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Showing posts with label Windows Mobile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Windows Mobile. Show all posts

Microsoft Almost Ready to Patch Dangerous Windows Phone Flaw

Sunday, January 1, 2012 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , // No comments:



Patch will fix a security hole in the OS's messaging hub that can brick Windows Phones

While no known exploits are currently in the wild, Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) smartphone OS du jour, Windows Phone, reportedly has a whopper of a security flaw in its messaging hub application.  The flaw allows a malicious attacker to use malformed messages to not only brick the phone, but to semi-permanently kill the messaging hub, even in a salvage scenario.
Microsoft was pretty proactive on this one, it appears.  Within days of the story hitting the press, it had contacted the hacker/security-expert who discovered the flaw --  Khaled Salameh -- and set to work determining the extent of the problem and diagnosing it.  


Now Mr. Salameh reports via Twitter that Microsoft let him know that they feel they have the problem fully understood and are testing a patch.  By the sound of it, that patch could be just days away from going live.




It's nice to see Microsoft taking such a proactive approach, particularly for an exploit that's not even being actively attacked in the wild yet.  But that's not exactly surprising -- unlike some companies that try to dupe their customers into a false sense of security, Microsoft has been leading the way in terms of pushing hard to respond quickly to threats and be honest in its threat disclosure policy.


Source: Twitter (Khaled Salameh)

The Appcelerator Mobile Developer Report revealed.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , // No comments:


Summary


Appcelerator and IDC surveyed 2,160 Appcelerator Titanium developers from November 2-3, 2011 on perceptions surrounding mobile OS trends and priorities. Findings reveal that Amazon’s new Kindle Fire edged Samsung Galaxy Tab as the leading Android Tablet in North America, on par with interest for the iPad prior to its launch in April 2010, and second only to the Galaxy Tab globally with developers. Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 also decisively moved ahead of RIM’s BlackBerry OS to become the clear number three mobile OS behind iOS and Android. Appcelerator and IDC also continued their research into how companies are making the move from the web to mobile. This quarter, the report dives deep into understanding the priorities companies are making with their mobile strategy and how mobile is fundamentally transforming customer relationships.




The Rise of Amazon, Microsoft, and Samsung … and An Improved Outlook for Nokia


As the mobile industry advances, contenders are finding success by securing new footholds and partnerships to compete against Apple’s dominance. Amazon announced the Kindle Fire, a smaller, cheaper Android-based tablet that leverages its large content library while Microsoft’s Window’s Phone 7 is building strong European developer enthusiasm thanks to its Nokia partnership. Developers and businesses gave high marks to these strong moves, which contrast sharply against BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry’s QNX-based PlayBook, and webOS, all of which collapsed in interest with developers this past quarter. Below are the topline findings from this quarter’s report:


  • Amazon’s new Kindle Fire ignites developer interest. When surveyed among 15 Android tablets, the lowcost, content-rich eReader was second only to the Samsung Galaxy Tab globally in developer interest. A regional breakdown shows Amazon edging Samsung in North America for the top slot. At 49% very interested in North America, the Kindle Fire is just 4 points less than interest in the iPad (53%) prior to its launch in April 2010.
  • Appcelerator and IDC found in January 2011 that among developers price was the single most important factor for Android tablets to compete successfully against the iPad. Fast forward to November 2011 and developers cite price again as the leading reason for interest in the Kindle Fire. Rounding out the top 5 tablets, respondents eye Amazon’s rich content ecosystem, Appstore, target demographic, and eCommerce integration as the key reasons for interest in the new eReader.
  • When considering Kindle Fire’s potential drawbacks, fragmentation and lack of features like camera and geo-location were the two top concerns cited by developers. Assuming Amazon sells well this holiday season, Android developers will need to consider yet another set of different capabilities. The difference this time? Google will be less able to exert control over Amazon’s divergent Android path.
  • Windows Phone 7 separated from the pack to become the clear number three mobile platform this quarter. The OS climbed 8 points to 38% of respondents saying they are ‘very interested’ in the platform, the highest ever for Microsoft.
  • Microsoft is enjoying symbiotic success with Nokia. When asked why developers are more interested in Windows Phone 7 now than a year ago, a plurality (48%) said it was the Microsoft/Nokia partnership. Nokia also received high marks from its new Lumia Windows Phone 7 smartphone announcement last month, with 28% of developers saying they are ‘very interested’ in developing for the device. This is more than double the interest in Nokia’s own Symbian and MeeGo OSes since Appcelerator began reporting mobile platform interest in January 2010.
  • This quarter saw a sharp fall-off in developers reporting that they are ‘very interested’ in RIM offerings with BlackBerry OS phones dropping 7 points to 21% and PlayBook QNX-based tablets dropping 6 points to 13%. Put another way, there’s now more interest in Nokia’s new Lumia Windows Phone lineup than RIM’s smartphones.
  • HTML5 continues to keep developer interest. Sixty-six percent of developers are very interested in building HTML5 mobile websites, the same as last quarter.
  • Connected TV app development interest continues to slide. A year ago, 44% of developers were very interested in developing for Google TV. Even with a second version announced last month, only 20% expressed the same enthusiasm for Google TV this round. However Apple TV saw a smaller decline from 40% a year ago to 27% today.
  • iOS continues to reign at number one in developer interest levels with 91% of respondents saying they are ‘very interested’ in developing for the iPhone, followed by the iPad at 88%. Apple continued to hold onto its number one position in part due to iOS 5, which was cited as the most significant announcement this past quarter.
  • Android phones fell nearly 4 points to 83% while tablets fell nearly 6 points to 68%. While the drop was likely due in part to interest in iOS 5, developers nevertheless saw Samsung’s rise to the number one smartphone manufacturer as the second most significant development of the past quarter after iOS 5.

