Author Archives: halberenson

Live Long and Prosper SteveSi

Posted on November 13, 2012 by halberenson

I was only momentarily shocked when I heard last night that Steven Sinofsky was leaving Microsoft.  It was momentary because a friend had told me months ago that Steven would be gone soon after Windows 8 launched.  The claim was … Continue reading →

Posted in Microsoft | Tagged , | 107 Comments

Why I probably won’t buy a Windows Phone 8 device this fall

Posted on November 12, 2012 by halberenson

Let me be clear, I want Windows Phone 8.  And OEMs have introduced some pretty compelling phones with it this fall.  But I think I’m going to keep my new device lust in check.  At least I’m going to try. … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows Phone | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Where are the 7″ Microsoft tablets?

Posted on November 9, 2012 by halberenson

A few days ago I was contemplating a blog post with my speculation about a 7″ Microsoft tablet when rumors of an “Xbox Surface” re-surfaced.  I tend to believe this rumor because I’ve been expecting that a portable Xbox family … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Understanding Office

Posted on November 7, 2012 by halberenson

Last week I overheard two of the top Microsoft “watchers” discuss the Office group having bet against Windows 8, presumably because Office 2013 is not fully a (set of) Metro (aka, Windows Store) apps.  Ok, as much as it pains … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Performance of the Microsoft Surface and Windows RT

Posted on November 6, 2012 by halberenson

The evidence is growing that Microsoft’s decision to provide developers little or no access to Windows RT systems prior to general availability is coming back to bite them.  In particular, there are reports that performance is sub par.  First we … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

About that WP8 SDK

Posted on October 28, 2012 by halberenson

We’re just hours away from what will hopefully be an enlightening and exciting Windows Phone 8 launch.  I must admit I’ve mostly been ignoring Windows Phone the last few months .  It’s hard to get excited, or even pay attention, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows Phone | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Understanding the Microsoft Surface (a sort of Review)

Posted on October 28, 2012 by halberenson

This is a review of the Microsoft Surface, though it won’t be like most other reviews you read.  I’m going to focus my effort on positioning the Surface in today’s so-called “post-PC” era.  You want unboxing, descriptions of buttons and … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | 37 Comments

Just keep calling it Metro

Posted on October 27, 2012 by halberenson

I have been trying every which way to avoid calling the new Windows 8 user experience and applications by the code name Microsoft used, Metro.  But I’m giving up.  I mean “Windows Store Apps”, “Microsoft Design Language”, “New Windows Experience”, … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

Today’s the day! Will there be any real news on Windows 8 or Surface?

Posted on October 25, 2012 by halberenson

One of the things that has bothered me the last fifteen years or so is how companies, and Microsoft in particular, have released so much information about products in advance that launch events are merely parties. In the old days … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Why users hate tracking

Posted on October 24, 2012 by halberenson

Last week I was helping my mother move into a new apartment and needed a wireless phone jack to hook up her fax machine.  Of course I used my Acer Iconia Tab W500 to research the available options and find … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Privacy | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments