Microsoft SkyDrive update adds Windows 8 sync, other improvements

The client software for SkyDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage solution, has been updated for both Windows and Mac OS X. Build 16.4.4111.0525 adds improved Windows 8 integration, specifically with photos and goes on to address a number of bugs and quirks. The update also aims to improve performance and the overall user experience.

Probably the biggest change in SkyDrive's client software is its Windows 8 photo manager integration. When a user logs in with their Microsoft account (a.k.a. Windows Live), the Windows 8 Photo app will work with photos from the associated SkyDrive account. This new feature will also work with the Windows 8 Release Preview, something Microsoft just released for public consumption today.

Other changes include a bump from 150,000 files to a maximum of 10 million, improved reliability in both terms of syncing and stability and quicker folder updates. In April, Microsoft had lowered the 25GB of space to 7GB but upped the maximum file size to 2GB. More storage can be purchased at a premium.

 Windows 8 integration obviously isn't useful for Mac users. However, those who do use SkyDrive on their Macs may be pleased to know that the annoyingly persistent SkyDrive icon has been taken out back and shot. 

If you already have SkyDrive installed, the update should be pushed out automatically -- SkyDrive just needs to be running. Windows users can check to see what version they are using by right-clicking on the SkyDrive icon in the system tray (right corner of the task bar) and clicking "Settings" from the menu. For Mac users, bring the SkyDrive application into focus, click the "Settings" menu at the top of the screen and then click "About". The latest build number should be 16.4.4111.0525.

If you don't have SkyDrive and would like to give it a whirl, you can download it here (Mac & PC). This installer will update to the latest version during setup.

Not sure what cloud storage is best for you? You may also want to check out our very own cloud storage comparison.

View the original article here

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Posted in: improvements,Microsoft,other,SkyDrive,update,Windows

Microsoft talks IE10, "Do Not Track" will be enabled by default

Yesterday, Microsoft posted an interesting look at the current state of Internet Explorer 10 on its MSDN blog. In the article, readers will discover that Microsoft is touting a faster and more fluid experience, natural touch and gesture control, metro-influenced design elements and -- to the dismay of advertisers everywhere -- "Do Not Track" will be enabled by default.

For starters, IE10 will better appeal to the fine sensibilities of touchscreen users. Unsurprisingly, the browser will be bundled with Windows 8 -- an operating system which is expected to be found on tablets and other touchscreen devices. As a result, Microsoft is touting its very own MSGesture touch gesture API which was inspired by Surface.

Other mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS include their own touch gesture APIs, but Microsoft appears to be improving upon those systems with a richer set of capabilities. IE10 will also come bundled with a touch-optimized version of Adobe Flash.

One of the most interesting elements about IE10 though, is its bold decision to turn on Do Not Track by default. 

DNT, for those who aren't familiar with the idea, is an evolving, voluntary standard (or should I say set of non-standards?) by which users can opt out of web-based tracking mechanisms via a web browser setting.

There does not seem to be a central consensus on how to do this best. Firefox, for example, requires the website you're visiting to support and respect DNT while Chrome implements it only through an extension which prevents cookies from being persistent. Internet Explorer, on the other hand, takes Mozilla's voluntary approach but supplements it with a curated DNT protection list which blocks untrusted websites that don't honor DNT.

IE's respectively heavy-handed approach to DNT is one of two reasons why Microsoft's decision to turn it on by default is so fascinating. 

The second reason? According to the Wall Street Journal, by enabling DNT out of the box, Microsoft is breaking an agreement made with the White House by the Digital Advertising Alliance -- a consortium which includes Microsoft as a member. The DAA is likely concerned about Microsoft's unilateral decision because tracking is valuable to advertisers and advertising, as we all know, is what makes much of the web go 'round.

Interested in trying it out? The latest version of IE10 is bundled with the Windows 8 Release Preview that was made publicly available on May 31. Unfortunately, IE10 Release Preview 6 is only available for Windows 8.

