Microsoft gave users and developers many things to think about at the BUILD conference in California this last week.  One that is getting a lot of traction is the idea that Microsoft will be developing a Metro style, touch friendly version of Microsoft Office that will run on tablets. Metro is the name of the user interface language used for Windows Phone 7, and after BUILD, seems to be the direction that Microsoft Windows UI is heading going forward. A lot of analyses are saying that if Microsoft can follow through on the promises made to developers at BUILD, then they will have an OS ecosystem at least on par with Apple.

In fact, Microsoft better be working on a tablet friendly version of Microsoft Office. Office is probably the second largest source of revenue after Windows itself and played a large part in establishing Microsoft’s global dominance.  Microsoft Office has become the default bundled business productivity suite for concerns from mom and pop stores to FedEx and JP Morgan.

However, as tablets become more popular, Microsoft is going to have to rely on a “Metro Office” if it expects to have a chance at blunting the hold Apple has on the tablet market. Apple has a self contained ecosystem of products and apps and right now is so far out in front it is rumored that Apple is delaying the introduction of the iPad 3, because in essence it’s lapping the competition.  Microsoft seems to be adopting a similar approach through its co opting of Nokia to [produce Windows Phone based handsets and the direction being taken with Windows 8 and Metro.

Microsoft has made a lot of exciting promises with Windows 8 and Metro.  Microsoft also has a bit of reputation for talking about new things that never see retail shelves.  However, the last time Microsoft had the kind of competition it is facing now from Apple and Google for operating system market share Bill Gates was writing code for the company and IBM was selling PCs.  In order to succeed, Microsoft needs its star business tools ready for the tablet generation.

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Rumors of Microsoft Office on Metro Tablets? It better be a fact

Microsoft has been demonstrating Windows 8 at the Build 2011 Developer Conference, and it is shaping up to be quite an impressing OS.

Without a doubt the main feature on offer is the fact that Windows 8 is developed for both traditional PCs, Laptops, Netbooks and most importantly Tablets. This is a very different approach to the hugely popular iPad which runs a mobile operating system that lacks many features of their fuller grown OS X Lion.

While laptops and tablets will use the same OS Microsoft have integrated 2 user interfaces to make the most of the form factor. User will be greeted with the Windows Phone like Metro Interface which includes live application tiles and replaces the Start menu, being triggered by the Start button or Windows key, and is also the first screen shown on start-up. Though users can easily go into a more Windows 7 style interface by choosing the desktop tile. The metro interface is also written into the core of the OS so this is not an overlay.

The beauty of this is that user have an OS that is fully optimised for a tablet but can still carry out fully blown PC applications such as outlook, excel, Dreamweaver, Photoshop and FTP programs. Presumably it will also be able to run normal PC games, though how well tablets will run these is another question.

It is also reported that Windows 8 has less system requirements than Windows 7 and can run on a Lenovo S10 which ahs just a first gen Atom CPU and 1GB of Ram.

Some other key features include:

• All Windows 7 applications will run natively on Windows 8
• Security update notifications have been minimized to the lower right of the log-in screen
• Refreshed Windows Task Manager suspends apps when they’re not running on-screen
• New "Reset and Refresh PC" functions enable simplified system wipe and restore
• HyperV virtualization software comes pre-loaded on Windows 8
• Multi-monitor support now enables a single background across screens, as well as monitor-specific task bars
• Multi-touch support enabled for Internet Explorer 10
• Magnifier function enhanced for desktop manipulation
• Optional thumb-by-thumb input mode
• SkyDrive storage support integrated into all cloud-based apps
• Metro-style refresh for Mail, Photos, Calendar and People apps with Windows Live ID
• Settings roam allows for preferences to sync across a user’s Windows 8 devices
• Continued update support for Windows 8 Developer Preview Beta
• Both Metro-style and conventional Win32 apps will be sold in the Windows Store
• Windows 8 devices equipped with an NFC chip will be able to use a tap-to-share feature to either send content from one device to another, or simply receive content from something like an NFC-equipped card.
• Logins will use a photo-based system
• Apps will be able to natively connect and understand one another (if written as such)
• Built-in antivirus software will ship in Windows 8
• There will not be a different edition of Windows 8 for tablets, and presumably, not for Media Centers either
• It’s unclear how many "editions" (Home, Professional, Ultimate, etc.) of Windows 8 there will be
• ARM devices will be supported, but not in the developer preview

Personally we love the sound of cloud storage being built in and roaming profiles, as well as the tap to share features. All very interesting stuff.

