This is a long overdue review since the Sky Player was released on the XBOX 360 for UK users on the 28th of October. Well, I have been keeping busy. But nevertheless, I am here writing this review. Sky player’s introduction into the Xbox could be a major game-changer in terms of sheer innovation, control, and distribution channels that this medium opens up, and the game console can finally state as it has arrived. Frankly because, Sky is certainly the lion’s shareholder when it comes to Cable and Satellite TV distribution. All the major sporting events – Sky Sports; Movie channels – Sky; TV Entertainment – Sky 1 shows – House, Fringe, Modern Family and Stargate Universe amongst others. So there is no denying that Microsoft did choose the right partner to collaborate with. But does the Sky Player meet all the expectations or does it disappoint? The answer is a mixture of both.
After the Jump, Full Review of the Sky Player on the XBOX 360 including screenshots.
Who the F needs another Social Network? @Microsoft -Seriously?
Microsoft has just released Internet Explorer version 8.0 RC1, which is supposedly going to be bundled with Windows 7. But before you go and press the download button, let us have a look if they have made any substantial changes. In other words, is the new IE really worth it?
MS says: New rendering engine, support for CSS 2.1, ’smart address bar’ ( very similar to Firefox’s Awesome Bar ).
It is not available for Macs, only for WinXP and Vista 32 and 64 bit versions. MS officials have confirmed of not going for any further changes in the user-interface or the programming from now onwards until its release. So pretty much, RC1 is what you would get. So, what’s different from the beta? MS has listed the whole list out here.
But seems like, more than that, IE (or rather MS) has picked up a few tips from Chrome (Google). Firstly, the separate process for each tab which would ensure IE would not crash for failure in one of the tabs.
Secondly, the “porn mode” or the InPrivate mode which is very similar to the Incognito Window in Google Chrome.
DownloadSquad has run a few tests comparing the IE8 RC1 with Google Chrome, Firefox 3 and Opera. The results are here.
For more on the IE8 RC1, please visit the following links.
New Internet Explorer 8 accelerates browsing
Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 8 RC1: Promises Faster and Safer Browsing
Microsoft’s IE8 Release Candidate Is Live; Nearly Identical To Final Release
Here’s an interesting hack on your Windows XP 3d Pinball game. (If you are one of those few remaining who are stuck with these time killers) So, when the game gets loaded, type the words “Hidden Test”.
It still seems all normal, until you grab your mouse. Click the mouse on the pinball machine and drag it all around. The pinball will now follow your mouse direction wherever it goes. Pretty cool huh!
Now check this out, press H key and see what you get. It pops the high score table with an entry of a Billion and you can remain as high scorer forever.
Lastly, press the R key to increase your rank in the game.
Happy pinballing!!! And as “the Who” said, “Sure plays a mean pinball”
Open up today’s Techmeme and you will see this splashed across almost throughout the entire page. Because this is HUGE news. Microsoft has withdrawn its plans for buying out Yahoo, more popularly known as Microhoo in the speculative blogosphere. So what does it mean finally for us?
Does it mean that we can actually breathe a sigh of relief before some other giant (Google) makes the next move? Or has Yahoo got some other plans up its sleeve? Almost 3 months after the initial speculations of Microsoft’s plan of acquisition of Yahoo, and almost a 16 billion $ increase in market value, Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer released his statement that it was withdrawing its offer of acquiring Yahoo. And now that the beans have been spilled, speculations are making the rounds.
Of course, most of them surround the Big Goog tying up with Yahoo to do things OpenSource. Also under the radar is the question of how Yahoo’s shares would turn out on Monday when the markets open. And unless there is a huge miracle, the stock-prices are expected to decline drastically. And well, as Techcrunch states in their post here, if Yahoo tanks badly, Microsoft can even be back with a lower bid. Hmm, so we just can’t count out Microsoft out as yet.
Indexed below are the sites which have covered the entire chapter from every possible angle and every possible aspect.
Yahoo Responds: “The distraction of Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal now behind us”
Breaking: Microsoft Corporation Rescinds Offer For Yahoo Inc
Microsoft Withdraws Proposal to Acquire Yahoo!
Yahoo! Issues Statement in Response to Microsoft
Guessing Yahoo’s Opening Stock Price
OK, so what’s Microsoft’s plan B?
Email From Steve Ballmer To All Microsoft Employees
Ballmer to Yang: How stupid are you?
YHOO and MSFT: Jerry Yang should be fired
As Bill Gates gets dethroned from his spot as the World’s richest man, Microsoft has launched the new version of Internet Explorer ( aka the IE 8 ) at the MIX08 conference. The beta is out for download for testing purposes. Though at the MIX08 conference, the browser has been shown to have passed the Acid2 test, some users aren’t still happy about it. Phillip Lennsen writes :-
You know you’re installing an important program when you need to reboot your computer to finish the setup. When you need to reboot twice, you know you’re installing something really important. Well, that was what happened when I just installed the new Internet Explorer 8 Beta on Vista.
Neither do I have Vista running on my laptop, nor do I have any affinity for the new IE8. Especially after hearing of the dual rebooting requirement. The interface from the pictures available online doesn’t seem different from its predecessor.
So what’s new about it?
Category : google, internet, microsoft
Tags: analysis, android, internet, microsoft, news, opinions, services, web, yahoo
Yeah, I know. Yet another half fried post on the entire episode of Microsoft’s bid for the slumping Internet giant Yahoo for a whooping $44.6 billion. Clearly, Microsoft is desperate enough to acquire Yahoo. But amongst all this, the question that remains is, is Google worried? Let’s chase it point by point as to what this deal could bring to the table, if it actually gets finalized. What could a “Microhoo” actually mean?
It means that the 600 million combined user-base of Hotmail (Windows Live Mail) and Yahoo could well be way ahead of what Gmail has. But as Scoble indicates, is there any solid reason for Google to be really worried about this deal? Of course, officials at Google aren’t very happy with the hostile bidding of Microsoft over Yahoo.
David Drummond, Senior VP at Google Inc. writes what this deal could actually churn out if Microsoft continues its legacy of monopolising Operating Systems and Internet Browsers. What if Microsoft loses all business ethics, once it acquires Yahoo, and uses it solely for its good by forcing users to use its Web-Based Services, integrated into Mail, IM, PhotoSharing et al.
The war will still continue with OpenSource technologies adopting everything Google, but this deal is a clear indication of the challenge that Google faces. Clearly, Google with the Android campaign is steering its way towards finding a huge presence or rather dominance in the Mobile World. And with the presence of Web Applications like Google Maps and Youtube, I believe Microsoft even if they acquire Yahoo, will have a long long way to go.And now the second question that emerges is, what if..ahem! Google outbids?
Image Courtesy:johnnie.maneiro
