Tag Archives: OS

WINDOWS 8 | Microsoft launches Windows 8

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On Tuesday, Microsoft launched its next-generation operating system, at its Build Conference in Anaheim, California. The new operating system, which is a complete rebuild of Microsoft’s flagship product, is designed to work with both tablets and PCs.

Each attendee at the conference received a Samsung tablet, preloaded with the developers’ preview version of Windows 8, with the intention of exciting the developers, and perhaps, persuading  them to write applications for the new OS. “The tablets are part of Microsoft’s attempt to get developers excited and on board with Windows 8 … It’s the first Windows version designed from the beginning to work on both tablets and PCs.” The Seattle Times reported. Rob Sanfilippo, a research vice president at the Kirkland-based Directions on Microsoft was reported saying, “He’s a fan of the new user interface (UI), dubbed “Metro,” which looks unlike any other Windows version.” “The Metro UI is based on tiles that, when tapped or clicked on, go directly to an application,” The Seattle Times. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Hr9-C8WhE  Looking back at its predecessor, Windows 7, the president of Microsoft’s Windows division announced that, “Windows 7 is now (finally) being used by more people than Windows XP.” Windows 7 has sold 450 million copies worldwide. Recent statistics also show that Windows 7 consumer usage is greater than Windows XP, and about 542 million people are signing into Windows Live services. In addition, Microsoft had launched Windows 7 in Swahili earlier in the year, a move that was intended to allow over 150 million Kiswahili speakers in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of the Horn of Africa, Great Lakes, Malawi, Mozambique and the Indian Ocean region, access a broader range of its programs. This followed Windows 7 debut in Kenya on 28th October, 2009. The growth of Windows operating systems since the unpleasant Windows Vista, has undoubtedly, been delightful to Microsoft executives.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntSdfGzF60M
Whether Windows 8 will develop in the same trend, is an issue on the balance. Here is a url to the download page for the developer preview. It comes in three versions. Download the appropriate and get on with it! Tip the balance!

What’s Your Say?

References:

Microsoft aims to get developers excited about Windows 8 The Seattle Times September 13, 2011

Windows 7 Launched in Country allAfrica.com October 28, 2009

Microsoft Windows 7 launched in Swahili Telecentre.org February 17, 2011

Microsoft Launches Windows 8 Mashable Tech September 14, 2011

 

 

TECHNOLOGY | Tablets to Scrolls

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History is our guide to the future. In the old testament there are tablets in the new testament scrolls. As with ancient evolution of tablets into scrolls, it is certain that our next computing evolutionary leap will be a scroll.

As the web based OS market matures, our need for resource hungry “thick smart clients” such as smart phones and tablets will soon diminish. This coupled with advances in battery technology will allow us to drive larger displays with unpararelled computing power. However, our need for ultra mobile and compact devices will require that we invest more resources in FOLED (Flexible Organic Light Emmiting Diode) technology, which offers the largest displays in small form factors. All these together will result in a Scroll type device that utilizes the cloud for its computing power while consuming the least amount of power for network and display needs. A typical scroll will have the following features:

  • Weight 100g
  • Storage 16GB
  • Connectivity Wireless and Cellular
  • Display 17inch diagonal 2560 x 1600 WQXGA
  • Chip 1Ghz dual core
  • Camera with 1080p video shoot capability
  • Power battery 1 week of surfing the web and running multimedia 1 month of passive time
  • Audio playback tv video

The true power of cloud computing will only be realized when we are able to offload processing from smart devices to managed cloud infrastructures. An obstacle to the current technologies; Tablet and Mobile is their limited display abilities. FOLED are the solution to large displays in a small form factor. As FOLED technologies make their way into the mainstream, we will be making major strides into true cloud computing. There are many roles yet to be filled in these emerging market environments. What role will Kenya play, will we have abundant power to juice up cloud data centers? Will we educate our young to have them develop these new technologies? Will we participate in the sustainable production of cloud computing devices? Any others?

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