A Deeper Look at Mobile Priorities Across the Mobile Relationship Lifecycle



Over the past couple quarters, Appcelerator and IDC have been analyzing how businesses are making the move from the web to mobile. Earlier this year, we discussed how companies were maturing through several phases of adoption. This quarter, we asked developers and businesses to rank 23 mobile objectives for their most recent application. We then clustered this analysis into what we call the ‘mobile relationship lifecycle’ to define objectives in 4 areas: reach, engagement, loyalty, and monetization.
Reach: Businesses view deploying to multiple devices with native applications and mobile websites as the number one priority. Making the transition more efficient by leveraging a company’s resources also ranked high.
Engagement: Building applications that are easy-to-use with a native user interface was the next most important objective, followed by application performance. Both are seen as key to driving engagement with users and echo the general sentiment that application utility is critical. These core concerns trumped even media, location and social features in priority.
Loyalty: Application notifications and using analytics to measure application feature usage ranked in the middle of the pack for most respondents.
Monetization: Advertising still trumps in-application purchasing as a preferred monetization model. When it comes to mobile commerce, the top priority is making payments easy.


The Appcelerator Mobile Developer Report revealed.|| via Appcelerator

Windows Phone 7.5 to include SmartDJ and camera shutter sound toggle

Saturday, October 22, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , // No comments:
 Windows Phone 7.5 to include SmartDJ and camera shutter sound toggle


Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” update will also feature Smart DJ mixes and a camera shutter sound toggle.


The two features were revealed on Monday by the Windows Phone Dev Podcast. The features are currently present in developer emulator builds of “Mango”. Microsoft is preparing to include Zune Smart DJ mix support. The feature allows users to discover new music and works alongside Zunepass to stream music to devices. Windows Phone owners will also be able to edit and save playlists on their devices. Microsoft is also adding in an option to disable the camera shutter sound in Windows Phone.


Windows Phone 7.5 camera and Smart DJ settings
Microsoft has revealed several business related features of Windows Phone 7.5 recently and a number of consumer features have leaked too. Here’s what’s planned for Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango”:



