Windows 8 Consumer Preview Impressions
Tonight the Windows 8 Consumer Preview was released. Hot off the download I upgraded my main pc from Windows 7 to Windows 8. The process took less than 30 mins to do the upgrade. The overall process to upgrade Windows was very easy and is now like 75% less clicks to install. For users that want install there own version of Windows 8 these are some very welcome options. Now lets take a look at some of the new features of Windows 8.
Start Menu - The new Start Menu is a nice and sleek look. It has some nice features like live tiles for your email. This is now the focal point of Windows. If you need access to any of your installed programs you need to go through the Start Menu. The all Apps list now is organized like it belongs on a tablet. The whole Start Menu gives me mixed feelings.
TaskBar - The taskbar has remained unchanged from Windows 7. The biggest change is there is no Start button. To access the Start Menu you have press the Windows Logo Key or hover in the lower left corner and click. This takes some getting used to.
Explorer – Explorer has gotten a ribbon in the interface that makes it so much more useful. The ribbon in explorer gives you access to many tasks you would want right at your finger tips. This is one of the best upgrades of Windows 8.
Windows Reader - The built in pdf reader for Windows is horrible. Opening a complex pdf it shreds the images and choppily scrolls through the text portions. It really needs an upgrade to be a replacement for Adobe Reader.
That is just scratching the surface of Windows 8. There will be plenty more to check out in the coming days.
The Clash of the Superphones
In this ever-changing world of smartphones we have a new class of phones called Superphones. These phones are even more powerful than smartphones. Superphones have been slowly taking over the market in the past couple of years. They have redefined what you can do with your phone. These superphones have almost completely taken over the smartphone market, with the exception of RIM still producing smartphones. Two of these superphones (Driod RAZR and Galaxy Nexus) are about to be launched against each other. Read more 
Android’s new coat of paint
Last night Samsung and Google announced The new Galaxy Nexus phone and Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). This is the merging of Gingerbread (2.3) and Honeycomb(3.0) into one OS. Google has fundamentally streamlined the interface and apps. They brought what they learned from Honeycomb into the phone field. There are even new features like facial recognition to unlock your phone. Read more
The Kindle Goes On Fire
Amazon announced the new kindle line-up last week. The new e-ink kindles got updated with touch and no keyboards, but the real star of the show was the kindle fire. This is Amazon’s answer to the Nook Color. They are about a year late to the 7 inch tablet market, but they look like they are ready to make a big splash. The kindle fire looks like a refined Amazon experience. Read more
The Netflix Split
This past week has been very interesting in digital media. The main topic is that Netflix is splitting off its DVD-by-mail service. The new service is called Qwikster. They have decided to go all in on the streaming media. This is can be both good and bad. With Netflix streaming only they will have a chance to expand their catalogue. The DVD section while not a black hole on the company will at some point become one in the future. The problem is though right now no one can predict what the future holds. Read more
Washed away
Right now my postings are indefinitely on hold until I can clean up from Irene. Here are a few links of the damage that this storm has caused. Right now we have to get focused on getting cleaned up and go from there. Just have to talk it day by day.
http://www.timesunion.com/news/slideshow/Aerial-photos-of-Irene-damage-30587.php
http://www.watershedpost.com/2011/schoharie-county-irene-update
