Google Tax

Using a nifty infographic, Microsoft's Tom Rizzo explains hidden costs of using Google Apps something which enterprises need to be aware of when evaluating Google Apps. 

The Hidden Google Tax

On the surface, Google Apps may seem like acceptable replacements for enterprise-grade products such as Microsoft Exchange Server or Microsoft Office. But many IT organizations have found that Google Apps bring extra, hidden costs. Organizations that have evaluated Google Apps have found that the projected versus actual costs of switching to Google Apps greatly increase their total cost of ownership (TCO). In particular, these IT organizations have found that Google Apps are not enterprise-ready and are inadequate without costly add-on applications, even for most small- and medium-sized organizations. The three general areas where organizations feel the Google Tax most strongly are deployment, IT support costs and user training.

Bing becomes default search and maps on Blackberry

With this announcement, Bing has effectively cornered one-third (28% of RIM and 7% of Microsoft devices) of US Smartphone market. Big win for Bing.

Microsoft and RIM helping people make better decisions with Bing on BlackBerry

Central to this collaboration, , Blackberry devices will use Bing as the preferred search provider in the browser, and Bing will be the default search and map application for new devices presented to mobile operators, both in the United States and internationally. Also, effective today Bing will be the preferred search and maps applications with regular, featured placement and promotion in the BlackBerry App World carousel.

Bing is also now shipping as the default search experience, and map app, for the newly released BlackBerry Playbook. Together, we’ll also market and promote the strength of our joint offerings as “Making better decisions with Bing on BlackBerry.”

Bing Maps gets deserved attention

Forbes covers Bing Maps and compares it with Google Maps.

Bing Maps Aerial Victory

Massive points to Microsoft on this one.

Over the past three years, Microsoft has created a uniform, detailed map of the Continental United States and 17 countries in Western and Central Europe. The results are spectacular – a single view of about 7 million square miles, with relatively even lighting and height, at a granularity of about 30 centimeters of land per pixel of image.

The Last Typewriter Factory shuts down

The end of the line: Last typewriter factory left in the world closes its doors

It's an invention that revolutionised the way we work, becoming an essential piece of office equipment for the best part of a century.

But after years of sterling service, that bane for secretaries has reached the end of the line.

Godrej and Boyce - the last company left in the world that was still manufacturing typewriters - has shut down its production plant in Mumbai, India with just a few hundred machines left in stock.

Cricket World Cup leads to More Than 37 Million Videos Streamed on Sports Sites in March in India

Cricket World Cup Drives Surge in Online Video Viewing in India

comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released the latest report on online video viewing in India from its comScore Video Metrix service. The report found that online video viewing in India experienced a sharp increase in February and March driven by the Cricket World Cup. In March, more than 37 million video streams were viewed on Sports sites, up from 3.4 million in January.

               

PlayStation Network Disaster

77 Million Accounts potentially compromised. That’s a Disaster.

Update on PlayStation Network and Qriocity

We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network. In response to this intrusion, we have:

1.Temporarily turned off PlayStation Network and Qriocity services;

2.Engaged an outside, recognized security firm to conduct a full and complete investigation into what happened; and

3.Quickly taken steps to enhance security and strengthen our network infrastructure by re-building our system to provide you with greater protection of your personal information.

We greatly appreciate your patience, understanding and goodwill as we do whatever it takes to resolve these issues as quickly and efficiently as practicable.

Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.

Overshooting Estimates by $2B - Is it fair?

Is it normal to overshoot your own estimates by $2.47 Billion. Apple, I can understand $200M up or down but 2.47 Billion above your own estimate of $22 Billion is a stretch. Take care next time.

Apple Reports Second Quarter Results

Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2011 second quarter ended March 26, 2011. The Company posted record second quarter revenue of $24.67 billion and record second quarter net profit of $5.99 billion, or $6.40 per diluted share.

 

Blaise sets the record straight

Blaise Aguera y Arcas writes on the release of Photosynth App for iOS devices.

On why iOS before WP7:

I’m sure over the coming days and weeks we’ll be answering, over and over, the “why didn’t this ship first on Microsoft’s own phone” question.  Our approach to the design of the Photosynth app hopefully provides some evidence that we very much think of Windows Phone 7 as brethren and inspiration, not to mention proof that Microsoft can make beautiful things.  (Such a joy and a relief, after the previous generation of Windows phones!)  If we could have shipped first on these devices, we would have.  But the level of camera and low-level algorithmic hacking needed to make Photosynth work meant that, if we wanted to get this out as quickly as possible— and we surely did— we needed to do so on a platform that provided the necessary low-level device access.  Windows Phone 7 doesn’t yet allow this for apps.  It will soon.  It’s worth keeping in mind that the first several generations of iPhone device and OS wouldn’t have allowed us to build this app either.  For now, iPhone’s platform maturity— and of course the large number of people with iPhones out there— meant that it made sense for us to go for it.