  • Outlook Conversation View – Emails combined together in threads
  • Lync Messaging Client – Enterprise messaging client
  • Twitter integration – Tweets integration into people hub
  • Office 365 integration – Office 365 features built-in
  • Bing Vision – Scan QR, Microsoft Tags, books, CDs and DVDs
  • Bing Audio – Similar to Shazam, will identify songs
  • Windows Live Messenger integration – Integrated into the people hub and messaging hub
  • Facebook Chat integration – Integrated into the people hub and messaging hub
  • AOL Messenger integration – Integrated into the people hub and messaging hub
  • Contacts grouping – Create groups of contacts to send messages to
  • Xbox LIVE sync function – Sync function to likely sync settings/games across devices
  • Now playing artist information on lock screen – album art on the lock screen
  • Visual Voicemail support - Visual voicemail using same method as iOS/Android
  • Network awareness NCSI support – improvements for switching between networks/optimization
  • Internet Explorer 9 mobile – HTML5 support and hardware acceleration
  • Multitasking support – switch quickly between apps
  • Fast application resume – quickly resume recently used apps
  • Podcast support – download podcasts via the Marketplace
  • Turn-by-turn navigation in Bing Maps - voice guided directions and turn-by-turn
  • SMS dictation – Microsoft tellme dictates messages
  • East Asian Language keyboard support – additional language support
  • Handwriting and dictionary support – support for writing Chinese characters
  • Pin Outlook Folders – Pin folders as favorites inside Outlook
  • SkyDrive integration – Access SkyDrive documents from Office Hub
  • Kinect support for games - interact with Kinect and Xbox games from Windows Phone
  • Outlook email server search – search Exchange servers from Outlook client
  • Complex (alpha-numeric) password support – strong number and character password support
  • Information Rights Management – support for protecting e-mails and Office documents
  • Ringtone support – third party ringtone support
  • App list – automatically detect list, implemented jump list and search for apps
  • Marketplace search improvements – apps, podcasts, music separated for easy search
  • App install improvements – progress bar install UI
  • Search extras – User search actions can be connected to third-party apps
  • Motion Sensor – apps to use new gyroscope hardware
  • Background audio – apps can run audio in the background
  • File download service – third-party apps can download files from the web
  • Alarms – alarm notifications for third-party apps
  • Pin app features – Users can pin live tiles of deep app features in third-party apps

Microsoft plans to make its Windows Phone camera the best you’ll ever own

Monday, October 17, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , // No comments:



Microsoft is aiming to improve its Windows Phone camera support to make devices the best cameras consumers will ever own.


The software giant made its bold claims in a job posting recently. The company is looking for a Windows Phone engineer that will help Microsoft push its camera support forwards. Microsoft reveals that it is “investing heavily” in the overall camera experience in Windows Phone and intends to make Windows Phone the best camera “you will ever own.” WMPoweruser spotted the job posting that includes the following description:


“One of the areas that we are investing heavily is the camera experience where we intend to make the“Window Phone the best camera you will ever own”. The Windows Phone division is creating a phone experience that is personal, relevant, connected and FUN! Do you care about the quality of the memories that you are capturing with your phone? We are looking for a VERY strong SDET to join our team and help bring our big vision to life. The focus area of this team is our full end-to-end photo and camera experience from the hardware through software level. Your job is to ensure that experience is reliable, compelling both for customers and developers, performs well, and is super high-quality. In this position you will play a critical role in helping us take our current test arsenal and architect a solution that will let us run that arsenal across test environments, across locales, across identities, and across service boundaries.š We intend to dominate that market with the best capture and sharing experiences that delight the casual user to the digital enthusiast.”
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 camera support is greatly improved. The company supports forward facing cameras on devices, allowing Windows Phone 7.5 users to video conference using third-party software. Microsoft’s phone manufacturers can also include improved sensors and higher megapixel cameras in their Windows Phone 7.5 handsets. The recently released HTC TITAN includes an 8MP camera with face tracking technology (see photo above). The technology allows Windows Phone to detect whether you’re taking a portrait or a group shot. The camera focuses on the most prominent face in the frame and balances exposure on other faces in the shot.


Microsoft’s main device partner, Nokia, is well known for its use of Carl Zeiss lenses across its devices. Nokia is expected to deliver devices with powerful cameras inside at their Nokia World launch later this month.

Windows Phone 7.5 devices launched in India

Thursday, October 13, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , , // No comments:


New Windows Phone 7.5 devices in India
Microsoft launched a number of new Windows Phone 7.5 devices in India on Wednesday.


The software giant held a special launch event at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi on Wednesday. Bhaskar Pramanik, Microsoft India chairman, revealed that the HTC Radar will be available next week in India with the Samsung Omnia W and Acer Allegro following in November. I Love Windows Phone India reports that the Radar will include access to localized applications specific to the Indian market.


The HTC Radar features a 3.8-inch WVGA SLCD screen, a 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM. HTC has included a 5MP rear camera and VGA front facing camera. Windows Phone 7.5 now includes support for front facing cameras, allowing third-party app developers to provide video conferencing applications.


The HTC Radar will go on sale for Rs.23,990 ($489) and the Samsung Omnia W will follow in November priced at Rs.19,900 ($406).

Last.fm for Windows Phone finally goes to Mango

Saturday, October 8, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , // No comments:
Good new everyone! Last.fm, everyone's favorite radio scrobble service has finally gone to Mango with version 3.x. You can now minimize this bad boy in the background and enjoy your radio with multitasking Mango goodness. In addition, you can pin your favorite radio stations to the Start screen for easy and quick access.
We've only played with it for a little bit but darn it all, it's a nice app--fast, smooth and great work on the integrating "Sharing" option. And considering this service is built into the Xbox 360 (for Gold Members), this a great extension to your phone. Grab the free app here in the Marketplace.

