Windows 9 is to be released on April 2015

March 27, 2014 by

Windows 9, the next operating system from Microsoft and the successor to Windows 8 is to be released on April 2015. Previously it went under the code name “Threshold” which Microsoft wanted ditch in favour of the name Windows 9. This will mark a departure from the previously unsuccessful Windows 8 and 8.1. It is even speculated that Windows will not be offering Windows 9 for free. Even Apple has changed from charging for upgrades to offering free upgrades. So this move by Microsoft is surprising, the official statements from Microsoft states, how realistic it is to give away the cash cow Windows, it is not. This move could prove to be counterproductive for them. 

The company could announce further details about the os at its Microsoft BUILD conference, which will be held from the 2nd until  April the 4th in San Francisco. It’s also rumoured that the company could announce a schedule for the rollout of the new Windows 9 os to developers, which still exists to this date in Alpha mode that is not runnable. In addition there are three milestones planned for the new operating system. There is likely to be soon a trial version to download for end users however its still unclear at the moment whether it will happen or it will happen at all. Previously, the website Win8China had claimed a preview of Windows 9 would be distributed by Microsoft in the second half of 2014. There is also speculation that Windows 9 will come with a substantial revision of the Metro interface that Microsoft is now calling the Modern UI.

Windows certainly needs Windows 9 to be successful. Its thought that the windows 9 os will be a hybrid between windows 7 and 8 that has the best bits of the both os’s in it.  If Microsoft can pull off a Windows 9 release with significant improvements over Windows 8 then that may be able to relegate Windows 8 to a Vista-like release in the minds of consumers.  At the moment there is going to be further tweaks to Windows 8.1. Then next year Windows 9 will be on its way.

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With: , ,

A new maps app called Sparkling maps that offers Google maps has hit the app store

November 18, 2012 by

A new maps app called Sparkling maps that offers Google maps has hit the app store.  This will come as an ideal solution for those looking to get back to Google’s standard of mapping that offers it’s users, reliable maps that offer a decent amount of  detail on the maps.  This app also includes access to Google’s infamous street view. Lastly this map even offers turn by turn navigation, which Google official iOS 5 map app never did.

However this app does have some short cummings when comparing it to the Google’s iOS 5 official version. The text is often very small to see on the maps also it’s not possible to use the maps when offline, like you could on Google’s iOS 5 official version. Lastly there also seems to be a problem with the street view maps option. Yes you can access the street view option with ease, but once you go into street view mode you are not able to zoom in or out like you could within the official iOS 5 Google version.   

 

Overall despite it’s short Cummings, which will hopefully be resolved soon by the developers. It’s a useful app for anyone who wants the first class mapping experience that iOS users once enjoyed with Google maps. Currently there is no other app that can offer this level of map detail, street view, and turn by turn navigation like this one does. So what are you waiting for it’s a bargain for only $0.99 or 0.69p from the UK app store.

 

Update 29-11-12

I would like to post an update on this app and say that now the developer have produced and released an updated version of this app that has addressed most of the problems that were previously raised by users. 

 

Filed Under: Apple, Apps Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The TomTom app is now available on many Android devices

October 10, 2012 by

The TomTom app is now available on many Android devices from the Google play store. 

The TomTom app has been on the iOS for some time, which has proven popular amongst iOS users.   

Corinne Vigreux, managing director of TomTom says:

“TomTom has a history of making great navigation applications. Our existing iPhone app gets fantastic customer feedback and regularly wins awards,” .

“Today, we are bringing this world-class navigation experience to millions of Android smartphone users for the first time.”

Source:TOMTOM

On the downside due to Androids fragmentation issue the Tom Tom app will not be compatible with all Android devices, which is largely down to the device not being able to meet certain hardware and software requirements such as Android 2.2 for the app to run. Also many of the top end devices will also not work with the app, due to Tom Tom  not supporting devices that have a resolution of more than more than 854 x 480, some of these top end  devices that will not be able to run this app include the Samsung Galaxy S3,Google Nexus 7. This is a shame because this handicap makes Tom Tom feel incomplete on the android platform and this once again makes iOS shine out above Android as an operating system when it comes to the fragmentation issue. These app incompatibilities are practically unknown within the iOS eco system.  

On the negative side this app requires a lot of memory for it to run. It requires as much as 3.7 GB of free memory to install it. Those interested in this app will need to ensure that you have a large sd card installed in the phone.

The TomTom Navigation app for Android is available now in the Google Play store for an introductory price of 34.99 euros (about $45) The TomTom app is also available to download from the UK play store. The price will be £30.99 for those requiring the  UK/Ireland maps version and £39.99 for those requiring the Western European maps version.

 

Filed Under: Apps Tagged With: , , , ,