windows

Is Microsoft copying Google with its Fluent Design System?

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 12:01 pm EDT

Three years ago, Google introduced developers to its new design system, called Material Design. This year at Build, Microsoft announced its Fluent Design System, meant to address the same challenges Google faced. So is Microsoft following the leader?

Dystopian abuse of Microsoft's powerful AI camera tech is all but inevitable

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 12:00 pm EDT

Microsoft's AI-driven camera technology recognizes people, places and objects via millions of cameras already in use. Is a hyper-surveillance dystopia our future?

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Microsoft must manage consumer expectations of Windows 10 S to avoid PR nightmare

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By Jason Ward, Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 9:00 am EDT

Microsoft said Windows 10 S is the Windows we all know. There's one major difference, however, that could be problematic for consumers and a real PR issue for Microsoft.

Why Windows 10 S, Project Centennial are critical to Continuum's success

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By Jason Ward, Monday, May 15, 2017 at 1:00 pm EDT

Microsoft bet big on Continuum's ability to give a phone a desktop experience. Modernized Win32 apps via Project Centennial and UWP are critical to that scenario, so getting developers on board with Windows S is a necessity.

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Why Android is a serious problem for Microsoft

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By Jason Ward, Wednesday, Apr 19, 2017 at 1:00 pm EDT

Android began its trek to rule personal computing ten years ago. It recently overtook Windows as the most used OS in the world, and that Microsoft has a serious Android problem. Here's why.

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Is the Windows phone fan community imploding?

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Thursday, Apr 6, 2017 at 9:00 am EDT

Microsoft's unsuccessful mobile efforts have angered the fan base. That same group of loyalists are now taking that anger out on one another. Is the Windows phone fan base imploding?

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Which version of Windows do you run on your PC?

Community

By Rich Edmonds, Wednesday, Mar 29, 2017 at 10:30 am EDT

We're interested in learning which version of Windows you rely on, and why. Whether it's on a desktop, laptop or a tablet PC, do you rock Windows 10? Or did you miss out on the free upgrade and still use Windows 8?

Future of the PC is an intelligent cloud that connects a family of devices

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By Jason Ward, Monday, Mar 20, 2017 at 12:01 pm EDT

Today's PC is evolving but not into a single form factor, as some may believe. Here's why.

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What does the perfect Windows phone look like?

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By Jason Ward, Monday, Mar 13, 2017 at 12:09 pm EDT

Diehard Windows phone fans desperately desire a new Windows phone to replace their aging devices. The HP Elite x3 and Alcatel Idol 4S are too expensive for some consumers. So would an affordable, Continuum-powered phone fit the bill?

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Tech terminology check: Is it Windows Phone or Windows phone?

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Friday, Mar 3, 2017 at 1:00 pm EST

Some people write Windows Phone (capital "p") while others write Windows phone. Some say Windows Mobile, and others say Windows 10 Mobile. What gives?

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No, Windows phone isn't dead — and it may never die

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017 at 12:00 pm EST

Every few months, Windows phone's declining market share provokes a new round of speculation about the platform's health. The situation isn't good, but the concept of Windows on a phone isn't dead. Here's why.

Groundbreaking tech will make Cortana's hearing as good as ours

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Tuesday, Nov 15, 2016 at 8:00 am EST

Advances in speech recognition have made Microsoft's automated systems as accurate as human professionals. This is an important breakthrough for Redmond's Conversations as a Canvas vision.

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Can we still expect a "best on Windows" Microsoft experience?

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Sunday, Sep 4, 2016 at 12:00 pm EDT

Satya Nadella has promised a "best on Windows" Microsoft experience. Amid an obvious pursuit of a cross-platform strategy can we still anticipate a fulfillment of this promise.

AI, Bots and Canvases Part III: Gates and Ballmer paved the path for Nadella's AI and bots

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Wednesday, Aug 17, 2016 at 12:00 pm EDT

Every vision has a beginning. Leaders such as Satya Nadella who is leading a global company during a major industry shift had help getting there. Bill Gates & Steve Ballmer were critical in helping Microsoft build the foundation from which Nadella is propelling the firm into the age of AI and bots!

AI, Bots, and Canvases, Part II: Cortana to rule the world

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Monday, Aug 15, 2016 at 12:00 pm EDT

Each major platform has a digital assistant. Apple has Siri. Android has Google Now. Windows has Cortana — part of Microsoft's uniquely industry-wide solutions. As Office rules productivity, Cortana is being positioned to rule as an intelligent platform for the age of bots.

Microsoft and the duo user Part II: The consumers hidden inside enterprise

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Tuesday, Jul 26, 2016 at 2:08 pm EDT

Microsoft is focused on both consumers and the enterprise. Few company's have the reach, depth, resources, partners and core belief to enable them to deliver a comprehensive enterprise and consumer array of products and services. How deep does this duo user philosophy go? And can it help mobile?

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Microsoft and the duo user Part I: Microsoft is building a "phone" for consumers

Opinions

By Jason Ward, Wednesday, Jul 20, 2016 at 9:00 am EDT

Microsoft's recent focusing of its phone hardware strategy has drawn increased attention to the business target of Microsoft's retrenching strategy. But that doesn't mean consumers are no longer a target.

Best AirDrop alternatives for Windows

By Cale Hunt, Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm EDT

Fill the air with data using these great alternatives to AirDrop.

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Use Windows Defender Offline to remove tough viruses from your Windows 10 PC

By Mauro Huculak, Saturday, Jan 23, 2016 at 10:36 am EST

It can be the worse feeling when you're working on your computer, and suddenly a virus sneaks in and not even your antivirus can remove the threat. This is when Microsoft's Windows Defender Offline comes to the rescue, and we'll show you how to use it.

This is Microsoft’s original vision for the Lumia 950 series

Did Microsoft shift to an AI-focused strategy because of Google?

Surface Laptop vs. Surface Pro: Spec showdown and form factor wars

Break into a cybersecurity career with this $69 certification bundle!

Quick comparison of the new Surface Pro and Dell's XPS 15

Does the new Surface Pro really edge out the cheaper Surface Pro 4?

Hey you! Don’t forget about all of Windows Central’s apps.

Microsoft's 'Beam' service is getting a rebrand, say hi to 'Mixer'

Celebrate Star Wars' birthday with these great gifts!

Should you buy Microsoft's Surface Pro or Surface Laptop?

8 things you'll love about new Surface Pro – and 3 things you'll hate

Is Microsoft's Fluent Design a clone of Google's Material Design?

Surface Pro beats iPad Pro in a tech spec comparison — by a mile

Will you buy Microsoft's new Surface Pro? (poll)

Why isn't the new Surface Pro named 'Surface Pro 5?'

Introducing the new Windows Central 'Colors T-Shirt,' now ready to order!

Why Microsoft's new Surface Pro doesn't have a USB Type-C port

Meet the new Microsoft Surface Pro!

New Microsoft Surface Pen: Everything you need to know

Which is the best? Surface Laptop vs. Spectre x360 vs. XPS 13

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