Windows 8: Improvements for Business Customers

Saturday, October 1, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , // No comments:

Microsoft’s Windows 8 consumer features are well documented, but how does the latest operating system cater for business customers?


Microsoft unveiled Windows 8 during its BUILD developers conference last week in Anaheim, California. The company revealed the new Metro interface for a range of new style applications. Desktop and classic Windows discussions were at a minimum but there’s a lot there for those who will need to use the classic desktop and deploy Windows 8 in business and enterprise workplaces.


Connectivity, Wi-Fi and mobile broadband improvements


Some of the most basic but important changes in Windows 8 from a business perspective are the improvements in connectivity. Windows 8 now treats a mobile broadband network as a metered connection, allowing Windows to automatically block further network connections and avoid costly data charges. Microsoft’s improved Wi-Fi support makes it easier for users to switch to hotspots as an alternative to mobile broadband connections. Microsoft has also improved its radio support in Windows 8. The operating system includes controls to allow users to quickly turn individual connections on and off or manage them all with a “flight mode” switch.


Metro style apps secure environment


Metro style apps run in a secure environment on Windows 8. The apps’s user data is isolated to the individual application and user. Microsoft revealed last week that Metro style apps will only be available via the new Windows Store environement but the company revealed sideloading will be available and supported. Microsoft is expected to allow businesses to load on their own Metro apps.


SmartScreen Filter
Windows 8 application warning
Microsoft’s SmartScreen filter technology is now integreated for files downloaded from the web. The technology, typically found in Internet Explorer, will prevent end users from launching known malware programs. The technology provides warnings before high-risk apps are allowed to run.


Windows Defender


Microsoft is building its own antimalware protection straight into Windows 8. Windows Defender monitors and protects against viruses and known malware in real time. Windows Defender will also load approved antimalware drivers during the boot process to ensure that even 3rd party antimalware software can start correctly and monitor the system at all stages.


Secured Boot


Microsoft has improved the security of booting Windows desktops a great deal with Windows 8. Secured boot aims to make Windows more responsive to virus threats during bootup. If Windows detects any attempt to start malware before the operating system is up and running it will start the Windows Recover Environment which will attempt to automatically fix the operating system.


Windows To Go
Windows To Go Windows 8 USB


Windows 8 includes the ability to run itself from a USB. Windows To Go will allow businesses to supply end users with a USB copy of their operating system, business apps, data and settings. End users can simply plug the USB into any regular desktop or laptop and Windows 8 will boot from the USB with all the users settings intact.


DirectAccess improvements


Windows 8 includes some improvements to DirectAccess. Windows 8 better supports existing infrastructure by supporting non-IPv6 server resources and simplified deployment for smaller organizations by not requiring Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).


AppLocker


Microsoft has built in new capabilities to AppLocker in Windows 8. AppLocker can be used to manage both desktop and Metro style apps. Business IT environments can create security policies to allow or deny specific applications from being run on a Windows 8 desktop.


BitLocker


BitLocker includes improved performance benefits for Windows 8 users. BitLocker now only encrypts sectors on a HDD that have data stored on them. Windows 8 BitLocker will encrypt the drive as free space is used up. The user experienced is also improved via hard drive pre-encryption with clear key and user pin reset options.


File management Windows Explorer improvements

Windows 8 Explorer - Search tab
Microsoft has built in the ribbon interface to the Windows Explorer. The interface provides easy and quick access to the ISO and VHD support in Windows 8. Microsoft has also made copying/moving files a lot better, combining all file operations in one place. The Windows up button has also returned to the Windows Explorer interface.


Measured Boot


Systems with a TPM chip can be used to prevent rootkit or malware infections with Windows 8. TPM enabled systems will initiate a Measured Boot process in Windows 8 that is used to validate the boot process and prevent rootkits and other malware from loading.


Improved Active Directory-based activation


Windows 8 enables Windows activation based on user identities in Active Directory. The new feature does not require any additional infrastructure and lets Windows 8 systems be activated in an enterprise environment using Active Directory.


Task Manager


Windows 8 Task Manager


Microsoft has overhauled the Task Manager to make it the number one place to monitor and control your PC. The new interface remains simplified to begin with, which then opens up to an advanced Task Manager with an array of new tabs and options. Microsoft has color-coded system resources to show users what tasks are taking up the bulk of the system. There’s also an App History tab that shows how applications have performed on a system.