View the original article here

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Posted in: default,enabled,Microsoft,talks,Track

Microsoft SkyDrive update adds Windows 8 sync, other improvements

The client software for SkyDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage solution, has been updated for both Windows and Mac OS X. Build 16.4.4111.0525 adds improved Windows 8 integration, specifically with photos and goes on to address a number of bugs and quirks. The update also aims to improve performance and the overall user experience.

Probably the biggest change in SkyDrive's client software is its Windows 8 photo manager integration. When a user logs in with their Microsoft account (a.k.a. Windows Live), the Windows 8 Photo app will work with photos from the associated SkyDrive account. This new feature will also work with the Windows 8 Release Preview, something Microsoft just released for public consumption today.

Other changes include a bump from 150,000 files to a maximum of 10 million, improved reliability in both terms of syncing and stability and quicker folder updates. In April, Microsoft had lowered the 25GB of space to 7GB but upped the maximum file size to 2GB. More storage can be purchased at a premium.

 Windows 8 integration obviously isn't useful for Mac users. However, those who do use SkyDrive on their Macs may be pleased to know that the annoyingly persistent SkyDrive icon has been taken out back and shot. 

If you already have SkyDrive installed, the update should be pushed out automatically -- SkyDrive just needs to be running. Windows users can check to see what version they are using by right-clicking on the SkyDrive icon in the system tray (right corner of the task bar) and clicking "Settings" from the menu. For Mac users, bring the SkyDrive application into focus, click the "Settings" menu at the top of the screen and then click "About". The latest build number should be 16.4.4111.0525.

If you don't have SkyDrive and would like to give it a whirl, you can download it here (Mac & PC). This installer will update to the latest version during setup.

Not sure what cloud storage is best for you? You may also want to check out our very own cloud storage comparison.

View the original article here

Read more »

Posted in: improvements,Microsoft,other,SkyDrive,update,Windows

Microsoft talks IE10, "Do Not Track" will be enabled by default

Yesterday, Microsoft posted an interesting look at the current state of Internet Explorer 10 on its MSDN blog. In the article, readers will discover that Microsoft is touting a faster and more fluid experience, natural touch and gesture control, metro-influenced design elements and -- to the dismay of advertisers everywhere -- "Do Not Track" will be enabled by default.

For starters, IE10 will better appeal to the fine sensibilities of touchscreen users. Unsurprisingly, the browser will be bundled with Windows 8 -- an operating system which is expected to be found on tablets and other touchscreen devices. As a result, Microsoft is touting its very own MSGesture touch gesture API which was inspired by Surface.

Other mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS include their own touch gesture APIs, but Microsoft appears to be improving upon those systems with a richer set of capabilities. IE10 will also come bundled with a touch-optimized version of Adobe Flash.

One of the most interesting elements about IE10 though, is its bold decision to turn on Do Not Track by default. 

DNT, for those who aren't familiar with the idea, is an evolving, voluntary standard (or should I say set of non-standards?) by which users can opt out of web-based tracking mechanisms via a web browser setting.

There does not seem to be a central consensus on how to do this best. Firefox, for example, requires the website you're visiting to support and respect DNT while Chrome implements it only through an extension which prevents cookies from being persistent. Internet Explorer, on the other hand, takes Mozilla's voluntary approach but supplements it with a curated DNT protection list which blocks untrusted websites that don't honor DNT.

IE's respectively heavy-handed approach to DNT is one of two reasons why Microsoft's decision to turn it on by default is so fascinating. 

The second reason? According to the Wall Street Journal, by enabling DNT out of the box, Microsoft is breaking an agreement made with the White House by the Digital Advertising Alliance -- a consortium which includes Microsoft as a member. The DAA is likely concerned about Microsoft's unilateral decision because tracking is valuable to advertisers and advertising, as we all know, is what makes much of the web go 'round.

