Microsoft Corp.'s next-generation Windows 8 operating system will not only bring support for ARM-based microprocessors and a new user interface, but will also reportedly change the iconic logotype of Windows itself. The new Windows logo will allegedly get two-dimensional "Metro" style and will look like a set of single-color tiles.
CnBeta web-site has managed to obtain a series of screenshots that depict alleged new Windows logotype stylized for Microsoft Corp.'s new Metro style, which is a key part of Windows Phone and Windows 8 for tablets operating systems. TheVerge web-site has been able to verify the authenticity of the new design and confirmed that the new logotype will replace the legendary flag logotype of Windows.
Evolution of Windows logo: from Windows 1 to Windows 3 to Windows XP to Windows Vista to Windows 8
The alteration of the Windows logo will once again mark transformation of Windows as an operating system and a fundamental change of Microsoft's focus. What is unclear is whether the new logo in particular and Metro style in general will truly be as attractive as traditional interfaces for Windows users.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Sony Set to Adopt Apple-Like Strategy, Integrate Software and Hardware
The incoming chief executive officer of Sony Corp. - Kazuo Hirai - said that one of the main tasks that he would need to accomplish to make Sony successful again is to connect the conglomerate's hardware, software and content. The strategy Sony wants to adopt clearly resembles that of Apple, the company that managed to become a major consumer electronics maker in less than a decade.
"The Sony Computer Entertainment model is a bigger concept we can grow into a bigger space. Hardware drives software and software drives hardware," said Kazuo Hirai, the incoming CEO of Sony, reports Reuters news-agency.
The "PlayStation model" adopted by SCE division of Sony is not exactly something that should be adopted on a wider basis as it requires Sony to sell hardware at a loss and then profit from selling additional software. However, many elements of this model can actually be adopted in order to boost profitability of Sony.
Unlike Apple or Samsung, Sony owns movie, music and games software development companies and should naturally help to drive sales of in-house products. Nonetheless, SCE has experience, just like Apple, in selling third-party content successfully, something that Sony clearly needs to borrow from its PlayStation unit.
It is well-known that the times for Sony nowadays are more than challenging. Back in the days the company had to compete against other makers of consumer electronics and what it needed was to make high-quality products while maximizing its profitability by offering certain features. Today, simply good hardware with exclusive functionality is clearly not enough as products should form eco-systems to be successful. Creating a unique Sony eco-system while maintaining compatibility with Google Android and Microsoft Windows platforms is an extremely challenging task and Mr. Hirai has to succeed in this. Moreover, even on the "traditional" markets of "not connected" devices Kazuo Hirai
The new CEO of Sony admits: he will have to make hard decisions across all business units and product lines of Sony. The hope is: the outcome will be brand-new Sony.
"We have to make some hard decisions on where there are some redundancies and reduce the fixed costs in a variety of different areas," said Kaz Hirai.
"The Sony Computer Entertainment model is a bigger concept we can grow into a bigger space. Hardware drives software and software drives hardware," said Kazuo Hirai, the incoming CEO of Sony, reports Reuters news-agency.
The "PlayStation model" adopted by SCE division of Sony is not exactly something that should be adopted on a wider basis as it requires Sony to sell hardware at a loss and then profit from selling additional software. However, many elements of this model can actually be adopted in order to boost profitability of Sony.
Unlike Apple or Samsung, Sony owns movie, music and games software development companies and should naturally help to drive sales of in-house products. Nonetheless, SCE has experience, just like Apple, in selling third-party content successfully, something that Sony clearly needs to borrow from its PlayStation unit.
It is well-known that the times for Sony nowadays are more than challenging. Back in the days the company had to compete against other makers of consumer electronics and what it needed was to make high-quality products while maximizing its profitability by offering certain features. Today, simply good hardware with exclusive functionality is clearly not enough as products should form eco-systems to be successful. Creating a unique Sony eco-system while maintaining compatibility with Google Android and Microsoft Windows platforms is an extremely challenging task and Mr. Hirai has to succeed in this. Moreover, even on the "traditional" markets of "not connected" devices Kazuo Hirai
The new CEO of Sony admits: he will have to make hard decisions across all business units and product lines of Sony. The hope is: the outcome will be brand-new Sony.
