Posts Tagged ‘microsoft’

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If you thought Apple was the only one screwing over Adobe, you should hear what Microsoft has to say. The Internet Explorer team has recently announced that version 9 of IE will only support H.264 format video via HTML5 video. So do all computers support H.264. Very new operating systems currently have support for it, but older systems like XP or Vista need additional codecs. Not a big problem really. However, it’s still a dick move on Microsoft’s part to push the Windows 7 idea with IE9. They mentioned that users can record video and “play in a web browser on any operating system or device with H.264 support (e.g. a PC with Windows 7).” Nice marketing move MS.

However the big issue is that Flash gets screwed over. Do I disagree with their move though? Not really. Even on a super fast system, Flash can sometimes become unstable and may even crash or freeze up under strange circumstances. Microsoft also mentioned that “Flash does have some issues, particularly around reliability, security, and performance.” However, Flash has become an integrated part of many website’s basic functions, not just for watching videos, but for tons of other functionalities. The image uploader used on this site is flash based, and that’s just one example. However change is inevitable, so I am pretty sure a new type of system will be developed to replace those older functioning flash scripts, and it’s not like we have to switch the IE9 in a hurry anyway.

As much as you may want to think that the IE team may have screwed themselves over, I don’t think it was a bad move. IE9 (from the developer’s build), felt very solid and fast. Trying out the HTML5 player in both IE9 and Google Chrome proved to be less resource demanding and less unstable.

Another competitor is the open-sourced VP8 codec soon to be offered by Google, which is said to dish up serious competition to H.264 because it doesn’t have to deal with the licensing issues related to the H.264/MPEG LA family.

*Update* – Finally got around to doing this. Yes IE9 will still support Flash luckily. With Flash being one of the most used tools on the net, it would be crazy for them to not include it in the next release, even with their falling market share. Here is what they had to say:

Of course, IE9 will continue to support Flash and other plug-ins. Developers who want to use the same markup today across different browsers rely on plug-ins. Plug-ins are also important for delivering innovation and functionality ahead of the standards process; mainstream video on the web today works primarily because of plug-ins.  We’re committed to plug-in support because developer choice and opportunity in authoring web pages are very important; ISVs on a platform are what make it great. We fully expect to support plug-ins (of all types, including video) along with HTML5.

Windows 7 looks to be making waves all over the world by becoming one of the fastest selling Operating Systems of all time. Does this mean Windows 7 is widely accepted amongst many PC buyers or was it another forceful ploy such as Vista? Who knows, only time will tell if Windows 7 proves itself to be as reliable like Windows XP. Right now its looking to be the case.

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Newer technology involves more complex choices: Electronics are the fastest growing component of the waste stream — 5 to 7 million tons of computers, cellphones, TVs and other devices are tossed each year. A typical desktop PC contains …

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Microsoft increasingly is looking for ways to tailor computing experiences beyond the plain-vanilla desktop . The Kitchen Client is expected to encompass both customized user interface and middleware that will allow developers to further … HP touted kitchen computing as one of the possible uses for its TouchSmart PC, which made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

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Microsoft preps Windows-based kitchen client | All about Microsoft …