Well played Microsoft - They've purchased SwiftKey

Although MS probably have one of the best default keyboards on Windows Phone they've gone and bought SwiftKey as they continue to push products on the Android and iOS platforms. Smart move as SwiftKey along with Swype have massive popularity in the enhanced input market.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/02/03/microsoft_buys_swiftkey/

Microsoft's Office for iPad, iPhone, and Android goes free!

I'm guessing it wasn't doing so well.. They shouldn't have avoided those markets for so long.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/11/6/7163789/microsoft-office-free-for-ipad-iphone-android

Gamescom 2014: More social features, new ways to watch TV, and USB and DLNA Support Coming Soon

Lots of new features plus lots of additional file formats supported.

Xbox One compatible file types:

• 3gp audio
• 3gp video
• 3gp2
• aac
• adts
• animated gif
• asf
• avi divx
• avi dv
• avi uncompressed
• avi xvid
• bmp
• jpg
• gif
• h264 avchd
• mjpeg
• mkv
• mov
• mp3
• mpeg 1 ps
• mpeg 2
• mpeg 2 hd
• mpeg 2 ts
• mpeg 4 h264 aac
• mpeg 4 sp
• png
• tiff
• wav
• wma
• wma lossless
• wma pro
• wma voice
• wmv
• wmv hd

http://majornelson.com/2014/08/12/kicking-gamescom-2014-social-features-new-ways-watch-tv-usb-dlna-support-coming-soon/

Microsoft Office for iPad is here.

Microsoft Office for iPad



Microsoft Word for iPad - Free

Microsoft Excel for iPad - Free

Microsoft PowerPoint for iPad - Free

Microsoft OneNote for iPad - Free

OneNote for Mac

Microsoft Office blog:  http://blogs.office.com/2014/03/17/introducing-onenote-for-mac/

OneNote in the Mac App store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-onenote/id784801555?mt=12

OS, Internet Exploder and Flash all need your attention... Microsoft patch Tuesday

From The reg -  It's 2014 and Microsoft Windows PCs can still be owned by a JPEG

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/03/11/microsoft_adobe_patch_tuesday/

gov.uk document standardisation upsetting Microsoft

Microsoft released an open letter to partners to comment on the Governments proposal for ODF and why Microsoft's derived formats should be used instead.

I'm all for ODF and editors having to fully support it. Infact I'm all for other parts of the UK to adopt it and modernise like the NHS!

http://standards.data.gov.uk/proposal/sharing-collaborating-government-documents

April 8 - Don't even think about using Windows XP anymore...

You really do need to kill off that XP machine! It's going to be a prime target for malicious attackers. Either move to Windows 8.1 or get a Linux distro as they're dead easy to use these days. Try Ubuntu, or for older machines: Xubuntu.). You'll be more secure and supported for software updates.

The only downside as stated in the link below is there is no easy upgrade direct from XP to Windows 8.1. You need to backup all date and do a clean install. Then reinstall all your programs and drivers.

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/02/microsoft-belatedly-attempts-to-use-friends-and-family-to-get-rid-of-windows-xp/

Whitehall and Microsoft negotiate NHS Windows XP hacker survival plan

I live with two NHS nurses... they tell me the systems are shocking...

Then I had a recent referral... it looked like it had been typed on a typewriter... This was from a central London hospital... They need a proper well managed overhaul.

Do as I say, not as I do comes to mind here *cough* ITIL *cough*

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/12/nhs_microsoft_win_xp_extended_support/

Cisco loses fight to reverse Microsoft's purchase of Skype in European court

Er... With their unified products and Google's business app's i'm not sure how they figured that one out..

http://www.neowin.net/news/cisco-loses-fight-to-reverse-microsofts-purchase-of-skype-in-european-court

Microsoft 3D Builder printing app released for Windows 8.1

I've not had ago on a 3D printer since A levels but prices are really coming down in price now and with some great quality levels. Really thinking about getting one when I have what I consider 'enough' things to make with it!

http://hexus.net/tech/news/software/62545-microsoft-3d-builder-printing-app-released-windows-81/

Google continues its bizzare attitude towards Windows Phone.

