The CNET article makes it sound like Gazelle is more of a competitor to the Chrome browser -- just more secure with more levels of app isolation than IE. Which is a good thing, but not the makings of an OS.
And it's still in the prototype phase, which in Microsoft time would mean a .. 2012 release, if at all?
@Purple Monkey Dishwasher: In other words, I guess I'm unsure of the purpose of this supposed Gazelle and Google Chrome OS. Is there a certain small device market that these would be suitable for if they aren't replacing anything currently out there?
@Purple Monkey Dishwasher: The Chrome OS is just the Chrome Browser running on a stripped-down Linux distribution. I'm not impressed by their "less is more" philosophy, but I guess for small devices it's an easy and free [for now] way to get people online.
It's clear that even with the huge amount of development time MS have had since the launch of the Touch, they still can't break-free from the MS drone mentality - they have to include a POS browser, effectively handicapping the GUI for web browsing when compared to any current top-of-the-line device.
Of course people underestimate the R&D required to produce a stable PDA OS, a multi-touch interface, and a world-class browser - because Apple make it look so easy.
Fact it, the Touch is a hard act to follow for anyone, and it looks like MS are starting out with a questionable hardware design, and a sub-standard browser, so they aren't helping their chances at all.
This thing doesn't even hold-up to the initial, pre app store, iPod Touch - but I guess it means that MS have been consistent in their inability to deliver true innovation to the space.
'Me-too' just doesn't cut it - IMHO
But I guess they have to put a finger in the Dike somewhere.....
@MINI Driver: Thus far, we haven't had any close encounters of the Zune HD kind, so my recommendation is to sit tight and see where this goes before passing all sorts of judgment. The current Zunes are actually very competent pieces of hardware, and while people are constantly comparing the 120 to the touch, the fact that the mid-range iPod that asks the exact same price as the highest end Zune is rarely mentioned anymore should be a strong indicator of the device's competency.
That said, you're right about one thing. The iPod touch is a hard act to follow, but that's mainly because of the applications. Microsoft's main disadvantage is not having a robust, well-established source of applications for the device.
What I'm curious about most is how they'll handle:
A) Application support/approval, and
B) Application performance (multitasking)
The general consensus is that the Zune has great sound, and is just about equaled with the iPod touch in terms of codec compatibility range. The primary factor is the applications. If they get that right, they can potentially beat it to hell altogether, at least unless/until Apple hits the ground running and pulls something from Steve-O's magic App-in-the-box.
Why do you have to exaggerate IE's flaws? Yes, there are better browsers. I use Firefox myself. To say that it's "hellacious"? That just guarantees you're going to get tuned out by anybody who hasn't already drank the Kool-Aid.
sorry this is way off-topic, I have been newsless for 24 hours and I just needed to say:
F California.
That is all.
On topic: I am looking forward to this zune as a replacement and am excited about the touch features. To browse the web Ill use my phone, or if I am at a wifi location i'll probably have my computer.
@switchblade saints: I am assuming that the majority of CA voters don't agree with your views? The courts did the right thing they upheld what the mojority of the voters wanted. Didn't everyone complain when the courts agreed with the minority and gave Bush the White House? Now the same group is complaining when the courts side with the majority of the voters.
@jklug80: You don't seem to understand the mind-set at hand here. It doesn't matter that Prop 8 passed because the population voted into the constitution according to state law which has been around for a long time. It's that they disagree with Prop 8. And how could anyone possibly disagree with them and be a good person?
Their problem is with the system of amending the state constitution, which they never complained about until it resulted in a situation which they didn't like.
This country was founded on the idea that while the majority rules, it cannot be at the expense of minority rights. The whole point of an ammendable constitution is to lay out a set of permissions and rights, and be readily updated to keep up with new societal forces that were not considered at the time the constituiton was laid out. To ammend a constitution specifically to deny a group a set of rights is a harsh bastardization of what that document was meant to protect in the first place.
@closhedbb: Wow, I didn't think anyone would be so concerned about temporary reduction of assessed property values. I know we're hitting hard times, but... wow.
@ripfire: You clearly have no grasp of logic. Dooosh didn't say the two are mutually exclusive - just that they're different things. One cannot be used to gauge the other.
@Mykbibby: This is EXACTLY why it doesn't pay to be a hater... you end up making foolish comments publicly because your hate makes it impossible to truly stay informed enough about the matter you form opinions of. Ultimately, you fail at a fundamental rule of engagement... "Know thine enemy".
Why the hell would you praise this, Giz? I mean seriously, I didn't say anything yesterday when you really did take April Fools too far (and not the humorous kind of taking a joke too far, where it's even funnier because some people think you've taken it too far--I mean I was behind the jokes for a while, and then I realized I actually wanted some tech news and you guys just wouldn't stop) but to continue into the 2nd is just tasteless on all fronts.
Why the hell is this a) cool and b) impressive? You know why nobody else has implemented anything like this? Because it's the stupidest fucking thing I've ever seen, that's why. And that's why Ford is developing it--because they can't guide their heads towards their asses' exits, and have no idea what a smart move in cars is anymore.
First of all, the hardware and interface both look like absolute shit. I'd rather carve a frame out of my Benz's dash and solder an Apple II in there than have this sub windows CE garbage in my car.
Second, who the fuck needs to web-browse from their car's dashboard?? When the hell would you even use it? During a blackout when your cell phone is dead is my only idea. The sick part is is that the browser is actually the most rational feature.
