Microsoft Windows 10 Announcement: OS Updates, XBOX Gaming Cross Platform, and HoloLens Augmented Reality!

Back in September we got our first look at the next version of Windows. It was a somewhat underwhelming affair, detailing the next steps Microsoft will take to retain their lead in corporate computing, and the gist of that announcement was focused on how to make their current version of Windows feel more like their last version of Windows.

But there’s a whole wide world of devices out now, and manufacturers are starting to deliver on hardware that blurs the lines between consumer tablets, laptops, desktops, and workstations. Microsoft windows 10 keynote announcement somegadgetguy (1)Taking the stage, Terry Myerson, Executive VP of Operating Systems, thanked the Windows Insider participants for their interactions with the Windows 10 BETA. Microsoft is working hard to make this version feel like it’s been built from a community perspective.

The focus moving forward is on ecosystem and tying data and devices together. Being able to move seamlessly from device to device with data and apps intact, for both business and consumer solutions, creating a “global” platform. Continue reading “Microsoft Windows 10 Announcement: OS Updates, XBOX Gaming Cross Platform, and HoloLens Augmented Reality!”

Microsoft Updates Office for Android with Dropbox Support

microsoft office android app update somegadgetguyWe wrote about this partnership last month, but it looks like Microsoft and Dropbox are finally moving forward as cloud storage BFF’s.

In an update pushing out to the Office app for Android, one of the new features allows users to connect their Dropbox account to edit any Office compatible files stored there. Microsoft has also improved support for high resolution displays, hopefully making this app a bit more accessible to a variety of phone owners.

Now we’re just waiting on Dropbox’s side of this bargain, which was to release a native app for Windows Phone…

Microsoft Office Mobile for Android (Google Play)

Smartphone Review: Nokia Lumia 830 on AT&T – Flagship Style, Mid-Range Price!

While Microsoft didn’t deliver a new flagship this quarter, they did make good on a new mid-ranger boasting high end design and build quality. The Lumia 830 is masquerading as a high end phone. It can talk the talk, but can it walk the walk? Let’s check it out.

Shop the Lumia 830 and Accessories on Amazon: http://goo.gl/g1ksKa

Google Accuses Microsoft of Copying Search Results on Bing

Ok. I’m a fan of Microsoft’s recent moves, but this is hilarious.

Engineers at Google started to suspect that Bing was copying their search results, so they set up a sting, tying nonsensical strings of letters to dummy web pages. Quickly after indexing each page and fake word search, Google Engineers found they could search for the same nonsense and get the dummy page on Bing.

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Microsoft has yet to comment on the matter, but it would appear that not just consumers, but even Bing prefers Google…

Read up on the whole experiment and sting on Google’s blog.

Smartphone Camera Review: Nokia Lumia 830 on AT&T (Real World Video Samples)

Spoiler alert: It’s a really good camera.

You can always count on Nokia to pack a great camera on a phone at any price point. The Lumia 830 is a mid-range phone, so let’s see if the 10MP shooter is a mid-range camera!

Shop the Lumia 830 and Accessories on Amazon.

App Review: Movie Creator Video Editor for Windows Phone – Full Feature Walk Through & Tutorial

I can’t tell you how excited I am to see a full fledged video editor on Windows Phone. Now with some of the best cameras ever bolted onto our smartphones, we now have the ability to cut up high resolution video directly from the phones that shot it. Best of all this app is cross platform for any Windows device with a touch screen.

Here’s our full review, feature walk through, and tutorial of Movie Creator on Windows Phone 8.1! Enjoy!

Movie Creator (BETA) on the Windows App Store.

Review: OtterBox Defender Rugged Case for Nokia Lumia Icon (930)

Taking flagship smartphones out into rugged conditions can be a dicey proposition. The Lumia Icon is built solidly for day to day bumps and bruises, but it’s not really designed to be thrown around in rough situations. Thankfully OtterBox has a solution to improve that…

Shop the Lumia Icon Defender Case on Amazon.
More info on OtterBox products: http://www.otterbox.com/

iPhone 6 Defender Case Review
How the *#&^% Do You Remove an OtterBox Case?!?!?

Microsoft & DropBox Partner for Windows Phone App and Office Integration

BLOG-Office-Dropbox-Blue-BlogLooks like we’re about to see a little mutual backscratching between former rivals.

Microsoft and DropBox are teaming up for a “strategic partnership”. Office integration will be opened up, so users will be able to view and edit any files saved online in DropBox. This means we should see updates to Office apps, hopefully with more Android compatibility.

Windows Phone users will also score in the deal as we’ll finally get an official DropBox app. Moving forward with Microsoft combining their apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone, hopefully this DropBox app will also go cross platform.

App updates should drop “in the coming weeks” and online integration should happen early 2015.

I suppose a little cooperation between former cloud storage rivals never hurt anyone right?