Xeonwales Blog

Ok, this is a rather geeky post, so the fain hearted should STOP........

Ok, here we go.

Some 25 years ago (Infact, just a few days over 25 years ago), Bill Gates Created Microsoft, who in turn created Windows 1.0.1

Since then, Microsoft have gone on to dominate the computer operating system market. Over 91% of PC users are estimated to be Windows users. I myself own a Windows PC (Although its only ever used for Gaming, everything else is done in OS X).

Now, don't quote me on this, but I believe that before Windows was even thought about, another operating system existed called UNIX.

Now, I wont bore you with the history of the 2 (UNIX Wiki - Windows Wiki), but basically Windows went on to win the battle & the war.

But UNIX still lives on to this day, powering Linux, OSX, Android & Palm Webos (if im wrong, please correct me), and accounts for around 9% of the PC market share

Ok, thats the history done (I would have made a great teacher!!), now on with my rant.

Today, Attachmate announced they were acquiring Novel, owners of the rather popular Linux distro, SUSE Linux. Novel also own UNIX......

Now, to help raise the cash to buy Novel (for $2.2Billion), they are selling some IP's to Microsoft. Now Attachmate have not anounced what IP's will sold to MS, there is a fear that they may sell the rights to UNIX to MS. This would be bad....... Real bad.

Remember the history lesson I gave you? UNIX is the backbone of Linux, MAC OSX, Android & the iPhone.....

This could lead to MS strangling UNIX to death, or pricing UNIX out of the market & kill off the competition. For a few measly quid ($450Million), MS could dominate the desktop OS & the mobile OS market once again.....

This could be bad.

I may be on the wrong track completely here, and if I am, please correct me & educate me, but if I am right, it's going to be a MS world...

Source(s)
http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS4446359842.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/22/attachmate_eats_novell/
http://www.computerhope.com/history/unix.htm

So here it is, the Samsung Omnia 7 - T-Mobile's 1st Windows Phone 7 phone. Weighing in at 138g, a 4 inch capasative touch screen, AMOLED display, 1Ghz CPU, and Windows Phone 7 OS.

I got the phone delivered on wednesday, and must say.... i like it. The phone itself feels nice in the hand, the screen is ultra bright & the OS is promising. I say promising because i'm not feeling it 100%. Something is missing...

I'll get to the bad points later. 1st, the good stuff.

• Xbox Live - The xbox live service is amazing!! No doubt the best feature / app on Windows Phone 7 to date.
• Internet Explorer - Did I just say that?? Yes, IE on this phone is great, not quite as good as iOs, but not a bad attempt.
• MS Office - only tried this once, but was able to create & edit a Excel file. Best Office app on any mobile
• The Marketplace - This has its good & bad points. The bad being the lack of content - only 1000 apps. But as the OS is only 4 weeks old, I cant really hold that against it. The good news is the layout. This is the best looking app store on any mobile... iOs, Blackberry, Android & Symbian. It looks lush.

So, today in work, we were treated to a visit from Samsung & Microsoft, who were keen to show off there latest products, the Samsung Omnia 7 & Windows Phone 7.

Representing Microsoft was a friend of mine, Alex. I met Alex a few years ago when i started to use the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 mobile. I was (and still am) working in tech support for a mobile operator, he was working for Danger, the company who owned the Sidekick...... but i digress, back on topic.

I got a chance to play with Windows Phone 7, and must say - even as an Apple fanboi - it was quite good. I mean, not iPhone good (of corse), but it was very good. Here are some of the highlights.

• One home screen. Endless 'Tiles' 
• Integrated Facebook, Twitter & Contacts, in one 'Hub' 
• Ultra (and i really mean) Ultra responsive.
• No lag. I really mean it, there was 0 lag moving from app to app.
• MS Office - Slideshow's look amazing on this thing!! (Apple, take note)
• Zune Music - Unlimited music for £8.99 a month
• The big one...... XBOX LIVE!!!