On October 31, 2013, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a
patent application from Apple that reveals a new power management system that
will work with both a power adapter and seamlessly with a portable solar panel
accessory for busy people on the go. Apple's engineers are thinking big with
their on-site solar power now creating the energy equivalent to powering 17,600
homes a year. The experience that Apple's engineers are gaining with working
with solar panels is filtering through to creating a power management system for
future Macs and iDevices. Apple has already been granted seven solar power
patents thus far and you could review most of them in our Green Technology
Archives. Today's patent goes one step further than most by introducing us to a
solar power panel accessory for mobile devices like a MacBook or iPhone that
won't require a power converter. Apple's system may be closer to reality than
first thought considering that Apple's senior power design engineer noted as the
inventor of this system has been snatched by Samsung within the last year.
Apple Invents Portable Solar Panel Accessory for Recharging Devices on the
Go
Apple's patent filing states that in the absence of the power adapter
and/or mains electricity, the portable electronic device may be powered by the
battery until the battery is fully discharged. Because the battery has a limited
runtime, operation of the portable electronic device may generally be dependent
on the availability of mains electricity. Hence, use of portable electronic
devices may be facilitated by improving access to power sources for the portable
electronic devices.
Apple's invention relates to providing a power management system that
supplies power to components in an electronic device. The power management
system includes a system microcontroller (SMC) and a charger. The electronic
devices that will be able to take advantage of Apple's new solar panel include a
MacBook, iPad, iPod touch and iPhone.
During operation, the power management system accepts power from at least
one of a power adapter and a solar panel. Next, the power management system
supplies the power to components in the electronic device without using a
converter circuit between the solar panel and the power management system.
In some embodiments, using the power management system to supply the power
to the components involves tracking a maximum power point of the solar
panel.
In some embodiments, tracking the maximum power point of the solar panel
involves measuring one or more output powers associated with at least one of the
solar panel and the power management system, and adjusting an input voltage of
the power management system based on the one or more output powers. For example,
the input voltage may be adjusted based on the output power(s) using a
perturb-and-observe technique and/or an incremental conductance technique.
2013年10月31日星期四
Microsoft hasn’t confirmed that you will be capable of run Windows
Next week, on October 18, Microsoft will release Windows eight.1, a
relatively massive update that Microsoft hopes will ultimately give it relevance
in the tablet space, and in the exact same time make Windows 8 much less
abhorrent for desktop and laptop users. Microsoft is deluding itself, even
though: Windows 8.1 definitely improves upon the horrid state of affairs which
has persisted because the 1st public preview more than two years ago, but
there’s no way that it's going to unseat iOS or Android inside the mobile arena.
At best, the modifications made to Windows eight.1 will enable the OS to
continue along the incredibly gradual incline treaded by Windows 8. Next year,
although, when Windows 9 is released across every type element and unifies the
app ecosystem across smartphones, tablets, and desktops, then Microsoft actually
stands a opportunity against Google and Apple.
Ever because Windows Telephone 7 limped out the gate in 2010, after which the lackluster launch of Windows eight a year later, it has been clear that Microsoft has been moving to merge the touch, mobile, and desktop ecosystems. From an early date, Microsoft was speaking up how Windows 8′s Metro apps have been pretty much compatible with Windows Phone 7 - then, slightly later, Microsoft made a lot of noise about how Windows Telephone eight would use the same kernel and other low-level libraries as Windows 8. Most recently, with Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft will edge however closer to cross-platform compatibility having a shared app store.
More than the years, it appears just about each Microsoft vice president has discussed how Windows and Windows Phone apps are almost compatible - but, as evidenced by the slow development of Windows 8, Windows Telephone, and their respective ecosystems, almost compatible just isn’t fantastic enough. The thing is, absolutely everyone knows how amazing comprehensive cross-platform compatibility could be. Every person knows that it could be the magic bullet that would quickly give Microsoft a possibility at competing against Apple and Google. That is why Microsoft keeps teasing us, keeps spinning a yarn, to assure absolutely everyone - buyers, developers, and tech pundits - that it knows how critical a unified ecosystem is.
With Windows 9, I bet that Bill Gates’ 1980s dream of Windows Everywhere will ultimately come to fruition. Barring a different civil war, I strongly count on that Windows 9 will run on smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and all the things else in in between, and developers might be in a position to write a single Windows app and have it run across each and every type issue.
