Kinect for Windows to offer 'Minority Report' computer control

A new generation of PCs controlled by gestures is on its way, after Microsoft revealed it is specially adapting its Xbox Kinect technology for Windows computers. 

Tom Cruise in Minority Report

 

The system will allow Windows users to control software with the wave of a hand, as envisaged in the Steven Spielberg film Minority Report.

“Building on the existing Kinect for Xbox 360 device, we have optimized certain hardware components and made firmware adjustments which better enable PC-centric scenarios,” Craig Eisler, general manager of the Kinect for Windows program said in a blog post.

Kinect has proved a major hit on Xbox. A small device sits on top of the console or television and translates gamers’ body movement in to commands in racing, fighting and dancing titles. The Windows version offers the prospect of users controlling everyday office applications simply by moving their hands.

Microsoft said it has created a new “Near Mode” for the PC version of Kinect, suitable for capturing smaller movements more accurately, suitable for working at a desk.

“Near Mode” will enable a whole new class of “close up” applications, beyond the living room scenarios for Kinect for Xbox 360,” said Mr Eisler.

 

Microsoft is already working with software developers on new motion-controlled Windows applications.


"We’ve already seen strong enthusiasm for Kinect among developers who have done amazing things with it in countless different ways, from education to healthcare, gaming to art installations, manufacturing to retail," Mr Eisler said in another blog post.

Microsoft planning new Windows tablet OS

Microsoft is allegedly working on a version of its Windows operating system suited to tablet and smartphone based processors. 

 

 

Microsoft Corp has begun work on a new version of its Windows Operating system designed specifically for low power electronics, according to reports. 

The operating system is said to work with processors produced by UK tech company ARM holdings PLC. It represents a major deviation for the Windows OS, which is synonomous with the x86 format and Intel processors.

ARM processors are commonly found in tablet computers and smartphones, most notably the recently released Samsung Nexus S.

A story published in the Wall Street Journal yesterday said sources close to Microsoft had been working on the ARM project for some time.

"One of those people said the effort is part of a broader push at Microsoft to make Windows more "modular" so that pieces of the operating system that are unnecessary for smaller, low-power devices like tablets can be easily stripped away to make the software perform snappily on the gadgets."

These attemps to simplify Microsoft's Windows OS could be an attempt by the company to regain lost ground in the tablet market. Apple currently enjoyes tablet-dominance with its hugely succesful iPad.

Microsoft announced on Tuesday the recent success of its new Windows Phone 7 operating system which had sold more than 1.5 million handsets in the first six weeks of sales.

Details of the new ARM-based Windows remain unclear, with both Microsoft and ARM declining to comment.

AVG anti-virus update could freeze Windows PCs

Computers running the 64-bit version of Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system could be rendered unusable if users install the latest anti-virus software update from AVG. 

 

An issue with AVG's latest security update is affecting Windows 7 machines

 

The problem affects the most recent free update for AVG 2011, which was made available to users on Dec 1. 

AVG has acknowledged that the patch can send some 64-bit Windows 7 machines in to a crash cycle, forcing a reboot of the computer from which it never restarts. The anti-virus company has withdrawn the update.

The problem is caused by one particular virus database update, which automatically forces the computer to reboot in order for the update to take affect. Upon restarting, the PC will register a "c0000135 error", and will not complete the boot cycle.

The software update is no longer available to users, but AVG has released a guide for those customers who have already installed the update and are experiencing problems as a result.

The step-by-step instructions how the update can be disabled, by running an AVG “rescue CD”.

AVG apologised to users for the software glitch. The company has also recommended an alternative recovery method for those users who no longer have, or cannot create, a “rescue CD”.

Google Chrome: comparison of operating systems

Google has unveiled its new operation system, Google Chrome. Here is a comparison of the main operating systems: 

Google Chrome is now available for computers running Linux and Mac OS X Photo: GOOGLE

 

What is an operating system and what are the options?

An operating system is the software that makes your computer work. It uses programs and data to run the computer, and to make simple tasks work. It acts as an intermediary between your computer's hardware – the keyboard, mouse, monitor, hard drive, processor etc – and the applications or programs you want to run.