"We have to make some hard decisions on where there are some redundancies and reduce the fixed costs in a variety of different areas," said Kaz Hirai.
AMD Fusion "Trinity" Desktop APUs to Hit 4GHz Clock-Speed
In an attempt to ensure maximum performance of its forthcoming mainstream desktop accelerated processing units (APUs), Advanced Micro Devices plans to dramatically boost clock-speeds of its code-named Trinity chips. Thanks to frequencies that are up to 800MHz higher compared to Llano APUs available now, Trinity will likely offer significantly better performance.
According to a slide, which resembles those from Advanced Micro Devices' documents, published by DonanimHaber web-site, base clock-speeds of A-series "Trinity" APUs for desktops will start at 3.20GHz and will span to 3.80GHz. Boosted Turbo Core clock-speeds of desktops accelerated processing units will be up to 4.20GHz. Frequencies of integrated graphics processing units will also be considerably higher compared to Llano and therefore will also be faster.
AMD’s second-generation code-named Trinity APU for mainstream personal computers (Comal for notebooks and Virgo for desktops) will be made using 32nm SOI HKMG process technology at Globalfoundries. The APU will feature up to four x86 cores powered by enhanced Bulldozer/Piledriver architecture, AMD Radeon HD 7000-series "Southern Islands" graphics core with DirectX 11-class graphics support, DDR3 memory controller and other improvements. The chips will be compatible with new infrastructure.
According to performance benchmarks conducted by AMD, the Trinity 35W APU with Piledriver-class x86 cores will provide 25% better x86 performance compared to Llano 35W (with K10.5+ "Husky" x86 cores) based on results obtained in PC Mark Vantage Productivity benchmark. AMD also claims that Trinity 35W will offer up to 50% better result in 3D Mark Vantage performance benchmark compared to Llano 35W.
According to documents seen by X-bit labs, staring from early and middle March, 2012, AMD intends to mass produce its desktop A-series "Trinity" accelerated processing units with 65W thermal design power (TDP). In early May, 2012, the chip designer wants to initiate mass production of desktop A-series "Trinity" APUs with 100W TDP and higher performance. The Sunnyvale, California-based chip designer plans to release Trinity in mid-2012.
According to a slide, which resembles those from Advanced Micro Devices' documents, published by DonanimHaber web-site, base clock-speeds of A-series "Trinity" APUs for desktops will start at 3.20GHz and will span to 3.80GHz. Boosted Turbo Core clock-speeds of desktops accelerated processing units will be up to 4.20GHz. Frequencies of integrated graphics processing units will also be considerably higher compared to Llano and therefore will also be faster.
AMD’s second-generation code-named Trinity APU for mainstream personal computers (Comal for notebooks and Virgo for desktops) will be made using 32nm SOI HKMG process technology at Globalfoundries. The APU will feature up to four x86 cores powered by enhanced Bulldozer/Piledriver architecture, AMD Radeon HD 7000-series "Southern Islands" graphics core with DirectX 11-class graphics support, DDR3 memory controller and other improvements. The chips will be compatible with new infrastructure.
According to performance benchmarks conducted by AMD, the Trinity 35W APU with Piledriver-class x86 cores will provide 25% better x86 performance compared to Llano 35W (with K10.5+ "Husky" x86 cores) based on results obtained in PC Mark Vantage Productivity benchmark. AMD also claims that Trinity 35W will offer up to 50% better result in 3D Mark Vantage performance benchmark compared to Llano 35W.
According to documents seen by X-bit labs, staring from early and middle March, 2012, AMD intends to mass produce its desktop A-series "Trinity" accelerated processing units with 65W thermal design power (TDP). In early May, 2012, the chip designer wants to initiate mass production of desktop A-series "Trinity" APUs with 100W TDP and higher performance. The Sunnyvale, California-based chip designer plans to release Trinity in mid-2012.
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