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Showing posts with the label Microsoft

The Digital Iron Curtain: Is Iran About to Crash the Global AI Boom?

 For decades, the "Middle East crisis" was a headline about crude oil, tankers, and the price at the pump. But as of March 2026, the stakes have shifted from the engine to the motherboard. While the world watches drone strikes over Isfahan and naval skirmishes in the Persian Gulf, a more quiet, more lethal war is being fought over the very building blocks of the 21st century: semiconductors. The "Digital Iron Curtain" is falling, and it isn't just dividing East and West—it’s threatening to starve the global AI revolution of its most basic needs. The Helium Hostage: Why the Strait of Hormuz is the New Silicon Valley We’ve long been told that the South China Sea is the "front line" of the chip war because of Taiwan’s dominance in fabrication. But the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran has revealed a terrifying bottleneck: The Middle East is the lungs of the semiconductor industry. To make the world’s most advanced 3nm chips, you don’t just need engineers;...

Microsoft's new Nokia 215 is an internet ready phone available for $29

Please click on image to expand. The Nokia 215 is an internet ready phone with a battery that can last up to 29 days. The phone has been produced by Microsoft and is a Nokia enabled internet ready feature phone. The target market for the phone will be parts of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, places that don't have regular electricity. The Phone's apps would include built-in Facebook messenger, Twitter and a host of other Apps. These apps will not really need a 3G connection to be able to work. The phone's price is set at $29 and will be something affordable in their target market. The phone is also robust and stead and built to withstand a great deal of physical torture that comes with difficult terrains. The phone is good for first-time phone buyers as well as a secondary phone as the need might arise. It will be made available during the first quarter of 2015 and will come in single SIM and dual SIM versions. 

Meet the smart band from Microsoft.

Microsoft have released a new wearable health device, powered by Microsoft Health. The wearable tie-in and Sync with other fitness apps, to give you health inputs. The device runs for 48 hours on a single charge and can be worn both night and day. They have also released the iOS App and Android apps for the same. Microsoft says the device can track your daily heath and keeps learning more about you. Eventually able to give you guidance and behave like a personal fitness trainer. The band will cost $199 according to the New York Times and will be available for purchase in all Microsoft stores and the companies website starting Thursday 30/10/2014. Visit the Microsoft website to learn more.

Windows 7 latest updates might cause your computer not to startup

The latest security update from Microsoft is faulty and can cripple your PC. Microsoft has advised all users who might have had this automatic update to please uninstall it. Windows 7 users know that before shutting down their devices - PCs or Laptops. The automatic updates pushed by Microsoft will install itself on your computer and everything goes well. The latest update KB2823324 - has started to show its ugly face. Your system might go into endless reboots and get crippled, or the blue screen of death might appear. Users don't want to be troubled by these problems, but here it is. If you find that after the latest update from Microsoft has been causing you booting or startup problems then this is what you need to do. How to uninstall KB2823324 Windows update from my PC. 1. Click on start 2. Click on control panel 3. Under program click on uninstall a program 4. Click on view installed updates 5. Search for KB2823324 6. Right-click and uninstall 7. You're done. Microsoft sa...

Microsoft to open Windows retail stores within Best Buy

Microsoft have announced a retail store-within-a-store partnership with Best Buy. They will be opening 500 stores across the U.S and 100 stores in Canada. No news however on whether this will also move to other Best Buy locations in other countries. The concept announced is quite a strategic one. In addition to having separate space within Best Buy locations (up to 2,200 square feet), Windows devices will be featured prominently throughout the shop. Not content will growing this partnership offline, an online version of stores will also be available. The stores will features the whole range of Microsoft products from Windows 8 devices to phones, PCs, tablets, XBox and more. When consumers walk into any one of these stores they will be greeted with a full display, and the entire range of Microsoft products. The company wants consumers to get acquainted with the entire range of product offerings from Microsoft, a move that has been praised by analysts. This is not an entirely new concep...