Hopefully, Windows 9′s unified ecosystem will resemble iOS: You go to the new app shop (presumably getting debuted in Windows 8.1), then you are only shown the apps that should work effectively on the form issue of your present device. Developers will have the selection of being able to write one app that scales to different screen sizes/resolutions, or 1 app with numerous views/layouts that are optimized for each screen size/resolution - but the main factor is that the exact same code will perform on any Windows 9 device, since the underlying kernel/libraries/abstraction layers are the identical.
In one particular fell swoop, as an alternative to becoming coerced and cajoled by Microsoft into publishing apps for its distant-third platforms, the combined user bases and ecosystems will basically make Windows 9 a desirable platform that can compete with iOS and Android in terms of reach and money-making prospective.
But what about game consoles? Nicely, when it comes to sheer numbers, consoles are still modest fry; over their complete seven-year span, Microsoft and Sony have only sold about 160 million Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles combined. By comparison, analysts estimate that 700 million smartphones and around 400 million PCs had been shipped in 2012 alone. Still, even when the absolute numbers are fairly smaller, Microsoft knows complete effectively that the usefulness and desirability of a software program ecosystem grows exponentially using the addition of new type elements and use cases. Imagine in case you could get a single app on your Windows 9 smartphone, and then have it automatically installed on your Windows 9 desktop and Windows 9 game console, or have your gameplay videos automatically sync from your console to your smartphone and Computer - that’d be quite great, suitable?
The excellent news is that the Xbox A single already appears to be compatible with Windows eight apps, by virtue of operating a cut-down version of Windows eight for apps, alongside the Xbox OS for games. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed that you will be capable of run Windows eight apps directly around the Xbox 1, but we’d be shocked if that wasn’t the case. In the very least, there will possibly be an update towards the Xbox One - perhaps around the exact same time because the unified Windows eight and WP8 app retailer is launched - that brings Windows 8 apps for the Xbox 1. Then, by the time Windows 9 rolls around for smartphones/tablets/PCs, we should really have apps that run across the whole gamut of devices, like consoles.
If Microsoft had unified its mobile device, Pc, and console operating systems last year, with the release of Windows eight, then I feel the consumer computing landscape could be really, very various. Microsoft would most likely be on top and calling the shots, as an alternative to trailing behind the big boys, squeaking tremulously for focus and not getting it. As a consequence of prevarication, internal strife, gutless equivocation, and most likely a slew of other factors that we’ll never get towards the bottom of, Microsoft has had 3 of its weakest OS releases in history: Windows Phone 7 and eight, and Windows 8.
If Windows 9 is released subsequent year, Microsoft may stand a possibility, especially if Windows 8.1 and the acquisition of Nokia can bolster its mobile efforts within the meantime. No matter if such a utopian unified platform can unseat iOS and Android, though, remains to become observed. Apple and Google aren’t standing nonetheless, and continue to solidify their marketplace share regardless of Microsoft’s ideal efforts to remain relevant. If Windows 9 does not come out within the next 12 months, or if Microsoft does not have some other super-secret plan up its sleeve, the company’s future will creep ever closer towards total untenability.
Ever because Windows Telephone 7 limped out the gate in 2010, after which the lackluster launch of Windows eight a year later, it has been clear that Microsoft has been moving to merge the touch, mobile, and desktop ecosystems. From an early date, Microsoft was speaking up how Windows 8′s Metro apps have been pretty much compatible with Windows Phone 7 - then, slightly later, Microsoft made a lot of noise about how Windows Telephone eight would use the same kernel and other low-level libraries as Windows 8. Most recently, with Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft will edge however closer to cross-platform compatibility having a shared app store.
More than the years, it appears just about each Microsoft vice president has discussed how Windows and Windows Phone apps are almost compatible - but, as evidenced by the slow development of Windows 8, Windows Telephone, and their respective ecosystems, almost compatible just isn’t fantastic enough. The thing is, absolutely everyone knows how amazing comprehensive cross-platform compatibility could be. Every person knows that it could be the magic bullet that would quickly give Microsoft a possibility at competing against Apple and Google. That is why Microsoft keeps teasing us, keeps spinning a yarn, to assure absolutely everyone - buyers, developers, and tech pundits - that it knows how critical a unified ecosystem is.
With Windows 9, I bet that Bill Gates’ 1980s dream of Windows Everywhere will ultimately come to fruition. Barring a different civil war, I strongly count on that Windows 9 will run on smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and all the things else in in between, and developers might be in a position to write a single Windows app and have it run across each and every type issue.
