No More Talking Turkey, it's Time to Talk Technology

Windows 8 Sales Well Below Expectations

Microsoft released the next version of their popular operating system, Windows 8, this fall. It costs $40 for the upgrade from XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Unfortunately, sales of the new system are not doing as well as Microsoft executives would have hoped. This is a good sign for other market leaders, Apple OS X and Ubuntu Linux. 

There are a couple of reasons for this underachievement. Firstly, people are still disillusioned after the initial release of Windows Vista in 2007 that was so notoriously buggy that many people were forced to downgrade back to XP. This has haunted Microsoft, and still does today. With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft combined their phone software (Windows Phone 7) which uses “Live Tiles”, and their desktop software (Windows 7) into a product that is used on both tablets and traditional hardware (laptops and desktops). It’s a little confusing to use, and has a longer learning curve than previously. “Unfortunately, in Windows 8, you can’t live exclusively in one world or the other,” said reviewer David Pogue of New York Times, referring to the tablet interface and the desktop interface (worlds). One more reason to pass on it? The reviews for the new operating system have been abysmal, receiving a 78/100 score on gdgt.com, a site that uses both critic and consumer review to make its score.

AC/DC Lands on iTunes, Finally

Known as the “last holdout” after the Beatles caved in the spring of 2011, you can now download the “Back in Black”ers on iTunes. AC/DC is the 5th best-selling group/artist of all-time. The band was against having their music available on iTunes for a long time; "We believe the songs on any of our albums belong together. If we were on iTunes, we know a certain percentage of people would only download two or three songs from the album. We don't think that represents us musically," said by lead guitarist Angus Young in 2008. However, many critics pointed out the loss of revenue this caused the band. After all, most music in this day and age is purchased digitally. Prior to this, the only place you could find AC/DC’s music was through Verizon music. There, you could only purchase full albums, not individual tracks, true to Young’s words. In my opinion, this has been long coming. I can’t wait to download “The Razor’s Edge” off of iTunes!

Wii U Review Roundup

The Nintendo Wii U went on sale this past week! This is the latest iteration of their console, and a very unique on at that. It includes a tablet-like GamePad, which doubles as a “second-screen experience." This is another take on the console market. Wii invented its own category with its motion gameplay, which at the time was the most popular console ever (now replaced by the Xbox 360). The reviews for the new experience enjoyed the new take on the traditional controller. It’s sure to be on many Christmas’s lists this holiday season. It's more expensive than the previous consoles, with $300 for the 8 GB version and $350 for 32 GB consoles. It’s higher cost is justified by the improved HD graphics, said to be on par with current generation PS3 and XBox consoles, and also by the fact that the GamePad can be used independent of the console to stream content from it. Even so, I feel like Nintendo should have charged less than $300, especially because it only includes one GamePad. The Wii is a family unit, not for hardcore gamers.

Stay tuned for more news from Techno Trent!