Bing finally supports image matching in search
You know Google’s Search by Image feature? Well, Bing now offers the same functionality — albeit more than two years later. Microsoft’s search engine will now let you search for a particular picture, as Google has been doing since mid-2011. While Google’s Search by Image works by dragging and dropping a photo into the text box, Bing’s version uses an Image Match button to pull up different sizes for a given picture. It’s definitely a useful feature, especially if you need a particular resolution or are looking for a particular source. Better late than never, Microsoft, but you certainly are tardy on this one.
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft, Google
Via: The Next Web
Source: Bing Search Blog
Barnes & Noble to drop its Nook app for Windows in revised Microsoft deal
We hope you weren’t too attached to the Nook app for Windows, because it’s going away — well, sort of. Barnes & Noble’s Nook Media subsidiary and Microsoft have amended their partnership with terms that let Nook Media stop distributing its Windows e-book software. The company won’t leave bookworms completely stranded, though. Instead, it will steer them toward “Microsoft Consumer Reader;” ZDNet believes this is a previously rumored e-reading app that will support both Nook content as well as generic text. The updated pact also lets Nook Media scrap progress on a Windows Phone app, although that’s not as big a loss when the client hasn’t reached the public. We don’t yet know how the revised deal will affect Windows-bound Nook fans, but let’s hope that Microsoft does a good job of picking up any slack.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Microsoft
Via: ZDNet
Source: SEC
Office 365 Personal offers cheaper access to Microsoft’s productivity suite
Micorosoft’s Office is still pretty ubiquitous, but it’s facing challenges from a number of cheaper (often free) competitors that have quite a head start in the cloud. Office 365 Personal is an attempt to ward of some of those would be usurpers by delivering 20GB of Skydrive storage and 60 minutes per-month of Skype calls along with the standard Office apps for $70 a year or $7 a month. The Personal package gives you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access on one desktop computer (be it Windows or Mac) and one tablet as well as their web app counterparts. The Home Premium option, which costs $100 per-year or $10 per-month will remain, though it will be renamed simply Office 365 Home. The more expensive option give you the ability to install the suite on up to five computers as well as access from a smartphone. The Personal subscription will launch sometime this spring, though Microsoft hasn’t given an exact date just yet.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Microsoft
Source: Office Blog
Microsoft said to be waiving Windows Phone fees for some manufacturers
Rumors have been popping up lately that Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS may become free to some companies to help them compete with Android devices. Now two unnamed Indian manufacturers, part of a group of new Windows Phone partners, have said that they are, in fact, getting WP8 at no charge. One told the Times of India that it’s “not paying Microsoft a license fee” through a unique, specific agreement. Redmond wouldn’t confirm that, however, saying only that “we have extensive programs to help our partners build great devices.” Indian OEM Karbonn notably just launched a dual-boot Android/WP8 phone, though it hasn’t admitted to receiving any largess. Either way, it would mark the first time Microsoft hasn’t taken a fee for its mobile OS, even from Nokia. Until it clarifies things, though, it’s best to take all this with a grain of salt — even though it would give a more viable non-Android option to Microsoft in the developing world.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: WM Power User
Source: Times of India
Watch the new, customizable Windows Phone 8.1 camera app in action (video)
Microsoft didn’t just equip Windows Phone 8.1 with a redesigned notification center and a Siri nemesis called Cortana, it also revamped its stock camera app. While many of the current app’s features remain intact, a video leaked by Unleash The Phones shows that the right side of the interface now features shortcut buttons for single photo, video and burst photo modes. The left side, however, is completely customizable, and a user can easily fill it with up to five shortcuts to settings (flash, lens picker, resolution, ISO among others) of their choice. Curious WP users who want to know how the updated app compares to Nokia’s camera software can watch the video after the jump. Of course, they might only have to wait a bit more to know everything about the OS… and to finally find out if they can install it on their WP8 devices.