Hopefully, Windows 9′s unified ecosystem will resemble iOS: You go to the new app shop (presumably getting debuted in Windows 8.1), then you are only shown the apps that should work effectively on the form issue of your present device. Developers will have the selection of being able to write one app that scales to different screen sizes/resolutions, or 1 app with numerous views/layouts that are optimized for each screen size/resolution - but the main factor is that the exact same code will perform on any Windows 9 device, since the underlying kernel/libraries/abstraction layers are the identical.
In one particular fell swoop, as an alternative to becoming coerced and cajoled by Microsoft into publishing apps for its distant-third platforms, the combined user bases and ecosystems will basically make Windows 9 a desirable platform that can compete with iOS and Android in terms of reach and money-making prospective.
But what about game consoles? Nicely, when it comes to sheer numbers, consoles are still modest fry; over their complete seven-year span, Microsoft and Sony have only sold about 160 million Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles combined. By comparison, analysts estimate that 700 million smartphones and around 400 million PCs had been shipped in 2012 alone. Still, even when the absolute numbers are fairly smaller, Microsoft knows complete effectively that the usefulness and desirability of a software program ecosystem grows exponentially using the addition of new type elements and use cases. Imagine in case you could get a single app on your Windows 9 smartphone, and then have it automatically installed on your Windows 9 desktop and Windows 9 game console, or have your gameplay videos automatically sync from your console to your smartphone and Computer - that’d be quite great, suitable?
The excellent news is that the Xbox A single already appears to be compatible with Windows eight apps, by virtue of operating a cut-down version of Windows eight for apps, alongside the Xbox OS for games. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed that you will be capable of run Windows eight apps directly around the Xbox 1, but we’d be shocked if that wasn’t the case. In the very least, there will possibly be an update towards the Xbox One - perhaps around the exact same time because the unified Windows eight and WP8 app retailer is launched - that brings Windows 8 apps for the Xbox 1. Then, by the time Windows 9 rolls around for smartphones/tablets/PCs, we should really have apps that run across the whole gamut of devices, like consoles.
If Microsoft had unified its mobile device, Pc, and console operating systems last year, with the release of Windows eight, then I feel the consumer computing landscape could be really, very various. Microsoft would most likely be on top and calling the shots, as an alternative to trailing behind the big boys, squeaking tremulously for focus and not getting it. As a consequence of prevarication, internal strife, gutless equivocation, and most likely a slew of other factors that we’ll never get towards the bottom of, Microsoft has had 3 of its weakest OS releases in history: Windows Phone 7 and eight, and Windows 8.
If Windows 9 is released subsequent year, Microsoft may stand a possibility, especially if Windows 8.1 and the acquisition of Nokia can bolster its mobile efforts within the meantime. No matter if such a utopian unified platform can unseat iOS and Android, though, remains to become observed. Apple and Google aren’t standing nonetheless, and continue to solidify their marketplace share regardless of Microsoft’s ideal efforts to remain relevant. If Windows 9 does not come out within the next 12 months, or if Microsoft does not have some other super-secret plan up its sleeve, the company’s future will creep ever closer towards total untenability.
2013年10月14日星期一
Facebook Acquires Data Compression Company Onavo
Facebook has agreed to acquire Israeli startup Onavo for between $100
million and $200 million, according to various reports, although neither
Facebook nor Onavo have disclosed the terms of the deal. This will be Facebook's
first office in Israel.
Tel Aviv-based Onavo is a mobile analytics company founded in 2010 that makes data compression software and provides analytic services for smartphone applications. Its data compression app, called Onavo Extend, was introduced for iOS in 2011 and for Android in 2012. According to its website, the app can increase your mobile data plan by up to 500% without additional fees. Its analytics tool, called Onavo Count, tracks how much data is consumed by each app on your smartphone.
Facebook has focused heavily on strengthening its mobile business, which has experienced the most growth lately. The social network's acquisition of Onavo benefits this effort in three ways: First, Onavo's data compression software will be especially valuable to Facebook's 100 million customers using its Facebook For Every Phone app on feature phones. According to Facebook, millions of people in developing markets such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines rely on feature phone technology to connect to Facebook without having to purchase a pricey smartphone. These basic devices can cost as little as $20.
Second, acquiring Onavo supports Facebook's newest initiative, Internet.org, which aims to connect everyone across the world. Onavo executives named this as another perk of joining the Facebook team. Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm and Samsung are also partners in the Internet.org initiative.
"We're excited to join their team, and hope to play a critical role in reaching one of Internet.org's most significant goals -- using data more efficiently so that more people around the world can connect and share," wrote CEO Guy Rosen and CTO Roi Tiger.