I swear to god if there is one person on this planet that would ever make use of the spreadsheet program, they should off themselves the second they read this.
Yeah, sorry I'm late honey--I had to find my car's hard drive amongst its other 68000 shattered pieces because I was editing this really important PPT I have to present tomorrow on the drive home.
Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch this is so infuriating. You wonder why Ford can't pay it's bills?? Because they're funding R&D for projects like this!! God damn it I swear I wish I could clone myself and run every goddamn business in this country. The Dow would be at 20,000.
As a personal injury lawyer, let me just say that you do not want more computers in your car.
The great thing about car cases is that it's basically a fight over who has the more likable lawyer because at the end of the day, it's one person's word against another.
Computers are really good at recording data. Put in enough data and your statement that you had the green light gets exposed real quick. Some data already gets recorded but most lawyers don't want to deal with the headaches of getting it. And don't think that the plaintiff's bar wants this either. Their clients lie about their driving just like defendants do.
Also, while "velocitator" and "deceleratrix" are not ACTUALLY the technical terms for the gas and brake pedals, if you can bullshit with a straight face, you can convince a 50+ year-old man with an advanced degree and years of experience that they are.
07/08/09
07/08/09
And it's still in the prototype phase, which in Microsoft time would mean a .. 2012 release, if at all?
07/08/09
07/08/09
07/08/09
07/08/09
07/08/09
07/08/09
07/08/09
05/27/09
Of course people underestimate the R&D required to produce a stable PDA OS, a multi-touch interface, and a world-class browser - because Apple make it look so easy.
Fact it, the Touch is a hard act to follow for anyone, and it looks like MS are starting out with a questionable hardware design, and a sub-standard browser, so they aren't helping their chances at all.
This thing doesn't even hold-up to the initial, pre app store, iPod Touch - but I guess it means that MS have been consistent in their inability to deliver true innovation to the space.
'Me-too' just doesn't cut it - IMHO
But I guess they have to put a finger in the Dike somewhere.....
05/27/09
That said, you're right about one thing. The iPod touch is a hard act to follow, but that's mainly because of the applications. Microsoft's main disadvantage is not having a robust, well-established source of applications for the device.
What I'm curious about most is how they'll handle:
A) Application support/approval, and
B) Application performance (multitasking)
The general consensus is that the Zune has great sound, and is just about equaled with the iPod touch in terms of codec compatibility range. The primary factor is the applications. If they get that right, they can potentially beat it to hell altogether, at least unless/until Apple hits the ground running and pulls something from Steve-O's magic App-in-the-box.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
F California.
That is all.
On topic: I am looking forward to this zune as a replacement and am excited about the touch features. To browse the web Ill use my phone, or if I am at a wifi location i'll probably have my computer.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
Their problem is with the system of amending the state constitution, which they never complained about until it resulted in a situation which they didn't like.
05/27/09
This country was founded on the idea that while the majority rules, it cannot be at the expense of minority rights. The whole point of an ammendable constitution is to lay out a set of permissions and rights, and be readily updated to keep up with new societal forces that were not considered at the time the constituiton was laid out. To ammend a constitution specifically to deny a group a set of rights is a harsh bastardization of what that document was meant to protect in the first place.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
The only thing good they have going for them right now is the Xbox.
05/27/09
I hear that both of those make them a little bit of money.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
Or was he just over-exaggerating?
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
04/02/09
04/02/09
Why the hell is this a) cool and b) impressive? You know why nobody else has implemented anything like this? Because it's the stupidest fucking thing I've ever seen, that's why. And that's why Ford is developing it--because they can't guide their heads towards their asses' exits, and have no idea what a smart move in cars is anymore.
First of all, the hardware and interface both look like absolute shit. I'd rather carve a frame out of my Benz's dash and solder an Apple II in there than have this sub windows CE garbage in my car.
Second, who the fuck needs to web-browse from their car's dashboard?? When the hell would you even use it? During a blackout when your cell phone is dead is my only idea. The sick part is is that the browser is actually the most rational feature.
I swear to god if there is one person on this planet that would ever make use of the spreadsheet program, they should off themselves the second they read this.
Yeah, sorry I'm late honey--I had to find my car's hard drive amongst its other 68000 shattered pieces because I was editing this really important PPT I have to present tomorrow on the drive home.
Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch this is so infuriating. You wonder why Ford can't pay it's bills?? Because they're funding R&D for projects like this!! God damn it I swear I wish I could clone myself and run every goddamn business in this country. The Dow would be at 20,000.
Fire away if you want. People are fucking idiots.
04/02/09
04/02/09
04/02/09
The great thing about car cases is that it's basically a fight over who has the more likable lawyer because at the end of the day, it's one person's word against another.
Computers are really good at recording data. Put in enough data and your statement that you had the green light gets exposed real quick. Some data already gets recorded but most lawyers don't want to deal with the headaches of getting it. And don't think that the plaintiff's bar wants this either. Their clients lie about their driving just like defendants do.
Also, while "velocitator" and "deceleratrix" are not ACTUALLY the technical terms for the gas and brake pedals, if you can bullshit with a straight face, you can convince a 50+ year-old man with an advanced degree and years of experience that they are.
04/02/09
Also, is "deceleratrix" the name of the function used by a bad female driver, or the word for a woman who slams on brakes?