Microsoft Surface Pro Launches 23rd May

The Microsoft Surface pro will be launched on 23rd May in the UK. There has been a delay in the US launch with Microsoft saying there has been an unexpected demand for the device . The device can be used as a laptop - remove the keyboard and use only the touchscreen. Well, not so much laptop as tabletop. You can attach the keyboard and use it as an ultrabook, also use the stylus as a mouse. The device is sleek and comes with great design. Very convenient and east to use and handle. The battery tends to heat-up and this is because of it's powerful processor. The OS as you might expect is the full version of Windows 8. Microsoft Surface Pro Specs Comes in two version 64 GB and 128 GB. 10.6" screen, Dual-Core, 4 GB RAM, i5 processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and both front and rear facing cameras. There is also a back-stand for the screen so your tablet doubles up as a laptop. The device is also good for games. Check the review video below to know more. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Google Chat comes to Outlook and SkyDrive

Well, this is not something the internet thought they'd hear. Microsoft integrates a Google service right within their email service, and also on their Cloud based storage service - SkyDrive . In this surprise move, Microsoft says that this has been a popular requested feature from its users. You might remember that a while back Microsoft converted all Hotmail accounts into Outlook and all email is now handled only on Outlook. Outlook is quite amazing with a whole new interface and all. With the addition of Google Talk Microsoft seems to e opening up to their users needs, and also accepting that other services have indeed become useful and some users' can't live without. How to chat with Google Contacts in Outlook It should be available this week - this is how it'll work. You open your Messaging Pane in Outlook. Found on the top-right-hand corner and you should see a message asking if you'd like to connect your Google account. Choose to do so and it should happen s...

MICROSOFT builds crime-fighting 'dashboard' for NYPD

Created jointly by the NYPD and Microsoft - a system has been developed and know as 'the dashboard'. This state-of-the-art system is the latest in crime fighting technology. The Dashboard is a system setup in the police control room that immediately mines data from police records, data, security cameras and other available information and presents it to officers post a 911 call. The system is very user-friendly and presents data in a structured form helping officers quickly zero in on a threat and see what connects it has to past police records. Helping them determine the terror threat level. The system is currently being tested and refined before being rolled out to all 34,000 officers. The way it works is that as soon as a 911 call comes in. The call pops up on a panel. when the officers clicks on the alert. He is taken to the area on a map, also showing the cameras that are already in the area. Helping the officer zero down and determine the exact threat level. This program...

Hotmail Shifting to Outlook: Will you loose your Hotmail ID

Outlook.com from Microsoft have announced that they have finally removed 'Customer Preview' from the service and the transition has begun. In just six months Outlook mail says that they have amassed over 60 million new email subscribers and users. Hot,mail.com was old and outdated and no matter what Microsoft tried the service could not be resurrected. Outlook.com seemed the answers and Microsoft built a whole new web interface and launched it to the public. Outlook.com comes with a slicker user interface and functionality that is second to none. Could possibly give Gmail a run for the money. For those of you who still cling to your Hotmail account - there is no bad news. You can still keep your Hotmail account, however when you type Hotmail.com. You will get redirected to the new Outlook.com - don't worry and wonder where your Hotmail has gone to. it has just changed. Some users are sure to be worried, wondering what happened to Hotmail.com and why can't I reach it....

Get unlimited free worldwide Skype calling for a month

Here's the deal, if you are an existing Skype customer or have been so for the last 29 days. Here's you chance to get free Skype call for a whole month. This would be unlimited free calls to over 40 countries and includes calls both to landlines and mobile phones. Is there a catch -- not really but this is the process to follow. You will have to signin to your Skype account, claim you month of free calling. Enter your payment details -- credit card etc. You're now free to call anywhere in the world for a whole month. Is there anything to note about this deal. The deal ends on Nov 15 2012, you have less than a day to claim the deal. Also -- to avoid being billed for the next month, you will need to cancel your subscription within 27 days from the start date. Skype is a subscription service and this is expected. If you are fine with the above please click the link below to claim your free worldwide calling. Yes, supports both voice and video calls. If you're wondering ho...