One concern is the issues that will arise with the lack of compatibility between ARM and x86 microprocessors. If x86 developers can recompile to Arm then great but i doubt it would be as simple as that.

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Windows 8 Details and Features

Acer the computer manufacturer has teamed up with Mr Gates’ Microsoft and unveiled this beauty of a Laptop/Tablet PC opting for a dual-screen device rather than your standard one screen plus physical keyboard one.

With Dual 720p WXGA14” displays, both touchscreen the Acer Iconia is running Windows 7 Home Premium. Now with both screens being touchscreens this shows that the Iconia is opting for a software keyboard which can be placed or used on either screen.

Other Specs :

• Intel Core i5 processor
• 4GB of RAM
• 640GB HDD
• 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0
• HDMI
• 3G
• WiFi
• 1.3MP WebCam

Looking at them it’s not a bad little machine however it appears to have a slight downfall in having a small four-cell battery only capable of 3 hours off mains use.

The Iconia will be available in the UK in January and will set you back a cool £1500. Acer have also said to keep your eyes out for smaller 10”, 7” and 5” Iconia models in the future.

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Acer Iconia : Dual Screen Laptop/Tablet

Tablets are the latest craze and it’s certainly showing. Like the iPod spanned a million rival mp3 players (even though they already existed) the iPad has put the tablet PC to everyone’s attention and thus everyone wants a part of the market despite the fact they were already around, just that nobody cared till Steve Jobs’ boys released one. Anyway enough ranting there got two new “slates” for you here at opposite ends of the spectrum. One a low end budget tablet much like the Disgo and the “Next” one we spoke about last month and the other a more expensive affair from the boys at HP.

The first is the Elonex eTouch. Announced yesterday by Toys R Us that they would stock this super cheap Android OS 2.1 powered tablet PC. Housing a 1GHz ARM 11 processor and a 2GB SSD as internal mameory which can be expanded with microSD support. Available in 7” and 10” they also have miniUSB, USB 2.0 and a 3.5mm jack for connectivity. Price wise your looking at £89.99 for the 7” and £149.99 for the 10”.

The second, the HP 500 isn’t really looking at cornering the iPad market of the casual user but more of the business type. Powered by an Intel Atom processor this slate actually runs Windows 7 so rather than simple app use you can use any Windows based programs at your leisure. Give it 2GB of RAM and a super 64GB SSD of space and then throw in FullHD video support on its 8.9” screen or with it’s HDMI out you can sling it to your gogglebox. It also has a front facing camera for video/Skype calling too. However this isn’t cheap as chips but at around £500 in the states it isn’t that bad a price. However HP are working on a whole range of tablets soon that will run webOS. Is it worth holding on for them

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Slates galore : I’m not talking about roofing

The Sony Vaio J11M1E/B(try and remember that) is a brand new 21.5” Full 1080p HD multitouch screen all in one PC, just in time for the revised iMac and for all of us who opt for the traditional PC over the Mac. If you’re looking for a PC with looks and certainly saves on bulk space this could be for you.

Inside the all in one body the Vaio J specs speak for themselves. Not quite a top of the range PC but sufficient for everyday use.

• Intel Core i3 Processor
• 4GB RAM
• 500GB HDD
• Nvidia GeForce 310M Graphics
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• WiFi, Bluetooth and DVD writer

The main draw to this system though is the screen. a Full 1920×1080 affair so there’s plenty of room for plenty of windows. Sony has also developed a Media Gallery on the PC to make full use of the multitouch functions, allowing the user to browse its content with finger gestures, flicks and rotating motions. YouPaint is also an interesting software addition allowing you to paint and draw with your hands all over the screen.