Client Hyper-V


Windows 8 includes a client Hyper-V version, making it easy for businesses to take advantage of virtualization from the desktop client. Multiple operating system instances can run simultaneously on a Windows 8 computer as a result.


Deployment improvements


Microsoft has made several improvements to Windows 8 deployment methods. IT pros can enable pre-encryption of computers at the time of deployment and enable users to create a PIN during their first use of the system. Microsoft’s Active Directy-based activation improvements mean that a users identity can be used to activate a Windows 8 computer. IT pros can also deploy multiple languages in a single image of Windows 8.


Multi-monitor improvements



Windows 8 multi-monitor support
Microsoft has made some much needed improvements to its multi-monitor support in Windows 8. The Start Screen Metro interface can be displayed on one monitor or another. Windows 8 now supports different desktop backgrounds on each monitor or the ability to stretch an image across both. Microsoft also natively supports taskbar spanning across multiple screens or the ability to have unique task bars on each monitor.


Push-Button Reset



Windows 8 Reset
Windows 8 includes a number of options to restore a PC to its original state. There’s a basic reset option which will allow users to restart fresh while keeping all of their documents, accounts, personal settings and Windows Store Apps. Windows 8 also includes a complete reset option which will restore the PC to an original state with a fresh operating system image.

Infographic: Positive Windows 8 Reaction Visualized

Thursday, September 29, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , // No comments:

Microsoft unveiled Windows 8 to the world earlier this month and one company was waiting in the wings to measure people’s reactions.


Social media firm MashWork created an infographic based on what people were saying about Windows 8 after it was revealed earlier this year. Half of all tweets favored Windows 8′s Metro style design compared to Apple’s iOS software and Google’s Android operating system. MashWork collated 65,968 messages shared on Twitter between June 15 and September 22. Around 42% of the messages were collected during Microsoft’s BUILD developers conference earlier this month. MashWork analyzed all the tweets and figured out that Xbox LIVE integration on Windows 8, a Windows App Store and fast boot times in Windows 8 were amongst the most talked about features.


“The most interesting thing I found was that people were so receptive to Windows 8 on a tablet,” said MashWork founder Jared Feldman, in an interview with VentureBeat this week. “A lot of times when you get very well-educated people, who know all the products on the market, they evaluate new things and immediately start hating and ripping it apart.” MashWork found that Windows 8 seems to have appealed to most Twitter fans. “What we found for the most part was that people are genuinely excited about Windows on a tablet — so much so that we actually have developer clients who are using this infographic to drum up excitement for Windows 8 before getting their hands on a developer kit to create apps (for the new platform),” Feldman added.


The visualized excitement over Windows 8 builds on the impressive unveiling of Windows 8. Microsoft managed to keep the majority of Windows 8 features relatively secret. Windows 8 offers a reimagined Windows experience with Microsoft’s Metro style user interface. Microsoft is expected to deliver a beta copy of the operating system at CES 2012.



Windows 8 Infographic


Windows 8: Going In-Depth With Microsoft's Massive Update to Windows

Thursday, September 15, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , // No comments:
Microsoft makes big changes with Windows 8, revamping the look and function, and adding support for the next generation of mobile devices.



The buzzword is "reimagine" here at Microsoft's BUILD conference in Anaheim, California, where Windows 8 is being shown for the first time in detail to developers and the media. The term refers to the operating system's radical new look, new support for tablets, revamped Start Screen, and integration of a new class of “metro-style” applications.


It may sound like hyperbole, but after a full day of demoing the new operating system, we can say that "reimagine" is the most apt descriptor. The latest OS from Microsoft presents a fundamental change in the way Windows users will interact with a PC--be it a tablet, laptop, desktop, or all-in-one. Windows 8 supports new hardware, provides a new interface, enables new features for home users and businesses, and offers a new platform for developers to build upon. All this, and Microsoft promises that it will still run every application that runs on Windows 7.


Still unknown is Windows 8's release date, and how many versions of the operating system will exist. What we can say is that it's the biggest change in how people will use PCs since Windows 95--and it’s risky. This is not the safe, same-but-better experience we have come to expect for more than a decade from Microsoft.


Big Changes Start at the Start Screen.