Windows 8 Training Videos

With the release of Windows 8 just days away. New training videos have surfaced on the internet. Meant for its associates to gain mastery over the new OS and be able to teach and train new customers on the same. Microsoft are now showing a different attitude when it comes to its new products. Something that users did not have in previous releases. Social Media seems to have changed the game totally. Many bloggers and websites who have been covering Windows 8 and how to use it have always maintained that navigating the new operating system can be quiet tricky. In fact it really needs to a bit of getting used to before users will be able to operate it effortlessly. With Windows 8 users can use touchscreen to operate their desk top tiles like email and news. users can also swipe through the interface to access their various apps. Apps on Windows 8 can also be used simultaneously. The main start screen is also highly customizable and someone new to Windows 8 might be helped along with a li...

What is single-use code in Outlook.com?

Outlook.com has been launched by Microsoft with a view to convert all email services by the company into one place only. So your Live.com and Hotmail email addresses will be converted into the new outlook.com email service. You can lean more about it here as we have already written about it. The new account is being called 'Microsoft Account', so when you sign-up for an Outlook.com email ID it will be called your Microsoft Account. Once you get your new Outlook.com email ID you have an added feature that comes along. The ability to use single-use code. What is Single-use code? Single-use code is the ability to sing-in to your Microsoft account with a piece of code rather than your password. You might be wondering what is the good - consider you're travelling and need to use a public computer like in an airport or library. You can request for a single-use code which will be delivered to your phone. You can use that code to log-in and it expires after a single use. How to req...

Outlook.com is the new Hotmail - 3 questions answered by the team

The guys from the Microsoft who created Outlook.com and brought it to the web took to Reddit to answer questions from users. Hotmail will be fading away and in its place is Outlook.com. The team wants Outlook.com to become the popular destination on the web for people who want to use email service. The proposition is a tough one since many people who still keep a Hotmail ID do so only as a secondary one, most have switched to Gmail. There is also an outlook preview if you are interested. The argument that the team tries to make is that all other email services have not become old - Gmail they say is now 8 years old and it's time for something new. There is also a Outlook preview to learn more.  Please find below some of the features that the Outlook team have highlighted have a modern, fast UI be connected to your networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, and soon, Skype) have smart tools to manage and filter messages prioritize your privacy (we don't serve ads based on t...

Microsoft Tablet Surface to run on Windows RT and Windows 8

Microsoft have announced their iPad  competitor a Tablet PC known as Surface. Windows RT is an operation system known during development as ARM - supporting devices like Tablets. The new Surface run on Windows RT and Windows 8 for those devices that have intel chips inside them. The RT version will come in both 32 GB and 64 GB models while the Windows 8 Pro version will come in 64 GB and 128 GB models. The device has a screen and a keyboard which can be folded. The device thus opens up like a laptop computer with the cover functioning as a keyboard. The surface tables will work with a Stylus which will attach itself to the tablet with a magnet. In an interview done by Malcolm Gladwell he speaks about how the original tablet idea came from Microsoft but was created by Steve Jobs and Apple. This he says is because when he heard the Microsoft guy presenting it he spoke about the device using a Stylus and Steve Jobs hated Styluses. Microsoft have anyways come out with a tablet PC that uses...

So.cl Microsoft's Social Network (SOCL): How does it work [Guide]

so.cl (SOCL) is a social network launched by Microsoft. They claim it is not a ripoff of any of the other social networking sites out there like Google+, Pinterest or Twitter. However once you login the feed has a strong resemblance to Google+ with a few features from Twitter and Pinterest thrown in. So we decide to do a tutorial on how So.cl works and please let us know what you think in the comments section below. How to get started: You can use your Facebook ID or your Windows Live ID to join the site. Once you login with any of these IDs you are in the site without any further hassle. Apart from checking the box to agree to their terms and conditions. You also have to be above 18 to join. I do not want So.cl posting to my Facebook Timeline and profile When you signup with your Facebook ID the App will ask for permission to post on your Facebook profile choose never. Also when asked who can view your activity choose 'Only Me'. This will ensure that So.cl will not post to you...

Google Drive: How does it work

The long awaited cloud storage service from Google is finally here. It is being rolled out in a phased manner and you can still click the 'notify me' link to be notified when your Google Drive is ready. Google Drive will work like other cloud-sync and storage services like DropBox and Microsoft's SkyDrive . Cloud Storage is web based storage that allows you to upload and store files and then share it with other using file synchronization. So once you have Google Drive it will create a single folder on your computer and sync your files with Google's servers and all your other devices that have Google Drive.  Google Drive - How to get started You will need to go to the Google Drive home and then install Google Drive on your PC. The service then gives you 5GB of free storage in which you can upload all your files. You can upload docs, pics, movies etc. Once synced with your other devices. You files will now be available wherever you are. All you need is an internet connec...

