Operating Systems

Sorting Out the Linux Desktop Mess
April 04, 2013

It seems fair to say that every tech community out there has its own hot-button issues that are pretty much guaranteed to get conversations flowing and blood pressures rising. The Linux community, of course, is no exception, and it's difficult to imagine a better illustration than a debate that came up recently. "The Linux Desktop Mess" is the title of the post that got the discussion going.

No Clear Reason for Windows 8's Failure to Thrive
April 02, 2013

Windows 7 is the most popular desktop operating system, with 44.73 percent market share, according to Net Applications' March report. Windows 8 is not even a close second -- old standby Windows XP is. Though Microsoft released Windows 8 with great fanfare last October, it hasn't developed much traction so far. In fact, it trails behind Vista -- an OS not known for its legions of loyal fans.

Microsoft's Pain in Spain Lies Mainly in Secure Boot
April 01, 2013

It's not exactly any secret that Microsoft has had its fair share of legal troubles over the years, many of them arising from its pesky little habit of finding ways to shut the door on competitors. So when Secure Boot came along in Windows 8, many considered it just a matter of time before a formal complaint was made.

Facebook's Android-Themed Event Invite Redials Phone Chatter
March 29, 2013

Facebook is inviting the media to "come see our new home on Android" during an April 4 event, sparking speculation that the social network may indeed be getting ready to introduce a branded smartphone. There is also speculation that Facebook will unveil a modified version of the Android operating system with added social functionality.

Gamers Get Hardcore on Razer's Edge
March 29, 2013

Razer's Edge is now shipping, preinstalled with Steam software, Valve's online gaming delivery and management service, which offers access to more than 2,000 titles. "It is certainly an impressive device, one that is really an all-in-one computer with a touchscreen," said Lewis Ward, IDC research manager for gaming.

BlackBerry's Q4 Black Ink Bewilders Wall Street
March 28, 2013

After a bumpy lead-up to the launch of its Z10 handset, BlackBerry surprised Wall Street on Thursday by reporting a profit for its fourth quarter ending March 2. That wasn't enough to offset its accumulation of losses, though; it reported a net loss of $628 million for the entire fiscal year. It posted fourth-quarter revenue of $2.7 billion, and GAAP income of $94 million, or 18 cents per share.

How to Run Android Apps on Your Windows or Mac Machine
March 28, 2013

Have you got some favorite smartphone apps? Not convinced by Microsoft's new Windows app selection? Itching to see some Android action on your MacBook Pro? Don't worry, just install an Android emulator on your Windows or Mac machine and run all of the Android apps that you've grown to love. A version is even available for Windows 8 Surface tablets.

Linux Devs Take Win 8 Secure Boot Complaint to EC
March 27, 2013

Microsoft is once again being challenged in Europe over alleged anti-competitive practices. A group representing Linux developers in Spain has filed a complaint with the European Commission charging that Microsoft's desktop operating system, Windows 8, supports technology that makes it difficult for users to place other operating systems on their computers.

OpenFin CEO Mazy Dar: Bridging the Banks' Technology Gap
March 26, 2013

Founded in 2010 by trading technology experts, OpenFin is growing on the heels of HTML5 standards edging out ill-fitting older Web solutions. Built onto an open source platform, OpenFin Desktop helps financial institutions to bridge the security gaps in their outdated Web-browser technology. OpenFin is developing software to bring the next generation of trading applications to the financial services industry via HTML5.

Nothing but Windows Blue Skies From Now On?
March 25, 2013

Rumors about Windows Blue, the next iteration of Microsoft's flagship operating system, have been juiced up with the release of leaked screen shots and videos over the weekend. The new system lets users personalize the screen from the side and swipe in from any edge. Windows Blue offers a variety of color choices for the screen background and includes several new apps.

Schmidt: One Google OS to Rule Them All Not Happening Soon
March 21, 2013

Google will keep its Chrome and Android operating systems separate, but company executive chairman Eric Schmidt said this week that the two will have more features in common. Schmidt's comments at a conference in India came a week after Google reassigned Android head honcho Andy Rubin and gave his duties to Chrome OS boss Sundar Pichai.

Mac and Back Again
March 21, 2013

There's no denying that those of us here in the Linux community see our fair share of ups and downs in any given week or month, as events unfold that either advance or set back our favorite operating system. Sometimes, though, it's difficult not to be amazed by the way things often balance out "Even Steven" -- much the way they did for Jerry Seinfeld way back when.

Street View Captures Sky-High Mountain Views
March 20, 2013

Google Street View has unveiled shots from some of the world's highest mountains. In addition to Argentina's Mount Aconcagua, Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro and Russia's Mount Elbrus, Google has now also captured photos from Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Because Street View's camera-equipped vehicles were unable to make the trek, a tripod and digital camera were used.

Dell's XPS 18: Radically Rethinking the Tablet
March 19, 2013

From the first day of the tablet computing revolution -- April 3, 2010, when Apple's iPad became publicly available -- users have willingly traded limitations in computing form/function for innovations in access/interface. In part, that was because Apple maintained a careful line between the iPad and its traditional Macbook and iMac products to avoid self-cannibalization.

BlackBerry CEO on Apple: What We Have Here Is a Failure to Innovate
March 18, 2013

BlackBerry's new Z10 handset will be available in the U.S. later this week, and CEO Thorstein Heins believes it to be a quite the game changer. Despite BlackBerry's massive struggles, Heins said in an interview ahead of the Z10's release Down Under that he didn't believe it was a make-it-or-break-it moment for the company, and he emphasized that the pressure to innovate has shifted to Apple.

RIP Android: Google Loses Its Steve Jobs
March 18, 2013

Andy Rubin was Google's Steve Jobs, and with him now booted off the Android product, that platform in its current form will pass. It is kind of funny to see the spin on this, which suggests this was Andy's decision. Yeah right, and I'll be buying that bridge in Brooklyn shortly.

Chrome OS and the Cloak of Unhackability
March 18, 2013

Once upon a time there was a modest young operating system named "Chrome OS." It tried to live a quiet life helping others, but its ancient roots made some in the mainstream computing world wary. Not only was it one of the first examples of a new type of OS, focused as it was on the browser, but it was also descended from Linux, the very name of which was still widely misunderstood among the masses.

Android Mastermind Rubin to Turn His Thoughts Elsewhere
March 14, 2013

Andy Rubin, the man who helped maneuver Android into the No. 1 mobile OS position, is stepping down as head of Android at Google. Taking Rubin's place will be browser and applications chief Sundar Pichai. The reshuffling effectively folds Google's mobile OS, applications and Chrome browser into one operation.

Canonical: The Next Apple
March 14, 2013

Given all the legends surrounding Apple's widely mourned Steve Jobs, it's not entirely surprising that comparisons should be made any time another tech leader begins to resemble him in any way. Case in point: Mark Shuttleworth. The billionaire Canonical founder has actually been compared to Jobs on numerous occasions before, but lately the discussion was renewed afresh by a recent post on Linux Advocates.

Mystery Motorola-Google Phone Dials Up Web Speculation
March 13, 2013

A video and photos of what could be the first Motorola-Google smartphone have appeared on the Web, showing a standard Android phone with a Motorola logo at the top left of the device's screen and the words "Motorola Confidential Property" along the screen's bottom edge. The Vietnamese website hosting the images, Tinhte, lists the mystery phone as having a 720p 4.65-inch AMOLED 320 ppi screen.