At Bing we’re always interested in reaching as many people as possible, which means we’ll always develop for multiple platforms.  But over time, we’ll be doing more and more of our early innovation on the Windows Phone.

On Design of the App:

There’s another reason I’m very pleased by Photosynth for iPhone: it’s the first reasonably complete application of our design system to a non-Windows phone.  We’ve been working for more than a year with the very beautiful design language created by the Entertainment and Devices people at Microsoft (yes, Microsoft can do beautiful design!  It’s true!) for Xbox, Zune, and Windows Phone 7, codenamed Metro.  The “lavender” map style we released last year is a cartographic embodiment of this language.  Translating Metro for an environment like iPhone, in which there’s a strong native look, feel and interaction model, is risky business.  Done poorly, the result is confusing and incongruous.  Some would argue that an app should always adopt native controls, look and feel, tailoring itself entirely to the host platform to minimize cognitive dissonance.  This is an old argument.  I remember it from the X windows days, and earlier.  (More recently, Apple’s first release of Safari on the PC garnered much criticism for its dissonant non-PC look and feel.  Today they’ve moved closer to native.)

I think from this perspective the Photosynth app is a great success.  Its interaction model, look and feel are very Metro, distinctively ours, yet it works in the iPhone context.  It has a distinct voice, yet remains transparent and usable.  It isn’t antisocial in its approach to the platform.

Great to see Blaise coming out and setting the record straight. As I wrote yesterday, Microsoft made a very sound judgment in this case. iOS is more mature when compared to WP7 right now and has more number of users and it just made more business sense to out the app for such a platform.

Photosynth App for iOS and the noise around the release

Bing team today launched the Photosynth App for iOS devices (iPhone 4/3GS, iPod Touch and iPad) which allows you to capture panoramas of places to share with your friends and with the world via Bing Maps or Facebook.

Capture and Share Panoramas Anywhere You Go with the Photosynth App

Today, we're introducing the official Photosynth app which lets you capture amazing panoramas of your favorite places to share with your friends and even the world with Bing Maps. (The app is currently available via iTunes and will be available on iOS devices later today.) Photosynth’s interactive panoramas allow you to look left, right, up and down, letting you capture and view more of the places you visit.

There have been a lot of talk today on Microsoft releasing the app on iOS platform before it released it on its own Windows Phone 7 platform. While I am sure that Bing team is working hard to release the WP7 version, I am glad that Bing team was sensible enough to not get emotional and wait for the WP7 version to be ready for a simultaneous release. What Bing did today was show a great business sense in releasing the app on a platform which has about 25% market share. Bing is a different business by nature (and organization within Microsoft) and it has different priorities. So far Bing has had quite a year gaining share from Google and other search players. It will only help that more people know about Bing and a presence in iTunes with an as innovative app as Photosynth will only help the cause.

Good Job Microsoft. We will wait.

WP7 Marketplace to get new Distribution Options

With a view towards greater Enterprise adoptions, Windows Phone Marketplace is getting Private distribution option. The Private option allows you to provide deep linking to apps so that you can limit the distribution of these apps to a select few. Microsoft also spoke about beta functionality in Mix event this year which allows upto app distribution to 100 users and the apps need to be free.

Microsoft readies private marketplace feature for Windows Phones

The private/beta capability will be rolled out as part of the “Mango” Windows Phone 7 release this fall. Private apps will have no time or download limit, but will not be searchable in the public Windows Phone 7 Marketplace. Beta apps will be limited to 100 users and will expire after 90 days. Windows Phone beta apps must be free, while the private apps may be free or paid.

App developers will be able to make beta versions of their Windows Phone apps available to WP users with this functionality. And businesses will be able to make custom applications available to their employees and/or partners only using the private marketplace.

Signs of turmoil in Infosys?

Infosys misses profit estimates and then loses Mohandas Pai from it’s board.

Infosys Profit, Sales Miss Estimates on Shorter Contracts

Infosys Technologies Ltd. (INFO), India’s No. 2 software exporter, plunged the most in almost two years in Mumbai after forecasting sales that lagged behind analysts’ estimates and fourth-quarter profit that missed expectations.

The shares had their biggest intraday drop since May 19, 2009, after the Bangalore, India-based company said sales in the year that began this month would be in the range of $7.13 billion to $7.25 billion. The average of 43 analysts’ estimates was for 341.4 billion rupees ($7.7 billion).

And then such stories about its management do not help either

During the past few quarters, Infosys' telecom, large deals group and computer infrastructure management units have lagged peers, raising questions about whether the company should continue to have its top leaders handle more than one portfolio.

