Q1 Tablet Share

Apple’s iOS Tablet Share Falls in Q1 on Strong Android Growth

By •

Apple’s once dominant market share in new tablet shipments continues to erode, according to preliminary data released today by research firm IDC. Apple’s share of worldwide tablet shipment in the first quarter of 2013 fell to 39.6 percent in the face of explosive growth from Android competitors, even as the company outperformed shipment expectations. Top Five Tablet Vendors (Shipments in Millions) Source: IDC 1Q2013 Shipments 1Q2013 Market Share 1Q2012 Shipments 1Q2012 Market Share Year-Over-Year Growth Apple 19.5 39.6% 11.8 58.1%…

Microsoft IllumiRoom

Microsoft’s IllumiRoom Brings the Holodeck One Step Closer

By •

Microsoft’s proof-of-concept “IllumiRoom” system has the potential to drastically alter the way that consumers play games and watch movies in their homes. The immersive technology, first showcased at CES in January, uses a combination of cameras and projectors to expand a television’s content into a user’s living room. The company has just released a new detailed demonstration video that hints at Redmond’s plans for the next Xbox, set to be unveiled on May 21. While still early in its development,…

Advertisement

Windows Phone

Microsoft Invades Android with ‘Switch to Windows Phone’ App

By •

Although badly trailing iOS and Android in terms of market share, Microsoft’s Windows Phone mobile operating system often leads in terms of clever marketing. Microsoft just released a “Switch to Windows Phone” app for Android that works with a companion app on the Windows Phone Store to help users migrate from Android to Windows Phone 8. Users interested in switching from Android to Windows Phone can download the free app on their current Android device. With the user’s permission, the…

Three Ways to Play DVDs In Windows 8

By •

In order to streamline its operating system and reduce licensing costs, Microsoft decided to omit native DVD video playback support from Windows 8. With fewer and fewer computers and devices shipping with built-in optical drives, the company assumed that users who really wanted to play DVDs in Windows 8 could do so via an add-on or third party software. Here’s how to prove Microsoft right and start playing your favorite movies on Redmond’s latest OS. There are several options to…

Gears of War Movie

Scott Stuber Reportedly Producing New Gears of War Movie Project

By •

Marcus Fenix and his squadmates may be heading to the big screen after all. Following a series of delays and expected cancellation, Variety reported Monday that a movie project based on the Gears of War franchise is once again in the works. No details on cast or director have yet been revealed, but Scott Stuber has reportedly been selected to produce the film based on the sci-fi first person shooter. The game’s developer, Epic Games, is also on board to…

Nielsen Online Ratings

Ratings Firm Nielsen Tests New Method to Measure Online Viewers

By •

As a growing number of consumers view content online, one of the biggest challenges facing the television industry is finding a reliable and universal method to measure this digital viewership. According to The Wall Street Journal, ratings giant Nielsen thinks it has the solution. The firm is expected to announce Tuesday that it is testing a new tool to measure online video streaming with help from several major networks, including NBC, FOX, ABC, Univision, Discovery, and A&E. The tool, called…

Skype and Outlook Integration

Microsoft Integrating Skype Calling and Chat With Outlook.com

By •

More than 18 months after its acquisition of Skype, Microsoft is continuing to integrate the online communication platform into its broader service strategy. The company announced Monday that it will add Skype calling and messaging to its Outlook.com webmail portal. Outlook.com, introduced in 2012 as the successor to Hotmail, is Microsoft’s free online email, contact, and calendar service and has more than 420 million users worldwide. With Skype integration, these users will be able to initiate audio and video chats…

Nest Software Update

Nest Thermostat Update Adds Fan Control, Adjusts for Humidity

By •

We’re big fans of Nest, the Internet-connected smart thermostat, so we were happy to see today that the company will be releasing new software for the device just in time for summer. Nest software version 3.5 includes several new features such as “Sunblock,” which automatically senses when your home is in direct sunlight and adjusts HVAC settings accordingly, “Advanced Fan Control,” which lets users manually choose when to allow their HVAC system’s fan to run, and “Cool to Dry,” which…