Microsoft Xbox One: everything you need to know | The Verge
“A cheat sheet for all of the news about the new console”
Microsoft unveils ‘Xbox One,’ a voice-controlled all-in-one entertainment hub
“Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled its next-generation home game console dubbed the “Xbox One,” a device that aims to go beyond gaming and become the center of a consumer’s living room entertainment experience.”
Microsoft brings live TV to Xbox One with voice navigation | The Verge
Here Microsoft is looking to route TV through the Xbox. Think of the Xbox as an internet-enabled set-top box. It gives Microsoft yet another avenue to keep users on their platforms. The key will be integrating this into Windows in some fashion.
Microsoft debuts Skype for Xbox with group video calling | The Verge
I told you a few months ago I thought that Microsoft had a good way to get into mobile through the Xbox. I am not a gamer but I saw this from the Tyson’s Corner Microsoft store.
https://www.creditwritedowns.com/2013/02/on-microsofts-mobile-strategy.html
This article shows you they are trying to execute on this.
Microsoft Surface Pro review | PC Pro
“When I wrote our Surface RT review last year, I concluded by saying the Pro was the model we were really waiting for. Now it’s belatedly here, I’m not so sure.
Make no mistake, it’s a wonderfully well-constructed device. The screen is incredibly sharp, the build quality is exceptional and, despite the little extra bulk and weight over the RT, the difference is barely noticeable in your laptop bag. The option to install full-fat x86 software makes an enormous difference, and the performance of the Pro embarrasses the ARM-based RT.
Yet, it’s compromised as both a laptop and tablet. The kickstand design makes it almost impossible to use on your lap, and the Full HD display makes icons and text tiny in desktop applications that don’t provide an option to scale for the screen.”
Google to Fund, Develop Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets – WSJ.com
“Google Inc. is deep into a multipronged effort to build and help run wireless networks in emerging markets as part of a plan to connect a billion or more new people to the Internet.
These wireless networks would serve areas such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia to dwellers outside of major cities where wired Internet connections aren’t available, said people familiar with the strategy.”
Google no longer able to pay Android developers in Argentina, pulling apps on July 27th | The Verge
“The move appears to be related to new, restrictive regulations the Argentine government has imposed on currency exchanges, which The Telegraph detailed this past September. Twitter has quite a few developers complaining about the changes, but it’s not clear how many people will be affected. Android customers in Argentina will still be able to purchase apps in the Play store and developers from the country can continue to offer free apps.”
Google Said to Face New Antitrust Probe Over Display Ads – Businessweek
“Google Inc. is facing a new antitrust probe by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission into whether the company is using its leadership in the online display-advertising market to illegally curb competition, people familiar with the matter said.
The fresh inquiry, which follows the FTC’s decision to close a review of Google’s search business in January without taking action, is in the preliminary stages and may not expand into a larger probe, said the people, who asked not to be named because the matter hasn’t been made public.”
HTC considering a vanilla Android HTC One ‘Senseless’ edition | Android | Geek.com
“While we can sit here for hours and debate whether or not the HTC One is a better phone than the other really great phone on the market right now, the Samsung Galaxy S4, it can’t be denied that the One is the best thing HTC has made in a while. It’s still not for everyone, especially if you’re one of the now more than 5 million strong who prefer their Android have a little more Google in the software department. To address this growing niche, multiple sources are now claiming HTC has a build in the works for a vanilla HTC One running Android 4.2.2.”
Google Said to Consider Buying Waze Presaging Bidding War – Bloomberg
“Google Inc. (GOOG), maker of the Android operating system, is considering buying map-software provider Waze Inc., setting up a possible bidding war with Facebook Inc. (FB), people familiar with the matter said.
Waze is fielding expressions of interest from multiple parties and is seeking more than $1 billion, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. The Palo Alto, California-based startup might also remain independent, instead seeking to raise a round of venture capital financing, the people said.”
Google Follows Amazon’s Lead on New Shopping Site, Delivery, Other Services – WSJ.com
“the way Google has copied Amazon stands out for how often it has occurred and for the wide variety of sectors in which the companies are competing.
At least two of the Google initiatives were spurred by previous moves by Amazon, people briefed on Google’s plans says.
The pull for Google could be the expanding pie for e-commerce sales, which is expected to grow an average 9% a year through 2017, to $370 billion, according to Forrester Research. Amazon, meanwhile, has been growing rapidly, with first-quarter sales rising 18% from a year earlier to $13.3 billion.”
“The scanner tool, for example, which you can now find under the “Add New” menu, allows you to easily turn paper documents like receipts, letter and billing statements into PDFs. Thanks to Google’s advanced optical character-recognition technology, you can also easily search them later on. This definitely feels a bit like Evernote and it’ll be interesting to see if Google will continue to go down this path in the future updates to the app.”
How Google plans to rule the computing world through Chrome — Tech News and Analysis
“Are you ready for Google to take over the desktop? You’d better be if you use Chrome. With it, Google is making a play to rule the computing world as a back door to a new app economy.”