For instance, while Ashok Vemuri manages the banking, financial services and insurance business unit and the large deals group, Prasad Thrikutam heads energy utilities and system integration businesses. Another executive council member Subhash Dhar is heading both telecom business and global sales at Infosys.

"It's less to do with individual leaders and more about the structure itself. The company needs to either combine smaller units into one or let its best leaders focus on the most important areas," said a person familiar with restructuring talks at the company.

Netflix gets Kinect Support

Major Nelson

Today we released an update to the Netflix experience on Xbox 360. The next time you start up Netflix, you’ll be prompted to accept the update which introduces Kinect support for Netflix. That means controller-free navigation of thousands of movies and TV show, allowing you to use just the sound of your voice or wave of your hand to control your favorite Netflix content. You’ll be able to select movies and TV shows recommended for you by Netflix, as well as play, pause, fast forward and rewind using gesture or voice.

Amazon to sell Ads for $25

You read it right. Amazon announced that they will reduce the cost of Kindle to $114 from $139 and introduce ads in this cheaper version.

Amazon.com To Sell Kindle Digital Reader With Ads for $114

Amazon.com Inc., the world’s largest online retailer, unveiled a $114 version of its Kindle electronic-book reader that requires customers to view ads in exchange for getting the lower price. The new device, called Kindle With Special Offers, costs $25 less than the current lowest-priced model, the Seattle-based company said in a statement. It will be available May 3 at Best Buy Co. and Target Corp. stores, in addition to Amazon’s site.

Google's Evil-ness continues

From Microsoft on the Issues.

Google’s misleading security claims to the government raise serious questions

Last Friday afternoon, I learned that a batch of court documents had been unsealed and had revealed one particularly striking development: the United States Department of Justice had rejected Google’s claim that Google Apps for Government, Google’s cloud-based suite for government customers, has been certified under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). Given the number of times that Google has touted this claim, this was no small development.

So imagine my surprise on Friday afternoon when, after some delay, some of the court papers were unsealed, at least in part. There for all to see was a statement by the Department of Justice contradicting Google on one of its basic FISMA claims. The DOJ’s brief says (on page 13)On December 16, 2010, counsel for the Government learned that, notwithstanding Google’s representations to the public at large, its counsel, the GAO and this Court, it appears that Google’s Google Apps for Government does not have FISMA certification.”

Bing for iPad App

Microsoft getting it done in steps. Bing team has launched an Killer iPad App to great reviews. It’s just time, Microsoft launched iPad Killer too.

Touch and Decide: Introducing Bing for iPad

Today, we are pleased to introduce a brand new way to interact with Bing: Bing for iPad. Available for free download through the Apple App store, Bing for iPad goes beyond the traditional search experience, offering a unique and visually rich way to search the Web. The app is designed from the ground up for touch. You can quickly browse news, movies, Bing homepage images, local business listings and much more – all with the swipe of your finger.

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Apple's Double Standards

Apple Rejects App for Lacking Functionality, then Releases it Itself

Apple announced today that it is releasing a new app called iAd Gallery. Can you guess what the app does? Yes, it displays all of Apple’s advertisements in one place. Wait, so let me get this straight. Apple rejected an app from a developer, not because it invaded Apple’s territory but because it lacked any value for users, and then Apple goes on and releases the very same app itself? That has to be some sort of record.

Samsung’s Series 9

Walt Mossberg reviews Samsung’s Series 9 Windows 7 Laptop.

Samsung’s Series 9 Makes a Statement

You might assume I’m using one of Apple’s alluring MacBook Air machines, introduced in 2008 and revamped last October. But you’d be wrong. Instead, I’m using the first real Windows-based competitor to the Air. It’s the new Samsung Series 9, a gorgeous black machine with a super-bright, vivid 13-inch screen.

Silverlight for Xbox 360 coming soon

Microsoft may announce Silverlight for Xbox next week

Microsoft may be preparing to announce plans to introduce Silverlight for the Xbox 360, WinRumors has learned.

The software giant looks set to detail its plans at the MIX11 conference next week in Las Vegas. Persons familiar with the company’s plans say the feature has been in the works for some months. Microsoft previously revealed in November that it was planning to bring Silverlight to the Xbox as part of the next wave.

Magical

Now Kinect is a Magical device.

Gmail Motion April Fools' gag inevitably turned into reality using Kinect (video)

It had to happen. When Google showed off a new and revolutionary Gmail Motion control scheme yesterday, it failed to fool most people, but it didn't fail to catch the attention of some motion control geeks with Kinect cameras on hand. Yep, the FAAST crew that's already brought us a Kinect keyboard emulator for World of Warcraft has taken Google to task and actually cooked up the software to make Gmail Motion work. All your favorite gestures are here: opening an email as if it were an envelope, replying by throwing a thumb back and, of course, "licking the stamp" to send your response on its way. Marvelous stuff! Jump past the break to see it working, for real this time.