IT Unwrapped Episode 5 for Sunday, June 5, 2011

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Topics fom All Things D

• Windows 8 Preview
  • D9 demo video
  • Youtube video
  • Spiceworks Community Post on it here
  • They “have much more to reveal” at their developer event, BUILD (Sept. 13 – 16 in Anaheim, Calif.)
  • Jason Hiner from TechRepublic.com thinks that they will force that UI on the desktop market – we disagree
    • And so does MS: “We also showed effortless movement between existing Windows programs and new Windows 8 apps. The full capabilities of Windows continue to be available to you, including the Windows Explorer and Desktop, as does compatibility with all Windows 7 logo PCs, software and peripherals.”
    • Can switch between touch interface and old style Windows UI.  They say it’s all one shell, not a Packard Bell ripoff 20 years later
  • Cool Features
    • 16:9 Widescreen display
    • snap windows to the side to run apps side by side
    • An app called “Chatter” that does video chat (built in)
    • Swipe from the right to get to the “Start Menu”
    • Wonder what the “Connect” button does?
    • Swipe up from the bottom to get application options
    • Press “Desktop” button to
  • Needs Improvement
    • Split thumb keyboard keys are a bit too small
  • Speculation
• Forum Post of the week – Spiceworks “Windows 8 Revealed”  http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/142011-windows-8-revealed
  • SteveE – “Ah boy, sometimes I feel like an old fart, but touch technology doesn’t thrill me at all on a large scale. Phones and tablets, yes, my 22″ monitor…no, I don’t need cheeto stains on that thing.

It’s going to be a while before anyone takes my trackball and ergo keyboard away.”

• • http://www.pcworld.com/article/228210/
  • Intel claimed that there would be at least 4 versions of the OS and that 3 out of 4 wouldn’t support legacy apps.  Microsoft:  “factually inaccurate and unfortunately misleading”

• Ubeam – http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ubeam-wireless-power-startup-shows-prototype-at-d9-video-hands/
  • • a company co-founded by recent University of Pennsylvania graduates Meredith Perry and Nora Dweck, thinks it may have a solution for those days when you realize you’ve left your laptop cord at home: Wireless charging stations
  • Charge your devices using UltraSound
  • Pizo crystals vibrate, transferring the audible sound into electical sygnals
  • $30-$50 for the battery pack and probably a bit over $100 for the charger!
  • One week out of Penn State and
• Adobe CEO – “Flash War iIs Over”
  • Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen says the argument with Apple over supporting its Flash software on the iPad and iPhone devices is over. “It’s an argument that the press likes to continue bringing up,” he said in an on-stage conversation with Walt Mossberg at the D conference

Windows 8 Speculation and predictions

• Konnect style motion controls?

Fun Topics

• Pranksters – Windows logo on Apple Store in Germany
• Spiceworks Community: Best way to learn linux