Finally, Facebook has an opportunity to break into a new market -- in Israel. According to reports, Facebook lost to Google in June in acquiring Israeli mapping company Waze after months of negotiations. Facebook reportedly wanted to move Waze's operations to Facebook's existing facilities, which Waze did not want. According to Onavo's Rosen and Tiger, its mobile utility apps will continue as a standalone brand -- like Facebook acquisitions Instagram and Parse -- and remain in Tel Aviv.
"We expect Onavo's data compression technology to play a central role in our mission to connect more people to the Internet, and their analytic tools will help us provide better, more efficient mobile products," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement.
Tel Aviv-based Onavo is a mobile analytics company founded in 2010 that makes data compression software and provides analytic services for smartphone applications. Its data compression app, called Onavo Extend, was introduced for iOS in 2011 and for Android in 2012. According to its website, the app can increase your mobile data plan by up to 500% without additional fees. Its analytics tool, called Onavo Count, tracks how much data is consumed by each app on your smartphone.
Facebook has focused heavily on strengthening its mobile business, which has experienced the most growth lately. The social network's acquisition of Onavo benefits this effort in three ways: First, Onavo's data compression software will be especially valuable to Facebook's 100 million customers using its Facebook For Every Phone app on feature phones. According to Facebook, millions of people in developing markets such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines rely on feature phone technology to connect to Facebook without having to purchase a pricey smartphone. These basic devices can cost as little as $20.
Second, acquiring Onavo supports Facebook's newest initiative, Internet.org, which aims to connect everyone across the world. Onavo executives named this as another perk of joining the Facebook team. Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm and Samsung are also partners in the Internet.org initiative.
"We're excited to join their team, and hope to play a critical role in reaching one of Internet.org's most significant goals -- using data more efficiently so that more people around the world can connect and share," wrote CEO Guy Rosen and CTO Roi Tiger.
Finally, Facebook has an opportunity to break into a new market -- in Israel. According to reports, Facebook lost to Google in June in acquiring Israeli mapping company Waze after months of negotiations. Facebook reportedly wanted to move Waze's operations to Facebook's existing facilities, which Waze did not want. According to Onavo's Rosen and Tiger, its mobile utility apps will continue as a standalone brand -- like Facebook acquisitions Instagram and Parse -- and remain in Tel Aviv.
"We expect Onavo's data compression technology to play a central role in our mission to connect more people to the Internet, and their analytic tools will help us provide better, more efficient mobile products," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement.
Nokia-designed application tools
The optimist would say that Windows Phone's prospects have by no means been
brighter. The pessimist would disagree.
Around the vibrant side, Microsoft just announced Windows Telephone eight Update 3, which contains new support for quad-core CPUs and phablets that aids maintain its spec lists searching fresh. Furthermore, the buyout of Nokia's smartphone arm will bring Redmond's greatest hardware ally absolutely into the fold, all whilst BlackBerry's apparent demise topples the competition for third-largest ecosystem. All this offers the computer software giant a possibility to at least double Windows Telephone growth by 2017.
Around the other hand, Windows Phone adoption has been slow, together with the OS fighting for much less than 10 % of mobile's global industry share, although Android and iOS gobble up the overwhelming majority.
Furthermore, Microsoft features a issue with partners. At this time it really is trying to woo back HTC to when again expand the Windows Telephone ecosystem. If that fails, Microsoft can be the only outfit producing Windows phones. That single-source approach may perhaps work for Apple, but even the iPhone is getting a challenging time standing up to Android's diverse and seemingly inexhaustible players.
Back in 2010, and again in 2011, Microsoft pleaded for patience in receiving its Windows Phone off the ground. But this year, the most recent update's most visible enhancements are a modified interface for extra-large phones plus the capability to close apps in multitasking mode. You also can customize text tones by make contact with.
That is hardly hearty fare, but Microsoft points out that they are the most-wanted additions requested by fans.
Nevertheless, Windows Phone shoppers also clamor to get a notification center, a file manager, a individual assistant, greater storage support for microSD cards, and indicator lights that signal missed calls and alerts. A lot of of these have been requested because the OS debuted and have extended existed on Android and iOS.
Then there's Skype, the other enterprise that Microsoft bought in 2011 (and for 1.3 billion greater than Nokia), however the organization has however to integrate it into Windows smartphones by default to counter Apple's FaceTime and in some cases Google Plus Hangouts. Yes, Windows Telephone 8 Skype users can location calls in the People today hub, after very first downloading the app. What I'm talking about is making this an out-of-the-box feature.