I guess they are bitter than MS makes money out of each Android OS purchase (google android licensing issues). MetroTalk is being forced off the Windows phone market place as of May 2014 due to using 3rd party access to Google voice.

Google have a search app for the OS but that's literally all there is. For a platform gaining market share even without Googles services support it's an interesting move. It was recently announced that WP is doing better than iOS in Italy!

Microsoft have had a increasingly open mind when it comes to multi-platform releases as we see some xbox titles and apps coming to the other mobile platforms. Obviously they are holding back on a few of their key software products such as Office but I think they are going about things the right way. Demo the functionality to users and tempt them across..

They are also keeping up the media attention and get involved with companies who need further support / incentive when WP wants their apps on the platform!

The only problem is the OS's glacial pace for key updates. I think it's good to have such strict hardware requirements to give developers consistency but there are some major features that need implementing like a system rotation lock!

http://www.neowin.net/news/google-forces-metrotalk-to-be-pulled-from-windows-phone-store

This could end fighting over a single TV!*

You know that time old tradition of fighting over the living room TV? The Xbox one might seen an end to that, buy a massive TV and do picture in picture with the PS4 via the HDMI input on the XBOX One!

http://kotaku.com/your-xbox-one-and-ps4-can-hook-up-1357855006?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow

Suggestion / ramble for Nokia & Microsoft

So Microsoft and Nokia have jumped into bed together. Its been a while coming but with Mr Elop being an ex-MS employee it was set in the stars. 

There is hope but it's still a fledgling platform in comparison to Android and iOS. The market share is growing but slowly.

Nokia have really carried the Windows Phone platform forward but I go get the feeling that HTC, Samsung and maybe even Dell seemed like they were left for dead a bit which is a shame. (I really liked how thin the HTX 8X was and the Ativ S really did no bad in my eyes either). i hope they continue with the OS and models. 

The platform has hardware restrictions... Thats a good thing in many respects. I means less variation which means more targeted software which in theory should mean less development time and better quality. 

Nokia have a  few headline features in their 41 megapixel camera and design. The iPhone 5c has clearly given a nod to the Lumia range. I think the ecosystem needs to keep current with hardware changes though against the competition. quad-cores, resolutions, AV format support are major features lacking here. 

Now here comes the kicker(s), they've struggled for developer support in a lot of areas. Namely Instagram being one of the biggies. At the moment the platform has some great alternatives but the average customer doesn't want or go exploring for alternative services that use the service they want via another app. 

So what can be done? Well MS and Nokia seem to like developing and maintaining apps for others (The Facebook app was an example of this). Thats good as it gives some assurance but surely getting a bigger market share will temp devs over when there is more to gain. 

Nokia are somewhat going in the right direction with their decently specced lower end devices targeting the younger, growing population. They have product placement in programs like HollyOaks and various others. I think this has been their main area of growth for the platform. Especially with the recent financial climate.

Then comes the release date: 25th September (UK)... The iPhone 5c and 5s come out on the 20th September. Thats going to gut Nokia's straight away... Next up... Specifications... generally more is better in peoples eyes... Stick a bloody quad-core chip in your phone, make it 64-bit... If not, make it a damn sight cheaper! 

Next, your competitors sell ecosystems..They combine into an experience but they all fair pretty well as stand alone separates. Now you may have seen on this blog that i'm a recent fan of the Xbox music service. In does well as a stand alone product on various platform and I like it because its like Spotify without the clutter. Push the ecosystem! Here maps is actually quite nice to use but I always think of google maps first when i go to type on my keyboard. 

Raise awareness of the product links as well as how well they work separately. I.e. I'll stick with your music service if I can still use it and change my phone! 