Out next month there’s no price as yet, but we imagine you’ll need to invest in some screen cloths for those fingerprint marks

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Sony Vaio J series : All in one Multitouch

With smartphone tech getting so good one often doesn’t need a PC to do his/her job or social networking, your phone will pretty much be able to cope with everything. It appears Sony are trying to grab some attention from the market with its new ultra-portable, small and light(only 600g) P Series notebook.

Firstly the basic specs. Now obviously with a lot more power than that of any phone, the Vaio P runs with an Intel Atom processor and 2GB of RAM. With an 8” screen running Windows 7 the Vaio P also has 64GB of Flash memory to keep it light and power-use friendly. Now what they’ve added to the Vaio P to give it smartphone-esque functionality is touchpad, GPS and an accelerometer. You can flick the pad through images and also turn it into portrait mode for easy viewing of things like ebooks. It’s also packing Everywair 3G allowing 7.2Mbps internet use wherever you are.

Available in an assortment of colours (green, pink, orange, black or white) it should be availbale around June time. No price details are available now but when the last P series came out they started at £849 for the lowest specced model. Expect extortion again.

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Sony Vaio P Series : Ultra-Portable with GPS

Quite possibly the best thing i’ve heard this year and if it’s true i may actually wet myself. The Zune is Microsoft’s answer to the iPod. Despite the Americans getting every version we here in the UK seem to keep missing out on the PMP. Now it’s rumoured(quite strongly) that Microsoft will be bringing out a phone equivalent and hopefully this will be revealed at Mobile World Congress in a fortnight.

NVIDIA have supposedly confirmed that they will be attending the the Congress with Microsoft (reports come from MuyComputer). Now NVIDIA make the TEGRA chip which powers the latest Zune HD. Also it is believed that Windows Mobile 7 will be launched at the congress too so it certainly looks promising.

Taking into account what the Zune HD does you’ll be looking at a very good phone, depending on Windows Mobile 7 software being good, but should pack a lot of features better than what any current iPhone could achieve. The UI of the Zune HD is easy to use and will look great on the low power, sharp OLED capacitive touchscreen (Multitouch oooo yeah!). Powered by the TEGRA chip HD content and multitasking will be done effortlessly and can be shipped to your TV via its HDMI out. If it’s planning on going into the gaming world like the iPhone, Zune is already a part of Xbox Live and that would mean a very large market of gaming enthusiasts with access to content and massive multiplayer functions.

Will keep you all updated if and when i learn more.

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ZUNE PHONE : Microsoft’s iPhone killer?

Microsoft and Nokia joined forces today and had a brainstorm. The software and mobile giants have confirmed they will bring a mobile version of Microsoft Office to Nokia’s Symbian powered smartphones.

A few of Nokia’s phones already use Microsoft software (Exchange ActiveSync) so its no big surprise they’re coming together again. Next year will see the phone’s packing Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile. Not the catchiest of names but basically will allow to find work colleagues, instant message and something called “presence information”(ideas anyone???)

Further into the future mobile versions of your favourite office programs, Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc so you can view, edit and send documents from your mobile.

Source : Electricpig

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Microsoft Office coming to a Nokia near you

Today Microsoft has revealed official release dates and for its forthcoming OS. The release has been set for October 22nd so not long now till we get the opportunity to ditch Vista (yay!)

Like Vista, 7 will be coming in a Home Premium package for £149.99, a Professional package at £219.99 and Ultimate at £229.99. Don’t worry though you wont have to pay the full amount as Microsoft are offering an “upgrade” price up until 31st December. You can upgrade upgrade to Home Premium for £79.99, Professional for £189.99 or Ultimate for £199.99 (not a massive saving but better than nothing).

However if you pre-order Home Premium you can pick it up for £49.99 or Professional for £99.99. This offer starts on 15th July and Ends on August or “whilst stocks last” (can’t see the world suddenly running out of discs in a hurry) also if you buy a Windows Vista PC after June 26, you’ll get a free upgrade to Windows 7.

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Windows 7 : Price and Release Date revealed

We already new that Windows 7 would be released in 2009 and we have previously speculated it would be available on 23rd of October, but now Microsoft has given us an official date of October 22nd.

This is one version of Windows I think we will all be happy to upgrade too.

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Windows 7 available October 22nd