)
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Unleash The Phones
VLC’s media player hits Windows 8 in beta form
Let’s say you bought a new laptop and wanted to check out a few videos that you legally downloaded without leaving Windows 8′s touch-focused UI — until now, your options have been pretty limited. If you’re feeling a little adventurous though, the beta version of VLC’s media player that Microsoft News spotted on Redmond’s app store should do the trick. It’s an experimental port of the Windows RT app, however, and as such the application has a few hurdles to clear before it’s ready for prime time. General sluggishness compared to the desktop version and some audio bugs, for instance, are a few issues that may crop up. Developer VideoLAN says that this version isn’t nearly as stable as it should be (it is a beta, after all), but that hasn’t stopped you from downloading its apps before, has it?
VLC for Windows 8 first beta: http://t.co/CxDfE2gfNi
– VideoLAN (@videolan) March 12, 2014
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Via: Microsoft News
Source: Windows Store, Kickstarter
Microsoft’s OneNote may come to the Mac this month
Microsoft’s OneNote app has been available on mobile, Windows and the web for quite some time, but Mac support for the note-taking software has proven elusive… at least, until now. Both The Verge and ZDNet hear that OneNote will be available for free on OS X later this month. Microsoft would also release a free desktop Windows app (the Windows 8-native app is already gratis) to better support its own platform. Both versions would include new features, too, including a Clipper service to save web content and a desktop variant of Office Lens’ document scanning. We’ve reached out to Microsoft to verify the claims. It’s easy to see why the folks in Redmond might expand OneNote’s ecosystem, though. The app is facing stiff competition from Evernote, which is available on most modern platforms — Microsoft would simply be countering a rival.
New Version of Microsoft Office for Mac Slated for 2014 Release
Microsoft is planning to introduce an updated version of its Office productivity suite for the Mac in 2014, according to Thorsten Hübschen, Business Group Lead at Microsoft Germany, who gave Computerwoche (via Macworld) the news at the Cebit trade fair in Hanover.
While there’s little information available on a possible release date, Hübschen said more news on the product should come during the second quarter of 2014. Microsoft’s current Office software for the Mac was released more than three years ago in October of 2010.
At the Cebit trade fair in Hanover, Hübschen told Computerwoche that there are now development teams for each of the Office applications, which each produce versions of their product for different platforms. In addition to MacOS, other possible targets for the future may include tablets running iOS and Android.
Microsoft originally had plans to release Office for Mac in the spring of 2014, but it appears the company will miss that timeline, instead planning for a release later in the year. According to a representative from Microsoft, the company is indeed working on the next version of Office for Mac.
“The team is hard at work on the next version of Office for Mac,” she said in an email. “While I don’t have details to share on timing, when it’s available, Office 365 subscribers will automatically get the next Office for Mac at no additional cost.”
The company is also said to be working on an iPad version of Office, but it remains unclear when that app might arrive.
     |
Microsoft Power Cover doubles the Surface’s battery life for $200 on March 19th
With the right accessories, the Surface Pro makes a mean alternative to your average laptop — but even with the second generation model’s improved battery life, it doesn’t last long outside of the house. Soon, that might be less of an issue: Microsoft is preparing to ship out the tablet’s Power Cover keyboard later this month. The $200 Type Cover variant was originally announced with the Surface 2, but didn’t make it to market with the new tablets. Now the company has given it a March 19th ship date, promising buyers 70% more battery life for Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and RT-based Surface 2 slates. Pricey? A bit, but can you think of a better way to nurse your Windows 8 slate on an international flight?
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft
Via: ZDNet
Source: Microsoft Store, Microsoft (Twitter)
Twitch game broadcasting goes live on Xbox One
Xbox One owners, start your streams — the Twitch app’s broadcasting support is now available, just in time for Titanfall‘s launch on March 11th. As promised, you can share live gameplay sessions with viewers around the world. You can use your Kinect to chat with any fans, although any interaction is strictly optional. As long as you have a Twitch account and a willingness to show off, you can fire up your console to get the necessary app update and start playing in the public eye.
AIVAnet 