Next the bundles! Below is one you really need to get operators to subsidise and make. It'd be awesome. Hell, shove this on Vodafone in the UK with their 4G and Spotify deal and make a big deal of the headphones and that'd win a few customers. The camera is great but the specs sheet is lacking, you have a fight on your hands this time a round Nokia. Not sure your good looking but fat top ender will handle it without a helping hand. 

Also whats with the bloody red version being missing! That was the best one!   

I should point out I had a Lumia 920, I wanted to love it. It didn't love me. Dust kept getting in the earpiece and breaking the sensor so I couldn't get the screen back on during a call as the phone thought my ear was still pressed to the phone...I gave up after the 4th handset replacement and sold it. Also the OS need a bloody rotation lock! I now use a Samsung S4, it's not great and doesn't look as nice but it's big, thin and has swift key which I absolutely love! I do miss the Xbox live achievement games though! 

Nokia services bought by Microsoft for $7.2 billion in cash (€5.44 billion)

Microsoft will pay EUR 3.79 billion for "substantially all" of Nokia's Devices and Services business and a further EUR 1.65 billion to license patents, for a total of EUR 5.44 billion, with the deal completing in Q1 2014.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-03-microsoft-buys-nokias-devices-and-services-business-for-USD7-2-billion

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/03/microsofts_nokia_plan_whack_apple_and_google/

After a 900 million write down, Microsoft is building a Surface RT 2

Neowin: http://www.neowin.net/news/after-a-900-million-write-down-microsoft-is-building-a-surface-rt-2

Ballmer to retire as Microsoft CEO

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-08-23-ballmer-to-retire-as-microsoft-ceo

Microsoft explains 3D printing standards in Windows 8.1

Microsoft is pushing its own 3D data format (3MF) in Windows 8.1 that addresses the current's (STL) shortcomings -- most notably its lack of support for different colors and materials.



http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/extremewindows/archive/2013/08/22/3d-printing-support-in-windows-8-1-explained.aspx

Microsoft lists 23 launch-day titles for Xbox One

Here's the current list of games you can expect to see on store shelves (and Xbox Marketplace online displays) when the Xbox One releases sometime in November.

• Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft)
• Battlefield 4 (EA DICE, Electronic Arts)
• Call of Duty: Ghosts (Infinity Ward, Activision)
• Crimson Dragon (Grounding/Land Ho!, Microsoft Studios)
• Dead Rising 3 (Capcom Vancouver, Microsoft Studios)
• FIFA 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• Fighter Within (AMA Ltd., Ubisoft)
• Forza Motorsport 5 (Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios)
• Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft)
• Killer Instinct (Double Helix, Microsoft Studios)
• Lego Marvel Super Heroes (TT Games, Warner Bros. Interactive)
• Lococycle (Twisted Pixel, Microsoft Studios)
• Madden NFL 25 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• NBA 2K14 (Visual Concepts, 2K Sports)
• NBA Live 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• Need for Speed Rivals (Ghost Games, Electronic Arts)
• Peggle 2 (PopCap Games, Electronic Arts)
• Powerstar Golf (Zoe Mode, Microsoft Studios)
• Ryse: Son of Rome (Crytek, Microsoft Studios)
• Skylanders: Swap Force (Vicarious Visions, Activision)
• Watch Dogs (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft)
• Zoo Tycoon (Frontier Developments, Microsoft Studios)
• Zumba Fitness: World Party (Zoë Mode, Majesco)

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/08/microsoft-lists-23-launch-day-titles-for-xbox-one/

Former Valve business head now at Microsoft to lead PC gaming division

 Lets hope he gets the support he needs. Microsoft have never really been good at pushing the PC as a serious gaming platform (apart from all their work on DirectX). Its weird as this is where some of the biggests RTS's and MMO's are and generally the platform pushes graphics forwards in the later years of the console markets life-cycles.

http://www.neowin.net/news/former-valve-business-head-now-at-microsoft-to-lead-pc-gaming-division