Microsoft to focus heavily on HTML5 for IE9

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:24:32 GMT

Electronista have some leaked details about the forthcoming Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) release from Microsoft. No real surprises here but Microsoft are expected to have heavy emphasis on bring IE into line with HTML5 support and allowing plug-in free video support.

Virgin America dropping Flash. Start of a trend?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:51:42 GMT

Virgin America has dropped the use of Adobe Flash because of the lack of iPhone and mobile device Flash compatibility. Avoiding the use of browser plugins is something we believe will become a familiar story in the coming years. Read more here.

Inside the Excruciatingly Slow Death of Internet Explorer 6

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:36:25 GMT

Gizmodo have a fascinating insight into the extraordinarily slow demise of Internet Explorer 6. You can check out the article here.

Social Networking in Outlook

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:22:32 GMT

We like to keep our ear to the ground in terms of social media, the new players in the market and the application of these new tools in our business. Interestingly the NZ Herald this week talks about how Microsoft is in on the action with the future of outlook looking a lot like a social networking site. Facelook anyone?

Microsoft Unveils All-New Windows Phone 7 Series

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:18:53 GMT

In what looks like a complete re-think of the Windows Mobile OS, in Barcelona today Microsoft has unveiled the Windows Phone 7 Series.

Paul Thurrott has a preview here.

Volvo introduces new Infotainment system

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:52:32 GMT

Volvo is introducing a new Infotainment system into its XC70 vehicle, based on Windows XP, Wi-FI and a 500 GB Hard Drive.Read more here

2009 Best iPhone App Awards

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:06:43 GMT

The winners of the 2009 Best App Ever Awards have now been announced in the second annual competition honoring the best iPhone apps and games released in the iTunes App Store. Read more here

Hands On With the iPad

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:34:53 GMT

Unfortunately not hands-on at Sandfield! However, AppleInsider has a nice write-up and videos with a hands-on experience with the iPad here.

Google Docs and Google Sites to drop IE6 support

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:54:26 GMT

Support for Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) seems to be dropping off quickly. Google has announced that Google Docs and Google Sites will no longer support IE6 come March. This is in addition to Microsoft announcing it will not support IE6 in it's Office Online web applications, nor Sharepoint 2010.

Surprisingly IE6 still commands a decent chunk of browser usage - 20%!. Time to move on from IE6 we think, and there are plenty of good alternatives including IE8, Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

You can read more on Google's announcement here.

Some thoughts on the iPad

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:59:13 GMT

Last Thursday (NZT) saw the unveiling of the Apple iPad. Since then the reaction to the iPad has been mixed. The iPad broadly met my expections but it's not the revolution the iPhone was when it was launched. I do believe however that the iPad will be successful in carving out a substantial niche for itself.

A common criticism is that the iPad is just an over-sized iPod touch. I think this criticism is unfair and particularly shallow given that every application that ships with the iPad has been completely re-worked to take advantage of the larger display. This change can not be under-rated. As with the iPhone, the true wow of the iPad is not with the hardware but with the software -- it's the purpose-built multi touch OS and software that will differentiate the iPad from it's competitors such as the hp Slate by providing a very slick user experience.

What are my concerns about the iPad? The lack of a camera is disappointing, but no doubt something that will be addressed in a future version. I would also like to see the iPhone OS the iPad is based on move in a direction where it isn't so dependent on being tethered (or synced) with a PC or Mac. I see the iPad as a computer, one that should be able to operate on it's own. Some form of local file storage (home folder) will be required to store documents, etc that users create on the iPad - we will have to wait and see what Apple plans to support in this area.

For many the iPad will be all the computer they need -- it will be wonderful for internet browsing, email, music, and photos -- these activities probably sum up what most people use their computers for.

The iPad will be an interesting product to watch. More at http://www.apple.com/ipad