One of the most controversial topics in technology, at least by my reckoning, is exactly what Microsoft’s Windows Phone strategy should be. Industry pundits take a number of positions, such as the notion that Microsoft should abandon Windows Phone for Android, that they should glom onto Android designs to gain traction in smartphone hardware (e.g., HTC’s […]
The 8 Best Things About Windows Phone 8.1
August 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I’m working on a one-month (or so) review of Windows Phone 8.1. In the meantime, I thought I’d list the top 8 things I like best about the latest version of Microsoft’s plucky mobile operating system. Here’s a hint: I like it, and more than I like Android. 1. User Interface The UI is a broad […]
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review Part 2: Executing the Vision
August 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
In Part 1 of my impressions of the Surface Pro 3, I waxed philosophical about how well the machine fits within Microsoft’s vision of “one operating system, many devices,” but is it a perfect machine? Of course not. No matter how far technology has progressed in making a machine like the Surface Pro 3 possible, […]
OneOS: What Microsoft Should Call the Next Version of Windows
July 21, 2014 by 1 Comment
I’m not usually one to hand out free marketing advice, but given Microsoft’s recent announcement of significant cuts in its labor force I’m not sure that they’ll be hiring any new marketing people anytime soon. I’d hate for good marketing ideas (in my opinion, anyways) to go to waste, and so here you go, Microsoft. Something […]
Microsoft Cortana Video Highlights the Digital Assistant’s Strengths
July 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
So far, I’ve been enjoying Cortana in Windows Phone 8.1 on my Nokia Lumia 925. It’s different from Google Now, being more of a digital assistant with a personality than a simpler purveyor of information. I’d say that both have their strengths and weaknesses, with Google Now benefiting from its longer time on the market […]
Amazon Announces All-You-Can-Read Kindle Unlimited Plan
July 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Amazon has released the Kindle Unlimited subscription service, which provides unlimited (natch) access to a curated selection of ebooks and audiobooks for $9.99 a month. I don’t often question Amazon’s business decisions–so far, CEO Jeff Bezos has proven his mettle in terms of reading the market and providing in-demand products and services. Here are some […]
Microsoft CEO Paints Picture of a “Productivity and Platform” Company
July 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Edit: I spent a little more time reviewing Nadella’s email, and I’m not sure that I agree with ZDNet’s interpretation. So, I’m adjusting my post to better reflect my own interpretation (which I should have done in the first place). ZDNet published a fascinating article outlining CEO Satya Nadella’s vision of a new […]
Will a Plan B (Or C) Work for Windows Phone?
July 8, 2014 by 1 Comment
Paul Thurrott, along with a few others, is among the most knowledgeable and influential writers when it comes to everything Microsoft. So, in my transition to all-Microsoft products, I’ve started to follow him a bit more closely. His latest piece, titled “Plan B for Windows Phone?”, is interesting and makes some important points. I don’t […]
Windows Phone’s Past Performance Does Not Predict Microsoft’s Future Results
July 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I’m certainly cognizant of the uphill battle that Microsoft faces in terms of making Windows Phone a viable player in the smartphone market. They have a very compelling strategy, namely that of creating a single development environment that supports many different platforms (Windows 8.1 desktop, notebooks, hybrids, and tablets, Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones, and the […]
My Microsoft Transition: the Biggest Challenges So Far
June 30, 2014 by 3 Comments
I’m well into my transition from a mixed Windows/Android world to one that’s all Microsoft products. I’ve been using Windows Phone 8.1 on the Nokia 925 and a Surface Pro 3 for over a week now, along with my Dell Venue 8 Pro, and other than grabbing screenshots for comparison purposes haven’t touched any of […]