Days after launching Windows 8, Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) is mounting a strong campaign to win over the software developers it needs to kick-start its new operating system.
Windows 8, the new Surface tablet and a range of Windows-based phones - all unveiled in the past week - are designed to close that gap, but the world's largest software company still needs to convince developers to recreate the thriving 'ecosystem' that made PCs so successful. Microsoft’s Chief Executive, Steve Ballmer pleaded with 2,000 developers on Tuesday to write lots of applications, kicking off an annual, four-day meeting at its campus near Seattle. Microsoft gave each paying attendee one of its Surface tablets and 100 gigabytes of free space on its SkyDrive online storage service. The unprecedentedly generous give-away signals the intent of what Microsoft openly calls "evangelism." Most developers at the meeting, who paid up to $2,000 to attend, are already converted to the Windows religion.
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Google announces new Android 4.2 smartphone and tablets
People increasingly have more than one device, and they switch between them many times a day. Nexus—Google’s hardware line for Android devices—gets rid of the hassle. Just sign in with your Google account and everything is there ready to go, whatever device you’re using: photos, emails, contacts, bookmarks, even your entertainment on Google Play. Nexus 4 is the latest smartphone, developed together with LG. It has a quad-core processor which means it's super fast, a crisp 4.7 display that's perfect for looking at photos and watching YouTube videos, and with wireless charging you just set the phone down on a charging surface to power it up, no wires needed. While Nexus 4 is incredibly powerful under the hood, it also features the latest version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2—the simplest and smartest version of Android yet. Starting with the camera, they have reinvented the photo experience with Photo Sphere, which lets you capture images that are literally larger than life. Snap shots up, down and in every direction to create stunning 360-degree immersive experiences that you can share on Google+ with friends and family—or you can add your Photo Sphere to Google Maps for the world to see.
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Getting fuzzy: The line between Social, Big Data and Predictive Analytics
The term ’Social’ means different things to different people. Same for ’Big Data’ (believe it or not, some people even use it as a verb). And while in one sense their precise definitions don’t matter, if you’re using them as labels, they do. We need some clarification. Now, before their meanings get lost and become irretrievable.
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Microsoft to tie Yammer and Skype to its CRM application
Microsoft is preparing to release an update to its Dynamics CRM Online software that will feature a new user experience as well as tie-ins to its Yammer social networking software and Skype communication platform, the company announced on Thursday. In addition, Microsoft is planning to release a mobile CRM application in mid-2013 that will run on Windows 8 and iPad devices, said Seth Patton, senior director of product marketing. Users will be able to post messages from Dynamics CRM to Yammer, and vice versa. Users will also be able to make Skype calls from within the CRM interface.Microsoft is also adding additional platform-level features, such as support for customized .NET workflow services and APIs (application programming interfaces) for bulk data loads.
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