How Google Music wants to take on Spotify, Rdio and Rhapsody — paidContent
“Google’s subscription music catalog seamlessly integrates with the company’s music locker, with which users can store up to 20,000 songs for free. That’s an interesting combination, and it hasn’t been offered by any of the other major subscription players before. It makes it possible to have Google generate smart radio stations based on your own music collection, or mix subscription tracks and CDs you ripped in custom playlists, and then access these on the go without having to worry that some of the tracks won’t be available.
Joyce told me that the locker is especially good for tracks that aren’t available through the subscription offering, or even as MP3 sales – mashups, imports and other kinds of rarities.”
Google Checkout Nixed In Favor of Google Wallet | TechCrunch
“Google Checkout is being sunsetted as the company focuses on shaping Google Wallet into a viable PayPal rival. Google Commerce announced today that Google Checkouts will be retired on November 20.
Google suggests that merchants who do not have their own payment processing transition to Braintree, Shopify or Freshbooks, which are offering discounted rates for Google Checkout users. U.S. merchants who do have their own payment processing can apply for Google Wallet Instant Buy. Developers selling through Google properties will automatically transition to the Google Wallet Merchant Center in the next few weeks.”
How Google Turned a Hodgepodge of Upgrades Into a Show of Strength – Liz Gannes – News – AllThingsD
“Google is not as caught up in that launch-dependent hardware wowing, but rather has picked a line of products that it commits to and continually improves upon and is then held to a different standard.”
As Amazon, Google, Microsoft beat each others brains in, who wins? The user — Tech News and Analysis
“The Microsoft that produced the Windows-Office monopoly let its products get fat, dumb and happy. The Microsoft that must contend with the Oracle database juggernaut puts out a pretty good database. That’s why the sudden influx of new public cloud riches exemplified by this week’s official launch of the Google Compute Engine, coming a few weeks after Microsoft launched its Windows Azure IaaS options, may be tough on the competitors but could be very good for smart IT consumers.
Look for price cuts to continue, along with a flow of new services, and better APIs to access those services.”
Apple’s dirty little tax secret – video | Technology | guardian.co.uk
“US senators and tax law professors have accused Apple of multi-billion-dollar tax avoidance – shifting billions of dollars of profits to Ireland where Apple has found a way to pay little or no tax. Apple boss Tim Cook disagrees. He insists there is no shifting going on, and that profits earned by Apple’s Irish operations are down to the hard work and expertise of almost 4,000 staff in Cork. The Guardian went to the Emerald Isle to test these competing claims”
As Apple Feels Bite, Hon Hai Looks to Diversify – WSJ.com
“Perhaps the biggest sign of the Taiwanese company’s larger ambitions is its planned investments in media content and software. It is also reviewing plans to sell its own brand of electronics accessories to improve profit margins, said executives familiar with the matter.
Hon Hai mostly operates factories in mainland China. It doesn’t break down revenue from each client but analysts estimate Apple accounts for 50% of its revenue, which totaled about US$130 billion last year. The company’s 2012 revenue growth of 13% was sharply slower than the 53% increase in 2010 when the iPad first launched.”
Apple as Another Sony?: Talking to Michael Whalen | Zero Hedge
“Over the past decade, I have been discussing the tech sector with my brother Michael Whalen who is currently the Head of Digital Rights Administration for TuneSat,LLC. TuneSat’s audio fingerprint technology monitors hundreds of TV channels in 14 countries and crawls millions of websites. Mike is a professor at NYU and The City College of NY, a two-time Emmy® Award-Winning composer as well as an internationally-known recording artist. In terms of reference points, let’s just say that Michael put me on to Apple Inc. (AAPL) over a decade ago, just before the introduction of the iPod and iTunes. He has been watching the transformation – maybe decomposition – of the media industry from the front row. I caught up with him last week in NYC. — Chris”
Apple Inc 1 computer auctioned for US$668,000 | FP Tech Desk | Financial Post
“German auction house Breker said Saturday an Asian client, who asked not to be named, bought the so-called Apple 1, which the tech company’s founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built in a family garage.
Breker claims it is one of only six known remaining functioning models in the world. Breker already sold one last year for 492,000 euros.”
How one Irish woman made $22bn for Apple in a year | Technology | The Guardian
“A private individual who shuns publicity, Cathy Kearney is thought to be the brains behind the Cork office that has helped save Apple billions”
Apple’s multi-billion dollar, low-tax profit hub: Knocknaheeny, Ireland | Technology | The Guardian
“Apple’s Irish operation has a multi-billion dollar profit – and a tiny tax bill. How does it do it?”
Cook hints at more open Apple approach to counter Android rise – FT.com
“While hinting at a more open approach from Apple to counter Android, Mr Cook strongly defended the products of the “closed” strategy that has enabled Apple to exert extensive control over all aspects of the experience customers get from products like the iPhone and iPad.”
Lenovo Aims at U.S. Smartphone Market – WSJ.com
“Despite being a latecomer in the handset market, Lenovo is already the second-largest smartphone vendor in China, closely following market leader Samsung Electronics Co. Lenovo’s smartphone market share in China jumped to 11% last year from 4.1% in 2011, according to research firm IDC. Samsung held a 17.4% share”