14 DAY TRIAL // Although many of the giant internet companies currently own an impressive number of clients, most of them are now aiming to improve their presence in the mobile software market by developing fresh ideas meant to bring their firm into the spotlights. Let's take for example Google, the developer of the well known search technology that is now the best search engine on the internet. As you might know, Google tried to expand the power of its search products into the offline area among with brand new software solutions designed for certain users. Currently, Google continuously releases mobile versions of its services such as Gmail, Google Maps, Calendar or YouTube.
It seems like Microsoft wants to follow the same market strategy because the software giant announced on Monday 3 new solutions designed for handheld owners. Live Search for Windows Mobile and Live Search for Java are currently available only in United States and UK and allow users to search the internet or view maps using their mobile device. The company also announced a third product, Windows Live for Windows Mobile, a suite of Live applications such as e-mail, instant messaging client and search meant to improve the efficiency of the handheld device.
"People want to stay connected and informed wherever they are, and our aim is to deliver easy-to-use, familiar mobile services that keep people connected to the people and information they care about," said Steve Berkowitz, senior vice president of the Online Services Group at Microsoft. "Live Search for mobile and Windows Live for Windows Mobile are the latest examples of our commitment to enhancing the mobile search and services experience for our customers, and helping mobile operators, OEMs and advertising partners access new revenues and differentiate their products in this competitive mobile market," the software giant mentioned in a press release published on the official page of the company.
Microsoft .NET Framework is one of the most popular platforms that help developers design their own applications, using a small database of information. The product developed by Microsoft contains numerous files required to run an executable or other formats and allows software developers to link files directly into the package provided by the company. Because the utility is currently installed on almost every computer with the Windows operating system, the software giant releases a Micro version of the product, designed especially for smaller devices.
"The .NET Micro Framework was built from the ground up as a .NET solution for small embedded devices," said Colin Miller, director of the .NET Micro Framework at Microsoft. "It brings the reliability and efficiency of the .NET environment to a new set of applications such as home automation systems, industrial sensors, retail displays and healthcare monitors. Development on this platform works seamlessly with the same tools that are used throughout the Microsoft family of platforms. This decreases the distinction between embedded application development and other application development tasks and helps reduce the cost and risks of these projects," the software giant mentioned on Tuesday on the official page.
The Windows operating system is surely installed on millions of computers in the entire world, being the most important product ever designed by Microsoft. Windows Vista is currently the latest version of the operating system, launched in November for business purposes and in January for all users. Vista is regarded as the most secure edition of Windows because it contains multiple security tools such as Windows Defender, Application Control and Windows Firewall. Although Vista is continuously in the spotlights, Microsoft announced some time ago the name of the next version of Windows coming after the long awaited Vista. Windows Vienna is now in developing stages, the company refusing to provide more details about the product. Because numerous rumors are already spreading on the internet, Microsoft's representatives published an official statement to deny them and to sustain they will offer more information in the future.
"The launch of Windows Vista was an incredibly exciting moment for our customers and partners around the world, and the company is focused on the value Windows Vista will bring to people today. We are not giving official guidance to the public yet about the next version of Windows, other than that we're working on it. When we are ready, we will provide updates," Kevin Kutz, Director, Windows Client, sustained on Wednesday.
As I said before, Windows Vista is the latest version of the Windows operating system series, containing several tools that make it a more secure application in comparison with the previous editions. As you surely know, Windows XP is the predecessor of the Vista edition, being currently installed on an impressive number of computers from the entire world. Since the release of the first beta testing version of Vista, the operating system was continuously in the spotlights, numerous users downloading and installing RC editions of the application. Although it was a long awaited product, it seems like Vista was less popular than XP as Microsoft Watch reports.
"NPD released sales figures today for software that users install themselves on their computers. Windows Vista unit sales decreased 58.9 percent in units compared to Windows XP during their respective launch weeks, while revenue decreased 32.1 percent. Vista's launch starkly contrasts to that of Office 2007, for which sales increased more than 100 percent compared with Office 2003 during their respective launch weeks," Microsoft Watch reported on Thursday.
Microsoft Office is currently the most popular office software suite in the entire world because it was developed by Microsoft when no other company designed a similar application. At this time, it is challenged by OpenOffice, a free office suite that contains many similar utilities but the software giant's product remains the leader. Although there are more and more signs that other Internet giants are preparing Office applications, Office 2007 is the main attraction for all types of users. As you may know, Google might develop its own Office solution because it currently owns Docs & Spreadsheets and it prepares a presentation tool entitled Presently.
Microsoft Word is a utility included in Office that helps users create documents as well as edit, share, print and many other functions especially designed for documents. Even if it's not the first time when Word contains a security flaw, it seems like the product is again vulnerable to attacks as Microsoft announced in a security advisory.
"Microsoft is investigating new public reports of very limited, targeted attacks against Microsoft Word "zero-day" using a vulnerability in Microsoft Office 2000 and Microsoft Office XP. In order for this attack to be carried out, a user must first open a malicious Office file attached to an e-mail or otherwise provided to them by an attacker," the software giant sustained on Friday.
