New Technology Reviews!.: Microsofts

Exclusive: Microsoft's Windows 8 web app vision

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/software/operating-systems/images/Windows%208/IE9%20pinned%20sites-200-200.jpg"> The alleged Windows 8 slides <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-8-rumours-everything-you-need-to-know-701764">leaked this summer</A> included some tantalising references to web apps that sound a lot more like Windows programs (because the slides note, "currently, the indication is that app development will move to the web"). According to the slides, web apps in Windows 8 will be able to use webcams (for previewing, taking photos and streaming video), local storage, location data from the PC and ambient light and proximity sensors. We'll get "multimedia experiences using web technologies," like being able to use the Play To option (currently in Windows Media Player) to make web content linked using HTML5 audio and video tags play back on other devices around the home. Bearing fruit It sounds like the job advert Microsoft posted late last year is bearing fruit (this promised that web apps would be able to "take full advantage of the power of Windows… in ways that a browser cannot… by creating a new model for modern web applications to rock on Windows"). And talking to the IE team after the PDC conference we were hearing more tantalising references to what comes after pinned sites in IE9. "Pinned sites is all about putting the application in web application," says program manager Justin St Clair. But shouldn't that mean more than an icon on the taskbar and a jump list (welcome as those are)? How about being able to control the volume for individual web sites, or having notifications from sites appear when we don't have them open or being able to search our webmail when we're not online? IE9 is the appetiser "That's 100% the line we're thinking along," says St Clair. "IE9 is the appetiser for the entrée you're describing; that's where we're moving. We want HTML5 to really work, we want to help the world to realise the value of web sites as applications and this is the beginning of it." He calls what IE9 does "step zero in realizing the full potential of web apps; allowing web applications to be installed by users and giving users (and applications) the ability to interact with those applications directly from their desktop." <img alt="Play to" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/software/operating-systems/images/Windows%208/Web%20apps%20get%20Play%20To-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> PLAY TO: You could use a web app in Windows 8 to play music from an online service like Spotify on your connected TV without sending it through Windows Media Player Pinned icons can show that you have new messages – Facebook already does – and thumbnail previews can let you pause audio from web sites but Web developers want more powerful options, like Windows apps, says St Clair. "How do I make Gmail or Hotmail or Yahoo Mail a real competitor with Outlook? That's what Gmail wants, that's what Hotmail wants; they want to be your email application." St Clair can't speak for Google's plans, but he did share some thoughts he's heard from Microsoft web developers. "Outlook Web Access and Hotmail have the exact things you'd expect around 'how do I show how many messages the user has unread?' The user has five reminders now and they dismiss one and it should only show four… they're wanting to scroll the thumbnail preview through a set [of views] where they to change to reflect what's happening in the app right now." Improving jump lists doesn't take changes in Windows, just JavaScript libraries that simplify coding up the features. What comes next is "deeper and deeper integration between your operating system and your web app". And in the long term, he predicts "we break down the barriers between Windows and web applications, when users can't tell which is which – they all live on the desktop, they all provide rich and immersive experiences."

Exclusive: Microsoft's Windows 8 web app vision

The alleged Windows 8 slides leaked this summer included some tantalising references to web apps that sound a lot more like Windows program...

Microsoft Unveils It's New and Remarkable Hardware Progam Called "Microsoft's Surface"

Everybody is well aware of the fact that when it comes to real innovation in computer hardware, Microsoft has been behind the curve, to say the least. That is precisely what is so surprising about this new and exciting hardware/software piece of technology called "Microsoft's Surface". This electronic table has a surface that is not only touch-sensitive, it can actually be used at the same time by more than one person for full contact interactivity.Objects that are placed upon the table's surface can actually interact with the software hidden inside the table very intuitively. For example, if you place a group of photographs face-side down upon the touch screen, the photo will be instantly digitized to whatever size you want the photograph to be in by sweeping your arms back and forth while holding the photo in your hand. The table's 30-inch screen will allow you to take a picture with a Wi-Fi enabled camera, and then you can easily force the picture into the screen where it will instantly be integrated into the Microsoft Surface program.WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO BUY THIS GREAT NEW PRODUCT? Unfortunately, the new Microsoft technology will not be available for consumer usage for quite some time yet. The wholesale price for the tables will be in the range of $5,000 and a little more for companies that they are partnering with like T-Mobile, Starwood and Harrah's Casino. Harrah's plans for the unit include using the table for a high-tech gambling machine as well as a device where you can locate your hotel room and develop all of your digital photos in their hotels.It will be quite a while for this innovative technology to be moved into your workplace, much less your home, so that is a slight disappointment when learning about this great new Microsoft hardware. Bill Gates himself has speculated that one day he sees this new table hardware as supplanting the flat-screen HD computer screens that are all the rage currently. His vision would be for this interactive surface to be embedded into everyone's desk who have to sit for more than eight hours a day in their dull grey cubicles. I hope he is right about that.THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR MICROSOFT'S "SURFACE" TABLETOP HARDWARE One of the main attributes of this technology is the fact that you will one day be able to scan any image directly into the screen in a matter of seconds, along with digital music downloads as well. Future versions of Microsoft's "surface" will come with the ability to plug any video camera or digital camera directly into one of the USB ports where you will then see your full screen images in the HD 30-inch screen immediately.The surface also contains a virtual keyword which you will be able to see as soon as you turn the table on and will be able to adjust to your personal tastes. All of the usual Microsoft Vista software will be built into the table, so there will never be a need for a software upgrade again, until of course a new and "better" Microsoft program comes along.But if Bill Gates' past statements about needing to build an internet infrastructure that will allow any internet user to instantly download future Microsoft programs that replaces the old one is to be believed, this new table hardware sounds like the perfect "set-top" platform that will allow any web surfer to do just that. Let's hope Gates keeps his promises.	 	 		 			 				 					 						Rob Mead has written many articles about internet marketing and how to create and find great website content that will increase your web site's traffic overnight. Go to <a href="http://www.perfectwebcontent.com" target="_new">http://www.perfectwebcontent.com</a> and you will be able to use all of the web site's resources and articles in your quest for internet success.

Microsoft Unveils It's New and Remarkable Hardware Progam Called "Microsoft's Surface"

Everybody is well aware of the fact that when it comes to real innovation in computer hardware, Microsoft has been behind the curve, to s...