Early build of Windows Blue leaks, updates previewed

Windows 8 hasn’t completely replaced Windows 7 yet, and Microsoft is already prepping up a big update to the operating system –  the long rumored Windows Blue, which is said to bring a lot of improvements and unification throughout MS’ ecosystem. The OS update leaks in the internet to give us a preview of what to expect.

WBLUE

The leak goes by the name of Windows Blue Build 9364. It’s not meant to be the complete version or anything, but it surely does present improvement. The notable ones are:

  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Smaller tiles for the Start screen
  • Calculator & Movie Moments app
  • Side-by-side multitasking
  • Improved PC Settings, added Search
  • Better SkyDrive integration
  • Accent color selection

WBLUE 2

Folks over at WindowsMania.pl has a video on it. It demonstrates all these new features well, although it’s in Polish.

The rumors about Windows Blue unifying Phone, RT & 8 is not yet evident here. Maybe we’ll get to see that sooner or later with another leak.

{source} {images via 1, 2}

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Windows Phone 9: What We Think It Should Be

We have been playing around with Windows Phone 8 for quite a while and we had different views on Microsoft’s mobile platform. It turns out that there is a ton of room for improvement. Check out what we think it should improve on after the break.

1. Unification of Windows 8, RT and Phone.

First off, there are rumors going around that Windows Blue might unify the platforms of Microsoft: Windows Phone, Windows RT and Windows 8. It is very likely for this to happen, and we are welcoming this idea as well.

The Next Windows

After all, a single store for all the apps & less compatibility problems will work for their advantage. If Windows RT can run on the HTC HD2, then what stops this idea from coming true?

2. Changing of the Windows Name

However, I think it would be a good idea if Microsoft were to rebrand Windows.

Surface OS logo

The probability of this happening is very low, but what makes me say this is because Windows has lost its hype - especially among the new generation. Only a few would call it ‘in’ or cool’.

Also, Windows Phone isn’t as catchy as Android. Maybe for it to gain traction, they need a new naming scheme.

3. More Personalization

Come on. Almost everyone wants to feel unique and special. Maybe that is why Android has become very successful and why iOS is getting a lot of hate. People want their devices to stand out – which Nokia and HTC tried to capitalize on with all the colorful handsets, but it’s still not enough.

personalized screenshot

Windows Phone might attract several people such as the minimalists, but for it to be successful – there should be at least more personalization options.

4. A More Flexible Start Screen

Remember Grid OS, Fusion Garage’s OS that had Android in its core but never was? Well, we talked about the flexibility of that OS’ homescreen and we found it most suitable for Microsoft’s Live Tiles.

Grid OS

Grid OS makes use of a very wide space where similar tiles can be found, and by pressing the home button, you’ll be redirected to the center. It seems like a more practical UI than simple vertical and horizontal sliding.

UIs

5. A Choice Between Grid and List App Drawers

Everyone uses grids for their app drawers, so why not Windows Phone? iOS is a grid of apps. Android has a grid for its app drawer (some skins even add the option to choose). Even Symbian had this.

6. An Improvement of The Little Things

While Windows Phone does a lot of things well, there are a lot of things that need improvement. For example, to reset the live account – you need to do a full reset of the phone.

bing

They could also improve on their services like Bing, SkyDrive, Live and etc., especially since they are forcing you to use them throughout the experience.

Perhaps we could also capitalize on the existence of the search button, which we barely used on our days with Windows Phone devices.

Surface S

Don’t get us the wrong way. Windows Phone is a wonderful OS; in fact, we all saw potential in it since day one, but it still has a long way to go. Is there anything that we missed? What about you? What would you add to Windows Phone to make it truly competitive with iOS and Android?

The post Windows Phone 9: What We Think It Should Be appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Windows Blue to be released next year

Windows 8 was just released last month and Microsoft is already reported to be working on their next Windows OS codenamed ‘Blue‘ which is set for release in mid-2013.

Windows Blue is rumored to be Microsoft’s standardized OS that will bring UI changes and a better upgrade solution across Windows and Windows Phone platforms. Instead of getting a new version of Windows every other year or so, regular updates will be pushed annually at a very low-cost or even free. This kind of approach makes it easier for users to make an upgrade and is similar to what Apple does with iOS.

Once Windows Blue is released, Microsoft will be releasing updates to the Windows SDK that will run on both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Microsoft will then stop accepting apps that are specifically built for Windows 8 to force developers to start building apps for Blue. Existing Windows 8 apps will still be supported.

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****** A word from the fine folks of Sun Cellular ******

Sun Cellular launches BlackBerry Prepaid!

Get the Sun BlackBerry All Day 50 for all-day unlimited mobile internet, unlimited social networking, unlimited instant messaging, unlimited BlackBerry browsing and unlimited BBM for only Php50.

Follow @suncelltweets for more info.

The post Windows Blue to be released next year appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.


Windows Blue to be released next year

Windows 8 was just released last month and Microsoft is already reported to be working on their next Windows OS codenamed ‘Blue‘ which is set for release in mid-2013.

Windows Blue is rumored to be Microsoft’s standardized OS that will bring UI changes and a better upgrade solution across Windows and Windows Phone platforms. Instead of getting a new version of Windows every other year or so, regular updates will be pushed annually at a very low-cost or even free. This kind of approach makes it easier for users to make an upgrade and is similar to what Apple does with iOS.

Once Windows Blue is released, Microsoft will be releasing updates to the Windows SDK that will run on both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Microsoft will then stop accepting apps that are specifically built for Windows 8 to force developers to start building apps for Blue. Existing Windows 8 apps will still be supported.

{source}





****** A word from the fine folks of Sun Cellular ******

Sun Cellular launches BlackBerry Prepaid!

Get the Sun BlackBerry All Day 50 for all-day unlimited mobile internet, unlimited social networking, unlimited instant messaging, unlimited BlackBerry browsing and unlimited BBM for only Php50.

Follow @suncelltweets for more info.

The post Windows Blue to be released next year appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.