Light it Up Challenge–Microsoft Australia

If like me, you think Internet of Things is the next big thing, here is a fun little event by Microsoft around it.

Code it. Light it. Win it!

All you have to do is sign up to receive the Challenge Kit, and complete all three challenges.
Tune into Microsoft’s six week lab series and discover how to program your device.
If your LED device is one of 5 to light up on April 13 2015, then you've won.
During the challenge, you'll learn how to code, build and deploy with the Internet of Things.
We'll give you an IoT overview, explain the architecture and MS platform.
Get started today!
*Terms and conditions apply: http://aka.ms/lightitup

See more here - Internet of Things - Light it Up Challenge

Windows 10 will be a free upgrade from Windows 7/Windows 8/8.1 for a full year

The Windows  Blog has just announced that - “a free upgrade for Windows 10 will be made available to customers running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1 who upgrade in the first year after launch”

The upgrade is permanent. You have a year from release to get it.

Other notable news -

• Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will be included with Windows 10 on tablets and phones.
• Cortana to PC was also just confirmed
• Microsoft HoloLens – Scott Hanselman explains it best at Rollup: Microsoft HoloLens, Surface Hub, Windows 10, Xbox One game streaming and more.

“Wow, an augmented virtual reality headset from Microsoft? Is this Oculus? Or Google Glass? It's something else. It's clear so you see the projected images as if they are in front of you. It's not a tiny screen like Glass or a screen that blinds/immerses you like Oculus”

With these amazing changes, I agree with Scott’s assessment that Microsoft is working toward’s Satya’s vision -

"We want to move from people needing Windows, to choosing Windows and loving Windows. That is our bold goal with Windows." - Satya Nadella

Opening PDF Documents with Word

I accidentally discovered this today. In the past for I have used tools and websites like Zamzar.com for converting PDF documents to Word for editing. Today I accidentally opened a PDF document in Microsoft Word 2013 and got the message saying that Microsoft Word is going to covert the PDF file to Word!

 

The result was a great looking Word Document !

 

 

Has this been out for long, or did I just discover it ? 

 

EDIT : Looks like this was released with Word 2013 http://blogs.office.com/2012/08/09/unlock-pdfs-with-word-2013/

 

46% consumers would prefer a Windows Tablet to an Android/iPad (but 98% buy an iPad ?)

Part 1 : 46% consumers would prefer a Windows Tablet to an Android/iPad (but 98% buy an iPad ?)

Part 2 : Dynamics GP Business Analyzer on a Windows Touch Tablet

Part 3 : Using Lync with Business Analyzer for Microsoft Dynamics GP to collaborate effectively

 

I was shocked when I read last week that - iPad and iPad 2 represent 98% of all tablet activations.

Earlier this year a reports from Forrester concluded “Only 9% of consumers considering buying a tablet actively prefer an Android tablet — compared with 16% who prefer iOS and 46% who prefer Windows.” This was echoed by a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report earlier this month – “42 percent of U.S. consumers would like to buy a tablet that runs Microsoft’s operating system. That makes it the most desired OS by a significant margin, trailed by Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.”

I was wondering, how come people want a Windows Tablet more than anything, and iPad is leading with 98% activations ?

 

First of all, the complete report claiming 98% dominance of iPad in the Tablet Market, states they have NOT taken - “BlackBerry or Windows Phone 7 activations into consideration.” Its not exclusively stated, but I don’t think Windows Tablets are taken into account either.

Second, I think the marketing of Windows Tablets is so poor, it is really holding back the sales. There are good devices out there, people just don’t know about them yet.

iPad 2 Vs Windows Tablet (My Experience)

I was gifted an iPad 2 by Rubal,  after she tool pity at my saying “oh Man, I want an iPad 2” a million times in front of various people. Initially, I bought all the productivity apps like Good Reader, Pages, VNC Apps thinking I would use this for work, as well. However, after a few months I only use it for – browsing, reading (Kindle app), and playing games (Ticket to Ride, Cut the Rope, Scrabble). I have realized, if I wanted to send an illustrated email or write a blog post, it would take me 1/10th the time on my PC. 

I did not want a Windows Tablet, but hearing about them from others, reading all the 5 star reviews and trying one out at a store– made me buy the Acer Iconia W500. The iPad is a great toy, and the Windows Tab is great for work. Last weekend, while visiting my parents – I took the Windows Tablet instead of the iPad. While reading a book on the Kindle App, when I had an idea – I was able to call a friend on Skype, share screens, and work on a document together. Try doing that on an iPad.

Later I was able to watch some videos from a training site (they only have flash videos). I know HTML 5 is the future, but I hate it when I have to bookmark a video on the iPad because its only in flash.

If you read just the news, you might have the impression that I had - till Windows 8 comes out, you are stuck with iPad / Android Tablets. However, having used a Windows Tablet – I think a Windows Tablet is a viable option, right row. If you plan to get some work done, a Windows Tablet like the Iconia is the more efficient, and cost effective option.

It took me more than a week to research about various apps I needed to be productive on the iPad (Goodreader, VNC apps, document editing apps). However, on the Windows Tablet, I was up and running in a couple of hours, and able to do things I still can’t do on my iPad!

Below is my summary comparison after having using both an iPad 2 and a Windows Tablet (Acer Iconia W500).

 

iPad 2

Vs Acer Iconia (Windows Tablet)

 

Note : I am comparing “out of the box” features. I know you can buy an add-on keyboard dock foro iPad 2 or buy a camera connection kit.

In the iPad’s favor – it is lighter, and has better games. Its popular with the kids and the grandparents.

However, in everything else the Acer Iconia W500 beats it hands down. In the past few weeks everybody who has seen me use my Iconia has said something to the effect – “Thank you for showing me this!  I was thinking of which Tablet I should buy, and this seems like just what I want.”

If you are still not sure – ask your friend carrying an iPad  to do this– dock two windows/apps side by side. 

Jivtesh (Microsoft Dynamics GP MVP)
Microsoft Dynamics Certified Technology Specialist: GP 2010
Blog : www.jivtesh.com
GP Help Website : www.gpwindow.com (Over 10,000 Dynamics GP Resources)

Microsoft has a record Quarter, 4% increase in Dynamics Revenue

About 175 million licenses of Window 7 have been sold since the product was released last year, making it the fastest selling version of Windows.

Microsoft’s revenue total of $16.04 billion surpassed the $15.27 billion predicted by analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters and arrived on 22 percent sales growth.

In addition, Microsoft posted a 48 percent rise in net income to $4.52 billion, or 51 cents a share, from the $3.05 billion, or 34 cents a share in the comparable period last year. Analysts had expected earnings of 46 cents a share.

See Microsoft's official statement here.

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, Business revenue increased $326 million or 8%, primarily reflecting licensing of the 2010 Microsoft Office system to transactional business customers, growth in multi-year licensing revenue and a 4% increase in Microsoft Dynamics revenue.

News Coverage :

Windows Upgrade Helps Microsoft to a Record Quarter : http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/technology/23soft.html?_r=1&src=busln

Microsoft profits hit $4.5bn on Windows 7 sales : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10733851