Interested in trying it out? The latest version of IE10 is bundled with the Windows 8 Release Preview that was made publicly available on May 31. Unfortunately, IE10 Release Preview 6 is only available for Windows 8.

View the original article here

Read more »

Posted in: default,enabled,Microsoft,talks,Track

Microsoft SkyDrive update adds Windows 8 sync, other improvements

The client software for SkyDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage solution, has been updated for both Windows and Mac OS X. Build 16.4.4111.0525 adds improved Windows 8 integration, specifically with photos and goes on to address a number of bugs and quirks. The update also aims to improve performance and the overall user experience.

Probably the biggest change in SkyDrive's client software is its Windows 8 photo manager integration. When a user logs in with their Microsoft account (a.k.a. Windows Live), the Windows 8 Photo app will work with photos from the associated SkyDrive account. This new feature will also work with the Windows 8 Release Preview, something Microsoft just released for public consumption today.

Other changes include a bump from 150,000 files to a maximum of 10 million, improved reliability in both terms of syncing and stability and quicker folder updates. In April, Microsoft had lowered the 25GB of space to 7GB but upped the maximum file size to 2GB. More storage can be purchased at a premium.

 Windows 8 integration obviously isn't useful for Mac users. However, those who do use SkyDrive on their Macs may be pleased to know that the annoyingly persistent SkyDrive icon has been taken out back and shot. 

If you already have SkyDrive installed, the update should be pushed out automatically -- SkyDrive just needs to be running. Windows users can check to see what version they are using by right-clicking on the SkyDrive icon in the system tray (right corner of the task bar) and clicking "Settings" from the menu. For Mac users, bring the SkyDrive application into focus, click the "Settings" menu at the top of the screen and then click "About". The latest build number should be 16.4.4111.0525.

If you don't have SkyDrive and would like to give it a whirl, you can download it here (Mac & PC). This installer will update to the latest version during setup.

Not sure what cloud storage is best for you? You may also want to check out our very own cloud storage comparison.

View the original article here

Read more »

Posted in: improvements,Microsoft,other,SkyDrive,update,Windows

Microsoft to drop "Windows Live" brand alongside Windows 8 release

Were you finally getting used to the idea of Microsoft integrating its products and services under the "Windows Live" umbrella? Well, if you're someone who's gotten comfortable with the Windows Live brand, you're about to be jettisoned into the zone of discomfort again.
With the advent of Windows 8 looming around the corner, Microsoft has decided to retire its "Windows Live" brand.
Debuting in 2005, Windows Live has grown to encompass a collection of software and services. But, as Microsoft reasons on its blog, much of that functionality will not only be included in Windows 8 but reimagined. As a result, Microsoft will be dropping Windows Live in favor of a suite of rethought cloud-based "apps" featuring better integration and simplified naming conventions.
Services like Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Calendar or even Windows Live Mail will now simply be referred to as Messenger, Calendar and Mail, respectively. Services like Hotmail will continue operating normally, but Microsoft is looking to unify all of its services under a singular "Microsoft account". The company does not go into great detail concerning what that will mean for @live.com accounts, but the blog post does mention migrating those users over to the new system. The same Microsoft account can also be used for signing into Windows 8 and will be used for Xbox Live, Zune and others.
Here's what Microsoft intends services and products to look like under Windows 8:

Over the years, a number of Microsoft products have endured some form of identity or brand confusion. In 2005, Microsoft had tried migrating users from Hotmail to its Live brand, but shortly afterward was forced to reverse its plans.
Another great example of that confusion is Windows Live Mesh. WLM was born from an acquisition which spawned Windows FolderShare. Live Mesh came along as an independent project but overstepped FolderShare's turf, so Microsoft renamed Windows FolderShare to Windows Live Sync. Live Mesh never quite made it out of beta, but developers merged Windows Live Sync with Live Mesh to make Windows Live Mesh but the two existed concurrently and...
Ahhh, forget it. Just read this instead.
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Posted in: alongside,brand,Microsoft,release,Windows