We do know, at the very least, that Microsoft is difficult at function on a private assistant of its personal named Cortana, which understands natural language and will replace the legacy TellMe voice input currently in use.
Microsoft's subsequent update should be a significant a single that consists of this personal assistant, notification center, and Skype integration in the pretty least. Just after the Nokia acquisition is comprehensive (assuming it gets shareholder and windows 7 professional retail version regulatory approval), Windows Phone need to rapidly incorporate Nokia-designed application tools, like its camera add-ons, into the native OS expertise.
From exactly where I sit, Microsoft's largest asset -- and challenge -- should be to take the major risks that make a company stand out as a player worth paying interest to. Immediately after the transition, the Windows Telephone group really should not just use, but push Nokia's venerable style philosophy into edgier territory.
Microsoft ought to waste no time funding projects that explore and apply new finishes and components (like continuing its perform on graphene), publish a handful of wacky proofs of concept (like this one particular from 2011, also under), and probably create a high-end luxury telephone of its personal.
Why? Microsoft's Windows Phone project has spent its lifetime getting reactionary, wanting to catch as much as Apple and Google with out genuinely managing to help keep pace. This is not the time for you to be conservative with cookie-cutter style and capabilities that happen to be just good sufficient.
Around the vibrant side, Microsoft just announced Windows Telephone eight Update 3, which contains new support for quad-core CPUs and phablets that aids maintain its spec lists searching fresh. Furthermore, the buyout of Nokia's smartphone arm will bring Redmond's greatest hardware ally absolutely into the fold, all whilst BlackBerry's apparent demise topples the competition for third-largest ecosystem. All this offers the computer software giant a possibility to at least double Windows Telephone growth by 2017.
Around the other hand, Windows Phone adoption has been slow, together with the OS fighting for much less than 10 % of mobile's global industry share, although Android and iOS gobble up the overwhelming majority.
Furthermore, Microsoft features a issue with partners. At this time it really is trying to woo back HTC to when again expand the Windows Telephone ecosystem. If that fails, Microsoft can be the only outfit producing Windows phones. That single-source approach may perhaps work for Apple, but even the iPhone is getting a challenging time standing up to Android's diverse and seemingly inexhaustible players.
Back in 2010, and again in 2011, Microsoft pleaded for patience in receiving its Windows Phone off the ground. But this year, the most recent update's most visible enhancements are a modified interface for extra-large phones plus the capability to close apps in multitasking mode. You also can customize text tones by make contact with.
That is hardly hearty fare, but Microsoft points out that they are the most-wanted additions requested by fans.
Nevertheless, Windows Phone shoppers also clamor to get a notification center, a file manager, a individual assistant, greater storage support for microSD cards, and indicator lights that signal missed calls and alerts. A lot of of these have been requested because the OS debuted and have extended existed on Android and iOS.
Then there's Skype, the other enterprise that Microsoft bought in 2011 (and for 1.3 billion greater than Nokia), however the organization has however to integrate it into Windows smartphones by default to counter Apple's FaceTime and in some cases Google Plus Hangouts. Yes, Windows Telephone 8 Skype users can location calls in the People today hub, after very first downloading the app. What I'm talking about is making this an out-of-the-box feature.
We do know, at the very least, that Microsoft is difficult at function on a private assistant of its personal named Cortana, which understands natural language and will replace the legacy TellMe voice input currently in use.
Microsoft's subsequent update should be a significant a single that consists of this personal assistant, notification center, and Skype integration in the pretty least. Just after the Nokia acquisition is comprehensive (assuming it gets shareholder and windows 7 professional retail version regulatory approval), Windows Phone need to rapidly incorporate Nokia-designed application tools, like its camera add-ons, into the native OS expertise.
From exactly where I sit, Microsoft's largest asset -- and challenge -- should be to take the major risks that make a company stand out as a player worth paying interest to. Immediately after the transition, the Windows Telephone group really should not just use, but push Nokia's venerable style philosophy into edgier territory.
Microsoft ought to waste no time funding projects that explore and apply new finishes and components (like continuing its perform on graphene), publish a handful of wacky proofs of concept (like this one particular from 2011, also under), and probably create a high-end luxury telephone of its personal.
Why? Microsoft's Windows Phone project has spent its lifetime getting reactionary, wanting to catch as much as Apple and Google with out genuinely managing to help keep pace. This is not the time for you to be conservative with cookie-cutter style and capabilities that happen to be just good sufficient.