The Start Screen is at the core of Windows 8. Microsoft previously teased this new interface, which is steeped in the “Metro” design used on the Zune and Windows Phone 7. The thing is, this interface is not simply a secondary, alternate interface made for tablets and other touch-only devices. The new Windows 8 Start Screen--with its live tiles and touch gestures--is Windows.


When you boot any Windows 8 laptop, desktop, or tablet, you get a nice big lock screen with the time, date, and a few notification icons. Log in, and you’re at the Metro-themed Start Screen. Swipe from the right edge of the screen, and five navigation icons that Microsoft calls “Charms” appear from the right side: Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings. Swipe from the left edge, and you flip back through your running applications, as though paging back through photos on a smartphone.



If you don’t have a touch-enabled device, you still get the new Start Screen, and are still expected to use it. The mouse works fine, with the Charms moved to the lower-left corner, where the Start menu resides now. The mouse wheel scrolls through your pages of tiles, and right-clicking brings up the same application menu you would access with a swipe from the bottom of the screen on a touch device. Microsoft envisions a future where even devices with keyboards and mice will have touchscreens--we’ll touch where it’s more convenient, and type or point when the speed and precision of input devices makes sense.


Windows 8 Runs Tablet-Style Apps and Windows 7 Apps.

The Start Screen is home to a new class of programs that Microsoft calls “Metro-style” apps. They are very similar to the types of tablet apps you are familiar with. Metro-style apps are made to be immersive, removing window panes and close buttons, scrollbars and menu bars. Metro apps run full-screen, though you can multitask in two at a time by having one occupy the left or right third of your display.


So, what happens when you run a legacy Windows application on an x86 device? Simply put, it runs on a normal desktop, complete with a taskbar that is, at this stage of development, very similar to Windows 7’s. All of the bars and menus are there, the system tray is present--the only obvious difference is that the Start menu is replaced by the five Charms of Windows 8. Here’s the rub: This isn’t some odd mode distinct from the Start Screen. It operates as though it were just another Metro app. Pull up a list of your running apps on the Start Screen, and the Desktop (containing all of your current-style Windows applications) sits among them. It’s there when you swipe back through your running applications. The experience is hard to describe in words, but it is natural and obvious in practice.


Metro-style applications are meant to work together through Windows 8 services called “contracts.” If a developer enables the share contract with its photo application, for instance, it means that the data from that app (the photos) can be shared with other applications that implement the share contract. A search contract allows an application to say to the operating system, “Hey, my data can be searched.” The idea is to permit applications to work together without their having to even know about each other, all while running inside a nice, secure sandbox.






You’ll download Metro-style apps from a new Windows Store, built into the OS. Applications have to go through a submission process similar to that for Windows Phone 7 to be listed in the store. Developers control pricing, availability, and limits for trial versions. Applications are verified for stability and compatibility so that users can, as Microsoft puts it, "install applications with confidence." The store will feature a selection of standard desktop applications as well; of course, current install methods for desktop applications will continue to work, too.


New Hardware Support.

The Start Screen and Metro-style apps aren’t all that is new in Windows 8. Far from it. First, there’s support for new hardware, chiefly ARM-based system-on-chip processors. Obviously, tablets running ARM processors won’t run legacy applications compiled for x86 or x64 processors, but it seems most Metro-style applications will be built in either C#/XAML or HTML 5/JavaScript. These applications will run seamlessly across ARM, x86, or x64.


Speaking of devices, Windows 8 will bring with it new class drivers for printers, which currently in the pre-beta cover about 70 percent of the printers that support Windows 7. This means that when you plug a printer into your system, it just works--no need to install a driver as you do for Windows 7. You may never have to hunt for printer drivers again. The same goes for USB 3.0 and mobile broadband radios, which get class drivers as well.


Traditional desktop features have not been ignored, though Microsoft has spent most of its time focusing on the Start Screen and Metro-style apps. Windows 8 offers loads of new file-management features and more functionality in Explorer through a Ribbon-style interface. A new Task Manager delivers more information, more clearly, about what is going on with your PC. More options are available for multiple-monitor users, including better handling of the taskbar and the ability to show the Start Screen on one monitor and the desktop on another. A new Reset feature restores your computer to factory-fresh condition. The Refresh feature is similar, but it sets aside all your user data, preferences, and Metro-style apps, wipes clean the underlying operating system, and then puts everything back.


Windows 8 Gets Down to Business.

