issue? Not even when the internet is the primary pipeline of free speech? How would you like it if you posted a video on Youtube, or a post on Facebook that was very offensive. It offended your community, neighboring county (or country,) so instead of outright saying "we don't accept this free speech" you were arrested for an unpaid parking ticket or any other minor offense? Sort of a big fucking deal.
Actually, without Microsoft clear type wouldn't exist and the retina display on fonts would be useless.
Is Google intentionally trying to get out of the Office business? Because this is a quick way out. Though I use Office 2013 beta, I still save documents in .doc often because a LOT of people save in the format for backwards compatibility. Then what about existing customers that have to have this function? What a stupid move. Apple botches maps and Nano, Google botches Office, Microsoft might have botched an OS. At least Apple and Microsoft can recover the business. Office software is a tough playing field with Microsoft's behemoth.
FYI, for Avast it has popups for updates etc, but you can turn them off.
I have used Avast for a number of years now, and it has been good to me. That coupled with Malwarebytes and I use Spybot S&D's blacklisting feature (which Malwarebytes has, but it's a paid feature.) I haven't had a virus in years, not since XP...which I don't know if that says more about Microsoft security improvements (undeniable) or the anti-virus software. Either way.
I'm fairly sure Microsoft has a skydrive surprise in store around their Xbox music launch.
Microsoft should just bite the bullet and license the ability to sync iPhones and iPods on their Xbox Music service...if that's possible anymore, I know for the longest time you could sync music with Winamp, etc. The Zune program is stellar though, such a good media player.
Xbox turns profitable a few years ago, but the entertainment division is being drug down by Zune and Windows Phone...but Zune is being merged into Xbox and Windows Phone 8 looks pretty promising.
At first I had vowed there was NO WAY I was going to pay to put Windows 8 on my desktop or laptop, but...after seeing these new laptop/tablet hybrids being announced, I think a Windows 8 machine is in short order...and Stardock announced a free tool to put your start menu back, while still allowing you to run Metro apps (something I'm sure Microsoft will add itself eventually) all sort of makes me think...$25? Sure, why not? I actually thought I was going to get a Surface too, but now all these prototypes are coming out and well, I'm very happy as a consumer and Windows user, this will be a good Fall for Microsoft. I think people will hate it a first, but I don't think Windows 8 is going to be the train wreck (including me) that people thought it might be.
The failure of Vista is still being felt today, there are still millions of PCs with XP running on them at businesses across the globe. Windows 7 came out right around the economic downturn, and still the economy is fragile...so most people still haven't upgraded. This really gives Microsoft a lot of breathing room in the future, but for now it is a massive headache to any tech support person. I do think OSX benefits from that though, because for some reason, I see people constantly comparing OSX to Windows XP...as if OSX isn't going to have a massive upper-hand against a decade old operating system. It doesn't hurt Microsoft in the business sector, because Apple computers are way too expensive for any business to buy hundreds and thousands of, but in the the consumer market, you bet it hurts. The iPad/iPhone coupled with Microsoft botching Vista has dragged a lot of people toward OSX, but I do see that slowing pretty fast. I used to see kids adopting OSX in rapid pace, but now people are back to buying PCs; so I don't know if OSX was a fad or if people using OSX may have a different upgrade cycle because traditionally their income would be higher...thus making them able to purchase expensive machines even in economic turmoil. I actually see more 13" ultrabooks in the wild now running Windows 7.
In my view, I am perfectly happy living in a world where Linux runs on my servers and Microsoft runs on my desktop/laptop/tablet. I've been very satisfied with both of those in their prospective niches. I remember the rumors that Windows 7 would have a UNIX run-time environment (or maybe I dreamed that)...now THAT would have killed Linux; but Linux is alive and well, and very successful in the server space...which is where it makes the most sense.
Other people went to the moon after Armstrong, not many, but several. It was really halted because it was/is so dangerous, expensive, and there weren't any yields from the moon that we can't get from orbit, which is vastly safer.
Since the iPad is just a very large iPod Touch, why even both wasting my time with an iPad Mini? This won't be the reaction of the masses of consumers that love Apple (for whatever reason, they actually aren't that great anymore,) but I think it's legit. When will Apple actually embrace the tablet medium as something wholly separate from their iPod and iPhone platforms? They can share a core, have apps that are similar or easier to convert, but when I use an iPad I feel like I'm using an iPhone/iPod with a magnifying glass. It just scales so terribly. The iPad is a success because all other tablets are awful, not really because it's something great. The more I experience the iPad, the more I wonder, "why is this still popular?"
Also: Verizon stores usually have carpet...but yes, all AT&T and Verizon stores looks like the Apple stores, and have for a long long long time, even before the Apple stores, the only thing the Apple store really does differently is that they have lots lighting and lighter shaded woods. I am absolutely sick of people saying everything is inspired by Apple. No. It. Is. Not. Get off of Apple's nuts, "journalists," aka Apple's marketing team.
Wait, so outsourcing is a form of nationalism? What? I don't think nationalism means what you think it means.
Exactly, what doesn't the tech community get about this? The shared core is the jewel of Windows 8.
If you've ever used Windows 8, you'd know that you can still do everything you've ever done on the desktop. The only change is the start menu and the full screen metro apps (which I am betting will be allowed to be scaled like normal windows in future updates. I'd still rather use 7, but to say you can't operate Windows 8 just like you can a Windows 7 machine is nonsense.
Expect the workflow to be fixed as Microsoft gathers more data from Windows 8 users, currently most of their usage data is coming from in-house.
I disagree, I think Microsoft is pushing "Metro" on the desktop for numerous reasons, and one of them is the shared core between all their major platforms (something no one else has.) They put Windows 8 running Metro on laptops and desktops and they instantly have just as many eyeballs as iPhone and iPad. This gives their touch products a HUGE boost in the app world. Microsoft has demoed where you can literally change one line of code and put your app on Windows 8 from a Windows Phone app, and vice versa. I think Metro will be scaled back over time on the desktop. This Windows 8 is ALL about capturing developers on their touch devices. I am quite excited for Windows 9, but I wouldn't expect it to be rushed out the door like you are suggesting.
Microsoft didn't use focus groups, they use pingbacks they get from data they gather from millions of Windows users...you know when you click "would you like this information to be shared with Microsoft to better our product, all information is anonymous, yadda, yadda, yadda." That is where Microsoft got this data, not a room full of people.