Windows Weekly 237

Windows Weekly Episode 237

Topics

• Exclusive: Microsoft's plan for ARM-based Windows 8
  • Are you wondering if there's going to be a desktop on the ARM versions of Windows 8? Now I can tell you what's happening.
  • If what Paul is saying is the ultimate decision, it means MS has reversed its plans since September: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-desktop-apps-will-run-on-windows-8-on-arm/10756

• More Win 8 tidbits:
  • Report on TheNextWeb that there will be no Win 8 beta until late Feb. 2012: http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2011/12/01/the-public-windows-8-beta-will-be-released-in-late-february
  • Next week: MS to share more details about the Windows 8 store: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-to-share-more-details-on-its-windows-8-app-store/11313

• Office coming to iPad? One unsourced report says it will in 2012
  • That said, I did get a little email from a friend at Microsoft and...
  • $10 bucks per app is also unlikely... unless they are stripped-down/Office Web App-like apps (I'd guess)
  • I wasn't told any details, but if they're like OWA or Office Starter, $10 per makes sense.

• Xbox 360 thunders ahead on Black Friday
  • 800,000 consoles in one day, 960,000 over BF week, 750,000 Kinects
  • Imagine how many they could sell if the Kinect actually worked
  • How many of these are repeat buyers getting 2nd, 3rd and 4th consoles. If Twitter is an indicator, LOTS
  • Next week: Xbox dashboard update goes live and TV services then cleared to go (like Verizon FiOS TV bundle)

• SkyDrive quietly gets a major overhaul
  • It's no iCloud, but SkyDrive is looking better than ever
  • Office Web Apps gets a minor update, too

• Windows Phone roundup
  • Mango bits finally pushed to Dell Venue Pro users: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2011/11/30/updates-now-delivering-to-dell-venue-pro.aspx
  • Lenovo confirms it will have Win Phones, but not till 2nd half of 2012: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsphone75/lenovo-confirms-plans-windows-phone-handset-2012-141464

• New MSE beta bits are out
  • Microsoft Security Essentials next version is in testing. New final release in 2012?

• Yahoo takeover rumors swirl
  • Microsoft is apparently part of a group that would buy a minority stake and sell off Alibaba. But Alibaba is trying to grab all of Yahoo, according to reports.

• Amazon sells "millions" of Kindle devices
  • Finally, a viable iPad competitor. Now, where's Windows 8?

Tip of the Week: Experience Windows Phone on iPhone or Android

• And then cry because you have to go back to your old phone. A new Windows Phone emulator gives you a chance to walk on the wild side

Software Pick of the Week: Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies for iPad

• Activision delivers a version of the beloved Call of Duty "Zombies" games for the iPad (and iPhone). This one includes a classic Zombies mode but also "Dead-Ops Arcade," a top down shooter with 50 levels of its own. What's not to love? Well, it's a bit expensive ($6.99). But it's well worth it.

Enterprise Pick of the Week: SQL Azure Data Sync

• MS seeks a way to share data between on-premises SQL Server and SQL Azure applications for hybrid on-premises and cloud-based applications

Codename Pick of the Week: Protogon

• The file system that was seen in early builds of WIn 8 has a new (possibly final) name: ReFS -- relational file system, perhaps?

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