2013年8月29日星期四
Get Ready for an Xbox Spin-Off From Microsoft
An article from Bloomberg today speculates thatwith Ballmer leaving,
there's a very real possibility that Microsoft will spin off the Xbox division
sooner rather than later.
I'm a proponent of busting Microsoft into four to six entities, and this is a good start. Some analysts see the proposed Xbox Corporation being valued around $17 billion right out of the chute.
Bloomberg reports:
Ballmer's retirement as chief executive officer may clear the way for a potential spinoff of the Xbox unit to unlock shareholder value. While a consumer success with $7 billion in annual sales, it's one of Microsoft's lower-margin divisions and doesn't drive sales of the company's core business services and software. Xbox may be worth at least $17 billion on its own, based on Nintendo Co.'s revenue multiple, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its value should be even higher given that Nintendo has operating losses, Wedbush Inc. said.
When you really think about it, the Xbox is unlike anything else Microsoft does. The company stuck with this product and developed a winner by actually being patient for a change. But still, the profit margins are not there insofar as Microsoft is concerned and it might just be spun off to make the books look better.
The immediate drawback would be that Microsoft stores rely on the Xbox for a good portion of their sales and profits. It's possible a deal could be struck so the stores always guarantee the Xbox a place on the shelves and the new Xbox Corporation will agree to supply the stores with machines on some priority schedule. In fact, the Xbox channels are already well-established so the Microsoft stores will just be icing on the cake.
The new company might actually benefit by not having to meet or exceed the ridiculously high margins achieved by the software business. In fact it may even flourish without the ogres in Redmond complaining about profit margins.
Spinning off might also allow for more inventive Xbox peripherals, which normally get killed off by the mother company.
But where will the money-making Kinect end up? It makes no sense to keep it with Microsoft and it cannot become a company unto itself. It has to go with the Xbox Corporation.
So how likely is this split-up? The article goes on to point out:
Whether Microsoft decides to part with some business units will come down to who it chooses to be the next CEO, Schwartz of Schwartz Investment Counsel said. 'If they choose an insider to replace Ballmer, I would say a breakup is still unlikely,' he said. 'But if they go the other route and get someone from outside the company who has an open mind and is willing to shake things up, I could see them breaking this up. It makes sense.'
Microsoft has not been grooming any particular heir to the throne, which indicates to me an outsider will indeed be brought in. That means the potential for the Xbox spin-off is real.
And that might suggest other spin-offs are coming too. Let's hope so.
I'm a proponent of busting Microsoft into four to six entities, and this is a good start. Some analysts see the proposed Xbox Corporation being valued around $17 billion right out of the chute.
Bloomberg reports:
Ballmer's retirement as chief executive officer may clear the way for a potential spinoff of the Xbox unit to unlock shareholder value. While a consumer success with $7 billion in annual sales, it's one of Microsoft's lower-margin divisions and doesn't drive sales of the company's core business services and software. Xbox may be worth at least $17 billion on its own, based on Nintendo Co.'s revenue multiple, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its value should be even higher given that Nintendo has operating losses, Wedbush Inc. said.
When you really think about it, the Xbox is unlike anything else Microsoft does. The company stuck with this product and developed a winner by actually being patient for a change. But still, the profit margins are not there insofar as Microsoft is concerned and it might just be spun off to make the books look better.
The immediate drawback would be that Microsoft stores rely on the Xbox for a good portion of their sales and profits. It's possible a deal could be struck so the stores always guarantee the Xbox a place on the shelves and the new Xbox Corporation will agree to supply the stores with machines on some priority schedule. In fact, the Xbox channels are already well-established so the Microsoft stores will just be icing on the cake.
The new company might actually benefit by not having to meet or exceed the ridiculously high margins achieved by the software business. In fact it may even flourish without the ogres in Redmond complaining about profit margins.
Spinning off might also allow for more inventive Xbox peripherals, which normally get killed off by the mother company.
But where will the money-making Kinect end up? It makes no sense to keep it with Microsoft and it cannot become a company unto itself. It has to go with the Xbox Corporation.
So how likely is this split-up? The article goes on to point out:
Whether Microsoft decides to part with some business units will come down to who it chooses to be the next CEO, Schwartz of Schwartz Investment Counsel said. 'If they choose an insider to replace Ballmer, I would say a breakup is still unlikely,' he said. 'But if they go the other route and get someone from outside the company who has an open mind and is willing to shake things up, I could see them breaking this up. It makes sense.'
Microsoft has not been grooming any particular heir to the throne, which indicates to me an outsider will indeed be brought in. That means the potential for the Xbox spin-off is real.
