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Microsoft partners impressed with Apple’s Snow Leopard

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mac-os-x-snow-leopardDon’t get too excited — nowhere do we see evidence of Microsoft itself being impressed with the next version of Apple’s operating system. However, channel partners do seem to be impressed with Snow Leopard, and they aren’t afraid to talk about it.

For example, the president of Global System Services, Ron Herardian, noted that Snow Leopard would likely far exceed Windows 7’s 64-bit and multicore hardware performance, while the president of Daystar Technology, Gary Dailey, said that Apple was still able to improve on a mature OS while Microsoft tried to recover from the Vista disaster.

Not every one of Microsoft’s friends is that impressed, of course, with the CEO of InterKnowlogy suggesting that some of Snow Leopard’s new technologies — including Grand Central and OpenCL — are features achievable using .Net. [Read more…]

Originally posted on August 26, 2009 @ 7:11 am

iPhone Apps only for personal usage: does Apple continue to deceive its customer base?

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iphone-in-business

In a new rather contradictive statement made by Apple it seems that the 1, Infinite Loop based company continues to lie to its user base. Or behave hypocritically at least.

Problem this time is the requirement of companies in the UK who want to reclaim the Value Added Tax (VAT) on applications purchased via the Appstore. But the Californian company states that applications purchased for the iPhone via its built-in Appstore are only for personal, non-commercial use, thus evading the need to supply VAT-receipts. [Read more…]

Originally posted on August 24, 2009 @ 5:10 pm

Microsoft launches OneApp software to enhance basic cellphones

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microsoft-oneappMicrosoft has announced a new piece of software that’s designed to allow users of more basic mobile handsets to access web services and more advanced applications than their handset would ordinarily be capable of. This includes a range of GPRS-enabled phones.

The lightweight application (150K) is quick to install and, once on the phone, appears as a single piece of software that users access the rest of their apps from.

It includes cloud services that allow processing and storage online instead of on the phone, and claims to use the mobile network more efficiently, thus reducing data charges.

OneApp is based on industry standards such as JavaScript and XML, with an SDK expected by the end of the year.

Originally posted on August 25, 2009 @ 6:25 am

Microsoft playing catchup with Zune HD App Store?

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zune-hd-appsMicrosoft must be pretty pleased with the latest speculation over its new Zune HD media player, for although companies have to officially denounce any rumors that come out, behind closed doors they’re usually pretty pleased there’s any interest in the next big thing they’re releasing.

It’s something Apple thrives on, and perhaps Microsoft is hoping that the mere mention of an application store for its new PMP will make it more exciting than it is.

OK, so it’s been covered by Engadget without much (if any) MS snark, so it has a reasonable cool factor. [Read more…]

Originally posted on August 24, 2009 @ 12:01 pm