Operating systems:

Linux: This open-source operating system – that means the code it's built on is publicly available, and can added to and improved upon by users – might not be a household name, but it will be familiar to a lot of people. If you were one of the first people to buy a netbook computer, such as the Asus Eee PC, then chances are that machine will have been running a version of Linux. Firefox and OpenOffice are both built on the Linux kernel, while Android is based on this code. Dell even briefly offered its customers the option of having the Ubuntu version of Linux installed on their new computer. Linux, though popular with computer geeks, is not really considered to be a mainstream computing platform, and few device makers write drivers for their peripherals that are compatible with the operating system. That means that the Linux user community relies heavily on one another to identify and resolve problems and issues, and fill in the gaps left by other manufacturers.

 

Apple Mac OS X: Microsoft might dominate the computing market, but Apple's OS X operating system is widely considered to be the finest computing platform currently available. Each version of the Mac OS X software range is named after a 'big cat' – the first incarnation was Cheetah, and the forthcoming operating system will be called Lion. Apple's operating system boasts a number of innovative visual features that differentiate it from its competitors. The floating 'Dock' is used in place of a more conventional nested Start menu, while 'Spotlight' allows users to search their whole computer for files, documents or applications. The 'Expose' function allows users to see all their open windows at once, while 'Quick Look' means users can preview a video, PDF, or spreadsheet from directly within the Finder window, without having to first open the associated program. Apple prides itself on having built an operating system that "just works".

 

Microsoft Windows: Microsoft scored a rare own goal with Windows Vista, the operating system launched in 2007 to a chorus of complaints from critics and users alike, who found it bloated, buggy and hard to use. The company's newest operating system, Windows 7, couldn't be more different – cleverly designed and well thought-out, it is, by and large, a joy to use. You can see all your open programs in the Live Taskbar, while Snap To allows you to easily arrange two open windows side by side and use them at the same time. Improved home networking and printer sharing makes it easier for multiple computer users in the same household to access documents and connect to peripherals, while top-notch security and parental control features make Windows 7 an excellent choice for families.

Google Chrome OS: With Chrome, Google is attempting to reimagine the operating system, severing the traditional ties between individual computers and the installed operating system, and instead, placing the OS in the cloud, so that users can have the same kind of computing experience on any machine. Computers running Chrome OS will be almost instant-on, meaning they will start up and connect to the internet, ready for use, in just a few seconds. The platform is based on web applications that give users access to common desktop computing tasks usually handled by a traditional OS, such as email, word processing and photo editing and management.
-

Microsoft profit leaps to $5.41bn as Windows 7 becomes fastest-selling OS in history

Microsoft's latest profit swept past Wall Street forecasts thanks to renewed demand from businesses for software. 

Microsoft profit leaps to $5.41bn as Windows 7 becomes fastest-selling OS in history.

The world's biggest software company, which has been unloved by investors so far this year, reported first-quarter profits of $5.41bn (£3.4bn), up from $3.57bn in the same period last year. 

Appetite from companies for Microsoft's new version of Office helped the Seattle-based company cope with much weaker demand from consumers. Sales to businesses came in at $5.13bn, while sales of software used in servers hit $3.96bn. Microsoft's Windows 7, the operating software for PCs that succeeded the ill-fated Vista, had sold 240 million licenses for the software in its first year, making it the fastest-selling operating system in history.

Founded in 1975 by billionaire Bill Gates, investors are anxious about how Microsoft will fare in a world in which more software is provided via the internet, and as more computing generally moves from desktop computers to mobile phones and tablets.

Chief executive Steve Ballmer has said that the company is betting its future on internet-based software - or cloud computing - and next year will pour 90pc of its $9bn annual research and development budget into it.

“We are seeing improved business demand and adoption. Our enterprise agreement rates were strong, reflecting business commitment to Windows 7, Office 2010, and our server and database products,” said Kevin Turner, Microsoft's chief operating officer.

Shares in Microsoft jumped more than 3pc in extended trading in New York, but have lost more than 10pc of their value this year.