And that might suggest other spin-offs are coming too. Let's hope so.
Parallels Desktop in fullscreen method
Enjoyment of operating Home windows or Linux applications with your Mac?
That’s right in Parallels Desktop’s wheelhouse, and edition nine, which debuted
on Thursday, adds more options to the virtualization program. But even though
the program is presently readily available as an upgrade for existing buyers of
Parallels Desktop seven or 8, the complete model will not go on sale until
eventually next 7 days.
Among the most important new options of Parallels Desktop 9 is optimized guidance for cloud storage providers like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft’s SkyDrive, plus much more. You may sync files amongst your Mac as well as your Home windows digital machine without having the documents duplicated, thus preserving you cherished disk house. And speaking of sharing functions in between your Mac and Home windows VM, there’s now only one Stability Center for working with a complimentary security program membership for equally your Mac and Windows VM.
Mac aficionados can now profit from the variety of Apple-like characteristics inside their Windows digital devices, likewise. By way of example, there is assistance for Mountain Lion’s Energy Nap element on Retina MacBook Professionals and MacBook Airs, allowing you retain your Home windows virtual machine’s applications up-to-date regardless if your computer system is sleeping. In addition, you could now use the three-finger-tap in Windows applications to search up terms in OS X’s Dictionary, link storage volumes on your Home windows VM by using Thunderbolt and FireWire, and print to some PDF in your Mac desktop appropriate from any Home windows application.
Also existing is improved support for Windows 8 and eight.1, together with the return with the genuine Start off menu, along with the power to operate modern day UI applications inside of a window, fairly than simply fullscreen. Enhancements into the Digital Device wizards simplify starting a brand new VM, although you really do not have got a DVD travel in your Mac; there’s also much better aid for connecting to an external keep an eye on although managing Parallels Desktop in fullscreen method, and editable keyboard shortcuts make it a lot easier for users to tweak their Home windows setup.
Parallels Desktop is currently available as being a $50 up grade for present users of Parallels Desktop 7 or 8; those that procured Parallels Desktop eight on or www.windows7prokeys.com after August fifteen can upgrade without spending a dime.
New customers, having said that, will have to wait until eventually September five, once they can choose the app up for $80. A college student edition will operate $40, although the Change to Mac Version, which incorporate further applications emigrate from the Pc to your new Mac, costs $100. Also involved with Parallels Desktop nine, to get a limited time only, is really a free of charge six-month trial membership for the company’s a short while ago introduced Parallels Access, which lets you entry your Mac apps out of your iPad.
Among the most important new options of Parallels Desktop 9 is optimized guidance for cloud storage providers like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft’s SkyDrive, plus much more. You may sync files amongst your Mac as well as your Home windows digital machine without having the documents duplicated, thus preserving you cherished disk house. And speaking of sharing functions in between your Mac and Home windows VM, there’s now only one Stability Center for working with a complimentary security program membership for equally your Mac and Windows VM.
Mac aficionados can now profit from the variety of Apple-like characteristics inside their Windows digital devices, likewise. By way of example, there is assistance for Mountain Lion’s Energy Nap element on Retina MacBook Professionals and MacBook Airs, allowing you retain your Home windows virtual machine’s applications up-to-date regardless if your computer system is sleeping. In addition, you could now use the three-finger-tap in Windows applications to search up terms in OS X’s Dictionary, link storage volumes on your Home windows VM by using Thunderbolt and FireWire, and print to some PDF in your Mac desktop appropriate from any Home windows application.
Also existing is improved support for Windows 8 and eight.1, together with the return with the genuine Start off menu, along with the power to operate modern day UI applications inside of a window, fairly than simply fullscreen. Enhancements into the Digital Device wizards simplify starting a brand new VM, although you really do not have got a DVD travel in your Mac; there’s also much better aid for connecting to an external keep an eye on although managing Parallels Desktop in fullscreen method, and editable keyboard shortcuts make it a lot easier for users to tweak their Home windows setup.
Parallels Desktop is currently available as being a $50 up grade for present users of Parallels Desktop 7 or 8; those that procured Parallels Desktop eight on or www.windows7prokeys.com after August fifteen can upgrade without spending a dime.
New customers, having said that, will have to wait until eventually September five, once they can choose the app up for $80. A college student edition will operate $40, although the Change to Mac Version, which incorporate further applications emigrate from the Pc to your new Mac, costs $100. Also involved with Parallels Desktop nine, to get a limited time only, is really a free of charge six-month trial membership for the company’s a short while ago introduced Parallels Access, which lets you entry your Mac apps out of your iPad.
