CRM News: Operating Systems

Google Digs Up Old Direct-Sales Nexus Strategy
May 16, 2012

Two years after its initial attempt to sell Nexus smartphones directly to consumers flopped, Google is apparently trying to revive the strategy. This time, though, it's added a few new touches. It's going to work with up to five device manufacturers at a time to create a portfolio of Nexus-line devices that include smartphones and tablets.

Windows 8 Browser Brouhaha Draws Regulator Attention
May 15, 2012

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee plans to examine allegations that Microsoft is giving its own Internet Explorer Web browser preferential treatment over competing Web browsers in a version of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system. "This is a preliminary inquiry," said Lynn Becker, communications director for Sen. Herb Kohl. Kohl is a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Code Clues Reheat Google Tablet Rumors
May 15, 2012

Murmurs about Google's supposed plans to launch its own tablet soon are growing to a roar. Source code from Google and Samsung indicate that a Nexus tablet is in the works, Slashgear reported. "It seems logical that it will be a Google Nexus device consistent with the Nexus smartphone, but the problem is there's nothing unique about the Nexus smartphone," suggested Andrew Eisner, director of community and content at Retrevo.

Windows RT and the Dastardly Browser-Exclusion Deed
May 14, 2012

Life is never dull here in the world of technology, but some weeks it's hard to remember that this is actually the real world, and not some epic tale of the battle between good and evil. We've seen plenty of examples of good pulling ahead in the struggle in recent weeks, of course -- but there's never any shortage of dastardly deeds being committed, either.

Mozilla and Google ARMwrestle Microsoft
May 12, 2012

Mozilla and Google are challenging Microsoft's decision to shut out all browsers other than Internet Explorer from Windows 8 devices that use ARM processors. This restricts user choice, reduces competition, chills innovation, and might have antitrust implications, among other bad things, Mozilla general counsel Harvey Anderson asserted.

To GNU or Not to GNU? That Is the Question
May 10, 2012

There's no denying the incendiary nature of the topic of desktop Linux, which tends to gets rehashed in heated detail every so often both on these pages and beyond. What some may not remember, however, is that there's another recurring Linux subject that can be equally controversial. It hasn't appeared in some time, but apparently some slow fires have been burning all along, because they just flared up anew.

Precise Pangolin: Ubuntu Grows Up
May 09, 2012

The latest edition of Canonical's Ubuntu 12.04 desktop operating system shows considerable maturity. Precise Pangolin is built around the default Unity interface with an optional Heads Up Display designed to keep hands on the keys rather than constantly interrupting the work flow by grabbing the mouse.

Who's Afraid of a Big Bad Hacking Story?
May 07, 2012

It's been a cheerily good spring for FOSS fans here in the Linux blogosphere, so we may perhaps be forgiven for our utter shock and disbelief at the affront recently committed against us by a certain brick-and-mortar purveyor of books and magazines. Barnes & Noble yanked the very excellent Linux Format magazine from its U.S. shelves -- apparently because of a cover story on the topic of "hacking."

The Samsung Galactic Empire
May 05, 2012

This past week has been especially kind to Samsung. Big sales numbers were followed by the unveiling of the Galaxy S III, the company's latest flagship phone and one that could very well own the market this summer. The S III runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Google's operating system and one that up to this point hasn't taken residence on a very large number of phones.

Galaxy S III Serves Up Big Dollop of Ice Cream Sandwich
May 04, 2012

Samsung launched the Galaxy S III smartphone in London on Thursday. The device will run Android Ice Cream Sandwich, version 4.0 of the mobile OS. The Galaxy S III's features include facial and voice recognition, voice command capability and eye tracking.

RIM's Loyal Following May Have Doomed It
May 04, 2012

Research In Motion's investors did not seem pleased with the company's latest endeavor, BlackBerry 10, which CEO Thorsten Heins unveiled at its BlackBerry World 2012 conference in Orlando, Fla., earlier this week. As the new operating system made its debut, the device maker's stock dropped on the Toronto Stock Exchange approximately 15 percent -- a decline the company could ill afford, as its share value has been steadily falling for the last year.

Ubuntu Linux 12.04: Microsoft's Worst Nightmare?
May 03, 2012

Well there's a new kid in town here in the Linux blogosphere, and it's already caused quite a stir. It's one of the Ubuntu clan, as its nickname makes clear, but that's as far as the foolin' goes. With five years of support and a scaly, tough hide, this one's here to stay. With time on its side and its eye on the prize, it may just blaze a new trail. Can freedom take hold in a world that's been dominated for so long?

RIM Goes for BB10 Hail Mary Pass
May 02, 2012

Research In Motion unveiled its vision for its much-anticipated -- and delayed -- BlackBerry 10 platform Tuesday at the BlackBerry World conference in Orlando, Fla., together with prototypes of hardware devices and app dev toolkits. The platform has sparked interest among developers, the company said, citing positive comments from executives at various partners.

BlackBerry 10 Could Be RIM's Savior
May 01, 2012

Research In Motion officially unveiled new BlackBerry software Tuesday at the company's annual conference for developers, corporate customers and the media. President and CEO Thorsten Heins took the stage at BlackBerryWorld 2012 in Orlando, Fla., to officially introduce the new operating system to developers.

Linux and Gaming: Full Steam Ahead
April 30, 2012

"It has taken longer than most anyone would have anticipated, but the fact remains that Valve is in fact creating a native Linux port of their Steam game distribution client and of the Source Engine to run natively on Linux," read the announcement on Phoronix on Wednesday. Think gaming is trivial? Think again: In a matter of seconds, the topic was on fire on Slashdot and throughout the Linux blogosphere.

Schlepping Files Got You Down? Enter the DragonDrop
April 23, 2012

I'm a highly visual guy, and while there are all sorts of ways to work with files on my Mac, I still love cluttering up my desktop with folders, links, documents and photos. I treat my desktop like a table surface, and I have elaborate stacks and sections of folders and files.

Linus, Linux and the Millennium Technology Prize
April 23, 2012

It doesn't happen often here in the Linux blogosphere that FOSS fans agree unanimously on -- well, on pretty much anything. Truth be told, there's generally good reason for the dissension. Take Microsoft's latest maneuvers, for example -- are they good news? Bad news? It's not always easy to tell. Last week, however, one of those rare announcements was made that brought universal joy to Linux aficionados around the globe.

Larry vs. Larry
April 21, 2012

A San Francisco courtroom is presently the center ring in the worldwide tech IP litigation circus. While other legal battles over mobile device patents and copyrights are as down and dirty as ever in places like Germany, Australia, and elsewhere in the U.S., the fight between Oracle and Google over the alleged theft of Java technologies stands out due to its cast of characters.