Download Roses and Animal Affection Themes for Windows 7

With Valentine's day round the corner Microsoft have released two new themes. Roses Theme and Animal Affection theme for Windows 7. These roses theme features a set of 10 wallpapers of roses, the flower associated with love. Download this theme to get you into the Feb 14th mood. Roses have been sung about, have had poems written about them, are used extensively on Feb 14th and bring with them a smile on people's faces. This free Windows theme has 10 high-definition wallpapers for those who might like to have roses on their desktops. Animal Affection theme has 14 high-resolution wallpapers with photos of Animals being affectionate to one another, usually animals of the same species. These are two themes featured for Valentine's Day for sure. A Windows them when downloaded with feature beautiful wallpapers on your desktop each time you startup. They are also free to download from Microsoft -  Note: Windows 7 themes can only be used in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, En...

SkyDrive now available for the iPhone and iPad

Image: SkyDrive SkyDrive the file storage cloud from Microsoft is now available on your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The service which has been available to all Windows Desktop users and Windows phone users for sometime now transitions and comes to all iPhone users. With this new App you can do the following: 1. Login to the service and create folders 2. Upload images, videos and other files from your PC or Mac and access them on your phone 3. Files you upload from your PC, phone or mac are stored securely and will be then available whenever you launch the app on your iPhone ot iPad. 4. You can access files shared by other users with you 5. Upload all your photos and your videos to Microsoft SkyDrive and have them stored for free. 6. SkyDrive offers 25 GB of free personal storage  If you already use Hotmail, Messenger or Xbox live you already have a SkyDrive account. If not you can head on over to SkyDrive and create a free account. SkyDrive on the Web .  Download the App on your iPhon...

Expression Encoder: Lets you create amazing ScreenCasts for free

This post is to bring to you the free and easy way to create your live-broadcast. There are many software's out there to enable you to create screencasts and no doubt the most famous being Camtasia Studio for windows, it comes at a steep price however and might not fit many screencasters budgets. Some good news for people who are screencasting enthusiasts. If you wondering what a screencast is, here is a brief overview. A screencast is a digitial recording of your computer screen output. This is good for people who like to create video tutorials and share the same on popular video sharing sites like YouTube. This will allow you to create your free home video recording of your computer screen. With it you can add movies, images, sounds, your voice and the possibilities are endless.  Microsoft Expression Encoder 4 which comes with a free service pack (SP2). Now has a few upgrades. To start with it's free to download and use. You can now recorder screencasts that are longer than 1...

Video: The Yahoo! & Microsoft Search Alliance

This video explains how Yahoo! & Microsoft are working towards an easier way to advertise on Yahoo! Search & Bing through Microsoft adCenter. Microsoft Adcenter will now be handling the Yahoo Search and Bing Advertising together. Advertisers who want to show their ads on either of the sites now have the convenience of advertising on both search engines from one place.  Google started this trend of making cute and friendly animated videos to explain their products to customers. yahoo and Bing have joined together to do the same thing.  The video explains this alliance and how it's going to help it's customers who actually find search engines - Advertisers. An original post by Sociolatte

How does Skydrive work

What is Windows Live SkyDrive and how does it work. SkyDrive is part of Microsoft's Windows Live range of online services. SkyDrive is a file storage and sharing service that allows users to upload files to the computing cloud, then access them from a web browser. It is a cloud computing service or also know as a Cloud Storage service It uses Windows Live ID to control access to the users' files, allowing them to keep the files private, share with contacts, or make the files public. Publicly-shared files do not require a Windows Live ID to access. The service currently offers 25 GB of free personal storage, with individual files limited to 50 MB. A Silverlight-based tool can be installed to allow drag-and-drop uploading from Windows Explorer. Up to five files can be uploaded each time if the tool has not been installed. If you had previously been using Office Live Workspace you can now shift all your files to SkyDrive.  To get started, sign-in to your Office Live Workspace ac...