2013年8月18日星期日
Best Buy Running Another iPhone Trade-In Deal
Best Buy is running another iPhone trade-in program, which can help iPhone
4S owners land a new iPhone 5 for free.
Running now until Sunday, Aug. 18, those who visit a Best Buy store can trade in their working iPhone 4S for a $200 Best Buy gift card or an iPhone 4 for a $100 gift card, which can be used toward the purchase of an iPhone 5 with a two-year contract.
The iPhone 5 currently starts at $199 for the 16GB version, but Best Buy also sells the 32GB for $299 and the 64GB for $399.
Given that T-Mobile has adopted a no-contract "un-carrier" approach, this deal does not apply to T-Mobile users. A 16GB iPhone 5 on the carrier will cost $145.99 down, plus payments of $21 per month for two years.
Best Buy has offered similar trade-in deals throughout the summer. A one-day promotion on June 1 was so successful that the deal returned in late June for nine days.
The iPhone is not the only discounted Apple gadget available at Best Buy. The big box retailer is offering $200 off the new Haswell-enhanced MacBook Airs. Students with a .edu email address can get an additional $100 off the Apple laptops.
The 11.6-inch MacBook Air with 4GB of memory, 128GB of flash storage, and an i5 processor is on sale for $899.99, while the 13.3-inch is available for $999.99. For 256GB of flash storage, the 11.6-inch is $1,099.99 and the 13.3-inch is $1,199.99.
To get the student discount, register at BestBuy.com/StudentDeals.
Best Buy did not immediately respond to a request for comment about how long the MacBook Air promotion will last, but the last deal - which discounted the MacBook Pro in a similar fashion - lasted about a week.
The iPhone deal, meanwhile, comes several weeks before Apple is reportedly scheduled to reveal the next iPhone. This new iPhone, however, is not expected to be a huge revamp, so a free iPhone 5 might be more attractive than a $200 iPhone 5S to some. For more, check out some of the latest rumors making the rounds about the iPhone.
Other student deals that are running through Sept. 14 include:
Save $20 on all Beats Studio Headphones ($229.99 after a $20 savings)
20 percent off all Speck Cases for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S 4
Save $200 on the 13.3-inch Lenovo Yoga Convertible ultrabook
Save $40 on the Epson WF 2540 Wireless printer
Running now until Sunday, Aug. 18, those who visit a Best Buy store can trade in their working iPhone 4S for a $200 Best Buy gift card or an iPhone 4 for a $100 gift card, which can be used toward the purchase of an iPhone 5 with a two-year contract.
The iPhone 5 currently starts at $199 for the 16GB version, but Best Buy also sells the 32GB for $299 and the 64GB for $399.
Given that T-Mobile has adopted a no-contract "un-carrier" approach, this deal does not apply to T-Mobile users. A 16GB iPhone 5 on the carrier will cost $145.99 down, plus payments of $21 per month for two years.
Best Buy has offered similar trade-in deals throughout the summer. A one-day promotion on June 1 was so successful that the deal returned in late June for nine days.
The iPhone is not the only discounted Apple gadget available at Best Buy. The big box retailer is offering $200 off the new Haswell-enhanced MacBook Airs. Students with a .edu email address can get an additional $100 off the Apple laptops.
The 11.6-inch MacBook Air with 4GB of memory, 128GB of flash storage, and an i5 processor is on sale for $899.99, while the 13.3-inch is available for $999.99. For 256GB of flash storage, the 11.6-inch is $1,099.99 and the 13.3-inch is $1,199.99.
To get the student discount, register at BestBuy.com/StudentDeals.
Best Buy did not immediately respond to a request for comment about how long the MacBook Air promotion will last, but the last deal - which discounted the MacBook Pro in a similar fashion - lasted about a week.
The iPhone deal, meanwhile, comes several weeks before Apple is reportedly scheduled to reveal the next iPhone. This new iPhone, however, is not expected to be a huge revamp, so a free iPhone 5 might be more attractive than a $200 iPhone 5S to some. For more, check out some of the latest rumors making the rounds about the iPhone.
Other student deals that are running through Sept. 14 include:
Save $20 on all Beats Studio Headphones ($229.99 after a $20 savings)
20 percent off all Speck Cases for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S 4
Save $200 on the 13.3-inch Lenovo Yoga Convertible ultrabook
Save $40 on the Epson WF 2540 Wireless printer
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