Microsoft returning Windows to 'the digital dark ages'?

Mozilla, the developer group behind the popular Firefox browser, argued Wednesday night that Firefox is being banned from certain versions of Windows 8, the forthcoming tablet-centric OS from Microsoft -- returning Windows users to the dark ages before competition.

“The upcoming release of Windows … and Microsoft’s browser practices regarding Windows 8 Metro signal an unwelcome return to the digital dark ages where users and developers didn’t have browser choices,” wrote Harvey Anderson, Mozilla general counsel, in a Wednesday night blog post.  (Source: FoxNews.com)

Barnes & Noble Stock Soars on Microsoft Nook Stake

Microsoft has agreed to invest $300 million in Barnes & Noble's Nook digital-book business and college texts, in a deal that helps establish the value of the popular Nook business while giving Microsoft a foothold in the e-book market.

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble will introduce an application for the Nook on Windows 8, the upcoming version of Microsoft's operating system.   (Source: CNBC)

Microsoft's master plan to beat Apple and Google

Here's the big vision: Whether you're using your TV, PC, tablet, phone, or almost any other device that comes along, you'll be able to accomplish all the same tasks through all the same platform. The form factor will change, but the core experience won't.

"People are starting to see the same look-and-feel across the three screens and the cloud," says Craig Beilinson, director of Microsoft's consumer marketing. "This is all going to get pretty blurry." (Source: David Goldman, CNN)

27 percent of Americans get news via mobile devices

"More than 80 percent of smartphone and tablet news consumers still get news on laptop or desktop computers. On mobile devices, news consumers also are more likely to go directly to a news site or use an app, rather than to rely on search — strengthening the bond with traditional news brands," Pew said.

"Rather than gravitating toward one device, a growing number of Americans are becoming multiplatform digital news consumers. These 'digital mavens' get news on all their devices."

"People who acquire mobile devices appear to be using them to get news on all their devices. This also suggests they may be getting more news more often," Pew said. (Source: Suzanne Choney, MSNBC)
Posted Monday, March 19, 2012 by ChrisD
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Ice Cream Sandwich for Android Rolling Out

"What plagues the Android ecosystem is the lack of consistency," says Richard Shim of NPD Group's DisplaySearch. "That spells consumer experience that is less than ideal. It's difficult to navigate, and frankly, (something) consumers shouldn't have to deal with."  

If you're an Android novice, here are some questions to ponder as you look to update your phone.  (Source: Rodger Yu, USA Today, CNBC)

Dell Sees Room to Challenge Apple in Tablets

"We're very encouraged by the touch capability we are seeing in the beta versions of Windows 8," Felice told Reuters in an interview in London, adding that Dell may also make Android tablets again.

"We have a roadmap for tablets that we haven't announced yet. You'll see some announcements.. for the back half of the year," he said. "We don't think that this market is closed off in any way." (Source: CNBC.com)

Tablets Will Take Over Sooner Than You Think: Five Telling Trends

On an earning conference call in January, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “I truly believe, and many others in the company believe, that there will come a day that the tablet market in units is larger than the PC market.” (See full transcript at Seeking Alpha) “Question is when?” asked Horace Dediu on the Asymco blog. What follows was his detailed projection, with lots of yummy looking charts, that came to the conclusion, “Given these assumptions, the day when the tablet market (by units) will exceed that of traditional PCs will come sometime in the fall of 2013.” 

Now all of this is about sales, not installed base. And most observers, Dediu included, consider the tablet market to be mostly additive to the PC market—many users will have both. But the point is that just as many web sites have seen their share of traffic from mobile grow, and in some cases cross the 50% threshold, so too will the remaining desktop share be further fragmented by tablets. And when Apple finally gets the iTV thing right, content producers of all kinds (not just TV-centric ones like ESPN) will be looking at programming for four distinct screens. (Source: Anthony Wing Kosner, Forbes)