With Windows 8.1, Microsoft addressed some of the problems that scuffed the original Windows 8 release, smoothing the cracks between desktop and touch UIs, improving snapped apps, and allowing users to boot direct to the desktop, among other tweaks and fixes.
For many, this is the software that Microsoft should have launched in 2012.
For others, Windows 8.1 simply makes Windows 8 slightly less terrible. The truth is that, while Windows 8.1 improves Windows 8, the consensus is that it doesn’t do enough.
Before an all-new, rewritten-from-the-ground-up, cloud-embracing Windows 9 appears, we will probably have Windows 8.2 as a stop-gap in late 2014, although Windows 8.1 Update 1 is already available for download. Windows 9 could then appear in 2015.
Cut to the chase
What is it? An upgrade for Windows, to follow Windows 8.1 Update 1
When is it out? Probably late 2014
What will it cost? Nothing, it will be a free upgrade
What is it? An upgrade for Windows, to follow Windows 8.1 Update 1
When is it out? Probably late 2014
What will it cost? Nothing, it will be a free upgrade
First though, we know that Windows 8.1 Update 1 will appear during Build 2014 after a previous goofalready let it out of the bag. It’s the leakiest update to Windows yet and is fairly underwhelming.
The new update features improvements to the Start Screen including the ability to boot straight into the Desktop, the return of shutdown on the Start screen and a more familiar task bar to unify the old and new user interfaces.
What Windows 8.2 might do
The same group of leakers, WZOR, has reason to believe that Windows 8.2 will introduce the revamped Start menu that was teased during Build 2014. That means a return, or at least something similar, to the Start menu found on Windows 7.
A major difference will be the addition of integrated Live Tiles to the Start menu. This will dually keep the Modern UI aesthetic of Windows 8 while including some of that live-updating functionality.
ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley cites sources that echo this sentiment. However, she reports that the inclusion of Modern UI apps in the desktop UI as floating windows and on the task bar might be tabled for a larger Windows 9 release in 2015.
What Windows 8.2 should do
While Microsoft listened to user feedback and reinstated the Start button in Windows 8.1, they didn’t make it intuitive.
Clicking the Start icon simply takes you to the Metro Start screen. You need to right-click the icon to bring up a Start Menu, with more familiar quick links to Task Manager, Control Panel and Shut Down. Even this menu isn’t strictly new: it’s hidden in Windows 8 (press and hold the Windows key and press X to open it).
Windows 8.2 could make the Start Screen easier to access and it would be an ideal opportunity to improve the discoverability of other useful options that are currently buried in sub-menus.
While Microsoft is at it, Windows 8.2 should reinstate Libraries in File Explorer, which don’t show by default. Yes, you can turn them back on. But again, the option isn’t easy to find. Microsoft’s fondness for labyrinthine menu structures is frustrating, especially for inexperienced users.
What business users should expect from the iPhone 6
Another year, another iPhone release. With the iPhone 6 release reportedly set for September 9,TechRadarhas already said the new smartphone could be one of the most pivotal devices in Apple’s history. The iPhones 5S and 5C were arguably simple, superficial updates over the iPhone 5. However, with an entirely new operating system (iOS 8) and rumored design revision, users should expect a major change with the iPhone 6.
With business users increasingly adopting the iPhone, there are several changes to expect with the updated device.
Bigger is better: The iPhone 6 is expected to be the biggest iPhone manufactured to date. According to several media outlets, there will be two available sizes: 4.7 inches and a 5.5-inch “phablet” style phone. The 4.7-inch model will put it in direct competition with competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8.
What this means for business users: More work can be accomplished on the phone, on the go. Perhaps the larger 5.5-inch iPhone will replace business tablets.
Custom keyboards: Ask Android-turned-iPhone users about their complaints about their switch and you are almost guaranteed to hear grievances about the keyboard. However, Apple will allow users the ability to use third party keyboards with iOS 8. One of the keyboards Android users are likely most excited about is Swype, which gives users the ability to use simple gestures on the touch screen as opposed to the standard typo-ridden iPhone keyboard.
What this means for business users: More accurate typing. The pesky “Sent from an iPhone. Please excuse typos.” warning may become a warning of the past.
Say (megapixel) cheese: At 8 megapixels, the iPhone camera has generally been regarded as pretty stellar. However, with an increasingly competitive smartphone market, the iPhone 6 is rumored to step up its camera to 13 mexapixels.
What this means for business users: More megapixels means higher photo resolution. Expect the iPhone 6 camera to increasingly replace the standard digital camera.
More memory: Earlier in August, the Chinese Apple repair firm GeekBar shared documents that claimed it included hardware schematics for the iPhone 6. According to GeekBar, the iPhone 6 may be available in a 128GB internal memory option, in addition to offering 16GB and 64GB memory options. Interestingly, the documents do not indicate a 32GB storage option, despite that usually being a standard Apple plan.
What this means for business users: With a significantly large storage plan at 128GB, the iPhone 6 will be especially suitable for businesses that require access to files in and out of the office.
Need for speed: The iPhone 6 is also rumored to undergo an upgrade in processor speed. The phone could include a new A8 chip that will boast frequencies of 2.0 GHz or more. Compare that to the iPhone 5Swhich only has a 1.3 Ghz A7 processor.
What this means for business users: If this processor upgrade rumor is true, users should expect a significant improvement in operating speed. For business users especially, this is favorable news and will help Apple against fast processing Android and Windows phones.
iPhone 6 release date, news and rumors
Latest update: The time is nigh, people. The invites are out. Apple is hosting an event in Cupertino on September 9, with the tagline ‘Wish we could say more’.
The new iPhone could be one of the most pivotal devices in the Cupertino brand’s history – with the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C simple updates to previous models, there’s a lot of pressure heaped on the iPhone 6.
We’ve already been given a small sneak peak at what Apple may have in store for us on the iPhone 6 thanks to the announcement of iOS 8 at WWDC – from a bigger screen and camera to health monitoring and more storage.
One thing is for sure, with the Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G3, Sony Xperia Z2 and HTC One M8 now out in wild, Apple needs to be on its game with the new iPhone – and many believe a bigger screen is simply a must.
- Apparently there’s new iPad Air and new iPad Mini tablets on the way too
Cut to the chase
- What is it? A major revision of the iPhone including entire design
- When is it out? September 9 for the launch, September 19 on sale.
- What will it cost? Prices are likely to start at around £550 / $650 / AU$869
iPhone 6 release date
The iPhone 6 release date is virtually certain for September, which would fit in nicely with the rollout of the newly announced iOS 8.
More exactly, the iPhone 6 launch date momentum has been set for September 9, an idle Tuesday at the start of the month.
The standard launch cycle will be likely followed, which means the Tuesday announcement will be followed by an on-sale release date 10 days later – which means Friday September 19 will be the first time you’ll be able to get your mitts on it.
It’s looking increasingly likely that we’ll see more than one Apple handset this year, with a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and a 5.5-inch phablet – possibly dubbed the iPhone Air or the iPhone 6L – coming alongside. The latter was rumored to be pushed until later in the year, thanks to problems with the battery and production, butrecent updates seem to say these have been solved.
TechRadar’s sources have also intimated that both models will launch together, so we’re pretty confident that will happen.