For business and IT departments, features like Reset and Refresh may be enticing, but it’s not all they’ll get. New security features include a secure boot function that will allow the operating system to boot only from approved and secure hardware devices. Windows Defender has been beefed up to include complete antivirus protection, and it loads far earlier in the boot process to protect the computer through most of the boot-up sequence. Client Hyper-V provides full operating system virtualization services for developers that need to test on various installations. A new Windows To Go feature allows IT managers to run Windows 8, along with their own applications, data, and settings, directly from a USB stick.


All of this merely scratches the surface of the massive upgrade that is Windows 8. In fact, even with all the information pouring out of the BUILD conference, Microsoft assures us that hundreds of features are yet to be revealed. What Microsoft says it's doing with Windows 8 is reimagining the OS. In a word, it's audacious.


We’ll have a lot more to say about the changes in Windows 8, large and small, over the course of the week.




Windows Phone AVG Antivirus App May Be More Dangerous Than We Thought

Saturday, September 10, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , // No comments:





We broke the news the other night about AVG releasing an antivirus suite for Windows Phone. The app seemed harmless enough (and borderline useless to boot), only being able to manually scan photos and music files, while also offering "safe URL" web surfing.
Having a useless app is one thing, having an app that can potentially do some mischievous shenanigans is another. Its the latter that AVG is being accused of. Yes folks, AVG's app for Windows Phone may be spyware--that's irony.
Justin Angel broke down the app, did some analysis on it and found it is improperly using the Geo Location (GeoCoordinateWatcher) to track the phone and send all possible identifying information (phone make, model, your email address, location) onto AVG. For what purpose? Over at Centurion's Blog, he breaks it down to four possible uses:


  • Quality assurance
  • Info is sent to their Android app
  • Geo info is used for location based search
  • Collected data is used for marketing purposes


Whichever the reason, nonee of them benefit you, meaning that this app has gone from questionable value to not-recommended at all. Furthermore, Microsoft's Brandon Watson is taking a look at the app too to see if it violates any of the Marketplace guidelines. Stay tuned...


Source: Justin Angel; via Mobility Digest, Centurion's Blog; image credit @ailon

AVG Releases First Antivirus Scanner For Windows Phone 7

Thursday, September 8, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , // No comments:

AVG has been around for quite awhile and have recently entered the growing mobile space (we hear Android is gangbusters for a/v scanners). They've now released a free "suite" for Windows Phones, combining an earlier product (Safe Search) with an actual virus scanner:
"Free Security Suite from AVG Mobilation – security software for Windows Phone™. Keep your device safe with just one click"
  • Safe Web Surfing - Stay safe from phishing and malware while surfing the web
  • Safe Search - Allowing you search the web avoiding malicious web sites
In addition, the virus scanner portion will scan over your music and images. Surprisingly, the scan is pretty fast though we do have to wonder about other vulnerabilities such as PDFs, docx and of course programs. We imagine though when it comes to the latter, AVG can only do so much within the siloed limitations of the Windows Phone OS. So how much of a threat could there be from music or images? We're not too really to sure but we're more concerned about side-loading XAP files from untrusted sources--something which this app doesn't cover.


Still, for being free, it's not bad. It can update/download new AV definitions and the Safe Search/Web Surfing is not bad if you're worried about going to a malicious site. Worth the download? Perhaps--at 5MB, it sure won't kill your device and giving it once-over (under 30 secs for most of you) may not be a bad idea. Read more at http://www.avgmobilation.com/ and pick the app up here in the Marketplace.

Microsoft Opens Up About Windows 8

Friday, August 19, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , // No comments:


News Wanting the inside track on the next iteration of Windows, which is expected next year? Microsoft's launched a new blog written by the engineering team, and while they don't give away too much yet, there are some aspirational words:


"Windows 8 reimagines Windows. That's a big statement and one that we will return to throughout this blog. It is also important to know that we're 100% committed to running the software and supporting the hardware that is compatible with over 400 million Windows 7 licenses already sold and all the Windows 7 yet to be sold."


Everything we've heard about the next big launch for Microsoft is garnered towards a better user interface—whether it's the tablet-support or just the more WP7-style aspect of the design, as you can see in the video above from June. Whether you're a Windows user or platform-apathetic, this may be one site to bookmark.



