Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Ballmer's big plan for Microsoft Retail Stores shelved

Despite wanting to take on Apple in the retail space by opening more dedicated Microsoft Stores, CEO Steve Ballmer has reportedly had to put his retail plans on hold for the time being.

Business Insider reports that both Ballmer and Microsoft COO Kevin Turner are keen to open lots more dedicated Microsoft Stores to try to catch-up and overtake Apple – which currently has over 300 Apple Stores worldwide.

Microsoft has only opened eight stores since it first announced its new retail plans back in early 2009 and has recently announced plans for two more stores in Atlanta and Seattle.

Apple owns our malls

We are still to hear more about the company's plans to open a flagship UK store in London with a Microsoft PR rep telling TechRadar that there was "no news on this yet, unfortunately."

Due to the high cost of building flagship retail outlets, sources are claiming that Steve Ballmer has been convinced to shelve his big plan to take on Apple in our malls and on our high streets.For now, at least.

Of course, if Windows Phone 7 starts to overtake iPhone sales by 2015, as some analysts are already predicting, then we may well see a change in Microsoft's retail strategy over the next few years.




View the original article here

Microsoft trialing ribbon UI for Windows 8

Windows 8 could integrate the company's successful ribbon user interface into the operating system, with pre-beta screenshots showing off the potential feature.

Windows 8 screenshots and revelations are arriving at a rate of knots at the moment, although key manufacturers are the only ones to have their hands on the latest code release from Microsoft.

The use of the ribbon UI can hardly come as a massive surprise, considering it has become a popular addition to Office since the 2007 edition.

Twofold

The advantage of the ribbon are twofold – not only is it designed to simplify the menu systems but it also offers a much easier UI for touch.

So, it remains to be seen if the ribbon becomes a familiar everyday sight for Windows 8 users, or if the function can be toggled in order to be part of a more tablet-friendly offering.

Microsoft is working hard to make its OS friendlier for tablets – with Windows touch-capable but clearly falling short of an ideal option for slates.

Windows 8, as well as being capable of running on Arm as well as x86 chipsets, is likely to be a whole different ball game when it comes to tablets.


View the original article here

 
Free Host | new york lasik surgery | cpa website design