Microsoft is showing the next version of Windows sometime this week. On a tablet. With a brand new touch interface. I will wager it's one that's not stupid.
The demo that Windows chief Steven Sinofsky's expected to show at All Things D tomorrow—much like Microsoft first revealed Windows 7's new UI at the event in 2008—is going to be running on Nvidia's ARM-based Tegra chip, reports Bloomberg. (If you recall, Microsoft's big CES news was that it was porting Windows to run on the ARM architecture, in effect declaring that Windows would be everywhere. )
It's fantastic that Acer CEO JT Wang is complaining about Microsoft "really controlling the whole thing, the whole process" and being "troublesome" with its restrictions on hardware makers for the tablet version of the next Windows. It means it's less likely you'll have a shitty Windows experience. On tablets, anyway. It sounds like hardware and software will be more tightly integrated and deeply aligned. (It sound a lot like how Microsoft's playing Windows Phone.)
Which is exactly what needs to happen. What people expect from tablets is completely different than what they expect from traditional PCs. No viruses, no OS reinstalls, no dead batteries, no bullshit, really. (I'm very obviously not talking about the Windows tablets of yore.) Say what you will about the iPad and its limitations, but at the same time, it has set a new kind of standard for what people should expect out from their personal computers in terms of maintenance and just being easy to use. If the new tablet Windows resembles old Windows more than Windows Phone or iOS in that regard, it's going to blow chunks. But I suspect, I hope, that Microsoft knows what it needs to do with tablet software.
While Courier and Pioneer Studios, the skunkworks group that created it, are both officially dead, I wouldn't be surprised if at least a bit of what was developed for Courier makes its way into the Windows tablet interface. (Possibly parts we haven't seen.) Pioneer Studios' most mindblowing concepts and work might not ever be revealed in their full, totally radical glory, but pieces of what they've developed have been part of current Microsoft products for a long time, like Windows Phone and Xbox.
I also get the feeling Microsoft's going to try to launch the next Windows sooner than people suspect. Not supercrazy sooner. But earlier than has been implied.
The next Windows on tablets very badly needs to not be stupid. It needs to be amazing. It needs to surprise people. I think that's what Microsoft is setting up. Maybe I'm mistaking hopes for educated suspicions, but Microsoft's got a lot more to lose on this wager than I do. 

Dell Venue Pro Windows Phone 7 Smartphone

Saturday, August 6, 2011 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , // No comments:


Windows Phone Introducing the definitive Windows® Phone 7 experience with a 4.1" sliding touch screen and full QWERTY keyboard.
  • The stunning 4.1" WVGA AMOLED capacitive, multi-touch display enables easier navigation.
  • With Office Mobile built in, you can operate on-the-go as seamlessly as you would at the office.
  • 5MP Camera with auto-focus and LED flash.
  • Take your gaming experience on the road with the smartphone that lets you play games on Xbox LIVE.


Do everything smartphone

You want a smartphone that enables you to stay connected1, be productive and keep in touch with colleagues, friends and family? Dell Venue Pro™ Windows 7 Phone is a do everything smartphone that helps you be more efficient in how you stay connected and entertained. Seamlessly toggle between your work and life apps. From your favorite games to keeping up on Facebook®, Twitter™, Gmail™ and YouTube™, Venue Pro keeps what’s most important to you at your fingertips.

For your viewing pleasure

See the world and your life like never before with the stunning 4.1 in., WVGA AMOLED capacitive, multitouch display. The large slide screen allows easy navigation and viewing of your email, calendar and Web. Your photos, videos and movies have never looked better in the palm of your hand. No more squinting or panning — see the full width of the Web page in one glance. And Corning's high-quality, scratch-resistant Gorilla® Glass means your view can stay crystal clear.

Your life at a glance with Windows Phone 7

Imagine being able to see everything you care about at a single glance on your smartphone without ever breaking stride — an email from a friend or co-worker, appointment reminders, the score in the game or just the weather and time. Customize the Live Tiles on your start screen, so what’s most important to you is always in the front and center, and easily recognized with a momentary look. The built-in Microsoft® Office Mobile lets you operate on the go as seamlessly as you would in the office.

Elegant Beauty

While the Venue Pro smartphone, with its elliptical, slender form fits comfortably in your pocket, it’s probably the last place it will ever be. Sure, its large 4.1", touch display lets you see everything that is most important to you at a single glance that will make it hard to put down. But you’ll also love how it feels in your hand. And just a simple slide reveals the full portrait QWERTY keyboard, providing a superb viewing and messaging experience.


Tech. Specifications



Phone specs
Display480x800 (4.1" diagonal)
Processor1 GHz Qualcomm QSD8250
CameraYes (HD Video / 720p, 5MP with autofocus)
Battery Life7 hours/14 days
NetworksGSM 850; GSM 900; GSM 1800; GSM 1900; Edge; HSDPA 7.2; HSUPA 5.6; UMTS 900; UMTS 2100

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